The Best Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurants in Hollywood, FL
Hollywood, Florida has developed a diverse dining scene where Caribbean, Latin American, European, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean influences come together. From Downtown Hollywood and Hollywood Boulevard to Sheridan Street, Stirling Road, and Hollywood Beach, locals have plenty of choices when they want something beyond the usual burger or seafood dinner.
For anyone searching for Mediterranean cuisine restaurants, Hollywood offers everything from chef-driven fusion and traditional Greek food to Israeli hummus bars, shawarma shops, Lebanese dishes, fresh falafel, grilled meats, seafood, and vegetarian-friendly meals.
This list gives you 10 local options to explore. At the top is Redwood Bar & Kitchen, a Downtown Hollywood Mediterranean fusion restaurant where Chef Ivan Dorvil combines Mediterranean flavors with his Caribbean roots and decades of South Florida culinary experience.
1. Redwood Bar & Kitchen - Mediterranean-Caribbean Fusion in Downtown Hollywood
Location: 2009 Harrison Street, Downtown Hollywood | Cuisine: Mediterranean & Caribbean Fusion | Google Rating: 4.5/5
Among the Mediterranean cuisine restaurants in Hollywood, Redwood Bar & Kitchen stands out because it does not try to represent only one Mediterranean country or cooking tradition. Instead, Chef Ivan Dorvil blends Mediterranean influences with Caribbean flavors to create a menu shaped by his own background and experience.
Redwood is located on Harrison Street in Downtown Hollywood, putting it close to Young Circle, Hollywood Boulevard, bars, entertainment, and the downtown nightlife scene. The restaurant is built around chef-driven Caribbean and Mediterranean food, craft cocktails, brunch, happy hour, and recurring live entertainment.
Chef Ivan Dorvil: The Chef Behind Redwood
Redwood's biggest differentiator is Chef Ivan Dorvil. Chef Ivan was born in Haiti, trained at Le Cordon Bleu, and has spent decades working in South Florida kitchens. His career includes experience at Miami Beach restaurants such as Blue Door at the Delano Hotel, Tantra, and The Restaurant at the National Hotel. In 2012, he gained national recognition after becoming a Food Network Chopped Champion, and his cooking was later featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.
His approach is often described as “Cooking Without Borders.” Rather than keeping Caribbean and Mediterranean cooking separate, Chef Ivan uses both traditions to shape the same menu. Mediterranean ingredients, seafood, lamb, pasta, herbs, and fresh produce can sit beside Caribbean seasoning, plantains, jerk flavors, and Haitian-inspired ideas.
That makes Redwood particularly relevant for diners searching for a Mediterranean fusion restaurant rather than a strictly traditional Greek, Lebanese, or Israeli restaurant.
Mediterranean & Caribbean Food Under One Roof
Redwood's menu shows the fusion concept clearly. Chef Ivan's Rack of Lamb is one of the signature dishes, bringing Mediterranean seasoning and preparation into the center of the menu. Seafood, grilled octopus, calamari, hummus-style plates, pasta, fish, lamb, and fresh ingredients reinforce the Mediterranean side of the restaurant.
But the menu does not stop there. Mofongo, jerk-inspired dishes, plantain-based flavors, and other Caribbean influences create contrast with the Mediterranean elements. For groups, this can be especially useful because one person may want seafood or lamb, another may prefer pasta, and someone else may want stronger Caribbean flavors.
A Full Downtown Hollywood Dining Experience
Redwood also puts significant emphasis on the overall experience rather than only what arrives on the plate. Its Downtown Hollywood setting works well for date nights, birthdays, dinner with friends, special occasions, and visitors who want to combine dinner with drinks or entertainment.
The restaurant promotes daily bar happy hour, Thursday Comedy Night, and live music and jazz on Fridays and Saturdays near Hollywood Fl. That creates the possibility of making Redwood the main destination for the evening instead of simply stopping somewhere for dinner.
You can arrive for cocktails or happy hour, move into a full dinner, and stay for music or entertainment. Brunch and breakfast-style options add another reason for locals to visit earlier in the day.
Best for: Mediterranean-Caribbean fusion, chef-driven dining, date nights, lamb and seafood, cocktails, brunch, happy hour, live entertainment, and a complete Downtown Hollywood evening.
2. PALA Mediterranean Kitchen
Location: 3317 Sheridan Street, Hollywood | Cuisine: Mediterranean, Moroccan & Israeli-Inspired
PALA Mediterranean Kitchen offers a different side of Mediterranean dining, with a strong focus on kosher cuisine and Moroccan and Israeli influences. Its menu includes hummus, Moroccan salads, couscous, beef stew, schnitzel, Israeli-style dishes, and a variety of shareable starters.
The restaurant has a smaller, cozy setting that suits diners who prefer a neighborhood-style experience over a large dining room. PALA is particularly relevant for people looking for kosher Mediterranean food, comforting Moroccan dishes, and family-style flavors.
