Best Mediterranean
Dametra Cafe
356 Ocean Ave., Carmel
(831) 622-7766, dametracafe.com
Dametra
630 Del Monte Center, Monterey. (831) 275-5555
120 General Stilwell Drive, 110, Marina. (831) 274-4444
Ladies, gentlemen and gentlethems! Buckle up, because this is a three-act performance. The story of the Best Mediterranean food opens with Dametra Cafe, a cornerstone of Carmel’s food scene, started by restaurateur duo Bashar Sneeh and Faisal Nimri. Drawing from their Levantine roots and also surrounding countries like Greece, Spain, Lebanon and Italy, the partners curated a menu that reads like a cruise around the region. After years of success, they expanded into Monterey and Marina with a fast-casual model, so even the most time-pressed amongst us can grab a dolma and falafel to go.