Best Hidden Gems Middle Eastern Restaurants in Hollywood
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Vala Kitchen
Persian kebabs and stews delivered with a lighter, health-conscious touch on Sunset.
Notable Picks
#1
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.