I am from Detroit where Greek food is a religion and there just aren't many affordable Greek restaurants in the area. I am not talking about Cava or similarly quality pita stations, but sit down mom and pops places. I have found this place friendly and while not close to the places back in Michigan, it approximates on some levels if you stick to the basics. This is not a foodie place, but a decent family-style restaurant where you're probably going to be full if not astounded. The Saganaki is great and the traditional dishes such as the baked lamb or gyro platter get the job done. The Avgolemeno is good as is the bread. Wish they had some more Greek beers on the menu. If your expectation is Kapnos, don't bother. This is real food without pretense. I would advise Kapnos if you're looking for that "wow" foodie experience but if you just want a solid sit-down in the neighborhood, this is it. read more

The Gyro was so good! The girl on the phone was super friendly and accommodating when I asked for specific things such as extras and how to cut the meat. The only thing I would change is how they package it to go. When I go back I will ask for everything separate because by the time it was time to eat, the fries and pita were soggy. yuck! The flavors were great tho and the fries that were on the top of the pile were so crispy and delicious!! The sauce was great too! read more

This is a one star for me. Menu prices online and out front are different from the menu you are given at the table. The menu at the table has higher prices. It's misleading, deceiving, and unethical. White tuna salad is canned tuna. Would be good to let the consumer of the food know the ingredients of a canned tuna being passed as fresh tuna. Chemicals found in canned food are harmful and fatal. read more

Parthenon is absolutely top-notch. I found them on a whim online and returned a couple weeks after my first visit. The Branzino and Eggplant were both great, the service is friendly/prompt and the staff really care about making sure you have a great time. Parthenon has quickly become a favorite of mine. Bonus: they don't skimp on booze when making drinks. read more

They put no TZAZIKI sauce in my food this is so unacceptable and they took no responsibility for their mistake every time in the past it automatically came with tzaziki sauce. that is the main ingredient in the food now what am I supposed to do? It's so dry without it I am sick with the flu and I have no way of going anywhere and my friend brought it to me not knowing that they didn't even put the main damn ingredient read more

The lounge attached to the actual restaurant is where all the locals go for drinks and/or food. I came here last week and met a ton of friendly neighbors and the drink prices aren't bad at all either. Now I just need to try their food. read more

I have never written a review for the Parthenon before but have been eating their food for years. It's always good! Thoughts going out to the staff and injured patrons after the crash yesterday. read more

The gyro meat was severely over cooked and dry; the French fries were coated --- a sin for French fry aficionados.

From freezer to table in 35 minutes. Nice people at a restaurant that opens many days a week, maybe all.

Ordered food from Parthenon through Uber Eats. The food was poorly packed and very overpriced, The appetizer for two was extremely greasy and soggy. The calamari were sour and soggy. The Dolmades tasted so fishy. The gyro platter consisted ofmostly soggy fries because they packed the fries with the meat and sauce, awful! The meat was not substantial, looks like they tried to hide that with the tons of fries. I expected more of this well established restaurant! read more

Excellent spur of the moment choice. We needed to done at 4:30pm and most restaurants do not open for dinner until 5! Luis took great care of us. Steak cooked medium to PERFECTION! Seafood pasta delicious. We will return. Thanks Luis! read more

Let's get a couple of things straight here. The Parthenon Restaurant and the Chevy Chase Lounge may share an address, a terrace, a kitchen owners, a menu, waitstaff and even, on occasion, clientele. They are not the same place. They are two very different places. Parthenon is an average to OK greek place which has some decent dishes and some dodgy ones. Chevy Chase Lounge is a DC institution -20 years ago it used to be a few blocks away, then these guys bought the sign and rescued the spirit of this bar, which has lots of good thngs about it, namely it is the closest bar to my house and it stays open until the last man leaves, which was me last night at 2.00 am. read more

Considering the outdoor seating is plastic chairs on fake blue grass with twinkle lights on plastic marble columns, I expected that I could go here and get dinner for less then $20 a plate. I was wrong. Upon realizing this, I ordered a hummus appetizer and bounced out. The hummus was excellent, but I won't ever return. read more

