Eleni's Greek Taverna

💙 Lunch at Eleni Greek Taverna – My First Greek Food Experience 🇬🇷 So today three of us went out for lunch at Eleni Greek Taverna, and this was actually our first time trying Greek food. I didn’t really know what to expect, but wow 🤩 everything was so fresh and flavorful! We ordered quite a lot — 🥙 Pikelia (chicken gyro pita salad) 🍳 Spinach omelette with feta cheese 🍢 Grilled chicken kabab with pilaf 🍝 Greek Tour — kind of like a lasagna, just creamier and richer 🫕 And three soups on the side Every dish had a different taste and texture, but all of them felt really comforting. The chicken was soft and well-seasoned, the omelette had that perfect feta tang, and the Greek Tour was just melt-in-the-mouth good. The portions were massive we actually had to pack a lot to take home! But overall, such a cozy little lunch. First time trying Greek, and honestly… I think it’s not going to be the last. 💙

Alena’s Taverna – “Food That Travels, Atmosphere That Needs a Passport” I stopped into Alena’s Taverna while on a business trip since it was close to my hotel and I was craving some Mediterranean. The outside, set in a strip-style mall, is actually pretty charming, so I thought I was in for a cozy dining experience. Unfortunately, once inside, the atmosphere didn’t match. The drop ceiling had water stains and sagging panels, the booth seating was cracked and patched, and even the bathroom felt tired. It gave off more of a “patch-and-go” vibe than a polished Mediterranean escape. Now, the food told a better story. I started with the Keftedes (Greek meatballs). Flavor-wise, they were spot on, but they’d spent a little too long on the grill, which left them tougher than I’d hoped. The warm pita bread alongside them, however, was fresh and delicious. For my main, I went with the chicken kebab. It wasn’t skewered kebab-style, but rather grilled chicken pieces with peppers, onions, rice, and a Greek side salad. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned, the salad crisp and flavorful, and the portion generous enough that I even had leftovers to take back with me. Overall, I’d give the food a solid 3.5 out of 5, leaning toward the higher side for flavor and portion size. The atmosphere, however, really needs attention—it’s holding the restaurant back from being a spot I’d be eager to return to. Locals seemed to know the staff well, so clearly it has its regulars. As for me, I might try another Mediterranean option nearby next time, unless they give the place the refresh it deserves.

The place was lovely. My waitress was incredibly sweet. Food was delicious and quick. I absolutely love going to new places, especially of different cultures. It makes it even more amazing to be welcomed and treated with some kind hospitality.

Wow—Eleni’s Greek Taverna completely changed the game for me! I’ve never been a fan of Greek food before, but this place made me a believer. Hands down, this was the best omelette I’ve ever had—perfectly cooked, flavorful, and just hit every note. And let me tell you about the flaming cheese appetizer (Saganaki)… unforgettable. It comes out literally on fire and tastes even better than it looks. A whole experience in itself! What truly made the visit special though was the warmth and hospitality from the owners—a lovely mother and daughter duo. They were so welcoming and genuine, and we had the best conversation. You can feel the love and tradition in every bite and every word. The vibes here are unmatched—cozy, vibrant, and full of good energy. I’m officially a huge fan and will definitely be back regularly. If you haven’t tried Eleni’s yet, do yourself a favor and go. They turned a non-Greek-food-eater into a full-blown fan.

As a big fan of Greek food, I found the food here to be pretty average overall. The one standout was the lamb kapama--so tender and very delicious. Unfortunately, the service was a bit slow, even though the place wasn't busy. We had to keep trying to get the staff's attention for things. That said, they were very nice and friendly, which I appreciated.

Simply great! Food with excellent flavor (natural and homemade) unmatched attention from its owner! I went to dinner with my family - they live here and go to that restaurant every Sunday - and it really was an excellent recommendation 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 the dishes and desserts with good portions but above all the flavor 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 it is worth paying for their food 100% recommended

We stopped here for dinner while in town. I had seen a picture of the pikelia on Google reviews and really wanted to try it. Everything we ordered was outstanding. The service was fantastic. It was the highlight of our whole day. If you have room for dessert after the delicious food, get the baklava. You will be happy you did! It’s perfectly balanced between nuts, honey and cinnamon.

