My teen has been wanting to come back to Istanbul Grill for lunch because he loves their rice and…read morethe lunch specials have such generous portions. The food is always amazing, fresh, and full of flavor. The service was friendly and quick, even though it was busy for a weekday lunch. We love coming here and it's easy to see why this place stays popular. Definitely a favorite for our family!

bread was perfect. and the dipping oil is outstanding. it's enough for 2 servings of bread…read more Okra Stew: baby okra pods, veal or lamb, and tomatoes simmered in a tangy broth flavored with lemon juice and olive oil I've never had this stew but the tomato base reminded me of a filipino dish. And the baby okras were prefect and not slimy at all. And the meat to veggie ratio is equal. I love that they don't skimp on the ingredients! perfect pairing with buttery rice pilaf. the almond pudding dessert in the end was really refreshing I left feeling satisfied with half my stew and rice. Excited to take it home and eat it more servers worked as a team very efficiently and kindly. The space is spacious and looks like a go to place for families. They also have a beautiful share outdoor patio space. I really appreciate their Turkish music playing in the restaurant

Hands down one of the best Mediterranean meals I've had in Long Beach…read more Everything we ordered was incredible. The lamb chops were the star of the meal--perfectly seasoned, savory, juicy, and beautifully grilled with that fresh, smoky barbecue flavor. The hummus was a 10/10: silky smooth, topped with whole chickpeas, and full of rich, authentic flavor. The rice deserves its own mention. It was light, fluffy, buttery, and perfectly cooked--not sticky at all. Paired with the fresh salad, it balanced the meal perfectly. For drinks, the sorbet drink was so refreshing, and the pomegranate tea was outstanding with bright, fruity notes that made it the perfect way to end the meal. The ambiance is absolutely beautiful. Sitting outside on the sidewalk felt cozy and romantic, and the decor inside genuinely made me feel like I was back in Turkey. The restaurant is spotless (including the restrooms), and the customer service was warm, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. If you're looking for authentic Turkish and Mediterranean food in Long Beach, this place is a must-visit. I'll definitely be back for those lamb chops!

What an incredible experience. I haven't had food that woke me up like this in a long time. We…read moreordered the icli kofte, tabbouleh, the lamb and beef kabob, and babanoush. Everything came out so quickly, and they provided pita with tomatoes as an appetizer. This is a mom and pop shop and the owner came out to check in on us multiple times. It really felt like I was being invited into their home. Thank you for such a delicious meal! We will definitely be back

If you like Lebanese food, you would be crazy not to eat here. The flavors are outstanding with…read morehigh quality cuts of seafood and meats. Warm welcoming atmosphere with a menu that takes you through the Middle East. A beefy steak soup, spinach pie, and melt in the mouth salmon. Can't wait to try their lamb! Don't hesitate to go as soon as possible. Guarantee you will not be disappointed. In business for 14 years and they just keep improving on their meals.

RUN, don't walk, to dine here!! Celebrated our 49th…read moreanniversary - very well taken care of by our fabulous waiter Tony!! Delicious meal, nice wine-- but let me tell you about the baklava ice cream dessert: ORGASMIC!!! (And I never eat dessert, haha!) Thank you Tony & all dining on patio... it felt like a huge extended family but we didn't have to cook, cleanup, nor do dishes!!!

First time visiting and it was a great experience. The staff were very friendly and patient, which…read moremade it really comfortable for someone trying the place for the first time. I ordered three tacos and they were very filling and delicious. Everything tasted fresh and well made. I also tried the mint yogurt drink. The owner was very thoughtful and even opened a bottle for me to taste first because he was worried I might not be used to the flavor. It turned out to be really good -- not sweet, but very refreshing. Overall a really nice experience.

