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Laya was an absolute blast. The energy was incredible, the service was amazing, and the live light-up drummer coming to our table to let us play made the night unforgettable. The food and drinks were super solid: Favorites: Charred beetroot hummus & octopus skewer (must-orders!) Also loved: Batenjan, Kafta Khashkhash, and the cocktails (Heart of the Desert & Sunset's Ember) Dessert: The rose soft serve with cotton candy is a must! 10/10 spot for a fun night out in LA, will definitely be back!
Convenient parking options: Valet for $20 or self park across the street in a structure for $15. Bartenders are very attentive and kind. They were eager to greet me as soon as I sat down at the bar. Great vibe going on for a Friday night; what started as moderately loud music does tend to vary decibels throughout the night. The live musician walking around with a Darbuka is fun. Food: portions are small and food is good. Value for quality and quantity isn't there but this is just my opinion. Can be a fun spot for large groups, just expect to pay a lot for not a whole lot. All the waiting staff was amazing and on their "top game".
This restaurant is so pretty! I wanted to go here when they first opened and on NYE, but ended up somewhere else. We had reservations this past weekend, but still had to wait a bit before getting seated. I love that almost everyone here dresses up! There was also a violinist and DJ playing throughout the night. We shared the kanpachi crudo, homemade pickle mix, grilled prawns, grilled branzino, and Australian lamb kebab. Everything was nicely presented and tasted fresh and flavorful. Our server was great! She was attentive and also offered to take the beef of the skewer for me! Such a lovely spot for date night or celebration!
The beet hummus is so good! Really fun vibes on a Saturday night and great for a celebration
Laya is one of those restaurants where the atmosphere is just as memorable as the food. We came for dinner, but between golden hour on the open-air patio, live violin during the evening, and the DJ after sunset, it turned into one of our favorite summer nights in LA. We especially enjoyed the creamy hummus with fresh-baked pita, crispy squash blossoms, heirloom tomato salad with pesto, and the Mixed Grill Platter with Wagyu beef kebab, shish tawouk, and kafta. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. The service was warm and attentive, and we really appreciated the recommendations for the Lebanese wine and Middle Eastern beer. They introduced us to a few drinks we probably wouldn't have ordered on our own, and they ended up being one of the highlights of the meal. It's not often you get to try selections that are this unique and hard to find elsewhere. If you're looking for a great date night spot, a girls' night out, or simply a beautiful place to enjoy good food, drinks, and music, Laya is definitely worth a visit.
Good food, slow service. Went here for a friends bday and really liked the food. The bread was fluffy and the kebabs were flavorful. I'm simple :) They also had a violinist and a DJ so that was fun.
I have been wanting to come here forever ever since I knew that the owner Charbel was a winner in MidEast Top Chef! We made a reservation for Saturday at 6pm. Unfortunately we were running late but the host in the front still let us in. We got seated in the bar area till we got our seat. Ambiance: It literally felt like we were transported to another country! It was mostly outdoors with a lot of earthy colored tones. We started off with drinks. We got the Heart of the Desert. Not only was it pretty, it tasted so good! Not overly sweet but you can taste the tequila. For appetizers we got the batata hara (a triple cooked potatoes with cilantro, chili and garlic) and humus with shawarma. You can't go wrong with that! We then got the mixed grill platter which included 3 different kebabs: wagyu beef kebab, chicken tawook and kofta. I'll be honest I did think the kofta was a bit on the overcooked side. We ended with the rose soft serve with cotton candy on top. Definitely Instagram worthy! Lol As we were talking to our waiter, he did mention that the chef and owner wanted this place to be a shareable experience and it really was! Now the icing on the cake was they had live entertainment. A lady who was playing the violin. Tell me why I felt like I was in Bridgeton! lol
Some friends were visiting from out of state, so we decided to take them here for a dinner. Made a reservation ahead of time, but it still took some time to get seated, though it was a busy evening. Started with cocktails. Heart of the Desert has a tequila base with strawberry, lime and prickly pear, but the fruit flavor really didn't come through. Felt like something was missing in the drink. The Hand of Ra is another tequila drink, with tangerine, tumeric and thyme. Again, much more spirit forward and really didn't get that punch of tangerine, but the rhyme provides a nice, forefront to the drink. For food, we started with the hummus and snails. The hummus was good, fresh hummus is always the best, and they brought us extra pita. The snails, also very tasty, plenty of extra butter to dip them in as well. The mix Grill Platter comes with three large kabobs: featuring wagyu, chicken and a minced lamb and beef skewer. The chicken was dry on the outside, could have been moister on the inside. The wagyu was ok, felt a little overcooked as well but still decent. The lamb/beef combo skewer was moist, but may have been a little gamey for some. The dips for each specific meat were great and really helped the meat along with each bite. We also got a side of carrots and triple cooked potatoes. The carrots were delicious, definitely get a side of them, and the potatoes were also very tasty as well. Overall, beautiful restaurant and great ambiance. The cocktails didn't meet the expectations we had, unfortunately, but the hummus and snails were tasty. The meats left something to be desired, though their individual sauces helped. Get the carrots, for sure, and potatoes if you're hungry.
