Mediterranean Restaurants in Memphis

June 14, 2026

Memphis has a long-running appetite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, from Lebanese mezze and Turkish kebabs to Greek gyros and North African specialties. Unlike a national delivery app that reduces every kitchen to the same set of stock photos, a local Mediterranean restaurant lets diners taste house-made hummus, ask how the shawarma is spiced and stacked, and find out whether the meat is halal and the falafel fried to order. Memphis is Tennessee’s second-largest city, with a population of roughly 619,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and that base supports a wide range of family-run counters and full-service dining rooms across the city and its eastern suburbs.

These restaurants generally fall into two formats. Fast-casual spots assemble shawarma wraps, gyros, falafel plates, and rice bowls to order at an accessible price, which works well for a weekday lunch or a casual family dinner. Full-service dining rooms lean into shareable mezze, grilled meats, and longer menus meant for a sit-down meal. Many Memphis Mediterranean kitchens are owned by families with roots in Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, or the broader region, and the recipes are frequently handed down through generations. Halal sourcing is common but not universal: because halal is a specific religious standard rather than a general marketing claim, diners who require it should confirm it directly with the restaurant rather than assume it.

Restaurants in Memphis operate under a defined food-service regulatory framework. Every establishment that prepares and serves food must hold a food-service permit and pass routine inspections; in Shelby County the Shelby County Health Department carries out that inspection program under standards set by the Tennessee Department of Health. Prepared food sold by a restaurant is taxed at the full combined sales tax rate rather than the reduced grocery rate, and in Shelby County that combined rate reaches roughly 9.75% (the 7% state rate plus the local option). Any restaurant that serves beer, wine, or liquor needs the appropriate permit; liquor-by-the-drink and on-premises alcohol service are licensed through the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), with local beer permits handled at the city level.

Diners also have practical consumer protections. The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), which addresses deceptive trade practices and can apply to disputes over advertised prices or misrepresented goods. Allergen and ingredient questions are worth raising directly with the kitchen, especially for sesame in tahini and hummus, nuts in baklava and some sauces, and dairy in tzatziki and feta. For catering or large group orders, confirming the quote, the headcount, and the pickup or delivery time in writing avoids confusion. The profiles below cover three established Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants in Memphis, each verified through the restaurant’s own website.

Top Mediterranean Restaurant Providers in Memphis

1. Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill

Address: 5030 Poplar Avenue, Suite 7, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 725-8557
Website: https://www.alibabamemphis.com
Services: Middle Eastern charcoal-grilled barbecue, kebabs, k’nafa and handmade desserts, dine-in, online ordering
Description: Ali Baba is a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant that describes its cooking as authentic Middle Eastern barbecue grilled over a charcoal pit in a Memphis style. The kitchen is halal, indicated on its website, and its house specialty is k’nafa, a sweet cheese pastry, with all desserts made by hand by the chef. The business operates several Memphis-area locations: the East Memphis store on Poplar Avenue, a Midtown location at 1707 Madison Avenue (901-421-6949), and a Germantown location at 7609 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN 38138 (901-425-5908). Service includes dine-in and online ordering across its locations.

2. Cedars Restaurant

Address: 694 N. Germantown Parkway, Suite 64, Cordova (Memphis metro), TN 38018
Phone: (901) 509-2784
Website: https://cedarsrestaurantinc.com
Services: shawarma sandwiches (beef, chicken, gyro, veggie, mixed), kebab plates (chicken, kofta, lamb), falafel, stuffed grape leaves, baba ghanooj, hummus, kibbeh, baklava, dine-in, takeout, online ordering
Description: Cedars Restaurant is a Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean restaurant on North Germantown Parkway in the Cordova area on the east side of the Memphis metro. The menu spans shawarma sandwiches in beef, chicken, gyro, veggie, and mixed versions, kebab plates including chicken, kofta, and lamb, and shawarma plates, alongside vegetarian items such as falafel, stuffed grape leaves, baba ghanooj, and hummus, plus kibbeh, arayis, and baklava for dessert. The restaurant emphasizes food made from scratch with fresh ingredients and offers dine-in, takeout, and online ordering. Diners who require halal should confirm sourcing for specific dishes with the restaurant.

3. Shawarma King

Address: 6196 Macon Road, Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: (901) 454-3036
Website: https://shawarmakingmemphis.com
Services: shawarma, gyro salad, vegetarian plate, spring rolls, traditional Mediterranean dishes, online ordering, takeout, delivery
Description: Shawarma King is a Mediterranean restaurant on Macon Road in east Memphis that draws on Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese traditions. As its name signals, shawarma anchors the menu, which also features items such as a gyro salad, a vegetarian plate, and spring rolls, with the kitchen emphasizing traditional dishes and chefs experienced in regional cooking. Ordering is available through online platforms, supporting takeout and delivery. Because halal status is not stated on the site, diners who require halal should confirm it directly with the restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mediterranean Restaurants in Memphis

Q: What permits does a Mediterranean restaurant in Memphis need to operate?

Every restaurant that prepares and serves food must hold a food-service permit and pass routine health inspections. In Shelby County the Shelby County Health Department runs the inspection program under standards set by the Tennessee Department of Health. A restaurant that serves beer, wine, or liquor also needs the appropriate alcohol permits, with liquor-by-the-drink and on-premises service licensed through the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and local beer permits handled at the city level.

Q: How much sales tax will I pay on a restaurant meal in Memphis?

Prepared food served by a restaurant is taxed at the full combined sales tax rate, not the reduced grocery rate. In Shelby County that combined rate reaches roughly 9.75%, which is the 7% Tennessee state rate plus the local option tax. The tax applies to the prepared meal, and any added gratuity policy should appear on the menu or check.

Q: Are Mediterranean restaurants in Memphis halal?

Some are and some are not. Halal refers to a specific religious sourcing and preparation standard, so it should not be assumed simply because a restaurant serves Mediterranean or Middle Eastern food. Ali Baba, for example, indicates that its kitchen is halal. Diners who require halal should confirm it directly with the restaurant for the specific dishes they plan to order.

Q: What is the difference between fast-casual and full-service Mediterranean spots in Memphis?

Fast-casual counters build shawarma wraps, gyros, falafel plates, and bowls to order at the counter, which suits quick lunches and family dinners. Full-service dining rooms focus on shareable mezze, grilled meats, and a sit-down experience with table service. Both formats are well represented across Memphis and its eastern suburbs, so the right choice depends on the occasion and the pace you want.

Q: Can these restaurants handle catering or large orders?

Many Mediterranean restaurants offer catering or large group orders, since shawarma and gyro platters, kebabs, salads, and mezze spreads travel well for office lunches and gatherings. Cedars and Ali Baba support online ordering, and Shawarma King offers online ordering for takeout and delivery. Confirm the headcount, the menu, the price quote, and the pickup or delivery time in writing when you book a large order.

Q: What protections do I have if a Memphis restaurant misrepresents its food or pricing?

The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), which addresses deceptive trade practices and can apply to disputes over advertised prices or misrepresented goods. For food safety concerns, the Shelby County Health Department maintains restaurant inspection records. Keeping your receipt and any advertisement helps if you need to raise a complaint.