Loved the place. I think family owned. Staff was very nice and seemed to have plenty of regulars. They were willing to make an off-menu item (club sandwich), and the regular food was good. I am not Greek, but I think thier Greek food was authentic, and tasty.

Realized my previous review was six years old & wanted to make sure folks know I still think this place is awesome! My favorite meals are the Greek burger and the chicken with vodka sauce. I have brought several friends here for different reasons and at different time of the year & day but every visit has been enjoyed. They have multiple enjoyable appetizers. The staff has grown so while you don't always get the family I have always gotten good service. This is one of my favorite places for a relaxed meal. The breakfast foods are available all day long so if looking for that option also a good reason to keep Eleni's on your radar. If you have larger group, keep Eleni's on your radar. There are multiple food options from breakfast, to burgers (not just Greek but I think those are delicious) to pastas, to gyros, to salads, to Greek specials. There are just so many delicious options & there are of course good appetizers (& dessert). If you haven't been, give it a try. If you haven't been in while I hope I'm putting Eleni's back on your radar. Dang, now I want to go for a visit.

I found the family owned atmosphere to be wonderful and wish them well. However, the food we ordered was not very good.

Ordered the Pikelia grilled meat platter. Everything came out nice and hot. Nice big portion size and comes with side salad. Would recommend this place.

Gyros were amazing however my husband found a hair in his fries. He did not want me to make a big deal by informing our server. What a shame because they had a good taste - I was fearful that I would find something in my fries that would not be edible. Served was nice however a bit slow compared to the other servers that I observed. However that incident will not deter us from returning.

The food is consistently delicious and the service top notch. Always an enjoyable atmosphere to enjoy a meal with those I'm with.

I walked to this restaurant from my hotel. I enjoyed the Greek salad with in house dressing. I also liked the dolmades platter with fried potatoes and green beans in a tomato sauce, two portions! It was not busy on a Thursday lunchtime.

Really enjoyed our brunch here, I appreciated the variety in the menu and was very glad I got the gyro-meat was flavorful and was just the right amount of food. If you pay in cash I believe there's a discount available. Also, it's a bit confusing when you walk in there's a host stand but it's open seating and you can sit anywhere you like.

Food is always spot on, service can be a bit sparse at times, and the overall ambiance leans towards the retired crowd BUT it's a local family spot and within walking distance so overall I would recommend this establishment and will definitely be back!

Large quite restaurant with great food and service. The gyro sandwich with my highlight @ $11 but my wife and kid really enjoyed the fish platter and Greek tour. We also enjoyed a order of calamari... all together $72 with the cash discount.

Their lentil soups the best I've ever eaten. They also have a Greek salad that's good. I eat out pretty much every meal or pick up and take home. I think their spinakopeta is also excellent. Sp

I was with a group of friends recently. This was my first time at Eleni's. I had the Chicken Souvlaki, it was delicious. I noticed that the portions were very generous and I had enough to take home for another meal. I plan to come back again. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Overall, I enjoyed Greek Taverna as the food was great, and the service was good, just not excellent. I ended up getting a platter with green beans and Greek potatoes. I did not realize I would also get a salad, which was a pleasant surprise and something I overlooked on the menu. My food was filling, and I had plenty of leftovers for another meal. I ended up getting dessert to go. While the place was not packed, there were about 6 or 7 tables, including ours, with about two waitpersons. I suggest stopping by if you are in the mood for some good, great food.

Great homemade Greek food with large portions. Service was phenomenal with friendly family oriented personnel. Had an appetizer, soup, and entrees and all was delicious. Definitely coming back to try breakfast and some of their other Greek specialty entrees!

Been over 8 years since I've been back and I'm beating myself up for forgetting about this place. You can tell when you walk into Eleni's it's a neighborhood staple. You'll see a solid lunch crowd of all sorts of folks in a casual, unassuming restaurant in the corner of a strip mall. Definitely a neighborhood restaurant. You'll seat yourself and be greeted promptly by a kind, no nonsense server. For food I got the calamari for an appetizer. The calamari was bland and severely under seasoned, but came with some of the best marinara, and a super big portion of it. For my main I got a gyro sandwich with fries for $12 that was stuffed full of meat on a soft and fluffy pita. It was outstanding and my new favorite in the area! My partner got shrimp scampi, which was served in a generous portion with huge pieces of shrimp and a side Greek salad. (Their Greek dressing is literally the most tasty dressing I've ever had of the kind). He said it was very good although for the price tag (~$20.00) I though it was a little overpriced. Overall this place is a real winner if you're looking for no fuss Greek food, you will not be disappointed.

