Middle Eastern in Phoenix

Yusef's Middle Eastern Restaurant, Grocery and Deli

15236 N. Cave Creek Rd. North Phoenix

602-867-2957

Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Deli, Grocery, Best Of, Sponsor, Menu

This funky Middle Eastern grocery store/deli/cafe serves up authentic dishes at rock-bottom prices. Scoop some hummus and tahini on warm pita, or try the kofta, an aromatic mix of ground beef, onions and parsley. Save room for the baklava for dessert.

3 articles

Al-Hana Restaurant at Baiz Market Place

523 N. 20th St. Central Phoenix

602-252-8996

Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

This tiny restaurant is basically a sectioned-off corner of Baiz Market, a Middle Eastern grocery store tucked away on a residential stretch of 20th Street, between Van Buren and Roosevelt. But despite the unlikely location, Al-Hana draws a steady, diverse stream of customers. Step up to the counter to order a tasty shish tawook plate or a hefty shawarma sandwich, and don't be surprised to see the cook pulling a long tray of freshly baked pita out of the oven. After gorging on hummus, be sure to make a pilgrimage to the dessert mecca at the back of the store, where there's shelf after shelf of Middle Eastern pastries -- everything from sticky, honey-drenched baklava, to neat squares of namoura (cake) topped with nuts, to maamoul (filled cookies) dusted in confectioner's sugar.

11 articles

Alzohour Restaurant

7814 N. 27th Ave. North Phoenix

602-433-5191

Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Market, Grocery Stores, Recommended, Best Of

Alzohour remains, to the best of our knowledge, the Valley’s only Moroccan restaurant, so we can consider ourselves fortunate that it’s as vibrant and delicious as it is. Zhor Saad has run the restaurant portion of her dining/market/clothing boutique almost single-handedly since 2008, scurrying between the front and back of house as she transitions in a flash between gracious host and talented line cook. Bring a little patience and a titanic appetite, because when the food finally hits the table, it’s a sensory feast. Popular Arabic starters such as orange-scented hummus and baba ghanouj pave the way for steaming tagines loaded with saffron-heavy lamb or fresh fish braised in tomatoes and olives. Mounds of delicate couscous topped with tender meats and vegetables are always a fine choice. But Saad’s bastilla — a savory-sweet phyllo pie filled with chicken and ground nuts topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon — is a unique Moroccan showstopper that is not to be missed.

3 articles

AZ Kabob House

7000 E. Mayo Blvd. Suite 1060 East Phoenix

480-502-4500

Persian, Middle Eastern, Best Of, Menu

The interior of AZ Kabob House is cheerful but not lavish, and the menu includes less traditional fare, like Greek salads and hummus, but their Persian specialties, like tender, ground beef kubideh kabobs served over saffron rice; homemade doogh, a salted mint and yogurt drink; and gormeh sabzi, a lamb and herb stew, are some of the best versions of these classic Persian dishes anywhere in town.

2 articles

Byblos Restaurant

3332 S. Mill Ave. Tempe

480-894-1945

Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Recommended, Menu

Reliable Middle Eastern fare in an upscale coffee-shop environment. Sticks-in-the-mud can stick to the Americanized part of the menu, but the mildly adventurous will enjoy fragrant offerings like shawarma chicken and kefta-kebab, simmered in distinctive Middle Eastern spices. Baklava is moist and fresh, and the creamy honey pudding is first-rate. Read our review.

Cafe Istanbul

1310 E. Apache Blvd. Tempe

480-731-9499

Buffet, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish, Best Of, Menu

This family-owned Middle Eastern restaurant serves award-winning food. The Tempe eatery’s all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is available on weekdays for $10 and includes a selection of salads, sides, meats, vegetarian entrées, dishes like lasagna made with lamb and cream sauce, and warm pita to sop up various dips. For dinner, the Al Amir combo with creamy hummus, minty tabbouleh, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), feta, baba ghanouj, mjadera, loubyeh, moist falafel, chunks of medium-rare lamb, outstanding chicken, and kafta kabob will provide enough to fill up two bellies for $29.95. Café Istanbul and Market also has a wide variety of sandwiches like shawarma, gyros, falafel, ma’anek (Lebanese lamb), soujok (Armenian beef sausage), baked lamb, and lamb tongue sautéed with garlic lemon. Save room for dessert, including chocolate mou, peach melba, nissreen cocktail, and Mike’s specialty (ice cream with melon and chocolate sauce).

