The 10 Best Middle Eastern Mezze Spots In Virginia For The Ultimate Shared Feast

Virginia has quietly become one of the best states in the country for Middle Eastern food, and the mezze scene is absolutely thriving. From the bustling suburbs of Northern Virginia to the coastal energy of Virginia Beach and the charming streets of Richmond, sharing a table loaded with small plates is a genuine celebration here.

Mezze is more than just an appetizer spread, it is a whole social ritual built around conversation, community, and seriously delicious food. If you have ever wanted to experience the joy of a long, leisurely feast where every dish tells a story, these ten spots across Virginia are exactly where you need to be.

1. Agora Tysons Mediterranean Restaurant, McLean

Agora Tysons is the kind of place that makes you want to cancel your plans for the rest of the evening and just stay at the table all night long. Tucked into the heart of the Tysons area in McLean, this restaurant brings a seriously sophisticated energy to the shared dining experience.

The moment you walk through the door, the warm lighting and sleek, modern decor immediately signal that this is not your average night out.

The mezze menu here is a beautiful mashup of Turkish, Lebanese, and Greek traditions, giving your table a real tour across the Eastern Mediterranean without ever leaving Virginia. Dishes arrive in waves, each one inviting conversation and friendly competition over the last scoop.

The htipiti, a roasted red pepper and feta spread, has earned a devoted following among regulars who refuse to start a meal without it.

Smoky baba ghanoush and grilled octopus round out the must-order list, and the kitchen handles both with a confidence that only comes from genuine culinary skill. Groups tend to go big here, ordering plate after plate just to see what arrives next.

The staff is attentive without being intrusive, which makes the whole experience feel both polished and relaxed.

Agora Tysons consistently earns its reputation as one of the premier social dining destinations in the state. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends when the buzz in this dining room reaches a delightful peak.

Address: 8100 Boone Blvd, Vienna, VA 22182.

2. Joon, Vienna

Persian cuisine in Virginia does not get more refined or more exciting than what Joon is doing in Vienna. Named one of the best restaurants in the entire state, this high-end spot approaches mezze with a modern artistic sensibility that feels fresh every single visit.

The dining room has a quiet elegance to it, the kind of space where you instinctively lower your voice and then immediately raise it again because the food gives you so much to talk about.

Sharing is practically built into the Joon experience. The staff actually recommends ordering a generous spread of plates for the table, encouraging guests to mix and match flavors throughout the meal.

Lamb and pistachio meatballs arrive with a depth of flavor that stops conversations mid-sentence, while the Mast-o-Musir, a classic Persian yogurt dip with shallots, brings a creamy, herbaceous brightness that keeps pulling you back for more.

The Persian cucumber salad is another standout, deceptively simple but packed with freshness and balance. Every dish feels considered, nothing is on the menu by accident.

Joon has a loyal following in Northern Virginia and beyond, attracting diners who appreciate cooking that honors tradition while pushing it gently forward.

Weekend evenings fill up quickly, so booking ahead is a smart move. The service team knows the menu inside and out, making recommendations that feel genuinely personal rather than rehearsed.

Address: 243 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180.

3. Seray, Vienna

Seray is the kind of restaurant that makes you pause at the door just to take in how good it looks inside. Located in Vienna, this chic Lebanese spot has built a reputation for delivering authentic flavors inside a space that feels genuinely special.

The decor strikes a balance between contemporary and cozy, making it equally suited for a date night, a family celebration, or a long group feast with friends.

Lebanese cuisine has a remarkable gift for mezze, and Seray leans into that tradition with real confidence. The grape leaves here are frequently cited by regulars as some of the finest in Northern Virginia, arriving tender and aromatic with a filling that tastes like it was made with serious care.

Beef shawarma, served as a shared plate, brings a richly spiced warmth that works beautifully alongside the cooler, creamier options on the table.

The atmosphere at Seray elevates the whole experience in a way that feels effortless. Lighting is thoughtfully dim, the music hits just the right note, and the tables are spaced generously enough that conversations stay private even when the room is full.

Groups tend to linger here, ordering another round of mezze just to extend the evening.

Seray earns high marks across the board for consistency, hospitality, and a menu that rewards curiosity. First-timers are encouraged to ask the staff for guidance, because the recommendations are always on point.

Address: 143 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180.

4. Nostos Restaurant, Vienna

Greek mezze culture and the Virginia dining scene collide beautifully at Nostos, an upscale restaurant in Vienna that brings the spirit of the Aegean to Northern Virginia with impressive style. While the menu leans primarily Greek, the approach to shared plates here is every bit as celebratory and communal as anything you would find across the broader Middle Eastern mezze tradition.

