Love or hate Tulsa, the reality of craving Mediterranean in Oklahoma is that at some point you’ll find yourself in the 741—and you’ll be hungry. Though you can find a few spots where a falafel won’t break the bank, you’re more likely to be coming here for classic Tulsa restaurants that lean towards the authentic side of things. Tulsa might occasionally feel overlooked, but eating Mediterranean here doesn’t have to be.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe – 71st and Yale
$ | (918) 986-8291 | WEBSITE
Some people go to the burger joint twice a week, and others go to the Mexican spot twice a week. We’re in the Taziki’s camp. This Mediterranean cafe sits at 71st and Yale, and while it’s part of a reliable chain rather than a local mom-and-pop, the comfortable, not-too-crowded atmosphere with patio seating is where you’ll find us on many a lunch hour. Choose between chicken, salmon, or gyros, and enjoy it in a Greek salad bowl, on a sandwich, or as a plate.
We mix it up, but the grilled fish sandwich with its crispy texture and flavorful caper dill tartar sauce is a particular highlight—for around $15 you’ll get a fresh, well-prepared meal that’s a healthy break from the usual.
Gyros By Ali, Tulsa
$ | (918) 528-6107 | WEBSITE
This Mediterranean spot in Tulsa is certainly a find, but not in the way you’d expect from a restaurant on a typical strip. Regulars gather around the same gyro platters they’ve been enjoying for years, and solo diners who are all craving something authentic savor every bite so they can actually feel transported. Being in Gyros By Ali’s cozy dining area is like being in that neighborhood gem where no matter when you visit, you’ll taste something memorable.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe – Tulsa
$ | (918) 986-8288 | WEBSITE
Perhaps one day the people of Tulsa will get tired of going to fancy steakhouses, but until then, full steam ahead. Taziki’s cozy, single-room space fills nightly with families and office workers grabbing quick, comforting meals. Beyond the casual atmosphere, the Mediterranean-focused menu is consistently good and occasionally great.
Start with the hummus and warm pita appetizer, then go all-in on entrees, including grilled shrimp over basmati rice and spicy chicken with roasted red potatoes that the friendly staff will insist are the best dishes from the original recipes. They’re the best ones in Tulsa, too.
Bill & Ruth’s Restaurant
$ | (918) 664-8181 | WEBSITE
Tulsa has plenty of Mediterranean spots, but Bill & Ruth’s Restaurant is serving the most welcoming meal in the neighborhood. (Think classic options like gyros with that delicious bread and vegetarian salads.) This place is located on the street level with ample parking, and it’s not totally unlike one of those cozy family establishments where everyone feels at home.
There are plenty of tables with room for kids and wheelchair accessibility where you’ll enjoy a diverse parade of subs, soups, and even catfish and shrimp. A meal here will cost you around $12 for something like the shrimp basket. The price point feels earned from the second you walk through the door.
Alfred’s Mediterranean Grill
$ | (918) 728-3366 | WEBSITE
It’s surprising to us that Alfred’s Mediterranean Grill isn’t more widely celebrated beyond its regulars, because this cozy family-run spot is one of the better Mediterranean restaurants in Tulsa. The atmosphere inside is elegant and somewhat refined—your loud, bustling hangout this is not. But if you’re looking for excellent Mediterranean food in a slightly upscale environment, Alfred’s is your spot.
The Krazy Olive
$ | (918) 802-5275 | WEBSITE
Heard of those fancy Mediterranean spots? Well this unassuming place tucked away in Tulsa is where the whole hummus and gyro thing really shines. The menu at The Krazy Olive is straightforward, with everything from sandwiches to salads to all those authentic Mediterranean staples. But, here, it’s all served sans frills or fuss. If you’re feeling hungry, do the gyro platter (which includes fresh pita and creamy hummus) for a flavor-packed feast.
Tabouli’s
$ | (918) 599-8220 | WEBSITE
The Tulsa Greek food scene has a singular center of gravity. And no, it’s not some trendy downtown spot or whatever fusion restaurant just opened. It’s Tabouli’s. On lunch breaks, the cafeteria line swells with people undeterred by the brisk ordering process they just encountered (or grabbing their gyro to go next). Office workers in crisp button-downs splitting well-seasoned gyros on pita share space with students in hoodies sipping soda and eating meat so tender it falls apart effortlessly.
