From perfectly crispy falafel to tableside Bloody Marys, Laya’s new Middle Eastern–inspired Sunday brunch is exactly what Hollywood didn’t know it was craving. Set in a vibey, transportive space that feels straight out of a Dubai or Beirut hotspot, Laya serves up a Sunday brunch escape… with a generous mouthful of garlic.
Laya’s New Middle Eastern-Meets-California Sunday Brunch
Lebanese-born Chef Charbel Hayek, winner of Top Chef Middle East & North Africa Season 5: Saudi Arabia, brings his culinary roots, family traditions and deep respect for the land to every dish.
Brunch kicks off with a vibrant mezze spread featuring traditional staples for the table, served with a California twist. “A lot of the dishes at Laya come from that background,” Hayek shares via email. “Like the Manouche, Tabbouleh, homemade Labneh, Shawarma, Foul Moudamas—all those bold flavors, fresh herbs and warm spices I grew up with.”
Many ingredients are sourced hyper-locally from the Hollywood Farmers’ Market, where Chef Hayek selects fresh, seasonal produce to infuse regional flair into every bite.
“Every dish has that balance—traditional at heart, but with a modern, creative twist,” he writes. “For instance, our Frosé and Tableside Bloody Mary aren’t just trendy add-ons—we gave them a lot more personality. Laya is ‘East meets West,’ on the plate and in your glass.”
Guests can choose from an inspired menu of Middle Eastern delights like Shakshouka, the aleppo-spiced Laya Benedict, Chicken Shawarma and even an Australian Wagyu Burger. There’s something for every palate, without compromising on the restaurant’s clear culinary vision.
Don’t skip the house-made breads—especially the Za’atar Manouche, made with 48-hour fermented dough and topped with za’atar, tomato, cucumber and mint. And whatever you do, save room for dessert: the rose soft serve with pistachio and cotton candy is a must-try.
Of course, brunch isn’t just about the food; it’s about the vibe. And Laya delivers in spades. “Laya is a beautiful hidden oasis in the center of Hollywood,” writes Eric James, Partner at Laya. “As we envisioned Laya being a true escape in the heart of Los Angeles, we partnered with Studio Mood Design to bring our vision to life,” he continues.
“The moment guests step through the doors, they feel like they have left the city behind and arrived on the Mediterranean coast. With the use of architecture infused with a modern touch, earth tones and natural textures, we feel we’ve captured the raw elegance of the Mediterranean.”
With a DJ spinning funky beats in the background, a Frosé in one hand and a traditional Lebanese coffee in the other, Hollywood Sunday brunch just got the Arabic love it didn’t know it needed. Yallah!
Laya is open for Sunday brunch 11 AM to 5:30 PM.