The Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Melbourne

Kababjii

Food truck Kababjii specialises in Middle Eastern foods, namely kebabs, and sits in a random car wash parking lot in Maidstone lit up by a rainbow of festoon lights. I wasn’t sure what to expect the first time I drove to pick up my food, but I soon sat in my car relishing the chewy grilled wrap swaddling smoky strips of chicken, with crunchy pickles and garlicky Lebanese toum. It quickly became one of my favourite eating experiences to-date. Kababjii also nails hefty shawarma plates, juicy meat skewers, and crispy falafel.

The Naughty Greek Restaurant

The Naughty Greek Restaurant in Maidstone is the go-to for Greek-Australian souvlaki, or “souva,” in Melbourne’s west. Choose from chicken, lamb, or a mix, and pair it with your favourite sides. I always opt for the Mixed Gyros Plate, which comes with tender, juicy strips of lamb and chicken freshly shaved off the rotisserie along with crispy chips, fresh salad, tzatziki, and soft pita bread. Don’t miss the hearty mains and delicious Greek-style burgers.

A1 Bakery

This Lebanese bakery is easily one of my favourite spots in Australia. The cheese pie — squeaky and buttery with shreds of halloumi wrapped in soft, pillowy bread — is pure bliss. With its original outpost in Brunswick and locations in Fitzroy and Fairfield, A1 Bakery has been a family-run Melbourne staple since 1992. From za’atar pizza to the cheese- and tomato-stuffed Shanklish Pie, this local gem is a must-order for anyone in the area.

El Jannah

Enter: Melbourne’s go-to for Lebanese fast food, the only kind of fast food I truly crave. Founded in 1998 by Lebanese immigrants Andre and Carole Estephan in the Western Sydney suburb of Granville, this family-owned chain has since grown into a franchise with more than 30 stores across New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT. (In Melbourne, order from Preston, Mitcham, Bayswater North, Dandenong, Craigieburn, Niddrie, Broadmeadows, Pakenham and Campbellfield, with more stores to come.) It’s famous for the juicy charcoal-grilled tawouk — chicken breast, hot chips, coleslaw, and garlic toum swaddled in fluffy Lebanese bread. My favourite dish, the whole chicken, is butterflied and grilled over charcoal and served with two tubs of toum for dunking. Opt for the meal deal to snag sides like hot chips, vibrant tabbouleh, and sweet-tangy pickled veggies.

Shamiat

Nestled in Northcote, this homestyle spot is run by Helda Almorani and Atallah Abo who fled Syria as refugees, and now offer Melburnians lovingly-made dishes. If you share my passion for cheese in pastry, the cheese sambousek — pastry stuffed with three melted cheeses, folded into a crescent shape, and deep-fried to golden perfection — will be a revelation. Don’t miss the fried kibbeh either, a crunchy blend of crushed buckwheat groats and spiced lamb mince, and the Muhammara, a tangy, spicy pepper paste with olive oil and pomegranate molasses.

Zeus Street Greek

With venues in South Yarra, Moonee Ponds, and Carlton, this mini chain delivers straightforward Greek cuisine with the consistency you’d expect from the big restaurant groups. The stuffed pita wraps, Spartan bowls, and dips are reliably delicious; I’m particularly fond of the spicy feta, a creamy blend of feta and ricotta cheese, roasted red peppers, fresh chilli, and olive oil served with a choice of pita bread (including gluten free).

Taita's House

Meet Thornbury’s Lebanese gem. The food here tastes homemade and fresh, with standout dishes like the famous fattoush salad and chicken shawarma. Taita’s Homemade Knafa, made with layers of fine brown bread crumbs on top and bottom sandwiching a rich, rose-flavoured mixture of semolina, milk, and cream, is a must-try for dessert. Though I’m afraid you do also need the homemade cashew baklava with vanilla ice cream and pistachios, especially paired with an earthy cinnamon tea.

