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    Open Sesame

    4.2 (1.1k reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Open Sesame Takeout or Delivery

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    OPEN SESAME ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Open Sesame

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    The Sultan
    Vivian Q.

    The food here is so SO good! Was craving Lebanese/Mediterranean food, and this restaurant really hit the spot! You absolutely MUST order the spicy garlic potatoes (with the garlic sauce, save some to accompany the rest of your meal) and the flash fried cauliflower. I was blown away by these appetizers - the potatoes were perfectly tender and the brightness of the cilantro and lemon made this dish so unique, and the caulifower were perfectly crisp and accompanied with some fresh onion and tomato slices. We shared the Sultan main plate so that we could try a few different proteins - the best was the filet mignon (so tender and juicy), while the shrimp was good but nothing special. I also loved how fresh the accompanying salad was. Can't wait to come back!

    This is the open sesame with Chicken Fafta.
    Nicholas C.

    This place was amazing! The type of place i would drive 30+ mins for. Staff was very nice, the food was incredible, and the ambiance was perfect for a date. Very pretty interior, I will say there isn't a whole lot of room. It's a pretty small building. But that's my only con if I was forced to have one. My main concern is always that the protein aka meat I order won't be juicy enough. But the meats I ordered were exquisite! I ordered the open sesame, and made an adjustment so I can have one chicken, and one beef Kafta! What can I say the pictures speak for themselves! I highly recommend this place!!! A hidden gem and worth eating at! I still think about this places weeks after eating here! The bartender Conner and Manager Adam were the nicest and made our dinner very memorable!

    Armik M.

    Outstanding food good service very authentic and good price. Too bad is too far from our house but believe me if you like falafel don't miss this place

    Rose S.

    We ordered a variety of dishes including chicken kebab, ground chicken kebab, chicken shish kebab, and beef shish kebab with sides of fries, hummus, and baba ghanoush, but unfortunately the entire experience was very disappointing. The service was awful from start to finish as no one checked on our table and our food arrived very late. They even forgot our fries at first, and when they finally came they were undercooked. The food itself lacked flavor across the board, and even the baba ghanoush tasted bland. Overall, nothing stood out in a good way and we did not enjoy our meal at all. We will not be coming back.

    Chicken Tawook
    Remy H.

    Healthy and filling meal! The chicken tawook was delicious - chicken was juicy and the open sesame salad side was refreshing. Side pita came wrapped up on the side and garlic sauce also included in the dish!

    Chicken kabob, rice, garlic sauce and pickles

    Ordered catering tonight for an event in Hollywood and the food was phenomenal. Additionally the staff was sensational and went above and beyond. High quality, on time and delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant for a quick lunch or dinner or a larger catering event. Don't sleep on this one.

    Ashley E.

    My friend suggested this restaurant after our spa day and it was delicious and vibey! It felt authentic (though I have no way of knowing if it was) and our waitress was really nice and patient about explaining the menu. She was also super knowledgeable about the ingredients of dishes, which is super important to me as someone with dietary restrictions. The music was very cultural and super catchy. The food tasted fresh and I enjoyed my whole meal. I would definitely come back here if someone suggested it. The parking sucks though so prepare for that.

    Beef pancake. Awesome! Full of flavor . Unique .
    Daniel B.

    My thoughts on Open Sesame (re: Long Beach now Hollywood ) hasn't changed much one iota. Their beef based products are succulent, seasoned and tasty. Their chicken kabob or any of its variations are stiff, lack flavor and super overpriced. You can by the cut (smaller squares ) and the dimmer saturation on the exterior. So, stick to their beef products and you'll be fine. 3/5

    Chicken Tawook
    Ashley H.

    Overall yummy! Chicken was a little dry and the hummus was just okay. Service was very friendly and quick! Sat outside on the patio and it was cute but can get a little loud

    Sultan
    J J.

    OPEN SESAME COMBO THE SULTAN Babagaboosh - yum Garlic fried need more crunchy. Nice staff- very attentive. Cute cozy place.

    Anthony K.

