"Greek food is simple yet delicious, rich in flavor and steeped in history." I love it when I find a delicious Mediterranean-Greek restaurant that is beautiful, serves excellent food, and has great service. It is always fun introducing another Yelp friend to a fun, new dining experience. We really enjoyed our watermelon margaritas. They were cool and refreshing on a hot day. We started out with the crispy fried artichokes. They were light and fresh with a delicious citrus flavor aioli. I ordered my favorite lamb chops and they were excellent. The meat was tender and full of flavor. The meat was accompanied by fingerling potatoes and a roasted egg plant medley. Both were very tasty. My friend ordered the filet mignon kebab with French fries and vegetables. She liked her dish a lot. For dessert we ordered the tiramisu and baklava. They were both very good. Our new discovery was their spacious bar area with a large screened tv and happy hour menu. I will definitely return for happy hour. Thanks Ayze Mezze Lounge. read more

See all

I have to say they did a good job renovating the place, the long time home of Nick's Chophouse. It's much brighter and cleaner. We went on a busy Friday night, and was disappointed with the service and food. Once we placed our order, which took quite a while to place, we waited almost 25 minutes for our drinks to arrive. The table next to us got their drinks super fast. Our appetizers came before our drinks. We tried the L.F.C- what we got were fried chicken nibbles, not chicken bites. That was a shame as pictures of the appetizer looked good on Yelp. We also tried their Margherita pizza which was really good. This is Neapolitan style. Crust was good. This was the saving grace of our meal. For entrees, I got the 40-layer lasagna, and it wasn't anything special. I can barely taste any bolognese sauce- all I was eating was pasta sheets. L'Ardente in DC has a 40-layer lasagna, that is hard to beat. My wife said her Bronzino was okay. I saw two managers walking around asking everyone how their food was. One of the managers stopped by and said I see you haven't received your drinks and food and walked away. Didn't even bother to check on our order. I probably won't come back, but maybe I ordered wrong and should stick with their Meze dishes. I do recommend their pizzas though. That came out fast and was good. read more

See all

Beautiful restaurant and amazing food! The colors are cooling white and blue; they carried out the Grecian Aesthetic in such a lovely way with florals and wall murals. There is a bar and lounge, two main dining rooms, and outdoor patio-seating. The summer cocktails are amazing starting from the fruity white wine sangria to the watermelon margarita. Both are a must! I enjoyed the steak kabob with fries and sauteed peppers. They had the best artichoke hearts lightly fried and drizzled in a lemon sauce. Tiramisu was top tier traditional style, light & fluffy with hints of vanilla and cocoa. Customer service is A-1, they come by and check on you often and they were very considerate about my nut allergy with alternative preparations. Great destination for a birthday dinner, Mother's/Father's Day, or brunch. read more

See all

Joined a friend for brunch (their first time here). I started off with some tea: Camomile, Honey & Vanilla (flavored herbal tea) - enjoyed it. I selected it from the box of tea selections, which I see has some different selections from the last time I was here (like that there is some variety). Enjoyed my selection. For food, I got their King Burger. Menu description stated it is on a brioche bun with Ayse aioli, beef patty, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Our server didn't ask how I wanted it cooked, so I shared my preference with them. It came out how I wanted it. The burger comes with hand-cut French Fries or an Ayse side salad. I got it with fries even though I left a lot behind on my plate. The burger is tall in size. Before cutting my burger in half, I removed the onions since I'm not a fan of that overall. The burger was good. I also grabbed some dessert - Orange Yogurt Cake. Even though I have had it before, it didn't taste the same but was manageable. Was it missing something? I'm not sure. I may stick to something different next time. Note: Be aware that if you ask for extra bread (beyond what is initially complimentary), you will be charged for it. My friend was not informed of this when they asked for extra. read more

See all

Ayse Meze Lounge was a wonderful vibe! The Mediterranean cuisine was a refreshing change in this area. The ambience and decor is lovely and the dishes are unique and flavorful. The service was also outstanding! Can't wait to return! read more

See all

A place where you can get Greek and Italian food Four layers lasagna was prob the best dish we had out of everything we ordered. Spicy feta dip was interesting but prob would better to eat w veg or crackers. Falafel w beets sauce was nice. I like that their fried food is not greasy,flavorful. zucchini fritters comes w nice tzatziki sauce. Service was decent,fast and attentive. The restaurant was practically empty when we were there for late lunch. read more

