William
If you don’t know about the top Mediterranean restaurants in Dallas, Texas, you’re missing a lot from this bustling Texas city’s food scene. Dallas is truly a Mediterranean mecca, where you can find scrumptious dishes from both the West and the East.
From European delights to North African and Middle Eastern exotic bites, the Mediterranean comes to Dallas in all its glory. While this cuisine is already famous for its emphasis on fresh, healthy ingredients, you can also find gluten-free, plant-based, and other healthy variations.
Savor The Sun-Kissed Flavors Of The Mediterranean At These Restaurants
What is your favorite cuisine: Italian, Greek, Lebanese, or Persian? Let’s see if it is on this list, but don’t worry if it isn’t: there are many other fantastic things to try.
- Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill – Dallas
- Baboush
- Cafe Izmir
- Maya’s Modern Mediterranean
- Fusion Mediterranean Grill & Bar
- CAVA
- Zatar Lebanese Tapas & Bar
- Medina Oven & Bar
- Luna Grill The Hill
- Roti Olive & McKinney
- Ziziki’s
- Sachet
- Shiraz Mediterranean Grill
- Giovanni’s Mediterranean Grill
- Ephesus Mediterranean Grill
- Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant
- Open Sesame Lebanese Grill
- Lezzet Cafe
Best Restaurants In Dallas For Experiencing Mediterranean Magic
Showcasing the unrivaled richness of Mediterranean cuisine, my suggested restaurants are a melting pot of flavors that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
1. Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill – Dallas
This Houston-based restaurant chain specializes in Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine, delivering food in large portions and at relatively fair prices.
Why choose this restaurant:
While many people describe it as a buffet, Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill follows the old-school cafeteria-style: you pay at the counter, take a plate for the silverware section, and stand in line to get your food. The menu items use fresh ingredients and carry pronounced Middle Eastern flavors.
What to eat:
Shawarma (roast meat cooked on a spit and shaved to be stuffed into sandwiches) is my top choice. You can choose beef shawarma wraps, chicken shawarma wraps, or shawarma Arabia (with wheat bread and fries). Alternatively, try lamb shanks with vegetables and pita bread.
Location: 3001 Knox St #110, Dallas, TX 75205
Website: https://www.fadiscuisine.com/
Phone: +12145281800
2. Baboush
As one of the premier restaurants in Uptown Dallas, Baboush is close to many attractions in the city. It delivers Moroccan – Lebanese – Mediterranean eats in a contemporary setting.
Why choose this restaurant:
You’re probably familiar with tapas, so let me introduce you to a similar concept in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine: mezze. It consists of finger food and small plates to whet your appetite, like what you can find for lunch at Baboush.
This beautiful restaurant excels at the main course, too. It flawlessly blends family recipes and exotic spices from outside Europe with established Western cooking techniques, creating great fare to entice your palate.
The interior, modeled after a traditional Marrakech market, is an added delight. Don’t forget to check out the bar with weekday happy hour from 2 PM to 6 PM.
What to eat:
I strongly recommended the mezze platter featuring hummus, baba ganoush (chopped eggplants with seasoning), Moroccan olives, falafel, and other treats.
Regarding entrees, apricot lamb tagines (braised lamb with seasonal vegetables) and lamb kofta kebabs are universal crowd-pleasers. Meanwhile, spicy beef cigars are delicious stuffed pastries that even children can enjoy.
Location: 3636 McKinney Ave #160, Dallas, TX 75204
Website: https://baboushdallas.com/
Phone: +12145990707
3. Cafe Izmir
This marvelous Lower Greenville restaurant is the go-to destination for fresh, made-from-scratch Mediterranean tapas for local foodies. It is mainly open for dinner.
Why choose this restaurant:
If you somehow traveled back in time to 1996, when Cafe Izmir first opened its door, you would find that the tapas’ quality has changed very little. The dishes are and have been made from local ingredients and infused with the essence of Greek, Turkish, Lebanese, and Persian cuisines.
However, as the family behind the restaurant came from Iran, the last one has a more pronounced impact, evident in the numerous Iranian delights on the menu. While Spanish food isn’t present, Cafe Izmir does feature live Spanish guitar music on the weekends.
You can feel the solid familial bond creating this restaurant from the numerous framed photos on the walls and how friendly the servers are to guests. The decor is elegant and on point. In particular, the cute patio with colorful lanterns is very Instagram-worthy when night falls.
