Rochester, NYMediterranean

Aladdin's Natural Eatery's Monroe Avenue room is the original of this Rochester business, and (585) Magazine writes that it markets its menu as healthy, all-natural and inexpensive, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. The kitchen runs falafel, hummus and mezze plates through the day. Order the falafel and hummus plates, and take the pita fresh from the kitchen.

Sinbad's is a Park Avenue Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant open since 1994 under Ziad and Imad Naoum, and (585) Magazine's capsule on the room describes the menu it has kept since. It runs to falafel, tabbouleh, hummus, kabobs and pita in a small storefront dining room. Order a mixed kabob plate with tabbouleh, and hummus to start.

Cedar Mediterranean Restaurant sits at 746 Monroe Avenue, where owner Elia bakes every flatbread and pita to order in a small oven, about three minutes a bread, as CITY Magazine's Katie Libby describes it. The menu runs manakeesh flatbread and pita pockets of shawarma, falafel and kabob. (585) Magazine lists the room among the city's restaurants. Order the manakeesh flatbread while it is still hot.

Levantine's brings food from Damascus and the wider Levant to Elmgrove Road. Its fetteh layers chickpeas and toasted pita with yogurt, tahini, garlic and almonds. Barley salad and Syrian sweets round out the offerings, while chicken shawarma makes a heartier plate.