The Most Delectable Mediterranean in Jacksonville

Cuisine 76 and Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (377) • $$

"What a wonderful restaurant! The food is fresh and flavorful. The service is top notch. From the moment we walked in, the manager made sure that we had a great experience. You will not be disappointed. We will definitely return."

Scuola Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.4 (98) • $$

"1- Parking and surroundings, I always look for the parking areas of the place, you do want to know in advance if parking is available and if it feels safe. Located close to the Northwood area, this is North West Gainesville, and parking is available. 2- The ambiance and decoration is very nice, offering a vintage, quiet and relaxed place for dinning. 3- Location- I was attracted to this place by the pizza sign on the outside and living in Gainesville for more than 19 years, and less than 4 miles away, I thought I would give it a try. 4- As soon as I saw the menu, I changed my mind and tried one of the the Mediterranean dishes. The Santorini Chicken, with garlic broccolini. The Santorini Chicken is seasoned and charbroiled, served with a tomatoes and fresh Mozzarella, accompanied by a bed of rice pilaf. Cooked perfectly as the name implies (charbroiled), the broccolini maybe a little bit too soaked in the oil and garlic, but nonetheless I liked it. The rice pilaf was so tasteful, which I enjoyed it very much. I am very satisfied with the taste and quality of the food. I will return. The experience is more than what I was hoping. I'm hoping for more restaurants in Gainesville like this. 5- Service was awesome, the server would check up on us, every now and then. 6- Overall this will be one of my places to visit more often, affordable, quiet, delicious mediterranean dishes, in my make believe ratings from 1 to 10, it an 8.5 for me."

CAVA

★★★★★ 4.5 (76) • $$

"I simply adore cava. Good quick Mediterranean food with friendly service. To the young man working there today who bought my hubby and I lunch because you liked his shirt, you have no idea how happy you made this pregnant lady. Your kindness really meant the world to us as the world has been seemingly crumbling around us. Thank you for being so sweet. I pray you are blessed bountifully"

Istanbul Turkish Mediterranean Cuisine

★★★★★ 4.7 (144) • $$

"I have often found that the more modest a place looks on both the outside and inside, the better the food they serve. So pulling up to what appears to be a small house converted into a restaurant then walking into a sparse, unassuming interior were good signs that we were in for a treat. Probably the best indication though, was that this place came highly recommended by a Turkish friend. The menu here is provided on tablets and is easy to navigate with photos (for us Turkish cuisine neophytes). The lunch entrees come with a choice of beef, chicken or lamb plus rice and salad. Dinner portions are larger, of course, and include a side of pita bread. Sandwiches are also available using the same meats wrapped in pita bread along with fries. The dishes are composed of such fresh and simple ingredients that they taste practically guilt free, which we took full advantage of by ordering the baklava sampler for dessert. Just when we thought this excellent meal couldn't get any better, my husband got a Turkish coffee before leaving that he described as one of the best cups of coffee he had ever had. I wish he had told me that before he finished his cup as I would have liked to have tried a sip! The owner was warm, welcoming and impressively very hands-on. She took our orders, brought us our food and checked on us throughout our meal while doing the same for the other diners."

Samira's Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (54)

"If you haven't been here.... What are you waiting for!! Fantastic!! If you aren't familiar with Lebanese food, start with the Gyro (chicken or Lamb). I would recommend the Lamb. My husband loves the Black Bean Salad, I have to agree, it's very tasty!! And don't forget to get some dessert, it's all incredible! No alcoholic beverages but they do have to go and looks like Uber Eats, Door Dash, Grubhub and something w/Google. Can't get any easier than that. Service is great, people are super friendly and the place is very clean! Dining in is nice too. Keep our small businesses going... this place is awesome!"

Baba’s Halal

★★★★★ 4.6 (28)

"Yea this is really tasty stuff! I saw James had posted about this new place in the Avenues so when I was in the mall, i just had to pop on in! Walking up I wasn't sure what / how to order, but it's very simple...chicken, lamb or mixed plate, they all come with rice, salad, and white sauce on top...I went with the mixed to try both meats and they really load this thing up! Instead of gyro shaved lamb it's thick cubes of gyro meat and the chicken was marinated in like a spiced yogurt maybe, what it was, was delicious! Me and my daughter tore this thing up! lol! fresh, salty, and satisfying! I got the mint cilantro sauce on the side to try it, it was herby and tart, I preferred the white sauce which was light a light garlic sour cream sauce and happy I went with that. Great addition to the mall food court!"

