Diners' Choice: Mediterranean restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Mediterranean cuisine in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Julii

4.8

4.8 (2522)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

North Bethesda

About the restaurant

Julii, French Mediterranean Cuisine; by the founders of Cava Mezze, and Cava.

Come enjoy an elevated dining experience, bringing you delicious yet beautiful cocktails and dishes and top-notch service.

Currently offering indoor and outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery service.

Top review

Jimena

Dined 3 days ago

Service was fantastic, very attentive, and the food is a unique experience. Every little detail is catered to perfection.

Zaytinya - DC

4.7

4.7 (19816)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

Under the direction of celebrated Chef José Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup team, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on José's deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington.

Top review

Shima

Dined 2 days ago

The best restaurant ever with delicious food and dessert

Balos Estiatorio

4.6

4.6 (82)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

At the heart of legendary hospitality and Mediterranean flavors, Balos offers an elevated dining experience led by Executive Chef Alex Oradei.

Inspired by the lush Cretan lagoon it’s named after, Balos creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere—blending old-world charm with modern elegance. Founded by industry veterans and lifelong friends Stefanos Vouvoudakis, Tom Tsiplakos, and Joe Ragonese, it embodies the Hellenic tradition of shared meals and lively conversation.

Our menu showcases Greek seafood and seasonal ingredients with a contemporary twist. Whether you join us for our famed Espresso Martini Cart brunch, a lively dinner, or a business casual lunch, our airy dining room transports you to the Greek islands.

Top review

ArturoVIP

Dined 4 days ago

great experience! the food was really good and the service was excellent!

Iron Gate

4.7

4.7 (3070)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Iron Gate, located near Dupont Circle, stands as one of the district’s oldest continuously operating restaurants and is split between a sumptuous dining room, a wisteria covered patio and a handsomely enclosed carriageway that houses the bar.

Chef Anthony Chittum, a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and his team have revitalized the space with a menu that takes inspiration for the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinian and Southern Italy, interpreting those traditions and techniques using the finest products and seasonal ingredients of the Mid-Atlantic.

Iron Gate also serves as an idyllic oasis for fine private events both large and small, so please consider us when planning your next fête, we'd love to have you as our guests.

Top review

lawrenceVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Good and interesting food Excellent service Patio is extremely pleasant and so nice to enjoy a fine meal.

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Experience

Weekend Brunch at Iron Gate

Barca Wine Bar & Pier

4.7

4.7 (1828)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Old Town Alexandria

About the restaurant

BARCA is Old Town Alexandria's newest riverfront neighborhood restaurant. Located in Robinson , BARCA (Spanish for boat) styles shipyard chic and Catalonian coastal influence into a waterfront Pier and Wine Bar. Both indoor and outdoor locales serve up Spanish-Mediterranean small plates, wine, sangria, and cocktails plus weekend brunch.

Top review

Savannah

Dined 4 days ago

Food was SO good, absolutely in love with the whipped goat cheese dip, pan con tomate, and the sol y sombra cocktail!! And our server was super sweet, funny, and attentive. Really great summery vibes, and the fire table was awesome. Honestly one of my new favorite places!

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Jamón Serrano Croquetas

Alhambra

4.7

4.7 (733)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

*2023 WINE SPECTATOR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE*

Taking inspiration from the landmark Alhambra Palace and Fortress in southern Spain, one of the most famous monuments of Islamic and Spanish Renaissance architecture, our new menu exemplifies the blending of cultures and cuisines across the region.

Showcasing their rich bounty of produce and fish in a modern and convivial setting, Chef Brian Bladfält Landry presents a seasonally inspired menu enhanced with the bold flavors across a variety of the region’s cultures. With distinct menus offered across brunch, lunch and dinner, the dining concept focuses on four sections of small plated dishes – sea, land, garden and table – all meant to be shared.

Alhambra is located on the lobby-level of The St. Regis Washington, D.C. at 923 Black Lives Matter Plaza NW in the heart of downtown D.C. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch, as well as dinner from Monday through Saturday and brunch on weekends.

