Looking for healthy Coast restaurants? This Mediterranean cafe will expand your options.

If ever there was a hidden culinary gem on the Gulf Coast, this is the place.

Sophi’s is a Mediterranean cafe — not Greek, not Italian, but Mediterranean. Here you will find dishes, all made from scratch, from Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy and a few more.

Some of the dishes you will recognize, like hummus, gyros, falafel, feta and olives and gazpacho. But there are a few more that may be new to you. This is a place to explore and expand your culinary boundaries, and have a good time.

When you walk in, turn left. Right is the market, and you should take a quick look there, too, but the main event is the cafe. Lighting and color themes are subdued. I love the Venetian glass light fixtures, and the small lanterns on the tables are a nice touch as well.

There are a dozen appetizers to choose from and it would be easy, and tempting, to make a meal out of small plates. Syrian black bean hummus, and tzatziki (yogurt, sour cream, sliced cucumbers, with a mint and olive oil garnish, served with pita bread) are as delightful and refreshing as can be. Just to make it easy, try the appetizer platter, which includes hummus, baba gannoush, grape leaves, falafels and feta cheese with olives.

There are also 10 sandwiches to choose from, and we tried the gyro and a shrimp sandwich, which was dressed like a gyro. Big thumbs up for both, delicious, well-spiced and not so much that you are stuffed when finished.

The eggplant marinara also looked tempting, with fried or grilled eggplant, tomatoes, marinara sauce and mozzarella. Wow.

There are nine entrees as well, but we didn’t come even close to that menu. We were seduced by the appetizers and sandwiches.

If you want something more substantial, check out the gyro plate (seasoned lamb and beef, doused in one of my all-time favorite sauces, tzatziki), frititta (eggs, chicken, celery, potatoes and mozzarella) or Mediterranean shrimp (marinated in coriander, cumin, garlic and harissa paste, then grilled and glazed in butter).

There are so many temptations on this menu, and many of them are healthy, but they all retain their heartiness. Mediterranean spices, fresh and aromatic, are common traits with most dishes, and are delightful.

Pita bread is a good change from the French bread and po-boy loaves that we typically find on the Coast, and I could put tzatziki on everything.

Check this place out, it will brighten your day.

Sophi’s Mediterranean Cafe & Market

Where: 2729 Pass Road, Biloxi

Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday

Phone: 228-388-7222