Sam's Cafe and Grill

★★★★★ 4.8 (18)

"The grilled chicken salad is so good. Great price too for the amount of food. Easy to order online and always ready prior to pick up time."

Bodrum Mediterranean Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.7 (305) • $$

"I recently visited Bodrum again and was once again blown away by the quality of food and service during my visit. I crave Mediterranean food and have no problem driving from the beaches to visit Bodrum, as it's the best I've found around Jax that resembles the food I had when I was in Turkey.The blend of flavors and freshness of food is something to boast about. I've told so many people about this place and referred them here if they're looking for the best Mediterranean food. Even my mom requests to come here when she visits from PA! Also this is the best lamb I've found that's not too "gamey" or chewy but rather tender and juicy... mouth watering as we speak!If you want the freshest, most flavorful Mediterranean food that takes you overseas with each bite- take a visit to Bodrum!"

Cortesse’s Bistro and Flamingo Room Piano Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (147) • $$$

"You can differently see and taste the Mediterranean/Italian seasonings and flavor in these dishes. The beets were tender, nice portion. Hummus was creamy, smooth and tasty accompanied by warm toasted pita bread. The mushrooms were tender with the flav of the crab and topped with a light seasoned cream sauce was delicious. The servers were knowledgeable and kind. We sat inside in a small room the looked like a dedicated dining room very quaint and private. Loved all the water statues of trickling water , vignette's, gardens and lighting in the outside patio area ending with a room with a piano player that starts at 7pm week days 8pm weekends and bar. Very lovely. This is diffidently a magical place to experience."

Ned's Southside Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.4 (324) • $$

"Excellent as always. Pasta/ Eggplant Parm / Collard Greens. Service was top-notch and marinara super flavorful."

Magic Flavor

★★★★★ 4.6 (5)

"The owner and staff are very friendly. The cheesesteak sandwich and seasoned fries are outa sight! I'll definitely be eating there again."

EZ Eatz by Yaya

★★★★★ 4.7 (21)

"Going back in memory lane, the year was 2020 and EZ Eatz by Yaya food truck came into the scene. The same year as when Covid hit the scene as well. But despite all of what transpired, EZ Eatz persevered and flourished.3 years later, year 2023, EZ Eatz opened up their own restaurant. Success story? I say hell to the yeah. Congrats to Chef Yaya and staff for their relentless hard work and dedication.EZ Eatz by Yaya opened their restaurant doors second week of August, so it's quite recently, serving the same delicious Moroccan/Mediterrenean dishes they were known for during their food truck days. And Chef Yaya is no stranger to food, he was the former Chef at PF Changs for 12 years, and former Sous Chef at Hoptinger (a local Jax Bar). And walking inside this place alone, your nostrils gets slapped with the goodness aroma.Folks, everything here is made fresh. It is made with love. And they take no shortcuts. We ordered the Grilled Chicken Kabob Plate, Beef Tanjine, Lamb & Beef Shawarma, Loubia Soup and Briwat. Oh My Holy Goodness, every bite was YaYASS!!! And the best part, a couple of the dishes we ordered from the "Platez and Tajinez" section of the menu were served on a big asss plate I've never seen served in a restaurant. So by the time your food was served, it may seem less but trust me, it is plenty. The portions are generous.The end result, you get nothing but deliciously made Moroccan food.Nom Nom Nom...."

B & B Restaurant/ Bosnian Oriental Food

★★★★☆ 4.4 (15)

"I have always looked for a taste of home in Jax but was a difficult task until today . Stepping into this restaurant is like a heartwarming journey back to my childhood and birth country. Every dish is a nostalgic masterpiece, brimming with authentic flavors and aromas that instantly transport you to a cherished past. The food is not just delicious, but also impeccably clean and hygienic. The family-run aspect adds a special touch, with the mother's culinary skills shining in the kitchen, and her daughter and son-in-law gracefully managing the front of the house. Their warmth and politeness enhance the dining experience, making you feel like part of their family. It's a place where every meal is a delightful trip down memory lane.""

