This category includes many small, local, mostly family-run places that serve Greek food as well as specialties from countries around the Mediterranean and Middle East.
This generally means healthy, natural food made from scratch with unique, homemade flavorings and ingredients. Emphasis is on vegetables native to the region, such as onions, garlic, lentils, beans, and parsley. Meat generally consists of fish, lamb, and sheep.
Sauces are simple and robust, with little use of cream and butter like in other cuisines. Food is often served over rice pilaf or rolled in pita bread like a tortilla.
Austin has quite a few Greek and Middle Eastern restaurants for a simple, wholesome meal or snack. Below are some of the favorites.
Our Favorites
Sarah's Mediterranean Grill & Market
5222 Burnet Rd. Ste. 500, Austin TX 78756
(512) 419-7605
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A Greek and Mediterranean restaurant and market where you can get delicious Mediterranean specialty dishes and also pick up some spices and flavorings to use when you cook at home. They have great shawarmas (sort of like Middle Eastern tacos). They also have excellent lamb shank, taboulis and salads, and even the rice pilaf and pitas are top notch. For vegetarians, Sarah’s has possibly the best hummus available in Austin. Very friendly and personable staff.
Tom's Tabooley
2928 Guadalupe St. Ste. 102, Austin TX 78705
(512) 479-7337
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Excellent falafel, dolmas, and hummus. They have a falafel special plate and individual falafel wraps; the falafel are large and tasty. Also serve an outstanding Thai tofu wrap and Thai salad. All dishes are made from scratch with fresh, top quality ingredients and it shows. The dolmas are moist and have tasty fillings; the curry flavor has a little spiciness. The hummus is thick, smooth, and tastes very fresh. They also have a variety of teas and specialty drinks. The restaurant recently expanded and has live music on some nights.
Arpeggio Grill
6619 Airport Blvd., Austin TX 78752
(512) 419-0110
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Maybe the best gyros in Austin, and the shawarmas are good too. Delicious lamb dishes and kebobs. The Greek salad is hug and tasty, and the Greek pizza is great. Fresh, homemade Greek food in a friendly atmosphere. Service is attentive, but don't go there when you're pressed for time - it can take up to half an hour to receive your entrees.
Flying Falafel & Po' Boys
2001 Guadalupe St. Ste. A1, Austin TX 78705
(512) 419-0110
map
website
Maybe the best gyros in Austin, and the shawarmas are good too. Delicious lamb dishes and kebobs. The Greek salad is hug and tasty, and the Greek pizza is great. Fresh, homemade Greek food in a friendly atmosphere. Service is attentive, but don't go there when you're pressed for time - it can take up to half an hour to receive your entrees.
Need more choices?
View the maps below for other Greek/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant choices around town.
GREEK
MEDITERRANEAN
MIDDLE EASTERN
Click here for a list and map of Austin Greek restaurants (opens in a new tab).
Click here for a list and map of Austin Mediterranean restaurants (opens in a new tab).
Austin Greek and Mediterranean Restaurants News
San Antonio restaurant chain expands to Austin
San Antonio-based restaurant chain Papouli's Greek Grill recently expanded to Austin. The restaurant's new, 2,375 square foot location is at 1000 E. 41st Street, in the Hancock Center shopping mall.
Do you have a favorite Greek, Mediterranean, or Middle Eastern restaurant in Austin? Or do you have a story about such a restaurant, maybe one of the restaurants listed on this page? Tell us about your favorite restaurant, or share your story here.
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