What a beautiful restaurant with such a delicious menu! I came here with my friend for brunch and was pretty blown away by how nice the atmosphere was just from entering the restaurant. Truly a lot of thought was put into the decor which I love to see for sure! Our table ordered the bread of the day with the spread and olives. I loved how there were different types of olives with this appetizer. The tuna and avocado toast, though? Amazing, fresh, so delicious. I would order this for every brunch visit! The service was also great! 10/10 Very courteous and kind. Thank you! read more

Melina - Greek Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

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Great upscale Greek restaurant in the Bethesda area. Food was very light and olive heavy. Bread was excellent. Drinks were stiff and hearty. Would skip the Sauce Blanc wine offered, didn't go with the meal. Make sure to get the cheesecake at the end of the meal. It was quite large but unlike a steakhouse cheesecake it was light and airy. Good dessert to split between 3 or 4 people! Service was prompt and consistent soon as we entered. Restaurant was moderately busy for a Monday evening. Lots of couples on dates and some business groups. Will be back for a nice dinner if in the area! read more

Melina - Restaurant Decor - Greek Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

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Parking is easy, which is always a great start! Melina is a beautiful restaurant with a gorgeous aesthetic, and I loved the open bar concept. We sat at the bar, and the servers were amazing, friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. The cocktails were delicious, and I highly recommend the crab croquettes. The pickled fennel was also surprisingly incredible. So flavorful! The baked feta, however, wasn't my favorite. It tasted like spaghetti sauce without the pasta, so I wouldn't order it again. They only served two slices of bread with it, and when we asked for two more slices, they charged us $2.50, which felt a little disappointing. The pasta was absolutely delicious. Overall, it's a beautiful spot with excellent service, and great drinks read more

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Melina is definitely a cute spot -- beautiful decor, trendy atmosphere, and the kind of place that's great for a date night or girls' night out. The restaurant itself is really pretty and has that upscale, stylish vibe that makes you want to dress up a little. That said, I left feeling really underwhelmed by the food, especially for the price point. Nothing was terrible, but most dishes tasted pretty bad (avoid beef tartare at all costs!!) You're definitely paying more for the ambiance than the actual food. Overall, it's a fun place for the vibe and photos, but if I'm spending that much money, I'd probably choose somewhere else next time. read more

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Melina to me is a gem. I have been there several times for dinner or brunch. The food is ALWAYS good, drinks great and service stellar! The restaurant has a bar area if you want come in for a quick drink or a small patio at pike and rose. I appreciate that although it's a fancier spin on Greek staples that it's always still as good as what I think you could get locally at smaller family run restaurants in MoCo. The prices and portion sizes are reasonable and it's a great place to share several plates with friends. I enjoy getting fine dining right here in MoCo. read more

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All three: food, service, and ambiance. It's a small place but my friend and I were comfortable eating at the bar. (On a Tuesday at 6:30, there weren't any open tables.) read more

Excellent restaurant with amazing customer service and staff. Great job providing detailed recommendations and intentional about ensuring that allergy or food preferences were addressed. Very proactive service, providing sharing plates, beautiful plating, and overall great personality. Everything we ordered was good particularly the Bronzino, short rib with eggs, and pasta. Loved the warm hand towels between courses that had a dramatic effect. The restaurant decor is very nice and elegant. Seating is comfortable and the restaurant is full of natural light. read more

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Melina is a stunning place for brunch or dinner. I went for brunch and everything was great except for the French toast. I think it's a personal preference, but the French toast had this whip on top that I wasn't a fan of and preferred to have a syrup. It was also missing the crunch of a French toast. The spinach salad was decadent! The crab shakshouka is a little different than I have traditionally had but nonetheless still good. And I didn't try the poached eggs, but my friend loved it! Their prices were reasonable for brunch at a nice restaurant. And the service was excellent. read more

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Had a wonderful dinner with my wife last night at Melina. Everything was absolutely top-touch from the excellent server who was so warm and took his time to explain the menu to us to the delicious mezze. We ordered a cocktail each and then had the daily bread/olives offering along the Melina salad, lamb kebab, and mousaka. Each dish was so flavorful and beautifully prepared. Highly, highly recommend this location. We're definitely planning to return. read more