Lambs Restaurant

Established in the late ‘80s, Lambs Northcote is not to be confused with a late-night kebab stop that’s long fuelled bleary-eyed masses on the hunt for a post-session feed. This Lambs Restaurant is an iconic Greek spot that’s known for its souvlakis with the usual accoutrements (spinach, onion, tomato, tzatziki, and your choice of protein shaved off the charcoal spit). But if you know what’s good for you, order the Greek-style riff stuffed with hot chips. The Hellenic Snack Pack is also a go-to and a worthy rival to the usual HSP (Halal Snack Pack) you’ll find at late-night Turkish eateries.

Teta Mona Restaurant

This warm, family-run Lebanese spot in Brunswick is a beloved delivery favourite. The homestyle food errs on the traditional side, just like what you’d get at Teta’s house (it translates to grandma). One of my favourite dishes here is the makhlouta, a super hearty stew with baby potatoes, chickpeas, red kidney beans, lentils, and a hint of chilli that’s served over wild rice. Teta Mona’s is very vegan and vegetarian-friendly, but the six-hour slow-cooked lamb with chickpeas, piled on a bed of crispy pita and served with buttered almonds and garlic mint yoghurt, is a must-try.

Moroccan Soup Bar

Come for the family-style vegetarian meals, stay for the incredible social justice initiatives that earned owner and philanthropist Hana Assafiri OAM her Order of Australia Medal. This North Melbourne hotspot employs marginalised women, charges fair prices, and fosters communal conversation with a spoken menu. The food is equally legendary. You must try the chickpea bake, with toasted pita bread, chickpeas, yoghurt, almonds, garlic, and butter. And despite only two actual soups on the menu — harira, often enjoyed during Ramadan, and spinach and lentil — both are well worth sampling.

Souvlaki Story

Souvlaki Story in Brunswick is so good that you have to stop yourself from eating the wrapper, which soaks up the juices from the lamb or chicken. It’s the epitome of moreish and I have to let myself wallow in my fullness afterwards because it makes me straight up ravenous for another one. The menu keeps it simple with souvlakis, salads, soft pitas, and chips. Don’t skip the crowd-favourite HSP, featuring thick-cut chips and the aforementioned smoky grilled lamb, chicken, or a mix, topped with generous dollops of tzatziki.

Anatolia Kebab & Gozleme & Tantuni

At Anatolia Tantuni, husband-wife duo Burhan and Birten Kurucu deliver Turkish street food hits like tantuni and gözleme from their spot in Essendon’s Grazeland. They’re an amazing team: Burhan masterfully fries, stuffs, and wraps kebabs, while Birten makes the dough and deftly folds gözleme filled with spinach and feta or a vegan version with mushroom, capsicum, and onion. Burhan’s tantuni, made with tender cubes of beef or chicken spiced with red pepper flakes, smoky paprika, and oregano, is wrapped up in a thin lavash with diced tomato, sumac-coated red onion, and parsley. During my first visit, Burhan treated me to a potent cup of Turkish coffee — practically rocket fuel that sent my heart into palpitations as my mind exploded from the flavours I was experiencing in the tantuni wrap.

Mythos Gyros Bar

If you find yourself ordering in from Melbourne’s south east, our Greek enclave, don’t miss Mythos Gyros Bar. This Oakleigh spot offers everything from juicy pita gyros — your choice of lamb, chicken, or pork with tzatziki and fries — to crispy fried saganaki. You’ll find a range of wraps on the menu, including a standout halloumi option; generous mezze platters with a mix of dips, olives, and fresh veggies; substantial burgers; salads; and comforting Greek soups too.

Stalactites Restaurant

Tucked away in Melbourne’s Greek Quarter on Lonsdale Street, Stalactites Restaurant is a rite of passage for any nightclub-goer in Melbourne’s CBD. Before it was my go-to after a night out, it was a beacon of hope and a taste of home for Greek migrants in the late ’70s and ’80s. There’s something almost ritualistic about snagging a souvlaki here, and it’s such a treat that you can order it to your doorstep at any given moment. This is especially true for the marinated, boneless chicken gyros from the spit. And if you’re in the mood, just grab the spit meat in a box; eating straight from it is perfectly acceptable.

