Layla Mediterranean Grill And Mezze — Restaurant in Holladay

Do NOT come here with small children. I wish they had just turned us away at the door.

To be clear, we don't expect kid menus or chicken nuggets. Since our kid has had teeth she's eaten everything we eat- spicy, sour, savoury, etc. This place is just rude to parents and kids.

My husband, 2 year old, and myself came here at 5:30pm. We came early on a Friday without reservations (first mistake). Four staff debated where to seat us, telling us they were fully booked all night. While we were there, it remained 1/3 full, so I'm unsure if 2/3 of their bookings didn't show or what, but they certainly were not fully booked.

As we were sitting down, they informed us they don't have high chairs which would have been helpful to know beforehand. After 15 minutes of waiting while the servers chit chatted at front we placed drink orders. Our toddler's juice came in a Moscow Mule mug (photo attached because it's so outrageous). Like, be so for real. Why would you give a toddler juice in a Moscow Mule cup? Luckily we had a sippy cup in the car.

It was another 15 minutes of the wait staff standing and gossiping at the front before we could place a food order. The entire time we were uncomfortable balancing a toddler on our laps and trying to keep her from knocking her Moscow Mule over. After 45 minutes our food arrived and it was fine. Under seasoned, but fine.

We ordered dessert and the baklava was the worst I've ever had. No syrup, just dry philo dough and hard, whole nuts. The Oreo pie tasted like it came frozen from Sam's Club.

Parents, do yourself a favor and avoid this place. There are so many wonderful Lebanese restaurants in Salt Lake that won't treat you like dirt for having a child.

Owners, please just say you don't welcome children instead of being...

If I could give Layla 10 stars, I absolutely would. This will be my new go-to spot in Salt Lake City!

We stumbled across Layla on New Year’s Eve (12/31) after our first choice didn’t pan out, and I’m so glad we did. From the moment we walked in, the lively chatter and music made it feel like stepping into a big family gathering. Despite not having reservations (which I recommend), we were warmly greeted and seated at the bar.

Our bartender/server was outstanding—knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the menu. Fresh rolls were promptly brought out, and the pace of service was spot on: no rush, no long waits. We ordered the baba ganouj, chicken shawarma, musakhan, and specialty fries, and all I could say was, “Wow.” Every dish was vibrant and packed with flavor, showcasing the quality and freshness of the ingredients. To finish, we couldn’t resist the chocolate mousse cake with an Oreo crust, which was chef’s kiss. Even after all that food, I felt satisfied, not overwhelmed—a true testament to how fresh everything was.

What stood out even more than the food was the staff. On a busy New Year’s Eve, the teamwork was impeccable. Everyone pitched in, ensuring guests had everything they needed. We received frequent check-ins and refills, and overheard regulars praising the family who owns the restaurant. The sense of community and care made Layla feel like “home”—a unique and heartwarming experience I haven’t had since moving to SLC.

Layla is the most underrated gem I’ve found in the city. I can’t recommend it enough and will be...

We tried to eat at Layla tonight and the hostess (an older woman) refused to seat us because we had a toddler with us. Of course she didn't say that outright, instead she lied to us and said, "sorry, we’re full tonight," although there were several tables available.

How do I know she lied? There was another couple behind us, also waiting for a table, and they left when they heard the hostess say the restaurant was full. We went back to the car and I checked Yelp (to see what else was available nearby) and happened to see Missy's review about the older hostess not liking children. I flagged the other couple down as they started to drive off and told them that I thought we were refused service because of our toddler. She told me she'd go back inside and see if her and her husband could get a table. A few moments later she came back and sure enough, there was a table available for them.

I wouldn't mind if Layla had a "no children" policy, clearly posted, but for the hostess to lie to us is unacceptable and seems like flagrant discrimination. My wife and I were both upset that any business would be so brazen and turn away paying customers because they have children. This was especially surprising in Utah, a state with a young population and many children. We won't be eating at...