As a Fountain Valley local, there are a few things you should know how to do. You should be able to navigate the 405 freeway with confidence, for example, and you should also be capable of finding exceptional Mediterranean cuisine. If you need a little help with that, here’s a guide for you. It has everything from authentic falafel and shawarma to elegant mezze platters and wood-fired kebabs.
Angry Al’s
$ | (714) 274-9141 | WEBSITE
Angry Al’s in Fountain Valley serves some really excellent Mediterranean wraps, which are also the best healthy option—they’re made with organically sourced ingredients. The huge wraps are packed with fresh flavors, and fall somewhere between satisfying and indulgent, in terms of balance, and go nicely with a $9 beer (those are available with views of the pier). Get your wrap with the Avocado Bliss with chicken.
Barbonzai Lebanese Eatery | Costa Mesa | Halal Mediterranean Restaurant
$ | (657) 232-0747 | WEBSITE
Barbonzai Lebanese Eatery operates tucked away next to the restrooms in the food hall, which makes the small but impressive eatery perfect when you’re craving authentic Lebanese flavors and need to grab a quick, satisfying meal. Or, come for a generous takeout feast of chicken shawarma bowls and baklava with a few friends while everyone else is settling for ordinary fast food.
The Kebab Shop
$ | (714) 656-4458 | WEBSITE
There are only a handful of standout dishes at The Kebab Shop in Fountain Valley, and this focus works in your favor when you want to do minimal deciding after a long day of chasing deadlines with coffee refills. Your go-tos are: one of the area’s best grilled chicken wraps with that addictive green sauce, the generous Kebabivore plate with perfectly cooked beef and crispy fries, and those crave-worthy fries—and they’re available until late most nights.
The Kebab Shop has a welcoming atmosphere that makes it perfect for special occasions or casual meals—prices are slightly higher but worth every penny.
Tres Muchachos Seafood Grill
$$ | (949) 220-7811 | WEBSITE
At Tres Muchachos Seafood Grill, you’ll eat a bunch of tacos that taste like they’re equal parts authentic flavor and elevated presentation. That might sound fancy, but this record-spinning Mexican eatery in Fountain Valley serves exactly the kind of food you need for a memorable meal. Get some steak tacos with generous portions, an order of short ribs packed with flavor, and don’t skip the artichoke hummus.
It’s a small casual spot with a lively vibe and regular DJs—bring a few friends for the outdoor seating after dark for the full experience, and try not to get too lost in the wonderful wine selection.
Brother’s Juicery
$ | (714) 591-5558 | WEBSITE
Some neighborhoods are known for their healthy dining options. Others—looking at you, fast food corridors—are not. But it doesn’t matter all that much, because Brother’s Juicery exists. This juice bar is open during regular daytime hours, and they craft fresh juices made with manually juiced fruits and veggies. Options range from $5 to $9, and there’s a welcoming atmosphere across from Chuze Fitness.
You can grab a protein berry smoothie after your workout—if you’d like a healthy treat with your hummus—or just enjoy the friendly staff’s vibe while you wait for your customized drink.
Georgie’s Mediterranean Cuisine
$ | (714) 916-0026 | WEBSITE
If you—like us—dream of digging into perfectly spiced shawarma after a long day, head to Georgie’s Mediterranean Cuisine in Fountain Valley. It’s open until 10pm, seven days a week, and it’s where you should come for a generous, sit-down meal with a group who appreciates garlicky lebneh and vermicelli rice more than going out on the town.
Order as much as you can fit on your table, and then make plans to come back here at a more regular hour, when you are not already stuffed, so that you can truly do justice to that walnut baklava. They also have a lunch special: from 11am to 3pm, get a chicken shawarma plate with pita and hummus for $18.95.