While Laya's venue has been other restaurants/nightclubs in past years (from Le Jardin to La Mesa), its latest incarnation is its best: stunning space (spacious patio, olive trees, fire pit, lights, etc.) and delicious Middle Eastern-centric menu: all the dishes i had - kibbeh nayeh (beef tartare), octopus skewer, pickled vegetables with pita & labneh - were all tasty & nicely plated + cucumber cocktail was refreshing + smooth, attentive service - whether booking your next dinner or planning your new special event, Laya is a solid destination.
It looks so different now from the last time I came through - back when it was called La Mesa/Le Jardin. But nothing is wrong with change - it may be different, but it's still a beautifully laid out spot! Bestie's choice of venue to celebrate her 2026 birthday. We were nicely situated at the very front corner, so not too far from the bar or the front door. I had no idea Bestie and her hubby did a pre-fixe menu for sharing for the entire party, so Hubbers and I were welcomed to our table with Ambrosias. Excellent! Great way to start the night! And then the food started coming around. HUMMUS: Hosts were good at ordering more pita because the one wouldn't have been enough. Good flavor, pine nuts added texture. Good starter. CHARRED BEETROOT HUMMUS: This is a first for me! The group was 50/50 on this, some saying they like the regular one better. I'm on the other side liking the beets version - and that's huge coming from someone who can't stand beets. The aroma was a good addition to the overall flavor. The wild mushrooms added flavor and texture. I used pita vs the leaves for this - delish. O BATATA HARRA: Not really a fan of potatoes other than in the form of fries or maybe mashed or hash browns (and all of them are a bunch of maybes) but I'll admit I've never had triple cooked crispy potatoes. They somehow figured out how to infuse a lot of flavor inside while maintaining a really nice crisp/crunch on the outside. BURGUNDY SNAILS: So... this is a me and Hubbers order thing because EVERYONE else in our party aren't fans. (They kept screaming escar-NO!) I'm guessing this dish might be too exotic for them, although a couple of people tried them (for the first time) and ended up liking it. What i liked about this is that they weren't drowning in butter, and there's a good balance of the lemon and garlic. I enjoyed this! KNAFE: None of us had no idea what this was (until i looked it up) but I got a couple of bites and liked the balanced savory and sweet! It's basically filo dough based with mozzarella cheese topped with syrup. Served as a palate cleanser for me. AUSTRALIAN LAMB KEBAB: One would expect a gamey flavor (since it's lamb and all) but this is not bad at all. There was only a slight hint, nothing overpowering. Cooked medium to medium rare. The seasoning was excellent. The slight char added to the flavor. I didn't bother with the sauces. MIX GRILL PLATTER: Plenty for 3-4 people, it's a HUGE plate of meat goodness! The three different kinds of meats came with three different sauces (but the garlic is my ultimate favorite out of all three.) There were sides of grilled onions, tomatoes and peppers. Just know each protein had different flavors and textures and all were yummilicious! ROSE SOFT SERVE: Ohhhh, what a discovery! I'm not a dessert person but O.M.G. I love this sorbet. The cotton candy adds to the aesthetics and pine nuts added flavor and texture. It's almost like eating roses, except it's delicious! LAYA LAVA CAKE: Again, not a dessert person. This was too rich for me, but if you like chocolate, this is for you. OLIVE OIL CAKE: Like the knafe, it was sweet and savory but neither flavors were overpowering. Also a good way to end the meal! FOOD: 5. SERVICE: 5. VALUE: 5. Although the hosts handled the bill, I still feel the pricing point is more than fair. You get quantity and quality. PARKING: Street parking. They offer valet. Unsure if there's a fee. OVERALL: 5. Apologies for lack of pictures but my party (me included) couldn't wait to dig in on some of the dishes soon as they got to the table. I will somehow find my way back here to try a few dishes Hubbers and I discussed having for that next time. Amazing first run! Looking forward to the next!