4 articles

Casa De Falafel

4920 W. Thunderbird Rd. Glendale

623-230-2920

Middle Eastern, Greek, Slideshow

When people complain about Phoenix being too beige, they're likely referring to areas like Cactus Road and 67th Avenue. But Casa de Falafel, located inside a gas station at this intersection called Simon Xpress, is the opposite of suburban snooziness. A Mediterranean grill churning out authentic Arabic street foods, Casa de Falafel has a menu that's stretched above the prep station on electronic screens, promising falafel sandwiches, beef shawarma plates, salads, and falafel rings. Aside from the saj-wrapped falafels, lentil soup is a favorite. The shop was opened in 2016 by Ali and Madda Shakir from Iraq, who dubbed it Casa De Falafel only because Falafel House was taken. (So, no, this isn't a Mexican-meets-Mediterranean fusion eatery.) Both Casa De Falafel and the gas station have a retro vibe, sporting green and pink plastic booths, dark green tiles, neon signs, and a peppy, we're-here-to-serve atmosphere. Plus, you can get any drink you want — it's a gas station. New Normal: The Casa De Falafel family now offers soup to make at home, as well as takeaway frozen falafel rings.

3 articles

Chennai Chettinaad Palace

2814 W. Bell Rd. #1445 North Phoenix

602-993-0085

Indian, Middle Eastern, Contemporary, Critics' Pick, Best Of

Featuring the hard-to-find cuisine of Chettinad, a dry, remote region of the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, this decidedly grand restaurant on the city's west side offers many of the region's meat-centric, highly fragrant, and abundantly spiced food (even to the southern Indian palate) as well as around 200 dishes from both northern and southern India. Reap the rewards of an India rarely tasted in the Valley with dishes like Chettinad pepper lamb, smoky and spicy Chettinad chicken, and the fiery fried anchovies called nethili fish. Read our review.

12 articles

Copper Kettle

1250 E. Apache Tempe

480-967-4365

Indian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Menu

5 articles

Eden's Grill

13843 N. Tatum Blvd. Ste. 29 North Phoenix

602-996-5149

Middle Eastern, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

If Eve had made Adam rice like this, he might have kept his ass parked in the Garden! The rice at Eden's Grill in Phoenix is aromatic and flavorful, boasting eight different spices, including saffron and cinnamon, and tossed with raisins and slivers of Marcona almonds. What comes with it ain't too shabby, either: plump, succulent kebabs of beef, lamb, or chicken. And on Fridays and Saturdays, there's lamb shank that's been stewed for hours in a tomato-based sauce. Veg-heads will love the falafel, made fresh while you wait, though flesh-eaters will dig 'em too.

5 articles

Elie's Deli

4502 E. Thomas Rd. East Phoenix

602-522-2744

American, Deli, Middle Eastern, Recommended, Menu

Elie's Deli is a small restaurant serving American and Mediterranean food that's gotten high praise across the Valley. Whether you're in the mood for falafel, a gyro, or a cheeseburger, Elie's probably has a cheap and delicious fix for your craving.

2 articles

Fattoush Restaurant

4426 N. 19th Ave. Central Phoenix

602-241-3199

Middle Eastern, Restaurants, Recommended, Best Of

Pronounce it "fah-toosh," not "fat tush." Not only is that the correct pronunciation, but it's also unlikely you'll get too fat feasting on this restaurant's Middle Eastern dishes. That's because most everything on the menu is relatively good for you. Sure, if you eat an entire pan of baklava, you might gain a pound or two. But the heaviest thing on the menu is a lamb dish called minsaf, made with a sauce of aged yogurt, almond slivers, and cream. Otherwise, it's all the standards: chicken kebab, salads, falafel, etc. And there's worse out there to eat.

3 articles

Golden Restaurant & Bakery

1849 N. Scottsdale Rd. Tempe

480-656-4405

Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Golden Restaurant & Bakery in Tempe is a Middle Eastern restaurant with a menu steeped in Levantine culinary tradition, including excellent versions of mezze classics like hummus, baba ganoush, and ful. The restaurant’s specialty, however, is flatbread. The menu boasts more than 30 varieties of flatbreads, including manakeesh za’atar, a thin orb topped with olive oil and a traditional thyme and sesame seed spice blend. Small plates of slow-cooked meats are another highlight, especially mugalgal, cubed beef slow-cooked in a spicy tomato and cilantro blend. Don’t leave without trying one of the homemade desserts, which includes kenafa, a rich, cheesy cake covered in thin, sugary strips of semolina dough.

