The Yummiest Mediterranean in Indianapolis

Abigail Street

★★★★☆ 4.4 (533) • $$$

"Came in for dinner on a Friday night. All of the food was excellent - we had the day's hummus, bouillabaisse, and broccoli, along with a couple of cocktails. The bouillabaisse is my absolute favorite, and it was a hit with both of us. Very tasty, a little spicy, and good enough you'll want to lick the bowl.The restaurant was busy and filling up, but pleasant, with enough room at our table, and we were able to have our conversation. The service was brisk, but polite, and our questions about wine pairing was answered with some hesitation, but with a satisfying result.One star has to come off because this restaurant has begun charging a fee for using a credit card. This is a vulgar practice that has no place in high-end dining."

OPA!

★★★★☆ 4.2 (544) • $$

"We had such an amazing meal the first time we visited OPA!, that on a return visit to Indiana I insisted we go back. Maybe Mondays are an off day for restaurants or the second string is working? It definitely wasn't the amazing place I went the first time. I ordered the pastichio again and it really wasn't great. We still enjoyed ourselves, but the prices didn't reflect the experience."

The Greek Islands Restaurant - Indianapolis

★★★★☆ 4.4 (378) • $$

"I recently discovered my love for Greek food, so when I needed to find a place for dinner before going to the Olympic trials, I knew the Greek Islands was the perfect place. Located right outside of Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indy, it was a very convenient place for a quick bite before going to the swim meet. My mother and I decided to split a selection of appetizers in lieu of each ordering our own meals, and I think we made the right choice because we were able to sample many different traditional Greek dishes. I loved the gyro plate, especially the tenderness of the lamb meat and the refreshing cucumber-and-mint flavor of the tzatziki sauce. My mother ordered the Greek olives, and they were delicious on top of pita bread and drizzled with olive oil. We shared the Saganaki (flaming cheese), which I expected to just be a novelty, but it actually tasted very smoky and rich. I used it as a gyro topping and even tried some bites of it just plain! The only problem was that they were out of the lemon, chicken, and pasta soup, which my mother and I were looking forward to trying. Luckily, it wasn't that big of a deal because we still had lots of delicious food to make up for it. The severs were both very kind and attentive, and the service was efficient despite the restaurant being understaffed. I had a pleasant experience at the Greek Islands, and I am sure to be back for another affordable and authentic Mediterranean meal! Opa!"

Sahara Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (266) • $$

"We wanted Mediterranean food and were in the area so we decided to stop by. The space is comfortable and well decorated located right on the Broadripple strip. A great location but iffy for parking. We started with the vegetarian combo plate. Everything was on point for flavor and preparation. I went with the chicken plate and my friend went with the mansef. Both were wonderful and plentiful. The service was welcoming and friendly and the food was wonderful. This was well worth the trip and the search for parking."

Papa Fattoush Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (256) • $$

"Great little Mediterranean spot in downtown Carmel. This is a small counter service restaurant but the food is absolutely delicious. The pita's served with the hummus were so soft and delicious. And they put a very generous amount of meat inside the gyro, everything was cooked fresh and served hot!"

Athens on 86th

★★★★☆ 4.3 (207) • $$

"Two of us split the taste of Athens sampler and a galaktoboureko dessert. Not to brag, but it was a perfect order. The sampler had plenty of gyro meat, pastitsio, moussaka, dolmades, tiropita, spanakopita, potatoes, and rice to share. Of them, all were good, but the one that was the most "above average" was the dolmades. If done well, they are leafy and lame. This one was great: tender, moist, flavorful. The show-stealer, though, was the galaktoboureko. It can sometimes be too heavy and honeyed. This one was light and sweet to right where you'd want it to be. Add to all of it a great wait staff lovingly making fun of each other in Greek, and this place is not to be missed!"

