If you can’t visit the Mediterranean this summer, you can still dine like you are. Los Angeles offers plenty of great options, and this week we’re highlighting the best Mediterranean restaurants in town. Let your taste buds travel to Mykonos and beyond with our latest blog!
Mazel
At Mazal, you know a meal is a success when your table is covered with dips, salads, and warm pita. Guests eagerly rip, tear, dip, and share bottles of natural wine. Feta-stuffed bourekas and smoky babaganoush vie for space with couscous and goat cheese flatbread. This vegetarian Israeli spot in Lincoln Heights serves food quickly, but you’ll lose track of time enjoying the string-lit patio and endless mezze.
Bavel
This upscale Middle Eastern spot in the Arts District is consistently excellent. The lively atmosphere, sharp service, and flawless menu make every visit memorable. Enjoy dishes like spicy duck ‘nduja hummus, whole roasted lamb neck on laffa bread, and farm cheese with za’atar and oil. Even if you can’t try everything, you’ll want to return.
Elf Cafe
This cozy, low-lit Mediterranean restaurant in Echo Park, from the creators of Dune, now serves meat and fish alongside vegetarian options. The intimate space feels like a kitchen in a wine bar, perfect for sharing natural wines, lamb sis kebap, smoky trout brandade, and warm hummus. Elf remains vegetarian and vegan-friendly, offering various vegetable sides, meatless tagines, and pasta dishes.
Calabra
Calabra shines in the summer. Located atop the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, it offers a palm tree-lined patio with coastal views. The atmosphere is lively and stylish, but the Mediterranean-inspired food is the highlight. The menu features grilled meats, fish, vegetables, and a massive mezze sampler with spicy muhammara, whipped hummus, and creamy baba ganoush. Dress in linen, savor steak kebabs, and indulge in a baklava sundae while enjoying the sunset.
Greekman’s
Greekman’s in Silver Lake offers a lively atmosphere and great Greek food with a touch of kitsch. The patio, decorated with marble busts and grapevines, feels festive but won’t transport you to Paros. The menu features small plates, perfect for sharing over chilled island wines. Enjoy dishes like tender grilled octopus, lamb chops on tzatziki, and feta-stuffed phyllo pockets. While prices can add up, Greekman’s is ideal for drinks and a few bites for a fun night out.
Avra
When it comes to Mediterranean cuisine in Beverly Hills, Avra remains the go-to choice. Focused more on sea fare, the food is light and delicious. We recommend the Wild Branzino, a whitefish with a lean, mild, sweet flavor. Accompany your dish with a cocktail like the Sweet Cyprus and finish off with Avra’s famed Olive Oil Cake.
Saffy’s
If you love Bavel and Bestia, you’ll definitely enjoy Saffy’s. The multi-regional Middle Eastern restaurant in East Hollywood, by Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, is an absolute must. With dishes like Tumeric Mussels and Red Snapper Tagine, your taste buds will be pleased with Saffy’s.
Ammatoli
If you find yourself in Long Beach, make your way to Ammatoli for excellent Mediterranean cuisine. Ammatoli highlights Levantine cuisine in a way that makes it both accessible and enticing.
Furn Saj Bakery
Serving traditional homemade Lebanese food since 2013, Furn Saj Bakery and Restaurant offers delicious meals and baked goods. Using the finest and freshest natural ingredients, it is easy to see why they’re considered one of the top-rated Mediterranean restaurants in the valley. Above all, whether you’re in search of a quick bite or something more filling, you’ll find no shortage of options to eat at Fun Saj.
Santuari
Located in the Toluca Lake Tennis Club, Santuari is a great place to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine in an unexpected location. This scratch kitchen serves modern, Mediterranean-style cuisine with options like Pan-Seared Ora King Salmon and Roasted Lamb rack.
Kismet
Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson’s neighborhood restaurant is full of delightful Mediterranean dishes to choose from. The restaurant has two locations and has been a popular choice among locals since opening its flagship restaurant.