Craving the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean? Seattle’s culinary scene is brimming with incredible restaurants serving up authentic and delicious dishes from across the Mediterranean region. From Greece and Turkey to Israel and Lebanon, you don’t have to travel far to experience the best Mediterranean food. Whether you’re searching for “Best Mediterranean Food Near Me” or planning your next flavorful food adventure, this guide will lead you to the top Mediterranean restaurants in Seattle, guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds.
What exactly is Mediterranean food? It’s a question many ask, and while often confused with Middle Eastern cuisine, true Mediterranean food encompasses the cuisines of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This includes beloved staples from Greece and Turkey, but also extends to the culinary traditions of Spain and Italy. While we appreciate the broader scope, for this guide, we’re focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighting cuisines east of Greece and Turkey, including Egypt. Think of dishes bursting with grilled meats, creamy hummus, smoky eggplant, warm pita bread, and fragrant rice – the kind of food that truly satisfies.
Seattle is a fortunate city, boasting a diverse and thriving Mediterranean food scene. Get ready to explore a curated list of the best Middle Eastern, Persian, and Mediterranean restaurants the city has to offer. Bookmark this page for future cravings, as we’ll continuously update it with new discoveries and favorite spots!
MedMix Jackson
website | 2204 S Jackson St (get directions) | neighborhood: Central District | cuisine: Mediterranean
MedMix Jackson consistently ranks as a top casual Mediterranean dining destination for Seattleites in the Central District. Known for its reliably excellent menu, MedMix excels even with dishes that might not typically be crowd-pleasers. Step inside this unassuming spot and prepare to be surprised by the quality and flavor packed into every dish.
What to get: For a truly satisfying meal, start with their incredibly juicy lamb-beef gyro, a staple that perfectly balances savory meat and fresh toppings. Don’t miss out on their creamy hummus, a classic done exceptionally well, and the deeply smoky baba ghanoush, praised as one of the best in the city. Even the Greek fries are elevated here, seasoned to perfection and generously drizzled with a punchy garlic sauce that’s irresistible.
Mr. Gyros
website | 5522 20th Ave NW (get directions) and 256 NE 45th St (get directions) | neighborhoods: Ballard and Wallingford | cuisine: Mediterranean
Mr. Gyros is a Seattle institution, a go-to Mediterranean restaurant loved by locals and recognized nationally. This popular spot was even featured on Yelp’s list of the top 100 most-loved restaurants in the US, a testament to its consistent quality and crowd-pleasing menu. Offering classic Mediterranean street food in both Ballard and Wallingford, Mr. Gyros delivers deliciousness without breaking the bank.
What to get: The star of the show is undoubtedly the lamb-beef gyro. Many consider it the best in Seattle, boasting perfectly cooked meat shaved right off the spit and expertly assembled into a flavorful and satisfying gyro. For a heartier option, the chicken shawarma plate is another excellent choice, served with rice, Greek salad, and hummus – a generous portion that often provides leftovers for a second meal.
Homer
website | 3013 Beacon Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: Beacon Hill | cuisine: Mediterranean/Middle Eastern inspired
For a more upscale Mediterranean dining experience in Seattle, Homer in Beacon Hill is the place to go. This stylish restaurant offers a refined take on Middle Eastern classics, making it a popular destination that often requires a wait, especially for smaller parties as they don’t take reservations for groups under six. The ambiance is chic yet inviting, and the food is well worth the wait.
What to get: Begin your Homer experience with their must-try pita bread and dips. The pitas are exceptionally large and fluffy, baked fresh in a visible oven, adding to the dining experience. Be sure to save room for their inventive and rotating soft serve ice cream, featuring unique Middle Eastern flavors like rose, cardamom, and pistachio. You can even find this delightful ice cream at their sister spot, Milk Drunk, just down the street.
