Some cuisines can be easily replicated at home, but there’s a nuance to Mediterranean food that is elevated by professionals like Chef Can Alp at Zeugma Mediterranean Grill in Montclair. This South Park Street restaurant serves up top-quality pita and hummus, savory main dishes, and tempting desserts — basically the epitome of delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Whether dining in or ordering out, an evening or morning (yes, it’s also a brunch spot) with Zeugma guarantees a culinary expedition without leaving Montclair. Read on to learn more about Zeugma Grill, located at 44 S Park Street in Montclair.
The Atmosphere
{Photo credits: @zeugmanj}
When you walk into Zeugma, you’ll be greeted by Doric columns and cozy bench seating around the perimeter. The mosaic art on the wall is eye-catching and elevates the ambiance of the space. On the menu is a fantastic array of dinner options. Meats on the rotisserie, baking pita, and a host of herbs and spices get mouths watering and stomachs rumbling before you pick up your menu.
According to its website, Zeugma was the name of the city in Turkey which was “the last stop on the Euphrates river before crossing into the Persian Empire.” The restaurant seeks to embody that crossroads spirit in the dishes, which combine cuisines from Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, and “other areas of the Mediterranean region.”
(Photo credits: @zeugmanj)
No matter the combination, the crossroads diners face is simple: deciding which selection appeals most to them that day. Luckily, there is truly no wrong choice on this menu.
Read More: Nicolo’s: Montclair’s OG Italian Bakery + Deli
The Menu
(Photo credits: @zeugmanj)
Salads and appetizers offer brightly-flavored greens and grains, as well as a variety of dips to try. The hummus is done right — creamy and flavorful — but more exploratory palates won’t be disappointed with avogannush or pumpkin muhammara.
(Photo credits: @zeugmanj)
Avogannush blends smoky eggplant and cool avocado, while the pumpkin muhammara is a sweet-and-savory blend of pumpkin, walnut, and feta. If you can’t decide which to choose, we recommend going for the mezze platter and trying out all three.
(Photo credits: @zeugmanj)
Or, for serious hummus aficionados, make an entree of the lamb-hummus, a huge bowl of garlicky hummus topped with lamb and served with fluffy pita. For the faint of heart, it’s definitely a large amount of hummus, but delicious nonetheless.
See More: 7 Delicious Spots for Hummus in Hoboken + Jersey City
Entrees prove just as varied and yet consistently satisfying as the starter courses. Chicken and Lamb shish are savory meats served with rice pilaf and roasted veggies such as carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.
(Photo credits: @zeugmanj)
Vegetarians can opt for Manti, shiitake dumplings served in a yogurt sauce. Seafood selections and burgers round out the menu, ensuring something for everyone. The lamb tandoori tacos are another stand-out menu item. All entrees are served with house-made pita.
Bring your own favorite bottle (yes, it’s BYOB) to accentuate the flavor profile of the evening.
(Photo credits: @zeugmanj)
The “Z Chef Special” is a hidden gem in the desserts section. The dish consists of a meringue-style wafer atop whipped cream and strawberries. It is a fruity, cool combination of textures, yet light enough to fit in after an indulgent meal and probably one more pita than you intended to eat.
As for brunch, Mediterranean classics are still very much at the forefront. To name just a few menu options different kinds of shakshuka, a spinach feta omelet, kebabs, and a Medi breakfast — served with feta, tulum cheese, olives, tomatoes, tahini chocolate, beef sausage, and halloumi.
Dining Options
(Photo credits: @zeugmanj)
Zeugma is located at 44 S Park Street and the restaurant is open on Sundays from 11AM to 8:30PM, Tuesdays through Thursday from 3PM to 9:30PM, Fridays from 3PM to 10PM, and Saturdays 11AM to 10PM. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM to 3PM. If takeout is preferred, several apps including DoorDash and Seamless are available. No matter what, this spot is a win for Mediterranean food in Montclair.
