Kismet

I have been to Kismet twice now, and both times had a fantastic experience. Friendly service, simple yet beautiful decor, and the food is just amazing. I tried the tomato and peach salad, tahini spread, roasted carrot, eggplant with grapes and cucumber, the bread, the avocado and puffed rice salad... everything was original, flavorful and light. A great vegan option!

Came here on a Tuesday afternoon with no reservation and a group of 5. I didn’t know much before coming here but I was hungry and had just done Soulcycle, so food was at the top of my priority list. Food: We got the Turkish breakfast to start and while joy all of the little dishes were up to my tastes, the bread was delicious and I liked the spinach and dates! I absolutely loved the flakey bread and broccoli toast that I got, though the broccoli toast was a bit much in terms of size and I was definitely stuffed. Service: Food comes relatively quickly and at the same time when you’re in a larger group! Ambiance: This place has a nice two color scheme and is really casual. Overall, really enjoyed the food and the cleanliness and would come again for more flakey bread!

Food so flavorful ! Came here for dinner and they've still got outdoor tables dining. No inside yet but you can go inside to use the bathroom. Definitely get the Fried Cauliflower with yogurt appetizer , it was surprising ! I didn't expect so much flavor, that was great - also you won't need salt or pepper. Salt and pepper shrimp appetizer was also amazing and packed with flavor, but it's messy! They give you hand wipes. Get the Berberi Bread , 2 big pieces in an order. Get a side of tahini and some hot Schoug condiment on the side for that bread. But skip the labneh, you won't need it. Cod main was nice and the sweet corn that came with it was delicious but I can do without the turnips. The malawach bread is ok but the Berberi Bread is bigger and better. They have beer or wine but no cocktail. I got rosewater lemonade. Everything was good. Price is nice.

+3

I loved this place. Everything was so well done. The persimmon and cucumber dish was absolutely delightful. But the dish I loved the most was the flakey bread (malawach), tomato and soft boiled eggs, that was sooo good. I also really like the orange wine they had on the menu that day.

+1

Probably our favorite restaurant in LA, it always strikes the right balance of excellent food and service and a total lack of pretention. So many dishes on the menu are classics for us, but the chicken pine nut pies are one of the best things ever. The breads are also always perfection, I wish they had a take-home bakery. Kismet has always been consistent for us, which is why it's tops on our list.

Amazingly tasty food (and some of the smelling dishes we have had all year)! Our favorites were the Persian crispy rice with the egg yolk inside, the roasted maitake mushroom and the incredible spiced carrots. We had an early meal due to having a show at the Greek, and the staff were very accommodating. Our dishes came out lickety split! We had a total of four small dishes, but we're surprisingly full with leftovers to spare.

I’ve been coming to Kismet since it first opened, and it’s still one of my favorite spots in LA. The food is always fresh, seasonal, and so thoughtful — you can taste the care in every dish. On my last visit, the jeweled rice, stone fruit with lemon balm and turmeric vinaigrette, and crispy cauliflower were all standouts (and don’t skip the flaky bread with spreads!). It feels like a true neighborhood staple, and a place that keeps California cooking exciting year after year.

Had a fabulous meal at Kismet! The interior is minimalist, but the flavours are maximalist. We ordered an assortment of dishes. The steak, chicken, and rice were the clear standouts in my opinion. I literally could not stop eating that chicken… I would order that sauce as a drink if I could. The pickle plate was very yummy, but I was a bit underwhelmed by the whipped feta dip. I thought it could’ve used a bit more flavour or saltiness. I grew up eating Mediterranean food, so I might be very biased in that regard! Overall, the food was very fresh, and vibrant. My one complaint is that the pickle plate and the dip seemed overpriced and underwhelming for what they were. I want to commend our server who notified us that the eggplant dish, which he said was gluten free, was unfortunately cooked in a manner that particular evening that made it unsafe to eat as a celiac. He promptly removed it from our bill without even being requested to do so, and allowed my non-celiac friend to take it home for himself for later. It’s reassuring that he took my allergy seriously! In general, I really enjoyed my dining experience at Kismet. It’s a wonderful restaurant, that is sure to please fans of Mediterranean cuisine!

