5 Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Los Angeles (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Mediterranean restaurants in Los Angeles range from a $70-plus dinner in the Arts District to a falafel plate under $20 you eat standing up. The restaurants on this page have logged over 7,200 Google reviews combined, and the top pick alone accounts for more than a third of that total, so the spread here is as much about price point as it is about quality.

Short answer: Lucia Mediterranean Grill in Mid-City leads with 4.8 stars across 2,455 reviews, known for shawarma, lamb chops and a surprise hookah lounge. Bavel in the Arts District (4.6, 1,957 reviews) is the fine-dining pick from chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, while Z Falafel and Spitz cover fast-casual falafel and gyros downtown.

Jump to a business

1. Lucia Mediterranean Gr…
2. Bavel
3. Spitz Mediterranean St…
4. Z Falafel
5. Open Sesame
Get listed

LA's Top Mediterranean Restaurants, Compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Lucia Mediterranean Grill – Mid-City LA \| Shawarma • Falafel • Kebab	4.8 ★	2,455	Casual dining with a hookah lounge	View ›
2	Bavel	4.6 ★	1,957	Arts District fine dining	View ›
3	Spitz Mediterranean Street Food	4.4 ★	1,104	Quick-service gyros and Greek	View ›
4	Z Falafel	4.5 ★	802	Halal shawarma and falafel downtown	View ›
5	Open Sesame	4.4 ★	910	Lebanese cuisine with catering	View ›

5 Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Los Angeles (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Lucia Mediterranean Grill – Mid-City LA | Shawarma • Falafel • Kebab

4.82,455 Google reviews

Lucia Mediterranean Grill runs two locations in Los Angeles, including one on West Pico Boulevard, serving shawarma, falafel, kebab and a broader Middle Eastern menu that spans halal, vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant orders through self-service kiosks and pairs its dine-in space with an adjoining hookah lounge that reviewers describe as an unexpected bonus. It's a casual, order-at-the-counter format rather than full table service.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly call the lamb chops and beef patties standout dishes
Hookah lounge described as spacious, cozy and a genuine surprise
Price per person runs $20 to $30 for a full meal, per reviewer highlights
Vegetarian dishes clearly labeled on the menu

Worth knowing

Street parking described as somewhat difficult to find nearby

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume2,455 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown93% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest review volume on this list by a wide margin, and the price point makes it accessible for a full sit-down meal without fine-dining prices. The safest starting point for most diners.

Website Book now +1213-377-6280 Directions

5068 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

#2🕑 Open 7 days

Bavel

4.61,957 Google reviews

Bavel is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Downtown LA's Arts District from chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, built around flatbreads, spreads, cured meats and large-format meat and fish dishes cooked over aromatic wood. The menu leans on slow-cooking techniques and smoke, with reservations recommended given how consistently packed the space gets even on weeknights.

What people praise

Duck hummus and lamb neck shawarma repeatedly named as must-order dishes
Staff accommodated specific allergies (eggplant, Celiac) without issue
Ambiance and greenery-filled patio praised across nearly every review
Cocktail program called out as strong as the food

Worth knowing

Price per person runs notably higher, with one reviewer citing $70-80
Service described as inconsistent by at least one detailed reviewer, though a standout server saved the visit

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume1,957 · 92nd

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown77% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks second by review count but is clearly the destination pick for special-occasion dining. If price isn't the deciding factor, this is where LA's Mediterranean food scene sends first-time visitors.

Website +1213-232-4966 Directions

500 Mateo St #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013

#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Spitz Mediterranean Street Food

4.41,104 Google reviews

Spitz Mediterranean Street Food in Little Tokyo serves gyros, wraps, falafel and salads with vegan, gluten-free and halal options across its menu. The restaurant also runs a bar program with seasonal cocktails, including a lightly carbonated house red wine reviewers call out as distinctive. It's part of a small local chain with a catering and franchise arm.

What people praise

Seasonal cocktails and sangria twists praised as standout extras
Vegan and gluten-free options are extensive, not an afterthought
Chicken bowl portions described as generous enough for a second meal
Fresh hummus called out repeatedly as a highlight

Worth knowing

One reviewer noted inconsistent chicken quality near closing time

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume1,104 · 86th

Confidencehigh

Recency7 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown64% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The lowest rating on this list at 4.4, though still solidly positive, and the bar program is a genuine differentiator among the fast-casual options here.

