Levante

Mezze to share

The heart of Levante is the large mezze platters that land in the middle of the table and are cleared together. Creamy hummus, warm falafel, fresh tabbouleh and baba ganoush sit beside grilled lamb and fragrant flatbread used for dipping. If you can't decide, order a mixed selection of starters and work your way across Lebanese cuisine. The concept suits larger groups who like to try and swap dishes around. Vegetarians find unusually wide choice here, as most of the mezze comes entirely without meat and still leaves you satisfied.

Lively Gaarden

Levante sits in the middle of Gaarden, arguably Kiel's most multicultural district, just east of the fjord and not far from Vinetaplatz. Small shops, kiosks and snack bars line the surrounding streets, so a visit pairs well with a wander through the quarter. Inside, warm colours, simple wooden tables and the buzz of voices on busy evenings create an easygoing, welcoming atmosphere. The hospitality is tangible: you are looked after and rarely rushed. Anyone wanting to experience the real, everyday Gaarden is in exactly the right place, right in the thick of it.

Good to know

Levante opens in the late afternoon and stays open into the evening, a good rhythm for a relaxed dinner after work or a long get-together at the weekend. For larger groups a reservation is worthwhile, as tables fill quickly on busy evenings. First-time guests should allow plenty of time: eating mezze is not a quick affair but a sociable ritual of many small plates. Hot tea or a coffee to finish rounds off the visit nicely. Ideal for birthdays, meet-ups with friends and easygoing evenings in larger company.