Never found out about the food, walked in and expected to be seated immediately as a table was opening up and no one was ahead of us. As they were clearing the table, another couple walks in and promptly sits down and the hostess doesn't bat an eye! Go to ask her what just happened and she disappears for 15 min, find out the couple supposedly has a reservation, yeah right. Talk with another group, one of them had to go track down the manager to pay. They said they waited waited 45 min before giving up and went to look for her.
(2)
Sabeen A.
The ambiance at Bacchus is fantastic. Really cozy atmosphere, our group of 6 immediately felt comfortable and had excellent service throughout the whole dinner. Due to restaurant week, we were able to order quite a few dishes for the standard RWeek fare which was great. The food was good... but not swoon-worthy. There are some definite contenders in the Bethesda area, and for the double $ indicator, I was expecting a phenomenal review. Still, Bacchus is well-known in the area, and the appetizers and lunch menu might have me give it another go.
(3)
Jess L.
** 200th review ** The outdoor seating is great. It includes a nice waterfall that drowns out the cars, which is important because this restaurant is on the corner of two streets. The decor inside is also very authentic, as well. The shwarma was tasty but not at all a "shwarma" - more like a shwarma fajita. The baba ghanoush was in good quantity but too lemon-y, oily, and stringy. Lemonade was tasty with a spicy kick at the end of each sip. $12 lunch deal until 3pm: one appetizer and one main entree. Lots of food! Good deal.
(3)
Mark A.
Great Lebanese spot in Bethesda. My expectations were exceeded with the grape leaves, combo plate, and custard desert. House wine was also surprisingly nice. So if you like sitting outside with great food and service, Bacchus is worth a visit.
(4)
Roberto I.
Good Service, Good Food, Outdoor seating, The lamb chops were succulent and the whole fish flavorful...I wouldn't hesitate to go back
(5)
Julie S.
4.5 stars!! Beautiful decor, very professional service, and FANTASTIC food! Menu has a huge selection of tapas and entrees. Warm pita bread with awesome dip was a great start to the meal. Delicious vegetarian and meat dishes.
(4)
Marianne D.
SETTING: Dinner for two VENUE: Nice lighting and wall decor. Formal approach. SERVICE: Better than normal. Formal but friendly. CUISINE: Falafel with Tahini is rather nice. VERDICT: I shall return.
(3)
Ryan R.
Hot soft Pita bread with a grainy dip is served at the beginning of each meal. The dip is very interesting and extremely addicting. The dishes with the fried bread are some of the most unique around. It is unfortunate that Bacchus removed pomegranates from them; those little fruits made the dishes so unique. The salmon was well cooked (not dry), but it was a rather small fillet. The yogurt sauce served along side the salmon made the fish somewhat bitter. Food did take a long time to arrive at the table (maybe 35- 45 minutes). I have never experienced a wait this long at this restaurant, but possibly this was because there were a lot of people dining in. A decent dining experience: 3.5 stars
(3)
Brian K.
It is the best restaurant in Bethesda. I've been here in Bethesda since 2008. I visit many restaurant in downtown Bethesda. This is the of best. If you think, lunch or dinner . I highly re command this. Do not forget to order peppermint tea. Speacilly sea foods. Love Brian.
(5)
Ja'Bette L.
Not fantastic, but it's definitely a better alternative to the fast food style of Lebanese Taverna... and authentic at that. Every time I go there however, it's impossible to pay. I don't know if they don't want me to leave, if their distracted, or just poor service. If you're in the neighborhood and have the munchies for med, it's worth checking out. It doesn't make me go gaga, but I'm sure I'll be eating there again.
(3)
Joseph S.
Bacchus of Lebanon sets itself apart before you even open the menu- this place has a striking aesthetic and service style that does a great job of evoking the feel of Beirut and the intrigue of Baalbek. The subtle soundtrack also helps set the scene. Despite a voluminous menu, the kitchen faithfully serves it all: the most sure-handed Lebanese mezze spreads and mains in the DC area. While the prices are higher than their direct competitors, the venue, service, and careful cooking makes Bacchus of Lebanon well worth it. I would recommended this restaurant for couples, families, first dates, third dates, and as a safe/excellent option for looking to dining outside of the stripmall restaurant sphere yet wary of "exotic" cuisine.
(5)
Charles U.
I went expecting good food and but was won over by the exceptional service. I will go here over and over again. The baba ghannouj was accented with pomegranate and is a must have. The rest of the dishes, which I can't remember the names, were also really good. They get 4 stars cause the lamb dish was a little disappointing.
(4)
R C.
I'm a regular and love this place! The food is delicious and authentic, very fresh, and the best taste of middle eastern food in the entire DC area! The ambiance is ideal for casual dining, parties, or dates....it's everything under one roof. The outside seating area is very nice too with a gorgeous fountain area. But you really go here for the friendly service and to-die-for food!! I've tried every item on the menu three-times over trying to find my favorite, but they're all great, which is why I go back every week!
(5)
A B.
Excellent vegetarian dish with chickpeas and yogurt. Attentive service. Amazing baklava. Great patio.
(5)
Clare M.
Lovely, quaint atmosphere. The servers are friendly and attentive and come to refill your water after like every sip you take. My friend and I got three appetizers to share, though I probably could've eaten more. We had the chicken shwarma, the grape leaves, and the goat cheese--which we ate with the basket of flatbread they give every table. They were all really good and I would order all of them again. Great menu, lots of variety, and overall a great experience. If you like Lebanese and you're in the DMV I definitely suggest you try this place :)
(4)
Robin G.
Not bad but not fabulous either. The service was ok. The outdoor setting is lovely, food mediocre
(2)
Jim K.
Just returned from the middle east and decided to have a refresher meal here. Bacchus has pretty good food and a nice outdoor seating area. Nothing blew me away, but I'd go back mainly because the service was great, the portions were large and reasonably priced, and the wine was yummie. Recommended: hommos foul, vine leaves To avoid: Bacchus eggplant dip (too sweet), Bamye Bel Zeit (ditto)
(3)
Leila T.
Had an amazing lunch here with about 8 coworkers. Each of us ordered the lunch special (1 appetizer and 1 entree for $13). The appetizers were all delicious and well presented (especially the string beans, baba ganouj, and falafel). The eggplant w/pomegranate salad is my absolute favorite dish there. Tart, refreshing, light...great spring/summer dish. Even better if you order it with an iced mint tea.
(5)
Merida F.
I went for the first time for a friend's birthday. we had 7 people and ordered the family style option. Which includes at least 5 different appetizers, 4 different types of meat in the main entree, and a desert. We also ordered 2 bottles of wine. Our bill came to $407. I am not sure if that is typical for this type of dinner. I can tell you that I was stuffed!!!! They served a great variety of food so it was a great experience to taste everything, especially since I am new to this type of cuisine. We sat inside and the bread was fresh and they were very prompt with our drinks and food. They were also very attentive.
(4)
W E.
Food Is ok. I like to think I know good middle eastern / Mediterranean food when I see it and this place is just ok. More authentic than Lebanese Taverna but not as flavorful. Service was slow. Ambiance is nice...nice place for a romantic dinner.
(2)
Lia D.
Three of us came here the other night and we all really enjoyed our meal. Two of us ordred a few meze and the other ordered the warm sausage meze and the combo kebab thing. He really liked both. We ordered the fattoush (best fattoush I've ever had), the warm hummus plate, stuffed zucchini, green fava beans and chickpeas, and the falaffel. Oh boy, we are fat pigs, but who cares? Everything was so delicious, I will definitely be back. The hummus was soooo creamy and the falaffel rivaled Amsterdam Falaffel Shop! I loved the stuffed zuchhini. It had rice and tomatoes in it and it had a little kick to it, too. Really good. We did not have room for dessert, but no worries b/c I will be back one day. Now let me tell you about the decor. We liked the place so much that we ran around taking pics of ourselves. haha yes, it's true. There were pretty chandeliers, windows, columns. It all felt so rich and luxurious. Oh and the purple room! If you're having a small dinner gathering, you can reserve the little purple room (think Carrie's birthday when Big tips the belly dancers---that's what it reminded us of). The bathroom was also really cool b/c it had a copper sink and mirrors surrounding the entire thing. Pretty neat. We sat outside and it was a beautiful night and they have a really pretty deck area with a fountain and these big purple and white umbrella things. Oh yeah, and I can't forget the little boxes of mints that look like matches. Very cute. You should go check it out.
(5)
Pia A.
Twice I've been here. First on a date, the second for a larger group. Both times we just ordered a bunch of mezze and passed them around. Very very delicious. My favorites would have to be the Hommos Special, Soujok, and the Shankleesh. This is a place I would definitely come back to again.
(4)
Martha W.
Went for birthday dinner last night and couldn't have been more pleased. We had a half dozen hot and cold appetizers for three people, and all were delicious. The smokey eggplant in the babaganoush had me dipping back into that dish over and over. Excellent meal, super nice and thoughtful server. This restaurant is an old standby that doesn't disappoint.
(4)
John Phat N.
My favorite place to eat. The staff is friendly and the food is amazing. I love the Hummus with ground beef...the best. Wish we had on in Reston Town center.
(5)
Neil S.
Bacchus is as good as it gets! It is the best restaurant in Bethesda. The food is sooo tastee and fresh, the price is right and the waiter staff is great. I can't recommend it more strongly! My favorites are the chicken dishes. Also, the garlic sauce is a must!!
(5)
Matt M.