$30 for two rice bowls w/ protein, olives, hot sauce…read more Great for a post workout meal! If you eat the whole bowl you will be super full, or if you save part of it you will have another meal Prolly been here at least 15x now, every time has been wonderful. Can't go wrong with chicken, fish, shrimp, or beef Vegan options available! I did like the garbanzo beans and they carry a lentil soup. Closed tuesdays ============ One of the most consistent spots for amazing and filling food! Some favs - all their meats are marinaded! #6 chicken bowl - comes with cabbage, tomatoes, cilantro, white sauce, + hot sauce (but it's not spicy for me) White fish is cooked wonderfully for a nice crisp outside with tender inside Ribeye is cut a little smaller, but the flavor is there and it is well seasoned Shrimp is also a tasty contender (not huge shrimp, but not teensy tiny) and not plasticky Whether you go with a filling rice bowl, a baguette (soft and chewy), their wrap which is like a bigger version of their "Turkish taco", the taco variety which comes with soft, pliable bread.. cannot go wrong here at all. Kunufe I fell in love with, really enjoy the smaller size that's available for less guilt. Comes with cheese and a not too sweet syrup for a nice sweet, salty sensation. Hot sauce Bae loves it, it's a bit tangy for me Green olives Also a bit tangy for me , but bae loves as well Spinach feta pastry with potato I tried a sample of this and it blew my mind. I'll need to get more when I come back in. Not greasy and it was flakey and I'm drooling thinking of it. There are seats and tables available, but it gets a bit warm inside during the day. At night is no issue. The owner is always friendly and welcoming! Thank you for sharing your food with everyone!! (I swear a wrote a review for this spot..o.o)

GG's Bistro is an absolute gem in Laguna Beach! The food was incredible, the location couldn't be…read moremore beautiful, and the restaurant itself has such a warm, inviting atmosphere. What truly made our experience unforgettable was the outstanding hospitality. Everyone made us feel so welcome--it honestly felt like we were sharing a meal with family. From the moment we walked in until the moment we left, the service was exceptional. If you're looking for amazing food, a beautiful setting, and genuine hospitality, GG's Bistro is a must-visit. We can't wait to come back!

I am huge into this kind of food, as I am Greek…read more Hummus is not really Greek but the hummus here was way too garlicky. Like so bad. Not enjoyable at all. Kalamata was decent and Jalapeno was ok too. Not sure why there was no olive on the hummus. Who serves celery with hummus? I have never had that with hummus anywhere. Cucumbers, sure, Carrots sure, but celery? Weird. Service was OK and weird at the same time. I asked if they had Olive Oil. She said, yes and stood there. I was like, lady, go grab it for me. I was not taking stock on the kitchen. Overall a very odd experience and the food was just OK. Rice pilaf was good, Hummus was not at all.

Awesome service and great food! 10 stars. Delicious vegetarian options. Will be back for sure.read more

Shish Taouk is a small, family run Lebanese shawarma spot that is a pure labor of love. Bilal is an…read moreexcellent guy and the service was outstanding. The beef and lamb combo was generous, flavorful and fresh. All of the vegetables were crisp and the pita bread tasted homemade. I told him it was my first time and he treated me incredibly well. I sampled some of the grilled veggies and a divine falafel. Definitely going to be my go to for a nice and quick work lunch.

first time trying this spot super close to my work and everything was so yummy! the establishment…read moreis a bit smaller but they have a decent amount of seating and the staff were super helpful and friendly! -sarma beyti: 10/10 no critiques! a tender meat filling wrapped in dough and covered in this tomato sauce with a creamy yogurt sauce to dip in -chef's platter: 9/10 comes with an assortment of their meats, a salad, two sides of your choice (we chose hummus and baba ghanoush), two meat pies, and pita. my favorite of the assorted meats were the chicken and chopped beef. so tender and such good seasonings i would love to come back next time to try their boats!

Came here during this last Eid with the family, was my first time here…read more Service is really nice - the ambiance is cool, feels like a stepping into a middle eastern restaurant. The food is OK - it's not bad, but it's not great. Given that, there is no reason for it to be so expensive! I would totally come here more often if the prices matched the food level. Again, the food is not bad, it's just that the prices don't match the flavors.

Faryn was an absolute rock star of a server. She had great recommendations, was wonderfully…read morecommunicative and went above and beyond to help me when I split my bill incorrectly. I would absolutely come back and ask to be in her section again.

Had the absolute BEST birthday dinner here at AMMATOLI. Our waiter, Cameron, went above and beyond…read moreto make our group dinner super special. Gave the absolute best recommendations for our food - literally everything he suggested was soo good! Truly can't rave enough about this place and the people who help support it.