Amazingly dog friendly outside and in, great vegan selection, super kind and earnest staff, great happy hour? Count me in! ?
Abigail Stahl
I’ve been to Meli twice and it’s a delight. The food always feels so fresh and flavorful. I’ve had dinner and happy hour and both times were lovely. The falafel was a surprise hit with a salty, bright salad on the side. Excellent, approachable and unique wine list. Warm service and a relaxed atmosphere. A neighborhood gem!Wheelchair accessibility: The restaurant and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. No steps.
A nice cafe/restaurant for wine and apps. It’s in the lobby of an apartment building so it’s a bit different where you can see people working out at the gym when you walk in. I definitely want to go back when you can sit in the courtyard…. It wasn’t super busy even at 7pm on a Thursday night and they were able to cook falafel or anything fried.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Htipiti, Halloumi
David Weinberg
My family and I ate at Meli to celebrate being together during the holidays this past December. Although it was cold outside in DC, we walked into a very warm environment with delicious Greek wine, extraordinary food, and thoughtful service. It almost felt like we were sitting on balcony in Greece enjoying a home cooked meal. Star of the show was the Htipiti Dip, it’s a must have!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicola Ledesma
Absolutely incredible food- the cauliflower, halloumi, prawns, and swordfish was … WOW. My husband enjoyed the bifteki but it was too spicy for me. Heads up, you have to pay a one time $25 “membership fee” because of the free mason but you get a bottle of wine. Shout out to the manager, sorry I forgot her name but she was best manager I have seen in a restaurant- she was friendly and helped her entire team out as well. She also checked in on every table and would chat with us who were sitting at the bar. Can’t wait to go back!
Exquisite, one of the best meals of my life. My boyfriend and I went to celebrate Valentines Day. They had a special menu and every item was superb, we also ordered cocktails which were great too. The waitresses were kind and attentive, and the music relaxing. We’ll visit again very soon!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott M.
The restaurant week menu was an incredible value, everybody thought the food was delicious and we all left very full. The happy hour wines of the day were also great. Nice, relaxed atmosphere and very kind staff. Fully recommend and looking forward to coming back!
David K.
Loved this place and definitely adding it to our regular rotation! The food was fantastic, extremely fresh, veg forward, and delicious. This place doesn’t appear to cut any corners with ingredients/preparation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Falafels, Roma Beans, Head-On Prawn, Hummus
Anthony Lanier
I feel its a great place alone for a light dinner as well as a group for sharing. I have always had a pleasant experience and enjoyed the
Wine bars are my new adult obsession. I picked up learning about wine over the pandemic and I appreciate locations that procure interesting and unique vintages. They are places to continue my learning and exposure to wines that I might not see or come across in my everyday life. Throw in a very knowledgeable staff and a very neighborhoody feel and you have a winning formulation. Sporting a unique business model, in which folks pay a one time membership fee (I came as a guest of a member, so I don't know the details), this model allows the business to stay viable, limit the number of patrons, and focus on quality over quantity. They also boast a theme night that changes each day of the week, that mimic happy hours and a curated list of small plates to cleanse the pallet or act as a full-on meal. Located in the bottom floor of a beautiful condo building on the boarders of AdMo and Mt.P, Meli also has seating access in the shared yard area of the condo building during the summer and shoulder seasons that is a charming and quiet oasis away from the bustle of Columbia St. Meli focuses on Mediterranean Wines of Greek islands or adjacent mainland/islands that many of us couldn't point to on a map. With unique volcanic soils, weather, sea, heat and altitude options around that region; Meli's buyers have infinite iterations of flavors and styles to import. A well curated and approachable menu rotates often giving patrons a chance to really stretch their pallet beyond traditional varietals and styles (don't worry, they help you pronounce the grapes). Zippy, bold, funky, bubbly...there's something for everyone, and at approachable prices to boot. And while I wax poetically about the wine, don't sleep on the food!! Small kitchen pumping out traditional dips of humus, potatoes, cheeses and spreads; they also have salads, falafel, shrimp and more. You can snack or full on treat yourself to dinner. Everything is fresh and delicious. I'm here for the rise of the DC wine bar. What a time to be alive!!!
