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Bavel

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

Make a booking

2 people

1 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 73 times today

Lively
Good for special occasions
Hot spot

A Middle Eastern restaurant in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles.

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis

MICHELIN Plate
2022

From the OpenTable editors: Bavel, with its bright, cavernous space outfitted with tons of greenery and stunning Middle Eastern fare from Ori and Genevieve Menashe of Bestia, is an escape in the heart of the Arts District. Dredge blistered housemade pitas through spreads like duck ‘nduja-topped hummus and baba ganoush made with eggplant and beets before moving on to beef cheek tagines, and you won't be disappointed.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Middle Eastern
Hours of Operation
Daily 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(213) 232-4966
Website
http://baveldtla.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Please email events@baveldtla.com for more information.

Location
500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013-2222
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Area
Downtown
Cross Street
Santa Fe
Parking details
Street parking also available
Additional
Patio/Outdoor Dining

Featured in

50 Los Angeles Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Popular dishes

Hummus Cannellini MasabachaUS$16.00
creamy & chunky cannellini bean puree, tomato, lemon, garlic, green zhoug, pita
Hummus Duck 'NdujaUS$17.00
tahini, parsley, cilantro, sumac, pita
Baba GhanoushUS$18.00
smoked eggplant & kabocha squash, sheep's milk, urfa, dukkah, marjoram, fried pita
Chicken Liver PateUS$24.00
honey pomegranate reduction, tarragon, pickled blueberry, urfa, black sesame buckwheat toast
Farm CheeseUS$21.00
borage za'atar, savory, olive oil, black sesame buckwheat toast
Additional BreadUS$5.00
blistered pita, fried pita, black sesame buckwheat toast, or laffa

Appetizers

Marinated OlivesUS$9.00
cinnamon, citrus, sheep's milk feta
Grilled DatesUS$24.00
aged lamb merguez, yogurt, brown butter, nigella seed, almonds, thyme
Butter Lettuce SaladUS$20.00
green tahini vinaigrette, kohlrabi, bulgarian feta, sesame, pickled cabbage, lime leaves
Moroccan CarrotsUS$22.00
rose pickled beets, whipped feta, coriander, dill
*Dry-Aged Trout CrudoUS$28.00
coconut citrus broth, charred chili & onion, persimmon, turmeric ginger oil, kaffir lime
*Kibbeh NayyehUS$28.00
minced beef, bulgur, chilis, shallot, ginger labneh, mint, buckwheat sourdough
Roasted Sprouting CauliflowerUS$23.00
burnt apple pepper sauce, honey yogurt, lime leaf, cardamom, rose petals
Grilled Celery RootUS$25.00
honey mushroom tzatziki, brown butter, burnt harissa, soft herbs
Fried Artichoke & KohlrabiUS$26.00
herb serrano aioli, sumac, mint, chips, chili threads
Oyster Mushroom KebabUS$26.00
lovage & avocado purée, sumac, meyer lemon, cilantro
Grilled PrawnsUS$35.00
harissa marinade, cured zucchini & cucumber tzatziki, fresh herbs, lime
Fried QuailUS$28.00
carob halva, chili oil, bulgarian cheese, sage za'atar, rose petals
Sweet Potato FlatbreadUS$26.00
eggplant, feta, hawaij walnuts, brown butter, wildflower honey, fried rosemary
MalawachUS$25.00
ancient grain crispy layered bread, grated tomato, dill crème fraîche, soft egg, strawberry zhoug

ENTREES

Grilled DoradeUS$48.00
smoked whole seed chermoula, capers, cilantro, lime, turnips
Slow Roasted Lamb Neck ShawarmaUS$54.00
tahini, grated tomato, ajika, pickled vegetables, laffa
Whole Lumina Lamb RackUS$89.00
green amba rub, garlic yogurt, herbed kabocha squash, nigella seed, fried herbs
Pomegranate Glazed OxtailUS$110.00
fried shallots, herbs, cinnamon, koshari rice, pine nuts
26oz Margaret River RibeyeUS$185.00
fermented mushroom cream, marinated cucumbers, dill

DESSERTS

Fuji Apple TorteUS$16.00
noyaux anglaise, soft whipped cream
Nougat Ice Cream barUS$16.00
dark pecan caramel, chocolate butter cake, chocolate shell
Chocolate Lavender DonutsUS$15.00
malted milk chocolate ice cream, fermented strawberry glaze
Frozen Winter TorteUS$16.00
pomegranate & labneh sorbets, spice cake, grenadine syrup, marzipan holly leaves
Kirsch & Tahitian Vanilla CustardUS$15.00
huckleberry jam, cinnamon anise tuile
Spiced Pear CakeUS$16.00
brown butter, date vinegar, tahitian vanilla calvados whipped cream

