When it comes to cuisine from around the world, the flavors of the Mediterranean are definitely not easily forgettable. Cuisine from all the Middle Eastern countries surrounding this massive Asian sea comes packed with a menagerie of exotic spices, fresh vegetables, and delicious meats perfect for a change of pace from your typical, everyday meal.
Of course, there are plenty of places that serve Mediterranean cuisine in Tampa ranging from the cheap, hole in the wall restaurants to forward-thinking and upscale eateries. Row Boat Mediterranean Cuisine in Ybor City is the place to be for the best of both these worlds.
This unassuming restaurant on the corner of 8th Avenue and 15th Street in Ybor serves a simple variety of Mediterranean and Greek inspired lunch and dinner perfect for a cheap, quick, and most importantly, delicious meal.
Lunch selections include gyros, falafel, schawarma, salads, and platters with protein options including lamb, beef, and chicken.
A lunch serving of the chicken gyro comes in a massive portion loaded with grilled, seasoned strips of chicken breast, tomato, onion, and tzatziki (Greek yogurt sauce) on a warm Greek pita for a hard to complain about price tag of $5.79.
The chicken gyro is a pleasant work of Mediterranean flavors with the perfectly seasoned chicken breast melding with the cool, cucumber-y flavor of the tzatzkiki for a great flavor. Combined with a hearty serving of their seasoned Greek fries, this makes for a more than ample mid day meal.
Row Boat's dessert selection is just as praiseworthy as the main courses. They've got baklava in a variety of flavors including pistacho, almond, and cashew; each seemingly more scrumptious than the rest, as well as rice pudding dusted with cinnamon and crushed pistachio.
Row Boat isn't anything mindblowing, or much of a departure if you've had your share of Mediterranean cuisine, but they know what they're doing and they do it tastefully, affordably, and with little fanfare. For a simple-minded, hungry palate, that's all it takes.
Check out Row Boat in Ybor City, then don’t forget to give them your own rating and review on the 813area Row Boat Mediterranean Cuisine business listing.
