Middle Eastern Restaurants near Pasadena, CA

“Ohhhhhhh so good. I think I met the owner behind the counter, making our lunch. He is making his Armenian grandmother (his tatik) proud. He loves his customers. This is both a catering kitchen and walk-up restaurant with a few tables.
Only three items on the restaurant menu. Got one of everything and split it. You can tell it’s all hand made. The dumplings are flavored perfectly, and maybe a bit of mint on top? On the herbaceous and acidic side, not sweet, but also richer and deeper than a meatball. Can get spicy or regular. Some of the dumplings have crunchy edges. Really unique and tasty. Need 100 more.
The cheesy layered bread was INCREDIBLE. Like. Fly across the country incredible. Flakey, salty, buttery. Melty. Chewy. Crisp. Perfect everywhere.
The salmon sandwich is generous and seasoned well, cooked well, and holds together well. Really really great and I want to go back already.“

“Would recommend this place. Especially the falafel, might be the best I've ever had! Very crispy on the outside with a soft and tasty filling. Big portions, we had enough to also bring home some of it for breakfast the day after. Liked the variety of all the different food such as feta, salad, humus, pita, lentil soup. Also very kind and genuine family who runs the place, thanks a lot!“

“Never had batter beef Showerma in usa thumbs up for ABU KABAB I highly recommend it you must try“

“We were invited to this restaurant. Food was average. I had better Persian food. It was on the blend side. They will spice it up of you tell them.
Service was not up to par. The lady who took our order was confused. Our host repeated it a couple of times. They also mentioned to serve everything on a family platter. However it can as an individual dish. The host was upset as they come here regularly and this was not what they expected for their guest. We assured they it is fine.
The kabob and kubbedieh were very soft and juicy. They also serve extra butter. Kids enjoyed the fried and burger. They said it was good.
They have a nice spot for salah. I wish it was bigger for more people to pray. Us ladies had to wait along time till the guys are done.
Restaurant is very old but clean and taken well care of.

Parking: You have to park on the street next to the restaurant. It is hard to find during peak hours.

Wheelchair accessibility: Easy access but hard to maneuver inside the restaurant.“

“Recently my nephew got married and on his reception taken place on universal city Hilton hotel and we found Mazze banquet from Pasadena for catering. The food was excellent the service was excellent everything was on time. We had 250 guests and everything went smoothly. Food quality was 10 out of 10. Service was 10 out of 10. So happy so happy. Definitely recommend.“

“The food was great!! and good company.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐😍😍😍😍😍 every meal is made fresh. Hands down a favorite“

“The lamb gyros are the best things ever. 😊“

“goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood“

“Always a good interaction when coming to Z Falafel. The cooks are such nice guys and always so helpful when I may ask about one of their many options on the menu. I always try to switch up my plate when I come here and not once have I had a disappointing meal from this location. Keep going hard!“

“Our first time and we will definitely go back!!“

“Great Lebanese taco joint. Vegetarian options. Generous portions. Very satisfying.“

“Great food! Excellent service! 😍“

“Great food fast and great service“

“From the moment I stepped in, I could tell this place was something special. The atmosphere was calm, clean, and welcoming — perfect for both casual meals and special occasions. The staff greeted us with warm smiles and made sure we felt comfortable right away, which really set the tone for the evening.

The food was exceptional. Every dish we tried was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You can really tell that high-quality ingredients and attention to detail are a priority here. The portions were generous, and everything came out at just the right temperature. One of the dishes stood out as a favorite — full of flavor and cooked to perfection.

The service was equally impressive. The staff was attentive without hovering, offering great recommendations and checking in just enough to make sure everything was perfect. It’s rare to find a place that gets both the food and service so right. I’ll definitely be coming back and recommending it to friends and family.“

“Everything was delish!! No doubts, all of it was fabulous!!“

“Best spot in downtown. Family owned business, great service literally made it feel like I was visiting a family member, eating a home cooked meal. Food was hands down the best Mediterranean food I've ever had, coming from an Armenian that eats this stuff at least twice a week. A must try Mediterranean spot in downtown LA.“

“The best service and the food always amazing! Tastes like its homemade and with so much love! Such nice people with the family vibes is my favorite part! Thank you for always providing at my events! Always my go to spot!“

“Hey...everybody I would like to encourage you to support our local business during this pandemic times.I DO highly recommend DONA MARTA'S KITCHEN RESTAURANT because she has that special SAZON which reminds me to my grandmother. There you can eat a variety of ANTOJITOS MEXICANOS....of course mine is ENCHILADAS ROJAS DE SALSA GUAJILLO....“

“A++++++++++++++++++++++++“

“Գլենդելում հայկական ուտեստների իրական համն ու հոտը վայելել հնարավոր է միայն հրաշալի ,,Մեր Երեւան ‘’ռեստորանում Highly recommended“

“Amazing food. Great family run business. It’s just like eating a home cooked meal every time. The family is one of the nicest you will meet. Been coming here for a lot of years and the food is consistently great. Also, they do catering for any sized parties.“

