50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Carlstadt

“Just moved to Rutherford TODAY and I’m not used to having good pizza in NJ, I prefer NYC slices. Ordered a few pies this afternoon for all our friends and family who are helping us move and I needed to take a few minutes to write this review. So excited that this is my new fav pizza place! Pepperoni, Plain, and Sausage is so tasty!! Love the pepperoni cups that curl up! ❤️❤️❤️“

“Today my husband chose this place to celebrate his birthday, which is quite close to home and I already knew that it had a beautiful view. What I not imagined was that it had such delicious food, but the food is not the best, Didi's service The young woman who attended us was everything, I mean 100% recommended, there are people who come with their heart and make you feel special.“

“Delicious & great service! We loved Esca but this was also v delicious & v healthy. Room is pretty. The bar is not as cozy & stylish as it was in its former iteration but overall we will be back & wish them great success! Great space & option including while in the theatre district, Sony Hall, etc;))“

“Shuka has been on our radar for ages, especially being huge fans of their sister joint, Shukette. So, we finally decided to swing by while in the area, and while it was good, it didn't quite blow us away like we'd hoped. Personally, I'm still team Shukette all the way! The inside back dining room is super chic with those ceiling lights, but the acoustics can be a bit much – it gets loud in there, and we found ourselves practically yelling depending on how packed it was. But hey, that didn't stop us from enjoying a killer Za’atar martini and some decent wine, even if it did cost us a pretty penny. We stuck to glasses since the bottle prices were just... weird.Our waiter, bless his heart, was an absolute gem – full of energy and seriously clued in on the menu. We asked him for the must-haves, and we went all in on his recommendations. Feta pistachio dip, fried halloumi, carrots, cauliflower, chicken shawarma, lamb merguez – we tried it all! The cauliflower was a real standout with its warm spices and bright citrus/sweet pops. The real star though was the chicken shawarma and lamb Merguez. Pure perfection – juicy and bursting with flavor.But alas, not everything hit the mark. The feta pistachio dip was decent, but it tasted more like a funky Gorgonzola than the tangy feta we were craving. And those carrots? Good, but they needed more spice, a crunch for texture, and a bit more consistency in every bite. Oh, and don't get me started on the pita – it was soft, sure, but unfortunately a bit too dry for my liking.But hey, the team made up for it with a sweet surprise – a free dessert! And let me tell you, nothing beats a killer coffee ice cream with chocolate. So yeah, while Shuka didn't quite earn a permanent spot in our hearts, we're glad we gave it a whirl. Who knows, we might just pop in again if we're in the neighborhood.“

“Divine food!! Such a cute space too and the chef and waiter were so lovely to us. We got the whole room to ourselves as we were eating at 5pm on a Monday but some of the best food we have had in New York. The sashimi was a knock out and cannot wait to go back. The best dish was by FAR the lamb kofta and the waiter was so good to tell us to only get one ie not add another lamb kofta ball so we had one each“

“Had a fabulous meal here with friends eating in warm and attractive outside seating. The crisp roast lamb (actually lamb neck cooked like osso bucco but with Middle Eastern spices) was one of the best meat dishes I’ve eaten in years. Really, a piece of art!! Go savor some!“

“Came here on a Wednesday after work and was able to grab a seat at the bar. Went for the "Busiate Siciliana al Pomodoro" which was a pasta with eggplant. For the affordable price of $26, I got a huge plate of pasta that lasted for two meals. It was flavorful, the pasta was cooked to perfection, and the service was fast. Definitely has more of a finance bro/businessman crowd in there but all the staff were welcoming. Worth trying it out if you're around!“

“Tasty Moroccan food, lovely atmosphere and really amazing and friendly staff. This was our first and last stop in New York, and on the first day, we got plenty of recommendations from our server. It was a great spot to kick-off our vacation, so much so that we returned just before our departure.“

“As always Elea, great service, great food! Our server was Christina, who was very friendly with a smile on her face which made our experience even better. As a Greek, I love Elea, it is my go to restaurant and I introduce to all my friends.“

