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    Cafe Mediterranean

    4.4 (246 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Cafe Mediterranean Takeout or Delivery

    Cafe Mediterranean Photos

    CAFE MEDITERRANEAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Mediterranean

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    Reviews With Photos

    Grilled branzino special
    Khiang S.

    If you are looking for a nice quiet place to have to dinner on Erie, come to Cafe Mediterranean. Our first time here and will definitely return for a future meal. It was a cold day and there was no crowd when we arrived so service was quick. Staff and owner were very friendly. We ordered a lot of starters. Hummus, grape leaves, octopus and fried calamari. I usually gauge a Mediterranean restaurant based on grape leaves, hummus and falafel. Technically this is a Turkish restaurant. The grape leaves were enough to tell me it was going to be a great dinner. Owner asked if we would like to try their hot tea for the cold day and of course we took him up on the offer. It was so satisfying and warming. The grilled octopus appetizer wasn't what I expected. I thought I will be getting the usual grilled whole octopus head but it is more like a salad with some octopus tentacles cut up. The octopus was tender and flavorful though. So maybe I was hoping to eat more octopus than salad. The fried calamari was nicely done. I always like lightly battered calamari instead of those thickly doughy calamari. This dish was good. Hummus was good and went very well with the special puffy bread they served. The bread was puffed up like a ball and the owner gave us instructions on how to eat it. I won't spoil your experience by saying how. Special for the day was the grilled branzino fish. It smelled so good. The fish was fresh and tasty. If they have that again, that will be my preferred dish. The beef tenderloin kabab was very good. Tender and grilled to our liking. I prefer to let the photos do the talking so enjoy a great meal at Cafe Mediterranean the next time you are in Cincinnati.

    Doner Gyros Kebab
    Amy B.

    Wow. This restaurant is a hidden gem in Cincinnati. How have I not heard about this restaurant or been here before today?! My husband and I decided at the last minute that we were craving Mediterranean food and wanted to try somewhere new because we still hadn't found a favorite spot in the city. Well, we found it today. The service was wonderful. We came at a slow time in the day, around 3:00 and we're the only customers when we got there, which was perfect for our first visit because we were able to get extra time to learn about the menu and recommended dishes. Everything we ordered was flavorful and prepared perfectly. Obviously what I'm about to say is comparing different cuisines, but the flavors of these dishes were at the level of meals we've had in France, or restaurants of celebrity chefs like Tom Colicchio's CraftSteak in Vegas or Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant in London. We started with the Cold Appetizer Sampler (we both wanted to order a second one it was so good), Spinach Pide (cheesy doughy goodness), Doner Gyros Kebab (wow, even the carrots were delicious--I've never said that a carrot is delicious!), Swordfish Kebab (my husband got this one and loved it), and just when I thought it couldn't get better and I was too full to enjoy more food we decided to get the Pistachio Baklava. I don't have any superlatives left without repeating what I said about the rest of the meal, but it was amazing and delicious, definitely the best baklava I've had in my life and one of the best desserts of all. We will be back soon!

    Apurba B.

    Excellent flavors, very nice ambience and good service. I loved the baba ganoush and the crispy feta rolls. The dipping sauce was amazing and the warm bread just melted in our mouths. The juicy chicken Shish Kebab was the right amount of charring- tough on the outside, bouncy, juicy on the inside. The shrimp sautee really surprised us, adding the rice really made the saucy dish almost like a gumbo which we loved. 10/10 for the Turkish coffee and baklava, can't wait to try the rest of the menu .

    The salmon entree with salad
    Christine Y.

    Wow! I was surprised by the very pleasant ambiance and delicious Mediterranean food. We thoroughly enjoyed the sampler platter of appetizers with wonderful sesame bread. The special with grilled sea bass was fresh and delicious and our friends enjoyed the lamb, the salmon and grilled vegetables. They complimented us with a tea and baklava at the end of dinner which was a pleasant and delicious surprise. We also enjoyed the halva, flan, and rice pudding. The service was excellent. The proprietor was delightful and attentive. If you enjoy Mediterranean food, give this wonderful place a try!

    Doner Doner Gyros Kebab
    Janice P.

    Was in town for a conference and Mentioned to a local my niece was headed down for a really good dinner. She wanted something with unique flavors since she lives in a small town without many options. We were blown away with the food! The appetizer was big and so we over ordered... ended up taking a lot home which will make her lunch and dinner! The staff was great too! Friendly and helpful. (Found this place thanks to Jon at TQL who gushed about how great it was, he was right!)

    Craig H.

    As good as Mediterranean food gets! the service is so nice and authentic. The decor is cute and has outdoor options.

    The bill is presented in a cute treasure chest box.

    The food was terrific and the service was excellent! Our server was extremely friendly and helpful with our selections. I highly recommend the food and will be back to sample other dishes.

    Gin, yogurt, mint, and cucumber
    Katarina S.

