Most people who know Mediterranean Grill House know it for shawarma, kabob, and Sanaa Coffee. Fewer know that the same counter on Castro Street runs a genuinely deep Middle Eastern dessert program — one that stands on its own, separate from anything on the grill menu.
Kunafa: The Centerpiece
Kunafa ($8.99) is the dessert most worth ordering first if it’s your first visit to the case. It’s built from shredded phyllo pastry (kataifi) layered over a soft, warm cheese filling, baked until the top turns golden-orange, then soaked in sweet syrup. The contrast — crisp shredded pastry on the outside, soft warm cheese in the middle, syrup tying it together — is unlike anything in a standard American bakery case, and it’s best eaten warm, close to when it’s served.
Baklava, Done a Few Different Ways
Baklava at Mediterranean Grill House isn’t a single item — it’s a range. Small Triangle Baklava and the standard Baklava run $3.99, a smaller chocolate baklava piece runs about $2.20, and the fuller Baklava Triangle from the dessert case runs $5.99. Each is built from the same base idea — layered phyllo, nuts, and syrup — but the cut and size change both the price and the ratio of crisp pastry to filling, so it’s worth trying more than one size to find a favorite.
Dubai Chocolate, in Three Forms
Dubai Chocolate has become one of the most talked-about desserts of the last few years, and Mediterranean Grill House carries it in three versions: the standard Dubai Chocolate ($11.99), a Heart Dubai Chocolate ($13.99) suited for gifting, and a Luxury Dubai Chocolate ($13.99) for a slightly more premium presentation. All three center on the same idea — a chocolate shell filled with pistachio cream and crisp kataifi pastry — that made the original version a social-media phenomenon.
Mamool, Turkish Delight, and Gift-Ready Options
For smaller bites or gifting, Mamool ($4.50, available in pistachio, dates, or walnut fillings) is a shortbread-style cookie built around a sweet filling, dusted with powdered sugar. Turkish Delight runs $5.50 for a standard portion, with a $19.99 gift box available for anyone shopping for a hostess gift, a teacher gift as the school year starts, or a holiday-adjacent present that isn’t chocolate.
The Rotating Cake and Cheesecake Case
Beyond the traditional Middle Eastern desserts, the counter also rotates through a Western-style case of milk cakes and cheesecakes, generally $6.99–$7.99: Pistachio Milk Cake, Pistachio Cheesecake, Biscoff Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Red Velvet Cake, and several others depending on the day. It’s a useful middle ground for anyone in a group who wants something familiar alongside someone else trying Kunafa or Dubai Chocolate for the first time.
Ordering Dessert Without a Full Meal
The dessert case doesn’t require a wrap or plate order first — it’s entirely reasonable to stop in just for a slice of Kunafa or a Dubai Chocolate bar. That said, pairing dessert with a cup from the Sanaa Coffee program (a Turkish Coffee or Sanaani, both $5.25) rounds the visit out the way it’s traditionally served across the region.
Visit or Order Online
Mediterranean Grill House is located at 650 Castro St, Unit 110, Mountain View, CA 94041. Hours run Monday–Wednesday and Sunday, 11 AM–10 PM, and Thursday–Saturday, 11 AM–4:30 AM. Phone: (650) 625-9990.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is Kunafa?
A1: A Middle Eastern dessert of shredded phyllo pastry layered over soft cheese, baked and soaked in syrup. Mediterranean Grill House sells it for $8.99.
Q2: What is Dubai Chocolate?
A2: A chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream and crisp kataifi pastry. Available as a standard bar ($11.99), a heart-shaped gift version ($13.99), or a luxury version ($13.99).
Q3: How much is Baklava at Mediterranean Grill House?
A3: It ranges from about $2.20 for a small chocolate piece up to $5.99 for a fuller Baklava Triangle, depending on cut and size.
Q4: Is there a dessert good for a gift, like a teacher gift?
A4: The Turkish Delight gift box ($19.99) or a boxed selection of Mamool ($4.50 each) both work well as gifts.
Q5: Do I need to order food first to get dessert?
A5: No — the dessert counter can be ordered from on its own, no wrap or plate required.
Q6: What pairs well with dessert here?
A6: A cup from the Sanaa Coffee program — Turkish Coffee or Sanaani, both $5.25 — is the traditional pairing.
