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Taverna Cretekou

3.9 (736 reviews)
ModerateGreek, Mediterranean
Open • 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Taverna Cretekou Photos

Business Info

TAVERNA CRETEKOU ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Romantic
Good for kids
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Taverna Cretekou

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Outside
Stephanie S.

We enjoyed our lunch at Taverna Cretekou. The garden was a beautiful place to eat our meal. Service was okay as well. The food was really good, but the portions weren't very big, especially for how expensive each item was. The presentation of our meal was very well done, from the server pouring the oil for the bread to the piping of the hummus & tzatziki. It was an elevated dining experience that's great for a date night, but I would say it's definitely overpriced. I'm not sure if we'll be back since we can get delicious Greek food elsewhere for a lower price.

Satyrikon
Kyle H.

Really solid Greek food. We had the lamb shank with orzo and the branzino special--both were very good and cooked well. The Satyrikon appetizer was a standout, especially the hummus and tzatziki with the hot pita. Probably my favorite part of the meal. Dessert was also strong--we tried the baklava and the Verikoka Aphrodite, which were both sweet, light, and satisfying. The back patio had a great vibe. Nothing over the top, but it gave off an authentic, relaxed Greek feel that added a lot to the experience. Overall, definitely one of the top Greek spots in the area--probably top 5. That said, with so many great options in DC, we're not rushing back immediately, but it's a place I'd happily recommend and revisit.

Menu
Ali C.

This is a gem in Old Town. The servers are knowledgeable and so funny and great. The inside is adorable, and the courtyard outside feels like you're literally on vacation and not in Old Town, Alexandria. The food is SO good. We've been twice now, and both times it has been amazing. If you like your meat medium rare, though, make sure you ask for that when you order. This place is a fave of ours. The owner spoke to us both times while we were there, and she was so lovely and a great host

Octopus
Kareem T.

I hate to give low ratings, especially with inflation and a bad economy! It's a tough time! I'd still go there again, but here is what I didn't like , prices were so high compared to quality and portions! However, the place has an amazing, warm, and Greek ambiance! Anywhere you sit, it's amazing! The patio is phenomenal whenever the weather is good! Very nice staff and great customer service! Keep in mind this is at the heart of Old Town Alexandria! Everything is expensive here, but honestly, I enjoyed it and had a great time! Try it, vote for the review , message me, or compliment me with any comment or question, and don't forget to ... Pray for me ;)

Garides Cretekou - Crete

The appetizers were delicious! Never had octopus before but theirs was divine. We also had the Saganaki, it was very yummy! The service was impeccable - quick, friendly, and accommodating! For my first time trying Garides Cretekou, it was good. The atmosphere was bright and welcoming! However, the desserts were disappointing. My Baklava's phyllo dough was very thin and the syrup drowned the flavors of the nuts and spice. My colleague's Galaktoboureko was "not enjoyable," she said. Also, be clear when ordering a salad - especially as an appetizer. We were charged for 4 servings, when we thought we were getting 1 to share. (We had ordered 3 other appetizers, so 4 total.) I'm glad we went and I'd give it another go in the warmer months. Especially since I heard they have a beautiful outdoor space.

Menu cover
Michael E.

Today was a very hot and humid day in old town Alexandria. As it got to be around cocktail hour, we just wanted to find a nice quiet restaurant to sit outside in the shade and have a glass of wine and maybe an appetizer. We had been to this Greek restaurant in the past, but we've never sat in their outside patio in the back. We are very pleased with how beautiful it is in the back patio. We ordered an appetizer sampler, which had numerous items on it including Hummus, fava, Kalamata olives, Anchovies, tzatziki. Very courteous and knowledgeable staff.

Outdoor patio
Fatu D.

Came here after a recommendation from a friend and so worth it! We were greeted by the owner. She was in a gorgeous green and blue dress and it blended so well with the decor of the restaurant which felt like you were transported out of Old Towne and into Greece. We sat outside in their covered patio and enjoyed the nice summer day. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave stellar recommendations. We ordered the hummus for the table which was absolutely delicious! The main event was the lamb shank / Arni Youvetsi and it did not disappoint. The meat was falling off the bone and seasoned so well. Would definitely recommend!

