Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in the Tampa Bay, Florida Area

There comes a time when certain ethnic cuisines become popular all over, not just in the major cities. That seems to be the case with Middle Eastern fare. Now there are a number of Middle Eastern restaurants in the Tampa Bay area serving up such popular foods as falafel, foul, pita bread, hummus and bakalawa just to name a few. If these are some of your favorite foods, and want to know where you can get them, here are five Middle Eastern restaurants located in Tampa Bay. You can get more information regarding their menus, prices, locations and hours.

1. Byblos Cafe - Tampa, Florida

Named after the ancient city in Phoenicia this upscale restaurant in South Tampa specializes in traditional Lebanese cuisine. You will also be entertained by belly dancers on Friday and Saturday evenings. Ever since 2001 the brothers, Roger and Ziad, decided they wanted to share the food their mother made from Lebanon.

For appetizers be sure to try their Hummus Be-Tahina, Falafel, Foul and the national salad of Lebanon, Tabbouleh. Entrees range in price from $13.95 to $19.95. A popular entrée is the kabobs. One of their best deals is the "Taste of Lebanon" special at $29.95 per person. Located at: 2832 South MacDill Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33629 (813) 805- 7977. Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.

2. Zeko's Mediterranean Grill - St. Petersburg, Florida

A family owned business who's been around for 20 years serves the best Mediterranean food at affordable prices. Their food is healthy containing no MSG, only olive and canola oils. Here you can order not just a hamburger, but a lamb burger. You can get the chicken kabob platter, falafel sandwich, beef or chicken shawerma to name some of their foods. Of course, hummus on the side order is a must. Prices average from $3.49 to $10.99. Zeko's address is: 4880 54th Avenue N., St. Petersburg, Florida (corner of 54th and 49th) 33709 (727) 525-ZEKO (9356). Please call for hours of operation.

3. Mirage Restaurant - Clearwater, Florida

Every Monday through Friday the Mirage offers an "All You Can Eat" lunch buffet from 11 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. for just $9.99. For your entertainment there are belly dancers on Friday and Saturday nights. On the weekends, Saturday and Sunday, their lunch buffet is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for only $11.99. They specialize in Persian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Some of their appetizers are: Maust' kahiar (yogurt and cucumber), Dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves) and Ash-e-Reshteh (Persian noodle soup). There is an extensive menu for salads, chicken and beef platters, vegetarian dishes, combo meals and daily specials. Prices range from $2.50 to $19.99. You'll find the Mirage Restaurant at 2284 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, Clearwater, Florida 33765 (727) 724-3604. Call for additional hours of operation.

4. Persia House of Kebabs - Tampa, Florida

This is Tampa's most authentic restaurant in serving Persian cuisine for over 20 years now. They were formerly known as Morae's Café. If you love kebobs you will love this place. You can get your kebabs in beef, lamb, chicken or seafood. If meats and kebabs are not for you there are vegetarian dishes and stews.

Save room for dessert so you can try their baklawa, which is similar to the Greek baklava. Bastani is Persian ice cream. Prices range from the cheapest appetizer at $2.50 to the most expensive seafood entrée at $15.95. Persia House's location is at: 1441 E. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33612 (813) 977-6018. Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., Closed on Sundays.

5. Gengiz Khan - Tampa, Florida

Not to be confused with the ruthless leader, however, their food is simply sensational. If you love Turkish food or want to try it, this is the best restaurant. They feature organic foods and the freshest meats possible. Most Middle Eastern restaurants do not serve alcohol, yet they serve Turkish wines at Gengiz Khan. You can experience all the regional cuisines from Turkey.

While you're dining there's authentic Turkish music playing all around. Appetizers feature tabuli, ezme and haydari. For entrees there is the kebabs, beyti and adana. Be sure to savor the Turkish tea. Located in South Tampa at 6102 S. MacDill Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33611 (813) 805-6400. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m. - 10 p.m. Call to inquire on menu prices.

Whether you want to experience the Middle Eastern cuisine or see belly dancers there is a restaurant just right for you. Each place offers something unique whether it is affordable prices, entertainment, a specific country or region's unique cuisine or an all-you-can-eat buffet style. One restaurant serves food from Lebanon, another from Turkey, one specializing in the general Mediterranean area and two from ancient Persia. More and more are we seeing hummus in grocery stores, now it is Middle Eastern restaurants in Tampa Bay.

SOURCES:

Top 10 Most Popular Middle Eastern Foods, About.com

Tampa Bay Middle Eastern Restaurants, Urbanspoon

Byblos Café - Exceptional Mediterranean Dining & Cuisine, Byblos Café

Zeko's Mediterranean Grill, Zekos Grill

Mirage Restaurant - Persian-Mediterranean Cuisine, Mirage Restaurant

Persia House of Kebabs, Morae's Café

Gengiz Khan Restaurant - "Great Turkish Emphasis", Gengiz Khan

Middle Eastern cuisine, Wikipedia