“Amazing place! My brother and I are both vegan and have a ton of allergies and the wait staff was super accommodating. The food is spectacular too - I took 2 animal eaters and a vegetarian to the restaurant and they couldn't tell the difference between the kebabs and meat. We had the "chicken", "beef", and kofta kebabs, along with the "chicken" gyros, "lamb" cigars, and hummus. I was a big fan of all the kebabs, and thought the "chicken" gyros were amazing too. The desserts were also great - highly recommend.Vegetarian options: It's an entirely vegan restaurant.“

“I grabbed dinner here and it did not disappoint. This was a cute and cozy spot just a few steps from the L train. For cocktails, I started with the Spicy Mezcal Marg. It wasn't my favorite, as I expected it to be spicier, since Szechuan peppercorn and Calabrian chili were some of the ingredients used. My next drink was the Hugo Spritz, which was amazing!! It made up for the first drink: it was refreshing and sweet (but not too sweet). For apps, we had the Rye Pita and hummus. Now let me just say, I am not a hummus girlie, but the hummus here was so flavorful and smooth. It wasn't gritty as I have experienced in the past. It definitely paired well with the pita. The star of the show was the Lahmajun, which is sort of like a pizza (without cheese) with lamb. I was pleasantly surprised. The lamb, the herbs & spices were just so delicious. Our server told us to dip it in the hummus and I had no regrets. We also had the braised chicken thigh, which felt very much like comfort food. The chicken was seasoned generously and cooked to perfection. We also had the lamb meatballs, which were so tender. The pairing with pomegranate really brought the flavors out. Overall, I definitely unlocked some new tastebuds here lol. I would return again for the Lahmajun alone! Service was exceptional as well :)“

“I have had an amazing experience with them. I ordered food for an iftar event happening at The Towers and they went above and beyond my expectations. They delivered on time, gave so much delicious food and were very helpful in making sure we had everything we needed. The event had no food left because everyone came back for 3rds and 4ths. Thank you so much for your hardwork!!“

“I came in with very high hopes. Unfortunately I left with a lighter wallet, and disappointed.The food was fine, but nothing memorable. The jerusalem bagel was baked perfectly, but the heavy hand on the zatar took away from the experience. The schwarma, is more salad than schwarma (albeit the tasty dish I had). The sardines were fine as were the leeks, but again, for a Michelin star rated restaurant, I was definitely underwhelmed, sadly. My drink was also nothing to write home about, and at $20+ per, I was hoping for more flavor and pizzazz. I wish the best for the restaurant, but sadly I don't think I'll be back. Just not worth the bang for your buck.“

“I’ve always wanted to try this place and it did not disappoint. We got the dip spinner and a few extras recommended by our wonderful waiter, Zorbey. Also the off-menu chicken on the spitter was perfect for our group of 6. Affordable as well!“

“We came across Aura on a night out, and we are so happy that we decided to go in. We loved it so much, that we stayed till closing. The owner welcomed us with so much warmth, and hospitality.He was incredibly accommodating and got us seats by the beautiful, electric bar even though it was full. The bartenders were super sweet, fun, and everyone was so pleasant to be around. Overall it was a cozy, fun, charming little place.Drinks were amazing. Our friend tried the food and she loved it. We will definitely be back for more drinks, the food, and the aura ;)“

“All great things to say about Zizi! Stumbled on it searching for a reservation with friends early on a Friday evening. All involved are big fans of Mediterranean food, and we needed to be in this area to head over to a show afterward. So it ticked all the boxes. What I figured would be a good dinner and convenient turned into an extraordinary meal. We ordered everything to share and we ordered a lot so I feel like I tried the whole menu. Everything - literally every dish - was truly excellent. Cocktails were also terrific. Particularly the espresso martini and the margarita got raves. Our waiter was lovely -- patient and friendly and added to the great vibe of the whole experience. Wish I asked his name - he gets high marks.“

“One of the best dining experiences I've had. Excellent food and service. The chef owner was warm and welcoming. I especially liked the chicken soup on a cold rainy day. And the yogurt was the best. I hope to return soon. Would highly recommend.“

“Beer selection appears to be bottles only, but you're here for the food and the cocktails so it doesn't really matter.As for the food, everyone in our party ordered different items, and everyone was blown away. Duck confit, the most beautiful medium rare burger I have seen, tuna seared to perfection and a very tasty Fërgesë, finished by a very nice creme brulee. Portions may be smaller than you're used to in the US, but very nice to walk out of a place satisfied but not dying for once on this trip.“

