50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Waltham

“wonderful place! Tasty food 😋“

“Years ago, when I was a student in Boston, I met Osman in a Turkish restaurant. He was kind, hardworking, and always full of warmth. Seeing him now as the owner of this wonderful Turkish restaurant filled me with pride and gratitude. Osman’s hospitality, generosity, and genuine heart was into every detail of this place, from the warm welcome at the door to the last bite of dessert. And the food is absolutely phenomenal. Every dish has authentic flavors of Turkey, perfectly seasoned, beautifully presented, and made with love. From the tender kebabs to the fresh mezes and perfectly flaky baklava, it was a feast in every sense. You can feel the care and tradition in every bite. This restaurant isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a place to feel at home, to celebrate friendship, and to savor life. Thank you, Osman, for creating such a beautiful space. We’ll definitely be back! ❤️“

“Aegean is Back, and as Delicious as Ever!
My wife and I have been loyal patrons of Aegean since back when we were still dating, long before they moved to their massive Framingham spot. We were heartbroken when the Framingham location closed during the pandemic.
Then came a strange twist of fate: after literally having a dream about eating there, I checked online out of curiosity and was thrilled to discover they had reopened in Waltham! We took our son the very next day.
While the new location is cozy and nowhere near as grand as the old Framingham space, the food is just as incredible as we remembered. They’ve kept several classic entries from their traditional Greek menu, and the flavors haven't changed a bit. Even our son,who was born right at the start of the pandemic and never got to experience the old location,absolutely loved the food.
Finding a family-owned restaurant that preserves its authentic roots, high quality, and traditional recipes after going through a shutdown is rare. We are so happy the Aegean family is back, and this will immediately go back into our regular dinner rotation. I can't wait to spread the word to the rest of our family!“

“We took a friend out to dinner at Oleana last night for her birthday and it was one of the best meals we’ve had. We loved being able to share and sample so many dishes, and each one was a masterful balancing of herbs, spices and flavors. The service was also top-notch. We can’t wait to return! It’s no surprise that it’s hard to get a reservation.“

“beautiful patio expansion "Moona Oasis" to accommodate more guests!“

“Food is good. Parking is awful. when you get your bill u get a chargé for the kitchen.“

“First visit today, although we live somewhat in the neighborhood and I am already kicking myself for not having got here sooner. Red tabbouleh spicing was very punchy and vivid. Allspice in the stuffed grape leaves make them worth coming back for, not something I think I've ever said about stuffed grape leaves before. Most unforgettable was the red lentil soup with its soft rich velvety texture over two or three layers of different delicious flavors. Great first impression, can't wait to go back, solid A leaning toward A+.“

“I LOVE cafe Yafa. it doesn't matter who is working the cafe that day. whenever I come in, I know I'm going to be taken care of. the coffee is amazing. the food is amazing. There is wonderful food throughout the menu. if you like Mediterranean food or middle eastern food, you will love it here. for beverages, my family loves the turkish coffee, Chai latte, and vanilla espresso. for food our favorites are the haloumi sandwich, shawarma, and shakshouka, which are all amazing“

“Excellent and friendly service, food and environment 👍🏼“

“Wonderful place with fresh and delicious food Good service One of my favorite spots to come to with my family or friends for lunch or dinner Variety of things to choose from Highly recommended“

“Best Mediterranean food I've had in decades. Everything was delicious. Couldn't be better. I had the kofra kebab plate, ground beef with lamb, rolled and fried, salad, hummus, garlic sauce and tabouli. Look it up. I'm probably not touching it all the great aspects of it. Every part of it was exceptional, full of freshness and taste, each part distinctive in taste and presentation from another part. Not the usual commodification of Mediterranean food present in most imitative restaurants. So many spots are predictable, bland, food feeling like it sat around waiting to be served and unremarkable in every way. Not here. A full size salad, bright, light tastes with just the right amount of a delicate dressing. Not just the typical hunks of greens and ingredients thrown together with no soul and doused in some soybean oil based imitation.It was not the thick flour pita pocket that despite rips apart when you try to lightly stuff it with your salad or grape leaves or tabouli, despite being the thickness of baseball glove leather. This pita pocket was as thin as it could be, not the chewy baseball glove we usually get, yet completely resilient. It held everything I stuffed into it.“

“We had an early dinner here tonight and it was delicious. The food is really fresh and tasty. We had the chicken kebab plate and a beef gyro. Hummus, tsatziki delicious and chicken so good. Highly recommend! Nice people, quick service.“

“Hole-in-the-wall take out joint. Got the spicy chicken, and my wife also got chicken and rice. There was only one person working there, clearly had been working hard all day. Still was very accommodating and kind. Food - absolutely delicious and we will absolutely be making this place part of our regular take out rotation.“

“If you are looking for outstanding authentic Egyptian food please try Kushari. The food made to order is consistently delicious and service is over the top. Plenty of free parking is another bonus!“

“Really good! They were really nice too. We had the chicken shawarma wrap, the lamb wrap, and the mixed platter. All were delicious! The only thing was it was small in here and there aren’t much places to sit. I give this place 5 stars and will definitely come back!“

“I wanna say thank you to the Jana Grill restaurant for the delicious food! I really liked the Armenian kebab, the restaurant is cozy and comfortable. There was an event on this day, but this did not affect the service time, there were a lot of people and i want to say thank you to Dmitry, sorry if i misspelled your name, this is a waiter in a black shirt who helped me with the choice from the menu, especially with dessert it was delicious, very good service! I will definitely return to you. Thanks to the owner of this restaurant for such staff I will recommend this restaurant to everyone!“

“Absolutely Outstanding — The Best Middle Eastern Restaurant I’ve Found in the US!