Best for: Kosher Mediterranean food, Moroccan cuisine, couscous, hummus, and relaxed family meals.
3. The Greek Joint Kitchen & Bar
Location: 1925 Hollywood Boulevard, Downtown Hollywood | Cuisine: Greek & Mediterranean
The Greek Joint Kitchen & Bar is a familiar Downtown Hollywood option for diners who prefer classic Greek flavors. The menu includes gyro, souvlaki, dips, Greek salads, seafood, lamb chops, moussaka, pasticcio, and other recognizable Greek dishes.
Its Hollywood Boulevard location makes it convenient for locals spending an afternoon or evening around Young Circle and Downtown Hollywood. With both food and a full bar program, it works equally well for casual lunch, dinner, happy hour, or a meal with friends.
Best for: Gyros, Greek meze, lamb, souvlaki, seafood, cocktails, and Downtown Hollywood dining.
4. Pita Shop
Location: 8560 Stirling Road, Hollywood | Cuisine: Mediterranean, Lebanese & Middle Eastern
Pita Shop offers a more casual approach to Mediterranean food. Its menu is built around shawarma, gyro, kebabs, falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, grape leaves, salads, pita sandwiches, bowls, and mixed-grill platters. The restaurant also offers halal options.
This is a practical choice when you want a quick Mediterranean lunch or takeout dinner rather than a formal restaurant experience. Platters and family-style combinations also make it useful when several people want to share different grilled meats, dips, and sides.
Best for: Shawarma, kebabs, gyros, halal Mediterranean food, quick lunches, takeout, and mixed platters.
5. Vish Hummus Hollywood
Location: 2893 Stirling Road, Hollywood | Cuisine: Israeli / Mediterranean, Vegetarian & Kosher
Vish Hummus puts hummus at the center of the meal rather than treating it simply as an appetizer. Diners can choose hummus bowls and plates with different toppings along with falafel, Israeli salad, lentil dishes, vegan shawarma, shakshuka, fresh pita, and other vegetarian-focused options.
The restaurant can be particularly appealing to vegetarians, vegans, kosher diners, or anyone who wants a lighter Mediterranean meal built around legumes, vegetables, sauces, and fresh ingredients rather than grilled meat.
Best for: Fresh hummus, falafel, vegetarian Mediterranean food, vegan options, shakshuka, and casual lunch.
6. DABUSH
Location: 3371 Sheridan Street, Hollywood | Cuisine: Israeli Shawarma & Kosher
DABUSH brings an Israeli street-food style experience to Hollywood. The concept focuses heavily on shawarma, grilled meats, falafel, pita, laffa, bowls, hummus, rice, majadra, fresh toppings, pickles, and sauces.
The casual format makes it an easy stop when you want bold Mediterranean and Israeli flavors without planning a long sit-down dinner. Diners can customize how their protein is served, making it useful for everything from a quick pita to a larger bowl or plate.
Best for: Shawarma, Israeli street food, pita, laffa, kosher dining, falafel, and quick meals.
7. Taverna Opa
Location: 410 North Ocean Drive, Hollywood Beach | Cuisine: Greek & Mediterranean
Taverna Opa combines Mediterranean dining with a more energetic Hollywood Beach experience. The Greek-focused menu features dishes such as hummus, tzatziki, dolmades, spanakopita, saganaki, grilled octopus, lamb chops, souvlaki, seafood, and whole-fish preparations.
The atmosphere is as much part of the visit as the food. Indoor dining can be lively, with music and entertainment, while outdoor seating gives diners the option of enjoying water views. It can work particularly well for celebrations and groups looking for dinner with more energy than a quiet neighborhood restaurant.
Best for: Greek food, seafood, lamb chops, celebrations, waterfront dining, groups, and lively dinners.
8. Gyromania Grill - Cooper City
Location: 3600 North University Drive, Hollywood | Cuisine: Greek & Mediterranean
Gyromania Grill takes a fast-casual approach to Greek and Mediterranean food, focusing on made-to-order gyros, pita wraps, souvlaki, platters, salads, hummus, spanakopita, and traditional sides.
It is suited to diners who want Mediterranean flavors without a formal dining experience. Large platters and straightforward combinations make it particularly useful for lunch, casual family dinners, takeout, and group orders.
Best for: Gyros, souvlaki, Greek platters, casual lunches, takeout, and family meals.
9. Garden Diva Hummus
Location: 1940 North 30th Road, Hollywood | Cuisine: Plant-Based Mediterranean
Garden Diva Hummus offers a plant-based take on Mediterranean flavors, with hummus as the core specialty. Its small-batch hummus comes in several creative varieties, while the broader menu and pop-up offerings can include vegetarian and vegan dishes, wraps, and other globally inspired items.
