The best fifteen Middle Eastern Restaurants in Houston
ICustomers at the numerous Middle Eastern and Turkish restaurants both here and elsewhere will find quite similar fare among these regardless of the country of origin, be it Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine and also Israel. This probably comes as a surprise to most patrons. The reason for this was explained in 2005 article in Gourmet: “Unlike…Europe, which boasts stunning culinary diversity in a relatively compact area, the Middle East demonstrates broad gastronomic parallels from North Africa all the way to Central Asia. There is more dissimilarity between Italy and France, which are adjacent, [and just along the Italian peninsula] than there is between Egypt and Iran, which are separated by nearly 1,000 miles. Owing to a harsh desert climate interrupted by pockets of fertility, as well as more than a millennium of shared religious and cultural traditions, most Middle Eastern countries consume the same staples: freshly baked flatbread; rice and beans; a limited number of fruits, vegetables and dried nuts; rare treats of beef and lamb; and an infinite variety of sweet, sticky cakes and porridge.”
There is a usual welcome vibrancy to these foods, a lack of heaviness, even for the stewed items, helped use of fresh herbs like parsley and mint and with olive oil as the cooking fat of choice. It’s easy to feel healthy after a meal with this food, unlike with many others. And healthy can be delicious.
Though it might not be commonly used word, Leventine is the probably the best description of the cuisine that’s found on most of the Middle Eastern restaurants in the city. It’s food originating in the Levant: Turkey to the north and Egypt to the south and Iraq to the east, the cuisines are similar enough on Houston area restaurants to list together. Hummus, baba ganoush, tabouli, fatoush, shawarmas, grilled skewers of beef and lamb, baklava, etc. Though maybe part of the Levant, as the foods of Turkey found here, though similar are just different enough to warrant another designation.
Greek food is very similar to the food of the Levant and Turkey, and many dishes are nearly identical, as there were numerous Greek communities on the Anatolian peninsula for several millennia until last century. But it is different enough that it gets its own list. Persian cuisine, also, when I get around to it.
Listed alphabetically.
Published on March 16, 2023.
The Best
Abdallah’s – Levantine – Around since 1976, this is both a bakery and option for casual Middle Eastern fare from a lengthy menu that includes. There are the familiar dips, shawarmas and kebabs, and also more vegetable preparations, meat pies and spinach pies, along with breakfast items like foul moudamas and shakshuka, as it opens at 7:00 each morning. Briargrove
Aladdin – Levantine – Picking up a tray and gazing across the partition into an expanse of enticing, mostly vegetarian preparations – roughly thirty items most lunchtimes well beyond the two types of creamy hummus and baba ganoush – is just a preface to an enjoyable and very affordable meal, as the dishes often taste even better than they look. A well-cooked meat like chicken shawarma, lamb gyro or one of the day’s stews, comes with two sides on filling platter for just $13.99 and usually a dollar cheaper during lunch. Not only the best value Middle Eastern restaurant, Aladdin might serve the best Middle Eastern food in Houston. It's certainly one of the best value restaurants in the city, regardless of cuisine. Montrose, Garden Oaks
Al Aseel – Levantine – Serving a wide array of familiar preparations in a modest setting, it also have several fish and shrimp dishes and even quail and pigeon. Unusually, it’s also known for its commendable fried chicken that includes a sprinkle of Middle Eastern spices sets this enjoyable, crispy version apart from most fried chickens found in town, along with a whole fried chicken is just $16.59, half only $10.99 and coming with sides of long-grain rice and a fatoush salad. A nice value, too. The grilled chicken is also worth an order. Briargrove
