Bosphorus

★★★★★ 4.7 (297) • $$

"I've had Bosphorus on my radar for a while now, and after seeing it make Yelp's Top 50 Places to Eat in Denver, I couldn't wait any longer!I showed up for lunch at around 1PM on a weekday, perfectly timed as another guest was just leaving -- no waiting for a table! I could have spent hours gawking at the menu. After a recent trip to Greece, I've been longing for some tasty & authentic Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food, and everything looked incredible. Somewhat of a panic decision, I went with the chicken gyro sandwich and a stuffed grape leaf. When asked if I wanted rice, fries, or a salad with my sandwich, I asked for rice, and was met with "hmmmm, are you sure about that?". Melih (very easily!) convinced me to change to fries and WOW I am so glad I did...hands down some of the best fries I have ever had, perfectly crispy and seasoned so well! The gyro meat was phenomenal and packed with flavor. The stuffed grape leaf was also delish! Huge portions and incredibly fair pricing!Although the food was awesome, my 5-star experience here really was brought together by the friendliest staff/owners, a cozy/homey/authentic spot filled with awesome Turkish history on the walls, and the most welcoming atmosphere. I will absolutely be back to try the Iskender Kebab, Fried Eggplant, and Turkish Tea (and to get more fries!)."

King of shawarma & kabob

★★★★☆ 4.4 (15)

"I'm sorry, but you can't get this much food for cheap anywhere in Denver. I got the two meat combo and it was absolutely delicious! I can't believe their prices, very affordable. Service is friendly. I'll be back."

Asli Mediterranean Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (47)

"They opened about two months ago. They offer delicious authentic dishes that you will have to try. Tasty falafel that's piping hot. Their mixed plate is so good and I especially favor the chicken over the veal. The salads are fresh and delicious! Their hummus is great but their pillowy pita bread is one of the best in recent memory!A bit about hummus:No matter how you prefer to eat it, hummus is a tasty and healthy way to introduce more plant-based protein, fiber, and nutrients to your diet. Featured Dish:1. Shawarma Chicken (Pargiot) and Shawarma Veal Combination Plate with Israeli Chopped Salad, Red Cabbage Salad and Rice2. Hummus with Mushroom with Pita3. Falafel Appetizer4. Soup of the Day - Orange Veggies*ASLI in Hebrew slang means the original, real deal, authentic, no joke."

Saffron Grill

★★★★☆ 3.5 (85) • $

"The place was empty when we arrived accept for on person finishing his bill settlement. We stood at the counter a few minutes looking at the menus on the counter. A pleasant woman emerged and as if we wanted anything and we said we wanted to eat i . We grabbed the menu and chose a table. She appeared to be working alone. We were finally able to order after about 10 minutes and were given drinks from the cooler. Doesn't seem full service but it was Monday at 1:30 so maybe no staff??The food to me was average in taste. I might try the lamb next time if in the area. I wasn't impressed as some reviewers with the ambiance or the food. The prices are reasonable so it's worth a visit and let your tastebuds decide."

Golden Falafel Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.8 (82)

"The hubs and I met up with a friend for dinner tonight. We showed up right at 5 and the place very quickly filled up. We started with falafel and the zaatar bread. The falafel was so light and crispy and just delicious. The zaatar bread was soft and soaked up the olive oil and spices. I loved both and knew we were in for a good meal. For my main I went with the baba ganoush sandwich. I haven't had baba ganoush like this before. It had a little pomegranate molasses with pomegranate seeds wrapped up with mixed greens and herbs in pita. The hubs got a gyro sandwich with a side of fries. I snuck a bite and very good as well. Service was really fast and we knew we were in great hands with the owner. I definitely want to come back."

