This is an ALL AROUND AMAZING ESTABLISHMENT‼ The overall vibe is pure love and not just the of the food they make. Going to this restaurant is like being welcomed into a family member's home with open arms and a genuine smile (and for some a hug) when you've arrived unexpectedly. Today I was there because I was picking up food to take to a family member who's recovering from a heart attack. He and his wife live in El Monte. Carnival has NEVER disappoints, and today was no exception. I ordered chicken shawarma sandwiches, tabbouleh, hummus and fries, I couldn't resist. The takeout packaging was packaged so well that it traveled beautifully from Sherman Oaks to El Monte. The food was wonderfully warm when I arrived. Both of my relatives praised the deliciousness the food. The sandwiches are so big and generously filled that we cut them in half. They have enough food leftover for dinner or to share should someone drop in. read more

I've been coming here for years, and while there are plenty of great options on the menu, I always come back for two things: the tabbouleh and the chicken shawarma plate with homemade fries. The shawarma plate also comes with a delicious lentil soup that perfectly starts the meal. Everything tastes fresh, flavorful, and consistently delicious. The service has always been friendly, and one of my favorite things about this restaurant is the people it brings together. During a weekday lunch, you'll hear English, Arabic, Armenian, and Hebrew all being spoken in the same dining room. It's a reminder that good food has a way of bringing people from all walks of life together. I wish the world mirrored this environment. The only thing I miss is the original décor. Before the remodel, the walls were decorated with beautiful photographs of Lebanon that gave the restaurant so much character. The updated space is clean, but it feels a little plain in comparison. If you're visiting on a weekend, expect a wait because this place is popular. Be sure to save room for the homemade baklava. I also appreciate that they're one of the few restaurants in Los Angeles that serves Coke Zero. This is one of those places I keep coming back to, and for good reason. read more

Just had a very disappointing experience with Carnival. I ordered a combination plate through Uber Eats, which includes two sides. I selected rice as one side, then paid an additional $4.50 to upgrade my second side to grilled vegetables. When my order arrived, there was no rice--only the vegetables. I called the restaurant, assuming it was a simple mistake. Instead, I was told that ordering grilled vegetables automatically replaces the rice because it's considered a "double side." That makes absolutely no sense. I paid extra for the vegetables, yet somehow ended up with less food, not more. The worst part is that this policy is nowhere on the menu or website. If ordering grilled vegetables means you forfeit your rice, that should be clearly disclosed before customers pay extra--not explained only after the food arrives. So here I am, standing in my kitchen making my own rice because something needs to accompany these dry ass kababs. There are far too many honest, customer-friendly Middle Eastern restaurants in the area to waste your money on a place that charges you more while giving you less. I don't care how long they've managed to survive on these sneaky ways- I'll be taking my business elsewhere. read more

Portions too small for the price. A chicken kebab with two sides, a deep fried fish with one side and a hot tea for $81.00 tip included (sides: rice and lettuce) The food is good, just too expensive. Not really blaming them..... read more

Delicious meat. I wish the plate came with more meat. For the price of it, I do feel like there wasn't much meat or it could be longer in length. The service of the place was okay too. My friend and I were sat in a weird spot behind a curtain that seems to separate rooms for different venues. So we were very hidden, and thus possibly forgotten. Overall, an okay experience. read more

Carnival Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

One of the best Mediterranean foods in the valley! Carnival came highly recommended by a Lebanese friend and I'm so glad I came! Everything we ordered the first time we came was so amazing that we catered from here the second time! We've tried almost everything on the menu, but we really enjoyed the following and would get them again any day: Beef kebab w/rice, salmon kebab, chicken/lamb kebab, fish of the day, mushroom hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, falafels (soo good!), grilled pita, lentil soup When we came for dinner, it was very pleasant to hear live music. Someone was playing the violin the entire time were there. Parking can be a bit of a hassle even though the lot is big so make sure to come early or at an odd time, not peak hours. read more

