Houston • Mediterranean buffet
Dimassi’s Houston: Lamb Shank, Fresh Salads & a Buffet That Surprised Me
I went to Dimassi’s excited to sample a little bit of everything. I’d eaten Mediterranean food before, but this was my first sit-down Mediterranean restaurant experience—and it was a buffet. I wasn’t expecting to be so impressed. Even my first plate was full of salads, which is very unlike me at a buffet!
What I ate
Salads, hummus and bread
The salads looked so good that I kept adding more. I tried the parsley-and-tomato salad, cucumber salad, cabbage and kale. They tasted fresh, light and crunchy, and the parsley salad had such a nice herby flavor.
I sampled regular and spicy hummus with bread. The spicy hummus had a kick right away. I also liked the crispier herb-topped bread—it had enough flavor that I enjoyed it on its own.
Lamb shank and yellow rice
This was the star. The lamb was so tender I didn’t need a knife, and it practically wanted to fall off the bone. A bite with meat, fat and skin together was my favorite.
The yellow rice was flavorful and cooked just right, without being mushy. With the lamb, it was such a good combination. During my visit, the buffet included one lamb shank per person, so this wasn’t unlimited lamb.
Spinach, beef, fish and eggplant
The spinach was another good choice. I also tried white rice with beef; the beef wasn’t as flavorful as the lamb, but I liked its fattiness. The fish had a gentle curry flavor that wasn’t overpowering.
I don’t usually eat eggplant, but I tried it here. It had a sweetness that surprised me, and I thought it would go well with the yellow rice.
Baklava and rice pudding
I finished with regular baklava, creamy baklava and rice pudding. The regular baklava was delicious: sweet, sticky and nutty. I preferred it to the creamy version, which had a wetter texture. The rice pudding was pretty good, too.
How much was it?
- Buffet price featured during my February 2025 visit: $23.99 per person
- Lamb shank: one per person during that visit
Lamb availability depended on the meal period when I went. When I called, they said it was offered for Friday dinner, Saturday and Sunday all day. Confirm current pricing, availability and limits at your location before visiting.
What would I order again?
The lamb shank with yellow rice would be my first choice, followed by the fresh salads and regular baklava. I left feeling so satisfied. This was a buffet I could see myself coming back to regularly.
Restaurant details
Restaurant: Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet
Area: Northwest Houston
Address: 17240 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, TX 77064
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Best for: Sampling salads, rice dishes, meats and desserts
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