Super popular restaurant! We were trying to walk in but it was going to be an hour wait. We made a reservation for the next day with no problem. Not as busy since it was Christmas Eve. We sat outside, but the heated lamps work pretty well to keep the tables warm. My dad and I both got the pita sandwiches. I got the lamb kabob while my dad got chicken shawarma. It doesn't come with anything else so we added a side of fries to share. Pretty flavorful! Not bad for what you can get around here. My other table mates got chicken shawarma entrees which came with pita, a dip, salad. They either chose hummus or baba ghannouj as the dip. I really liked the baba ghannouj. It's a lot of food! Definitely reasonable for the price. Service was good. They came back to check on us here and there. Would love to sit inside next time as the decor looked beautiful. Tons of street parking around so it's easy to get to! read more

See all

I love you guys I really do! But what is this?! I paid $45 for the combo plate and ordered RARE (bc I know you guys tend to overcook the red meats) and this is still how it arrived! I love supporting you but for the cost, the steak should at least be cooked correctly. read more

Open Sesame - Ordered rare, received well done steak - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Delicious food, great company and great service! Definitely going back! Try the fries!

I'm honestly sad to leave this review :( I've been an open sesame patron since moving to LBC over 15 years ago. The food I've received in last few months has continually gone down in quality. Today I ordered via uber and received the weirdest chicken shawarma I've ever had in my life. It's bunch of dry left over chicken chunks that looks like someone just put it on a griddle and added a bunch of oil and seasoning. No shaved pieces of chicken off a spit. It was extremely dry, oily and inedible. Not to mention no included pita and side salad was wrong. This unfortunately seems like a pattern lately. It's not like it used to be read more

It's kind of a crammed eating space but I feel it really adds to the vibe and the great service. Waiters moving in and around you with 4 plates stacked on each arm. My Dad said it reminded him of the places in Iran lol this is a huge compliment! The little pizza was disappointing in that the toppings didn't have much flavor outside of overpowering oregano flavor. But the beef kabob with dips was sensational! Cooked to a nice medium pink on the inside and melted in my mouth. The hummus and baba ghanoush were both great too, some of the best I've had at a sit down restaurant. Definitely down to come back and try more things. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

See all

Outstanding food and service. Knew this place would be good prior to coming but was pretty blown away at the quality and taste here. Every item we ordered was top notch, and also reasonably priced given the quality. Place is also decorated beautifully inside. Would highly recommend and one of my favorites in long beach. read more

Open Sesame - Spicy Hummus, combination plate, Skewers - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

if i could give it 6 stars i would. Fast & consistent service, they always come through, even when it's busy. never and i mean NEVER skip the spicy garlic potatoes. my mom tries to replicate this at home but it's not even close. S tier read more

Open Sesame is usually our top restaurant choice in Long Beach. Belmont Shore is always a fun area to go to but Open Sesame is usually why we go. You can usually expect the place to be crowded but don't get discouraged. The wait isn't very long unless it's peak eatin' time. Even if you have to wait, there are plenty of places to walk around and window shop. The restaurant has plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating. The decor inside is beautiful with lots of artwork. The layout is unique in that there are three different seating areas that aren't all connected. I know it sounds odd but once you see it, you'll know what I mean. Because of this setup, the men and women's restrooms are not side-by-side but in separate areas of the restaurant. I usually get chicken tawook with rice. The chicken is tender and juicy and I love the tart pickles. Overall, the food and service are consistently good. The servers are always sweet and mindful. read more

If you're in the mood for some Lebanese food, this is your spot. Cute vibes, friendly service, and tasty food. A tad bit pricey for what you get, but it's a nice spot to enjoy lunch or dinner. I love the outdoor seating and enjoying the 2nd street vibes. The grilled tiger shrimp ($27) with the house made shrimp sauce is so good. The chicken tawook pita ($14) is tasty and the chicken is not dry - just wish the pita was made with a little more love lol. She was looking a little slim. Love the hummus and pita bread - my favorite part of the meal lol read more

