48 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Lake Forest

“My dinner was excellent and the waitress’ service was outstanding“

“I love coming to this location. My go to meal is the chicken and koobideh plate. Every time I order it it taste so good and fresh. Their service is great, they have a good attitude and the food is always ready pretty fast.“

“Great food! Great service! This is one of the best places for lunch in Irvine!“

“Food was excellent! One of the best tasting lamb shank & baghali polo I've had, and I've had this dish at a lot of Persian restaurants. Although my meal didn't include it, but my friend's order included freshly baked naan-like bread. Highly recommend this casual eatery. They also offer family style food at a reasonable price. Perfect for those nights you want to serve a good healthy meal to your family, without having to spend hours in the kitchen.“

“I love the food and I highly recommend“

“I had an outstanding experience at DonerG, where they beautifully blend the authentic flavors of Turkish cuisine with vibrant Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. I opted for the Original Fladenbrot sandwich with beef, and added chicken as well. Both meats were incredibly well-seasoned, tender, and bursting with flavor. You can truly appreciate the freshness and quality of the ingredients in every bite. The ambiance of the restaurant was welcoming and warm, making it an ideal spot whether you're grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a meal with a larger group. Special mention to Eduardo and Saadi, who were attentive and provided excellent service, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. I’ll definitely be returning for another delicious meal!“

“Excellent food amazing service“

“customer service definitely recommend it“

“Always like coming here for a quick, fresh lunch while I’m working on UCI campus. I especially like the salads - falafel on a Mediterranean salad is delicious. Very friendly staff!“

“I highly recommend that you stop to eat here whenever you can. Amazing five star food. Staff is amazing, welcoming and friendly and helpful. Amazingly clean restaurant too. You will not be disappointed unless you pass them by and don't stop in.“

“we are from Alaska so we maybe fresh fish snobs... but this was absolutely delish, fast, and priced great. highly recommend so glad we stumbled upon ot!“

“Literally a hole-in-the-wall, but with GREAT Mediterranean food. Limited seating with an ocean breeze. Pricey, but worth it!

Parking: Don't drive to this place. Make your plans to enjoy Laguna Beach on foot, parking in one of the paid garages, and walk to this place. It's worth it!“

“Healthy food that is actually very tasty! It is clean and the service friendly and professional.“

“Best of the Best Bravo Avo Greek & Mediterranean Restaurant! Great food and Excellent service 👏❤️❤️👏 RECOMAND 🎂🎉🍨🎊“

“I might as well own stock in this business with how frequently my wife and I return... The wraps are so huge my wife and I split one and it's still a ton of food.

It's 10/10 every time. Favorite place especially for the price.“

“Great food Great atmosphere“

“Great healthy food! Service was great.“

“Buen servicio de Alex 👍🏼 y la comida muy rica“

“I Loved The Chicken Very Tasty & Yummy I Wish They Had More Locations Here In California“

“Alright, Cava, you’ve done it again. I’m trying to watch what I eat, and you’re over here making it impossible with your ridiculously good food. Seriously, every single time I come here, I end up getting more than I planned because it all just looks and tastes too amazing to resist. The customizable bowls are my downfall – so fresh and flavorful!

And don’t even get me started on the staff. Always so friendly and helpful, even when there’s a huge line. They make the whole experience even better, which is dangerous for my diet. I swear, they must be trained to tempt people into ordering extra toppings.

Since it’s the closest location to me, Cava has become my go-to spot, which is both a blessing and a curse. My taste buds are happy, but my wallet and waistline? Not so much. I just wish they weren’t so good at what they do!“

“Wow wow wow, my first time here, I had beef Soltani, it was the best Soltani i ever had, brave owner and staff“

“Very nice outdoor seating, great food, music. Nice place and close your o the surrounding neighborhoods!“

“Nick the owner is a great guy and the staff are super friendly and nice. Food portions were big and fresh. Thanks again for everything coming back everytime we go back to Cali! 👍👍“

“Better than Halal Guys. Yeah I said it. Go taste for yourselves.“

“Great value to flavor ratio. We visited on a busy Saturday evening and service was a little spotty, but the food more than made up for it. We were first given some housemade naan with butter. From the dining hall you could see a staff rolling out the naan dough and placing them in an oven, so I was excited to try it. The naan was sweet and fresh, my own qualm is that when it cooled it became stiff very easily, and would have preferred a house special dipping sauce over the butter.