I love!!! A great Mediterranean restaurant. The food is here is so great and you feel healthy instead of bloated after. The best things here were the pizza and the pasta. But everything was good. Idk if they switch up their pizzas cuz last time I came it was a square pizza with a whipped cheese type texture. And it was fire!! This one came shaped like a football lol. But it was just as good. The cheese was amazing and the honey together worked so well. The bread was a great compliment. The pasta was al dente and flavorful. The kebabs were good especially the chicken one but the beef I probably wouldn't get again. The staff were friendly, helpful and accommodating. There were no seats inside except the bar so we sat outside. Even tho it was cold outside they had tables with heaters up top so that you'd feel warm. read more

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I'm really torn with leaving a review for this place. I have to say the shining star was our server for the evening, James J. What a delight he was for me personally. Strange, but the delight was that he wasn't putting on a fake show of energy and being annoying. He just walked up holding his own energy and didn't yell and kind of put on a production. That really drives me crazy. And he wasn't doing it. We live in Vegas and for instance we might go to a steak house and when the server approaches he's "on" and asking why we are in town? Are we celebrating any experience? Have we been there before? It goes on and on and it doesn't matter the price point of the meal, $100+ steak still has this show feel to it and I really don't want to participate. Anyway, the food. We ordered "Wagyu" beef skewers that I just do not believe were wagyu. I've been blessed to travel to Japan multiple times and wagyu melts in the mouth like butter. This was something that I literally could not chew and left behind on my plate. In addition to the texture, the seasoning was miserably forgotten in the dish. It came with pita and greek yogurt. Those were okay. The pita could have used a pinch of pink salt to help out. We also ordered another appetizer that was I can't even remember. It was lacking in flavor too. At that point I was seriously worried about the entrees. I was honest with James and I told him the meal was lacking flavor and especially marketed as Greek, I wondered what was happening. He made a few suggestions and offered to bring by salt and pepper. My husband ordered the Branzino and I ordered the grilled or baked chicken. The potatoes and dipping aioli with my chicken was yummy and tangy. I was eating that with a fork. My husband's branzino was delicious by his accounts and he enjoyed the flavor profile of the lemon sauce that was created with cooking juices and lemon on the plate. The skin looked really crispy and I think I would have enjoyed his meal. We didn't order any alcohol. I had a berry something or other non-alcoholic drink and it was refreshing. I also had hot tea and a latte. My chicken reheated in my hotel room the next day was quite tasty, but I took lemons and added a lot of salt and pepper before boxing the meal. As it were, not so tasty. James is a gem. The food is kind of a miss for me. Not sure that I'd try it again. read more

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Amazing food and great service! I had the shrimp cavatelli and also tried the open face pita which were both bursting with flavor. They have outdoor seating which is great to take in the weather (when it's nice) and enjoy the views. read more

Melina - Shrimp Cavatelli - Greek Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

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I've been here for brunch and now I've made it back for dinner-- and it was fabulous as well! My friend and I had drinks: bees knees which is soooo tasty and the cucumber basil which was super refreshing! We had the lamb skewer as our appetizer which comes with two skewers. The flavors were incredible and everything was beautifully balanced. Try a bite of of everything: Pickled Onions, Spicy Roasted Tomato Relish and yogurt. Just WoW. We also enjoyed the Rigatoni Lamb Bolognese which was delicious, it melted in our mouths. The sauce was just lovely. Highly recommend. It was an absolute different experience than the skewer. It won't disappoint. We also had the shrimp cavatelli which was a delicious dish as well. The sauce is tasty with a little zing along with the cheese! Andddd we couldn't leave without trying dessert: I had the rosé from Macedonia and my friend got the espresso martini. This is a delicious espresso martini and very unique! Try it out! We were also super tempted by the donuts and had to try them. The presentation was so eye pleasing, just look at the picture! It comes with icecream, crushed walnuts, honey and homemade chocolate milk! It's like a choose your own adventure: dessert addition! Absolutely delicious!! I want to come back and try more! Service throughout our dining experience was wonderful. read more

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My favorite place with the best espresso martinis . The food there also never disappoints and the presentation is key . The location is close to everything but not too crazy like dc. Parking is close by , the place is beautifully decorated, and service is great. Reservations especially on the weekend is extremely recommended as this place does get packed read more

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Great atmosphere, dropped in Tuesday night for dinner. Had a real cool patio bar the opens into the restaurant. They serve. full menu and are super friendly. Ordered side of potato to go with the shrimp cavatelli. The spicy sauce, Ouzo with feta we outstanding, the sauce had a hint of spice that could have been turned up just a tad. The feta added a nice amount of creaminess to the dish. I am glad I ordered the side of potatoes, they felt like they were twice fried with a good amount of crunch. I added that to the shrimp dish and it went great. Overall really good meal and great service. read more