Everything was great here. From the atmosphere, the food, the service. Food was so flavorful. My favorite was the crispy potatoes. The only downside is the parking. If you have to park around the block, don’t walk alone, as the area is very sketchy. Stick to the main street.

Easily the best food I had in years. Small boutique restaurant but fabulous dishes, service was exceptionally friendly with the owners personally attending to each guest. Book early for a reservation, be on time, there is a no show fee. But it is worth it as they wantvserious diners. I appreciate the class. My favorite dish was the braised chicken and creamy pastries. The menu is mainly Mediterranean with modifications done by the chef. You can buy their recipe book at the restaurant. We have been trying a crew dishes and are very happy.

I am not sure it is good to review Kismet after dining there during their special steakhouse month. I figure if it is good doing a steakhouse menu, it would be good when serving its normal menu The restaurant is bright and light-filled, so it feels good right at the start. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable, and that makes it great also We started with cocktails. They offer low alcohol version of classics, and both of the ones we tried were very good. I had the vesper, and it was very herbal and nice. We had both soups. The tomato bisque was delicious, but the French onion soup was perfect! Rich with caramelized onion and cheese. This is one of the best versions I have had in a while! Also classic but excellent was the Caesar salad, served as big whole leaves. It was very fresh and nice. I shared a hamburger and fries , and it was a great burger! The fries were nice and crispy. The flat iron steak was yummy, and the bearnaise sauce with it was spot on. Our vegetarian loved the roasted squash entree as well! We tried both the baked Alaska and the cheesecake, and they were both excellent versions of those classic desserts. Overall the food was delicious, the service impeccable, and the atmosphere was calm and bright. I think you only have a week left of Steakhouse!, so don't wait! I will go back to try their regular menu for sure!

I’ve been coming to LA for work a lot recently and popped in here twice on back-to-back trips. It’s a must stop. The flaky bread is too delicious for its own good. Trout and chicken skewers are show stoppers. Ambiance, service, etc. it’s all great. Would be a regular if I lived here.

Delicious!!! I like how one other reviewer put it, “the food is lovely and pricey.” An accurate description! (Especially the little Gems Salad being $17 when it’s just leaves and pistachios). Presentation is pretty!! Walked here with my cousin and the area is not the safest but we made it. Sat at bar seating and it was perfect! The food took FOREVER and the waiter kept checking in with us and apologizing saying the rice usually takes a long time (next time, I would call ahead and order it. It was like they started making the rice once we ordered). The waiter was so nice that he even brought us out complimentary salad (the pricey little gems one). The restaurant has nice ambiance and the soap in the bathroom is fancy with exfoliating ingredients! The Fried Cauliflower was brought out first and it tasted SO good!! The caper yogurt complimented it well and I usually don’t like capers (he was thoughtful and put it to the side). The chicken skewers were amazing with radish and a cilantro avocado sauce (sooo good and tasty)!!! We also got the Persian Crispy Rice and it was buttery goodness!!!! I would say worth the wait but when you are hangry, nothing is worth the wait! It was delicious though! Lastly, we ordered the Dark Chocolate Semifreddo for dessert and it was good!!! Had like an ice cream texture because the plate was frosty. Overall, come here expecting to pay $$$.

I came here with a party of four (made a reso a week prior), and ordered 7 dishes. Came to around $50+ per person. If you come with those expectations, you’re golden. Everything about this place is great. Lovely ambience. Attentive servers. And the food itself I would give 8/10. Great, but not spectacularly memorable. Fun date spot!

I was finally able to check off Kismet after months of passing by it after work. The food was delectable and distinctive, and the service was great. The tahdig/persian crispy rice and the roasted maitake mushrooms were our favorites of the night. My boyfriend and I thought that some dishes could tone down on the acidity (like the Moroccan-Spiced Carrots). Overall, it was a solid dinner, and we would certainly be back to try the other offerings and the dessert menu.

