Where to Go for Mediterranean Food in Raleigh: 17 Best Restaurants Voted by Locals

The weather is warming up, which means we’ve got an appetite for meze and citrusy salads, char-grilled kebabs, and plates designed for sharing on a sun-soaked terrace. Raleigh, a city better known for barbecue and Southern comfort, has a handful of quietly delectable Mediterranean restaurants that channel the flavors of coastal villages and bustling bazaars of the Med. 

Whether you’re looking for a pillowy pita or smoky baba ghanoush, a quick mezze spread, or a herby kofte, we’ve asked our Raleigh community for the best Mediterranean restaurants in the city so that you can get a taste of traditional dishes from Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and beyond. NOTE: We have focused this list on the Eastern corners of the Mediterranean basin. All of these restaurants were picked by Raleigh locals and our own experience. We have another guide on Italian restaurants and French restaurants for more inspiration.

Sitti

• Address: 137 S Wilmington St, Raleigh
• Website: sitti-raleigh.com

For a taste of Lebanon, head to the heart of downtown to dine at Sitti. This long-standing favorite offers the quintessential taste of Mediterranean cooking: fresh herbs, bright acidity, and shareable dishes. The restaurant opened in 2008 by chef Greg Hatem, who wanted to honor his Lebanese heritage, and so he teamed up with the Saleh family, who own Neomonde, another restaurant that we feature on this list below, and named his restaurant after the grandmothers, or sittis in Lebanese, who were the caregivers and teachers of Lebanese traditions. 

The menu is all designed to be inviting and communal. With creamy hummus dishes and handmade, wood-fired flatbreads, these are meals meant for grazing and lingering over with good company. They also have happy hour deals and offers such as Martini Monday and Wine Wednesday. And we like their communal courtyard that they share with Gravy, the Italian restaurant next door.

Bosphorus

• Address: 329 N Harrison Ave, Cary
• Website: bosphorus-nc.com

Bosphorus in downtown Cary specializes in authentic Turkish cuisine and was recommended by several members of our Raleigh community for having some of the best kebabs in the Triangle. Some standout dishes are the gyro plates and chicken kebabs. If you’re ever undecided, opt for the platter, which comes with a huge selection of Turkish appetizers. What’s more is that you get complimentary Turkish tea (cai) with every meal, which is typical if you ever visit a restaurant in Turkey.

Bosphorus Restaurant feels like walking into a tavern tucked into a side street in Istanbul. The interior doesn’t offer much in the way of decor, but it more than makes up for it with the flavors. The smells and sounds of kebab meat sizzling are synonymous with what you would find in Turkey. We’ve been several times and love it. It’s a great lunch spot and can get really busy – even on a Tuesday.

Taverna Agora

• Address: 326 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
• Website: tavernaagora.com

If you’ve followed us for a while, you may already know we’re big fans of Taverna Agora, not just for the food but also for the ambient roof terrace and family-friendly vibe. Taverna Agora has an easygoing charm about it. If you’ve ever been to Greece, you would know that vibe anywhere – it’s typical of a Greek rooftop taverna. Think whitewashed walls, trailing greenery, and an open-air dining space. 

The authenticity doesn’t stop there, though; it shows up on the plate too. Taverna Agora offers Mediterranean cooking in its most genial form: think grilled meats peppered with herbs like oregano and thyme, and the spanakopita with barrel-aged feta is flaky and succulent. We are big fans of their brunch menu. With inventive offerings like gyro benedict and challah bread French toast, it has a unique brunch menu that’s both delicious and brings Raleigh a little closer to the Aegean. Our girls love their baklava rolls, and I LOVE a glass of their earthy Retsina, a traditional Greek wine with a history spanning over 2,000 years.

Sasool

• Address: 9650 Strickland Rd, Raleigh
• Website: sassool.com

Sassool is a family-owned restaurant that specializes in Lebanese food and is one of our favorite spots for a light lunch in Raleigh. They have two locations, one in North Raleigh off of Strickland Road and one in Cary off of Kildaire Farm Road.  Although it considers itself a fast-casual restaurant, it’s by no means your typical fast-food joint. Every dish is made from scratch using quality ingredients and produce from the farmer’s market. 

The dishes blend authentic Lebanese roots with a touch of South African flair – think vibrant salads, slow-cooked stews, and fresh-baked pita. The hummus is silky, and the tabbouleh tangy, and the cafeteria-style setup makes it feel like a community space where you can linger a while. They also have daily specials, and you can order “picnic in the park” meals when visiting the Koka Booth Amphitheatre – just order online and collect it before your event.