Website Book now +1213-613-0101 Directions

371 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Z Falafel

4.5802 Google reviews

Z Falafel operates near the Jewelry and Fashion District in Downtown LA, serving halal chicken shawarma, kabab plates, gyros, hummus and falafel with a private events option for catering. The menu skews toward straightforward, well-priced plates rather than a sit-down dining experience.

What people praise

Staff (Alex, Tony) singled out for walking customers through menu options in detail
Falafel and chicken shawarma plate specifically praised as some of the best in the city
Complimentary extras like lentil soup samples mentioned by more than one reviewer
Repeat customers describe consistent quality across multiple visits

Worth knowing

At least one reviewer reported burnt kebab and overly salty garlic sauce on a single visit

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume802 · 75th

Confidencehigh

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown79% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.5 rating with a smaller review base than the top three, but the level of detail in positive reviews (down to specific menu items and prices) suggests a loyal, repeat customer base.

Website Book now +1213-265-7609 Directions

725 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Open Sesame

4.4910 Google reviews

Open Sesame is a family-owned Lebanese restaurant on Beverly Boulevard that has served Southern California for over 27 years, with an additional location in Long Beach. The restaurant makes everything from scratch daily, with a menu built around chicken tawook, falafel, hummus, shawarma and French cut lamb chops. It also runs an active catering arm for private gatherings.

What people praise

Reviewers praise catering specifically, describing hot, fresh food delivered on time
Chicken tawook and labneh cheesecake repeatedly named as standout dishes
Outdoor patio seating described as a strong draw despite being sidewalk-adjacent
Staff accommodated a pre-wedding family dinner with extra attentiveness

Worth knowing

Price per person runs $30-40 per reviewer highlights, higher than the fast-casual options here

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume910 · 81st

Confidencehigh

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown68% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ties for the lowest rating on this list at 4.4, but the nearly three-decade track record and strong catering reviews make it a solid choice for group dining or events.

Website Book now +1323-525-1698 Directions

7458 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Your business here

Get listed on this page, in front of local customers already searching for you.

Claim this spot ›

How we score

Rating is the live Google average for each restaurant. Review volume measures how many customers actually left feedback, ranked against the other Mediterranean restaurants considered for this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume so a smaller sample doesn’t outrank a larger, proven one. Recency checks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a Mediterranean meal cost in Los Angeles? (2026)

Prices swing widely by format. Fast-casual counters run cheap for a full meal, while destination dining like Bavel commands a much higher check.

Job	Typical price
Fast-casual plate (falafel, shawarma bowl)	$10 - $20 per person
Casual sit-down meal with hookah lounge access	$20 - $30 per person
Fine-dining tasting-style dinner	$70 - $80 per person

Ranges compiled August 2026 from reviewer-reported price-per-person highlights on Google Reviews for the restaurants on this page.

Serving all of Los Angeles

These restaurants cluster around Mid-City, Downtown LA’s Arts District, Little Tokyo, and Beverly Boulevard, with easy access from Koreatown, the Fashion District, and Long Beach. If you’re searching for Mediterranean food near me in Los Angeles, most of this list is a short drive from Downtown.

What to ask before you book a Mediterranean restaurant

Do they take reservations, or is it walk-in only?
What vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options are on the menu?
Is there a halal certification if that matters for your group?
What’s the realistic price per person including drinks?
Is parking available, or is it street parking only?
Do they offer catering for larger group events?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these restaurants?

We pulled every Mediterranean restaurant in Los Angeles with a meaningful Google review history, then ranked by a mix of rating, review volume, and how recently people are still leaving reviews.

How often is this updated?

This page reflects Google data verified in August 2026 and gets refreshed periodically to keep ratings and review counts current.

Which restaurant is best for a special occasion?

Bavel in the Arts District is the clear fine-dining pick, with reservations recommended well in advance.

Which of these restaurants offer vegan or halal options?

Lucia Mediterranean Grill and Spitz both offer halal, vegan and vegetarian options clearly labeled on their menus.

The bottom line

Lucia Mediterranean Grill is the safe default for a casual, well-reviewed meal at a reasonable price. If you’re planning a special occasion, book Bavel well ahead, since reservations fill up fast even midweek.

Best Speciality Cuisine in other cities

More categories in Los Angeles

Own one of these businesses, or want to be here?

Claim your spot on this page: Basic listing $50 or Premium $100 for the top spot, held a full year. Both include a permanent link to your site.

Get listed See pricing