2 articles

Green Corner

1010 W. Southern Ave. #1 Mesa

480-835-2313

Middle Eastern, Mediterranean

Green Corner is a small, counter-service Middle Eastern restaurant situated in a somewhat drab shopping center in Mesa. What it lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in hospitality and good home cooking. Meze stalwarts like hummus, falafel, dolmas, and baba ghanoush are excellent. Entrees include a very good gyro plate – the meat is richly spiced, fragrant, and wonderfully tender. Lamb is the specialty of the house, as showcased in a very good lamb shank dish. Even better, though, are the house lamb chops, which may be modestly sized, but outsized in terms of flavor and texture. For dessert, there’s knafeh, a wonderful cheese pastry. Or you can make do with the complimentary house baklava, which is dependably sticky-sweet and very good.

1 article

Gyros Express

7132 E. Becker Lane North Scottsdale

480-483-0300

Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

Where has your thinly sliced lamb served with tomato, onion and special sauce on warm pita bread gone? Right here. A casual place to find spanakopita, saganaki or souvlaki as well.

1 article

Haji Baba Middle Eastern Food

1513 E. Apache Blvd. Tempe

480-894-1905

Middle Eastern, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow

A no-frills Middle Eastern grocer and counter-service joint, Haji-Baba serves well all who enter: students from nearby Arizona State, lunching business-casual types, families, couples and in-from-out-of-towners. For cheap and delicious eats in metro Phoenix, this place is hard to beat. The lamb tongue sandwich is one of the true wonders of Tempe eating; other standouts include the pita-wrapped chicken shawarma, baba ganoush, rice, hummus, and the Arizona pecan baklava. We're also big fans of the intoxicating aromas that have lived inside Haji-Baba for the past several decades. If we could bottle the scent of this place, we would. Seating is available inside this market-meets-restaurant as well as takeout.

25 articles

Il Vinaio Restaurant

270 W. Main St. Mesa

480-649-6476

American, Bistro, Italian, Middle Eastern

This uniquely elegant wine bar and restaurant (its name means "wine merchant" in Italian) serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Chef James Bacon prides himself on a talent for pairing food and wine, and it's evident at this family-owned downtown Mesa staple. Start with the Share Platter, a mélange of roasted vegetables, olives, artichokes, caper berries and soppressata. Follow that with a Caprese Salad with grape tomatoes, Mozzarella, basil and arugula and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Fans of fresh game will love the Half-Pound Free Range Nilgai Antelope Burger, served with house-cut fries and corn salad, or the Buttered Gnocchi with Duck Sausage, accompanied with zucchini, mushrooms, tomato and delicious herb pan sauce. Have the waiter select a wine flight to accompany your meal, and you'll leave happy.

9 articles

Jay's Gyros

4750 E. Broadway Rd. South Phoenix

602-426-1434

American, Barbecue, Breakfast/Brunch, Deli, Dessert, Diner, Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Recommended, Menu

Superb gyros (beef and lamb or chicken) are the stars here, but everything is tasty in this fun little dive. Sample superior cheesesteaks, Italian beef, turkey subs, Greek salad, and a phenomenal steak sandwich featuring an entire six-ounce rib eye. Read our review.

1 article

Juba Restaurant

5050 E. McDowell Rd. East Phoenix

602-244-1206

African, Middle Eastern, Recommended, Menu

The prize of the Somali community in Phoenix, located in a strip mall they should start calling Little Mogadishu to reflect not only the demographics of the shop owners, but also of the residents of the surrounding area. The recently refurbished interior is clean and pleasant, and the food is outstanding with a two-section menu: a large Middle Eastern section with kebab, hummus and so on; and a smaller, yet more popular Somali section with exotic combos such as sukhaar (stewed chunks of beef served with aromatic basmati rice) or pasta saldatto (spaghetti served with a similar stew of beef and tomatoes), which reflects the Italian colonial influence on Somali culture. Two must-tries: the cinnamony-sweet Somali iced tea, and the sanbusas (Somali versions of Indian samosas). Goat meat is good here, too, but may not be for everyone.

