The Mediterranean Sea shaped some of the Old World's most successful civilizations, whose citizens gathered by its shores waiting for the falafel, tapas, and wine growing on the sea floor to wash up on the beach. Procure a similarly fresh seaside meal with today's Groupon. For $10, you get $20 worth of casual Mediterranean cuisine at Café Izmir.

This small, family-owned café appeared one day after a mysterious dust storm and has been a fixture of lower Greenville ever since. Like a neighbor's WiFi, dinner and its delectables are best when shared. Most dishes at Café Izmir come on small plates ideal for Frisbee tossing around the table, creating a spinning kaleidoscope of flavor and color. Nab and pass some hummus ($5.25), tabouli rife with lemon and parsley ($3.95), or a cheese plate with grapes, walnuts, roasted garlic, and fresh herbs ($8.95). Graze upon the grilled quail on a pillowy pile of honey champagne couscous ($8.95), or simply pounce unashamedly atop the grilled lamb chops with sweet potatoes (market price).

Nowadays, most restaurants offer fiercely competitive atmospheres where diners defensively guard their plates and carry concealed steak knives and forks in clear violation of international law. Although the healthy, freshly prepared dishes are hard to give up, the overwhelming hospitality flowing throughout inspires even the stingiest of diners to divvy up their delicious eats.