MEET THE CHEF
Dima Habibeh
Born and raised in Amman, Jordan, Chef Dima Habibeh comes from a family whose roots stretch across the Levant. Her father is Palestinian, from Jerusalem; her mother, Syrian, from Damascus. She embraces the region’s shared culinary language—drawing from the traditions of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.
Her passion for food began in childhood, filled with memories of her mother and the aromas that filled their home: the warmth of evenings spent together in the kitchen, the spices that curled through the air above the humming dialogue at the family table. For Chef Dima, those moments were more than food—they were comfort, belonging, and the heartbeat of family life. After moving to California, she found herself longing for the flavors that defined her upbringing—comforts she couldn’t find in local restaurants. That absence became her motivation: Ammatolí was born from a desire to honor those special family memories rooted in love and generosity. With every dish, Chef Dima invites guests to feel the same sense of flavorful nostalgia and sense of home she grew up with.
“At Ammatolí, we cook with the freshest ingredients, all-natural halal meats, and the traditional recipes my family has cherished for generations. Every dish is piece of my heart,” says Chef Dima. “I always tell my kitchen: cook with love—people can taste it. My hope is that every guest feels as though they’re stepping into my home and fondest memories.”
THE STORY BEHIND
Ammatoli
Ammatolí takes its name from two meaningful roots: “Amma,” a nod to Amman, the Jordanian capital where Chef Dima’s family was raised, and “toli,” from the Latin word for hills. Amman itself—famously built upon seven hills—serves as both a geographical marker and a symbolic foundation for the restaurant. From its inception, Ammatolí was imagined as a place where those hills, their histories, and the spirit of the Levant could be felt from the moment guests step inside.
The restaurant’s design draws deeply from the landscapes, architecture, and cultural textures of the Eastern Mediterranean. Handcrafted Syrian furniture—heirloom pieces once cherished by Chef Dima’s family—anchors the space with authenticity and warmth. Antiques collected across her travels through the Middle East are displayed within carved niches, each object offering a quiet glimpse into the region’s layered traditions. Black-and-white photographs capture scenes from her journeys, while intricate design details weave the essence of the Levant into every corner. Nothing is ornamental for ornament’s sake; every element has been intentionally chosen to create an atmosphere that feels both transporting and deeply personal, as though stepping into another city along the Levantine coast.
Long Beach became Ammatolí’s home for its unique position between Los Angeles and Orange County—a crossroads of cultures, communities, and stories. “I wanted a place where everyone—families, friends, people from different backgrounds—could come together,” Chef Dima shares. “Whether it’s for Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, birthdays, or graduations, Ammatolí is a gathering place. It’s also a way for people to learn about my culture, my home, my food, and my people.”
