After driving around for an hour trying to find something good to eat my Grandmother and I landed here after checking the reviews and it did not disappoint. Very cozy spot on 2nd street. Service was great from hostess to clean up, especially the waitress. And the food was amazing! We ordered lamb kabobs, babaganoush (the first timer almost ate it all herself lol) hummus; my favorite was the marinated olives. They also have mimosas. We even were given extra bread to bring home for the leftovers. Will definitely be going back again! read more

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Everything was great here. The waitstaff was super accommodating for our party of 12 and a baby (the was a last minute thing. New parents and baby didn't want to stay with sitter). The food was great. I ordered the sultan which had a little bit of everything. The lamb chops were my favorite. read more

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Came here several years ago and was turned off by bad service. Came back today and was greeted by a nice girl we were seated immediately before the noon rush. Food and service was good a change from the last time here. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Great tasty food options. We sat at bar and watched how everything was prepared. My mouth is watering wishing there was one here in Las Vegas. A friend drove us to this location in Long Beach. Staff was friendly and worked efficiently together as a team which is awesome we will visit next time in Cali ! Thank you for a great experience! read more

I had a great experience at open Sesame. German was our server. We had great customer service. He and the manager always checked on us. The food was so good especially if you like garlic. I would definitely recommend The lamb chops and the potatoes. read more

If you're in Long Beach and craving Mediterranean food this is the spot. Its super busy on the weekends but well worth the wait. The kabobs are juicy and so delicious. I'll be going again when im in town. read more

It's been ages since I've been here and the food has not disappointed over the years. Food is still awesome and tastes so good! I love the chicken tawook plate and the side of the potatoes. Oh my those potatoes are awesome! After dinner I had a nice hot cup of the mint tea that paired nicely with the baklava. Our waiter was very nice and attentive even when the place was busy. I can't believe I have not been here more often. I will definitely be back. I wish they had more locations and/or a larger place, restaurant is kind of small. read more

Open Sesame has been one of my absolute favorites for years! I believe it's one of Long Beach's finest gems! I am pleased with the amount of vegetarian options and especially love and constantly crave the potatoes from here. Lovely service and a beautiful location on second street. I will be coming back forever and ever and ever!! read more

I now understand why this is one of the most popular places on 2nd Street! With a decent line and always a full establishment, Open Sesame is an excellent spot for your Mediterranean needs and gives all the aesthetic vibes inside. Overall, this Mediterranean spot is a bit pricey but worth trying. Ever since I've tried this place, I've always ordered their Open Sesame Combo, which comes with a variety of menu items. It includes Chicken Tawook, which is just a seasoned chicken skewer; chicken or beef kafta, which is like ground meat but in a sausage-type form; and beef kabob, which is like a tender beef steak bite. This combo also comes with pita, basmati rice, hummus, and salad. All of the meats are very tender and flavorful. I enjoy the beef kafta the most. Everything on the plate is amazing and you can't go wrong with what salad you order. I recommend getting there at a slower time or expect a wait. They have plenty of seating inside and on their patio, which is perfect for groups. For parking, you can find spots nearby in the neighborhood. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Food, service and ambiance never fails. I love this place !!! Took my kids here for the first time for a late lunch- we ordered lunch menu n they wer perfect since we had a dinner date planned, portions wer good to hold us off. Twas my daughters first time trying Mediterranean food, i was scared that she wont like it n oh my was i wrong?!? For a 15yo not to talk while eating is beyond unbelievable but literally she didn't say a darn word until she finished her food. I highly recommend this place... pricey which makes sense kuz of the area but def worth every dollah .. thank you id say -10000 stars (5 is weak) read more

A few friends and I came here for a birthday lunch. We sat on the patio (which is dog-friendly, yay!). The tables are on the smaller side, as are the walkways - both inside and out. It can feel very overwhelming, especially on a busier day - keep in mind that it was full for lunch on a weekday. That said, our waittress was so friendly and took great care of our table, and servers were on top of refilling our water for both people and pup alike. Food was very fresh - the pescatarian birthday girl had the sea bass while our other friend ordered the chicken tawook. I had the chicken shawarma with house salad and hummus. I realize this could just be personal preference, but I'm used to a more heavily seasoned shawarma. Portions are massive and you're likely to leave with leftovers! read more

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Working in the neighborhood and my coworkers spoke highly of this spot. So I gave it a try for lunch today. I ordered the combo plate chicken and beef online. As soon as I was notified my food was ready I headed over and was greeted with kindness and instruction as to where I could pick up my food. The first thought after tasting is the food tasted fresh. The salad, hummus,meats and rice were so tasty. I wanted more even though I was full . I want to bring my family here to experience what I did. Definitely will be back. read more