Ruth's Parkside Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (204) • $$

"A friend of mine just moved in nearby and said that we should try this place. I always thought it was a bit strange being a cafe underneath a giant old factory that I guess is now apartments? Anyway I never really paid much attention to it but we finally decided to go. They have a good amount of space once you get around the entrance wall and they use it well! Service was very nice and you could tell this was a place where the same people have worked at for quite a long time. I feel like their menu selection was very eclectic as well as appealing to what most people might want. I had the cavatappi with the vodka sauce and I added Italian sausage to it. My friend had their catfish. My cavatappi was amazing! With the vodka sauce as well as the slices of mozzarella cheese on top and sliced asparagus, it was just amazing and full of flavor and you really got a big portion of it. I almost couldn't eat the whole thing! Make sure to ask for a side of bread which does not cost extra to sop up more of that sauce. My friend had the catfish which was on top of one of their fried butter ball and sauce. Butter ball is probably the wrong word. But it was some sort of fried thing that the catfish was sitting on top of and he said it was excellent. Definitely want to return here and try some more of their amazing dishes!"

Trojan Horse

★★★★☆ 3.6 (248) • $$

"Came here with a friend after not coming here in several years. Food was great, service was quick though being short staffed, and our server was amazing. I order a grilled tenderloin with fries. We also got an appetizer, the Saganaki. So delicious! I will literally return just to eat the Saganaki again! The vibe is nice and quiet. The lower level feels as though you're relaxing with your friends in a basement with music playing. I'd recommend to others for sure!"

Four Seasons

★★★★☆ 3.9 (172) • $

"An overall great diner experience!The food was your average diner food. Not fantastic but not bad. The French toast is thick and fluffy though.The waitress (I believe her name was Bre?) gave me the best service I've ever received at a diner. She didn't let our coffee go 1 inch below the lip before she was back giving us a warmer. She was so kind to a man behind us. It was an older gentleman's birthday and she offered him a piece of cake, whichever he wanted.The inside was clean and the locals were friendly. I wish every diner was like this!"

The Med

★★★★☆ 4.4 (111) • $$

"The appetizers are great here. The Saganaki and cold dip trio (Tzatziki, Hummus, Spicy Feta) were our favorites. The pita bread was served warm and were a great pairing with the apps. The eggplant roll with a side of Greek potatoes was the perfect pairing for an entree-like dinner. The tiramisu had a good coffee flavor and it was a generous slice, but had a very strong liquor flavor. The interior space is nice. The have an outdoor patio too with fans and shades for a cooler environment. It was a nice option for a summer evening. The employees were friendly and attentive."

Andy's Mediterranean Grille

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (215) • $$

"Again, this place continues to be excellent and we love it! Our service was great and attentive and the food is always amazing. Lamb shanks, labneh, grape leaves. It was all so good! If you want a group table or 6 or more people, it's good to call ahead.Prices have really gone up. That's normal these days and I understand. But probably not good for everybody considering wages don't always go up with them. Hopefully Andy's can continue to do well in this environment of increased costs. We get it! Food is still just so wonderful and we continue to return but probably only a couple times a year. But we know when we come we're going to spend a lot of money.Staff here is always been very friendly and treated us like family. We've had a couple of birthdays here and we tell them ahead of time and they always make sure we have a good space. Looking forward to coming back!"

Sam's Gyros

★★★★☆ 3.6 (155) • $$

"Back again!! Spanakopita was still light and fluffy and melt in your mouth delicious! And I think their chicken shawarma is the best I have tried in town!Wow! This is a hidden gem. I have driven by many times and finally decided to pop in for dinner. The spanakopita was the best I have tasted. The Saganaki was tasty as well."

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (154) • $$

"What a change in venue!!! I came here a couple of years ago and I'm not sure if they have changed management but it was definitely a completely different experience from before. It did get off to a slight downward start as instead of being greeted at the door with a "hello" we were yelled at from off in the distance "we need your id", considering she was behind the bar standing.......she could've walked over greeted us....then asked for our ID, but she didn't.My drink was fantastic!!! It was a mango premium tequila margarita and it didn't disappoint! I also ordered the spanakopita and they were phenomenal! When I say this place has made some changes to food and drinks...they've made some changes!!!The group I was with of course ordered some hookah and per the recommendation of one of waitresses we had a minty pineapple something which was perfect! One of my friends ordered a drink which came out on fire!!! It was STRONG too!!! Not too sure how she finished it but it definitely had a punch to it."

