Location: 3956 30th Street, North Park, San Diego, CA 92104
Phone: (858) 723-3766
Hours: Open nightly 5 PM – 12 AM
An Immersive Middle Eastern Experience
Leila is a stunning two-level restaurant that opened its doors on July 31, 2024, bringing an authentic taste of the Middle East to San Diego’s vibrant dining scene in the trendy North Park neighborhood. The dining concept pays homage to founder Arsalun Tafazoli’s roots, drawing inspiration from Morocco, Iran, and more.
The Concept and Design
The Leila restaurant features a ceiling that mimics stars in an environment meant to evoke an eternal Middle Eastern night. Tables are tucked in amongst Moroccan decor and interior design elements that transport you straight to the bustling night markets of Morocco. The restaurant features an open kitchen, full bar, and even a running stream flowing through the ample space, creating an atmosphere that’s both luxurious and authentically immersive.
The Menu: A Fusion of Middle Eastern Flavors
Leila offers a Middle Eastern, Lebanese, and Persian-inspired fusion menu. Under the direction of Executive Chef Majid Mayahi, the menu showcases diverse flavors from across the Middle East.
Signature Dishes & Popular Items
Leila’s signature dishes feature tahdig, koobideh, braised lamb shank, and whole fish, alongside crowd favorites such as:
Mezze & Small Plates:
- Falafel ($12)
- Hummus Bi Tahina ($12)
- Shirazi Salad ($14)
Main Courses:
- Joojeh Chicken Kabob ($21)
- Braised Lamb Shank
- Whole Fish preparations
- Tahdig (crispy Persian rice)
- Koobideh (Persian ground meat kebab)
Breads, salads, and mezze are all easy to share, with options including fresh naan, pita, and za’atar flatbreads, gem lettuce fattoush, encouraging the communal dining style that’s central to Middle Eastern culture.
The Bar
From the central bar, there will be a focus on Middle Eastern spirits, including Aragh sagi, which is a raisin-based spirit known as Iranian moonshine or “Persian Vodka”, and Arak, a distilled Levantine spirit of the anise drinks family.
Signature Cocktails:
- Rug Dealer ($16)
- Foozool ($16)
The bar program offers authentic Middle Eastern spirits and cocktails, making it a destination for both dinner and drinks.
The CH Projects Touch
Leila is the latest addition to CH Projects’ (Consortium Holdings) portfolio of San Diego restaurants. Founded by James Tran and co-founder Arsalun Tafazoli, the restaurant represents a deeply personal project for Tafazoli, honoring his Middle Eastern heritage while bringing these flavors to the North Park community.
Practical Information
Reservations: Available via OpenTable
Payment: AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa accepted
Dress Code: Casual, but nice
Parking: Street parking available
Features: Bar/Lounge area, walk-ins welcome at the bar
My Experience at Leila
I stumbled upon Liela on my Instagram and knew that the family and I HAD to go. It is not a cheap place to dine so we were waiting for a good occasion to celebrate. Once we decided on a date, we went to make reservations (you have to have one). HA! Joke was on us, reservations for Leila North Park are hard to get! They release them about a month in advance and book up quickly. So we chose a different date and all set our alarms to be there with bells on to get a reservation.
The day came to go, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
The Atmosphere
We ended up going for Father’s Day, but went on the Saturday so that it wasn’t quite as busy downtown. Walking up is fairly unassuming, no windows, but nice colors, textures, and a Middle Eastern-style arch around the door. Walking in is an experience in itself. You are basically transported to the Middle East. It’s dark, and the ceiling looks like a clear night sky. The decor is stunning, and the sound of the creek makes you forget the hustle of downtown is just outside. We were lucky enough to sit near it. We also enjoyed watching them make the bread and kabobs since the kitchen is open.
The Service
The Service was great. You could tell the level and care that goes into the place at every interaction. Our server explained the whole menu (with perfect pronunciation!) and gave some recommendations. She made us feel so welcome.
The manager was walking the floor and checking in on diners. We got to chat with him a couple of times and share our experiences. You could tell it was of his utmost priority that his guests had a good experience, and that was refreshing.
The Food
We opted to do two of the large shareable plates for two reasons: it was budget-friendly, and it allowed us to try a larger variety of menu items. We got the Salatim Platter with extra naan and pita and added on the crudite (which was smaller than I would have liked for the portions but a nice add-on nonetheless). We enjoyed all of the dips and spreads! Very fresh and all had unique flavors.
For the main dish, we had the Soltani Platter, we paid extra to change out two of the kabobs to the steak and salmon ones (definitely recommend this!), and added sides of rice, both basmati and saffron. FABULOUS. I don’t know that I have ever had such tender steak or moist chicken and salmon. I don’t eat red meat often, so for me to go back for more tells you how good it was.
We tried a few of the drinks too, but don’t recall which. The alcoholic drinks are strong but have good flavor. I had a mocktail and it was very tasty.
Overall Impressions
Overall, we LOVED our experience and would absolutely go back again. I don’t have a single negative thing to say about our experience. Amazing atmosphere, fabulous service, delicious and high-quality food, really can’t ask for more.
Tips for Future Visitors
Some things to keep in mind. This is not a cheap place to eat; it’s a high-end experience with a price tag to match, so plan accordingly. I would say you can plan to spend 50-75 per person at a minimum. Leila North Park does not have a dress code, but I wouldn’t show up in your Cali casual flips and jeans. Many guests were dressed up. As I mentioned, getting a reservation isn’t super easy, so be prepared to get in there like 90s boy band concert tickets 😜. Once you have one, prepare for a unique and wonderful dining experience!
Have you been to Leila? Share your experience in the comments below!
Follow Leila:
Instagram: @leilanorthpark
Website: leilanorthpark.com
Email: welcome@leilanorthpark.com
