50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Washington

“Incredible restaurant that puts elevated care, attention to detail, and quality ingredients front and center.

Unpretentious in austere but refined in the approach to your hospitality experience, this gem nestled in the heart of AdMo is a must-see for all hungry foodies in the area.

My experience with Imani and Amina will be the reason I return and tell my friends to go. Their storytelling, command of the menu, and easy approach to creating an elevated dining experience did not go unnoticed.

Meatball and porkchop were a hit in tenderness and flavor, while the cabbage and pudding were a hit in dynamics and design. Major shout out to Amina for bringing over the perfect wine pairing to complement our porkchop—on the house.

These moments create the fine dining experience and make the price point worthwhile.“

“Great food and excellent service. John was fantastic. 100% recommend“

“5 stars isn't enough!! From the moment we walked in until the end of our night we were satisfied. The decorations, food, and service was amazing! They even offered me a quiet place to pray :). Give this place a try-trust me (portions may seem small, but it was very filling- we ordered the bowl of fries, which came with a delicious sauce, CROQUETTES, fish burger, beef burger, and gnocchi pomodoro. It felt like we were in nyc enjoy :)“

“Casamara is an absolute standout in the world of fine dining. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and inviting. The menu is a true celebration of culinary artistry—every dish is thoughtfully crafted, bursting with vibrant flavors and presented like a work of art. The drinks are equally impressive, balancing creativity and elegance to complement the food perfectly. What truly sets Casamara apart is the impeccable service: attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about creating an unforgettable experience. Dining here isn’t just a meal—it’s a journey through taste and refinement. Highly recommend Casamara for anyone seeking next-level cuisine and hospitality.“

“Elegant setting. Beautiful decor. Stellar service. Innovative and delectable cuisine. Bonus points for mocktail options.“

“Agora DC made my husband’s surprise birthday dinner party one to remember! From the superior customer service and professionalism of their special events management team, including Tsednia Abay, to the Michelin Star-worthy food and service, no detail was left untouched. Thank you to your entire team!😍“

“Did the cocktail mixing class. Great food and awesome experience!“

“On vacation from RI, my husband and I and very good friends had lunch at Lily’s just this past week and we fully enjoyed experience! It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were greeted with sunny faces and a friendly, highly professional staff. We sat in the outdoor area and everything from being there to fill our water glasses and explaining the menu was covered. I highly recommend Lily’s if not just for the fact that we felt like we were at home but to top it off, the food was delicious. Try the Tropical salad and the meatball appetizer!!“

“Food was exceptional and so was the service. The ice cream sandwich dessert was to die for!“

“Delicia de comida, recomendado al 100%“

“Lamb chops steak is delicious! The fried potatoes were delicious! Brusselsprouts with fruit jam sweet and appetizing! His family's Pitabread can continue indefinitely“

“Excelente servicio ,deliciosa comida !..“

“There’s something magical about Little Black Bird. It’s the kind of place that draws you in quietly, then stays with you long after the night ends. From the moment we walked in, we were wrapped in a sense of calm sophistication — every detail, from the lighting to the music, felt just right.
The food? Thoughtful, elegant, and deeply satisfying. Every dish told a story, and you could taste the care that went into each bite. Chef Ryan is clearly cooking from the heart — there’s a quiet confidence in his food, a respect for ingredients, and a creativity that never feels forced. It’s refined, yet incredibly approachable.

The service was equally unforgettable. Sara, the general manager, is the kind of hospitality professional every great restaurant needs. She has an innate grace, a genuine warmth, and a gift for making each guest feel like they’re the most important person in the room.

It’s rare to find a restaurant that feels both special and unpretentious, but Little Black Bird nails it. We came in for dinner — we left already planning our next visit. What a gift to have a place like this in DC.“

“Check out my sister’s spot!! The wine is divine and the food selection is on point! Can’t wait till they start shipping to MD. You won’t be disappointed. ☺️☺️☺️“

“Would recommend for a glass of wine and appetizer! Stopped in for dinner and the food was tasty but felt overpriced for the portions. The shrimp dish was good but shrimp were slightly overcooked and felt like a very expensive starter. The hummus was delish! Wine was great and cocktail was less than amazing.“

“I have loved many pizza places. None of them has been as consistently amazing as Martha Dear. The guanciale and arugula pie I had last night is another utterly stunning iteration. I will think about this one in my sleep. I will crave it. As much as I will stand on a soapbox telling anyone who will listen that Martha Dear is not just THE best pizza in the DMV, but one of the best restaurants in the area, it is the conspicuously kind service that is the first thing I will mention. If you’ve never been, put Martha Dear at the very top of your restaurant to-do list. The very top.“