This is a place built for long tables and even longer evenings.

The octopus at Nostos has developed a serious reputation, drawing regulars back time and again for its perfectly charred exterior and tender interior. Zucchini fritters arrive crispy and light, a crowd-pleasing option that disappears quickly at any group table.

Greek beans, slow-cooked and richly seasoned, add a hearty, grounding note to a spread that already sparkles with variety and flavor.

The dining room itself is polished without feeling stiff, a contemporary take on Aegean aesthetics that uses texture, warm tones, and thoughtful lighting to create a genuinely inviting atmosphere. Nostos manages the rare trick of feeling both special occasion-worthy and comfortably relaxed at the same time.

The staff navigates that balance with real grace, attentive and knowledgeable without hovering.

Virginia has no shortage of excellent Greek restaurants, but Nostos consistently stands out for its quality and its genuine commitment to the shared dining experience. Large groups should call ahead to arrange seating that accommodates a proper feast-style spread.

Address: 328 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180.

5. Lebanese Taverna, Multiple Northern Virginia Locations

Ask any longtime Northern Virginia resident where to go for Lebanese mezze and Lebanese Taverna will almost certainly come up within the first thirty seconds. This family-owned institution has been feeding the region for years, building a loyal following through a combination of consistent quality, generous portions, and a genuine warmth that makes every visit feel like a homecoming.

Multiple locations across Northern Virginia mean that a great mezze feast is rarely far away.

The Mezza Platter is the undisputed centerpiece of any group order here, arriving loaded with falafel, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, and labneh in quantities that feel genuinely generous. It is the kind of spread that makes the whole table go quiet for a moment before everyone reaches in at once.

Maanek, the sautéed beef and lamb sausages, adds a bold and distinctive flavor that sets Lebanese Taverna apart from more generic Mediterranean menus.

The atmosphere varies slightly by location, but the core feeling remains consistent: relaxed, welcoming, and designed for lingering. Families, groups of friends, and solo diners all find their place here without any sense of awkwardness.

The service team tends to be well-versed in the menu and genuinely enthusiastic about helping guests build the perfect shared spread.

Lebanese Taverna proves that a small family operation can grow into a regional institution without losing its soul. Check the website for the Northern Virginia location nearest to you, including spots in Arlington, McLean, and Woodbridge, Virginia.

6. Kolbeh Turkish Cuisine, Fairfax

Kolbeh Turkish Cuisine is a genuine Fairfax treasure, a family-owned restaurant tucked inside Fair Oaks Mall that punches so far above its shopping center location that first-time visitors often do a double take. The hospitality here is the kind that feels personal and unhurried, like someone’s grandmother decided to open a restaurant and make sure every single guest left happy.

It is no surprise that Kolbeh has become one of the most beloved spots in the area.

The mezze platter at Kolbeh is a highlight that regulars return to again and again, a carefully assembled selection of fresh, vibrant small plates that showcase the breadth of Turkish culinary tradition. Fresh bread arrives warm and pillowy, perfect for scooping and sharing across the table.

The seasoning throughout the menu reflects a kitchen that genuinely cares about getting things right, with spice levels that excite without overwhelming.

Perfectly seasoned kebabs round out the experience for groups who want to move beyond mezze into heartier territory, and the kitchen handles the transition seamlessly. The room itself is cozy and unpretentious, decorated in a way that feels lived-in and welcoming rather than overly designed.

Conversations flow easily here, helped along by a service team that checks in without interrupting.

Kolbeh is proof that extraordinary food can come from unexpected settings. Families, couples, and groups of friends all find something to love on a menu that balances tradition with approachability.

Address: 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033.

7. Smyrna Restaurant, Alexandria

Smyrna Restaurant in Alexandria is one of those places that instantly transports you somewhere else the moment you walk through the door. The blue-accented decor nods unmistakably to the Aegean coast, creating a cozy and visually distinctive atmosphere that sets the tone for a meal rooted in both Greek and Turkish traditions.

Alexandria has a wonderful dining scene, and Smyrna earns its place among the very best of it.

The menu at this charming spot blends flavors from both sides of the Aegean with a confidence and creativity that keeps things genuinely exciting. The atom, a spicy spread with a serious kick, is one of those dishes that sparks instant table debate about just how much heat is the right amount of heat.

Htipiti, the roasted red pepper and feta spread, offers a smoky, tangy counterpoint that balances beautifully alongside it.

Sigara boregi, those crispy rolled phyllo pastries stuffed with savory filling, are practically impossible to stop eating once you start. Groups tend to order a second round before the first one has fully disappeared.

