Glendale’s dining scene is far more diverse than many visitors expect. While the city is widely celebrated for its exceptional Armenian cuisine, its restaurants span a wide range of global influences, including Persian, Lebanese, Taiwanese, Japanese, and classic American fare. From family-run kitchens to iconic dining institutions, the best restaurants in Glendale offer an impressive mix of flavors and culinary traditions.
Whether you’re searching for comforting kebabs, handmade dumplings, expertly prepared sushi, or inventive sandwiches, these standout restaurants capture the character and cultural richness of Glendale’s food scene.
Monta Factory
Location: 1208 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201, USA
Monta Factory expanded to Glendale in 2019 with a full-service outpost that quickly became a favorite among locals. The menu highlights Armenian comfort foods, including its signature mini beef dumplings topped with vibrant red pepper paste and the rich, cheesy su-beoreg pastries. A surprising standout is the juicy salmon burger, which has earned a reputation as one of the restaurant’s sleeper hits.
Pardis Restaurant Glendale
Location: 738 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206, USA
Pardis Restaurant offers a modern setting for traditional Persian cuisine in Glendale. The menu features classics like fragrant ghormeh sabzi, koobideh, and tender beef barg, each prepared with attention to authentic flavors. Guests are welcomed with complimentary flatbread served alongside butter, basil, and raw onions, while an international wine list adds an elegant touch to the dining experience.
Fish King
Location: 722 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206, USA
Operating since 1948, Fish King is both a restaurant and a beloved seafood market that draws loyal crowds daily. Diners can enjoy charbroiled or fried fish plates, shrimp and chips, and other fresh seafood favorites. A lesser-known highlight is the handmade sushi, which sells out quickly each day and has developed a devoted following among regulars.
Corner Sandwiches
Location: 471 West Lexington Drive, Glendale, California 91203
Corner Sandwiches operates out of a charming Craftsman-style building on Glendale’s west side and has built its reputation on expertly crafted sandwiches. Owner Ray Gabrielyan is known for his attention to detail, particularly with the shop’s 15-hour smoked pastrami sandwich layered with lettuce, Swiss cheese, pickles, mayonnaise, and mustard. The shop also offers wine and fresh market items for guests to grab on their way out.
Skaf’s Lebanese Cuisine
Location: 367 N Chevy Chase Dr Ste A, Glendale, CA, 91206, US
Family-owned Skaf’s Lebanese Cuisine is known for its warm hospitality and comforting menu of traditional dishes. Guests are often greeted by owner Noura Skaf before settling in for plates of shawarma served with rice, salad, and warm pita. Starting the meal with hummus is a popular choice, and finishing with a piece of baklava provides the perfect sweet ending.
Damon’s Steak House
Location: 317 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203, USA
Damon’s Steak House has been a Glendale institution since 1937. The restaurant’s playful tiki-inspired interior creates a lively atmosphere while the kitchen serves classic steakhouse fare such as grilled steaks, chops, barbecue, and fish and chips. With its festive energy and strong cocktails, Damon’s remains one of the city’s most distinctive dining experiences.
Carousel Restaurant
Location: 304 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203, USA
Carousel Restaurant traces its roots back to a Hollywood location opened in 1984 before expanding to a larger Glendale space in 1998. The restaurant serves an extensive Lebanese menu featuring grilled kebabs, vegetarian dishes, and traditional specialties. On weekends, live entertainment adds to the vibrant atmosphere, making it a popular destination for celebrations and group dinners.
Sasabune
Location: 101 N Brand Blvd Ste 220, Glendale, CA, 91203, US
Sasabune offers one of Glendale’s most refined sushi experiences. Located on the second floor of a Brand Boulevard building, the restaurant specializes in omakase-style dining featuring pristine fish and warm seasoned rice. While premium tasting menus can reach luxury price points, lunchtime omakase offers a more accessible way to enjoy the restaurant’s high-quality sushi.
The Lahmajune Factory
Location: 1139 E Broadway, Glendale, CA, 91205, US
The Lahmajune Factory has become well known for its Armenian-style lahmajune, a thin flatbread topped with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. The casual strip mall restaurant also offers beoroks filled with cheese or spinach and mana’eesh topped with za’atar and cheese. The flavorful flatbreads make it a favorite for quick and satisfying meals.
Raffi’s Place
Location: 211 E Broadway, Glendale, CA, 91205, US
Raffi’s Place is one of Glendale’s most popular Persian restaurants and a longtime local favorite. Known for its expertly grilled kebabs, the menu features options like koobideh made with seasoned ground beef and the tender barg kebab prepared with thin slices of filet mignon. The spacious patio decorated with string lights is especially popular for group dinners and celebrations.
Zhengyalov Hatz
Location: 318 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205, USA
Zhengyalov Hatz focuses on a regional Armenian specialty of the same name. The signature flatbread is filled with a mixture of finely chopped greens and herbs, including spinach, scallions, cilantro, sorrel, and beet leaves. The restaurant also serves a walnut-rich baklava that rivals many of the city’s best dessert offerings.
Ozzy’s Apizza
Location: 156 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204
Ozzy’s Apizza brings New Haven–style pizza to Glendale with thin, crisp crusts and flavorful toppings. Chef Chris Wallace first developed the concept in his home kitchen before opening the restaurant, which he named after his chihuahua. Creative pies like “The Liotta” and “The Bada Bing” showcase the restaurant’s playful approach to classic East Coast pizza.
Din Tai Fung
Location: 1164 Galleria Way, Glendale, California 91210
Din Tai Fung remains one of Glendale’s most recognizable dining destinations. After relocating from the Americana at Brand to the Glendale Galleria, the renowned restaurant continues to serve its celebrated Shanghai-style cuisine. The delicate xiao long bao soup dumplings are a must-order, but the expansive menu encourages diners to sample a wide variety of dishes for the full experience.
When dining out in Glendale…
Glendale’s culinary landscape reflects the many cultures that call the city home. From Armenian bakeries and Persian kebab houses to sushi counters and dumpling specialists, the best restaurants in Glendale offer a vibrant and deeply satisfying dining scene worth exploring.