The Southern Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (315) • $$

"It's a hole in the wall for sure. The beef vege soup was OUTSTANDING! Their fries are always crisp and seasoned, sandwiches are all on point. Not fancy, but yummy."

Karam's Gourmet

★★★★☆ 4.2 (14)

"Bummed...How I felt when I found out the old Karam's Mediterranean Grill closed down their shop just many months ago. It's so sad to see because they have been in business for so many, many years.When I shitted my Yelp pants...When I found out they've reopened under "Karam's Gourmet", now located inside the Food Court at the Orange Park Mall. They opened for business 2 weeks ago. Confirmed...At first, I thought this shop was managed by a different owner, UNTIL I saw a familiar face, which is the main man himself, the owner. Imma call him "O.G."Yummy...THE BEST SHAWARMA resides at Karam's. Bold statement perhaps but I have tried Shawarmas here and there from other places. Nothing really compares in my opinion. These Shawarmas I can eat everyday. Win/Win...Their old location was quite a drive for me. Now with the new location, I am much much closer to be able to get my brown hands on them Wraps.My Promise...I promise to try the other items in the near future. But I'm so loyal to the Shawarma Wrap, which I get mixed (beef & chicken) w/ extra Cilantro.Coming back...For sure I am. Nom nom nom!!!"

Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (375) • $$

"Apparently this is a not so hidden gem! There were awards and signs on the wall from Trip Advisor and Yelp, which had me wondering why I have never been here or even heard about it. Best kept secret for sure. Went on a weekday and there was a nice steady stream of customers and delivery drivers, and I totally understand why. Everything was so fresh and flavorful. I'm eating less meat these days so it was so nice to have all the vegetarian options available. The falafel was so delish, it reminded me of the first falafel I ever tried -- crunchy on the outside, moist and flavorful on the inside. And the contrast of the fluffy but thin pita and vegetables. Every bite was perfect. The vegetarian kibbeh fooled me! I thought there was meat inside but it was chock full of veg and super filling. Loved the tahini sauce too. The salad was refreshing. I will definitely come back soon."

Royal Palms Cafe and Catering

★★★★★ 4.8 (10)

"This place has great food hands down... went in and had a steak and sack and fries boy ol boy was it amazing.. very fast service which is a plus I highly recommend."

Noura Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (198) • $$

"I walked in and looked over the grocery items. I chose to buy some large pita bread for home. Then, to order: I wanted a beef shawarma and a salad for dinner tonight. I also ordered a spinach pie to take home. I also had half and half tea, a piece of baklava for after dinner. The food, tea and baklava were very fresh and good. I had half of my dinner boxed up because I was so full. I was able to relax and unwind after work. I look forward to my next visit. Pros:very good food! Plenty of parking. Cons:it was a wee bit pricier than I like, but I work hard and deserved a good hot meal. Recommend? yes! If you want to live a long life, this is the food for you! Mediterranean food."

904 Saffron

★★★★★ 4.5 (85) • $$

"Absolutely delicious dinner from here tonight. I love gyros and can't find any that are close to home so I requested my neighborhood get the 904 trucks to come back. This one was soooo good. Most gyros come with tzatziki sauce on them and while I love that, this one had a "special sauce". I ordered the medium and I'm so thankful I did. It was spicy! Absolutely delicious meal that I hope will come back soon. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because they are a little heavy handed with the salt on the fries. The fries were cold, but I ordered on line and picked up the order so I won't fault them for that, but the salt was too much. You can add but can't take away. If you happen upon this food truck, definitely give them a try."

