Hip new place with interesting Middle Eastern cuisine. Lively bar scene. We ordered all shared plates. Everything was tasty, carefully spiced with North African and unique flavorings. Wish is wasn't so loud. The bread was amazing as was the fig carpaccio and the dessert. I want to come back for brunch. read more

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Food is delicious, fresh, truly amazing. That said, I've never been treated so rudely. we arrived at 6 o'clock when the restaurant was practically empty and we're seated at a table next to the front door with the sun directly in our eyes. When we asked to be moved because the sun was in our eyes, the hostess refused. Finally, they moved us to a table instead of another booth, most of which were empty. I will never go back. read more

I've been here a few times and surprised how much better it gets every time. Menú is seasonal so staple items remain but new items are spectacular. Our server was the sweetest person ever. Ask for Noam, he will make you feel right at home. read more

I was excited to try this place, but it turned into one of the worst meals I've had in a long time. Service was painfully slow, yet our waiter kept checking in as if that would fix the food. The pre-meal "shot" was basically star anise syrup, and it immediately wrecked my stomach. Every seafood appetizer was drowned in citrus, so much lime on the scallops that it could have been hamachi or tofu and you'd never know the difference. Everything just tasted sour. They couldn't even get the pita right. And the lamb neck? Completely dry, borderline inedible. Overall, this meal tasted like it was cooked by someone fresh out of a two-day cooking class. Disappointing, overpriced, and honestly depressing. read more

Food was amazing! So many unique flavors and delicious dishes. Manager and staff went above and beyond, very friendly. Cool ambiance too. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Food was delicious...a ton of gluten free options. Service was incredible. Quinn was the best waiter, he was super attentive to our allergies with such a warm & inviting personality....my partner and I say that he made the night for us! I'd request him if you dine here. Overall, had an amazing evening here. We will be back! read more

I went to Carmel with my girlfriends last Tuesday, to celebrate Carol A.'s birthday. It was a lovely pace with good food and drinks, service and atmosphere. This stretch of Melrose is not suffering for good restaurants, but there is nothing redundant about this one. The space was cute, contemporary and cozy, with a long, central bar, hanging plants, and lots of art on the walls. We got a nice table for our party of five, and service was great. Everyone is pregnant these days, and one of my friends appreciated the mocktail menu. I did my part and had two cocktails, both of them excellent. The Carmel Margarita was a savory mix of tequila, ras el hanout agave, habanero tincture, and cilantro blossom. The Mezcal Negroni was made with coconut oil-washed mezcal, strawberry amaro, prickly pear, and a house aperitif blend. Carmel is named for a famous outdoor marketplace in Tel Aviv, not the town on the California coast. The food is modern and creative, but utilizes old-world techniques--fermented Moroccan bread, a wood-burning oven. The bread costs $15 but is absolutely worth getting, pillowy Moroccan frena fermented for 72 hours and baked to order in that oven. It comes with Syrian olives, tahini, and matbucha, a flavorful condiment made with tomato, bell pepper, and spices. We got several small plates to start, and every one of them was a winner. The Japanese sweet potato "fries" were fantastic, beautifully seasoned and roasted, served with labneh and herbs. The spring shuk salad was light and fresh, market vegetables--cucumber, radish, red onion, cherry tomato, fennel--tossed with herbs, lemon, and sumac dressing. I loved the woodfire octopus shawarma. It came over Jerusalem-style hummus with preserved lemon, cilantro, and chiles. We shared a pasta and three entrées for our main course, and they made a pretty luxurious spread. The Jerusalem artichoke tortellini was a delicate handmade pasta with sage butter, fresh sweet peas, and parmesan. The entrées were all sizable and superb. The hanger steak kebab was tender and flavorful, served on fresh laffa bread with sumac onion, herbs, and meshwaya, a sort of roasted vegetable sauce. We doubled up on fish, and I'm glad we did, as the flame-grilled branzino and red snapper schnitzel were my two favorite dishes of the night. The branzino was a whole fish, grilled perfectly moist and meaty, topped with almonds, grapes, and a traditional "nables" salad. I don't know what a nables salad is, and neither does Google, but the herby salad went well with the fish, and I loved the juicy pops of grape. The red snapper schnitzel seems to be a Carmel calling card (or at least Carol had seen it on the internet), and honestly is the thing to get. It's a unique dish that really does lean more schnitzel than fish and chips, the crust thick and brown and crispy. The snapper inside was just right, flaky and delicious. The schnitzel came with lemon wedges and a Calabrian chili aioli that tasted and worked like tartar sauce, as well as a side of dill cucumber salad. For dessert, we went for the malabi sundae, and it was an ideal way to end our dinner. Rosewater ice cream, raspberry coulee, salted caramelized pistachios, whipped cream, coconut, and a syrupy cherry on top. Light and airy, the flavors mimicking a Middle Eastern milk pudding. The pistachios were a particularly striking touch. I live close to Carmel and am already plotting a return visit, probably with my husband. It was a great spot for a girls' night out, and I imagine it would be just as good for a date. I might get mad, though, if he doesn't want to eat the shnitzel. read more

