19 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Des Moines

“Tuscany is a real treat! A classic venue that is full of mid-century charm. The food is all solid, tasty Americana diner fare but with a lot of homemade baked goods. We came the day before St. Patrick's and they had fresh (still warm!) soda bread. Their regular assortment of breads includes grab-and-go loaves of walnut banana bread baked to perfection.All-star service, good food, and baked goods to go? A real classic!“

“The aromatic scents called me in from the road. After a cold day working outside, I needed something warm to eat. I was greeted by a friendly cook who quickly took my order and began prepping my food. Within minutes, I had a hot and delicious gyro in my possession. With nice savory sauces, plenty of lettuce and pickled veggies, and tons of delicious hot lamb, this gyro is the best thing I've had on the island. The pita was warm and fresh which made the pairing of it all that much more enjoyable. You get a decent amount of food for only $11! Enough to share, definitely. I will be back again.“

“My husband and I loved this place.The food was very good, fresh ingredients and just right. Salmon was amazing!If you are interested in trying something different this is one place you must go to. I also loved the environment and music...workers were very polite and sweet.“

“Gyro Flame truly exceeded all expectations with their impeccable service, delicious food, and inviting atmosphere. The service was top-notch, receiving a solid 5/5 rating. The staff was attentive, friendly, and ensured a delightful dining experience from start to finish.The food at Gyro Flame deserves nothing short of a perfect score of 5/5. Every dish was bursting with flavor and made with quality ingredients. From their signature gyro to their mouthwatering sides, each bite was a culinary delight.The atmosphere at Gyro Flame was exceptional, earning another 5/5 rating. The ambiance was warm and welcoming, creating the perfect setting for a cozy meal with friends or family. The decor and lighting added to the overall charm of the restaurant, making it a memorable dining destination.Overall, Gyro Flame is a standout restaurant that delivers on all fronts. With outstanding service, delectable food, and a captivating atmosphere, it's no wonder it earns a perfect 5/5 rating across the board. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience.“

“Honestly this place is amazing. Hidden gem for sure. When you walk inside it looks anticlimactic a subpar food establishment. I was lured in from the reviews and they did not disappoint. 10/10 hands down. We loved every one of the 5 entrees we ate and the prices and portions were impressive (dessert too) One massive suggestion we agreed upon need large photos of each dish because in this particular demographic most folk don’t know exactly what the names of dishes and ingredients are when we read from the menu.“

“I wanna share a secret:Leftovers from Gold Schnitzel are heaven, even 24 hrs later. I put it in the oven and wow. Leftover French fries are normally awful. These were incredible. And the onion rings too. And other leftovers.And this is what I love about gold schnitzel. They give a generous amount of food. You leave there with boxes for the leftovers and a full stomach ???“

“Absolutely delicious. Cooked fresh there. Delightful! I loved the food. The owner is so friendly. Very healthy food, very reasonable. The 2 other guests raved about the food. There's this location, one on Graham Street and a 3rd. I brought a dish home for breakfast. Wonderful restaurant!“

“Food was as good as the service . Last time I bring my wife n son to their shop. And they are very unpredictable of how each sandwich will taste . Each 3 times I ordered same food but it never is the same . Hey , I tipped too much like a fool .. hope ur experience is better than mine .“

“The breakfast taste pretty good. Nice pancake. Makes you want to eat more. The side dish is pretty nice. Lamb with bomb also pretty nice. Fried chicken taste pretty interesting as well. Not bad for one that isn't freshed fried. Enjoyed the meal in this small restaurant. Have to come back for some other dishes.“

“First time here. I am Romanian but my sister in law and niece are not. We had Salata de vinete cu feta si Salata de rosii, schnitzel, mamaliga and mititei. Oh wow delicious!! The owners are a very hard working couple. She's mostly in the back and he's front and back. I'm only in town for 3 days ... I'll be back!!“