Café Lili – Levantine – Friendly and efficient counter service and fresh, well-prepared Middle Eastern food are hallmarks of Café Lili that’s been around since 1991. This is a nice choice in the Galleria area when the mood strikes for familiar Middle Eastern fare, with notable renditions of baba ganoush fatoosh, and sandwiches with kafta kabob, chicken kabob, and falafel. The decent-sized place is clean and often crowded during lunchtime. It seems that the local Lebanese community makes up a good portion of the business at other times. Galleria Area
Craft Pita – Levantine – Even when it had just a single location, it had the feel of a slick chain concept, but decent Middle Eastern can be found here and it’s struck a cord among many diners. All of the familiar preparations are here plus Lebanese flatbreads, manaeesh, rotisserie chicken and some fun Lebanese tacos. Nicely, Craft Pita use produce and proteins from well-regarded farms and ranches like Atkinson Farms and HeartBrand. Beer and wine, too. Briargrove, West University
Empire Turkish Grill – Turkish – This full-service restaurant with white linen tablecloths is a friendly and inviting place, featuring grilled meats and contrastingly, zesty cold appetizers, both well-suited for Houston. It is tough to go wrong with one of the grilled entrées with chicken, beef or lamb prepared in various ways, including yogurt grills. These are pan-fried house-made bread topped with layers of grilled meat and served with yogurt. All of the meat served here is halal, ensuring a certain level of quality. Both the Tavuk Kebab, char-grilled cubes of marinated chicken, and the Tavuk Adana, kabob with ground chicken, show that chicken can actually still be interesting. The similar preparations with beef are very tasty, also. The traditional Sis Kebab, or shish kabob, with char-grilled cubes of marinated lamb, and the Doner Kebab, thin slices of grilled lamb, are equally well prepared. If you find it difficult to choose among chicken, beef and lamb for a meal centerpiece, there are nearly ten dishes with combinations two or more of the meats. All grilled entrées are served with onion, tomatoes, bell pepper, red cabbage and rice. And there’s more from an enticing menu and lunch specials during the week for $12.95. Memorial
Fadi’s – Levantine – With all of the tempting, freshly prepared items on display in front of you while in line at these longstanding – since 1996 – long-popular buffet-style restaurants, the best option is one of the bountiful combination platters that can feature a grilled or stewed protein or not. If you don’t have the appetite for a large plate of food, you can also order well-crafted sandwiches like shawarmas, falafel, or others with chicken, a choice of kabobs and Lebanese sausages. These are great places for vegetarians and anyone wanting to eat healthier than usual, though the desserts are tempting here, too. The Meyerland location is operated independently and is a little different. Still really good, though. Meyerland, Memorial, Museum District, Briargrove, Katy, Sugar Land, West Houston
Hamsa – Levantine – Easily the most stylish and ambitious place for the cooking of the Levant in Houston now, this builds on the success and popularity of the owners’ excellent Badolina Bakery next door. Serving what it describes as “modern Israeli cuisine,” the Middle Eastern food will be largely familiar to most Houston diners, but in a more wide-ranging fashion and plated more attractively. A decent array of wines, too. Rice Village
Jerusalem Halal Deli – Levantine – Located in the back of a somewhat dumpy Arab grocery store in an older, and dumpy, strip center on Hillcroft, the front part of the establishment is the grocery store specializing in Islamic products. Directly in back is the halal butcher shop and to the right in back, is the deli. With the exception of being completely inside and air-conditioned, the scene at the counter of Jerusalem Halal Deli is probably similar to that of a storefront deli in the Muslim section of Jerusalem or in Amman, Jordan. There are skewers of beef, chicken, and seasoned ground lamb displayed behind glass, prior to cooking in a charcoal-burning oven; spinners with sheets of chicken and beef await trimming; trays of rice-laden dishes, stews, vegetables and salads are in the steam table. And, as what might be expected of those locales, the scene is generally chaotic. In the midst of the lunchtime rush, there can be a number of hungry patrons milling around the deli counter and around the adjoining steam table bantering, or yelling, in Arabic with the cooks. The drill here is to wait in line, if there is one, and then hang about the cash register amidst the shouts in Arabic until one of the cooks notices you and asks for an order. The wait is usually always worth it. In a city with many worthy options for Middle Eastern sandwiches, the versions here have been the best in the city. Briargrove
