Lava Kitchen — Restaurant in Westlake Village

We really enjoyed our dinner at Lava Kitchen. It's pricey but that's expected in WL. We got the hummus & beef samosas. The hummus was fine, I like it more whipped, more garlic, more flavor..maybe needed a little salt, too but it wasn't bad..just not a standout. Bread should be toasted or grilled and that'd give it an extra point. The beef samosas were delicious. I don't usually like samosas but these were crispy, light and full of filling. Definitely a winner!

For dinner we got the ground kebab combo & the Steak & boneless chicken combo. Both were delicious. The ground kabobs were so good. The boneless chicken kabob was flavorful and tender. Steak kabob was really good, too but the others were just a lot better. The Basmati rice was tender and perfectly cooked. For presentation purposes, I'd add a tiny salad for color. The plates look a bit drab and I know you serve the roast tomato and pickled red onions but a little greenery would beautify the plate for the wow factor you're wanting. People 1st eat with their eyes.

My biggest gripe was I ordered a glass of Prosecco (which we all know is a cheap sparkling wine, usually under $20/bottle) I believe I paid $14/glass. My glass wasn't even half full. My husband was shocked how small of a serving they gave me. I know these servers/owners must have never bartender so maybe that's why they felt that small portion was ok but it was a turn off. Don't be cheap with cheap wine. Your food isn't cheap...keep your customers coming back by pouring them a nice pour. I bartender in a lot of restaurants snd bars for more than 18 years, I know a proper pour. I'm not asking for a double...just a legit glass of wine especially when the bottle you're pouring isn't expensive and you're asking $14 for a glass. Will be back to try other dishes.

The restaurant itself is very pretty but if you want to convey "passion" & "Mediterranean" a little color...even a tiny bit would add some warmth & fire. The decor is...

I came here with my family to celebrate a birthday on 6/4/25. The restaurant is a little on the smaller side, about a 21 person capacity, but it is very nicely decorated and you are not close to other diners. The acoustics were also very nice, it was easy to hear the rest of my party in a normal conversational volume. I would recommend making a reservation if you are going there with a group.

But enough about that, on to the important stuff.

The waitress was so attentive, super nice, and a joy to be around. She took great care of us and helped out with some special dietary needs.

There were three of us there, two of us split the hummus while the third got the Mediterranean salad. The hummus was delicious, but the salad stole the show! I wish I had gotten a picture of it. Finely chopped veggies in a cucumber bowl. It's a thing of beauty.

For our mains we each got a Kabob plate. We had the Chicken Kabob with cubed chicken, the house special the flattened chicken kabob, and the steak kabob. We each enjoyed our meal very much. I loved the seasoning on mine, the saffron rice was fantastic and the grilled tomato was delicious. We each cleaned our plate.

We were very happy with the portion size, the taste, and the value. It was our first time there and we'll be back for sure. I'm looking forward to trying out their...

Absolutely amazing experience at Lava Kitchen! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality that truly set the tone for the night. The food was out of this world — flavorful, beautifully presented, and clearly made with care. Every bite was a burst of deliciousness!

But what made our visit truly unforgettable was our server, Dorsa. She was incredibly kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. It was such a pleasure to be served by someone so genuinely passionate and engaging. We learned she’s from Iran and is currently studying kinesiology with plans to go to medical school — and honestly, the world is lucky to have someone like her pursuing that path. She brought a level of warmth and personality to the experience that made us feel right at home.

Lava Kitchen is a gem, and Dorsa made it shine even brighter. Five stars without a doubt — can’t wait...