Sam's Gyros

★★★★☆ 3.9 (124) • $$

"We was in the area and decided to stop in for lunch. It was a little early on Saturday and nobody else was in there. I'm confused as why because it was excellent. The wife and I split a gyro and a shawarma along with some falafel. My son had a kids burger which was regular size and came with fries. The staff was excellent and the food was top notch. It was all priced very reasonably. Not sure why we never stopped in before but we will definitely return."

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe - Kenwood

★★★★☆ 4.1 (112) • $$

"Just posted a review about a regional chain that seems to be perfecting the "slow casual" concept. Meanwhile, Birmingham-based Taziki's has the much more common "fast casual" concept well figured out. (This native Southerner knows that Birmingham's got a bigger Middle Eastern community than you'd probably imagine.)There's no getting around it: Cincinnati has a serious shortage of relatively nutritious, reasonably priced, decent dining options. On those scores, Taziki's rings it up pretty good.The wife and I love Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food, and Taziki does a nice job with a generic Americanized version of it. Fresh salads, nice thick lemony hummus, pretty okay grilled meats, solid pita sandwiches. Not only tasty, but mostly pretty healthy eating as well. If you're familiar with these cuisines, it's not nearly the best you've had (and the limited sides are quite disappointing) but it's not at all bad, either.Service when we do go (usually lunch on weekends) has always been very fast. The staff is efficient and pleasant. Atmosphere and music are kinda bland, but it's agreeable enough, and the dining area seems spic-and-span. And the prices are reasonable (and when you find the Clipp Magazine coupons, like a pre-inflationary-era steal)."

King Gyros

★★★★☆ 3.6 (134) • $

"You guys never fail me! That gyro, that falafel -- you can never go wrong with. They're always PACKED with ingredients.And that chicken over rice? What is the crack you put in this?? I need to know because it's so good that I ignore my GERD and eat this."

Kabab Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (93) • $$

"I was blown away by the Mediterranean food at Kabob Grill. This is a hidden gem on 96th Street. We had an early lunch. The food was fantastic. I started with the Hummus Sharma with Chicken. The chicken was hot, spicy and moist. The hummus was light with lots of tahini. The appetizer came with pita bread and was delicious and filling. My husband had the gyro, which was generously filled with meat and fresh ingredients. He ranked the gyro among the best he's ever had. I ordered a Tabouli salad late. It took awhile to come out and I realized that they made it FRESH! It was the best tabouli salad that I ever had. Sammie, our server, was attentive and friendly. Compliments to the amazing chef! The food is outstanding!The dining room is simply decorated, but comfortable. There's plenty of parking in the strip mall. I didn't see alcohol as an option. But they've nailed the rest. Highly recommend."