Istanbul Grill – Turkish – Interesting, well-prepared Turkish food that’s an excellent value in a pleasant, informal setting, often lively atmosphere, and noticeably friendly and eager service. Many of their traditional Anatolian items are baked in a brick oven that is evident in the somewhat open kitchen, including the distinctive Turkish pizzas that can provide a filling meal for $12-$17. The kabob platters are a great value here, easily worth the $16.50 tariff for the beef and lamb doner kabob and $18 for the lash shish kabob. The portions are generous and served with a large amount of moist rice and grilled tomatoes and bell peppers. Fresh and warm house-made thin pide bread nicely complements every table. Beer and wine, also. Rice Village
Mary’z – Levantine – Distinctively named, this duo of comfortable full service Lebanese restaurants will aptly satisfy you Middle Eastern food fix. There are the popular items like hummus and shawarmas, plus dishes like an appetizer of sauteed chicken livers with pomegranate sauce, garlic and lemon juice, sujuk and makanek, chopped and spiced whole beef sausages, and a series of Lebanese flatbreads. For the sweet finish, a half dozen other desserts complement the backlava and namoura. Washington Corridor, Galleria Area
Nazif’s – Turkish – Grilled kebabs, steaks, chops and more Istanbul-bred preparations are done well at this quaint Westheimer eatery. Live music on Fridays and a brunch buffet Sundays early. Briargrove
Pasha – Turkish – A homey, somewhat dowdy, option like nearby Istanbul Grill, but homier, serving traditional Turkish food that might appeal to fans of Middle Eastern cooking as it does for Turkish ex-pats. On University across from the Rice campus. Rice Village
Sayad Kitchen – Levantine – The grill fueled by natural charcoal get a workout on this expansive restaurant on the western stretches of Westheimer, while the buffet filled with prepared Arabic items is tempting and a great value. This also specializes in fresh seafood, as is referenced by its name. West Houston
Shawarma King – Levantine – Its name might indeed be correct, as the shawarmas here are some of the very best in town. This is casual counter-service place has been a great stop for years for well prepared, familar Middle Eastern fare. The choices are somewhat limited, but there should be enough to satisfy most diners. There are mostly vegetarian appetizers and sides, mostly meaty sandwiches wrapped in pita bread, heartier plates, and some delicious Middle Eastern pastries. Briargrove
At Istanbul Grill
There is a usual welcome vibrancy to these foods, a lack of heaviness, even for the stewed items, helped use of fresh herbs like parsley and mint and with olive oil as the cooking fat of choice. It’s easy to feel healthy after a meal with this food, unlike with many others. And healthy can be delicious.
Though it might not be commonly used word, Leventine is the probably the best description of the cuisine that’s found on most of the Middle Eastern restaurants in the city. It’s food originating in the Levant: Turkey to the north and Egypt to the south and Iraq to the east, the cuisines are similar enough on Houston area restaurants to list together. Hummus, baba ganoush, tabouli, fatoush, shawarmas, grilled skewers of beef and lamb, baklava, etc. Though maybe part of the Levant, as the foods of Turkey found here, though similar are just different enough to warrant another designation.
Greek food is very similar to the food of the Levant and Turkey, and many dishes are nearly identical, as there were numerous Greek communities on the Anatolian peninsula for several millennia until last century. But it is different enough that it gets its own list. Persian cuisine, also, when I get around to it.
Listed alphabetically.
Published on March 16, 2023.