my partner and I both enjoy Mediterranean food and were very excited to finally try Carmel's dishes. we went a little overboard and ordered the bread, mushroom cigar, bluefin tuna tartare, black fig carpaccio, lamb neck ravioli, jerusalem artichoke tortellini, new zealand lamb rack, and knafeh. this was entirely way too much food for two people so be warned! the drinks were just okay, we felt that although they sounded unique, the flavors weren't necessarily melding together very well. they did provide complimentary welcome shots which was a nice gesture. the service was quick and prompt, but both my partner and I agreed that we felt a bit rushed to finish our meal and clear out. our favorite dish was probably the bread appetizer that came with tahini, matbucha and Syrian olives and the mushroom cigar. If I did come back, it would be for the apps/shareables, not the mains. read more

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Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The welcoming staff and pleasant atmosphere made the meal feel truly special. read more

This place is PHENOMENAL, may I say life changing? It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Every single dish we ordered was unreal. The hanger steak literally melts in your mouth!! We ordered knafeh for dessert and all I can say is WOW. Marieli was our server and she was amazing. I also loved the ambiance and vibe of the restaurant. I can't wait to come back! read more

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it's a beautiful restaurant, with spectacular food. The atmosphere is casual, pleasant and a bit elevated. It is pricy, but well worth it. Compared to some restaurants that are just as expensive, Carmel truly stands out. I will 100% go there again! read more

Such a beautiful restaurant. The food was excellent and the service was on par. I wish they had better desserts though-not their strongest... but like I said, the food was excellent. read more

Look i've seen places come and go in melrose. And this is going to be one of the same. Because customer service is not their speciality. Drinks take forever. The asian waitresses is rude and took 20 minutes to ask us for our drink order. Then it took another 30 min to get our drinks. It took almost 2 hours to get our food. This is my second time here. While their snapper is delicious, I don't recommend. read more

Loved this new Israeli-inspired restaurant! While it's a bit pricey with smaller portions, that's typical of most upscale places these days. The fig carpaccio was delicious, and the tortellini was excellent, though not ideal for sharing since it only comes with five pieces. The kabob was perfectly seasoned, and a nice touch--they give free shots with a cocktail order! The knaffe was so good I ended up ordering a second. The ambiance is beautiful, and I'll definitely be back! read more

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Came here before heading out to The Groundlings with some friends. The food is magnificent. Every dish was just delicious. The ambiance is beautiful and the service is excellent. Would definitely come again and try the other dishes. I highly recommend ! read more

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I came here on a Wednesday night, it was a collaboration between two chefs. They had outstanding food and a wonderful Omakasa menu. Every single dish tasted like heaven, and the service was incredibly warm and welcoming. Our Server, Quinn, made us feel well taken care of. I highly recommend this place and will come back again very soon! read more

Amazing!!!! We had such a great time at this restaurant. The food was so so good, fresh and full of flavor. I highly recommend the frena, eggplant and other starters that were so yummy. We also got a few fish dishes which were to die for! The vodka pasta and tortellini were also a big highlight as well as the desserts (we got them all!! lol). The servers were super sweet and fast. And the ambience was so fun, music in all diff languages and perfectly loud. Go for a fun night out and great food !! read more

The manager was fantastic. Made everything perfect. Little bumps on the road , but at the end of the day it was great

AH-MAZING!!! Love, love, love this place! I really enjoy great delectable food and Carmel checked that box for me. The High level customer service and accommodating staff evenly matched the superb dishes that were brought out. The food here is a mouth watering experience with extra boldness in the flavor category! The ambiance was electric and super enjoyable being around such an eclectic crowd of happy people. There was so much good energy! My favorite part was siting up close and watching the magic of the kitchen and staff all work together in an organized fashion that resulted in a wonderful experience for anyone open to it. read more

Honestly, Carmel is the real deal. Usually, spots this "cool" in LA trade vibe for food quality, but the kitchen here is elite. That wood-fired pita is basically a religious experience--get two orders, trust me. The lamb was incredible and the service was surprisingly chill and attentive for how packed the place was. It's loud, buzzy, and expensive, but for once, the hype is actually justified. read more