Incredible experience at Kismet. Everything was on point from the service to the ambiance. Here is a breakdown of the food we ordered: Cucumbers- this is a great dish to start the meal. It is super light and refreshing, loved the zatar seasoning. Lemony chicken pies- these pies are puff pastry stuffed with lemony chicken and pine nuts, super delicious! Carrots- the carrots were super smoky with Moroccan spices. The sweetness of the carrots paired nicely with the spice, incredible dish! Chile Chicken Skewers- the chicken was very moist and flavorful. Each order comes with 2 skewers, I could’ve definitely had more! Persian Crispy Rice- this was my dish of the night. I’ve never had anything like it. The rice was buttery and had good texture with the crisped rice on the top. The rice was topped with currants and pumpkin seeds, a must have! Overall, loved my time here. I can definitely see why it is a Michelin bib gourmand rated restaurant!

Food was very delicious here, and the staff was very kind and accommodating. We had a large group of people so we went with a pre-fixe menu and it was great! We had a few with dietary restrictions and they were able to accomodate for this as well.

This is friend’s favorite restaurant and I can see why! Food was delicious and our server was so helpful and gave several suggestions for our meal. Plates are meant to be shared and everything felt very light. I especially loved the flaky bread and lamb meatballs

Brock Lewis

Incredible experience at Kismet. Everything was on point from the service to the ambiance. Here is a breakdown of the food we ordered: Cucumbers- this is a great dish to start the meal. It is super light and refreshing, loved the zatar seasoning. Lemony chicken pies- these pies are puff pastry stuffed with lemony chicken and pine nuts, super delicious! Carrots- the carrots were super smoky with Moroccan spices. The sweetness of the carrots paired nicely with the spice, incredible dish! Chile Chicken Skewers- the chicken was very moist and flavorful. Each order comes with 2 skewers, I could’ve definitely had more! Persian Crispy Rice- this was my dish of the night. I’ve never had anything like it. The rice was buttery and had good texture with the crisped rice on the top. The rice was topped with currants and pumpkin seeds, a must have! Overall, loved my time here. I can definitely see why it is a Michelin bib gourmand rated restaurant!

Rebekah Channell

Food was very delicious here, and the staff was very kind and accommodating. We had a large group of people so we went with a pre-fixe menu and it was great! We had a few with dietary restrictions and they were able to accomodate for this as well.

Xin Huang

This is friend’s favorite restaurant and I can see why! Food was delicious and our server was so helpful and gave several suggestions for our meal. Plates are meant to be shared and everything felt very light. I especially loved the flaky bread and lamb meatballs

Chris Benning

I loved this place. Everything was so well done. The persimmon and cucumber dish was absolutely delightful. But the dish I loved the most was the flakey bread (malawach), tomato and soft boiled eggs, that was sooo good. I also really like the orange wine they had on the menu that day.

shimmeringpath

Food so flavorful ! Came here for dinner and they've still got outdoor tables dining. No inside yet but you can go inside to use the bathroom. Definitely get the Fried Cauliflower with yogurt appetizer , it was surprising ! I didn't expect so much flavor, that was great - also you won't need salt or pepper. Salt and pepper shrimp appetizer was also amazing and packed with flavor, but it's messy! They give you hand wipes. Get the Berberi Bread , 2 big pieces in an order. Get a side of tahini and some hot Schoug condiment on the side for that bread. But skip the labneh, you won't need it. Cod main was nice and the sweet corn that came with it was delicious but I can do without the turnips. The malawach bread is ok but the Berberi Bread is bigger and better. They have beer or wine but no cocktail. I got rosewater lemonade. Everything was good. Price is nice.

