Mediterranean Exploration Company, known locally as MEC, serves Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking from a converted warehouse at 333 NW 13th Ave in Portland’s Pearl District. Diners come for shareable plates, thoughtful cocktails and a dining room suited to date nights and group celebrations. It ranks #5 of roughly 2,400 Portland restaurants on Tripadvisor, with a 4.6 rating from more than 350 reviews.
The room keeps its warehouse bones, with high ceilings, exposed beams and concrete. Long communal tables encourage the family-style ordering the kitchen favors. Plates arrive meze-style for the table to share. Expect silky hummus, warm flatbread, bright vegetable dishes and slow-cooked lamb. The menu has plenty for vegetarians, and the bar mixes cocktails with Mediterranean herbs, citrus and spice. In good weather, reviewers praise dinners on the outdoor patio.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
MEC serves dinner only and is listed as open daily from 4:00 to 10:00 pm (source: Yelp). Friday and Saturday evenings fill quickly, so reserve ahead. For a quieter meal, book an early weeknight seating. Order several plates for the table rather than one entrée each. The entrance has a ramp, and the dining room sits on a single level with no stairs (source: Yelp). The Portland Streetcar runs a few blocks east along NW 10th and 11th Avenues, and Powell’s City of Books is a short walk away.
