50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near North Bethesda

“I made a reservation for my friend's birthday and the restaurant had a birthday day waiting for her at the table. We found this super nice! Never seen a restaurant do that and get the extra mile to get a birthday card and write a nice message in it. Regarding the food, I had the cod and my friend the trout and both fives were delicious. For drinks, my friend tried a pink drink and she loved it, I had the one with pear and it was also very good. For dessert, my friend had the saffron golden milk and she really enjoyed it. Overall, very nice place and the food and drinks we had were delicious.“

“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 !!!“

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

“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+++“

“If you find yourself in DC, I highly recommend giving this place a shot if you wanna splurge on food. The dining experience and service was top notch and the food was splendid.

Side note: I also heard that they were going to close up shop later this year so try it while you have the chance!“

“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.“

“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“

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

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

“Delicia de comida, recomendado al 100%“

“Stepping into the St. Regis Washington, D.C., and its exquisite Alhambra restaurant, is truly like entering a realm where Gilded Age grandeur meets contemporary luxury, creating an unforgettable atmosphere perfect for a romantic birthday treat.
A Glimpse into History and Timeless Decor
Originally opened in 1926 as the Carlton Hotel, designed by Mihran Mesrobian in the elegant Beaux-Arts and Neo-Renaissance styles, The St. Regis Washington, D.C. has a storied past. It has famously hosted numerous U.S. presidents, royalty, prime ministers, and iconic celebrities, solidifying its status as a landmark of sophistication. Renamed The St. Regis in 1999, the hotel has consistently maintained its commitment to unparalleled luxury. The recent renovations in April 2024 have seamlessly blended its historic charm with a fresh, modern aesthetic, featuring a palette of clean cream, blues, soft grays, and rich gold tones, evident in the carpets, plush furnishings, and finishes.
The hotel's design ethos is immediately apparent from the moment you step into the magnificent grand lobby. The soaring 16-foot ceilings, adorned with ornate Florentine gold coffered ceilings and dramatic two-tiered crystal chandeliers, evoke a sense of timeless opulence. Plush velvet armchairs invite you to linger, and the well-kept washrooms, with their attractive tiled walk-in showers and thick paper towellettes, speak volumes about the hotel's attention to detail and guest comfort. The elegant chairs throughout the hotel, coupled with intriguing elements like Gucci gear thoughtfully displayed in antique wooden showcases, add unique touches to the sophisticated ambiance.
Alhambra: A Culinary and Romantic Oasis
Alhambra, the hotel's modern Mediterranean restaurant, is consistently lauded in online reviews for its impeccable service, delicious dishes, and sophisticated, quiet ambiance – truly ideal for celebrations and intimate evenings and as experienced first hand, the personal semi-circle booths, cloistered behind plush drapery, indeed offer a wonderfully romantic and private dining setting.
The dinner was a testament to the culinary artistry at Alhambra. The scrumptious Hummus and Pita, with its fluffy, za'atar-infused bread, hummus elevated by extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, sumac, and unique accompaniments like date butter, shakshouka, and feta in sauce, were absolutely delightful. The Mom's Borek, shaped like a cupcake and served with apricot jam and a refreshing watercress onion salad, showcases an innovative and refined approach to traditional dishes.
The main courses were equally impressive. The butterflied Branzino, beautifully presented with its head and tail intact alongside radish and watercress, echoes the praise found in online reviews for the chef's masterful preparation of this dish, highlighting its brilliant simplicity. The Aleppo chicken, with its dramatic presentation on a platter of dried red chillies, smoky dome, and carving by the chef onto peri peri sauce, a true theatrical and flavorful experience. The skinny to perfection second-take Mojitos were undoubtedly the perfect complement to such a memorable meal.
To top off the evening, the complimentary pistachio ice cream on an olive oil cake, lit with a candle and adorned with Birthday Wishes in chocolate cursive, was a truly personal and heartwarming gesture. This level of personalized service, from the paid valet to the attentive waiting staff and the talented chef, truly sets The St. Regis and Alhambra apart.
Alhambra at St. Regis, DC, was a truly wonderful and memorable quiet evening, a sentiment am sure is echoed by many who have experienced the hotel's legendary hospitality and the restaurant's exquisite offerings.“

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

“Absolutely delicious - the best falafels I’ve had in a long time and my family said the lamb/beef combo was very flavorful. The ingredients were fresh and the service was very attentive. And I’m still dreaming of the chocolate peanut butter cupcake I had - so good!“

