The Yummiest Middle Eastern in Long Beach

Sahara Falafel

★★★★☆ 4.2 (916) • $$

"Today once again, I visited Sahara Falafel. The customer service was warm and welcoming. The food was exceptional, well seasoned and portions were great. I ordered the combo sandwich and my husband order a falafel sandwich along with a humus plate. Deeelicious! It was so nice to dine in and pause for a moment from our busy day. Thank you, (JazakAllah khairen) Sahara Falafel for being a halal staple in our community."

Mama's Kabab

★★★★☆ 4.4 (726) • $$

"Another hidden gem in a strip mall, this time in Cypress. The outside looks older and the menus/signs not well maintained, but don't let that deter you from trying Mama's Kabab. Ordered the combo plate with salad which had kafta kebab, chicken kebab and I think beef shawarma with a generous serving of salad and hummus as well as pita and garlic sauce. The chicken and beef were both fantastic; both tasty and tender. The only complaint I have is the kafta kebab was a little overcooked and thus dry. The pita was okay but also a little dry.Reasonable price for a generous portion. Team is quiet but welcoming. Would definitely come back if in the area."

Saffron Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (715) • $$

"This is the best Persian restaurant I've been to. They have cooked to order stews, and rice specialities. The salmon is delicious. The pomegranate Persian chicken stew is to die for. I frequently order a rice, chicken, and beef family platter and add a salad. It's a great deal and a ton of food. When I have friends and family over everyone loves it.This is a small family owned restaurant and the owners cook the meals and are there every time I go.They are friendly and the portions are generous.The Persian tea is also very tasty, don't forget to have some.Very small restaurant, quiet, and romantic dim light setting. Great for private parties, receptions, and events. Also great for date night."

Jack's Bakery & Eatery

★★★★★ 4.7 (416) • $$

"I recently discovered the beauty of lamhajuns from other bakeries, and I was excited to try them here! They were tasty as expected, and I love that they are a light and affordable snack. We also tried the khachapuri, spinach boreg, and zaatar manaish. The khachapuri was light in flavor so we needed to add some salt and pepper. I appreciated that it was a good, simple pastry. The zaatar manaish has a fluffier dough and is drier than the lahmajun. It's good on its own, but I could see myself adding cheese to it since that seems like a good pairing. The man at the cashier is so friendly and makes you feel welcomed. The parking lot is tiny, but we've been lucky to find parking easily on our visits."

Panini Kabob Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (490) • $$

"Food is always good here. We all had beef koobideh kabob dishes. Service is spot on, "Q" was very attentive and the ambiance was warm and cozy. Plenty if parking.We'll be back."

Panini Kabob Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (494) • $$

"Food: 4 starsPrice and Quantity: 5 starsService: 3 starsI totally understand why there is always either a lot of customers waiting to be seated, and what the hype is about. Every time I had passed by, or was in the area, there were always a crowd of people, so I knew I had to put it on my "to try" list - though it took me a few years to visit, until Black Friday (of all days). As I was waiting for my friends to arrive (which I purposefully arrived 15-mins early to see if I could add my name to the "possible" waitlist), the restaurant started to fill up by 12:30 pm (both the interior and the patio seating). We opted to sit outside as the inside was full, and it was a bit more "airy" outside as well.Hummus Trio (A Must) $9.99Combination of Garbanzo, Spicy Red Bell Pepper Hummus (switched out for Tzatziki), and Edamame Hummus. Blended with Chopped Garlic and Olive Oil Mixed with Fresh-Squeezed Lemon Juice.Charbroiled Chicken Shish Kabob $16.99Charbroiled Wayne Farms Fresh Tenders with No Antibiotics. Skewered with Grilled Vegetables. Served with Your Choice of Two Sides (Basmati Rice and Mediterranean Greek Salad).Beef Koobideh Kabob - Double $22.98Half Pound (1 Skewer) of Charbroiled, All-Natural, ABF (Antibiotic & Hormone Free) Seasoned Ground Beef* with Grilled Vegetables. Served with Your Choice of Two Sides (Basmati Rice and Mediterranean Greek Salad).Chicken Pesto Panini $13.99Wayne Farms Grilled Antibiotic Free Chicken, Artichoke Hearts, Provolone Cheese, Fresh Tomatoes and Pesto w/ Cup of Chicken Soup.Cup Lentil Soup $3.99Organic Green Lentils, Tomatoes, Garlic, Red Onion, Parsley, Mint, Crushed Pepper in a Vegetable Broth. (TRUE VEGAN) Served with Grilled Artisan Bread.Ordering was fast, and the food came out as expected, with the Hummus Trio arriving first. With the cooler weather, 2 (out of 3) of us also asked for hot water with lemon, which they also never refilled... good thing I had water in my bag as I was getting thirsty. When the entrees were brought out, I was surprised at the portions! Those are not 1-person entrees, they are totally shareable and I was amazed at the affordability of it! (Just the other week, I had Mediterranean down the street - which I will not name the restaurant, the to-go portion was like a child's meal and it cost me in the $20's for an entrée and the quality was not even up there.) I had the Charbroiled Chicken Shish Kabob and the chicken pieces were very tender and I loved the grilled vegetables. The Mediterranean Greek Salad was fresh and very tasty. I do wish the pita bread in the Humus Trio was a bit warmer, but it probably got cold as it was sitting on the table, outside on the patio.Everything tasted delicious (quality) and we all had food (to share) or for dinner. I would most definitely return and try the many other dishes that caught my eye. Great place to meet up with friends and catch up as well. Service is a bit on the younger side, but they are very kind. Due to the smaller storefront, I see why there could be a wait for a table, so expect a wait during busy times. Parking can also be a bit difficult with the amount of storefronts in this plaza."