“Today, for the first time, I had the pleasure of tasting borsh (soup) and I have to say was the best soup I have ever tasted. It had enough spicy-tart ratio. I appreciate good food and this was absolutely perfect. Thank you!“

“The food es excelente!! My first time buying there, definitely worth it!!“

“Welcome To Massis Kabob The Original Out In Glendale, California! I am here with Eduard who Highly Recommended this place because of their Very Delicious Persian and Armenian Food that they Specialize In! For Lunch: We are having their Lamb Chops with French Fries which Tasted Very Delicious! I want to personally thank Eduard for taking the time out of his day to do an Interview with ME and participating in my Youtube Channel! I also want to personally thank Eduard for taking ME there as well back on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025. Sincerely yours, Howard Paul Shore Executive, Volunteer Tourism Promoter For Google Maps And Youtube Massis Kabob The Original Visitor And Customer /HPS PS: Please Subscribe To My Social Media Under: Youtube Channel: socialmediawriter Instagram: socialmediawriter Facebook: Howard Paul Shore Tiktok: socialmediawriterr #massiskabobtheoriginal #glendale #california #food #restaurant“

“Yes I haven't been here since the pandemic but I recommend it with all of my friends and family“

“Clean, fresh and flavorful food - Cornish hen kabob plate and tabouli salad- was quite a nice surprise and delightful experience nestled in the heart of the Garment district.“

“As a Persian American, I am so glad I found this place. It offers something I’ve been wishing for my whole life, modernized Persian food. Traditional is unbeatable, but I’ve always wondered what it would be like if people took those recipes and updated them. Azizam offers that. I came specially for the kuku sandwich and it was excellent, simple and very fresh. Same with the shallot yoghurt and Kipteh. We also tried the secanjaben spritz which if you like those flavors you will love. I really love this whole concept and would love to see more dishes! The ambience is friendly and warm. Highly recommend.“

“It’s the most place to hangout and enjoy caravans meal. Great food and excellent service Caravan restaurant is the best and awesome place“

“This is a hidden gem. The food is good, fresh and healthy. I don't often review but I always get the combo dinner plate here at least every two weeks. Their chicken and beef are tender and just the perfect blend, with the garlic, of course. I highly recommend. See you guys soon!“

“The “Fried Chicken Shawarma” sandwich was one of the best chicken sandwiches I have ever tasted. It delivered on flavor and the chicken was so crispy. The spicy tahini and charmoula add such great notes that distinguishes it from your ordinary chicken sandwich. This is not your ordinary chicken sandwich.. This one is special.!!!!
Kudos to Chris for your wonderful service and hospitality…“

“Asteria Restaurant in Glendale is a true hidden gem that delivers an unforgettable dining experience from the moment you walk in. The ambiance immediately sets the tone—warm, cozy, and authentically nostalgic. You're greeted by the sight of an old-school piano, vintage black-and-white photos lining the walls, and charming little chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It feels like stepping into a timeless Mediterranean home.

But the real star is the food. I ordered the **Chicken and Filet Mignon Beef Kabob Plate**, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. The filet mignon was melt-in-your-mouth tender, perfectly seasoned, and grilled to perfection. The chicken kabob was juicy, flavorful, and had that irresistible charred edge that makes every bite better than the last. Served with fluffy basmati rice, roasted vegetables, and warm pita, the plate was a masterclass in flavor and presentation.

Asteria’s menu is packed with mouthwatering options—from classic Mediterranean appetizers to hearty wraps and kabob combos. Each dish feels thoughtfully prepared and full of bold, satisfying flavors. Whether you're dining in for a special night or grabbing takeout, Asteria delivers on every level. This spot is the real deal—authentic, flavorful, and absolutely worth the visit.“

“Welcome To Massis Kabob The Original Out In Glendale, California! I am here with Eduard who Highly Recommended this place because of their Very Delicious Persian and Armenian Food that they Specialize In! For Lunch: We are having their Lamb Chops with French Fries which Tasted Very Delicious! I want to personally thank Eduard for taking the time out of his day to do an Interview with ME and participating in my Youtube Channel! I also want to personally thank Eduard for taking ME there as well back on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025. Sincerely yours, Howard Paul Shore Executive, Volunteer Tourism Promoter For Google Maps And Youtube Massis Kabob The Original Visitor And Customer /HPS PS: Please Subscribe To My Social Media Under: Youtube Channel: socialmediawriter Instagram: socialmediawriter Facebook: Howard Paul Shore Tiktok: socialmediawriterr #massiskabobtheoriginal #glendale #california #food #restaurant“

“What a great hidden place! I have been craving Mediterranean food for the longest and I found this great place . Along with the food that I found delicious the atmosphere hit the spot for me. My entire experience was simply pleasant from beginning to end. Thank you to the entire staff both front, kitchen and cleaning crew.
Sincerely,
Chicago“

“Delicious and beautiful food!“

“Great place, delicious food 😋. Worth the drive 👍“