Carousel Restaurant Glendale

"You haven’t even gotten to your inner circle yet, and your birthday invite list is already 10 people deep. Sounds like it’s going to be a Carousel birthday this year. This iconic Armenian restaurant in Glendale is set up more like a wedding reception than a restaurant, with tables packed in uniform rows and a menu specifically designed to feed large groups of people. Go for the “Carousel Feast,” a $46-per-person set menu that comes with nearly 20 different meze plates, plus entrees like chicken kebabs and kafta. And who knows, you might spot a belly dancer or two." - brant cox

"The East Hollywood location of this beloved Lebanese-Armenian restaurant might technically be older, but it's the Carousel in Glendale that functions as the social center of its neighborhood—and arguably Southern California's Armenian community at large. The gigantic, belly dancer-filled dining hall is a party almost every night, and the massive kebab platters, assorted meze, and shawarma can feed groups of any size. Even if you're not coming to celebrate something, expect to end up clapping along while a server delivers candle-topped baklava to a stranger. Fatayer, kibbeh, fattoush salad, soujuk flambé, ossmanlieh" - brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

"At Carousel, too much is exactly the right amount. Groups of ten rightly pack tables with more crisp-edged mantee than they can keep track of, sparklers go off mid-dinner, and an electronic version of “Happy Birthday” blasts from the speakers every 30 minutes or so. This LA institution has been packed with parties for generations. So even if you're not coming to the Middle Eastern/Armenian restaurant in Glendale to celebrate something, you’ll end up clapping along while a server delivers pistachio knefe cake or baklava to a stranger. Gather a group of people who don't take themselves too seriously and prioritize the mezze and dips. There are better places to eat platters of skewered and rotisserie meat in the area, but when you're scooping mutabbal onto warm pita as a belly dancer twirls past your table, it'll be hard to imagine a meal more festive. Food Rundown photo credit: Cathy Park Mutabbal (Baba Gannuj) This smoky, slightly sweet dip should be an easy yes. Get it for the table so you can slather it on everything. photo credit: Cathy Park Fatayer (Cheese Boreg) When you break into these little cheese-filled pastries, they'll unleash a center of molten cheese that puts the average mozzarella stick to shame. This will be the dish that disappears from the table fastest. photo credit: Cathy Park Mantee Carousel’s plump, boat-shaped dumplings stay surprisingly crispy for being smothered in a garlicky yogurt sauce. Fattoush Salad Like a splash of cold water to the face, this is a good reset between bites of the heavier stuff. It’s the kind of side you’ll appreciate more as the meal goes on. photo credit: Cathy Park Yogurt Kebab The lula kebab itself is dry, but the yogurt sauce does its best to cover for it. photo credit: Cathy Park Chicken Shawarma A heap of shawarma that’s too salty to be eaten alone. Get the rice as a side. photo credit: Cathy Park Ossmanlieh The best part of this dessert is the textural contrast between the crunchy, shredded phyllo and the creamy filling in the middle. Even if you're full, you'll want to keep picking at it." - Cathy Park

"Greg and Rose Tcholakian opened the original Carousel in a Hollywood strip mall in 1984, serving kebabs, vegetarian specialties, and traditional dishes. In 1998, the couple’s son opened the swankier Glendale outlet, which allowed for an expanded Lebanese menu and weekend live entertainment with a vibrant ambiance." - Rebecca Roland, Matthew Kang

"Carousel Restaurant will be donating $10,000 to the Armenia Fund to aid humanitarian relief efforts in Artsakh. The Lebanese-Armenian restaurant has locations in Hollywood and Glendale, place an order for takeout or delivery through their website." - kat hong