There’s a straightforwardness to Tabouli’s (both in quick service and how staff efficiently hand you your food) that makes a meal feel more authentic than other Mediterranean spots. It’s why coming here for a quick, satisfying lunch isn’t just a good idea, it’s the best way to use this place.
Gyros Palace
$ | (918) 832-9943 | WEBSITE
Gyros Palace is a minimalist Mediterranean oasis tucked into an unassuming Tulsa strip mall that feels like a secret escape to the Aegean coast. Regulars crowd the simple counter ordering gyro platters and the best-made hummus our palates have ever savored. Other hungry patrons fill the handful of wooden tables surrounded by plates of juicy chicken and bowls of creamy tzatziki.
There’s whitewashed walls, checkered tablecloths, and the scent of grilled meat that’s straight out of Athens—the kind of authentic experience this spot consistently delivers. If you’re looking for a satisfying meal in Tulsa filled with fresh Mediterranean flavors, this is the place to be.
Tikka Kabab
$ | (918) 292-8230 | WEBSITE
Finding authentic Mediterranean food in Tulsa often means settling for overpriced (and frankly underwhelming) meals, but Tikka Kabab gets it exactly right. This deli-style spot looks very, well, no-frills: simple counter service, basic seating, and the kind of straightforward setup you’d expect from a family-run operation. Nothing about this place is fancy, but the fresh, flavorful chicken kabab plate is why we keep coming back.
The ground chicken is perfectly spiced and grilled, the five sides—especially the raita, tabbouleh, and tzatziki—are vibrant and homemade, and it all comes in generous portions that leave you satisfied. Tikka Kabab also serves as a reliable escape from the chain-restaurant scene with its quick service, affordable prices (most plates under $15), and the owner’s genuine, friendly presence behind the counter.
Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill
$ | (918) 488-1818 | WEBSITE
If you’re wondering where Tulsa’s most dedicated food lovers find fluffy rice and perfectly seasoned gyro meat, it’s Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill. Families, regulars, and newcomers all have favorite dishes at this neighborhood spot, though it works just as well for a quick lunch of chicken shawarma and fresh pita bread on your own. The food at Ali Baba is consistently delicious—and occasionally packed with flavor—but nobody minds when the service is this friendly.
The owners who make you feel welcome are total pros, and if you’re lucky, they’ll share a story about their family business while you’re eating baklava for dessert.
Catoosa Deli
$ | (918) 728-7720 | WEBSITE
This deli specializes in Mediterranean comfort food made with fresh, authentic ingredients. It’s a treat of the most satisfying variety, and yet, the experience inside is remarkably down-to-earth. The loaded gyros platter is around $14. Sure, that’s reasonable money and no one should mistake Catoosa Deli for a fine dining destination, but to be eating perfectly made gyros with fresh hummus and tabbouleh in Tulsa for under $15 is a great value.
You’ll enjoy the soft, freshly baked bread, eat the Belly Buster Sub with its jalapeño sauce, and finish with stuffed grape leaves and sweet Baklava. Catoosa Deli is the kind of place where enjoying a good meal feels special—whether it’s a quick lunch, a family outing, or simply craving something tasty—without having to worry about pretension or high prices.
Shawkat’s Mediterranean Restaurant
$ | (918) 742-7023 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a particularly unassuming part of Tulsa (right in that stretch where you might miss it if you blink), Shawkat’s Mediterranean Restaurant serves surprisingly great vegan options at downright reasonable prices, with most dishes hovering just under the $12 mark. Thankfully, their casual, clean deli/bakery dining room is open for business and, on the plus side, their quick service means you can scarf down cabbage rolls and accidentally spill tahini on yourself without much fuss.
Our go-to order here is the chicken shawarma plate – on our latest visit, that included perfectly spiced chicken, bright-green tabouli, and hummus so creamy, we thought we might need to ask for extra pita.
Mediterranean Cottage
$ | (918) 599-9623 | WEBSITE
Just like most parts of Tulsa, this neighborhood has a Mediterranean Cottage. But because this is Mediterranean Cottage, this spot one-ups the rest with its exceptional tabouleh and friendly owner out the front of the restaurant. Once you’ve walked past everyone eating their gyro platters, you’ll find a cozy dining area where you’ll be served generous portions of authentic cuisine (they run the gamut from familiar to flavorful).