Sarah Freia

Had a fabulous meal at Kismet! The interior is minimalist, but the flavours are maximalist. We ordered an assortment of dishes. The steak, chicken, and rice were the clear standouts in my opinion. I literally could not stop eating that chicken… I would order that sauce as a drink if I could. The pickle plate was very yummy, but I was a bit underwhelmed by the whipped feta dip. I thought it could’ve used a bit more flavour or saltiness. I grew up eating Mediterranean food, so I might be very biased in that regard! Overall, the food was very fresh, and vibrant. My one complaint is that the pickle plate and the dip seemed overpriced and underwhelming for what they were. I want to commend our server who notified us that the eggplant dish, which he said was gluten free, was unfortunately cooked in a manner that particular evening that made it unsafe to eat as a celiac. He promptly removed it from our bill without even being requested to do so, and allowed my non-celiac friend to take it home for himself for later. It’s reassuring that he took my allergy seriously! In general, I really enjoyed my dining experience at Kismet. It’s a wonderful restaurant, that is sure to please fans of Mediterranean cuisine!

Amy Vu

Everything was great here. From the atmosphere, the food, the service. Food was so flavorful. My favorite was the crispy potatoes. The only downside is the parking. If you have to park around the block, don’t walk alone, as the area is very sketchy. Stick to the main street.

dr murlidhar Rajagopalan

Easily the best food I had in years. Small boutique restaurant but fabulous dishes, service was exceptionally friendly with the owners personally attending to each guest. Book early for a reservation, be on time, there is a no show fee. But it is worth it as they wantvserious diners. I appreciate the class. My favorite dish was the braised chicken and creamy pastries. The menu is mainly Mediterranean with modifications done by the chef. You can buy their recipe book at the restaurant. We have been trying a crew dishes and are very happy.

Linda McLoon

I am not sure it is good to review Kismet after dining there during their special steakhouse month. I figure if it is good doing a steakhouse menu, it would be good when serving its normal menu The restaurant is bright and light-filled, so it feels good right at the start. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable, and that makes it great also We started with cocktails. They offer low alcohol version of classics, and both of the ones we tried were very good. I had the vesper, and it was very herbal and nice. We had both soups. The tomato bisque was delicious, but the French onion soup was perfect! Rich with caramelized onion and cheese. This is one of the best versions I have had in a while! Also classic but excellent was the Caesar salad, served as big whole leaves. It was very fresh and nice. I shared a hamburger and fries , and it was a great burger! The fries were nice and crispy. The flat iron steak was yummy, and the bearnaise sauce with it was spot on. Our vegetarian loved the roasted squash entree as well! We tried both the baked Alaska and the cheesecake, and they were both excellent versions of those classic desserts. Overall the food was delicious, the service impeccable, and the atmosphere was calm and bright. I think you only have a week left of Steakhouse!, so don't wait! I will go back to try their regular menu for sure!

Adam Vitcavage

I’ve been coming to LA for work a lot recently and popped in here twice on back-to-back trips. It’s a must stop. The flaky bread is too delicious for its own good. Trout and chicken skewers are show stoppers. Ambiance, service, etc. it’s all great. Would be a regular if I lived here.

Jessica You

Delicious!!! I like how one other reviewer put it, “the food is lovely and pricey.” An accurate description! (Especially the little Gems Salad being $17 when it’s just leaves and pistachios). Presentation is pretty!! Walked here with my cousin and the area is not the safest but we made it. Sat at bar seating and it was perfect! The food took FOREVER and the waiter kept checking in with us and apologizing saying the rice usually takes a long time (next time, I would call ahead and order it. It was like they started making the rice once we ordered). The waiter was so nice that he even brought us out complimentary salad (the pricey little gems one). The restaurant has nice ambiance and the soap in the bathroom is fancy with exfoliating ingredients! The Fried Cauliflower was brought out first and it tasted SO good!! The caper yogurt complimented it well and I usually don’t like capers (he was thoughtful and put it to the side). The chicken skewers were amazing with radish and a cilantro avocado sauce (sooo good and tasty)!!! We also got the Persian Crispy Rice and it was buttery goodness!!!! I would say worth the wait but when you are hangry, nothing is worth the wait! It was delicious though! Lastly, we ordered the Dark Chocolate Semifreddo for dessert and it was good!!! Had like an ice cream texture because the plate was frosty. Overall, come here expecting to pay $$$.

Paul You

I came here with a party of four (made a reso a week prior), and ordered 7 dishes. Came to around $50+ per person. If you come with those expectations, you’re golden. Everything about this place is great. Lovely ambience. Attentive servers. And the food itself I would give 8/10. Great, but not spectacularly memorable. Fun date spot!