Good food, plenty of it. Best gyros I have had in sometime. Salad was fresh crispy and delicious. Service was good, only two waitresses working the floor when we visited. Both were hustling to ensure all the customers were cared for quick as possible. Overall the place was open and clean. Nothing fancy. The Greek blue and white colors adorn the interior and the TVs were tuned to a football game and a soap opera. They have booths and tables and we saw a few large groups of 8+ If you want some Greek food or just some delicious gyros you should check it out. We're definitely going back.

The service was perfect. I found a piece of hair in my food, but they managed to replace it for free. However, their food was so good, I would have ate it with the hair either way. I loved their Gyro Platter, and would even name my kid after it. The service was nice.

I've never eaten at the restaurant so I can't speak to atmosphere or customer service. I can only say great things about Eleni's Greek Taverna. We stumbled across this place when looking to try something new in our neighborhood and so glad we did! The Greek Salad is plentiful, I usually split it between two days and the gyro's are out of this world! Can't forget about the cheesecake baklava, what a treat! I've never had a bad meal here. We try to visit this place at least every other week.

Impromptu lunch stop on our trip to DC to see family and attend a Washington Redskin game. Ambiance: Greek style taverna with Mediterranean style art and decorations making it very homey and comfortable. Service: We were greeted very promptly with a warm and friendly demeanor and then ushered to an open table wherever we choose. Our waitress was the owners daughter and was super friendly and attentive the entire time. Food: My wife had a gyro sandwich that was fresh, not too many onions and wrapped in a wonderfully fluffy and firm gyro bread. She would have eaten more fries as they had a good flavor but just were a bit too soggy. I had the gyro salad and it was also very tasty and fresh. Ample vegetables and a generous amount of meat on top added to the pleasure. The taziki sauce was in a jar that would could add to your salad but was a bit difficult out to get a descent amount out as maybe it was just clogged a bit. Price: As with any sit down restaurant you can expect the sandwiches to be around $9-11 and the salads with meat to be around $14-16 so the pricing was average. Summary: A great stop if you are in the area and looking for a great tasting and clean / warm environment for some tasty Greek food. Personal note the waitress and mother running the business were so friendly speaking with every customer on a personal level which really makes this a great place - felt like a regular as we exchanged stories of a common pet (bulldog) that we happened to speak about. Keep Munching!!!

It's been years since I visited Eleni's and I must say that I was saddened because of the service we received. We both ordered Gyro's but where not told what items where free or that there would be an up charge so a $12.99 (roughly) gyro with one side ended up costing $20 before we asked to speak to the manager. Spinach and mushrooms were a $4 up charge and so was extra tzatziki sauce $4 & tomatoes $2. The waitress may have been new and didn't know how to properly enter the items on the computer. The main issue was that when we asked to speak to a manger she wasn't very understanding of the point we were trying to make. We didn't have an issue paying the bill the concern was that we're not informed of the choices that came with the gyros and choose based on the items we told were available. For example we could have ordered soup or a salad. We were also told that the menu had the prices and we were given menus. The gyro was excellent and so was the pricy mushrooms and spinach but the service left a sour taste and I doubt I will return.

Eleni's Greek Taverna is terrific. My husband, who was raised in a Greek household, and I are very picky about Greek restaurants. When we walk into Eleni's, we are at home. The hospitality is unlike any we have found elsewhere. The food is first-rate. If you choose anything on the menu, you will be delighted. The avgolemono soup, pastitsio, spanakopita, baklava, and rizogalo are mouth-watering, as is everything else on the menu. Having a meal there is like taking a quick trip to Greece.

Authentic Greek and delicious. Huge servings - you can split for sure. Not too fancy but who cares when the food is delish. Get the Greek salad.