See all

This place is always so busy and even at 2:30pm on a Sunday they had a 15 minute wait for a table. We had to try it! The food is very delicious. I really enjoyed my chicken tawook with spicy hummus and the garlic sauce is perfect! My husband loved being able to get three different meats and he liked the rice and vermicelli mix. The Fattoush salad is also so delicious with the pita and the tangy dressing. The inside is small but cozy with beautiful art all over the walls. The chairs are pretty uncomfortable and we had to wait about 30 minutes for our entrees but they were still very sweet and clearly just very busy. The food more than made up for it. read more

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

See all

OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Definitely hits the spot and the food is amazing!!! DOGS ALLOWED: Yes!! Dogs are allowed on the outdoor patio. AMBIANCE: Noise level is average. Dim lighting inside. Tables feel tight/close together. DRESS CODE: Smart Casual ORDERED: [5/5] Grilled Halloumi: so refreshing and good! [4/5] Spicy Garlic Potatoes: tasty! [5/5] Open Sesame Combo and The Sultan: these were amazing combos! Perfect if it is your first time dining here! [5/5] Baba Ghannouj: soooo good!! [5/5] Tabouleh: great addition to all the dishes! [5/5 Baklawa Crumble: DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT TRYING! this was soOoOo good!!! SERVICE: Service was great! PRICE: ~ $30+ PARKING: Street metered parking. Arrive early to try to find parking. Food: 5/5 stars Service: 5/5 stars Venue: 4/5 stars read more

See all

Humus is delicious. Garlic spicy potatoes aren't that spicy - they're scrumptious! Group of 6 sat outside easily. read more

See all

i love you OS. took a friend here and we both were in heaven. i ordered my usual: chicken shawarma pita, extra pickles, jalab. oh sooo goood. our server was less than attentive but the food is always outstanding. will be back. read more

Steven and I had such a great dining experience in Long Beach and I'm thoroughly impressed. We ordered the Yassmina pizza and I had the chicken shawarma plate--everything was incredible. The grilled chicken might be the best I've ever had. It was perfectly cooked--juicy, never dry--with a smoky, marinated flavor that came through beautifully. We also shared the potatoes, which had a bright, citrusy kick, and the falafels, which were crispy on the outside and surprisingly moist inside (not dry at all!). The space itself is cozy and full of character, with lots of beautiful artwork on the walls that adds to the experience. I will definitely be coming back here. read more

See all

Very cool place that worked for a large group, with multiple dietary requests. The jallab was divine, delicate and floral. We had the zataar flatbread and olives to share, and I had the fattoush salad with add on falafel. Huge portion, I had salad for breakfast the next day, falafel was worth adding on. Delicious, crispy, fresh, with just enough dressing. Definitely seems like a popular place, we got lucky with a larger group, I would recommend reservations. Also good luck with parking, it's downtown Long Beach so if you can park allll the way down the block. read more

Open Sesame - Fattoush salad with falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

My boyfriend and I frequent this delicious Mediterranean restaurant from Huntington Beach once a month ( sometimes more ) The cauliflower, labne, garlic potatoes appetizer are always a must to start off with. Normally I have the open sesame chicken combo. But the salads are so fresh and delicious on a summer day or night. We always sit at the bar so we can chat and watch our favorite chefs William & Falex prepare our meals with love. Our go to server changes. We were served by Onika today. She was friendly, attentive and prompt. Carly is our best server hands down. Thank you Open Sesame for providing excellent, and outstanding food and service throughout the year. read more

Open Sesame - Chicken twook, hummus, open sesame salad and garlic sauce - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

