Aristo Cafe — Restaurant in Torrance

There are places you go to eat and there are places you go to eat that also feed your soul. Aristo Cafe, where Robert and his family proudly serve his grandfather's traditional Lebanese recipes, is that place for me!

If you have a hard time deciding on the menu because of all of the delicious options, just trust that wherever you land, you will receive food that is fresh and filled with love and heart. I'm serious! The crisp greens paired against the decadent fried falafel or cauliflower is a beautiful balance not many places in LA do so well. I mean, do they have their own farm in the back!? One bite will instantly take me back to the streets of Egypt or Lebanon where I've spent much of my adult life.

We ordered the eggplant parm, not your typical or traditional eggplant parm, this one is an experience!!! Alongside the Baba Ganoush with its rich smoky flavor, the falafel with traditional garbanzo AND fava (#iykyk), plus they brought us the cauliflower to try. The toum, creamy white garlic sauce, is traditional - you can taste the lemon and can't help but Smear it on Every. Single. Bite. Leaving you to wonder how is it possible this is a truly vegan treat, how could it be this creamy!? Their spicy version is equally as good for a whole other experience.

And if serving up amazing dishes wasn't enough, Robert is a great conversationalist and the atmosphere is like stepping back into the old world- it's cozy, its friendly, there's conversation and people engaging. It's a true middle eastern experience where human connection is prioritized, where eating and breaking bread is joy shared with smiling faces and laughter around a table.

Aristo's Cafe is the ultimate eatery in the South Bay of Los Angeles. I found this place on happenstance, while returning my Uhaul across the street, almost skeptical of what I'd find inside. But when I stopped by to read the menu, I knew what I was getting was authenticity. I cant wait to come back again and again. My heart feels truly full from being able eat here, conversation with Robert about his beautiful family and to have the chance to show my partner authentic Lebanese cuisine.

Thank you, Robert and family, for sharing a piece of...

There is so much goodness at Aristo Cafe and it begins with the staff at this family run restaurant with three generations working the business. It was my first time here after a hike at Point Vicente and I wanted to do a healthy lunch. Robert greeted us to start with a hummus chip appetizer and pita bread while we looked over the menu. He highlighted offerings from the menu and suggested the lunch special which included two skewers over jasmine rice, hummus, and included a salad. We were blown away with how filling the food was and the flavor of their signature garlic spread as well as their red spicy version garlic spread. I can tell the food here is prepared with so much care given the attentiveness of the staff as well as the patrons that filled the dining area over lunch. They checked in on our table throughout our meal to see if we wanted extra bread and even introduced us to their baklava which was delicious. I felt great eating here with the quality of the food and the overall experience. You won't be disappointed. I learned this restaurant has been around for 26 years and other than the prices, the menu and deliciousness in the food hasn't changed. I hope they continue for another 26 years and inspire other patrons with their...

Hidden gem! Good Mediterranean food with nice ambience. They have free private parking lot as well as street parking.

There's plenty of indoor seating with nice decoration and friendly atmosphere.

There's also outdoor seating with umbrellas for shade.

The staff is super friendly and attentive. I believe it's Lebanese family owned.

The food is delicious. We ordered the Kebbah appetizer. It was hot and delicious. Also ordered the chicken kebob. It was good but I've had better elsewhere. I expected more for the price. The garlic sauce had a strange taste so I didn't eat it. The dish also came with steamed veggies, hummus, and rice. We also ordered the lamb chops. Also came with same sides. The meat was tender and well marinated but had a slight tomatoe sauce flavor which I didn't really like. Also got the lamb kebob. Same sides as above. Also tender with tomatoe sauce flavor.

There were a lot of to go and door dash orders.

Overall I would say it's a good option although there are better Mediterranean choices near by (ex. chicken maison) that are better in quality and less expensive.

This restaurant has a cute...