The Neomonde Story: 50 Years of Mediterranean Tradition
From the Mountains of Lebanon to North Carolina
Nearly five decades ago, four brothers from the mountainous region of northern Lebanon arrived in the United States, carrying with them their family's culinary heritage. The Saleh brothers brought with them memories of wheat fields, the town mill, and their mother Cecilia's bread baking in the communal kiln. But more than recipes, they carried a principle that would define Neomonde: everything they serve must be good enough for their own family.
This wasn't just a business philosophy. Growing up in a village that remembered famine, bread was more than sustenance for the Saleh family, it was celebration, a symbol of life itself. That same reverence for food, that commitment to quality and authenticity, is baked into everything at Neomonde today.
Building a Mediterranean Tradition
In 1989, the brothers took their vision further by opening a deli. The case was filled with dishes prepared from family recipes, many made by Cecilia herself, using only authentic ingredients. What started as a take-out operation soon needed more space. The brothers added a dining area, then patio seating, as the community embraced the flavors of Lebanon.
By popular demand, they also launched a small Mediterranean grocery. Customers who fell in love with the food wanted to recreate it at home, and Neomonde was happy to provide the exotic staples and spices that make Middle Eastern cuisine sing.
What We Serve Today
At Neomonde's three North Carolina locations, we've stayed true to our roots while creating a menu that welcomes everyone. Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or simply hungry for something fresh and delicious, we have options for you.
Our Signature Offerings
Our menu features grilled kabobs—chicken, steak, lamb kafta, or mixed grill (plus salmon on weekends)—served with your choice of sides and fresh pita. Pita pockets are customer favorites, from chicken shawarma to our famous chicken salad with walnuts and golden raisins, plus falafel and grilled veggie options.
Try our man'ousheh flatbreads, a Middle Eastern bakery staple. The zaatar features thyme, sumac, and sesame, while heartier options include three-cheese jibni or lahem b'ahjeen with ground beef and pomegranate molasses.
You can also build your own bowl with a base, protein, two sides or salads, and your choice of sauce. A fun way to experiment with Mediterranean flavors!
Don't miss our Neomonde Mezza (our "National Anthem" of tabouli, hummus, baba ghanouj, grape leaves, and more) or our fresh daily sides like pomegranate salad and green beans in tomato sauce. And save room for Betty's Bouza—our in-house Lebanese stretchy ice cream infused with orange blossom, rose water, and mastic.
A Family Tradition That Keeps Growing
Today, infants who once teethed on Neomonde pita bring their own children through our doors. The faces have changed, the menu has expanded, but the heart of Neomonde remains the same. We're still a family-run business that considers it our responsibility as ambassadors of Lebanese culture to provide nothing less than the best.
The devotion to freshness and quality that the brothers learned in the "old world" lives on in every dish. When you taste our food, you're experiencing the same standards Cecilia held when she mixed dough by hand and baked bread for her family.
We've grown from a small bakery to three locations across North Carolina, but we haven't forgotten where we came from. That village where bread meant celebration and a passion for life? That spirit is alive and well at every Neomonde location.
Visit Us Soon
Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering us for the first time, we invite you to experience Mediterranean cuisine the way it was meant to be—made with authentic ingredients, family recipes, and a commitment to excellence that spans generations.
Come on by for a meal soon. We'll save you a seat!