9 Hidden California Kebab Spots Every Traveler Should Visit

Hey fellow food explorers! I’ve been on a mission to uncover California’s most mouthwatering kebab treasures, and boy, have I struck gold! There’s something magical about perfectly grilled meat on a stick that speaks to my wandering soul. From beachside gems to mountain hideaways, these nine kebab havens will make your taste buds dance while showing you a side of California that tourist maps don’t reveal.

1. Lokl Haus Kitchen: Santa Monica’s Coastal Kebab Paradise

OMG, I stumbled upon this place after a brutal surfing session and nearly wept with joy! Tucked away just blocks from the beach, Lokl Haus Kitchen serves up kebabs that’ll make you question every other skewered meat you’ve ever eaten. The owner, Marco, marinates his lamb for a full 24 hours in a secret blend that he swears contains over 20 spices. I’ve tried bribing the recipe out of him three times now; no luck! The outdoor patio has this incredible view of palm trees swaying against the sunset, making your dining experience feel like a movie scene. My absolute must-try is their saffron rice with grilled veggies and their homemade garlic sauce that I’d honestly bathe in if socially acceptable. Pro tip: go on Thursdays when they have live acoustic music and the chef sometimes sends out free baklava if you compliment his mustache!

2. Parkway Kebab & Grill: Where Mountains Meet Mediterranean

You know those places you accidentally find when your GPS fails? Parkway Kebab is THAT place! Nestled between Calabasas and Moorpark, this family-run spot has been my secret weapon when impressing out-of-town friends who think California is just tacos and avocado toast. The restaurant sits at this gorgeous foothill location where you can watch hawks circling overhead while diving into the juiciest chicken shish I’ve ever encountered. Their mezze platter could feed a small army, but somehow my friend Jake and I always demolish it ourselves (no regrets!). What really sets Parkway apart is their wood-fired oven that gives everything this subtle smokiness that’s absolutely addictive. The grandmother who makes their lavash bread by hand won’t let anyone help her; I’ve watched her slap down dough with the speed and precision of someone half her age. Worth the drive, even in notorious LA traffic!

3. Dametra Cafe: Carmel’s Seaside Kebab Secret

Picture this: I’m strolling through quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea, admiring the fairytale cottages when the most heavenly aroma pulls me into Dametra like a cartoon character floating toward pie. This tiny Mediterranean jewel box has become my coastal road trip non-negotiable stop! The owners frequently burst into impromptu songs with traditional instruments, creating this magical atmosphere that feels like you’ve been transported to a Greek island. Their lamb kebabs are so tender they practically dissolve on your tongue, seasoned with herbs grown in the owner’s backyard garden. What makes this place extra special is how they’ve blended local California ingredients with traditional Mediterranean recipes. Think kebabs with Monterey Bay seafood or locally foraged mushrooms! Fair warning: the place is tiny and always packed, so I usually call ahead or prepare to enjoy a glass of wine while waiting. The sea breeze and charming street views make the wait part of the experience!

4. The Kebab Shop – Burbank: Hollywood’s Hidden Hangout

After a day of studio tours, I discovered this gem where film crews and local celebrities sneak away for authentic kebabs! The Kebab Shop in Burbank might sound like a chain (spoiler: it is), but this location has a personality all its own with movie memorabilia decorating the walls and industry gossip flowing as freely as their mint lemonade. Their döner wraps have saved me during many late-night editing sessions; the perfect blend of crispy-edged meat, tangy sauce, and fresh veggies all bundled up like a newborn baby. The manager, Sami, remembers every regular’s order and always throws in extra falafel when you look like you’re having a rough day. My favorite hack is ordering their “California wrap” which isn’t even on the menu; it’s a fusion masterpiece with avocado and chipotle sauce that’ll make your taste buds high-five each other. Parking can be a nightmare during lunch rush when all the studio folks descend, so I usually bike there or go during off-hours to avoid the crowds.