COCKTAILS

HekaUS$17.00
Spritz – white kina, manzanilla sherry, dry prosecco, lemon oil, dried citrus
LillithUS$18.00
Collins - gin, peach amaro, pear, pink peppercorn, lemon, soda water
HadarUS$18.00
Shandy- mezcal, pineapple two ways, ipa, genepy, lime, sage
RaphaellaUS$18.00
Sour – tequila, cinnamon bitter, arak, charred red bell pepper, lemon
MarahUS$20.00
Amaro-tini- gin, amaro, rosso vermouth, bitters, orange
ShamirUS$19.00
White Negroni - pink peppercorn botanical spirit, gentian, bianco vermouth, alpine herbs, grapefruit oil
AbaddonUS$20.00
Slightly Wet Martini – alpine gin, carrot eau de vie, fennel, pickled carrot
NebuchadnezzarUS$20.00
Old Fashioned – lamb fat bourbon, rye, kashmiri chili, date, bitters, lemon peel

ON TAP

1903 Lager, HalfUS$6.00
Craftsman Brewing / Pasadena, California
- halfUS$6.00
1903 Lager, FullUS$11.00
Craftsman Brewing / Pasadena, California
- fullUS$11.00
West Coast IPA, HalfUS$6.00
Skyduster Brewery, Los Angeles, California
West Coast IPA, FullUS$11.00
Skyduster Brewery, Los Angeles, California
Blackberry Ale, HalfUS$6.00
Brouwerij West
Blackberry Ale, FullUS$11.00
Brouwerij West

WINE

The wine list at Bavel changes daily.
It focuses primarily on producers from geographies that dot the Mediterranean coasts, while also showcasing kindred Californian wine. The wines range from classical and known to vanguard and emerging. We forgo wines that are solely commercial and strive for a balance that aptly supplies something for everyone, while remaining dedicated to enhancing your experience here as a whole. We would be happy to forward you today's wine list. Please send requests to info@baveldtla.com
Corkage
A $50 corkage fee applies per 750 ml or less (2 bottle limit). A $100 fee applies per bottle larger than 750 ml (1 bottle limit).

NON-ALCOHOLIC

SodaUS$4.00
diet coke
SodaUS$4.00
coke
Sumac Pomegranate LemonadeUS$6.00
Housemade Ginger BeerUS$6.00
Housemade Ginger AleUS$6.00
Housemade Lemon-Lime SodaUS$5.00
Iced TeaUS$6.00
august uncommon. burnt apple oolong tea
Hot TeaUS$5.00
august uncommon metropolitan black / august uncommon fig & chamomile herbal / jing whole leaf peppermint
CoffeeUS$5.00
verve. regular or decaf.
EspressoUS$5.00
verve. regular or decaf single shot
EspressoUS$6.00
verve. cappuccino or latte

What 4,999 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Downtown
Best Overall
Downtown
Best Food
Downtown
Hot spot
Downtown
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bavel offers a "hip" dining experience in LA with a "cozy and welcoming" ambiance. Known for its "smooth and creamy hummus" and "spectacular" food, including standout dishes like "harissa prawns" and "duck hummus". The "attentive" service and "energetic" atmosphere make it a must-visit spot for Middle Eastern cuisine lovers.

