The Best Mediterranean Restaurant in Every State
Super Gyros
The Mediterranean Sea spans quite a big region, and the food from the places along its coast is some of the best in the world. The region includes a diverse array of cultures and distinctive cuisines, including portions of Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, southern France, and Greece), the Eastern Mediterranean (Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Israel, and Palestine), and North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt).
The diverse cuisine has a big presence in the United States, so searching the country for the excellent Mediterranean food might feel daunting. Need a cheat sheet? Here are some of the best Mediterranean restaurants in every state (plus Washington, D.C.) based on thousands of TripAdvisor, Google, and Yelp reviews.
Alabama: Makarios Kabobs & Grill
Birmingham
Birmingham’s favorite family-run kabob spot is known for its gyros and other Greek specialties, but Makarios Kabobs & Grill is a lot more. Look close into the menu and you’ll find Lebanese specialties like ghallaba, Pakistani sajji, and more.
Alaska: Aurora Mediterranean Restaurant
Fairbanks
Greek and Middle Eastern dishes blend at Aurora, one of the best options for Mediterranean food in Alaska. You’re here for gyro bowls, falafel, and some of the best hummus for a good distance.
Arizona: Pitta Souvli Mediterranean Grill
Chandler
Some places expect you to pronounce simple words like falafel, but at Pitta Souvil Mediterranean Grill, they’re hooking you up with a pronunciation guide. No matter how you say the food, you’re in for a great meal.
Arkansas: Kosmos Greekafe
Fayetteville
Kosmos Greekafe has been a family-run operation in Fayetteville since 2005, serving big ‘ole Greek salads, spanakopita, chicken souvlaki, and other classics.
California: Kismet
Los Feliz
Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer opened Kismet in 2017 with a menu that spanned the Mediterranean, and it’s since birthed a second location next door that specializes in rotisserie chicken. The flavors here are deep, the menu is consistently veggie-forward, and the food is truly astounding. This is one of the best meals you can have in LA, and the Mediterranean flair only helps.
Colorado: Safta
Denver
Chef Alon Shaya has restaurants all over the world, having made a name showcasing Israeli food in a bright, modern way. There are few people who do it better than he does, and at Safta, it’s no exception. Expect pillowy pita, more dips than you know what to do with, and terrific service.
Connecticut: Zohara
West Hartford
The DORO restaurant group runs a number of hit spots across Hartford, and one of the most beloved is Zohara. The salatim and dip game here is incredibly strong, with tempting stuff decorating the menu like whipped feta, lamb ragu hummus, and Moroccan carrots. And that’s before you get to the coal-grilled meats and seafood.
District of Columbia: Zaytinya
Penn Quarter
José Andrés is so famous for being an incredible human being that sometimes you forget he’s actually an incredible chef, too. Zaytinya is one of the best dinner decisions you can make in D.C., with a menu full of Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese small plates.
Delaware: Ali Baba Mid Eastern Restaurant
Newark
Flavors from Morocco and Lebanon run through the heart of Ali Baba, a local favorite in Delaware. Don’t ask for the check unless you’ve already crushed a plate of grape leaves.
Florida: Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine
Orlando
As you will cleverly infer from the name, Bosphorus specializes in Turkish food. You don’t want to miss this place on any sort of trip to Orlando. The theme parks are gonna be there next time, but you know what might not? The mezze appetizer board from Bosphorus, with all the best stuff on Earth: hummus, babaghanoush, sautéed eggplant, muhammara, and more.
Georgia: The BeiRut
Peachtree City
Just about 30 miles outside Atlanta, you’ll find Peachtree City, home to The BeiRut. Specializing in Lebanese fare, the restaurant is a good spot for a night out or take-out. If you’re dining in, take advantage of that surprisingly big wine list and make sure there are some feta and olives on the table.
Hawaii: Istanbul Hawaii
Honolulu
When the executive chefs and owners are a mother/daughter duo, you know you’re in for a good meal. The flavors of Turkey are alive in the islands here at Istanbul Hawaii, where seasonal influence plays a big part in beautiful mezze, soups, salads, and seafood.
Idaho: The Goodness Land Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Food Restaurant
Boise
Nothing like a nice, short name. The Goodness Land Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Food Restaurant plays with flavors from the Mediterranean to Asia, with soulful favorites like chicken shawarma, shish tawook, and Iraqi lamb kebab.
Illinois: Athena Greek Restaurant
Chicago
Greektown is the right place to look if you want a standout Greek food in Chicago. At Athena Greek Restaurant, the fried cheese is sizzling, the octopus is tender and lemony, and the spanakopita melts in your mouth. Bring a group and order a lot.
Indiana: The Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe
Indianapolis
Lotta Turkish restaurants named after the Bosphorus strait, eh? Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe has been one of the most well-loved restaurants in Indianapolis since it opened in 2002. The aroma of the place is alive with beautiful Mediterranean ingredients. Meat-eaters, veg-heads, and dip enthusiasts alike are right at home at the cozy Indy spot.