5. The Kebab Shop – El Segundo: Airport Adjacent Flavor Explosion

Confession time: I’ve actually missed flights on purpose to grab one more meal at this location! Strategically positioned near LAX, The Kebab Shop in El Segundo has become my pre-flight ritual and post-trip homecoming celebration rolled into one delicious package. Unlike most airport-adjacent eateries, this place doesn’t cut corners. Their beef kebab plate comes with these insanely addictive roasted potatoes that I’ve tried (and failed) to recreate at home about fifteen times now. The staff moves with incredible efficiency; perfect for when you’re watching the clock before a flight. What really won my heart is their patio with the improbable view of planes taking off against the sunset while you’re munching on Mediterranean goodness. I once sat next to a pilot who claimed he flies certain routes specifically to eat here during layovers! My insider tip: their hot sauce isn’t listed on the menu, but if you ask nicely, they’ll bring out the homemade stuff that will make your sinuses do a happy dance.

6. The Kebab Shop – San Diego: Beach Town Skewers

My surfboard and I have a standing date with these kebabs after riding waves in San Diego! With multiple locations across the city, I’ve tried EVERY SINGLE ONE (dedication to research, people!), and each has its own special vibe while maintaining kebab consistency that deserves a standing ovation. The La Jolla location wins my heart with its sunset views, but the North Park spot has this amazing mural wall that makes for killer Instagram backdrops. Their chicken shawarma wrap has this perfect balance of garlic sauce and pickled veggies that haunts my dreams when I’m traveling elsewhere. Fun fact: I once met the founder who told me they bake their pita bread fresh every two hours; that’s commitment! My secret menu hack is asking for “crispy edges” on your shawarma meat, which gets you the best caramelized bits from the rotisserie. After dozens of visits, I’ve converted at least seven friends who previously claimed they “didn’t like Mediterranean food” into kebab enthusiasts. My legacy will be measured in shawarma converts!

7. The Kebab Shop – Orange County: Suburban Skewer Sanctuary

Who would’ve thought the land of fancy malls and planned communities would hide some of California’s most authentic kebabs? The Orange County locations of The Kebab Shop (I’ve hit them ALL) are where I take my foodie friends to shatter their OC stereotypes! The Irvine spot near UCI is constantly packed with students debating philosophy over falafel, while the Mission Viejo location has this gorgeous fountain view that elevates the whole dining experience. Their lamb kofte has this perfect char that triggers involuntary food moans; embarrassing but worth it! What I love most is how they’ve adapted to OC culture with these incredible kebab salad bowls that satisfy both the flavor-seekers and the fitness crowd. The manager at the Irvine location once showed me how they make their tzatziki from scratch each morning; I watched in awe as if witnessing some sacred ritual. My recommended order: the mixed grill plate with extra sumac onions and a side of their crispy falafel that somehow stays fluffy inside. Pure magic!

8. Panini Kabob Grill – Woodland Hills: Valley’s Mediterranean Treasure

Valley folks, rejoice! I’ve found our kebab paradise hiding in plain sight at the Woodland Hills Panini Kabob Grill. After a sweaty hike in Topanga Canyon, this place has revived my will to live more times than I can count with their heavenly skewers and refreshing mint lemonade. The outdoor patio feels like you’ve been transported to some Mediterranean villa, complete with climbing vines and twinkling lights at night. Their filet mignon kebabs (yes, FILET MIGNON) are so tender you barely need teeth, and they’re served over this saffron rice that I would happily eat by the bucketful. My favorite Valley secret is their weekend breakfast menu featuring a Mediterranean twist on avocado toast with za’atar and feta that will ruin regular avocado toast for you forever. The family that runs this place treats regulars like relatives; I once mentioned a birthday and returned a week later to find they’d remembered and brought out baklava with a candle! Valley life has its perks, and this kebab sanctuary tops the list.

9. Panini Kabob Grill – Riverside: Inland Empire’s Flavor Oasis

Road-tripping through the Inland Empire led me to this unexpected kebab haven that made me pull a U-turn when I spotted it! Panini Kabob Grill in Riverside has become my desert oasis when I’m traveling between LA and Palm Springs, saving me from sad gas station snacks with their Mediterranean masterpieces. The restaurant has this gorgeous stone façade and inside feels like a modern take on an old-world eatery. Their chicken kebab plate comes with these grilled vegetables that taste like they were picked that morning, and their hummus is so creamy it should be classified as a luxury product. What makes this location special is how they’ve incorporated local citrus into their marinades; a nod to Riverside’s agricultural heritage that adds this bright, zesty kick to everything. The manager told me they source from farms within 50 miles whenever possible. My desert travel tip: their kabob wraps travel exceptionally well for picnics at nearby Lake Perris, and they’ll pack extra sauce on the side if you ask with a smile and mention you’re taking it to go!