Open Sesame

The meat was superrr flavorful and juicy--rice was fluffy and aromatic and the humus was very nice and smooth! It was our first time going to a Mediterranean restaurant and everything we had was top notch. The only thing we didn't love was the baba ganoush because we didn't expect such a strong charred flavor, but we were glad to try it and will continue trying new dishes here.Also loved the service, they were very welcoming and attentive! The lighting and the view outside is relaxing as well.

This is one of my favorite restaurants! The food is consistently delicious. My favorites are the chicken tawook, baba ganoush, spicy garlic potatoes, tabouleh. So fresh and delicious. The restaurant is always busy so take advantage of the clever "join the waitlist" option.

The server had a lot of great knowledge on the beer options which was helpful for the table. I had the lamb kebab and it was superb. All the spices as well as the sides helped make this dish really stand out for me and satiate a lamb craving. I had not been here for years but happy to say that Open Sesame never disappoints.

My absolute favorite Mediterranean restaurant in all of Long Beach.The quality of the food is top notch, the ambiance is cozy and the staff is friendly and welcoming. My favorite dishes are the lamb chops so tender and juicy and seasoned to perfection, the chicken tawook is also a must order order dish. I also always order some hummus with pita bread, lentil soup, tabbouleh and fatoush salad as sides with every meal. Favorite drinks are fresh coconut juice so sweet and refreshing and their jasmine green tea with mint leaves.I have never had a bad meal here and my hubby and I come here at least once a week. One of the best restaurants in Long Beach.

Super popular restaurant! We were trying to walk in but it was going to be an hour wait. We made a reservation for the next day with no problem. Not as busy since it was Christmas Eve.We sat outside, but the heated lamps work pretty well to keep the tables warm.My dad and I both got the pita sandwiches. I got the lamb kabob while my dad got chicken shawarma. It doesn't come with anything else so we added a side of fries to share. Pretty flavorful! Not bad for what you can get around here.My other table mates got chicken shawarma entrees which came with pita, a dip, salad. They either chose hummus or baba ghannouj as the dip. I really liked the baba ghannouj. It's a lot of food! Definitely reasonable for the price.Service was good. They came back to check on us here and there.Would love to sit inside next time as the decor looked beautiful. Tons of street parking around so it's easy to get to!

Open Sesame is usually our top restaurant choice in Long Beach. Belmont Shore is always a fun area to go to but Open Sesame is usually why we go. You can usually expect the place to be crowded but don't get discouraged. The wait isn't very long unless it's peak eatin' time. Even if you have to wait, there are plenty of places to walk around and window shop. The restaurant has plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating. The decor inside is beautiful with lots of artwork. The layout is unique in that there are three different seating areas that aren't all connected. I know it sounds odd but once you see it, you'll know what I mean. Because of this setup, the men and women's restrooms are not side-by-side but in separate areas of the restaurant. I usually get chicken tawook with rice. The chicken is tender and juicy and I love the tart pickles. Overall, the food and service are consistently good. The servers are always sweet and mindful.

If you're in the mood for some Lebanese food, this is your spot. Cute vibes, friendly service, and tasty food. A tad bit pricey for what you get, but it's a nice spot to enjoy lunch or dinner. I love the outdoor seating and enjoying the 2nd street vibes. The grilled tiger shrimp ($27) with the house made shrimp sauce is so good. The chicken tawook pita ($14) is tasty and the chicken is not dry - just wish the pita was made with a little more love lol. She was looking a little slim. Love the hummus and pita bread - my favorite part of the meal lol

Open Sesame is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. I've been frequenting it for over a decade and it's still a staple in my rotation, for dine in or takeout. My usual is the chicken tawook plate with either fattoush or tabouli, and hummus. If you're dining there, don't miss the spicy garlic potatoes (best crispy as they don't sit as well for takeout). The labne and baba ghanoush are also favorites of mine. You can't go wrong with Ali's Favorite, the pita sandwiches or the beef shawarma plate. Authentic Lebanese food and staff, fresh ingredients and no frills.Beer and wine only, and I believe they have a wine deal on Wednesdays. The iced Moroccan mint tea is also delicious.

Service was impeccable as they pay close attention to your tea and water refills. Food was perfectly cooked as the grill chicken was not dry and with the garlic butter was just heavenly. If you are watching your carbs, this plate doesn't come with rice. Great lunch spot and price was really reasonable. Great intro to this restaurant, I will definitely be back to try their daily specials. Saturday was the lamb shank which looks like the item to get for next time. This place is packed so you know the food is fresh and good!

Very cool place that worked for a large group, with multiple dietary requests. The jallab was divine, delicate and floral. We had the zataar flatbread and olives to share, and I had the fattoush salad with add on falafel. Huge portion, I had salad for breakfast the next day, falafel was worth adding on. Delicious, crispy, fresh, with just enough dressing.Definitely seems like a popular place, we got lucky with a larger group, I would recommend reservations. Also good luck with parking, it's downtown Long Beach so if you can park allll the way down the block.