Let me start by saying the service here is phenomenal!! When my friend and I first arrived we were greeted by either the manager or the owner and he took care of us right away! Then to top it off our waiter and the others around us were very attentive and were able to give us wonderful food and drink recommendations! For drinks we ordered a bottle of their bubbly rose! I think they said it was the French one? It was soooo good and light and perfect for a summer evening! For food the waiter recommended the med salad and I wish I would have listened because that's what my friend got and she loved it! I ordered the shrimp sauté. I wasn't a big fan of the dish as the rice was a little chewy/undercooked for me and the dish was flavorful but not the sauté I had in mind! However my friend tasted mine and loved it so It probably speaks more to my personal preference vs a problem with the dish itself! And although I didn't love my food I would definitely come back and order something else! When we arrived we were told everything on the menu is good so I will give something else a try next time.. like the med salad! To end the evening they brought us out some tea which tasted like a mix of black tea and maybe earl grey? It was great!! All in all it was a great dining experience and the inside AND outside eating areas both are super cute and comfortable! read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Tea - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Great food. This is the first Mediterranean restaurant I've gone to and it left a wonderful impression. The service was excellent, I couldn't ask for better. It also wasn't busy when I got there around 7pm so we were sat at a table immediately with no reservation. 10/10 read more

The food was fine. The service? Not so much. I went here with a guy. And I might as well have been invisible. When our waiter came to take our orders, he grabbed the menus before I told him what I'd decided on. I told him I didn't remember the name of the dish I wanted. He turned his back on me and then handed my menu to the guy sitting across from me, so that HE had to be the one to hand it back to me! The waiter never looked at me as I gave my order; he just scowled and wrote it down. Yet he fawned all over the guy I was with. It was "Oh yes sir," this and "Of course, sir!" that. When I asked if everything in the dish I had ordered was vegan, he told me it was, except for the sauce that would be on the side. I asked him to please leave the sauce off of my plate, and he snapped, "Just don't eat it" and then walked away. I'll never set foot in this place again. read more

Fast, friendly service and delicious food! I love falafel and was not disappointed-- their falafel entree has just a hint of spice which pairs nicely with the hummus. My husbands chicken kabob was perfectly cooked (worth stealing a bite or two!). To finish up, we couldn't resist the suggestion of baklava (which was excellent). Will be back! read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Baklava - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Had a lovely meal there last night with great service. The place is really nice and modern. There is a great selection of Turkish food (my favorite!). They also had some interesting wine. We had an appetizer platter with dips, feta rolls, and lamb shank. We also had some hot cheesy thing for dessert, as well as a nice fruit platter. All were very good! The only reason for my doc of a star was that my partner had a bit of menu trouble - they were out of what he really wanted to order and ended up with lamb kafta that he felt was a bit too dry. So he wasn't nearly as happy as I was. read more

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I can't believe I've never been to this place before! We went for Father's Day and this place is definitely more than just 5 stars. The food is delicious and fresh, the service is outstanding, and it has a great atmosphere. This is one of those places that despite of it being a little upscale you feel welcomed. They attention is above and beyond, they're friendly and meticulous about their service. With all there state requirements, they seem to have implemented them to the T. The owner is super friendly, he treats you more like a guest rather than a costumer and you can see how much he loves what he does. It's refreshing to see that. Furthermore, to drink we had a cocktail which was pretty tasty. We then ordered grape leafs as an appetizer, and they were AMAZING! I've had them before in different places but never did they taste so good. For dinner I ordered the chicken kebab and my mum had the catch of the day. Both entrees were absolutely mouthwatering, the white rice was the best rice ever. As courtesy we were given a side of hummus, and the end two cups of Turkish tea. I will definitely go back, this is a must try I'm sure you cannot go wrong with white whatever you choose. read more

