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    Papa Cristo's

    4.3 (2.3k reviews)

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    PAPA CRISTO'S ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Papa Cristo's

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    Self serve water + ice in the dining area.
    Justin M.

    " L.A.'s most important ethnic market & the true heart of Greek Los Angeles." - Jonathan Gold I think the legend amongst food reviewers said it best about this legendary Greek restaurant of L.A. I really wish there were more places like this instead of them closing down. Rent prices. This economy. It's the same causes that claims yet another gem of this great city. I'm really glad I got to pay a final visit to Papa Cristo's. You can tell with the long lines stretching outside the establishment in the final days, how much this iconic locale meant to so many - Greeks & non-Greeks alike. For those that don't know, this cozy mom + pop shop started out as market selling imported Greek foods. To 100% pure olive oil, to rare Greek Ouzo (wine), to homemade desserts that "Grandma used to make". When Chrys Chrys aka "Papa Cristo" inherited the market from his father, he went on to expand the market to add a kitchen & indoor + outdoor dining area to properly cook + prepare the authentic Greek foods that his parents sold. the That all said...I came here for what they're known for: FOOD - Lamb Chops Plate - 9.5 / 10 Your choice of 3 or 5 New Zealand-raised chops. This is important. Why? Because: 1) Everyone hates lamb because they're eating the wrong lamb. Everyone eats older lamb. The lamb that is served here are young lambs that have never seen a Summer. Their backs never got "baked" by sun - which in turn would cause a gamey taste. This is not the case here. These chops are beyond moist, delicate, plumb, juicy, & anything but "gamey". You can definitely taste the high quality olive oil + oregano. 2) Being that they're raised in New Zealand (which has the highest standards & is world renowned for their lamb + beef), you can taste the difference. You can tell from the taste that these animals are fed a natural diet free of GMO's + pesticides. The accompanying side salad is the ideal contrast of cool, crisp, lettuce balanced perfectly with bright tomatoes & the necessary acidity of vinegar (served on the side in it's own plastic container). As a plate, the additional Greek potatoes are out of this world. Covered in a special spice blend (which I'm willing to bet includes paprika), the tender pieces of joy have a nice, fluffy, interior. Squeezing the wedge of lemon over them was the smartest thing that I could have ever done. It made something great into something that was just that much better. & the Pita...I've have plenty of pita in my life. But this, this was just sublime. Perfectly warmed & insanely fluffy. I fear it would take a great venture to seek out anything remotely close to this pita break. Perhaps the only thing that could compare is if I made it myself. Spanokopita - 9.2/10 In my humble opinion, a solid & a quintessential Greek appetizer. I can still taste the warmed, melty Feta cheese expertly mixed with just the right amount of spinach. All encompassed in a crisp, flaky pastry shell. I think the only solace I can take from Papa Cristos' closing is the fact that their spanokopita's are sold in the freezer section of Whole Foods. On a side note, on the side of the casual dining area is a station for to go plates & utensils. Next to this station is a hydration station - a giant plastic jug of water & ice. As someone who drinks A LOT of water, especially while eating, I really appreciate that places have such designated areas for filling & refilling your cup of water. As hard as it is to write reviews of these legendary & iconic L.A. mainstays (this being written on the final day of operations), I owe is to the employees, the loyal customers, & to the man himself - Papa Cristo - how much his restaurant + market meant to everyone. & it was much more than that...it was truly a piece of L.A. Thank you for 77 wonderful years!

    Lamb Roasted Lamb & Feta Sandwich (available after 1130am)
    Steve A.

    We were unable to get in for dinner.as today was the last Saturday that they will be open but we did order from the deli area and picked up a lamb and feta sandwich some spanakopita yogurt and some frozen items Papa Cristo is closing the last day will be May 4 2025

    Grilled eggplant
    Elaine T.

    Since it was announced that they are closing, it seems everyone is back for one last taste! The line to order was about 40 minutes and the line to buy products was about 15 minutes. I got all my favorites, the baby octopus, spanakopita, grilled eggplant, and the whole grilled fish with Greek salad and rice side. Everything was fresh, tasty, and delicious. The fish was slightly over cooked but considering how wonderful everything else was, it was a very slight faux pas. I bought some Greek olive oil to bring home a reminder of the tastes, but the best part was saying goodbye to Papa Cristo in person!

