Kismet

Walk into Kismet on a busy evening and you’ll immediately understand why this Los Feliz spot has become such a neighborhood staple since opening in 2017. The airy, blonde-wood dining room has a welcoming, unpretentious quality that puts everyone at ease. This is the kind of place where date night feels comfortable, catching up with friends flows naturally, and even solo diners can settle in at the bar without feeling out of place.

The menu leans heavily into vegetables and seasonal ingredients, showcasing the kitchen’s knack for making simple preparations taste extraordinary. Start with the cucumber and citrus salad—bright and refreshing with an unexpected whisper of rosewater in the labneh. The fried cauliflower arrives deeply bronzed and impossibly crispy, rescued from plainness by a tangy caper yogurt that brings the whole thing together. When lamb ribs are available, order them without hesitation—the charred edges and tart plum glaze offer something far more interesting than typical barbecue.

The absolute essential here is the Persian crispy rice. This golden dome of tahdig is all buttery richness, studded with sweet currants, and conceals a perfectly runny egg yolk at its center. Cracking through that crispy shell to discover the hidden yolk feels like a small celebration, and the flavors—nutty, toasty, gently sweet—are unforgettable.

Whether you’re looking for a light, vegetable-forward meal or something more substantial, Kismet delivers without fuss. It’s the rare restaurant that manages to feel both special occasion-worthy and perfect for a random Tuesday. The team behind it has since expanded with cookbooks and a casual rotisserie spinoff, but the original remains as excellent as ever.