Pita Fresh 16th Street Mall

★★★★☆ 3.6 (45)

"I wish this restaurant was in my neighborhood so that whenever I get a craving for a really good and fast Syrian/Middle eastern food, I'd be able to rush to it and get it. This place is/was one of the most authentic Syrian restaurants I've ever been to. Although the restaurant itself recognizes it as a fast food restaurant, it's waaay more than that in my opinion. People who live and work downtown are so lucky to have it within their neighborhood; I guess I'm jealous!!My Veggie Combo plate - when I picked it up from the ordering counter when it was ready - was quite the weight. I knew at the moment that the price I paid for was well worth it. And as I opened the container my face started glowing like the sun! It was absolutely beautiful!I was only be able to eat 1/3 of it (am I complaining?) I saved the rest for dinner but I still couldn't finish it (at dinner later that day) so the rest of it (the last 1/3) will be my breakfast for tomorrow for sure!A huge tray that contained squares of baklava (at the register) looked enticing; I got tantalized! I'll definitely get one next time."

Gyros & Kabobs

★★★★☆ 4.2 (290)

Jasmine Syrian Food

★★★★★ 4.9 (118)

"Jasmine is located inside Mango House. My favorite here is the pita bread with garlic dipping sauce. Simple things taste amazing. Modern day Syria and Iraq is the historic region of Mesopotamia. It has been known as one of the world's earliest civilizations that planted the first cereal crops. Around 10,000 BCE, Neolithic Revolution invented agriculture which made cities and large human population possible."

Yemen Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (188) • $$

Cafe Paprika

★★★★★ 4.5 (548) • $$

Mazevo Mediterranean Eatery

★★★★☆ 4.2 (325) • $$

"Lots of Moroccan influences, but I wish they served my Lamb Tagine in a Tagine. We also got their Mezi Platter with Lentil soup, but past on the Lentil soup. It's not as creamy as I would have preferred.This place has a large bar area to sit and great for large parties.However - it took 70 minutes for our entrees to come out. So, make sure you have extra time in-between whatever you need to get to while coming here."

Ali Grill

★★★★★ 4.6 (15)

Zaman Mediterranean Fresh

★★★★★ 4.6 (59)

"First-time experience at Zaman, and I'll be glad to return.Hadn't eaten lunch and only had some coffee and a bit of yogurt for breakfast, so come 2 pm I was hunnngry. But the problem was my honey and I were meeting friends for an early dinner out and so I didn't want to ruin my appetite. Hence the question of what to do. Passed by Zaman and had seen some very good reviews of it and had the great thought: hey, maybe they sell appetizer sized portions of one of my favorite Middle Eastern dishes--baba ghanoush with a pita. I was thinking, maybe I could have a few bites of that and not spoil my appetite for dinner a little later. So that's what I did. I stopped on by and picked up a to-go order since they did have that on the menu and bingo...food problem solved.Didn't just like it. I loved it. Almost as good as Yayha's, my favorite Middle Eastern spot, so I will be happy to try out some of their other dishes. Liked the fast casual set-up and the nice people who ran the place. All-in-all an excellent experience.Sign me,David "Satisfied but not filled up"M."

Grape Leaves Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.6 (48)

"Their near perfect reviews left by many truly speak for the kind of restaurant it is. It's only 10 minutes away from my northeast DTC house. How come I didn't discover this place until a few days ago?This is not necessarily a fancy restaurant in any way but it sure is a clean restaurant. When I arrived at the peak dinner time, one of the workers was cleaning the little mess left behind by a diner. And she was very thorough in cleaning. I picked up one of the menus at a table and that was when this super friendly gentleman in the kitchen asked me, "Is this here or to go, my friend?" Ahh, thank for calling me a friend! Like I always do, instead of getting me a huge entree plate, I got me a few sides as a nice accompaniment to what I already have at home. Grape leaves and tzatziki sauce definitely sounded good to me on top of falafels. The same guy in the kitchen continued to be friendly to me while I was placing my order. He carried on a nice casual small talk conversation with me without any pause. He truly made an effort to get to know me. Once home, I immediately started my dinner. I was truly impressed with the grape leaves. They are marinated with jalapeño so they've got a good kick in it. This is very unique for grape leaves as I've never had spicy ones before. Falafels are nice and brown with perfect crunchiness. The tzatziki sauce was great for dipping some raw veggies I had in my fridge. Later that night, my daughter came by with empty stomach. To the question she asked me, "Do you have any food?" I replied with an evil looking grin on my face, "Yes, I've got just that!" and gave her some of the leftovers from my earlier dinner. She was beyond impressed with everything especially the grape leaves! "Where did you get all this great food?" she asked to which I replied, "Grape Leaves Mediterranean Restaurant on Mississippi and Peoria!" "Mom, we need to go back soon to get us more of those!" she uttered! This restaurant instantly gained a few die hard fans that night!!"