“Every bite was delicious. three empty plates. great ambience and service. will be back soon!“

“Welcoming, warm environment from the outset. We were sat at the table next to the kitchen and had a great time watching our food get made. Definitely recommend the wine pairing! Paulina the sommelier is amazing. We were in awe with how much she knows about wine 🍷
Each dish was like artwork- well thought out and with a story. Fresh, vibrant flavors. Gorgeous presentation.
Service was so personable. The whole team was working together to make sure our experience was flawless.
Chef Danny Lledo personally came to our table a few times to explain the courses and the inspiration behind them which made me feel like a celebrity 😂 What a great experience.“

“The food was great. I had a shrimp kabob, rice, hummus and a salad. The white Cosmo was very good. Loved meeting Ann.“

“Absolutely delightful spot for a casual brunch / lunch with a ton of delicious baked goods and prepared grab-and-go items! Cagla and Rachel are the sweetest people I've ever met, and Cagla's cooking skills are absolutely out of this world -- fully worthy of the many James Beard nominations she's received over the years! For a quick but hearty brunch, I love their egg and cheese sandwich; it's genuinely one of the largest sandwiches I've ever seen, and includes two fried eggs, generous helping of melted cheese, and perfectly nutty and herby pesto sandwiched between two giant slices of fluffy, super flavorful focaccia. If you want something a little simpler, I'm obsessed with all of her tarts -- the butternut squash and goat cheese one is my favorite, but the spring / summer seasonal tart with leeks and walnuts is also incredible. I don't know how she manages to create such a crispy crust with a tender, super savory and slightly sweet interior, but each one of these tarts is just perfection.

They also offer catering for parties and corporate events, and I highly recommend. We got their food for a work holiday party last year, and we got rave reviews from all the guests. That was where I first fell in love with the butternut squash tart, but the oyster mushroom hummus was also a huge hit. Even the simpler items, like the kale salad or red lentil balls, are executed perfectly and are a huge crowd pleaser.

The only note is that Green Almond Pantry is part of the Grace Street Collective, so you can't make reservations and it can be a little tough to find seating among all the other restaurants and eateries. It's usually a little easier to find a spot if you come during an off hour -- either right when they open at 11 AM or a little later in the afternoon after the lunch rush. Even if you can't find a spot, their food is delicious to go and it's quite close to the Georgetown Waterfront, so you can always enjoy your meal outside if it's nice out.“

“We enjoyed a pre-theater meal at Alhambra, intentionally early to enjoy the quiet of a large booth. Highly recommend! We enjoyed both the carrot and the mushrooms dishes as appetizers - light enough but so flavorful and cooked to perfection. For dinner we splurged and ordered both the mountain rice (artichokes, lobster, rice) and the whole branzino. Both amazing. The desserts were all beautiful too - we were treated to an anniversary dessert on the house. Fabulous service. What a lovely night out!“

“Good food good staff. Will come Again.“

“lunch was delicious and the Gelato was even more delicious deliciouser! 😋 sitting outside across from Kennedy Center was a plus.“

“Great spot for roof dining 😎“

“We had the best time at KooKoo DC last night. They accommodated a table of 14 for my spouse's birthday and never let us feel like an imposition. The food was so fresh, authentic, and reasonably priced - I did a double take when we got the bill. I even felt like we went all-out with apps, drinks, and desserts! The owner was also so kind - we just felt so cared for the whole time and can't wait to visit again.“

“Great place from start to finish! The staff were amazing: friendly, quick, and generous. The complimentary bread is so good, and they wanted to keep bringing us more. The cauliflower and shrimp were excellent. The cocktails were also good and creative combinations I've never seen elsewhere.“

“Healthy food, friendly staff, centrally located“

“We had an unforgettable dining experience at Limani in DC. We specifically made reservations for the gingerbread house dining and it was beyond amazing. Truly magical for our family of four. Our server Jesse provided exceptional service and made the evening even more special. Even the manager checked in several times to make sure we were fully satisfied with the service and experience, which we really appreciated. The food was absolutely delicious, we loved everything we tried, especially the calamari, which was so good we ordered it twice. It was our first time visiting Limani and it definitely won't be our last. Next time, we can't wait to check out the igloo dining experience. If you have kids or just want to experience something unique and festive, I highly recommend trying the gingerbread house dining. It's an experience you'll remember.“

“We were looking for unique dining experiences while on vacation in DC and this place did not disappoint!! Excellent food, large portions, and great staff. Would definitely come here again if we’re ever back in the area.“