My absolute favorite Mediterranean restaurant in all of Long Beach. The quality of the food is top notch, the ambiance is cozy and the staff is friendly and welcoming. My favorite dishes are the lamb chops so tender and juicy and seasoned to perfection, the chicken tawook is also a must order order dish. I also always order some hummus with pita bread, lentil soup, tabbouleh and fatoush salad as sides with every meal. Favorite drinks are fresh coconut juice so sweet and refreshing and their jasmine green tea with mint leaves. I have never had a bad meal here and my hubby and I come here at least once a week. One of the best restaurants in Long Beach. read more

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Randomly decided on a date night with my wife to try this place, at first the line seemed long but just ask to sit at the countertop and no wait! Had no clue what to order but saw everything being cooked and spoke to chris asking a million dumb questions, what's this what's that! Then he gave me several things to try because I was shy and OMG! What a burst of flavor in every bite and so fresh and good. Enviorment and all the workers were so dedicated to the Misson I'm in love with this place. From people to food to enviorment!! Must try!!!! read more

Open Sesame - The sultan - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Very busy place on Friday, so get there early! It was packed inside but the food came out quick & was great, I absolutely loved the falafel! The staff was super friendly & the artwork inside was beautiful. I'm definitely going to be back! read more

Delicious food. The entree portions are extremely generous. The meats were perfectly seasoned and flavorful. The spicy hummus, baba ganoush, and garlic sauce paired perfect with meats and pita bread. The garlic potatoes were super addicting. Our server was friendly and helpful. There is patio seating as well as indoor seating. The restaurant inside had beautiful art pieces. I didn't get to try the desserts but will definitely be coming back. read more

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Open Sesame has been my spot for Mediterranean food for like a decade. Came here for many birthdays and celebrations, where good food, good vibes, and excellent service come together under one roof. Literally everyone is good on the menu, but my personal favorite is the Open Sesame combo and the lamb chops, which are always delicious and cooked to perfection. Also, Open Sesame is one of those rare sit-down restaurants that I actually order dessert from. The baklava crumble sundae is to die for. read more

Open Sesame - The Sultan - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

I had a chance to stop by Friday. I order online and pick up at the restaurant and it was ready for me when I walked in. I ordered the cauliflower wrap, spicy garlic potatoes and chicken tawook. The potatoes were a bit dry but still flavorful. The chicken was seasoned perfectly and the hummus was delicious. The staff is always super friendly here too! read more

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Wow, I've been going here for 10 years already. That is a very long time this place has the best Mediterranean food I've ever had and so do my kids think it does if you want to go to the place and looking at this review, go there! read more

I've been to this place twice, and both times the quality of the food was really good. The customer service was awesome, and the ambience is nice. I got the combo plate on my last visit so that I could have a little of everything. The first time I went, I got the pizza, and that was really good too. I recommend trying this place if you're in the area. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Must try. Great intro Lebanese food. Recommend cauliflower and potatoes as appetizers. Usually order the meat platter which has almost everything. Lamb is good but does have a bit of gamey tastes. Chicken always a winner. Oh the garlic side if doesn't come with your meal is a must. Always love coming and just wish it was closer. read more

Lebanese cheesecake, lamb shanks, and so much more is delicious. Thank you for the great service and recommendations Chris! You are appreciated. We enjoy the great atmosphere and friendly service and the food never disappoints. read more

Open Sesame - Lebanese cheesecake, lamb shanks, and so much more is delicious. - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

I had a reservation, but the hostess didn't seem to see it on her end. Regardless, it wasn't busy so it wasn't an issue. We were taken to high tops, but opted for regular table. The menu looked good. Told our waitress that I had a few allergies, which she seemed to acknowledge. and was able to make a few changes. However after I was almost finished eating, I noticed crispy pita chips in my salad. And I had told her I had a gluten allergy. I alerted the waitress and she said it was due to cross contamination. It was too late to fix. No apology and seemed dismissive to my concern. Don't recommend! We were regular customers, but sadly will no longer be coming back. read more

This place was delicious! The chicken shawarma was to die for. Very cool vibe as well

