Best Group Dining Mediterranean Restaurants in Downtown LA
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Zankou Chicken
Long-running Lebanese rotisserie and shawarma plates anchored by legendary garlic sauce.
Notable Picks
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
The Downtown branch of Zankou Chicken brings the family-run chain’s classic Lebanese-style rotisserie chicken, tarna and shawarma plates, and famous garlic sauce to a busy corner of 7th Street. High-volume foot traffic, takeout, and delivery prove its role as a go-to option when locals want reliable Mediterranean plates and wraps at accessible prices. The room is utilitarian, but the combination of roast chicken, kabobs, hummus, and pickles keeps it firmly in the DTLA rotation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quarter Dark Chicken Plate, Chicken Tarna Plate, Tri-Tip Shawerma Plate
What Makes it Special: Long-running Lebanese rotisserie and shawarma plates anchored by legendary garlic sauce.
#2
Bavel
8
Wood-fired Middle Eastern cooking from the team behind Bestia, built around shareable plates like slow-roasted lamb neck and house-made flatbreads that reward group ordering. The converted warehouse space runs loud—request patio if conversation matters—but the cooking technique on proteins justifies the Arts District pilgrimage for date nights willing to lean in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oyster Mushroom, Baba Ghanoush, Grilled Prawns
What Makes it Special: Middle Eastern cuisine from the Bestia team, with wood-fired cooking and house-made flatbreads in a converted Arts District warehouse
A buzzy shawarma pop-up at ROW DTLA serving Jordanian-style chicken shaved hot and wrapped in fresh saj bread. The menu is tight and confident—one great wrap, garlicky sauces, and beef-tallow fries—so lines move for a reason. It’s a street-food energy hit that feels very 90021 right now.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Wrap (The Yaz Way), Beef-tallow Fries, Classic Garlic Shawarma Wrap
What Makes it Special: Single-focus shawarma executed at pop-up perfection.
Worthy Picks
Berlin-style döner kebabs built on halal-certified meat slow-roasted on a vertical broiler, wrapped tight with house sauces that locals describe as addictive. The board-game-stocked dining room and dog-friendly patio give it a late-night hangout identity that most counter-service Mediterranean spots lack. Nearly two decades and five LA locations later, Spitz still draws repeat visits for the same reason it started—oversized wraps at neighborhood prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Döner Wrap, Gyro, Mediterranean Bowl
What Makes it Special: Berlin-style döner kebabs served late-night in a board-game-stocked Arts District hangout
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
7.7
Counter-service Greek spot on the concourse level at FIGat7th, George's Greek Grill turns out gyros, salads, and hearty platters tailored to downtown office workers and shoppers. Expect reliable, fast-moving lines, broad customization, and portions that lean generous rather than precious.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef & lamb gyro wrap, Chicken souvlaki plate with Greek salad and rice, Traditional Greek salad with grilled chicken
What Makes it Special: Long-running FIGat7th staple for customizable gyros, salads, and Greek platters.
7.5
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Persian and Mediterranean chain location with outdoor seating near Pershing Square. The menu spans kebabs, gyros, and vegetarian plates served in a contemporary setting that attracts nearby hotel guests and convention attendees.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kebab, Lamb Gyro Plate with Dolmas, Koobideh Kabob
What Makes it Special: Reliable chain with extensive Mediterranean menu