    Frontage
    Stevo O.

    I read the famous restaurant was closing, so wanted to find out what makes it special. Others were in line which was about an hour wait. I really wanted a nice meal, so ordered a gyro plate and rack of lamb plate with lamb kabob. Well, I would have thought that slices of meat on a spit would not have bone fragments, but was mistaken. After almost breaking my tooth, I decided to stop eating and checked my teeth for breakage. Fortunately, no cracks, but not a good sign for food quality. This incident really opened my eyes and was not impressed with the restaurant.

    Sizzling Feta
    Marc L.

    What is there left to say? Papa Cristo's was (sigh) a legendary Los Angeles establishment. For 77 years, the Chrys family has served Southern California in the Byzantine Latino Quarter... from new immigrants, to college students, to salarymen, to tourists. I can only imagine how many people had their first bite of gyros or saganaki at this local Greek institution. While we may not have as vibrant and ubiquitous a taverna culture out here on the West Coast, Papa Cristo's is as LA as Philipe's, Musso & Frank's, or Canter's... its absence will leave a hole in the city's dining landscape that no high rise or mixed use retail space can ever replace. More than the food, I will miss Chrys Chrys the most. The real life Papa Cristo's has hosted special events and comped meals for countless struggling students over the years. If ever there was an approachable ambassador of Greek culture and cuisine in LA, this man held it down for his whole community. The Byzantine Latino Quarter will never be the same; we will never see the like of Papa Cristo's in LA ever again. Thank you Chrys and enjoy your retirement. Yimas!

    Abraham K.

    Glad we got to experience history. The portions here are huge. Gotta have the rack of lamb -- it's seasoned so well and super juicy! The wait in line is pretty long right now, usually about an hour for food on a weekend.

    Chicken Kebab Plate
    Iris J.

    We had an amazing lunch at Papa Cristo's, which will likely be our last since they are closing in a couple of weeks. We went on a random weekday in the middle of the afternoon and although the line wasn't nearly as long as the line on a weekend, it still took about 45 minutes to get to the front to order. FYI They are no longer offering happy hour. The restaurant side was busy, but we were able to get a seat pretty quickly. Despite being super busy, everything was still very clean and they were clearing everything quickly. The food didn't take long to start arriving and it was delicious. The incredible service, amazing food and robust tang of the lemony potatoes will be missed! We were able to see the legend himself, and thank him again for feeding our family for decades. I hope Chrys Chrys enjoys his retirement and I wish the entire Papa Cristo's Team well in this next chapter.

    back
    Lauren A.

    I haven't been to a place as authentically Greek than Papa Cristo's. The place reminds me of the small shops in Athens (or any European city really) where you can just grab a reliable tasty meal to grab and go. I would say the pricing is... a bit steep for a lack of ambience but the convenience of a parking lot and food that's ready in minutes offset that. Come on the weekends when they have their exclusive menus. We thought it was worth it, and we've also ordered like 50 baklavas for a party one. One time we even got to meet the man, the myth, the legend Papa Cristo who's super funny and lively. Just wish he gave us some free food to sample

    Glad we got to go to Papa Cristo's before they closed
    R M.

    Closing their doors, May 5, 2025. Happy I got to experience Papa Cristo's before they're gone. The line was out the door and down the block and took almost an hour ~ was worth it! Kitchen was working like a fine tuned machine ~ to our surprise, food came out quickly. Everything was authentic and delicious. Lamb chops we're delicious. You'll see that I gnaw them down to the bones! Lamb gyro had big chunks of lamb. Spinach Spaniikopita, a big triangle flaky filo filled with spinach and feta Grilled eggplant with tomatoes and feta were cooked nice and soft. Octopus came with chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, and a lemon wedge. A whole white fish was delish, was crispy and had a smoky flavor. Accompanied with tasty white rice, must've been cooked in broth. Sadly, they were out of moussaka. Two desserts: best baklava ever had, and galactobaklava ~ a filo pastry cup filled with non-dairy custard, topped with sugar and cinnamon. YUMMY!! And their market filled with imported Greek items. We got Greek olive oil and frozen artichoke hearts that I can't find anywhere. Wish they were still going to be around, but Papa Cristo too is ready for retirement to take up at a new location.

    Gyro Sandwich
    Kyle W.

