Where to Eat Mediterranean Cuisine in Huntington Beach

One of Huntington Beach’s best-kept culinary secrets is the affordable lamb gyro at Olive Pit, owned by George Makridis and former Spago chef Yianni Koufondontis (who has also worked under the James Beard Award-winning Daniel Boulud). Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, the menu is packed with homemade dips, kabob plates, and classics like moussaka (eggplant, potato, lamb) that pay homage to the chef’s Greek family gatherings. For those who can’t pick just one, make a meal out of small bites like flaky spanakopita and spicy cheese dip, finished with a sweet treat of baklava ice cream.

Modern decor complements a menu of Greek cuisine at this full-service bar and grill. Classic Mediterranean plates like gyros, falafel, and souvlaki (skewered chicken, steak, or shrimp) are great lunch staples, served with lemon potatoes, rice pilaf, and veggies. But for dinner, don’t be afraid to also indulge with appetizers like grilled octopus with a dash of olive oil and red wine vinegar or the flaming saganaki, a dish of imported kasseri cheese pan-fried and set ablaze for tableside enjoyment. A beautiful bar offers wines and signature cocktails like the Plomari ouzo martini, making social hour a must on your next visit to Huntington Beach. Check out Ouzo & Feta menu today. 

Just north of the Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center is a one-stop-shop for all things Mediterranean. Open for lunch and dinner (and breakfast on the weekends), Golden Olive has everything from chicken shawarma and authentic Egyptian falafels to savory and sweet crepes. The “golden platter,” served with homemade hummus, salad, and pita bread is a mouthwatering favorite piled high with grilled chicken, beef, and lamb. Another crowd-pleaser is the Mediterranean pizza, loaded with spinach, feta, black olives, onions, green peppers, and fresh garlic to create a flavor so rich you won’t want to share.

With two locations in Huntington Beach — one in the Bella Terra shopping center and another off Beach Boulevard — Luna Grill offers convenient, fresh fare for lunch and dinner. The fast-casual restaurant has vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free menus, relying on quality herbs and spices like mint, parsley, sumac, and lemon to bring incredible flavors to its dishes. The founders’ Greek and Iranian heritages influence the healthy pita wraps, kabobs, salads, and plates, which feature marinated veggies and protein (chicken, beef, gyro, and salmon) cooked over an open flame.

Grilled fresh to order, Coach's charbroiled chicken, beef, lamb, salmon, and shrimp kabobs are a hit with locals, who love the marinated meats served with a side of rice, salad, pita, and tzatziki. Pitas and wraps generously stuffed with thinly sliced gyro meats or falafel make for great beach food when taken to-go. But if you choose to dine-in, a highlight of the charming counter-service restaurant is a cozy bar offering a selection of wines — a staple of the Mediterranean diet! 

At this casual counter-service eatery, chicken, beef, kefta (ground top sirloin), chicken shawarma, and gyro are all wrapped in warm pitas — great for a quick bite on your way to the water. If you have time for a sit-down meal, the chicken shawarma sliced fresh off the spit can be enjoyed as a plate with tahini sauce and Mediterranean pickles. Everything here is made fresh-to-order, including sides like tangy baba ghanoush or gyro fries smothered in tzatziki and topped with diced tomatoes. Discover H.B. Pita Grill today. 

The rotisserie chicken at this family-owned restaurant is worth writing home about. Zankou Chicken has developed a cult following over the years, from a small corner restaurant in Lebanon back in 1962 to the first U.S. location in Hollywood in 1984. First-time diners are eager to try the renowned chicken, kebabs, falafels, and wraps, but quickly become lifelong fans with a taste of the creamy garlic sauce that packs a powerful flavor punch. The Beach Boulevard location off Main Street and Ellis Avenue offers plenty of dine-in seating and a small patio for enjoying ocean breezes.