Fillo Modern Greek

★★★★★ 4.6 (77) • $$

"What an experience! I will say I was nervous about their cancelation policy that includes a $20 charge per person if reservations are canceled less than 24 hours before the reservation. We had reservations for six, with one canceling due to illness the day of. I called ahead to change the reservation, but was still worried there could be a charge. There wasn't.My reason for including all that information is this... after having dinner on a Saturday (we were there at 4:30 when they opened), it was clear they do a massive business and need every seat available. We had a plan to check in during the week with a reminder and confirmation everyone was still on for dinner. The restaurant is beautiful and comfortably upscale. Our server Brynn, was outstanding. She was very cordial and friendly, as well as being well versed with the menu. She also split our bill five ways, spreading the food across all five bills and divvying up the drinks appropriately. The food... where do I start? I'll start by saying there are things on the menu we did not order that I still want to try. Guess we'll have to go back. Darn!What we did order was well.. a lot! Everything was fantastic.I'd say we started with the Trio of Spreads, but that's only because it came out first. My favorite was the Taramasalata (cured cod roe), which had just a slight fish flavor (it's not off-putting in any way). When we go again I will just order this. The Tzatziki was lovely and the Tirokafteri (spicy feta) was indeed spicy. It was tasty, but I focused on it the least. The grilled pitas that come with the spreads are a bit like Olive Garden's endless breadsticks. This is a huge plus and was greatly appreciated.Next was the Ntakos. Brynn told us to let it sit and allow the rusk to absorb the liquid and flavors. It was beautiful and delicious. That said, I won't order this next time.Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower - Roasted cauliflower seasoned with spices and turmeric w/ creamy tahini sauce. It was not spicy and the sauce was delightfully light and wonderful. I recommend it!The Manitaria Confit, aka mushrooms, were out of this world. So freakin' tasty! Yep, you should get these. We will get them again.The Pantzaria (roasted beets served with garlic dip) was outstanding! I'd order it again and you should too.The Bouyiourdi (spicy baked feta with peppers, tomatoes and onions) was spicy. It was good, but not my favorite. If you like things on the spicy side, go for it! Best bite - Char Grilled Xtapodi - grilled octopus. I get grilled octopus whenever I can. Fillo's grilled octopus is about the best I've had. So tender, and the EVOO, vinegar, oregano and capers are the perfect accompaniment. If I was only getting one thing, this would be it.The Kotopoulo Souvlaki was amazing. The chicken was tender and flavorful. With tomatoes, onions, fries, pita and dipping sauce, this is easily a full meal.The Moussaka was perfect. It looked beautiful and it was full of flavor. They had two desserts - Baklava and Ravani. The baklava was amazing! Just half of one of the three small pieces would have been enough. Wonderfully sweet and bursting with baklava syrup. The Ravani, topped with quince, was good but probably the least favorite of all the bites that evening.I also had a Baklava Negroni. That said, I asked if they could make it a Negroski, which is a Negroni made with vodka rather than gin. They accommodated my request with aplomb and it was delicious. Oh... the thing that makes it special is baklava syrup. It's not that I could taste it specifically, but Negronis can be a bit bitter. The Baklava "Negroski" was beautifully smooth. It wasn't bitter. It also wasn't sweet. It was perfection.I can't wait to go back."

Spicy Doner

★★★★★ 4.6 (69)

"The place is a great example of home style Indian food. From the time we entered to the time we left after a finger licking meal,,,, the experience was a reminder of food as it should be cooked - simple but so flavorful that you aren't going to look around before you lick that last bit off your fingers. The service was quick, the ambiance simple, clean and friendly. You can dine in or pick up to go. We had the goat masala with tandoor roti and a chicken shawarma pita. They also ask you for the spice level - mild, medium, hot. We had the hot, and it was lesser than a Thai level 5, but does make you feel it and we enjoyed that. Will be back for a lot more."

Fayrouz

★★★★☆ 4.3 (77) • $$

"We ate here for the first time.The people that worked here couldn't be any nicer. Big plus!I got a gyro and fries and it was delicious. Fries were wam and good size gyro.I will eat here again."

Pita Land Mediterranean Grille

★★★★☆ 3.6 (103) • $

"Food was very good and the worker seemed very nice. I got the kufta sandwich combo and the meat was tender and delicious. Definitely worth trying out."

Indy gyros

★★★★★ 4.6 (62)

"I got the chicken Gyro plate. It had so much chicken it was enough for two days. The chicken is so flavorful and has little heat but really good. Also a piece of baklava to go. It has a small bar up front but didn't pay much attention to it. The restaurant was clean and the staff was very friendly."

Saxony Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 4.2 (54)

"Last minute decision on pizza night, so used the app to choose our pizza toppings which made it efficient and easy to pick up at the restaurant and enjoy a relaxing night at home! Yum-it tastes good too"