What to eat:
While everything on the menu is worth trying, I will narrow it down by choosing grilled beef tenderloin, Izmir marinated olives, saffron chicken kabob plate, veggie dolmas (with rice and lentils), and pomegranate shrimp. Next, wash them down with something from the huge wine list.
Location: 3711 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Website: https://cafeizmir.com/
Phone: +12148267788
4. Maya’s Modern Mediterranean
Mediterranean cuisine already has a reputation for being healthy, but this casual restaurant has taken extra steps with sourcing ingredients and food preparation to make it even more wholesome.
Why choose this restaurant:
Named after the owner’s daughter, Maya’s Modern Mediterranean focuses on fast food with Mediterranean flavors and an Israeli-American twist. It uses an industrial air-bake oven to fry food, reducing its fat content significantly.
Like many other health food restaurants, this cute restaurant offers you the option to build your own serving. First, pick a grain bowl, Israeli salad, or house-made pita, then add your choice of protein, topping, sauce, and side.
This approach allows you to customize your serving freely as well as feed many people easily. You can take your whole family here (there are many kid-friendly options). There is a lovely outdoor patio to relax and enjoy your food peacefully.
What to eat:
There is no fixed recipe at this place: you eat what you choose. Still, I highly recommend the air-baked falafel appetizer, chicken soup with harissa (Mediterranean salsa) and turmeric rice, and mini honey chicken kabobs (for kids).
Location: 9540 Garland Rd Suite C362, Dallas, TX 75218
Website: https://www.mayasmediterranean.com/
Phone: +19727070646
5. Fusion Mediterranean Grill & Bar
Anyone seeking a fantastic BYOB restaurant in Dallas will be delighted by this Mediterranean name.
Why choose this restaurant:
This hidden gem simply relies on its excellent food, friendly atmosphere, and flawless service to cultivate a large following. Live music performances on weekends are another great touch. While its menu includes many types of kebabs, it tends to orient toward fine Italian cuisine.
What to eat:
Vegetarians will love the combo of scallion yogurt and roasted cauliflower, while carnivores can happily wolf down slow-cooked lamb shanks. Meanwhile, crispy brussels sprouts and vegetable moussaka served with creamy bechamel sauce can satisfy both groups.
Location: 12835 Preston Rd #220, Dallas, TX 75230
Website: https://www.fusionmediterraneangrillbar.com/
Phone: +12148660044
6. CAVA
Also known as Cava Grill, CAVA is a chain of over 100 fast-casual Mediterranean restaurants spread over many US states. It has been a popular name in Dallas since 2019.
Why choose this restaurant:
Here is another name for bowl-style healthy food from the Mediterranean region that you can try in Dallas. CAVA styles itself as the Chipotle version of Mediterranean food, and you may agree to that comparison after experiencing its quick service and diversity of choices,
What to eat:
I’d like to start with Greek chicken pitas and harissa avocado bowls (featuring hummus, feta, Harissa honey chicken, greens, and so on). You should also try out a tahini Caesar bowl with grilled chicken, arugula, and romaine lettuce.
Website: https://cava.com/
Location 1:
Address: 1919 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: +12142818668
Location 2:
Address: 3878 Oak Lawn Ave Unit 314, Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: +14698093533
Location 3:
Address: 8018 Park Ln Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: +14692830119
7. Zatar Lebanese Tapas & Bar
If you want to discover an exciting restaurant in Deep Ellum, Dallas with Mediterranean vibes, this beautiful restaurant’s alluring Lebanese food will help you end your search on a high note.
Why choose this restaurant:
The cool hookah bar, where people gather to smoke flavored tobacco from the Middle East, is an exciting part of Zatar Lebanese Tapas & Bar. But non-smokers don’t have to fret: Zatar has spacious non-smoking sections with mouth-watering grub and small plates for everyone.
Still, if you hang around the bar, many exciting cocktails whipped up by talented bartenders and the lively atmosphere, with loud and catchy music in the background, will be yours to enjoy. In addition, you can chill out on the open-air patio.
What to eat:
The chicken shawarma Arab-style platter, available in huge portions and served with fries, is a consistent crowd-pleaser. You can also expand the menu with house specialties like rosemary roasted lamb chops, beef/ lamb kabobs, or spicy hummus (with tahini, lemon, and garlic).
Location: 2825 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
Website: https://zatardallas.com/
Phone: +19728637100
8. Medina Oven & Bar
Located in the trendy neighborhood of Victory Park, this intimate restaurant offers a mix of Moroccan-Mediterranean food and European settings that is hard to skip.
