Mediterranean in Phoenix

Mijana

1290 N. Scottsdale Rd. Tempe

480-829-4959

Lebanese, Mediterranean, Best Of, Sponsor

4 articles

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

Zoe's Kitchen

521 W. McDowell Rd. Central Phoenix

602-716-0070

Health, Mediterranean, Sandwiches, Best Of, Sponsor

This popular lunch spot looks like a cozy, uptown art gallery-but we know of no art gallery that serves a chicken and slaw pita as good as Zoe's. We're also fans of the Z-Chef Salad, an assemblage of turkey, ham, Swiss and American cheeses, tomato, egg and cucumber served on a bed of lettuce with Zoe's secret house dressing and a fresh hunk of their house-made pita bread. Combined with a bowl of the house specialty Chicken and Orzo Soup, made fresh daily, this is a lunch like no other. Dieters bored with the usual cottage-cheese-and-fruit plate should check out Zoe's Protein Power Plate, a grilled, boneless, skinless chicken breast served with grilled onions over a heaping bed of Zoe's slaw.

1 article

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

Bravo Bistro

4327 N. Scottsdale Rd. Central Scottsdale

480-481-7614

Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, Recommended, Menu

Snap your fingers to nonstop Tony Bennett and enjoy some well-crafted, Mediterranean-themed bistro fare. Start off with an order of baba ghanouj and antipasto, then move on to one of the best osso buco plates in town. Loosen your belt and linger over creamy tiramisu or chocolate bread pudding. Read our review.

4 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 8

5235 E. Southern Ave. Mesa

480-338-2640

Breakfast, Deli, Mediterranean, Salads, Sandwiches

2 articles

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

Caffe Boa

398 S. Mill Ave. Tempe

480-968-9112

Italian, European, Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

For first dates and graduation dinners, Tempe’s Caffe Boa is a staple. This long-standing Mill Avenue restaurant is the perfect contrast to the bustling bars and clubs just steps away. Both an Italian restaurant and wine bar, it is open for brunch, lunch, happy hour and dinner. Make sure to try the outstanding pastas, such as a block of lasagna resting in a pool of cream-tinted bolognese or the Ravioli Zucca, filled with butternut squash and topped with toasted hazelnuts and sage swimming in a garlic butter sauce. Complete your meal with a creative cocktail, pour of wine or a flight of Rakija, a double-distilled fruit brandy popular in Serbia and throughout the Balkans, for something a little different.

20 articles

Cala Scottsdale

7501 E. Camelback Rd. Central Scottsdale

480-590-5676

Italian, Mediterranean, Best Of

This signature restaurant nestled in the Hilton’s Senna House in Old Town is helmed by celebrity chef and Sanctuary alum Beau MacMillan. While he willingly handed over executive chef duties to Peter McQuaid, who followed him from Sanctuary, MacMillan’s stamp is all over the Mediterranean-inspired menu that flaunts farm-fresh cuisine with coastal panache. Start with a showstopping Flaming Saganaki or singular giant meatball before diving into fresh pastas or pizza. The Wagyu Bolognese is hearty and elegant; it can be made vegan with red lentils as the base, if you wish. And the za'atar roasted patty pan squash with cracked hazelnut dukkah is a side that amplifies any dish. The patio is packed on the weekends, but the bar at the center of the restaurant offers a great spot for people watching away from the crowd.

4 articles

Calistro California Bistro

18221 N. Pima Rd. North Scottsdale

480-502-0325

American, Contemporary, Health, Mediterranean, Recommended, Menu

Stick to shared plates like lamb meatballs or the Calistro flatbread - topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto - at this "farm to table" bistro at north Scottdale's DC Ranch Crossing.

1 article

Char Kitchen + Bar

6107 N. Scottsdale Rd. Central Scottsdale

480-664-9238

Mediterranean

1 article

CoR Tapas

4500 N. 12th St. Central Phoenix

602-264-8471

Tapas, Spanish, Mediterranean

CoR Tapas & Wine is a Spanish-styled tapas bar that brings the tapas concept to midtown Phoenix, complete with a menu of homemade sangria cocktails. CoR exceeds expectations with a streamlined menu of artful, beautifully executed small plates like gambas al ajillo, a garlic shrimp plate featuring a wonderfully rich garlic aioli. Simple and classic dishes like patatas bravas are upgraded through presentation and a very good, spicy aioli sauce. Chef Casey LaRue makes many of the house breads and cheeses, and he demonstrates a special knack for extracting maximum flavor out of simple vegetable dishes like charred Brussels sprouts.

1 article

Cuttlefish

8777 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale Paradise Valley

573-202-3044

Italian, Mediterranean

The crisp yet cozy interior of Cuttlefish sets the mood for a modern twist on classic seafood. The menu features a variety of fresh fish perfectly cooked with housemade pastas like seared scallops with gnocchi or lobster ravioli, while offering a unique take on classics like clam chowder "Pot Pie" or Italian shrimp and grits. Serving lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner seven days a week, Cuttlefish offers fresh seafood with Italian flair.