Neomonde

• Address: 3817 Beryl Rd, Raleigh
• Website: neomonde.squarespace.com

A fast-casual restaurant that’s deeply rooted in tradition is Neomonde Mediterranean, which offers Lebanese fare made with fresh, local, and organic ingredients. What began as a family-run deli by the Saleh brothers more than 50 years ago has grown into a lively restaurant and market, where you will find healthy and honest food that tastes as good as the aromas that greet you at the door. 

Neomonde has three locations in the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Morrisville), and each of them has a cafeteria-style line to order from, which is in itself a feast for the eyes. As you look into the glass cases, the jewel-toned salads, crisp falafels, and bowls of roasted vegetables immediately get your mouth watering. You can choose your own bowls or pita pockets, or order à la carte. Be sure to eat outside on the lovely, shaded patio on a warm day.

And if you liked what you tasted, be sure to browse the market on the way out and pick up some herbs and spices to make your own dishes at home! Our daughter used to work at Neomonde, and I loved it when she bought home food – their hummous and dolmades are yum!

Ajja

• Address: 209 Bickett Blvd
• Website: ajjaeats.com 

Ajja is celebrated for its fresh Mediterranean flavors and charming ambiance. The restaurant’s laid-back, yet stylish atmosphere is the perfect setting for a date night, or evening out with friends. We love the geometric wallpapers, the bar seating, and the hanging plants above the outdoor seating area, making you feel like you’ve landed in a tavern in Malta or Morocco. They also often have live music and market days.

Enjoy their warm Moroccan hummus, lamb croquettes, or for something more filling, white fried trout. Ajja’s mango and saffron posset for dessert is the perfect way to round off the Mediterranean flavors.

Boatman Spirits Co.

• Address: 713 Seaboard Station Dr, Raleigh
• Website: boatmanspirits.com

In downtown Raleigh, Boatman Spirits Co. looks like a Mediterranean Taverna has been picked up and dropped in the heart of the City of Oaks. The focus is on small, shareable plates and craft cocktails. It’s equal parts Mediterranean eatery and cocktail bar, with arched ceilings and ambient lighting; it would make a perfect date night spot.

There’s a lightness to the menu, focusing on small appetizer-style dishes. Some standout options are the fried halloumi, hummus, chicken wings and tallow fries – the latter served with the most delicious sumac ranch, and both made our best wings in Raleigh and best fries in Raleigh list. Several of the recipes have been inspired by owner, George’s grandmother’s Palestinian recipes. Head there on a Wednesday or Saturday for live jazz music and DJs.

Vidrio

• Address: 500 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
• Website: vidrioraleigh.com

A popular restaurant in downtown Raleigh is Vidrio, which has a beautiful and striking glass decor, high ceilings, and a wall of ceramic plates – an aesthetic that is enough to transport you to the heart of Southern Europe. It has attentive service and a small but well-curated menu that reflects the bold flavors of Greece, Spain, and Italy. Whether you fancy pasta or mezze, this is the perfect restaurant for a brunch spot to wanderlust over visits to the Med. 

It’s a favorite restaurant on Glenwood South Ave, and we personally love its artisanal bread with extra virgin olive oil. Popular dishes include Moroccan beef skewers, Hanger steak, and fettuccine. They also have a carefully selected collection of wines from across the Mediterranean.

Nil’s Mediterranean Cuisine

• Address: 513 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina
• Website: fuquay.nilsmc.com

It’s worth a trip to Fuquay-Varina for Nil’s Mediterranean Cuisine. The unfussy and welcoming restaurant is small, but more than your average neighborhood eatery. Nil’s menu is small, but ever-changing and evolving depending on the spirit of the day. There is a chalkboard that reveals the daily specials and the chef’s choices.

Every dish draws its influence from across the eastern Mediterranean, with a particular nod to Turkish home cooking. You can expect gyros, rice or quinoa bowls, and slow-simmered stews. It’s particularly well known for its signature roasted cauliflower dish, so be sure to give that a try. And everything feels personal at Nil’s. It’s not about spectacle, but sincerity and authenticity, which is exactly why Nil’s stand out.

Habibi Grill & Bakery

• Address: 1007 Method Rd, Raleigh
• Website: habibigrill.com

Habibi is your unassuming, warm, and quietly inviting neighborhood kitchen where everything is made with care. It’s a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves up authentic Levantine flavors and is the number one place to go for Palestinian food in the Triangle.

Everything is bursting with flavor, from the freshly baked flatbreads to grilled meat platters, each served with a bowl of homemade soup and two sides. Grilled meat is at the forefront of the menu here, though, so although there are vegetarian options, the star of the show is the skewers. It also serves a delicious lamb and chicken mandi. It’s an unpretentious spot with a lovely outdoor seating area where warm hospitality and good food do all the talking.