Very nice! Good atmosphere (even if you go solo). Friendly and helpful waitstaff. Delicious food. I am a foodie, but not a Levanese expert and I thoroughly enjoyed the Shawerma. I also had the Shankleesh (goat cheese appetizer) that was quite nice. The ouzi was a solid dish, but came off a little bland for me. I will definetely return but will venture for a different main course next time.
(4)
Mary S.
Bacchus is a wonderful restaurant with a huge menu. The way to go here is get the Meze ( a variety of smaller dishes to share with the table). They have a nice selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. The hummus, pita bread and fettoush salad are standouts. They also serve a variety of kebabs. My husband enjoys the lamb kebab. The meat is high quality and he says it is delicious. In the warmer months it is a lot of fun to sit outside-there are nice tables with umbrellas and a beautiful fountain. You may forget that you are in downtown Bethesda. The interior of the restaurant is beautifully decorated. The service is professional and friendly without being intrusive. If you are craving wonderful Middle Eastern food in Bethesda, Bacchus is the place to go.
(5)
Zak S.
I've been to Bacchus more then 30 times and the food is consistent and outstanding. The service can be a bit slow at times, (when they are unexpectedly busy), but it's worth the wait and all the offerings are amazing. On my most recent trip I had the Samak Mechwi (Fish Brochettes) Tenders cubes of fresh fish, marinated in lemon, olive oil and garlic, grilled with onions, tomatoes and mushrooms, and served with rice and tahini dip. The fish was amazing. I used to eat more meat and the Ouzi was one of my favorites. If you enjoy good food, you'll enjoy Bacchus.
(5)
Pat C.
This is the best Middle Eastern restaurant in D.C. The food is excellent; varied and light, and incredibly tasty. The service is superb, and the layout is well suited for a small romantic dinner as well as a large group meal! Definately recommend to everyone; try a few of the mezzes and you'll fall in love too!
(5)
Mimi L.
Awesome meal, even for large group. Great flavor, perfectly cooked, decent size portions. Would skip the dessert next time.
(5)
Kathy S.
This is my Lebanese husband's favorite Lebanese restaurant in the Maryland suburbs. The menu has many more vegetarian options and dishes like mama made than the typical Lebanese restaurant especially the small Washington D.C. based chain that specializes in Middle Eastern food for Americans (Lebanese Taverna). We really never order the entrees with the exception of Shish Taouk which at $17.50 is really a little pricey for skewered chicken albeit nicely seasoned skewered chicken. Instead we feast on the mezze. Five mezze dishes is enough for two people. Some of our favorites are tabbouleh (the absolute best I've ever had at a restaurant outside Lebanon), fattousch, hommos, loubieh (green beans), shankleesh (aged goat cheese), foul akhdar bel zeit (fava beans TO DIE FOR), bamaye bel zeit (okra with olive oil), makdousse bethenjan (pickled eggplant), chicken shawerma (good for the less adventuresome), and samak bezre (smelts). To be really like the Lebanese have your food with an arak on the rocks (anise flavored liquer kinda like Ouzo) with a splash of water. We like this restaurant best when we can sit outside and relax to the sound of the water feature. Much more pleasant ambiance than the rather dour and cramped dining room. Go...you'll love it if you want to eat authentic Lebanese food.
(4)
Tagetes T.
I have been to this restaurant several times in the past 6 month. They have a beautiful outdoor area. The mezze selection is huge. I always found the service nice and reasonably fast when I came with one or two friends. I would happily give 4 stars for each of these visits. However, this summer I visited for a farewell lunch with a group of 20. Although we had tables reserved, and decided to have a fixed price menu with only few options, it took 45min before we got appetizers, and more than 1.5h before the main course appeared. By this time the empty appetizer platters and bread baskets (not refilled) were piling up in the middle of the table and mingled with empty glasses and water pitchers as the table was pretty much left without service. Because of this debacle I only give 3 points. I will be back for the tabouleh and other appetizers soon, but not with a group of more than 4.
(3)
John B.
Visited here a while ago, and forgot about it because the food was so bland/bad. We ordered a ton of things and all of them ranged from mediocre to just plain throw-up-on-your-plate bad. I wish they had great food, because I live close, and Mediterranean cuisine is one of my favorites. I recently visited Israel and had REAL Mediterranean Shawarma, falafel, and Hummus. One super place for anybody who will trust my vast knowledge of cuisine should go for hummus at a place called Ali Caravan in Jaffa, Israel. It might seem crazy, but one of the two reasons I come to Israel (other than family) is to eat hummus there. Once you try it you just cannot eat hummus anywhere else. But back to Bacchus, I advise against going here if you know real Mediterranean food.
(2)
Caren K.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! I would give five stars if the service was a little better (there seems to be only one server at times). The food is fresh and fantastic. The home-made sausage, greek salad, hummus, steak - TO DIE FOR!
(4)
PC W.
Good food at this Lebanese restaurant. I've gone a few times for lunch. I love the Belage Kel-Lahm - meat wrapped in fillo and fried. The shawerma is great too.
(4)
Trinh C.
I wasn't keen on Lebanese cuisine until I came to Bacchus of Lebanon. At most Lebanese restuarants in the area, the food lacks flavor for my taste. However, my dining experience here has totally changed my mind. I had the chicken shawerma and it is amazing. The chicken was flavorful and moist. I also sampled my date's lamb dish and that was fantastic as well. The rice with almonds is to die for. The service was on par. You cannot beat the prices. Overall, this was a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Daisy R.
We enjoyed a very nice lunch at Bacchus while visiting Bethesda. Their outdoor seating, with a fountain and comfortable tables, is a great spot to eat outside on a nice day. We tried their 2-course, $12 lunch special and each dish was quite good. We sampled stuffed grape leaves, hummus, fava beans appetizers; and shawarmas and chicken skewer for main dishes. They even sent over a complimentary dessert. Service was attentive yet unobtrusive. My child has a lot of food allergies and so on a restricted diet, and the waiter was very kind and helpful in finding food he could eat. Will definitely return on our next visit to Bethesda.
(3)
Elise R.
This is a great restaurant with a huge menu, pleasant atmosphere (nice outdoor seating area too), and friendly service. I especially appreciate that it is very vegetarian-friendly as well. There are tons of vegetarian mezze options - easily enough to concoct meals from. I am especially a fan of the fried cauliflower - delicious with a squirt of lemon, some tahini and a dash of salt. For an entree, I highly recommend the Fattet Makdous - I get it without the ground beef (only $1 more than the actual vegetarian version, but it has large pieces of eggplant that the vegetarian option does not.) It's so nice to go out to eat and not be limited to the one vegetarian thing on the menu that the chef threw in as an after thought . Granted, the entrees are mostly meat based, however, with so many veggie mezzes, the variety of veggie meal possibilities are endless We frequently bring out of town guests to Bacchus and all have thoroughly enjoyed their meals and experiences.
(5)
Stephen M.
An incredible bargain if you only order multiple tapas. Many to choose from with nice flavors. Place is usually quiet except for the few outdoor tables in nice weather.
(4)
Pratibha M.
My husband and I chanced upon this restaurant when walking around in Bethesda. The food was delicious and flavourful. We ordered fried eggplant and Armenian Kabobs as appetizers. I would heartily recommend the kabobs. The dip with the pita bread wasnt just olive oil, it had a lot of spices in it, very tasty! We shared one entree, which was the chef's special grilled chicken and fish combo. My husband and I seek out places that offer authentic, good food, and this is definitely among the places we would like to go back to.
(4)
Matars Z.
My recommendation for Bacchus is to avoid lunches, which tend to somehow always be mediocre, and stick to dinner. I've eaten dinner at Bacchus at least thirty times over the last seven years, and I strictly order mezze (appetizer) dishes (because the main dishes disappointed me a number of times early on, so I stopped trying). I almost always get the same set of dishes, and thus am never disappointed, because the recipes and quality have remained extremely consistent over this period. The dishes I order include the kibbeh with pomegranate sauce, the hummus special (with ground beef), falafel, the fatoush salad, the spinach salad, the grilled lemon calamari, and the swordfish/cumin/rice, plus a few other eggplant dishes. When I have tried other items, I have sometimes been very disappointed (like their "sausage" mezze, which I deem not edible, or the shwarma, which I find too dry). But if I stick with the ten or twelve dishes I know well, the food is wonderful. Because the staff has gotten to know us over the years I think we get exceptional service. I have noted some other diners don't feel the same way when the place is busy. If I stick to my regular favorites, I am always pleased.
(4)
Nan W.
Bacchus may be my favorite restaurant in the DC/MD area. I know it lacks trendy buzz, but for me that is part of its attraction. Excellent Lebanese mezze served in a lovely, comfortable, quiet atmosphere, with service that I would characterize as unhurried (very Middle Eastern). Four pages of mezze options on the menu make it hard to choose, everything sounds so tempting. I have never ordered an entree at Bacchus, but then I am one of those ADD diners who tend to prefer small plates. The falafel here is absolutely the best., You can't go wrong with any of the eggplant mezze. I am particularly fond of the baby eggplant stuffed with walnuts and pomegranate, but it's not always available. Shepherd's salad is my favorite among the salads. I can't speak to the meat side of the menu as I'm a vegetarian, but my carnivorous spouse always seems happy here. The outdoor area is pleasant on a summer evening, with the plashing fountain. Be sure to check out the over-the-top ladies' room, all gilt and mirrors. I have eaten here many times and always been pleased. Some people find it pricy, but if you stick to the mezze you can get a great meal for around $20 - which is very reasonable in Bethesda.
