I was excited about this place with all the good reviews. Unfortunately the reviews IMHO do not reflect my experience. The first thing that was disappointing was the service. It took me a while to get a drink. Started with some tapas, the mushrooms, the potato's and the dates. The mushrooms were good but over battered. Could even tell you were eating mushrooms. The potatoes were not fully soft and lacked salt and flavor. The tomato spread on top also lacked flavor. The dates and manchengo cheese was just werid in presentation and hard to eat. We had to order bread, not something I'm used to especially with the tapas. Ordered the branzino for 2. Others ordered the steak and pork chops. The steak came out cold and the pork chop was overcooked. The branzino was nice, but the sides were cold. One of our party ordered another beer which he did not get until I summoned the manger over. All in all- overrated Food-1.5 Ambiance-meh Service-1 read more

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My friend and I had reservations early on a Friday night. We hit traffic coming to town and called to change the reservation time and they were very accommodating. We were immediately seated an enjoyed cocktails -- I had their version of a margarita. It was smokey but not overpowering. My friend enjoyed the sangria. We split the potatoes, cheese board and the gluten free chicken shawarma pizzette. The potatoes were the best and I really liked the cheeseboard too. The jam made the cheese flavors pop! For our entree we split the short rib which was perfect since it normally comes with two pieces. It was so flavorful and delicious. We didn't sty for dessert since we had a GymDawgs meet to get to and they seemingly didn't have a chocolate option. Great service. Great food and great drinks. read more

The National - Margarita - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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The fish and chips here are the ultimate comfort food! The batter is golden and crispy, while the fish inside is incredibly tender and juicy. The burgers and pizzas are also quite consistent and generously portioned, and they always arrive piping hot when ordered for delivery. read more

Dinner while in town with a friend recently while passing through. This little eatery is busy and popular. Reservations are highly recommended even on a week night, ours were at 7:00. We were greeted walking in right at our time by the hostess, and seated in the same few minutes. The interior is open with high ceilings, and full window front. White tables cloths with traditional blue and white interior colors. Great service is the only word I can think of, our server was on point. Just made our whole meal time there flow smoothly and the time went by quickly. This is a slow leisurely dining experience. We started with a couple appetizers, the olives and the stuffed Medjool dates, both were solid choices to get going and a glass of sherry. Next we had to try the hummus with pita, again an excellent choice, fresh full flavored and the crispy flatbread pita was so delicious with the hummus. I opted for the pan seared Salmon and it was also a great choice, cooked to prefection served over a mash and topped with marinated greens. The salmon was fork tender and so succulent it was simply delicious. My friend had the fried Chicken Schnitzel and said is was also amazing. We ended our meal with the Portugese Custard tarts, a pair of tarts served with fresh cream, a light flavor filled dessert thats perfect to share with another. Excellent food on all levels from start to finish. The National is an excellent choice for dining in Athens, highly recommended and reservations are a must. 4.5 Stars rounded up for the great service 01049 read more

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Really fortunate to have found this little gem - great ambiance , exceptional service (coming from someone who is picky about service) and amazing food. To make my evening even better, they brought me out an early birthday dessert and that really felt good. Honestly can't wait to go backs kudos and well done !!! read more

The National - Grilled Beef Hanger Steak - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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I dined here for lunch with my mom on Friday, and overall, we had a great experience despite a few hiccups with timing. The restaurant was fairly busy, with half the tables occupied when we were seated, and by the time we finished, they were all full. The menu is very limited, with just five entree options, which might not be for everyone, but I appreciate the focus on quality over quantity. I'd had the power bowl on my last visit, which changes seasonally and features 4-5 different items in a bowl. It was incredible then, but this time, the power bowl didn't appeal to me as it contained several high FODMAP foods that I knew would upset my stomach. The online menu had featured a winter salad with trout that sounded delicious, but when I arrived, I noticed it wasn't on the menu anymore, which was a bit of a letdown. Given my dairy allergy, I was feeling a bit limited by the remaining menu options, so I was a little bummed about the salad's absence. However, the waitress must've sensed my frustration and immediately checked with the kitchen to see what they could customize for me. The flexibility was truly a highlight--she told me I could build my own power bowl or salad, or they could recreate the winter salad without the trout. I went with the latter, and they delivered a fantastic salad with pomegranate seeds, roasted butternut squash, sweet potato, pecans, and fried capers, all dressed in a delicious homemade turmeric lemon dressing and topped with two perfectly cooked jammy eggs. I was so pleased with how accommodating the kitchen was--it really made my day! My mom ordered the French onion soup with a side salad. It came with half a loaf of fresh bread, which she loved, but the soup itself was a bit too brothy for her taste and didn't have the typical abundance of onions or the cheese broil on top. She said it was just okay. One downside was that our food took 50 minutes to arrive after we ordered, and we didn't get checked in on by the waitress during that time. That was a bit frustrating, but because the kitchen staff was so accommodating and the food was so good, I still feel they deserve a strong rating. Overall, great food and excellent customer service! I'll definitely be back, but hopefully, the timing improves next time. read more