Hummus Way
$ | (714) 342-3897 | WEBSITE
Like the best hidden gems, Hummus Way gets better after lunch hour. From the friendly owner and staff, this Fountain Valley spot has a short menu of fresh—not heavy—turmeric chicken schwarma, cilantro pesto chicken schwarma, and kabobs that you can add tumeric lemonade to. (Add it—your hungry self will either thank or savor you in the moment). Open with generous portions and vegetarian options, it’s a great alternative if the shiitake shawarma line is long.
LAZEEZ EATS
$ | (714) 603-7571 | WEBSITE
We’d order the Mediterranean Chicken Salad at this Fountain Valley gem any time, any day of the week. But we have a soft spot for the lunchtime visit, when you get the cucumber lime drink even though you certainly don’t need it, and remember, for the thousandth time, that this place is cash-only. (The ATM is next door, towards the dessert spots.) The restaurant is open every day until 10pm, except Sunday when it closes at 8pm.
A plate of hummus with warm pita has life-saving powers at this hour, especially followed by a refreshing raspberry mint drink. We don’t make the rules.
Ikaria Kitchen
$ | (949) 229-1728 | WEBSITE
Mediterranean food in Fountain Valley often means predictable gyro spots or assembly-line falafel joints—and those are fine for a basic lunch. But if you’ve been craving something genuinely satisfying and healthy after a long day, Ikaria Kitchen is your clear choice. It’s a hidden gem serving up Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, where the standout beef kabob plate runs about $16—and tastes incredible with their scratch-made rice and quality ingredients.
Order the tender chicken kebabs, a fresh salad, and enjoy a flavorful, wholesome meal that feels like a real treat—their fast delivery makes it easy anytime.
Vegan Stops
$ | (714) 561-0073 | WEBSITE
Vegan Stops is a Mediterranean vegan spot in Fountain Valley and it may not be your first choice for a sit-down dinner—but when you’re in south county and everything else feels heavy, this place suddenly feels like one of the best restaurants in Orange County. Grab a takeout container or a spot at the limited counter if you’re solo, and have some quick lentil and bowtie pasta, chickpea salad, or baba ghanoush.
The falafel wrap—with the ideal crispiness and a generous smear of tahini—is another solid choice. You can get one on a Friday at the Laguna Farmers Market, because that’s where this gem sets up shop.
The Black Trumpet Bistro Tapas & Wine Bar
$$$ | (714) 842-1122 | WEBSITE
The roasted cauliflower at this Huntington Beach spot is flavorful, tender, and very hard to stop eating. Their black truffle risotto is pretty great too. We’re not the only ones who think these things, so you’re going to have to deal with some crowds here. If you come at sunset, when the patio offers those views, expect a lot of happy people in a warm, lively, and packed space. The interior is even cozier, so don’t pin your hopes on that.
Just loosen your definition of personal space, and you’ll be fine.
Pita Pita
$ | (949) 592-0095 | WEBSITE
Pita Pita is a counter-service spot in a small Fountain Valley strip center, and it’s making better hummus, falafel, and chicken kabobs than what you’ll find at a lot of sit-down Mediterranean places. The kitchen stays open until 10pm daily, so we like to show up for lunch, dinner, or a quick healthy meal. If the gyro isn’t sold out, get it.
The flavorful gyro meat comes wrapped in a pillowy fresh pita with crispy fries and shirazi salad, and served in a paper basket usually reserved for takeout at a casual eatery.
Luna Grill Newland Center
$ | (714) 377-2000 | WEBSITE
You could go to some chain restaurant after that soccer practice. (We get it, you’re busy.) But you could also go to a shopping center in Fountain Valley, and order a Garlic Bonfire Shrimp. From the team behind the popular Mediterranean spot, Luna Grill is located inside Newland Center and stays open with ample parking and a kid-friendly environment. Most things on the menu cost around $12 or less and will be worth the next day’s satisfied cravings.
If you’re not into shrimp, there’s also a flavorful gyro pita, and a beef bistro plate with hints of garlic in the special sauce.