Leyalina

This cosy Egyptian spot on Leyalina on Lygon Street has quickly become a favourite of mine. The koshari is a must-try and a great introduction to Egyptian cuisine; it’s a vegan revelation with lentils, rice, and macaroni that’s topped with crispy chickpeas, fried onions, and a tangy tomato-garlic sauce. The molokheya and chicken, Egypt’s national dish, is a hearty soup made from slightly bitter jute leaves and garlic that’s, in this case, paired with grilled chicken and white rice. Don’t skip the hawawshy. I’m biassed in favour of fried bready things, but trust me on this one: you need a golden, pan-fried pita stuffed with crispy-juicy spiced minced lamb.

Bahari

The menu at Bahari, Chef Philip Vakos’ beloved spot in Richmond, is a refreshing and inventive “Gringlish” take on Greek cuisine — modern but still deeply rooted in Hellenic tradition. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, echoing true Greek hospitality. A word of advice: try the slow roasted lamb shoulder, which practically melts in your mouth, paired with lemon and rosemary potatoes that are crisp outside and fluffy inside. The pita bread is so well-seasoned with studs of salt and oregano that it’s almost a meal on its own. And the green beans, or fasolakia, make for a delightful, gluten-free side with onions, dill, and tomato.

Cairo Nights Restaurant Bar

I revelled in my 30th birthday at Egyptian stalwart Cairo Nights Restaurant Bar in Carlton with friends, magnums of wine (the venue itself is BYO licensed), shisha, and food. So much food.  Imagine a long table adorned with an array of exquisite dishes: succulent lamb shank so tender it practically disintegrates at the touch, velvety hummus, vine leaves stuffed with flavourful fillings, crispy sambousek, aromatic koshari, and claypots brimming with richly spiced lamb stew. Each dish was a symphony of flavour, making the evening unforgettable. Luckily, you can totally recreate my debaucherous birthday night from your own home.

Flaming Kebabs and Grill

Come Friday night, a kebab from Yarraville’s unassuming Flaming Kebabs and Grill is often on rotation for my boyfriend and I. It’s a no-frills dürüm kebab, meaning it’s a kebab wrapped in pita that comes with freshly shaved meat off the spit. My go-to here is chicken, with the usual suspects (I also swap the tomato out for tabbouleh; it’s a game changer), and wash it down with an Uludag Gazoz, Turkey’s refreshing and, in my opinion, more elite answer to canned lemonade.

Flemington Kebab House

When it comes to kebabs, my favourite has to be the almighty döner kebab, half-shells of pita that are stuffed with meat from the spit. My parents used to live in Germany, and my mum piqued my interest when she would reminisce about these hearty pockets of meat, garlic sauce, and red cabbage. Trying it in Berlin was a revelation. But the döner kebabs at renowned stalwart Flemington Kebab House in Kensington rival their German cousins, stuffed with ample lashings of rich, shaved lamb, the typical concord of salads, and optional pickles. This spot also churns out great freshly baked sheets of Turkish bread, dips, charcoal shish kebabs, and pide.

The Brotherhood Yiros

What exactly are yiros? It’s just gyros spelled phonetically. At The Brotherhood Yiros in Seddon, I like the flexibility of the deconstructed riff on the classic pita-hugged version — a generous spread featuring zucchini frittatas, fluffy pita, and succulent charcoal-grilled chicken and lamb, all complemented by tzatziki, crispy hot chips, and a vibrant Greek salad. For a twist, try a gyro stuffed with chips the Greek way, or opt for the vegetarian zucchini fritters with tzatziki.

Plaka Gyros

This Hawthorn favourite offers inventive riffs on Greek fare. The chicken skepasti is a decadent Frankenstein’s mashup between the Greek-style gyro and a quesadilla — which resembles a hefty club sandwich filled with tender chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a slather of Plaka sauce, all nestled between two pita breads. For a more classic experience, the mixed gyros plate pairs succulent lamb and chicken with pita, tzatziki, chips, and a Greek salad. I love adding feta to the top of my chips whenever I order from here. And for dessert, the galaktoboureko is a must-try: Greek custard encased in crispy, buttery phyllo pastry and drenched in hot sugar syrup.

