Mediterranean Bistro — Restaurant in Omaha

On a whim, we decided we wanted Mediterranean food while we visited Omaha (we're from Colorado). We conducted a Google search and selected the Mediterranean Bistro and made reservations for 4 adults, a 7 year old, and a 2 year old. Prior to going, we reviewed their menu online so we could order quickly (due to 2 hungry kids) and get out of the restaurant before prime dining time! Upon arrival, we sat at a corner booth with plenty of room for all 6 of us. We ordered an appetizer of Sliced Feta and Greek Olives with Pita Bread. It was delicious, and we shared it amongst the adults! It was a good portion and tasted great! My wife wanted a Gyro, but to our dismay, they only served them at lunch (our fault for not looking at the correct menu). She decided to have the Caspian (Lamb) Kabob. Marinated and grilled lamb tenderloin and fresh vegetables cooked over an open flame, served with basmati rice and a 2 oz. side of cucumber yogurt sauce. It was superb and the talk of the table! The lamb was cooked to perfection and generous in proportion! I had the Combo Kabob Chicken kabob and shish (beef tenderloin) with grilled fresh vegetables and basmati rice. The chicken was the best part of this meal, and I'd order Chicken Kabob if I had it to do all over. The beef tenderloin was chewy and had some gristle through it. My son had the Shish Kabob Marinated beef tenderloin, grilled vegetables, cooked open flame served with basmati rice. He liked his, and his was cooked well and was as advertised. My daughter in law had the Greek Salad with Chicken; Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, feta cheese, olives & house dressing with grilled chicken. The salad was fresh, the chicken was delicious, and it was a generous portion. The kids had the Small Plate Chicken, which was ok for them! The sides of all the meals were cooked well and definitely helped us geel full! The staff were ok but not great! We had to wait on drink refills, and the time we waited from the appetizer to order was a little long! The meals were cooked fresh and took about 25 minutes to receive. They were well worth the wait, but we were glad we brought along snacks for the kids. As a side note, when you order a Coke for $3.99, it's served as a can with no refills. Finally, the bill came, and it wasn't broken down by item. It was a little over $100 without tip, but we all felt it...

This restaurant imposes a mandatory 20-25% gratuity on takeout orders while also inflating prices beyond what’s listed on the menu. Over the years, we have dined in and ordered takeout often, but in recent months, the pricing discrepancies have become significant. Menu prices no longer match the final bill, even after toggling between lunch and dinner menus. Most recently, our order—expected to total $44.45—was instead charged at $91, with no clear explanation.

Service has also declined noticeably. Dine-in visits now come with long waits for assistance and refills, making what used to be an enjoyable experience frustrating. Takeout, which once took only 15 minutes, now takes 30, yet the food often sits on the counter getting cold before it’s picked up on time. When concerns about pricing or service are raised, responses from staff have been dismissive and condescending rather than helpful.

Beyond the hidden upcharges, there are automatic gratuities of 20-25% that apply inconsistently. The threshold for these extra charges seems to change, as confirmed by my own experiences and other reviews. The restaurant also pushes unnecessary add-ons, like sauces and bread, implying they don’t come with meals—only for them to be included anyway and added to the bill. These tactics appear to be deliberate ways to increase charges and inflate the final cost. While I usually tip generously, these deceptive practices have made it clear I won’t be returning.

The food itself is average, and the atmosphere does little to make up for the poor experience. During our dine-in visit, servers openly complained about their jobs and colleagues within earshot of guests. To make matters worse, staff vacuumed the dining area while several tables were still eating, making conversation difficult. Overall, the experience is not worth the inflated prices, poor service, and uncomfortable dining...

Oh My Gawd!!! Mediterranean Bistro, known by the regulars as "The Med" is one eating establishment that you could go to again and again....and again.

Starting you meal with the Lavash with either lamb, chicken, shrimp or a combination of the three will tickle your taste buds like nothing else offered in Omaha. The flat bread is so light and crispy and the combination of the hummus, artichoke hearts and green olives leaves you just wanting a re-do.

Everything I've tried on the menu has been fantastically sublime. You really cannot go wrong. I would suggest including their barley soup and adding just a spoon full of the spicy sauce that adorns each table or cozy, pillowed booths.

To end your HEALTHY and delicious meal, do NOT forget a cup of The Med's tummy-warming Turkish Coffee. It is a perfect combination of caffeine and sugar cooked over an open flame. At the bottom of your glass you will end up with a dreamy spoonful of creamy and sweet coffee grounds that is insanely delectable.

Holly, the sweetheart that has run The Med for longer than she can remember, told me just this week that The Med will now have a Happy Hour with half-price appetizers and discounted wine. My business, Il Volto, and my good friend and designer of Donna Faye Couture will soon be holding spas and mobile designer boutiques at the Mediterranean Bistro so if you see us there....PLEASE, come over and join us. We would love to have...