Why choose this restaurant:
Medina Oven & Bar has spread the gospel of Moroccan cuisine’s deliciousness since 2007. While its fare isn’t cheap, no one can complain about the exquisite flavors of everything on the menu. They taste wonderfully better if you enjoy them on the cute outdoor patio.
The charming environment, which shouts its Northern African identity in every inch, is another big plus. Despite its small space, the interior is decorated with beautiful jewel-tone tapestries, intricate tile work, plush pillows, and a communal oven imported straight from Morocco.
What to eat:
For a light meal, you can go with goat cheese cigars (phyllos with goat cheese and vegetables), marinated Moroccan olives with harissa, and shrimp couscous.
Meanwhile, sandwiches with merguez (lamb sausage), citrus-marinated chicken, and beef tenderloin in onion juice will do wonderfully for entrees.
Location: 2304 Victory Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75219
Website: https://medinadallas.com/
Phone: +12149790003
9. Luna Grill The Hill
Founded in San Diego in 2004, Luna Grill is a Mediterranean restaurant chain with multiple outlets in Texas and Southern California. You can download the Club Luna app and accumulate points from your order to get discounts.
Why choose this restaurant:
The Dallas location of Luna Grill (or any other outlets, for that matter) is dog-friendly, so don’t hesitate to come here with your furry friends. You can also visit this spotless restaurant with the whole family to take advantage of the kid’s menu and occasional offerings.
Children will fall in love with the colorful dishes, while adults will find their wholesomeness marvelous. Luna Grill has something for everyone, whether they follow a gluten-free, keto, or vegan diet. And if you think these particular foods aren’t as savory as usual, think again!
What to eat:
Grilled kosher salmon, koobideh kabobs (made with minced beef), gyro meat (a well-seasoned combo of beef and lamb), and Santorini Bowls (feature pearled couscous, basmati rice, olives, your choice of proteins, and several condiments) are my preferred choices.
Location: 8165 Walnut Hill Ln Suite 1300, Dallas, TX 75231
Website: https://locations.lunagrill.com/
Phone: +14694808480
10. Roti Olive & McKinney
Roti is a small chain of modern Mediterranean restaurants whose menu items include bowls and small bites. Its Dallas location is in the Uptown.
Why choose this restaurant:
The category of Mediterranean restaurants with a Chipotle-style menu continues with this fabulous name. In its relaxing setting, you can build your salads, grain plates, or sandwiches from organic greens and antibiotic-free meats. Validated parking is another pleasant appeal it offers.
What to eat:
My favorite options are a Mediterranean chicken bowl (featuring chicken roti, saffron rice, yogurt, olive oil, and veggies), chicken fattoush (with chicken roti, pita, seasonal greens, fruits, etc.), and hot chicken pita (harissa chicken, tahini slaw, feta, curried carrots, and some greens).
Of course, you can build your own from Roti’s fresh ingredients. Interestingly, you can look up the nutrition information on the menu items by visiting the website.
Location: 2355 Olive St, Dallas, TX 75201
Website: https://roti.com/
Phone: +19723647804
11. Ziziki’s
This family-owned Greek restaurant has been around since 1994. It delivers a modern spin on Mediterranean food that can appeal to followers of various diets.
Why choose this restaurant:
Many patrons think both locations of this charming restaurant are among Dallas’ most dazzling eateries for outdoor dining. You can visit either of the two and try its large open patio yourself to validate the claim, whether for lunch or dinner under starlight.
Now comes the heavenly food. Greek cuisine prides itself on fresh veggies and fruits, and Ziziki’s doesn’t disappoint in that aspect. Its menu items are primarily gluten-free, with a large selection of vegetarian eats.
Weekend brunch and spring menu are other convincing reasons to be here. And do you know that Greek wine is among the best in the Mediterranean region? Ziziki’s is happy to give you an education with many choices of organic Greek wine flights.
What to eat:
Goat cheese cakes and Ziziki’s house-made salad with seasonal greens will make a nice start for your meal. Then, move on to Grecian chicken (pan-seared chicken breasts with herbs), Greek paella featuring many kinds of meat and seafood, or souvlaki (Greek fast food on skewers).
In case you prefer something lighter, lamb burgers and chicken breast gyros are your guys. Don’t forget to end your meal with signature baklava ice cream cakes or loukoumades (fresh honey balls with Greek yogurt).