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We were looking for a nice date night out and we found it. Attentive service - owner stopped by several times - and delicious food. The babaganoush had a hint of smokiness: my lamb shank was tender. I sampled the Turkish red wine - excellent. It has outdoor tables but the weather was a little iffy for that so we ate inside. read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Lamb shank - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Wonderful food, service and a friendly inviting atmosphere. A few of the many wonderful menu items we enjoy. The variety appetizer plate is exceptionally tasty. Beef Tenderloin Kebab, Baklava Grilled Branzino, sTenderloin Kebabs, Lamb Shank is superb read more

Have to give a callout to the hummus -- man, it is good! Next time I want hummus, I'm not bothering to make it. I'm just going to carry out from Cafe Med. read more

We had an 8 person party and they treated us like royalty!! We had drinks, dinners and desserts and all were great! The Branzinos / Salmon and Swordfish dishes were particularly tasty. A very great atmosphere that is classy but still casual. read more

Wow. That's all we can say about our first experience getting this food. They had our food ready in less than 15 minutes and it was still presented this well! The interior is extremely nice looking and I'm really looking forward to a much needed night out in the near future. Can't even imagine how good it will be when we eat there. The Falafel Doner and Gyros Kebab were fantastic read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Kebab and Gyro - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

The food was delicious and the staff was beyond accommodating! We were from out of town and had a hungry toddler. We walked in and they didn't blink an eye. They didn't have a kids menu but made something special for her. It was yummy too! I can't say enough great things about this place. read more

Friend picked this place for dinner. When we arrive, the place is pretty empty on a Friday night, but the deco is nice, and we were seated immediately and the owner greeted us too. Service is great! We had grilled octopus, it more like octopus salad, the octopus is very tender and tasty. We also had stuffed grape leaf, my husband really enjoyed. as well as spicy salad. Everything is good. I ordered lamb Shish kebab, husband got the shredded lamb. Friend got the lamb shark and ground lamb. Seems every dish is tasty and delicious. We also had theiR rice pudding and classy baclava. The Baclava is a little too sweat to my taste but fits all the gentleman's. The rice pudding is nice. This is definitely a place to come back! read more

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Great food, great ambience, love the outdoor seating. Very friendly hosts! We also got some pastries to go which were DELICIOUS! If I were to have one gripe - it was that the eggplant marinara was not that great. I make something similar in Indian cuisine so I know it has a lot of potential. read more

The food satisfied every craving I had. The swordfish melted in your mouth with a buttery kiss. The shrimp sauté held enough comfort to temporarily cure the common cold, with the right spices to revive your taste. The hummus itself was good enough to drive across the state for. But be forewarned it would be easy to spend all your money if you are easily swayed by the mesmerizing descriptions of each item on the menu poetically narrated by your server. read more

Lamb shank could not get better. The rosemary was a lovely addition to the lamb, and the presentation amazing. I love to dine both using tastes and visual cues. The lamb was tender and the vegetables complimented the lovely tastes. Service was fantastic. read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Lamb shank with fresh rosemary. - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Dined on 8/30/2023. Food was delicious. Generous portions and fair prices. Service was top notch, attentive to our needs but not at all bothersome. The kind of service I would expect at a much more expensive restaurant. Ambiance is nice. Clean, simple, uncluttered decor, pleasant music. read more

I forgot the name, but the fluffy bread with hummus was really good (Babaganoush?). I ordered chicken thigh with rice, but I personally loved the sautéed lamb. Service was really great. I loved the staff. read more

This place is amazing! Have been to Cincinnati to visit family and for short trips away from indy probably about 50 times over last handful of years. This was by far best dining experience. Normally, I gravitate towards southeast Asian fare, especially Thai food, and this has led me to try every thai restaurant in city with largely disappointment of lack of authenticity. I have obtained the notion that Cincinnati ethnic cuisine is very much americanized compared to other cities of its size such as indy and Columbus. The reason I preface with that is that cafe Mediterranean turned that entire notion on its head. My mistake was not trying this sooner. The service on a Saturday evening was fantastic. The wine was high quality and included traditional varietals as well as Turkish varietals. The bread and small bit of hummus comes complementary which was really nice, leaving room to explore other apps. The lamb Sautee was very flavorful. Good quality meat with tomato based sauce and hint of spice. Even the rice had a slight flavor to it very reminiscent of ginger rice (though this does not have ginger I assure) that one would get with a kao mun gai from thai restaurant. The chicken shish kebab also very high quality. Shepards salad a very pleasing side dish to accompany entrees. And the baklava is one of best I have ever encountered, like being up in Chicago or Dearborn mich! Will be back in future trots souteastward. read more