The portions are huge, so we ordered one appetizer and one entree which was the perfect amount for two people. This restaurant has really gotten the texture of meat right; both dishes stood out for the tenderness of the protein. The koobideh was juice and soft, and the lamb neck was completely fall off the bone. The appetizer had a great smoky flavor, and the heaven stew had a rich tomato base. I think one area of improvement for me might be the diversity of spices; the eggplant was a good dipping sauce but had a slightly too overpowering garlic flavor and the pepper and tomato could be flavored with condiments other than salt to add layers, and I would have preferred the stew to have a slightly thicker consistency to condense the flavor.“

“I Loved The Chicken Very Tasty & Yummy I Wish They Had More Locations Here In California“

“wonderful food - never had a bad meal here. Their lentil soup is fantastic.“

“It's a simple menu, but there is a ton of variety with food choices. This has become our go-to lunch place whenever we're in the mood for something healthy. The food is delicious, the prices are very reasonable, and the service is great. We often see the same staff every time we come and they are always attentive, friendly and professional.

SAJJ is especially great if you're vegan or vegetarian as it's way more than just a salad, there's so many options you can choose that you can have something different every time you come. I also like that you get a lentil soup with your meal too. Such a great added bonus.

The portions are generous, and I often get filled up. If you come during the peak lunch rush, expect to wait a little and you may not find a table. But the line moves quickly and there's plenty of public seating around the restaurant as well.

Signing up for the app got us occasional discounts so you may want to check that out, and we always return regularly, but especially when there's a promotion. Enjoy healthy eating!“

“Christakis has been a go-to favorite for nice dining since the nineties; always great food, always exceptional service. Rack of lamb is the best I've ever had *anywhere*. At this point I guess we're almost part of the family. SO YUM.“

“I really really wanted to give it five stars. I loved the vibe and most importantly how fresh the seafood was. The way the food was prepared shows that they take pride in doing their job. Our order had octopus and shrimp ceviche, which was full of juicy pieces of each generously served. We also asked if they served chips and guacamole, not on the menu but they happily and quickly made it and served with blue corn chips. For entree, my husband got Baja fish taco and I had spicy octopus and shrimp taco. The tacos were so well stuffed it was impossible to pick them up to eat. Our cup runneth over! LOL trust me, you don't need to order more than one taco. The portions are so generous, and the seafood is fresh and high quality. Service was friendly and speedy. Great people, great little business, I truly recommend everyone go support them. The only thing I take points off is the Baja fish taco was flavorless according to my husband. I didn't try it, but he really didn't like it. My food was excellent minus being over seasoned with salt and proportion of tortilla to meat. But all in all, good restaurant, should try.“

“Such a fun, colorful place to eat with many vegan options. We tried the Zesty and Earth Bowls. They substitute hummus for Tzatziki. Super fresh food, enjoyable atmosphere. Definitely going back. They promote Christianity on their signage and when I asked the server - says they are non denomination. Make sure to look at their website for the beautiful food pictures.“

“Food at this location is so dang good! I went in on Saturday the 9th of April around 3pm and I was amazed. I got the half chicken and half falafel pita and it was really good. My wife got a bowl with falafel as well and both of us were amazed at how fresh everything was. The cook made us fresh falafel and was very nice to us. The chicken was so good next time I am getting double chicken and falafel! My wife said the rice was very well made and that she enjoyed her bowl. Cava for the win!“

“Best food I’ve had in a long time!!“

“Amazing food and the staff were so incredibly nice! I keep telling everyone about it. I’m coming BACK.“

“Great service and reasonable prices“

“Everything was delicious!! Thanks for the great service Manuel Hernandez“

“Delicious! Loved your vegan plate and mint lemonade! We’ll be back.“

“Zov’s is a very nice place, with a friendly atmosphere and staff, and great food!!“

