Reader Survey 2015: Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Portland

What is the best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Portland?

For years I’ve been saying that Middle Eastern food has tons of potential, but chefs weren’t exploring it. There are lots of options, but what is the best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Portland? Most menus in town were basically the same, and the quality wasn’t all that different between restaurants; it was basic tourist food. Finally this is no longer true. First came Levant, with an Arabesque fusion that is both interesting, exotic and beautiful. Then John Gorham’s Mediterranean Exploration Company brought us an even wider range of foods, including Syrian, Israeli, Greek, Turkish and general Mediterranean influences. Most recently, Zaatar opened in the Pearl District, and though I haven’t been there myself, I hear it is above much of the crowd. Finally I feel like I am eating food of the variety and quality that I was served when I was living in the Mediterranean and surrounding areas. Even some of the older restaurants have upped their game. The impact the new restaurants are having has diluted votes for the stalwarts. The ever popular Nicholas has fallen from 38% of the vote to 21% today; clearly people are investigating some of the other available options. My favorites are Levant and MEC. Even though they have been open for a while, I find myself returning to them on a regular basis; especially when I have out-of-town visitors.

1,178 votes cast:

1. Nicholas – 21% of the vote.  $$

• 318 Southeast Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97214  Map  (503) 235-5123
• 3223 NE Broadway, Portland 97232  Map  (503) 445-4700
• 323 N Main Ave, Gresham 97030  Map  (503) 666-3333

2. Ya Hala – 13%  $$

• 8005 SE Stark St., Portland 97215  Map  (503) 256-4484

3. Levant – 11%  $$$

• 2448 East Burnside, Portland OR 97214  Map  (503) 954-2322

4. Mediterranean Exploration Co. (MEC) -8%  $$

• 333 NW 13th Ave., Portland OR 97209  Map  (503) 222-0906

5. Al Amir – 6.1%.  $$

• 223 SW Stark St. Portland 97204  Map  (503) 274-0010

6. Hoda’s Middle Eastern Cuisine – 5.73%  $$

• 3401 SE Belmont St., Portland OR 97214  Map  (503) 236-8325

7. Cedo Falafel and Gyros – 4.25%  $

• 3901 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Portland OR 97212  Map  (503) 719-7344

8.  Dar Salam – 4% $

• 2921 NE Alberta St., Portland OR 97211  Map  (503) 206-6148

Previous years:

• 2012: Nicholas, Ya Hala, Karam, Habibi, Hoda’s, El Amir, TarBoush, Aladdin’s Cafe
• 2011: Nicholas, Ya Hala, Karam