Friendly staff but food just wasn't that great or as "authentic" as I expected it to be. I was looking forward to a "Greek salad" but it was pretty unrecognizable as one: no Kalamata olives, no block or at least chunks of feta but instead some shredded cheese I'm unsure of type, full of romaine, not much oregano and no red onion and too much vinegar in dressing. The shaved "gyro" lamb was tasty and seasoned well but dry while my dinner companion's chunked lamb was over cooked and hard to chew. The veggies - carrots and green beans- were also rather undercooked but seasoned well. The rice was very delicious and the best part of the meal actually. Can't figure out what the subtle flavor they used but I wish I had more! Really a little disappointed with the food but still found it a charming neighborhood place and may give it another chance but choose something else on the menu next time. read more

I stumbled across this place and so glad I made it in. The overall service was awesome and the owner (Fahri) was so nice. Ate the swordfish kebab; delicious. Finished the night with some Turkish tea and a baklava to-go which I'm thankful I did . This place is a gem and I'll be coming back for sure! read more

If looking for an authentic experience, look no further. Cafe Mediterranean is definitely worth a visit. We had their "home made" ganoush as an appetizer. With a hint of smokiness and a lot of flavor, it was the perfect introduction to a new favorite spot!! The ganoush was accompanied by freshly made bread and thinly sliced veggies (zucchini and carrots)...made for a perfect spread as we awaited our entrees. I could speak of the veggie stew which was the perfect dish for a cold Cincinnati Sunday (hearty, rich, with a slight kick to wake up any palette) but I would rather expand on the chicken kabobs. This was no boring chicken... nope. Renewed my faith in the overused bird!!!so goooood. I nearly forgot the veggies and rice that came along with it. Every succulent bite begged you to check again and ensure that the tenderness and flavors were no tricks. I investigated and gladly concluded that this was a dish worth having again. Lastly, there was the Turkish coffee!!! Black and strong ....true to its name. Warning, be sure to tell your server exactly how much sugar you need added, for it cano be done/altered once made ... a hard learned lesson. Strong and smooth, this is a caffeine lover's holy grail. At first sight, the portions may seem small, but Cafe Med. makes up for that with an abundance of hospitality, flavor, and authenticity. Leave enough space for dessert, wishing we did read more

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Fresh, flavorful, and unique Turkish dishes! This place is a city gem. Me and my wife have been dining here on multiple occasions (mostly once a week) and every single time is just a very pleasant dining experience. The staff and the owner (Fahri) are all very professional, very courteous, and very friendly. They always make sure we're satisfied and happy with our entrees and drinks. Speaking of entrees, our favorite is the lamb adana and the lamb shank. The lamb adana is so full of flavor and seasoning! It's quite possibly the best ground lamb we've had and that's why we always order it. They could even make it as a lamb burger and I would order it. Who knows, maybe they'll add that in their menu in the future. But, a lamb burger may not be an authentic Turkish dish. But, what do I know? I just eat yummy food.... So, we also get the grilled octopus sometimes for small plates. The octopus is very tender and it matches well with the salad. The bread and hummus is also very good. As for dessert... they recommended the knafeh to us and we've been getting that as well. It's also our favorite. I definitely recommend the knafeh to everyone. You won't regret it. We can't wait to dine here again. read more

5 Stars each for food, service, and atmosphere. We were seated outside and the weather was great. 3 different staff members took care of us, which was amazing. The hummus appetizer was delicious and our drinks were tasty as well. When the moussaka and chicken kabobs came out, the presentation was beautiful and the flavor was superb. We can't say enough. The service and qualify of food was impressive. We explained to the manager that we had eaten earlier in the week at a greek restaurant in another area and didn't have the best experience there. She and the other staff made us feel welcome, and when in the area we will definitely return. Please make sure you try the baklava. It's worth the drive. read more