“I cannot state enough just how delicious the food is here !!! Soooooooooo good !! Everything was full of soo much flavor and the steak had to have been one of the best cooked steaks I’ve ever had perfect temp and seasoning.It’s pretty inside and perfect to go for a date night the ambiance is nice. Definitely recommend this place“

“All in all I had a really enjoyable time here. We ordered a few different dishes all which were beautifully presented and had good flavor although I felt some could have used a bit more acidity. I loved the market salad, the hummus, the cauliflower and the salmon. The branzino and prawns weren’t as fresh and the branzino was a little overcooked. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate us which I really appreciated.“

“Came to Reunion for a quick brunch on a busy and warm Sunday afternoon and was pleasantly surprised to find a table available. Menu had all the essentials for brunch and service was excellent and friendly. Would definitely recommend as a place for brunch if you're nearby!“

“I’m a Persian American originally from LA and this is one of the best Persian restaurants I have been to. I am so impressed with the original recipes of the food and the ability to train the cooks to maintain loyalty to the original dish. The ingredients they use are high quality. My dad is an excellent cook and when I eat at Shiraz I feel like I am eating back at home. I should also mention I am a vegetarian and really appreciate the new vegan options - the gheimeh (vegetable stew) is a must. And the saffron ice cream — it’s what perfume would taste like if it were edible. The jazz band (with the clarinet) also created such a nice atmosphere. Bravo ? ? and thank you for bringing such high quality to nyc!“

“Very nice restaurant. Just honest ingredients with excellent flavors. Service was great, attentive but not pushy (unlike some other restaurants). Go here for proper food and a general nice evening.Had the mezes and NY tenderloin steak, both good dishes. Nice steak that comes without fuzz (butter, unnecessary sauces etc).“

“Little Owl is our favorite place to take out-of-town visitors, for both its food and its location in a charming part of the West Village. Inside can be noisy, and while the outside shed is lacking in charm, it is much quieter and more comfortable--even on chilly days when the fire up the overhead space heaters. The food choices on he menu are varied, and we've yet to have anything but a tasty dish. It's one of our go-to places and one we reccommend to friends.“

“We had dinner at White Olive Restaurant with my guests, the ambiance and decor are magnificent. The service was very good, Everything was on time, the cocktails and food are truly incredibly delicious, I can easily recommend this place to everyone, the menu prices are very reasonable.“

“Love this place. I used to live nearby and the place was in a different space a lot smaller. Now is a very nice open restaurant. Food is fantastic, service is great. They allow dogs inside. I was very surprised for this and will be back with my furry friend.“

“Named one of the top 50 places to eat in North Jersey in 2023, this family-owned establishment, named after the owner’s sister, offers Mediterranean cuisine and much more. I came to this Taste the Top like a Yelp Elite event today thanks to Sarah and her team. Located in Wayne off of Valley Road, Jackie Small is a bright, comfortable, and cozy eatery with 13 two-seater tables open during breakfast and lunch. There was no wait upon entering and being greeted by the staff, Hector. Their menu, inspired by traditional Middle Eastern recipes, is vast, featuring their popular shawarma grain bowl, Greek salad, as well as French toast, avocado toast, grilled cheese, blueberry pancakes, veggie bowls, BLT's, etc. It's first come, first served, as one orders at the counter, has a seat, and they'll deliver your food to your table. I decided on Smalls Scramble consisting of 3 eggs soft-scrambled, Gruyere cheese, roasted tomatoes, truffle home fries, and multi-grain toast. To wash it down, I went for the Mango Supreme smoothie (mango nectar, strawberry, banana, honey, and pineapple). The food was perfect—great portions and very good quality. The smoothie was delicious and refreshing. This place checked all the boxes, which I can recommend.“

“The best authentic Lebanese food in NYC. A must-try. All there food is fresh and delicious and very generous quantities. Their Shawarma is soooo good, you can eat it in bowl or a sandwich with lots of yummy toppings. I also tried their falafel and it was super good!“

“What can I say about this place?!? It is beyond adorable! My friend and I were roaming around in the rain and stumbled upon this gem! We had a couple of glasses of bubbly and a snack to share, gambas! The shrimp were sooo fresh and perfectly seasoned. The space itself is soooo cute and rustic! The service was impeccable. I can’t wait to go back and visit!“