Do Greeks eat Doo Doo? They do at this restaurant. They also like to charge you for an entire plate, when all you get is half a plate of terds. When I ask for crap, I expect my plate to be loaded up with a mound... but I can't even get that. read more

Parthenon is a funny little place -- with its big blue awning and weird columns, it looks sort of, well, tacky. But we decided to try it anyway since it's in our neighborhood, and we were starving after a long, hot (and humid) day of unpacking. My first impression was that Parthenon seemed really overpriced (most of the entrees are $20+) for a casual Greek restaurant. We decided to eat economically, and so we split a Greek Salad and swordfish kebabs -- the Greek salad was pretty ordinary, and lacked that tart dressing that makes the Greek salad so good. My biggest suggestion is that this salad needs more of everything- more feta, more tomatoes, perhaps even a grape leaf thrown in for good measure. Luckily, the swordfish was far better than the Greek salad- grilled to perfection, these big chunks of fish were absolutely wonderful. I didn't love the sidedishes (two big wedges of potato, and four broccoli spears), but I quickly forgave Parthenon because the fish itself was so good. I wouldn't make a trip to Chevy Chase for Parthenon (the decor is just far too tacky to warrant a trip ...), but if you're in the area, it's a good place to have a casual dinner. read more

Have eaten there a couple of times now - but that's it - no more. As lots of other reviews note - the food is a hit and miss. Some dishes good (the lamb) - others, barely edible (almost everything else). So definitely NOT a foodie destination. But what I won't stand for is being treated like the subject of a drone strike, and paying for the privilege. The grumpy grandpa that is always hanging out there, & constantly seems to be meeting out criticisms to the wait staff, also seems to think its ok to be brusque and rude to customers. Its not. Rudely reacting to table inquiry, then to menu inquiry, then talking to the waiters about customers as they eat, appalling. The place is undeservedly busy, I guess because a large number of the clientele seem unaware that they are being mocked by grumpy grandpa. There are so many other choices in the area, and neither the food nor the prices are good enough to overcome the rudeness. So- a poor overall experience so why give them your customer or money! read more

This has become a favorite go-to place. Not only is Tim the bartender friendly and funny, but the adjacent restaurant's food is delicious. Seriously-- the avgolemono soup (Greek chicken-egg-lemon) might be the best I've ever had! My only wish is that their kitchen stay open later, at least for lighter fare. See you again soon! read more

The food here is absolutely delicious. I come here every Wednesday for dinner and entertainment in the bar. Gail is by far the most amazing bar tender I have ever met! Her high energy is contagious and will put you in the best mood. I highly recommend the crab cake, steak, and chicken kabobs!! All pair super great with their Prosecco. read more

Parthenon Restaurant - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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It is a real Greek place, which serves the area for more than 40 years. We tried several appetizers and entree dishes and found them all exceptional better than those served in Greece)! Also, the Parthenon has a great selection of Greek red and white wines (Ktima Lazaridis, Boutaris Moschofilero, etc) . Its crab cakes, branzino, and lamb chops were exceptional. From the deserts the karythopita was very moist and tasteful. Their customer service was impeccable!!!... read more

Note: I am reviewing the restaurant, not the lounge. Thank you. Food: My party ordered the Chicken and Lamb Kabobs. Both meats were nicely seasoned and charred. No complaints here. The cuts of course were chicken breast and leg of lamb. The roasted potatoes were probably the best I have ever had. I meant to ask them what they seasoned the potatoes with but they were so damn good. The rice was rice and it came with an order of string beans that were cooked in onions and tomatoes. Very good. Workers: No complaints here. Atmosphere: It was small but very intimate. It could be a nice romantic spot if you want to take your woman here but it can be served as a nice family outing. I would definitely go again, very solid spot. read more

