Barbonzai Lebanese Eatery | Costa Mesa | Halal Mediterranean Restaurant

Food was delicious and generous. The fry oil had to heat up and took a while so they gave us complimentary hibiscus drinks. Falafel were amazing

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Was pretty amped for takeout from here but ultimately this was a bit of a letdown for this cuisine.

Grabbed the chicken pita and steak platter, neither of which really was very interesting or well-flavored. The steak itself was particularly disappointing, as it really wasn't seasoned at all and felt like just some ground meat that was grilled. The dips were fine but couldn't make up for the rest of the meal.

Food: 3

Delicious

Steak Wrap with Zaatar Fries -this was absolutely incredible! The marinated sliced steak strips were so tender and flavorful - they really nailed that shawarma style preparation. The pita bread was soft and fresh, perfect for holding all the amazing fillings. I loved how they loaded it up with tomatoes, pickles, onions, and parsley - everything tasted so fresh and added great texture. But the real star was their tahini sauce - it was creamy, rich, and tied everything together perfectly. The zaatar fries were also amazing! They had this incredible herby flavor from the zaatar seasoning and were perfectly crispy. Such a unique twist on regular fries.

Chicken Platter - this was so good! The shawarma style chicken breast was incredibly tender and perfectly seasoned. I loved how it was served on a bed of fluffy rice that absorbed all those amazing flavors. The salad was super fresh and crisp, and the hummus was so creamy and smooth - definitely homemade quality. The pita bread was warm and soft, perfect for scooping up the hummus. This platter had everything you could want and the portions were really generous.

Lentil Soup - this soup was so comforting and delicious! You could tell it was freshly made with red lentils, carrots, and potatoes. It had this amazing hearty texture that wasn't too thick or too thin. The flavors were perfectly balanced and it was seasoned so well. Definitely the perfect soup for any day, not just cold ones! It was warming and satisfying.

Baklava- the perfect ending to this meal! The pastry was so flaky and buttery with layers upon layers of phyllo dough. The nuts inside were perfectly chopped and the honey syrup was sweet but not overwhelming. Each bite was crispy and sweet with that amazing nutty flavor. You could taste how fresh it was - definitely made in-house.

This Lebanese restaurant really impressed me with their authentic flavors and quality ingredients. Everything tasted homemade and fresh, and the portions were incredibly generous. The service was also fantastic and you can tell they really care about the food they're serving. Definitely coming back to try more of their menu!

Instagram: @hungrytamale

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Barbonzai is a hidden gem for flavorful Lebanese food in Costa Mesa. The menu offers a great variety of options, and everything we tried was fresh, tasty, and clearly made with care. On top of that, the prices are very fair for the quality and portion sizes definitely a good value.

The only downside is the location it’s tucked next to the restrooms in the food hall, which isn’t the most ideal setting. Seating is also quite limited, so it’s not the most comfortable spot for dining in.

That said, it’s an excellent option for takeout, and the food more than makes up for the setting. If you’re in the area and craving authentic Lebanese flavors, Barbonzai is well worth a visit!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 4

What a gem this place is! Barbonzai truly feels like a hidden treasure, everything tastes just like homemade. The food is absolutely delicious, and they put a lot of care into both the flavor and the presentation. The service is awesome, super friendly and welcoming.

I highly recommend trying the lentil soup, the chicken bowl, and the steak platter. I love this place and can’t wait to come back. Definitely a favorite!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food, kind staff, small business vibes with great steak!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

The taste was really good but it’s a small place, just 4 tables

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Delicious and great portions! High quality food. We had the steak and chicken shawarma wraps with fries!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Shawarma, Chicken Pita, Steak Pita

Portion sizes are disappointing, at a big price for a lebanese chicken pita wrap ($15)
The chicken is flavorful but definitely is not traditional thigh shawarma. The garlic sauce is nice. There are like 3 oz of chicken in the sandwich. I felt like I needed two sandwiches to be satisfied.
It tasted good bu

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chicken Pita

This place bit the spot.

Rice 10/10
Tabbouleh 9/10
Chicken 8/10
Bread 1/10
Babaghanoush 6/10

Next time I’d ask for less salt, but definitely coming back!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Platter, Tabbouleh Salad

Wanted a quick lunch that was not fast food. New item on the menu…tacos. So many fresh vegetables on the taco: lettuce, tomato, radish, and onion. Don’t forget their garlic sauce. Baklavah for dessert. Highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Try the falafel tacos— new favorite food! And the service was super friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We live very close to Barbonzai and this is by far the best Mediterranean place in our area. Our favorites are the chicken platter and falafel bowl but everything we’ve ordered has always been made fresh, fast, and delicious. The owners are wonderful and it’s great to support a local restaurant like them!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Spontaneously decided to eat here after shopping and was not prepared to be so impressed with how flavorful and tasty my chicken pita was going to be! Service was friendly and warm. Awesome experience

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5