    Had an amazing time. The food was just next level, every single dish was packed with flavor. The space felt cozy and real, and loved the little bar setup, it just added to the whole vibe. Skyler took care of us and she was awesome. Super attentive, full of energy, and you could tell she genuinely cared. Service overall was top notch. Definitely one of those spots I'll keep coming back to.

    Sultan plate

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    3 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    17 days ago

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    1 month ago

    My wife and I had a 10/10 experience at Open Sesame. The food was amazing and the service was excellent. We will be back many times!

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    My wife and I ordered take out from here. The chicken shawarma plate is delicious and excellent value for money.

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    5 months ago

    My go to take away in Beverly Grove. Their food is always on point - amazingly delicious!! Their chicken tawook is superb!!

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Yes! Would recommend for all good reasons Good service delicious food I enjoy eating at the bar Parking may be hard to find

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

    I have been coming here for years and its always incredible. Great dishes and great atmosphere!

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    2 months ago

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    Page 1 of 27

    Open Sesame Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Open Sesame

    Are you open for regular hours on Halloween?

    Hi Shei - Yes we are :) from 3pm to 10pm - look forward to seeing you!

    Is this restaurant run by the same people who operate open sesame in Belmont shore, long beach?

    Hi Dan - Yes it is the same owner.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes for large groups

    How noisy is this restaurant?

    I would say it's about average inside. You can hear people talking and the chefs making the food. There is also outdoor seating but you can also hear people talking and walking on the street and cars driving by.

    View All 6 Questions

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    A La Beirut

    4.8(219 reviews)
    8.6 miEagle Rock

    Sooo so delicious! I ordered the beef tongue baguette and the manti. WOW! Definitely exceeded my…read moreexpectations. The beef tongue was super tender and you can taste each spice and herb it was cooked in. Super flavorful! The baguette itself was crisp but soft and coated with garlic sauce and garnished with juicy pickle slices!! Very great quality. The manti was crisp and buttery! They were stuffed with a fragrant spiced minced beef and the garlicky yogurt really brought it together with sumac!! I paired it with a pineapple Bonjus and also a minty yogurt drink. I am so happy they're here and so close to home as well. I can't wait to go back and try out more items. I hope they continue to thrive!! Unfortunately I did not dine in so I didn't get the full experience but I did order for delivery and the food arrived nice and hot!!

    We really wanted to love this place but sadly it just didn't live up to the hype or expectation…read more Stopped by on a weekday around 1pm and ordered three wraps. The place is pretty small and hard to navigate around the seating. The best and our favorite of the three wraps was the tongue wrap. This was seriously outstanding and one of the best I've had. It was juicy, lemony, cooked well and flavorful. After that, things went downhill. The vegetable wrap was greasy, almost slimey, and falling apart. The vegetables were all soggy and there wasn't much flavor. The chicken shawarma panini was the biggest disappointment. This was so salty and had a bad taste like the chicken was rancid. It was dry and just not good at all. On the way out we spoke to the owner and mentioned how salty it was, to which he said he knows about it and people complain about it often. So why isn't there a change? Sadly not a place I would return to

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    Sunnin Lebanese Cafe - Lamb Kebab Plate

    Sunnin Lebanese Cafe

    4.0(1.5k reviews)
    5.2 miWestwood
    $$

    Sunnin has an incredible menu, and it's easy to see why they've been a local favorite for so many…read moreyears. The flavors are authentic, vibrant, and consistently delicious. They've also done a great job evolving with the times, offering plenty of clearly marked vegan options along with choices for other dietary needs, including gluten-free. Everything we ordered was excellent. The grape leaves were fantastic, the eggplant dishes were so flavorful, and the portions were very generous. The foul (bean dish) was delicious, and when we asked if they could add a little extra to it, they were happy to accommodate us. The service was warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive. And don't skip dessert--the baklava is some of the best we've ever had. I understand they've recently changed how they make it, and the result is outstanding. It's wonderful to see a restaurant that has stood the test of time while continuing to evolve. We can't wait to return and explore more of the menu.