(5)
Jenna W.
I have been here twice and love this place! The food is absolutely delicious - fresh, authentic, and flavorful. The portions are large and I always end up bringing half of my meal home, meaning I get to enjoy this meal twice! My personal favorite dish is Chicken Baalbeck. This is a perfectly grilled and charred (yum!) chicken breast topped with a lemon garlic sauce and sauteed mushrooms. It comes served with a side of basmati rice with toasted almonds. Complimentary pita along with a spiced olive oil dip comes with your meal. I would recommend ordering the houmous, which is addictively good. Funny story - the first time I went here the waiter thought he knew my mother, so he brought it to us for free even after my mother told him she had never been here before and thus did not know him! The interior is inspired by the Temple of Bacchus in Lebanon, creating a nice and somewhat upscale ambience, though dinners are causally dressed. There is a wonderful patio for outdoor seating. It is perfect for warm evenings during the spring and late summer. The staff is friendly, attentive, and efficient. What more could you want? There is parking in a nearby garage. Word of advice bring quarters! It is metered parking during the weekdays.
(5)
Deena H.
I don't usually review a place unless I have gone there more than once (doesn't apply to chains). This place blew our minds after one visit. First of all, I don't usually venture out to Bethesda but I am so happy we did that day. We initially wanted a different Lebanese restaurant but it was July 4th and it was closed so we came here. Parking: all street parking. It was free that day because of July 4th. Location: beautiful building at the corner with outdoor seating and large entrance. Ambiance: authentic Middle Eastern decor and beautifully placed water fountains/falls inside and outside. Colorful and vibrant. Food: 1. Fattoush is amazing. So fresh and had the right amount of lemon, sumac, and olive oil. The pita bread in it was perfectly toasted as well. 2. Eggplant appetizers were very good. 3. My fatte dish: I don't know how to describe it. The flavors come out differently in every bite. The bread was crisped to perfection. The yogurt was also well balanced with texture and spice. (Does that make sense? Not sure. I'm not good at describing delicious food. It's just DELICIOUS!!) The service was excellent. The dessert was decent. The warm bread and zaatar are amazing. I can't wait to return to this restaurant. The food is amazing. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Caroline K.
Really good, authentic food. Sit outside if you can. The people who work there are nice, but the service is really slow.
(4)
Samantha L.
On a rainy evening, my date and I came here for dinner. The restaurant was pretty quiet for a Tuesday night. The restaurant is dimmed, making this restaurant perfect for a romantic date. The ladies room is really nice! When we entered the restaurant, the host said we could sit wherever we like. There were so many great choices for appetizers. I read on a previous review to get 2-3 appetizers per guests so that's what we did. We ordered: 1. Beef Shawerma - tender slices of beef marinated in Middle Eastern spices, grilled and served with tahini sauce, pickled beets and peppers, onions, and diced tomatoes 2. Bethenjan Makli - deep-fried eggplant served with yogurt dip and slices of tomato. The deep-fried eggplant were half crescent shaped and crispy. Honestly, it was my favorite dish of the night. 3. Bacchus Calamari - fresh calamari (rings and tentacles) marinated and stir-fried in olive oil, fresh coriander, garlic and a dash of lemon. This dish was garnished with a slice of lemon and a tomato wedge. We felt that the dish was a bit too lemony. 4. Bacchus Scallops - fresh scallops stir-fried in olive oil, fresh coriander and garlic. This dish came with five tender small-medium sized scallops. The flavor resembled the other seafood appetizers except without the lemon. 5. Frog legs - tender frog legs, spiced, lightly floured, deep fried and served with garlic sauce. This was my least favorite dish - the flavor wasn't strong and the meat wasn't as tender as I expected it to be. They looked and tasted like chicken wings. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who's looking for good Middle Eastern cuisine or anyone who's looking for exotic delicacies and flavors :)
(4)
Bhavin P.
Good food, ambience, outdoor seating! Service is good but often slow! It took them 30 minutes to get the check out to me. However, the food made up for the lack of service speed. The lamb and fish dishes are revered and acclaimed .I tried the chicken and mushroom entree with lemon herbs and almond rice. It was delicious!
(4)
Jean Ann F.
Solid food and staff but only three stars due to such GREAT food available throughout Bethesda area. Traditional offerings will satisfy and the price is reasonable. Only three stars as this was just a so-so experience.
(3)
Andy B.
I want to give this place 5 stars. Actually, the food totally deserves five stars. But I think that there are some current staffing or management issues - there were only two people working as servers for a Thursday evening, and we had to wait a while to get our order taken. This was after asserting ourselves for a seat, as no host was present at the door. That said, the food was fantastic. Everything was very flavorful and perfectly prepared. However, it was by no means a quick dinner, but rather a relaxing hour + of just hanging out outside as plate after plate came. I hope that next time I am in town they have sorted this out, because the food and outdoor areas are awesome.
(4)
J M.
A friend introduced me to this restaurant a couple months ago, and I can't get enough of it now. I'm totally hooked. The food is incredibly fresh and authentic, we especially love their Lebanese salad and pretty much all their eggplant dishes (I think we've tried all of them now). Food here is 10x better and fresher than Lebanese Taberna. Main dish I'm hooked on? Grilled swordfish kebab, always cooked to absolute perfection! The staff are very knowledgeable and the pita bread is always coming fresh and hot from the kitchen whenever we need. During good weather, the patio is such a wonderful place to enjoy al fresco, with their garden fountain. Love this restaurant so much! Thank goodness I live far enough away, or else I'd be broke on eating here every.single.day .
(5)
J R.
I don't know how this place is still open because the service is so bad. I've been going there for years because the food is so good. I've been there two times in the last month and the service has been horrible. I'm done with this place. We were there last night. It took them forever to take our order. Then it took forever to get our food and then it took forever to get the check. This is no exaggeration. I am done with you Bacchus.
(1)
Mahsoon M.
I consider it one of the top 3 Lebanese oriented restaurants at the UAS. The provides the Lebanese dishes just the right way. My kids, wife & I visited here couple of times and left the same expression.
(5)
K T.
As always, a great spot for authentic Lebanese cuisine. Lovely outdoor area, great service, nice location. The best scharwma outside of Beirut. Nice sized portions, reasonably priced.
(5)
Jason S.
Wow. I've been here 3-4 times over the past couple of years. Always good. Tonight, middle eastern food went to an entirely new level. Fatte lahm - order it and be awed. Succulent, buttered lamb chunks on fried Lebanese bread with yogurt sauce, pomegranate, and almond slivers. Should be illegal it's so addictive. I seriously almost cried. Service was flawless. Dinner was only $22. Damn!
(5)
Farrah A.
Very good middle eastern food! Definitely recommend the hummus and the grape leaves. I came here after a conference to eat, and it was absolutely delicious! Also, the dessert menu is worth trying! I had the kanafe and it was to die for. Highly recommend! The service was also top notch. I'm surprised to read other reviews that talk about the hostess, and not being seated, etc. I came at a time when it wasn't so busy, so maybe the staff wasn't under that much pressure? I can only speak for my experience and I can confidently say that our waiter was very prompt and friendly.
(5)
Arnaud C.
My advice: Order only appetizers, 2-3 per person. Put everything in the middle of the table and share everything, mezze style! Always delicious. My favorite: the Kalage Bel Jiben, cheese in crusty filo leaves. The large terrace is also a must! Finally, for the women, check out their restrooms for a feeling of immensity ;-)
(5)
Hamad A.
This place is pretty awesome who is very authentic and pasted the same time. I tried there couple of dishes and they're all awesome. The grape leaves and cubbah are very great appetizers as well as the hummus.
(5)
Seth S.
Fairly phenomenal food, only held back by slow service on an extremely busy night. An eggplant starter impressed, as did a fried cauliflower and home made babaganoush. Try the lamb kebab for your entree. Portions are huge and reasonably priced, and the crowds are not here by accident. Recommended.
(4)
bea P.
I love this place and have eaten here numerous times but have never ordered the main dishes. The best way to enjoy this restaurant is to order strictly off the appetizer menu and I think you won't be disappointed. The appetizers alone are worth many pages on the menu and I have yet to get a bad one. In particular I have enjoyed the many different forms of Kibbeh and the dish with Fava beans as well as a grilled fish fillet (Sayadieh) that was really nicely done. Also really enjoy the hot pita bread and za'atar that is brought our with every meal. Sometimes, if the wait staff are extremely busy, it may be difficult to get timely and attentive service but the food has always been excellent.
(4)
Chris K.
Food was ok (save some basically inedible lamb in the combo platter), but God was it expensive. And nobody seemed to care that half an entree was uneaten. I would sooner flush 100+ dollars down the toilet than come back again. I left hungry and full of hate. I wouldn't be surprised if planned parenthood sold my leftovers, of which there were a lot. Culinary abortion.
(1)
Andres C.
We had a great dinner. We started with a lentil soup, hummus and baba ghannouj. For our main entry we ordered a surf and turf and a shush taouk. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor. To finish off we had baluza, knafeh and baklava. They were all amazing. The service was also very good. Highly recommended it.
(5)
Katherine L.