We had such a great experience at Laya! I had been wanting to try this restaurant for a while, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. The food was delicious, especially the Mom's Labneh and the Zucchini Blossoms. We also ordered the Mixed Grill Platter, and everything was flavorful and perfectly prepared. The atmosphere was also amazing. The restaurant is beautiful, the music was great, and having a DJ made the whole experience feel so fun and unique without taking away from the dinner. Our server was wonderful and took the time to explain the menu and give us recommendations, which we really appreciated. The food, service, and overall atmosphere made this such a memorable dinner. Definitely a place I'd come back to!
Went for dinner with party of 11. From the authentic Mediterranean flavors to the warm, inviting atmosphere, every detail was perfect. The outdoor setting with its open-air concept created such a relaxing and charming experience. The sand-brewed coffee was a unique touch that made the experience even more special. And the cookie they served with the coffee took me right back to my grandmas kitchen! The drinks were excellent, the food was great with a good twist on the Mediterranean cuisine, every dish was full of flavor. The service was outstanding--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. We got almost every appetizer and everything was 10/10. The bbq platter also amazing! Falafel salad 10/10 Branzino was amazing as well Will definitely be back
Celebrated my birthday at Laya last night with a group of five, and it was honestly one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time! First, a huge shoutout to our waitress, Sandra. She was personable, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm throughout the entire evening. Her recommendations were spot on, and she made our celebration feel special. We started with several appetizers: the beet hummus (delicious), homemade pickles (perfectly crunchy with just the right amount of spice), goat cheese & za'atar (earthy and flavorful), and the fried kibbeh (yum). For our mains, we shared the mixed kabob plate and the branzino. The mixed kabob plate was surprisingly generous and easily fed our table alongside the appetizers. The Wagyu beef kabob was hands down the best kabob I've ever had--and I eat kabobs often. The flavor profile was incredible, with hints of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and onion that came together perfectly. Every bite was memorable. The branzino was equally impressive--fresh, flavorful, and not fishy at all. The green sauce served with it was absolutely delicious. The cocktails were fantastic, the atmosphere was beautiful, and every detail felt thoughtfully executed. It's rare to find a restaurant where the food, service, drinks, and aesthetics are all a 10/10, but Laya truly delivers on every front. Also, a special shoutout to the assistant manager, who took the time to check on tables and chat with guests. We had a blast talking with him and really appreciated the hospitality. Laya has it all. Can't wait to come back!!
5 months ago
Five stars for the vibe alone, this place is so fun! The ambiance was amazing: a DJ kept the energy buzzing and there was a violinist playing live music. My friends and I loved this place! We shared the batata harara (A MUST TRY), beetroot hummus, homemade pickle mix, tabouleh, and the mixed grilled platter - everything was incredible. Great music, great food, great night - will absolutely be back! read more
Loved Laya! Excellent breathtaking space, warm vibes, exceptional music- we had a great time here! Bobby was our server and helped our group of 8 get through the meal with excellent ideas and suggestions. Food was all good- we loved beetroot hummus, the rose ice cream and the eggplant the best. Special mention of the falafel! Well done Laya! read more
I invited my friends for their birthday. The food in general was very good however, there were some food items that were really very ordinary. For example, the mix Grill didn't taste any different than any other place. We did order the family size which I think for the price was OK. The chicken was really interesting so some of us liked it and others did not like. I absolutely loved warak areesh so if you like Demas, I highly recommend this dish. All drinks were great. Beet hummus, Tabouleh, and batata harra were absolutely phenomenal. Although all my friends liked the kiibbah I thought it was OK. All desserts were phenomenal. Our server was absolutely amazing. And I absolutely love the ambience of this place. It is a little bit overpriced, but really, very worth it. read more