“Caspian Mediterranean Kitchen is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Previously located in Irvine Orange County, it has been relocated to Foot Hill Ranch less than a year ago. When I visited this new location for the first time, I was completely surprised by the incredibly pleasant ambiance. I ordered two dishes, one was Baghala Polo with lamb, and the other was chicken kebab with rice. I must say, they were among the most delicious Baghala Polo and chicken kebabs I have ever tasted. The staff was all kind and professional. Our server, Ali, was very courteous and skillfully served us. The restaurant was managed by a beautiful girl named Doryaneh, who provided us with a tour of the new establishment and graciously answered any questions we had." Although Caspian Mediterranean Kitchen distance from our home was a bit far, it was truly worth the journey, and I will definitely go there again with friends. Additionally, as I am planning to host a large party in the coming weeks, I have also placed a catering order with them. If you intend to have Mediterranean food, especially Persian cuisine, make sure to visit here; you won't be disappointed.“

“I recently had the pleasure of discovering Mustard Cafe & Grill in Foothill Ranch, and what a delightful little gem it is! From the moment I stepped in, the atmosphere was incredibly inviting—peaceful and soothing, making for a truly relaxing dining experience.

The service was outstanding; our server, Maria, was simply wonderful. Her genuine smile and professional yet kind demeanor truly lit up the place, ensuring we felt well cared for throughout our visit. Everything came out perfectly, and it’s clear the staff takes immense pride in their work.

I opted for a custom three-egg omelet filled with spinach, tomato, avocado, and Swiss cheese, served alongside perfectly cooked potatoes and delicious sourdough toast. It was absolutely fantastic, clearly prepared with care. I also tried their avocado toast, which was a definite highlight, and the coffee was excellent—a perfect complement to the meal.

It’s easy to see why this spot is highly recommended. With plenty of parking available, a fantastic menu offering great breakfast and lunch choices, and an owner with a wonderfully positive attitude, Mustard Cafe & Grill is now firmly on my list of favorite places. I initially came for breakfast but am already planning my return for lunch. This cafe truly excels in every aspect – food, service, and ambiance.“

“I usually love this place but was sadly disappointed with my most recent visit. I had reserved a table on Open Table and had no issue checking in. The hostess was very sweet and took us immediately to our table. I noticed a couple of spots open at the bar so we decided to move. That was my mistake! Now I do want to preface the rest by saying the female bartender (never got her name) was busy. Too busy to smile, too busy to welcome us, too busy to ask us much of anything. We had to initiate all contact, ask for waters, ask for drinks, ask to take our order, ask for the check. No “How was your meal”? No interaction on her part whatsoever. My food by the way is usually very good. It was a disappointment last night. This is my reason for three stars, in the past I have given four or five stars and want to give them the benefit of the doubt. I will be back but be certain never to sit at the bar again and definitely at all costs avoid being served by the no name female bartender.“

“We had my mom’s 50th birthday party here and it was spectacular! Rod and his staff worked very well with us, answering all of our questions and tailoring to our requests. They did everything we asked for and made my mom’s night so special. If you have a big event, I definitely would recommend this place! Thank you again Rod and team for making my mom’s important night so special!!!“

“Very authentic! If you want The taste of authentic Greek food...highly recommended! Don't forget the Greek beer! Ya Mas!“

“I found this place on a whim and I'm glad I did. I got the lamp rack "kabob".This was a plate of lamb chops and I got hummus and salad for my sides. Yum! Everything was so well seasoned and the proportions were great. I will definitely be going back and I absolutely recommend.The people there were really nice.“

“they go out there way to deliver a beautiful curry, Rice nan, onion bahgee everything beautiful as always..10 out of 10 for everything...Col Carno“

“Been coming here for years for lunch with co-workers. Come here once in a while with my wife for dinner. The place had a kind of Parisian bistro atmosphere in the evenings. There are many Persian delights on the menu, but I come for the Fesengen. Service is always friendly and excellent. Sometimes I call it in and pick it up on my way home to eat at home.“