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This was the first time we've been where there wasn't a line. And there was parking available in the lot.... Saturday late afternoon is the time to come i guess. We had an early dinner with some friends which we were surprised to get parking inside the lot. Normally it's always packed. And the major surprise, no one was waiting for a table. Early is the time to go. It's alway at least half an hour or more when we come for dinner so it was great not to have to wait. Got seated right away. There were maybe 2 other couples dining already. Of all the open tables available, 90 percent open they decided to put us literally by the restroom. Obviously we asked if we could have one of the other open tables instead. Gentlemen taking care of us was very sweet but the service was little slow at the beginning. Took our order for drinks which we also put in an order for their classic hummus as well as the mushroom hummus. Pita and pickled veggies were brought out right afterwards which was nice. A couple minutes later the classic hummus. Halfway through, we had to remind them about the mushroom hummus which did take a while to arrive. But I must say, they do have good hummus especially the mushroom. Entrees, it was a mixture of everything. Some entrees could be à la carte or a meal which comes with either soup or salad. It's a must for the combination platter with three skewers and your choice of sides. Also the sautéed garlic shrimp, steak and à la carte chicken breast skewers. Everything was delicious and flavorful. The garlic sauce with shrimp was quite tasty which was a hit. Even the steak, a nice decent size and cooked perfectly. All was accompanied by rice. A side of fries was also ordered which we also asked the waiter about. That too took a while to arrive. But everything we had was excellent. The food has always been great each visit. If your Coming for dinner, it can take a while to received your meal depending on how busy they are. But the food is a hit each time. read more

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We ate shawarma, hummus, chicken kabob, Kafta, fries, salad, rice - all family style!!! Incredible. The staff were super friendly and accommodating! The food was amazing! read more

Everything was pretty good except the shawarma plate (beef and lamb). It was so dry it was basically inedible. We were all shocked at how bad it was. I would never recommend this dish and frankly am surprised it's offered and that we weren't warned when ordering by the waiter to avoid it. Take this off the menu or change the recipe! read more

Everything we tasted was delicious. I also really loved their garlic sauce. I would return again. The parking lot is kind of small but I found parking easily on Moorpark St. read more

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I can't give a review for this restaurant, because firstly their parking situation is just terrible, next since they don't take reservation, when I entered the restaurant they told me it's at least a 45 minute wait, and I looked around the restaurant is was like a mess hall, so LOUD! kids flying all around I Did not see a waiter in sight. again I did not get a chance to dine there, but unfortunately I will never get a chance to ever dine there. read more

This is the 3rd time I've been to Carnival and it's consistently amazing. Today I had the lamb pita with a side of rice pilaf. Everything was perfect. There's a lot of competition on Ventura Blvd for Middle Eastern cuisine but Carnival stands a cut above. The service is fast and attentive and the ambiance is bustling, welcoming, and charming. Helpful hint: Parking can be a challenge during busy hours, but the front desk informed me there's another lot for the restaurant on the other side of the Tango Room. read more

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For my friend's 71st birthday, I gave her the option to pick a place for lunch, but she left the decision to me. I chose a restaurant I'd heard great things about, and it didn't disappoint. We arrived just after they opened and were warmly welcomed. We got to choose our own table, which set a relaxed tone for the meal. And we didn't bother other customers because we were kind of loud. What we ordered: - Lamb Shank (Wednesday special, $30), Exceptionally generous in portion, serves 3 to 4 people. Rich and flavorful. - Quail (a la carte) - Salmon (a la carte) - Chicken Kebab (a la carte): Delicious, though we were charged the dinner price. All the dishes were delicious and well - prepared. The portions were large enough that we ended up taking home about half of everything. Our server was attentive, checking on us regularly without being intrusive. They offered desserts, but we were too full to accept. Regarding parking: It can be a bit of a challenge. They have a small private parking lot that is shared with other businesses. Street parking is available if you don't mind a short walk. Overall, it was a lovely experience - great food, great service, and a memorable way to celebrate a special day. We already planned our next visit here. read more

