In search of a new favorite Greek spot?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Greek restaurants around Arlington, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to satisfy your cravings for moussaka, kebabs, saganaki and more.
1. Yayla Bistro
Topping the list is Yayla Bistro, which serves eastern Mediterranean fare prepared by Turkish chefs. Located at 2201 N. Westmoreland St., the Turkish and Greek spot is the highest rated Greek restaurant in Arlington, boasting 4.5 stars out of 372 reviews on Yelp.
Walking distance from the East Falls Church metro station, the restaurant serves up dishes like red lentil soup, grilled calamari, falafel, grilled chicken and lamb skewers, baba ghanoush, moussaka and a variety of flatbreads like the lahmacun topped with ground beef, lamb, onions, garlic and crushed red peppers. The bistro also offers a kid's menu, weekend brunch and a full-service bar.
2. Cava Mezze
Next up is Cava Mezze, situated at 2940 Clarendon Blvd. With four stars out of 975 reviews on Yelp, the Clarendon restaurant has proved to be a local favorite for Mediterranean mezze, an experience similar to tapas in which diners feast on several small, shareable dishes.
With alternate locations in D.C., Baltimore, Olney and Rockville, the restaurant offers a wide assortment of dips, salads and larger courses. For dinner, offerings include crispy pita chips, eggplant and smoked salmon dips, baby beet and watermelon salads, seared scallops with pearl couscous, saganaki cheese that is flambéed tableside and lamb, chicken and shrimp sliders. Breakfast and brunch are also available.
3. Astor Mediterranean
The casual, counter-service Astor Mediterranean, located at 2300 N. Pershing Dr., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Greek and Mediterranean spot four stars out of 481 reviews.
"This place has a wide variety of food — from Mediterranean to sandwiches and pizza," Yelper Dominic T. said. "I love their half chickens and legs of lamb, and their sides are great."
On the menu, look for sandwiches like the gyro and beef souvlaki, grilled kebabs, lamb shank and vegetarian options like the falafel platter.
4. The Athena Pallas Restaurant
Named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, The Athena Pallas Restaurant is another go-to, with four stars out of 194 Yelp reviews. Head over to 556 22nd St. S. to see for yourself.
This haunt's bill of fare includes a selection of cold and hot appetizers and salads, along with traditional Greek dishes like braised lamb shank in a tomato and vegetable blend; pastitsio, seasoned ground beef, chopped vegetables and penne pasta topped with a white cheese sauce; and the vegetarian Imam Bahildi, sweet eggplant with tomatoes, garlic, parsley, raisins and pine nuts.
