The Garden

We absolutely love this place. We’ll drive up from Santa Barbara just for the Gyro. The lamb chop is ridiculous and their garlic paste sauce is unmatched from anything like it we’ve ever had anywhere in America. Everything is so fresh and well prepared. I don’t think there’s anything on the menu that isn’t amazing. The Meat Sambousk is also incredible. The service is always great and friendly. The outside patio is beautiful! And the lentil soup will change your life! And please don’t forget to have the baklava for desert! SO ADDICTIVE! I’m glad we live an hour away. I’d be broke and fat from eating here every day!

The atmosphere was so romantic and beautiful, the food was a 10/10, and our server was so sweet! If we are ever back in this area we will for sure be having another date night there and ordering way more food and drinks! Amazing!

had such a wonderful experience at this restaurant! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, inviting, and beautifully designed. The service was exceptional. The staff and owner himself was attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. They made sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed, and their recommendations were spot on. He made us feel like family. The food was absolutely incredible. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. You can truly taste the quality and care in each dish. From the appetizers to the main course, every bite was delicious and beautifully presented. Overall, an amazing dining experience. I will definitely be coming back and recommending this place to friends and family :)

I really like this place. The environment is wonderful. The food is amazing and the staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. Fatima did a great job! I would definitely come back!

Been here a couple of times and I have always been happy with the food. The cost may be a little higher than what you’d spend at a fast food place, but the food is healthier, cleaner, and fresh. I ordered the sea bass on the most recent trip and was very happy with the flavor profile. If you’re looking for a nice meal, healthy food, and/or something that is worth trying, stop here. Their outdoor patio seating is also nice if you want to get together with a few people for drinks.

Atmosphere of this place is great. Very well done patio area. Service was so so, and the Mediterranean was kinda meh. Maybe caught them on a bad day, because I've had their food delivered, and it's usually better.

A wonderful dinner of delicious Greek fare. The lamb chops were perfect. Service was not rushed - which was perfect for us. Our dog enjoyed the location too. We did bring her blanket for the floor as it was a bit chilly. Heaters above warmed our patio area.

Food is always excellent and the sevice, well, Joelyn is the greatest! I love there chicken or steak scharwma. But their combo kabobs are fire too! Anything, honestly, is amazing.

My fiancé and I decided to try something new for our 7th anniversary and chose The Garden after seeing a social media post with great reviews and delicious-looking food. When we arrived, we were a little concerned because there weren't many people dining in, but we decided to give it a chance, and we're glad we did, because it exceeded our expectations. Atmosphere: 10/10 The patio is beautiful, with warm lighting and greenery that create a cozy, inviting environment. The hostess seated us under a heater, which was perfect for a chilly evening and added to the comfort of the night. Service: Our server, Marco, was excellent. Even though it was a slower Tuesday night, he was extremely attentive, professional, and helpful with recommendations for our first visit. He paced our courses perfectly, allowing us to relax and enjoy our anniversary dinner without feeling rushed. Thank you, Marco, for helping make our night special. Food: Overall 9/10 We started with a sampler of the Tzatziki, Baba Ghanoush, and Hummus with pita bread. All were delicious, the cheese pastry was a standout appetizer, and our ranking for the dips was: Tzatziki Hummus Baba Ghanoush For cocktails, my fiancé had a margarita, and I tried the Oaxaca Old Fashioned. Both drinks were on the stronger side, which we enjoyed. Our entrées came as part of the Dinner for Two combo, which I highly recommend because you get to try several items from the menu. We received two salads, one was great on its own, and the other paired excellently with the meats. For the main course, we enjoyed chicken, steak, and a steak-and-lamb combination with rice and vegetables. All the meats were cooked well, but the beef and lamb kebab were our favorite, especially when paired with the dips and the parsley-based salad. Dessert did not disappoint either. I'm a huge coffee lover, so trying Turkish coffee for the first time was a treat. My fiancé, who isn't big on coffee, still enjoyed it when paired with the pistachio honey pastry, a perfect way to end the meal. Overall: The Garden gave us a fun and memorable way to celebrate our anniversary. Having the patio to ourselves on a quiet Tuesday night made it even more special. We will definitely be returning to this hidden gem on the Central Coast. Didn't take many pictures as we were being present with each other on our special night, next time we'll take more pictures. 10/10 -- Highly recommend.

