Bavel Restaurant

Bavel, located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District, offers a fresh perspective on Middle Eastern cuisine. The Los Angeles Times named it 2019 Restaurant of the Year. The restaurant elevates bread to a central role, showcasing a variety of forms from freshly baked pita (although with a different thick texture), to classic sourdough and even a rendition of paratha. These breads, accompanied by an array of dips, are substantial enough to constitute a meal in themselves. The Duck Nduja hummus was a wonderful twist to the original recipe. A ring of silky, airy purée surrounding a big spoonful of chunkier, denser stuff; a green rivulet of olive oil; smears of spicy, smoky harissa and green puréed herbs. The dishes represent a bold explosion of robust flavors, often edging into spiciness. The slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma, a dish that may stretch the traditional definition of shawarma, is particularly noteworthy for its tenderness and is a must-try.