Best Hidden Gems Middle Eastern Restaurants in Los Angeles
34 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Jino's Pars - Persian Restaurant
A long-running Persian standby near LAX known for big portions and classic stews.
Notable Picks
Long before Westchester filled up with chains, Jino's Pars was serving saffron-scented rice, juicy koobideh, and rich stews to travelers and locals near LAX. The menu leans deep into traditional Persian plates with generous portions, making it a reliable destination for hearty dinners and family gatherings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh kabob with saffron basmati rice, Shish lick rack of lamb, Ghormeh sabzi herb stew
What Makes it Special: A long-running Persian standby near LAX known for big portions and classic stews.
#2
esme
8.6
This design-forward cafe blends California ingredients with Middle Eastern and Latin flavors in refined dishes like shakshuka and merguez sandwiches. Founded by Ivan and Gabby in their deeply personal vision from 2017, the bright space showcases thoughtful plating and a warm community atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shakshuka, Merguez Sandwich, Barbari Bread
What Makes it Special: Husband-wife founded cafe merging Middle Eastern-Latin flavors with California seasonality
#3
Vala Kitchen
8.5
Vala Kitchen sits along Sunset with a Persian-leaning menu of kebabs, rice plates, and stews served in a casual, modern space. It’s a go-to for polished but approachable Middle Eastern flavors before or after nearby studios, shows, and screenings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken barg with saffron rice, Beef koobideh platter, Ghormeh sabzi stew with tahdig-style rice
What Makes it Special: Persian kebabs and stews delivered with a lighter, health-conscious touch on Sunset.
8.4
Ara’s Shawarma on Sunset focuses on fast, filling Middle Eastern plates built around juicy rotisserie shawarma and charcoal-grilled meats. It’s a workhorse counter spot that feeds everyone from nearby workers to late-night Hollywood crowds with big portions and long hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate with rice and salad, Beef shawarma wrap, Family mixed grill platter
What Makes it Special: High-output shawarma counter balancing speed, price, and charcoal-grilled flavor.
8.4
This family-owned gem has been a Pasadena institution for over 20 years, serving authentic Armenian-Lebanese cuisine with lightning-fast service. The owner Koko personally ensures quality in every shawarma wrap and kebab plate, while locals line up for the legendary garlic sauce.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Kebab Plate, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Homemade Garlic Sauce
What Makes it Special: The garlic sauce locals dream about between visits
8.4
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Open since the late 1970s, Moun Of Tunis turns dinner into a North African feast with multi-course Tunisian and Moroccan prix fixe menus, hand-washing rituals, and occasional belly dancing. Cushioned banquettes, low tables, and long-running ownership make it a destination for celebratory group meals rather than quick bites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moun of Tunis Feast prix fixe, Brik (Tunisian fried pastry), Chicken B’stilla
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Tunisian and Moroccan feasts with hand-washing ceremony and belly dancing.
8.4
Open since the early 1980s, Shaherzad is one of Westwood’s original Persian restaurants, known for house-baked bread and substantial kebab platters. Diners come for reliably grilled meats, fragrant rice, and an old-school atmosphere that feels more like a neighborhood dining room than a polished modern concept.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soltani (barg and koobideh), Tahdig with khoresh, Grilled salmon kabob
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Persian spot baking bread and grilling generous kebab platters.
8.4
A 14-seat one-man operation where a chef with Eleven Madison Park and Per Se training applies fine-dining discipline to regional Turkish dishes—bulgur dumplings with hours-long preparation, kebabs with Sonoma-sourced beef fat, fermented tarhana butter. The kiosk ordering and industrial Fashion District location strip away formality, leaving direct connection with the cooking and a price point well below what the technique would command elsewhere.
Must-Try Dishes:
İçli Köfte, Levrek Marin, Shrimp in Tarhana Butter
What Makes it Special: A 14-seat one-man operation where a chef trained at Eleven Madison Park and Per Se serves Turkish dishes elevated with French and Japanese techniques
#9
Dr. Sandwich
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
Dr. Sandwich on Beverly is a fast-casual Middle Eastern counter known for shawarma, kebabs, and overflowing pita and plate combos built from a broad salad and sauce bar. It’s a go-to for quick, filling halal lunches and late-afternoon bites where flavor and volume matter more than décor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Mixed grill kebab platter, Falafel pita
What Makes it Special: Halal shawarma and grill plates piled high with salads and sauces.
