50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Ridgewood

“Food is good bat Spanish guy that Work there is what make this place good perfect combination of service and taste which are both accompanied with affordable price which leave you change to leave tip to hard working always in good mood and helpful Spanish cook who make sure your food is prepared goodParking: Parking is on the street as most of the places in the city so nothing new or out of ordinary . Simple city parkingKid-friendliness: Quite spot“

“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.“

“The food was great. Even though it was small place and busy, the service was great.For the food we ordered 4 appetizers which was enough for 2 of us, but we saw people ordered couple of main courses. The good part was we ordered appetizers and find out we are full, so we were fine.Food was delicious. We ordered grilled octopus, grilled calamari, and stuffed clams, my favorite one was calamari.They offer free breads and dessert. Highly recommended“

“The food at Elea is always outstanding, the service this time...not so much. AND, as the people sitting next to us were leaving, the man said "do not order the cheesecake." I didn't ask why he said that but....he clearly didn't like it. Unfortunately, our server was not the best but I guess that's to be expected on a holiday.“

“Came here for my girlfriend's birthday and it was an amazing experience. The food was phenomenal and since it was our first time there, the staff were very helpful helping us pick items.We ended up getting the whipped ricotta dip, babaganoush, salmon belly skewer, hanger steak, and shaksuhka. Everything turned out amazing and we actually ended up getting a total of 3 extra pita orders as we were eating.Would highly recommend their whipped ricotta dip, that was the highlight of the night“

“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!“

“Awesome food, very authentic. Our server was very friendly and professional. We had a great time. Favorite dishes were baba ghanouj, hummus with meat and the cauliflower steak. Red wine was so good. We sat near a sunny window and there was fairuz music so the atmosphere was perfect for a lebanese.Kid-friendliness: They have high chairs. My toddler liked the food.“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“This place provides an amazing and intimate dining experience. The staff, especially our server Luis, we're fantastic. We drove all the way from the Connecticut/Massachusetts border to try the food after reading the reviews. Everything was better than expected.My husband's birthday was made all the more special by this visit.We tried the Mezze Plate, Salmon Kebab, and Chicken Ouzi. The flavor combinations were excellent, portions were extremely generous in size...I just wish I lived closer so I can try different things on the menu more often.I apologize for my photo quality, I didn't want to use a flash and ruin the ambiance for the other patrons. The photo is the Chicken Ouzi.We definitely plan on visiting again.“

“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.“

“We sailed from RYC for an overnight into sheepshead bay and were searching a good Mediterranean or Turkish restaurant. Had a few ideas as we walked down Emmons avenue. Saw Lokum and decided to check it out. Decor was modern and elegant, our waiter Fort, was knowledgeable & helpful and they had a fantastic3 piece jazz trio playing! We ordered the goddess salad to share with lentil falafel and plates to share, grilled octopus, zucchini pancakes, halloumi & avocado ganouj. Everything was so tasty & superb! We had luscious baklava for desert. We would haves lived to longer longer but had to catch the 9:15 launch back to our boat. We will definitely be back for another sublime meal next season!“

“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!“

“what a sweet little spot! the staff were welcoming and friendly and the restaurant is gorg inside. we came for brunch and had the çilbir to share between 2 people, which comes with several sides. the meal was refreshing, light, and so, so tasty.“

“I had a GREAT time at Little Owl tonight. I went with my friend and sat at the bar. The bartender Daniel is such a wonderful and warm person. The food was incredibly tasty and great. He pleased us while smiling and being nice the whole time. Such a wonderful guy -Also. Amy was very welcoming and sweet too.Will definitely come back.Thank you staff of Little Owl! ?“

“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).“

“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.“

“I recently had a delightful dining experience at Leland Eating and Drinking House in Brooklyn. Starting with a refreshing porter beer from the tap, I then savored the incredible Japanese sweet potato, which was cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The highlight of the meal was the Porchetta Sandwich with ZA'ATAR CHIPS. Encased in their soft and freshly made bread, the sandwich was a symphony of flavors, perfectly complemented by the crispy and tasty house-made chips. Each bite was a testament to their commitment to using high-quality ingredients and crafting memorable dishes. The cozy ambiance of the restaurant added to the overall experience, making it a fantastic place to unwind and enjoy exceptional food. I look forward to returning to Leland Eating and Drinking House to explore more of their enticing menu offerings! 10 star review!!!“