When walking in for my pick up order, I felt like I was transported to a different realm. As the inside was beautiful with great works of art and many plants. The staff was nice and relatively attentive. I came here with a friend and ordered the pikelia, gyro sandwich, and baklava. The Pikelia was good and came with a lot of food. The chicken in the pikelia was a bit dry and I wish the gyro meat had more seasoning on it. My favorite was the pork within this dish. The gyro sandwich didn't seem to have much meat in it and it felt like I was taking bites of salad at first as you can see in the picture. I wish there was a little more meat in it. The fries on the other hand were CRISPY and my friend and I LOVED IT!! Finally, we tried the baklava. I thought it had a little too much cinnamon and was too sweet. Overall, I would come back again and love to explore the menu. COVID-wise: While in the restaurant, tables were spread over 6 ft apart and the wait staff was wearing masks.

If you want an inexpensive and tasty gyro, Eleni's is the place to be! This restaurant has very authentic food and a laid back atmosphere. Glad this place is right around the corner. It looks like it's been a staple in Springfield for years.

Other than the Greek salads which were well prepared and overall excellent, we were underwhelmed. The lamb Uvesti which was recommended was over cooked and a taste failure exceeded only by the "dog food" like presentation. Likewise, my wife shrimp scampi had little garlic, flavorless and the shrimp were "fishy". Will not return.

Stuffed peppers, great. Galaktobouriko, fabulous. Fasolakia, good.

Great place, good people, amazing food, and beat prices I've ever seen for Greek food. Highly recommend. The staff are friendly and very helpful. I come every time I visit DC.

Amazing breakfast! Real eggs , great price . Egg and cheddar and ithika omlette delicious . Diner vibes , tastes delicious

Great food! Friendly service! Clean and good atmosphere! Cathy Elenis and Brandy rocks!!

Great food, lovely and attentive service! We enjoyed a Saturday lunch; not crowded and not rushed. Will go back!

I have a deep love for greek diner type restaurants, and with the closing of my beloved Atlantis, this is my go to. The food? Huge portions, pretty fucking delicious, reasonably priced. The atmosphere? Typical - booths spaced out for covid safety, plenty of tables for large groups, and nice and clean. That's pretty much it. The service? Attentive, but not hovering. And since we go often, they recognize us and give us a sample of something new they're trying out, or a simple dessert. They're the nicest! Support your local business, come here for tasty greek and greek-american food, enjoy their delicious breakfasts, and come often so you get to try new menu items!

We stopped in here on Black Friday to an empty house, but were happy they were open! We walked in around brunch time/close to lunch time. We were a large group of 8 and ordered a variety of things. We ordered: - burger and fries - gyro lunch plate - breakfast items - pancakes - Eleni's breakfast special of some sort Large portions here! The service was good too, but also it wasn't very busy. I got the gyro and really liked it. Lots of veggies on it! My sis is a fan of this spot and has been several times. Overall, good lil Greek/breakfast spot!

The food is top notch very fresh and the people there make you feel right at home. Everyone is very nice and they always go above and beyond.

I lived next to Eleni's since it opened and nothing has changed. It always has this old and dated vibe. Don't come here expecting 5 star customer service. The servers are always MIA. They usually hang out by the bar to chat with the locals who are often there and remembers the "other customers" when they feel like it . I keep coming back here bc my parents love the place. The food is a hit or miss. Often they use canned veggies as sides. I recommend their hummus, salad, potatoes and pitas.

We came here to celebrate my son's high school graduation in June. My sister's salad came to the table with a large bug crawling on the plate. Turned my stomach. The staff was very apologetic, but it was disgusting.

Good food, good service (thanks, Sharon!). Nice little friendly restaurant. Seemed like the kind of place that has plenty of regulars (I could tell from the hugs and hellos for some of the guests) and with good reason. It was my first time, but I feel like I hafta go back several times. Their menu is so varied and I wanted to get at least 4 different things right off the bat. Looking forward to future trips.