Don't think Lebanese Taverna is the only awesome place in Bethesda for Middle Eastern food- Bacchus is better! The ambiance and interior design has a very different more classic feel, but I prefer the food here. The portions are very generous, and it's fun to order a bunch of appetizers! With that said, for veg*ns, you really don't have a choice of an entree but for one that I have yet to be inclined to order. The appetizers and salads abound with choices- about 2 dozen, all of which I have yet to try! All that I have tried have been delicious- the salads (fattoush, Lebanese, tabbouleh) are fresh and flavorful, I always like the beans (loubieh and fava) and dips (baba and hummus). There was only ever one dish that I felt was too salty- the lentils with rice, but everything else was delicious and flavorful with the olive oil, lemon juice and spices. This is the best place in Bethesda for Middle Eastern food!
(4)
Sheryl K.
The food was some of the best I've ever had. The humus was outstanding. The chicken schwarma and the feta salad was full of flavor. The portions are big and the service was fantastic. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Laurie K.
What a great place to eat! We sat outside right beside the waterfall...the waiters were fantastic never leaving our side it seemed! My water glass was filled to the brim every time I took a few sips! The food was incredible! While waiting for our meal we enjoyed delicious pita bread in dipping sauce and hummus without even asking for it! The chicken and lamb melts in your mouth while the portions are so huge two could eat off of one!!! No wonder this is my daughter's favorite restaurant in Bethesda!!!!! Reservations are accepted and it's totally kid friendly with indoor seating as well. This place is on my list as the place to eat when in Bethesda!!!! Thank you!!!
(5)
Andrew W.
Phenomenal SERVICE! Usually at most restaurants you can get an appetizer and still eat your meal easily. This place? I was full on the huge servings of appetizers alone. Beautiful establishment, decor and all. Best middle eastern food I have ever had. I will be going there again very soon.
(5)
Vishal S.
We had dinner @ Bacchus one cold winter night and came out all warm and full! Service is a bit of a sore point here with this being a very family run restaurant, roles often get overlapped and that ends up with lower service levels than a bigger chain. But the food makes up for the poor service. They have an extensive menu that takes some time going thru and the decision making is that much harder given the excellent choices in the menu! The Hummus and Labneh were good appetizer choices that everyone liked. We ordered the following for the main course and here is my review of the dishes that I tasted/ had as my main course: Combination (Extraordinaire Bacchus) - The lamb in the Shish Kebab was tender, and succulent and seasoned well Warak Inab Mehchi - the minced meat was flavorful and cooked well in the grape leaf that had a nice tang to it. The portions are huge, especially if you order appetizers and we had enough left for a decent meal portion the next day! They do have a decent selection of wines to go with the food :)
(4)
Danielle M.
Horrible service waited over an hour only to be told they never made our food. Will never come back here or recommend this place
(1)
Norman G.
Over a period of many years, I've eaten at this restaurant many times. In fact, we've often booked the small side room for groups of eight. If you enjoy Middle Eastern food, Bacchus is reliably good. You can order individual dinners or mezze--a series of small plates. And if the party is larger than one, you may want more than a single plate of favorite dishes. With lots of competition these days, Bacchus isn't the hot ticket it once was. In fact, it's often fairly empty. However, the food remains good and it's possible to have a quiet conversation, which is an advantage some of its competitors do not provide.
(4)
Jane J.
I wanted to like this place! However, several strikes against it: -A roach fell on our table (possibly from the ceiling), which we squished and ground into a napkin and table cloth -Totally confused my drink order -Served me the vegetarian choice topped with ground beef, which might have been nice if I ate ground beef, but I don't. That's why I asked for the vegetarian option. -Did try to win us back with free dessert, but that was too little, too late Maybe it was an off night but I'm not going back to find out.
(1)
Samyuktha K.
I have to say, I was initially excited by the glowing reviews of the place and was anticipating a meal to 'wow' me. The ambience was great- it felt really cosy and we had a nice corner to ourselves. The waiter was very courteous. The appetizers were good. That's where my enjoyment lasted. For starters, we were given pita bread, but not the spiced oil (mentioned in the other reviews). We weren't quite prepared for the dry main course. We ordered lamb on rice and the chicken shawerma and meat was dry in both dishes. The yogurt sauce was the only redeeming feature. The main course seemed to be low on spices so it wasn't as flavorful as we would have liked. However, if spice is not your thing, you might enjoy it. A point for ambience, a point for service and half a point for appetizers, minus half point for no spiced oil.
(2)
Stephen S.
I came here with a colleague and ended up ordering enough vegetarian appetizers to cover our table. Our waiter, even noticed we only ordered vegetarian dishes and ended up bringing us an extra one that he really liked that we had not selected. Not everything was a hit (for example I was underwhelmed with the shankleesh, aged goat cheese) but the service was nice and enough variety to be able to please a lot of folks.
(3)
Stephen M.
Without a doubt, this is the best Lebanese place in the DMV. No one is going to call this place a bargain--it's prices are high by even Bethesda standards--but it's one of the places where you can walk away (stuffed--huge portions) and know you got your money's worth. It works for either a casual Saturday or a special night out. Seems lots of folks go with the small plate options vice entrees. Either way, everything is tasty and not the typical fast food version of Med food that most places try to pass off. Lots of meat options (go with the lamb!), but vegetarians will like a lot of choices, too, especially in the front of the menu. The patio is huge and slightly off-street. Even on busy nights, there always seems to be lots of room. Unfortunately, this is not a dog-friendly restaurant (odd for Bethesda). The good news is that, even outside, the servers seem content to let customers linger...its never a rush to turn over tables. Will def return (and hopefully with our dog when they ease up on the rules...)
(5)
A V.
Bacchus is a nice, cozy restaurant in Bethesda downtown. First do not raise your expectations, meaning do not expect gourmet dishes- this is not the place for it. If you are looking for tasty food at a reasonable price then you surely wont be disappointed. Almost everything here is good from the pita bread, to the dips hummus, lebaneh to the mezzes. They have a huge selection for mezzes, especially the veggie options. We personally prefer ordering a number of mezzes and skipping the entree section all together. The Zahra Makli, Kibeh Bel Batata, the Grape leaves stand out from the veggie section. Overall its a perfect setting if you are looking to wind down with a calm evening and good food.
(4)
Donna Y.
Upon sitting, the waiter brought out complimentary warm pita and spiced olive oil. For appetizer, I tried Kalage bel-lahm: Friend cheese... (must get!!) and Hummus which was smooth and delicious. I ordered the Fatte Bel Lahm. It's lamb chunks served with fried bread, yogurt and pine nuts. My lamb was under seasoned and slightly dry... probably the biggest mishap of the night. However, the waiter was fairly accommodating. For a table of 8 we were able to use multiple credit cards.
(3)
Chris L.
Bacchus of Lebanon is one classy Mediterranean spot in the heart of Bethesda. With tons of options in this food mecca, one has to be picky. Bacchus is the place to go though. The menu is pages upon pages of delicious options split by hot apps, cold apps, full entrees, desserts, drinks. Anything you think of when you hear Mediterranean is on this menu. The pita and dip they bring out is crazy addictive and enticing tahini, splashes of butter and spices, and wonderful eggplant dips make this a go to spot in Bethesda. There's also a wonderful outdoor patio with a pleasant small fountain as well! Hope to see you there!
(4)
Zara K.
I honestly wasnt expecting such high quality clean great taste! The complimentary bread isnt impressive at all they could work on that but the shawarma was wow! Basic shawarma like it should be clean great taste great meat crisp veggies!
(5)
Sam J.
I have been going to the restaurant for years. They have the best appetizers and best food around the D.M.V area. The service is spectacular , try it and you will love it.
(5)
Leslie R.
so yummy - i visited here in january - dined alone - had the eggplant salad (Salatet Bethenjan) as part of my dinner - it was wonderful - the whole meal was, and I felt very comfortable to dine alone. great service, great food - I will return when I can!
(5)
Molly H.
My boyfriend and I arrived to eat here on a weekday an hour before they closed. Even though we were the only customers left in the restaurant, the service was exceptional, food fresh, proportions hearty, and price extremely reasonable. I agree the pita served with the hummus and dip could improve, but I was overall extremely pleased.
(5)
Izzat A.
Went here for dinner with the wife. Love the decor. One of the best decorate places in Bethesda. Very Mediterranean vibe. Service was quick and very friendly. I ordered the Chicken Baalbeck and wife ordered the Salmon Mechwi. While the prices are definitely higher than I like spending, the portions and the flavor more than made up for it. Everything was very fresh. Ended up spending $50 for both of us. They included some baklava with the check and it was delish. Will definitely come back here again. Recommend it to all.
(4)
Elizabeth P.
I came here for a birthday lunch at work in September. We had a group of about 8 people and were seated on the beautiful patio. The service was good, not outstanding or particularly notable but good. The lunch special was really great; for 12-13 dollars you had a choice of appetizer and main course. I ended up getting spinach steamed with lemon and garlic, and it was amazing! For main course, I had the lamb kabobs which were very tasty and just the right size portion; my only complaint: they were a tad dry. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Joseph C.
We got the grape leaves to start, she got the tabouli salad, I got the lamb chops. All had great flavor. You could tell all the ingredients were fresh, and well prepared. Even the starter bread was fresh and hot. Servers were very tentative and polite. Definitely recommend this place as a top Lebanese restaurant in bethesda!
(4)
Heidi M.
This place came recommended and it did not disappoint. The food is all made in house and authentic Lebanese. The decor is very nice and the staff is very friendly.
(4)
Joel S.
