Mediterranean Eats in LB
Mediterranean food is hearty and rich in culture. With Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslim individuals, in progress, those who are fasting are sure to find a suhoor, a meal before sunrise, or iftar, a meal before sunset, when dining at these restaurants. Those who simply wish to try Mediterranean food may also end up finding their new favorite foods at these locations.
Ammatoli
Ammatoli has a modern, calm interior. Photo courtesy of Ammatoli.
Located in the City Place Shopping Center, Ammatoli serves Levantine cuisine, which is traditional food reigning from the Levant, an area in the Middle East comprised of regions such as Jordan and Syria.
The colorful storefront matches the bright naturistic interior of the restaurant, which serves brunch to dinner. Notable dishes include their signature Ammatoli Moussaka, an eggplant and potato-based dish with zucchini, tomatoes and ground beef topped with parmesan cheese and bechamel sauce, as well as Chef Dima’s Shakshouka, a concoction of eggs poached into a tomato stew containing various seasonings such as garlic, peppers, onions and spices, served with sourdough bread.
With the menu on the pricier side ($20-50 for full meals), Ammatoli may be more suited for special occasions such as romantic dates.
285 E 3rd St, Long Beach CA 90802
Monday–Tuesday 11AM–7PM
Wednesday–Sunday 11AM–9PM
Open Sesame Grill
Open Sesame Grill specializes in Lebanese-based cuisines. Photo courtesy of Open Sesame Grill.
Open Sesame Grill is a Lebanese cuisine-based restaurant with two locations in Los Angeles County, one being in Long Beach near Belmont Shore.
Family-owned since 1999, Open Sesame Grill’s restaurant interior captures the essence of traditional Lebanese craftsmanship with artwork plastered on the walls. Part of the restaurant’s menu includes traditional, vegetarian Manoushe Lebanese-style pizza, with different options such as Yassmina, Zaatar and Open Sesame. Open Sesame style incorporates zaatar and onions, while Yassmina uses dry basil in its ingredients. Zaatar includes thyme, sesame seeds, mint, olives and sumac to create a unique taste that sets it apart from the Yassmina and Open Sesame styles.
5215 E 2nd St, Long Beach CA 90803
Sunday–Thursday 11:30AM–9:30PM
Friday and Saturday 11:30AM–10:30PM
Nile Cafe
Nile Cafe offers a variety of hookah to choose from. Photo courtesy of Nile Cafe.
Doubling as a hookah lounge, Nile Cafe is a restaurant that specializes in classic Mediterranean dishes like falafels and kabobs.
Even if patrons don’t smoke hookah, they are welcome to order from their menu and dine inside the restaurant. For those who do choose to partake, there are a variety of flavors to choose from, such as apple and coconut.
Nile Cafe is open until 4:00 AM every day of the week, so those who appreciate Long Beach’s night scene are sure to enjoy themselves here.
3753 E Anaheim St, Long Beach CA 90804
Monday–Sunday 3PM–4AM (next day)
Taboon Mediterranean
Photo courtesy of Taboon Mediterranean.
Taboon Mediterranean is a restaurant that owns three locations in the Los Angeles County area, with one in Los Alamitos and another near the Long Beach Airport.
Taboon Mediterranean serves traditional Mediterranean cuisines such as falafels and kebab wraps. They also serve a variety of traditional desserts such as a mix of Arabic cookies and baklava a’ la mode, a dessert made of filo pastry sheets and nuts topped with their homemade orange blossom syrup with a side of Ashta ice cream.
539 E Bixby Rd, Long Beach, CA 90807
Monday–Thursday 11AM–8PM
Friday–Saturday 11AM–9PM
Sunday 12PM–8PM