“We would like to thank the Avra Team for the wonderful experience we had celebrating our son's 1 year old birthday and his grandparents 40th wedding anniversary. Beautiful place for special celebration! Sophisticated ambience, attentive staff, exceptional service, delicious Greek food! We highly recommend making reservation in advance!“

“Absolutely a must to dine in. Food is amazing the presentation perfect. Waiter and waitress were so helpful and kind. My wife and I highly recommend.Vegetarian options: Eggplant appetizer was amazing. The falafel was right on with delicious humus“

“Cute mediterranean restaurant that could be a good date spot or even a good group meal vibe. I'm not sure how crowded it gets on weekends but walked in on a weekday and there were open tables available. I unfortunately opted for a predictable order of greek salad with grilled chicken. It was delicious and filling and I scarfed down the whole thing. Plenty of olives which is my kryptonite. If you order for takeout note that there is a separate window/entrance where you can pick up.“

“A great new spot in Bloomfield! Food is authentic and absolutely delicious! The best Labne I have ever had. The mixed grill was beautifully prepared, generous portion and delectable. Not fancy but a taste sensation! friendly staff and great service. cannot wait to come back!“

“Great tasting food !! This place should be always packed . My younger 16 year old son took me there ( he gets it on his way back from LA Fitness ) and I just loved the spicy hummus, pita chips, great rice pudding which the gentlemen at night recommended , and the chicken bowl with garlic sauce … what a delicious meal. Highly recommended… love to find new great tasting spots !!“

“Amazing food, the spinach pie, greek expresso martini, and the vegetarian moussaka was beyond anything I’d imagine. The hostess Milena was beyond amazing, and the bartender Fausto was very attentive. I will make sure the Citi team is aware about this place.Definitely will be back!“

“I was in the city with two friends and we were referred to this lovely little restaurant serving traditional Turkish fare. I wasn't too hungry but I always order Lebane which is my taste test for I like the food. It was delicious. As was the cold eggplant appetizer. My friend ordered the shephards salad and arrived with bright healthy portions with fresh tomatoes (how??) and cucumbers. Dressing was a red wine combination and complemented the salad. I would have like olives on it but it was fine. Another friend order the phyllo cheese straws which were perfection. Hard to eat only one! And she ordered the lamb chops which were tender and yummy. Perfectly cooked. Very fair priced all the way around. Service was excellent. Ambiance was cozy. Finale was perfectly cooked pistachio/walnut baklava. Lightly syruped and light and buttery heaven!! A must. This will be our go to place for future visits. Thank you for a lovely end to our great day at the theater!!“

“Another amazing discovery, this time in Hudson Square. I went for brunch on Saturday, and to my great surprise, Port Sa’id ambiance at 1pm felt like a block party, even though on a weeknight the area is otherwise deserted. Definitely bring a group, split a bunch of things. Almost all of the dishes costs less than $20, cocktails are great so is their wine list! Exciting place!!“

“Always fantastic. Best food, best service. Gazala is so kind, always smiling, always there to make sure everything is running smoothly and customers are happy. And the food is Devine. Better than anywhere in the world. See you next weekend for the best brunch in town!“

“Amazing restaurant ! Food is a chefs kiss! I order the. Crispy Cajun Salmon sandwich with a side of salsa when I want to be fake healthy haha! Staff was very welcoming, I will be back!Kid-friendliness: Place is located at the Hugh and plethora restaurants and options with table and chairs“

“Zaffron Bloom in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, is a delightful addition to the culinary scene, offering a fusion of Modern Persian Cuisine with Middle-terranean influence. Helmed by Chef Shahin, whose years of catering experience have culminated in the realization of her dream restaurant, Zaffron Bloom promises a unique dining experience. The restaurant's namesake spice, saffron, is aptly celebrated for its rich history, cultural significance, and exquisite flavor profile.During our lunch visit, we were treated to a delicious meal that surpassed our expectations. The service was impeccable, exceeding the standard. Our decision to dine at Zaffron Bloom was influenced by a friend's glowing recommendation, and we're thrilled to have discovered this gem. Zaffron Bloom truly embodies the essence of "the spice of life" with its innovative approach to traditional Persian cuisine. Deliciousness!! To all Yelpers.... Guys we have to support small local business. It's more important than you can imagine especially during these times. Give them a try, we're sure you'll enjoy it. Be on the lookout... a little insider info, they'll soon be opening a market adjacent to Zaffron. Good luck with all and future ventures. @vinopotato.“