“I've had a couple of different items from here. The food is just as consistent as the establishment lol. I think this place has been here since I was in like...middle school and it's close to my 20 year reunion...fyi lol The rice-good!! Flavorful and delicious Greek salad (my favs)- the dressing...it's the dressing for me. Some type of olive dressing and it's so good. They should sale it by the bottle. Falafel- these are the BEST falafels. PERIOD!!. They are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, very well seasoned, well portioned, they're just everything. I suggest everyone go here ONCE! At least once. Then I guarantee you'll go back.“

“I recently visited this charming coffee shop and was thoroughly impressed! Not only does it offer a cozy atmosphere perfect for unwinding or catching up with friends, but the view from its windows is absolutely stunning. The bakery selection is top-notch, with a delightful array of pastries and treats that perfectly complement their delicious coffee offerings. I can't wait to visit again and indulge in more of their delectable goodies while enjoying that beautiful view!“

“How does this place not have higher reviews?! I got the falafel and eggplant sandwich but as a tortilla wrap, with the fries on the side. It came with this delicious sauce that I think was tamarind. The dolmas were also great, real fresh and warm dolmas not the canned kind that some places sell and upcharge the heck out of. They even gave us some tasty soup while we were waiting for our order to get made. Overall great food for the price point, take out held up very well on the drive home, and better quality than any other Mediterranean spot in this area.“

“This is my second time going there I got myself lamb&beef shawarma also spicy chicken shawarma with the sauce that gives a little kick to it sheeeeeeesh & let me tell you this, it was fresh well seasoned, amazing full of flavors, healthy & delicious. This is by far the best shawarma I had Mashallah.“

“The tradition of finding some of the best food in the most unassuming places could not be more true of Ishtar. This was our first time here and even though we're dans of a hole in the wall, even we were suspicious. But it was a slam dunk. The owner was awesome, service was friendly and familiar, and we learned they have been open for 10 years, surviving COVID. Could not recommend this place more.We got the chicken tikka and the lamb gyro, both were excellent. When you're craving a gyro, come here.“

“Food was great! Very tasty, and the environment was big and clean. Only complaint I have is they are VERY STINGY with their sauce ?. my gyro had no tzatziki sauce at all. And my Greek fries had little to no sauce at all I honestly thought I had someone else’s order. I then went up to the counter to purchase the sauce which I don’t mind paying extra for , but the guy almost charged me 8$ for the 2 very small cups of sauce. It was comical. They size of sauce is about the size of a dime. I do recommend this restaurant and will be back for lunch today none the less.“

“I make it a point to stop at Sahara Cafe every time I'm near the airport! I always get the lamb gyro plate because it was so delicious the first time I ordered it. It comes with meat sautéed with peppers and onions, rice, salad, cooked greens, and a banana. The meat is super tender and flavorful. I love the rice; they give you a lot of it! The salad can get very wilty next to the hot food, so I recommend to eat that right away. The greens are flavorful and delicious! Also try the red and green hot sauces! They knock my socks off with spiciness, so make sure you do a taste test before dumping them on. I've always done take out, but there is an indoor seating area attached that is open for dine-in. They do large orders for local community members, so make sure you order early. I wait at least 30 minutes most times I order from there. Another struggle is the parking. There's a tiny drive beside the restaurant for parking and often cars park on the sidewalk. It can be a little scary but well worth the hassle!“

“Nice people and GREAT, TASTY FOOD! First time at D'Lara and it will NOT be my last. I was pleasantly greeted and both servers were friendly. Love Greek food and ordered the lamb kebabs, Greek fries and a side order of babaganoush. Lamb was extremely well-cooked and the sides were wonderful. Everything was cooked made-to-order and was served NICE AND HOT. I will surely be back next time I'm at the Outlet Mall. HIGHLY recommended! Thanks.“

“Mawadda’s menu has a range of classic Middle Eastern options. They label vegetarian options, but vegan options should be asked about. Generally, you can trust that their tahini sauce is vegan. I enjoyed a falafel sandwich and hummus plate during in a quiet, orderly atmosphere.Vegetarian options: There are several vegetarian and vegan options. Things are well described and servers can speak to the ingredients of each dish and if it’s vegan or not.“