Enjoying my custom salad with salmon across the street.
Jeff C.

I was so excited to try this place right next door to the Air BnB I was staying at. Smelled great. Was excited for some Paidakia lamb chops but those aren't on the lunch menu. Was seated with a glass of water and a menu and never greeted or asked if I'd like to order for ten minutes. 5 waiters and waitresses wandering around helping other customers. None even acknowledged I was there until I went and got their attention. Great looking garden. Service dropped the ball. Walked out. Patience may be a virtue but patronage is a choice. Went right across the street to sweetgreens and had an awesome custom salad with salmon.

This is what was left of my Moussaka once I regained composure enough to stop eating it and take a picture!

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2 years ago

The food was good, but they didn't have Gyro's as an option. Which I feel is a classic. They are a true Mediterranean restaurant.

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10 months ago

Went for lunch. Traveled all the way from Bowie. The food was excellent. The service superb. Highly recommended.

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Ask the Community - Taverna Cretekou

Is the patio wheelchair accessible?

Yes, I believe so!

Are they still doing a brunch buffet here? If so, where do you find the menu?

Is there moussaka good?

Yes. Their moussaka is excellent! If you can, get to their Sunday brunch....you can sample everything!

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La’Baik - Chicken Shwarma

La’Baik

4.9(152 reviews)
1.6 mi
•$$

It's been a few weeks now since my visit but I can still remember and taste the fresh ingredients…read more It's a small shop in del ray but with plenty of seating inside and outside. The staff and extremely friendly. They were so welcoming and really patient with us as we had lot of questions. Even gave us a sample of their lemonade which was refreshing and so delicious had as craving more! Complimented the food so well. We all were so full by the end of our meal but wish we didn't so we could have more. You can tell everything is made in house with so many veggie toppings which I love!! You can get as much toppings as you want, either into a wrap, bowl, or salad. 10/10 recommend!! We also tried the cookies. She said to give them 6 or 8 minutes (can't remember) and they will be ready. Cookies are fresh fresh and always warmed up per order. They were perfect. If you go to their website they have a rewards program check it out first!!

This is my second time here and it reminds me why I went back. This place is so neat and organized…read more The staff were straightforward with their service and so nice. They have indoor and outdoor seatings. The menu offers outside the bowl they have desserts and also drinks. I ordered gyro bowl with Cucumber Lemonade and it's the best partner! Gyro was moist and all the added stuff tastes fresh. Of course will go back again to try other food in the menu. The only thing you need to consider the parking. This place is so good that it could get packed especially weekends and dinner time. It is somehow close to the King Street Station but it's still quite a walk.

Photos
La’Baik - The view from the front door.

The view from the front door.

La’Baik - Fattousch

Fattousch

La’Baik - Fattousch

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Fattousch

Smyrna Restaurant - Branzino in parchement. Baked branzino filet with sauteed veggies in paper. Served with baby potato, olive, cherry tomato & preserved lemon.

Smyrna Restaurant

4.7(189 reviews)
6.1 mi
•$$

Lots to like at Smyrna!…read more I highly recommend the 3-course express lunch menu, which includes a starter and dessert. At $24 as of this writing, this is a great value! Decorated in clean blue and white colors, Smyrna has an appealing feel. Smyrna also has a rear patio open during good weather. We were started out with very decent complimentary warm pita bread. For my first (starter) course, I ordered the chicken avgolemono soup. While the soup was packed with tender chicken, I was disappointed that the soup didn't really have much of a tart, lemony flavor. It actually was bland. But what more than made up for the avgolemono soup was the beef Keftdedes I chose for my second course. This dish came with absolutely the best tomato-based sauce I've ever had anywhere anytime! Delicious and fabulous!! The beef keftdedes were plump ground beef patties served over little squares of pita bread and topped with the tomato sauce and also a yogurt sauce. JP ordered the Imam Bayildi, which was good. It came with roasted eggplant, diced tomatoes and diced onions. For our third course (dessert), I ordered the Revani, which was a moist dense semolina cake topped with ice cream and chocolate shavings. Outstanding flavor and texture. Perfect! JP ordered the walnut baklava which was excellent. Service was friendly and fine. Other than the avgolemono soup, this was indeed a five star dining experience.