Pita Paradise

★★★★☆ 4.3 (406) • $$

"Unassuming in a strip mall behind Mr. V's Bar and Grill, but we were extremely impressed with the quality and taste of everything we ordered. We were coming here after walking the SFS Swap Meet for hours, so we were hungry and the food and portion size did not disappoint.We ordered the falafel plate, tabbouleh salad, grape leaves, and a cucumber yogurt salad. The pickled vegetables were crisp and fresh. The grape leaves were tart and bright and the falafel was crispy on the outside and steamy on the inside without being too greasy. We had a great meal and would definitely come back."

Papa K's Mediterranean Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.7 (334) • $$

"Came in on Friday nite, what a hidden gem! I ordered the chicken and beef plate which was $17.99. It's a bit pricy but kid you not...it's worth the price. The plate is big enough to share with two people. The meats are tender and flavorful. The rice is just cooked right with good taste of salad on the side. My partner ordered the falafel salad which was full of flavor also. Falafel isn't dry and not overly oily or heavy dressing. It came with a basket of pita bread huge portion. We can't wait to go back!"

Zaytoon's Kabob

★★★★☆ 4.4 (355) • $$

"Buddy picked this spot after the gym and it was a great find. He ordered the gyro plate; I got the chicken kabobs and a few dolmas. Team here is quiet but friendly. Both plates were good--he said the rice was good, not great. I subbed the rice for salad which I enjoyed. Also subbed the hummus for tzatziki which I'm happy about. It was so good. Make sure to ask for their garlic sauce--tasty! The chicken was juicy and tender; the gyro meat was less exciting but did not lack in flavor. One ask would be to add a combo plate so you can try different proteins, but it worked out for us since we were able to trade. Dolmas were tasty."

The Kebab Shop

★★★★☆ 4.3 (366) • $$

"What a lovely place to grab and bite. Sit down or take it to go, the food is great, reasonably priced and worth every bite! Especially for weekends they have a kids eat free, so after a fun day at the mall stop by with the family! I truly appreciate the staff and their patience since it was my first time here and there are so many options. You can do a wrap, bowl or plate and there are many wonderful combinations that I wish I could have tried all in one go. But I decided on a grilled chicken bowl with fries and rice, and all that comes with. I did get to try all the sauces and let me say YUM. There are plenty seating options and self service for utensils, fountain drinks and sauce. The time i visited it was not super busy but as I ate many families and others came to dine in or grab pick up. It's a lively atmosphere and the playlist was on point that day. ++ After eating I felt full of energy in the best way, the portions and flavors just have you feeling great and excited for the next visit at this establishment! Overall 10/10."

Panini Kabob Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (413) • $$

"I really like Mediterranean food but, this visit was a little disappointing. Earlier this year, I raved about Panini Kabob Grill in downtown Los Angeles. So I thought this Cerritos location should be very good too.On a weekend afternoon, the parking in the plaza where this restaurant shares w/several other businesses is super busy! Cars eagerly await other cars to exit. The front of the house welcomed us but, chose to seat us right next to another family only separated by the glass wall. We opted to move to another table and there were plenty of other tables available.The starter pita bread and hummus was tasty and the hubby got their namesake panini. He liked what he got. I liked my salad and falafel wrap. Just wasn't wowed by anything we ordered. The DTLA location is definitely superior to this one.Just OK at 3 stars and probably would not return to this one."

Sarkis Pastry

★★★★☆ 4.3 (336) • $

"Some of the best baclava I've ever had! Perfect for parties and reasonably priced. I'd suggest ordering ahead for large platters."

