50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Bethesda

“Dalia's Falafel catered my husband's big bash birthday party last weekend. It was the best catering experience we have ever had, and I want everyone within a 100 mile radius of downtown Bethesda to know about this fantastic establishment located at 7750 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, 20814. Ben, Cody and Kevin provided more than generous portions of outstanding food as well as practical support and guidance on preparing, presenting, serving, and storing their delicious trays of salads, sauces and, of course, falafels. They made the entire experience simple and easy. The value of the service we received was far greater than the fee that we paid -- truly! Please don't hesitate to consider Dalia's Falfel, a unique party option, for your next celebration“

“Amazing tasty dishes and friendly service. My family loves the Old Gtown Wrap!“

“Please bring back the family meal!!!“

“I came here on a Sunday evening during Restaurant Week, but we wanted to try more dishes so we opted for a couple of them from the regular menu. My favorites were the mixed spread and dolma, as well as the sumac lemonade. Our server, Abdullah, was excellent! The whole dining experience was great from start to finish. Highly recommend this place!“

“I go to this Cava at Bethesda Row fairly often and the service, primarily from the FANTASTIC manager Manuel is what truly keeps me coming back. Thank you to the phenomenal staff of Cava Bethesda Row!“

“GREAT food, and some of the friendliest people in Bethesda! We’ll be frequent fliers...for sure.“

“Was at an appointment with my son around the corner at PrepMatters. Needed a quick snack and drink. Popped into Aden Pizza & Mediterranean as a first timer. Was warmly greeted and given a menu. The staff was very friendly, polite and professional. I purchased a bottle of water, Gatorade and appetizer French fries. The food came out very quickly, and the food was fresh, hot and very tasty. I would recommend anyone in the area to give Aden Pizza & Mediterranean restaurant a try, you won’t go wrong. Enjoy!“

“On St Elmo brings something genuinely fresh to Bethesda’s nightlife scene. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels elevated, modern, and intimate. The lighting, decor, and layout strike the perfect balance between swanky and social. Cocktails are delicious and the menu is on point. High-energy enough to create a vibe, but not so loud that you can’t hold a conversation. On St Elmo is the kind of place Bethesda has been missing.“

“I always enjoy dining at Moby Dick in Bethesda. Dana is an absolute delight and one of the main reasons we love coming back. She's always smiling, genuinely warm, and treats everyone with kindness and respect. Her welcoming attitude creates such a positive atmosphere and makes every visit enjoyable. Excellent food and outstanding customer service!“

“Just an incredible restaurant - amazing food out of this world our server was simply impressive with one month on the job - I can't say enough good things about him. I will always be back !!!“

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

“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!😍“

“Excellent restaurant from all angles, a new DC/ Georgetown favorite.

The decor brightened an otherwise gloomy and stormy day. The service was efficient and friendly. Menu labeled for dietary restrictions and can ask server for help. The food (brunch prix fixe with burrata (no bread) and steak eggs) had the right flavors to waken the palate and satisfy the soul and the stomach. Kudos to the right amount of salt on each dish to highlight all the deliciousness. Cantaloupe to Spain was a balanced cocktail with unique flavors and smooth to drink.

Overall a memorable brunch experience and I'll be recommending to friends in and out of DC. Look forward to coming back.“

“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 :)“

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

“LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING!!!!!
This was by far the best meal I’ve ever had in my life,
The couples meat dining experience was transporting me to heaven, the food was so good and the host was so funny and kind (Wesley?)
He was amazing and made the entire experience so fun
Also the drinks were so delicious we only got the espresso martinis but they were so creamy and delicious 🤤

I would come back here for every important occasion in the future!!!!
Best date night ever“

“I had a wonderful time at Casamara! The food was absolutely delicious, the service was excellent, and the music was fantastic. We were seated at the front, where the atmosphere was excellent. Our waiter was incredible and did more than was expected to make my friend's birthday special; she was very attentive during the whole meal and offered us excellent wine recommendations. All aspects of the food, the service and the general atmosphere were perfect. It's definitely a place I'd recommend if you wanted to have a fun night out or mark a special occasion!“

“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.“

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

“👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌“

“In recent years there seems to be a proliferation of small-plate Mediterranean restaurants. But Yayla remains as one of the best, reasonably priced originals in northern Virginia. There is a pleasing range of mezzes, salads, entrees hot and cold, flat breads, spreads, etc . I had a Yayla mule, 3 spreads, lemony rice soup and superb shrimp. Friends chose a range of other dishes. I can guarantee whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. Everything is flavorful, fresh and beautifully presented. Wait staff and servers are friendly, attentive, knowledgeable and not obtrusive. Don’t miss the nice selection of creative cocktails, wine variety and desserts. Continued success and best wishes for this popular bistro!“

“The staff is very friendly great place to just have some family time and enjoy great food“