Smyrna is a very unassuming Mediterranean restaurant located at a shopping center. If you blink you…read moremiss it, but you do not want to miss it. I visited on a Sunday evening with some friends who hosted me in Alexandria when my flight out of DCA was postponed. I would recommend bringing a couple of friends here to dine, ordering a lot of items and sharing. We started with a couple of spreads, and the Baba Ghannush was my favorite. I also had a Greek salad, and we had some chicken souvlaki. The entrees are shareable and a large portion, and my friend also got an order of soup for the next day, since we knew we'd be snowed in. The service was wonderful, and the inside of the restaurant itself is gorgeous. One word of advice- do NOT sit near the door on a cold day because that wind kept coming into the building. The happy hour and lunch deals are excellent, so if you're nearby, it is worth stopping in.

Photos
Smyrna Restaurant - Aegean bar

Aegean bar

Smyrna Restaurant - Greek potato has thyme and lemon zest marinated roasted baby potatoes, kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes.

Greek potato has thyme and lemon zest marinated roasted baby potatoes, kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes.

Smyrna Restaurant - Back patio

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Back patio

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

4.2(638 reviews)
0.6 mi•Old Town Alexandria
•$$$
Full bar
Large group friendly

Were we on the Spanish coast or Old Town? On the riverfront, on this warm spring day, we could have…read morebeen anywhere in the Mediterranean. We were instead on the pier in retrofitted shipping containers enjoying Spanish shareable plates with a great view. This place was crowded that's for sure. Primarily because there's no closer place to the water than this. (We were lucky-- the day after was rainy!) The food was great--we went for shareable small tapas and we still overordered. Service was great. We had a small wait upon check in but they made up for it by putting us in a nice location. Overall this was a great choice for a weekend lunch with friends.

Booked a reservation for 4 on a Saturday night, and had to wait 15 minutes after our 7:30…read morereservation to be seated.. I would note water bugs are a huge issue at this restaurant, but that's just because you are on the pier and sitting on/near the water but the water bugs are constantly hovering you and getting in your food and drinks. Other than that, service was OK, just because the service was also delayed due to being so busy that Saturday night. Unfortunately, our group of 4 was sat and then we did not get to order food for another 15 minutes after getting our water. Once we ordered, Our group got a few appetizers to share for the table and along with a cocktail each, but it was disappointing because we did not get our cocktails until after the table finished the appetizers. I would say this place would be best for a midday quick bite or during non-busy/peak hours.

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BARCA Pier & Wine Bar
BARCA Pier & Wine Bar
BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

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Zaytinya

Zaytinya

4.2(6.3k reviews)
6.6 mi
•$$$

This place is in a great corner location, the food was delicious, and the staff were friendly…read moreoverall. We had a reservation to make sure we got a table, and the restaurant was completely full when we arrived. The only downside was that after being seated outside, we felt a little forgotten for the first 30 minutes or so. No one came by with water or to check in, and it seemed like the staff may not have realized a new table had been seated until we flagged down the outside host. There were also swarm of flies hovering around the outdoor tables, which another table pointed out and then we started noticing too. Aside from that, the experience was good overall. The inside dining area definitely had a dressier vibe compared to the patio seating, and once we were helped, the food made up for the slow start.