My favorite Lebanese restaurant. I could have written songs about their food. Neomi, Roy and I ate here a couple of weeks ago and I already want to come back again. We shared falafel (the best I have ever had), Bacchus eggplant dip (divine) and special hummus (yummy) and Roy and Neomi also shared a full grilled fish. We ended dinner with Kattaif and Turkish coffee. Both were great!
(5)
Niana K.
Tender and juicy chunks of meat bursting with flavor and spices Beautiful interior and outdoor seating Excellent service and VERY accommodating. We ordered the Ouzi (lamb, spiced rice, yogurt sauce), Bacchus Delight (fish skewer and Shish Taouk chicken skewer), and the Salmon Mechwi. LOVED everything!! The lamb dish was my all time favorite, especially because of the juicy juicy lamb chunks and spiced rice which I smothered in the creamy yogurt sauce. The Bacchus Delight had the most tender chicken chunks and the fish was incredibly fresh and meaty. The salmon dish was pretty good too, but the other dishes outshined it. One of the downfalls of the night was the fact that my parents got the old menu with the old prices and I had the newly priced menu. Some of the price differences were pretty drastic, but hey, that 22% markup on the lamb dish was worth it. 1 appetizer + 3 courses = $90. Not cheap but not crazy.
(4)
Jess A.
Came here with three others and we each got the $20 special - an appetizer and entree (add a glass of house wine for $5). Everything was delicious. It's definitely a lot of food for one person, but was cost effective since most entrees were right around $20. Get the fatteh - ridiculously good. Oh! The ambience is cool, too. Servers were very nice, though they were a little over zealous with water - the take one sip and get refilled kinda' place. All in all, I'd definitely recommend Bacchus.
(4)
Amani A.
This is probably one of my very favorite Lebanese restaurants in the DC area. I can vouch for it's ethnicity. My favorites are the mezze: lebana, hummus, bastrima, and falafel. The tabouli and baba ghannouge were ok my dad is a beast at making theses two so I'm a little hard to please. The chicken shawarma is seasoned well but it's def not rotisserie. I don't like lamb but my family loves it and everyone enjoyed their lamb dishes. The serve and ambiance were both pleasant. I love coming here during the warmer months and setting outside they have a nice patio area
(4)
Jay B.
The food, service, and atmosphere were excellent--I think all three were better than the Lebanese Taverna. I was there early for lunch and the place was empty then picked up quite a bit. The hummus, pita, chicken, and baklava were delicious.
(5)
Lorena B.
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the whole meal! The cheese stuffed in filo dough and lightly fried was delicious, as were the scallops and yogurt appetizers. Ordered the Ouzi for my main course and it was great! The lamb is cooked well done but is very tender and served with rice, pine nuts, and yogurt- a hearty and filling dish. The pita bread served at the start of the meal is nothing memorable and service can be slow, though the server was enthusiastic and knowledgeable when he did make it to our table. I will return for more Lebanese food!
(3)
Amanda N.
BE WARNED!!!! The service here is slower than a snail hitching a ride on a turtle! Then again, there was only one waiter for the entire lunch service. It took 20mins for us to get our orders in and another 35-40 minutes for our appetizers to arrive. Service was so slow I began to think maybe the waiter was also the chef! Their lunch special is a great deal. You get an appetizer and an entre for about $12; give or take a buck or too. I ordered the Kalage Bel-Lahm (ground beef with spices wrapped in fillo dough and fried) but the server mistakenly gave me the Kalage Bel-Jiben (cheese wrapped in a fillo dough and fried). I ate the cheese one anyways and the server gave me the ground beef as well. That's what I like to call good customer service! The cheese one was ironically better than the ground beef I had ordered. For my entree, I got the Samak Mechwi (Fish Brochettes). It comes with seasoned white rice. I believe the fish is swordfish; I wasn't sure. It was good. This is a good place to come for a very cheap lunch. It isn't great to come here during your work lunch break because you will end up spending more time than you anticipated.
(3)
J E.
Love this restaurant. Wonderful dining experience and waiters really seem invested in delivering great service. Excellent food - appetizer to entree to dessert. Nice decor. Definitely recommend this place!! P.S. Definitely get the hummus and falafel!!
(5)
Omid A.
The portions are huge. The appetizer portions are pretty much entree size. I had the appetizer portion of shawarma and sea scallops and they were both very good...Their outside seating area is really nice as well.
(5)
Sophea R.
Good food and good service. The entrees are all too pricey so it makes sense to make a meal out of the appetizers. The interior looks old, but it's not terrible. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
We were there quite late on a Friday night, so I'd like to come back when the restaurant is a bit fuller! Our server was great attending to a rather raucous foursome. We ordered a little bit of everything. My favorite was definitely the goat cheese with pita, the grape leaves, and the garlic shrimp. I also tried a little of the lamb which was well cooked and flavorful. I wasn't a huge fan of the wine, which was a Lebanese Syrah. I wanted to try something different, but it's a bit too sweet for me. The entrees are a little pricey for the amount of food you get, but the atmosphere seems pretty authentic and they have a decent size patio for warm weather.
(3)
Rebecca B.
Had a great experience at Bacchus! The lamb kabob dish was my favorite and the recommended wine pairing was great! Complimentary hummus and pita was excellent as well.
(5)
Sandra M.
We had a party of 9 on a quiet Sunday evening. The servers brought 8 of our dinner orders, apparently forgetting the 9th. Despite repeated requests that the one person who was not served receive her food, it was not forthcoming. We finally had to ask for the food to go (so, one person at the table was unable to eat dinner!). The waiter apologized to the only man at the table and when asked to apologize for not bringing the order to the woman who actually ordered the meal, would not do it. Apparently a problem with women? We will not be returning. Ever.
(1)
Katrina K.
Great food, nice atmosphere; we stumbled on this gem! Everything I've tried is amazing.
(5)
Kathie L.
This is no lie, but before I ate at Bacchus, I would say "I don't like Lebanese food." And now, we are regulars of Bacchus. I am not sure what other sort of endorsement you would need. Our Usual Order: Fried Cheese (a MUST have) Garlic Shrimp Chicken Shawarma Falafel Hummas
YUM. Great Mediterranean flavors, atmosphere is great when sitting outside. Service was a little slow, but the food made up for it! Would definitely go back.
(4)
Jennifer N.
I'm going to eat my words here -- or at least eat a few of them. We went back to Bacchus of Lebanon (BOL) two nights ago. One's perspective on BOL is very different when one sits inside (and it was far, far too humid to sit outside). The interior reminds me of a Catskills hotel circa 1970. It's sort of depressing living room shabby, but I'd forgive all of that for good food and good service. The food was fine- it suffered from the same problems as our first visit- relatively monotonous, relatively large portions (I'm not the kind of person who gets excited by a huge leg of chicken. I prefer a small piece of chicken, and some veggies, salad, rice, something that will help me create a more varied eating experience.) But what really gets me about BOL is that the service is so, so, so bad. The waitstaff acts like they are doing you a favor by serving you. It starts the moment you get there when they are very slow about getting your drinks, it continues when you are still finishing your appetizers and they insist on serving you your main course too (now there are so many plates on the table that it feels like something will spill any minute). No one at BOL will ever refill your water glass, and if you ask them too, they will fill it about 1/4 of the way. The only time they are responsive is when you ask them to bring the check. One last thing- BOL does one of my least favorite restaurant things: when you ask for leftovers to be packed up, they just bring a big styrofoam container to your table and you pack it yourself. Ugh.
(2)
Johnny A.
Ok, not great. The quality of food is good, but that's pretty much it, otherwise the dishes are not very authentic, bread is stale and the service is not great. The meat shawarma platter is bbq'd steak strips, which is fine on to itself, but it's not Shawarma. While I didn't have the chicken Shawarma, I saw another plate being brought out that was also similar (Chicken strips). The fries were good though and the Hummus ok. The bread is warmed up in the microwave and dries up quickly. Ok, so I'm nitpicking! Point is, I think Lebanese Taverna is more authentic and probably tastier.
(2)
Samah M.
Surprised this place is not more widely known. Authentic Lebanese, tons of options, and reasonably priced.
(5)
Craig M.
We love this place! Food is always solid. Yes, service ain't the quickest but if you're not in a rush, then who cares?
(4)
Ben J.
I got take out from Bacchus and it was really good! We got the Hommos Baladi, Kalage Bel-Jiben, Bacchus Shrimp, Lebanese Salad and the Fatte Bel Lahm. All were excellent and I will be back to dine in soon!
(5)
Bill H.
Great Lebanese food! I had the stuffed grape leaves - very yummy. My service was fantastic! Ya - I'm a fan.
(4)
Lauren J.
