ANN ARBOR, MI -- If you’re looking for a filling meal with rich Mediterranean or Middle Eastern flavors then the Ann Arbor area may have the perfect spot for you

There is a variety of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants to be found that not only offer comfort foods, but also some twists on what many may consider to be classic dishes.

Here are five great Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants to try around Ann Arbor.

Jerusalem Garden

For many Ann Arbor residents, Jerusalem Garden, 314 E Liberty St., is a staple when it comes to Middle Eastern cuisine.

It’s been serving food for more than 35 years and started in a tiny shop on Fifth Avenue.

Customers can find lentil soup, fattoush salad, hummus, falafel, chicken shawarma, kabobs, grape leaves, baba ghanoug, baklava and rice pudding.

Jerusalem Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Find it online, on social media or by phone at 734-995-5060.

Ann Arbor Local Eats - Palm Palace — A falafel plate at Palm Palace in Ann Arbor Township on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

Palm Palace Restaurant

Palm Palace has what seems to be an endless menu packed with some classics like falafel, grape leaves, lamb chops, hummus, fattoush, chicken and lamb shawarma, along with Mediterranean spinach pie, Mediterranean coconut shrimp and even some fresh juices.

“The dramatic dining rooms are the perfect backdrop for the menu that showcases authentic Mediterranean cuisine ranging from the simple to the sublime, each offering an opportunity to experience classics and delicacies in new and exciting ways,” Palm Palace Restaurant’s website states.

Palm Palace, 2370 Carpenter Road, is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Find it online, on social media or by phone at 734-606-0706.

Local Eats: Star’s Cafe — A Star’s platter featuring chicken Tawook, shish kofta and beef kebab with grilled vegetables at Star’s Cafe, 2575 Jackson Ave. in Ann Arbor on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

Star’s Café

Star’s Café, tucked away in the Westgate Shopping Center, serves a variety of Mediterranean menu items whether you’re looking for a gyro or shish kabob, spinach pie, meat pie, crushed lentil soup, tabbouli, falafel and fattoush salad, as well as smoothies, coffee and fresh juice.

There are also a few vegetarian sandwiches to choose from filled with falafel, grape leaves, eggplant and cheese, cauliflower and hummus and tabbouli.

Star’s Café, 2575 Jackson Ave., is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Find it online, on social media or by phone at 734-996-0299.

Ann Arbor Local Eats - El Harissa Market and Cafe — Chicken chermoula at El Harissa Market and Cafe, 1516 N. Maple Rd. In Ann Arbor on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020

El Harissa Market Café

El Harissa Market Café serves food inspired by the flavors of North Africa and the greater Mediterranean region.

The family-owned restaurant creates “ healthy and delicious food,” with recipes and techniques influenced by the food of Tunisia, Morocco, Italy, Greece and the Levant, according to its website.

Customers can find tzatziki, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, Moroccan lentil soup, lablabi soup, chicken tagine and mujadara rice.

El Harissa, 1516 N. Maple Road, is open noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Find it online, on social media or by phone at 734-585-0686.

Haifa Falafel

Haifa Falafel right outside Ann Arbor is a Middle Eastern restaurant serving a mix of Arabic and Mediterranean cuisines.

Customers can find shawarma sandwiches, a variety of salads, baklava and, of course, falafel. When it comes to customer favorites, the restaurant’s chicken shawarma, mujaddra, lamb kafta and baba ghanouj are popular, according to the restaurant’s website.

Haifa Falafel, 4585 Washtenaw Ave., is open11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Find it online or by phone at 734-677-4410.

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