Ayse Meze Lounge - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

See all

Joined a friend for happy hour on Wednesday night. It was pasta night, but we just ended up getting the normal meals. Happy hour prices are amazing. We got five dollars sangrias, which were amazing. We got the cheese on fire, zucchini, pancakes, and feta fries. We eat our own pasta dishes. The bartender did seem a little overwhelmed, but she was very friendly. She was unable to tell us what kind of pasta comes in each pasta. But she could describe the different kinds of pasta. Inside was cute and quiet. A few other tables at the bar and then five or six in the restaurant part. I believe the owner was walking around. He did greet us and asked how everything was which I thought was really nice to see his presence. We will definitely be coming back for happy hour. read more

See all

the quality of food here was quite good, the arugula salad was extremely refreshing and the versace pizza was very good too. i tried saganaki for the first time and it was so fun and good! the scallops and eggplant parm were just okay to me, but i would definitely go back to try what else they have! read more

See all

Beautiful room finished in light, warm colors and tones gives an indication that you are in for a wonderful meal. The sausage with whipped feta lollipop appetizer was really tasty. Our group had entrées ranging from lamb chops, which were beautifully done, to fillet mignon kebab, which was finished, medium, rare perfectly. One other in our party had scallops the only knock being, "why weren't there more"? Add to that a wonderful Assortment of textures and flavors for dessert and Turkish coffee - what a great place! We ended up having a couple of different servers which was seamless and also unobtrusive - the sign of a well, oiled restaurant. Kudos to the management for putting an emphasis there. In all, a wonderful dining experience at Ayse! read more

Ayse Meze Lounge - Lollipop sausage with whipped feta. - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

See all

Attentive service and delicious flavors! Lola was our server and took great care. She shared her favorite dishes and made sure we had everything we needed. The owner stopped by a few times to make sure we were having a nice time. We were taking lots of photos so he asked if I were a food critic - well of course yelps finest! The sampler platter was a great way to try all their dips and spreads. We were pleased to see they offer gluten free pitas. We also tried the brussel sprouts which had a sweet and sour drizzle. For entrees we had the fried halal chicken and the kofte. I would get the kofte again. For dessert we had the Dubai chocolate brownie which I would call a fudge - very rich! For cocktails the Raki Balboa was good. I didn't prefer the espresso martini - it was more so a Kahlua & Cream. The fresh florals are a nice touch. We would love to sit on the terrace when the weather is nice. Free Street Parking in King Farm. read more

See all

Every time I went to Frederick, I at this restaurant. Then they closed. A number of years later, they opened 10 miles from me. Is it ever wonderful to have them back. We started with brussel sprouts that have little currants, and are cooked to perfection. On to saganaki flambé. Intense cheese and beandy flavors.. Mediterranean salad, and Bronzino round things out. The decor takes you to Greece, and the service is impeccable. They are a salad dining addition to the area. read more

See all

Finally made it to this restaurant that I wanted to try. The food, service and atmosphere were great. Will definitely be back. read more

See all

The Happy Hour here is super fantastic! Great prices, fantastic food & great service. Jason, the manager, is attentive & very friendly. Adore him! We ordered the mini sliders - very delicious and a price that's amazing. They have a brick oven which turns out fresh delightful pizzas. Try the white pizza - incredible! We really enjoyed the ambiance here as well - chill vibe & nice Mediterranean decor. I love the Kilim pillows thrown around. The bar area is quiet & a little dark which I love while the main restaurant area is large & bright . It's so great to have this restaurant in King Farm! read more

I met up with a few friends at Ayse Meze Lounge for Sunday brunch, and it turned out to be a great choice. Parking was surprisingly easy for a weekend as I found a spot right out front. There's also a garage nearby, which makes visiting pretty convenient. I started with a latte, which was just okay for me. They don't offer any flavor add-ins, so it ended up tasting a bit plain, but it was fine overall. The food, however, was the highlight. I ordered the spicy feta, kofta, and Brussels sprouts, and everything was absolutely delicious. Even though the restaurant serves more of a tapas-style menu, we didn't officially share plates....everyone ordered their own dishes, and we simply let each other try a bite here and there. The restaurant itself was clean, inviting, and had a great vibe. It was stylish without feeling too formal. I enjoyed brunch and i'd love to come back for dinner one day to try more of their menu. Overall, Ayse Meze Lounge is a great spot with flavorful dishes and a comfortable atmosphere... definitely worth a visit. read more

Owner is very rude and entitled. The place is super cleanly and nice but the staff and how long the food took needs to be addressed. Please ensure your staff is trained to the expectations of the restaurant. read more