The kitchen manages to make dishes that feel both comfortingly familiar and genuinely distinctive, a combination that is harder to pull off than it sounds.

Smyrna is a fantastic choice for anyone exploring the Virginia mezze scene who wants something a little different from the standard Lebanese or Turkish menu. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, happy to walk newcomers through the menu with real enthusiasm.

Address: 608 Montgomery St, Alexandria, VA 22314.

8. Istanbul Kitchen, McLean

Istanbul Kitchen at Tysons Corner Center is a women-owned business that brings heart, soul, and genuinely delicious home-style Turkish cooking to one of Northern Virginia’s busiest destinations. Shopping mall restaurants can be hit or miss, but Istanbul Kitchen is absolutely, emphatically a hit.

The warmth and care that goes into every plate here reflects an ownership team that takes real pride in sharing Turkish culinary culture with the Northern Virginia community.

The Istanbul Platter is the showpiece for group dining, a thoughtfully constructed spread that lets guests choose from a rotating selection of fresh mezzes, salads, and heartier entrees. It is the kind of meal that encourages everyone at the table to slow down, share, and actually talk to each other.

The mezze options shift with the seasons, keeping regulars engaged and giving first-timers a menu that feels current and alive.

Everything about Istanbul Kitchen feels personal rather than corporate, from the way the staff greets returning customers to the careful presentation of each dish. The flavors are rooted in tradition, the kind of cooking that has been refined through generations of practice and genuine love for the cuisine.

Groups who arrive hungry and curious are rewarded with one of the most satisfying shared meals in the state.

Istanbul Kitchen is a reminder that great food can thrive in any setting when the people behind it truly care. Parking at Tysons Corner Center is easy, making logistics simple for larger groups.

Address: 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22102.

9. Baladi Mediterranean Cafe, Virginia Beach

Down on the Virginia coast, Baladi Mediterranean Cafe in Virginia Beach has quietly become the go-to destination for anyone craving authentic Palestinian and Levantine flavors by the sea. The vibe here is warm, unpretentious, and genuinely homey, like a neighborhood spot that just happens to serve some of the most satisfying mezze in the entire state.

Virginia Beach has a surprisingly vibrant Middle Eastern food scene, and Baladi sits comfortably at the top of it.

The shared dining experience at Baladi revolves around a menu that celebrates Levantine cooking with real authenticity and care. Falafel here earns consistent praise for its crispy exterior and herb-packed interior, a version that holds its own against anything you would find in Northern Virginia.

Grape leaves arrive plump and perfectly seasoned, disappearing from the table at an impressive speed.

Portobello halloumi is one of the more distinctive offerings on the menu, a satisfying combination of earthy mushroom and squeaky, golden cheese that feels both comforting and creative. The cafe has a loyal local following that speaks to the consistency and quality that Baladi maintains visit after visit.

Weekend afternoons are particularly lively, with families and groups filling the space with a cheerful, relaxed energy.

Baladi proves that exceptional mezze is not confined to the suburbs of Northern Virginia. The coastal setting adds its own laid-back charm to the experience.

Address: 4316 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.

10. Natalie’s Taste of Lebanon, Richmond

Richmond’s Lebanese food scene has a crown jewel, and its name is Natalie’s Taste of Lebanon. Tucked into the Stratford Hills Shopping Center, this beloved spot has earned a devoted following across the Richmond area by delivering Lebanese mezze with consistency, generosity, and a whole lot of flavor.

It is the kind of restaurant that locals quietly guard as their own while simultaneously recommending it to every visitor who asks where to eat.

The Mezze Platter at Natalie’s is designed for exactly the kind of shared, exploratory eating that makes Lebanese cuisine so joyful. Small plate options cycle through the classics with skill and care, giving diners a chance to sample a wide range of flavors in a single sitting.

Thoum, the intensely garlicky sauce that has developed a cult following among regulars, is the kind of condiment that changes how you think about garlic forever.

Halloumi arrives golden and satisfying, a crowd-pleasing option that works beautifully alongside lighter, fresher plates on the table. The portions at Natalie’s are notably generous, reflecting a kitchen philosophy that no guest should ever leave hungry.

The casual, friendly atmosphere makes it equally appealing for quick weeknight meals and leisurely weekend feasts.

Natalie’s Taste of Lebanon fills a genuinely important role in Richmond’s food landscape, offering a cuisine that is both accessible and deeply rewarding. New visitors are encouraged to arrive with an appetite and an open mind, because the menu rewards both.

Address: 6323 Jahnke Rd, Richmond, VA 23225.