A post shared by Open Sesame (@dineopensesame) on Jul 30, 2019 at 10:43am PDT. Since its inception in 1999, Open Sesame has been a Lebanese staple in Long Beach, serving flavorful lunch and dinner options to hungry locals and tourists. Sharing is encouraged—start with some small plates of hummus, olives and tabouleh before moving on to Lebanese-style pizza, shawarma and kabobs.

At 15 years old, Open Sesame founder Ali Kobeissi became entranced with herbs and spices while spending a summer working in a local spice factory in Lebanon. In 1999, he channeled this passion into the creation of Open Sesame, and the restaurant's Lebanese cuisine has been a local hit ever since. Kobeissi cites Phoenician, Greek, Arab, Roman, and Ottoman traditions as inspiration for the restaurant's ingredients and cooking techniques, which combine to create some innovative and vibrant Mediterranean fare.

One of the most popular restaurants on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore, Open Sesame (5215 E. 2nd St.) serves a full menu of delicious Lebanese cuisine including a wide selection of small plate mezza. There are all manner traditional dishes – grape leaves, hummus, falafel, yogurt cucumber dip – still, perhaps the most flavorful and popular are the roasted garlic potatoes and the friend cauliflower, which have been known to inspire intense conversations (i.e. arguments) about which to order for the table.

Slata” is salad — and might I suggest either the fattoush or the tabbouleh, both of which are as good as they get. “Shorba” is soup, a wonder of a lentil soup, and a joy of a spicy vegetable soup, made with red and yellow lentils, great soothing broths to calm the soul as this plague drags on. “Manousheh” is where the real fun is — it’s a Lebanese style pizza, three of them, topped in one case with feta and zaatar, in another with sesame and sumac.

The vegetarian entree is a standout option, featuring a combination of dishes like hummus, baba ganouj, tabouli, felafel, stuffed grape leaves, and pita. Each component is carefully prepared, resulting in a completely satisfying meal. The restaurant also offers flavorful and delicious food, with options like the Sultan, Lamb Kabob, and Kabassa (a Saturday special) reflecting the quality of the Mediterranean/Lebanese cuisine.

Arguably one of the most popular restaurants in Belmont Shore's Second Street, Open Sesame’s indoor-outdoor layout allows diners to take in the city all the while partaking in exceptionally good Mediterranean fare. Open Sesame doesn't try to reinvent this cuisine (why would you?) they just do it very well. For starters, the spicy garlic potatoes and flash-fried cauliflower are pretty much required.

Open Sesame has been a Belmont Shore staple for almost 20 years. Their authentic Lebanese cuisine and decor, complete with an eclectic blend of painted ceramic tiles and levantine furniture, will make you feel like you’ve just walked in to dinner in the heart of Beirut. Just be sure to get the spicy potatoes….and maybe lay off the garlic spread if you’re lookin’ to get a kiss later.

Open Sesame is a restaurant located in Long Beach, California at 5215 East 2nd Street. This restaurant serves arayes, falafel patty, side of shawarma, chicken, chicken tawook, labne, and vegetarian. They also serve beef skewer, garlic sauce 8oz, tahini sauce 8oz, filet mignon kabob, chocolate molten lava cake, lebanese ice cream, and kafta.

This popular restaurant serves authentic Lebanese dishes in a warm and inviting setting. From savory shawarma and flavorful falafel to mouthwatering kebabs, Open Sesame offers a diverse menu that will transport you to the streets of Beirut. Don’t forget to try their homemade hummus and baklava for a truly authentic taste.

Linger on Open Sesame’s pet-friendly patio with sumptuous, Lebanese cuisine and wine. They are very vegetarian friendly, even if your pet isn’t.