Placed a large order via Uber Eats since restaurant will not accept takeout orders directly…read more Restaurant does not allow any specifications when ordering through Uber Eats - for example, one person wanted one ingredient held from her salad. Uber Eats lacked description for Zaytinya's food items (such as the ounces of the drinks) and some items (such as the horta salata) were not as pictured. There were no extra napkins in our bag. The Coke came in bottles but we didn't receive any bottle openers. To top it off, we had three food items missing. I called the restaurant again to let them know about the missing food - they were unapologetic and didn't know what the proper protocol was to fix the situation. The service was subpar and the servings were small. Won't be back. The next day we had food delivered from another local restaurant where both the food and service were outstanding, unlike at Zaytinya. UPDATE: After writing the Yelp review, a general manager at Zaytinya emailed me the following: "..."The restaurant normally offers takeout, but the location was actually closed that day for a private event. However, since the order had come through, we tried to honor it. The mujadara and 2 orders of rice were missing because we hadn't prepped those items, as they were not offered for the buyout..." The restaurant knew on Friday what I was ordering for Tuesday. They had plenty of time to reach out to me and tell me they would be closed and wouldn't be able to fulfill the order. Instead, they knowingly sent out an order without all of the food for our group and charged as if we received everything. This shows a lack of professionalism and is disrespectful.

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Zaytinya
Zaytinya
Zaytinya - Spreads & Bread

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Spreads & Bread

Maydan - Roasted carrots

Maydan

4.3(1.4k reviews)
8.0 mi
•$$$$

I came here for my 30th birthday celebration and all I can say is WOW- what a way to ring in a new…read moredecade. I left feeling full, grateful, and with a new love for middle eastern cuisine. The service was impeccable- the waitress and sommelier were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Nadia, our waitress, offered suggestions about what dishes would pair well together for the tawle experience and shared her favorites. The sommelier went over the extensive wine list and helped us pick a nice red that paired well with our chosen dishes- it was called Yacoubian Hobbs from Armenia. The ambiance was comfortable and welcoming- you could dress up or down, pretty much anything goes! The walls are lined with colorful patterns and draped tapestries to create a high end living room vibe. Now for the fun part- THE FOOD! The first dishes brought out were the mouneh (pickled veggies), the honey soaked dates, and the three spreads (we selected the hummus with lamb on top for an additional $15, havuc, and beet borani). I'll add that they continuously bring out fresh, warm pita throughout the whole meal. The lamb hummus was savory and well-balanced, but very rich. The havuc had a beautiful lightness from the carrots and I loved the textural element of the crispy onions on top. The beet borani also added a welcomed freshness throughout the meal and was vibrant, light, and had wonderful yogurt flavors. The underrated dish were the pickled veggies because INSANE. I used these in bites during the entire meal and they all had a unique flavor as if they were each pickled in a special way- my favorites were the white radish and scallions. The honey dates were a sweet palette cleanser and cut through the savory elements of the meal. We continued on with the next round consisting of the field lettuce salad, the three condiments (we chose the toum, chermoula, and harissa), halloumi, omani shrimp, and chickpeas. The field lettuce salad had a zesty vinaigrette and I appreciated the acidity addition of the sliced oranges and the crunchy, salted pistachios. The toum was a garlicky aioli that I felt was best paired with the chickpeas- although all the dips were delicious with all the dishes and the pita. The harissa was a lighter version than I am used to, spicy, and paired well with the veggies and ribeye. The chermoula was my favorite and paired best with the ribeye- it reminded me of a flavorful and herbaceous chimichurri. The halloumi had a sweet honey and was grilled perfectly, paired with nice crunchy nuts. The chickpeas had a lovely consistency and were well seasoned- I think it was sumac, but whatever it was, I couldn't get enough. The shrimp were ONE OF MY FAVORITE dishes from the whole meal. They were juicy, seasoned perfectly, charred, and just chefs kiss. I enjoyed them with the chermoula and squeeze of lime. The main dishes and veggies came during our final (besides dessert) round. We ordered the sayadieh as part of the table experience and also added a ribeye to the order. We had ordered the charred carrots, but they accidentally brought us the wildflower honey zucchini instead, so we were lucky enough to be able to try both. The branzino (sayadieh) absolutely blew my mind. It was citrusy, spicy, seasoned with bright spices, and incredibly moist. I would honestly skip the ribeye- it was cooked to a nice medium rare and had a nice flavor, but I don't think it compared to the rest of the meal. The charred carrots were spicy, cooked soft- also one of the standouts. The zucchini was served beautifully and I enjoyed the sauce, but could also skip next time. We ended the meal with the bitter orange sorbet and the chocolate mousse. The sorbet was a nice palette cleanser as it had zest in the mix and was very light after the heavy meal. The chocolate mousse was very rich and had a new balance of chocolate and peanut flavors. They brought over complimentary glasses of champagne to celebrate my birthday as well :) I cannot wait to come back to try more of the menu and I am so happy to have had a diverse taste of the Middle East. I'll also add that we had a HUGE bag of leftovers that lasted several meals and they packaged it up like true professionals. A food lover completely satisfied and eager to get back :)

