As the first Arab-American district to be officially recognized within the United States – in 2022 – Anaheim’s Little Arabia saw its population ebb and flow during the 1980s and 1990s, growing through Lebanese, Egyptian, Syrian, Palestinian, and Yemeni immigration into the Middle Eastern cultural hub it is today. Officially one mile long, including the stretch of Brookhurst Street from Broadway to Ball Road, with Little Arabia Restaurant right in the center, the district is informally around three miles long, continuing north to La Palma Avenue (at the I-5), and south to Katella Avenue (including acclaimed Sababa Falafel Shop). With some of Southern California’s very best Middle Eastern restaurants, the district is home to notable restaurants including Forn Al Hara, House of Mandi, Kababji Grill, Al Amir Bakery, Damascus House, Le Mirage Pastry, and Filo Dessert Co., as well as Middle Eastern-focused supermarkets (Harvest Fresh Market), jewelry stores, and clothiers.
Though part of Little Arabia is residential, the commercial portion is dominated by plazas, most with enough parking to accommodate typical daily crowds. Driving through the whole area takes less than half an hour, but based on the excellent quality of meals here – and strong density of shops offering drinks, meals, and desserts just within the center mile – it’s worth parking, eating, and exploring on foot for a while. Disneyland, Ebisu Life Store, and other Anaheim destinations are generally less than 15 minutes away by car.