So glad we found this spot - kind of in the middle of nowhere but beyond beautiful outdoor space that we loved! Really cool little picture spot - the service was great We have kids and like to call ahead our food so we have food ready when we get there - they were more than willing to accommodate and had everything set up at the moment we got there. The food itself delicious across the board got some of the cheese bread amazing combo platter. Everything was juicy and delicious, fries were super crispy highly recommend, and my wife loved her Gyro! 10/10 recommend and will be coming back very frequently

So good! Driving through town on my way north- much better than a fast food burger. Lunch special for2. Nice when you don't need to ask for more bread.

Very unassuming decor and appearance from the outside and a spacious, relaxing and welcoming inside. I had the lunch special chicken plate with rice and salad. Perfect portion for lunch. I also had the Lebneh dip with pita. Service was fantastic, Jenny was attentive, kind and prompt with a smile. The inside has two sections; inside formal dinning room with booths, chairs and table cloth and the "outside" patio section. There is a legit retractable sun/weather covering on the patio which allows just enough light and ample fresh air. Truly a Middle Eastern garden oasis. Great for large parties, special events, etc. If you drink they have a cool looking and fully stocked bar. Great spot for all ages and events, from casual lunch with a friend, family dinner, co-workers and larger parties. Amazing place. Don't just this reataurant by its casual and unassuming outside apprearance. Ample parking.

The service was great, very quick. The food was delicious and super fresh. I got a falafel sandwich and the falafel was super crispy and all the sauces and veggies were really fresh and complimented it nicely. I would come again!

Absolutely adorable ambience. Great service and delicious food. This is definitely a place for a romantic date night a drink with your friends or just a family getaway. Never had a bad meal here and always excited to try something new

This place has amazing food! I'm a sucker for Mediterranean food and this place serves the best in Santa Maria! The service is great and the restaurant has a cool and cozy vibe. I always eat outside on the patio or order to go and take it home. I love that I can order one entrée and have leftovers for the next day that are just as tasty as the day you brought it home. A must try. Don't miss out on supporting our local and delicious restaurants.

The food was so good, especially the falafel! Great selection of vegan options. The patio is much cuter than the inside, and they had heaters for colder weather.

I love Mediterranean food, so I was thrilled to discover The Garden--it truly feels like a secret garden tucked away in the middle of Santa Maria. I went for the first time with a few coworkers for lunch, and we were all pleasantly surprised. The patio garden is spacious and beautiful, with plenty of seating to keep you comfortable no matter the weather. There's also a large indoor dining area, but the outdoor space is so lovely, it's hard to pass up. It's a great spot to host an event--the setting is inviting, open, and perfect for gatherings. Plus, they have a bar, which adds to the relaxed, festive vibe. Everyone working there was very friendly and welcoming. We shared the Vegetarian Combo Platter, which was the perfect size for four people to try a little of everything. I ordered the Gyro Lunch Special: tender lamb served over a bed of rice with a side salad, plus tzatziki and hummus. The portion was generous--I ended up taking half home, and it was just as delicious the next day. I'd definitely order it again!

Food. Service.ambiance 5 star for all of them!! This place is a gem! Pls keep up the good work!

Food is very good and service was excellent. They charge a service fee if you do not pay with cash.

Santa Maria often gets overlooked on the culinary scene--perfectly understandable considering its many well-heeled culinary neighbors. But darned if this isn't the best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant on the central coast. The Garden is a favorite of ours for its freshness, superb friendly service, and value. The epicenter of the establishment is its large Lebanese style patio with a bar, plenty of seating, heaters for all-year dining, and its namesake flower garden. When you've had your fill of the world famous tri-tip, this is the perfect change of pace. Consider their grilled meats, salads, hummus, homemade pita bread, and fresh vegetables. This is a very good restaurant.

This place deserves 10 stars! Service was exceptional and food was top notch. We were there for a family event visiting from different locations-total of 14 people. They delivered all we asked for and then some more! Kabob platter, dessert, appetizers, coffee and drinks were all superb.

