50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Potomac

“You can't go wrong with this location or CAVA in general! The store is always spotless, and they always have enough staff to keep the line moving smoothly. Plus, the portion sizes are fantastic; you never have to ask for extra because they get it right the first time. I'd choose CAVA over Chipotle any day! A huge thank you to Mayra and Gisella for an amazing experience.“

“The food and service at this place is always awesome. Especially the gentleman who runs the front of the house. His name is Marvin, and he's the nicest guy you could ever meet. If you want good food, pretty quickly, and like people in general, this is a great place to get it. I've become a regular customer and I love this place.“

“This Greek restaurant in Potomac, MD is a hidden gem. The lobster spaghetti was rich and perfectly balanced, and the dessert—simple, elegant, unforgettable. The menu is carefully curated, and it shows. This is their second restaurant—the first has been around for over 30 years. They know what they’re doing. Small space, so definitely make a reservation—but bar seating is just as good (we sat there and loved it). Carlos the bartender and the whole staff were amazing. We were the only Black/brown folks there, and felt completely welcomed. Don’t miss this spot—real food, real hospitality, real experience.“

“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 !!!“

“Extremely delicious. Falafel and shawerma are the best ever tried . Staff are generous. And very kind . Prices are affordable And the plate size is big .each 1 plate is enough for 2 . Restaurant is also very clean and cozy“

“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“

“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!“

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

“Excellent service, terrific food!“

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

“First time dining at Agora, and we really enjoyed it! The food was delicious, and the service was amazing, thanks to Lara. Her recommendations were spot-on!

The restaurant has a beautiful, open feel with a nice arrangement of banquette seating, although the room can get a bit loud during prime dining hours. Overall, a great experience!“

“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!“

“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 discovered Sasuns Cafe a few weeks ago and I have come back each time I’ve been in the area. Can’t speak to the rest of the menu yet but the Zattar Jalapeno & Tomato flatbread is OUTSTANDING. I’m not sure you can find a better option for less than $10 in the county. The Steak and Cheese is perfectly balanced with seasoning and crisp vegetables, combined with a with a fresh roll making for a great bite. Try either of these items, you won’t regret it. Looking forward to exploring the rest of the menu!“

“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.“

“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“

“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“

“Good service, great authentic Mediterranean food, amazing lemonade. I was floored when the lady came out and gave us FREE REFILLS on the lemonade. The presentation of the food was authentic and charming, the tzatziki and spicy sauce were great. The best Mediterranean food I’ve had in the DMV“

“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. 😫“

“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!!“

“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!“

“Me and my girlfriend come here almost every night for food or desserts. Everything is really good kind of like a hidden gem. Solomon is the reason why we keep coming back great customer service and great suggestions thank you very much, brother“

“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“

“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!“

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

“1st time and will be back!“

“Maria and the crew are some of the friendliest staff and best food!!

It is where I was first introduced to pickled onions and they have awoken my love of lamb again. It's also got a lot of very healthy choices, but the magic is when it is all put together it's delicious no matter what combination“

“Wow x10! Probably the best falafel & gyro I’ve had in very long time since I lived in Chicago. Don’t get me started on the baklava. They made this with the most detailed attention and poured their love into it. I highly recommend this place. My new favorite Greek restaurant.“

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

“Cafe Monaco is absolutely the best kept secret in the McLean/Tysons Corner area.

I bought three (yes, three - don't judge me) ham/cheese/egg croissants and these might have very well been the best croissants I've ever had in the States. Crisp, wonderfully flaky, and perfectly buttered; these have become my go-to breakfast sandwich.

