Bavel

"If you’re passionate about eating in Los Angeles, you’ve probably heard about Bavel, the Middle Eastern restaurant from the people behind Bestia. But this massive Arts District spot is more than just the latest place where you’re forced to eat at 5pm (even with a reservation). It’s home to truly fantastic food, including so many different types of bread, you’ll be forced to order all of them just so you can have a March Madness-style bread bracket. Between tough reservations and high prices, this isn’t exactly a casual dinner option. But it is one you’ll look forward to." - jess basser sanders, brant cox

"If you love Bavel as much as we do, you know that this upscale Middle Eastern spot in the Arts District is a little tricky to get into—particularly if you’re with a group. So just walk into the bar area where all the seats are first come, first serve and you can order from the dinner menu. That includes the lamb neck shawarma, decadent oxtail tagine, and our personal favorite, the flaky malawach with dill creme fraiche and strawberry zhoug. This is a particularly great option if you’re by yourself or with a coworker after a long day at the office. " - nikko duren, sylvio martins, brant cox

"Bavel is a broadly Middle Eastern spot in the Arts District from the same people who run Bestia, and if for some reason you thought that this younger sibling would be any less popular, then you probably don’t understand sibling dynamics. Between their idyllic outdoor patio shaded by a grove of trees, tables filled with duck ’nduja hummus, lamb neck shawarma, fresh pita, and the strong chance you’ll see someone sorta famous here, a meal at Bavel is one of the most consistently great dining experiences you can have in DTLA. " - brant cox, sylvio martins

"Bavel is the middle child restaurant from the people behind Bestia and Saffy’s, two very popular restaurants. Having such well-regarded siblings might seem like a tough gig, but Bavel is our favorite of the family. This upscale Middle Eastern restaurant in the Arts District is a model of consistency, serving deeply personal food that tastes incredible, with reliably great service and a stunning, blockbuster space that still buzzes with the same energy it did when it opened in 2018. The menu is packed with hits, but if it's your first time, prioritize the malawach platter, grilled prawns with tzatziki, and lamb neck shawarma." - brant cox, nikko duren, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

"Consider Bavel Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’s love letter to the flavors of the Levant. The gorgeous space is packed to the rafters nightly with diners happily sharing large platters of lamb neck shawarma and of course, duck ‘nduja hummus served with the fluffiest pita around. Start any meal here with a selection of spreads like farm cheese with za’atar or baba ghanoush before moving on to appetizers like the flaky malawach or the oyster mushroom kebab. It’s easy to fill up on the rich mains, but save room for a tart or labneh cheesecake for dessert." - Rebecca Roland, Cathy Chaplin, Eater Staff