The National - Customized salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

I'll admit, I don't get the Athens food scene if you even want to call it that. The good: the staff is amazing and incredibly nice. Since we as customers pay the servers versus the restaurant owner, I make sure they are paid well for their outstanding service. The could be better: The apps and the deserts are small, underwhelming, and expensive. While the cup of soup was the highlight of my meal, a bread and butter app was typical Athens. Billed as a ciabatta loaf, you received 4-5 tiny little circles of bread with an over salted butter spread. While only $5, it was maybe 50 cents or less worth of ingredients. Also for desert we ordered these two custard tarts that sounded like it would be good. For $8, we received two little bites and some whipped cream. Drinks can be hit or miss, one drink we ordered was very tasty, the other, an espresso martini, was much smaller than we get elsewhere, and average at best. Lastly, its a small room and with the front door constantly swinging open, it was a very cold room. My date and I never took off our coats. Not a pleasurable way to eat for sure. Bottom line, this is Athens. The food is good, never great. A $275 meal for 4 and nothing about the meal or the experience that would want me to return. read more

The food was delicious but extremely overpriced considering the price of the entree not including the offering of a salad or even bread. The service was friendly and attentive however the restaurant is very loud and noisy. The limited accommodating dining area is quite small with very close table arrangement which gave a lack of individual privacy. Overall our experience was pleasant however our bill, with tip, was approximately $160.00 for two entrees only and 3 glasses of wine. At most, the two of us can eat entrees at other Athen's area restaurants that offer two sides, bread and each have a drink for under $100.00 read more

I received lots of suggestions for things to do on my first trip to Athens, and I'm so happy I took the advice from a friend who said that The National is her favorite restaurant in Georgia! I see why. The atmosphere is lovely and breezy. The menu is just the right size - something for everyone but also focused and expertly crafted. The service was impeccable - helpful, not intrusive. We skipped the drinks based on the minute size of the pisco sour on the table next to us. The steak dishes were beautifully composed and paired with unpredictable sides that I found enchantingly unpredictable and tasty. The highlight of the meal was the pita and hummus. I had the gluten-free pita, and it was divine! Cravable! Don't miss this place as a near-perfect dinner for a special occasion or nice date night...especially if you are gluten free! read more

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This has been my go to nice dinner restaurant in Athens for years. Always impeccable service and friendly staff. I also have to get an appetizer, main, and dessert every time because I love it so much! My favorite dish is probably their hummus and I also get the seasonal gelato flavor! Definitely worth checking out! read more

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This place has such a relaxing atmosphere and a great place to eat before an Indie movie at Ciné. The farm to table food is excellent and the menu changes with the seasons. The service is always on point and efficient. read more

My wife and I enjoyed a great atmosphere, exceptional food and good service. I'll come back when I'm back in town. Loved it!

