Castro Street Has a Lot of Restaurants. Mediterranean Grill House Has a Category of Its Own.
Downtown Mountain View’s Castro Street is one of the most active dining strips in the South Bay. You’ll find everything from sushi to tacos to ramen within a few blocks. But Mediterranean Grill House at 650 Castro St isn’t competing for the “best restaurant on the block” title in the conventional sense — it’s built an entirely distinct identity that no other Castro Street establishment can claim.
It’s a Mediterranean grill and a Yemeni coffee house. Both, executed at a level that earns consistent praise from a community with high standards and endless options.
This guide covers both sides of what Mediterranean Grill House offers and why it deserves a consistent spot in your Mountain View dining rotation.
The Mediterranean Food Program: Freshness as the Standard
Mediterranean Grill House serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine made fresh daily — shawarma, kabobs, bowls, wraps, and house-made sides. The “fresh daily” commitment isn’t marketing language here; it’s what the reviews confirm.
Shawarma — Chicken shawarma is specifically praised by reviewers. Marinated, slow-roasted, shaved to order — the Levantine tradition done correctly. Available as a wrap or bowl.
Falafel — Reviewers describe the falafel as “among the best in the bay.” This is a significant claim in a region that has access to exceptional Middle Eastern food from a dense network of Lebanese, Israeli, and Palestinian restaurants. Crispy exterior, soft interior, well-seasoned — falafel at this level is the dish that earns a return visit.
Kabobs — Grilled skewers as part of the menu, an expected and well-executed element of the Mediterranean grill program.
Hummus — House-made, praised in reviews. A baseline indicator of kitchen quality in a Mediterranean restaurant. When the hummus is good, everything else tends to follow.
Tabbouleh — Fresh, herb-forward, properly dressed. Another baseline-quality indicator.
House-made Tahini and Labneh — Specifically called out in reviews. These dipping sauces and spreads are often purchased pre-made in lesser restaurants; at Mediterranean Grill House, they’re made in-house.
Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options — Available, accommodating the dietary diversity of the Mountain View tech workforce.
The Yemeni Coffee Program: A Genuinely Rare Experience
This is where Mediterranean Grill House becomes something that can’t easily be replicated elsewhere in Mountain View. The restaurant serves Sanaa Yemeni Coffee — a specialty coffee program built around Yemen’s ancient coffee tradition.
The specific offerings:
Sanaani Coffee — Yemeni coffee brewed with cardamom and coffee in the traditional style. The cardamom aroma is unmistakable; the flavor is rounder and more complex than standard espresso.
Adeni Chai — Described as similar to Indian masala chai but with fewer spices. A spiced tea that’s warming, aromatic, and distinct from the standard chai variations available elsewhere in Mountain View.
Turkish Coffee — Described by reviewers as “notably strong.” The traditional unfiltered preparation served in a small cup — for those who want coffee that means business.
Hot and iced versions — The Sanaa coffee menu is available both hot and iced.
One reviewer described Mediterranean Grill House as “probably the best cafe in Mountain View due to the unique options” — a statement about the rarity of authentic Yemeni coffee preparation in the South Bay. This isn’t a flavored latte. It’s a centuries-old coffee tradition that’s genuinely uncommon outside of Yemeni community establishments.
The Price Point: Extraordinary for Castro Street
Castro Street in Mountain View is not a budget dining strip. Restaurants on this block charge Silicon Valley prices for Silicon Valley audiences. Mediterranean Grill House is consistently described as “very reasonable, especially for the location.”
For the Google engineer who wants a full lunch — shawarma or kabob plate with hummus and house-made sides — the value relative to the quality is a genuine differentiator. For a Castro Street coffee experience with Sanaa coffee or Adeni chai, the price is accessible compared to specialty coffee establishments in the area.
This combination — quality, authenticity, and reasonable price on Castro Street — is the reason Mediterranean Grill House earns regulars rather than just tourists.
Breakfast and Pastries
Mediterranean Grill House also serves breakfast options and pastries alongside the coffee program — a detail that positions it as a genuine morning destination in addition to lunch and dinner service.
For tech workers who want a different morning stop, or for anyone who wants a Sanaani coffee with a pastry to start the workday, Mediterranean Grill House is open for the occasion.
Order Online or Walk In
Order directly through online-ordering.innowi.com/branch/medgrill — no third-party fees, direct to the restaurant.
Visit at 650 Castro St, Suite 110, Mountain View CA 94041. Phone: (650) 625-9990.