Don’t skip the cabbage rolls or ask for any changes to the take-home leftovers.
Jumbo’s Hamburgers
$ | (918) 663-0944 | WEBSITE
There is no denying that Jumbo’s Hamburgers is a hole in the wall. But this family-run burger joint is a Tulsa original and grabbing a meal here is a major rite-of-passage in this town. Though the menu has expanded over the years, you should still focus on the double cheeseburger with fries and that interesting gyro burger (yes, they actually put gyro meat on a regular burger). If your kids are in tow and you want to show them how far you’ve come in life, Jumbo’s is your move.
Kenda’s Deli & Grill
$ | (918) 289-0088 | WEBSITE
So much about Kenda’s Deli & Grill should make you overlook it: it’s tucked away in an unassuming strip mall, feels like a neighborhood deli, and has a crowd that’s a mix of regulars grabbing lunch, families with kids, and people who’ve been coming here for years. And yet, even now, going to Kenda’s is still one of the ultimate Tulsa Mediterranean eating experiences.
The menu has Mediterranean and American influences, but the two dishes you’re really here for are the gyro platter and the incredible tabouli. The service also makes you feel like a welcome guest. You might just have to be in order to handle the generous portions.
Saffron Mediterranean Cuisine
$ | (539) 525-0503 | WEBSITE
This elegant Mediterranean spot likes to call itself a ‘hidden gem.’ And, honestly? We’re not opposed to this description. At $28 a plate, these are certainly not the most affordable kebabs in town, but then again, you’re in Tulsa, baby. Our favorite is the Koobideh Kabob, featuring two generous skewers of chargrilled ground beef on rice, and the Falafel Wrap, which comes with a fresh salad that we’d happily eat out of a mixing bowl any day of the week.
CAVA
$ | (918) 550-5231 | WEBSITE
After navigating the crowded Tulsa dining scene, CAVA stands out as a genuine Mediterranean gem and one of the few truly fresh-feeling spots in this area. Is this the best Mediterranean restaurant in Tulsa? Not necessarily.
But swing by for lunch on a busy weekday, grab the harissa avocado bowl with a side of those addictive pita chips and hummus, watch the friendly staff like Cinthyia and Brayden expertly guide customers through the process, and you’ll want to make this your regular healthy meal spot.
Char Char
$ | (918) 398-6053 | WEBSITE
If you’ve dined at Mediterranean staples like Ali Baba or Zorba’s, you know the appeal of those spots is perfectly grilled, juicy kabobs. Char Char comes from the same culinary tradition. And although this eatery reminds us of a cozy neighborhood café from the early 2000s, they do serve reliably excellent Mediterranean fare. We suggest going heavy on the skewer-and-platter options (much of which you can watch being prepared in the open kitchen at the heart of the restaurant).
As for desserts, the honey-drenched baklava is fantastic. Just plan on arriving early—tables are few and far between.
Bodhi’s Bowl
$ | (918) 928-1357 | WEBSITE
Post-hike hunger in Tulsa can be brutal. Famished adventurers stare blankly at trail maps while families debate chain restaurants for the 50th time this season. Skip the indecision and head to Bodhi’s Bowl, a Mediterranean bowl counter serving our favorite quick refuel in the area. You’re here to eat the number 1 bowl packed with generous chicken and jalapeños, or the Red Bird dish that masterfully blends Thai and Southwestern flavors.
Sure, most bowls hover in the $12-$15 range, but they’re substantial. You could eat yours in the cafeteria-style indoor seating or on the patio. We like grabbing our rice bowl with falafel—crunchy outside, moist and flavorful inside—and enjoying a 20-minute meal before heading back out.
Golden Saddle Cafe
$ | (918) 835-2882 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a reliable spot in Tulsa after you’ve checked off all the trendy brunch places, head to this decades-old diner. It’s practically an institution, except with plates of hash browns and free refills of coffee. Once you’ve settled into the cozy vinyl booth, order a few of the cafe’s signature breakfast plates, which are some of the most consistent in town. These hearty dishes are fairly priced ($12-16), but the quality is as solid as everything else in this unpretentious spot.
We suggest the scrambled eggs with cheese and ham or the chicken fried steak with fluffy biscuits. Afterward, take your satisfied stomach home knowing you’ve had a meal that’ll keep you coming back.