Marmara Restaurant

Marmara Restaurant in Windsor hits hard with Turkish classics. The Mixed Grill presents a glorious parade of meats: succulent döner kebab, skewers of lamb and chicken tenderly charred, aromatic kofta, and a lamb cutlet that falls off the bone, along with a crisp, refreshing garden salad and fragrant pilaf rice. The claypots are particularly noteworthy: try the slow cooked lamb and chickpea claypot, a tender lamb shoulder simmered with Spanish onions, red capsicum, green chilli peppers, chickpeas, baby spinach, and a touch of cinnamon. I adore anything in dumpling form, and the manti, traditional beef dumplings wrapped in homemade egg pasta and draped in a blanket of yoghurt sauce, caramelised tomato paste, and sumac, is also a must-try.

Henrietta

Nestled in Windsor, Henrietta offers a modern take on Lebanese cuisine, with a particular reverence for charcoal chicken. The Henrietta Charcoal Chicken Meal is a choice of either a half or whole charcoal roasted chook accompanied by a rich, garlicky toum, tangy pickles, and your choice of sides like pickled chillies or fattoush salad. The menu also features falafel, mujadara rice, and hummus so velvety it seems almost ethereal, perfect for scooping with soft pita.

Zikrayat Lebanese Cuisine

At Zikrayat Lebanese Cuisine in Malvern, you’ll find Lebanese food with a local cult following. Dive into the fresh, zingy tabbouleh and smoky-creamy baba ghanouj, paired with crisp, golden falafel balls. The chicken shawarma, served over a bed of rice, comes with tabbouleh, a slick of hummus, and more of that silky baba ghanouj — a must try that travels well for delivery.

Arda Turkish Cuisine

If you’re in the mood for a Turkish feast, don’t miss this Caulfield spot. The sujuk main is singular: four ample and juicy, chargrilled rectangles of beef pepperoni, brought to justice with an aromatic blend of herbs and spices, served with a fluffy pilaf and a crisp garden salad. Beyond the sujuk, the wraps, pides, and salads are all worth their weight in gold too.

Alev Alev Turkish Kitchen

At Elsternwick’s Alev Alev Turkish Kitchen, the Iskender Main is a sleeper hit: tender lamb slices layered on soft Turkish bread, smothered in a rich tomato sauce and a tangy garlic sauce. For those who struggle with menu decisions, the snack pack is a bit of everything: your choice of lamb, chicken, or a mix over crispy chips, with melted cheese and sauces like barbecue, garlic, and chilli. Don’t overlook the homemade baklava either; it’s a luscious, buttery treat.

Kebab Connection

When the midnight munchies strike, Kebab Connection in North Melbourne is your saviour. The Halal Snack Pack is a glorious heap of meat and chips, drenched in a mix of chilli, garlic, and barbecue sauces. Open until 2:40 a.m., it’s the kind of messy, saucy feast that’s perfect for soaking up those last drinks of the night when you get home.

Tabet’s Bakery

With venues in Coburg, Brunswick, and Mill Park, Tabet’s Bakery is your passport to Lebanese pastry heaven. The kaak, a Lebanese bagel of sorts, comes with a melted mix of halloumi and mozzarella, baked to golden perfection. Don’t miss the Lebanese pizzas or the cheese and spinach pie, where halloumi meets tender greens, onion, and a dash of sumac.

Advieh

Advieh, a cherished café in Seddon, is often packed to the rafters with locals, and was our spot during lockdowns when we lived in the area. The halloumi fries are a standout, crisp and golden, served with a fresh and zingy yoghurt sauce, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves. For more of a meal, try the Moroccan Meatball Wrap, generously loaded with juicy meatballs, vibrant tabbouleh, and crisp coleslaw.