Levant is a sit-down Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant on East Hollywood Boulevard known for big platters, pide, and grilled meats. It doubles as both neighborhood spot and catering hub, so portions skew generous and menus are built for sharing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Levant mixed grill platter, Beef and mushroom pide, Pistachio baklava with Turkish tea
What Makes it Special: Large-format Turkish and Mediterranean platters tailored for family-style feasts.
#11
Taste of Tehran
8.3
Taste of Tehran showcases the vibrant flavors of Iran in a modern, minimalist space. Chef-owner Saghar, classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu, crafts each dish from scratch, with top marks for kabobs, daily specials, and an unusually strong vegetarian/vegan offering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Koobideh Kabob, Tahdig with Ghormeh Sabzi, Kashk Bademjan
What Makes it Special: Chef-driven Persian classics in an updated, laid-back setting.
8.3
The West Hollywood outpost of Zankou Chicken brings the family-run chain’s rotisserie chicken, Chicken Tarna, and garlic sauce to a busy stretch of Sunset. This location sees heavy pre- and post-show traffic and has become a reliable choice for fast-casual Mediterranean plates and wraps. Strong value and speed make it a staple rather than a splurge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tarna Plate, Whole Rotisserie Chicken, Falafel Plate
What Makes it Special: Long-running Armenian-owned chain location with famous rotisserie chicken and garlic sauce.
#13
Al Basch Chicken
8.2
Al Basch Chicken is a counter-service Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spot on Sunset known for shawarma, kabobs, and overstuffed pita sandwiches. Portions run large for the price, and regulars praise the char on the meats and the brightness of the salads and pickles. It’s one of the more dependable quick-shawarma options in the area.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Mixed Kabob Plate, Falafel Pita Sandwich
What Makes it Special: High-value shawarma and kabobs with standout char and generous portions.
#14
Ammatoli
8.2
Chef Dima Habibeh's James Beard-recognized Levantine restaurant brings her Amman, Jordan roots to Long Beach through daily-baked pita, musakhan, and a mezze spread that regulars consider essential ordering. The $$ price point with generous portions makes it one of the region's better values for Mediterranean food at this quality level. Two expansions since the 2018 opening have added private dining space while maintaining the warm, bustling energy that works best for groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Musakhan, Batata Harra, Kibbeh
What Makes it Special: Chef Dima Habibeh brings Amman, Jordan to Long Beach with daily-baked pita, fresh-delivered produce, and Levantine dishes rarely found at this quality in Southern California.
#15
Tajrish Kabob
8.2
Tajrish Kabob is a full-service Persian-Mediterranean restaurant where charcoal-grilled kabobs, stews, and seafood plates anchor a sit-down experience just inland from the marina. Regulars lean on it for well-seasoned koobideh, Cornish hen, and salmon kabobs in a space that now feels more polished after a recent remodel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Koobideh Kabob, Cornish Hen Kabob, Salmon Fish Kabob
What Makes it Special: Remodeled Persian spot with charcoal-grilled kabobs and hearty plates.
8.1
An Egyptian-Persian-Mexican crossover counter in a Northridge strip mall that bakes its own dough daily and runs a halal kitchen covering kebab plates, shawarma wraps, and carne asada tacos under one roof. The value math works for families—full kabob plates and sides at budget pricing with a free lot out back. It draws a loyal Reseda Blvd crowd that treats it as a weeknight default rather than a destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Kabob Plate, Chicken Shawarma, Carne Asada Tacos
What Makes it Special: Egyptian-Persian-Mexican crossover kitchen serving halal kebabs alongside carne asada tacos on housemade dough baked daily
8.1
JoJo’s Mediterranean Grill is a Lebanese-led spot inside the 8000 Sunset complex serving shawarma, kabobs, and mezze with a home-cooking angle. Opened during the pandemic, it has built a following on fresh-grilled meats, generous salads, and friendly, hands-on ownership. It works equally well for casual dine-in, delivery, or group platters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Mediterranean Salad with Chicken, Falafel Wrap with Hummus
What Makes it Special: Owner-driven Lebanese spot in a mall setting with carefully cooked shawarma.