11 articles

Dino's Greek and Italian Grill

1550 N. Dysart Rd. Goodyear

623-535-8380

Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, Best Of, Menu

This family-owned and operated restaurant serves traditional Greek and Italian favorites, made to order and from super-fresh ingredients. Pastas, chicken, beef, and seafood entrees make up the Italian half of the menu, but be sure to also check out the gyros and Greek salads flavored with house-made dressing, and chase them with Greek wines and draft beers from the bar. The hummus appetizer is enough for four , and the moussaka and spanakopita are as authentic and tasty as they come.

2 articles

Eddie's House

7042 E. Indian School Rd. Central Scottsdale

480-946-1622

Contemporary, Eclectic, Greek, Mediterranean, New American, Best Of

Chef Eddie Matney has had a namesake place before, but with his latest enterprise, he's amping up his own star power and playing off longtime strengths. The vibe here is expectedly homey but upscale, and somewhere in bustling dining room, you'll probably spot Matney himself, mingling with guests. Fans of Matney's Mediterranean-influenced New American cuisine won't be disappointed here - the menu includes a number of his signature dishes, including juicy mint-pesto grilled lamb chops, Mo'Rockin shrimp, and East-Meets-West, which pairs Asian-style tuna with Parmesan-coated halibut.

13 articles

Efes Turkish Cuisine

1701 E. Guadalupe Rd. Tempe

480-897-3017

Mediterranean, Turkish

1 article

Essence Bakery Cafe

825 W. University Dr. Tempe

480-966-2745

American, Greek, Mediterranean, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

The folks behind the successful Essence Catering have branched out with this laid-back Tempe cafe, which they remodeled with environmentally friendly materials. Quiche Lorraine and spanakopita are house specialties; the warm, open-faced steak sandwich, with sauteed mushrooms, Cabernet butter, and Maytag blue cheese, is another tempting option. And if you're looking for something lighter, the salads here are delicious, made with organic greens. Homemade cookies and pastries make for a sweet finish. Read our review.

44 articles

Fire at Will

4912 E. Shea Blvd., #108 North Scottsdale

480-207-1819

Mediterranean, Modern American

Dom Ruggiero’s third concept may be his best so far. Located in the Paradise Village Gateway plaza at the corner of Tatum and Shea boulevards, the dark and moody Fire at Will flaunts a Mediterranean-inspired menu. The neighborhood restaurant is sure to satisfy whether you choose the Macaroni au Gratin with five melty cheeses that form a perfect medley atop elbow pasta, or the lobster roll with creamy aioli and diced celery stuffed inside buttered grilled toast and served with a charred lemon. The Hush Burger, a favorite when featured at Ruggiero’s Hush Public House in north Scottsdale, has a concrete spot on the Fire at Will menu — caramelized onions, Noble Bread brioche bun, and all. Find a spot at the communal table, or bring a date and tuck into a booth to watch staff in the open kitchen plate savory beef bolognese and whole grilled branzino. The Mr. Brownstone, a brown butter bourbon cocktail with black walnuts and brown sugar, is a fitting accompaniment to the dimly lit space.

2 articles

Francine

4710 N. Goldwater Blvd. Central Scottsdale

480-690-6180

Mediterranean, French, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

Patrons are immediately immersed in European elegance when they walk into Francine. The exposed ceilings and bar take center stage, leaving room for seating that feels intimate and offers plenty of people-watching. The restaurant itself is a menagerie of bustling voices in an open kitchen, servers in formal attire and a dose of patrons in sequins and sparkling dresses. It isn’t just about the atmosphere, though. The French cuisine is bold and sexy. All dishes are presented like colorful paint palettes with herbs and edible flowers — entrees focus on including veggies, homemade pasta and rich sauces minus the butter. For starters, the salty, savory tuna tartare and the grilled octopus are fan favorites. Other standouts include the Chilean Seabass and the bone marrow bucatini. At Francine, expect both a visual and culinary experience.

5 articles

Fred's at Barneys New York

4500 N. Scottsdale Rd. Central Scottsdale

602-337-6111

American, Brunch, Mediterranean, Recommended, Menu

Given the high-fashion merch that Barneys is famous for, Fred's is suitably geared toward the ladies-who-lunch crowd - as expected, there are a lot of salads and lighter bites like tuna tartare. What's surprising, though, is how much Fred's also caters to a hungrier clientele, with hearty pastas, entrees, and pizzas. Sunday brunch is also a delight.

1 article

George's Famous Gyros

7620 E. McKellips Rd. Unit 6 South Scottsdale

480-874-1354

Mediterranean, Greek, American, Best Of

There are a number of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants in metro Phoenix that will serve you a gyro, but we bet it won’t be anywhere near as good as the one you’ll get at George’s Famous Gyros in Scottsdale. After all, gyros are the restaurant’s specialty, and as a first-generation Greek from Chicago, owner George Salvaridis has the know-how to make the best seasoned meat on a spit. He learned the family secrets beginning from the age of 8 when he first started pimping pitas at his father’s American eateries, and then he moved back to Greece for a time, where he learned what “authentic Greek” really means. George’s gyros are crafted with seriously good meat, soft, puffy pita bread, and tasty tzatziki made with a 20-year-old recipe. But gyros aren’t the only thing made right at this no-nonsense eatery. The fries are just as addictive, and the menu also features spanakopita, souvlaki, falafel, a fish sandwich, and pasta.

