Andre TaylorFinding the best Middle Eastern restaurant in Indianapolis can feel tougher than it sounds when every menu promises fresh shawarma, fluffy pita, and house-made hummus.
I wanted places that actually deliver the kind of meal you remember later, whether that means smoky kebabs, crispy falafel, or a big platter meant for sharing.
So I pulled together local spots that stand out for flavor, portion size, and overall experience. These picks cover quick lunches, relaxed dinners, and regional specialties that are worth the trip.
How much does a Middle Eastern meal cost in Indianapolis?
Expect to spend between $10 and $30 per person when dining out for this cuisine, depending on whether you grab a quick bite or sit down for a fuller dinner.
| Meal Type | Average Price Range |
| Casual lunch or quick bites | $10 to $15 |
| Standard entrées | $14 to $25 |
| Traditional sit-down dinner | $20 to $30+ |
1. Sahara Restaurant
Website: https://www.sahararestaurantin.com
Address: 832 Broad Ripple Ave
Contact: (317) 205-9300
Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Craving a relaxed lunch wrapped in warm pita? Sahara Restaurant hits the spot with traditional Mediterranean cooking and a clear focus on freshly prepared gyro meat and falafel.
The aroma of spiced meat hits fast when you walk in, and the menu makes it easy to build a full meal with vegetarian-friendly appetizers, mixed platters, and dessert.
I was especially glad to see combination plates that let you try gyro and chicken shawarma together without overthinking the order. Another thing I appreciate is the house-made baklava, which gives the meal a strong finish.
The main drawback is the location. Since it sits on a busy commercial stretch, dedicated parking is limited, so you may need extra time before you can settle in and eat.
Customer Reviews
Outstanding food. Very nice people.
This restaurant has the best Mediterranean food in Indy. I’ve traveled the Middle East and Egypt and this restaurant is top notch.
Their gyros is the beat in Indy.
Very nice people.
I look forward to trying all the menu items.
- James Rinehart | Google Review
Flavorful and well-rounded in a perfect way.
Sahara’s food is notably flavorful and well-rounded in a perfect way. This visit we went basic and got their babaghanoush, chicken shawarma and gyro which was all delicious, but what topped it all off was the genuinely hospitable nature of the owner. My sister and I were the only two during a less busy time of the day, and he treated us to basbouseh, fragrant rose water black tea, and such wholesome conversation. The whole meal was a heart warming experience, and is definitely a 7/5 stars if I could only rate it so high.
- Aria Nguyen | Google Review
2. Kabab Grill
Website: https://www.kabab-grill.com
Address: 4825 East 96th Street
Contact: (317) 669-2012
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
There’s something satisfying about food cooked over an open flame. Kabab Grill leans into that strength with authentic charcoal-grilled meats and shawarma made from traditional marinades and halal ingredients.
I stopped in to try one of the family-sized mixed grill platters, and the smoky char on the chicken really stood out. Most entrées come with fresh pita, so it’s easy to scoop up the juices and share the meal with the table.
It creates the same fun, communal energy you get at tapas spots in Indianapolis.
Bring a little patience, though. Because the skewers are cooked to order over charcoal, the food can take longer than it would at a place using a flat-top grill.
Customer Reviews
Their food was as good as their service and smile.
I was driving from TX to Toronto and passing through Indianapolis around lunch time. I googled Kabab Grill. Host Jamal and cook Yazin were very friendly young fellow. Their food was as good as their service and smile MashaAllah.
I order Mansaf with Lamb was wonderful- delicious. Coffee and Qahwa was on the house ,
- Bashir Awan | Google Review
The food was amazing and the service was top notch.
The food was amazing and the service was top notch. Everyone was so kind and the food was so good. I can’t wait to go back and try something different. The complimentary bowl of lentil soup was absolutely delicious!!
Falafel wrap with french fries.
- Luisa Senour | Google Review
3. Batman Grill
Website: https://batmangrillindy.com
Address: 1435 W 86th St
Contact: (317) 200-1137
Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Saturday, 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sometimes you want something more specific than a general Mediterranean menu. Batman Grill stands out for traditional Turkish food with a stronger regional focus.
