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    Mediterranean Cafe

    4.1 (768 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    MEDITERRANEAN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Mediterranean Cafe

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    Salmon Greek Salad
    Lin J.

    Such a cute spot. Food was good. Service was good. Portion sizes was huge!! I couldn't finish this salad. Nice location within walking distance to work-UCSD Hillcrest.

    The salad was delicious also
    Debra G.

    This place is so delicious and the customer service is excellent and the food is soo Authentic and delicious!!! Our new go to Mediterranean cuisine we give 10 Stars

    Dinner for Two Special
    Francesca P.

    Came for dinner here on a Saturday with family to watch some friends in the belly dance community perform. There is only street parking but we were able to find a spot that was metered but free after 6pm. The restaurant is small with only a few tables and seems like a small family-run business. The portions were extremely generous, reasonably priced, and each dish I tried was delicious. I got the dinner for two to share and it was massive. I got to try the beef, chicken, gyro, and falafel, rice, grilled veggies, stuffed grape leaves, and side salad. The meat was extremely tender, juicy, and flavorful. The falafel was a little dry but the side sauces that came with the meal helped. I love that they bring local talent to entertain patrons and would definitely return again.

    Chicken Hummus Plate

    Food tastes great. Nice man working the counter and relatively quick service. Good experience overall.

    Empty dinner rush
    Kevin T.

    TL;DR: NO. HEAVY PASS. GO HUNGRY. Sour taste in all dishes. Terrible seasoning. Protein buuuuurned. Oh ya, found a curly hair in my bite. Nothing tasted fresh...including the salad. Avoid at all costs. Do not be fooled by the quality or quantity of reviews. Mediterranean Cafe in Hillcrest is hands down the WORST Mediterranean food I've had, and not just in San Diego - ever. *Sorry for the rant but this was an overall terrible experience* [negative stars if possible] Was craving Mediterranean and blindly decided on Mediterranean Cafe based on the rating, and after reading some Yelp Elite reviews. Friendly reminder to do your homework! Your stomach will thank you Phoned Mediterranean Cafe in Hillcrest and ordered the Dinner for 2 takeout for $36.58. While this is not a terribly expensive meal by today's standards, this is absolutely not worth a single penny of that price tag. If I could go back, I'd rather just have burned it. I'm all for supporting local businesses but this food is not worth supporting. Was told that it would be a 20-minute wait (no problem - was expecting 30 given it was prime dinner time ~7p) - looking back I can't believe it took more than 10 I show up for pick-up and the place was...empty (kicking myself for not realizing what I was walking into). Let who seemed like the owner of the place know that I was there for pick up and paid. He checked the pass and saw my order was partially complete. After a quick conversation with the kitchen, I was informed it would be ready soon. Strolled the empty restaurant for about 5 minutes before I was handed the meal. Still, as I'm writing this, I'm realizing the delay is not frustrating. It's just confusing. Quick drive home and we get ready to dig in (see pictures) and proceed to regret each bite starting from the first Regrets: Salad: [#1 regret] Found such a curly hair in the second bite of already wilting greens...and there goes the appetite. Also, unfortunate to report the rest of the experience was better by 'just a hair'' Chicken and Beef kebabs: everything is charred. Both sides. Onions and bell peppers included. You eat it because it's the protein of the dish, not because you want to Dolma: wow this was weird all the way through. The grape leaf wrapping smelled sour and after biting through, the texture of the wrapped rice was mushy and even more sour. Truly difficult to even put a single bite down Falafel: questionable texture and seasoning. Might have been microwaved. Equal possibility of canned? Definite frozen. Hummus: grainy, and covered in even more sour chunks of feta - not tasty Ok: Gyros meat was acceptable/passable as cooked. Still is not worth getting Pita: dry as a thick soft saltine but at least this was edible and in good amount. Pita was paired with some home cooked eggs for our actual dinner I am not looking for a second chance to prove quality nor show off customer service. I am not looking for my money back. I am not looking for any excuses or apologies. I will absolutely never set foot in there again I am all for supporting local businesses - especially in a post-covid era where franchises and chains have been able to weather the storm and are buying up local shops trying to recover best they can. That said... This is not the food to support To the owner(s): I'm sure food was once your top priority. It is very clear that it no longer is. I hope you rediscover the passion for flavor if you decide to keep serving San Diegans. 0/5

    Chicken Kabob Plate
    Vesta B.

    I came here for the first time with my family and right away we were greeted. Fred (The owner) was so friendly and welcoming that we felt at home immediately. The menu offers you so many options that it's so hard to just pick one thing! We got the chicken kabob plate and it was delicious! It was so flavorful and cooked to perfection. It was so delicious that we were dancing in our seats and just kept saying how good it was. This place is amazing!! If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Excellent staff, service and food! Highly recommended for a great meal and a great conversation!

    Brenda B.

    I loved the chicken on skewer and the gyro meat. The rice was ok. Love the humus and I did like the salad. I placed my order through the website for pick up.

    3 types of meat for the dinner for two!
    Jonathan Z.

    Ordered through door dash, the Dinner for Two for $32 is a pretty good deal considering the amount of food you get. First of, you get a large greek salad, complete with feta and olives and a couple dressing options- one creamy and one balsamic. Then there's also an appetizer platter that comes with tabouli, hummus, dolma, falafels, and a bunch of olives. The entrees include a chicken kabob, beef kabob, and a helping of shaved lamb atop a bed of rice, and two foil-wrapped pitas, also complete with a creamy tzatziki sauce. The pistachio baklava wasn't included, but we decided to get it to complete the dinner. They've also got a walnut baklava option too. While not the best presentation, the quality of the food wasn't bad for the price. It was a nice, quick option for an indecisive Tuesday evening for two.