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

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

“Exceptional Service. Culinary Excellence. Our dining experience at JOON was extraordinary, made even better by the exceptional service from our server, Yacine. His thoughtful recommendations, warm demeanor, and perfectly timed attentiveness made for an unforgettable evening. Even as the restaurant got busier, Yacine maintained his focus on us— a warm and welcoming touch that elevated the entire experience. Thank you! As fans of Persian cuisine and frequent shoppers at Yekta Market in Rockville— having recently tried our hand at making Persian dishes like Fesenjan at home— coupled with all of the culinary accolades— we had high expectations for JOON. It not only met but exceeded them. Mast-o Musir, yogurt dish with Persian dried shallot and rose petal, was exceptional— more elevated and nuanced than any we’ve had. The mushroom Khoresht stew with white truffle was another highlight, offering perfectly balanced flavors something hard to do with white truffles and a satisfying richness, complemented by the perfectly crunchy Tahdig, iconic golden rice crust. The braised lamb shoulder which Yacine suggested was the undeniable highlight of the meal I which each dish was excellent. Tender and flavorful, it was paired beautifully with texture. It’s a signature dish that rivals the best we’ve ever had, bringing to mind the legendary Bo Ssam pork shoulder from David Chang’s Momofuku— bold, unforgettable, and expertly prepared. The Gormeh Sabzi, short rib stew with its delicious sour depth, was excellent but couldn’t quite match the lamb’s showstopping brilliance. Two very minor points. While the food and service are exceptional, the main dining room lighting would benefit from dimming. A water filtration water system could make a big difference as well. JOON has firmly secured its place as a must-visit dining destination for us. We can’t wait to return and explore more of the menu.“

“The food is wonderful, the staff is warm and friendly and it’s priced very reasonably!“

“Thought I’d go by and give them a try today ,I ordered several different ones to see what was good and I must say the food was delicious and fresh! Can’t go wrong with any of them .Highly recommend!“

“This is my all-time favorite place for Italian spaghetti. Excellent food. The servers are the best. If you drive anywhere near this place you should be sure to stop in!“

“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.“

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

“The octopus, sea scallops and the dish with the kale and butter beans were amazing! Every visit is an adventure for me. I also love the decor and the service“

“Delicia de comida, recomendado al 100%“

“My son and I dined here July 4th holiday for my birthday. I was quickly impressed by the enthusiasm of the staff. My compliments to staff and cook as well as the owners.“

“Absolutely outstanding! Wonderful service and delicious food. We used to frequent Ayşe when they were located in Frederick and are so happy they opened again!! Please go! This is my favorite restaurant and has been for almost 10 years! (Even with their hiatus) And they still have the Brussels sprouts!!“

“I love Cava; I eat there at least once a week. Today, however, I found an inch-and-a-half-long piece of METAL in my salad from the Germantown MD location. 😫“

“Family style meals are fantastic. Had eaten at a Greek relative's house. Ordered for the first time. Not only was the food delicious, each order fed about 8-10 people with folks having seconds. Lots of leftovers. Several asked guests made sure they had Talia's number when they left.“

“Love this place!! Food is always delicious and fresh .“

“The gentleman at the counter had wonderful customer service. We paid for our food even brought it to the table, which was very nice. It felt like fine dining, he gave us a bit of conversation and seem like such a pleasant gentlemen. I enjoyed the food. It was amazing. I eat every drop and the baklava ice cream with everything took a friend for the first time. My friend said he enjoyed it, and we will definitely be back again. I recommend this place highly if you love Greek food and gyros.“

“I have been to other Cava restaurants all over Northern Virginia, but the best by far is the one in McLean. No matter the time of day, the service is always excellent. Kayla and the Staff are always gracious, even when the customers aren't. (We are talking about McLean). Thanks to all the Wonderful Staff. Cheryl Izegbu“

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

“Turkish food here is fantastic, and the healthy, well-seasoned salads complement the flavors perfectly. The owner is friendly and interactive, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. It was my first time visiting, but I was impressed by the smiles and positive team relationships.“

“The food was fresh and delicious! The service was excellent and the owner came around to talk to us! He was so sweet!! He made us feel like family! I will definitely recommend this lovely establishment to my family and friends! I should have taken more photos, but I forgot- it was as sooo goo!!“

“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!!“

“This is what you call authentic Mediterranean food. And I love how hot the lamb shank was it was literally falling off the bone! I will definitely be back! Sorry I didn't take a photo of the food before i devoured it! Definitely a hidden gem in the Reagan building“

“Great food. At first I was hesitant for mediterranean food items I had never tried,,But we enjoyed it all. Desert was amazing, mango mousse+passionfruit cake+ dollops of different flavored creams. WOW. I loved the flavor of the smoked chicken, but it could have been a bit more moist (i.e. less overcooked). But that was small. Mom's Borak phyllo appetizer was amazing. Service made it feel so special. Will go back.“

“Visiting Maryland for my family and passed by to grab a quick bite and ohhhh my lord jesus. Ordered multiple items to soothe my hunger and the food was just amazing. The service and atmosphere was great as well, really relaxing, yes its a restaurant but better than any other place i’ve been.“

“Excellent service, terrific food!“

“Charming smaller restaurant with friendly service, a very good wine list and delicious food. Once you find street parking, you can choose from several small tables on the street or comfortable seating inside this very attractive restaurant. There were three of us having dinner which consisted of Gnocchi, Chicken Milanese and an outstanding pork chop with caramel sauce. This restaurant really is a neighborhood gem. The noise level is high, but that is the only negative thing that I can think of to say.“

“Carlos was the most helpful! It was my first time at Cava and he made the whole experience worth it. I will 100% be coming back! First time but absolutely will not be my last time. Give him a raise ❤ the photo doesn’t do it justice!“

“Healthy food, friendly staff, centrally located“