50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Newport Beach

“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.“

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

“Excellent Little Restaurant in Newport Beach. I had the Ground Beef and Ground Chicken Kabob. Was Awesome. Their Garlic Sauce they served with my meal was really good. The folks in here were super friendly. Thank you for a great experience and meal.“

“Small place cooking Mediterranean food which was both affordable and quite good in taste. Kind of fast food restaurant that you are pleased to discover.I personally recommend this pace.Quality of ingredients: 4*Taste: 5*Ambiance: 4*Service: 4*Price/quality ratio: 5*“

“This is the find of the decade! Virtually hidden on a tiny street adjacent to the Coast Highway, the eclectic, artistic interior is as welcoming as the attentive and super friendly staff. Indoor and outdoor dining options, comfy furniture, a hip buzzy adjacent bar lets you know immediately you are in for a uniquely Newport Beach experience that you won’t want to leave. But all of this is nothing compared to the cuisine. The wide variety of ostensibly Middle Eastern menu items are comprehensive to meet virtually any dietary needs from vegan to Ketovore, but the competency across the board is astounding!! Lentil soup, yellow veggie curry, kabob, steak Diane - everything shines on its own merit. I planned to have one of the divine sounding desserts but alas, the portions were so generous that we had to take a rain check. Here’s hoping for a downpour!“

“Best Tacos in Town! Love this place for tacos and burritos!“

“My brotha and I were looking for a good local Mediterranean spot and we found this beauty of a restaurant. The service was amazing, ambiance was impeccable and the food was DELICIOUS. 10/10 would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for high quality authentic Mediterranean food. This is my new go to!!“

“We showed up close to closing and the staff had all went home, the Owner kindly seated us, waited on us, cooked for us and wow did he cook 🔥 Amazing food and the vibes were just as good. I really enjoyed this dinner with my family, will be a happy memory for the books. Chicken Parmesan was our favorite and the ceaser salad was legit. TYSM 5 ⭐️s all day 💣 dot com“

“Didn’t ask if I needed any sauces or anything, but the food came quick and wow, the steak is perfectly cooked and tender. Flavors are varied and deliciois. Didn’t actually need sauce. Healthy too. Priced a bit higher but it is Newport Beach. Recommend a visit“

“The best place to try Bosnian food! I can’t pick one favorite, from cevapi to pizza to pita , this food taste like homemade. All employees are nice and friendly, but the owner is an amazing human being, so humble and approachable, honest and relatable, love chatting with him every time we visit Cali, which is usually 2-3 times a year and we make sure we eat lunch and dinner at Sofra Urbana every day. See you soon! Can’t wait for the most delicious Bosnian food on the west side of the United States.“

“😀This restaurant is awesome, the food tastes great, the ingredients are made fresh daily from scratch, and the menu is so rich with a lot of varieties you will love, especially the reasonably priced dishes. The service is top notch, and the chef, Mr Cotch is the best. The atmosphere is very pleasant and inviting, it's a great place to have events and parties, dine in, or call and order by phone. I highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys authentic middle eastern cuisine. Cheers.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I visited Papa K in California and it was such a great experience! The Egyptian food is absolutely delicious – authentic, flavorful, and feels just like home. 😋 The portions are very generous, and the prices are really affordable, which makes it even better. The service was excellent; the staff were so kind, welcoming, and always smiling, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for real Egyptian cuisine. I’ll definitely be back! ♥️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ زرت مطعم Papa K في كاليفورنيا وكانت تجربة أكثر من رائعة! الأكل المصري عندهم لذيذ جدًا – طعمه أصيل ومليان نكهات وكأنك في مصر بالظبط. 😋 كمان كميات الأكل كبيرة جدًا والأسعار مناسبة وفي متناول اليد، وده بيخلي التجربة أحلى وأحلى. الخدمة ممتازة؛ الموظفين في منتهى اللطف والترحاب، ودايمًا بيستقبلوا بابتسامة، وده بيخلي الجو دافي ومريح. بجد أنصح أي حد عايز يجرب الأكل المصري الأصيل إنه يزور المكان، وأنا أكيد هرجع تاني ♥️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Danielle S went above and beyond during our visit. When the gyro was unavailable, she made a thoughtful customer-focused decision. She handled the situation confidently, showed great judgment, and clearly put customer satisfaction first. Her decision-making and leadership mindset show she has the potential to be a strong supervisor or manager in the near future.“