This place is fantastic. My wife walked over to the bar seating before we sat at our table, as she had a question and ended up talking to the owner/chef. Very down-to-earth. Everything we had was outstanding. We started with the bread, which was very yummy. The eggplant dish is creative, unusual and just fantastic - a mixture of sweet and spicy. The "wing" is really fish, but incredibly tasty and once again creative. And the pasta with braised beef was amazing. First, the pasta is as good if not better than any pasta we have had in Italian restaurants. and the braised beef was just delicious. We finished with Knafeh, and that did not disappoint. We will back multiple times - we are waiting on the kids to be home from college for our next visit. We went to Galit in Chicago, which is a Michelin one-star. Carmel is way better and much more affordable. read more

Chose Carmel for our anniversary date night and the ambiance most definitely was ideal for the occasion. The server was very sweet, friendly and helpful! She presented all the vegetarian options and recommended her favorites too! Bread : 5/5 Mushroom cigar : 4/5 Okra : 3/5 Risotto : 5/5 Biscuit cake : 5/5 All in all it was an extremely pleasant experience and we will surely be back! read more

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There were three of us. We Ordered cocktails and many many menu items we shared. They were bringing out food in shifts so we could finish each item. It was perfectly timed. The food was creative and delicious with top quality ingredients. The service was friendly and helpful and did a great job. When we were finishing dessert and coffee the hostess told us that we had been there a long time and someone was waiting for our table and we should leave!!!!!!!! We were being served many items over all the time there. We were not just taking up space. This was a very expensive meal. Very poor disappointing customer service on behalf of the restaurant. You put a gray cloud over a wonderful dining experience. read more

Great food, great vibes. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and the atmosphere made it even better, great service Definitely coming

Good food, good decor. The host is probably living in another universe, they made us sit at the bar while half the tables were empty. We stayed for an hour and they didn't bother to upgrade us to a table even though half the tables were empty after the hour. So I decided not to order more food and left read more

I took out my husband for Valentine's Lunch Date. I was looking for a restaurant that offers a unique kind of food and based on the positive reviews that is when I decided to try Carmel. I loved the Jerusalem Bagel because it is soft but also not that soft. I mean it was just everything a bagel should be. We ordered the chicken hummus which paired well with the bagel. We also had the Ceviche which is mainly fish (I also loved this) and fried calamari (this was the least favorite of mine, I think it is the same as the other calamari in other restaurants). Finally, my husband got the RED SNAPPER SCHNITZEL (this was also good!) the fish is crispy, not overcooked but juicy. We had mimosa and the MELROSE SPRITZ for drinks. The Interior is pretty, neat, and organized, service is not that fast but not that too long. The staff are accommodating and welcoming. The place is overall clean. I look forward to trying their dinner menu. read more

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They have up-leveled the old restaurant, and made it med. Food is pretty good (although I do miss the English muffin burger). It's sexy in here. Get a booth. read more

I've been three times now with my family and each time things get better and better! Standouts were the hamachi crudo (AMAZING), fig carpaccio, schnitzel, and the crispy okra. We WILL be back again and again, we love Carmel so much! Excellent quality food, delicious flavors, and kind staff. read more

Carmel - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I was a big fan of Village Idiot that was in this location before, but I don't have a single critique about this new place. It is fantastic. The staff is very attentive and well knowledgeable about their menu. Although they should have warned us when we ordered the bread which was delicious along with the steak, they should've told us that the steak comes sitting on a piece of bread. We would've skipped the appetizer bread. The cocktails were delicious and every food item we ordered was amazing. I can't wait to go back and try other things on the menu. They took us in without a reservation. We just sat up the bar which is what we like to do. We had a fantastic time. Great place to go pre-show if you're catching something at the Groundlings. read more

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The food was delicious!! We order a bunch of seafood. And the seabass, tuna tartare and branzino are amazing. Also the Moroccan bread was soooo freaking good! read more

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Our son took us to Carmel on Melrose in LA for brunch and what a treat it was. I grew up In Hollywood, and graduated from high school on Melrose and this restaurant is a very welcome addition. Our server was very gracious and accommodating, and the food was excellent. The atmosphere is great. I highly recommend the Challah Bread French Toast, and the Short Rib Bourekas. They were both exceptional. Good food and service at a very fair price. Valet parking is available but one suggestion would be to add at least one more attendant. The wait for our car was a bit excessive. With that said, well done everyone. read more

