What makes a Mediterranean meal truly transportive? It’s the balance of bright lemon against earthy olive oil, the crisp char on grilled vegetables, and the way fresh herbs can make each bite feel like sunshine. In Fayetteville, chefs are honoring these traditions with house-made pita, locally sourced lamb, and spreads so vibrant you’ll want to eat them by the spoonful. Here are the eight spots doing it best—and exactly what to order.
Emelia’s Kitchen
$ | (479) 527-9800 | WEBSITE
The super fresh hummus at Fayetteville’s Emelia’s Kitchen is the best in the neighborhood. There’s no corporate vibe here, and you’ll usually find standout dishes like the bone-in pork chop, Portobello Benedict, and Greek salad with chicken, with specials like amazing omelets during brunch. It’s a great place to pick your favorite Mediterranean dish and get it served with fresh tomatoes, pita bread, and yummy vegetable dressings, and some generous portions that let you take some home.
Go for at least one perfectly cooked pork chop when you can. It’s chef-attention detailed (which makes the quality ingredients the stars), delicious, and just super memorable to eat.
K-fash Mediterranean cuisine
$ | (479) 443-1980 | WEBSITE
If you’ve wandered through the streets of Fayetteville looking for authentic Mediterranean food, you’ve likely heard whispers about K-fash Mediterranean Cuisine. From ordering the perfectly spiced falafel platter for a quick lunch to savoring the tender lamb qozi for dinner, there are plenty of reasons why this cozy cafe has become a beloved hidden gem in the area.
Their dishes are remarkably fresh and bursting with authentic flavors, and since they prepare everything made-to-order using quality ingredients, they offer a variety of options that’s more extensive than many other spots in town.
CAVA
$ | (479) 396-4278 | WEBSITE
This Mediterranean spot serves things like customizable bowls, pitas, and fresh vegetables, but one of the main reasons to head here is for the selection of sauces that are made in-house daily. You can order ahead of time or stop by the counter and check out the specials on the digital menu board. They have flavors like Lemon Herb Tahini, harissa, and tzatziki, which thankfully you can add generously.
The falafel here is crispy, golden-brown and has a tender interior, and with spicy chicken, avocado, and well-prepared hummus, there are lots of ways to make each bite flavorful, healthy or indulgent.
Tangiers
$ | (479) 301-2211 | WEBSITE
Tangiers is one of our favorite places to go for a quick and casual Mediterranean meal for lunch or dinner. You can dress up the deliciously fresh pita with classic hummus and extra pita bread, gyros with tiziki sauce and feta cheese, or just go basic with the crispy fries served with ‘fry’ sauce. They’re on the huge side, which means if you go the entrée route—which is the best way to eat them—be prepared for some serious plate coverage and some super sharing.
But with an ideal variety of meats and vegan options, it’s the kind of feast we actually look forward to.
Little Greek Fresh Grill
$ | (479) 442-4700 | WEBSITE
If you want Greek food with as much flavor as a Mediterranean sunset, head to Fayetteville’s Little Greek Fresh Grill. The mall spot has people lining up for their big, generously portioned meals. They have classic dishes like perfectly spiced lamb, but their sauces showcase their creativity. The lamb with citrus sauce is the perfect layering of spice and tang, all on a plate that makes for a satisfying meal.
Each bite is slightly savory, bright, and has everything that makes Greek cuisine so great—while being much more affordable. Come here for a quick bite, a few lamb plates, and meals you’ll want to eat down to the last bite.
Petra Cafe
$ | (479) 443-3090 | WEBSITE
You probably heard of Petra Cafe long before you visited their spot in the historic downtown building (thanks to their reputation for authentic Mediterranean cuisine)—and their reputation lives up to the hype. They serve delicious daily specials from morning to evening, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
It’s the signature dishes, though, like the lamb gyro and the Petra platter with hummus, babaganoush, falafel, and tabouleh, that make this more than just your neighborhood Mediterranean spot. After we tried the sweet baklava and Turkish Coffee, we literally turned our car around to buy extra just so we could enjoy them again at home.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe – Fayetteville
$ | (479) 521-8291 | WEBSITE
Of course Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe makes great food—the Fayetteville Mediterranean restaurant serves some of the best pesto chicken wraps, spicy hummus, and whipped feta in town. The wraps here are perfectly grilled on the outside, tender on the inside, and are filled with so much extra chicken that you have to pause just to appreciate the generous portions.
Plus, the friendly cafe gets bonus points for offering so many vegetarian choices like vegetable plates, hummus, and rice that even meat-eaters find themselves tempted. Order it with the new spicy hummus on the side, but we also love it simple, with nothing but a bit of their housemade tzatziki sauce.
Kosmos Greekafe
$ | (479) 521-7482 | WEBSITE
Kosmos Greekafe is a Fayetteville favorite and it’s easy to see why. The cozy, welcoming space—that we love to head to for a casual meal or a boys’ night out—has Greek food down to a science. When you walk in, you’ll see a clean lobby with tables cleared immediately for new guests. The portions are perfectly balanced between generous and satisfying, and have a nice depth from their consistently good, authentic flavors.
Dishes are reasonably priced, but we usually go for their popular Chicken & Rice or the flavorful Pork “SPARTAN” souvlaki, and wash it all down with a Greek iced coffee frappe.