This is my favorite nice restaurant in Athens. It's Mediterranean inspired food with locally sourced ingredients. This place has been making consistently great dishes for years. The menu rotates seasonally. The chefs do get creative but never go so far overboard that they lose you. If something comes out wrong ( which happens rarely) they fix it immediately. Bar is great and creative with lots of homemade tonics and elixirs. And great wines that you don't see everywhere. I usually order fish because they know how to cook fish well ( a lot of places don't ) and my partner usually gets the veggie plate ( which changes seasonally). Don't sleep on their lunch offerings either. One of my main "go-to" places. Service is always great! Atmosphere is intimate and nice. read more

Vibe: 7.5/10 Service: 10/10 Value: 8/10 Flatbread with hummus: 8.5/10 Smashburger (beef): 8.5/10 Shrimp nicoise: 8.5/10 Blueberry cobbler/pie: 9/10 Overall: 8.5/10 (4.28/5) read more

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I loved everything about this restaurant. It has a nice vibe where you can dress casual but feels fancy inside. The food is also made with local ingredients and are Mediterranean inspired. The portions aren't bad either, especially for lunch. The only thing I will say is that the taste may not be for everyone. The pasta was good in my opinion as well as the burger, but was told the burger was different than other places. So if you're adventurous, I'd recommend you try this place out! Here's a bonus: they have gluten-free options!!!! Plus amazing service!! read more

The National - Lamb and Beef Smash Burger - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Great vegan and vegetarian dishes, a fine dining place in Athens that will not empty your pocket but it will leave satisfied. Good wine selection, friendly staff and must try in Athens. read more

The National - Appetizers all vegetarian very good - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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If you're in Athens, you HAVE to try this place! The service is amazing whether you're at the table or the bar. My party and I chose from the tapas and apps to try a little of everything and you MUST order the stuffed dates and patatas bravas!! I love how the restaurant includes ingredients or foods from local spots such as the Independent Baking co and Journey Juice. Drinks were enough that you could order two and feel the booze, so you really get what you're paying for. My only regret was not taking any pictures of what I ate and drank to document how good it really was read more

Relaxed atmosphere, a great staff and quality food. We sat inside and shared the hanger steak, the pork tenderloin and the chicken. Everything was tasty and would recommend. read more

We had a wonderful lunch at the National. The setting is lovely. The food was delicious especially the Caldo Verde soup, the potatoes with Pomegranite ketchup and the wonderful bread. But by far the most outstanding part of our experience was our waitress, Lucy. From the moment she greeted us at the door to the friendly goodbye, she could not ave been more delightful! read more

Loved this spot! Service is mid to say the least, but quick and polite. The lamb pizzette was really flavorful and came out SO fast - would recommend! The steak is cooked really well and the leek on the side makes such a good pairing. The sauce was more or less flavorless but very rich. Overall the dish was very good but VERY salty. Really enjoyed the blackberry basque cake with pistachio gelato - im impressed with the actually pistachio flavor rather than artificial pistachio. Definitely my favorite of the night. Outdoor seating is comfortable and decently clean. Would come here again to dine indoors! read more

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Just great and so happy we found this gem in Athens. There are not a lot of 'nice' places to eat in the downtown area, but this was a very pleasant surprise. We had a few drinks, ate the whole left side of the menu, and had all three of the dessert options from that night and loved all of it. Seating at the bar was nice, and the service was quick, friendly, and informative. If we're ever back in the area, I'll certainly go back here. read more

Food was unbelievable!!! King, crab legs and steak stayed on my mind for weeks after we ate there

Small but cute and quaint restaurant gem! Loved the table cloth designs. We got bread and the cheese plate. Really great opportunity to sample local cheeses you might not usable try. My boyfriend and I both got the steak, and it was cooked well and tender with a nice sauce. Service was friendly overall, no complaints there. Also loved the Italian style spritz drink we got! read more

The National - Grilled Beef Hanger Steak - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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I come to The National whenever my travels take me to Athens. Always great people around entire house! I sit at bar when I travel alone. This week, my cocktail was excellent, Mushroom soup is terrific and Duck superb. Always read more

The National - Great cocktail! - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

really great place for gluten free. i got the gluten free flatbread and hummus appetizer, chicken burger, and chocolate hazelnut gelato. really nice how they have a non-alcoholic drink menu, personally i try to stay away from non-alcoholic things as a general rule of thumb but good for those who like that sort of thing. i did think the chicken burger was a bit too salty but that was probably because the salt on the flatbread and the salt in the mustard was too much. overall great spot to splurge. service is wonderful as everyone who works there really cares about your experience. probably one of the most beautiful places in athens - great place to take grandma and grandpa or even the parents when they come into town. read more