Lava

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (103) • $$

"Okay, Lava. I will say that for the last three years I've been giving you a very bad rap. But my visit 3 weeks ago changes my mind. I won't get into why you got a bad rep for me in the first place.My girlfriend from Detroit was in town and had a simple request: "Please take me to a place with the music and strong drinks". I added the hookah part as I knew I wanted to relax and she needed to two. I initially thought about Lava. I hoped that getting in would not be a problem on a Friday night. We decided to go around 7:00pm and it definitely was not an issue to get past the bouncer )who has electronic license scanner by the way) and then get seated at a booth. We had really good strong drinks and shots. The server was beyond nice and very attentive. And I must say the hookah here was strong and on point all night long. More so than I've ever experienced at the Egyptian Room! Of course the room didn't really start to fill up and get a very party vibe until around 9:00 p.m. but this gave us time to talk and enjoy each other. Then around 9:00 pm we got to great music, mainly R&B and trap. We left around 11:00pm ish feeling good and having a good time. I definitely will try again using the same method of coming a little earlier to claim a spot and I'm staying majority of the night. I probably would have avoid this place on Saturdays as I've always seen a line outside the door to get in. It also depends on what kind of hookah feel you're looking for. Lava is the party spot with a party feel and loud music. If you're looking for something mellow but a little bit of the same type of music, Egyptian Room is up the street. Lava, I appreciate you and I look forward to doing business with you in the future."

The Great Greek Mediterranean - Carmel, IN

★★★★☆ 4 (50) • $$

"The gyro is delicious. The meat was good perfectly for my taste. It was done without being dry. The American French fries were hot, crispy, and crunchy, The pita bread was different than what Im accustomed to--not bad, just different. The rice pudding dessert is divine! I loved the creamy texture. It's a good-sized portion. It has a flavorful sweet taste. Next time I'll try the Baklava or the Baklava ice cream. It was a great first experience and I can't wait to visit again."

Noor Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (33)

"Really solid private Middle East cafe. It was clean, well portioned and fresh spices. I got the Noor Platter with Rice substitute for Baba Ghanoush. The plate comes with soda and pita. The hummus was good, little runny, but good. Syrian style salad and Falafel was well seasoned and cooked through. I will return."

Chicago Fish Chicken Gyro

★★★★☆ 4.1 (26)

"There's a new restaurant open in the southwest pocket of Indy: Chicago Fish Chicken & Gyros. I'm not sure if it is connected to the one on the far east side, but this spot is located in a small stripmall along SR 67 before you reach Heartland Crossing.I went in on their opening weekend and found that they have dine in seating but no waiting service, so you need to place your order at the counter at the back of the dining area. They don't have overhead menus, so you need to find one of their printed menus at the counter or on a side table.The menu has a large number of options; many would be suitable for family dinners or even tailgaiting. The menu has categories including Chicago Style Sandwiches, Middle East Style Food, Wings, Tenders, and Fish. They also plan on having lunch specials (Mon-Fri) for about $7 including fries and drink.I decided to get a gyro (comes with fries & drink) and an order of 15 pc wings (with fries). I paid and was told to give them about 15 minutes. While I waited, I could see that if they want this to be more of a dine-in restaurant, they would benefit from a bit more decoration and fewer large tables so that individuals or couples could find a spot without taking up a large bench. They could also use some individual chairs for people waiting for their "to go" orders.When I got home, I tried the gyro first. Really good sandwich with enough flavor to be enjoyable. The meat was not dry and had just enough sauce to blend with the spices. The fries were also freshly made, but I was not offered any ketchup for them. The fries were seasoned with salt, so I didn't need any additional amount.The chicken wings (I got full wings, but half wings are also available) were served in an aluminum container along with the fries and topped with foil. They were still hot when I got home and I could see they were heavily seasoned. Good flavor, but leaning towards too much salt. The fries were plentiful too.But here's the problem: Packaging a large number of wings and fries together allows their internal heat to continue cooking them. The chicken can become dry inside while the fries pick up the steam from being enclosed and can become a bit soggy. When I got home, I immediately pulled the foil back to and separated the fries to allow the chicken to be spread out. I quick baked the fries at 400 for a few minutes to restore their crispness. I would also have liked to see dipping sauce (Ranch Dressing w/celery sticks) offered for the wings. As is, the salty taste accumulated. With some sauce, it might not be as noticeable. Like with the ketchup, it was a problem I solved at home. But if you are buying and don't have access to items in your fridge, you might be disappointed.I hope that the owners will also put their phone number on a banner or in large letters on their window. If it takes 15 minutes for a meal, letting people know their number so they can call ahead would be really helpful.Although there were a few minor disappointments, I think they can iron things out and become a nice addition to a well traveled, but sparsely populated area.Review #3533"