Hamdi
website | 4012 Leary Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Frelard | cuisine: Turkish/Anatolian
Hamdi is currently a standout for Turkish and Anatolian cuisine in Seattle’s Mediterranean food scene. Starting as a popup, Hamdi impressed diners with its sophisticated flavors achieved even in a temporary setting. The culinary expertise behind Hamdi is evident in every dish, with Chef and owner Berk Guldal bringing experience from renowned restaurants like Cafe Boulud and SingleThread Farms.
What to get: The menu at Hamdi changes to reflect seasonal ingredients, but the kebap is consistently praised and deeply memorable. Expect incredibly juicy, flavorful meat perfectly complemented by a fresh sumac, tomato, and cucumber salad, all served with delicate thin pita bread. The restaurant’s ambiance is both sophisticated and lively, featuring an open kitchen and upbeat music, creating a unique and enjoyable dining atmosphere.
Cafe Turko
website | 750 N 34th St (get directions) | neighborhood: Fremont | cuisine: Turkish
Cafe Turko is a beloved family-owned gem in Fremont, often overlooked but truly deserving of attention. Stepping inside Cafe Turko is like entering a vibrant Turkish souk, with colorful decor and lanterns adorning the ceiling. The warm and welcoming owners add to the charm of this spot, known for their delicious food and excellent catering services.
What to get: A must-try at Cafe Turko is the rainbow hummus plate, a visually stunning and flavorful dish featuring classic chickpea hummus alongside beet, spinach, and yam variations. For a unique and satisfying main course, order the lamb beyti kebab. This dish is presented like a Turkish quesadilla, with seasoned lamb wrapped in lavash bread with mozzarella, feta, and vegetables, then grilled to perfection and served with yogurt and a flavorful tomato sauce.
Aviv Hummus Bar
website | 107 15th Ave E (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | cuisine: Israeli
Aviv Hummus Bar brings the vibrant flavors of Israeli cuisine to Capitol Hill, a welcome addition as Israeli food is underrepresented in Seattle. Aviv shines with its light and airy pita bread and, of course, its exceptional hummus. While you can enjoy classic plain hummus, the real treat is exploring their creative hummus bowls topped with various savory concoctions.
What to get: Among the hummus bowls, the hummus basar with seasoned ground beef is a standout favorite. Another highly recommended dish is the sabich, a flavorful pita sandwich packed with hummus, fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, and fresh vegetables. For extra heartiness, consider adding falafel to your sabich.
Falafel Salam
website | 4746 California Ave SW (get directions) | neighborhood: West Seattle | cuisine: Israeli/Middle Eastern
Falafel Salam is a West Seattle gem, recognized as one of the best restaurants in the area and also operating one of Seattle’s top food trucks. Whether you visit their brick-and-mortar location or track down their food truck, Falafel Salam offers delicious and authentic Middle Eastern street food classics.
What to get: For those who want to sample a bit of everything, the hesitator plate is a perfect choice. This generous platter includes falafel, hummus, shawarma, salad, and lamb gyro, making it an ideal way to experience a range of Falafel Salam’s best offerings. It’s a fantastic value compared to ordering each item separately.
Ada’s Restaurant & Bar
website | 5910 Phinney Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Phinney Ridge | cuisine: Turkish
Ada’s Restaurant & Bar, nestled in Phinney Ridge, offers a more refined Turkish and Mediterranean dining experience. Despite being open since 2018 and serving excellent food, Ada’s remains somewhat of a hidden gem, tucked away in a quieter part of Phinney Ridge. Chef Ayhan, with decades of experience, including a long tenure at Daniel’s Broiler, brings a unique touch to Ada’s menu.
What to get: While Ada’s offers surprising dishes like lobster bisque (a nod to Chef Ayhan’s Daniel’s Broiler days), the Turkish menu items are the true stars. Don’t miss the Ezogelin soup, a comforting red lentil soup with rice and spices, finished with browned butter and mint. The Adana kebab is another must-order, made with hand-minced meat, resulting in an exceptionally juicy and flavorful kebab.