My wife and I have ordered delivery from Cafe Mediterranean a couple of times recently through SkipTheDishes. In our handful of years living in the area, this might be the longest tenured restaurant in this spot on Erie Avenue. It was previously home to Cumin (for many years but not for long after our move to the area) and Ash American Fare. Cafe Mediterranean has been around since 2008, first opening in Anderson. They moved to Blue Ash in 2011 and finally settled in East Hyde Park in 2015. We have ordered the same entrees both times and shared them. The falafel ($15) is served with hummus, grilled tomato, and grilled pepper. The falafel is of the flatter variety, but are much larger than other restaurants. The mix of chickpeas, lentils, and spice is very good and they are not dry at all. The hummus was also good, a little more standard compared to other area spots, but still a good chickpea taste. The chicken kebab ($15) is served with rice pilaf and grilled green beans. The chicken was cooked perfectly, leaving it juicy and seasoned well with herbs and spices. The vegetables were good but I was glad I was eating this meal alone as it left me wanting some hummus, babaganoush, or something similar on the side. Speaking of babaganoush, we ordered a side ($7) of the smoked eggplant appetizer and I would not skip on this in the future. The olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, and yogurt that go into the mix make this outstanding for dipping. The pita bread that is included with all orders is not like anything I've had before. It is much thicker than store bought pita and a little hard to use for the dips. I found it easiest to slice it up rather than trying to tear it apart. The prices seem a little higher than some other nearby Mediterranean spots, but the quality or ingredients and quantity of food at Cafe Mediterranean are top notch. read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Falafel & Chicken Shish Kebab - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Amazing atmosphere, great staff, authentic taste We felt right at home and finished the meal with a Turkish coffee. Absolutely phenomenal.

Was really looking forward to this restaurant but was left a little disappointed based on the stellar reviews. There was nothing wrong- but was just ok for me. I rarely send anything back but here I sent the Gyro plate back as it was so gamey. Most will say lamb is a bit gamey but please understand that gyro IS my favorite Greek protein and I've never not liked it. The owner/ chef was fantastic and replaced it with whatever I wanted. I also ordered the moussaka which was very good- could've used just a bit more seasoning and was a bit light on the Bechamel. We also ordered their appetizer grilled octopus which I will say is potentially the best or close to the best I've ever had! Will I come back? Yes, but only to have the unbelievable octopus salad. The service was fantastic. Food presentation was also on point. read more

Yum!! What a great place to grab an authentic Mediterranean meal. If you go here and don't get the hummus to start off your meal, you're doing something wrong. So so good...best hummus I've ever had. I opted for the chicken skillet, for dinner, which was to die for!!! The perfect amount of spicy to go along side the rice pilaf. Let's talk about my drink. I got a Moscow mule and it was served in the most adorable little cup (see photos). The bartender nailed it. So good. My friend got the lamb meat (which I tried). Very flavorful. But the sauce is what knocked this dish out of the park. The tzatziki was amazing... And the service was phenomenal. Go here on a nice evening and sit outside. You won't be disappointed! read more

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Absolutely phenomenal. Hidden gem. The atmosphere is relaxed, so no need to follow a dress code. From the Labne to the Grape Leaves & Tabouli, their appetizer flavors pack a punch! You can tell the food is made in house because each time we've visited, there have been slight differences (always good). We also enjoyed the Chicken Kebab- comes with four hearty pieces of chicken, grilled vegetables, and rice + the Chicken Sauté- served in a bowl with an almost chili like spice combo and rice. Entrees can be split between two people. Though we enjoyed having leftovers Dessert options are brought to the table on a platter when requested, so you can see what each dish looks like prior to ordering. Be sure to ask whether they recommend a coffee or tea to go with it. Hope you love it as much as we do! read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Knafeh & Turkish coffee - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Perfection every time! Food, service, atmosphere; I always leave wrapped in delight! Thank you!!