Me and my boyfriend were disappointed here. I was very excited to try some appetizers and got the hummus and cucumber gazpacho. The hummus was just okay and for the price, the portions were just not good enough. The cucumber gazpacho was pretty acidic but still refreshing. I would not get it again though. The service was pretty good and one of our appetizers was not correct and we were completely refunded. I would definitely come back to the bar for a drink because it was an amazing cocktail and supports the Athens Farmers Market! read more

The National - Daydream in blue - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Cute place, good service, good food. The food menu is not very extensive but the choices are good. They have a nice cocktail list. read more

The National - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Always stop here when I travel to Athens for work. Always a lovely experience and the cocktails are amazing. John our server today was especially pleasant and attentive. Until next time the National. read more

They are good and worth eating at. The food is good, not great, but im pretty picky. There are lots of mediocre restaurants but this is worth trying. read more

Excellent! Amazing gluten free options. Attentive service. Chill environment. Great date spot! read more

The National - Hummus with Gluten-Free Flatbread - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

This was our 8th meal of the day so we weren't too hungry but ofc had to stop at the national. The patatas bravas could've been crispier and had more sauce. The dates had a nice long piece of manchego which is good if u like manchego. Even if your too full you have to get the flourless chocolate cake we devoured it in .5 seconds. I had a martini up with a twist and it tasted like lemoncello nice and palette refreshing read more

The National - Patatas Bravas manchego stuffed dates shishito peppers - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Best restaurant in town, wonderful atmosphere, friendly wait staff, amazing culinary experience!

This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is consistent in its wonderful quality of food, service and atmosphere. I have dined here countless times while in town for work & believe this is hands-down the best restaurant in Athens, Georgia (Seabear Oyster Bar and 5 & 10 are my other two favorites). The menu is influenced by mediterranean cuisine, has a bit of a southern flare, and the executive chef Jeremy does a great job of choosing local, sustainably sourced food for its seasonal menus. If you visit this restaurant you must request Connor to serve you--he is extremely knowledgeable, attentive to detail, personable, and most impressively remembers your name (please recognize Connor for consistently going above & beyond). Note before dining here: This restaurant serves its patrons in a European dining style meaning the courses are paced providing ample time for patrons--with that said, do not come here if you are in a rush. This is perfect for a date night. I gave 5 stars because this, in my opinion, is the only restaurant deserving 5 stars in Athens, GA. read more

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Pretty tasty little find in Athens GA. Stopped for a quick lunch with the family. Had a great Butternut Squash soup and a well put together salad. The food had a nice finesse to it. Good service, Good prices, full bar. Place looked pretty "hipster". Would definitely return when in Athens... read more

The National - Menu - Mediterranean Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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This restaurant came highly recommended, and it did not disappoint. Everything was absolutely delicious. The hummus was probably the best I've ever had. The sumac spice and the salty bread - I could have licked the bowl! The cocktails were refreshing and well-crafted. I had the For the Love of Summer with my hummus, followed by the On the Beaches. The herbs were delicious on the steak. My only critique might be a tad more cooking needed on the zucchini's but the charred peppers were a lovely addition. I also would have probably chosen a different cut other than the hanger, only because I prefer a leaner cut. Still - very, very good. Lastly was the blueberry crisp with vanilla gelato. The crisp was perfect, with a warm buttery notes and the blueberries were perfectly thickened. I sat outside and enjoyed the breeze. My server was lovely, balancing letting me enjoy my solitude and carrying on friendly conversations. I would recommend this to anyone traveling through Athens. read more

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We had a good experience in this downtown restaurant which is located in a former hotel. We made a meal of salad and appetizers - Beet Salad, Hot Ocra & Chickpea Salad (huge portion and very tasty), hummus with lamb (highly recommend) and roasted Brussel sprouts (good & large portion). read more