Iowa: Oasis Falafel
Iowa City
Oasis Falafel seems to have trademarked the phrase “hummus is where the heart is,” which feels like an interesting expenditure of money. But that’s not important; what’s important is that in a place like Iowa that lacks Moroccan and Israeli flavors, you’ve got a place making a sabich for under 10 bucks.
Kansas: The Basha Cuisine
Overland Park
Things like biryani, kefta, and shawarma are all over the menu, but The Basha is best known as a reliable lunch spot for great gyro platters and sandwiches. Act like you’ve been there before and order extra tzatziki.
Kentucky: Safier Mediterranean Deli
Louisville
Homey, casual, and delicious, Safier Mediterranean Deli is an important part of Louisville’s ever-reliable food scene. Especially popular here are grape leaves, lentil soup, and mutabal (babaghanoush’s garlickier cousin).
Louisiana: Shaya
New Orleans
Remember Alon Shaya from his Denver restaurant? Well, he’s no longer cooking at his namesake restaurant in New Orleans, but executive chef Fariz Choumali has stepped up comfortably to the plate to continue to deliver the best Louisiana-Mediterranean experience possible.
Maine: Falafel Mafia
Portland
Portland locals have found falafel perfected at Falafel Mafia, a food truck with a simple menu of pitas and bowls. Go for the Godfather, stuffed with that famous falafel, hummus, cabbage, cucumber salad, tomato, and tahini.
Maryland: Ouzo Bay
Baltimore
The menu is seafood-focused at Ouzo Bay, but you’ll find plenty of chops, steaks, and dipables as well. And if you’ve never tried the classic Greek spirit, Ouzo, there’s probably no better place. Besides actual Greece.
Massachusetts: Anoush’ella
Boston
The flavors are as bright as the actual colors of the food at Anoush’ella, a fast-casual spot in Boston for great Mediterranean food. There’s a stunning 20 mezze options, and that’s before the rest of the menu begins. If you live in Boston, this is your new favorite lunch.
Michigan: Al Ameer
Dearborn
Halal and Mediterranean options abound at Al Ameer in Dearborn, Michigan, just 20 minutes from Detroit. Locals flock for fattoush and stuffed lamb, but the lentil soup is correctly known as a sleeper hit.
Minnesota: Babani’s Kurdish Restaurant
St. Paul
Babani’s was one of the first Kurdish restaurants in the U.S. when it opened back in 1997, celebrating food from a region that covers areas that are now Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and a few other places. Today, you’re here to eat just about everything you can; in particular, the bajan rashk (deep-fried eggplant) and bakla (sautéed Kurdish veggies).
Mississippi: Aplos Simple Mediterranean
Jackson
Lebanese and Italian flavors are arm-in-arm at chef Alex Eaton’s Aplos, which is casual, tasty, and spans a ton of the Mediterranean. Greek-style wings and pepperoni pizza are a remarkable combo.
Missouri: Olympia Kebob House and Taverna
St. Louis
Forty-four years in business speaks volumes, and Olympia Kebob House has those kinds of bragging rights. Greek specialties, burgers, and more are waiting for you.
Montana: Bistro Enzo
Billings
French, Italian, and New American flavors collide here at Bistro Enzo. Upscale wine bar vibes are why you’re here, alongside a menu of wood-fired pizzas and a burger worth breaking the bank for.
Nebraska: Jim & Jennie’s Greek Village
Omaha
Owners Jim and Jenny are expats from Pyrgos-Olympia, Greece, so you know the food at their Omaha restaurant is the real deal. Feta psiti is mandatory.
Nevada: Filo Grill Mediterranean Restaurant
Las Vegas
Get off the strip and hit up Filo, a multi-regional Mediterranean restaurant with the lamb kabob plate you need to nurse your Vegas hangover. Make sure to get some extra baklava to go.
New Hampshire: Luca
Keene
Keene, New Hampshire may not be known for its wide variety of flavors, but at Luca, the Mediterranean has arrived in New England. Grab some small plates for the table (like whipped feta and garlicky shrimp) but save room for some lamb chops to write home about.
New Jersey: Zeugma
Montclair
You’d be hard-pressed to find a mezze bar to compete with the one at Zeugma anywhere nearby. We’re talkin’ beet falafels, pumpkin muhammara, and at least three types of hummus on offer. Not many people in New Jersey are cooking food the way Chef Can Alp is, so get in there and experience it.
New Mexico: Alquds Mediterranean Grill and Grocery
Albuquerque
In a town of great Mexican food, Alquds is a beautiful option for a different flavor profile. No matter if you’re going for a gyro, shawarma, or even just a cheeseburger, you need to make sure you’ve got extra hot shatta and garlic sauce. No such thing as too much garlic sauce.