OMG 5 stars in my book!! As soon as you walk in you are just mesmerized by the beautiful lighting, the writing on the walls, the open air and just ambience. I came here for my Birthday with my Yelp BFF Karren and seriously I was blown away by everything. Thank you Karren for the best birthday celebration. So glad we got to experience this together. We got an early reservation for 6pm which was perfect, I wanted to arrive early so I could experience the day time/night time and take some pictures. Quite honestly, it was perfect because the place was empty and we were able to capture some lovely photos. The vibe was just on point, they had a dj right in the middle and our servers were awesome. For starters we ordered the beetroot hummus, eggplant and potatoes which were suggested by our server. The hummus and potatoes were my absolute favorite, super flavorful and I couldn't get enough. I loved the baby gem lettuce that accompanied the hummus and the fresh pita bread as well. They were super unique, and the potatoes were super flavorful. I highly recommend these and would order these again. We also ordered the chicken skewers and fish. I've had better chicken before but I did like the garlic sauce and the pickles/onions that it came with. It did add some more flavor but I think they can improve on this dish. My friend enjoyed her fish. I also ordered a mocktail and my friend ordered a cocktail, both were great. Lastly, we got the pistachio with cotton candy dessert and my oh my it was absolutely delicious, the presentation was so beautiful and I wanted to eat more but I was stuffed. Shout out to our servers Dj and Sean, they were super sweet and attentive and made our experience a great one. Throughout the night it got busier and just the vibe was on point with the music, the twinkling lights and the fire pits. I recommend this place for date nights, get togethers with a big group or just people wanting a great meal. This is the place to go. I hope they can add some more chicken dishes in the future and I definitely plan on coming back and would highly recommend. read more
8 months ago
Very pretty and beautiful ambiance, I love the setup. The fact that tables are so close to each other and the next table could clearly listen to your conversation it's not fun. The food was good, we ordered some shareable dishes and we enjoyed it. Drinks are amazing! Would like to go back for another visit. read more
1 year ago
Laya Restaurant is definitely one of the cuter spots I've been to in LA. It's stylish, cozy, and perfect for a girls' night or a date. The vibes are immaculate! The drinks were also delish! The Ambrosia tasted like a tropical getaway, and the Heart of the Dessert had the perfect citrusy punch. The food is all about sharing, which I love, because it means you get to try more things. The goat cheese and za'atar was rich and creamy, the charred beetroot hummus was flavorful and beautiful, the octopus skewer was tender, and the mix grill platter was a solid choice if you want a little of everything. It's definitely pricey for the portion sizes though. Worth it for a fun night out every so often, but not somewhere I'd go every week. They have valet and metered parking around the area. Overall, a great experience -- just be ready for your bill to match the vibes. read more
2 years ago
I don't think I've seen a restaurant have so much coverage from Instagram food bloggers as I did with Laya, so I already had some preconceived notions about Laya being more about the vibes than the food. Plus I had several friends come here with some less than stellar opinions. But I'm the kind of person that likes to see things for myself. And I did have a favorable opinion of Charbel Hayek's Ladyhawk, so I wanted to give Laya a fair shot. There's no question that as soon as you walk in here, you can see why Laya got so much attention on social media. The interior of here is absolutely stunning! They weren't lying when they said that Laya brought those outdoor Mediterranean vibes. Huge space with tables spaced out very comfortably. Lighting was perfect as well. I will note that they did have clear tent coverings over everything, but honestly I didn't mind since it was a bit chilly anyways. Anyways, did the food match the ambience? Depends on what your goal is. I knew going in that it wasn't going to be one of those meals where you were super filled up unless you intentionally ordered a lot. For me, I just wanted to try everything and was fine with not being super full as long as it wasn't egregiously expensive. Price-wise, I thought it was actually pretty fair. In fact, for the first time in a long time, I paid less than $100 for my meal! And that was split between five people. As far as the food itself, we ordered the Muhammara, Charred Beetroot Hummus, Heirloom Tomato & Toum, and Batata Harra as our starters. They were all good, but that Muhammara just hit the spot. Not something I would normally get, so it was very unique to me. For mains, we ordered the Mix Grill Platter (as it was a matter of pure efficiency), Australian Lamb Kebab, Octopus Skewers, and Grilled Red Seabream. I really enjoyed the Wagyu Beef Kebab (part of the Mix Grill Platter) and Australian Lamb Kebab, but honestly all of the mains were great. Also helped that we had exactly five people, because there were exactly five skewers on that Wagyu Beef Kebab. For desserts, we had the Rose Soft Serve and Knafeh. All I know is that we need more rose soft serve in our lives because it was absolutely delectable! Service was fantastic! Our server said we completely nailed every item that we ordered and said we were going to have a great meal. Well, he definitely didn't lie about that! Other than that, everything went extremely smooth for us. Laya definitely didn't blow me away with the food, but it was certainly quality stuff. Plus it honestly was pretty reasonable price-wise relative to all the other restaurants that I have been to in L.A. And plus I have to factor in the picturesque ambience. So yeah, Laya was worth the visit! read more
2 years ago
