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!!!“

“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!“

“My friends and I had a wonderful dinner experience here. Abdullah was our server and it was obvious from the advice and explanations he gave that he was really knowledgeable and experienced. Appetizers, main dishes and drinks were delicious and enjoyable. We will definitely come back, you can ask for a good service from him. Excellent service and thank you for your interest!“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“I come here a lot with friends. The food is more fast food style but still very flavorful. There is great Farsi music and beautiful paintings inside. Would recommend getting the Koobideh kabob and make sure to ask for your rice to be Tahdig. You won’t regret it :)“

“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!😍“

“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 !!!“

“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 :)“

“We sat at the high tables, because we didn't have a reservation, but we received great service. The bar area gets crowded so we were lucky to get a seat and experience their 3 course meal. Every course was delicious and felt like a treat.“

“We had the most amazing dinner at Tiffany's! The food is wonderful, the atmosphere is peaceful and enjoyable, the service is excellent 👌. If you like Mediterranean / Turkish food, prepared creatively and with style, I highly recommend trying out Tiffany's!“

“We had the absolute best experience hosting our wedding at Casamara. I was so impressed with how smooth my wedding day went! We were so excited to be their first wedding - the entire team behind Casamara, Reynolds and SIXTY DC truly came together to deliver on the wedding of my dreams! Everything ran seamlessly which made the day feel effortless and stress-free. The ceremony on the rooftop was absolutely stunning and very DC, with the sunset as our backdrop and the top of the monument in the background! Reynolds was the perfect spot for cocktail hour- swanky, sexy, and such a vibe! The cocktails were expertly crafted and the passed hors d’oeuvres were plentiful and delicious. We were back on the rooftop for our party- the layout was just perfect for our cocktail-style party and dinner was absolutely incredible. Everything we’ve ever ordered at Casamara has been amazing, and this night it was no different - we had the best of the best. Chef Matt is really an unbelievable chef, a master of his craft. The desserts were a huge hit, Cassidy wins the award for best chocolate chip cookies in the DMV and her chocolate mousse is unreal! Jonathan and Gabriel were our bartenders and Jessamyn ran point on service - I was so happy to have them, they had great energy until the very end! The service was truly impeccable from start to finish - the team was on top of their game and the everyone at Casamara, Reynolds and SIXTY DC made our wedding weekend such an amazing success. A huge thank you to Katherine who helped bring our vision to life- I am forever grateful for her! Michael and Dmytro, these two brought the party! I couldn’t believe it when some of our guests were telling us that it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to- we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect venue or team to bring our dream wedding to life!“

“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!“

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

“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!“

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

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

“Delicia de comida, recomendado al 100%“

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

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

“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!!“

“Stumbled into Akivva Grill after my dog’s vet appointment nearby — great find. Fresh ingredients, well-seasoned meat on the spit, and generous portions at a fair price. Clean spot, no-frills service — the older guys are focused on the food, not small talk. Just order, eat, and enjoy.“

“The atmosphere is just wonderful, all the staff are just so friendly and welcoming.The food is AMAZING. The only down side is that the portions are smaller than what I guess we are use to. But very flavorful delish 😋“

“I specifically chose this restaurant to bring a Valentines date with high standards. She was very impressed and I was as well. The service was not overbearing, and very polite. The food was absolutely delicious and is a must try if you are looking for upscale Mediterranean food. We got the scallops and the rack of lamb which were cooked perfectly, and we enjoyed the bread and hummus for appetizers as well. The cocktails are pricy but generous and smooth. They looked very classy and were easy to pair with the meals. The seating isn't too close to other patrons and therefore felt like a luxurious experience. Price of the full meal with two appetizers, two cocktails and two large main dishes plus a desert will be 150-300$ after tip. I would highly recommend this place for a special occasion.“

“👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌“

“A must try when in DC! Not only is the food unmatched compared to others, but the customer service and portions are excellent with the highest quality and delicious meat platters. You will not be disappointed and taken care of always, I will be returning 100/10“

“Great spot for roof dining 😎“

“Excellent service, terrific food!“

“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. 😫“

“Best kept secret of DC. Best lamb kebab (and laffa!), best tabuleh, best kibbeh, best grape leaves, best lentil soup… Best!
May be gotta change the name, it’s a bit hard to understand what to expect .. but it is simply the best lunch each time I came… and indeed fresh, yummy & authentically Mediterranean.. thank you 🙏🏼“

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

“Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.“

“CAVA is ideal for hosting groups. I like their website. It is very convenient and user friendly. I usually pick the pre fixed combo from the menu and it works well. Last time I chose to make my own. The user friendly website made us so easy to pick exactly what you like within limits of offering. For the first time I received my order slightly mixed up. I asked for dressing on the side and it came dressed-in. I ordered it with pita 🫓 which never arrived. The food was still good. I'm not sure if I shouldn't just stick to the preset combinations.“

“I travel a lot and this it’s my second time at cava I love the food and all the True members I really polite. They help me a lot explaining men about a new Shawarma chicken. I really love it. I spoke with the manager. He was really kind name is Carlos. He offer me a water cup, which is really cool. I recommend this place.“

“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.“

“great customer service even late night“

“We had a wonderful breakfast this morning! The Beirut Breakfast, the Rose Water Latte, and Shaksura were all fabulous and the staff was lovely, friendly and helpful. Highly recommended!“

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