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Very disappointing experience at Carnival Restaurant. We waited nearly an 2 hours for our lunch, and the service was extremely slow and unprofessional. Our waitress was dismissive and made us feel like a burden rather than paying customers. The food was not this good, the poor treatment made the entire experience unacceptable. Many people trust my recommendations, and based on this experience, Carnival Restaurant is not a place I can recommend. I sincerely hope management takes this feedback seriously. read more

I honestly don't know how Carnival Restaurant is still in business with service like this. The staff were extremely slow, unprofessional, and acted like they didn't want to be there. Our waitress treated us terribly, as if we were eating for free. The food was average at best, but the service made the entire experience unacceptable. Management seriously needs to retrain or replace this staff. read more

Very poor performance on seating and service. People seated before us that arrived after us. Two groups that arrived 20 minutes after us ordered and were served while we were still waiting. Will not return front staff was not efficient or effective. read more

Carnival has been in Sherman Oaks for decades. Their amazing food is why they have thrived for so long. We met family for dinner here, since it's one of their favorite places. Let me start by saying that yoi should not judge this place by their rather plain tables and chairs. The food is some of the finest middle eastern food I have eaten. We ordered a variety of dishes and loved everything that came to our table (but watch out for the yellow peppers - they're fiery)! Service was solid even though the place just got busier and busier while we were there. What a super spot! read more

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A solid Mediterranean food staple established for several decades in the heart of Sherman Oaks, this is my family's go-to when we are craving kabobs, falafel, shawarma, etc. Celebrities can be spotted here, along with regular locals who sit across tables and carry conversations as if they are at a local party. This establishment makes you feel at home as the chef/owner usually comes out and greets his guests and makes everyone feel welcomed. The lentil soup here is outstanding; hearty, healthy and simply delicious. The Combination Plate appetizer is highly recommended if you are craving hummus, baba ganoush, tabouli salad, and falafel. It is very filling so I highly recommend to share this plate to get a tasting of these crowd favorites. My personal favorites are the whole fried branzino and the beef kabab. Each is perfectly cooked and very filling. The beef kabob is tender and delicious; the branzino is not greasy or fishy, even though it is deep fried. The kafta kabab is slightly spicy and prepared with ground beef and lamb which renders a flavorful bite. The shawarma is not as greasy as with most places; however, make sure to ask for toum, as it is more delicious with it. If you like arabic coffee, you must have it here. It has notes of cardamom which makes it truly special. Don't skip dessert! Their baklava is usually very fresh, not too sweet and filling. read more

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Our family has enjoyed many meals here for at least 40 yrs. This is our family staple, we celebrate birthdays and any major events. Usually everything is amazing. Sadly today our large party was completely disappointed. First the man waiting on us, who has waited on us many times, was so disinterested In being there. Second, the food, the usual delicious Lentil soup was tasteless and watery. I asked for fries with my meal and I got rice, when they brought the fries they were under cooked. My boyfriend asked for the chicken kabob sandwich and he got a chicken shawarma sandwich. Very different. We couldn't get anyone to bring refills of tea and water. When we asked for the check we waited over ten minutes, I had to get up to ask someone to get the waiter to bring the check. We were celebrating a very special birthday, and on top of the food disappointment the waiter really made it all worse. He just didn't seem to care about anything. It's sad to see such a great Sherman Oaks staple go downhill. read more

This restaurant is phenomenal!! Hands down best middle eastern food you can get in Southern California! The service is great, the cooks are amazing, the owners are passionate, very clean and cared for restaurant. You need to try this restaurant, you'll fall in love! read more

Is it just me or has the quality really changed? I grew up going here and always got the Hummus and Lamb. I would crave it! I would go to war with you that this was the best Middle Eastern food in the valley, maybe even all of LA. But recently, (like the past 2-3 years?) every time I order it my lamb is super gristley. Like one out of every 4 bites I'm spitting out a piece of meat. If they did change the quality - change it back! read more

This place is the bomb. I've come several times and consistently, they turn out delicious food.

