The best Mediterranean restaurants in Greater Sacramento.

Wally's Cafe at 2110 Sunset Boulevard in Rocklin earns its reputation before the entree arrives. A warm bowl of lentil soup lands at the table soon after diners sit, and a small piece of baklava closes the meal. Diners call the greeting warm and the service quick, and one calls it the best Mediterranean food in the Roseville and Rocklin area.

The menu is wide. Beef and chicken shawarma come as wraps or plates, the pomegranate chicken is a sweet and tangy favorite, and kebabs, gyros, shrimp and falafel fill out the rest. The veggie platter is a strong choice for sharing, with baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, falafel and dolmas, plus plenty of pita for the leftovers that diners carry home.

Practical notes: lunch is a busy time, and the room is small. A few diners found the soup or seasoning on the salty side, so mention preferences when ordering. Clean surroundings and attentive staff are repeated compliments.

Urban Grill & Salad at 3040 Sunrise Boulevard in Rancho Cordova is a counter-order Mediterranean spot with a steady lunch crowd. Plates come packed in large to-go boxes with chicken or beef, basmati rice and fresh salad, and diners call the chicken and rice plate their steady order. Several say they come weekly, and the staff earns warm mentions.

The sauce is a standout. Diners dip chicken in it and rave about the garlicky flavor, and the rice is described as moist and flavorful rather than dry. Greek salad with grilled beef or chicken, falafel, wraps and homemade hummus fill out the menu. Eggplant and chicken is another pairing diners enjoy.

Practical notes: seating is casual, with a big lit table that some diners like. A few diners wanted hummus and pita included with the combo plate and felt the price ran high for what arrived. Lunch brings a short line, and takeout is simple.

Zest Mediterranean Cuisine at 1008 Riley Street in Folsom is the spot diners name when a shawarma craving hits. Chicken and beef shawarma arrive in wraps and on plates, and the chicken with pomegranate sauce earns notes for its sweet and tangy punch. Baba ghannouj and hummus both get praise as starters, and the fattoush and Greek salads round out the table.

Falafel is described as homemade and full of herbs, and the baklava is good enough that one diner took two dozen home. Vegan and gluten-free diners find real choices, and a large party that called ahead found its table ready, with extra pickles and pita brought for the children.

Practical notes: lamb kebab pieces were tougher on one recent visit, so the shawarma and chicken are safer bets. Delivery orders have gone wrong for some diners, so check the bag. Service and cleanliness get steady compliments, and the owner is often on the floor.

Falafel & Shawarma Planet at 4220 Florin Road sits in Southgate Plaza, in front of 99 Ranch Market. Diners come for two things, and both get strong marks. The falafel is crisp on the outside and soft within, and the shawarma is juicy and well seasoned. Some diners say it matches what they ate overseas.

The menu gives room to explore. Lamb shawarma arrives as a wrap or a plate with salad, hummus, rice, tahini and pita. The meze plate is a sampler of vegetarian dishes, with falafel, hummus, baba ganoush and stuffed grape leaves, and works as a meal for one or a starter for a group. Chicken shawarma and the falafel sandwich also draw repeat orders.

Practical notes: the counter is friendly, and a manager has walked first-timers through the menu. Opinions are mixed on how traditional the wraps are, and ordering in person avoids the online price markup some diners noticed. Lunch and early evening are both easy times to stop in.

Extreme Hummus at 7820 Zenith Drive in Citrus Heights treats hummus as the main event. The menu lists many flavors, including garlic, chipotle and artichoke, and a sampler lets a table try several with pita. Diners say the sauces and hummus work well together on a gyro, and the falafel gets praise for a crisp, hot texture that never turns dry.

Beef and lamb gyro is the order named most. Chicken gyro, kabob bowls and the Extreme chicken bowl have their own fans, and diners mention shawarma wraps, Greek salad and baklava. Greek iced tea is a drink worth asking about. Bowls come warm, and many regulars name them as their favorite item.

Practical notes: there is a drive-thru, but orders are made fresh, so it can run slow at lunch. Online ordering is easy. Dine-in is available for those who want a quieter meal. A few diners felt the plate portions were small for the price, so a gyro or bowl is the better value.

Sam's Mediterranean Cuisine at 301 B Street in Davis has been part of student life at UC Davis for decades, and diners return for the same reasons. The chicken shawarma on pita is soft, flavorful and well seasoned, and the mixed shawarma over rice is called a top pick for eating in town. The meat is halal.

Sauces matter here. Diners order both, and the homemade hot sauce is a favorite. Falafel is praised as some of the best anywhere, and the pita stays tender without turning soggy. Tomatoes and vegetables arrive fresh, and the staff accommodates requests, such as swapping yogurt for extra rice.

