Habayit Restaurant

"Habayit is mainly known for two things: being one of, if not the only, kosher restaurant west of the 405 and frying up a very good falafel. They’re enough to put this Mar Vista spot on our radar, as well as their tasty matzo ball soup, but don’t miss out on the great breakfast shakshuka. The tomato sauce here is on the chunkier side, which we certainly don’t mind. We love letting the yolk run all over before scooping everything up with some warm pita bread. And if you’re into the idea of some hamshuka, the dish’s side of hummus helps you DIY some on a whim. Habayit’s take on the dish is tangy and tart from the tomatoes, with a bit of freshness from the sauce’s onions and bell peppers, plus it has a nice kick. It’s also a great size for ordering an extra side of falafel too." - sylvio martins

"As the only Kosher restaurant west of the 405, Habayit has kept westsiders’ falafel cravings at bay for over two decades and arguably makes some of the best in town. This is the kind of place we like to slide into on a rainy day for a warm matzo ball soup or a hot shakshuka that’ll make us feel something again, but the falafel still makes its way onto the table each time. Habayit’s falafel has an extra crispy (and somewhat chunky) outer crust with visible bits of chickpea and fried herbs in each bite. They pack a great crunch and have a crumbly texture where you can see each of the ingredients once you take a bite. They’re salty, garlicky, and taste great when drenched in a healthy serving of smooth tahini." - sylvio martins

"Habayit is mainly known for two things: being one of, if not the only, kosher restaurant west of the 405 and frying up a very good falafel. They’re enough to put this Mar Vista spot on our radar, as well as their tasty matzo ball soup, but don’t miss out on the great breakfast shakshuka. The tomato sauce here is on the chunkier side, which we certainly don’t mind. We love letting the yolk run all over before scooping everything up with some warm pita bread. And if you’re into the idea of some hamshuka, the dish’s side of hummus helps you DIY some on a whim. Habayit’s take on the dish is tangy and tart from the tomatoes, with a bit of freshness from the sauce’s onions and bell peppers, plus it has a nice kick. It’s also a great size for ordering an extra side of falafel too. Food Rundown Falafel Plate A solid option for a midday falafel break, but we’d be fine ordering a side of these with some dips or shakshuka instead. The golden brown falafel is extra crispy and very garlicky, but the tahini and Israeli salad it comes with are pretty boring. However, the hummus is delicious and perfect for dipping, with tons of nutty sesame and smoky paprika flavor coming through. Babaganoush We’re big fans of Hayabit’s babaganoush and it’s the first thing we get every time we stop by. The meaty roasted eggplant is balanced out with lots of lemon juice and peppery olive oil, and goes great with that side of falafel. Matzo Ball Soup This matzo ball soup has all of the salty, aromatic qualities of a hearty chicken soup without too much rendered fat floating around on the surface. The broth is light, super fragrant from the copious amount of fresh dill, and the massive matzo ball is nicely firm without being too dense. Shakshuka Tomato reigns supreme in this chunky shakshuka. It’s nicely tart, with a hint of heat from plenty of paprika and garlic. The eggs aren’t front and center here, but instead, they’re submerged in the sauce almost like yolk-filled dumplings." - Sylvio Martins

"Habayit may be famous for its falafel and matzo ball soup, but their shakshuka is as warm and authentic as owners Amir and Pnina. The shakshuka itself is not spicy, but add some of the green schug sauce (made with Habanero and Serrano chilies) to turn the heat up to a 10. The dish is served with pita and traditional Israeli salad." - Oren Peleg