What a valley staple. Love coming here for lunch, their portions are so generous! Flavors are so good. Don't forget the cheese rolls! My only complaint (and I use that word so loosely) is the service can be a little slow, so just don't plan on this being a quick meal. But the food keeps me coming back :) read more

So it's about at least 10 years that I haven't been in that place; I really used to go all the time in the past, but I got a little bit discouraged because the lines to get in were long and there was no parking available on peak times! So today I was meeting my friend Peter at noon to celebrate my birthday . It was not crowded at all, and although the parking was challenging, it wasn't too bad. I found a space fairly close. . I felt so touched to be recognized by Nabil, the owner, and by Miguel that used to be a best boy and now became a waiter /manager: We loved when we ordered : we began by an appetizer of mushroom hummus it was out of this world! They also brought us the pickle, turnips and olives, and a basket of pita bread, which I asked them to toast some of it for us. I had the chicken thigh kebabs plate with a side of white cabbage, rice, pilaf, and grilled tomato.... So fresh and so tasty.! And Peter had a chicken Shawarma dinner plate m, with rice, pilaf, grilled tomato and a side of Arabic salad! Oh my God I missed this place ; it was again out of this world for taste, flavor, portion, and all We will be back soon ‼ read more

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The best Lebanese cuisine! Tonight we had another delicious wonderful dinner at Carnival. THANK YOU Hafif read more

Carnival Restaurant - Thank you Hafif for feeding our family. We love you. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

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Family style is the way to go when visiting Carnival, middle eastern food that's pretty good, Lebanese food served. So was there a few days ago with a small group for lunch, the place is generally always busy, great for small groups and large families. So we had chicken schnitzel & fries started with salads, hummus with mushrooms very good. Just rip a piece of pitta bread and start dipping. Some people chose the lamb kebabs but the star was the chicken! The French Fries are fresh hand cut very good. Service is awesome. Only downside is the parking! read more

Used to live in the area, every once in a while i grab something on the way back up and it's makes for great leftovers too.

Update: Father's Day 2025 We went to Carnival for Father's Day. The chicken kabab was spectacular. The Salad and sides added another level of taste. The Falafel was crispy outside and tender on the inside. Carnival is always busy. We went there at 4pm and by 5:30 the line was out the door and the inside was just about full. This is an excellent restaurant with friendly service and incredible food. read more

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Had lunch with my mom and daughter a few days ago. The food was delicious. We ordered falafel, which I was craving and beef shawarma dinner portion. The flavor of both dishes were amazing. Fresh and delicious. My mom also enjoyed her lentil soup which had cumin in it. She loves cumin. Customer service was amazing, friendly waiters and host. They kept on checking on us to make sure we had everything we needed. It was my first time here and won't be the last for sure. I have to try more dishes, specially their specialty items. read more

Carnival Restaurant - Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

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Amazing authentic Lebanese food for sure! Best hummus I've ever had! We always come hungry and leave more stuffed than thanksgiving turkey! Service is beyond par, they really treat you like family here. Ambiance is amazing.... Able to cater to large families comfortably. Parking is tough during lunch rush but easy besides that read more

Food is good enough to be authentic but did not really leave a lasting impression. Service is standard. Menu list is standard Mediterranean selection. Ambiance is basic. Noisy and place is cramped. read more