“I love it, the food is fresh and service is excellent!“

“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.“

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

“Great spot for roof dining 😎“

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

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

“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!“

“I am very particular about my Mediterranean food and Miza did not disappoint. Chicken shawarma bowl with the garlic aioli was crazy and it’s a lot of bang for your buck. The customer service was also excellent. 10s across the board for me.“

“this place is a mazing. the healing food.the good service. nice people's. I suggest it to go and tray.“

“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!“

“Service was fantastic. Food was wonderful and atmosphere perfect.“

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

“This restaurant is a favorite for my wife and I to dine. It is an Armenian Mediterranean restaurant. The hummus is creamy and delectable. The kebab platters are savory and well prepared. Highly recommend Sasuns Cafe. You will not be disappointed.“

“Please bring back the family meal!!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Love the concept, and the options. It’s always what you make it!“

“Is the best Mexican food i ever tried. I used to eat from cava 3 or 2 time a week. I dont like to Cook sometimes so cava the first choice come to my mind and in the same time its healthy and they have multiple things to chose to eat. I recommend the place if u didnt tried it u have something wrong in ur life :D�� one more thing after u put all your toping end it with Lemon tahini dressing yummy yummy no regretting“

“The Hercules Burger is really good“

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

“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.“

“The quality of ingredients is consistently high, and the variety of options ensures there's something for everyone. What truly sets this place apart is the exceptional service. The staff is always friendly, helpful, and efficient, making the entire experience a joy. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, you'll feel welcomed and well taken care of. Highly recommended!“

“Came for a tasting as part of Tasting Collective and was glad I did. This was truly a great experience. The 5 course tasting had 2 courses (1st & 4th) that needed to be altered as I'm a pescetarian therefore, don't eat duck. So in place of the duck paté, I was served figs and brie and in place of the duck breast I was served branzino. Each course was nicely paired with wine, again adding to this wonderful experience.

The fig and brie with the croutons was delicious, followed by the roasted pear with gouda, pecans and pomegranate sprinkles which was a delightful tasty plate. Who would think white chocolate and cauliflower purée would be delicious and pair beautifully with seared scallops? Clearly Chef Moore did and how right was he. That purée had folks at our table scraping to get all of it. The next course was a substitute dish and was beyond disappointing, especially compared to the other 3 courses. The branzino was BLAND, but the olives that were on the side were extra salty. I thought I was supposed to eat them together, but that didn't help. I couldn't even eat this course. The final course was a butterscotch pudding, a great way to end the meal/night.

Chef Moore was very welcoming. He answered questions and took pictures with the guests.

I'll definitely add this to my list of restaurants.“

“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!“

“Cava is a great alternative to fast food when you need food on the run. It’s also a great place for picky eaters to get their food exactly how they want it and gradually expand their food choices. My daughter started with white rice and meat. Next visit added romaine lettuce. Next visit chopped tomatoes. Next visit added greek dressing on the side, etc, etc.

Dietary restrictions: You can make your meal gluten and dairy free. They can direct you on the ingredients.“

“I picked this place off of Google for a quick lunch alone and it was awesome. I got the salmon kebab. The bread and chickpeas starter is expertly done. The salmon kebab was good and the salad was big and good quality. It’s fast food speed food, but better and healthier.“

“Great Falafels! Nice atmosphere and very polite personnel“

“Exceptional. My family can't agree on anything. Except Cava. The night before Thanksgiving and we put in a complicated order -- 10 custom bowls. Went to pick up 20 minutes later, the food was already waiting. Everything perfect, the order correct, and the food was super fresh! There seems to be a no-tipping policy so I wanted to leave a review to thank the team.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten“

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

“We went to Alara in Georgetown for a friend’s birthday, and it was an amazing experience! The food was excellent—especially the lentil soup and meatballs. Manager Muharrem took great care of us, and even the owner stopped by to check in. Such a warm, lovely place with great vibes. Highly recommend!“

“We had a great experience here. We dined early, as we had evening plans, and the service was excellent. Although the weather was warm for October, we chose to eat inside as friends had warned us about insects on the patio. Our server was friendly and informative. My spinach ravioli tasted homemade, and was quite rich. My partner's seafood linguine had lots of seafood among the noodles, and the marinara sauce was an excellent choice.“

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

“Supergezellige vibe. Er was een wijn promo (50% korting per fles!) en ze hebben lekker Belgisch bier. We hebben er niet gegeten, maar ik zou er zeker voor terugkomen. Er was op het moment dat wij er waren een jazzbandje dat speelde. Dit was een beetje luid, maar als je wilt babbelen kan je dat doen op het ruime terras“

“1st time and will be back!“