Cafe Mediterranean was a nice little stop for lunch! We shared the Red Lentil Soup, and falafel as starters that were delicious. The tourlu was okay. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was nice but the prices were overblown for the quality of food. read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Turlu Vegetable Stew, veggies in a thick sauce - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Fantastic place! A must find in Cincinnati! I enjoyed the lamb shank and their flan is the best I've ever had. Treat yourself! read more

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So far been here twice! Everything has been outstanding from the service to the food! I'm definitely coming back here again! I recommend you to try the feta cheese rolls. read more

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This place is a gem; the food was so fresh so amazing. I had their fish special of the day. I even had it come out with the head still on. The sides were so good. And the staff from the host to my waiter so welcoming & friendly. I'll be back soon read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This place is a gem. The owner is always working and he is friendly and inviting. He makes you feel important and happy to support a local business. The food is fresh and delicious. We especially enjoyed the swordfish! The pricing is fair. The interior is inviting. It's a must try!!! read more

Excellent service and authentic Turkish cuisine. Met the owner and had a great evening.

Service is excellent and the food is delicious! The manager loves to walk around and greet everyone (and I love to support a local small business)! read more

Nice comfy venue. We wanted to sit outside (and had called ahead to reserve) but all their 4 tops were taken up by 1 or 2 people and it would have been a long wait. Nice menu, lots of choices. Friendly knowledgeable waitress and hostess and other servers. Manager (owner, I think) stopped by twice. Food was very good... all served with rice and veggies. The special was a branzino, served whole, expertly fileted at the table and was delicious. Sautéed shrimp was very good too. The lamb kabob was OK... overdone though. Ordered medium rare and came out mostly more than medium. Kitchen messed up 3 of four salads but the problem was quickly fixed. Delicious desserts. especially the turkish ones. Full bar. Street parking and also some in the rear. Walking along the street is very European as almost every store is a restaurant with some outdoor seating and smells delicious. read more

Bad first impression. Maybe it was my mistake to try and place a takeout order on a Friday night...however when I first arrived and asked the hostess about the wait time for a to-go order she told me 15-20 minutes. So I placed my order (left a 20% tip), went to wait outside and came back after the suggested 20 minutes. When I returned the hostess was back and forth from the kitchen to hostess stand unable to find my order. She then told me that the kitchen was backed up so it would be another 15-20 minutes more. This time I waited at the bar. The owner was friendly, but offered no amends for my extended wait. More than 45 minutes after placing my carry out order it was finally ready. (It was for an order of soup and the Lahmacun, btw). I will say that the food was very tasty, but in my opinion overpriced...especially considering how long I had to wait. read more

Cafe Mediterranean - Lahmacun - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I came here with a group of 14 people for an early NYE celebration. I love Mediterranean food, but was really disappointed here. Food: I was very disappointed in the food. I shared the feta cheese roll (sigara borek), with my wife which was delicious. I ordered the lamb sauté, which was okay. Maybe on the bland side, and the lamb wasn't very tender. My wife had the chicken shish kabob, which was terrible. It was dry and tough. I can't even tell you how it tasted because of how hard it was to eat. My friend ordered the adana kabob, which tasted good, but was over cooked and tough. The rice was buttery and good. Portions were small, and prices expensive. I usually head to Sultan's or Istanbul Cafe for Mediterranean food, and will continue to return there. At the end of our meal, they gave us complimentary Turkish tea which was delicious. I shared a kanafa with my wife; the kanafa was amazing, some of the best I have ever had. Service: We had made reservations ahead of time and were seated promptly. Our servers were very attentive to refills, clearing our table and helpful with the menu. Facilities: Located in Hyde Park, Cafe Mediterranean is next for Forno. There is ample street parking out front, along with valet parking for $5 on weekends. It's dimly lit, chic and well decorated. There's a large bar with seating. This would be great for date night or a large group like ours. There's outdoor seating as well for better weather than the day before NYE when I came. read more