This restaurant has very unusual food for a Mediterranean restaurant. They had pita bread, of course. They had a large lamb shank bone in a meat broth with potatoes and vegetables, and other dishes. Service was excellent.

I've eaten a wide variety of Mediterranean food, and The Garden served the best Mediterranean food I've ever had! My daughter & son-in-law from San Diego make a point of eating there whenever they come to visit. We had hummus and lebneh for appetizers. The hummus was super creamy & beautifully presented. The lebneh was mixed with herbs that brought it to the next level. We had chicken, steak, and kufta kebabs, and kibbe - all were excellent. The kufta kebab and the kibbe were especially remarkable. My SIL had the lamb shank, which was served in a bowl with broth and root vegetables. He said it was amazingly tender. The dinners come with a choice of sides. The vegetable side looked amazing, much better than vegetables served at most restaurants. We shared two of the desserts that I can't remember the names for - the two that aren't baklava, lol. Again, amazing! The dining area is an enclosed patio with greenery and fountains, which makes a beautiful setting. The service was friendly and efficient. I'll definitely go back again! I want to try the falafel and the fattoush salad - two of my favorites!

Worth a Visit to Central Santa Maria ..... Pros: Interesting menu. Tasty food. Good value. Friendly service. Con: A small item - The pita bread was too firm and not warm. Star Ratings: - Overall: 5 - Location: 4 - Ambiance: 4 - Menu: 5 - Food Quality: 5 - Food Quantity: 4 - Service: 5 - Value: 5 - Parking: 5 The first time my wife and I visited the Garden Mediterranean was in late 2019 shortly before Covid hit. When friends mentioned going there for dinner in late January, they asked us to join them. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: - Location: Not bad. It's in central Santa Maria about a half block east of Broadway. It took a reasonable 20 minutes for our group in Nipomo to get there. - Ambiance: Pleasant. The dining room is fairly large with many well spaced tables which is nice for conversation. There's also a large patio for times when the weather is more cooperative. - Menu: Interesting. Lots of great sounding dishes. - Food Quality: Very good. Our table shared the Vegetarian Combo Platter ($20) with several pieces of 5 or 6 different appetizers. I followed that with a Shrimp Kabab Platter ($26). The shrimp were big and juicy and accompanying rice and vegetables very tasty. My wife had a Chicken Kabab with Steamed Vegetables ($24) which she called "excellent". My drink was Modelo Draft ($6) which she had a glass of house white wine ($12). - Food Quantity: Not overwhelming, but certainly sensible. - Service: Friendly and Attentive. Our server, a young woman, was helpful and always available to answer a question. - Price and Value: Reasonable. - Parking: Plentiful in their own lot. Con: - Food: The pita bread accompanying our dishes was kind of firm.....not warm and soft. A minor quibble. The Garden Mediterranean is neither a high end nor low end restaurant, but something comfortably in the middle. It's a worthy competitor to the Mediterranean food at Hapy on the Arroyo Grande-Pismo Beach border.

Great food and service. Sitting on the patio is always very pleasant. Nice location and everyone e I have taken throughly enjoys the variety of choices.

One of the best places to have Mediterranean cuisine. Place is amazing. Great food all around and very very friendly

As a fellow traveler who just happened to be stopping by the area, I'm so impressed with this place! The ambiance is amazing and the vibes feel great here! A huge thank you to my waiter Jennie! She made me feel very welcomed along with the other servers. I ordered the lamb shank and I gotta say it's one of my favorite things I've tried by far! The baklava as desert is a must. I will be back here next time I'm in town!

Super nice indoor and outdoor dining area with light jazz playing and very relaxing fountains outside. Service was prompt but not intrusive. Ordered the combo appetizer, lamb shank, lentil soup, and kabobs. The platinum margarita was exceptional! All the food was really, really good and moderately priced. A true 5 star rating, one of very few I've ever given.

I ordered the lentil soup which is excellent. Then, next was the vegetarian combination platter. It includes a Tabbouli salad that's full of flavor with lots of lemon juice. My favorite on this plate is the babaganoush which is made of roasted eggplant. Their hummus is so creamy and topped with olive oil, parsley and chickpeas. I'm not a huge fan of cold stuffed grape leaves, but I do like theirs because it's not so oily. And finally the falafels have a nice crunchy crust and soft fully-cooked interior making it perfectly delicious. With the toasted pita bread, I'm so full! Best of all, I know it's such a healthy meal.