    Was craving a gyro so ordered pick up from here. I cannot believe the positive ratings this spot has (*food only, service is fine and restaurant is fine). My beef/lamb gyro was $22 (!!) and a two bite piece of baklava was $5, aka I spent $30 for food that tastes bad and cost twice the price of other Mediterranean spots in area. The beef in the gyro is super chunky/thick with ZERO crisp, the texture is gross. They put zero effort into preparing the meat. Lettuce tasted like it'd been sitting out on a hot counter all day. Will not be back here.

    GINORMOUS combo plate of Beef Moussaka Plate w salad and potatoes
    Barndi K.

    Delicious and (I believe) authentic Greek food with a big market attached. You can eat AND take home frozen Mousaka, or get cheese, preserves, baklava etc. speaking of Mousaka, it was delicious. The plate combos are not cheap but it comes with ENORMOUS portions!!!! I wish I put something to show the scale of the combo plate in my photo. There is indoor seating as well as outdoor seating that looks to have extended into the parking in the back during Covid. Not much in terms of atmosphere as you are on the busy Pico Blvd but it was at least outdoors. You order at the counter then grab a table w your number and they'll bring the food to you. Very good pita bread. I wish I bought more of those to bring home.

    Off the patio, a sign " Voted the Best Gyro in L.A.
    T. Kiyoshi N.

    Another Los Angeles Institution might be closing. For years enjoyed their Greek / American cuisine. Bought a Bottle of Retsina and will toast Papa Cristo, his staff and crew, the 77 years of hospitality. TK

    Louis L.

    As a fellow Greek, I am deeply saddened that Papa Rio is closing. It's not because he can't afford the rent. He's just being nice and amicable in public to the new owners which are foreign business interest, a Middle Eastern guy, and an Asian guy. I was here the day that he sat down with the new owners who bought the property up from underneath him and he was informed that he was losing the lease and they're building very expensive retail space with very expensive apartments on the property. They will not even allow him to continue the lease. He will be closing down on May 4, 2025. I have dined and ate here every Sunday as a child since the 70s. I have attended the Greek orthodox Church across the street since I was a small child with my grandparents. I have brought my family and my children here over the years and they love this place and their heartbroken as well. There is not one authentic Greek restaurant in Los Angeles today that is as good as Papa Cristo's. I wish him the best. He told me that he's going to retire and just enjoy life with his grandchildren. He is a Greek, a great Greek and he is just trying to make the best out of life. We love you, Papa Cristo, and we're going to miss you !

    Great murals on the outside. Definitely missed out on getting food and interior pics. Cool place!

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    Papa Cristo's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Papa Cristo's

    When is the restaurant the least busy either by time or day?

    They close forever on 05/04 but if you're gonna try to go before they close (I've been a few times since the closing was announced) I would recommend odd hours during the weekdays like 2 PM on a Thursday.

    Does anyone know the price of their all you can buffet on Sundays?

    It's $29.99/pp

    I saw they do an all you can eat? Is that true?

    Only on Sundays.

    Is there still either Thursday night Big Fat Greek Dinner, or Sunday ayce bbq? I don't see either on the website!

    Yea on Sunday's from 11am-5pm all you can eat style buffet is $30 pp (as of March 2025)

    Does this restaurant have Sunday brunch?

    No it's regular menu small parking in the rear but good is good

    Do you guys offer pastitsio?

    Yes

    Anybody see Ja Rule here yet?

    Naw, not yet!

    Do you guys still do the lamb bbq all you can eat lunch on Sundays?

    No.

    Do you ever serve the lamb stew any more, I got it a few times maybe in 2012-13 and it's my favorite dish but I haven't seen it in years?

    Yes we still have Lamb Stew but only on Saturday's and Sunday's!

    Do they have pork souvlaki? True Greek restaurants serve pork.

    Nope no pork

    Are there vegan options at Papa Cristo and is the bread like the baguettes vegan too (I recently went vegan and I really want to still eat here)?

    Samantha.. Unfortunately our in house baked bread contains milk and eggs. Our pita bread however is vegan. We also have homemade falafel patties, grilled veggie kebabs, cold beets and dandelion greens salad, homemade hummus, homemade baba ghanouj,… Read more

    Will you be selling Tsoureki and Koulourakia for Easter this coming weekend?