We had our engagement dinner here for our family & friends (30ppl). I can't tell you HOW amazing this place was at every level, I am so happy we picked it!! We were SO indecisive about whether to eat inside or outside (even I was getting annoyed with us!) because the weather was questionably cool so the restaurant owner decided to set us up outside under the tent, while it was sunny, for a reception (their idea) of wine & drinks, and ALSO a big table inside for dinner. What a GREAT executive decision! It was so beautiful on their patio, we def got our best photo's outside and in the main lobby. Dinner was sooo yummy!!!! I mean, we have some great chefs and critics in my family that have cooked millions of the same kind of dishes we were eating, and even THEY were completely impressed! It was hands down generously portioned, had amazing flavor, hot and beautifully prepared. After we were done with the mezze (falafel, hummous, baba, fattoush, sausages, bread), everyone thought that was it & the dinner was over. Little did they know we had the main course of Kabobs with fish, chicken, beef & lamb. WOW! We were all stuffed, but man, did our tummies clear when we smelled that amazing food! They even let us bring in cupcakes, without charging us a fee, which most restaurants do. But their dessert was amazing too, I wish I got a chance to eat way more of it. The baklava, coffee & pudding at the end were so great. The service was AMAZING, SEAMLESS!! The main waiter, David, was VERY nice and patient and they kept the wine flowing the whole night.I don't think any resturant I've been to is so warm, welcoming & willing to help. They sent us home with the leftovers which we were MORE than happy to have the next day, even that was amazing. Overall, if you are looking for a great place to host any celebration, or just eat a dinner this is the place!! It is THE best Middle Eastern restaurant around, the service is impeccable & the decor is amazing. I can't WAIT to go back soon! Thank you Bacchus for welcoming us :))
(5)
Carrie E.
Make it 4.5. Great Lebanese restaurant in Bethesda. Nice seating looking out onto street. Service was great. Waiter made a few suggestions. My husband had the "20 minute" chicken. Well worth waiting a few extra minutes. I had the swordfish kebab and it was great. Had hummus as an appetizer. Could not finish our meal as very plentiful portions, so we took it home and they threw a few pitas in as well so made a great meal the next day.
(4)
Ali D.
The best Lebanese restaurant we ever tried in Metro DC Area. The food is authentic and the service is excellent.
(5)
john c.
Being Lebanese and having a mother that can cook, family life that revolved around food at home it is hard for me to accept the fact that a restaurant would prepare my childhood foods better than my own family. I would love to come to this place everyday but my wife would get jealous, everything they make is fresh. It is interesting that some people get irritated at waiting 3 extra minutes to be served FRESH food. Having a job that takes me around the country and a better part of the world i can say it is hard to find more authentic Lebanese food prepared with love and care 5 stars All the way! John C
(5)
Mr. H.
Bacchus of Lebanon is an outstanding establishment in the heart of Bethesda! I've dined at Bacchus before and reviewed it on Yelp. But having read my previous review from almost two and a half years ago, I deleted it out of embarrassment. I had previously stated that Bacchus did not provide an authentically Lebanese/Middle Eastern experience. That might have been the Arak talking. Bacchus is the ONLY authentic Middle Eastern restaurant in the DC metro area. Take it from somebody who spent most of his childhood in the Middle East. This is not some shish-kabob joint. This is NOT Moby Dick's! Do they have all the Lebanese mezzes (hot and cold appetizers)? Fattoush salad? Check. Kubbideh? Check. Real Baba Ganouj? Check. Kibbeh Nayeh (raw minced lamb served with capers and spices)? Check. Bamye (okra simmered in olive oil, garlic, coriander, tomatoes and spices?) Check. Do they serve imported Ksara wine from Lebanon and Al-Maza beer also from Lebanon? CHECK! Is the service slower than a turtle with a full frontal lobotomy? Hell yes. But that's part of the fun. If you're in a rush, please find somewhere else to dine. If you are not in a rush, just enjoy the ambience and work your way through several mezzes and the excellent pita bread (served with za'taar a Middle Eastern spice mix). Expect your entrees to arrive an hour after you've ordered them. In the meantime, allow your appetizers to digest, enjoy the ambience and when you do get your waiters attention, perhaps order some Arak (anise flavored liquor). And finish off your leisurely meal with some Turkish coffee. I have something else to point out. Yelp says Bacchus only serves beer and wine. But they actually have a full bar. Otherwise, they wouldn't serve the inevitable Arak. Foodies on that silly Mediterranean diet who think Moby Dick's is an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant probably won't enjoy Bacchus of Lebanon half as much as I did. But if you've got time, patience, an expandable stomach and an appreciation for this time of cuisine, you just might fall in love with Bacchus. ME LIKEY BACCHUS! ME LIKEY BACCHUS!
(5)
David M.
In town for the weekend and looking for a nice restaurant to take my mind of some stressful times. Saw the inviting patio at Bacchus of Lebanon and decided it might just provide the right setting. The atmosphere was just right. One of the better outdoor street dining areas in Bethesda. The service was just as nice. The food, OK, but nothing special. Had the lamb and chicken kebabs. Ordered the lamb medium rare and it came out medium +. If you ever want to put a downer on a diner, mis-cook the meat. Folks who like their steak raw/rare don't mean medium-medium rare, and vice versa. If the kitchen cooks the meat as ordered, they're half-way home to having served a good meal. Didn't happen at Bacchus tonight. On the other hand, the pita tasted homemade and the eggplant meze was pretty good, if not very imaginatively served. Had a decent Lebanese sauvignon blanc followed by a so-so pinot noir. Their turkish coffee was not impressive at all. Would I go back? No. Too many really good restaurants in the area and nothing particularly special about Bacchus. Sorry for the boring review, but it reflects the ho-hum but simply OK and nothing more nature of the meal.
(2)
Esther O.
*Finally*, another sit-down restaurant in Bethesda that I actually enjoyed. Not only enjoyed but truly loved. Bacchus has delicious food and an absolutely wonderful outdoor seating space, complete with white columns, tablecloths, greenery, and a lovely fountain. And it didn't even cost a fortune. $40 before tip for 2 people, which isn't cheap, but is certainly not awful. Plus we probably ordered one more dish than necessary, so it could be cheaper. They have entrees, but also 5 pages of appetizers, so we opted to go tapas style and ordered 6 appetizers, all vegan. We ordered hummus with foul, which was extraordinarily delicious (I love foul, but this was one of the best versions I've ever had), grape leaves, lentils, an eggplant dish, fried cauliflower, and falafel. Everything was absolutely excellent. Highly recommend.
(4)
Muriel H.
My girl friends and I have a monthly dinner where we try out new spots or host themed dinners at our homes. This was November's spot & BOY WAS IT GOOD! This spot is truly a Bethesda gem. I had the Chicken Shawerma for my appetizer and it was delish! The marinade on the chicken was so good! I had the Ouzi for my main course. It was succulent lamb with vegetables. The held the almonds since I am allergic. I asked for extra garlic and they brought me this amazing garlic sauce that i wish i took home to put on EVERYTHING! I had the house red wine which was a Lebanese wine. It was pretty good; not too dry, not to sweet. Since my group was so awesome, our amazing server surprised us with comp desserts! The chef was beyond generous. My girls had the Baklava and i got the Baluza, a cream pudding with orange and lemon custard. DIVINE! Best night EVER!! I LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)
Varn S.
Quality fine dining. Main dish surf and turf featured gigantic chunks of swordfish, no skimping there! Even better though, were the appetizers - flavorful, well presented, diverse, well constructed. The only hiccup came when the order of one person in my group was made incorrectly. It did come out about 5 minutes after the rest of us got our dishes, and for the price of our suffering as we looked longingly at our meals waiting for the last one, we were treated to a dessert of baklava samplers on the house. Delicious food, classy ambience, and professional service make this a top notch restaurant in Bethesda!
(5)
Clarissa C.
Made a reservation, showed up at six. The ambiance was nice, service was good. Fried cheese appetizer was fine, I don't think it warranted the rave reviews I've seen. We ordered the Fatte bel Lahm, Ouzi, and Lebanese combo. Everything was good; the Fatte bel Lahm was the big standout. LOVED the pomegranate seeds in this. Lingered at the table and chatted a while after dinner but didn't feel rushed or anything. My one complaint is that the prices are higher than those listed in the online menu.
(4)
Fenny L.
Have you ever been to a restaurant, where the food was tasty, and you had a great time, but the next day as you're telling your coworkers about the place, you can't remember the name of the place, nor what you had for dinner? Yeah, Bacchus of Lebanon is like that. I'm not sure if there is some kind of memory-blocking vortex that is over this restaurant or perhaps this establishment just lacks that certain...je-ne-sais-quoi, because I've been here three or four times (recently, even!) - and each time I've had a lovely time, with great food and decent service...but the next day, as I find that I can't remember what I had, nor even what the name of the place was! Situated on the corner of "old Bethesda" (old Bethesda is around St. Elmo and Cordell, new Bethesda is down by Bethesda Ave), it's a large building, with odd statuary by the front door. Upon entering, you are greeted by Mediterranean tiles and a large water fountain. Low white columns, chandeliers, and fake greenery weirdly separate the dining room. The effect is rather cold, which is odd, as this is a Mediterranean restaurant, which should conjure up visions of warm white beaches, and brilliantly blue waters. I'm going to have to lose some serious "useful" votes here, as I can't really tell you what we have. Like I said - there is a weird mental block over this place. I know that the bread that is served is marvelously delicious. I recall that the martinis were small, but delicious. The grape leaves were tasty - if not really my thing (my husband really enjoys them), but that's all the specifics my brain can conjure up. I DO know that the food is always served hot, and it was plentiful and delicious, and the service was prompt and friendly...just not the actual dishes that we have. I know. Not the most useful review I've ever written, but that's the thing. This place has all of the makings of a nice "date" or group restaurant...but there is just something...forgettable, about it. Dim lights, white linens, white columns and a water fountain beckons for romantic dates - but the coldness of the dining room dispels that. The big spaces, delicious menu, and prompt service should make this an ideal spot for group outings, yet there is something lacking, keeping it from ever making it onto anyone's list of must visits. Which may be a blessing in disguise, as my husband likes this place (when he remembers that this place exists), and we never have to wait for a table.