Top review

Anthony

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

We had a good experience at Alhambra. Service by our waiter, Yaser was phenomenal. He was very courteous, accommodating, and knowledgeable of the menu. We tried the Iberico plum and the Short rib and they all tasted delicious. I highly recommend this place if you are out for a good time and good food.

Maya Bistro

4.5

4.5 (295)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Arlington

About the restaurant

Welcome to Maya Bistro!

Maya Bistro is a family-owned restaurant in Arlington, VA. in Maya Bistro our delicious meals can be anything from a simple snack to an elaborate multi-course meal celebrates good food, hospitality and the heart of Turkey.

It is an upscale-casual dining experience that celebrates the rich diversity of Turkish & Mediterranean food and culture through a blend of classic and contemporary menu offerings and superb hospitality.

With the 35 years of experience in a variety of cuisines, our family draws on a deep knowledge of classic and contemporary Turkish & Mediterranean cooking as well as the many regional influences on Turkish & Mediterranean cuisine.

Top review

TimothyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Maya is our neighborhood go-to. Excellent food, top-notch service, and just an easy, homey feeling and experience. As a soccer fan, I also appreciate the fact that they surreptitiously keep Turkish League games playing in the background...;o)

Imperfecto

4.7

4.7 (17)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Foggy Bottom

About the restaurant

Imperfecto is a restaurant by Enrique Limardo and the team behind Seven Reasons. The restaurant is inspired by the intersection between the Mediterranean & Latin American Cultures, and sustained in Enrique Limardo's bold culinary approach.

At Imperfecto we believe that human beings are not perfect. We are far from perfect. We are Imperfect. And it's imperfection that moves us forward and shows us how to improve.

The restaurant design is inspired by Greek culture. The oldest definition of "perfection", goes back to Aristotle, who defined the concept in three: which is complete; which is so good that nothing of the kind could be better; which has attained its purpose.

At Imperfecto, we know that a restaurant space is not complete if it’s not filled with people; that we will try our best to maintain the highest levels of creativity, flavors and service; and that we will always pursue our purpose of bringing magical culinary experiences to our guests.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Food was exquisite! My friend and I enjoyed the tasting menu with wine pairing. The staff were excellent and the ambience beautiful.

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Experience

Imperfecto's Michelin Dégustation Experience

Yayla Bistro

4.6

4.6 (794)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Arlington

About the restaurant

Yes, we are open! Dine in & Outdoor Seating.
Online Ordering for pick up & delivery : http://www.yaylabistro.com

Top review

Ben

Dined on Apr 29, 2025

This is a lovely place to get some drinks and yummy food. Caesar took care of us, and I would absolutely like to have him wait on us again!

Carmello's Of Old Town Manassas

4.6

4.6 (1060)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Manassas

About the restaurant

Carmello's Of Old Town Manassas is a family owned and operated restaurant in Historic Manassas, which specializes in Contemporary Cuisine with Italian and Portuguese Fusion. The restaurant features a seasonal menus with locally sourced items from local farms. We are proud to be featured as one of the 50 best restaurants in Northern Virginia By Northern Virginia Magazine.

To accompany your dinner, select from our 2010-2023 Wine Spectator Award Winning Wine List. Come try our extensive Portuguese wine list and taste for yourself what everyone will be talking about. We currently carry over 75 Portuguese wines from such regions as Alentejo, Douro, Doa, Estremadura, and Vinho Verde. Our list of Portuguese wines is one of the finest in the DC Metropolitan area and is comparable to many of the top Portuguese wine lists in the America.

Top review

Greylin

Dined 4 days ago

I really enjoy this restaurant everytime I go. I've been with my mother for mother's day twice (once being this trip) and I even brought my dad here for father's day. Everyone has been happy and the service has been great. The manager (Stephen Britton) was especially accommodating for my very large family on this visit. Thank you to all of the staff for your hard work!

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