I first tried this restaurant about five months ago, and I can honestly say it has become my favorite place to eat — period.

The first time I came, I ordered the lamb kabab. Being originally from the Middle East, I know what authentic Middle Eastern food should taste like, and I can confidently say this is the best lamb kabab I have ever had in the United States. It was incredibly authentic, perfectly prepared, and absolutely delicious.

The taste was so authentic that, literally, one bite took me back about 20 years to the flavors I remember from back home. That is something very special. I honestly never expected to find that kind of authentic Middle Eastern taste here in the US.

After that first visit, I came back four more times, and every single visit has been a wonderful experience. The food has been consistently excellent every time.

And it’s not just the main dishes. They also make a variety of fresh juices and specialty drinks. I recently tried their Istanbul drink, and oh my God — it was wonderful! The rose water and the combination of flavors were absolutely amazing. The flavor is hard to even describe because it is so unique and delicious. It was definitely something I had to try, and I’m glad I did.

The bread is incredibly fresh, and the salad they serve at each table is also so fresh and delicious. You can tell that quality and freshness really matter here.

The owners are wonderful, and the staff is extremely nice, polite, welcoming, and professional. You genuinely feel the hospitality from the moment you walk through the door.

And on top of all of that, the food is HALAL. Great authentic Middle Eastern food, fresh ingredients, amazing drinks, wonderful service, and halal food — honestly, who can beat this place?

I should also mention that I am extremely picky when it comes to food. It takes a lot to convince me when it comes to taste and quality. I don’t give compliments easily when I’m not completely satisfied. But this restaurant has impressed me every single time I’ve visited.

I’m telling you, if you are looking for authentic, delicious, high-quality Middle Eastern cuisine, you will have a very hard time finding a restaurant like this anywhere in the state. The food tastes authentic, the quality is excellent, the staff is wonderful, and the hospitality is outstanding.

Five visits and five wonderful experiences — and I will definitely be back again.

This is my best place for dining, period.

If you love Middle Eastern food, do yourself a favor and give this place a try. I highly, highly recommend it!“

“Absolutely delicious. We had the Falafel sandwich, rice and spinach/feta pie. So good. Fast friendly service. Will definitely come back!!!“

“great food, friendly service, dog friendly patio.“

“Great food!! Always fresh and good. Thanks Matt for all your help!“

“The best Albanian food I’ve ever had! 🇦🇱❤️
This place is truly special. The owners are incredibly warm and welcoming, and you can really feel the love and care that goes into this family-run business. The food is absolutely spectacular—authentic recipes, fresh ingredients, and so much flavor!

We tried several small dishes, and even though we ordered a variety, we left completely satisfied. Everything we tasted was delicious and felt genuinely homemade and authentic.

I highly recommend this place if you want to experience amazing Albanian food and wonderful hospitality. I can’t wait to come back and try more! Hopefully they open the next location soon!“

“Great service, kind staff, good food - we enjoy coming to a cava when in the area. Bathroom and sitting area could have used some much needed maintenance.
Might be best for walking, Lyft, or bike - as parking on a Sunday can get difficult to find.“

“Not only was the Baba , Peach Gazpacho and chicken Shastish delish , but Chef David took the time to chat with us in 100 degree weather and served us a sample of his staffs lunch he was preparing for them today ...his moms fav dish when he was a kid... THE MESSY SANDWICH ! Homemade Crispy BLT , heirloom tomato with a hit of peanut butter . Hope he puts it on the menu someday but more importantly know he's "the real deal" born and raised New England cool, creative and genuine - cheers to you Chef David !!!“

“Wow what delicious and amazing food!! We had chicken gyros which were perfect and flavorful. This is the best Greek food I’ve had before and we had an amazing experience. Everything on the menu is appetizing and is set a good prices and good proposition. Definitely recommend to everyone 👍🏼“

“Always delicious. Thank you.“

“I tried your cafe’ for the first time and I was blown away by the taste, quality and price for the amount of food I received. I ordered the Shawarma Chicken Wrap w/tahini sauce, so tasty, the chicken was moist to perfection and I absolutely love the cucumber pickles. For desert I ordered the Kunafa, took it home and warned it up and my oh my! so so yummy!! I can’t wait to go again and try their other items.“

“The best place for breakfast, lunch, and coffee in the neighborhood. We go at least once a week!“

“I've been to Cafe Mangal four times for lunch over the past year, and every visit has been an outstanding experience. The food is consistently fresh, delicious, and healthy, but what truly sets this place apart is the warm, welcoming atmosphere that the owner, Mehmet, creates for me.

