Saffron Mediterranean Grill

Just stared coming here best food I had in a while and very healthy thanks so much for the delicious food sorry to see it go

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

What a GEM! Tucked away in a small alcove of other restaurants and retail stores on Pine St in Downtown. Two-hour free public parking just a short walk away (entrance on 4th St just east of Pine and others also nearby).

Between Mexican and Mediterranean, I sometimes have a hard time deciding which is my preferred, but on this occasion, Mediterranean won, and it was a BIG winner!

Saffron Mediterranean is primarily intended as a take-out restaurant. There is one table inside that can seat 6, and a few tables outside that can seat about 12 or so. To-go food is packed in high quality reusable/microwaveable containers, dine-in is served unpretentiously on heavyweight disposable platters with disposable utensils. I don't really care what the food is served on . . . I am not offended in the least by disposables in a location like this.

I chose a double skewer meal -- one lamb, one chicken -- and at
about $28, it was not over priced -- dinner for three with tax was just over $90. All of the menu items are modestly priced. You are given a choice of white or brown rice, and two additional sides -- I chose dolma and tabbouleh (I prefer a bit more bulgur and finer chopped parsley when I make my own tabbouleh, but this was still an excellen choice). One skewer has four large pieces of meat . . . close to or a little more than about 10 ounces each. Plates also came with a small portion of a garlic yogurt sauce and a spicy sauce -- the garlic sauce was my favorite. Also served with the meal was a nice crisp and flavorful focaccia. Based on other reviews I read, I also ordered the watermelon salad to-go -- it's a genuine winner! Lots of fresh seedless watermelon chunks, a couple of ounces of cubed feta, and mint with fresh pomegranate juice. The BOMB!

What makes Saffron Mediterranean unique is the chef-owner, Kaya. He had a few minutes to spend with us, shared his story, and explained that his seasoning is his own blend of more than 20 herbs and spices, including lavender and fennel, which combine to make probably the best kabob blend I have ever tasted. Kaya was kind enough to share a few tablespoons with me, and I was able to nearly duplicate the experience with 3 pounds of chicken breast cubed and grilled over a flame broiler a week later.

There is definitely a reason why this restaurant has a near 5-star rating. If you're coming to Downtown Long Beach for a day at the Aquarium, the Convention Center, a meeting, or whatever else, a short walk north on Pine St from Ocean Bl will lead you to one of the best Mediterranean restaurants I have ever been to . . . and I've been to dozens of different ones. Saffron Mediterranean is, hands down, the best so far. We will definitely make the 40-mile drive to Long Beach just to eat here again.

Vegetarian options: Vegetarian skewers, 8 or 9 different hummus blends, vegetarian sides. All excellent.

Parking: There are a number of public parking garages around downtown. Parking is reasonably priced, but the first two hours are free. If you're coming just for a meal, you won't pay for parking. Lots have electronic signs showing the number of vacant spaces, but there are no lights inside the lots to show the vacancies like you see in some other parking garages.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place was 10/10! We were just walking around looking for a nice place to eat and saw the name Saffron and caught our attention so we decided to step in. The food was incredible, we ordered lamb shish kabob plate and it was delicious! The amount of food you get is a lot for a good price. Also, both chef and front desk lady were very friendly at all times. We are from Florida, but when I come back I’ll def eat here again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had a fantastic takeout experience at Saffron Mediterranean Grill. In a friendly conversation, the chef mentioned he had worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy, and the flavors truly reflected that expertise. I ordered the salmon dish with green goddess hummus, tabbouleh, zucchini fritters, eggplant, and pistachio baklava for dessert including a beverage—all incredibly delicious and under $40.

Both the chef and the other staff member were warm and personable, making the experience even more enjoyable. Great service, excellent food—I’ll definitely be back! Highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I was recommended by friends and decided to pick up something for my dinner. When I got home I couldn't wait to eat it. (It's only 2:30) It smelled so good. It is a huge thumbs up for me ...the grilled salmon was cooked to perfection and the sides were equally delicious and generous serving. I got the potato salad and garlic hummus....both bomb. So glad I went. Ask for the coupon for 1st timers. $2. off next time I go :)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Grilled Wild Caught Salmon

Great location, great owner, great ambiance, but most importantly excellent out of this world food!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The grilled octopus salad fresh and delicious. It was exactly what I was looking for - something healthy but flavorful. The toasted garlic bread was a nice surprise too!

Food: 5

Lovely spot for lunch. Good food, great service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was great, generous portions

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Was hesitant to try this place as the previous tenants were not very good. This place is relatively new and they clearly put a lot of thought and care into their product. The chicken kebab and veggies were fresh and cooked to order, deliciously marinated and juicy. Definitely give this place a try if you want some casual mediterranean food in DTLB.

Saffron has the best Mediterranean food I had in Long Beach. Food is freshly made, and everything I tried on the menu is very delicious. You cannot go wrong from freshly handmade pasta with seafood to beef kebab and appetizers. Baklava with Turkish coffee hit the right spot each time. Highly recommend it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had a great dinner at Saffron! The food was delicious and the staff were extremely friendly. Highly recommend. Good portion sizes and fair prices.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food, impeccable service. Will eat here again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best meditarranean restaurant in downtown Long Beach for sure ,this place is new and already getting popular in the area

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything is delicious, I tried beef kebap it was delicious, 100% satisfying

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5