Anthony L.
I feel its a great place alone for a light dinner as well as a group for sharing. I have always had a pleasant experience and enjoyed the space
Ron C.
I decided to come by here yesterday to check it out as it seems like a cool spot. Overall, I thought it was ok. I got here a little after 4 and couldn't figure out how to get in. I guess they didn't open the gate at the time of opening so I had to follow an apartment guest inside the lobby to get in. The team was in a meeting after opening time so I felt a little weird walking in as they were all chatting at a table. One would think a meeting would take place before opening time of 4 PM. They started setting up around 4:30 and were still doing so at 5. I can't say I was impressed that they weren't prepared and ready at 4 PM, when they open. The team was pretty cool. The Roasted Potato appetizer was tasty and a huge portion so bring your appetite or a friend if you want to indulge. The Greek wines I had were good. I would suggest this place as a good date spot and I would also suggest not getting here prior to 5:30 as they might still be setting up. I was hoping this would be a regular spot for me but I'm probably one and done as I wasn't impressed that they weren't ready for guests at opening time and I'd prefer not to spend $25/year as a member. You don't have to sign up on your first visit. I was also surprised they didn't ask if I wanted to become a member.
Alexis A.
I went during happy hour and the happy hour appetizers were very good. The drink prices for happy hour were also solid. The service was just okay. Arrived about an hour and fifteen minutes before happy hour ended and our server only came around once to take our food and drink order and drop off. The next time she came happy hour had just ended so we were unable to order a second round of drinks.
Ilissa Blech
What a stellar experience! We got food from both the happy hour menu and the regular menu and everything was spectacular. The potatoes were probably the best we've ever had. The corn salad was out of this world - we ended up getting extras so we did not have to share. The wine menu is so fun and helpful, as were the servers. We absolutely loved our time.
Delicious meal and amazing service. The prawns were quite good and so were the trio dip!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Orzo Salad, Head-On Prawn, Dip Trio, Pita Chips, Fresh Grilled Pita Bread, Hummus, Halloumi
Amazingly dog friendly outside and in, great vegan selection, super kind and earnest staff, great happy hour? Count me in! ?
I’ve been to Meli twice and it’s a delight. The food always feels so fresh and flavorful. I’ve had dinner and happy hour and both times were lovely. The falafel was a surprise hit with a salty, bright salad on the side. Excellent, approachable and unique wine list. Warm service and a relaxed atmosphere. A neighborhood gem!Wheelchair accessibility: The restaurant and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. No steps.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Falafels, Crispy Potatoes, Htipiti, Head-On Prawn
A nice cafe/restaurant for wine and apps. It’s in the lobby of an apartment building so it’s a bit different where you can see people working out at the gym when you walk in. I definitely want to go back when you can sit in the courtyard…. It wasn’t super busy even at 7pm on a Thursday night and they were able to cook falafel or anything fried.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Htipiti, Halloumi
My family and I ate at Meli to celebrate being together during the holidays this past December. Although it was cold outside in DC, we walked into a very warm environment with delicious Greek wine, extraordinary food, and thoughtful service. It almost felt like we were sitting on balcony in Greece enjoying a home cooked meal. Star of the show was the Htipiti Dip, it’s a must have!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely incredible food- the cauliflower, halloumi, prawns, and swordfish was … WOW. My husband enjoyed the bifteki but it was too spicy for me. Heads up, you have to pay a one time $25 “membership fee” because of the free mason but you get a bottle of wine. Shout out to the manager, sorry I forgot her name but she was best manager I have seen in a restaurant- she was friendly and helped her entire team out as well. She also checked in on every table and would chat with us who were sitting at the bar. Can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Potatoes, Head-On Prawn, Halloumi
Exquisite, one of the best meals of my life. My boyfriend and I went to celebrate Valentines Day. They had a special menu and every item was superb, we also ordered cocktails which were great too. The waitresses were kind and attentive, and the music relaxing. We’ll visit again very soon!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant week menu was an incredible value, everybody thought the food was delicious and we all left very full. The happy hour wines of the day were also great. Nice, relaxed atmosphere and very kind staff. Fully recommend and looking forward to coming back!
