Mediterranean catering is a food orderer’s best friend. There’s something for everyone, so juggling food allergies, dietary restrictions, and mixed palates suddenly becomes much more doable. From meaty kebabs that carnivores will love to vegetarian-friendly falafels and dairy-free dips, the choices are nearly endless.

This eclectic cuisine transforms simple ingredients (like vegetables and legumes) into memorable dishes using herbs, aromatics, and spices — from lemon and parsley to saffron and sumac. If you’re looking for Mediterranean lunch ideas, we can help you bring these far-away flavors into the workplace and inspire your employees to take a revitalizing mid-day break.

The most popular Mediterranean lunch ideas to try

Mediterranean cuisine is diverse. It taps into culinary traditions from all over the basin, which spans from Spain and Morocco on the west to Lebanon, Greece, and Turkey to the east. You could spend years sampling different dishes and still have more to discover, but these Mediterranean lunch ideas are a great place to start.

Mediterranean appetizers

1. Pita

Pita is a soft, hollow flatbread. It can be quite delicious on its own, but it’s also the perfect vessel for dips and spreads.

2. Hummus

Speaking of dips, hummus is probably the most popular. It’s creamy, slightly nutty, and completely plant-based. Pair it with pita or with carrot sticks for a gluten-free alternative.

3. Olive tapenade

Olive tapenade is a much tangier and brinier spread. It combines finely chopped olives, anchovies, capers, garlic, and olive oil. Try serving it with crackers or baguette slices.

4. Dolma

Dolma (or dolmades, in Greece) is a finger food ideal for networking events. These grape leaf rolls are conversation starters because they’re so unique. Inside, they hide a savory filling, usually made with rice or spiced ground meat.

Mediterranean main dishes

5. Lamb kofta

Moving on to entrees, lamb kofta is a Mediterranean take on meatballs. It’s a pretty versatile dish. Eaters can enjoy them loaded into a wrap or plated with flavorful sides.

6. Beef shish kebab

Barbecue fans will love these meat skewers. The beef is tender, slightly charred, and infused with the aroma of warming spices. They’d be an excellent pick for a summer work party.

7. Chicken shawarma

Chicken shawarma is a fun street food that merges the smoky flavors of Mediterranean grilling with America’s favorite lunch: the sandwich. Grilled chicken pieces, chopped lettuce, tomato, and onion are all wrapped in a flatbread and doused in yogurt sauce. As you can imagine, shawarma is a bit messy to eat, so save it for more casual work lunches.

8. Grilled lemon-stuffed branzino

A common office etiquette rule says fish at work is a no-no, but you’ll want to make an exception just this once. Branzino isn’t really fishy. When it’s grilled Mediterranean-style, it actually tastes citrusy and slightly sweet.

9. Falafel sandwich

Falafel sandwiches are one of the most iconic plant-based Mediterranean lunch ideas, perfect for Meatless Mondays. They feature baked or deep-fried chickpea patties tucked inside a hollow pita with diced onion, cucumber, and tomato.

10. Greek salad

Greek salad proves that vegetarian dishes are satisfying on their own. It combines chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and chunks of feta cheese. It’s light but filling.

Mediterranean sides

11. Tabouleh 

Tabouleh is also a refreshing salad, but it’s served as a side. Made with finely chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, and wheat bulgur, it pairs nicely with grilled meat.

12. Rice pilaf

Rice pilaf is a fragrant gluten-free side dish. There’s no set recipe, but it’s usually flavored with fresh aromatics and comforting spices.

13. Couscous

If you’d prefer something more understated, try ordering Moroccan couscous. This fluffy side dish tastes earthy and nutty, so it won’t overpower any entrées.

Mediterranean desserts

14. Baklava

We couldn’t make a list of Mediterranean lunch ideas and not include baklava. It’s an iconic dessert with countless layers of flaky filo pastry and chopped nuts. Soaking it in honey makes it irresistible.

15. Kunefe

Kunefe doesn’t get as much attention as baklava, but it should. It features shredded filo dough, melted stingy cheese, and syrup. That may sound like an odd combination, but somehow it works.

Health benefits of a Mediterranean diet

Those Mediterranean lunch ideas aren’t just flavorful, they’re also good brain food. Olive oil, nuts, fish, and other dietary staples are packed with healthy fats that enhance brain function and improve memory. 

What if you could bring those benefits to work? Well, with catering you can. Treating your employees to nourishing Mediterranean meals could help them think more clearly, focus on complex tasks for longer, and even ward off burnout. That’s good for everyone: employees feel a boost to their mental well-being, while employers reap the perks of having more productive and engaged workers on their teams.

How to make Mediterranean food work for everyone

The best part? Plenty of Mediterranean lunch ideas are suitable for people with allergies and dietary restrictions. For example, hummus, pita, and falafel are naturally vegan-friendly, and olive tapenade is already gluten-free. 

Even if you can’t find safe foods on the menu, most restaurants and caterers let you request simple changes. For instance, omitting the feta cheese in a Greek salad means employees with milk allergies can enjoy this refreshing main course.

Consider Mediterranean catering today

Now you see why Mediterranean food is so popular. It’s delicious, nutritious, and inclusive — all things you want from a catered meal for work. The next time you have to feed a crowd, give this vibrant cuisine a shot. Order Mediterranean catering from a local eatery to make your employees’ lunch breaks more energizing and exciting.