Pom & Olive
$ | (714) 754-1974 | WEBSITE
This Mediterranean spot in Fountain Valley is straightforward and welcoming, with simple wooden tables and a few family photos scattered about, but the food is crafted with genuine care—and served until 10pm every evening. We especially like the steak kabob and chicken kabob, as well as all the dips that are layered with vibrant flavors like garlic, lemon, or fresh herbs.
Al-Sultan Mediterranean Grill
$ | (714) 844-2093 | WEBSITE
This is Fountain Valley, which means you don’t have to settle for a mediocre Mediterranean meal—instead, you can get some of the best authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Al-Sultan Mediterranean Grill’s welcoming atmosphere and pleasant environment make you feel at home, and even if you’re tired and hungry, you’ll appreciate the moment they serve your generous portions with that authentic taste.
There are a lot of standout dishes here, so we recommend trying a few—something like the kabob plate, then also the chicken shawarma sandwich, or the beef sandwich. It’s a popular choice for those seeking flavorful and satisfying meals, in case that’s what you’re craving.
STUFFED-USA-egyptian pie
$$ | (714) 483-4657 | WEBSITE
One evening, we were trying to convince ourselves that another chain pizza place was exciting, and then we remembered we could just go to STUFFED-USA-egyptian pie instead. On weekdays, the Fountain Valley Egyptian pie spot is open until 10pm. But on Friday, they start serving at 11am, and don’t stop until 10pm on Sunday.
The dinner rush at STUFFED-USA-egyptian pie is still busy and filled with regulars, and you will need to decide quickly when the incredibly nice staff explains the different pie varieties, but once you make your choice, all the hot, crispy pies and garlic sauce you want are right at your fingertips. And after a long day, paying around $18 for a savory pie with that tomatoey spicy sauce feels like a perfect plan.
Pita Feast
$ | (714) 375-2082 | WEBSITE
Let’s be honest, there are plenty of reasons you might find yourself craving something substantial after a long day. You might question your judgment when you see Pita Feast and Pita Palace listed nearby in Fountain Valley, because they’re just a short drive apart. More regrettable choices have certainly been made.
But most evenings, Pita Feast stays open later, and instead of settling for ordinary fast food, you can indulge in a generous chicken shawarma plate, piled high with well-seasoned chicken and fresh accompaniments. They’re open until 10pm most nights, and their hearty Mediterranean fare should leave you thoroughly satisfied. The perfectly grilled kabobs and crispy falafels are worth the trip, even if it means a bit of a drive.
From the moment you walk in, the warm, inviting atmosphere with soft lighting and cozy seating makes for a relaxed experience. The staff is friendly and attentive, offering great recommendations like the spicy nutty hummus for an extra kick. While the rice and tabouli could use some improvement, the overall consistency and quality of the food—always fresh, clean, and flavorful—more than make up for it.
Don’t miss the chicken family meal with salad, hummus, and baba ghanouj if you’re feeding a crowd. In the end, Pita Feast delivers on its promise with excellent dishes, solid service, and a welcoming vibe that keeps you coming back.
Mangal
$ | (714) 829-4148 | WEBSITE
Yeah, but it’s too late now. Open until 10pm most nights, this modern spot in the packing house has clean, bright lighting, a simple counter setup, and friendly staff always ready with recommendations. They have several plates ($14 to $22) to choose from, which come with rice, pita, hummus, and salad. Our favorite is the one with both chicken shawarma and steak kabob. Add some perfectly seasoned falafel and their refreshing lime mint drink—we’d come here just for those two things.
Chicken Maisón
$ | (714) 754-5480 | WEBSITE
For chicken and kebabs that taste like they came straight from the Mediterranean, head to Chicken Maisón in Fountain Valley. This welcoming spot with its clean, recently remodeled atmosphere serves generous portions that work well for families, so there’s a good chance you’ll have leftovers to take home.
Try the baked chicken with fresh pita bread and Greek yogurt, or if you’re looking for something with enough flavor to give you the same satisfaction as finding a hidden gem, get the spicy garlic lemon 1/2 chicken served with maison rice.