New York: Cervo’s
Manhattan
Let’s be real: There are about a million and a half places to get great Mediterranean food throughout the boroughs alone, so for something that won’t fade into the back of a long list of great meals, head to Cervo’s for something memorable. The flavors of Spain and Portugal are on deck here, with plenty of vermouth and sherry to wash them down.
North Carolina: Sassool
Raleigh & Cary
Pizzettes, dips, and grape leaves keep bringing Raleigh locals back for more at Sassool. Taste these family recipes in either Cary or Raleigh.
North Dakota: Cafe Aladdin
Fargo
You’ll catch gyros, kabobs, falafels, and the rest of the usual suspects hanging around Cafe Aladdin. Extra baba ghannouj is in order, and same goes for the spanakopita.
Ohio: Lavash Cafe
Columbus
A solid menu next to rotating daily specials always makes for a great new experience and at Lavash Cafe, that’s what you’ve got. Stop in for tasty Moroccan stews, black bean hummus, kibbeh, and more.
Oklahoma: Nunu’s Mediterranean Cafe
Oklahoma City
Nunu’s leans Lebanese, and in OKC where that can be harder to find, that’s a beautiful thing. Any of the specialty plates will do you right; the charbroiled beef kata is particularly popular.
Oregon: Shalom Y’all
Portland
Shalom Y’all prides itself on dishes from across the Levant (an area bordering the eastern Mediterranean) and remains one of the best places to eat in a city full of great restaurants. You need kabobs. You need dips. And you need that spiced apple date cake.
Pennsylvania: Dizengoff
Philadelphia
If you’ve checked too many dinners off your Mediterranean list, hit Dizengoff in Philly for brunch. Israeli goodies like shakshuka and za’atar omelettes will pair nicely with the top-notch cocktail program, which rocks ingredients like Turkish coffee.
Rhode Island: Kaza Maza
Providence
Live music goes well with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean classics at Kaza Maza, helmed by chef Khaled Alhamad. There are more dips and salads here than you’ll know what to do with, which is always a good thing.
South Carolina: Jerusalem Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar
Myrtle Beach
There’s a lot going on in Myrtle Beach, but nothing so important that you should miss out on a trip to Jerusalem Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar. They do small shakshukas as sides for the table in both red and green, so you'll be ordering that.
South Dakota: Sanaa's Gourmet Mediterranean
Sioux Falls
Originally from Syria, Chef Sanaa Abourezk is an important part of the Sioux Falls food world, known for her recipes and extremely well-loved restaurant. As always: Make sure you’re getting involved with that mezze sampler.
Tennessee: Yassin’s Falafel House
Knoxville & Alcoa
Authentic Mediterranean flavors abound at Yassin’s Falafel House, which has two locations in Knoxville and one in nearby Alcoa. This is hummus worth driving for, and it’s even better atop some shawarma or a gyro.
Texas: Lama Mediterranean Cuisine
Shenandoah
You could take your time trying to pick the perfect dips, apps, and small plates for your table at Lama, or you could let them take that responsibility off your hands and go for the mazza platter for the table: hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouli, fattoush, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, kibbeh and mixed pickles. Bingo.
Utah: Laziz Kitchen
Midvale
Salt Lake City is wild about Laziz, which has four locations around the city, and has built a reputation for incredible hummus. That doesn’t mean you should stop there, so make sure Laziz’s lamb meatballs and sfeeha (meat pies) are on your radar, too.
Vermont: Kismet Mediterranean Grill
Burlington
Dinner may be the main attraction at this Burlington hotspot, but lunch is Cheapism approved, with wraps filled with doner kabob, lamb, swordfish, and more for under $15.
Virginia: Maya Bistro
Arlington
You already know that you need some flaky spinach pie on your table at Maya Bistro, and you already know that you need mab chops. You probably also know that you need falafel, but did you know you definitely need their Turkish ratatouille? See, you learn something every day.
Washington: Mamnoon
Seattle
The Nadi Mama empire is big in Seattle, with six restaurants operating under the group. Perhaps best of all of them is Mamnoon, where elevated Levantine fare meets Pacific Northwest ingredients. There are dishes perfected here that you’ve heard of, like muhammara and lamb kebabs, but even more exciting are the perfect dishes you haven’t heard of, like shamandar (beet and tahini dip) and samak amba (halibut with fermented mango).
West Virginia: Olive Tree Cafe & Catering
Charleston
Hit Olive Tree Cafe & Catering for creative spins on hummus, grape leaves stuffed with ground meat, and even pierogies. And if you need catering, well, obviously they do that.
Wisconsin: Lebnani House
Greenfield
Syrian and Lebanese flavors are everywhere at Lebnani House, with regional twists on the classics you know (like tomato in the dolmas) and tasty cocktails.
Wyoming: Figs
Jackson
People come to Jackson to indulge, and that’s exactly what you can do at Hotel Jackon’s in-house restaurant, Figs. If it’s time to splurge, consider the chef’s tasting menu, which will run you about $100 per person.
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This article was originally published on Cheapism