The Best
Abdallah’s – Levantine – Around since 1976, this is both a bakery and option for casual Middle Eastern fare from a lengthy menu that includes. There are the familiar dips, shawarmas and kebabs, and also more vegetable preparations, meat pies and spinach pies, along with breakfast items like foul moudamas and shakshuka, as it opens at 7:00 each morning. Briargrove
Aladdin – Levantine – Picking up a tray and gazing across the partition into an expanse of enticing, mostly vegetarian preparations – roughly thirty items most lunchtimes well beyond the two types of creamy hummus and baba ganoush – is just a preface to an enjoyable and very affordable meal, as the dishes often taste even better than they look. A well-cooked meat like chicken shawarma, lamb gyro or one of the day’s stews, comes with two sides on filling platter for just $13.99 and usually a dollar cheaper during lunch. Not only the best value Middle Eastern restaurant, Aladdin might serve the best Middle Eastern food in Houston. It's certainly one of the best value restaurants in the city, regardless of cuisine. Montrose, Garden Oaks
Al Aseel – Levantine – Serving a wide array of familiar preparations in a modest setting, it also have several fish and shrimp dishes and even quail and pigeon. Unusually, it’s also known for its commendable fried chicken that includes a sprinkle of Middle Eastern spices sets this enjoyable, crispy version apart from most fried chickens found in town, along with a whole fried chicken is just $16.59, half only $10.99 and coming with sides of long-grain rice and a fatoush salad. A nice value, too. The grilled chicken is also worth an order. Briargrove
Café Lili – Levantine – Friendly and efficient counter service and fresh, well-prepared Middle Eastern food are hallmarks of Café Lili that’s been around since 1991. This is a nice choice in the Galleria area when the mood strikes for familiar Middle Eastern fare, with notable renditions of baba ganoush fatoosh, and sandwiches with kafta kabob, chicken kabob, and falafel. The decent-sized place is clean and often crowded during lunchtime. It seems that the local Lebanese community makes up a good portion of the business at other times. Galleria Area
Craft Pita – Levantine – Even when it had just a single location, it had the feel of a slick chain concept, but decent Middle Eastern can be found here and it’s struck a cord among many diners. All of the familiar preparations are here plus Lebanese flatbreads, manaeesh, rotisserie chicken and some fun Lebanese tacos. Nicely, Craft Pita use produce and proteins from well-regarded farms and ranches like Atkinson Farms and HeartBrand. Beer and wine, too. Briargrove, West University
Empire Turkish Grill – Turkish – This full-service restaurant with white linen tablecloths is a friendly and inviting place, featuring grilled meats and contrastingly, zesty cold appetizers, both well-suited for Houston. It is tough to go wrong with one of the grilled entrées with chicken, beef or lamb prepared in various ways, including yogurt grills. These are pan-fried house-made bread topped with layers of grilled meat and served with yogurt. All of the meat served here is halal, ensuring a certain level of quality. Both the Tavuk Kebab, char-grilled cubes of marinated chicken, and the Tavuk Adana, kabob with ground chicken, show that chicken can actually still be interesting. The similar preparations with beef are very tasty, also. The traditional Sis Kebab, or shish kabob, with char-grilled cubes of marinated lamb, and the Doner Kebab, thin slices of grilled lamb, are equally well prepared. If you find it difficult to choose among chicken, beef and lamb for a meal centerpiece, there are nearly ten dishes with combinations two or more of the meats. All grilled entrées are served with onion, tomatoes, bell pepper, red cabbage and rice. And there’s more from an enticing menu and lunch specials during the week for $12.95. Memorial
Fadi’s – Levantine – With all of the tempting, freshly prepared items on display in front of you while in line at these longstanding – since 1996 – long-popular buffet-style restaurants, the best option is one of the bountiful combination platters that can feature a grilled or stewed protein or not. If you don’t have the appetite for a large plate of food, you can also order well-crafted sandwiches like shawarmas, falafel, or others with chicken, a choice of kabobs and Lebanese sausages. These are great places for vegetarians and anyone wanting to eat healthier than usual, though the desserts are tempting here, too. The Meyerland location is operated independently and is a little different. Still really good, though. Meyerland, Memorial, Museum District, Briargrove, Katy, Sugar Land, West Houston
