15 best Mediterranean restaurants in Boston

Named after the Greek word for wine, Krasi has all the expertise of the team behind GreCo and Committee Ouzeri + Bar in the heart of the Back Bay. The menu of regional Greek meze is complemented by a Greek wine list of more than 180 all natural, organic and biodynamic selections (check out their popular “orange” wine Paleokerisio). Dishes such as taramosalata, pastitsio and xtapodi (their popular grilled octopus) are tasty traditions, while entrees including Makaronia Me ‘Kima’ (ground monkfish, smoked eel tomato sauce, fides pasta) and antzaria (sea-salt roasted yellow beets with red beet yogurt) are Greek done differently. The Feast of the Gods is a decadent multi-course dinner for hearty appetites.

From the team behind the popular Greek restaurant Kava Neo-Taverna comes another South End spot, this time focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean. (Think influences from Lebanon, Israel, Georgia and Turkey along with Greece.) As with Kava’s menu, there are standards like halloumi, octopus, and several eggplant options. But Ilona also features heavier dishes such as various meat kebabs, imeruli khachapuri (Georgian cheese-stuffed bread), Goulash, Hunkar Begendi (braised short ribs over smoked eggplant) and a spicy harissa with fried potatoes.

Any wait is worth it to dine on the Greek delicacies at this intimate tavern. Most of the exceptional ingredients are imported directly from Greece, upping the authenticity of the fare. You can make an entire meal of the simple but superior mezedakia (small plates) including horiatiki (Greek country salad), spanakopita, gigandes beans, and imam (eggplant, tomato, onion, garlic, kasseri cheese). Grilled entrees are a must as well, including lavraki (Mediterranean sea bass) and a mixed grill of lamb, pork, chicken, and Greek sausage. Complete the experience with hard-to-find Greek wines and liquors.

A tribute to the humble Greek sandwich shop, Saloniki brings traditional Greek flavor and fresh ingredients to three locations throughout Boston and Cambridge, with two new locations coming Spring 2022. Pitas are brimming with braised pork shoulder, crispy fried chicken, spicy lamb meatballs and more, while vegetarians enjoy dishes such as saganaki cheese sticks with spicy red pepper sauce, griddled spanakopita and Impossible moussaka. When your appetite is beyond a snack, order a whole chicken or the souvlaki mixed grill—your choice of two grilled chicken or mushroom skewers, lamb meatballs, halloumi, fries and a Greek salad.

Ana Sortun’s take on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine opened many eyes to the fragrant flavors and seasonal ingredients of the region when Oleana debuted in 2001. The meze menu offers delicately-prepared and perfectly-spiced options for all palates, including whipped feta, Vermont quail kebab and crab kibbeh. Entrees are packed with bright flavors. Try lemon chicken with za’atar and a Turkish cheese pancake or Istanbul-Style Fish Stew. Save room for homemade ice creams or Künefe (Spiced Bay Leaf Syrup over Pistachio Ice Cream and Candied Orange).

James Beard Award-winning chef Jody Adams dives in with this seafood-centric, modern Mediterranean concept. Flavors are simple, and fresh ingredients stand out. Meze features fresh, seasonal vegetables and tasty bites, like local burrata and honey, Brussels sprouts flatbread and saffron mussels. Larger plates—including steak with salsa verde and octopus à la plancha—feature minimal but exceptional ingredients, highlighting natural flavors. Pastas are homemade, and the patio just begs for cocktails and conversation. 

Head to the Seaport for contemporary Greek meze at this ouzeri and bar. Fresh ingredients drive the menu, which changes seasonally. Standards like tzatziki and hummus prove popular, but dishes such as artichoke moussaka, roasted pumpkin Cretan Pies, sea salt roasted beets and walnut melitzanosalata reflect the creative use of Mediterranean spices and techniques. For heartier fare, try grilled pork chop with a Greek coffee rub, Greek fried chicken with a tzatziki rub or grilled meats by the pound. The wine list includes bottles from Greece and Lebanon, and the cocktails are as inventive as the food. Be sure to have a drink on the bustling patio.