    Alex, Yes! We have Lenten Koulourakia and we currently have Tsourekia available in our market for the Easter season. A medium loaf is $12.99 (with 2 red eggs) and our large loaf is $16.99 (with 4 red eggs.)

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    (1.5k reviews)
    7.4 mi
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    I made a reservation to celebrate my best friend's birthday! We ended up not really needing it…read moresince the restaurant was quite empty, but no worries. We ordered a bunch of food, so here's the review of each dish: -Fiery feta dip: 5/5 -- maybe could be an eeeeeensy spicier, but so well balanced! Not heavy at ALL with the acidity cutting through so nicely. -Grilled Spanish octopus: 4/5 -- not as soft as I thought it would be tbh! Squeeze a lot of lemon; it pairs very well with the spiced oil. -Filet mignon plate: 4.75/5 -- beef cooked perfectly medium rare and seasoned well, tzatziki bright, veggies grilled well, rice could use a bitttttt more flavor but everything still ate really deliciously! - Hummus side: 5/5 -- SOOOO GOOD! super smooth, not too bean-y, spiced well. Super delicious with fries and the pita. - Seasoned fries side: 5/5 -- honestly no complaints! Seasoned with zaatar seasoning blend, it was perfectly salty and a hint of spice with crispy yet fluffy fries. Went well with the side of ketchup, in the hummus, with the feta dip, etc -Server Art is the son of the family who owns Greek Bistro. He was personable, had recommendations for us, and told us the story of how the fiery feta dip landed on the menu (Art I hope your pillow is always cold). Overall, everything was absolutely delicious and we are already planning our next trip back!!! Thank you to Art and the chefs for their hospitality and amazing food!

    Visited Greek Bistro on a Sunday night and I will definitely be back!…read more The service is amazing! Our serve, Art, was attentive, detailed, and was thoughtful to answer any questions we had. Our favorite dish was the Spicy Feta Dip! It's a new addition to the menu and an amazing appetizer to start off the night. Well seasoned and balanced that pairs perfectly with the pita.

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    Taverna At The Mar Vista

    Taverna At The Mar Vista

    4.2
    (720 reviews)
    8.1 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Free WiFi

    Phenomenal. Instantly transported to the Plaka in Athens by this meal…read more Cool, airy atmosphere with sidewalk seating. An open concept for seating but still feels intimate. Service is prompt and without fuss. Pricing is fair, considering the gigantic portions. The dishes are easily shareable (if you are inclined to do so). One of the great things about going in a group is you can try a variety. Here's the scoop. Keftedes- nicely cooked. Grilled veggies - was supposed to be a mixture of eggplant, zucchini, onions, and peppers. This was predominately eggplant (which suited me just fine). Have a feeling it's how it's scooped on the plate when serving. Solid flavor and a huge portion. Souvlaki - asked for one pork and one chicken skewer to try them both. Both winners. Nicely grilled exterior and still juicy. The tzatziki was bright, creamy and lightly garlicky. Chopped onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and lemon wedges are also provided with pita if you feel like making little sandwiches. I prefer to use the pita to sop up the sauces. Bifteki- this was THE dish, hands down. The bifteki were cooked perfectly- grilled outside, tender and juicy inside. Seasoning was simple but flawless. I substituted the fries (which were good - I nabbed some from another plate) but the lemon potatoes stole the show. Incredible flavor. I did not want this dish to end, and will probably order it every time I visit. (If only I could convince someone to order the octopus and the moussaka. I have to try them but this portion is already huge.) Another thing I will order next time is a bottle of Malamatina. This retsina is so difficult to find in the US but is mind blowing when served icy cold. Yes. I said next time. This restaurant will be on permanent rotation when I'm in town.

    Had a great experience at Taverna at Mar Vista. The restaurant had a lively neighborhood feel, and…read morethe service was excellent. Our server was friendly, attentive, and made great recommendations that ended up being highlights of the meal. At her suggestion, I ordered the htapodi (charred octopus) served with vinaigrette and fava puree. The char on the outside contrasted nicely with the tender texture, and I'm glad I tried it. I also shared the dip sampler. Everything was good, but the spicy feta dip was my favorite. For my entree, I ordered the grilled chicken skewers. The chicken was solid, but the accompanying sauces were what made the dish stand out. For dessert, our server recommended the portokalopita instead of the more obvious choice of baklava. The orange cake is soaked in citrus syrup and was light, flavorful, and a great way to end the meal. Overall, this felt like the kind of neighborhood restaurant people return to again and again. Good food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I'd happily come back.