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When I say go here, I mean it - GO HERE! I've never had Greek food like this. In fact, one could say I had never had Greek food at all, before trying Melina. Thank God my friends and I tried this place, out of a whim. As a vegetarian at that time, I didn't have a ton of options to choose from, but when I tried their Roasted Eggplant dish...my god. It changed my culinary life. The base layer of the nut puree and tahini herbs, made me crave to visit Greece. I loved the flavors so much, I went home the next day to try to replicate the smoked walnut Skordalia... When I talk about food inspiration and a memorable night, my friends and I couldn't stop singing the praises of Melina... 10/10. My only recommendation, please make more vegetarian options - because I know it'll taste amazing - but like trust me y'all - even their olives taste better here. Props to the Chef! read more

Melina - Greek Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

I came here for brunch with a friend and had a great time! We kicked things off with an espresso martini and a Bloody Mary--both were delicious. The espresso martini was actually one of the best I've had in the area. My friend ordered the lamb burger and absolutely loved it--and she's a picky eater, so that says a lot! I had the crab shakshuka. I didn't really taste the crab specifically, but the overall flavor was amazing, so I'd definitely order it again. Also, shoutout to our waitress Caroline--she was super sweet and really helpful throughout our meal. Would definitely come back! read more

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I went to Melina a few years ago to celebrate my dad's birthday. It's a beautiful restaurant that is often a bit busy but nicely decorated. Attire is casual but also could be a nice dinner out (nothing fancy though). Food was good if you like Greek/some seafood. I wasn't super impressed with portion sizes and the variety of desserts but ok overall. read more

I just want to preface this by saying this review was not written by AI. This is a heartfelt review from a real human! My boyfriend and I went to Melina for the first time, and we both left with the exact same thought: this is the best restaurant we've ever been to. To begin, our server, Justin, was the absolute best server we've ever had. From the moment we sat down and were handed the menu, Justin immediately began to explain the starters and appetizers. He didn't just explain what was on the menu; he broke down the origins, the ingredients, where they were imported from, why they were named what they were, how they were cooked, and even how they would make us feel! We left that introduction knowing exactly what we wanted and why, with zero guessing. Neither of us is from Greece, yet we didn't feel like we had to look up a single thing on our phones to understand the menu. Everything we had was a perfect combination and an incredible experience. When it came to the main dishes, I chose the Portobello Mushrooms, which come with a hazelnut farro. Justin remembered that my boyfriend is allergic to nuts and thoughtfully had the farro served on the side so that my boyfriend could still try the rest of my plate safely. That level of care and thoughtfulness is something I've never encountered in all of our dates. Between the jokes, the perfect check-ins, his menu encyclopedia knowledge, and the overall vibes, my boyfriend and I left the restaurant overwhelmed with joy. Neither of us has ever left a restaurant review before, so that alone says a lot. Melina and Justin will definitely be a regular staple in our lives moving forward. Please go to this restaurant and get the Crab Croquettes (every single bite left me with a smile)! read more

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The food at Melina is always so fantastic! I finally went for brunch and it was the perfect setting for catching up with friends. Our server was excellent and helpful with recommendations. Highly recommend the lamb burger and French toast! read more

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The food was excellent! The dishes were filling but light. Service impeccable. Staff is very knowledgeable. read more

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We had a lovely family dinner at Melina. The staff were very friendly, and it was a very nice atmosphere. We had a few people and got a semi enclosed area to sit, which was very thoughtful. The food was overall excellent. The branzino was the star of the show, where the fish was very well seasoned, and the accompanying potatoes creamy and delicious! We also found the short rib very good too, but found that the portion was a bit smaller than expected. We also ordered a couple of skewers as appetizers, which were equally as excellent! read more

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We had a 6pm reservation on a Wednesday night. We were seated right away and our server was very attentive. We started with the grilled octopus. My two friends liked it, I tasted it but it was a texture thing for me and I couldn't eat anymore. My entree was the grilled half chicken. It was prettier than what I would have prepared at home but it was very bland. My friends both ordered and enjoyed the short rib. For the price - I don't think I'd visit again. Nothing wowed me. read more

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My partner and I came here for our 5-year anniversary. The food was impeccable, from appetizers to mains to the dessert. The only downside was that we had to be seated outside where it was chilly, even though we made a reservation online. They gave us our choice of dessert on the house for our anniversary, and brought out a a set of little sparklers set in a honeybear glass jar - a cute touch! read more