Website: https://www.zizikis.com/
Location 1:
Address: 4514 Travis St UNIT 122, Dallas, TX 75205
Phone: +12145212233
Location 2:
Address: 11661 Preston Rd #309, Dallas, TX 75230
Phone: +14692329922
12. Sachet
The appearance of Sachet in 2017 made quite a stir in Dallas’ food scene. Its impressive selection of Mediterranean-influenced small plates and wines has remained a local fixture to this date.
Why choose this restaurant:
Gastronomes can’t help liking the diversity of Sachet’s shareable mezze plates, which draw inspiration from food in France, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia, and other Mediterranean countries. Some feature deli meat, but most menu items are a symphony of colorful veggies and pastas.
The spacious dining room’s decor is just as playful as the food. It is airy and delightfully bright, thanks to the large windows overhead. Sitting on a white Windsor-style chair, you can enjoy delicious bites cooked on the wood-fired oven in the nearby semi-open kitchen.
Smiles and courteous service are the norms here, whether you talk with friendly servers or sommeliers who will guide you through Sachet’s impressive wine collection.
Speaking of which, the list includes many exotic vintages from countries that, while less famous than mainstream wine-making names, produce excellent samples, such as Turkey, Israel, Macedonia, or Morocco.
What to eat:
My top recommendations for small plates are octopuses with freekeh (roasted green durum wheat), yellow beet salads, and wood oven mushrooms.
To get a more filling meal, entrees like branzino (baby artichokes in herb sauce), crispy chicken thighs with orzo and spinach, or roast pork shoulder sandwiches won’t let you down.
Location: 4270 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Website: https://www.sachetdallas.com/
Phone: +12146136425
13. Shiraz Mediterranean Grill
Opened in 2014, Shiraz Mediterranean Grill is one of the most famous venues in Dallas for Persian food with Mediterranean essence for lunch and dinner.
Why choose this restaurant:
If you’re willing to go out of your way for a quality Persian cuisine experience, Shiraz Mediterranean Grill in North Dallas will fit the bill nicely. It’s got on-point Persian eats in a charming space, plus a beautiful patio and well-stocked bar.
Some patrons comment that the prices are somewhat high and complimentary items, like bread and cheese, aren’t available, but the trendy vibes and food quality will easily redeem those hiccups.
What to eat:
Make sure you try the house specials, such as baghali polo (Iranian rice dish) with lamb shank, Fesenjan (sweet and sour stew with walnut, pomegranates, and chicken), or khoresh bademjan (split yellow bean and eggplant stew with braised beef).
Location: 18101 Preston Rd Suite 101, Dallas, TX 75252
Website: https://www.shirazdallas.com/
Phone: +12144846075
14. Giovanni’s Mediterranean Grill
The outstanding Mediterranean restaurants in this post seem to lean on the Middle Eastern side a little, so let’s balance it with one of Dallas’ finest Italian eateries: Giovanni’s Mediterranean & Italian Cuisine. It doubles as a perfect Persian spot, too.
Why choose this restaurant:
The description of this family-owned restaurant sounds like an enigma: how can Italian and Persian cuisines fit with each other? The result turns out to be a reasonable harmony, in which both delightfully enrich the menu with the Western and Eastern versions of Mediterranean gastronomy.
But beautifully arranged food isn’t the only thing Giovanni’s Mediterranean Grill has to please the eyes. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can watch bewitching performances by attractive belly dancers starting at 8:30 PM. Other entertainment options include live music and DJs.
What to eat:
Beef koobideh, a type of Persian kebab made with seasoned ground beef (sirloin in this case), is the biggest bomb. You can also order a charbroiled Cornish hen with saffron Barberry rice or a hearty serving combining eggplants, beef, tomato sauce, and yellow split peas.
Location: 18484 Preston Rd Suite 119, Dallas, TX 75252
Website: https://giovannisusa.com/
Phone: +19725968610
15. Ephesus Mediterranean Grill
This quaint spot serves delicious eats from many Mediterranean countries. It’s also a BYOB establishment charging fair glass fees.
Why choose this restaurant:
Whether you’re into Greek, Italian, or Turkish cuisines, Ephesus Mediterranean Grill always boasts something to amaze you, not least its complimentary dinner rolls with a touch of superb chili oil butter. The traditional decor that evokes a convivial atmosphere is another appealing feature.
