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If you’re craving a satisfying bite of Mediterranean flavors, you may not have to travel far.
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That’s because North Carolina is home to two of the nation’s 25 best places to eat Mediterranean cuisine, a new report finds.
Shawarma Stop in Morrisville ranks No. 11 and Boatman Spirits Company in Raleigh is No. 21 on a list from the review website Yelp, according to results published July 20.
To determine the top “Mediterranean restaurants worth the epic journey,” Yelp said it studied businesses across the country. It focused on the “volume and ratings of reviews” left over time from Elite users, who are active on the platform.
Of the two Triangle restaurants that earned spots on the list, Shawarma Stop ranked highest at No. 11. The restaurant is in the suburb of Morrisville, less than a 5-mile drive from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
“Shawarma Stop is a go-to for authentic, flavor-packed Lebanese and Syrian specialties, including juicy shawarma wraps, shawarma platters with pillowy-soft pita, and a fan-favorite spicy muhammara wrap,” Yelp wrote in its report. “Generous portions, fast service, and excellent value make this a Triangle standout for quick, craveable Mediterranean eats.”
On Yelp, customers raved about the restaurant’s namesake shawarma, which is served in chicken, lamb and beef dishes. Some said the taste of the food and the welcoming atmosphere made them want to come back for more.
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Also on the list of most-loved restaurants is Boatman Spirits at No. 21. The business at Seaboard Station in downtown Raleigh is a distillery that also serves mixed drinks and “Mediterranean street food,” according to its website.
“Boatman Spirits is a Mediterranean cocktail bar pairing soulful small plates (like fried halloumi, lamb kofta burgers, and shawarma platters) with an ambitious drink menu and live jazz nights,” Yelp wrote in its report. “The chic ambiance, attentive bartenders, and creative cocktails make it a local favorite for date night or a special chill evening.”
General manager Aaron Lambert said the name Boatman Spirits came as the restaurant dreamed of providing “service that offers escape from both the outside world and run-of-the-mill offerings,” The News & Observer previously reported. The dining spot, which opened last year, already has fans praising its cocktail selection and brunch food on Yelp.
The results came after a Mediterranean restaurant was named the Triangle’s best new place to eat in 2025. Urban Olive Mediterranean — located at Transfer Co. Food Hall in downtown Raleigh — took the crown in The N&O’s reader poll.
On the latest list from Yelp, the nation’s No. 1 restaurant for Mediterranean food was Pinyon, near Phoenix.
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