(3)
J. K.
Bacchus is the best Middle Eastern restaurant I have ever been to. My mother and fiancee agree. The salads and hummus taste better than homemade, and just as fresh. My favorite dishes are the kibbeh bel batata, which is like beef kibbeh but vegetarian (made of potatoes and walnuts), the baba ghanouj, which comes iwth pomegranate seeds, the stuffed zucchini, and the hummus. The tabbouleh also tastes wonderful (although it is a simple dish). Note: I am vegetarian, so I can't judge the meat dishes here.
(5)
Patrick C.
RUN, do not walk, to this restaurant!
(5)
Cesar P.
I took some fellowship candidates(all Indians, several vegetarians) to this place on a coworker's recommendation. I had always wanted to try the place, but I figured (based on the look of the place on the outside) that Bacchus was out of my league. The place is a little pricey, but I think if you just get mezze then it come be fairly cheap. We were a decent-sized party (9 of us) and we all needed separate checks so the waiter recommended a fixed menu of different appetizers, an entree, and dessert for $30 each, which was a reasonable price. We got some good chicken, falafel, and dolmades with an eggplant salad, a rice dish with hunks of chicken, fish, lamb, and vegetables,and some assorted desserts. I'd like to be able to tell you what we had, but the waiter didn't tell us the names of the dishes and the servers were absolutely clueless about the food. But we got a lot of food, and had plenty of leftovers. It wasn't a bad dining experience, but the service was just way too slow. I know we were a large party, but I felt our waiter was largely absent (it took him at least a half hour to take a drink order) and there was a long lag between the appetizers and the main course. Also, the food was decent, but the dolmades weren't very flavorful, and the chicken and fish in the rice dish were pretty dry. The lamb was also a little overcooked. For the prices, I expected the food to be a step above. I'll consider coming back when I have a titch more money to burn and it's nice enough to sit outdoors in their patio. But they'll really have to impress me.
(3)
Ari R.
One of my parents favorite restaurants in downtown Bethesda; if the weather is nice, it's very pleasant and soothing to sit on the patio. I'm partial to the fattoush (bread) salad, baba ghannoush, kibbeh (get the one with the pomegranate sauce), arayess lebnan. I suggest skipping the main course and just sharing a bunch of appetizers- about 5-6 is probably good for 3 people.
(4)
Lynnette D.
My husband and I think Bacchus is the best-kept secret of Bethesda! We eat out a lot since moving here. Bacchus is tied for the best food, atmosphere, and service we have had, but definitely is the least known of those few favorites. If you have not tried Bacchus, we highly recommend trying it soon. As someone else said, if you do not know what to order, ask for recommendations and explain what you like. We have said we just should let Zaid order for us - he always has made fabulous recommendations.
(5)
Helen C.
We ate dinner outside, and it was the best restaurant experience I have had in a very very long time! The atmosphere and lighting was perfect, and the waterfall gave great, relaxing background noise. The staff was attentive but gave us our space. The Ouzi lamb dish was amazing. I am definitely coming back here, and I want baklava next time!
(5)
Jeffrey T.
good lebanese food with excellent service. Would definitely return
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate, Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Kate B.
Never found out about the food, walked in and expected to be seated immediately as a table was opening up and no one was ahead of us. As they were clearing the table, another couple walks in and promptly sits down and the hostess doesn't bat an eye! Go to ask her what just happened and she disappears for 15 min, find out the couple supposedly has a reservation, yeah right. Talk with another group, one of them had to go track down the manager to pay. They said they waited waited 45 min before giving up and went to look for her.
(2)Sabeen A.
The ambiance at Bacchus is fantastic. Really cozy atmosphere, our group of 6 immediately felt comfortable and had excellent service throughout the whole dinner. Due to restaurant week, we were able to order quite a few dishes for the standard RWeek fare which was great. The food was good... but not swoon-worthy. There are some definite contenders in the Bethesda area, and for the double $ indicator, I was expecting a phenomenal review. Still, Bacchus is well-known in the area, and the appetizers and lunch menu might have me give it another go.
(3)Jess L.
** 200th review ** The outdoor seating is great. It includes a nice waterfall that drowns out the cars, which is important because this restaurant is on the corner of two streets. The decor inside is also very authentic, as well. The shwarma was tasty but not at all a "shwarma" - more like a shwarma fajita. The baba ghanoush was in good quantity but too lemon-y, oily, and stringy. Lemonade was tasty with a spicy kick at the end of each sip. $12 lunch deal until 3pm: one appetizer and one main entree. Lots of food! Good deal.
(3)Mark A.
Great Lebanese spot in Bethesda. My expectations were exceeded with the grape leaves, combo plate, and custard desert. House wine was also surprisingly nice. So if you like sitting outside with great food and service, Bacchus is worth a visit.
(4)Roberto I.
Good Service, Good Food, Outdoor seating, The lamb chops were succulent and the whole fish flavorful...I wouldn't hesitate to go back
(5)Julie S.
4.5 stars!! Beautiful decor, very professional service, and FANTASTIC food! Menu has a huge selection of tapas and entrees. Warm pita bread with awesome dip was a great start to the meal. Delicious vegetarian and meat dishes.
(4)Marianne D.
SETTING: Dinner for two VENUE: Nice lighting and wall decor. Formal approach. SERVICE: Better than normal. Formal but friendly. CUISINE: Falafel with Tahini is rather nice. VERDICT: I shall return.
(3)Ryan R.
Hot soft Pita bread with a grainy dip is served at the beginning of each meal. The dip is very interesting and extremely addicting. The dishes with the fried bread are some of the most unique around. It is unfortunate that Bacchus removed pomegranates from them; those little fruits made the dishes so unique. The salmon was well cooked (not dry), but it was a rather small fillet. The yogurt sauce served along side the salmon made the fish somewhat bitter. Food did take a long time to arrive at the table (maybe 35- 45 minutes). I have never experienced a wait this long at this restaurant, but possibly this was because there were a lot of people dining in. A decent dining experience: 3.5 stars
(3)Brian K.
It is the best restaurant in Bethesda. I've been here in Bethesda since 2008. I visit many restaurant in downtown Bethesda. This is the of best. If you think, lunch or dinner . I highly re command this. Do not forget to order peppermint tea. Speacilly sea foods. Love Brian.
(5)Ja'Bette L.
Not fantastic, but it's definitely a better alternative to the fast food style of Lebanese Taverna... and authentic at that. Every time I go there however, it's impossible to pay. I don't know if they don't want me to leave, if their distracted, or just poor service. If you're in the neighborhood and have the munchies for med, it's worth checking out. It doesn't make me go gaga, but I'm sure I'll be eating there again.
(3)Joseph S.
Bacchus of Lebanon sets itself apart before you even open the menu- this place has a striking aesthetic and service style that does a great job of evoking the feel of Beirut and the intrigue of Baalbek. The subtle soundtrack also helps set the scene. Despite a voluminous menu, the kitchen faithfully serves it all: the most sure-handed Lebanese mezze spreads and mains in the DC area. While the prices are higher than their direct competitors, the venue, service, and careful cooking makes Bacchus of Lebanon well worth it. I would recommended this restaurant for couples, families, first dates, third dates, and as a safe/excellent option for looking to dining outside of the stripmall restaurant sphere yet wary of "exotic" cuisine.
(5)Charles U.
I went expecting good food and but was won over by the exceptional service. I will go here over and over again. The baba ghannouj was accented with pomegranate and is a must have. The rest of the dishes, which I can't remember the names, were also really good. They get 4 stars cause the lamb dish was a little disappointing.
(4)R C.
I'm a regular and love this place! The food is delicious and authentic, very fresh, and the best taste of middle eastern food in the entire DC area! The ambiance is ideal for casual dining, parties, or dates....it's everything under one roof. The outside seating area is very nice too with a gorgeous fountain area. But you really go here for the friendly service and to-die-for food!! I've tried every item on the menu three-times over trying to find my favorite, but they're all great, which is why I go back every week!
(5)A B.
Excellent vegetarian dish with chickpeas and yogurt. Attentive service. Amazing baklava. Great patio.
(5)Clare M.
Lovely, quaint atmosphere. The servers are friendly and attentive and come to refill your water after like every sip you take. My friend and I got three appetizers to share, though I probably could've eaten more. We had the chicken shwarma, the grape leaves, and the goat cheese--which we ate with the basket of flatbread they give every table. They were all really good and I would order all of them again. Great menu, lots of variety, and overall a great experience. If you like Lebanese and you're in the DMV I definitely suggest you try this place :)
(4)Robin G.
Not bad but not fabulous either. The service was ok. The outdoor setting is lovely, food mediocre
(2)Jim K.
Just returned from the middle east and decided to have a refresher meal here. Bacchus has pretty good food and a nice outdoor seating area. Nothing blew me away, but I'd go back mainly because the service was great, the portions were large and reasonably priced, and the wine was yummie. Recommended: hommos foul, vine leaves To avoid: Bacchus eggplant dip (too sweet), Bamye Bel Zeit (ditto)
(3)Leila T.
Had an amazing lunch here with about 8 coworkers. Each of us ordered the lunch special (1 appetizer and 1 entree for $13). The appetizers were all delicious and well presented (especially the string beans, baba ganouj, and falafel). The eggplant w/pomegranate salad is my absolute favorite dish there. Tart, refreshing, light...great spring/summer dish. Even better if you order it with an iced mint tea.
(5)Merida F.
