Barsha Brings Tunisian Flavors to Hermosa Beach—and Keeps Landing on LA’s 101 Best List
Updated: 4 days ago
The first thing to arrive at our table at Barsha was a hand-shaped platter, its fingers filled with hummus, harissa, pesto, olives, and tapenade. It was almost too pretty to disturb. Almost.
A few minutes inland from the Hermosa Beach shoreline, Barsha is the kind of place that gives you a reason to look beyond the pier when deciding where to have dinner. The restaurant brings Tunisian and Mediterranean influences to the South Bay, with a wine list that makes settling in for the evening an easy decision.
We first featured Barsha in 2023. Later that year, it appeared on the Los Angeles Times’ 101 Best Restaurants list for the first time. It has returned every year since, placing No. 97 in the 2026 guide.
A Restaurant With a Family Story
Chef Lenora Marouani and her husband, Adnen, met while working in Las Vegas before building their businesses in the South Bay. Adnen’s Tunisian roots became part of their culinary life together; Lenora learned about the cuisine through visits with his family and time spent cooking with his mother.
That personal history comes through in a menu influenced by their cultures and travels. The couple also operate Barsha wine businesses in Manhattan Beach and El Segundo, so it makes sense to leave room at dinner for a conversation about what to drink.
And the name? Lenora has explained that barsha means “abundance” in Tunisian dialect—a fitting thought when a table starts filling up with plates.
What to Expect at the Table
That platter we started with takes the shape of a Hamsa, a hand symbol traditionally associated with protection in parts of North Africa and the Middle East. It is a striking way to begin dinner, especially with a group happy to reach across the table for one more taste of harissa.
On our visit, we also tried a Tunisian bruschetta special and falafel sliders, including one prepared vegan with hummus instead of mayonnaise. Mac and cheese with za’atar fries added a familiar comfort-food moment, while a chickpea stew with feta brought a tangier flavor to the meal.
There is more to explore beyond what we ordered. In its 2026 review, the LA Times highlighted chicken mosli, a tomato-based stew served over quinoa, and mussels with preserved lemon. Those dishes offer a glimpse of the broader menu; check what is available when you visit.
If your table includes vegetarians or vegans, ask about current choices and adjustments. We found several options during our visit, though the menu can change.
Make an Evening of It
Barsha has indoor and outdoor seating, and its location on Aviation Boulevard makes it a different sort of Hermosa Beach dinner from the busy waterfront scene. Come with a friend, order a few dishes to share, and let the wine list invite you somewhere new.
If you are hoping to bring a dog to the patio or catch live music, call ahead to confirm the current arrangements. Reservations are a good idea, particularly for a weekend dinner.
Plan Your Visit
Barsha Restaurant
1141 Aviation Boulevard, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 5–9 p.m.; Sunday, 5–8 p.m.
Phone: 424-452-6266
Menu and details: Barsha’s website
Reservations: Book through Resy
For more ways to spend time in the area, explore our guide to visiting Hermosa Beach, or compare the neighboring beach cities in our Hermosa Beach vs. Manhattan Beach guide.
First published: 4/18/2023
Updated: 10/27/2026
