The Mediterranean — Restaurant in Kaipātiki

It’s not like I haven’t eaten lamb chops before, however the food I was served was not only tasting off, the smell was horrible. I didn’t complain at the beginning thinking it’s okay I will just eat the salad and then tell them at the end. The waitress was very good at hearing and did said if I want to have something else instead, however, the response i got from the kitchen was very awful. Instead of saying sorry they had an excuse that it is the garlic marinade. I have been eating such food all of my life and the other 4 people on my table couldn’t even stand the smell of lamb. We know how garlic tastes, it’s an important ingredient of our food. It’s very very disappointing getting this kind of excuse for stale food. It was not even we didn’t pay for our meals but what we wanted was a bit of courtesy from the staff there.

Also as it was visible from the tables, the staff was using bare hands to put salads on the plates. My friend is a pure vegetarian and using bare hands does increase the chances of cross contamination. Using gloves wouldn’t cost a lot or at least using tongs. The restaurant charges a Bomb for their meals, an average meal is around 25-26 $, thus we do expect a good service, at the...

Having been told to visit on a recommendation, we duly did. The restaurant was empty bar a couple when we arrived, however within 30mins the whole restaurant had been filled with a party booking.

With the restaurant having bifold doors and the constant wide door openings, the temperature rapidly dropped and coats were put on. This wasn’t helped when access to some tables were only possible by opening the doors (width of 4) to let them in and out.

Lack of heat aside, once the initial order was taken there was a gap between some parts of the order arriving and others on both the starters and mains and the time for the mains to arrive was excessive (even though the party hadn’t ordered)

Food was ok yet nothing to write home about - no rice, only fries or bread - so it’s a carb fest.

Suspect based on this experience it’s the last visit but I’m sure they may have better days.

So to summarise - cold, slow service and food nothing special.

A real shame as was looking forward to some...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Mediterranean – A Gem of Lebanese Cuisine

From the very first bite, it was clear this place takes pride in serving truly authentic Lebanese flavors. Every dish was beautifully crafted — full of depth, balance, and the unmistakable warmth of Middle Eastern hospitality. • The mezze selection was outstanding: fresh, vibrant, and perfectly seasoned. • The grilled meats were tender and infused with rich, smoky spices that linger just right. • Even the smaller details — the freshly baked bread, aromatic herbs, and thoughtful presentation — showcased the chef’s dedication to authenticity.

It’s rare to find a restaurant that delivers not just food, but a complete cultural experience. The Mediterranean does exactly that: it brings the heart of Lebanon to the table with finesse, generosity, and passion.

If you’re craving exceptional, well-created, and truly authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, this is the place you’ll want to return to...