Elevated Middle Eastern cuisine where tradition meets modern artistry in the heart of DTLA.
Enjoy a curated menu of shared plates blending traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques in an elegant setting.
Ideal for celebrations, date nights, or gatherings with accommodating service and a vibrant atmosphere for special occasions.
Savor expertly crafted cocktails and a selection of wines, with server recommendations for perfect food pairings.
Experience standout items like lamb neck shawarma, oyster mushroom kebabs, and wagyu beef cheek tagine, using high-quality ingredients.
Convenient valet service available to enhance your dining experience with hassle-free parking in DTLA.
One of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny. Their dishes range from at least 30 to $40-$50. The eggplant tempura was absolutely insane. The atmosphere is wonderful you could sit at the bar if you don’t have a reservation. The lamb was intense. Can’t wait to come back.
HOLY SHIT - you need to eat here. Bavel is 10,000% worth the hype and I’m still thinking about this meal weeks later. Everything was heavenly, the service was next level, and they were incredibly accommodating with my food intolerances (which instantly earns major points). We ordered the plate of veggies (obvious yes) and they gave us SO much, baba ghanoush (my friends could not stop talking about how good it was), and the oyster mushroom kebab - WOWWW. I genuinely don’t understand how they pulled off that level of flavor and texture. It was rich, smoky, perfectly cooked, and honestly one of the best mushroom dishes I’ve ever had. That doesn’t even compare to the Grilled Prawns which the harissa marinade was absolutely mind blowing! And then… the slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma. Life-changing. Mandatory order. It literally falls apart, so juicy, so deeply flavorful - I’m not exaggerating when I say everyone needs to try this at least once in their life. We shared a bottle of red wine (Fuentes del Silencio) that our server recommended, and that suggestion hit so hard. Perfect pairing, no notes. From the food to the wine to the service to the atmosphere and aesthetic (which is absolutely stunning), this place delivers on every level. If you’re debating going, stop debating and book the reservation. Bavel absolutely lives up to the hype and then some!
Bavel came highly recommended by a friend, so six of us gathered for a Friday-night feast. The menu is built for sharing, which made it easy - and dangerous! - to sample a little of everything. We ordered a wide spread of food (see photos): hummus mashaushe, grilled dates, butter lettuce salad, trout crudo, roasted sprouting cauliflower, oyster mushroom kebab, sweet potato flatbread, fried quail, wagyu beef cheek tagine, spiced pear cake, nougat ice cream bar, and chocolate lavender donuts. A couple bottles of red wine rounded things out. The food across the board was excellent, but the standout - the dish I’ll remember for a long time - was the wagyu beef cheek tagine. It was impossibly tender, the kind of dish you don’t even chew; it just melts. What also impressed me was the service. With so many shared plates constantly rotating in and out, table management really matters. The servers were on it - clearing empty dishes promptly, refreshing our small plates multiple times, and somehow keeping the table from ever feeling crowded. If you’ve ever been to a place where food keeps coming but nothing gets cleared, you’ll appreciate how well Bavel handles this. The one downside: it’s loud. The vibe is great and energetic but hearing the conversation at our table was sometimes challenging—more like a busy bar than a sit-down dinner. Will I be back? Absolutely. Just waiting for my next invitation.
Food: 4.5/5 Service: 4.6/5 Value: 4.3/5 Bavel was really strongly recommended for date nights/celebrations, and it didn’t disappoint. I think the food was phenomenal but the only reason I gave it a lower score is that the majority of the food didn’t blow me away like I would expect for the price. However, that does not mean that the food wasn’t good! My only other con was that the tables were extremely close together and we felt like we had minimal privacy Hummus Mashaushe: Yummy but preferred the baba ghanoush for a dip with pita bread. Baba Ghanoush: highlight of the dips! Would strongly recommend as a starter Sweet Potato Flatbread: the surprise of the evening. The sweet potato was nicely contrasted with all the other savory toppings. The thin pita bread made it seem different than all the pita we had with the hummus and baba ghanoush even though it was the same. Oyster Mushroom Kebab: So tender and pairs really nicely with the puree on the bottom Grilled Prawns: Another huge highlights. The prawns were huge and succulent, definitely worth the money here! Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma: The lamb was incredibly tender and the sumac onions were a great addition to break up with dense meat. A great entree to share! Baked Alaska: A delicious cap to our night! The raspberry sherbet was nice and tart, allowing the toasted meringue to really shine.
Bavel is one of my favorite restaurants in LA for upscale Middle Eastern food. Their sister spot, Bestia, is always busy, but I think Bavel is more unique. The menu is tapas-style, so everything is meant to be shared. I’ve been twice this year and both visits were great. Some standout dishes were the hummus duck ’nduja with blistered pita, chicken liver paté, and the oyster mushroom kebab, which was so flavorful it didn’t even taste like mushrooms. The grilled prawns were loaded with flavor, the wagyu beef cheek tagine was tender and rich, and the lamb neck shawarma was perfect for making your own wraps. The restaurant itself is beautiful with a warm, modern vibe, and the service is always on point. Street parking is free if you can find it, but valet is available if you’d rather not deal with it. If you love Middle Eastern flavors or just want a memorable dining experience in LA, Bavel is definitely worth checking out.
Bavel is a celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Los Angeles, offering an upscale take on Middle Eastern flavors with a focus on shared plates. Helmed by acclaimed chefs, it combines traditional techniques with innovative twists in a vibrant, modern setting. Perfect for date nights, celebrations, or culinary adventures, Bavel features standout dishes like slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma, oyster mushroom kebabs, and wagyu beef cheek tagine, all crafted with premium ingredients. With exceptional service and a warm, energetic atmosphere, it delivers a memorable dining experience that has earned rave reviews and a loyal following.
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