A Healthy West Coast Mediterranean Chain Expands into Preston Hollow and Irving

A California-based Mediterranean chain is opening two new locations in Dallas. Daphne’s Mediterranean is a fast-casual restaurant that is committed to what they call “healthy and wholesome cuisine.” This 30-year-old brand operates 21 locations in California. Their new restaurants in Preston Hollow Village and at 8449 North Belt Line Road in Irving are Daphne’s first expansion out of the West Coast.

The two spaces were previously occupied by Noon Mediterranean, an Austin-based company. Daphne’s acquired Noon back in October. The restaurants in these spaces have a history of name reinvention — they started as VertsKebap, then transitioned to Verts, and finally settled on Noon before being bought by Daphne’s.

Daphne’s is focused on serving nourishing, healthy dishes, with most menu items falling under 700 calories. Dishes can easily be modified to accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.

“The food we serve is wholesome, fresh and ranges from the very traditional to the unique,” says Michael Nakhleh, president of Elite Restaurant Group, the parent company of Daphne’s. “Our gyro fries with our signature fire feta are a crowd favorite and show what Daphne’s is all about: serving delicious-tasting food that innovatively highlights all the Mediterranean has to offer.”

In addition to the gyro fries ($7.99), other starters include chickpea falafel ($4.99), spanakopita ($4.99), lemon chicken soup ($2.99 for a cup, $3.49 for a bowl) and a mezze platter ($9.99) with hummus, Kalamata olives, feta, cucumber tomato salad, tzatziki, pickled red cabbage and warm pita wedges.

Daphne’s Dallas locations are the first to feature the option for guests to build and customize their own bowls (starting at $10.49). Begin with a base: basmati rice, red quinoa, grilled pita bread, organic spring mix or baby kale. Then pick your protein, toppings, sauces and finishers. Protein options include hand-carved gyros, grilled chicken, chickpea falafel, grilled steak (extra $2.49), grilled shrimp (extra $1.49), wild-caught salmon (extra $3.49) and sea bass (extra $3.99). Toppings include things like spiced chickpeas, feta cheese, hummus, spicy cauliflower salad, fire-roasted eggplant dip and kale quinoa tabbouleh. Finish your bowl with sauces like harissa, chermoula, walnut romesco, Greek dressing and lemon tahini.

If you’re not feeling creative, you can pick one of seven “classic” entrees. Try the vegetarian falafel pita ($8.49), classic Greek salad ($9.99) or savory quinoa bowl ($9.99) with grilled chicken, cucumber tomato salad, pickled red onions, red cabbage salad, tzatziki and harissa. Daphne’s also offers kids meals ($5.99) — hand-carved gyros, grilled chicken, crispy chickpea falafel — which are served with basmati rice, tzatziki sauce, pita and a fountain drink.

Daphne’s has plans to further expand; they're in the process of opening nine more locations in Austin, Houston and Boston.

Daphne's Mediterranean, 7949 Walnut Hill Lane