When I lived in Chevy Chase i would meet friends at the Parthenon at least twice a month. Now that we all have moved to Dc we still make the trip to the Parthenon twice a month.Great seafood,the french fries cooked in olive oil are the best I have ever eaten.The New York strip steak ,the lamb shops, melt in your mouth.In the winter the chicken soup is addictive and its only on Tuesday night.What a great neighborhood restaurant. Interesting people that eat there.Saw movie stars ,lots of politicians,artists etc who all brags of their Greek lineage, each and every time I have been. Check out the extraordinary ,huge painting of the Parthenon on the dining room wall,worthy of the Phillips' collection. read more

This place is the best greek restaurant in the south of the Chevy Chace traffic circle! Oh wait, it's the only Greek restaurant there, but that just makes my prior statement a tautology! So basically what I'm saying is I'm right. I like to go here for lunch. Order the Gyro Salad, which is like $9 and is a Greek Salad with about a pound of gyro meat...That or the Gyro with fries is good to. I've had some of the other dishes and they leave me satisfied as well. So, needless to say I'm quite pleased with this little Greek hole in the wall. read more

I was with a group of six wandering around Connecticut Avenue for lunch yesterday when we stumbled upon this place, and I am so glad we did. A few in the group were familiar with the restaurant and recommended it. Unlike most of this summer, the weather was nice, so we sat outside and surprisingly, there was not a big crowd outside. We had a quirky, but fun, interactive, and attentive waiter. I ordered the lamb souvlaki, and perhaps my Greek tastes are limited, but it was absolutely wonderful! The lamb was seasoned very well and the pita it was served on was warm and soft. Almost everybody in our crew cleaned their plates and walked away in a food coma (so much for being productive the rest of the day). Overall, I had a great experience and will probably keep this place in mind for future excursions! Also, although we stayed outside mostly, the place looked very extensive inside, with a main dining room,side dining room for perhaps more private family dinners, and then a large bar. Everything looked very nice and would be a great atmosphere for dinner, family, or fun! read more

The prices are high enough to keep the riffraff away but not so exorbitant that you cannot splurge a bit at dinner. I always order the Melitzanes Emam appetizer, a slightly sweet and not-too-savory baked eggplant with onions, raisins and tomato sauce. It's inspired by the Turkish original, Imam Bayildi, which literally means "the imam fainted" (with pleasure)! I'm also a lamb lover, so if I've skipped lunch (or eaten very lightly) I order the Arni Kapama (generous portions of fork-tender baked lamb with roasted potatoes and green beans). Those flavor combinations are so simple but complementary, they define the reason many of us prefer just "meat and potatoes." As another reviewer has noted, the Greek salad is not exactly authentic but I like the refreshing addition a little dill makes to this old standby. Though I'm not a sophisticated drinker, I am surprised that the "full bar" is unable to mix a Negroni. However, a couple of chilled retsinas suffice. I always leave this place feeling very full and very satisfied, if a bit lighter in the wallet. It's all worth it. read more

Food is good, really good, and also really expensive! Staff can be nice but on the snooty side. They charge for everything, pita, sauce, etc. NO REFILLS ON COFFEE... wtf? You pay for every little cup of coffee. Next time takeout only. read more

My first visit to Parthenon came about a week ago, with a good friend, and we were seated in the middle of the room. An interesting mix of people here, from young to old, and it struck me that they all seemed happy to be here. I can't agree with some of the comments here about questionable service, as I found the waiters to be attentive, responsive, and eager to please. We shared the "Cold Appetizers for Two," all of which were delicious, particularly the tzatziki and melitzanosalata. We took our server's recommendation and also had the Saganaki Flambe -- cheese sauteed and flambeed in brandy, at the table -- and pretty much swooned with every bite. And, the flames shooting up our table attracted some oohs and ahhs from our table neighbors. Um, that being before we ate it... Nice wine (a bit pricey but where isn't it?) and plenty of good bread and pita. I'll be back again. read more

The combo platter was DELICIOUS. For $21 you definitely get two meals' worth of food (but the bad thing is my stomach always tries to squeeze it into one meal!). I've only ordered take out. Good service. They left out something in our order and gave us free dessert next time we went in to make up for it. I think overall the place is a little expensive, but it's high quality DELICIOUS food. read more