The Mediterranean Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (366) • $$

"It's a local spot and a place I go to at least once a month for the past 7 years. I always go for the lamb gyro plate or chicken kebab. I'm not the biggest fan of their hummus, but I enjoy how they cook their meat and rice, and the side of charred tomato and jalapeño with the plate. Everything here is 'not bad' to 'pretty good'. If you're in the area and want bang for your buck, go here. 3.7 stars"

TKS Mediterranean

★★★★★ 4.5 (276) • $$

"We love this restaurant. Quick, healthy and loved by the whole family. Gaby is always so kind and quick with her service. Today she was the only one taking orders AND cooking and preparing our food. She can seriously multitask with a smile on her face. Grateful for people like her that make your dining experience five stars- I'm sure it is not easy doing it all on your own. Thanks Gaby!"

The Kebab Shop

★★★★★ 4.6 (221) • $$

"Stumbled across this place after shopping in the area. I was hungry and was hoping for a falafel wrap that was really good. This wrap was great!! May be the best I've ever had in terms of taste and bang for buck. My wrap was the size of a foot long, maybe bigger. I wish I lived closer I'd eat here all the time. Service was great. The staff was nice and everyone seemed to be working together and having a good time. The place was clean and somewhat busy."

Taboon Mediterranean

★★★★★ 4.8 (200) • $$

"Randomly ran into fellow yelper B. N. and his wife who live nearby and they informed me that the address that used to have Kerostena has a new place, Taboon Mediterranean. Apparently Taboon has another location in Long Beach and Los Alamitos. The menu is large with soup, salads, cold appetizers, hot appetizers, wraps, bowls, plates, and dessert. Last Wednesday I had the day off work so figured it was a great time to try it out. They've only been open a few weeks. The employee was extremely friendly and happy to talk about the menu. He let me know they have lunch specials Monday-Friday which pretty much gets you the drink for free. I ordered the "halloumi cheese" wrap with lentil soup. I've never had this cheese before and loved it. It's very dense and doesn't melt. They grill it and wrap it with lettuce, tomato, garlic, and a flavorful sauce. The cheese is semi salty and because of the dense texture it was like eating a chicken wrap. I loved every bite and couldn't believe how good it was. I ordered one to take home for my wife and she loved it. At the end she said "I think they forgot the cheese though, it was just some delicious chicken". Her mind was blown when she found out the entire thing was cheese. The vegan lentil soup was a huge portion and loaded with flavor. It was served with some pita chips which I tossed in for texture. My wife had the fries for her side and it was a HUGE portion. She could only eat half and saved the rest for the next day. Salad was another choice for lunch special.Saturday my wife and I came back to eat there. We both ordered the Kefta kabab plate which is a blend of ground beef and lamb. It's heavy on the lamb flavor so keep that in mind if you don't like lamb. It was served with hummus, house salad, two types of rice, sumac covered red onions, a grilled white onion, grilled tomato, pita bread, garlic sauce, and tahini. HUGE portion. Neither my wife or I could finish which is rare for me. I usually devour everything. Every single thing on our plate was fantastic. Loved the two different types of rice. One was very herbal tasting. Since it was our first time here we ordered way too much food. Besides our gut busting entrees we also shared some of their fried cauliflower and the spinach fatayer which are like empanadas. Both awesome.Please try this place! It's behind Shakey's next door to the bagel place that's currently being repairs from the fire. We need good restaurants around here since so many closed during COVID. This is the perfect place for the plaza and I can't wait to try more items!"

Alwadee Bakery & Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (195) • $

"I came here with my family and OMG it was the amazing. So first, the owner is amazing. She gave us amazing suggestions like the mansaf. She was so sweet and patient as we asked our questions. Now the mansaf was AMAZING, honestly the best Ive ever had. 5 stars because the service was amazing and the food was delicious. Definitely need a repeat visit."

Al Sultan Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.7 (130) • $$

"I enjoy all types of food.. I especially enjoyed their zinger bowl They start off with rice. crispy chicken lettuce, and top a spicy sauce..... I also had ordered the half a chicken with rice. They have spicy rice or plain. The spicy rice was too hot for me but I know the flavor is there. The one thing I noticed that was struck me odd because The half a chicken didn't have a lot of meat in the breast. I only ordered it once and I'm not sure why it was like that... I thought maybe they cut part of the breast out and use it for bowls..... It's just a theory... And always as a staple I ordered also the babaganuaj It was perfect ... I wish they had pita chips though But overall it was a decent Mediterranean carryout place that provides plenty of parking as well!"

Point 11 Persian Kabob Grill

★★★★★ 4.8 (108)

"Yum!!! I really like this place, super casual, great menu and DElICIOUS food. I have eaten at several, high-end Persian restaurants, this place is as good. I had the spicy chicken kabob with the albalo polo rice, just amazing, a must try.They give you plenty of food, you will not leave hungry."

