The Parthenon Restaurant

Nice place to get a good meal in a good atmosphere when visiting the Zoo. Away from the hectic atmosphere next to the Zoo but conveniently close by. NOTE: I save 5-stars for truly the best. My not giving 5-stars should not be taken to reflect negatively on this establishment. If you 5-stars on my reviews, that is the best in class.

Parthenon is a hidden Gem! I ordered the Lamb Chops and the Eggplant dip. I can attest as a lamb connoisseur, the quality of these lamb chops are high end. Leave it to Greeks to cook lamb to perfection! Truly tastes like the lamb chops I had in Greece. It’s seasoned perfectly. And the eggplant dip was also just as phenomenal. Super fresh and pairs really well with the bread. And by the way, I don’t know where they get their veggies from, but they are the freshest I’ve had at any restaurant. You can really taste the quality. The ambiance and vibe is also really nice. The staff here is super friendly and upbeat! Everyone seems very happy here and I love that energy. Just an overall cool spot with great food. They have an extensive menu that will please anyone. I look forward to coming here more frequently and eventually trying everything else on the menu.

The Parthenon is a justly beloved traditional Greek restaurant in DC. Enjoying a meal on the Parthenon’s attractive outdoor patio is a rite of spring and rightly so. Portions are generous and service friendly. Some restaurants never seem to change and the Parthenon is one of them. That’s the point. While I’ve been less enamored of a few of the traditional entrees post-pandemic (I’ve found the baked lamb and moussaka duller than previously, although my companion loved the latter), there is some delicious Greek food to be had here. My latest visit yielded the following excellent preparations: fried squid (light, tender with a crisp exterior), lamb souvlaki (beautifully grilled with a hint of char, also available in chicken or pork) and baklava (not overly sweet, a symphony in flaky philo, walnuts and cinnamon.) The traditional Greek coffee makes a delicious end to a meal (choose your desired level of sweetness: bitter, medium or sweet.) Enjoy!

I was visiting Washington a few weeks ago and ate the Parthenon. We were seated outside on a covered patio on a nice cool evening. For appetizers we the Saganaki Flambe and the Manitaria Gemista (mushroom stuffed with crab). Both were delicious. In addition, we had three shots of Ouzo to celebrate our upcoming Greek main courses. In between the meals one of the owners Mike came over and had a long conversation about the history of the restaurant and the food. There were three of us and for the main course I ordered the Broiled Pork Chops with potatoes and vegetables, my friend ordered the Glosa Gemisti with Crab Meat and vegetables, (stuffed Flounder), our third person had a Greek salad. As you can see by the pictures the portions were generous. The food was delicious, and the service was out of this world. There was the metered street parking, and this restaurant is dog friendly on the outside patio section. So, when in the Chevy Chase area and looking an authentic Greek restaurant for lunch or dinner the Parthenon is the place to go.

This is a long standing Greek restaurant. The food quality is good and the staff are friendly and helpful. The adjoining bar is a popular spot. In warm weather the patio is a great spot to dine. Lonegivity isn't always a sign of quality but in this case it is. *2020 update. It had been too long since we ate here. I work nearby now and ordered carry-out for lunch recently. Phoned the Parthenon and placed the order. 15-20min later the order was ready. Staff were attentive to Covid protocols and even those dining there were in compliance. Food was just as I remembered - delicious. We had lamb and chicken souvlaki (pictured). Couldn't ask for a better experience.