Just Kitchen Jax

★★★★★ 4.8 (66) • $$

"Staff was really helpful finding gluten free options (there were many). Wife had bowl and I had gyro. Hit the spot"

M Brothers at Mayo

★★★★☆ 4.3 (53)

"Are you visiting Jax to see a Mayo Clinic specialist? Or a local resident here for an expert in care? If you find yourself at Mayo Clinic but you don't want hospital cafeteria food, you are in luck! M Brothers has a fine dining restaurant open for lunch and dinner with lots of delightful choices (see menu pic). They are right here in the main hospital building! The setting has white table cloths and a quiet atmosphere, which may be just what you need depending on what brings you here today. It's a 'must try'. I had the pork belly bites - yum. And then I tried the vegetable pancit with shrimp. My shrimp was a little undercooked at first but they took care of it right away. Good flavor on the noodles. I ordered the buttermilk panna cotta for dessert. The panna cotta stole the show with its interesting presentation and flavor profile. Olive oil chantilly cream? Get out! I also heard the table next crave about the bread and the beet salad!Excellent service by Destiny, my server! Very polite and helpful!"

Gyro 365

★★★★★ 4.6 (107)

"Seriously no frills gyro joint that delivers flavorful food in a slit second. Okay, maybe not a second but pretty darn quick. First off, it is counter service, so memorize you choices in the big board near the front and We first came here for lunch, noticing the good reviews. Once we got our food, we agreed with those reviews, plus the service was so good, really making sure you got what you ordered. The dining room was clean and the chairs were comfortable, maybe you won't notice, but I did. But the food:Hummus - if you eat middle eastern food you realize ever country does hummus a little different. The hummus here is good, not knock you socks of good, but order it. Chicken Gyro - here is where they shine. Choose you meet, load it up with two sides and three sauces. Yes, load that thing up. Beef Gyro - same, load it up. Lamb - I happen to think the lamb was the best thing on the menu, I mean, it was so good. There is a natural flow to things here, so it may take a minute to get your bearings. It is a little annoying to have this huge menu board and then take orders in a place you cannot see it. It might help to have a cope of the big board handy by the cash register. But that is nit picking, if you love Gyros, you will love the food here."

E Z Grill

★★★★★ 4.6 (16)

"A blast from the past. This establishment is a one man show, and that man knows his way around a stove. The shawarma, gyro and hummus were all great and the price point was fantastic. The owner is very hospitable and if we are ever in the area again, we'll be back."

Syriana Grill

★★★★★ 4.5 (22)

"One of the very best Mediterranean foods I've ever had. The best part is they offer All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) on Fridays/Saturday/Sunday which is the best way to take advantage of most of the food they offer. Aside from those days, they offer their regular menu items.And if you are planning to come eat at Syriana Grill, come here very hungry, be prepared to feast and fill that belly with goodness. Pretty much everything I tried that day from the buffet was delicious, in exception to the Grape Leaves which was just okay to me. We came to eat here on a Friday and was seated right away. Awesome, attentive service. Inside decor and atmosphere is very inviting.Definitely will be coming back again, and again, and again."

Blue San Marco

★★★★☆ 3.9 (19)

"Blue is a place to celebrate. Best drink: Moka Pot - Coconut treated Charanda Uruapan, Lugo's Craft Riskey Rum, Café Bustello Espresso Syrup, Whiskey Barrel Bitters Best app: Burrata with Fried Green Tomatoes *must order Best main: I loved the crab and fish with curry special they served that night. On the menu, the braised lamb shank was also delicious. I love meats that fall off the bone. Desserts: We ordered the cookie platter, the spice cake bread pudding, and the vanilla crème brûlée. All the desserts were solid, but my favorite that night was the sesame cookie on the cookie platter. The sauces that came with all the dishes were excellent. Blue has great ambiance. Sometimes, at San Marco restaurants, I feel like the tables are so close together, and I can overhear conversations all night. Blue does not have that issue. The service and the care for details were 5 stars. I like when restaurants reset the silverware from first bites to mains. I also liked how knowledgeable our server Tony was. He made the best recommendations to our preferences. One girl is a bourbon girlie and he recommended the Fly South. The chocolate coin on each dessert was my favorite detail of the entire meal"

CAVA

★★★★☆ 4 (58) • $$

"we received office catering from this place and I ate their grains bowl which I say is tastier and amazing especially their grilled vegetables. Their spicy food is actually spicy."

Greektown Taverna

★★★★★ 4.5 (216) • $$

"This was our 2nd visit and the food was phenomenal! We opted not to do an appetizer (as you can see the portions are large!) and I'm glad we didn't. Hubs had the mixed grill combo (skewer of beef, pork & chicken) with Greek lemon potatoes and a Greek orzo pasta salad. I had the Greek sampler plate - moussaka, pastitsio and spanakopita with Greek lemon potatoes and peas for sides. Isaac our server was excellent! We didn't have room for it but split a pistachio cheesecake with baklava crust for dessert - yum!"

Gili's Kitchen Catering and Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.3 (72) • $

"When in town for a conference we decided to take a group of 20 to Gili's. Although the place was small, they were happy to accommodate us and treated us like family. The chef was excited to cook for us and I asked the server what she suggested and she gave me a lot of options. We started with a plethora of apps that were amazing. The mushroom hummus and Naan was a standout. For my main course I had the Lamb Kabobs and I was not disappointed. Look at the picture and you will see for yourselves.This was a great escape from the corporate restaurants that are everywhere you go. If you are looking for some great Israeli food, this is the place. Say hi to the chef while you are there.Taste: 9/10Quality vs cost: 10/10Presentation: 10/10 ( based on the setting)Atmosphere and ambience 9/10 (very fitting for a small diner)Service: 10/10 Total: 48/50 = 4.8 = 5 star"

Cataluna

★★★★☆ 4.1 (75) • $$$

"Loved the interior and Loved the service. Such a vibe of mediterranean music/tropical vibe. the emerald hunter green with gold blinged out decor was perfect.Came first with my husband then few weeks after with my family. Each experience was perfect. We were party of 7 and got to sit around the vip area near the dj booth which was a treat. Interior- Mediterranean/Elegant and classy. the hunter green emerald hues, golden lights and greenery made everything so upscaleFood and drinks- On point. I don't deal with alcohol so I got the non alcoholic burano which had small scoops of frozen fruit cubes with peach soda jasmine which was super flavorful. For dinner I had shared my plate with my cousin the fried lamb and ravioli with mushrooms which was so delish! My cousin got the tomohawk as every one shared this huge rib. We also had house fries with truffle oil and topped with parmesan. The service was wonderful as the waitress always checked on us. The only this i would say is that they don't split the bill it has to all go on one check. Other than that the music, food and place a vibe! I will be back."

Mandaloun

★★★★☆ 4.2 (290) • $$

"Oooooh this restaurant was fantastic. The server was great, friendly and exceptional! We forgot his name, but he appears to be a young gentleman with great people skills and attentiveness. The restaurant was quiet since me and my sister came around 4:30pm-ish. The interior was decorated nicely. We ordered the following:- grape leaves- beef shawarma w/potatoes and seasoned vegetables - combo platter: Baba Ghannouj, Tabbouleh, Fatayer and Kebbe He also served us pita bread with oil mixed with za'atar (?). It was very good! Grape leaves were delicious as we loved the taste of how it was preserved so well. The beef shawarma was amazing because the beef was seasoned well along with the veggies and potatoes. I would say it was the best seasoned veggies and potatoes I've ever had! The combo platter, all were superb! The baba ghannouj was smooth with grilled eggplant purée, lemon juice and sesame juice and pieces of pomegranate. Tabbouleh was very fresh and earthy. The Fatayer tasted great. Cute triangular pastries stuffed with spinach, pine nuts, feta cheese and onion. Kebbe was very good with the meat shell filled with ground beef, onions and pine nuts with a side of taziki. Overall, it was all fantastic and definitely will revisit to try out other menu items!"

Namaste

★★★★☆ 3.6 (144) • $$

"I've been craving indian food for a long time and was thrilled to find one in my own backyard. We finally found a chance to try it and were not disappointed! Food is delicious and authentic, service was excellent and polite, and the interior beautifully decorated.I had the tandoori mixed grill which comes with tandoori chicken, chicken kabob, lamb kabob, and shrimp. The flavors were intense and exquisite without being overwhelming.The butter chicken was excellent as well.Rice comes with the meals on the side and is okay.Pro tip: Order the naan. Fresh, flavorful, and utterly delicious. The garlic naan made the perfect savory complement to the main dishes, but the peshwari naan tasted more like a dessert, very satisfying.The mango lassi also comes highly recommended.Bottom line is we will return, and in the near future. So many other dishes to try if we can avoid repeat ordering since the first experience was so delish!"

gyro king

★★★★☆ 4.2 (30)

"*New Local Business Alert!*I spotted Gyro King, the neighborhoods newest edition to the restaurant scene, while driving about tackling errands. I ventured in this evening to place a takeout order and see what noms they had to offer. There's a drive-thru, which was bustling with cars at the time, so that was a good sign to me. Although their claim to fame is the Gyro, their menu extends to include varieties of seafood, wings, sandwiches, and even desserts. I ordered the Gyro Combo, which comes with Fries and a Drink ($9.59), and a piece of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake to finish strong ($3.29). Everything is made to order, so it was about a 10-minute wait, which allowed me to meander around and snap a few pics. I whisked my food away to devour at home during my "Deadliest Catch" marathon (LOVE the show). First of all, I have to say that this Gyro was fit for a King. The warm, airy pita was packed to the brim with hearty chunks of fresh, scrumptious meat, with a luscious dressing of cool Tzatziki sauce. Between that and the generous portion of fries, it was easily enough for two meals. There was no way that I could eat the whole piece of cake, but i did take a couple of sample bites, and while the cake itself was chocolatey and delicious, I didn't detect any peanut butter aside from the few chips on top. Next time I'll definitely try their Baklava.The gentleman at the counter (owner?) cheerfully answered all my questions without a hitch, explaining different menu items, and welcoming me to come back for another visit. The dining room was spotless, as well as the self-serve fountain drink station, and all employees wore masks and gloves. If you're in the area, please stop by and show the Gyro King some love and support this awesome local business!Till next time, my fellow Yeeps, SUPPORT your local eats and businesses and as always...SYOY!"

CAVA

★★★★☆ 4.4 (74)

"There is nothing negative to say about this place ever. It's always packed and food is always good and fresh. I'm giving it 4 stars because there seems to be an inconsistency between store in terms of what qualifies as a first responder discount. Some stores and workers count military as first responder's specially those in medical jobs and others are very adamant about it being ONLY EMS, police, FIRE. Try the blueberry soda it's a blueberry pie in liquid form."

Natural Greens: Gyros & Salads

★★★★☆ 4.4 (178) • $$

"Delicious! Fresh and delicious! We stumbled in here, choosing Mediterranean for lunch today, it was a hard choice cause there are so many options in this area, but we were both happy with this place! Walking in the menu is smaller with gyro, falafel or rice bowl being your main choices, so we got all of them, lol! We loved all of it, i really liked the crunchy falafel dipped in their taziki sauce, full of cucumbers and dill so good! The rice bowl with chicken gyro was so good! Tons off fresh flavors! Gyro plate was also good with the gyro meat carved off a spit, and it looked to be of higher quality meat. All around we really liked it, big portions, fresh food!"

Beirut Restaurant & Spirits

★★★★☆ 4.4 (275) • $$

"Hubby and I were in the mood for middle eastern food. Beirut had been on our radar for a while so we decided to give them a try. We arrived for an early dinner and were seated in the outdoor patio area. We started with a couple beers and shared an order of cheese rolls. This was a great appetizer. Crunchy spring roll style rolls filled with yummy cheesiness and fresh parsley.For dinner, hubby ordered the beef shawarma platter. I ordered falafel and hummus with chicken shawarma. The hummus with chicken shawarma came out first along with a basket of pita. This was super yummy. The hummus was flavorful and very smooth. The chicken was tender and seasoned well. The falafel was fried perfectly and moist on the inside, so good with the tahini sauce. Hubby's beef shawarma platter was very good. Perfectly cooked rice, plenty of flavorful beef strips, tasty pickled veggies.Service was friendly and kind. Great meal and ambience at Beirut. We will be back!"