33 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Laguna Beach

“GG’s Bistro is a rare find: excellent food in a tourist town. I went today and loved it! If you’re willing to walk just a block up from the tourist traps, GG’s offers a clean and spacious new outdoor patio, as well as a nicely decorated indoor dining room. Service is very pleasant. They offered me a taste of Turkish Raki, and gave me good advice over all.I recommend the Meze Platter. And I loved the blackened salmon sandwich, which I ordered today for lunch.Parking: There is ample parking in the paid public parking lot behind the establishment.“

“I was at this place and didn’t have mybcard with me to take out the cash. Since they didn’t have apple pay the guy gave me the food for free and insisted I take a drink too (which I didn’t even order). Truly touched by the gesture, food was great, the love unmatched.“

“My wife is Australian, and we are Armenian so when we heard that an Australian Lebanese chicken shop was right down the street from our office we had to check it out. I'm actually surprised it took me so long to figure out it was here! The owner Fred was there and he was so hospitable, his crew handle our order with care and the food was delicious and 100% Australian approved. The chips and secret menu item (chicken salt) were fire...my favorite on the go item is the OC wrap, hands down, and if I were trying to go healthy and light, the Newport Bowl is how I'd roll. If you've got time to sit down, grab the whole chicken with Lebanese bread and garlic salt.....straight fire! Great food, Great prices, nice environment, and friendly hard working staff...highly recommend and I'll be back!“

“What a wonderful surprise stopping by here after the gym thinking I was going to get different options of Gyro and Rice and there were so many offerings that were very healthy and appetizing. I ordered the Zoodles with the Salmon protein option and it was delicious. It was also a nice surprise that they serve equally yummy breakfast options all day long. I have my close to home healthy go to option that does not compromise on taste and plenty of variety.“

“The shrimp on fire was a very interesting show. Baby was intrigued. The gyro and trio player tastes great and our baby liked the rice in the gyro plate. And Kevin made sure we have a comfortable lunch! Ambiance is good. Like the blue theme color and choice of music.“

“This place is amazing!! So beautiful and cozy. The food is delicious, the wine, the music, the vibe and atmosphere!! Gustavo is a sweetheart. Suggested recommendations, and went out of his way to make us feel fantastic! He went above and beyond to attend to my friend and I. Amber is also very sweet and attentive. My favorite spot from now on. The Tres muchachos, (owners) are very hands on and catering. I strongly recommend this spot to anyone! Beautiful for hosting events too. ??“

“First time at the Garden! Best Kibbeh I ever had and Baklava. Service is super nice and caring. I will come back.Just two things to improve:. When more people came in, service disappeared, felt like they went all hands in the kitchen. They need extra help, probably hire more waiters.. The chicken kabobs from the platter was impossible to eat. It was hard and tasted strange. I recommend checking before serving.Keep up the great work! ☺️“

“The food was more than perfect. It was our first time trying Kabab Express, we were craving kabab and rice, and we so happy that we tried it.Everything was perfect, delicious and warm fresh bread.Customer service was great.If you are picky about the cleanliness, this is a place that you don’t need to worry about it.We will definitely come back.“

“Went here to meet a date only to find that Anthony Z. had already stolen my dates heart. Anthony made really good recommendations for what to order and was very friendly and personable. He complimented my dates facial hair and face and even gave us complimentary baclava. The food and ambiance was great. Don't think I'll be getting another date though because he left me for Anthony.“

“The chicken and Koobideh kabob plate. The proteins were tender and well seasoned. The side salad was so refreshing and crisp! Our server Jacob was so pleasant. He was helpful and kind. Overall, the UCI location has been my favorite!! Thanks Jacob! Somebody give this kid a raise!!“

“Convenient parking may be available in front of restaurant. There are only a handful of tables with seating for about 36 people. Always full so reservations are recommended.The service is friendly and efficient. They’re very keen to ensure you enjoy your stay and your meal. The hospitality is top notch and we enjoyed our lunch. Our first time here and we are bookmarking this place to come back.The food is delicious, generous portions and meats are wonderfully well seasoned and tender.The decor is pleasant and comfortable. The restaurant is clean and well maintained. Great dining experience!“