Rizza

I was finally able to check off Kismet after months of passing by it after work. The food was delectable and distinctive, and the service was great. The tahdig/persian crispy rice and the roasted maitake mushrooms were our favorites of the night. My boyfriend and I thought that some dishes could tone down on the acidity (like the Moroccan-Spiced Carrots). Overall, it was a solid dinner, and we would certainly be back to try the other offerings and the dessert menu.

One of my favorite restaurants of all time. I go here for special occasions and always have a wonderful time. Shout out to James the sous chef (and old friend) for coming up with a dessert on the fly that I could eat!

Delicious food, cozy interior, and super friendly staff. The tadhig and fried cauliflower were some of the tastiest dishes I’ve had in a while. The portions were generous for being so carefully crafted.

I’m an Uber Eats driver and accidentally went to the wrong location today. The staff member (a very kind girl with long hair) was incredibly patient and gentle in guiding me to the correct store instead of blaming me. Her kindness really made my day. I hope to come back with my family as a customer soon!

Wow! What a beautiful restaurant and unbelievably delicious food. We really enjoyed everything we ordered. I'm still thinking about the flaky bread and feta dip. Our server, Mia, was wonderful, too. I can't wait to return. Please open one in Venice Beach!!

Mia Schachter

One of my favorite restaurants of all time. I go here for special occasions and always have a wonderful time. Shout out to James the sous chef (and old friend) for coming up with a dessert on the fly that I could eat!

Sarah Wilkinson

Wow! What a beautiful restaurant and unbelievably delicious food. We really enjoyed everything we ordered. I'm still thinking about the flaky bread and feta dip. Our server, Mia, was wonderful, too. I can't wait to return. Please open one in Venice Beach!!

Rigo Guillen

I’ve been coming to Kismet since it first opened, and it’s still one of my favorite spots in LA. The food is always fresh, seasonal, and so thoughtful — you can taste the care in every dish. On my last visit, the jeweled rice, stone fruit with lemon balm and turmeric vinaigrette, and crispy cauliflower were all standouts (and don’t skip the flaky bread with spreads!). It feels like a true neighborhood staple, and a place that keeps California cooking exciting year after year.

Nice vibes and friendly staff, original take on Mediterranean cuisine. Loved the carrots and their wine. Rather on the pricey side overall.

Very good experience. Staff are super nice. A bit expensive for the dishes. Also they like mixing up sweet with salty stuff and I think that sometimes it doesn't work.

We had a wonderful dinner full of flavors! The plates that can look and be very simple were nicely elevated with Mid-orient spices. Although, we didn’t find the cucumbers very exciting.

Hosts are always really cold and not welcoming, but the waiters are very nice. And food is always fantastic. The rice is incredible, but the chicken skewers were mid.

Excellent Mediterranean food with a twist. The chopped eggplant is almost as good as mine. My recipe was from my Romanian mother-in-law who brought her wooden chopping bowl when they escaped to America before the war. I'm taking one star off for the price, but it is Hollywood after all. I walked to Kismet from Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, where I was working for two weeks.

This place blew me away! I had little to no expectations. Upon seeing the menu on yelp I quickly noticed that the menu was small and very little options in the area of protien. Furthermore when we got there we were given the "snack menu" (3pm-5pm) which only contained about 9 items. So right of the bat I was turned off.... not to mention its a total hipster place.... although I did love the music select... an assortment of 80s music. I was totally singing along. Already not thinking much I begrudgingly ordered the chicken and pine nut pies $12, the chicken and arugula salad $15, and the flaky bread with tomato and spice $14. The salad was beautiful and spring like. The chicken was pulled apart... the arugula perfectly bitter in a vinaigrette like dressing with a wonderfully delicate spice. The chicken pies had a nice citrus lemon flavor under a hummus like puree. The flakey bread was the best! Omg! The bread had a hidden middle layer of cheese that was so delicious. They tomato and spice with labneh was so amazing! Fresh tomato flavor... so refreshing. Each dish was perfectly cooked with clean flavors. I was so taken aback by how good everything was. I will definitely be coming. The only draw back is the automatic service charge of 20%to each check. The service you receive totally is underserved of that charge. They basically just take your order drop off the food and then never check yup on you. I guess you can get away with service like that when your including that ridiculous charge. Regardless the service wasn't so bad that it diminished the wonderful food experience.