I ended up getting the lamb shank which was just okay. The sides that came with it were actually pretty good. Service was good. Parking is free in a parking lot. Ambiance is just okay. It seemed like they were cleaning while I was eating and that included sweeping while I was eating and I didn't care for that. Price is okay given the quality of the food. If I was in the area I might come back

I wish more people knew about Eleni's! Best Greek food around. I could literally put their house dressing on everything. Same incredible, friendly staff since I started going here in high school. Eleni's deserves the world!

I ordered a chicken kabob, which was actually a piece of chicken breast cooked on griddle and served on a plate of soggy rice pilaf. The chicken was also very salty. The bright spot was the baklava which was tasty,

If your looking for great food and warm a friendly atmosphere with people who genuinely care about there customers THIS is the place. Eleni, Kathy, and Sharon set the bar for service standards. As for care--I have been ill as of late and my husband had to go by himself for our usual Sunday breakfast. Eleni, out of nothing but kindness, sent breakfast home to me. What kind of restaurant does that in this day and age? Eleni's! Go enjoy the food, the people, and the kindness. Thanks Eleni! I'll be back soon!

We had soggy spanakopita and soupy moussaka. Disappointing, to say the least. Enough said.

I don't even know where to start with my rating! I've lived in this area forever and I used to go to the bar that was there before Eleni's was there. I found it a few weeks ago when a friend took me. I was blown away by their food and the kindness and love that was in the air. Even as a first timer, I could see how everyone that worked there, had a personal relationship with everyone that was dining. That is so hard to find these days. Needless to say, I have been there every weekend since I discovered it. It never gets old, and I actually joked with an employee there today who probably looked at her watch and said Yep, she's going to be here in about 30 minutes so let me place our order... Including the Avgolemono soup to go, which is by far, the best I've ever had! Now that I've discovered it, I will never not go there for breakfast! Thank you Eleni, for making your place so great!

This restaurant is a hidden gem in the DMW. The staff is phenomenal. They genuinely care about you even though they just met you. I had there Greek salad with Chicken with there house dressing. That dressing is a MUST have. I wish they bottled that and sale it.

Went here for dinner and it was ahhhh-ok. Given we went on a Monday evening, there were barely many tables of people but service was kind of slow. I had to flag down several times to get attention. The food was ok - we ordered the shrimp dish from seafood menu which came with side of Greek potato and beans as well as a side salad. The shrimp were ok but the sides tastes very salty. We ordered the grilled octopus which was good. Lastly, we ordered the Greek burger but I didn't like it -- it was hard to eat and super salty as it had a thick slice of feta cheese. Not the best combo. Stick with regular cheese burger I guess if you're craving a burger. Not sure if I'll be back - food and service was mediocre.

This afternoon my husband and I were looking for a place to have lunch in Springfield, VA. Thankfully we turned to our fellow YELP community where we found Eleni's Greek Taverna. From the moment he and I walked in the door we were treated like family. Upon sitting down Elenia (she and her brother are co-owners) immediately arrived at our booth to see if we would like anything to drink while we looked over the menu. Let me stop for a moment here to say that she is one of the most genuine and delightful women I have ever met (and a dog lover like me)!!! The restaurant offers both breakfast and lunch items well into the afternoon. They also have an impressive full bar (for those who wish to or feel the need to have something a bit stronger than coffee or Diet Cok before the sun sets). The meal selections appear to be quite reflective of the delicious types of food offered at other fantastic Greek eateries we have enjoyed in the VA/DC area. I ordered the Chicken Kabob with the substitution of rice for Fasolakia (a delicious concoction of thin green beans, onions, bell peppers all marinated in an olive oil and light tomato base). My request to alter my order was met with absolutely no objection unlike other places where such a change has often been met with a bit of resistance. My husband ordered the Beef Kabob with rice. Both of our meals came with a choice of either a Greek or Garden side salad. From the moment I tasted the chicken it almost melted in my mouth! It came grilled to perfection and was so tender and juicy! My husband's steak was also prepared exactly as he had requested. Each portion was quite generous and tastefully displayed on our plates. The restaurant was nearly full when we arrived and yet it was quiet enough to allow my husband and I to talk to each other without having to raise our voices. The walls are painted in light blue and white just as the beautiful Mediterranean Sea that borders Greece along with photos of the surrounding countryside. As we were settling the bill for our lunch Eleni thanked us for visiting her restaurant. My husband immediately asked if she had any plans to open one near our home in Woodbridge, Virginia (sadly she told us no plans were in the works at the present time). Well, whether in Springfield or Woodbridge, I know my husband and I will dine again at Eleni's Greek Taverna very soon! I highly recommend that all my local YELP members do the same!!!

