Mediterranean Paradise, a local cafe serving Lebanese and Greek cuisine, opened July 18 in Bonita Springs. The new mom-and-pop restaurant launched in the former space of a barbershop next to Teri’s Family Diner at Imperial Bonita Plaza on the southeast corner of Bonita Beach Road and Imperial Parkway. Major renovations at the plaza are underway to enhance its façade, parking lot and landscaping. 

Paradise’s popular menu items include the gyro, falafel sandwich and chicken shawarma, said Nick Zaitoun, who co-owns and operates the restaurant with his wife, Rita. The Zaitouns formerly operated The Greek Island Grille at the nearby Flamingo Island Flea Market for about four years. In northwest Ohio, they previously had a popular Coney Island restaurant for 27 years and a pizzeria for eight years. 

Born in Beirut, Chef Zaitoun specializes in Lebanese dishes such as tabbouleh, fattoush, falafel, hummus, baba ganoush and shawarma, which he traditionally slow-roasts on vertical rotisseries. Other Mediterranean favorites on the menu include spanakopita, chicken souvlaki, dolma, kabob wraps, lamb shanks, Greek salads and baklava. Of course, the menu also features American fare such as burgers, cheesesteaks and other sandwiches. Family-style dinners also are available to dine in or carry out. 

Mediterranean Paradise, 28100 Imperial Parkway, Suite 302, is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and for breakfast 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The cafe is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, call 239-676-9855.