Looking for a delicious Mediterranean meal near you?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Mediterranean restaurants around McLean, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture next time you're on the hunt.
1. Kazan Restaurant
Topping the list is Kazan Restaurant. Located at 6813 Redmond Dr., this spot is the highest-rated Mediterranean eatery in McLean, boasting four stars out of 148 reviews on Yelp.
Kazan has been serving patrons since 1980 and has steadily become "a Washington institution deeply rooted in the McLean, VA, community," its website affirms.
With a focus on fresh ingredients, expect to find an array of appetizers and authentic Mediterranean fare for carnivores and vegetarians alike. Menu items include grape leaves stuffed with minced rice, pine nuts, onions and spices; and tarama salatasi — imported Black Sea red caviar, whipped with breadcrumbs, garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil and paprika. An assortment of lamb, chicken, beef, vegetarian and seafood kebabs are available as well. (You can view the dinner menu here.)
2. Mylo's Grill
Next up is family-owned and operated Mylo's Grill, situated at 6238 Old Dominion Dr. With four stars out of 81 reviews on Yelp, the Greek and traditional American spot has proven to be a local favorite.
Head chef Damon Mylonas and son Christos, who have spent two decades working together in the restaurant business, opened the doors to this establishment in 2010. Menu offerings include hummus with toasted pita bread, hot deli sandwiches and burgers, and homemade Greek-style lasagna. (Check out the full menu here.)
3. Simply Fresh
Simply Fresh, located at 6811 Elm St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the deli and American-Mediterranean restaurant four stars out of 55 reviews.
"Great little European cafe-type of breakfast place," shared Yelper Carla S. "I ordered a cappuccino and sun-dried tomato and pesto omelet. The omelet was delicious; lots of flavor and unique."
Along with Carla's dish and other breakfast fare, expect to find a variety of Mediterranean offerings including traditional gyros, falafel, hummus and smoked eggplant. (See the menu here.)
4. CAVA
CAVA is another go-to, with four stars out of 38 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1445 Chain Bridge Road to see this Mediterranean spot for yourself.
Founded by a trio of childhood friends, CAVA is a build-your-own Mediterranean bowl spot that "celebrates the flavors of their families’ traditional Greek and Mediterranean cooking in a casual, modern setting," according to its website. The fast-growing chain also has other locations throughout Southern California, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.
Diners start with a base of greens, grains or soup, then choose up to three "dips" like hummus, tzatziki or eggplant with red pepper. The whole thing is topped off with a protein like falafel, spicy lamb meatballs or braised beef. (You can view the online menu here.)