4 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

The Grapevine

4013 N. Brown Ave. Central Scottsdale

480-994-1792

Mediterranean, Bar Food, Best Of, Readers' Choice

The Grapevine, a folksy bar and grill situated in downtown Scottsdale, is the place where local karaoke singers go when they get serious about their much-maligned craft. Besides being one of a handful of Valley venues where karaoke is offered every night of the week, The Grapevine also features the inimitable talents of disc jockey Bobby Cook, a veritable one-man band who'll blow a real sax solo during your little Motown fantasy or rosin up a genuine fiddle between your verses of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." For the audience, too, Cook's live accompaniment sure beats staring in nervous anticipation at a slide reading "Instrumental Break -- 16 Bars" while singers gulp down a little more of that liquid inspiration before the final chorus.

7 articles

Greek Patio

402 E. Greenway Parkway North Phoenix

602-548-8155

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended, Menu

Casual neighborhood spot that dishes up superb Greek repasts at very reasonable prices. If you dwell nearby, you're blessed, as this is the sort of place you'll want to dine at least once a week. The place features scrumptious spanakopita, chicken kebabs, moussaka, and housemade baklava. Non-trad items like the Cornish chicken and the catfish topped in a tomato sauce will also rock your world. The saganaki, a pan-fried blend of cheeses, flamed tableside and extinguished with a squeeze of lemon, is the house special. Have a shot of ouzo for us, when you go.

1 article

Greek Spice Grill

5740 W. Peoria Glendale

623-334-3433

Greek, Mediterranean, Music Venues

Greekfest Restaurant

1940 E. Camelback Rd. East Phoenix

602-265-2990

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

We have no idea whether Achilles munched on moussaka or lapped up avgolemono when he wasn't out making mincemeat of Priam's army during the Trojan War. But if the Greek warrior were alive and still kickin' butt, he could do worse than to sup on swordfish souvlaki or pig out on pita and hummus at this high-end Greek grub shack. Greekfest offers some of the best Greek vittles in the Valley, set in upscale surroundings: hardwood floors, arched windows, antiques, and tchotchkes from Aegean isles, and a traditional color theme of eggshell white and sky blue. Read our review.

8 articles

GreekTown Restaurant

8519 N. 7th St. North Phoenix

602-674-8881

Greek, Mediterranean, Best Of, Slideshow

Chef-owner George Vassiliou has crafted his own corner of Athens in north central Phoenix. Murals depicting scenic Greek side streets and tales from the Greek myths fill the walls. Grecian pottery and vases take up every nook and cranny. Blue and white are the dominant colors, and Greek music flows from the sound system. The dolmades are the best in the PHX, and Greektown's kalamaria is off the chain. The moussaka, sweetbreads, and lamb are hard to beat as well. If all that weren't enough, Vassiliou has been known to do his Zorba impersonation and smash a few plates when the mood hits. Enough ouzo, and you'll be smashin' plates, too. Opa, dude!

13 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

Hummus Xpress

930 W. Broadway Rd. Unit 11 Tempe

480-968-2311

Mediterranean, Lebanese, Moroccan, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

A kind of chef-driven street food stand by way of Lebanon, this fast-casual Mediterranean eatery in Tempe from Ahmad (Eddie) Hantas, offers a colorful, rotating array of homemade salads and hummus, boldly flavored sauces, hot vegetables, fresh toppings, and slow-cooked meats that can be packed as-you-please into pitas, bowls, or plates – and all for under a 10-spot. You can build your own creation, but given Hantas' adeptness at combining flavors, letting him take the reins for a more adventuresome meal pretty much goes without saying. Don’t miss the outstanding falafels with a bit of Southwest flair, heady roasted veggies, and the Yemeni hot sauce, shug. Read our review.

14 articles

Imperial Market & Deli

737 E. Glendale Ave. North Phoenix

602-285-6999

Kosher, Market, Deli, Jewish, Mediterranean, Sandwiches, Best Of

In 2010, this Jewish market and deli, which has served excellent imported meats since 2006, opened a dining room for sit-down table service. The large menu includes all the delicatessen favorites and many more sandwiches, including shwarma, kebabs, falafel, freshly ground burgers, and schnitzel, in addition to entree-size platters of stuffed cabbage rolls, roasted chicken, salmon, and even a $26 rib eye steak. Most of it tastes very good, and that's the good news. The bad news: The low-energy dining room can be downright stifling and the prices (most sandwiches are $10 or more) seem a bit high, given the dining experience. Your best bet at Imperial may be hitting the deli for a pastrami on rye to go.

8 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

Mediterranean in Phoenix

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