Baghdad Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.7 (105)

"Good foodGood service Cozy ambiance I recommend it for family gatherings Good for lunch Lamb Chops"

Surena Persian Cuisine

★★★★★ 4.5 (385) • $$

"It took us years to get back but we finally did and wow did we miss this. This place is just as phenomenal as it was back when we last ate here. The service was informative, friendly and efficient. First time trying the Ghormeh Sabzi and it was so good. We also got the kabadoori which is always great. Happy to have returned and cannot wait to come back. Our toddler enjoyed everything too!"

Shondiz Restaurant & Catering

★★★★☆ 4.3 (173) • $

"Small menu means they know what they're doing! It shows! Delicious food and awesome service! Carefully curated plate a Persian restaurant with the most tastiest meat ever! The Koobideh ( ground beef) and Chicken Kabob ( joojeh)charbroiled, was so tasty plus the Lamb! It was the best lamb in recent memory! The Basmati Saffron Rice was unbeatable in taste. The grilled tomato and charred jalapeño on the side were an added bonus. The Smoky Eggplant( Mirza Ghasemi) and house made hummus. The is smoked and so delicious. Roasted tomato, garlic and Himalayan Salt, with a plateful of warm pita bread. The hummus was creamy and so tasty! I'm thinking of returning when I walked out their door!"

Mediterranean Market & Deli

★★★★☆ 4.3 (163)

"This is the best spot for authentic Mediterranean food at a very reasonable price considering the amount of food you get. The gyro meat is incredibly good and flavorful. Also love their falafels and wouldn't go anywhere else. The kataifi is incredible and their baklava is great as well. Located in a small strip mall and not the most assuming place at all with a small amount of parking spots in front. The inside is a grocery store selling all sorts of really cool foods from all over the Mediterranean. The owner always behind the counter is very kind. Love this place and have already gone here twice! There is a small table inside so taking out is the best way to go."

Ash'Kara

★★★★☆ 4.2 (382)

"Did you know... "Ashkara" in English can be roughly translated to "seriously" or "for real." At least, this is what a quick google search told me! And... I'm going to roll with it because Ash'Kara is SERIOUSLY great, FOR REAL! We ordered:Hummus & PitaZa'atar Fries w/ Harissa AioliA Cheese-y Mezzes (I forgot the name!)KugelFattoush SaladZa'atar Roasted ChickenEverything was FIVE stars! I'd order the hummus and pita everytime. It had the best flavor. Paired with the pillowy pita, I was in "mhmm mhmm" mode. ;D Going Back?Absolutely! The food was not only fantastic but the vibe and service was exceptional. Everyone was in such a great mood and seemed to love working there. Two shoutouts... 1. To the hostess, who steered us toward the Za'atar Roasted Chicken. It was beautifully cooked, juicy and filled us up! 2. To our waiter Adam, who kept our meal coursed while also keeping us on time to get my mom to the airport on time. We really appreciated how attentive and caring he was toward us!Next time, I'll order more of the Mezzes dishes: Labneh, Htipiti, Babaganoush, Hummus and two pitas per person. I just love a good dip dinner, though!"