Taki’s Mad Greek
website | 1471 NW 85th St (get directions) | neighborhood: Crown Hill | cuisine: Greek/Mediterranean
When you’re specifically craving traditional Greek dishes in Seattle, Taki’s Mad Greek in Crown Hill is your best bet. This spot focuses on authentic preparations of Greek classics like spanakopita, moussaka, and souvlaki, transporting you straight to the Mediterranean.
What to get: Despite the tempting array of Greek specialties, the lamb-beef gyro remains a top recommendation. Taki’s gyro is considered one of the closest in Seattle to rival the beloved Mr. Gyros, offering a flavorful and satisfying combination of well-seasoned meat, creamy tzatziki sauce, and fresh salad.
Man’oushe Express
website | 13721 Lake City Way NE (get directions) | neighborhood: Lake City | cuisine: Middle Eastern
Man’oushe Express, tucked away in Lake City, truly embodies the hidden gem concept. This unassuming spot is best known for its mana’eesh flatbreads, topped with a variety of delicious ingredients, but their menu extends to a wide range of Middle Eastern street food favorites.
What to get: Ordering a mana’eesh is essential at Man’oushe Express. The za’atar and cheese mana’eesh is a highly recommended choice. Also, be sure to try their chicken shawarma, praised for its incredibly buttery rice and addictive garlic sauce. Pro tip: Man’oushe Express is a cash-only establishment.
Mint and Olives
website | 8 W Mercer St (get directions) | neighborhood: Lower Queen Anne / Uptown | cuisine: Mediterranean
Mint and Olives in Lower Queen Anne is a surprising find. From the outside, it might appear as just another typical Mediterranean restaurant, but the flavors coming from their kitchen are anything but ordinary. Mint and Olives elevates classic street food to a new level of deliciousness.
What to get: The chicken shawarma is a standout dish, even surpassing their excellent gyro in many opinions. It features high-quality grilled chicken wrapped in a unique roti-style bread and drizzled with a tangy, signature sauce. Like other top spots, Mint and Olives also excels at Greek fries, thanks to a generous and flavorful garlic sauce.
Cafe Suliman
website | 1531 Melrose Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | cuisine: Arabic
Cafe Suliman, located within Melrose Market in Capitol Hill, offers a taste of casual cafes from the Levant, Egypt, North Africa, and the Arabian Gulf. Their focused menu highlights pantry staples like aleppo pepper, za’atar, pistachio, and labneh, creating authentic and flavorful dishes. Sharing space with Cantina Sauvage, a natural wine bar, Cafe Suliman boasts a well-curated wine list and a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
What to get: Everything on the menu at Cafe Suliman is worth exploring. If available, the tuna butter served with crostini is a must-try, reminiscent of Italian baccala. The fenugreek mussel toast is another excellent choice, featuring a flavorful broth perfect for soaking up with the thick-cut bread.
Aladdin Falafel Corner
website | 4541 University Ave NE (get directions) | neighborhood: University District | cuisine: Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Aladdin Falafel Corner in the University District is a reliable and delicious spot for casual Mediterranean and Middle Eastern street food. Joining the ranks of Mr. Gyros, MedMix, and Mint and Olive, Aladdin Falafel Corner offers a consistently satisfying and quick fix for Mediterranean cravings.
What to get: You can’t go wrong with the classics here. The hummus, baba ghanoush, and Greek fries are all highly recommended. The chicken shawarma is particularly flavorful, with a robust spice blend and generous garlic sauce. However, the Aladdin gyro is the standout, featuring juicy, almost meatloaf-like meat slathered in a unique curried sauce that adds a delightful egg salad-like twist.
Ciudad
website | 6118 12th Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: Georgetown | cuisine: Portuguese/Mediterranean
Ciudad in Georgetown is a personal favorite, offering consistently excellent grilled food and flavorful small dishes in a vibrant and inviting setting. From the outside, Ciudad might seem like a simple grab-and-go grill, but stepping through the back door reveals a spacious, light-filled restaurant with a funky and colorful mural.