Each time I've visited, Mehmet has personally come to our table to greet me and my friends or family, often bringing us a new appetizer or dessert to try. His genuine hospitality and attention to detail make every meal feel special.

Every visit has been filled with great food, laughter, and friendly conversation, and I always leave with a smile. I highly recommend Cafe Mangal to anyone looking for exceptional food and an even more exceptional dining experience.“

“The dishes are so intentional. You can tell there is a lot of love and thought that went into each dish. The cornbread and scotch eggs are divined!“

“They have an amazing and fresh falafel I've ever had in Boston!“

“Aswad was super helpful and kind! He helped me pick out this strawberry steak salad which I loved. Great food, great quality, great service and great workers! Thank you Aswad for the great experience. I will be back for more amazing food and service!“

“Some of the best Greek food I have ever had in all of Massachusetts! Would gladly return 😇🇬🇷“

“The best falafel I’ve ever had. My wife finished nine out of 12 of these in less than five minutes driving away from the store… We turned around in order two dozen more. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere is no frills but all delicious“

“Cozy little place with Friday oyster specials. The staff is great and prices reasonable. Right off the T line- don’t miss the hidden bar upstairs.“

“Wow. Wow. What a discovery! I ordered delivery and expected something “okay”. I am left speechless. This was arguably the best meal I’ve had in a long time. Quality, quantity, taste - phenomenal...I had the Mediterranean mix which was a great sample of all different tastes. The rice (usually just fill in deliveries) was excellent with that slight bit of saffron coating it. Thank you!“

“wonderful place! Tasty food 😋“

“One of my all-time favorite restaurants, not only in Massachusetts, but anywhere in the world. I sadly had to move out of MA this year, and the last week I was in town, I think I went to this place three days out of seven. Love love LOVE their spicy chicken shawarma (I always asked them to put rice and tabouleh in mine, with plenty of their famous spicy garlic sauce) and spicy potatoes. And the service is always friendly and welcoming.

Already miss this place so much...if you are lucky enough to be in the area, definitely give this place a try. Literally writing this review because I'm craving their spicy chicken shawarma wrap so badly right now LOL“

“Had a fantastic time at the soft opening. The ambience was fantastic and the food was out of this world. Highly recommend.“

“the food is prepared fresh on site & is so flavorful“

“I would like to express my gratitude to Blue Salt staff (with special thanks going to Igor) who made our special occasion so memorable! I needed to organize a nice dinner for 15 people for my son's birthday. The whole process was absolutely flawless - from initial contact with Igor who took care of all the planning and setup. When we arrived to the restaurant everything was ready and we were treated with utmost attention. The dinner was served family style and we had a chance to pick our menu selections to be shared. The portions were very generous, beautifully decorated and served, service was impeccable. The food was absolutely amazing! Everyone was beyond satisfied and happy. Thank you, thank you, thank you Igor and Blue Salt team! You made our event very special and unforgettable!“

“The best. If Im dining out in Rozzi this is the place... So good!“

“Delicious food, prepared with care & love. I had a jerk chicken & plantain wrap — highly recommend. For dessert, key lime pie — out of this world. Excellent service & atmosphere.“

“AMAZING fresh food! some of best food I've ever tasted!“

“The best Mediterranean food in Cambridge, I recommended this place, good food, good prices, and very nice customer service. Thank you ???“

“The best steak tips around!! No doubt in my mind. Better than mine! Great rice and hummus as well! The staff is all friendly and they take pride in their food. Love the pizza but the other food is just as good which I never really find.“

“I loved every single bite! I used to frequent “Andros” and was so bummed when it closed. I’m so glad “My Other Kitchen” is here—especially with the same salad dressing which is amazing on its own! I plan to eat my way through their menu—everything looks scrumptious! ❤️“

“We knew we wanted Magic Bites to cater our family event and we were so pleased that we did! Atilla and Elif were helpful and patient planning the menu and everything was top notch delicious. They knew we had some allergies in the family and they made an extra effort to create large labels with all ingredients. I highly recommend them!!“

“Great Middle Eastern market! They had the ingredients I needed for the dish I planned to make and so much more. Great selection of spices both out on the shelves and behind the counter. They have Vimto soda too, besides beers and wines. I was also looking for Aleppo pepper and the very nice lady there was able to get exactly what I was looking for. My dish was a hit and I will definitely be back.“

“Kind of a basic set up to eat in. Not much decor in this one compared to some of their other locations. The man behind the counter greeted me with a smile, I think I caught his name, Cordel! Welcoming me to Flavor BOOM! And it was flavorful! A new favorite place to stop at now.“

“I’m a native New Yorker with my share of Mediterranean meals under my belt. I visited Za’tar when we stopped in to pick up takeout.

From the jump, the staff was super friendly and attentive to our order. They surprised us with fresh hummus samplers as we waited.

The restaurant is just the right size with cute dine-in tables and a busy to-go counter. It was easy to see that this place is well-loved.

Taking our order home, we loved our beef and hummus (with fresh, fluffy pita). The schnitzel was tender, and the ground beef and kebabs hit the spot.

We’re from out of town visiting friends, but we’ll definitely be back.“