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This place has been on our list to check out. We came on a Friday during lunch time. The service was good and so were the drinks. The food was a bit of a disappointment as dish were salty especially the rigatoni bolognese and the serving size were small. We shared dessert which was the doughnuts. Besides the drinks we enjoyed this the most. Our experience was decent but didnt live up to hype. read more

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After hearing so much about Melina, I finally got to try it, and it was simply delicious. Very much would like to come back and try some more of their popular dishes too. The exterior patio seating was very pleasantly comfy with the autumn breeze, it was certainly a good choice. Parking is abundant with the public parking garages nearby and the two hours free. The unique tastes and modern flair was a plus, we enjoyed it all, I would say Melina lived up to the hype. I will be sure to come back and try the interior seating next time. read more

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A nice casual brunch The room is large and inviting. Everything we had on the brunch menu was creative and flavorful. The house made bread with olives was particularly good. The staff was attentive. There is nearby garage parking available. read more

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Sat at the bar. Seats are very comfortable. Vibe is fun. Food is good. Service is good. No complaints. Definitely returning. read more

I don't even have enough synonyms of delicious in my vocabulary to describe all these wonderful dishes that we ate here. Beef tartare - not sure what mixed in but it was amazing and the best tartare that I've ever had Charred baby gem - a little hard to eat with a fork and knife but all the ingredients complemented each other very well Mushroom trahana - so many different outstanding flavors with each bite Rigatoni lamb bolognese - super delicious Grilled octopus - so tender that my mom had no problems eating it with her dentures Braised short rib giouvetsi - superb Shrimp cavatelli - great taste but a little salty Slow roast lamb - not often does my dad approve of lamb but this one got his stamp of approval read more

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(4) ~ very good overall food & service, although trending down...details below DRINKS: ** Water (tap) = (4.15) Very good, must be filtered;) ** Bouboulina (cocktail) = (4) very smokey * "Twinings" Mint Tea = Surprised they switched to this low-quality brand?! Especially for such a high-quality ($$$) restaurant... FOOD: ** Tuna Crudo = (4.15) Very fresh ** Mushroom Trahana = (4) very tasty ** Grilled Chicken Thigh Skewers = (4) very good ** Greek Donuts = (4) very good, but the honey was diluted with water?! We've eaten here MANY times & it was always 100% Honey... * Wagyu Picanha Skewers = (3.85) Fatty... * MD Crab Croquettes = (3.75) Fishy...needed some Old Bay Seasoning;) * Baked Feta = (3.35) Pretty salty... read more

Updated 1/4/2026 - We visited Melina again this evening. This time we ordered a couple of the entrees. I had the branzino, cooked perfectly, and my husband ordered the rack of lamb special. I tried one bite of the lamb and found it way too tough and rubbery. I thought we should send it back to the kitchen, but my husband liked the flavor though he agreed it was tough. He brought home what he didn't eat and is hoping that cooking it a little more at home will help. It didn't. Very disappointing. That lamb was almost $70! read more

A beautiful restaurant. Very kind staff. Delicious and beautifully presented food! Highly recommend Also try to make a reservation! It's always busy. Try the beef tartare, shiitake mushroom flatbread, and chicken main. read more

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This is a truly phenomenal upscale Greek place in Pike and Rose. I'm not sure if it's quite on par with Jose Andres's Zaytinya downtown, but it's in the same vein (complete with small dishes and cocktails) and a lot of closer to home. We started with cocktails and got the bouboulina (which was a bit too sweet for my tastes), the tea with gin and mint that really worked, the old fashioned was smoky and rich. I'm not normally a cocktail person, but I'd happily come back here for them here. We started with the octopus and cheese pie. I love octopus and this didn't disappoint. It was crispy on the outside, and not at all chewy. Also surprisingly light. The cheese pie was probably the biggest surprise of the night. We almost didn't get it, but it was phenomenal with pungent cheese (feta and others) wrapped in chewy bread topped with spicy pepper honey and basil. It all just came together in a tangy, chewy, sweet medley. We ended with the lamp neck, which was the standout of the whole meal and floored me. The lamb itself came out nestled in a wrapping of deliciously baked cheese and everything could be put together with sides of pita, tzatziki, pickled onions and crispy potatoes. The meat literally fell apart as you put it into your small sandwiches and the sides and meat just went together beautifully. We sat at the bar the whole time, which was plenty nice enough and had very attentive and helpful service from the two bartenders. That said, we might make a reservation next time. The ambiance was classy and romantic, but trendy. The only downside is that everything was incredibly salty. It didn't make anything less delicious, but did mean we were dying of thirst overnight. read more

