Full of aromatics and layers of richness, Middle Eastern cuisine has been shaped by thousands of years of history and culture. These Middle Eastern restaurants bring that level of complexity and multifaceted food to Westchester County.
Argana Restaurant
325 N Main St, Port Chester; 914.612.4440
Influenced by the traditions of the Berber people, an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, Argana combines Moroccan and Arab-Andalusian fare. Sip on a Marrakech mojito that’s given a twist with the addition of Moroccan tea in lieu of club soda. B’stilla is a traditional dish that signals a celebration, fittingly what your taste buds will be feeling after a single bite. A sweet and savory pie, its layers of pastry dough and chicken evoke warmth and comfort on chilly autumn days. The restaurant also offers Moroccan specialty items to purchase, just in case your kitchen is yearning for a tajine.
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Greenwich Flavor by Myrnas
148 Mason St, Greenwich; 203.896.0005
Specializing in Lebanese cuisine, Greenwich Flavor by Myrnas offers diners unparalleled authentic food presented in a wholesome way. Beef kibbe, organic lentil soup, and the chicken kebab platter are can’t-miss items on a menu full of hearty, fresh jewels. And don’t forget a bottle of Alamaza, a Lebanese beer.
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Hash-O-Nash
441 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck; 914.630.7310
Jeweled lanterns glittering from the ceiling give the air of enjoying a meal in Cairo, not Westchester. Start off with the Lebanese platter, consisting of tabouleh, Moroccan cigars (pan-fried phyllo dough stuffed with kashkaval cheese, feta, and herbs), grilled halloumi cheese, and kibbeh balls (lamb and bulgur with onions and nuts). If you’re somehow still hungry after that, select an entrée from the grill — the restaurant uses a delicate build of oak, hickory, and mesquite to create the precise amount of smokiness in every dish. On Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., there’s a live belly dancer to take the ambiance (and liveliness!) up a notch.
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Irvington Delight
2 S Broadway, Irvington; 914.479.5600
There are very few elements of cuisine that Amal Suleiman doesn’t make by hand at Irvington Delight. Even the grape leaves for the stuffed dolma come from the original vines the family brought with them from Jordan in the ’80s. The kofta kabob wrap, topped with homemade tahini sauce, is the perfect light lunch to wade you into the waters of Middle Eastern cuisine. A trip to this corner bodega wouldn’t be complete without taking home a container of Amal’s famous spicy hummus (or eat it with a spoon in your car — we won’t tell).
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Medi Bistro
50 Main Street, White Plains; 914.946.1232
Medi Bistro, an upscale but accessible authentic Mediterranean-Persian dining experience, boasts various dips, kabobs, and stews that will transport you to a mecca of Persian flavors. The must-tries for those who have never tried Persian food are: Kashk Badenjoon, Shirazi Salad, Koobideh Kabob, and Chicken Fessenjoon. Enjoy it all dipped in Mast Mousir, a Persian delicacy of yogurt and sun-dried shallot, and wash it down with one of the many creative Persian-inspired cocktails.
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Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar
80 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.345.6111
Named after one of the most renowned cities for arts and also the wine center of the ancient world, Shiraz offers an impressive and mouthwatering variety of Persian dishes, especially rice. Saffron chicken, lamb shank, Persian vegetable stew, and feta-stuffed dates all add up to why Shiraz has garnered coveted Michelin recognition.
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Taiim Falafel Shack
598 Warburton Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson; 914.478.0006
Meaning “tasty” in Hebrew, Taiim lives up to its name. Comfort food like spicy falafel and chicken shawarma mingle on the same menu as Indian street food like chilly pakora (jalapeños stuffed with sweet peas and potatoes deep-fried in a batter of traditional chickpea flour) and vegetable samosas. We’re talking tasty with a capital T.
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