One of my favorite cuisines to get when I go out to dinner is Mediterranean. No matter how careful you might be when you are preparing it at home, you can never quite match the quality of hot soft pita, the crisp taste of fresh hummus, or the spices of falafel. Depending where you go, quality and price can vary dramatically. It is a joy when you can find a restaurant that has great food at a reasonable price.

Luckily, my wife and I discovered a Greek food gem located in the Mt Airy section of Philadelphia. It’s called Malelani Café and it is located right on Germantown avenue, an area where the restaurant scene continues to grow. Our first time there, we took the recommendation of the owner and upgraded a simple chicken gyro to a generous platter. It was worth the additional $3.00. The hummus, the stuffed grape leaves, the red peppers all added to the delicious tastes of the meal. Other menu standouts are the falafel and the chicken shawarma. Make sure you ask for an extra pita, you will need it!

They also have live music on Friday and Saturday nights, mostly in the singer-songwriter mold due to the small size of the café. If you are looking for Mediterranean food that won’t disappoint, make sure to check out the Malelani Café.