Hamsa – Levantine – Easily the most stylish and ambitious place for the cooking of the Levant in Houston now, this builds on the success and popularity of the owners’ excellent Badolina Bakery next door. Serving what it describes as “modern Israeli cuisine,” the Middle Eastern food will be largely familiar to most Houston diners, but in a more wide-ranging fashion and plated more attractively. A decent array of wines, too. Rice Village
Jerusalem Halal Deli – Levantine – Located in the back of a somewhat dumpy Arab grocery store in an older, and dumpy, strip center on Hillcroft, the front part of the establishment is the grocery store specializing in Islamic products. Directly in back is the halal butcher shop and to the right in back, is the deli. With the exception of being completely inside and air-conditioned, the scene at the counter of Jerusalem Halal Deli is probably similar to that of a storefront deli in the Muslim section of Jerusalem or in Amman, Jordan. There are skewers of beef, chicken, and seasoned ground lamb displayed behind glass, prior to cooking in a charcoal-burning oven; spinners with sheets of chicken and beef await trimming; trays of rice-laden dishes, stews, vegetables and salads are in the steam table. And, as what might be expected of those locales, the scene is generally chaotic. In the midst of the lunchtime rush, there can be a number of hungry patrons milling around the deli counter and around the adjoining steam table bantering, or yelling, in Arabic with the cooks. The drill here is to wait in line, if there is one, and then hang about the cash register amidst the shouts in Arabic until one of the cooks notices you and asks for an order. The wait is usually always worth it. In a city with many worthy options for Middle Eastern sandwiches, the versions here have been the best in the city. Briargrove
Istanbul Grill – Turkish – Interesting, well-prepared Turkish food that’s an excellent value in a pleasant, informal setting, often lively atmosphere, and noticeably friendly and eager service. Many of their traditional Anatolian items are baked in a brick oven that is evident in the somewhat open kitchen, including the distinctive Turkish pizzas that can provide a filling meal for $12-$17. The kabob platters are a great value here, easily worth the $16.50 tariff for the beef and lamb doner kabob and $18 for the lash shish kabob. The portions are generous and served with a large amount of moist rice and grilled tomatoes and bell peppers. Fresh and warm house-made thin pide bread nicely complements every table. Beer and wine, also. Rice Village
Mary’z – Levantine – Distinctively named, this duo of comfortable full service Lebanese restaurants will aptly satisfy you Middle Eastern food fix. There are the popular items like hummus and shawarmas, plus dishes like an appetizer of sauteed chicken livers with pomegranate sauce, garlic and lemon juice, sujuk and makanek, chopped and spiced whole beef sausages, and a series of Lebanese flatbreads. For the sweet finish, a half dozen other desserts complement the backlava and namoura. Washington Corridor, Galleria Area
Nazif’s – Turkish – Grilled kebabs, steaks, chops and more Istanbul-bred preparations are done well at this quaint Westheimer eatery. Live music on Fridays and a brunch buffet Sundays early. Briargrove
Pasha – Turkish – A homey, somewhat dowdy, option like nearby Istanbul Grill, but homier, serving traditional Turkish food that might appeal to fans of Middle Eastern cooking as it does for Turkish ex-pats. On University across from the Rice campus. Rice Village
Sayad Kitchen – Levantine – The grill fueled by natural charcoal get a workout on this expansive restaurant on the western stretches of Westheimer, while the buffet filled with prepared Arabic items is tempting and a great value. This also specializes in fresh seafood, as is referenced by its name. West Houston
Shawarma King – Levantine – Its name might indeed be correct, as the shawarmas here are some of the very best in town. This is casual counter-service place has been a great stop for years for well prepared, familar Middle Eastern fare. The choices are somewhat limited, but there should be enough to satisfy most diners. There are mostly vegetarian appetizers and sides, mostly meaty sandwiches wrapped in pita bread, heartier plates, and some delicious Middle Eastern pastries. Briargrove
At Istanbul Grill