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    George's Greek Grill

    George's Greek Grill

    3.4
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    2.2 mi
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    20 years in business
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    Perfect food to order to the office!…read more Highly recommend this place for juicy chicken and good chimichurri sauce. The side portion of the fries is very small so order more if you are craving it! I also expected more seasoning but the fry itself is my favorite- very soft and potatoy. Salad and salad dressing is good and pairs well with anything you get!

    Uber Delivery I have…read morebeen eating here (in person and delivery) for many years. I love their gyro plate and all the fixin' that come with it. So many sides to choose from, just depends on what mood I am in. I wish I had written reivews in the past, because unfortunately the price and quality doesn't seem the same for my usual plate, but some of the other items were really good. I placed a delivery order on Uber eats. We ordered: Calamari Pan Seared Veggies Penne with Butter and Parmesan (BOGO) Lemon Chicken Pita Sandwich Gyro Plate Appetizers: Calamari - there was A LOT of calamari in this order. It took us a couple of sittings to eat it all. I even took some to work the next day. My only issue was that it seemed over fried so it lost the texture of the squid inside and I wasn't too fond of the sauce that it came with. Pan Seared Veggies - These were quite good! My toddler loved the broccoli. There was zucchinni, squash, mushrooms, onions, carrots and broccoli. It was seasoned very well and the broccoli had a nice char at the tops. Entrees: Penne with Butter and Parmesan - They should add garlic to that as well. I really enjoyed that part. Definitely a lot of butter, but it settled to the bottom so the noodles weren't too greasy. Toddler loved it.. but there sure was a lot of it. It comes with a little side of bread with cheese on it as well Lemon Chicken Pita Sandwich - My husband really liked this. He basically ate it 2 nights in a row. He really liked how the chicken tasted but he questioned the random 2 fries they added into the pita (he thought they were rougue fries that fell in until he saw it in the 2nd pita as well). Gryo Plate - House salad and Rice Pilaf So I'm not sure if this was an Uber thing or from the restaurant, but the base price did NOT include the sides. All sides were an additional $3 and up and you were required to pick 2. The base price was $23.95, then with 2 $3 sides it came out to $30 for my plate. I still got it because they have my favorite gyros. It definitely came with a good amount of protein, but it was strange that I didn't get a salad dressing, just 2 containers of tzatziki. It just didn't quite taste as good as before. Maybe it was on off day, but this dish was very disappointing since I spent so much on it. They do have the BOGO offers though, that was nice.

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    Greek salad with calamari.
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    Gyro feta fries.
    Aliki's Greek Taverna

    Aliki's Greek Taverna

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    8.2 mi
    $$

    There's no way I would have found Aliki's without the overwhelming agreement of the reviews, and…read morelet me just add my voice to the chorus singing its praises: it's absolutely a gem behind the unassuming facade. We're a family that loves cheese, so we went for all three cheese appetizer options. We got the Sizzling Feta, the Grilled Halloumi, and the Saganaki. We jokingly asked the server if it was a mistake to get so many appetizers, to which he firmly replied, "You like cheese. I can tell. You'll eat this, no problem." When I tell you we cleared those plates, I mean we absolutely demolished them. We loved all three! The Halloumi won as the overall favorite, but it was a fierce debate with strong support for each dish. Based on the Yelp reviews talking about how good the lamb is, I got the Lamb Souvlaki sandwich. It was delicious! The lamb was incredibly well-cooked, quite tender and very flavorful. The whole package of the pita, with the lamb balanced against the tzatziki and salad, was fantastic. If you're a meat-eater, I highly recommend it. If you're a vegetarian, my family also really enjoyed the Falafel sandwich and the Spanakopita. The Spanakopita was made like a turnover and its pastry was super buttery, perfectly light and flaky. The falafel was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, nicely moist. It was a hit! The service was very quick and the staff was very friendly. While my family initially raised their eyebrows at the restaurant (it's sandwiched between a motel and a car wash), they were converted by the cheese and were devotees by the time we finished our entrees. We loved it!