The check in was easy and fast. I liked how you're able to check in on yelp & hostess was nice and seated us quick too, even though it was a busy Sunday night. I ordered the 2 skewers entree option, where you got to pick two different skewers if you'd like. It also came with grilled tomato + onion, the rice, garlic butter. it's a good option if you're indecisive like me and want to try two different types of skewers. I got the lamb kabob & chicken tawook. My entree didn't come with hummus so I ordered Baba ghannouj and it came with pita bread too. There is also another option if you want to try multiple meat option too, which my boyfriend got, the open sesame combo. This included chicken tawook, beef kabob, and the third he chose beef kafta over chicken kafta. Included garlic sauce, parsley, sumac, basmati rice and hummus too. The baba ghannouj was sooo good, it was smoky and flavorful. I also love that they used extra virgin olive oil (evoo). Also as a bonus, the meat was halal too. I asked my lamb to be medium doneness and it came out perfectly. Chicken was so flavorful too. My boyfriend is usually not a big fan of lamb, but he took a bite of mine and liked it as well. Overall, we both enjoyed our food. It was super delicious. Seating was good as well and lighting was cozy for eating. Service was okay, but we did notice our waitress didn't ask to refill my water but she did refill my boyfriend's cup. Also we asked for two Lebanese coffee but she only gave one to my boyfriend but not for me. Though when we did ask two for both of us. We ended up just sharing it because we didn't want to order and wait again for the coffee to get cold. The food was good enough that I guess it compensated for the service lol, so I would give this place a chance again. read more

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We had Open Sesame as a stop on our mystery picnic. We stopped in and told them we were there for mystery picnic, and we were happy that they knew what we were talking about. They said the wait would be about 10 minutes. They gave us a beautifully fresh veggie plate, hummus, pita bread and 2 lemonades. These items really topped off our picnic meal. Everything was fresh and delicious. We are looking forward to visiting again to have a sit down meal and try other menu items. read more

Open Sesame - Delicious hummus and fresh, crispy vegetable tray - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Join the waitlist esp when it's busier times. We got in right away on a Wednesday evening. The cauliflower was fried lightly not too greasy. Potatoes had great flavors. Dip in garlic sauce for sure but extra cost. Pita bread was super hard and crispy. We didn't asked for an exchange bc it got busy for our waitress. And we were starving. My beef was supposed to be medium rare. It was well done. Challenged to even cut. Chicken was dry. Falafel were not too dry. My gf enjoyed them. read more

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Just incredible. The food.. literally everything had so much flavor and tasted like it was made by someone who cares. The service was great and the inside is beautiful. I definitely recommend coming here! read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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This is my favorite restaurant in Long Beach actually my favorite Mediterranean restaurant I've been to . We usually sit outside but it was hot outside and decided to eat at the open kitchen area . Dalia was our server and she provided great service. The cooks at the kitchen were a lot of fun to watch . Shout out to Chef who made it very entertaining. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

One of the few restaurants open for Christmas dinner. We came with a group of 10, and despite being busy, the service was great. The food is always consistent, and we love dining here! read more

Open Sesame - Haloumi & Watermelon - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Exec summary: very posh, great food 1- service Exceptional. Very attentive. It was a long wait for a table though. Be prepared to chill 2- food The Saturdays special was lamb shank. It was amazing! Hummus app was awesome 3- we sat outside but still in the shade. This area of Long Beach has fascinating people and car watching. It's "different" Definitely worth a try read more

Open Sesame - Lamb shank (Saturday special) - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Absolutely great food and the service was 10/10. Our server was Amid La F and he will take good care of your table!

