Bavel
Restaurant · Historic Core
500 Mateo St #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Highlights
Middle Eastern restaurant with hummus, lamb neck shawarma, and kebabs
Middle Eastern restaurant with hummus, lamb neck shawarma, and kebabs
"Bavel is a broadly Middle Eastern spot in the Arts District from the same people who run Bestia, and if for some reason you thought that this younger sibling would be any less popular, then you probably don’t understand sibling dynamics. Between their idyllic outdoor patio shaded by a grove of trees, tables filled with duck ’nduja hummus, lamb neck shawarma, fresh pita, and the strong chance you’ll see someone sorta famous here, a meal at Bavel is one of the most consistently great dining experiences you can have in DTLA." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"One would think the middle sibling between popular spots like Bestia and Saffy’s would get lost in the shuffle, but Bavel remains the best of the three. This upscale Middle Eastern spot in the Arts District is the epitome of consistency: the blockbuster space always feels like a well-orchestrated party, the service is sharp, and there’s not a bad dish on the menu. Come here to eat pumped-up dishes like spicy duck ‘nduja hummus, an impressive whole roasted lamb neck on laffa bread, and spreadable farm cheese dotted with little pools of za’atar and oil. No worries if you only make a small dent in Bavel’s sizable menu, you’re going to want to come back anyway." - sylvio martins, brant cox
"Bavel is the middle child restaurant from the people behind Bestia and Saffy’s, two of the most famous—and famously crowded—restaurants in the city. Having such well-regarded siblings might seem like a tough gig, but Bavel is our favorite of the family. This upscale Middle Eastern restaurant in the Arts District is a model of consistency, serving deeply personal food that tastes incredible, with reliably great service and a stunning, blockbuster space that still buzzes with the same energy it did when it opened in 2018. The menu is packed with hits, but if it's your first time, prioritize the malawach platter, grilled prawns with tzatziki, and lamb neck shawarma." - garrett snyder, brant cox, cathy park, sylvio martins
"Bavel is the middle child restaurant from the people behind Bestia and Saffy’s, two very popular restaurants. Having such well-regarded siblings might seem like a tough gig, but Bavel is our favorite of the family. This upscale Middle Eastern restaurant in the Arts District is a model of consistency, serving deeply personal food that tastes incredible, with reliably great service and a stunning, blockbuster space that still buzzes with the same energy it did when it opened in 2018. The menu is packed with hits, but if it’s your first time, prioritize the malawach platter, grilled prawns with tzatziki, and lamb neck shawarma." - sylvio martins, brant cox, garrett snyder
"On a recent weekday visit the large, humming dining room felt verdant and terracotta-painted, with round banquettes and plants cascading from the ceiling like a waterfall. Many dishes remain standout: beautifully creamy cannellini bean and duck ‘nduja hummus; an oyster mushroom kebab atop a verdant avocado and lovage puree; buttery malawach alongside grated tomato, strawberry zhoug, and two jammy eggs. The chicken liver pâté has somehow gotten even better since the restaurant debuted seven years ago — pocked with pickled blueberries, sweetened by a honeyed pomegranate reduction, and served with nutty buckwheat toast — and is described as “not a more perfect bite to be had here,” a rich substitute for what one might find on a cousin’s seder table if not keeping kosher for Passover. — Nicole Adlman, Eater cities manager" - Eater Staff
