Planning a meal for a group is often the most stressful part of hosting. You need food that appeals to a range of tastes, accommodates dietary restrictions, arrives on time, and actually impresses. Mediterranean catering and takeout in New Albany, IN solves most of these problems in a single order. The cuisine is inherently shareable, naturally diverse, and built around flavors that resonate with almost everyone at the table.

Petra Mediterranean Cuisine, located at 37 Bank Street in downtown New Albany, has been a go-to source for both individual takeout meals and group catering since 2013. Whether you are feeding a team of ten at the office, hosting a family gathering at home, or simply picking up dinner on your way back from Louisville, Petra's menu is designed to travel well and satisfy broadly.

Why Mediterranean Food Works for Catering

Not every cuisine translates well to catering. Some dishes lose quality when prepared in volume. Others are too niche to please a mixed group. Mediterranean food avoids both of these pitfalls.

Built for Sharing

The Mediterranean dining tradition is fundamentally communal. A typical meal features multiple small plates, dips, proteins, and sides that everyone at the table shares. This translates directly to catering: instead of ordering individual entrees that may or may not match each person's preference, you set out a spread and let people serve themselves.

At Petra, this means platters of hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh alongside trays of shawarma, gyro meat, falafel, and kabobs. Add warm pita, rice, and fresh salads, and you have a complete meal that feels abundant without being complicated.

Dietary Flexibility Built In

One of the biggest advantages of Mediterranean catering is that it naturally accommodates multiple dietary needs without requiring separate orders:

• Vegetarian guests can fill their plates with falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh, and fattoush salad

• Vegan diners are covered by the same items, since most traditional Mediterranean appetizers and sides are dairy-free by default

• Guests watching their intake benefit from the cuisine's emphasis on lean proteins, vegetables, olive oil, and whole grains — Mediterranean food is consistently ranked among the healthiest dietary patterns in the world

• Meat eaters have plenty to choose from with gyro, shawarma, and kabob options

• Guests with specific preferences can customize bowls and wraps from the available components

This flexibility makes Mediterranean catering a safer bet than many alternatives when you are ordering for a group with mixed dietary requirements.

Petra's Catering and Takeout Options

Petra Mediterranean Cuisine supports multiple ways to get their food to your table, whether that table is in your dining room, your conference room, or your backyard.

Catering for Events and Groups

For larger orders - office lunches, team celebrations, birthday parties, graduation dinners, and other gatherings — Petra offers catering that scales to your group size. Key options include:

• Appetizer platters - hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh served with warm pita, ideal as a starter spread or a stand-alone light meal

• Protein trays - chicken shawarma, beef and lamb gyro, falafel, or kabobs prepared in quantity and ready to serve

• Rice and salad sides - Mediterranean rice, fresh salads, and pickled vegetables to round out the meal

• Mixed platters - a combination of proteins, sides, and appetizers assembled for balanced variety

For catering inquiries, you can reach Petra directly at (502) 489-7969 to discuss portion sizes, timing, and any specific dietary accommodations.

Takeout and Pickup

For individual meals or smaller family orders, Petra's takeout service is fast and reliable. The counter-service format means your order is prepared fresh and ready for pickup without the delays that sometimes come with calling ahead to a full-service restaurant.

Popular takeout orders include:

• Shawarma or gyro wraps - compact, portable, and flavorful, perfect for eating at your desk or on the go

• Mediterranean bowls - a balanced meal in a single container, easy to transport and reheat

• Family-style combo plates - enough food for three to four people, with a mix of proteins and sides

Delivery

Petra is available for delivery through DoorDash and other platforms, bringing the full menu to your door across the New Albany and Louisville metro area. This is especially useful for:

• Office lunches where nobody wants to make a food run

• Weeknight dinners when you want quality food without the commute

• Sick days and recovery meals - Mediterranean food's emphasis on whole ingredients and balanced nutrition makes it a solid choice when you need something nourishing

Occasions That Call for Mediterranean Catering

If you are wondering when to order Mediterranean catering, the answer is: more often than you think. Here are some of the most common use cases:

Office and Corporate Events

Mediterranean food is one of the safest choices for workplace catering because it checks every box: variety, dietary inclusivity, easy setup, and professional presentation. A spread of hummus, shawarma, falafel, and fresh salads looks impressive on a conference table and satisfies without the post-lunch energy crash that comes with heavier catering options.

Family Gatherings and Holidays

Whether it is a birthday, a graduation, or a holiday dinner, Mediterranean platters bring a festive, communal energy to the table. The sharing format encourages conversation and grazing, which fits the relaxed pace of most family events.

Game Day and Watch Parties

Hummus and pita, falafel bites, and gyro sliders are ideal finger-food options for game day. They are flavorful without being messy, and they hold up well over a few hours of grazing.

Date Night In

Not every date night requires a restaurant reservation. Picking up a Mediterranean spread — a hummus platter, a couple of shawarma plates, some baba ghanoush, and fresh pita - creates an intimate dinner at home with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Why Petra for Catering and Takeout in New Albany

Several factors make Petra a strong choice for Mediterranean takeout near me searches in the Louisville metro area:

• Established reputation - operating since 2013 with consistently high ratings (4.6 stars from hundreds of reviews)

• Central location - 37 Bank Street in downtown New Albany is accessible from both the Indiana side and Louisville via the Sherman Minton Bridge

• Generous portions - Petra is known for giving customers more than they expect, which matters especially when ordering for a group

• In-house preparation - hummus, sauces, and proteins are made fresh daily, not sourced from pre-packaged suppliers

• Beer and wine - available for dine-in guests, adding another dimension to event hosting at the restaurant itself

• Small grocery section - Mediterranean pantry staples are available for purchase, useful if you want to supplement a catering order with items like olive oil, spices, or specialty ingredients

How to Place a Catering or Takeout Order

Ordering from Petra is straightforward:

1. For catering: Call (502) 489-7969 to discuss your event size, dietary needs, and preferred menu items. The team can help you build a spread that fits your budget and group.

2. For takeout: Walk in during business hours (Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM) or place an order online.

3. For delivery: Find Petra on DoorDash or visit petraindiana.com to order for delivery in the New Albany and Louisville area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Petra Mediterranean Cuisine offer catering for large groups?

Yes. Petra offers catering for events of various sizes, including office lunches, family gatherings, and celebrations. You can order appetizer platters, protein trays, rice and salad sides, and mixed platters. Contact the restaurant at (502) 489-7969 to plan your order based on group size and dietary needs.

What are the best Mediterranean dishes to order for takeout?

The most popular takeout items at Petra include chicken shawarma wraps, beef and lamb gyro plates, Mediterranean bowls, and family-style combo platters. For appetizers, the hummus and baba ghanoush travel especially well and make excellent additions to any takeout order.

Can I order Mediterranean food for delivery in the Louisville metro area?

Yes. Petra Mediterranean Cuisine is available for delivery through DoorDash, covering the New Albany and Louisville metro area. The full menu — including shawarma, gyros, falafel, bowls, and appetizers - is available for delivery, making it a convenient option for office meals, family dinners, and events.