While we might be far away from the Mediterranean Sea, there are still amazing restaurants serving up great Mediterranean food right here in Singapore. From the Middle East to Greece and everywhere in between, here are five best restaurants to savour this majorly underrated fare!
1. Sofra Turkish Cafe & Restaurant
This crowd favourite in Singapore has settled in nicely in its new home in Marina Square, and it continues to serve up a wide selection of enticing Turkish dishes. The vibrant local flavours are given full play here by the dedicated kitchen crew, all of whom hail from Turkey! Gather some friends together for a taste of everything – the Kebab Platter (serves four and consists of lamb chops, kebabs and grilled chicken wings, Turkish pilav rice, pide and salads!
2. Artichoke
Artichoke is “the least authentic Middle Eastern restaurant around,” but wait, hear us out. Helmed by celebrity chef Bjorn Shen, this Middle Eastern-inspired eatery serves up creative inventions like cuttlefish shawarma, crab tzatziki and baklava donuts. The menu changes regularly, so don’t be surprised if you find none of these things on your visit there. Go for the chef’s tasting menu (S$68+ per person) to taste their unique approach!
3. Blu Kouzina
Serving both traditional and contemporary Greek dishes, Blu Kouzina is a crowd pleaser. Located at Dempsey Hill, this restaurant originated from a Greek couple’s love of home cooked food and sharing it with their loved ones. Take delight in their offerings like oven-baked eggplant, spinach pie, grilled sardines and more. You’ll also find Greek red and white wines, as well as imported beers and liqueurs!
4. Shabestan
Shabestan serves cuisine from Persia – modern day Iran – and they’ve been doing so for close to ten years! Expect yummy kebabs, fragrant rice dishes and charcoal-grilled meats, coming together to create a feast fit for royalty. Shabestan also carries a range of award-winning Lebanese wines. Although they are uncommon, they actually pair really well with Middle Eastern cuisine!
5. Pistachio Grill
At Pistachio Grill, what you’ll find are healthier and more nutritious versions of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food. For example, the basmati rice is cooked with sunflower oil instead of ghee, and everything here is served fresh without artificial or processed ingredients. Dig into yummy favourites like the Egyptian fish singary or Pistachio Meat Grill for two that features beef kebab, chicken kebab and lamb chops.