    Excellent food, quick service, and lovely staff! I came during lunch on a Saturday and got a cocktail, tabouli, and a lamb doner kebab. The cocktail was an absolute surprise since it had yogurt! It was a gintini with gin, yogurt, mint, and cucumber and it reminded me of a mojito. Tabouli and the entree were delicious, including the lamb and the rice. The entree also came with grilled veggies with a perfect crunch (green beans, peppers, and a tomato) and a yogurt-based sauce. The staff was very welcoming and we chatted about our Croatian and Turkish heritage. I will definitely be back!

    Moussaka
    Morgan M.

    Had the best date night at Café Mediterranean! We made a reservation on Open Table for Friday night at 7 PM, although I do not think one was necessary as the space was always busy but never every table full. When we arrived we explained we had never been in before and received many great recommendations from our waitress. We both started with drinks - I had the Cosmo and my partner an IPA. The drinks came out fast which was great. Later in our meal I ordered a glass of their Lebanese red wine (they were out of Turkish wine) which I was a little nervous for as I had never had Lebanese wine but this was a great little surprise and was full of flavor that evolved as you drank it. For food we started with the Cold Sampler Platter which had Hummus, Eggplant Marinara, Babaganoush, Tabouli, Labne and Stuffed Grape Leaves (the first 6 items on the Small Plates part of the menu). The Eggplant Marinara, Hummus and Tabouli were our favorite - they were bursting with flavor and we could not get enough! This came with some house-made bread which was also tasty. For our main courses we had the Chicken Shish Kebab and the Moussaka - and WOW both were so good! The chicken was SO flavorful and perfectly juicy and you could really taste all the different flavors in the Moussaka. Each entrée came with roasted vegetables (zucchini/carrots and tomato/bell pepper) and a side of rice. The rice deserves it own call out as it was perfectly cooked and also FULL of flavor! We were very pleasantly surprised by the rice and appreciated it had its own rightful spot on the plate and was not just a space filler. Overall the portions were HUGE and we did not finish either meal and took leftovers home. We ordered the pistachio baklava for dessert which came with vanilla ice cream and strawberries on the side. The piece was also surprisingly HUGE and cut like a pie slice. It was bursting with pistachios and perfectly flaky on top. The ice cream was also so tasty with a ton of vanilla flavor - it was so good we questioned if it was also house made?? With dessert we also received little glasses of tea - a cute little surprise and perfect ending to the meal! We will DEFINITELY be back here for more!!

    Beef tenderloin kebab
    Jay N.

    Cafe Mediterranean quickly became one of my favorite restaurants when moving to Cincinnati. I cannot emphasize the excellence this restaurant achieves and really writing a five star review for this restaurant is effortless. The restaurant is in Hyde Park near Ault Park. A part of the strip mall set in a neighborhood setting, it is perfectly set for a leisurely walk if you live nearby. While there is parking, there are a number of competing restaurants and bars that have patrons as well, leading scant availability at times. One can be seated outdoors where a number of patio tables can sit two to four people. Indoor seating is available and plentiful also. The atmosphere is elevated with soft classical guitar music in the background. The food is, you guessed it, mediterranean and Turkish in offerings. It offers a generous variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. I'd emphasize that there is also a fair number of seafood options as well. I've dined in on several occasions but usually order take out. Dining in comes with complimentary bread and a small dish of hummus for dipping whereas takeout only comes with bread. If the food can be prepared to order, it will be. I have have had the hummus, falafel, Greek salad, beef tenderloin kebab, lamb Sautee, and chicken kebabs. The meats are cooked perfectly, tender, and prepared to appropriate temperature per customer's request. Flavors are wonderfully balanced. Portions are generous. Really it is rare for me to be disappointed by the food here. The staff are incredibly welcoming and accommodating. They know the menu and can make well informed recommendations based on customer wishes. The owner works regularly and shows regular appreciation to his patrons and staff. Really a great restaurant in a great location with great staff and food. I rarely give out five star ratings and these guys are deserving. I highly recommend!

    Amazing balloon bread
    Tchoultarska M.

    Everting is very delicious I highly recommend this establishment to all people who love fast food, the service is very kind and courteous, we will come again many times!

    Stuffed Cabbage Roll cabbage, ground lamb & beef, rice, seasonal vegetables, cacik $13
    Matthew G.

    The food and service were both excellent!! Started with the Cold Appetizer Sampler and every item on the plate was absolutely delicious. I had the Doner Gyros Kebab and the meat was full of flavor and very tender. My wife had the Stuffed Cabbage Roll with the perfect amount of lamb & beef inside. The restaurant was nicely decorated with a modern vibe but with traditional Turkish decor. Highly recommend!!

    Wonderful homemade bread and the cold appetizer sampler plate.

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    Hands down the best gyro I have ever had. Real meat and great flavor!! Whenever in Hyde Park I will stop and visit.