We are very excited to have this restaurant in our neighborhood. The owner was very nice to come greet us as well as the managers. We arrived late, but they did a nice job of breaking out the restaurant. We ordered a lot of different things to try the margarita pizza was excellent. The lasagna you could not order next time. The soups were excellent the lentil soup and the wedding soup as well as the bread. The lamb chops needed more flavor and the pasta with red sauce was very thick. They took that back along with the lasagna. The staff are very accommodating. The ambience is nice. We will definitely make this our new neighborhood restaurant. read more

See all

If there is a MoCo restaurant that has the food, drinks, service, and ambiance that help make a special occasion special more than Ayse does, please let me know. More Turkish than Greek, the menu includes a number of dishes that are new to me, and the descriptions are sufficiently interesting for me to want to try them. I've had the manti (tiny beef dumplings in garlic yogurt with Aleppo butter and mint), kofte (gyro meat on a stick, but better), lamb chops (small, but delicious), and short ribs (the mashed potatoes are as tasty as the beef and jus), and the baklava (small, but special, but there are still many dishes, e.g. the pastirma, that I'm looking forward to trying. read more

I'm actually shocked I didn't know this restaurant was here. I could have walked from home any of the 100 times I didn't know where I wanted to eat. I got the lamb chops and they were the best. Cooked perfectly and full of flavor. The asparagus was also amazing. Their tiramisu (made in house) was incredible. The staff was exceptional and I am definitely returning. read more

Meze is a staple in most parts of the Middle East, and is a delightful way of startling a meal. Overall, the maze plates are-good, but some dishes need to be tweaked. The hummus needs a bit of a kick (proper) and a few tablespoons of good Mediterranean olive oil. The filling of the spanakopita needs a sharper feta, and it may be better to serve the yogurt on the side Branzino is a a great fish for grilling, but it is has to be removed from the grill at the correct time. Over cooking it results in tough tasteless dish, The okra and tomato dish was fine but the cauliflower "taco" was skimpy on the vegetable . The wine list is small, but most wines are reasonably priced. read more

Solid Mediterranean spot with attentive service and quality ingredients. The service here was on point from the start, waiters were quick to clear plates and kept our water glasses full without us having to ask. Always appreciate when a restaurant runs smoothly like that. Started with the falafel, hummus with warm pita, zucchini cakes, and brussels sprouts. The apps were decent with some innovative flavor combinations that worked well. The beet tahini with the falafel was a nice touch, and the brussels sprouts with walnut, caper, and currants had that sweet and savory thing going on. For mains, we got the calamari, lamb chops, grass-fed ribeye, and whole sea bream. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and the calamari was well-seasoned with that black garlic aioli adding good depth. The ribeye was quality stuff. One thing though - the sea bream came whole and wasn't butterflied for us. For a restaurant at this level, I would've expected them to prep it tableside or at least offer. Not a dealbreaker, but just something to note. Desserts were a good pickup, too. I highly recommend the sorbet and tiramisu. read more

The service here cannot be beat. We did not have a reservation, and the restaurant was busy, but they figured out how to get us seated pretty quickly. They were attentive without hovering and all smiles. The food was mostly awesome. The saganaki ("Opa!") was so perfect. It is a show-stopper, so be careful what you order to eat after it, because it really steals the show. As such, we found the fetuccini alfredo to be quite disappointing. The pasta was homemade, not fetuccini, and very very squishy soft. The sauce was okay. It was definitely worth the price but very disappointing after the wow of the saganaki. The versace pizza was delicious. Whomever "cut" it really did not, so we found ourselves tearing off pieces, but it was so delicious we didn't mind. We got one app, two pasta, one pizza, and two desserts for $80+ before tip. We felt all of it was worth it except for the alfredo. We will definitely be going back. It was fun, clean, friendly, and delicious. read more

If you want a really good Greek mezze expiernce please go here! The food was immaculate, my husband and I went here for a date today and the food was so good. The waiter and manger came out of their way to check with us and talk us through the menu, we got the lamb chops, smash burgers with some pita and tizaki sauce everything came out so pleasant we will be back . read more

See all

Yum Food delicious Service Ok Drinks just ok Would go back give it another try Big space good for groups read more

As a walk-in on Mother's Day that meant the only the bar had seating. Things started out with a 4-dip sampler of hummus, tzatziki, muhamarra, and spicy feta. It was hard to make sure there was enough pita to go around and the muhamarra really hit the spot. The lahmacun lacked pizzaz but the plate of manti had people watching as it silently disappeared. One entree was a chicken breast with asparagus and mashed potatoes and that did not last long, either. The Neapolitan pizza had neat-and-tidy white anchovies that were much different than their oil-cured cousins. The crust had char but was too squishy and lacked the body to stand on its own...and so the perpetual search for a New Haven-like pie outside of CT continues. While it was our first time, the number of likely repeat folks waiting in line were a testament to the food. read more

The vibes and decor will get you in the door, but the food will keep you coming back. Everything on the menu we tried was fantastic. Such a wide range of Mediterranean favorites plus more. The service was friendly and quick, but not rushed at all. Definitely get the dumplings (a traditional Turkish dish) that I haven't been able to find anywhere else in the DMV. 10/10 and can't wait to come back! read more

See all

Not my fave for ambience - it's very bright! But the food and service is great, so I'll be back when I'm not looking for a romantic vibe.

