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.

This charming plant-filled restaurant in the Arts District is one of the few places you can get really great Middle Eastern food in LA – which goes some way to explaining why it’s always so difficult to get a table here. Housed in a light-filled former warehouse, the menu encompasses a broad range of dishes, from Israeli and Tunisian delicacies to staples from Yemen. Make sure you order the signature dish - the malawach - which is a fried flatbread served with grated tomato, dill crème fraiche, strawberry zhoug and a soft-boiled egg.

Fans of Bestia have been lining up for stellar Mediterranean cuisine at this Arts District hot spot, which is owned by the same restaurateurs. Rose-gold stools give way to marble tabletops as the open kitchen bangs out hummus and baba ghanoush spreads, along with flatbreads and lamb-neck shawarma. The vibe is lively, the staff is chill, the patio is a scene, and the food is out of this world.

Bavel is a wonderfully oversize restaurant with an open floorplan and hanging gardens. The vibe will remind you of the grandeur of the spa at La Mamounia, the legendary hotel in Marrakech. Just the room alone is worth coming for.

Two weeks before today’s Film Independent Spirit Awards, where Theo Rossi will learn whether he won the supporting performance prize for his role as Aubrey Plaza‘s partner in crime and love in “Emily the Criminal,” the former “Sons of Anarchy” actor was eating hummus and pita around town with L.A. Times Food columnist Jenn Harris for her series The Crawl. As they spent the evening eating at downtown L.A.’s Bavel, Open Sesame on Beverly Boulevard and Sunnin Lebanese Cafe on Westwood Boulevard, we learn that Rossi, as Jenn writes, “ate a lot of pita bread and hummus while preparing for the role of a lovable Lebanese criminal who dabbles in credit card fraud.” Indeed, he eats hummus nearly every day and has strong opinions on the subject.

At Bavel, Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergig have built a menu honoring their Israeli and Sephardic lineage, including foie gras halva (a pâté with date purée and black sesame), an oyster mushroom kabob spiced with cardamom and sumac, and a crispy layered malawach flatbread served with dill creme fraiche and strawberry zhoug. Chef Anne Conness’ Jaffa brings sweet potato hummus, Yemenite kubaneh bread, hawaij-spiced matzah ball soup, lamb kofte, and other amazing flavors of Tel Aviv’s ancient neighborhood to mid-city. Hasiba is a kosher-certified hummusiya in Pico-Robertson from the Lodge Bread chef/owners.

You can play it safe and go on our original patio (shown above), or you can be a renegade and go on either our stolen Verve patio (see previous post), or the patio that wouldn’t have been approved by the city before this (swipe right). It’s like a picnic, with service and your food is the perfect temperature, and your ice isn’t melted and sloggy (from the Genevieve Meriram Webster dictionary this word means something) #BavelDTLA. A post shared by Bavel Restaurant (@baveldtla) on Jul 28, 2020 at 5:23pm PDT

Bavel is located in Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District and is a Middle Eastern restaurant from husband and wife team Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. You may know Chef Ori from his other popular restaurant in the DTLA Arts District, Bestia. With family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, Chef Ori and Chef Genevieve always wanted to open a restaurant that showcases the cuisines of their family lineages, bringing together the flavors and dishes they grew up with.

Created by chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, the dynamic duo behind Bestia, Bavel is essentially the Middle Eastern counterpart to the bustling Italian restaurant. Located in DTLA's burgeoning Arts District, Bavel’s menu is designed to be shared amongst friends and family. The fried artichoke and kohlrabi is a savory veggie starter, but you also can’t go wrong with the pomegranate bluefin tuna crudo and grilled celery root with honey mushroom tzatziki.

An open-air Middle Eastern spot dedicated to honoring and elevating the extraordinary culinary traditions of the region, Southern California’s Bavel is a place where the food is the star of the show. Offering an array of fresh breads, this restaurant wraps up the experience with desserts like Persian mulberry ice cream. On the strength of its incredible menu, Bavel has earned its ranking among the coolest restaurants in Los Angeles.

Following up their highly successful Italian restaurant, Bestia, chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis get back to their Mediterranean roots with a menu that travels from Israel and Turkey to Egypt and Morocco. Easily one of the best meals in town, the menu is filled with inventive takes on classics like baba ghanoush, crispy, melt-in-yourmouth malawach and Te Mana lamb chops. They might also have the best hummus in the city.

Bavel is out to change your perception of the Middle Eastern restaurant from "dark and patterned" to light and airy – the pièce de résistance is the suspended plant system in the center of the space. Large parties of 9 to 14 can be seated in the main dining room (under those plants, no less), while groups of up to 22 guests can takeover the covered patio. Have a group over 22?

A lot of people forget that Bavel opened up around the same time as many other hyped and over-anticipated new restaurants. The difference between it and those others… it is now one of (if not the actual) busiest restaurants in the city, and with great reason. Bavel’s format is relatively simple: serve delicious food, in a alluring space, and fill glasses with great drinks.

Best for: Veggie-leaning shareable platesLocation: 500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USAPrice: Mains from 44 USD. Created by the team behind Bestia, Bavel is located within walking distance in a quieter part of the LA Arts District. The space evokes seaside villages of the Middle East, with whitewashed walls, roof skylights, and hanging plants that fill the space.

This upscale Middle Eastern establishment is one of the best trendy restaurants in Los Angeles if you’re in the downtown area. With influences from Israel, Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco, Bavel offers menu items like hummus spreads or small plates with marinated olives or flatbread. It’s the perfect spot to quench any Mediterranean cravings you have.

Bavel, the finest Middle Eastern eatery in Los Angeles’ Art District, first opened in 2018. It is yet another memorable fine dining invention by the highly praised chef team behind Bestia, Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. The incorporation of natural light, floating planters, and the vibrant and vivid decoration will impress foodies at Bavel.

Do you find yourself stuck on the question of what sounds good for a birthday dinner?. Then Bavel is the place for you. An award-winning Middle Eastern food restaurant with a decadent menu of Middle Eastern classics such as lamb shawarma, house-made hummus and strawberry sumac and sweet cheese pastry.

Why You Need To Dine Here: The sprawling ivy is enough to catch anyone’s eye, but chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis keep you coming back with their menu inspired by their family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey and Egypt. Pro Tip: Get the oyster mushroom kebab.

Bavel is a Middle Eastern–inspired restaurant in Los Angeles, created by the team behind Bestia. It offers an elevated take on time-honored flavors in a comfortable setting. Guests can expect a relaxed atmosphere and a creative menu that stays true to its roots.

Chef Ori Menashe’s Bavel still draws in crowds five years after opening. The interior of the restaurant is green and lush with hanging plants covering the ceiling. However, it’s the Middle Eastern menu and fun cocktails that keep guests coming back.

Beautiful indoor-outdoor seating, artisanal cocktails, and shareable plates. Bavel is a high-end dining destination, known for its impressive dishes and attentive service. Standout menu items include duck hummus, harissa prawns, and lamb shawarma.

Celebrate your special day by visiting Chef Ori Menashe’s sequel restaurant to the popular Bestia. Bavel retains its predecessor’s vibe and has a similar Mediterranean menu that’s ideal for a memorable and delicious birthday dinner in Los Angeles.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (107 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Mediterranean- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013-2222- Read more on Tripadvisor

Bavel: I dream of their hummus, it’s some of the best I’ve ever had. Reservations are required far in advance, but the entire experience and stunning atmosphere is totally worth it.

500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013Phone: 213-232-4966 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Bavel Restaurant (@baveldtla)