    Well, here I am back in La La Land doing some work that needed to be done…read more Staying at my dear friend's condo in Westwood with a view of the Mormon Temple and Santa Catalina. Being so close to a zillion restaurants at my feet, my friend's "significant" said let's do some Mediterranean food tonight. I put my thumbs-up and it was unanimous: Sunnin Lebanese Cafe on Westwood Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. it was. Well, I never heard of this place, but I said "let's Go"! When we pulled up to this strip mall entrance that was overflowing with human beings wanting a table at very happy this very we had a RESY. We ordered: * Hummus of course - which was delicious * Babaganouj - which was creamy and extremely dippicle [sic] * Beef Kafta Kebab - just lovely * Taboulah Salad - that was excellent * Fool or Ful depending on what Mideast country - was deepened with fava beans * Alamaza Lebanese beer that paired perfectly with our dinner. The staff here were friendly, helpful and accommodating. I've been gone from Los Angeles close to five years now, and every time I come back, I get a nice surprise like I did at Sunnin.

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    Levant

    Levant

    4.6(339 reviews)
    5.1 miEcho Park
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    Levant Bistro (the bakery part has merged with the actual restaurant) is so special. My friend and…read moreI planned to meet here for Lebanese brunch on a gorgeous Saturday. It was such an unforgettable and refreshing experience. Chef Anita has such a vision. Every detail was well thought of, from the outdoor patio dining surrounded by olive bushes to the indoor wooden and oak touches with Fairouz playing overhead. What's even better is EVERY single dish is labelled clearly for allergy diners! AHHHH as a nut allergy girly this had me geekin. All the celiac diners can enjoy their dining experience without any triggering fears as well. I went with their famous Lebanese egg pie and my friend got the grilled salmon plate. We shared the ful mudammas, my fave dish. The gluten-free pita bread def changed my brain wiring. I don't enjoy gluten-free food, and I was drooling. The pita was pillow soft, like how do you do that? Magic, I tell you. The egg pie was SO special. Pillow soft as well and super filling. The flavors of every dish were legendary. We couldn't stop talking about the colors, the plating, the top tier service. Everything about Levant deserves to be raved about. Come one come all. Def coming to Levant next time I'm in Echo Park.

    Levant Bistro is charming, the staff are warm and welcoming, and the food is absolutely…read moreoutstanding. From start to finish my experience was everything I could ask for. We arrived midday on a Sunday and we're promptly sat, having been given the option for patio or indoor. We chose the patio, and between the clematis, lantana, and olive trees it is a very lovely setting in which to enjoy a meal. We were promptly brought a bottle of cold water and glasses, and our beverage orders were taken. I had a honey lavender latte with oat milk, and my husband had Lebanese coffee (no milk no sugar.) my latte was fragrant, the perfect temperature, and just the right amount of sweet. The Lebanese coffee was smooth, floral without being perfume, and excellent. We started with the falafel and the batata harra. Both absolutely excellent. For our entrees we selected the shakshuka and the Lebanese egg pie. Both were also excellent. Everything was well cooked, well presented, flavorful without being overwhelmed by any component. We took home a baklava tart, because we simply did not have the ability to eat more at the table. It was tender, moist, not too sweet, the pistachio flavor coming through as nutty and grassy, seriously so good! And it's worth noting, this whole restaurant is gluten free. I would not have realised if I had not known ahead of time. The texture of the pita with the shakshuka was exactly what one would expect, as was the bread of the egg pie. The pastry of the tart was flakey and delicious. And having said all of that, the service is what puts it above and beyond. Everyone was warm and pleasant, and seemed to genuinely appreciate the compliments. Staff seemed like they liked their jobs, which for me is always a good sign.

