Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Morningside Heights
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Falafel On Broadway
High-volume Middle Eastern counter where mixed grills and falafel stay reliably strong at student-friendly prices.
Notable Picks
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Falafel On Broadway is a long-running Middle Eastern counter on Broadway where platters, pitas, and mezze move fast but stay remarkably consistent across thousands of orders. Students, locals, and late commuters rely on it for generous grilled plates, crisp falafel, and hummus at prices that still feel like a deal in Morningside Heights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed Grill Platter, Falafel Sandwich, Chicken Gyro Platter
What Makes it Special: High-volume Middle Eastern counter where mixed grills and falafel stay reliably strong at student-friendly prices.
8.4
Savann is a Turkish-leaning Mediterranean dining room in Harlem where meze spreads, kebabs, and grilled fish land in a warmly lit space with a full bar and prix-fixe options. It’s the neighborhood’s move when you want a sit-down dinner that still reads as casual but can stretch to birthdays, graduation dinners, or business meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed Meze Platter, Lamb Köfte Kebab, Grilled Branzino
What Makes it Special: Harlem Turkish-Mediterranean spot with full meze spreads, kebabs, and a grown-up bar in a neighborhood setting.
8.2
Azara Kitchen is a Central Harlem restaurant where West African staples like jollof and fufu share space with dishes that pull seasoning and salads from the broader Mediterranean pantry. Since the early 2000s, it’s evolved into an all-day hang for diners who want stews, grilled meats, and brunch plates in a room that feels more like a neighborhood diner than a formal spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jollof Rice with Grilled Fish, Maffe Lamb Stew, Dibi Poulet (Grilled Chicken)
What Makes it Special: Long-running Harlem spot where West African plates and Mediterranean-leaning salads and brunch dishes share the same lively dining room.
Yemeni Restaurant & Shawarma Mediterranean sits just off 125th Street serving mandi, roasted lamb, shawarma, and mezze on metal platters that feel more home-style than polished. It draws a steady crowd for late lunches and casual dinners where you can stretch a meat-and-rice tray or shawarma plate across multiple people.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Mendi, Roasted Lamb with Rice, Empire Chicken Shawarma
What Makes it Special: Casual Yemeni-Mediterranean spot where mandi, shawarma, and mezze come in shareable, comfort-first portions near 125th Street.
Worthy Picks
#5
Symposium
7.9
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
A classic Greek sit-down spot that plays best as a straightforward neighborhood dinner: grilled seafood, familiar apps, and a comfortable, unfussy room. Order like a Greek table—one fried or baked starter, one grilled main, and something lemony to keep the meal bright.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled octopus, Spanakopita, Branzino
What Makes it Special: A dependable Greek menu built around grilled classics and familiar staples.
Fay’s Shawarma is a small Lebanese counter on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard focused on wraps, hummus, and soups built for takeout first. Locals use it as a quick lunch or weeknight stop when they want shawarma, lentil soup, and mezze-style sides without committing to a sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Lentil Soup, Grape Leaves
What Makes it Special: Lebanese takeout counter where shawarma wraps, soups, and mezze sides give Harlem a fast, homestyle Mediterranean option.