VERY vibey! Stunning ambiance inside. Really big space, tables are spaced. Great for a romantic date night or for a night out with friends. Definitely upscale so would recommend dressing up! We ordered family style. Started with the steamed whole artichoke and the charred beetroot hummus. The artichoke was good for sharing. Beetroot hummus had a fun pinkish purple color to it and was delicious. It has a creamier consistency to it. It only came with one single pita so we needed to ask for more since were a group. For the mains, we got the Australian Lamb Kebab, Grilled Red Seabream and Waygu Beef Shawarma. Everything was delicious and plated beautifully. Portions were admittedly pretty small, especially for the price, but everything tasted good. The seabream was a standout for me, the sauce that came with it really packed a punch, in a good way. Pricey place but definitely trendy and vibey, good food, and good service. read more
8 months ago
Had this one on the date list file for months and finally got to go! First off the place is as beautiful as you think it is! Great atmosphere and the music, YES!!!!Secondly, the customer service of our server was EXCEPTIONAL! We arrived at a time when it wasn't too busy, as I do understand it can get, so he was able to take extra care and time with us! He was funny, lighthearted and joyful! I also was introduced to one of the owners by my server. Another warm guy that took the time to say hello and chat with me for a min as I was retuning to my table. My husband and I enjoyed immensely EVERY dish that we were served. I had read some reviews about the chicken being dry, so I was reluctant to order it but we did and it was the juiciest chicken I've had in a long time! The beet hummus is an absolute must! The cocktails delicious! And the cotton candy dessert WOW!!! We are excited to return! read more
This place is definitely a vibe, feels like you've been transported to another country. This restaurant is gorgeous and the ambiance is very welcoming located in Hollywood. Bobby was our amazing server and gave us some recommendations. The portions were huge and the food was delicious. My favorites were the charred beetroot hummus, falafel salad, wagyu beef shawarma, and the pistachio cake was out of this world. Definitely a must try and I can't wait to come back when I'm in LA again! read more
1 year ago
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful restaurants in LA, the ambiance alone is enough reason to come, with DJ and live saxophone playing table to table, just made your night. Food , drinks and dessert were all on point. Our waitress Caroline was the sweetest. It was a great night. read more
1 year ago
Left the men at home to play poker and watch the fight.... Girls night at Laya-- lol it seemed like all the girls had girls night at this restaurant. The atmosphere was a VIBE... it was great.. food and staff were absolutely fantastic!! We had a beautiful waitress with those gorgeous earrings we all loved and NICK-- our MVP of the night. These two know how to work with people.. very personable... professional and know what they're talking about. The food here was okay -- we decided to share everything but tbh appetizers were better than our meals ... but the drinks and vibe/staff here really made our night. Thank you for the great food and drinks-- and again SHOUT OUT to Nick for being such a gentleman. During the middle of our dinner a few men came to our table and started to chat and want to get to know us-- they were a bigger table with 8 men ... Nick made sure we were comfortable and felt safe and even escorted one of them back to his table after he got handsy with our friend (it's okay-- they ended up paying our entire bill) but that one guy we never saw again. But seriously NICK is amazing ... the DJ wasn't too loud and played great music. We were sitting right behind the DJ and we could hear one another and it wasn't obnoxiously loud. read more
4 months ago
1 month ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Ivanna, the branzino with the green mojo tahini and pomegranate…
The place was beautiful when you walk in. Vibe was on point with an excellent dj right in the middle of the place, she brought the energy! For once the portions and atmosphere lined with up with the prices. This place wasn't trying to price gauge you like some of the other new restaurants today, especially Mediterranean. Everything seemed reasonable for a high end spot. Came as a group which I highly recommend. Not sure if it's good for a date. You want to order a little bit of everything and the mains are shareable. Service was on point with her recommendations and suggestions. And they brought the food quickly. Apps were excellent and unique. I've had fried potatoes but nothing like the flavor of these. Beet hummus was not typical either. Kebabs were incredibly flavorful and moist. Polished off with the best pistachio ice cream and cotton candy. Looked and tasted amazing Only area of improvement were the cocktails. Nothing really grabs you and overall subpar compared to everything else this place has to offer. read more
4 months ago
We absolutely loved our waiter, Caroline--she was incredibly attentive and welcoming. She spent about five minutes at our table walking us through the entire menu, which was especially helpful as first-timers. She shared her personal favorites and even pointed out dishes from other tables when we were curious about what looked good. The ambiance was warm and inviting, and everyone made us feel comfortable from the moment we walked in. They were also very accommodating, even letting us take pictures without any issue. The restaurant was very affordable, which made the experience even better. Overall, it was a great experience, and we'd definitely come back. read more