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    Skaf’s on York

    Skaf’s on York

    4.6(243 reviews)
    8.7 miEagle Rock
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
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    I am mad that I never drove far enough down York to discover this place and only discovered it…read moreafter it was suggested for a lunch meetup. I needed this place in my life sooner! Let's start with the drink....I'm not a fan of anything rose flavored or scented so I wanted to make sure the rose flavor wasn't too strong in the Jallab. Since I was told the rose flavor is pretty prominent, it was suggested I do the Jallab with lemonade. What a perfect selection! I didn't pick up any rose flavor and the drink was so pretty. This is a refreshing alternative if you don't want to go with a soda. I already had my heart set on the appetizers and fortunately the other person was on board with the same choices. For dippers, I always go with a yogurt and cucumber appetizer and the Babaghanouj did not disappoint. These sides came with three pieces of pita bread. Neither side was overly garlicky and paired well with my entree. If you love cheese borek like I do, get you some cheese rolls. My only regret is only getting one. The cheese rolls were perfectly flavored and not overly salty. Now for the entree...I already had my eye on three meats so the waitress said to go with The Your Way Plate, which came with a kafta and tenderloin skewer. I also added a lamb skewer on the side. Both my lamb and tenderloin skewer were cooked medium and they were perfect. Lamb is one of those dishes that can be a hit or miss because if it's not cooked right, it will be chewy - mine was perfect! And, the spices they use to cook the lamb in will have you trying to pick up every last drop of juice with your pieces of meat. No complaints with the kafta either. I chose rice as my side because I love me the carbs. We went on a weekday for lunch and parking was easy enough to find on a side street. The staff was friendly and there was indoor and outdoor seating options. This place gets a yummy in my tummy rating and I will be back sooner rather than later.

    Because I was familiar with the Skaf's restaurant located in Glendale, I was curious how Skaf's on…read moreYork would compare. I've visited twice for lunch, and both times I had great meals! I've tried both the regular and classic versions of the chicken shawarma wraps and liked them both. The classic style comes with fries on the inside of the wrap, and I thought the chicken was flavorful and not dry. The service was friendly, but during my second visit the staff seemed overextended given the number of tables they had to cover; this may have led to the error in getting the wrong side with my meal but they were quick to correct it once I brought it to their attention. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and overall I thought it was a great spot to have a casual meal.

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    Carousel Restaurant Hollywood

    4.4(1k reviews)
    3.4 miEast Hollywood
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    Carousel is hands down the best Mediterranean spot. I've been coming here for years and it never…read moredisappoints. Their arayes are a must -- it's basically like a lahmajun with two pieces pressed together, and it's insanely good. I usually go all in and order the tabbouleh, babaganoush, a pound of lula kebab, and shish kebab. Honestly, if you're with 2+ people (or even just really hungry), ordering by the pound with sides is way better value than getting individual plates. You get more variety and it just feels like the right way to eat here. Every now and then I'll switch it up and get the liver plate -- it comes with tons of greens and onions, and when you wrap everything in their fresh pita, it's incredible. Not an everyday order, but when you're in the mood for it, it hits. If you dine in, the indoor decor is super nice and really gives that authentic Mediterranean vibe. They also play a lot of 90s music, which somehow fits perfectly and adds to the whole experience. I've dined in plenty of times and the service is always solid -- staff is friendly and attentive. Just a heads up, food can take a little longer sometimes, but that's because they're always busy and everything is made fresh, so it's worth the wait. I've also done takeout here more times than I can count -- probably over 100 orders at this point -- which says everything. This is easily one of my go-to spots and I keep coming back for a reason.

    I've been enjoying this restaurant for many years and always like to pop in occasionally for an…read moreitem or two. While I usually enjoy the chicken sandwich toasted, today I decided to try the chicken Shawarma plate. It came with a nice side of hummus, garlic spread, tahini, and a few other tidbits to layer your flavors. The people here are always very friendly, although they did miss one of the items on my over the phone order, even though when they read it back to me all my items were there... I really like the carnival vibe on the exterior of the building and you will be surprised that the interior of the restaurant is nicer than you would expect. The location is a little out of the way and the parking lot always seems too full, but this is a great place to check out if you've never been here, highly recommend the chicken wrap sandwich, make sure you get it toasted!

