The Mediterranean Sea spans quite a big region, and the food from the places along its coast is some of the best in the world. The region includes a diverse array of cultures and distinctive cuisines , including portions of Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, southern France, and Greece), the Eastern Mediterranean (Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Israel, and Palestine), and North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt).
The diverse cuisine has a big presence in the United States, so searching the country for the excellent Mediterranean food might feel daunting. Need a cheat sheet? Here are some of the best Mediterranean restaurants in every state (plus Washington, D.C.) based on thousands of TripAdvisor, Google, and Yelp reviews. Chef Alon Shaya has restaurants all over the world, having made a name showcasing Israeli food in a bright, modern way. There are few people who do it better than he does, and at Safta , it’s no exception. Expect pillowy pita, more dips than you know what to do with, and terrific service. The flavors are as bright as the actual colors of the food at Anoush’ella , a fast-casual spot in Boston for great Mediterranean food. There’s a stunning 20 mezze options, and that’s before the rest of the menu begins. If you live in Boston, this is your new favorite lunch. Keene, New Hampshire may not be known for its wide variety of flavors, but at Luca , the Mediterranean has arrived in New England. Grab some small plates for the table (like whipped feta and garlicky shrimp) but save room for some lamb chops to write home about. You’d be hard-pressed to find a mezze bar to compete with the one at Zeugma anywhere nearby. We’re talkin’ beet falafels, pumpkin muhammara, and at least three types of hummus on offer. Not many people in New Jersey are cooking food the way Chef Can Alp is, so get in there and experience it. In a town of great Mexican food, Alquds is a beautiful option for a different flavor profile. No matter if you’re going for a gyro, shawarma, or even just a cheeseburger, you need to make sure you’ve got extra hot shatta and garlic sauce. No such thing as too much garlic sauce. If you’ve checked too many dinners off your Mediterranean list, hit Dizengoff in Philly for brunch. Israeli goodies like shakshuka and za’atar omelettes will pair nicely with the top-notch cocktail program, which rocks ingredients like Turkish coffee.
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The diverse cuisine has a big presence in the United States, so searching the country for the excellent Mediterranean food might feel daunting. Need a cheat sheet? Here are some of the best Mediterranean restaurants in every state (plus Washington, D.C.) based on thousands of TripAdvisor, Google, and Yelp reviews. Chef Alon Shaya has restaurants all over the world, having made a name showcasing Israeli food in a bright, modern way. There are few people who do it better than he does, and at Safta , it’s no exception. Expect pillowy pita, more dips than you know what to do with, and terrific service. The flavors are as bright as the actual colors of the food at Anoush’ella , a fast-casual spot in Boston for great Mediterranean food. There’s a stunning 20 mezze options, and that’s before the rest of the menu begins. If you live in Boston, this is your new favorite lunch. Keene, New Hampshire may not be known for its wide variety of flavors, but at Luca , the Mediterranean has arrived in New England. Grab some small plates for the table (like whipped feta and garlicky shrimp) but save room for some lamb chops to write home about. You’d be hard-pressed to find a mezze bar to compete with the one at Zeugma anywhere nearby. We’re talkin’ beet falafels, pumpkin muhammara, and at least three types of hummus on offer. Not many people in New Jersey are cooking food the way Chef Can Alp is, so get in there and experience it. In a town of great Mexican food, Alquds is a beautiful option for a different flavor profile. No matter if you’re going for a gyro, shawarma, or even just a cheeseburger, you need to make sure you’ve got extra hot shatta and garlic sauce. No such thing as too much garlic sauce. If you’ve checked too many dinners off your Mediterranean list, hit Dizengoff in Philly for brunch. Israeli goodies like shakshuka and za’atar omelettes will pair nicely with the top-notch cocktail program, which rocks ingredients like Turkish coffee.