Carmel on Melrose brings a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine served in a beautifully designed space that oozes style and warmth. The ambience is as inviting as the food is inventive--perfect for a memorable night out. Our meal started with their signature bread, mushroom cigars, okra salad, and beet salad. Each dish offered a unique spin on classic flavors. The okra salad, while delicious, seemed a bit sparse on the okra itself, but we still found ourselves savoring every bite. For mains, we chose the steak kebab and Jerusalem tortellini. The steak kebab was well-prepared and flavorful, though it felt like it could benefit from a side dish or other element to balance out the $51 price tag. The chocolate torte for dessert was rich and satisfying, albeit in a very modest triangular sliver, which felt a touch pricey at $18. Despite minor critiques, Carmel shines. Every dish left a great impression, and we're looking forward to returning to explore more of the menu.

I had high expectations because I have seen so many videos of the bread. The bread was good, but everything else we got was 10x better! The atmosphere is a modern mediterranean hut with a unique and personal bar that has seating that looks and feels comfortable. The food held up to the high standards as well. They started us free SHOTS! I'm pretty sure they are palette cleansers, but they were strong. Everything we got was delicious and unique from the bread to the mushroom cigar and the fig carpaccio and even the pastas. Yes, I dare say the pastas are some of the best in LA. The flavors worked beautiful together and the pasta was a little past al dente which is what I prefer. However, the star of the whole meal were the desserts! The chocolate mousse, kanefe filled with sweet cheese, and "biscuit cake" which is just tiramisu with only the best part the mascarpone. Each dessert had so much depth of flavor I even dipped the kanefe in the chocolate mousse which felt illegal. If skeptical about kanefe just imagine a rich butter crust, with sweet cream filling. After we devoured the desserts we debated ordering another round of ALL 3 it was that good! Our server was very informative and gave all the right recommendations to get on the menu. Im still thinking about this experience 3 weeks later and already planning to come back again with a bigger stomach.

Loved this new Israeli-inspired restaurant! While it's a bit pricey with smaller portions, that's typical of most upscale places these days. The fig carpaccio was delicious, and the tortellini was excellent, though not ideal for sharing since it only comes with five pieces. The kabob was perfectly seasoned, and a nice touch--they give free shots with a cocktail order! The knaffe was so good I ended up ordering a second. The ambiance is beautiful, and I'll definitely be back!

Oh every shareable plate was amazing Hamachi crudo The ceviche The wooden fire octopus Wasn't a big fan of hanger steak - it was too salty. The Fresna bread was cool. Shout out to Sebastian - our server! Who was warm and friendly And the highlight - knafeh dessert. Out of the world good.

My friend and I came on a random Wednesday evening and sat at the bar. It was very busy! Lively bar and kitchen. The bartenders were helpful with ordering the popular items. We both ordered "Berry of Galilee" which was similar to a Moscow mule with a strawberry taste. Really good! For food, we had the corn tortellini and the bread. The bread is yummy, soft and warm. I like the tahini sauce but I feel like hummus would've been a better duo. I thought the olives were going to be mixed into the tahini but they're in a separate cup. Didn't really go together with the bread. The corn tortellini is good but a small portion. Only 5 pieces. The sage butter sauce made it tasty and also doubled as a good dipping sauce for the bread. Overall, I like this place. I would revisit for the drinks. But if you're starving, I suggest ordering at least 3-4 items.

newly opened gem in town, offers a delightful Mediterranean dining experience. From the moment you step inside, the chic bar area catches your eye, setting the stage for an evening of sophisticated enjoyment. The cocktails are nothing short of exceptional, each one crafted with precision and flair. The culinary journey begins with their fresh bread and dips, a truly great start to the meal. Each bite is a perfect harmony of flavors and textures, a testament to their dedication to quality. A standout dish was the ceviche, which was surprisingly excellent, showcasing the chef's ability to elevate traditional Mediterranean ingredients with a modern twist. Carmel is versatile enough for both brunch and dinner, making it a go-to spot for any time of day. While the street parking is usually available, the overall experience is worth any minor inconvenience. Whether you're there for a casual brunch or a sophisticated dinner, Carmel promises a memorable dining experience.

Delicious food and amazing service, we'll definitely be back! We pretty much had dinner items for lunch (if that makes any sense - but we were told later on that all of the items we ordered were also on their dinner menu), and everything was delicious. We ordered the mushroom cigar, prawns (one of our faves - seasoned and grilled just right), hanger steak kebob (another fave - really tender steak on a bed of laffa which was so fluffy), snapper schnitzel (the cucumber dill salad it came with on the side was so fresh and crisp), and the knafeh (our first time ever trying this, and we were mindblown) for dessert. Service was amazing, thank you to our server who explained the menu so thoroughly and checked in on us frequently. Valet or street parking available.

Great Ambience! Drinks selection was very large and I choose a Mezcal drink which was delicious. The menu has a variety of foods and I am Sure everyone on your group will be delighted. Please try the fresh baked bread !!!! Soooooo good ! Tables are next to each other and not a lot of room between... FYI. They also offer valet. Totally recommend this place!