3 articles

King Tut Cafe

1125 E. Apache Blvd. Tempe

480-921-1670

Middle Eastern, Restaurants, Recommended, Best Of

Located near the ASU campus, this hookah bar and café attracts budget-challenged students. Choose from a wide range of tobacco flavors such as mango, strawberry, jasmine or molasses. The baba ghanouj is tasty; the falafel, lamb shanks, and tender beef korma all make for outstanding main dishes. Don't leave without sampling the sludgy Arabic coffee. Read our review.

3 articles

Mandi House Restaurant

1639 E. Apache Blvd. Tempe

480-659-4751

Middle Eastern, Best Of, Menu

1 article

Marigold Maison

4720 E. Cactus Rd. Ste. D118 North Phoenix

602-795-0020

Indian, Middle Eastern, Recommended, Best Of

Marigold Maison could be considered a reincarnation of the original Bombay Spice Grill. The restaurant, which is tucked into the side of a north Phoenix strip mall, still feels slightly like its former self. Yes, the dining room is handsomely decorated with murals and hanging lanterns; it also features an open kitchen clearly designed for a quick-service concept. The restaurant offers a small but acceptable selection of wines by the glass and bottle, as well as beers, three cocktails, and five homemade natural refreshments. About a third of the restaurant's food menu is dedicated to starters and shareable plates including a section of street food and South Indian Specialties. And though it's tempting to go for familiar options like samosa or chickpea hummus, taking a risk on something new will probably be more rewarding. Read our review.

10 articles

Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli

3052 N. 16th St. East Phoenix

602-277-4927

Middle Eastern, Deli, Recommended, Best Of

Small Middle Eastern grocery and restaurant that serves terrific lamb kebabs, kibbe, and baba ghanouj, as well as baked treats like baklava and crisp cookies filled with dates. Dining area is limited, but romantic, with a mural of Bethlehem on one wall, and a TV set hanging from the ceiling showing belly dancing. Grocery features everything from Jordan almonds and candy-coated chickpeas to a vast array of spices, and a deli with at least a half-dozen types of olives. Along with the canned and dry goods for sale are religious figures carved from olive wood, and blue glass talismans to ward off the evil eye. A cool little shop, like stepping into another world.

18 articles

The Paisley Violin

1030 Grand Ave. Central Phoenix

602-254-7843

Breakfast/Brunch, Cafe, California, Coffeehouse, Contemporary, Continental, Deli, Dessert, Eclectic, Greek, Health, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian, Bars and Clubs, Coffee Shops, Music Venues, Recommended, Menu

Temporarily closed: Gina and Derrick Suarez's quirky bohemian bistro is a comfortably cool spot that contains creative endeavors of every shape and size. Situated along Grand Avenue, it's a mecca of Mediterranean and Euro-style edibles served up in an ultra-arty atmosphere accented by a constantly revolving collection of photos, paintings, and sculptures. Boutique wines such as Trinity Oaks and Raw Power are on the menu alongside such microbrews as Shipyard Chamberlain and Odell Five Barrel. Paisley's calendar of weekly events is also quite eclectic, ranging from the sci-fi movie night on Mondays to live sessions by street musicians and indie bands on the weekend. "Peace and happiness all in one," it promises, and the Violin delivers, with a lovingly crafted menu of homemade plates like hummus, stuffed vine leaves, Italian panini, a pastrami sandwich, plus lox and capers. Beer, wine and liquor are available.

6 articles

Paprika Mediterranean Bistro

7116 E. Mercer Lane North Scottsdale

480-948-3776

Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

1 article

Princess Pita Mediterranean Restaurant & Market

2620 W. Broadway Rd. Mesa

480-894-1499

Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

Formerly known as Princess Market, this staple on the border of Mesa and Tempe has a new name but the same great food. Now called Princess Pita, this destination for Middle Eastern food is part grocery store, part dessert shop and part restaurant. As a whole, it makes for a fun trip. Enjoy a meal, then order a dessert and pick up some groceries to cook at home later. We’re big fans of the aromatic chicken shawarma and tender kofta kabab. Entree plates come with tahini-filled hummus, a lightly dressed fresh salad, rice, and soft, warm pita. The counter-service restaurant also offers wraps, shareable appetizers and salads. For dessert, make sure to check out the cases of succulent baklava, which come in many different shapes and sizes. One unique way to enjoy the honey-soaked sweet is in Princess Pita’s baklava cheesecake. Crushed nuts and tangy filling contrast with the flaky dough to create a decadent dessert that isn’t too sweet.