Oleana and Sarma’s smaller, more casual sibling is the just what you need to quickly satisfy a craving for thoughtful Mediterranean cooking, whether it’s a savory pie or a sweet treat you crave. Turkish, Greek and Lebanese bites are represented at this bakery and cafe. Gozelme and shawarma, börek and spanakopita, fatteh and fava…you might as well try them all. But save room for sweets because the almond rose cake is heavenly and the tahini-brown butter donut is a must. The meze and hummus menu is full of unique flavors, and the oven-ready meals like broccoli and sweet potato pilaf, and moussaka are perfect for busy nights.

With lots of locations, Gre.co is a go-to for fast, fresh Greek street food with high-quality meats and locally-sourced veggies. Gyros are the star; pick a classic like loukaniko (pork and leek sausage with mustard sauce) and bifteki (ground beef with spicy whipped feta), or customise your gyro with a choice of proteins and toppings (e.g. charred eggplant and tzatziki). Add a delicious side of mixed beans or Greek salad, a piping mug of Avgolemono soup or zucchini crisps. And finish off with their legendary loukoumades (fried donut holes)— the classic with honey, walnuts and cinnamon, or a next-level version like “Yaya’s” with hazelnut praline and Oreos.

With more than 40 fresh, flavorful Mediterranean small plates and a wealth of options for vegetarians, this Oleana offshoot shines just as bright as the original. You’ll want to dine here with each seasonal change to see what new creations appear among the mehayne (bar) snacks, meze, sarma (like dolma), and shish. Dreamy offerings such as pomegranate sticky ribs, black sea cornbread, Swiss chard tabouli, crab and red lentil kibbeh, and feta gnocchi will have you wanting more. Cocktails are a must as well, made with unusual ingredients like prickly pear, Moroccan bitters and chai yogurt.

Consider this no-frills, compact eatery shawarma and falafel heaven. A family-run café (they also offer catering) produces massive plates of fresh and tasty, homey Armenian and Middle Eastern specialties. They keep it simple with wraps and plates, with options including chicken shawarma, Armenian burger kebab, veggies and crunchy falafel. Everything's made better with a dip in the signature garlic spread.

Backed by 35 years of family traditions in the kitchen, this family-run spot serves up exceptional Greek takeout in Roslindale. Flavorful meats are cradled in thick, warm pita, salads are overflowing with feta and chicken, tzatziki is prepared fresh in-house and spinach and feta pies are flaky and fresh. It’s solid Greek fare at affordable prices, so go ahead and enjoy some baklava or rice pudding, too.

Bare-bones and under-the-radar, this family-run counter service spot in Allston is a student favorite for Mediterranean takeout or a quick dine-in. Choose a pita rollup, bowl or plate (complete with salad, dip, rice pilaf or spicy potatoes) for your beef or chicken shawarma; while vegetarians will enjoy falafel or signature veggie plates. Kefta burgers are an unconventional offering—made by an in-house butcher and topped with homemade halloumi cheese.

Scenic murals adorn the walls at this low-key, family-run classic spot in Cambridge. Greek eats include piled-high gyros, pastitso, moussaka and kebabs. Pro tip: Order the appetizer sampler plate for a meal of dolmathakia, tzatziki, taramosalata, spinach pie, hummus, tabouleh, feta cheese, eggplant salad and olives. The caramel custard finishes off a perfect ending.

If it’s not already, South End Pita is a worthy candidate for your favorite falafel spot. The straightforward menu of classics at this relaxed, counter-serve joint is all made-to-order—combo plates and roll-ups with falafel, kafta, shawarma and kebabs, along with lentil soup, tabouli and stuffed grape leaf sides. And what’s that, burgers? This unexpected offering is worth a try; the Moroccan beef burger and lamb burger are well-spiced with Mediterranean flavors.