Growing up in Lebanon, Azmi Alwan said it was a custom for his family to sit down and have at least one meal together a day. As the oldest of nine siblings, Alwan often helped his mother prepare a large spread of Mediterranean dishes for dinner.

After moving to the United States, Alwan turned what started as a family tradition into his passion, with his own restaurant, Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets, which opened in 2018 in Cy-Fair.

“Everything you see here is authentic and handmade,” Alwan said. “If you come into my house, that's what I'm going to feed you.”
Baba Ganough ($4.99) consist of grilled eggplant pureed with tahini, olive oil and lemon juice. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Baba ganough ($4.99) consist of grilled eggplant pureed with tahini, olive oil and lemon juice. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
What's special about it?

At Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets, Alwan's mission is to offer quality Mediterranean dishes at an affordable price.

“Our mission is not to get rich overnight but to keep the legacy going,” Alwan said.


The restaurant is for anyone looking for rich and flavorful Mediterranean dishes with vegetarian options as well as halal meats.

Alwan said with halal meat, prepared according to Islamic law, people can consume meat in a healthier way while ensuring ethical treatment of animals that adheres to specific dietary guidelines.
The mixed grill ($19.99) is made with halal lamb, beef and chicken and served with a side of saffron rice. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
The mixed grill ($19.99) is made with halal lamb, beef and chicken and served with a side of saffron rice. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
With dishes made from scratch including its sauces and naan bread, the beef and lamb gyro is among the restaurant's favorites. Other favorites include the chicken shawarma wrap, a Lebanese sandwich, vegetarian platter and Mediterranean fries.

For dessert, Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets serves baklava, a pastry stuffed with pecan cinnamon, honey and pistachio.
Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets on Jones Road in 2024. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets on Jones Road in 2024. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Staying local

To help out the community in 2020, after losing clientele due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alwan said he gave away 30-40 meals daily from March-August to people in need. The act of kindness brought customers in from all over the surrounding Houston area, and many customers provided the restaurant with large contributions helping the business stay afloat.


However, since relocating in 2024, Alwan said he unfortunately lost some of his clientele. Though the restaurant only relocated about a mile away, many customers assumed the restaurant permanently closed.

The relocation allows him to continue serving affordable, quality dishes on Jones Road. In addition to its dining services, Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets offers catering, hookah and free restaurant reservations for large parties.