Leila Restaurant: Two Decades of Lebanese Mezze and Garden Patio Dining in West Palm Beach

Tucked along South Dixie Highway in downtown West Palm Beach, Leila Restaurant has spent more than twenty years serving Lebanese, Mediterranean, and Turkish fare in a setting that blends everyday dining with a touch of theater. Run by the Awad family, the restaurant has grown from a neighborhood favorite into one of the area's longer-standing culinary landmarks, with a menu and atmosphere built around the region's tradition of communal eating.

A Family Tradition Built on Mezze

Leila is owned and operated by Akram (Alex) and Mireille Awad, a Syrian-Lebanese couple whose children have grown up working alongside them in the restaurant. The kitchen centers on mezze, the small-plates format of shared appetizers that reviewers and local press describe as central to the restaurant's identity, reflecting a tradition of hospitality and generosity. Dishes that have appeared on the menu include hummus, falafel, tabouleh, stuffed grape leaves, kibbeh, and lamb shank, alongside seafood preparations like grilled salmon and mahi mahi, with homemade baklava frequently mentioned as a standout dessert. The restaurant also accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners.

Garden Patio Dining and Weekend Entertainment

Leila's dining room extends into a covered garden patio and tented outdoor seating area surrounded by greenery, giving the restaurant an ambiance some diners have compared to a brief getaway rather than a typical downtown lunch spot. On weekend evenings, the restaurant has featured live belly dance performances, adding an entertainment element to dinner service that distinguishes it from other Mediterranean spots in the area. A full bar with wine selections rounds out the dining experience.

Good to Know

Leila Restaurant is located at 120 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Beyond dine-in service, the restaurant has offered takeout, delivery, online ordering, and catering for private events and celebrations. For visitors exploring downtown West Palm Beach's dining scene, Leila remains a long-running option for Mediterranean cuisine served in a distinctive, garden-set atmosphere.