+1

I’m so happy this restaurant exists we need more veggie forward flavorful dishes in LA! The food was so good ! Ambiente is nice but really cold. And we could not have a conversation because every 2 mins someone came to ask if we wanted to order more. I understand you need to reach a certain limit on tables . And we tried to put more food in but the dishes we wanted to add one were sold out at 8pm .

Chicken leg had a great sauce. The cardamom dessert was excellent. The olives were tart and flavorful. The atmosphere is excellent for a 2 person dinner. One person (possibly the chef) was extremely pleasant in helping us order additional items towards the end of the meal.

This spot has become my favorite Mediterranean spot in all of Los Angeles. Kismet is a delightful fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, crafted with a contemporary twist. Be prepared to savor every bite. The attention to detail is extremely high, evident in the meticulous presentation and the creative pairing of the ingredients used. The roasted cauliflower achieves a caramelized exterior and the accompanying tahini sauce adds a creamy richness. The combination of ingredients in the cucumbers with cherries, labneh and za'atar may seem unconventional, but what sets this dish apart is the balance. The lemony chicken dish is elegantly plated and all encased in a flaky pastry crust. The little gems and spicy pickles rounded out the smaller dishes with both ofcourse executed flawlessly. Moving onto the mains, the carrots and crispy rice are the standout dishes. The carrots are roasted to excellence and the rice is served with a crispy layer on the top and bottom, a nice contrast to the fluffy and aromatic beautiful golden hue rice scattered with saffron. The one dish I would stay away from is the chicken skewers as they just weren't very good. Lastly, if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth their semifreddo and cheesecake desserts are whimsical and fantastic. Along with the exceptional cuisine is the impeccable service. Everyone there works to create an atmosphere that makes you feel like a welcomed guest in their own home. Whether you're a foodie or simply looking to indulge you will be counting down the days until you return because you most certainly will.

Made reservations for this restaurant and had a pretty good time! Service was friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is Middle Eastern influenced with a lot of flavorful and good uses of tart elements (vinegar, pickling, yogurts). The vibe is nice and great for a date in the Los Feliz area. My favorite dishes were the Persian Crispy Rice and the Rabbit for Two. The flavors from the crispy rice were fantastic and cooked extremely well. The crunch was amazing! The Rabbit for Two had rabbit cooked three different ways and was really delicious! Great to share and a bit adventurous. We also got the Whey-Brined Beets, Fried Cauliflower, and Lamb Meatballs. Great complements to the meal overall too. For dessert, we tried both the Cultured Ricotta Cheesecake and Milk Chocolate Tart. Between the two, the Cheesecake was the most unique. Very different with the Passion Fruit Caramel that packed a good tart punch. The Tart was really good too, but more classic! Overall, had a great experience and enjoyed it!

Great food, overwhelmingly heavy on the oil. I'd almost recommend as place for HALF a meal - pregame with a salad. Service and atmosphere are great. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and make great recommendations. Further they're happy to make small modifications to make a few items vegan. Again, the food is delicious but it's like drinking a cup of olive oil. The sweet potato salad with crisp rice is fantastic - a great mix of flavors and textures that are perfectly cooked. The barbari bread is crisp and Rich and delicious, and pairs well with the tahini and eggplant dip (again, see olive oil comment). I've attached photos of the broccoli toast and of the (finished) lamb. This should give a sense for the overwhelming quantity of olive oil in the dish - this is what's LEFT OVER.