"We are transformed by the life force of the food we eat...to nourish and revive memories of the flavors and traditions cherished." Ali Kobeissi. It has been about 25 years since Open Sesame has opened it's doors with two locations. I'm glad I was finally able to experience Open Sesame, an authentic Lebanese Mediterranean restaurant. I was able to RSVP and receive a table after a 40-minute wait on a random afternoon weekend. Service: (4/5) The gentleman host was very kind. Please give this man a raise as he not only provided our toddler with crayons and coloring page, but he also checked in on our outside patio table twice if there was anything else we needed. Our young waitress was a bit slow and did not see her often. Our table had one small minor complaint for the wait as we asked a gentleman waiter for assistance and he had to find our assigned waitress. Atmosphere: (3/5) The restaurant is cramped and my table had to shift our chairs a few times to allow the busboy and other customers eat by a neighboring table. The men and woman's bathroom were separated on opposite ends of the restaurant and I had to ask for assistance locating it as there weren't clear signage. Food: Mezza Sampler: Vegetarian grape leaves, unpitted olives, hummus, tabouleh, labne, yogurt dip (4/5). The grape leaves were full of flavor and the hummus was silky smooth. I really enjoyed the freshness of the tabouleh as it appeared it was just made to order. Open Sesame Combo: Chicken tawook, beef kabob, chicken or beef kafta, garlic sauce, parsley, sumac, basmati rice (4/5). The beef kabob was incredibly tender and flavorful. Mediterranean sea bass: whole sea bass, grilled lemon, arugula, seasonal grilled vegetable skewer, basmati rice (5/5). The sea bass was cooked to perfection as the fish was still very moist. I wished the vegetables and the fish was seasoned a tad bit more. However, I rather have a perfectly cooked meal than an under seasoned one. Kudos to the entire kitchen team and staff for making our experience at Open Sesame a positive one. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Open Sesame is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. I've been frequenting it for over a decade and it's still a staple in my rotation, for dine in or takeout. My usual is the chicken tawook plate with either fattoush or tabouli, and hummus. If you're dining there, don't miss the spicy garlic potatoes (best crispy as they don't sit as well for takeout). The labne and baba ghanoush are also favorites of mine. You can't go wrong with Ali's Favorite, the pita sandwiches or the beef shawarma plate. Authentic Lebanese food and staff, fresh ingredients and no frills. Beer and wine only, and I believe they have a wine deal on Wednesdays. The iced Moroccan mint tea is also delicious. read more

Open Sesame - Chicken tawook with fattoush and hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

This is my favorite restaurant in Long Beach! The kabobs and all the food are consistently delicious and flavorful. During our visit, my little brother accidentally slapped my little sister in front of the server, and she started crying. The server was incredibly kind; comforted her and even brought her a dessert to cheer her up. The food, atmosphere, and thoughtful staff make this place truly special. read more

Absolute FIRE. Ordered the open sesame combo and an LBC IPA, the perfect combo for a full stomach. I had so much leftovers to eat when I got home too. Sat outside on the patio with heat lamps and it was amazing. Service was on point with the owner even checking on tables to help out, love to see it! I will absolutely be back. read more

I came here for dinner with some coworkers on Thursday night. Service/Ambiance: It was very busy but we got a table! The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, with lots of dark lighting and tasteful decor. It's perfect for a date night. Service was fast and our server was helpful with recommendations. Food Consensus: I would highly recommend getting the spicy garlic potato's with toum on the side. This was my favorite thing here. The potatoes were covered in this rich garlicy sauce. The tang from the potato's and the toum are a match made in heaven. I ordered the shrimp plate and it was decent. I turned pescatarian for the month so this was one of the only options on the menu. The quality of the shrimp was lacking and there could have been more charring on the shrimp. The rice, salad, and hummus were good but the main star of the dish was okay. Next time, I would get a meat dish. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Open sesame was so good. A few people had recommended this spot and it did not disappoint. Started with the spicy hummus and the falafel. The falafel was so flavorful and moist. It was the best falafel I've ever had. The hummus was so creamy and perfectly seasoned. I tried the combo so I could get a taste of a few things. The chicken breast was so moist and perfectly marinated. The beef was a little tough but still had good flavor. The beef kafta was my favorite. So much flavor and perfectly cooked. I like how you get the option to pick your salad I had the fattoush salad which went perfectly with my food and the rice was perfectly cooked. The portions are great. The shrimp were nicely cooked and the tabouleh was also a nice side salad option. The service was great and the food came out pretty quickly. read more

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Open Sesame has been one of my favorite restaurants for as long as I can remember. I used to come here as a kid, and now as an adult, it's such a comforting feeling to know that the vibe, the flavors, and the experience have all stayed consistently amazing. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, the service is always warm and attentive, and the prices are super reasonable for the quality you get. This time around, we ordered the Open Sesame Combo, the beef shawarma, crispy potatoes, watermelon with halloumi, and even a cheese pizza and honestly, everything was divine. Every dish is packed with flavor, fresh ingredients, and that signature homemade taste that keeps me coming back. If you've never been, you're missing out on one of California's gems. Can't wait for my next visit! read more

Open Sesame - Open sesame combo - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Started off ok the baba ghanoush was good. Got the Saturday Special Lamb Shank it was really bad. Stuck to the bone like glue and was very hard and tough. Was very disappointing for sure. The chicken shawarma had a sour taste the worst I've had. The service was good so that's why I gave 2 stars instead of 1. I didn't want to complain at the restaurant because it was a celebration among friends. I don't like to give bad reviews but this needed to be said. read more