Loved this place and definitely adding it to our regular rotation! The food was fantastic, extremely fresh, veg forward, and delicious. This place doesn’t appear to cut any corners with ingredients/preparation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Falafels, Roma Beans, Head-On Prawn, Hummus
I feel its a great place alone for a light dinner as well as a group for sharing. I have always had a pleasant experience and enjoyed the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Wine bars are my new adult obsession. I picked up learning about wine over the pandemic and I appreciate locations that procure interesting and unique vintages. They are places to continue my learning and exposure to wines that I might not see or come across in my everyday life. Throw in a very knowledgeable staff and a very neighborhoody feel and you have a winning formulation. Sporting a unique business model, in which folks pay a one time membership fee (I came as a guest of a member, so I don't know the details), this model allows the business to stay viable, limit the number of patrons, and focus on quality over quantity. They also boast a theme night that changes each day of the week, that mimic happy hours and a curated list of small plates to cleanse the pallet or act as a full-on meal. Located in the bottom floor of a beautiful condo building on the boarders of AdMo and Mt.P, Meli also has seating access in the shared yard area of the condo building during the summer and shoulder seasons that is a charming and quiet oasis away from the bustle of Columbia St. Meli focuses on Mediterranean Wines of Greek islands or adjacent mainland/islands that many of us couldn't point to on a map. With unique volcanic soils, weather, sea, heat and altitude options around that region; Meli's buyers have infinite iterations of flavors and styles to import. A well curated and approachable menu rotates often giving patrons a chance to really stretch their pallet beyond traditional varietals and styles (don't worry, they help you pronounce the grapes). Zippy, bold, funky, bubbly...there's something for everyone, and at approachable prices to boot. And while I wax poetically about the wine, don't sleep on the food!! Small kitchen pumping out traditional dips of humus, potatoes, cheeses and spreads; they also have salads, falafel, shrimp and more. You can snack or full on treat yourself to dinner. Everything is fresh and delicious. I'm here for the rise of the DC wine bar. What a time to be alive!!!
I feel its a great place alone for a light dinner as well as a group for sharing. I have always had a pleasant experience and enjoyed the space
I decided to come by here yesterday to check it out as it seems like a cool spot. Overall, I thought it was ok. I got here a little after 4 and couldn't figure out how to get in. I guess they didn't open the gate at the time of opening so I had to follow an apartment guest inside the lobby to get in. The team was in a meeting after opening time so I felt a little weird walking in as they were all chatting at a table. One would think a meeting would take place before opening time of 4 PM. They started setting up around 4:30 and were still doing so at 5. I can't say I was impressed that they weren't prepared and ready at 4 PM, when they open. The team was pretty cool. The Roasted Potato appetizer was tasty and a huge portion so bring your appetite or a friend if you want to indulge. The Greek wines I had were good. I would suggest this place as a good date spot and I would also suggest not getting here prior to 5:30 as they might still be setting up. I was hoping this would be a regular spot for me but I'm probably one and done as I wasn't impressed that they weren't ready for guests at opening time and I'd prefer not to spend $25/year as a member. You don't have to sign up on your first visit. I was also surprised they didn't ask if I wanted to become a member.
I went during happy hour and the happy hour appetizers were very good. The drink prices for happy hour were also solid. The service was just okay. Arrived about an hour and fifteen minutes before happy hour ended and our server only came around once to take our food and drink order and drop off. The next time she came happy hour had just ended so we were unable to order a second round of drinks.
What a stellar experience! We got food from both the happy hour menu and the regular menu and everything was spectacular. The potatoes were probably the best we've ever had. The corn salad was out of this world - we ended up getting extras so we did not have to share. The wine menu is so fun and helpful, as were the servers. We absolutely loved our time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5