Sky Thai

Made reservations for this restaurant and had a pretty good time! Service was friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is Middle Eastern influenced with a lot of flavorful and good uses of tart elements (vinegar, pickling, yogurts). The vibe is nice and great for a date in the Los Feliz area. My favorite dishes were the Persian Crispy Rice and the Rabbit for Two. The flavors from the crispy rice were fantastic and cooked extremely well. The crunch was amazing! The Rabbit for Two had rabbit cooked three different ways and was really delicious! Great to share and a bit adventurous. We also got the Whey-Brined Beets, Fried Cauliflower, and Lamb Meatballs. Great complements to the meal overall too. For dessert, we tried both the Cultured Ricotta Cheesecake and Milk Chocolate Tart. Between the two, the Cheesecake was the most unique. Very different with the Passion Fruit Caramel that packed a good tart punch. The Tart was really good too, but more classic! Overall, had a great experience and enjoyed it!

Andrew Dugowson

Great food, overwhelmingly heavy on the oil. I'd almost recommend as place for HALF a meal - pregame with a salad. Service and atmosphere are great. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and make great recommendations. Further they're happy to make small modifications to make a few items vegan. Again, the food is delicious but it's like drinking a cup of olive oil. The sweet potato salad with crisp rice is fantastic - a great mix of flavors and textures that are perfectly cooked. The barbari bread is crisp and Rich and delicious, and pairs well with the tahini and eggplant dip (again, see olive oil comment). I've attached photos of the broccoli toast and of the (finished) lamb. This should give a sense for the overwhelming quantity of olive oil in the dish - this is what's LEFT OVER.

yousef

This spot has become my favorite Mediterranean spot in all of Los Angeles. Kismet is a delightful fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, crafted with a contemporary twist. Be prepared to savor every bite. The attention to detail is extremely high, evident in the meticulous presentation and the creative pairing of the ingredients used. The roasted cauliflower achieves a caramelized exterior and the accompanying tahini sauce adds a creamy richness. The combination of ingredients in the cucumbers with cherries, labneh and za'atar may seem unconventional, but what sets this dish apart is the balance. The lemony chicken dish is elegantly plated and all encased in a flaky pastry crust. The little gems and spicy pickles rounded out the smaller dishes with both ofcourse executed flawlessly. Moving onto the mains, the carrots and crispy rice are the standout dishes. The carrots are roasted to excellence and the rice is served with a crispy layer on the top and bottom, a nice contrast to the fluffy and aromatic beautiful golden hue rice scattered with saffron. The one dish I would stay away from is the chicken skewers as they just weren't very good. Lastly, if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth their semifreddo and cheesecake desserts are whimsical and fantastic. Along with the exceptional cuisine is the impeccable service. Everyone there works to create an atmosphere that makes you feel like a welcomed guest in their own home. Whether you're a foodie or simply looking to indulge you will be counting down the days until you return because you most certainly will.

Honestly, super overrated and overpriced. Yes food was delicious, and our server was friendly, but they really skimped on the portions and ingredients. $22 for two tiny chicken skewers? $22 for “seared squid” but the squid pieces are smaller than the garnish cilantro pieces?! There was more potato in that dish than anything else. The flaky bread was yummy but it was too buttery that it felt so greasy and oily. Carrots felt a little undercooked and I’ve definitely had better at other rival middle eastern restaurants. Also, if a glass of wine is $17, I expect it to be served in a wine glass… not some cheap, stackable goblet. And then the added 4% charge for health insurance. High prices, but honestly felt like a cheap restaurant just trying to be “showy”. Sad.

anne

Honestly, super overrated and overpriced. Yes food was delicious, and our server was friendly, but they really skimped on the portions and ingredients. $22 for two tiny chicken skewers? $22 for “seared squid” but the squid pieces are smaller than the garnish cilantro pieces?! There was more potato in that dish than anything else. The flaky bread was yummy but it was too buttery that it felt so greasy and oily. Carrots felt a little undercooked and I’ve definitely had better at other rival middle eastern restaurants. Also, if a glass of wine is $17, I expect it to be served in a wine glass… not some cheap, stackable goblet. And then the added 4% charge for health insurance. High prices, but honestly felt like a cheap restaurant just trying to be “showy”. Sad.