I was so excited to try this spot as someone who loves Mediterranean food and for it being the second most recommended restaurant in Santa Maria, I knew I had to try it. Ambiance: Friendly but service was slow. I had to wait a bit to order and get my bill. Meanwhile, other tables received more attention than my table. The staff were nice and I can see they were being genuine but all these factors still made me think the service and ambiance were subpar Food: I am going to be honest but the food isn't food. With Yelp check in, I got the pita and hummus. The pita was not toasted at all. Quality was not consistent and I noticed other tables had actual toasted pita. I ordered the beef shawarma and thought it was pretty average. The beef was a bit too tough to eat though. My biggest complaint here is the lamb chops served with vegetables. I recognize those vegetables very well and it makes me sad that a restaurant that has expanded to SoCal uses Costco's frozen stir fry vegetable blend (nothing wrong with buying Costco produce but frozen ones?!?!?). This was honestly a huge rip off. If that was the case, I might as well bring the one from my house to the restaurant and ask them to cook it. As much as I want to genuinely give them a more positive rating, I could not. These positive reviews are so misleading. I would not recommend anyone to go here because it's too expensive, food is meh, and service does not match up to what you pay for.

First time. Delicious chicken shawarma wrap. Fresh hot pita wraps perfectly spiced chicken. Handheld brilliance. Garlic paste for dipping on the side is better than anybody else's. Polite and attentive service. Nice open ambience with birds chirping.

This is a very nice restaurant in all aspects. Food is high quality and flavor. Service is exceptional !

Driving up the 101 we always make it a point to stop in interesting places along the way instead of relying on off-the-freeway fast-food chains. And this one was worth the detour. The Garden Mediterranean is the kind of place you go to have a group happy hour or family reunion, or frankly any kind of gathering. Large covered and well heated patio that can open up to allow the weather in on a perfect day, but also to keep the weather out if needed. Very warm and friendly staff and good service. The hummus was absolutely delicious and my only complaint is that they don't give nearly enough pita to accompany the huge portion of hummus (or reduce the size/price of hummus)- so it's disproportionate. I was eating hummus with a spoon because I didn't want to waste so much. I really appreciate the tasty extra virgin olive oil (really olive-y tasting). I ordered the Fattoush salad with beef. The salad was perfectly seasoned and tart as a good fattoush should be, but I would have liked bigger pita chips instead of what felt like crumbs. The beef was meh-- not bad, not great. My daughter ordered a lamb gyro, and I snuck some pieces of the delicious and perfectly seasoned lamb chunks...I wish that I could have had those lamb chunks on my fattoush salad. The tzatziki sauce was thick, creamy and perfect. Can't wait to go back with the whole family next time.

If I had the option to rate this place 10 stars I would!!! Being middle eastern myself, I have a certain standard I go by, and this place knocked it out of the park!!!!! We were a group of 12 and Reda the owner was so hospitable and showed us so much love and really took care of us like we were at home! I love this place and highly recommend it to anyone who has never tried middle eastern food, this is the place to set the bar!

If you're in the area looking for Mediterranean food, this is not the right place to go. This is what I got for $27. No rice, hummus or pita bread and the meat was very dry

This place continues to impress! I could think of no better way to spend my birthday than lunching on their lovely patio. They have added a wood patio roof which only enhances the area. If you are interested in an alcoholic drink, their outdoorbar is complete & ready to serve. They seem to have enhanced their lunch menu (we usually have dinner here) which gave us several choices. I chose their lamb plate while my husband had their koftah (spiced ground beef) kabab. Everything was delicious & perfectly prepared. Their lamb is the most tender I have ever had. We added a small side of pita bread so we could enjoy the hummus that came with our plates - it came out warm & tasty. This continues to be our favorite restaurant in town.

