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Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Upper West Side (Central)

10 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

Our Top Pick
Dagon
Levantine-leaning Israeli cooking with house breads and mezze worth planning around.

Notable Picks

8.8
$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Modern Israeli restaurant on a prominent Broadway corner serving mezze, breads, and wood-leaning mains with Levantine flavors. Locals use it for date nights, celebrations, and nights when they want serious cooking and a buzzier room than most of the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes: Kubaneh, Crispy Roasted Lamb, Shishbarak
What makes it special: Levantine-leaning Israeli cooking with house breads and mezze worth planning around.
8.7
$$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Greek
Bi-level Greek restaurant with a coastal-inspired room, a strong mezze program, and grilled fish at the center of the menu. Upper West Siders lean on it for slightly upscale dinners that still feel relaxed enough for groups and celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes: Htipiti, Whole Grilled Tsipoura, Lamb Chops
What makes it special: Contemporary Greek cooking in a polished, coastal-feeling two-level space.
8.6
$$$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Greek
Pan-Mediterranean spot with a wood-fired oven turning out clay-pot lamb, flatbreads, and shareable plates in a narrow but comfortable room. It’s a go-to for small groups and casual celebrations where mezze, wine, and warm service are the main draw.
Must-Try Dishes: Lamb Terracotta Pot, Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Hummus with Lamb
What makes it special: Pan-Mediterranean cooking with wood-fired signatures and shareable plates.
$$$$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Pizza
Turkish-leaning Mediterranean restaurant known for brick-oven flatbreads, kebabs, and stews in a casual, closely packed dining room. Neighborhood regulars use it for relaxed dinners where a mix of meze and hearty mains works across different appetites.
Must-Try Dishes: Lamb Shank, Manti Dumplings, Mixed Meze Platter
What makes it special: Turkish-inspired neighborhood staple with brick-oven pizzas, kebabs, and meze.
$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Greek
Casual Mediterranean restaurant on Columbus serving mixed grills, salads, and platters in a bright, flexible dining room. It’s a reliable option when you want straightforward kebabs, dips, and a few healthier-leaning plates without committing to a long meal.
Must-Try Dishes: Mixed Grill Platter, Chicken Shawarma Plate, Kunafa
What makes it special: Flexible neighborhood spot balancing grilled platters, salads, and shareable mezze.
$$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean
A neighborhood Mediterranean café with an all-day rhythm—brunch energy up front, Middle Eastern comfort later, and a menu that leans fresh without feeling like “health food.” It’s strongest when you order one signature breakfast plate or sandwich, then add one classic mezze-style side for range.
Must-Try Dishes: Challah french toast, Shakshuka, Falafel platter
What makes it special: All-day Mediterranean comfort with a dependable neighborhood feel.
$$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Compact Druze-Israeli restaurant known for oversized laffa-style bread, burekas, and mezze-heavy platters. Locals treat it as a cozy alternative to larger spots when they want homestyle Middle Eastern flavors and big portions in a low-key setting.
Must-Try Dishes: Gazala's Platter, Spinach Burekas, Hummus with Sujuk
What makes it special: Druze-run kitchen turning out laffa breads, burekas, and mezze with generous portions.

Worthy Picks

$$$ Upper West Side (Central) Italian, Mediterranean
A small, intimate Italian room where the food shines most when you commit to a pasta-forward order and let the kitchen’s restraint do the work. It’s a quieter, date-leaning meal built around a couple of pastas and one clean second course.
Must-Try Dishes: Cacio e pepe, Pappardelle bolognese, Tiramisu
What makes it special: A pasta-first menu in an intimate room built for pacing.
$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
A no-frills shawarma counter that prioritizes flavor and speed—big platters, punchy toppings, and a build-your-own energy that works best for takeout. It lands when you choose one protein, go heavy on the salads/pickles, and treat it like a satisfying, direct-hit meal.
Must-Try Dishes: Chicken shawarma platter, Shawarma in laffa, Falafel pita
What makes it special: Big, topping-forward shawarma that’s built for maximum satisfaction fast.
$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Compact branch of a long-running New York falafel mini-chain serving sandwiches, platters, and late-night snacks. It’s a practical choice for quick, inexpensive Middle Eastern food when you want to eat at the counter, grab-and-go, or sit briefly by the windows.
Must-Try Dishes: Falafel Sandwich, Chicken Shawarma Sandwich, Baklava
What makes it special: Classic New York falafel counter delivering fast, inexpensive sandwiches and platters.