4,999 Reviews

J
Jay
New Orleans
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Ambiance & service was top notch. We tried 6 plates tapas style. All good, but no risk-taking. The Bloomsdale Spinach Flatbread was the exception. Tasted everything, and all flavors transitioned. For everything else, the strongest flavor won.
Is this helpful?
S
Steven
VIP
Los Angeles
38 reviews
5.0
38 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Bavel was amazing as usual. The food was great and service 100% on point.
Is this helpful?
A
Adrija
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Such an incredible restaurant, the food and drink was incredible. The service was also wonderful.
Is this helpful?
A
Anita
Greater Boston
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We visited to celebrate a birthday with a group of three, and since one of us is vegetarian, we made sure to choose dishes that everyone could enjoy, plus one dish with fish. We started with three dips—masabacha, baba ghanoush, and farm cheese—and four appetizers: Moroccan carrots, roasted cauliflower, grilled mushrooms, and prawns. For dessert, we had the kirsch custard. The dips were exceptional, each offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors; each was served with a different type of bread that perfectly complemented each dip. The appetizers were equally impressive. The grilled mushrooms had a lovely char, and the prawns, which were slightly spicy, were paired with a refreshing cucumber salad that balanced the heat beautifully. The kirsch custard was smooth and creamy, served with a cinnamon tuile and fruit compote, making it the perfect way to end the meal. We also enjoyed drinks from the bar, along with a bottle of wine. The food and service were both top-notch. One thing to note, though, is that the noise level in the restaurant is quite high, so if you’re looking for a quiet, intimate setting, this may not be the best option. However, it's a fantastic spot for enjoying a great meal with friends or if you don’t mind a livelier atmosphere.
Is this helpful?
A
Annette
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and atmosphere! Highly recommended
Is this helpful?
B
Brian
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Overall amazing meal. Service was top notch. Food was inspiring and different. The sauces were fantastic. Best meal I’ve had in a long time and we’ve had some good meals. A little loud in the restaurant so it was nice to sit outside.
Is this helpful?
B
Beth
Palm Springs
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 24 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Super yummy- very loud inside but we sat outside and it was better for conversation.
Is this helpful?
P
Paul
Los Angeles
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on 24 December 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The place was packed and the vibe was busy not crazy. Great staff all working together. But it seems overly expensive for what it is and the menu is limited. Perhaps it’s seasonal. But there were only 4-5 main courses to chose from and only if you ate meat, or there is one. We were happy to have gone but will likely not go back any time soon as we would have the same meal over again.
Is this helpful?
J
Jason
New York City
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 24 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was great but the service was even better
Is this helpful?
S
Subu
VIP
Orange County
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 23 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
If you love good food and are with friends or family that enjoy good food, Bavel is the place.The spreads, appetizers and the main course are heavily nuanced creations that draw up on rich layered tastes and flavors. An experience to savor and relish
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bavel offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (213) 232-4966.

Bavel is rated 4.8 stars by 4999 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

1 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 73 times today

Order delivery or takeout

500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013-2222

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Cross Street
Santa Fe
Area
Downtown
Hours of Operation
Daily 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Middle Eastern
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street parking also available
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Patio/Outdoor Dining

Website
http://baveldtla.com/
Phone number
(213) 232-4966
Catering
Please email events@baveldtla.com for more information.

Featured in

50 Los Angeles Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Bavel

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

MICHELIN Plate

Additional information

50 Los Angeles Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Oyster Mushroom Kebab

Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma

Grilled Prawns

SPREADS

Hummus Cannellini MasabachaUS$16.00

Hummus Duck 'NdujaUS$17.00

Baba GhanoushUS$18.00

Chicken Liver PateUS$24.00

Farm CheeseUS$21.00

Additional BreadUS$5.00

Appetizers

Marinated OlivesUS$9.00

Grilled DatesUS$24.00

Butter Lettuce SaladUS$20.00

Moroccan CarrotsUS$22.00

*Dry-Aged Trout CrudoUS$28.00

*Kibbeh NayyehUS$28.00

Roasted Sprouting CauliflowerUS$23.00

Grilled Celery RootUS$25.00

Fried Artichoke & KohlrabiUS$26.00

Oyster Mushroom KebabUS$26.00

Grilled PrawnsUS$35.00

Fried QuailUS$28.00

Sweet Potato FlatbreadUS$26.00

MalawachUS$25.00

ENTREES

Grilled DoradeUS$48.00

Slow Roasted Lamb Neck ShawarmaUS$54.00

Whole Lumina Lamb RackUS$89.00

Pomegranate Glazed OxtailUS$110.00

26oz Margaret River RibeyeUS$185.00

DESSERTS

Fuji Apple TorteUS$16.00

Nougat Ice Cream barUS$16.00

Chocolate Lavender DonutsUS$15.00

Frozen Winter TorteUS$16.00

Kirsch & Tahitian Vanilla CustardUS$15.00

Spiced Pear CakeUS$16.00

COCKTAILS

HekaUS$17.00

LillithUS$18.00

HadarUS$18.00

RaphaellaUS$18.00

MarahUS$20.00

ShamirUS$19.00

AbaddonUS$20.00

NebuchadnezzarUS$20.00

ON TAP

1903 Lager, HalfUS$6.00

1903 Lager, FullUS$11.00

West Coast IPA, HalfUS$6.00

West Coast IPA, FullUS$11.00

Blackberry Ale, HalfUS$6.00

Blackberry Ale, FullUS$11.00

WINE

The wine list at Bavel changes daily.

Corkage

NON-ALCOHOLIC

SodaUS$4.00

SodaUS$4.00

Sumac Pomegranate LemonadeUS$6.00

Housemade Ginger BeerUS$6.00

Housemade Ginger AleUS$6.00

Housemade Lemon-Lime SodaUS$5.00

Iced TeaUS$6.00

Hot TeaUS$5.00

CoffeeUS$5.00

EspressoUS$5.00

EspressoUS$6.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs