We went to Illyria while travelling from NC to PA - and we wish it were closer to home so we could visit again. Often. It was amazing. From the warm greeting when we arrived, to the smiling waiter who took our order (and described a few dishes we were unfamiliar with) it felt like we were welcomed into someone's home. We shared two appetizers (spanikapita and bacon-covered dates); both were *amazing*. And on the advice of a neighboring diner we had one of the special entrees, halibut. It was superb. Seared, nicely spiced, over a bed of grains and greens. And of course we finished with baklava. It was uniquely prepared and presented, and delicious. All in all - if we could give it more stars we would! read more

Exceptional in every way! This was the best meal of our 8 day trip in the area and I'm salivating as I remember the experience. Service was outstanding with a competent server who was knowledgeable about the menu and attentive without being intrusive. Everything I tasted was simply superb and contrary to some of my dining experiences , I left feeling great (not stuffed with over salted, fatty food). read more

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We decided to try Illyria for a birthday dinner. We had never been there before, but definitely will return in the future. After figuring out parking (we ended up on the side nearest to the Daily News Record) it was a short walk to the restaurant. The staff here is wonderful. Our hostess greeted us, even mentioning the birthday celebration and upon hearing it was our first time reassured us we were in great hands with Jimmy our server and he would walk us through the experience. No truer words have been spoken Jimmy was excellent in his descriptions, recommendations, and the history lesson on the significance of the restaurant and it's name. Simply lovey all around. We started with the bacon wrapped dates and the tuna tartare. Both were delicious; the dates came in 4 pieces which was enough to share without making you full and the sauces were great. The tartare came with some excellent sauced and salted tortilla chips which accentuated the taste of the tuna. Recommend if you like fresh fish. For entrees we had the duck breast and the Alaskan cod special. They were excellent. The duck was crispy and tender while the cod was simply a flavor explosion with the kale, potatoes, and purees that accompanied it. I also recommend their cocktails and mocktails. We had the signature cocktail and a dragon fruit "nojito" which I can't wait to have in the summertime as a refresher. To close out the night we had the bread pudding special which came with figs and vanilla bean ice cream. It was a great way to celebrate the birthday and to discover what will surely be a new favorite. read more

A Wonderful Birthday Celebration at Illyria A heartfelt thank you to the entire team at Illyria Mediterranean Restaurant for hosting a surprise Sweet 16 birthday celebration that exceeded every expectation. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. The staff created a warm, welcoming atmosphere and handled every detail with professionalism and genuine hospitality. The food was simply outstanding. We had several true "foodies" around the table, and every guest left impressed, satisfied, and talking about the meal long afterward. One of Illyria's greatest strengths is its remarkable ability to season and prepare food with precision and balance. Every dish was thoughtfully crafted, allowing the fresh ingredients and Mediterranean flavors to shine. It is clear that great care and culinary talent go into every plate. The setting was equally impressive. Our oversized tables, arranged in a rectangular U-shape, created an intimate environment that encouraged conversation and made the celebration feel special and connected. The elegant dining space was the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening. Located in downtown Harrisonburg's historic Daily News-Record building, Illyria offers authentic Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the Illyrian Peninsula, including the flavors of Albania and the Balkans. Their commitment to fresh ingredients, family recipes, warm hospitality, and beautifully designed event spaces makes them a truly unique dining destination in the Shenandoah Valley. We are fortunate to have such a premier destination for gourmet dining in Harrisonburg and the Valley. Whether you're planning a special celebration, a business gathering, or simply a memorable night out, Illyria delivers an exceptional experience from start to finish. Thank you, Illyria, for helping create a birthday celebration our family and friends will remember for years to come! Website: Illyria Mediterranean Restaurant read more

The food was pretty good. They had blankets for us to use when we were sitting outside, which I really liked, but the location isn't my favorite. Everything was really good, I will say I've never had a tomahawk served this way, which was a little interesting, but the chef brought it out, which was nice. We had mocktails which were really good as well. read more

Illyria - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Harrisonburg, Virginia

Illyria is my go to spot for an elegant dinner. Last night we had a group who got together for a friends night out. We got the Mediterranean platter to share for an appetizer which was delicious. The cocktail I had with it was perfect for summer as it had fresh peach to accent the traditional Old Fashioned I usually get. The sea bass was absolutely perfect and a very large portion. Service could not have been better, we were very well taken care of all night long. The atmosphere at Illyria is elegant and makes you feel as if you are on vacation in the Mediterranean. I can't wait to go back with my family next time. read more

I ordered a Greek salad with chicken on top and the chicken was inedible. It was woody chicken which is a thing! You can't chew it! I just expected more from a good restaurant. They need to know what woody chicken is and you can tell by looking at an uncooked chicken breast. It has a grain to it that looks like wood. If they were using high quality chicken they wouldn't have this problem. The service and ambiance were great but I go out for the food. Disappointing. I like their sister restaurant, Rocktown Kitchen much better. read more