#18
Kabob Bowl
8.1
A build-your-own Mediterranean bowl spot in Glassell Park that hits on freshness, generous proteins, and bright sides. The menu leans practical and craveable—kabobs, hummus, rice, and salads—executed for repeat neighborhood lunches and easy takeout nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken kabob bowl, Beef koobideh plate, Falafel with garlic sauce
What Makes it Special: Customizable kabob bowls with consistently fresh sides.
#19
Baba Kebab
8
A charcoal-forward Turkish street stand where every kebab is grilled to order over mesquite lump at the triangulation point of Echo Park, Chinatown, and DTLA. The format is pure sidewalk cookout—communal tables under a freeway overpass with traffic rumbling overhead—so come for the smoke ring on the Adana, not the ambiance. Late-night pricing stays honest relative to the technique, making this a strong play when you want real-fire kebab without a sit-down commitment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kebab Wrap, Adana Kebab, Shish Kebap
What Makes it Special: Turkish street-food stand grilling every kebab to order over mesquite lump charcoal at the corner where Echo Park, Chinatown, and DTLA meet
A Melrose Avenue Moroccan spot that pairs tagine-focused cooking with live belly dancer performances, turning dinner into a cultural production rather than just a meal. The intimate seating arrangement—tables set into private nooks—makes it work for couples who want the theatrical experience without the communal chaos. Execution stays steady across a high volume of repeat visitors, which speaks to kitchen discipline on the classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Tagine, Chicken Pastilla, Mint Tea
What Makes it Special: Live belly dancer performances transform dinner into a full Moroccan cultural experience on Melrose
Cedar's Halal Meat Market & Grill combines a full halal butcher counter with a small grill turning out shawarma, kabobs, and late-night tacos. Regulars come for fresh-cut meats, generously filled wraps, and cross-over plates that mix Middle Eastern flavors with local comfort staples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef shawarma wrap, Beef kabob plate with rice and salad, Halal tacos with house hummus
What Makes it Special: Halal butcher and grill in one spot serving Middle Eastern plates and tacos.
8
D’s Dubai Sauce Modern Grill turns Hollywood Blvd into a Middle Eastern late-night canteen, serving shawarma plates, kabobs, and wraps until after midnight. High-volume delivery and takeout orders mix with dine-in guests, making it a go-to for hearty halal plates when most kitchens have gone dark.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Dubai Mix Plate, Chicken Kabob Wrap
What Makes it Special: High-volume halal spot turning out generous shawarma and kabob plates for late-night delivery, takeout, and dine-in.
#23
Laziz Grill
8
Located inside a Persian grocery, Laziz Grill quietly serves some of the best-value kabobs and Persian deli specialties in the area. This no-frills counter is beloved for its seasoned koobideh, fresh bread, and ultra-affordable lunch specials, especially among locals in-the-know.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh Plate, Fesenjan, Fresh Sangak Bread
What Makes it Special: Ultra-affordable, hearty Persian fare in a market deli counter.
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
A Lebanese husband-and-wife operation where the menu draws directly from Bekaa Valley family recipes—chef Eli Berchan trained at César Ritz in Switzerland and cooked at Raffles Dubai before opening in Hollywood during COVID. The shawarma and housemade baklava from a 1967 family recipe anchor a compact, pomegranate-heavy menu of traditional meze and wraps. Expect a casual, home-like setting with well-executed flavors but modestly portioned plates in the $18-22 entree range.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Baba Ganoush
What Makes it Special: Lebanese husband-and-wife team cooking only the family recipes they grew up eating, including baklava from a 1967 family recipe.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Tucked inside the Original Farmers Market, Moishe’s is a long-running counter for Middle Eastern plates, from shawarma and falafel to borekas and kebabs. It’s more of a quick-service stall than a sit-down restaurant, but locals and market regulars detour for generous combo plates before wandering the rest of the market.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel plate, Chicken shawarma wrap, Boreka with salads
What Makes it Special: Longtime Farmers Market stall serving classic Middle Eastern plates and pastries.
