For more than 600 years, the Ottoman Empire ruled over Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Parts of North Africa were also under its control. As Islam became more popular, so did the food from that area.

As the Ottoman Empire grew, its cooks moved with it. They started using ingredients from the new areas in their food. Because of this, you can find kebabs, baklava, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and rice pilaf in more than one country. 

But the same meal could taste different in different ways. It's like barbeque and chili: wherever you go, you'll have a different experience.

Are you ready to eat at one of these Middle Eastern restaurants, some of which serve the foods that the sultans liked best? These three restaurants on Delaware Beach are far and away the best.

1. Kabab Falafel Addiction

Image Source: Cape Gazette

On Route 1, between Lewes and Rehoboth, you can find the newest place to eat Middle Eastern food: a fast-casual restaurant. At Kabab Falafel Addiction, customers place their orders at the counter and pick up their food when it's ready.

But there's no way to get around this. They serve unique food made from scratch and do all the work themselves. 

When making falafel, dried chickpeas are used as the main ingredient. Then, they bring back 100% organic olive oil from the hills around Jerusalem and spices from Jordan. Some of them came from trees that are more than one thousand years old.

2. Aroma Mediterranean Cuisine

Image Source: Rehoboth Foodie

Aroma was opened on Second Street, where Stoney Lonen used to be, just as the coronavirus pandemic started. It survived, and now it’s as strong as ever.

We suggest getting the Aroma Mix, a mix of hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and sautéed eggplant, all of which are made in-house.

Another favorite of his is the Adana kebab. It is made of ground chicken mixed with Turkish spices, wrapped around a skewer, and cooked over charcoal.

3. Semra’s Mediterranean Grill

Image Source: Visit Southern Delaware

If you want a gyro, you can go to Semra's, near the beach, which has a takeout window facing the street. The meat in the window is being cooked and stacked on the spit simultaneously. It's not like what big distributors sell, which has already been put together.

The owner, Semra Tekman, was born in Turkey. She cooks traditional foods like tzatziki, made with salty yogurt and cucumbers, using skills passed down through her family.

To get the most out of her cooking, you should go to the dining area, which is tucked away from the main door. And oh, the serving size is pretty huge.

You must try the dish called "Iskender," named after Alexander the Great. It seems like it should have an Italian taste, but it doesn't. It is 100% Turkish. On a pita, thin slices of gyro meat are topped with tomato and pepper marinara sauce, yogurt, and roasted peppers.

But our go-to order is a gyro cheesesteak, made with beef that has been marinated and heavily spiced with Turkish spices. You'll find that this is something you can't stop eating.

Final Thoughts

The restaurants along the coast of Delaware serve a wide range of foods, including delicious Middle Eastern food. There are many ways to satisfy your hunger, from the delicious shawarmas at Aroma to the tasty falafel at Kabab. 

If you like hummus, kebabs, or any other type of Middle Eastern food, one of these best restaurants on Delaware Beach will have something for you. So, the next time you're at the beach, stop by one of these great places to eat for a truly unique and delicious meal.