Naos

• Address: 2800 Renaissance Park Pl, Cary
• Website: naosnc.com

From Palestinian to Hellenic (Greek) cuisine, Naos has a health-conscious take on Mediterranean dining, where tradition is paired with fresh, simple ingredients from the land and sea and focused on purity over pretense. The space itself is polished and contemporary, with ancient Greek murals on the walls, plush seating, and warm lighting — it would make an ideal date night spot or a setting for a special occasion.

On the menu, expect artfully plated mezze and thoughtfully composed grain bowls, and if you want to dine at an affordable price, head there Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 7pm for Opa Hour, which features meals for less than $15 per dish. Naōs, the latest concept by legendary Giorgios Hospitality Group, whose other restaurants include Rosewater Kitchen, Giorgio Pizza Bar, East End Bistrot, and Giorgios Epicurean Market

Charlie’s Kabob

• Address: 12235 Capital Blvd, Wake Forest
• Website: ordercharlieskabobgrill.com

Over in Wake Forest, Charlie’s Kabob is a local favorite that offers unfussy, fast, and full-of-flavor dishes. The focus here is squarely on the grill: skewers of marinated chicken and lamb that have been lightly charred and paired with fluffy rice, crisp salads, and warm pita straight off the heat, sign me up! With fresh ingredients and dishes prepared using family recipes and Lebanese hospitality, it’s a comforting taste of the Mediterranean done right. There are two locations in Wake Forest, but both offer the same experience.

Mr. Kabab

• Address: 5950 Poyner Village Parkway, Suite 107, Raleigh
• Website: mrkababnc.com

Over in Triangle Town Center shopping mall is Mr. Kabab, a low-key and deeply satisfying restaurant that serves as a reminder that some of the best Mediterranean food comes without fanfare. The space is simple, but the kitchen delivers where it counts: juicy, spice-laced kebabs, creamy hummus, and a lineup of classic sides. Regulars rave about the chicken shawarma and the lamb chops, and the platters make shareable dining easy and affordable. Everything is cooked to order and prepared with bold seasoning and comes in generous-sized portions. It’s the kind of place you come for substance over style.

Taza Grill

• Address: 6325 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh
• Website: tazagrill.com

In North Raleigh, Taza Grill offers a vibrant and reliably flavorful take on Greek comfort food, with a focus on freshness and simplicity. The standout dishes are lamb gyros, steak and cheese subs, and hummus or tzatziki with flatbread.  This is fast dining with an assembly-line style service, which makes it easy to customize plates and grab a quick bite to eat. Meals are quick, but the food doesn’t feel rushed to make, and every bite is a taste of quintessential Mediterranean cuisine.

Kabobi

• Address: 4325 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
• Website: kabobiraleigh.com

Another casual and quick-service Mediterranean restaurant with an assembly line style service is Kabobi, which is located in Crabtree Mall on Glenwood Avenue, and offers hearty and unmistakably flavorful Mediterranean fare. The grill takes center stage and turns out juicy kebabs and marinated chicken, both cooked halal, and paired with fluffy rice, crisp salads, or warm pita. It’s located in the food court, so the atmosphere is relaxed and approachable, letting the food speak for itself.

Flame Kabob

• Address: 7961 Skyland Ridge Pkwy, Raleigh
• Website: flamekabob.com

Another halal option is Flame Kabok, which offers Persian cuisine that’s simple, smoky, and satisfying. The focus is mostly on grilled meats, but it’s become particularly well known for its Persian ice cream! Portions are generous and the flavors bold. It’s a simple and unpretentious place, with a lovely outdoor seating area and family-friendly vibe. There’s a good reason the Raleigh locals keep coming back again and again.

Aladdin’s at Brier Creek

• Address: 8201 Brier Creek Pkwy
• Website: aladdins.com

Aladdin’s was founded by Fady Chamoun, a Lebanese immigrant who moved to the U.S. in 1972, who wanted to share healthy Lebanese cuisine with the world. He opened the first Aladdin’s in 1994 in Lakewood, Ohio, and it quickly gained popularity and has expanded across the country. Today, there are over 30 restaurants across the East Coast, with the first one opening in Raleigh in 2008.

Aladdin’s now has two locations, one in North Hills and one in Brier Creek, but both are equal when it comes to service and food standards. What we love about this Mediterranean restaurant is the quantity of vegetarian and vegan options available. For a chain restaurant, the quality far surpasses that of any other. On the menu are protein-fueled veggie dishes; we particularly love the Loubie Bzeit, spicy cauliflower, baba ganouj, and pitza. It also has vegetarian rolled pitas and vegetarian chili.

Ready to keep eating around the world? Try these ideas: Raleigh’s best international resturants, international restaurants on Hillsborough St, and you’ll find lots of global cuisine at these Raleigh food trucks.