Wow. Everything we ordered was delicious. That is something I'm honestly shocked to say. Drinks were also well-balanced. Servers are attentive and even one of the chefs made small talk with us. Very unpretentious. It's damn good food. Portions are good and it's fresh. Smoked eggplant masabaha was my favorite; it paired well with "the bread". I didn't think I'd like the corn tortellini but it had such a delicate balance of flavors. The mushroom cigars had an earthy taste with an herb that reminded me of a home cooked meal I've had but I couldn't put my finger on it. For two hungry people, we were stuffed with our 3 items. We wanted to order an entree but figured we'd see the food first and order more if we were hungry. I had the Jaffa Breeze and partner had the Carmel margarita. The ratios are just right. We originally had booked Momed in Atwater Village but I saw Carmel had a more vibrant menu with Israeli-ish dishes so we booked same day and got a counter for 2 at 6pm. It was hustling and bustling after we sat down. I'm personally not a big fan of the Melrose area just because parking sucks and everything is trying so desperately to be different. But I'd gladly bear the lack-of-common-sense Melrose drivers to get to Carmel. Valet is available. Of note: Martel Ave-- little street that Carmel sits in the corner of, you can't park after 6pm. Read the signs carefully. Overall I'm excited to come again and again to try the whole menu. The menu has changed even from 3 months ago. That's fun! People are dressed well and it's nice to not see everyone in sweat pants and a lace cami at a fine dining establishment. read more

newly opened gem in town, offers a delightful Mediterranean dining experience. From the moment you step inside, the chic bar area catches your eye, setting the stage for an evening of sophisticated enjoyment. The cocktails are nothing short of exceptional, each one crafted with precision and flair. The culinary journey begins with their fresh bread and dips, a truly great start to the meal. Each bite is a perfect harmony of flavors and textures, a testament to their dedication to quality. A standout dish was the ceviche, which was surprisingly excellent, showcasing the chef's ability to elevate traditional Mediterranean ingredients with a modern twist. Carmel is versatile enough for both brunch and dinner, making it a go-to spot for any time of day. While the street parking is usually available, the overall experience is worth any minor inconvenience. Whether you're there for a casual brunch or a sophisticated dinner, Carmel promises a memorable dining experience. read more

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We loved our dinner here! The ambience is slightly loud, but buzzing with vibe. The frene bread and tahini sauce are fantastic! The eggplant feta boule was great as well. The cocktails were on point! Our server, Sebastian was friendly and helpful. We loved everything, and will be come back. Maybe brunch next time read more

Mediterranean spots are kind of a dime a dozen for me IMO, but Carmel is a place that really stands out with their unique dishes. We tried out their Mushroom Cigar, Market Hummus, Kebab Hanger Steak, and Red Snapper Schnitzel (surprisingly good) and everything was delicious. Also got the Palm Old fashioned, this place can definitely make a decent cocktail too. Staff was friendly and overall vibe was really nice, we came on a Sat night and the ambiance was very festive. This place is definitely on my come back list. read more

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I seldom leave reviews on Yelp, and felt that I needed to share how wonderful the food, service, and ambiance is at Carmel. My wife and I consider ourselves foodies. We are from the SF Bay Area, and love trying an ecclectic variety of different cusines. During our spring vacation, we visited the LA/Hollywood area and had the opportunity to try a phenomenal array of different restaurants, including Carmel. Carmel stood out as our favorite restaurant during our visit, and we intend to make it a staple during our future visits to LA. From the moment we walked in, we were mesmerized with how beautiful the resturant looked. The service team all warmly welcomed us and, although we didn't have a reservation, their general manager was able to find us a table quickly. We felt incredibly grateful since this was on a Saturday evening just before it started to really get busy. I would highly recommend you book a reservation here because this restaurant, while very efficient and clean, gets busy quickly. We tried some unique mixed drinks that were incredibly well paired with the meal and refreshing. For our meal, we tried the Jerusalem artichoke tortellini, and it was easily one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. We also had the schnitzel snapper, which was delightfully breaded and cooked to perfection, served with pickles and a flavorful yogurt-based sauce. We also tried the knafeh for dessert, and it was exceptionally flavorful. If this restaurant was in my neighborhood, I would go every week! read more

An unforgettable night! The food was phenomenal -- every single dish we ordered seemed to outdo the last. The music and ambiance made the whole evening lively and enjoyable, and the service was truly outstanding. iEverything came together perfectly like a well oiled machine! Especially Jade and Mikey were great! We are already looking forward to our next visit. read more

Amazing Vibe and even Better Food! Wow will definitely be back here again. Don't forget to get the Snapper Shnitzel. Wow! read more

We absolutley love Carmel! The food is incredible, OUTSTANDING!!! Some of our favorite dishes include the hanger steak, the short rib pasta, mushroom bolognese pasta, pasta with vodka sauce, pasta with artichoke and the special bread is beyond delicious!! The ambiance is beautiful and we had an amazing server named, Jade, who made the whole experience even more wonderful! We highly recommend Carmel, it's become one of our favorite restaurants in Los Angeles! Run, don't walk to try it!! read more

Excellent service, excellent ambience, and excellent food. The manager was very nice and welcoming, our waitress was very kind and sincere and the food was incredible. The biscuit cake was sooooo good. I was celebrating my friend's birthday and they acknowledged his birthday a couple of times. I will definitely be back! read more