MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EASTERN

ACROPOLIS
3841 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 888-9046
Acropolis offers Mediterranean food inspired by the cuisines of Greece and Italy, giving diners a choice of both regions' most popular dishes. The diverse menu features pizzas, gyros, lasagna, moussaka, lamb chops and salads. The popular Acropolis salad is a medley of field greens, bacon, tomato, blue cheese, cucumbers, Bermuda onions, kalamata olives and sunflower seeds. No reservations. Lunch Wed.-Sat., dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$

ALBASHA GREEK & LEBANESE RESTAURANT
1958 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, (985) 867-8292; www.albashabr.com
Albasha offers Greek and Lebanese favorites. Diners can choose from chicken shawarma, gyro plates of mixed beef or lamb, or lighter fare such as salads topped with feta or tabbouleh. The vegetarian plate is loaded with hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, tabbouleh and more. For dessert, there's baklava drizzled with honey and ashta, a phyllo pastry with cream cheese. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

ARABESQUE
127 N. Carrollton Ave., 486-7233
Cozy and intimate in an artfully renovated shotgun house, Arabesque offers an eclectic menu of tapas-style small plates and entrées drawing from Middle Eastern, Caribbean and Latin American traditions. Appetizer dips like hummus or baba ghanoush are part of an eclectic mix including New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp, Italian-style antipasto and entrées of steak and pasta. A unique dish features Arabian pancakes with pistachio gelato. No reservations. Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. Credit cards.

ATTIKI BAR & GRILL
230 Decatur St., 587-3756
In some Middle Eastern areas, tobacco is served as a course with dessert after a dinner with friends. Attiki follows that tradition by offering a selection of flavored tobaccos to smoke in imported hookah pipes. Regular dining options include Attiki kebabs of marinated tenderloin tips or seafood. The menu also offers other Mediterranean dishes and sandwiches. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

BABYLON'S CAFÉ
7724 Maple St., 314-0010
Babylon's prepares many familiar Middle Eastern grilled meats and garlicy dips, but it offers its own unique crusty rolls besides pita bread. Menu mainstays include kebabs, gyros, shawarma and vegetarian dishes such as hummus, baba ghanoush and falafel. Patrons are welcome to bring their own wine. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

BYBLOS
1501 Metairie Road, Metairie, 834-9773; 3218 Magazine St., 894-1233
Upping the ante for local Middle Eastern restaurants, Byblos restaurant features popular items from chicken shawarma to falafel to a wide range of lamb dishes. The drunken halloumi appetizer is Cypriot cheese lightly pan-fried with ouzo, served over tomato slices with garlic aoili. Belly dancers from the local Sisters of Salome dance troupe perform Thursday nights at the Uptown restaurant. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

BYBLOS MARKET
2020 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 837-9777
Join the throng at the counter of this quick-serve deli and market for affordable Middle Eastern fare. Sandwiches and kabobs are prepared to order from meats roasting on spits. Fresh salads, stuffed dolmas and platters of meat with hummus and pita make complete meals. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

CASABLANCA
3030 Severn Ave., Metairie, 888-2209
Casablanca offers a variation on the Middle Eastern culinary scene, blending traditional fare with an array of Moroccan options. A favorite is the Tanzia Fassi, a dish of baked lamb with sautéed onions, prunes and sliced almonds with Moroccan spices. Reservations recommended. Lunch Sun.-Fri., dinner Sun.-Thu. Credit cards. $$

CASTLE CAFÉ
716 West 21st Ave., Covington, (985) 875-1123; www.castlecaféla.com
Castle Café serves popular Mediterranean dishes. The gyro plate is a big serving of beef and lamb with hummus and a green salad. The chicken shawarma plate is a tender marinated chicken breast roasted on the rotisserie. Other options include Moroccan couscous and meat kebabs. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

CLEOPATRA MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
2701 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 361-1113; www.cleopatramediterraneancuisine.com
Harvey's authentic Mediterranean restaurant earns its reputation from its flavorful kibbe and falafel, which go well with a side of creamy lebna or hummus. Entrées like the kebab barg is a feast of charbroiled beef tenderloin, grilled tomato, hummus, rice and salad. A vegetarian plate includes portions of couscous, hummus, falafel, vegetarian dolma and tabbouleh. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

DIXIE GYRO
110 Carondelet St., 523-6614
Hot beignets in the morning give way to a selection of Middle Eastern classics at this quick and inexpensive downtown standby. Choose from beef, lamb or chicken sandwiches on pita bread or one of the many vegetarian options like the Greek salad and falafel. Delivery available. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

JAMILA'S MEDITERRANEAN TUNISIAN CUISINE
7808 Maple St., 866-4366
This unassuming Maple Street storefront is the home of exotic Tunisian delights. Jamila's specialties include merguez lamb sausage and zucchini bisque with crawfish. There also are couscous dishes and steaming clay pots of lamb tagine (Moroccan stew). On Saturday nights, a belly dancer adds more excitement to the already lively scene. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

LEBANON'S CAFÉ
1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-6200
Check the specials board at this Carrollton Avenue café for unexpected dishes like Indian-style samosas or a platter of musaha with beef, cheese, tomato sauce and vegetables over basmati rice. The regular menu covers Middle Eastern standards like kebabs and falafel sandwiches. There also are lamb chops and steaks off the grill. Customers are welcome to bring their own wine. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MONA'S CAFÉ
Citywide
Once an unassuming combination grocery/restaurant in Mid-City, Mona's now has cafés throughout the city and on the Northshore. The menu of affordable Middle Eastern food includes gyro sandwiches and platters, falafel, and kebabs of chicken, lamb and beef. Soups and salads include a hearty lentil soup, tabbouleh, and a yogurt and cucumber salad. The small plates include safeiha, essentially a small pizza of pita bread topped with ground beef and lamb, tomatoes, onions, parsley and spices. Dips include hummus and baba ghanoush. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $

NILE CAFÉ
3100 Magazine St., 897-0920
Start with the excellent red lentil soup or the baba ghanoush dip to see what sets this Magazine Street Middle Eastern restaurant apart from its peers. A distinctive blend of seasonings enlivens the kebabs and the other grilled meat plates. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PHOENICIA RESTAURANT
4201 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 889-9950
Phoenicia offers a wide range of Middle Eastern dishes. Choose from spicy shrimp, chicken or beef kebabs, lamb chops, grape leaves or several vegetarian options. Appetizers and dips include hummus, baba ghanoush and tabbouleh. Salmon kebabs and falafel with halloumi cheese put pleasant twists on conventional Middle Eastern dishes. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PYRAMIDS CAFÉ
3151 Calhoun St., 861-9602
Chicken, lamb and beef kebabs are served as sandwiches at Pyramids or as the centerpiece of hearty meals complete with hummus, salad and pita bread. Those who can't decide might simply pick the Pyramid platter for a sample of hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, grape leaves, falafel, kibby and lebna. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

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