There’s a time and a place for Mediterranean dining that feels like a sun-drenched escape. The time is whenever you crave vibrant flavors, and the places are the ones on this guide. For the most part, these restaurants A) serve authentic dishes and B) transport you to coastal bliss. Take a look at this list, and find your new go-to spot for feasting before we’re hit with the culinary equivalent of a bland, beige winter that lingers far too long.
Q’s HALAL MEDITERRANEAN
$ | (707) 759-6578 | WEBSITE
Q’s Halal Mediterranean is one of our favorite Mediterranean spots in Vacaville. The food here is pretty straightforward, but reliably delicious—so it’ll please both the gyro lovers and the adventurous kabob fans. And while you could just grab a quick combo platter to go from their convenient location, we like settling in at one of their clean, simple tables, where you can enjoy the friendly service and maybe even score some free baklava during a chat with the staff.
Athenian Grill
$$ | (707) 425-0500 | WEBSITE
Athenian Grill used to be just another waterfront spot. But now, instead of rushing through a meal and heading home, you can linger over family recipes and glasses of wine outside all afternoon while forgetting about your to-do list. Casual dinners feel like a getaway here, whether you’re sharing hefty portions of lamb stew on the covered patio or sitting in the shade watching boats drift by who are for sure having a less relaxing time than you.
M’s Halal Mediterranean Food
$ | (707) 419-5571 | WEBSITE
M’s Halal Mediterranean Food is one of those places that makes a typical weeknight a lot better. There’s a welcoming upscale casual atmosphere, delicious Mediterranean food if you’re hungry, and a nicely updated interior with tablecloths and settings where you can sit and enjoy generous portions while definitely not thinking about the ordinary takeout you’ll need to settle for come tomorrow.
Mediterranean Food Center
$ | (707) 438-0911 | WEBSITE
Not every Mediterranean meal needs to be a grand feast. If you just want to savor authentic flavors without the fuss, do it at Mediterranean Food Center. The space is modest but welcoming, and it’s worth navigating Vacaville’s strip malls just for a plate of their shawarma. The portions are generous enough to share, grilled to perfection with fresh salad and a sublime hot sauce that lingers on the palate.
The friendly staff keeps things moving quickly, and the marketplace vibe adds a charming touch. For about $15 per person, you get a meal that feels both satisfying and genuine—a place you’ll return to again and again.
BIG H DELI
$ | (707) 759-6282 | WEBSITE
There are few better ways to satisfy a serious hunger than grabbing a spicy chicken shawarma wrap and digging into a roast beef sandwich with thick aromatic au jus for dipping. Even though this sounds like what you’d get at a fancy sit-down spot, we’re describing what goes down at BIG H DELI. It’s a hidden gem where they serve up fast, hot, and plentiful food, and the owners are very friendly.
The sheer generosity of portions here is astounding, so don’t be shy about tackling that messy French dip—just know you’ll need plenty of napkins since there’s no bathroom to wash up afterward.
Ariana Gyros and Grill (halal)
$ | (707) 724-6162 | WEBSITE
On most busy evenings, it seems like everyone in Vacaville got the Mediterranean food craving memo. Sometimes you have to quickly shapeshift from a generally patient person to a determined diner in order to secure a table at one of the more popular spots. If you feel like just relaxing with friends in a space that isn’t totally overrun by other people, head to Ariana Gyros and Grill, a halal restaurant near BJ’s restaurant.
If you feel like grabbing a gyro platter, their menu isn’t subtle – you have beef, lamb, or chicken to choose from. They happen to serve delicious vegetarian and vegan options, too, all in a comfortable interior lined with Japanese art and vintage chairs. Don’t try to move one. It won’t work.