Restaurant is nicely designed. It has a good atmosphere. Unfortunately that's where the positives end. Food was just ok. Prices are quite high for the portion size. Service was unapologetically very slow. We were a party of 2, sat promptly for our 6:45pm reservation on a Friday night. Restaurant was 2/3 full. We ordered right away, but somehow the table next to us, which sat down 15 minutes after us, got 7 dishes before we even got our third 🤷‍♂️ 4% charge added to the bill, but "this is not a tip or gratuity". We just moved to the neighborhood and were excited about this place. Unfortunately we won't be back.

The staff here is very rude. I had reservations and came in to the restaurant and no one was up front. I waited for a few minutes and still no one acknowledged that we were there. I made my way to the back of the restaurant and politely asked where do we check in. The person gave me an annoyed look and said “We’ll be right with you”. So I went back to the front and waited another 5 minutes before someone came to seat us. It’s now been 10 minutes past our reservation time. The waitress came once to get our orders and never saw her again. My date and I were finished eating for about 30 minutes and still was not given a check so I had to get up and ask staff for the check. The food was decent. Very overpriced for what you get. The fried cauliflower was delicious, but the Persian crispy rice was almost inedible. A nauseating amount of butter was used for it or something because it tasted like licking a stick of butter.

Interesting food, nice staff, but high prices, small portions, service charges, and predatory tipping. I mean $18 for half a cup of beans or $26 for 2 chicken skewers followed by a 4% service charge and 20%+ tipping request. The chicken was salty budget meat. For that price, I expected it would have been more than a few ounces of thigh. It may have made more sense if the decor was nice but we sat in uncomfortable tiny budget chairs and saw unwelcome invertebrates and vertebrates making their rounds. I didn't even bother with the overpriced drink menu. I enjoyed the food but the whole experience was disappointing. I came in liking the visual identity of the spot and would have entertained buying a cookbook, but its more icing than cake.

We have loved coming to Kismet since they opened, and were excited for the steakhouse concept. Ribeye was under-seasoned, and not worth the price. Good service as usual. Great brussels sprouts. However, if a cockroach crawls across the table and I catch it in my napkin and bring it quietly to a manager, more than an app and a salad should be comped IMHO.

Sadly very disappointed. Was visiting from the East Coast, and had read a lot about Kismet so was excited to try. My friend and I got take-out and I went all out since I was on vacation and everything sounded great. It was so oily, and not flavorful. The flakey bread reminded me of a sponge- I wanted to wring it out and get the excess oil out. The crispy rice was similarly oily and not flavorful. The greens were overcooked. I actually made myself a peanut butter sandwich and didn't eat most of the food. Makes me appreciate Oleana in Boston and other authentic middle eastern spots.

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, I went with my husband to dinner at this restaurant. We had a reservation and it was our anniversary. We decided to choose a restaurant from the Michelin list, as I have tried many times others around the world, I must say that this was the worst experience of my life. Upon arrival, they don't say hello or good night, they ask you if you have a reservation and take you to your table. Between the starters and the main course, it took 40 minutes (red flag, we couldn't finish anything, everything tasted weird). Not only that, I had to retire with my husband, both intoxicated by the food/drink (we don't drink alcohol). The food is nothing special, the terrible attention and on top of that you leave with an FOOD POISONING. The funniest thing? THE OWNERS OF A RESTAURANT RECOGNIZED BY MICHELIN, MAKE CUSTOMERS PAY AN EXTRA AMOUNT OF 4 DOLLARS ON THEIR TICKET BECAUSE THE OWNERS DO NOT PAY HEALTH INSURANCE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES. WHO PAYS MY HOSPITAL BILL FOR 3 days ???? One thing is bad attention, another thing is to leave the place with a food poisoning, that speaks of the low supervision in the processes, the poor quality of inputs, food, water, etc. IT'S A DANGER TO GO TO EAT AT THIS PLACE!!! SPEND A 3-day NIGHTMARE RECOVERING !!!! RIDICULOUS! DEDICATE YOURSELF TO SOMETHING ELSE. RATAAAASSSS!!!