Damascus Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (524) • $$

"Look, the DG is really good compared to the numerous other Middle Eastern restaurants in Denver. And they've told me they haven't changed their recipes in many years. . .That said, while I love their homemade pita and hummus, and their falafel is still the very best in all of Denver, their baba ganoush is different than it used to be, as in a "where's your old baba ganoush" kind of way.My wonderful MIL and I decided to make a bet a few weeks ago. The bet was about where the best baba ganoush in the Denver area was. I knew I would win that bet because the DG used to have the best baba ganoush in the state, let alone in the Denver metro area. Hands down. No question.Unfortunately, I don't think so anymore.The baba ganoush that I thought would knock her 94 year old proverbial socks off, was indeed very good, and clearly specially homemade . . . but not what it used to be.First, it contained coarse chopped up walnuts; a thing that previously wasn't the case. Second, it did not have that rich, deep, smoky flavor nor the olive oil and tahini overtones which in the "new" (?) version were a bit too subdued.Ya know I appreciate that I'm picking at nits here 'cause the baba ganoush they served was actually very good. That said, it held no candle to their former version, a version I used to travel 1/2 hour out of my way to get.So the message is: DG, you're still one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the whole Denver area, but DG, your baba ganoush is now only very good and not so so good that I used to run around betting people that its was the best in the whole area.Sign me,David "Things change now get used to it and eat their delicious falafel et al." M."

Yahya's Mediterranean Grill & Pastries

★★★★★ 4.6 (624) • $$

"This is a very good Mediterranean Restaurant. I ordered the Lamb Kebobs for an entree and almond baklava for desserts.The entree came with a very good side salad, hummus, pita bread, rice and vegetables. The lamb was cooked perfectly, and all the side items were delicious.The baklava portion was enormous and delicious. I recommend sharing the baklava, if you are not dining alone.This restaurant is located in Downtown Denver, it was easy to find parking."

Shish Kabob Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (475) • $$

"Still in exploration mode after moving downtown a few months ago; it seems impossible to try all of the restaurants within walking proximity. It's been awhile since we had Mediterranean cuisine, so this place was definitely on the list. When we arrived we were quickly greeted and seated at one of the window tables. The inside is welcoming and full of natural light. The staff was super, prompt and genuinely grateful. The menu, QR code at table only, was full of the usual suspects for Mediterranean cuisine. After much vacillation, I finally decided on the Hummus and Meat entree with Gyro meat. I had to try their Falafels, so got the appetizer as well. My wife Janet D. ordered the Lamb Shank. Holly $&@!, the food was very well spiced and super delicious. The lamb, exceptionally tender, could have been eaten without teeth. The falafels were awesome, shaped like donuts and not the usual balls. The hummus texture was almost too smooth, but still fantastic. Overall a killer experience and has become our go to Mediterranean restaurant."

Safta

★★★★★ 4.5 (920) • $$

"Omg I have been to Safta so many times over the last few years (on so many dates, for that matter) and posted a ton of photos of their rarely changing menu. Still 6 out of 5 stars and one of my favorite restaurants in Denver. They are now Michelin-recognized, although no star yet. every detail about Safta is beautifully curated, from their food to their customer experience.I've loved every dish I've tried here, and it sounds simple, but the Tahini Hummus is still my favorite. The best way to dine here is with a group, ordering a few items from each section of the menu. They're great at accommodating dietary restrictions as well. I can't even highlight more items because everything is good.It might seem obvious, but make reservations in advance. Primetime dinner slots fill up. Parking in RiNo can be challenging, but there's a paid garage attached to The Source Hotel, which Safta is located in. I feel pretty spoiled living so close to this restaurant. If you ever have a chance to check it out, whether you're local or visiting, you won't regret it. I still need to try their brunch!!"

Valley Inn Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (98) • $$

Aladdin's Mediterranean Grill

★★★★★ 4.6 (53)

"Holy smokes, this is for sure my favorite Mediterranean restaurant in Denver.The vibe is like a fast food cafeteria, but the plates are huge and the quality of food is outstanding. Their pita is fluffy, they are generous in their baba ghanoush, hummus, and tzatziki sauce servings, and I don't typically care for stuffed grape leaves but they make them elegantly here. Light, thin, and comes with lettuce that nicely compliments the flavor.I got the gyro Mediterranean salad with fried pita (like croutons), and it was insanely yummy. My partner got chicken and steak skewers and they were tender and full of spiced flavor. We were very full but ordered baklava - flawlessly executed!This place is sooo yummy. The food does make you feel like you're in a magic carpet ride, it's that good!"