We liked this new place in Hassionburg. The food was good, but I feel it wan't a match to what you should expect from the vibe and decor of the place. The restaurant looks perfect for nice dinner, date or even event. Our server was fantastic and we enjoyed talking to him. read more

My wife and I were in Harrisonburg in a hotel and decided to try Illyria. What a wonderful find!!! From the moment we entered we felt welcomed. Our server had the Manager, training to be a sommelier, bring us several wines to try based on our interest. So, he shows up with 6 glasses and 3 bottles and we taste a choose...what service!!! The food was wonderful, with familiar items prepared differently based on their Mediterranean style. I have had some very good dining experiences and Illyria is one of the best!! read more

The bartender at Illyria is top notch. The cocktails are creative and absolutely delicious. We will certainly visit again. read more

Had the Lamb chops and they were cooked really good and were delicious. We had a young adult with us and the restaurant adapted a chicken dish for her. The cook is very accommodating. Service was excellent. read more

Hostess and server were both sweet and professional, dressed smartly. Restaurant is new but gives off 'experience' and cares about guest needs and wants they aren't even aware of yet. Cocktails are gourmet level and carefully designed. Mediterranean sampler app was top-notch and could be eaten as a meal. Gnocchi was good, NY Strip was awesome and a huge cut. They supplied a special anniversary menu for us. Hope they stick around. Atmosphere was classy with clean lines and thoughtfully lit. read more

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AMAZING! We came for Graduation weekend, party of 5 and it was very good. Unfortunately we probably won't be back to Harrisonburg anytime in the near future but you need to go here and take your Duke out to a fine dining dinner!! read more

Well we went back again for Date Night. We saw The Odyssey then went to Illyria for dinner. Epic idea. (literally) This restaurant does not disappoint. After skipping lunch & a 3 hour movie we were starving. At the halfway mark in the movie I could not stop thinking about Illyria's grilled octopus app. It was just as perfect as I remember. Who ever grills octopus here knows what they're doing. I'd really like to explore the menu more, but I can't get past how incredible their Branzino is. They grill this fish with crispy skin & lusciously delicate moist flaky insides. The plate is loaded with Saffron rice & a tabouli which is diced to within an inch of its life. My husband had the Swordfish with a rustic Cacciatore ( sic?) Its a side dish of grilled tomatoes, olives & magic. This side dish could be served just on it's own or on a bowl of plain white rice & still win awards. The swordfish was moist which is the only restaurant swordfish I think I ever had that wasn't so dried out it was ruined. Brava! Again the service is youthful, attractive & super efficient. The fact that the young man filling our water was named "Homer" made us giggle with joy. I realize I didn't give it all five stars last time because I dinged the ambience, but that's because I'm an art degree carrying snob. But this restaurant gets straight fives across the board. The fact that they can repeat performances tells you that it's being managed really well. I really love this restaurant. I love the staff. I love the service and I love the food. now if they want to talk to somebody about artwork on the walls, I'm free. Otherwise its straight 5 stars. I promise on the next visit I'll explore more of the menu. but this night was best date night ever & I've had some great date nights over the years. This year watching the Oscars as The Odyssey sweeps it, I'll still be thinking about this dinner at Illyria. Epic read more

This new restaurant has raised the standards for restaurants in Harrisonburg. The service was extraordinary. The restaurant was warm and welcoming. Words cannot do justice to the food. Potato Croquettes, octopus, calamari and charcuterie plate to start. Each was exquisite though the octopus was my favorite. It was so tender and perfectly grilled. I tried one of the specials. Seafood Scampi. Scallops, Shrimp, and clams over linguine. Innovation beyond expectations. This will be our celebration dinner restaurant for now forward. And I forgot to add dessert: The Sin Cake was extremely rich and delectable. Loukoumades was a new dessert treat for me and I'll have it again on my next visit read more

Server was very good. Friendly and attentive. I did a Mediterranean Salad with Salmon. The Salmon was well prepared. The salad was all fresh produce, but with little to no taste and chunky cuts (of mostly tomatoes), so it was hard to cut up in the salad plate it was served on. Tuna tartare was good as an appetizer. Upscale vibe ( although we were in jeans with no problems). $14 for essentially a tomato salad (+$14 for salmon) seems a bit pricey. The seating is close, which also made for a bit of a negative experience as there was a gentleman with lacking manners next to us. read more

Great meal - the grilled octopus was probably the best I've ever had, and that was just the appetizer. The place is not cheap, but if you're willing to splurge, you should go home happy. The restaurant vibe is nice - in an old newspaper building. Friendly and very helpful staff. read more

We had our daughter's wedding welcome dinner, in a private room, here this past Friday night. Hunter and all of the staff were great to work with. Outstanding service with every attention to detail. The food was amazing, especially the tuna tartare. Everyone agreed! It was a great start to such a special weekend! read more

Illyria is apparently the name of an area in the Balkans flanking the Adriatic Sea, on the opposite side of which lay Italy. It is an historical ratherr than a contemporary reference, and while I'm no expert on the history of the Balkans, this restaurant is a credit to the restaurant business in general and the dining scene in Harrisonburg, Va. , in particular. The kitchen is top shelf and so is everyone working the front of house. Seriously, do yourself a solid and spend a spendid evening at Illyria. It is an absolute treat and one you'll find yourself coming back to again and again and again. It's absolutely sublime! read more

