There is nothing quite like the discovery of a truly great Mediterranean meal. It’s the moment when Palo Alto, a city of relentless innovation and ambition, suddenly transforms into a place of pure, uncomplicated pleasure. At least until you realize you’ll need to book weeks in advance. But that’s a problem for another list. For now, let’s savor the possibilities.
Café Soleil
$$ | (650) 321-4422 | WEBSITE
Café Soleil is our favourite Mediterranean spot in Palo Alto. Of course we’re going to recommend it for when you need a quick breakfast or a leisurely Happy Hour. This is a place where you always want to be, regardless of the time of day. Grabbing unbeatable French toast from the breakfast bar, sipping on their signature Long Islands, and generally just having an excellent time. That’s what this place is all about. Come here for a drink when you’re on the go.
Come here for a meal when you want to stay a while.
Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen
$$ | (650) 331-4516 | WEBSITE
Experience. That’s what you’re looking for when you’re about to spend a good chunk of your hard-earned money. That’s why Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen should top your list. This welcoming Mediterranean spot in Palo Alto is the kind of place you just want to spend your time. The food is outstanding, from the crunch manti to the mushroom pide. And the atmosphere is wonderful. It’s warm, inviting, and everything just speaks to a memorable dining experience.
Meyhouse
$$$ | (650) 521-0935 | WEBSITE
It can be very tempting on a special occasion to fall into the fancy-dinner trap. What starts as ‘just a small plate’ turns into ‘let’s try the carpaccio’ that happily evolves into ‘we need the whole Branzino’. Dessert can get lost in this delicious haze, but it doesn’t have to be. Just go to a great Mediterranean spot like Meyhouse.
It’s a cozy restaurant with a welcoming vibe, which means it’s the place to start on some Spice Chai cocktails, wine pairings, or whatever you fancy, and then settle in for sea asparagus, lamb chops, and baklava.
Cafe 220
$ | (650) 853-8182 | WEBSITE
Treating yourself after a long week feels like rediscovering a little joy you’d almost forgotten. You let yourself believe, just for a moment, that this could be your regular routine. Cafe 220 is perfect for that kind of hopeful indulgence. It doesn’t feel so fancy that it’s out of reach, but it’s certainly a world away from your average lunch counter.
You’ll savor delicious chicken and beef-lamb gyros, a generously sized Greek salad brimming with olives, feta, cucumber, and tomato, and flavors so delightful they transport you. It’s the kind of cozy spot on University Ave where you’ll wish you could spend every afternoon.
Real Mediterranean Kitchen
$ | (650) 384-6187 | WEBSITE
On a weekend afternoon, my mindset is typically: you’re here for a great meal, not for a quick bite. There’s no reason to hold back or be modest. Absolutely not. That’s why in moments like these I want to be at Real Mediterranean Kitchen. The energy at this Mediterranean spot is unlike anywhere else in Palo Alto. Honestly you want to grab a table near the deli case, so bring a friend who’s equally hungry, and settle in.
The food – chicken kabobs, shawarma, lentil soup – is delicious, fresh, and made for enjoying in generous portions.
Oren’s Hummus
$$ | (650) 752-6492 | WEBSITE
Healthy eating is different for everyone. Maybe your diet has barely made a dent on your cravings. You may still be tempted, but you still deserve to indulge. As such it’s only right you go somewhere wholesome. This is Oren’s Hummus in a nutshell. It’s easily one of the most satisfying spots in Palo Alto, and you can get a complete meal for around $15. Perfect for when you want to nourish the body, deliciously.
Kali Greek Kitchen
$ | (650) 272-6950 | WEBSITE
Every now and then everybody wants to be treated like a Greek island local. To be welcomed warmly. To be served fluffy, buttery rice and grilled meats in a modern, chic setting. To finish your meal and find a plate of honey-drenched loukoumades waiting for you. If that’s how you’re looking to be treated on a casual Tuesday (who isn’t?), then head to Kali Greek Kitchen. This Mediterranean spot is as inviting as they come.
Mediterranean Wraps
$ | (650) 321-8189 | WEBSITE
If there’s any time to head to Mediterranean Wraps for a meal, it’s immediately after you’ve been craving authentic flavors. This spot in Palo Alto is known for being on the ‘how delicious?!’ side of things, though the falafel wrap is actually fairly affordable. It’s an excellent place to satisfy your hunger if you’re looking for something modest and clean, but still very tasty.
Anatolian Kitchen
$$ | (650) 853-9700 | WEBSITE
This upscale Mediterranean spot in Palo Alto has everything you need for the perfect celebratory meal. By everything we mean high quality lamb kofte, chicken shish kebab, and adana kebab. Come in here with a group ready to spend a bit and have a lot of fun. That’s what this place suits.
Orens Hummus Express
$ | (650) 563-6736 | WEBSITE
Saving up for a rainy day doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good meal now and then. You can’t just stash every dollar and live on basic sandwiches forever, can you. We certainly couldn’t. Orens Hummus Express is definitely a satisfying kind of spot but not necessarily somewhere you’d eat at daily. The hummus is authentic, solid value, and a bit, well, distinctive. Stuff like the Jaffa Style Hummus with its unique flavor, or the Express Plates that come with a variety of dips and salads.
This is a fun, lunch break, treat-yourself place.