I thought the blue awning, and the Greek columns that support it, looked promising. Lunch was ok, I mean, souvlaki is pretty good so long as you get the basics right: juicy chicken and tangy feta cheese. Prices were more steep than expected but perhaps fitting for the neighborhood. Not a place I'd seek out again, but a decent choice if you're in the area. Have not visited the Chevy Chase Lounge, and don't exactly plan on doing so. read more

Parthenon is a good greek option in the Chevy Chase area -- It's definitely not the best food in the area, but it's nice if you're in the mood for greek. I'm not very adventurous so I've gotten the gyro the two times I've been there. My main problem with the gyro is that it's HUGE and very hard to eat; however, the meat (which I think is lamb?) is tender and marinated well. I took my leftovers home on Wednesday and was able to get 2 more lunches from them! The pita is good, but very doughy. The tzatziki sauce is ok, but they put a lot on. There are a few red onions and tomatoes, but I would've liked some more veggies (including lettuce). The fries on the side were fine, but again, I would've preferred a small salad (maybe next time I'll ask). The best part of the gyro though is the meat and luckily they give you a very big portion. When I went on Wednesday, my friend ordered the Saganaki Flambe for us to split. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the flambe aspect was fun. The fried cheese was very good, although it was a little too rich for me - it seems like something that's good to split amongst a big group, but too much for one or two people to have. The service at Parthenon has been good both times I went. The waiter on Wednesday was very friendly and patient with us (even when we took forever to actually decide what to eat). I wouldn't go out of my way to go to Parthenon, but I'd definitely consider it as an option if I'm in the area. read more

As has been noted before, the Parthenon Restaurant is mediocre at best, although they do roast a whole lamb on the sidewalk for Orthodox Easter; how cool is that? But I'm here to talk about the Chevy Chase Lounge, which has a separate entrance and altogether different vibe: locals sitting at the bar and nursing their drinks. With a standard selection of beers, the Chevy Chase Lounge makes a good place to stop off before or after a movie at the Avalon or if you're just in the 'hood and want a cold one. You can order food from the restaurant, but stick to the appetizers. With Taverna of the Greek Isles now closed, where else can you have taramasalata while sipping a Sam Adams at a bar? read more

So I have to be honest- this is the second place so far where I felt the need to read the other reviews before I launched into mine becuase I was so mixed about it. I'm going to fall somewhere between the three Yelpers before me here and say not tasty enough for the price, other Greek places would blow it out of the water, and they should really try to cozy-up the patio with some wooden fencing or something so every single dog and child that walks by isn't trying to steal food off your plate. A friend and I were really only going for apps anyways- I'd go with the "hot apps for two" for $17.35 or "cold apps for two" for $16.95 because buying just two of the individual apps will run about that amount. At least with these two options, you get a variety of apps. We got the hot one- calamari, stuffed mushrooms, spinakopita, grape leaves. I was full afterwards which surprised me so I was happy spending $10 on at least being full. A couple of oddities to note: First, I LOVE Greek food, but am by no means a know-it-all: can someone please tell me if clamari is supposed to be served with cocktail sauce or marinara? I've only ever had marinara but this place brought cocktail sauce which caught me off guard. Second, I believe the stuffed mushrooms had bad cheese in them. Something tasted not right with them, so I wouldn't recommend getting them as an individual app or any plate that has to do with stuffed mushrooms. I won't go back here- it seemed to be filled with locals like Alexis says who somehow have acquired a taste for this stuff by being insulated in their uppity neighborhood away from where better Greek food lives. But to each his own.... read more

Went to Parthenon for the first time last night and it was very good. The atmosphere was casual but intimate. Most tables were occupied but it never got that noisy. The waiter was friendly and provided a couple excellent recommendations. Not knowing much about Greek food it's hard to compare to an authentic meal but I can say that the food was excellent. The Saganaki Flambe was a really good start to the meal. It was like fried cheese that you wouldn't even think about dipping in anything. The rock fish filet was cooked perfectly and had an awesome seasoning slightly reminiscent of Old Bay. The "Greek style" grilled chicken was moist but kept a crispy skin that was seasoned very well. The Baklava was very rich and sweet, just the way it should be. I don't know how much Greek restaurants will usually run you, so it's hard to comment on that, but it's certainly not any more than any other casual dining restaurant. Dishes were mostly in the high teens/low twenties and with the quality of food and the atmosphere they were definitely worth it. read more

