10 Mouthwatering Mediterranean Restaurants in Dallas, TX
When we are dreaming of deep blue waters and warm sunshine, a meal at a Mediterranean restaurant hits the spot. And Dallas, Texas’s foodie scene has more than a handful of outstanding restaurants serving up delicious food with a Mediterranean flair, from casual spots to buffets to glamorous dining experiences. Check out this list of our favorite Mediterranean spots around Dallas.
1. Afrah Mediterranean Restaurant and Pastries
318 E Main St, Richardson, TX 75081
(972) 234-9898
Famous for their Shawarma Pita sandwiches, Afrah Mediterranean Restaurant and Pastries doesn’t just make their own fresh foods. They know how to bake some of the best bread and desserts as well like their creamy pistachio-topped Warbat and sweet Brown Kunafeh. But dining at Afrah should also always include Fattoush, kofta and gyro sandwiches. If you visit on the weekends, don’t miss the Arabic brunch or bring the whole family and dine on Afrah’s Large Family Feast that feeds up to 12 people with a sampling of kebobs, hummus, and baba ghannouj.
2. Ali Baba
2103 N Central Expy, Richardson, TX 75080
(972) 437-1222
Guests at Ali Baba during lunch are treated to a buffet, the perfect way to sample a plateful of delicious dishes that this iconic Dallas spot is known for. We love their Haloumi Cheese appetizer with its unique and unmistakable flavor. But the Oven Roasted Trout, Lamb Burger and Ali Baba’s Gyro have us coming back again and again for the bold, authentic food they serve here.
3. Baboush
3636 McKinney Ave #160, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 599-0707
Located in uptown Dallas, Baboush is one of the city’s best Mediterranean restaurants. Inspired by the flavors of Lebanese and Moroccan street food, this spot is beyond delicious and perfect to dine with friends or have a date night with a significant other. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, our dinner favorites from Baboush are the falafel, shawarma bowl, apricot lamb couscous, and chicken kebab. If you just want a taste of what this spot has to offer, make sure to try their small sampler, the Mezza Platter. Whatever you end up getting, the authentic, flavorful food at Baboush will surely have you coming back for more. This must-try spot also occasionally has live entertainment like live singing and belly dancing.
4. Café Izmir
3711 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-7788
The sultry, sexy Café Izmir is perfect for a date night in Dallas. We love to cozy up in one of the booths and listen to the live music while we ponder which tapas we will choose to start our night. The Iranian owners serve up a mixture of Mediterranean flavors, so foodies love dining here for the wide variety of dishes that Café Izmir does so well. The garlic-free “date night” Izmir Hummus is always a great starter and the Dinner for Two is a thoughtful grouping of three meat, veggie and dip choices that promise to fill you up with tasty dishes like meaty dolmas, falafel and even grilled lamb chops.
5. Ephesus Mediterranean Grill
10455 N Central Expy Ste 118, Dallas, TX 75231
(972) 803-3750
Another standout Mediterranean restaurant that is also halal, Ephesus Grill is a great spot to try if you want to try some less known specialties that are beyond delicious. The Feta Rolls come on the Hot Sampler appetizer along with Falafel and Zucchini Pancakes, creating an amazing starter for a meal at Ephesus. Entrees here include all of the tasty kebab options, but Ephesus’s Hunkgar Bengeti, or Our Majesty’s Favorite, are not to be missed. The huge platter of lamb simmered in red sauce is enough for two, but you won’t want to share it. For sharing, we love the Family Style Platter that arrives with enough gyros and kebabs to feed four people. Finish off your meal with a Turkish flan called Kazandibi or ask for an order of Baklava to nosh on later because filling up at Ephesus is easy to do.
6. Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill
3001 Knox St Ste 110, Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 528-1800
This Dallas mainstay began in Houston, but Fadi’s has woven itself into the fabric of Dallas’s foodie scene for so long most people wouldn’t even realize it got its start a little south of town. Fadi’s Grill is a beloved spot for Lebanese and Mediterranean favorites that are cooked up with family-owned recipes. This fast-casual outpost in Uptown is a great place to try new flavors since you can build your own combination in their cafeteria-style serving line. But we love to order the Sultan Plate so we can splurge on two entrees like Fadi’s Gyro, Beef Kafta Kebab or Lamb Kebob and still have plenty of leftovers to enjoy later.
7. Open Sesame Lebanese Grill
2615 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(469) 726-2825
For those looking for exceptional, authentic, and affordable Lebanese food, Open Sesame stands out as a local favorite. The relaxed ambiance makes this spot perfect for small groups, and they even have a dog-friendly patio. We love the juicy and tender lamb kebab, the chicken shawarma sandwich, and the baba ganosh. Make sure you check out this hidden gem for some of the best shawarma in the Dallas area.
8. Sahara Restaurant
5441 Alpha Rd, Dallas, TX 75240
(972) 788-1898
This Persian spot is another local favorite place where you know you will be served up some of the freshest, handmade Mediterranean food in town. Sahara’s modern take on fresh food makes this restaurant one of the best places in Dallas to snag Persian favorites like their Chicken Sultani or their special Jewel Rice, a Basmati rice dotted with apricots and other tasty additions that goes deliciously with a pot of Persian Tea.
9. Satchet
4270 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 613-6425
Sachet has a Mediterranean inspired menu made up of small plates with Italian and Greek undertones. Their wine menu is quite expansive, but they have a sommelier on site to help you make the right choice. The trendy décor and ambiance makes this spot perfect for a ladies night out. For a light dinner, indulge your taste buds in small, shareable plates like the delicious fatteh, green fava falafel, or watermelon salad with Turkish cheese. To finish your meal on a high note, be sure to try their delectable Turkish donuts topped with cardamon sugar, lavender honey, and chocolate sauce. For a memorable dining experience, Satchet is a great spot to check out for Mediterranean food.
10. Ziziki’s
11661 Preston Rd Ste 309, Dallas, TX 75230
(469) 232-9922
A mainstay on the Dallas food scene, Ziziki’s has been serving up fantastic Greek dishes for over 25 years. We love the atrium fountain at Ziziki’s that just transports you to the old country on a visit to their Travis Walk restaurant although the patio at the Preston store is charming as well. We always start off with the Trio of Dips to nosh on while we decide on the main course, but we love to come for Sunday brunch and fill up on all of the Moussaka, Smoked Salmon and Mini Baklavas, too.
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Several restaurant recommendations kindly provided by: @dallasfoodnerd | www.dallasfoodnerd.com
Dallas Food Nerd was founded in 2011 by Elysa and Rory Ellis. The brand grew to become a community project of 20+ writers in North Texas who happen to like food, probably a little too much. Check out their website and social media pages for restaurant recommendations, new menu releases, recipe videos, product reviews and more nerdy fun!
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink around Dallas, check out our Dallas city page.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on December 12, 2022 and last updated on October 11, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
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