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I've been eating their food for 15 years so I excited to take a friend and let him experience this restaurant. Well, I was disappointed this time and for the first time ever, the quality has gone down. I don't want to get into what our issues were other than my main order of beef shawarma was terrible. It's was chewy and not as flavorful as I always remembered. In addition, I asked for crispy fries and they just re-dipped existing fries that were sitting around. I know this cause I'm a chef and I hate when restaurants either are lazy or just too cheap to make a fresh batch well done. I still gave them a 3 stars because maybe it was just an off day from the cooks.... I hope they get their stuff together. I'm not the only one that had the same experience evident by some of the previous reviews. read more

Best Lebanese food in town! Absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. The food is authentic, fresh, and full of flavor -- easily the best Lebanese cuisine in town. Every dish was perfectly prepared and tasted homemade. The service was outstanding attentive, and welcoming, making you feel like family. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. Highly recommended -- we'll definitely be coming back read more

I've visited Carnival three times with family, and each time left disappointed--not because of the food, but because of one server whose attitude is shockingly harsh and unwelcoming. She speaks to customers with an aggressive tone, shows no warmth or courtesy, and gives the impression that she deeply resents being there. On our most recent visit, my sister simply asked a question about the menu, and the server responded with immediate defensiveness and rudeness. I finally reached my breaking point and addressed her behavior openly in front of other diners. I then requested to speak with the owner, who I found in the kitchen. He was kind and receptive, and I explained the situation. He admitted that other customers had complained about this same server in the past and said, rather unbelievably, that "she was born this way." It became apparent that she may be a relative of his, which perhaps explains the lack of action despite ongoing complaints. I advised him that this kind of treatment is damaging his business and suggested he either properly train her or remove her from the front of house entirely. I also requested a different server for the remainder of our meal. The inside looked average and got to be very loud. This was, without question, one of the worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. The unprofessionalism, lack of customer care, and dismissive attitude left a lasting impression--for all the wrong reasons. I will not be returning, and I strongly suggest others think twice before dining here. There are far better restaurants in the area where customers are treated with respect. read more

Carnival Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

I've generally been a big fan of this place but today I had a pretty rough experience. I placed an order online and it took over two hours for them to get me my food. What was most frustrating about it was the lack of transparency around what had gone wrong. As I watched other people pick up their orders, nobody was communicating with me what had happened with mine. When I asked, I was met with a bit of attitude. Ultimately, when my food was finally ready, they did offer to give me a Snapple or an extra dessert, which I appreciate. But a little bit more transparency and kindness and customer service while I was sitting there for over an hour would have been much more appreciated. read more

Was craving some good old shawarma and had to stop by! Love how they remodeled the place! The food, as always, is excellent! I ordered the shawarma plate and honestly this place does it the best. It's fresh it's clean and taste sooooo good! I came by for lunch Saturday and it was super busy, but the staff did a great job catering to everyone's needs. read more

Carnival Restaurant - Menu 4/20/24 - Middle Eastern Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

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Food was delicious. Fresh ingredients, perfect spicing, ample portions. Love it. Food was ready very quickly and the service was quick and pleasant. The inside of the restaurant looks nice too if you want to sit down. It has a nice ambiance. read more

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Amazing meal and service. The ambiance was pleasant. Not to loud, not to quiet. The food just kept coming. I did not order, but we must of ate 6 course. Shawarma, chicken, lamb, pita, salad, hummus, and much more. read more

I went here with a friend to get an order to go. We had the same order, I ordered before him, and yet my order came out 20 minutes later than my friend's order. We were told 20 minutes was estimated time for our orders, and the orders took well over an hour - 45 minutes for my friend, 60+ minutes for me. The restaurant itself was not busy at all, seems like a poorly managed kitchen. Addition to that, no apologies from staff, just 30 minutes of "it's almost ready" from the hostess when we asked about the order. Food quality was maybe 6/10, and certainly not worth the ridiculous wait and terrible service. Food could have been 10/10 and I still wouldn't come here again. read more

A valley gem. I love the lentil soup so much and the falafel too! I also enjoy their Arabic salad. Fresh ingredients and so so delicious!