The menu goes beyond familiar wraps and platters with dishes like Iskender Kebab and Adana, and the kitchen bakes Turkish bread and lahmacun in-house.
I also like that you can round things out with Turkish tea, coffee, or one of the rotating soup specials, which makes the meal feel a little more complete.
The tradeoff is that the menu is specialized. Diners expecting a broad pan-Mediterranean spread may find fewer familiar options here. It works best if you’re in the mood to lean into Turkish flavors specifically.
Customer Reviews
An amazing value and experience.
Been going to the grocery for a while and had a place for Ramadan fall through and decided to give this place a try with my friends. We got the family grill platter and it was an amazing value and experience. The workers were also incredibly kind and left a wonderful and personable impression.
- Leo | Google Review
Shawarma was delicious and their garlic sauce was great!
We absolutely loved the food and the friendly gesture of their stuffs. Fries were crispy and well-seasoned, Shawarma was delicious and their garlic sauce was great!
Though this place is inside Aim mart grocery store, it has separate seating arrangement which seems clean and cozy. Highly recommended!
- Farhana Afroj | Google Review
4. Naf Naf Grill
Website: https://www.nafnafgrill.com
Address: 921 Indiana Ave
Contact: (317) 669-9400
Hours: Daily, 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
When you need lunch fast, Naf Naf Grill makes a strong case for the fast-casual approach without losing the flavors that make Middle Eastern food satisfying.
A friend pointed me toward the bowls here, and I liked how easy it was to build exactly what I wanted through the assembly-line setup.
Fresh pita is baked in-store throughout the day, and the menu clearly marks vegan and vegetarian options, which helps when you’re ordering quickly.
It’s also a handy change of pace if you’re bouncing between errands or grabbing quick tacos at Mexican restaurants in Indianapolis.
The downside is pretty clear. This is counter service, not a traditional sit-down restaurant, so the experience feels more practical than leisurely.
Customer Reviews
I’m never disappointed.
I literally eat here about one time a week and I’m never disappointed. The food is always fresh and satisfying, The staff is always friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is always clean. Because I usually come on my lunch break, I don’t dine in much but I always can get in and out without any issues or too much time used even when everybody is on their lunch break as well.
- Sarita Sharp | Google Review
Delicious, fresh, good quality food and options.
I love this place. Whenever I am in the area, this is where I go. Delicious, fresh, good quality food and options. I get a bowl with lettuce hummus and falafels. I tried the lentil soup for the first time too and it was delicious! If you want a tasty, quick meal- this is a great for dine in or delivery!
- Megan Nicole | Google Review
5. Taste of Yemen Restaurant
Website: https://tasteofyemen.kwickmenu.com
Address: 4672 W 38th St
Contact: (317) 746-6966
Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
For a meal that feels comforting from the first bite, go to Taste of Yemen Restaurant. This spot focuses on authentic Yemeni cooking with slow-roasted meats, imported spices, and big platters built for sharing.
The mandi and haneeth are the kinds of dishes that make you want to slow down and stay awhile, and the oversized bread from the clay oven is perfect for soaking up the juices.
I also appreciate the customary floor seating option. It adds to the traditional feel without making the experience seem forced.
The main limitation is the menu balance. Since the restaurant leans heavily into meat and rice platters, strict vegetarians may have a harder time finding a filling main dish.
Customer Reviews
The lamb dishes were on point.
The food and atmosphere where excellent. If you can take off the blinders and come here definitely ask for a recommendation on a food option. You can get hummus and pitas everywhere but the lamb dishes were on point. The serving sizes are plentiful.
- Judy Garcia | Google Review
The best lamb dish I’ve ever had.
This was my first time trying Yemen food and it was sooo good! I got the chicken mendi which was falling off the bone tender. My frriend got the meat fahsa and that was amazing! The chicken mendi was really good but I’m honestly sad that I didn’t get the meat fahsa because it was incredible and the best lamb dish I’ve ever had by a long shot.
- Macy Olds | Google Review