“Wow, small but powerful, very tasty and large portion. The falafel were very crispy and tender, very traditional flavor. The tahini and other sauces very well done. The chicken Shawarma bowl was huge, not traditional shaved Shawarma, but very good nonetheless. All in all, a very nice addition to the lab, and a worthwhile place to stop for Mediterranean type food.“

“We ordered the gyro plate with Greek salad, garlic potatoes and humus. Everything was fresh with great flavors. The spicy cilantro was a little bit spicy but had excellent flavor. The service was very friendly and the restaurant was very clean. Would definitely recommend pita pita.“

“From the moment I stepped into Pom Olive in Costa Mesa, I knew I was in for a treat. This gem of a restaurant offers a culinary journey that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves you craving for more.Let’s talk about the falafel first - crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, perfectly spiced, and served with just the right amount of tahini sauce. It’s evident that Pom Olive puts a lot of love and expertise into their falafel, making it a must-try for anyone visiting.The lentil soup is another masterpiece. Rich, comforting, and seasoned to perfection, it’s like a warm hug in a bowl. Whether you’re here on a chilly evening or just looking for a hearty start to your meal, this soup is an excellent choice.The roasted cauliflower deserves its own accolade. It’s roasted to a delightful crispiness while retaining a tender interior, and the spices used are spot on, enhancing the natural flavors of the cauliflower without overwhelming them.And then there’s the baklava - oh, the baklava! It’s simply the best I’ve had. Sweet, nutty, and layered with the most perfectly flaky pastry, it’s a sublime end to an already fantastic meal. Pom Olive truly excels in delivering this classic dessert with a balance of flavors that is hard to find elsewhere.I cannot conclude this review without mentioning Luke, our server for the evening. His recommendations were spot-on, and his attentive, friendly service greatly enhanced our dining experience. Luke’s passion for the restaurant’s offerings and his eagerness to share it with patrons make a visit to Pom Olive all the more special.In summary, Pom Olive in Costa Mesa is a culinary treasure. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is friendly and attentive, and every dish I tried was a testament to the skill and passion behind the kitchen. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to give Pin Olive a visit. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.Adding a personal touch about the staff, like mentioning Luke, can really round out a review and give others a sense of the service quality.“

“Happened upon this place by chance while looking for vegetarian/vegan options and all I can say is that it did not disappoint at all!!! The food was so good! Every single dish that my husband and I tried ( he’s not vegetarian/vegan) was incredible, we had the dips with bread and veggies and I had the fried eggplant and the falafel while hubby had the beef kebabs and we ended with coffee and sticky toffee pudding (yum) we now have a new place to go for future lunches and dinners. It was THAT GOOD! Service was great, our waiter was Knowledgeable and attentive.. we really enjoyed it ( can’t you tell ha) and will be returning soon!“

“I wasnt even a customer, but the staff there was the most friendly and helpful people I have dealt with in a very long time. If a business has such wonderful people working there, then they are a 1st class establishment in my eyes. Thank you for helping me out today.“

“My husband and I came here for lunch. We had been coming here for years before the pandemic. It was our first time back since 2019 and while some things changed the food is still delicious! Bertha helped us take our order. She was very friendly and kind. We ordered a chicken plate with salad, rice and sauces. I didn’t realize that the sauces now come on top of the chicken. Since I ordered a spicy sauce my husband, unfortunately, couldn’t eat it. I spoke to Jacob and he was very understanding and offered us an entirely new plate. He even brought out warm freshly made pita bread. Needless to say, we really enjoyed our lunch. The quality of food, outstanding service and attention to detail for their customers goes above and beyond! We will definitely be coming back soon!“

“Cannot recommend enough!! The food is THE ABSOLUTE BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD I have ever tasted. The chicken kabob is juicy and perfectly cooked and the falafel appetizer is perfectly breaded and melts in your mouth. The owner is so incredibly kind and you can tell he truly cares about the quality of the food and his customers. The restaurant has amazing ambiance, it's beautiful and inviting.“

“This is one of the better Luna Grill locations I have visited throughout Orange County. It is always clean, the staff is friendly, and the quality of the food is consistently fresh and delicious. Whenever we are craving Luna Grill, this is the location we choose to dine at.“

“Love this place ! The service was amazing and the food , mamma Mia soooo good , authentic Lebanese food , the environment inside the dinning room is so romantic and calm , really well designed, they have heaters everywhere so you never will be cold here , see you soon guys and thx for this nice Lebanese “