“Amazing food and customer service!! Everything is always fresh and delicious.“

“This Cava was very clean, organized and efficient! We walked in and the staff were very helpful, Kalana was the one who helped us and she was very nice and friendly! Totally recommend coming to this Cava if you’re hungry and want a calm & friendly ambiance.“

“This restaurant is outstanding. I grew up in Egypt where kabob is a main dish. I struggled to find in Southern California a really authentic kabob place that feels like home kabob until I found this restaurant. Literally, I eat ant this restaurant every day. Not to mention, the place is very clean, and the staff is very friendly. I actually lived in several States; I have been in Southern California for three years; and I am so glad that I finally managed to find this restaurant. Truly, it is a “Divine mediterranean” restaurant.“

“First time trying this place and overall I had good experience. Food was very good. I tried a new dish which is kofte wrapped in eggplant. Also tried lentil soup and their dessert. Service was very good. Restaurant looked very clean. There’s plenty of parking in front of the restaurant.“

“My family went out and had a great experience. I had a chicken shawarma plate and it tasted very good. The portions are a decent size and we have leftovers for tomorrow. We also had walnut baclava and it was very good. Not only was the food fantastic but the atmosphere was also great. The owner was very nice and took care of our needs during our visit. Definitely would recommend this place.“

“SO good! Highly recommend the ground beef hawawshy & bbq chicken american savory. We devoured ours.“

“Great healthy food! Service was great.“

“🥰 love the salmon plate!!!“

“Fantastic service with very a friendly and attentive staff.
Went for my son's birthday as he was craving shawarma. He got the lamb and his girlfriend got the beef shawarma. Both of them said it was very tasty.

I had the chicken curry stew and have leftovers. It came with a Greek green salad and basmati rice. So delicious and such deep flavors.

We'd come back again for sure and since my son and his girlfriend live in the area, they are adding it to their spots too.

Highly recommend it.“

“Exelent servís the food is exelent“

“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!“

“Tried this gem for the first time today! Fall off the bone chicken and salmon Alfredo with fresh vegetables was delicious. The staff was friendly and gracious. Definitely a new favorite!“

“Was there for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed the food. Very tasty and just the right amount..and price, too!“

“As I stand hear dancing and writing this review I got to practice my Spanish with Daniel who has to be one of the coolest guys I have met within a time of ordering. The food made my mouth water as I anticipated eating.

I cannot wait to bite into this delicacy sitting in front of me.“

“Alas, a local place with unique charm, expert staff and a creative menu. We will be back often.“

“generous portions and very patient and kind staff! and the food is great too!“

“Surprisingly quiet for a beach spot, which was perfect for celebrating my sister's birthday. The food was delicious and healthier than other nearby food options. We enjoyed our visit and would definitely consider coming back next time we're in the area!“

“Great service, fantastic food, friendly atmosphere! Loved everything about the place. Can't wait to come back.“

“Very friendly service and the girl at the register was really sweet. The food was very good. I ordered soup and lahmacun and both were delicious. The only small issue was the wait time it took a little longer than expected for simple things like soup and lahmacun but overall everything was good.“

“I love the Salmon bowl! I’m attracted to the Kids eat free Mon-Thursday. I like the kids play area. It’s inside or outside. I will be back for many terrific reasons!“

“We love love your restaurant!! You have the best grilled chicken ever!! We dine here about twice a month. We love Paris she is a fantastic server. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience every time. ❤️“

“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!“

“Highly recommended Best service home style family restaurant“

“We ordered catering from The Green Olive for our Lab Christmas lunch and had a wonderful experience. We spoke directly with the owner, who was extremely kind, professional, and accommodating throughout the process. The food quality and quantity were outstanding truly a 10 out of 10. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal, and it was perfectly prepared and presented. We will definitely be returning to The Green Olive for future events and highly recommend them.“

“Great food always served fresh. Highly recommended!“

“Definitely the chicken. I like the choices of sides too. I have to try the rest. I hope we get one in our area, Cypress or Cerritos.“

“Very good kebab wraps ( falafel or beef/lamb with salad. The garlic aioli was pretty delicious and tasty too. Staff are friendly and helpful.“

“The service was exceptional and very quick. From the moment we sat down, our server Miguel was attentive and gave great suggestions. Our food came out quick and was quite delicious. Overall, a great experience and will come back again soon.“