The concept is connected to Hollywood's Yellow Green Farmers Market area and is particularly useful for diners who want vegan or vegetarian food with strong flavors rather than a traditional meat-heavy Mediterranean menu.
Best for: Hummus, vegan food, vegetarian dining, farmers-market visits, and casual daytime meals.
10. Pita Pockets
Location: 2727 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood | Cuisine: Lebanese, Mediterranean & Middle Eastern
Pita Pockets is another casual local option for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern classics. Its menu includes beef and chicken shawarma, lamb gyro, falafel, kebabs, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, grape leaves, salads, lentil soup, and mixed platters.
Located on Hollywood Boulevard, it works well for diners who prioritize generous portions, familiar dishes, and a straightforward neighborhood restaurant. Vegetarian choices are also easy to find thanks to falafel, hummus, salads, grape leaves, and veggie platters.
Best for: Lebanese food, shawarma, kebabs, falafel, vegetarian plates, and casual Hollywood Boulevard dining.
What Makes Mediterranean Cuisine Popular in Hollywood, FL?
The popularity of Mediterranean cuisine best restaurants in Hollywood Florida makes sense when you consider the city's location and culture. South Florida's warm weather naturally complements dishes centered around seafood, grilled meats, citrus, herbs, vegetables, salads, hummus, olive oil, and fresh ingredients.
Hollywood is also highly multicultural. That means diners are not limited to just one interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine. Local options include Greek, Lebanese, Moroccan, Israeli, Middle Eastern, vegetarian, and fusion-focused restaurants.
You can choose a classic gyro for lunch, Moroccan couscous for dinner, shawarma from a casual counter-service spot, or a chef-driven Mediterranean-Caribbean meal in Downtown Hollywood.
Traditional Mediterranean Food vs. Mediterranean Fusion
Some diners want dishes that stay close to a particular tradition. Greek restaurants may focus on gyro, souvlaki, spanakopita, feta, grilled seafood, and lamb. Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurants often center around hummus, shawarma, kebabs, falafel, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and pita.
A Mediterranean fusion restaurant approaches things differently. Instead of focusing on one country, fusion gives the chef room to combine Mediterranean ingredients and techniques with flavors from another culinary culture.
Redwood Bar & Kitchen is a clear local example. Chef Ivan Dorvil brings Caribbean flavors into conversation with Mediterranean seafood, lamb, pasta, fresh ingredients, and seasoning. The menu therefore reflects both Mediterranean traditions and Chef Ivan's Haitian and Caribbean background.
Final Thoughts: Exploring Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurants in Hollywood
Hollywood gives local diners plenty of variety when it comes to Mediterranean cuisine restaurants. Traditional Greek food, Moroccan dishes, Israeli shawarma, Lebanese favorites, hummus, falafel, kebabs, seafood, and plant-based meals can all be found within the Hollywood area.
But for diners who want something more chef-driven, Redwood Bar & Kitchen provides a different experience. Chef Ivan Dorvil's Mediterranean-Caribbean concept combines his Haitian roots, South Florida culinary career, Mediterranean inspiration, and personal approach to hospitality in one Downtown Hollywood restaurant.
For locals searching for Mediterranean food Hollywood FL and wanting a Mediterranean fusion restaurant that feels connected to South Florida's multicultural dining scene, Redwood Bar & Kitchen is a place worth knowing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mediterranean Cuisine
What are Mediterranean cuisine restaurants?
Mediterranean cuisine restaurants serve food inspired by countries and regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Depending on the restaurant, menus may include Greek, Italian, Lebanese, Turkish, Moroccan, Israeli, Middle Eastern, North African, or Southern European influences.
Where can I find Mediterranean food Hollywood FL?
Hollywood has Mediterranean restaurants throughout Downtown Hollywood, Hollywood Boulevard, Sheridan Street, Stirling Road, North University Drive, and the Hollywood Beach area. Options range from full-service restaurants to casual shawarma, hummus, gyro, and kebab shops.
Is there a Mediterranean fusion restaurant in Hollywood, FL?
Yes. Redwood Bar & Kitchen in Downtown Hollywood combines Mediterranean and Caribbean influences under Chef Ivan Dorvil. Its concept includes Mediterranean seafood, lamb, pasta, and other ingredients alongside Caribbean flavors and Chef Ivan's Haitian culinary background.
What Mediterranean dishes should I try?
Popular starting points include hummus, grilled octopus, falafel, shawarma, souvlaki, kebabs, gyro, Greek salad, lamb chops, grilled seafood, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, couscous, and Mediterranean-style fish.
Are there vegetarian Mediterranean restaurants in Hollywood?
Yes. Many Mediterranean restaurants naturally offer vegetarian dishes such as hummus, falafel, salads, lentils, vegetables, baba ghanoush, grape leaves, and pita. Vish Hummus Hollywood and Garden Diva Hummus place an especially strong emphasis on vegetarian or plant-based food.