“This place is great. It's close to my office so I come pretty regularly for lunch. All the food is good, but I especially like the falafel, they make it fresh. The woman helping me at the checkout (didn't get her name) was especially friendly and helpful. My only criticism is there is a rewards system tied to my phone number, but I don't know how to redeem points. I've been going here for several years so probably have some points to redeem, but don't know how to check. Any help on this is appreciated!“

“I was happy with the service and the quality of food. I only had the new Modern Greek Salad so I can't judge the rest of the menu, but the salad was delicious and seemed really fresh. The workers here were happy to help me and served me with a smile. Overall, I enjoyed my experience here. The best salad in the center!“

“This is my first time I tried such a Mediterranean cuisine. In general, food was great. But they didn’t have a doner bomb because they were out of special buns for it. Well, if you have something popular on your menu make sure you don’t break supply chain.“

“I recently experienced excellent service at a Forte Mediterranean restaurant, paired with mouthwatering kabobs and flavorful rice. The highlight was the spicy chicken kabob wrap sandwich - a delightful combination of taste and quality. Highly recommended for those craving a satisfying and flavorful meal. I also enjoyed the pictures on the walls especially this picture of the greatest singer in the world.“

“Tried it out based on Yiftee.com's (often has buy one get one gift cards) Lake Forest list. Great first impression: easy parking (in Foothill Ranch's giant plaza), warm greeting, friendly strolling violinist live music Friday night. Menu is fun, especially desserts! I ordered the Avo Chicken, one of their signature dishes and it was flavored well. The falafel was fried well and crispy. However, service is on the slower side and there weren't many of us in the small place. They forgot the ice cream on the soufflé and it took a while to correct. Overall I would recommend! I'm curious to try more desserts“

“Had a quick lunch today and tried this place from a coworker recommendation. It's near John Wayne and the 73 freeway tucked inside a small shopping center. Inside, there's a number of tables, the counter, and an area for sauces, a green sauce and red sauce. The service was awesome, where the cashier was welcoming and explained everything including the sauces, warning that the red sauce is spicy. I ordered the chicken shawarma plate, and everything came out to a square $20. I thought it was a bit pricey at first, but the plate was very large, probably enough for two meals for most people. It came with the protein, rice, veggies, a small salad and hummus. Everything tasted great, and the red sauce went really well with the chicken. The additional bread was a nice touch too. It was a very filling meal overall!Definitely check this place out!“

“My favorite gyro in south Orange County. Not too greasy or over-seasoned at all. Highly recommend the Baba-Ghanouj with the Arabic bread as an appetizer. Staff are very friendly and know their menu well. Hope this place continues to do well.“

“Somehow our on-line reservation didn't go thru, but the restaurant went over & above to accommodate us, even an additional hummus appetizer. The staff & manager were outstanding. The food was excellent. Even on a VERY busy Saturday night, everything was wonderful. My only complaint was that it noisy. We will definitely go back again.“

“Went here for the first time today because I was in the area, and I was really happy with the food. The chicken bowl was delicious and reasonably priced! I would come back here in a heart beat and would love to try some other things on the menu. Appreciate that the business is health conscious too!“

“Food was excellent as was the service. My only complaint was the shade that they had to block the sun was woefully insufficient. Even though I was sitting at an inside table, we had to move our chairs to one side of our table to avoid the glaring sun.“

“This is my go-to place for dinner! Kevin is excellent and so helpful. I’m a vegan, and it’s so hard to find accommodations, and he informed me about some delicious suggestions. Whenever I go in, he is happy to help me and anyone who steps inside. We need more employees like Kevin.“

“My visit to Darbari Persian Grill offered a dive into Persian cuisine with some dishes shining and others falling short. The service was warm and welcoming, setting a positive tone. Highlights included the perfectly cooked rice and the delicious Barg Kabob, both showcasing the rich flavors of Persian cooking.On the downside, the Koobideh Kabob didn’t live up to expectations, lacking in flavor and moisture, while the chicken Kabob was overcooked, affecting its taste and texture negatively.Despite these culinary ups and downs, the attentive service provided a pleasant dining atmosphere. While improvements are needed in some areas, the exceptional dishes and friendly service make Darbari Persian Grill worth a visit for those interested in exploring Persian cuisine.“