#26
Nua
7.9
Located at The Crescent Hotel, this modern Thai restaurant elevates traditional flavors with a new generation approach. The weekend brunch offers bold, adventurous takes on Southeast Asian classics in a chic setting that's become a local favorite for its authentic yet innovative cuisine.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thai Omelette, Pad See Ew, Mango Sticky Rice Pancakes
What Makes it Special: Modern Thai brunch with adventurous flavor profiles
7.9
Charcoal-grilled kabobs and house-made hummus served from a La Cienega strip mall counter that stays open late enough to catch the post-everything crowd. The menu is tight—halal Mediterranean staples executed with enough care to build a steady repeat following in Baldwin Hills. Order at the counter, grab a seat, and let the grill do the talking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kabob, Hummus, Garlic Potatoes
What Makes it Special: A late-night Mediterranean counter where charcoal-grilled kabobs and house-made hummus draw a loyal following on La Cienega
#28
Arthur's Garden
7.8
A daytime-only Persian grill tucked into an industrial stretch of Hooper Ave, built around charcoal-fired kabobs with enough flavor depth to hold up against Westwood's established Persian corridor. The garden patio and weekday-only hours give it the rhythm of a neighborhood lunch counter rather than a destination restaurant, and rotating specials like Tahchin Tuesdays suggest a kitchen cooking for regulars who know to call ahead.
Must-Try Dishes:
Boneless Chicken Kabob Plate, Tahdig Gheimeh, Beef Koobideh
What Makes it Special: Family-run Persian kitchen with a garden patio tucked into an industrial stretch of DTLA, serving charcoal-grilled kabobs and crispy tahdig at neighborhood prices
7.8
Mediterranean Market is a newer stall at the Original Farmers Market focusing on olives, cheeses, and sweets from across the region, plus simple plates and dips to eat on-site. It feels more like a specialty counter than a full restaurant, but locals detour for bulk hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and baklava before wandering the rest of the market.
Must-Try Dishes:
House hummus with warm pita and olive bar toppings, Stuffed grape leaves with lemon and herbs, Pistachio baklava and date-filled pastries
What Makes it Special: Farmers Market stall specializing in Mediterranean pantry goods, dips, and sweets you can snack on immediately.
#30
Sincerely Syria
7.8
Sincerely Syria is a narrow, late-night shawarma and falafel counter on Hollywood Boulevard that has quietly built a loyal following. Wraps come stuffed and crispy, fries are piled high, and sauces skew bold and garlicky. It’s more functional than polished, but for post-show or post-bar eats, it’s one of the tastier, trend-aware budget moves in 90028.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed shawarma wrap with fries, Falafel wrap or plate, Garlic fries or loaded shawarma fries
What Makes it Special: A tiny Syrian shawarma counter turning out crispy, overstuffed wraps late into the night.
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
A dedicated Egyptian kitchen on the Westside that anchors its menu around dishes you won't find at the usual Mediterranean counter—koshari, kofta, and proper Egyptian-style falafel alongside familiar shawarma and kebab plates. The pricing runs low enough to order broadly, which is the right move when exploring a menu this specific. It fills the role of a reliable, no-fuss neighborhood spot where the food does the work and the bill stays light.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kabob, Hummus, Falafel
What Makes it Special: One of few dedicated Egyptian kitchens on the Westside, turning out classics like koshari and kofta alongside the expected kebabs and shawarma
#32
Yalla Truck
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Yalla Truck is a long-running Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food truck parked off Scout Avenue, known for Palestinian-style falafel, shawarma bowls, and build-your-own wraps. Office workers and neighborhood families line up for customizable plates with plenty of toppings and sauces.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel wrap with tahini and pickles, 50/50 chicken and falafel rice bowl, Greek-style salad with shawarma
What Makes it Special: Middle Eastern street food truck focused on falafel, shawarma, and bowls.
7.7
Bolmart Mediterranean Market is a compact neighborhood grocery doubling as a Middle Eastern sweets and snack stop, with baklava, Turkish delights, and imported chocolates alongside pantry staples. It’s where locals pop in for a quick sweet fix, Turkish coffee essentials, or ingredients to round out a home-cooked spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pistachio Baklava, Turkish Delight and Imported Chocolates, Turkish Coffee Beans and Supplies
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean market focused on baklava, Turkish sweets, and imports.
7.6
A low-key halal Middle Eastern cafe in the Historic Core focused on shawarma, kebab plates, and straightforward comfort. The cooking aims for honest spice, good char, and generous portions, making it a dependable neighborhood stop. Not a scene-driven room, but a solid grab-and-go or casual sit-down option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Koobideh plate, Falafel with tahini
What Makes it Special: Halal shawarma and kebab comfort with no-frills reliability.