My wife and I came for a late lunch. If i could give a zero i would. As a restaurant owner I will say the food is pretty good. I believe we waited over an hour for our food and there was only 1 other table the whole time. I've had better humas I brought at Lucky's, honestly. Ambiance nice if you want to watch people walk into the DMV the whole time you eat and smell the exhaust from the main drag Broadway. The owners, cooks and servers take breaks right by the patio where the guest eat you can smell the cigarette smoke heavily and see the wait staff smoke right before they come serve you not cool at all. Infact gross!!! Im not sure who the older gentleman is that walks table to table Im Assuming owner, he was nice to my wife and I, gave us a free desert baklava (sp), honestly that was the best part of the whole meal. As we were walking to our car we heard loud conversation didn't sound perductive coming from outside dinning area it was the older man that visited our table yelling at one of the wait staff. We will never come here again after seeing how they treat their employees.

Just got back from a fundraiser held at this restaurant. What a great place. The owner went above and beyond to help out. V the food was incredible. Ambiance terrific. Will definitely return.

We came here for a baby shower and the atmosphere was perfect. The chef was incredibly kind and accommodating when we shared that a member of our party had a citrus allergy. The food was delicious! I live about 3 1/2 hours away, otherwise I would be here every week. I would highly recommend you try this place out.

One of the best restaurants!!!!! The food was very good! Everybody nice, friendly and polite highly recommend this place !!!!

Great food and great service! The patio is beautiful! The owner was so gracious and made it us feel at home. The variety of delicious Mediterranean options made it very difficult to choose. As a large group we tried most of them. Some of the favorites... falafel, labneh, humus, cheese borak, meat sambousek, kebabs.

Absolutely must try!! We found this restaurant after looking on Yelp for dinner options in Santa Maria. It was the first one that popped up - and for good reason! So many wonderful reviews, and now we know why! The food was incredible! The koftah kebab and chicken shawarma were so flavorful and delicious, and the sauces of tahini and garlic sauce made them even better! We also ordered sides of hummus and baba ghanoush - both were delightful, and the bowl was large enough to share between the two of us. The service was amazing as well - everyone was very friendly and we were seated and served right away. Shout out to Jennie for the amazing service! If you are in Santa Maria, and looking for an amazing Mediterranean meal, definitely check out The Garden Mediterranean!

The best Mediterranean food ever in Santa Barabra county . Can't say enough good about food and drinks . Service is amazing . Ambiente is comfort, comforting, and pleasant. Garden is alive, all vegetation absolutely amazing

The food used to be so good here! Now they serve frozen vegetable mix and it's an Asian mix at a Mediterranean restaurant?? Vegetables were sprinkled with dry oregano. Food was definitely not worth the price and will not go back. The patio is a pretty but all the chairs had bird poop on them.

Finally managed to stop by in person and eat at their restaurant. The building is really cool. The decor and vibe is cozy and nice, greeted with a smile and service was quick and attentive. Food came out in a timely fashion, service was great! I got free pita and hummus with the check in and it was pretty good. The hummus was excellent, great texture and velvety smooth. The pita was good but i think it would've been not so dense. It was a little hard to bite through but, i'm realizing, i don't know what Pita texture is supposed to be? Lamb shank- this is a must have! everything just falls apart, right off the bone and the broth has so much depth to it. I got it with the vegetables and really appreciated that they weren't just an afterthought. well cut, cooked and seasoned. There was plenty that I took some home. This was a very comforting meal and reminded me of my mom's stews and soups. Overall we had a great experience and the food is pretty well priced. I know this was previously a concern but doordash just adds extra making this high. If you're around the area then come by and have a good plate of food.

Food is amazing you can tell it is made fresh. It always hits the spot! There's a beautiful patio with heaters (also dog friendly!) Great spot for large parties, date nights, or just a casual outing for some drinks. They also have a full bar. Their wine selection is amazing; all local wineries. My go-to is chicken kebab with rice and lentil soup. Amazing service as well!

I really like this place, it's been around for a while, and trust me it has been a HIT with the community from day 1. I go here frequently. Some of my favorite dishes are: lamb shank, the lunch specials, gyros, baba ganoush, hummus, and the cheese boat. Today, I got together with my friend and I had the kofta kebab (like a meatball almost) with Greek salad. For an appetizer we got the cheese boat. I'm embarrassed to say that despite being on a low carb diet, there was no hope left for the cheese boat. I took care of it The kofta kebab entree is large enough where you can enjoy it next day for lunch. As you can see in my photo, that is the plan!!!!! It's raining right now, but they have beautiful patio seating, and you can come with your dog (or two) and enjoy the literal garden they have outside.