Very cute casual diner-style Greek restaurant with beer and wine options. For an appetizer: the feta cheese dip was delightful! For entrees: the Greek style burger was massive and delicious! The shrimp santorini was equally delicious and came with your choice of salad. The Greek salad dressing was amazing! Also, bathrooms were very clean.

This is the cute, sweet, breath of fresh air I didn't know I needed today. It's located right outside a strip mall. Funny location, actually. Looks as if the old building was left and the strip mall was built around the restaurant. Whatever. It sure doesn't look like it belongs there. Free, plentiful parking at the strip mall. HUGE menu with so many choices that even your cranky mother-in-law will be happy. Promise. You can go with your family or your neighbor or your boss or your friend or on a sweet date. It all works. Decor is darling. To me. Yeah, it's a lil over the top, but that's how I like to roll once in a while. And I've rolled a LONG time in my life and appreciate the vintage vibe. My better half on the other hand found it kitchy. Whatever. When I want his opinion, I'll give it to him. *wink* I'm just kidding. Maybe. :) Food was insanely delicious and prepared just right. With everyone who joined us this morning, there were lots of choices to try on the menu. and, well, I'm grateful everyone puts up with me and my wandering fork. Pancakes and omelettes and grape leaves and moussaka and pastichio and, and, and. and. All were delicious with portions large enough for at least one additional meal. Prices were crazy cheap. The only criticism was that the fish was overseasoned by quite a bit, so all that could be tasted was lemon. I love lemon but a bag of lemons is a hell of a lot cheaper to buy than the fish that was purchased. If that seasoning had been toned down just a little, there would've been nothing to criticize at all. Everything else was gold. Service is also GOLD. Really, really, REALLY nice waiters and waitresses who are doing everything they can to make sure you enjoy your meal. Nothing but compliments for the service here. I'll be back and encourage you to go as well.

This place is so relaxing and wonderful. The ambiance reminds me of home. I always bring company to experience the warmth and love the moment you walk in. They always greet you with a smile and amazing personality. Elani, always wonderful and so is her staff. Not only they take great care of you. She took care of my guests who were either out of town, from Woodbridge who never been to restaurant like hers, to my boss who needed a good place to eat. I always get the pasta , veggie wrap or burgers. Most of her menu is delicious. The desserts tho are out of this world especially the baklava . Every person I sent or brought with me to Elanis they always replied" wonderful food and experience. Thank you for always loving on your customers . We appreciate the wonderful service and making us feel at home.

The setup was mostly diner style with Greek atmosphere surrounding us with Greek pictures and blues and whites. The food was pretty good. Just bothered by gnats that kept visiting our tables. Had a party of 9 and food came out pretty fast. Pros: Kid friendly, variety on the menu, greek/diner food, friendly staff. Cons: Kabob was a little dry & kids gyro was plain with no zatziki, lettuce, tomatoe, & onions. Overall, pretty good and worth visiting.

Very happy to have visited this traditional Greek diner. I have eaten at a few Greek restaurants in the past, but they were over priced and a bit Americanized. Everything about Eleni's seemed authentic and I loved it! Our server (Cathy)was great, and she even gave my little niece and nephew a complimentary plate of fresh watermelon after their meal. I'm not sure if that is customary for all kids who come in, but either way it was a nice gesture. The food portions are massive so come hungry or be prepared to share. I think of everything I tried, the gyro meat was the best. Not dry like most places, it was just pure savory deliciousness. I would definitely come back JUST for the gyro. I was not a fan of the lemony potatoes or the green beans (Fasolakia). Although I am no doubt a foodie, the flavor was a bit of an acquired taste. The French fries however, were perfect. Next time, all I need is that tasty Gyro and a giant plate of fries and I'll be sooo happy!

5/5 ! Portions are amazing and the food is sooo good! I really recommend the french toast as it was delightful! The interior is really unique as it shows tons of greek history. Overall, it's really delicious!