    Yesterday afternoon, I was in the mood to try something different, as I often am, and that's how I…read moreended up at Aliki's Greek Taverna near LAX. The only minor issue I ran into was parking. At first, I thought the restaurant didn't have its own parking lot since it's connected to a small hotel. The restaurant itself is easy to spot from the outside and isn't confusing to find at all, but I wasn't sure where guests were supposed to park. I ended up parking farther away and walking over. Once inside, I noticed a sign mentioning restaurant parking and learned that customers can park in the hotel's lot. I mention this only to save future customers a little confusion--it wasn't a big deal at all, and I quickly moved my car closer. The restaurant itself is relatively small and connected to one of those cozy hotels you often see around the LAX area. It has the feel of a hidden local spot rather than a busy tourist destination, which honestly adds to its charm. I arrived around 5:30 PM and was surprised to find the restaurant nearly empty. There were only a couple of occupied tables, and only one more arrived while we were there. Honestly, I don't know what people are thinking because they're missing out on something special. I was dining with my 8-year-old nephew, one of those kids who survives almost exclusively on chicken nuggets, noodles, ranch, and other familiar foods. Getting him to try something new is usually a challenge. I ordered him a chicken gyro, and he absolutely loved it. I jokingly told him the tzatziki sauce was ranch, and from that point on he was completely sold. For myself, I ordered the moussaka. I chose it purely for the experience, not because I expected to love it. It turned out to be one of the most delicious restaurant dishes I've had in months. Seriously, months. The layers of eggplant, meat, and creamy béchamel came together perfectly. It was rich, comforting, and unforgettable. The funniest part? My nephew kept asking for more of my food. He was convinced the eggplant was chicken and ended up eating nearly half of my moussaka. If an extremely picky 8-year-old enjoys a dish like that, I think that says everything. We also ordered the lamb souvlaki, which was outstanding. Tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. This place is a true hidden gem. The food was exceptional, the service was friendly, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations. Our bill came to about $86 before tip for three entrées and two Cokes, and honestly, it was some of the best money I've spent on food all month. Will I be back? Absolutely. In fact, I'm already planning to return within the next few weeks. If you've never tried Greek food before, this is a great place to start.

    Photos
    The little restaurant on a busy road!
    The little restaurant on a busy road!
    Sizzling Feta Cheese is amazing.  We dipped our pita in it, nonstop.  Very addicting
    Sizzling Feta Cheese is amazing. We dipped our pita in it, nonstop. Very addicting
    Baked eggplant dip

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    Baked eggplant dip
    Bavel

    Bavel

    4.4
    (3k reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$$

    Middle Eastern restaurant in downtown LA. I didn't realize this was the sister restaurant of…read moreBestia. Overall, I enjoyed every dish we got. I would consider reordering everything we got. Definitely on our list of restaurants to visit again when we're in the area. Ordered: - Hummus Duck 'Nduja - First off, we need to take a moment for the blistered pita. That stuff was soooooo yummy might be my favorite pita I ever consumed. Hummus was also good, nice balance of flavors that complimented each other well. - Grilled Octopus - Had a good amount of chew and wasn't too chewy. Dill flavor was a bit on the strong side but I don't mind it. - Potato Flatbread - Very light and also good. - Slow Roast Lamb Neck Shawarma - Soooo tender fell off the bone so nicely. My favorite dishes were the lamb neck shawarma and the blistered pita. Family style restaurant. We were recommended to order 2 spreads, 3 appetizers, and 1 entree for 3 people. We ended up doing 1 spread, 2 appetizers, and 1 entree and I'm very happy with our decision. We were soooo full after our meal. I think if we did the 2 spread and 3 appetizers as recommend we wouldn't be able to eat the entree at all. Seems like a really popular celebration restaurant (saw many graduations). We did make a reservation and I would recommend doing that. All tables were filled when we were there, not sure how the walk in situation is. Music is a bit loud inside the restaurant but I don't think it was as bad as Bestia. The outside patio was good though in my opinion. I didn't feel like i was yelling across the table to talk on the patio.