Honestly, you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't pay a visit to Cafe Monaco.“

“Great service, super fresh and tasty - I'm becoming addicted!“

“We’ve ordered catering from the Beirut Butcher on a number of occasions and their food has always been delicious and their service has been lovely. If there was one bit of feedback I would share is that their menu prices online are a little bit out of date, but that should be a simple website update. I would highly recommend this place for catering and make sure you reach out to them early because they get busy.“

“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!“

“The branzino was fresh and deliciously prepared. The accompanying bread was freshly baked. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“I love this food, it’s so delicious and the service is wonderful.. I can eat here everyday.“

“Just flew in on a redeye and got take-out here. It’s literally 1:30, and really no other places are open. Huge shout out to the dishes. Everything tasted amazing, and the seasoning was really on point!! Definitely would recommend checking this spot out. I know I’ll adding this place as a go to late night study snack.“

“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!“

“Here’s a polished review you can post:

Absolutely love this place! The lamb and chicken are always cooked to perfection, the rice is flavorful, the salad is fresh, and the sauce brings everything together perfectly. Every meal is consistently delicious, and the portions are generous for such reasonable prices. It’s hard to find quality, taste, and value all in one place, but this food cart delivers every time. I truly hope they continue maintaining the same standards because they’ve earned a loyal customer.“

“Omg. That’s all I can say. This was the best lamb gyro I ever had! I was really craving some good Greek food and it hit the spot. I’ll be back! Thank you so much! 💕💕💕 the rice pilaf was chefs kiss!!“

“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!“

“Great food and price! The staff is very professional and friendly!“

“I’ve been to this CAVA location several times, and unfortunately, I consistently have an issue when the manager is working.

I order the kids meal because it is the appropriate portion for me. I cannot finish a regular meal, and I end up throwing a significant amount of it away. With the kids meal, I am able to finish my food without a problem.

However, whenever this particular manager is there, I am repeatedly told that I need to order a regular meal. I’ve also been told that I cannot request half rice and half lentils and that I must choose one or the other. I have never had an issue making the same request when another employee or manager is working.

I understand that restaurants have policies, but the inconsistent way this is being handled is frustrating. I’m simply trying to order a portion that works for me and avoid wasting food. I would appreciate it if the staff could apply the same policy consistently and treat customers respectfully.

I enjoy CAVA and would like to continue coming here, but this experience has made me consider going elsewhere.“

“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 stumbled into this place accidentally. All mediterranean restaurants’ food tastes the same. This place is different. Food tastes like home food. Also, they are generous with food as well. The food place is clean. The restaurant can benefit from some decor. I highly recommend them.“

“Amazing food and terrific atmosphere. We went for Christmas dinner and there was something on the menu for everyone.“

“Positively DELICIOUS WITH ASTOUNDING QUALITY OF BOTH SERVICE AND CUISINE! I love this place, and didn't know about it for my 50 years in Rockville.. I had the BIG kabob platter, which I shared with Mike, my friend and LARGE ENOUGH FOR TWO; the chicken and lamb were both succulent and expertly seasoned, just "right." I couldn't giver more than 5 stars, but would've given seven.“

“I am visiting DC from the midwest, but I was unexpectedly welcomed home to Egypt for lunch in Dupont Circle. You will find legitimate Egyptian street/comfort food and the staff display true Middle Eastern hospitality & service very rare in America. The music (classic Arabic songs of love and heartbreak lol) and hearing the Egyptian dialect specifically completed the experience.“

“I grew up coming to Cava Mezze with my family, and we’ve been eating there for almost 14 years. I have so many special memories there, from going as a 10-year-old, to having my send-off dinner before leaving for college, to celebrating my 21st birthday there. The food is amazing every single time, and our favorites are the zucchini fritters, scallop risotto, lamb chops, and house red wine.

I live in California now, but whenever I’m home, coming to Cava is always a priority. I went with my dad last night, and once again, we had such a wonderful experience. Noah was an amazing server and made our evening even more special. Cava has been a part of my family’s life for so many years, and I’m so grateful that it continues to be a place we can always come home to.“

“I was in Arlington an hour early for an appointment and I was hungry. I walked into and Ma Sha Allah!!!!“