“The food was delicious!!!“

“Thanks Bussboys for your hospitality during our group’s visit last Thursday . I traveled with my church choir (Tulane MB Church from Yazoo City, Ms). We dined in for breakfast and the food was AMAZING“

“I am a total hummus snob. You can ask my friends. I only eat hummus from restaurants because they seem to be the only ones that can make it right and with the consistency that is smooth and a little thinner. Every store bought hummus I have tried has been a thick paste and it doesn’t even feel like hummus. Until now. I am a total convert and very excited. Consistency is everything in hummus and Little Sesame has figured out how to do it and put it into a container that is sold at a store. Kudos. I love it.“

“Absolutely amazing food, atmosphere, and service! My new favorite restaurant in DC. Food is tasty and authentic. Staff is friendly, responsive, and timely. And the restaurant is clean, nicely decorated, and spacious with plenty of seating inside and out. The Adana Lebab, Turkish tea, and Backlava are must-tries. A+++“

“I go here 2 to 4 times a month at least. I really enjoy the fresh ingredients and choices.“

“Great quality and quantity for the price. You can get a chicken shawarma bowl with delicious saffron rice for $10 with 6 toppings, choice of meat, and 2 sauces and they are generous with all.

My only complaints were that I thought the beef shawarma was a little chewy and there were no water cups.“

“I was there for the opening day and it was wonderful. The staff are so friendly and had huge smiles on their faces. The line moved quickly and the food was delicious and made exactly to order. The soup was still piping hot when I got back to the office. So happy they finally opened a location in Union Station.“

“the whole thing - the people - the food - all good“

“From outside it’s almost un noticeable. The service was great. Atmosphere was cool and easy and friendly but the most important thing the food was excellent. The Turkish coffee was excellent. Tea was excellent. We really enjoyed it and bubble baklava for dessert was superb.“

“The new kid on the block is a great lunch spot with reasonably priced and delicious food. I had the chicken shawarma sandwich and spoke to the chef. He elevated this basic dish to really nice levels and there's a unique spice blend that you won't find anywhere else. This is a tough location for a business but hopefully they can survive.“

“Absolutely phenomenal! Get the rice pudding for dessert, I swear you will love it! Light orange flavor that accents the thick milky rice pudding, definitely not your Grandmother’s rice pudding!
Everything we ordered was amazing but I am going to have dreams of that rice pudding until the day I die it was so amazing.“

“We just had my sons’ wedding rehearsal dinner at Villa Yara and it exceeded our and our guests expectations. The venue is superb, the food amazing and the staff amazing. This was one of those dining experiences you ask yourself how have I missed this place? There are not enough words to describe the excellence of Villa Yara. Do not overlook this restaurant for you will miss a great dining experience. Scott G.“

“The best⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟“

“This place is honestly great, the vibe is super chill, n the staff is reallyyy friendly but still professional, which i appreciate a lot, the food was fresh, tasty, and the presentation was on point too-eeverything came out quick, and it’s not easy to find spots that get both service and quality right, but they they got it right Definitely cominng backkk 👌🔥“

“The truck was clean the chopped cheese was absolutely delicious and Johnny had phenomenal service. The location has a nice little shaded bench area and you really can't go wrong at this good truck. I was sent by security at the air and space museum. They all raved about it so I had to check it out and I highly recommend!“

“Like a Greek Chipotle. Fast service, delicious food, tasty options. Recommend!“

“A Hidden Gem on Georgia Ave —
The new Steve Seas on Georgia Avenue is a must-visit. From the moment you walk in, the space feels completely transformed!
The menu is full of flavor and creativity. The Spanish-style risotto is a standout (my favorite) perfectly seasoned with a rich, savory depth and just the right texture. The steak is another hit: juicy, tender, and cooked exactly how you want it. Every dish feels fresh and thoughtfully prepared, with presentation that shows real attention to detail.
On top of the great food. The staff is welcoming, attentive, and genuinely seems happy to make sure everyone has a great time. Whether you’re out for a date night, catching up with friends, or just treating yourself to something new, Steve Seas hits all the right notes — delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, and friendly service.
In short, Steve Seas is a fresh new gem in D.C. that’s definitely worth checking out.“

“This place was great. We passed by looking for a place to eat and one of my three sons really wanted to eat here. My other two are very picky eaters so I thought it might be a problem. The staff helped my younger two create their own bowls to their liking and we all loved our food. I would definitely recommend this place!“

“Service is accurate, fast, & food is DELICIOUS.“

“It's not suprise that Shemali's Cafe is a DC go-to when it comes to Middle Easter Fare. There food is fresh and always on point. Their staff is friendly and professional. Highly recommend Shemali's Cafe!“

“Great Falafels! Nice atmosphere and very polite personnel“