See all

It has been years since I have been here, so it was nice to see that that there is plenty of outside seating. The seating area was clean and our only issue was that we had a wobbly table. We were trying to fix it when someone on the staff noticed so she came over and fixed it for us. The items on the menu that are vegan are noted with a VN so be sure to look for that and ask questions if you have any concerns. We ordered off of the Lunch Pita Specials (the two options for vegans are Cauliflower and Falafel). We both opted for the Falafel version. Our non-vegan companion ordered the Lamb Kabob. The lunch specials came with a choice of hummus, fattoush, or soup. We chose the fattoush and the (regular, not spicy) hummus. In hindsight I would have ordered the fattoush with the dressing on the side, if that was a possible option. My fault for not asking. The greens were fresh and the pita chips were so good. I didn't taste any mint though and I do like that addition to a salad. Everyone enjoyed their lunch and we have plans to return on our next visit. read more

See all

I ordered the Open Sesame Combo; it comes with Chicken and Beef Kebob, and then choice of Chicken or Beef Kafta, with a bed of basmati rice, hummus, salad, garlic sauce and pita bread...so much food!! The food was delicious and definitely hit the spot multiple times. There's plenty of seating indoor and outdoor, with a clean restaurant. The service was prompt and courteous. Of course, being located on 2nd street, parking can get a little difficult. read more

See all

Here for a conference and was looking for local spots to try. Love that you're able to do a Yelp check in. Checked in at the hostess stand outside. She greeted me and took me to a table. She first took me to a bar top but I explained that I am unable to do a bar top. She understood and took me to a table. The restaurant is actually pretty large with outdoor seating as well as three separate inside seating rooms. The vibe is relaxed but welcoming. When I arrived at the table I was greeted and asked what I would like to drink. The menu had so many great choices but I decided to pass on the drink and ordered food. I ordered Ali's favorite, Sirloin Beef Kabob over basmati rice with a roasted tomato and onion mixture. To my surprise it was also served with your choice of salad, hummus or baba ganouj and pita bread. The meal came and it was amazing! The salad was flavorful but not overly dressed and the baba ganouj was just as tasty. The highlight of the dish was the beef kebab for the flavor and how unbelievably tender the meat was. It melted in my mouth and the rice with the tomato and onion mixture took it to another level. Usually for the amount of food and sides you get this would be a very costly meal as the salad and baba ganouj are usually appetizers. However, with their meals they come with a salad and dip which sets them apart. If you're looking for a restaurant with great customer service, food that is flavorful and kabob that is tender, then look no further, this is your spot. read more

See all

I visited this location on a Monday night. They were quite busy but, still the place had a very cozy vibe. The decor was full of warm tones and colorful chandeliers that added to the coziness. We shared a bunch of small plates including fried cauliflower, potatoes, garlic sauce, and yogurt dip with fresh warm pita. I had the open combo plate with beef shwarmw, chicken kofta and chicken tawook. It was served with hummus, fluffy rice, and the "sesame salad" that was made with hearty greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and goat cheese. Everything was delicious and flavorful. Our server was sweet and inviting while we grazed. We wrapped the meal with the Labne cheesecake. It has a thick crumbly cookie base, creamy filling and is topped with a caramely golden fig sauce, crispy shredded phyllo and finely minced pistachios. I'm not usually a huge cheesecake fan but this was incredible!! read more

Open Sesame - Labne Cheesecake with Fig and pistachio - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Gotta be the best food I've had in long beach. Very flavorful, generous portions, and nice staff!!! Would fly back to LA just to eat here again. read more

Open Sesame - chicken kofta with side of falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

This place has such a great vibe and a welcoming atmosphere. The decor and energy make it a perfect spot for a casual date night or dinner with friends. I ordered the Open Sesame combo...everything on the plate was flavorful, fresh, and well seasoned. You can really tell the quality in each bite. The service was friendly, and although our server seemed a bit rushed (understandably, since it was packed), she still made sure we were taken care of. The space inside is pretty tight, so be prepared to get cozy with your neighbors. There was a long wait, but the good news is you can add yourself to the waitlist online ahead of time, which I definitely recommend. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

This place is AMAZING!!! The food is great, the service friendly, and the ambiance is cute. If going for dinner it is best to get there early or you will wait in a long line any day of the week; it's that good! read more