Unplanned stop and we were so lucky we did! Espresso martini is amazing and we tried a Crockett type appetizer. Lovely staff and ambience. We will be back! read more

Illyria - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Harrisonburg, Virginia

We visited this restaurant on our vacation the other week. The food was great and the service from our server, Emmett, was terrific. The owner/chef, Kristo, even came out to speak with us for a while. He's been a chef for many years and loves what he does! I would highly recommend this restaurant. They have outdoor seating, too, if that's of interest. read more

Simply fantastic! Great food, wonderful service and great ambiance! Grace was fantastic we enjoyed every dish and every bite

Somewhat pricey, but an excellent menu and service. Plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors.

The staff is in incredible , we walked in at 9:20 desperate for food and they told us to come on in, the service was very attentive and the head chef and manager came to check on us. It was circumstantial that we ate here but we will certainly be back soon. read more

Great new Mediterranean restaurant in town. Very classy with welcoming casual atmosphere. Full bar with regional cocktails. Wait staff very knowledgeable of drinks & menu. We were seated and served quickly but recommend reservation as the community discovers this gem. Amazing chef creations from braised beef to duck. read more

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Food was awesome. Ocotpus salad and dick breast. Service was great. Waiter highly attentive and helpful. Clean atmosphere. Highly recommend.

Excellent food and service. Good explanation of the specials with a wide variety of first-rate ingredients with great wine pairing suggestions. The flavors were exquisite. Even outside in the front of the restaurant, it was a great dining experience. read more

From the moment we walked into Illyria last weekend, we knew we were in for something special. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between modern elegance and warm Mediterranean charm - inviting, stylish, and full of character But the real star of the evening was the food. Our server, Kerri, was an absolute delight - knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the menu. She recommended two standout dishes that completely blew us away: the lamb chops and the fennel crusted halibut. The lamb was perfectly tender and rich with flavor, cooked to perfection with flavors that transported us straight to the heart of the Mediterranean. And the fennel-crusted halibut was Absolutely divine. The fennel added a beautiful aromatic crunch, complementing the delicate, flaky style fish in the most delicious way.  We will be back any chance we get as the branzino is next on our list to try, thank you Illyria for the most unforgettable dining experience we've had in Harrisonburg so far :) read more

Service was on point, and both the dinners and dessert were full of flavor. A wonderful experience from start to finish.

We had an amazing time at Illyria. This was so worth the wait! The service, Ambience and Delicious Food was exactly what you would expect from Chef Kristo and Mira. We cannot wait to go back! read more

This is the most exquisite food I have come across since moving to the Shenandoah Valley. The olive bread is delicious as the olive flavor infuses the entire loaf, not just when you bite into an olive. The octopus was melt in your mouth tender accompanied by a divine split pea cumin purée. The calamari was accompanied by a pepperocini relish which was wonderfully spicy. Four of the five in our party had the special scampi entree, made with shrimp,scallops and clams over butter, garlic and Mediterranean herb flavored linguine. It lived up to the hype and deserves to become a staple on the menu. . I had the Shrimp Saganaki which featured a bed of heavenly fresh roasted tomatoes and capers. We had no room for dessert but after the chef's description of our options we had to try it anyway. The Sin Cake deserves its name. Heavenly chocolate cake layered with a rich chocolate mousse and drizzled with dark chocolate and house made raspberry sauce. A lighter option was beignets filled with raspberry cream served with strawberry ice cream and drizzled with dark chocolate and raspberry sauce beyond description Truly an experience you must have if you enjoy food which exceeds expectations. read more

A unique, upscale and beautifully designed addition to Harrisonburg. Well trained staff and excellent food with generous portions. Save room for dessert, it is a must!!! Strongly recommend the Loukoumades!! read more

What a welcome needed addition to Harrisonburg's restaurant scene. A refreshing change of pace with scrumptious cocktails, delightful mezze courses and delicious entrees. The restaurant itself is thoughtfully appointed, with linen napkins, Reidel stemware, and unusual cocktail glasses. Listen to your server's recommendations. They will not steer you wrong. But pace yourself; the servings are generous and we now need to go back for dessert!! Only mini complaint was that the food came out too fast, but when we asked the server to delay a bit (we are diners after all, not eaters;), they were more than accommodating. It may have been our first time, but it most certainly will not be our last! read more

We had an absolutely wonderful meal here. The staff were all super friendly and attentive, with good suggestions and "right on time" service. We had the Bacon Wrapped Dates, Shrimp Saganaka and a porcini crusted Halibut dish that was a special that evening. Now, I order a lot of fish at restaurants, basically if they have fish options other than salmon I'm probably going to order it. This was one of the best fish dishes I've ever had. Perfectly cooked, moist and flavorful. We had the Loukamades and Baklava for dessert. The Loukamades were good but the Baklava was divine! read more