“Villy Heaven truly lives up to its name — a little piece of heaven for food lovers! From the moment we walked in, the warm ambiance and welcoming staff set the tone for a fantastic dining experience.“

“One of our favorite Mediterranean spots, their bowls and wraps are so delicious. I love how customizable the bowls are and the variety of toppings. My move is a bowl with half rice / salad and half fries as the base, half chicken and gyro for the protein, and all the toppings. The fries are McDonald’s-level good imo. I also highly recommend trying all the sauces at the sauce station - my faves are the dill tzatziki and the cilantro jalapeño. Yum! Service was also great at this location, Namrata was patient and friendly answering all our questions :)“

“Good fresh healthy tasting food. We ordered the beef tri tip shawerma with rice and tomatoes. And half a chicken it comes with pita bread and choice of sides I only got sides with the tri tip and hot the chicken ala carte
The total was $31.22 although it was good I do think $17.99 for the tri tip was a bit steep considering the majorityof my meal was rice..I was the last order of the night as they were closing and the guys behind the counter were super helpful and friendly. I would definitely recommend as long as you're good with the prices.
***UPDATE
I went back for a second time and had the beef kabobs and this time I tried the whit garlicky sauce they serve with everything and it was soo yummy.. I definitely would suggest the kabobs over the shawerma which was also good but kabobs were better.“

“What a gem of a restaurant, the quality is clear the second you see the food. The taste is fresh and the bowls are so colorful and nutritious. Great value for the generous portions also. Top not service- my go to restaurant for lunch! Also Rotisserie Chicken is great to pick up for dinner and take home to my family!“

“Cava is the ultimate Mediterranean destination for fresh, flavorful meals tailored to your taste. If you love the freedom to create your own dishes, Cava offers a “build-your-own” bowl experience, similar to Chipotle, where you can choose from a variety of grains, proteins, dips, and toppings to craft a meal that’s truly your own. Every ingredient is carefully prepared to highlight the vibrant flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, from tender grilled chicken and slow-roasted lamb to crisp vegetables, savory spreads, and zesty dressings.

For those moments when time is tight, Cava also offers chef-crafted bowls that are ready to enjoy, combining perfectly balanced flavors in convenient, satisfying meals. Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty, light, or packed with bold Mediterranean spices, there’s a bowl for every appetite.

What sets Cava apart is its commitment to fresh ingredients, customizable options, and authentic flavors, making it more than just a meal—it’s a culinary experience. Perfect for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner, or even meal prep for the week, Cava makes it easy to enjoy wholesome, delicious Mediterranean food exactly how you like it.“

“This is the best grilled fish I ate since I came to California in 2000 it's even better than San Pedro fish markets. Fresh fish everyday. Super nice customer service and kind staff. Clean place. I recommend it to all fish lovers.“

“Just so happen to be in this area decided to give this spot a try. I’m glad I came and will definitely return in the future. The food looks and tastes fresh with just the right amount of each ingredient. The portion was slightly more than expected but I’m a big back so no worries there. Jose was awesome and explained the menu since it was my first time. I got the San Diego with lamb/beef meat choice and it was delicious not dry and full of flavor!Overall I loved everything!!!“

“The food is the best thing that happened to Irvine. It is fresh, crisp, clean eating. Thank you and keep it up!“

“We stopped by Lemon & Thyme on a whim after our daughter’s swim lesson, and I’m so glad we did. From the moment we walked in, our server, who I believe may have been the owner, was one of the most warm, vivacious people I’ve ever met. He greeted us with the biggest smile and gave us the kind of service that instantly makes you feel at home.

He made us feel so welcomed, like we were family. The level of thoughtfulness was above and beyond,he even brought out extra treats like french fries and ice cream for our toddler, which absolutely made her night. It’s rare to experience that kind of genuine hospitality.

And the food? Incredible. The spicy rigatoni was easily one of the best I’ve had in a very long time. I added shrimp to it and… chef’s kiss. It was rich, flavorful, perfectly spicy. honestly one of the best meals I’ve had since moving to SoCal. My husband ordered the salmon and that was just as delicious.

Between the amazing food and the unforgettable service, this place really left an impression. I already know I’ll be back, next time for a little bestie dinner date. This might officially be my new go to spot for rigatoni, and I can’t wait to come back and try more of the menu.“