My husband and I had dinner to celebrate our anniversary at Open Sesame on June 1, 2026. Initially we were seated inside near the front door but there was a cold draft coming in when the door opened and closed so we relocated to a small table across from the bar area in the back of the restaurant. The filet mignon kebobs are usually my favorite item on the menu; however, since my husband ordered them, I decided to try the sea bass so we could share. Everything was so fresh and amazing! The kebobs were cooked perfectly and they were so tender! The sea bass was also fresh and prepared nicely; however, it was not a thick white sea bass filet like I was expecting. It was half of a small sea bass grilled with tail and skin in tact without the head. Very fresh, flaky and tasty, but different. The salad and hummus were amazing as well and we ordered a side of garlic sauce. We also ordered two beers, two mixed drinks and dessert. The dessert was absolutely delicious! What made the occasion even more special was our Server, Jetmira! The Manager said she's been employed there for over 20 years. I can understand why. She was wonderful (outstanding service, warm and pleasant personality and knowledgeable about the items on the menu)! My husband had never been to Open Sesame and he was so impressed with the food and service! We will definitely return again soon! Thank you Open Sesame and Jetmira! read more

Service was great (thus they get 2 stars) but food was not good. Only reason I ate it was because I was hungry. No flavor. Hummus was bland. Will never go back. Too bad. read more

Come prepared. Go early. Park on the street and expect to walk a few short blocks. Will get crowded in evenings. Worth it!

Parking can be tricky, but there is street parking in the neighborhood and some small parking lots. Chicken Shawarma- It's a little pricey considering you have to pay $2 additional if you want rice. They give you one piece of thin pita bread which isn't enough to eat the hummus provided. Service is ok. Nothing bad and nothing great. Your food comes out pretty quickly. Indoor seating is not very cool so I don't recommend eating here on a hot day. Ambiance is nothing special. It would be hard to bring a large group here. They have patio seating also. read more

Open Sesame - Chicken shawarma with added rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

My daughter and I arrived around 1:50 p.m. and waited about 45 minutes for our food. During that time, we watched others who arrived after us get served, while no one checked on us or gave us an update. We eventually had to leave because my daughter had to go to work, so we didn't receive our meals. As we were leaving, the waitress told us that our ticket had been lost in the kitchen. While I understand mistakes happen, it was unacceptable that no one informed us during the entire 45-minute wait. We were left sitting there with no explanation, while everyone else was served. To make matters worse, we were still charged for the hummus even though we barely ate it. The manager never came over to apologize or try to make things right. Good customer service starts with communication. A simple update or sincere apology could have made a big difference, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. I won't be returning. read more

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

See all

Food is always on point. Same with the service. Highly recommend the beef kebab or the chicken shawarma plate. Not a quiet/intimate place but love the energy and liveliness during dinner time. read more

This is one of the few 10/10 restaurants. It can get a bit crowded some afternoons, but the food is absolutely worth the wait. The art in there is also really cool to look at during that wait, (which is still not bad) the workers are nice, the menu's versatile and all sublime, I totally recommend it! read more

Very good Mediterranean food, and easy online ordering. Food was prepared well, portions were good, price was reasonable, and the food was ready on time. read more

Amazing food and service. There is a reason why this restaurant has been open for 20+ years. Chicken Shawarma plate 10/10 Spicy hummus and fattoush with basmati rice tastes so fresh Orange Blosson tea 10/10 Beat mint tea ive had. Pure mint and not over powering For desert I ordered the chocolate molten cake with ice cream. The raspberry sauce it comes with pairs excellent with the molten chocolate fudge inside the cake and the ice cream. read more

See all

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

I love the open air eating and their chicken swarma pita is SO good. Dont forget to get the hummus! Servers are knowledgable and personable, love those kids. read more

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

See all

I ordered the appetizer platter and meat platter. Appetizer platter was good! Meat platter my friends liked it, I thought the meat was dry. Good place to eat. read more