What to eat:
What do you think about a combo of zucchini pancakes, veggies, and Greek garlic yogurt? Pan-seared salmon with brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes? Or Hunkar Begendi (literally “Sultan’s Delight”) – Turkish lamb stew with tomato sauce and pureed eggplants?
Location: 10455 N Central Expy #118, Dallas, TX 75231
Website: https://www.ephesusdallas.com/
Phone: +19728033750
16. Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant
Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant is a family-run Persian-Mediterranean eatery that was opened in 2004. Many guests consider it one of the best of its kind in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Why choose this restaurant:
Persian fare is perfect, and homemade food in a hole-in-the-wall spot is always endearing, so how about experiencing both at Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant, where you can leisurely chow down flavorful eats in a friendly setting? The easygoing BYOB policy is the cherry on top.
While it no longer offers lunch buffets, you can ask for lunch specials to get huge servings at very competitive prices. In addition, don’t forget that this restaurant encompasses a little market with Middle Eastern baked goods and specialty items.
What to eat:
I heartily recommend bone-in lamb shank in signature sauce, ground beef kabobs served on a bed of tomato and saffron rice, and special Isfahan chicken (featuring well-seasoned and charbroiled chicken thighs). Oh, you can also begin your meal with a yogurt and cucumber appetizer.
Location: 5441 Alpha Rd #112, Dallas, TX 75240
Website: https://www.thesahararestaurant.com/
Phone: +19727881898
17. Open Sesame Lebanese Grill
You will find top-notch Mediterranean delights in the form of finger-licking Lebanese eats at this hidden gem, which is open for lunch and dinner.
Why choose this restaurant:
An outstanding Oak Lawn eatery with a spacious, pet-friendly patio and eye-catching interior design; that’s what Open Sesame Lebanese Grill is all about. You can rest in a comfy seat and gaze at the charming decor details.
Many diners are fond of the Instagrammable green wall with a neon sign saying “Yalla habibi” (“Come on, my dear”), and I’m sure you will join them, too. Above all, this place offers Lebanese fare at its best, from kababs to side dishes. The portions are very generous and great for sharing.
What to eat:
In my opinion, you will do well to order baba ganoush, chicken shawarma sandwiches, or kafta kabab (grilled ground beef served on a bed of rice and your choices of sides).
But the best-loved delight is the Ultimate Mixed Grill, which features beef, chicken, and lamb kabobs on skewers, plus rice and 5 side dishes.
Location: 2615 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Website: https://www.facebook.com/
Phone: +14697262825
18. Lezzet Cafe
Delivering Mediterranean with a Turkish twist, this North Dallas is a must-visit stop for anyone wishing for a break from mainstream pizzas. Why? Check out its flatbreads!
Why choose this restaurant:
Lezzet Cafe offers a vast selection of Turkish appetizers, soups, entrees, snacks, and so on. But it is flatbreads that cleared the cute restaurant’s path to glory. The two most sought-after varieties are pides and lahmacuns, which are topped with a mixture of meat, spices, and vegetables.
They boast a savory flavor of unmistakable richness coming from the daily-made dough and house-made toppings. You can enjoy them in the prettily decorated dining room or use the convenient pick-up/ delivery service. Since this is a Turkish restaurant, Turkish coffee is a must.
What to eat:
Some fantastic flatbread toppings are kasarli (mozzarella cheese), ispanakli (spinach and feta), and sucuklu (mozzarella and Turkish pepperoni). Besides flatbreads, you can order red lentil soups, grilled lamb chops, or Adana kebabs (with grilled minced beef).
While Lezzet Cafe’s menu items reflect the taste of authentic Turkish food, some recipes undergo changes to accommodate local preferences. You can ask for traditional recipes if you dislike the Americanized version.
Location: 6869 Frankford Rd #100, Dallas, TX 75252
Website: https://lezzetcafetk.com/
Phone: +14699312033
Dallas’ Mediterranean Restaurants Will Mesmerize You!
From the sun-drenched lands of Greece and Italy to the even sunnier swathes of Lebanon and Morocco, the Mediterranean region features mind-blowing variety in its cuisine. The restaurants in Dallas passionately embrace that diversity, handing out yummy dishes that will certainly tempt you.
Therefore, your Mediterranean trip in this city will be full of great moments. Feel free to tell me about them in the comments. And let me know if you stumble upon perfect dining venues suitable for adding to this guide. One last thing: don’t forget to share this post with your friends.