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Francess, Thank you for the wonderful review. We’re so glad…
Laya is a dream! The moment I walked in I fell in love with the place, the beautiful ambiance, the decor and the vibes. Their food and the service was top notch. I can't wait to go back here. We enjoyed everything that we ordered from the menu. I'd highly recommended Laya. read more
4 months ago
3.5 stars. The reservations to book this place definitely was not easy. I think they're only open for a few hours a night so spots are very limited. I came here with a friend on Saturday night. Our reservation was for 8:15 but didn't get a table until about 8:40 so be prepared for a long wait. I loved the ambiance, which is an open outdoor patio design. It has a tulum type of vibe and nicely decorated. It reminds me of Casa Madera, but not as upscale or "LA." Also, this used to be the old La Mesa lounge which was closed last year I guess. I heard the food was overpriced and that it's better to just come and get dessert and to enjoy the ambiance...I agree with that. The portions you get for the price are underwhelming. I only got a few bites of the hamachi crudo and Wagyu which I was sharing with one other person. The sea bream was small as well for the $46 or so I paid. This place is definitely more for the ambiance and drinks. I will say that the drinks are pretty strong and the service was very good. I would come back for the drinks and ambiance but not for a fulfilling meal. read more
1 month ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Luong, thanks for the note on the violinist, he moves through the…
Fun spot in the heart of Hollywood offering a blend of Tulum and Greece. We loved the openness and the resort like vibe. It kind of makes you feel like you're on vacation! The menu is very Middle Eastern and Greek but elevated. They have nice spins on humus like the cannellini bean humus (highly recommend) and their pickle assortment will leave you salivating for more! If you consider yourself a pickle connoisseur don't skip this! For all you cephalopod lovers, you must try the octopus. I'm not going to reinvent the dictionary so I'll just say--DELICIOUS! The yogurt sauce that comes with it is crack. We tried all the skewers. My favorite was the chicken but lucky for you there's a platter offering all three! read more
5 months ago
Everyone should visit Laya at least once! But I promise, once you go, you'll keep coming back for more. I absolutely love this restaurant! The food, the drinks, the ambiance, and the service are all incredible! read more
11 months ago
Place was hip with a live DJ. Food was delicious. Portions looks small, but it was more than enough for a party of 5. The waitress and trainee were both amazing! read more
Chef Hayek has officially outdone himself. Our dinner was superb! Laya is beautiful - I love that it's outdoors and all the tables are spaced out. It gives everyone privacy while still being a very active and happening spot. The DJ tonight was incredible and played great music, and it wasn't overly loud. The food was incredible. The Cannellini Hummus, fish, and potatoes are an absolute must, and you can't go wrong with any dessert you choose. I can't go over how fresh and wonderful everything tasted. The hummus was the best I've ever had, and the fish was perfection. Our drinks were also amazing. Service was perfect. Our waitress was kind, knowledgeable, attentive, and fun! Highly recommend!!! read more
A cute little vibe! The restaurant itself is sooo pretty & perfect for date nights. I came here to take one of my girlfriends out for her bday & we had such an amazing girl dinner & much needed yap sesh! I LOVE Mediterranean cuisine so of course we had to get kebabs & we had to get some sort of dip/pita bread but it was sooo worth it! I wish I could remember our server's name but she was really pretty & super sweet. Really patient as well as we kept talking & couldn't figure out what to order until like 30 minutes later. She also gave us solid food recommendations so we were really thankful for her! I can't wait to return with my mans! read more
Overall, Laya's atmosphere is STUNNING. It was truly beautiful when we walked in, and only got prettier as the sun went down and the cozy lights and fire pits went on. The service was also wonderful from the hostess to our waiter to the manager (or owner?) checking in on us. 5 stars for the service! Overall, I'd say the drinks were very good, but the food was just fine. The hummus definitely stood out - that was the best thing. Really really delicious. But the rest, while not bad by any means, was just average. We got the wagyu and octopus skewers. The wagyu was pretty good, but the octopus was too chewy and under flavored. The artichoke was really delicious, but the batata harra (basically patatas bravas) were just fine. Overall, I think for the drinks and ambiance alone, it's worth a stop in! But I think their appetizers and sharables are much better than any of the main dishes! read more
2 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi there, the Batata Harra is one of those dishes people don't expect…