“Stop by with a couple of friends on a Friday night, place is warm and welcoming. Started with a Negroni which was spot on, had hummus platter which was the best in NYC so far, falafel which was bigger in size than the known falafel but yet very tasty. My friend raved about the cauliflower, but the star was the smoked lamb shawarma. All in all, good experience with attentive and responsive service with excellent food. We would have stayed longer had the chairs been more comfortable. I’ll be back (German accent)“

“This place, to me, is such an under-rated, undiscovered gem. Every time we are theremcrowded, we keep expecting it to be way more crowded as it's not a huge place, but the food and service are on par with some of the best tapas places around. And the prices are also Very reasonable too. They are unique, in that they are more Argentinian tapas then Spanish or Basque. So, in addition to favorites like paella, grilled octopus, and patatas bravas, there's also a decent selection of pastas and Italian fair via Argentina. And in warmer weather, the back garden can't be beat. Always fun music playing (often 80s dance or rock hits), homemade sangrias and a finished meal with free shots of Limoncello round out the meal. Friendly, top-notch service too. Let's keep this place going! They'd be worth the wait.“

“Had lunch here on a rainy day with my mother. Not my first time at the restaurant and my mothers first time having Mediterranean cuisine. I enjoyed it just as much as previously , the food and service does not disappoint.The chicken soup , haloumi salad, mezze plate and the grill plate made me feel happy. Meat was perfectly cooked , soft and just the perfect amount of sides. The portions are big and definitely worth the price. Highly recommend this restaurant. Oooh, and the pistachio pizza with the spicy honey - it deserves a separate review. Loved every minute of my lunch.“

“1- Food = Excellent. 5/5. Everything from appetizers too deserts are all made with the finest ingredients and cooked to perfection. Very happy here.2- Service = Excellent. 6/5. Their unparalleled service separates them from mostly every restaurant we have visited. Very friendly and inviting service that treats you like family. We never feel rushed and we are constantly being asked if everything is ok. Owners and everyone else here are very friendly and accommodating.3- Ambiance = Excellent 5/5. Beautiful romantic environment. Tables are good size and there are plenty of unique pockets to this restaurant. Interesting layout.4- Reservations = Excellent. 5/5.5- Value = Excellent 5/5. Unparalleled service and amazing food.We will continue to Visit and recommend this amazing restaurant.“

“I can't believe how amazing this experience was. We were seated outside in a beautiful enclosure. The music: incredible. The staff: true dedication to their craft. Food: so damn good I was so full. They went over and above to celebrate our friend's birthday.“

“Absolutely incredible meal & service here. Everything we had was delicious. The warm bread to the wine to the hummus to the labneh to the tabouleh- we had the abdaneh chicken (per suggestion & highly recommended!) … my list goes on! Mustafa & staff were just lovely. Try it out :) homey vibe & fabulous!“

“What a fabulous experience we had! The food was simply amazing and fresh and perfectly prepared. The service was excellent and the restaurant itself is beautiful! I wish I had taken more pictures but I think the fact that I didn’t just proves how immersed our group was in the experience. Simply devine and I cannot wait to return next time I’m in the city!Dietary restrictions: We had someone in our party who was gluten free and they took good care of her and she had plenty of options to choose from.“

“I recently dined at Vinateriá and I must say, the food and service were absolutely phenomenal. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly. The menu offered a variety of authentic Italian dishes, and everything we tried was delicious. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was rich and flavorful. The service was attentive, friendly, and truly made our dining experience exceptional. I would definitely return to this restaurant in the future and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic Italian meal. 5/5 stars.“

“We have had our private event at this lovely restaurant. we used the main dining room area for a party of 46 of us. The menu was excellent with a great variety of meats and chickens and seafood, along with some vegetarian items. The staff has made us very comfortable and brought each cocktail and meal on time. The space is excellent for private events and small gatherings. Entire office loved everything.“

“We were a group of 25 with a preset menu of 4 selections. The service was very friendly, the meals were delicious and service was great. We had a birthday to celebrate and you joined us in song and music. Thank you for a memorable lunch with our visitors from Israel.“