Abu Omar Halal - Anaheim

★★★★☆ 4 (135) • $$

"With pretty good reviews I had really wanted to try this place. Pretty disappointed. Garlic sauce was good. Besides that . Chicken was dry like leather. How can u serve this? Probably old chicken."

Mr.Shawarma

★★★★★ 4.6 (94)

"Got the chicken while my friend had a beef shawarma combo. Amazing wrap and seasoned nicely with delicious dinner. Served very fresh to order.Fries are good too despite coming on a weekday. Love to come by and get more. Portions are generous overall."

Mediterranean Delight

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (132) • $

"Food was good, but the meat portions were abysmal. Dine-in prices for food court services...Not sure what I was expecting for Mediterranean food in a mall."

Albaraka Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (64)

"Friends recommmendation on Mediterranean food. It was feature on Yelps Top 100 New eateries and wanted to check it out. Parking is extremely limited. The place also has a separate desert place right next to it and there's sort of like a Mexican stand right next to the front entrance Inside is is kind of small. You order either through kiosk or with the waiter. The kiosk has pictures of each. There's no water because they only serve bottle water and sodas are can. There are daily specials. Got the Friday Mansaf special and Lenti soupLittle did I know that each serving is extremely huge. Similar to Dawa Kitchen so that's a place. Even the salad is huge. The rice is good and lamb is kind of rare but it's ok. Lenti soup is kind of oily and taste greasy. The mansaf comes with huge bread and side vegetables. Overall, highly recommend if you like big portions and Mediterranean food."

La Cocina Mediterranea

★★★★★ 4.5 (50)

"This place is definitely a hole in the wall.My sister ordered this platter to share and I was just amazed that it came from this location. We live only a couple of blocks away and I never knew that they now serve Mediterranean food. The presentation was beautiful and the food was delicious. The chicken in the wrap was perfect and the beef one was full of flavor. The kids loved it as well, they killed the wraps and fries in a matter of minutes. I loved all the dipping sauces and it was an enjoyable eat to try out the different flavors of sauces with the food. We will continue to show support for this business. A++++"

The Halal Guys

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"The food here is bomb! My go-to order is the gyro and chicken combo, and I always ask for white sauce and BBQ sauce--mixing them together takes it to the next level. The flavors are spot on, the portions are generous, and everything is always fresh.Parking is decent since it's in a big shopping mall, so you don't have to stress about finding a spot. The service is quick, and the food never disappoints. If you're craving a solid Mediterranean experience, this place is a must-try. Definitely one of my favorites in Long Beach!"

Kabab Crush

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"This is probably my favorite Mediterranean restaurant ever! The food is incomparable!They're always busy and we've always ordered to-go. Our usuals are the mixed beef and chicken shawarma plate and the lamb kabab plate. The rice is so flavorful and we get the garlic sauce. Favorite sides are the red cabbage salad, hummus, and potato salad. I believe the beet salad is a new side and it's yummy! We also get an extra order of fries too! My son loves their pita bread and fries! You honestly can't go wrong with this place!"

Kabab Grill Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$

"Kebab Grill Restaurant was right across my hotel in Westminster, CA. Just had to walk across cross the street. Menu looks rather large but really it's a few main protein separated into a few choices. I attempted to get at least 10 percent of their entire menu in my belly lol. Decided to get the 3 piece lamb combo. Asked it if I go swap 1 lamb skewer for 1 beef skewer, request was granted with no up charge. Perfect. Go my sides, hummus, pita, and their Turkish Salad. Lamb kabob so tasty and tender. The beef has flavor but wasn't as tender as the lamb. The sides, spot on in the flavor department. On the way out, I decide to ask for 1 meat pie just because it was calling my name lol. Interestingly delicious. I would compare it to empanadas but it wouldn't do itself justice. This meat pie was in a league of its own. Just try it. All in all, the food was worth going back for. The next day I actually returned to try other items on their menu. I do apologize, no pics because my phone was back at the hotel charging. I ended up purchasing the lentils soup and the lamb sandwich. Perfect match. In closing, I highly recommend this establishment. The reviews speak for themselves. Until next time, eat till your heart is content."

Panini Kabob Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"Believe it or not but I never been here so this is my first time eating on one of their branches. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants but might as well give this a try. My girl and I went here cause we want to try something new.. I didn't expect this place to be solid! Their ambiance looks fancy with affordable menu :) Their services are on the point so that's a plus. I ordered their chicken wrap and wow that was surprisingly delicious. The ingredients are fresh and filling on my tummy. My girl likes it too and their lentil soup is not bad for a cold weather. Overall, a split spot to go to.. if you want something quick around the area.. I recommend this place a try :)"