    Chicken Kabob

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    6 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    Photo of Fred L.

    Fred L.

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    Fred L.

    Thank you for your kind words. Hope to see you soon again.

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    3 years ago

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    Fred L.

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    8 months ago

    Authentic traditional Greek & Mediterranean food. Excellent quality and service. One of my go-to neighborhood places for lunch and dinner.

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    Fred L.

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    9 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    Fred L.

    Thank you for your review. See you soon.

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    Page 1 of 20

    Mediterranean Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mediterranean Cafe

    Leila

    Leila

    4.1
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    What a wonderful experience! A group of 4 had a special dinner at Leila on July 5 to celebrate my…read morebirthday. We all were very impressed by the restaurant, food, service and helpful attitude of the staff. Since the restaurant is relatively new, none of us had experienced it before, and we all highly recommend it! First, the ambience - you come in off the street into a different world, a desert oasis under a skylit roof where the stars dance above. The floor is set up like an oasis with a stream incorporated into the decor, where you can have a tasty cocktail while your table is set up for your group. The dining areas are under a nomadic tent so you have the appearance of Bedouin enclosure that is beautiful! Then there's the service - outstanding! A careful introduction to the menu and foods available, led by a knowledgeable server who is attentive to your food desires. We ordered the appetizer sampler with several humus dishes and naan bread plus pita bread. It was AMAZING! We asked for a second round of the tasty breads! The flavors of the sampler items were delicious and everyone loved them. Our dinner was the kabob sampler - beef, lamb, salmon and chicken. FABULOUS! We all left satisfied and sated with deliciousness. I must say the lamb was particularly good - well but lightly seasoned, tender and juicy. Desserts were ice cream dishes plus a birthday macaroon with Happy Birthday on it, along with my name.. it was a wonderful end to a beautiful event!

    Okay so this one is a little complicated but I will still keep it simple. To wow someone and spend…read morea night in the Middle East...no place better. You know the rules...one quick review, let's go: Food: good not great. Not bad by any means, apps good, mains were a little bland Cocktails: NEXT LEVEL flavors and spirits I haven't seen outside of the Middle East Ambiance: this is why you go...worth it just for this Service: we nice, attentive and great.

    Photos
    Downstairs bar
    Downstairs bar
    Lamb Shank
    Lamb Shank
    Upstairs bar

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    Upstairs bar
    Micho'z Fresh Lebanese Grill

    Micho'z Fresh Lebanese Grill

    4.3
    (854 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Always a true delight! I come here often, and this family…read morebusiness is still going strong after many, many years here in Hillcrest. I just love the food, plenty of good parking in the back of the restaurant. Easy on your wallet with a vast menu......... No one cooks like the Lebanese. I'm an Egyptian, and we don't even come close. The Lebanese are the best at cooking Middle Eastern Cuisine, no question, Hands down. Try the dessert, Konafe, you won't be sorry.

    I really wanted to like it here, I've passed by it so many times!…read more First, the service was not friendly. We walked in and there was only 1 other customer. The lady working there didnt greet us, ask us if we are eating in or taking out, she just stood and stared at us until we said something. It was a tad awkward. Rest of our time there was a bit similar, it just seemed like she really didn't want to be there. Second, the food was so bad. We got chicken shawarma wraps and they were 50% sauce, and the rest was lettuce, tomato, and boiled unseasoned chicken. My friend and I tried so hard to eat it but wow.. honestly worst wrap of my life. It was also on happy hour but we got charged full price anyway. At that point we were ready to go so didnt even argue the extra charge it was just a bad experience overall. Im so confused about all the good reviews! Maybe we just got the wrong thing..

    Photos
    Ambience inside
    Ambience inside
    Greek salad with chicken
    Greek salad with chicken
    Chicken Kabob (Tawook) Sandwich

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    Chicken Kabob (Tawook) Sandwich
    Alexi's Greek Cafe

    Alexi's Greek Cafe

    4.3
    (773 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $

    Literally THE BEST Greek food I have ever eaten! I was craving Mediterranean food and came across…read morethis cafe while visiting the museums at Balboa Park. Homemade, fresh and delicious. I enjoyed everything and even took leftovers, as the portions are big. I was mesmerized by the fantastic lemon soup with rice and their salad with fresh Feta cheese. The owner is very sweet and gave great suggestions on portion-wise what to order. The cafe is quaint and the walls are covered in beautiful photos of Greece, as well as appreciation plaques from the community. This is the only Greek restaurant that I will visit here in San Diego.

    I've been coming to Alexi's for years--honestly close to a decade by now. I came most recently last…read morenight, and I hadn't been in quite a while. Everything was as I remembered. The owner is extremely friendly. The food is classic Greek cafe/diner food. My friend and I ordered a gyro pita sandwich, a small Greek salad, and a chicken kabob with a side of tzatziki. Everything was awesome! The meats were seasoned and flavorful, the salad super fresh, and the tzatziki was incredibly well-crafted. This is a low-key, no-frills Greek joint in the heart of an overly gentrified area, but it holds its own and has for years. The interior isn't going to wow you, but it will transport you back to the 90s and make you feel like you're at home and welcome. Definitely come by and try out some of the items! The baklava is really good here as well.

    Photos
    Alexi's Greek Cafe
    Lunch Gyro Pita Sandwich Lunch
    Lunch Gyro Pita Sandwich Lunch
    Alexi's Greek Cafe

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    Mediterranean Cafe - greek - Updated July 2026

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