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Our annual National lunch: nice, tasty, but pricey ($80+/2). Very similar to last year. Good service. The gazpacho has become slightly less acidic and is improved by it. I did see that perhaps in busier months they have a shrimp garnish I very much would have liked but this simple version is also quite tasty. A little strangely, the "cup" size portion is now served in what looks like a water glass. It is a little more awkward to eat as a result, both actually and notionally. Rosalynn Carter's Cheese Ring is not exactly what I would expect from a Mediterranean-driven restaurant but it was tasty nonetheless. I think they may have mixed a bit of goat cheese with cream cheese to make the base, then they then top it with pecans and peach jam. Served with little toasts. It looked like we would be running out of toasts before we could finish the cheese so I decided to see if the server would offer more when they were gone. To my surprise, no sooner had I had the thought than the server was offering to get us some more. This is indicative of the service style throughout: understated, friendly, and anticipatory. The Impossible burger is very good. Simpler than before with just a bit of Gouda, it also includes a surprisingly substantial side salad of spring greens alongside the thin but nicely-textured fries. The shrimp niçoise is a pleasant salad but I felt that the potatoes were under-salted (and it is rare for me to write those words). I think I understand the motivation as there are other salty elements like the olives but large chunks of potatoes really need to have the salt cooked in. The Basque cake is definitely a must though I felt it was not quite up to the standard of last year's; the texture seemed a little more dry but it was still very good and topped with a great ice cream to boot. read more

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"Meh" kind of evening. Very slow service. We waited about forty five minutes for entrees even while the restaurant only appeared to have three active tables. No one acknowledged that the food was taking long or that anything was out of the ordinary. Food was average to mediocre. Undercooked and under salted potatoes in the patatas bravas starter; hangar steak was ordered medium rare and came out rare and ice cold (I.e. had clearly been sitting awhile). We were excited about the National after reading about it ahead of our visit to Athens. We really wanted to like this place and came away disappointed :( read more

Ok, where to start.... Took my daughter and her boyfriend for her birthday (more on the two of them at the end). The GOOD: Food: Excellent. I did have to send my hangar steak back because it came out red raw, ordered medium rare. They took it back without a fuss and the other entrees were excellent. Service: Our waitress was very nice, happy, and attentive. The BAD: Hostess: Perfected the art of telling someone to go f*** themselves whilst maintaining an ear-to-ear smile. Seriously, it's a talent. Our reservation was at 8:15. At 8:45 we were still waiting for our table, despite 3 other tables being sat who had walked in after us. We were told, "Yes, sir, they also had a reservation at 8:15pm and we are waiting for a table appropriate for your party." HUGE shit eating grin. Appropriate for our party? They sat parties of 2 at tables larger than the 'appropriate' table for us, and, despite our reservation being for the patio, our table was inside. Guess where the other parties were sat? Yup.. patio. Silly additional charges: Waitress: "Would you like more pita bread to finish your hummus?" Us: "Sure! Thank you/" Waitress brings a few pieces of pita bread (it is delicious. Credit where due). Then we see a $1.50 charge for the pita. This is kinda bullshit. It's not the $1.50, it's the principle. How many restaurants say, "would you like more bread?" Do you get a bill? No... If you want to charge for something like this, set the expectation. Birthday: It was my daughter's 20th birthday. We ordered the tarts. Again, lovely. I mentioned it was her birthday and the waitress said the tarts are in 2's but she could upcharge us for an extra 1 and put a candle in it. This goes back to goodwill. Do I expect anything for free? No.. But, come on, it's a birthday, throw a tart in there with a candle. You really need a few bucks for 20 cents worth of tart that bad? So... here's where this kind of approach to customer service back fires.... The National hosted the 2021 UGA Orientation Leaders a few weeks ago. Both my daughter and her boyfriend are OL's. When I told them I was taking them there the first thing they said was, "oh, the portions are really small". Actually, they must have just short-changed the OL's when they went to give them an idea of the food. Obviously, there is only one reason why they host and it's because they know that the OL's will meet every single freshman and their families over the summer and they want to ensure when the question, "Where is the nicest place to eat in Athens?" is asked, they recommend The National. Our experience last night, and, from what I can gather from my daughter's experience when they went last, is that this place is more focused on ensuring they get every penny they can possibly get out of you, there isn't any goodwill, and a free meal for OL's with reduced portion sizes (gotta save those pennies, right?) isn't going to cut it. read more

Never disappointed, food and drinks are spot-on. The chef is amazing, the staff accommodating, great atmosphere-great place for date night.