6 articles

Rayoog Cafe

78 N Cooper Rd, #101 Gilbert

480-664-2033

Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Essentials

Get ready for brunch and a show at Rayoog Cafe in Gilbert. The casual restaurant is modern and welcoming yet understated. But the real spectacle begins as groups order the special combo feasts. Large circular platters are loaded with small plates of food that encircle a copper-colored metal çaydanlık, a traditional Turkish teapot with one stacked on top of the other. Skillful servers deliver the towering displays and pour tea from the vessels. For couples or smaller groups, we suggest the Arabic Way. This breakfast for two includes eggs with sausage, hummus, falafel, salad, yogurt, fava beans and baba ghanoush served with warm flatbread. Along with freshly brewed teas, the drink menu includes strong, rich Turkish coffee and a refreshing frozen mint lemonade.

Restaurant Samarkand

7823 N. 19th Ave. North Phoenix

602-331-8991

Russian, Uzbekistan, Middle Eastern, Best Of, Menu

Ever wonder what folks eat in Uzbekistan? Well, then, Samarkand is your place. Run by two Uzbek expats, Samarkand serves killer kebabs, everything from lamb chops and chicken to captain fish (sea bass) and salmon. In addition to the skewers, you can order from a list of salads - including carrot salad, mushroom salad - and funchoza, made with Chinese rice noodles. For dessert, there's hot tea made with a mixture of black and green tea leaves, and sweet cakes of ground walnuts. Yum. All hearty, delicious, and very cheap.

2 articles

Shamy Market & Bakery

1110 W. Southern Ave., #8 Mesa

480-207-1805

Syrian, Market, Middle Eastern, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

Shamy Market & Bakery is a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant and market in Mesa’s Fiesta District. Inside the small specialty grocery store occupying a suite at the Fiesta Commons Shopping Center, the eatery offers Syrian-style breads created daily in Shamy’s specialty oven. Other menu items include Middle Eastern offerings like manakeesh with za’atar, fattoush, and foul, as well as salads, pizza, and starters. The market and restaurant combo is operated by the Alimam family who moved from Damascus to metro Phoenix in 2011. Shamy Market & Bakery is the family’s first endeavor in professional food.

4 articles

Sinbad's

3544 W. Glendale Ave. North Phoenix

602-242-5555

Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

1 article

Summer Market

13815 N. 7th St., Suite B North Phoenix

602-283-9700

Market, Middle Eastern

1 article

Tasty Kabob

1250 E. Apache Blvd., #116 Tempe

480-966-0260

Middle Eastern, Persian, Best Of, Menu

Elegant Persian cafe serving authentic Persian food. Fragrant, heaping platters of chelo kabob koobideh and joojeh kabob will help restore warm American-Iranian relations. The signature dish is zereshk polo, a special rice mixed with barberries and saffron. Try the homemade doogh, an unsweetened yogurt drink, but remember: It's an acquired taste. The Persian ice cream flavored with pistachios, rosewater and saffron makes for a charming ending to the meal.

4 articles

Thaily’s

444 E. Chandler Blvd. Chandler

480-927-3865

Cambodian, Middle Eastern

It might be the size of a walk-in closet, but the unusual mix of Cambodian and Arabic cuisine at Thaily’s punches far above its square footage. Run since 2021 by wife and husband Thai and Lee Kambar (Thai-Lee’s … get it?), Thaily’s two signature cuisines tend to cross-pollinate less than they cohabitate, with Thai’s Cambodian fare comprising the lion’s share of the menu. Puffy fresh pita stuffed with lemongrass beef skewers makes for a fine sandwich, but digging into a dish such as salaw machu — a sour, fragrant Cambodian soup loaded with eggplant — is a wide-eyed moment for any food lover. Curried chicken, whether in the form of blistered, charred thighs or a rich coconut stew, is always an excellent choice. Salads, meaty and otherwise, are beautifully balanced and blistering hot. And the prahok ktiss — a funky Cambodian ground pork dip flavored with kroeung, makrut lime and fermented fish — is an absolute must, studded with diminutive pea-sized eggplant and served with a platter of fresh crudités for dipping and munching.

Middle Eastern in Phoenix

Newsletter Sign Up

Enter your name, zip code, and email