Practical notes: several diners call it good value near campus, with a patio for sunny days. A diner noted it is cash only. Service comes up repeatedly as friendly, and the family behind the counter remembers regulars. A few diners were let down by the kabob salad, so shawarma and falafel are the safer orders.

Jayna Gyro at 3101 Folsom Boulevard in Sacramento is more upscale than a typical counter spot. The room is bright and spacious, an outdoor area adds seating, and a blue room connects the two. Diners order at the register, then take a seat while the food is brought out. A bar offers wine, beer and cocktails.

The gyro is the anchor, and diners mention beef and lamb, chicken, and bowls built from the same meats, in lavash or pita. The lamb burger gets repeated recommendations, and the Iskander is called full of flavor. The octopus salad, Greek salad and falafel have fans, and a kids menu is available for families.

Practical notes: the manager gets thanks for taking care of guests, and service is a steady compliment. A few diners found the register ordering confusing, and one wished for a larger portion, so a bowl or gyro is the surer choice.

Kabob House at 1726 Fulton Avenue in Sacramento has ample parking and a friendly welcome. Diners new to Greek food say the servers explain dishes patiently, and lunch specials get steady mentions. The hummus is the item regulars praise most, creamy and garlicky with a lemony finish that has stayed consistent for years.

The garlic chicken is the entree to order: a marinated breast served with a hefty portion of rice and a simple side salad. Beef and chicken kabobs arrive with pilaf, Greek salad and pita, and the baba ganoush starter gets praise for tartness and depth. Gyros and lamb kabobs have fans, too, and dinner entrees are generous enough that couples share one.

Practical notes: dinner entrees run pricey, so lunch is the value time. A few diners found kabobs overcooked or under-seasoned on recent visits, so the garlic chicken and hummus are the surest picks.

Falafel Corner at 3620 North Freeway Boulevard in Sacramento is an easy stop for travelers coming off Interstate 80. The falafel is made fresh to order, which is why the wrap takes a few minutes longer, and diners call it warm, moist and among the best they have had.

The menu goes well beyond falafel. Combo platters pile on chicken shawarma, rice, hummus and salad, enough to feed two. Gyros, burgers, pizza and Turkish delight have fans, and the badmash burger is a favorite. The kitchen makes its own sauces in around eight kinds, from mild to hot. Pistachio baklava is thick and flaky.

Practical notes: service is the most mixed part of the experience. Some diners praise an owner who made things right, while others found the counter unattended or food cold. Check platters for naan and sides before leaving. Portion opinions vary, but many diners say plates arrive full.

Cafe Europa at 1537 Howe Avenue, Suite 116, in Sacramento draws diners for homestyle Greek food and a warm welcome. The owner greets guests and remembers regulars, drinks get refilled, and food comes out quickly. Diners call it consistent and a step above fast food for a modest price.

The gyro is the item most often named. Beef and lamb gyro, the supreme with fries, and a spicy version with jalapenos each have fans. The Greek salad is called tasty, the spanakopita is sold by the piece, and falafel, dolmades and baklava round out the table. Hummus and tzatziki with pita make a good starter.

Practical notes: lunch is the busiest time. A few diners found the gyro meat dry or the falafel overcooked on some visits, and one thought spanakopita was priced high at first before comparing other places. Greek fries come as an extra side.

Shahrzad Fine Persian Cuisine at 2931 Sunrise Boulevard in Rancho Cordova is the Persian room on this list, and diners call it the top Persian room in Sacramento. The setting is dim and warm, with wood panels, Persian art on the walls, and live piano some evenings. Birthdays, graduations and celebrations come up often, and the staff earns notice for small kindnesses.

Kebab is the main order. Koobideh, chicken koobideh and jujeh kebab arrive with rice, and one diner said the chicken koobideh was better than any they had tried. Shirazi salad, mast moosir with hot bread, and adasi soup start meals well. A shahrzad dinner for two brings salad out right away, and vegan Persian dishes are available.

Practical notes: catering handles large events, including one for a very big crowd. A few diners found the tahdig less crisp than hoped, and the beef koobideh below average, so chicken kebab is the safer choice. Service pace varies at busy times.

Petra Greek on 16th Street keeps things simple. Diners order at a counter in a small, busy room, then settle in with a gyro, a Greek salad, or a plate of souvlaki. The lamb and beef gyro is the dish named most, and chicken gyros and gyro salads follow. Portions are generous, and one delivery order arrived hot and well packed.

Happy hour is a strong reason to visit. Beer is priced very low, and the Greek fries with olive oil and feta are a popular match when ordered extra crispy. Baklava gets praise for dessert, and one diner highlighted a staff member who helped with the menu and kept the line moving with a smile.

The street is busy, with metered parking nearby, and lines can reach the door at peak hours. Diners who order beer are asked to eat inside rather than at the sidewalk tables. A few complaints about order mix-ups exist, so check the bag when ordering takeout.