Not sure what folks were expecting, but this is a neighborhood eatery and bar. It's where folks in the hood get together for a drink and a bite. The host is apt to stare at people he doesn't recognize, because literally everyone who eats there eats there all the time Still....I would not recommend eating from the entrees. Order from the vast list of appetizers and you will get a good, affordable meal. The pita is made fresh and wonderful coupled with the hummous. The roasted eggplant stuffed with onions and raisins is also good, along with the squid in read wine sauce. For dessert, the baklava is almost as good as my own, which has been Athens tested. read more

I base most of my reviews on the quality of food and general cleanliness of an establishment. The Parthenon gets five stars for both. My friend and both had wonderful meals there last evening. I had on the bone lamb that was so tender it fell off the bone. It came with Greek style green beans and perfectly roasted potatoes that were equally as delicious. My friend had flounder stuffed with crab meat with similar yummy sides. Both of us have traveled to Greece, myself extensively, so appreciated the quality and similarity to the good restaurants one finds quiet prevalently in Athens and throughout the islands. The restaurant is well run and clean....there is definitely a European attention to detail from the wonderful crusty bread to cozy tables and starched linen. If you don't like sitting at small tables where you actually get to take in your neighbors and their conversations, then this restaurant is not for you. There is room for improvement at the restaurant. 1. Despite us having a reservation and tables being open, we had to wait 15 minutes to be seated. 2. The service left plenty of time for my good friend and me to chat, but I finally had to 'dirge' our server to get him to serve our food. I think a less chatty couple or group would be frustrated with the slow pace of service. I did get the feeling that regulars got more attentive and timely service. 3. The exterior of the restaurant needs an overhaul. The restaurant does a brisk business; but it looks like some of the proceeds need to go back into the building for upgrades. I'll certainly be back, hope not to have to wait so long for a reserved table and service and would be delighted to enjoy another quality meal. read more

The Parthenon has decent food but our food arrived room temperature, not even warm let alone hot. The fact that the food wasn't warm took away from enjoying the meal. read more

Although we heard pretty good reviews, our experience was disappointing. One person in our party very much liked her lamb dish, the rest of us thought the food was uninspired and disappointing - certainly no better than what you might find at a Greek diner, and at a relatively high price. I was to blame for not asking about my vegetarian plater before I ordered, but it was a small plate of vegetables - surprising in todays' restaurants but again partly my fault for not asking. But we go for foot restaurants for food AND service, and that is where the restaurant was particular disappointing - inattentive service (except water glasses were frequently filled) and one waiter regularly bumped us as he was serving an adjacent table. Maybe an off night, but for the money, this one is off our list. read more

First, the reviews for the Parthenon and the Chevy Chase Lounge should be separated. Second, this is an excellent restaurant, having been there many times and never had a bad meal. The Greek appetizers are first class, and the fish is fresh and excellently prepared. Each time. Yelp reviews usually give a restaurant a fair shake. The reviews for Parthenon do not provide a good sampling of the high quality food that is served there. Recommended highly. read more

Not vegetarian friendly. Despite what their menu would indicate, their dolmades have meat in them. Also, despite what their menu says, the "hot appetizers for two" item on the menu does not come with spanakopita. I actually feel sick after eating the calamari. I will not be ordering from them again. read more

Maybe the meats are good but the veggie plate is bland beyond believe. Stay away from it.

Good neighborhood restaurant and bar. Lamb and swordfish dishes are very good. I don't like the glasses they use at the bar for their beer. (Ok, I know that's a bit weird, but I like a good pint glass for my beer) Old school barmaid with sidekick who doesn't seem to do much (the sidekick). I don't go in that much but when I do the food is always good. I think there are a lot of regulars. read more