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    Food was delicious! Hummus and baklava was particularly noteworthy! I can't wait to go back.

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    We came to Truva for a family dinner over the holidays. They were able to fit 14 of us comfortably…read moreand we went home stuffed! The restaurant had a nice quiet dinner ambiance-- comfortable and upscale without being stuffy. The food had great flavor, portions were generous and everything well cooked. We loved the mezze (baba ganoush was delicious) and chefs platters. The steak in particular was perfectly cooked and seasoned. For dessert my favorite was the Kunefe which you don't find everywhere! Our server Hassan was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. Overall great experience and would recommend.

    Phoenician Taverna - Taverna Falafel

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    (504 reviews)

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    My best friend wanted to take me to Phoenician Taverna for the longest time. She raves about this…read moreplace and been coming here for years. Finally she made reservations for Saturday evening (it is recommended because they get super busy). We got there and was greeted by the owner. BTW, was very down to earth. So their menu looked good (Lebanese food). There is so much to choose from and hard to decide. I especially loved their drink menu, especially wines. We ended up ordering: Appetizers: Baba ghannouge M'hammara Taverna falafel Dinner: Shawarma chicken Kebab mixed grill Drinks: Chateau kefraya, Les Bretches Almaza Pilsner My favorite from the appetizers is the eggplant and falafel! Super fresh and the bread that came with it was so good. Even the dipping sauce was amazing. My Shawarma chicken was super delish. You have to put the garlic butter on the rice! It gives it great flavor. My Mr enjoyed his meal as well. We definitely had to get a to go box because there was so much food. But we will look forward the next day to eat it. Overall, the service was great and I loved the experience. We can see ourselves coming back for more! I can see why my best friend loves it here! Highly recommend you try it.

    A couple very close friends of ours recommended we try this spot with them and we're definitely…read moreglad we did. The food was fantastic, the service was awesome, and the atmosphere was very laid back. We even met the owner who was immensely friendly and welcoming. We went for dinner on a Saturday evening. For weekends, reservations are strongly recommended because they get busy FAST. They're only open for dinner hours too. Their menu is pretty big with a plethora of options to choose from including lots of appetizers, flatbreads, shawarmas, kebabs, falafel, and lots of tasty desserts. Their libations menu was very nice too, with numerous options for beer, wine, and spirits. (Try the Almaza for a crisp and tasty Pilsner) all at great prices. Here's what we had: Appetizers: Baba ghannouge M'hammara Taverna falafel Dinner: Shawarma chicken Kebab mixed grill Drinks: Chateau kefraya, Les Bretches red wine blend Almaza Pilsner Hoegaarden Belgian wit bier They also give you unlimited fresh pita bread with a delicious dipping sauce. Everything was incredible and cooked to perfection. We'll definitely be coming back here again. Unfortunately, this time, we had no room for dessert, but maybe next time.

    Kinneret Grill - Rib-eye Steak

    Kinneret Grill

    (98 reviews)

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    We were in for dinner a few days ago and enjoyed our meal…read more My husband ordered the Creamy Beef Fettuccini and I ordered the Chicken Shawarma Plate. My husband also ordered a beer. We both thought everything tasted great. My plate of Chicken Shawarma was served with warm pita, hummus, rice, tahini sauce, and Israeli salad. It was delicious and very filling. The service was also very good.

    It must be nice to be the only kosher meat restaurant in a metro area because there is no…read moremotivation to provide good food or service. We are in town visiting and we went there for a nice meat meal after several days of dairy on the road. There were 6 of us at the table with 2 children. If I lived in town I would not be going back. They had 1 waitress working the entire place. She was kind enough but all she did was make excuses. We sat down at 6:15 and we did not get our hummus appetizer, which apparently they ran out of soon after, until 7:15. When we arrived there was only 2 tables occupied so it was not bustling. I am not sure how or why it took so long to prepare Hummus but given the ingredients I could have scratch cooked our entire meals in a fraction of that time. Again, when we arrived there were 2 other tables of 2 and maybe 1-2 small orders picked up during out time there. During our visit they had several more groups come in, some served before us, some getting the constant refrain, "we are out of this." It seems like there was 1 chef in the kitchen preparing all the food on their own. It is also highly problematic that they had 2 small children sitting there for an hour with not even a little bread or anything. We had to push the waitress to get the hot dogs out so they would calm down. As for the food, most of it was OK. The ribeye was properly cooked. The braised short rib was tender with a little wine flavor. The kids hot dogs were hot dogs. The chicken schwarma was flavorful. The Israeli salad was what you would expect. The green beans were overcooked, unseasoned and tasted like nothing. The worst and most impressive thing was how they got the mashed potatoes to taste like they came from a powder out of a box. I don't often leave something completely uneaten but they were inedible. How you can serve a $50 steak with such artificial swill is beyond me. I get it, they are the only option. Fail!

    Cafe Mediterranean - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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