Super chic and beautiful outdoor venue with stunning bar and dining set up. Saw this place posted on social media and had to check it out myself, and the visual was just as the postings from previous diners...just perfect! We had to try it all. So here's what we ordered: 1. Cannellini bean humus: beautifully presented and delicious. The side of pita was homemade and just fantastic. Could have sat and ate this all night, 2. Tabouleh: they also added pomegranate seeds into the dish and it was life changing. Love pomegranate on its own but in the Tabouleh it was a game changer for me. 3. Butter Lettuce & Radicchio Salad: this was good simple salad. Nothing special. Looking back should have ordered the artichoke instead. 4. Mix Grilled Platter: huge dish (large enough plate to fire a whole turkey to feed 12 ppl) with three of their top skewers which included the Kafta Khashkhash (minced lamb and beef), Shish Tawouk (Grilled chicken), and Wagyu beef. There were also grilled tomatoes/onions/chili and pickled cucumbers on the side. Along with this was their tahini sauce and tomato chile sauce and a third one which I'm not sure what it was. Overall this dish was a little underwhelming and a bit dry. Of the three I thought the kafta was the best. Next time will try the Australian lamb kebab. 4. Octopus skewer: delicious. My favorite skewer among the ordered kebabs. Comes with a side of tzatziki which was an amazing pair. Would order this one again next time. 5. Rose soft serve: the ice cream with pistachio which was yummy to my tummy. The cotton candy on top was ok but made a good presentation. Overall super chick venue and a great place to take you date to impress. The service was also spectacular. Love this place and would definitely go back again. Looking for someone to take me bac read more
Chef Charbel Hayek's latest culinary gem. The earthy textures and massive olive and palm trees gives a chic coastal vibe. The menu at Laya is a testament to Chef Hayek's culinary prowess. Their Charred Beetroot hummus was absolutely divine with the wild mushroom and creme fraiche. Chef Hayek is known for his crudo dishes so we were yet again impressed by this hiramasa crudo which was fresh & fantastic. the Ardi Shawki which was grilled artichoke hearts was a fabulous and unique dish. We couldn't get enough, i rarely order octopus but this one I will order any given day. It was so tender & so delicate. We devoured the whole thing in minutes . the Coco Peach dessert was peachy and light .. the perfect way to end our dinner. Laya is where you need to go for your next dinner date. read more
Phenomenal ambience and food. Laya is the oasis Hollywood has needed. Brought to you by Chef Charbel Hayek - winner of Season 5 of Top Chef Middle East & North Africa - the plates are bountiful! The vibe alone is worth the trip. Stepping through the doors transports you instantly. Sit at the bar or have some drinks in front of the fire. I'll definitely be back! read more
Beautiful restaurant, great atmosphere, but the food was underwhelming. The waitress was very nice and marked the menu for what was gluten free or could be modified for me. We ordered a few appetizers, skewers and desserts. The tomato salad, the okra and the batenjan were good but nothing impressive. The batenjan was a nice size, but I found the okra extremely small. The skewers (wagyu beef, chicken kabab, octopus) were also underwhelming. The wagyu was overcooked. I would have liked more of a char on the octopus. For desserts, we had the rose ice cream and it was amazing. That was the highlight of the meal. Overall, I'm a bit disappointed. As a Lebanese, I was excited to see a new fine dining restaurant in the area and had high expectation. Unfortunately, it was just underwhelming. Portions were small, flavors were lacking. I was expecting a lot more for that price range. read more
Top 3 middle eastern food in LA. Some of the best middle eastern food I've had in the country. We got the beetroot hummus per our server's recommendation and I'd definitely recommend. The goat cheese (zaatar) was good I wish there were more labneh balls, the kibbeh neyeh was one of the best I've had and the batata hara was great as well. The mixed grill was filling and more than enough for the four of us. Service was great and the vibe was very hip. Music genre was house and volume was pretty loud but I thought it was good. Would highly recommend Laya for a nice dinner. read more
First I want to start off and say this is a beautiful venue. I love what they did with the place. It's open, it's spacious, and every table has more than enough room. It's also intimate. The perfect ambiance for dates and parties. The staff was also amazing and very attentive! And they have a live DJ curating the vibes Drinks: anywhere I go, I have to order an espresso martini. This place missed the mark here and the espresso martinis did not taste like one. It taste like coffee and it tasted like bubbly vodka. So I tried an extra dirty martini and again missed the mark. So for my last drink I had to opt for one their gin cocktails which were just fruity. Food: I've been to many middle eastern restaurants from mom & pop to fancy chains. And I've had amazing Lebanese and Armenian food. But this one missed the mark a little here. There was a flavor/spice missing in each appetizer. And the main course, although wayyy better than the appetizer, the portions were just small. Literally just 1 skewer rather than 3-4 you get at any other Lebanese/Armenian restaurant. read more