    The food is still stellar - updating to state that the new-to-me-menu items (peach salad, smoked…read moretrout, chicken tagine and whole lamb rack) are all superb. The tagine in particular was a pleasant surprise; I almost never order chicken, I can cook it plenty fine at home. However: this dish was a revelation (the olives transform during the braise - so creamy/delicious). The only nit to pick: Bavel please change up the playlist; I enjoy Bad Bunny as much as the next person, but the same 4 songs were on repeat all night long.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Oyster mushroom kabob
    Oyster mushroom kabob
    *Dry Aged Trout Crudo

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    *Dry Aged Trout Crudo
    Greekmans

    Greekmans

    4.2
    (77 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    03-2026 We had such…read morea fantastic dinner at Greekman's on Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake. This cozy neighborhood spot (formerly Freedman's) has that perfect casual-yet-vibrant vibe--think breezy Greek taverna meets LA cool--with excellent charcoal-grilled dishes and a great all-Greek wine list. The service was genuinely amazing. Our server Petra took incredible care of us from start to finish--attentive, knowledgeable, and warm without being over-the-top. And shoutout to the incredible bartender Penny. The whole team made us feel right at home. We went family-style and ordered a fantastic spread: * The lamb was a highlight--tender, perfectly grilled, and packed with flavor * Saganaki was cheesy, crispy, and fun. * Branzino came beautifully grilled with bright lemon orzo--fresh, flaky, and spot-on. * Mushrooms were earthy and well-seasoned. * Crispy fries were addictive. * We ended on a sweet note with honey balls (those little fried dough bites drizzled in honey--crispy, sticky, and addictive) and the baklava pie. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and meant for sharing. Portions lean toward the smaller side (typical for meze-style Greek plates), so ordering a variety works perfectly for a group. Greekman's hits that sweet spot of quality ingredients, simple execution done right, and welcoming hospitality. Whether you're in the vine-covered patio, intimate dining room, or at the speakeasy-style bar, it's a winner. We'll definitely be back--highly recommend!

    So, this place is good, you just need to be prepared…read more Went with some friends who've been here many times. I had the chicken souvlaki (which was super tasty) with a big piece of pita (fresh) and the herbed rice (also very tasty), as well as the very lemony potatoes, which was crisp and yes, lemony, but not too sour, just the right amount. We also got the honey balls, which were sort of churro-ish but balls. The place was also nice and clean (though a little too dark if, like me, you get there early and have to kill time before the rest of your party arrives, so you try to read, but can't), and the staff was helpful and friendly. So, what do you need to be prepared for? Well, they usually serve stuff family style. Because of this, things don't come out at all once. In our case, we got the pita a good 10-15 minutes before the chicken. But while this would normally be a blemish, it wasn't because not only did my friends tell me this would happen, but so did our server. Which is why I'll go again, especially since I now know what to expect. One last note: the place is in a strip mall, and while I had no problem finding a spot, my friends had to go elsewhere.

    Photos
    Inside seating
    Inside seating
    Cauliflower
    Cauliflower
    Exterior shot from the patio

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    Exterior shot from the patio
    Spitz - Little Tokyo

    Spitz - Little Tokyo

    3.9
    (1.9k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    This was my first time visiting this restaurant, and I really enjoyed the food along with my…read morecoworkers. Located one block from Little Tokyo / Arts District Station, there are many competing restaurants and dessert spots nearby. You order at the front then seat yourself. There can be a lunch rush because a long line formed after we had ordered. The ambience was casual but interestingly retro with an old television show playing in the background. It took around 20 minutes to get our food. There is self-serve water available with big cups. I ordered a remix bowl with beef and lamb ($15.50), which came with a variety of ingredients: lemon-herb tahini dressing, marinated garbanzos, harissa, cabbage slaw, feta, roasted corn, kalamata olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sumac. The bowl was filling, and I enjoyed the diverse mix of spice and flavor. Overall, the bowl was refreshing because of the rice, vegetables, and different sauces. The marinated garbanzos were crispy and a delightful detail to the bowl. I've never had these before, but they bore some similarity to croutons. The beef and lamb were thinly cut, but they still had an adequate portion size. I also tried some waffle-cut sweet potato fries. These were so delicious; I enjoyed the seasoning and light crisp.

    The Doner Salad with falafel had a great mix of vegetables, toppings, and lemon-herb tahini…read moredressing. Calories shown on menu. Ordering was easy and convenient at the counter.

    Photos
    Spitz - Little Tokyo
    Spitz - Little Tokyo
    Spitz - Little Tokyo

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    Papa Cristo's - greek - Updated June 2026

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