Popped in for some light fare of appetizers. We were blown away with the pita and hummus.

Delicious every time. The beats and watermelon are must haves. Such simple ingredients with depths of flavor. I attended dinner on Christmas eve. Parking was easy and the service was great. The ambiance and decorations were beautiful. I can't wait to come back and sit at the bar. I am writing this review because I just had one of the most delicious Ravoli dishes at Ayse. The Butternut Squash Ravioli from their holiday menu. I would easily put it up against the Ravioli dish from Il Pizzico, which is a well known dish in the area. Check this place out! 5 stars! read more

Food was amazing, service top notch they checked in at perfect times , ambient, great playlist for whoever was on aux. Boyfriend approved! read more

Ayse Meze Lounge - Pesto pasta and the margarita pizza - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

Decided to go this past Thursday evening for the Lobster Specials. The food & the service were outstanding! This restaurant is now my favorite place to dine. Great atmosphere, menu options, service. Everything on the menu is absolutely delicious! Love the pizzas, eggplant parmigiana, lasagna, the Bronzino, and all of the mediterranean dishes. Eugene Sussman read more

Waited 1.5 hours for food that never arrived. So cannot rate the food because I never got it. Waiter forgot to put in our entire order at first (table for 9 on Mother's Day). Then everyone else got their food around 7 pm when our reservation was for 5:30 pm and still my food never arrived. I received multiple excuses including the kitchen was backed up, the order was never entered (AGAIN?!?!?) and my favorite: I DIDN'T PLACE THE ORDER. That's when I got up and left my family and mother-in-law on Mother's Day and went to Five Guys for grilled cheese and a milkshake. Ayse's has been a staple for us since it's so close to IKF but this experience broke me. Will not return. read more

I went there for brunch and ordered the Istanbul, and just wow... DELICIOUS! I loved the vibe and the service!

Mediocre at best. Went with a party of five for weekday lunch. Ordered off the main menu. The food was just 'ok', and somewhat expensive for what you got. Sides were like eating at home (and not in a good way). The service was very poor, even though there weren't many people there. I don't expect to return. read more

New restaurant by a very talented and experienced restaurant guy. This place is amazing already and it just opened. Will get even better as they expand their menu. Tapas style foods and authentic brick oven pizzas. Creative desserts. Very pleasant space. A true winner. Nice bar area as well. read more

Delicious appetizers and fun staff make the experience first rate. Scallops delicious over sweet potatoes puree.

Ambience was nice- bright and open. Service excellent and food good. My husband had lamb chops and I had salmon with red lentil soup. Presentation was very professional. read more

Food and service was excellent. Very pretty place too. Only criticism would be that it's a bit bright. Maybe dim the lights. Very good! read more

This new restaurant is very attractive, and the service was prompt, attentive, and helpful. The food is very interesting and delicious and the menu extensive and varied. All our dishes were excellent, including lentil soup, bronzino, and scallops. A fixed price menu is offered for dinner and looked like a good value. When full, it's a bit noisy, as are so many restaurants these days. We had a very pleasant time and will return. It's very desirable new venue for the area. read more

This was our first time here and we were excited to try it based on reviews. Walking in, the restaurant had really nice ambiance. It took a minute for our server to arrive but after that she was quite attentive. We ordered a number of items from all sections of the menu and I'd say overall they were average. My husband had the vodka sauce pasta and really enjoyed it. We also ordered two drinks and we were done with our second plate by the time they arrived. What really left a sour note was the behavior of the person we could only assume was the owner or manager of the restaurant. He was actively visiting every table and checking in on how all the guests were doing - all except us. I kept count and the tables on either side of us received multiple visits. I couldn't help but notice that we were the only people of color in the dining room at the time. It became very obvious by the end of our meal that we were being actively avoided. It was incredibly uncomfortable. We won't be back. read more

The food was delicious and the service provided was great. Very nice dining room and lounge areas.