What to get: It’s easy to over-order at Ciudad because everything is so tempting. The whole-roasted cauliflower is a must, drenched in cipollini onions, dried apricot, hazelnuts, and date syrup. The seared halloumi is another excellent vegetarian option, served with dates, beets, walnuts, and burnt honey. Even the baba ghanoush here is exceptional, with a smoky depth of flavor. While their grilled meats are popular, don’t overlook the incredibly tender and moist beef and lamb meatballs served with smoked yogurt and shishito peppers.
Cafe Munir
website | 2408 NW 80th St (get directions) | neighborhood: Loyal Heights | cuisine: Lebanese/Arabic
Cafe Munir, nestled in the quiet Loyal Heights neighborhood north of Ballard, offers a slightly more upscale Lebanese and Arabic dining experience. The menu features Middle Eastern classics that are less common in Seattle, such as muhammara roast pepper dip and arayess stuffed pitas.
What to get: While the menu at Cafe Munir changes regularly, the bisara munir lentil dip is a consistent favorite and a must-try if available. This earthy and flavorful dip is a unique and delicious alternative to hummus.
Damoori Kitchen
website | 3101 W Jameson St (get directions) | neighborhood: Magnolia | cuisine: Lebanese
Damoori Kitchen is a Lebanese market and cafe located in Magnolia, near Discovery Park. While primarily a market, Damoori Kitchen also offers takeout from their cafe and frequently features special pre-order Lebanese meals announced via their email list.
What to get: The baba ghanoush at Damoori Kitchen is highly recommended. It’s praised for its smoky flavor, creamy texture, and prominent eggplant taste.
Caravan Kebab
website | 9711 Firdale Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Edmonds | cuisine: Pakistani/Mediterranean
Caravan Kebab, located just outside Seattle in Edmonds, offers a unique culinary experience with a diverse menu spanning Mediterranean, Indian, and European cuisines. This variety makes it an excellent choice for groups with diverse tastes. Chef Shahzad’s menu is inspired by his travels and culinary mentorship from Greek “Yia Yias,” resulting in an eclectic and flavorful offering.
What to get: The kashke bademjan is a standout dish at Caravan Kebab. This Iranian dip, featuring roasted eggplant, yogurt, tahini, mint, and garlic, is described as a milder and equally delicious alternative to baba ghanoush.
Petra
website | 2501 4th Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | cuisine: Mediterranean
Petra, a Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Seattle, offers a menu with dishes that stand out from the typical Seattle Mediterranean fare. This spot is worth exploring for its unique offerings and flavorful dishes.
What to get: For a truly unique dish, order the Petra Royal. This generous portion features buttered rice topped with pine nuts, almonds, garlic sauce, chicken, a vegetable kabob, fried cauliflower, tomato, and onion. The Petra Royal is a flavorful explosion with a delightful crunch from the nuts.
Sabine
website | 5307 Ballard Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | cuisine: Mediterranean
Sabine, located in Ballard, occupies the former Bastille space and is owned by the same restaurant group. This light and airy cafe offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring familiar favorites like shakshuka, Turkish eggs, hummus, and falafel.
What to get: While a beloved pita dish is no longer on the menu, Sabine excels at dishes featuring dips and vegetables. Explore their hummus, eggplant, and falafel options for a satisfying Mediterranean meal.
Almanqual
website | 1712 N 45th St (get directions) | neighborhood: Wallingford | cuisine: Mediterranean
Almanqual in Wallingford is a popular destination for Mediterranean food in Seattle. While some dishes might be comparable elsewhere, Almanqual has standout items that are worth seeking out. Their gyro meat is juicy and thinly sliced, served with a unique spicy red sauce.
What to get: The falafel at Almanqual is a must-order, considered by many to be the best in Seattle. They are large, fluffy on the inside, and perfectly crispy on the outside. Pro tip: Shawarma plates don’t automatically come with rice, so be sure to order a side of their fluffy pita bread.
More Seattle Mediterranean restaurants to try
Here are additional Mediterranean restaurants in Seattle to explore:
Explore Seattle’s Diverse Cuisines
Once you’ve savored the best Mediterranean food Seattle has to offer, be sure to check out our guides to other exciting cuisines in the city.
