Craving Mediterranean food?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Mediterranean restaurants around Washington, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fill the bill.
1. Zaytinya
Topping the list is Zaytinya, a restaurant that specializes in Greek, Turkish and Lebanese cuisines. Part of chef José Andrés' ThinkFoodGroup empire (Jaleo, Oyamel, China Chilcano), Zaytinya was established in 2002 and serves small plates in an airy Penn Quarter space.
There are many dishes to choose from, including a spice-rubbed lamb kebab with tabouleh and tahini sauce; seared Mediterranean sea bass with tomato, raki and fennel; and a stew of tomato, okra and green chickpeas. The extensive wine menu is sourced from the region. Located at 701 Ninth St. NW, this is the most popular Mediterranean spot in Washington, with four stars out of 4,009 reviews on Yelp.
2. Komi
Next up is Dupont Circle's Komi, situated at 1509 17th St. NW (between North P and North Church streets). It's a dinner-only restaurant serving a fixed menu of approximately 12 revolving dishes.
Some recent offerings include raw Mediterranean sea bass with olive oil, foie gras with picked squash and mustard seed, and crispy suckling pig. Reservations are required and photographs are discouraged. With 4.5 stars out of 697 reviews on Yelp, the Greek spot has proven to be a local favorite.
3. Busboys and Poets - 5th and K
Mount Vernon Square's Busboys and Poets - 5th and K, located at 1025 Fifth St. NW, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving it four stars out of 1,674 reviews. This location of the growing empire boasts multiple stories, wall-hung art and a large outdoor patio.
The menu caters to vegetarians, with starters like baba ghanoush and tabbouleh, a falafel sandwich and Mediterranean angel hair pasta with asparagus, roasted tomatoes and olives. The menu is neither all vegetarian nor all Mediterranean in orientation, though; see the blackened salmon, turkey burger and beef chili, for example.
4. Greek Deli & Catering
Greek Deli & Catering is next up. It is a deli and breakfast spot in Foggy Bottom serving Greek specialties like baked moussaka, lamb souvlaki and gyros. It has some limited outdoor seating — nothing inside — so much of its business is to go. It's another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 488 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1120 19th St. NW (near North Lingers Court) to see for yourself.
5. Cava Mezze
Last up, over in Capitol Hill, check out Cava Mezze, which has earned four stars out of 1,268 reviews on Yelp. Another mini-chain, Cava Mezze offers numerous small dishes, including seafood (seared scallops, grilled octopus), beef and lamb (braised short ribs with tomato, cinnamon, crisped potatoes, kefalograviera and feta, for example), and dips like hummus and tzatziki.
There's a brunch with bottomless drinks and, if you arrive early enough on a nice day, you can enjoy it in the rooftop seating area. Find the restaurant at 527 Eighth St. SE (between South East and South G streets).
