Philly’s Best Mediterranean Restaurants

For this update: We’ve added Stina, Kinto, and Dear Daphni. And this time, we’ve removed Isot, Barbuzzo, and Almyra.

Alamodok

This family-owned restaurant in Olde Kensington, which also doubles as a hookah lounge, is one of the few spots in Philly serving Jordanian cuisine. Choose from hearty platters of chicken or lamb shawarma, falafel, and hummus, or try one of its flavorful salads, such as the tabbouleh (made with bulgur, parsley, tomatoes, and onions dressed in lemon and olive oil) or the fattoush salad (featuring lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and more).

Bastia

The interior of Fishtown’s Hotel Anna & Bel is reason enough to visit, but the plates are just as beautiful. Celebrating Corsica and Sardinia, you’ll find creative dishes that lean on staple proteins, like pork collar with squash blossom, radicchio and gooseberry in a vinegar reduction. Plus, they have a substantial non-alcoholic drinks menu, including wines and sweet house-made sodas.

Suraya

This stunning all-day cafe and market has become a Fishtown dining destination, serving up various reimagined Levantine dishes, pastries, desserts, and beverages. Stop by in the morning for a Lebanese chai latte or one of its exquisite pastries (like the fig galette or rose and pistachio cruller), or make a reservation for dinner or weekend brunch to enjoy “A Taste of Suraya”—a prix fixe experience where diners can get a sample of the full menu, including popular dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh.

Kinto Cozy & Authentic Georgian Restaurant

A recent addition to Philly’s growing Georgian restaurant population, Kinto sneaks up on you. Small dishes like the variety of vegetable phlaki are flavorful, but the main dishes, like a soup dumpling called a khinkali are extremely flavorful and fun to eat. Combined with expert service, you’ll be encouraged to come back again and again.

Zorba’s Tavern

If you enter a Greek restaurant and don’t see lamb on the menu, just leave. Zorba’s has several lamb dishes, including a Soutzoukaki, a ground lamb dish with garlic and cumin, roasted in red wine sauce, as well as a simple but delicious Fourno, a leg of lamb roasted with garlic and lemon. Wash it down with an iced frappė.

Saad’s Halal Restaurant

Choose the variety of Middle Eastern dishes at this University City counter-service restaurant instead of the American section of Saad’s menu, which features burgers and cheesesteaks. There are dozens of meatless options in addition to a few varieties of shawarma and kebabs. Falafel is served with feta, hummus, tabbouleh, or baba ghanoush on top.

Dear Daphni

Enjoy a colorful happy hour in Rittenhouse, perfect for groups and celebrations, with a meze spread with dips, veggies and pita. The happy hour menu also offers Moroccan meatballs with pine nuts and feta, and saganaki, a grilled cheese wrapped in filo and topped with honey. Add the Birds and Bees, a gin cocktail with sumac honey and lemon.

Renata’s Kitchen

The always-bustling Renata’s Kitchen serves up a variety of Mediterranean fare from multiple cultures. Try one of several soups (including a Moroccan lentil with chickpeas), spreads and dips (try the beetroot tzatziki or labaneh), as well as smaller and larger plates za’atar-crusted branzino, and slow-braised lamb shank.

Sakartavalo

If Georgian cuisine is on your bucket list, Sarkartavalo has you covered. Here, you can try the salmon “mtsvadi” (salmon skewers cooked Georgian barbecue style), the ojahkhuri (fried pork or mushrooms served with potatoes), or the chkmeruli (whole chicken braised in milk with garlic and coriander).

Spice Finch

This restaurant at the Warwick Hotel in Rittenhouse serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare, such as date-braised lamb shank and farro-stuffed grape leaves. This popular spot has a spacious bar and is open late, including for breakfast.

Estia

Center City’s Estia celebrates Greek cuisine from the entire country, with a few special dishes from the Epirus region. Try the Saganaki made from Kefalograviera cheese, or the assortment of spreads like taramasalata, a spicy roe dip, and melitzanosalata, with smoked eggplant. You can also find traditional Greek coffee here.

Kanella Grill

The menu at this charming Center City restaurant draws influences from across the Mediterranean, but truly celebrates the unique dishes of Cyprus. Its extensive mix of mezze and mains features crowd-pleasers like filo rolls (made with goat cheese, shishito peppers, and za’atar), lamb and chicken kebabs, and falafel. The Taste of Kanella menu is a great deal, particularly for people who love to share, featuring two mezze, an entree and a dessert.

Zahav (and other CookNSolo restaurants)

Zahav might be the crown jewel of the CookNSolo restaurant group — but with other great Mediterranean-inspired restaurants under their belt (such as Laser Wolf, Dizengoff, Goldie, and the new Jaffa Bar in Olde Kensington), all of them are worthy of recognition. It goes without saying, book well in advance for a table at this James Beard award-winning hotspot that still serves an immaculate whole lamb shoulder braised in rich pomegranate molasses and served over spiced Persian rice.

Apricot Stone

Chef Fimy Ishkhanian has taken Northern Liberties by storm with Apricot Stone, a laid-back BYOB restaurant offering a fusion of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Armenian fare like manti, beef-stuffed grape leaves, fattoush, and lamb kebabs.

Stina

Disguised as an upscale pizzeria, you’ll find authentic Greek and Turkish delicacies at South Philly’s Stina. Specialties include spanakopita and its cheesy cousin tyropita, and patatas bravas, the first thing a yiayia will serve if you enter her home. Don’t skip the Turkish manti dumplings with mushroom and leek or lamb.