A popular spot near Adams Morgan. The restaurant features Middle Eastern grilled food. In fact,…read morethere were several fire grills in the center of the first floor of the restaurant (it has two floors), and you can see the staff constantly grilling the meats, fish, vegetables and pita. This, together with the dark vibe, made me feel as if I were eating with ppl. from B.C. in a cave. Very interesting. I like that. For food, I got the Carrot Havuc, Omani Shrimp and Halloumi. But first I was served with some freshly made whole wheat pita. They were soft, chewy and earthy. The Carrot Havuc was basically a carrot+garlic puree. Very silky, refreshingly sweet, and a bit sour. The sourness may come from the garlic and lemon. Paired well with the pita and meats. The Omani shrimp came with 5 pieces, each shrimp was ~1oz so it was not very filling. The shrimp were meaty, fresh, juicy, though I wish it could be less salty, even if I already asked for less salt. The shrimp was said to be marinated with dried lime and tamarind but I could only taste the flavor of dried lime. The Halloumi cheese was brushed wild flower honey and topped with Egyptian dukkah, then baked until the outside was golden brown. It was salty and sweet, and the (tons of) sesame seeds added some fragrance to it. However, the peanut was too roughly chopped so that they fell off from the cheese when I slice it, and thus difficult to eat with the cheese. Service was not worth the 20% mandatory tip. For example, when I asked about the sourness of the Carrot Havuc, he did not know why and said he would "taste it and let me know where the sourness came from". Unfortunately, he did not tell me until I asked again when doing the check (I doubt if he tasted it in the first place). Neither did he ask me about the other dishes. Overall, the dishes were great but not impressive, and was mostly heavily flavored. The service could be improved.

Photos
Maydan - Wood oven front and center

Wood oven front and center

Maydan - Shrimp

Shrimp

Maydan - Spiced chocolate mousse

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Spiced chocolate mousse

Omar's Pitas & Platters

Omar's Pitas & Platters

4.5(111 reviews)
2.0 mi

This is definitely a go-to spot if you're looking for quality flavor and value for your money…read more We usually do a mixed platter with chicken and lamb, lettuce tomato onion, and sauces on the side. Omar's signature and white are our favorites, but know that you can order unlimited sauces. "Don't be shy" they say. Flavors are balanced, and the portion size is generous. For those with a medium sized appetite, a platter could last you two meals. Service is pretty quick, but know if there is a line or mobile orders, you could be waiting between 5-10 minutes. Parking is limited and seating is only outdoors. It's nice to eat outside when the weather is right - they have string lights! They're also open until 1am which is nice if you need a late night option (most places around here close at 9 or 10pm). I recommend giving Omar's a try!

Grabbed dinner at Omar's since it was on our way back home. Our food was ready for pickup in 5-10…read moremins. There weren't any seats inside so we grabbed our food and took it home. I had the jerk chicken (no onions) platter with the hot pepper, green chutney and jerk sauces on the side. The sauces were amazing! My mixed my hot pepper and jerk sauces together and it was fireeee! Then had some chutney to cool it down. The jerk chicken was flavor and the rice and side salad complimented it well. My husband got the crispy chicken (no onions) platter with the white sauce, spicy white sauce and Omar's signature sauce. The crispy chicken was a little too fried/overcooked for me but was very crispy. My husband loved it though! His sauces were also good but I def preferred mine. Both platters had a generous portion of chicken. Overall a great place to grab a casual meal.

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Omar's Pitas & Platters
Omar's Pitas & Platters - Avocado fries! Mixed grill platter!

Avocado fries! Mixed grill platter!

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Outside

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Outside

Taverna Cretekou - greek - Updated May 2026

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