“I was eying this place ever since moving into the neighborhood and I finally visited when family came into town. The place held up to my expectations I can see why it is always busy. The staff is friendly, we did not wait for a table, and everything was served in good time. For food we did steak, salmon, lemon potatoes, and calamari, everything was so so good and the portions were big. I will definitely be coming back“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

“Lovely spot, came for brunch on my birthday. Same great food and great service as always, but I was surprised to find the Yemenite Pancake renamed (which is the best thing on the menu).I always thought they were cool for putting aside differences and shouting out their southern neighbors… I mean, Yemenis food is delicious.“

“The venue is beautifully done. All the staff was attentive and pleasant. We had greek sausage, manouri wrapped in phyllo with honey& sesame seeds to start. The swordfish and mignon kebabs were perfect!!! And the yogurt with vissino(sour cherry) spoon sweets was the perfect way to end the meal. :-)“

“What a great time! Hart's was a great intimate evening. The restaurant is small, cozy but warm and inviting. The dim lights create such a romantic and private atmosphere even while sitting next to other tables. It was a nice evening of good service, great conversation and a lovely atmosphere. The food was also very good. The donut appetizer was savory and delicious. The clam toast was pretty good. The trout was incredible. It was light but filling and tasty. I would return just for that dish. The lamb burger was also a hit. The pork dish was good as well. We didn't really enjoy the lemon curd dessert but the drinks and wine selections were all wonderful.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!!“

“We chanced on Mazzat last night and we're happy to find a top-notch choice. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. The place itself is cozy, much like a neighborhood bistro. The menu didn't seem all that impressive but when we saw all the specials there was a lot that we were interested in trying. In the end we shared a spinach pie to start, which came with a green salad that was enough to make us decide to cancel the Greek salad we were going to share afterwards. Then we shared a rack of lamb, five succulent chops with haricot verts amandine and delicious bulgur cooked with a mild tomato wash. For dessert one of us had the chocolate mousse cake and the other had baklava. All in all, it was a very satisfying meal.“

“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!!“

“Had a 'dinner' of appetizers here with the family. Something for everyone-from the vegan, the vegetarian, to the carnivores. We enjoyed the fava beans dish, loved the liver and sweet reads, and the meatballs. Atmosphere was quiet, and the spot is small, so for a larger group-we we're 5 people, I'd make a reservation. Food came out super fast, and the staff was very friendly. Next time we will try the dishes.“

“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!“

“Great sea food (not a restaurant) place. Leave your ego outside before you enter here b/c it’s an ego free business. Find a table to sit. Choose your fish and give it to the person at the register, tell him how you want it to be cooked and don't expect anything else. This is NOT a restaurant. it's a FISH MARKET with some tables.“

“I can't recommend this place highly enough. The owner is super friendly and the entire staff is very accommodating and professional. They all make the effort to ensure that everyone enjoys their dining experience. I've been there a few times and have always enjoyed the quality of the food. Definitely check it out!“

“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“

“We were looking for Israeli food for my dad's birthday dinner. We got a table for 8 and were sat in the back room. It was pretty tight in there. While our waiter was nice, the restaurant was super full and I don't think it could handle all the groups of people well. We each ordered drinks and the drinks didn't come out when we got our appetizers. Waited even longer for them. For appetizers, we shared a bunch of dishes. The hummus really is delicious and the warm pita bread is great. We asked for more pita but unfortunately the pita was brought out when we got our main dishes and we no longer needed it. The restaurant forgot my chicken schnitzel dish so I just shared the burger with my husband. They also ran out of fries for the night and it was only 730pm.. the restaurant has lots of potential but needs to figure out a better system for food and service. They were super apologetic and did comp the pita bread and dessert for my dads birthday. The babka dessert is absolutely a delicious chocolate heaven!“

“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)“