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    Bavel - Baked Alaska

    Bavel

    4.4(3k reviews)
    7.3 miArts District, Downtown
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    Thank god Bavel does not disappoint. I've been meaning to come back ever since I had that AMAZING…read moreduck at Bavel. I see why I love this place so much after watching the Odyssey too hahah the little lotus they served with the duck MUST be the lotus Charlize Theron has been feeding Matt Damon! That aside, this time we ordered the Fried Quail and the lamb manti. Both are just eye-opening delicious. It's fatty it's juicy and it's delicate. I do not want the food to run out, and it's much like the odyssey, hours later, I woke up to a different day and i still think about how insanely delicious they are! Different server this time, but still the and level of hospitality. Always checking in on us, bringing new utensils and recommending menus. It feels like we are the guests at a well run family dinner party. Loved the cocktails too. Nava and Semir are both excellent but maybe the former has a little too much ice. Loved their subtly. Definitely pricy, but I'd say it's on par with many of the Michelin starred place I've tried! Highly recommended for special occasions!

    Overall an amazing experience. Our friends rave about this place all the time so I'm glad we got to…read moretry it Duck hummus - I love duck but I was worried this would taste too game-ey. It was actually very subtle and so creamy. Romano bean tempura - does it count as a vegetable if it's fried? Flavor was good, texture was surprisingly good. Also toddler approved! Grilled prawns - well cooked! I don't usually like Harissa but I didn't find it over powering. I HATE when shrimp is overcooked but this was just right. Chicken Tangine - this was probably my least favorite. It was tasty but it didn't have any of the complex flavor profiles the other dishes did Lamb Neck - hands down the best dish. So tender, well flavored, and I liked the accompaniments even more. I would've preferred the l pita come on the side vs soaked in sauce but I'm just grasping at straws at this point.

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    FurnSaj Bakery & Restaurant

    FurnSaj Bakery & Restaurant

    4.5(1.4k reviews)
    16.1 miGranada Hills
    $$

    Very extensive menu made it hard to choose! Very friendly…read morestaff helped us choose some really delicious dishes! The hummus was great as was the rest of our meal. Very simple set up with great food! We will be back soon!!!

    Absolutely love the food at this place. I had never had Lebanese food before but, this place made…read moreme a fan. They've always been super accommodating because my coworkers and I make pretty big orders and when I arrive, it's always ready and pack. Which is super helpful when you have to drive during rush hour. Now let's talk about the food. You have to get the beef shawarma wrap. I've had wraps here and there but, never have I had a wrap as good as the one I've had here. As soon as the took my first bite, my head started nodding up and down. As in yes, yes, yes....this is amazing. My other favorite food option is the Lahme. I never had anything like it. It flavorful and just keeps opening up the more you eat it. There is no lack of seasoning in any of food and everything a depth of flavor I've never experienced before. You can feed 1-2 people with either the beef shawarma or chicken shawarma plate. They are not shy with either protein. If I can give you some advice, it would be to eat there. Because if you get it to go, you will be starving and hangry all the way home because everything smells just as good as it taste. All the way to work I can hear my stomach rumbling because of how good everything smells.

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    FurnSaj Bakery & Restaurant
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    Galata Turkish Halal Grill Restaurant - Complementary sun dried tomato dip

    Galata Turkish Halal Grill Restaurant

    4.8(479 reviews)
    25.1 mi
    $$

    I had such a great experience at Galata Turkish Halal Restaurant & Grill! We started off with a few…read moreappetizers, and honestly, that might have been one of my favorite parts of the meal. Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. We ordered crispy potatoes, falafel and icli kofte. The service was also great from beginning to end. Everyone was welcoming, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed without making us feel rushed. That always makes such a difference when you're trying a new spot. The food was full of flavor, the portions were nice, and overall the whole experience felt warm and inviting. Definitely a great Long Beach find, especially if you're looking for good Turkish food and a place where you can order a bunch of things for the table and just enjoy. I'll definitely be back -- there are already a few things on the menu I want to come back and try!

    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!

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    Galata Turkish Halal Grill Restaurant - Beautiful blue lamp

    Beautiful blue lamp

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    Turkish Pomegranate tea + apple tea

    Open Sesame - mediterranean - Updated September 2026

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