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Best Mediterranean Cuisine In Pittsburgh

Mediterranean cuisine contains a wide variety of dishes from the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Syria are just some of the options. Although these countries have varied backgrounds and heritage, the common theme to their food is fresh meat, vegetables and herbs prepared by grilling or broiling. In Italy and Spain, fresh seafood makes up an important part of the diet in dishes such as paella and risotto with seafood. If you are in the mood for some fresh, healthily-prepared dishes with abundant fresh spices, these restaurants offer the best of the Med right here in Pittsburgh.
Photo Credit: www.tymaz.com
Tyma'z Middle Eastern Restaurant
96 Rochester Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15229
(412) 931-9005
www.tymaz.com

Tyma'z, located in West View, is known for its warm and friendly atmosphere. Chef and owner, Radwa Ibrahim is a native of Syria and prepares traditional Middle Eastern recipes for the restaurant's guests. The food is freshly prepared upon ordering using fresh herbs and hand-cut meats. The large menu contains appetizers such as falafel (patties made of ground chick peas and tahini sauce) for $5, fresh entree salads with kabob meat for $15 to $18, and entrees such as beef shwarma (thick-sliced steak with a bold sauce) for $17. For vegetarians there are entrees such as sleek (fresh kale with cracked wheat, onions, black eyed peas and spices) for $13. Top off your meal with a fresh-made daily dessert for $3. Tyma'z serves dinner only Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sundays, but lunch events can be scheduled in advance. It is also a BYOB establishment.

Photo Credit: www.kabob-g.com
Kabob-G Grill
3821 Willow Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 343-3383
www.kabob-g.com

Located in Castle Shannon, Kabob-G Grill is family owned and specializes in Lebanese cuisine. Start off with an appetizer, such as the mezza platter, an assortment of Lebanese appetizers that includes hummus, baba ghnnouj, tabboolee, feta cheese, calamata olives, turnips and pickles for $12.99. Move on to some baked kibbee, a mixture of sirlon, herbs and bulgur wheat stuffed with sauteed beef, onions and almonds and baked, served with side salad or cucumber yogurt for $12. Vegetarians will enjoy the Lebanese salad for $6 or fattoush, which is chopped parsley, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers tossed with shredded lettuce, pita chips, sumac, lemon and olive oil for $13.50. Top your meal off with some baklava for $1.50.

Photo Credit: KDKA
Casbah
229 S. Highland Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 661-5656
www.bigburrito.com/

Located in Shadyside, Casbah offers an elegant dining atmosphere as well as an extensive wine bar. For a delightful appetizer, try the cheese tasting. Diners may choose from any three, five or seven cheeses for $12 to $20. The dinner menu offers a vierty of pasta dishes such as red pepper casereccia, with pan-seared sea scallops, jumbo lump crab, roasted garlic and parsley butter for $31, or meat entrees such as lamb, chicken, pork chops and filet mignong ranging from $24 to $38. For vegetarians, mushroom risotto with chicken of the woods mushrooms, golden raisins, pea tendrills, gremolata, hazelnuts and parmigiano-reggiano for $23 is a must.

Related: Best Greek Restaurants in Pittsburgh

Photo Credit: Thinkstock
Mike & Tony's Gyros
927 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 391-4077
www.mikeandtonysgyros.com

If you are looking to pick up some quick food downtown or on the South Side, Mike & Tony's Gyros is perfect. Although Mike & Tony's has "the best gyros in town" it also offers a full, delicious menu. Try its pierogies served with a small Greek salad for $6.75, or the sandwich special which includes the traditional gyro and Italian gyro meat plus steak with a side of fries and a drink for $6. Vegetarians may enjoy a large Greek salad for $4. Mike & Tony's is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Photo Credit: www.ephesuspizza.com
Ephesus Mediterranean Kitchen
322 4th Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 522-9020
www.ephesuspizza.com

Ephesus Mediterranean Kitchen brings the flavors of Mediterranean food into an area staple: the pizza. Known as pide (pe-day) in Turkey, these pizzas have thin crust, cheese, fresh vegetables such as spinach, tomatoes and hot peppers, meat such as gyro, soujcuk (turkish pepperoni) and beef salami and in some cases egg for $8.99. Wraps and gyro platters are also available with chicken, gyro or lamb meat from $5 to $9. Ephesus delivers to many downtown locations and also has a location in Bellevue. It's open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Related: Best Chefs Heating up the Culinary Scene in Pittsburgh

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Jennifer Stockdale is a native of the greater Pittsburgh, PA area. She is a restaurant marketer and wine enthusiast and one of the hosts of the East Coast Wine Geeks Podcast. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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