2 years ago
Wow! Very impressed on the service, food and ambiance. My waiter was Bobby and he was perfect! For being my first time he guided us on what was best and omg it was on point. Me and my hubby love to end the night with will we return and we both agreed to YES! Definitely a must try. All the food was so flavorful and not too pricey. The place itself was so beautiful, relaxing and just giving that whole vibe. I was so pleased with my experience. read more
This is one my new favorite Hollywood dates. We came here to celebrate my birthday and this place did not disappoint. We had to book this place few weeks in advance to find reservations. This restaurant serves Levant area food with a twist. We ordered several appetizers and they were all great. Their Kibbeh Nayyeh which is made from raw beef tartar and burgul was exceptional. I also liked their goat cheese and Zataar plate. Our main entree was beef tongue and it was ok, I wouldn't order it again. For the dessert we ordered their Kunafah. This was disappointing honestly. I wouldn't order it again. read more
I wanted to give this place a five, overall, the food was excellent and so was the service with the exception of our server, who couldn't seem to remember anything past a few minutes. We were seated and I really enjoyed the open air dinning room. It felt spacious, not cramped and reminded me of the time I spent in the middle east! Our original waitress (Bobbi) was wonderful. She told us that she would be starting us out but someone else would be taking over. I went with a few friends and one of them has food allergies. We were impressed that someone came over to the table with a marked up menu listing out the food allergies, crossing off items that were a "no" and which menu items could be modified. A new server showed up and it was clear she had no idea that we had already ordered drinks and when she asked about the food allergies, it was clear, she was probably late to her shift and didn't bother to ask what had already been ordered. We told her that we had already talked to someone and showed her the menu and she still said "I would like to make the list", we handed her the marked up menu and said "here it is". She then told us, she would be back to take our food order and we would have to order all of our food at one time, including the appetizers and and main courses. We had already ordered appetizers and the statement didn't set right with me. Not knowing how large the portions are and this being the first time being there, we might want to to order an additional appetizer. Was this for her convenience? Overall, the servers were very nice but I couldn't help but wonder if our server had been late and when she took over the table couldn't be bothered to ask the previous server, what had been done. She seemed distracted and kept forgetting about the food allergies. We loved the Beetroot Hummus, in fact we loved it so much we debated if our waitress would get mad if we ordered another plate. We decided to ask another server instead. We also loved the Crudo. In fact we loved all of the dishes we had that night, including the Shawarma, Shish Tawook and Grilled Red Seabream. Overall, I enjoyed it, I would have given it a 4.5 if I could have but i couldn't give it a 5 with the server that we had. read more
Beautiful outdoor dining room. It was romantic and elegant. The dishes were delicious. It was a modern and elevated Lebanese food by Chef Charbel. Everything we ordered was flavorful. He came out to say Hi to the diners - very nice guy. Our Waiter - Bobby-was so nice and friendly. His recommendations were on point. I definitely recommend this place. Valet only. $50 corkage fee. read more
More info about Laya Restaurant
1430 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Hollywood
Directions
(323) 463-0006
Call Now
Visit Website
https://layarestaurant.com
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Ask the Community - Laya Restaurant
What's the parking situation? is there a private lot? structure? street? Valet?
Valet
Do you have gluten free options for breads?
At the moment we do not have gluten free bread options, but instead offer butter lettuce wraps and crudités for dipping. The majority of our menu is gluten free, or can easily be modified to be gluten free.
How many bottles of wine can I bring for a party of 8?
Up to 2 bottles per table, nothing from our current wine list please.
What is the corkage fee?
Our corkage fee is $50 per bottle of wine, $100 per bottle of champagne. Two bottle maximum per table. Anything currently featured on our wine list must be purchased though the restaurant and will be denied corkage.
Is the restaurant covered if it rains outside?
Yes! It has a beautiful canopy cover
Is it child friendly?
Depending on the time and day, it gets loud especially evening and night time. You can take kids though
Does the restaurant do walk ins?
Reservations are highly encourage for the main dining area. We talk walk-ins on a first come first served basis in the bar and lounge areas.
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
48 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
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Laya Restaurant - mediterranean - Updated September 2026
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