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Great spot!! Drinks were a hit and the food was yummy. I love the cava group and all of their restaurants. I was eager to try. We went on Mother's Day.Genesis our waitress was friendly and efficient. We a had a table right in front of the kitchen/expeditor station. I would suggest reminding all staff (including managers and exec chef) that they are on display. Touching phones, scratching heads, wiping noses, touching ears and not washing hands even unconsciously. I will return the shrimp and cheese pie and ice cream was my favorite. read more

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Amazing and unique cocktails with talented bartenders. Definitely make a reservation if you don't want to sit at the bar, but even then, it gets crowded. Quick, attentive and kind service. Food is excellent- so fresh and busting with flavor- can't go wrong with the spinach salad- simple yet elegant and packed with flavor. The Branzino is delicate yet bright with tanginess and fresh citrus notes. I must come back for the Melina salad and grilled octopus read more

Delicious Saturday night dinner with a party of 3. We shared some appetizers, including the lamb kebabs and the bread basket and both were outstanding. I had the half chicken and the meat was perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was very juicy and delicious. My Strawberry Spritz was ok. It was a nice enough cocktail, but not one that I would rave about. Overall, a fantastic experience and phenomenal food. read more

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Great food and great service! Justin was a fantastic server who made it a very enjoyable dinner! read more

This was our second time at Melina's and I must say it was such a pleasurable experience! We ordered the bread and olive platter, the tuna tartare, and the lamb burger and paired it with the Assyrtico wine. One of my finest experiences of well done Greek food, outside of Greece! Justin who helped us choose our food and wine was attentive and fantastic! Great ambiance and convenient parking make this restaurant high on my list to try again. read more

We had a great experience at Melina! We booked a same-day reservation (which required a credit card hold) for 8:45pm on a Friday. The cocktails were fantastic. The bouboulina (beet & mezcal) cocktail was one of my favorite cocktails ever. My husband enjoyed the Strawberry spritz. The starters were incredible. We got the fresh bread w/ feta spread and olives, and this was probably my favorite thing! The roasted red peppers with croquettes were also delicious. We did not love the marinaded fluke. The fluke was overwhelmingly sour and the citrus was overpowering. This was the only dish we did not like. I had the braised short rib, and my husband had the lamb neck. Both entrees were great! The short rib was tender, and the flavor was just right. The lamb was juicy, and you got to construct little sandwiches with the pita and pickled onions. We were very pleased with the meal! The restaurant is chic and modern. The ambiance was pleasant. Overall, we really enjoyed Melina. read more

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Not sure where to start with Melina, could it be the fresh and simple food? the smooth cocktails? the wonderful and pleasant ambiance paired with a beautiful decor? or could it be the absolutely stunning, phenomenal, and above and beyond service from our waiter Justin. To start, Justin is the most outstanding server I have ever experienced. His vast knowledge of the menu, origin of the cuisine, how certain foods would react to our pallets and even how to pair certain ingredients together to maximize flavor profile. My girlfriend and I were absolutely blown away from his thoughtfulness and care to what we wanted to order. We actually ended up ordering exactly what he recommended because of how knowledgeable he was about the menu and my girlfriend and I ended up saying "Whatever Justin says goes!" His check ins where phenomenal, his presentation was out of this world and he has set the bar so astronomically high for any other server not just in Melina but any other restaurant. Everyone NEEDS to have a Justin experience in their lifetime at least once. I wanted preface that because the rest of our experience at Melina would not be nearly what is was without Justin. Secondly the food. I have never been to a restaurant and the food be so delightful. From the fresh baked sourdough bread to the crab cake croquets (as a Maryland native, some of the best crab I have ever had), and the braised short rib with risotto and my girlfriend had the portabella mushrooms that Justin explained so eloquently that were sous vide!! Finishing off with the most delectable cheesecake with a raspberry sorbet. Hats off to the chefs for making the food with such care and the best ingredient of all, love. The main ingredient missing from the rest of these mediocre restaurants, the chefs don't make anything with love anymore, however Melina does. Melina delivers an exceptional experience from the service to the food to the ambiance to the hosting. I cannot forget the manager Miguel who personally came over to our table to make sure we were taken care of. Thank you to Justin, Miguel, the chefs, the sous chef, the pastry chefs, the line cooks, the prep cooks, and even the busboys. Thank you Melina, we will be back soon, hungry for more. read more