Wow this place is a MUST try if you are traveling North or to Monterey stop by here... really great food, service, and ambiance. A homey place with good music too... Thank you for great hospitality

The Garden Med has recently remodeled their outdoor seating area with even better heaters, and canopy that rolls back, and special padded chairs. BUT the food - that's really why we come almost weekly - it's just the best Med cuisine on the Central Coast. Their Falafel (my ultimate test of Med restaurants) is excellent, get it every time as an appetizer. Hummus is good as well (another test of mine). Great wine selection. Their HOT fries - well those are in another category to themselves (my wife says). Get them once and you're sunk for every time you come. Girls that serve us on Sundays after church are our friends now, they're so friendly and always have suggestions for the large menu.

The food is incredible and the garden area is beautiful. I love coming here ! The service is always terrific as well.

I'm pleased to update my review 4 years later and say business seems to be thriving. We visited for lunch on a Sunday and chose to sit outdoors - the patio is very large, dog-friendly, shaded with a healthy garden surrounding it. We ordered the spicy garden fries (a unique offering), beef shawarma plate, and the chicken shawarma wrap. Each item was a great blend of Mediterranean flavors and my only regret was not having room to try more. Service was swift and attentive but there was a delay getting our entrees so I think perhaps the kitchen is understaffed, but we weren't in a hurry. Definitely returning for more!

很好吃的中东菜，来自China. The meat is tender and juicy, the fries are crispy, and the environment is excellent. A great place to enjoy a delicious meal with a nice atmosphere.

All the appetizers tasted really good. The humus and the cheese pastries were the best ones. Specially because of the warm pita bread. All of our dishes came out quickly and our waitress was very nice and attentive. I had the salmon and it was delicious. The place feels authentic.

I stumbled upon The Garden Mediterranean while looking for some quick lunch options in the area. I'm always craving Lebanese food so when I see a highly rated restaurant, I jump on the opportunity to try it. As for the location, it's tucked into a little corner near a center and a DMV; it may take you some time to discover this hidden gem. I will say that the area is a tad sketchy, which made me a little weary to even try the food. I'm glad I went with my better judgment, though. If you are going into the restaurant, be sure not to keep any valuables in your car. Despite the area, the restaurant is nestled behind a ton of beautiful flowers and greenery. I want to first start off by praising our amazing waitress. I have dined at a fair amount of restaurants, and I always meet pleasant service staff. BUT, the waitress at this restaurant was by far one of the best I've ever had. She was very friendly, hospitable, kind and had a very cute personality. She definitely adds value to this establishment. Now to the food... If you are a vegetarian/vegan (like me), you won't have any issues finding options on the menu. The veggies and entrees are flavorful and fresh. If you are into meats and so forth, you won't have any trouble with that either. They have a wide range of meats that include chicken, lamb, and ground beef. We ordered the lunch special for 2, which was a great value. It allows you to try a little bit of everything for a great cost. We were served two types of labneh dip (regular and spicy) which were beyond flavorful. They were both extremely creamy and paired well with the slices of pita. The fatoosh salad was insanely light and delicious. The lemon dressing made every bite tastier than the last. The falafels were good, but I wouldn't say they were the best I've ever tried. They lacked some spices, specifically parsley. I was told that the meat skewers were very tender and tasted fresh. Initially when I got to the restaurant, I wanted to have some baklava and tea, but by the time we finished our meal, I was so full that I couldn't fathom ordering anything additional. This is an excellent restaurant with outstanding food and service. Highly recommend!

Great outdoor seating; even though the nippy wind dominated outside, the outdoor seating area was comfortable, as if protected by some ancient blessing. The food was great too.

Wasn't the best Greek food ever, but I was still quite satisfied with the well-seasoned chicken gyro for a nice fresh road stop meal. Didn't knock my socks off, hummus a tad bland, but if you're needing something quick and light, this will fit the bill nicely. Friendly staff a plus!

Our Family has come here several times! The Food is Amazing! Always Fresh and Delicious! The atmosphere makes you feel like you are in a swanky town! We've only sat outside and it's Beautiful, especially on a warm sunny day! Great Service! A Must Try!