Craving Mediterranean food?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Mediterranean spots around Baltimore, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to meet your needs.
1. Cava Mezze - Baltimore
Topping the list is Cava Mezze - Baltimore. The regional mini-chain offers mostly Mediterranean classics in a relaxed setting.
The small plates of the name (mezzes) are ubiquitous, from dips like hummus and tzatziki to falafel, roasted cauliflower, mussels and chicken souvlaki. More substantial dishes include mushroom risotto and lamb chops with fingerling potatoes. Consider the popular all-you-can-eat weekend brunch, when discounted mimosas seem to dominate each table.
Located at 1302 Fleet St. in the Inner Harbor, it is the highest rated Mediterranean restaurant in Baltimore, boasting 4.5 stars out of 524 reviews on Yelp.
2. Samos Restaurant
Next up is Greektown's Samos Restaurant, situated at 600 Oldham St. The decor suggests a taverna on the Aegean island for which this spot is named.
The open kitchen churns out Greek spreads like melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant blended with garlic, olive oil and lemon), appetizers including spanakopita and dolmas, plus seafood and grilled meat platters.
You should know that it's cash only here, and that you can BYOB for a small fee. With 4.5 stars out of 415 reviews on Yelp, it has proven to be a local favorite.
3. Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen
Riverside's Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen is next. Greek and Italian dishes complement the mostly Middle Eastern menu.
Expect pitas stuffed with lamb kebabs, cumin-and-turmeric salmon or baba ghanoush and hummus. Small plates range from zaatar-rubbed tuna and Lebanese meat pies to dolmas. The pita pitzas come in Greek, Italian, falafel and Mediterranean (artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, red onions, spinach leaves, olives, feta and basil) versions. Baba's is located at 745 E. Fort Ave., with Yelpers giving it 4.5 stars out of 336 reviews.
4. Byblos
Byblos is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 221 Yelp reviews. Explore a menu of traditional Lebanese recipes that starts with appetizers like stuffed cabbage and cucumbers in yogurt.
There are pita sandwiches, like beef or chicken shawarma, falafel or mujadara (lentils, rice, sautéed onion), and entrees include salmon with herbs and walnuts, marinated lamb, and beef-and-onion-stuffed eggplant. Alcoholic drinks are also BYOB at Byblos. Head over to 1033 Light St. to try it for yourself.
5. Maiwand Kabob
Finally, check out downtown's Maiwand Kabob, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 217 reviews on Yelp. One of five area locations, you'll find a familiar, mostly Afghan menu of kebabs, curries and shawarmas.
To experience the true variety of the cuisine, check out appetizers like pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar, then served with yogurt and topped with ground beef sauce. Or the mantu, a dumpling filled with ground beef and onions, topped with lentils and mint garlic yogurt sauce. You can find the restaurant at 40 South St.