Parkway Pizza & Subs

★★★★☆ 3.5 (33) • $

"Went here on a Sunday afternoon and the place was empty. I wasn't a huge fan of their location, but their dining room was very nice and clean. That being said, I wish they'd covered up the view into the kitchen coz it wasn't my favorite. The prices are really good. I got the buffalo chicken 3" sub which was a good sized sandwich and it tasted real good. Service wasn't bad but it was mostly you walking up to the front to make your order. Verdict: I'd go back to try some more of their food"

Jerusalem Bakery & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (26)

"A hidden gem next door to the Almadina International market. There is a connecting door between the two. Sometimes they have their pies in a glass window display case. If they don't, order from their menu and after about an 8 minute wait you will get fresh pies from the oven. You can even see them making it. 5 stars - Cheese pie. Freshly baked and with a slight char on the crust which adds great flavor. The cheese is not salty and is a great compliment to the fluffy dough. If you get it with zaatar, it's a good combination of flavors. 5 stars - Hummus. So creamy, and the texture is my favorite. The flavor is great too! It compliments their pita bread too. Ask for their spicy tomato and onion side (I forgot what it's called) which compliments the hummus so well. I come here often and will continue to. Thankful for a place like this in Fishers!"

Mecca Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (18) • $

"Y'all. Do not overlook this place in your food hunt. It's inside a grocery store and definitely an experience, but worth every bit of it. The waitress/cook was super helpful and made sure to let us know that the food we ordered (hummus with meat and something I don't remember the name of) was finger food but she would bring us some spoons since we were first timers we didn't use them at all and enjoyed our pita "utensils" greatly. Our friends got some lamb and rice and loved that. If we were local we would go all the time. Amazing and not to be missed."

Mashaweena

★★★★☆ 4.2 (5)

"Despite a few hiccups, my visit to Mashweena offered some notable highlights. The interior was pretty plain with a menu posted outside a glass window to look at and a park bench to sit on while waiting. Unfortunately, the fryer was down during my visit, meaning no falafel or fries were available--a disappointment. Additionally, the wait time stretched to about 30 minutes, which seemed like a long time despite being open for an hour and no body inside. The beef gyro left much to be desired; it was dry and unappetizing.However, amidst these setbacks, the chicken shish tawook shone brightly. Moist, well-spiced, and complemented perfectly with the pickles inside, it was a savory delight. The lentil soup was another standout, bursting with flavor. Kudos to the friendly and helpful staff, whose warmth enhanced the dining experience.Overall, while there were bumps along the way, the flavorful chicken shish tawook and tasty lentil soup, along with the welcoming service, elevate this take out only restaurant."

Happy Chicken

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"The Happy Chicken is a new chicken place on the corner of 86th and Michigan Road. I was glad to see they were open, as I stopped by yesterday and they were not. They serve a simple menu with chicken as the star of either flatbread, meals or a Mediterranean inspired bowl. The chicken is roasted, not fried. When we stopped at 11:30 for lunch, the chicken was not ready for the plate meals, so we could only order flatbread or the bowl. You order at the counter and the food is ready very quickly. The bowl was huge. The roasted chicken is very tender. The bowl had a ton of yellow rice and some iceberg lettuce. The meal was topped with a huge piece of pita and a sauce that they called Tazhiki, but was really a lemon flavored yogurt. The sauce and rice left me disappointed. The meal was filling. The staff was friendly and quick. There are only 2 tables inside to eat. The tables are wonky, too low for the bar height stools. You have to lean over to reach the food. I think most people order the meals to go, which is a good idea. I would like to see some healthier options (more vegetables) on the menu and more upscale dishes. I would like to try the plate meals, but I think you have to show up later in the day for those to be an option. In and out of the parking lot is challenging. You can really only go north. I drove around the block to get into the parking lot."