A World Cup Eats list

Middle Eastern and North African food in LA, country by country

The deepest bench on the World Cup Eats map. Three filmed stops for Iran, Morocco and Egypt, and Jordan, plus six more picked for Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Egypt and Türkiye.

Curated by Drew Nagda. Updated September 30, 2026.

1. 01

   🇮🇷 Iran Filmed

   Raffi's Place

   Persian · Glendale

   Order Koobideh kabob, joojeh kabob, and tahdig (crispy saffron rice).

   Iran, episode 1. Koobideh kabob, joojeh kabob and tahdig at Glendale's Persian institution.

2. 02

   🇲🇦 Morocco and 🇪🇬 Egypt · 🇶🇦 Qatar Filmed

   Bavel

   Middle Eastern · Arts District

   Order Six off the Bavel menu: hummus, lamb neck shawarma, duck 'nduja pita, slow-roasted lamb, wood-grilled octopus, and foie gras halva.

   Morocco and Egypt in one sitting, and the pick for Qatar too. Hummus, lamb neck shawarma, duck 'nduja pita, slow roasted lamb, wood grilled octopus, foie gras halva.

3. 03

   🇯🇴 Jordan Filmed

   Levant

   Restaurant · Hollywood

   Order Sambousek, hummus, and beef kabob.

   Jordan, episode 18. Sambousek, hummus and beef kabob on Hollywood Blvd.

4. 04

   🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Up next

   Saffy's

   Persian / Middle Eastern · Hollywood · $$$

   Order Lamb neck shawarma, hummus with lamb ragu, fresh pita.

   Up next for Saudi Arabia. Lamb neck shawarma, hummus with lamb ragu and fresh pita. Drew's note: one of the top 10 restaurants in LA.

5. 05

   🇹🇳 Tunisia Up next

   Tagine

   Moroccan / North African · Beverly Hills

   Up next for Tunisia. Moroccan and North African cooking in Beverly Hills, the closest LA analog.

6. 06

   🇩🇿 Algeria Up next

   Babouch

   Moroccan / North African · Larchmont

   Up next for Algeria. North African on Larchmont.

7. 07

   🇮🇶 Iraq Up next

   Carnival Restaurant

   Lebanese / Middle Eastern · Sherman Oaks

   Up next for Iraq. Lebanese and Middle Eastern in Sherman Oaks.

8. 08

   🇪🇬 Egypt Up next

   Open Sesame

   Middle Eastern (Lebanese) · Long Beach

   Up next for Egypt's own episode. Lebanese on 2nd Street in Long Beach.

9. 09

   🇹🇷 Türkiye Up next

   Marmara Restaurant

   Turkish · Westwood

   Up next for Türkiye. Turkish in Westwood, an authentic LA spot.