With so many new restaurants opening up in Durham it can be hard to choose where to eat. Its definitely becoming a foodie town with some new establishments really shining through. Neomonde is one new restaurant that should not be missed. Located in the heart of Durham, Neomonde offers authentic Mediterranean food at an affordable price (also a plus for a broke college student).
The restaurant has a very casual vibe with a walkup counter displaying their multitude of salads and hot appetizers that you place your order at. People can choose to pair these sides with shwarma, kebobs or Man’Ousheh, a middle eastern 10-inch Flatbread. I’m not going to lie, you really can’t go wrong.
Having traveled to Israel, I can say with certainty that this food stands up to the test. Here were some of my personal favorites:
Hummus
One of the most important things at any Mediterranean restaurant is the quality of their hummus, which is a dip made of chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Neomonde not only had traditional hummus but a cilantro jalapeño variety as well. The hummus had the perfect consistency and was incredibly tasty. Personally, I preferred the traditional hummus, but if you’re looking for something with a little kick definitely try the cilantro jalapeño. The hummus was creamy and well seasoned, and I'll definitely be going back for it.
Chicken Shwarma
Next up was the chicken shwarma pita. I actually don't eat a ton of meat so when I do, I want to make sure its worth it. This shwarma was moist, flavorful and overall amazing. The pita was warm and soft and the chicken was well seasoned. Considering how many different dishes I was tasting I was trying to only take a bit or two of each...needless to say, I at the whole pita pocket and it was worth it.
#SpoonTip: Top your shwarma off with a hefty amount of tahini for an incredible flavor combination.
Falafel
Another Mediterranean staple is falafel. I’ve had some great falafel but also some not-so-great falafel. When prepared correctly, falafel is crispy, flavorful and soft on the inside while not being too heavy. This falafel was exactly that. Served on a bed of tomatoes and pickles with a side of tahini, I will definitely be coming back for seconds.
Sides
I also tried a sample of their sides. These were all delicious, but there were definitely some standouts that I'll be raving about for weeks to come. The mjadarah, a combination of lentil, rice, and caramelized onions was warm and hearty with a touch of sweetness from the onions. The cabbage salad was super fresh and citrusy and had a great crunch. Lastly, were the grape leaves are hand-rolled by one woman who has been doing it for several years. The worst thing about going to Neomonde is simply deciding which dish to choose.
If you can’t tell, I’m definitely a fan. So if you’re in the area, and want some incredible Mediterranean food you should definitely stop by. If you still have room at the end of your meal make sure to get some baklava too.