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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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 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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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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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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Sat at the bar. Seats are very comfortable. Vibe is fun. Food is good. Service is good. No complaints. Definitely returning. 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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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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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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The food was excellent! The dishes were filling but light. Service impeccable. Staff is very knowledgeable. 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

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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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 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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Had a wonderful afternoon at Melina. Great service. I had lamb skewers and my wife had 1/2 chicken. Lamb was great but the flavorful chicken stole the show. The table near us got the crispy fish and that looked really good. You won't be disappointed! read more

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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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

(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

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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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

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

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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5 stars for an outstanding for an outstanding Greek restaurant in Bethesda. My wife and I played a round of golf in the area and were looking to grab a bite. I looked at my Washingtonian Top 100 list and found Melina. Located on the corner of Rose and Prose street, we parked in the nearby garage and headed inside to a beautiful venue with a partially outdoor bar, which we decided would be a great place to sit. After grabbing a couple drinks, we decided to start out with a couple appetizers. I ordered the Melina salad while my wife ordered the roasted squash. While the squash was just ok, the Melina salad was large and delicious. We then decided to order a couple entrees. I ordered the shrimp saganaki (always fun at a Greek restaurant) while my wife ordered the slow roasted lamb neck. We like the shrimp dish more than the lamb in the moment, but there were 2 other factors in play. First, the sides for the lamb came out on a massive separate trey and were all really tasty. Second, the lamb made for some great breakfast sandwiches the next day (always great when food saves well). Overall, Melina provided us with a solid upscale style Greek restaurant experience. The solid food and venue make this a spot to check out next time you are in the area. read more

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Absolutely delicious food and outstanding service. Cozy atmosphere with booths that feel private despite neighboring tables. The lamb kabobs were the best and we also enjoyed the wagyu kabobs. We chose mezze of grilled shrimp, baked feta, and crispy potatoes. The old fashioned was fantastic! read more

Very trendy albeit loud interior. The sourdough bread was good but very pricey at $14 for if I remember correctly 6 pieces of bread. You also get 2 slices with the halibut so I was sorry I ordered it. Speaking of the halibut it was very dry, and by far the worst dish of the meal. It stuck out like a fish out of water. The grilled shrimp, tuna tartare and lamb neck (comes with 2 pitas and condiments, enough to feed two or a ravenous one) were very good. The cheese pie (like a Greek calzone) was solid. The Greek donuts were tasty but kind of heavy. You can have a nice meal here if you order appropriately. read more

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I've been here twice within the past two weeks! Both times I've dined in, I had a lovely experience. The service was absolutely fantastic and very accommodating. They helped us in picking which dishes to order. In addition, they let us change our seats from outside to inside to accommodate us as there were too many bugs. To top it off, the food is absolutely delicious. My favorite dish is their chicken, it's tender and the sauces are the perfect touch. I plan to come here, I had an amazing experience both times and hope to bring more people here! read more

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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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Celebrated my anniversary here! 10/10 experience. Our server, Vianca, made us feel like we were at home. She recommended great options off of the menu. The food was so delicious! We had the bread, roasted carrots, cheese pie, mushroom souvlaki, lamb bolognese. All 10/10. This is the perfect location for a date night. I can't wait to come back again! read more

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A modern upscale vibe with impeccable service. Tahini Miso Cauliflower: 4/5. The sauces and the cauliflower were a great marriage. However, the high price made no sense. Oven Roasted Carrots: 4/5. The sauces and the cheese went well with the carrots. But, again, it was overpriced. Lamb Kebab: 2/5. The flavor were good, but the texture was off. Braised Short Rib: 3/5. I think the orzo saved this dish. It was beautifully favored. The beef on the other hand was bland. Grilled 1/2 Chicken: 1/5. It was undercooked and slimy the first time they brought it out. We sent it back and they brought a fully cooked version. But it was bland. Halibut: 5/5. It was perfectly cooked and a had a delicate unctious flavor. Bougatsa: 5/5. Although, it did not look like a traditional bougatsa, it tasted divine. Greek Doughnut: 5/5. Subliminal! read more