I went for the first time for a friend's birthday. we had 7 people and ordered the family style option. Which includes at least 5 different appetizers, 4 different types of meat in the main entree, and a desert. We also ordered 2 bottles of wine. Our bill came to $407. I am not sure if that is typical for this type of dinner. I can tell you that I was stuffed!!!! They served a great variety of food so it was a great experience to taste everything, especially since I am new to this type of cuisine. We sat inside and the bread was fresh and they were very prompt with our drinks and food. They were also very attentive.
(4)W E.
Food Is ok. I like to think I know good middle eastern / Mediterranean food when I see it and this place is just ok. More authentic than Lebanese Taverna but not as flavorful. Service was slow. Ambiance is nice...nice place for a romantic dinner.
(2)Lia D.
Three of us came here the other night and we all really enjoyed our meal. Two of us ordred a few meze and the other ordered the warm sausage meze and the combo kebab thing. He really liked both. We ordered the fattoush (best fattoush I've ever had), the warm hummus plate, stuffed zucchini, green fava beans and chickpeas, and the falaffel. Oh boy, we are fat pigs, but who cares? Everything was so delicious, I will definitely be back. The hummus was soooo creamy and the falaffel rivaled Amsterdam Falaffel Shop! I loved the stuffed zuchhini. It had rice and tomatoes in it and it had a little kick to it, too. Really good. We did not have room for dessert, but no worries b/c I will be back one day. Now let me tell you about the decor. We liked the place so much that we ran around taking pics of ourselves. haha yes, it's true. There were pretty chandeliers, windows, columns. It all felt so rich and luxurious. Oh and the purple room! If you're having a small dinner gathering, you can reserve the little purple room (think Carrie's birthday when Big tips the belly dancers---that's what it reminded us of). The bathroom was also really cool b/c it had a copper sink and mirrors surrounding the entire thing. Pretty neat. We sat outside and it was a beautiful night and they have a really pretty deck area with a fountain and these big purple and white umbrella things. Oh yeah, and I can't forget the little boxes of mints that look like matches. Very cute. You should go check it out.
(5)Pia A.
Twice I've been here. First on a date, the second for a larger group. Both times we just ordered a bunch of mezze and passed them around. Very very delicious. My favorites would have to be the Hommos Special, Soujok, and the Shankleesh. This is a place I would definitely come back to again.
(4)Martha W.
Went for birthday dinner last night and couldn't have been more pleased. We had a half dozen hot and cold appetizers for three people, and all were delicious. The smokey eggplant in the babaganoush had me dipping back into that dish over and over. Excellent meal, super nice and thoughtful server. This restaurant is an old standby that doesn't disappoint.
(4)John Phat N.
My favorite place to eat. The staff is friendly and the food is amazing. I love the Hummus with ground beef...the best. Wish we had on in Reston Town center.
(5)Neil S.
Bacchus is as good as it gets! It is the best restaurant in Bethesda. The food is sooo tastee and fresh, the price is right and the waiter staff is great. I can't recommend it more strongly! My favorites are the chicken dishes. Also, the garlic sauce is a must!!
(5)Matt M.
Very nice! Good atmosphere (even if you go solo). Friendly and helpful waitstaff. Delicious food. I am a foodie, but not a Levanese expert and I thoroughly enjoyed the Shawerma. I also had the Shankleesh (goat cheese appetizer) that was quite nice. The ouzi was a solid dish, but came off a little bland for me. I will definetely return but will venture for a different main course next time.
(4)Mary S.
Bacchus is a wonderful restaurant with a huge menu. The way to go here is get the Meze ( a variety of smaller dishes to share with the table). They have a nice selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. The hummus, pita bread and fettoush salad are standouts. They also serve a variety of kebabs. My husband enjoys the lamb kebab. The meat is high quality and he says it is delicious. In the warmer months it is a lot of fun to sit outside-there are nice tables with umbrellas and a beautiful fountain. You may forget that you are in downtown Bethesda. The interior of the restaurant is beautifully decorated. The service is professional and friendly without being intrusive. If you are craving wonderful Middle Eastern food in Bethesda, Bacchus is the place to go.
(5)Zak S.
I've been to Bacchus more then 30 times and the food is consistent and outstanding. The service can be a bit slow at times, (when they are unexpectedly busy), but it's worth the wait and all the offerings are amazing. On my most recent trip I had the Samak Mechwi (Fish Brochettes) Tenders cubes of fresh fish, marinated in lemon, olive oil and garlic, grilled with onions, tomatoes and mushrooms, and served with rice and tahini dip. The fish was amazing. I used to eat more meat and the Ouzi was one of my favorites. If you enjoy good food, you'll enjoy Bacchus.
(5)Pat C.
This is the best Middle Eastern restaurant in D.C. The food is excellent; varied and light, and incredibly tasty. The service is superb, and the layout is well suited for a small romantic dinner as well as a large group meal! Definately recommend to everyone; try a few of the mezzes and you'll fall in love too!
(5)Mimi L.
Awesome meal, even for large group. Great flavor, perfectly cooked, decent size portions. Would skip the dessert next time.
(5)Kathy S.
This is my Lebanese husband's favorite Lebanese restaurant in the Maryland suburbs. The menu has many more vegetarian options and dishes like mama made than the typical Lebanese restaurant especially the small Washington D.C. based chain that specializes in Middle Eastern food for Americans (Lebanese Taverna). We really never order the entrees with the exception of Shish Taouk which at $17.50 is really a little pricey for skewered chicken albeit nicely seasoned skewered chicken. Instead we feast on the mezze. Five mezze dishes is enough for two people. Some of our favorites are tabbouleh (the absolute best I've ever had at a restaurant outside Lebanon), fattousch, hommos, loubieh (green beans), shankleesh (aged goat cheese), foul akhdar bel zeit (fava beans TO DIE FOR), bamaye bel zeit (okra with olive oil), makdousse bethenjan (pickled eggplant), chicken shawerma (good for the less adventuresome), and samak bezre (smelts). To be really like the Lebanese have your food with an arak on the rocks (anise flavored liquer kinda like Ouzo) with a splash of water. We like this restaurant best when we can sit outside and relax to the sound of the water feature. Much more pleasant ambiance than the rather dour and cramped dining room. Go...you'll love it if you want to eat authentic Lebanese food.
(4)Tagetes T.
I have been to this restaurant several times in the past 6 month. They have a beautiful outdoor area. The mezze selection is huge. I always found the service nice and reasonably fast when I came with one or two friends. I would happily give 4 stars for each of these visits. However, this summer I visited for a farewell lunch with a group of 20. Although we had tables reserved, and decided to have a fixed price menu with only few options, it took 45min before we got appetizers, and more than 1.5h before the main course appeared. By this time the empty appetizer platters and bread baskets (not refilled) were piling up in the middle of the table and mingled with empty glasses and water pitchers as the table was pretty much left without service. Because of this debacle I only give 3 points. I will be back for the tabouleh and other appetizers soon, but not with a group of more than 4.
(3)John B.
Visited here a while ago, and forgot about it because the food was so bland/bad. We ordered a ton of things and all of them ranged from mediocre to just plain throw-up-on-your-plate bad. I wish they had great food, because I live close, and Mediterranean cuisine is one of my favorites. I recently visited Israel and had REAL Mediterranean Shawarma, falafel, and Hummus. One super place for anybody who will trust my vast knowledge of cuisine should go for hummus at a place called Ali Caravan in Jaffa, Israel. It might seem crazy, but one of the two reasons I come to Israel (other than family) is to eat hummus there. Once you try it you just cannot eat hummus anywhere else. But back to Bacchus, I advise against going here if you know real Mediterranean food.
(2)Caren K.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! I would give five stars if the service was a little better (there seems to be only one server at times). The food is fresh and fantastic. The home-made sausage, greek salad, hummus, steak - TO DIE FOR!
(4)PC W.
Good food at this Lebanese restaurant. I've gone a few times for lunch. I love the Belage Kel-Lahm - meat wrapped in fillo and fried. The shawerma is great too.
(4)Trinh C.
I wasn't keen on Lebanese cuisine until I came to Bacchus of Lebanon. At most Lebanese restuarants in the area, the food lacks flavor for my taste. However, my dining experience here has totally changed my mind. I had the chicken shawerma and it is amazing. The chicken was flavorful and moist. I also sampled my date's lamb dish and that was fantastic as well. The rice with almonds is to die for. The service was on par. You cannot beat the prices. Overall, this was a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Daisy R.
We enjoyed a very nice lunch at Bacchus while visiting Bethesda. Their outdoor seating, with a fountain and comfortable tables, is a great spot to eat outside on a nice day. We tried their 2-course, $12 lunch special and each dish was quite good. We sampled stuffed grape leaves, hummus, fava beans appetizers; and shawarmas and chicken skewer for main dishes. They even sent over a complimentary dessert. Service was attentive yet unobtrusive. My child has a lot of food allergies and so on a restricted diet, and the waiter was very kind and helpful in finding food he could eat. Will definitely return on our next visit to Bethesda.
(3)Elise R.
This is a great restaurant with a huge menu, pleasant atmosphere (nice outdoor seating area too), and friendly service. I especially appreciate that it is very vegetarian-friendly as well. There are tons of vegetarian mezze options - easily enough to concoct meals from. I am especially a fan of the fried cauliflower - delicious with a squirt of lemon, some tahini and a dash of salt. For an entree, I highly recommend the Fattet Makdous - I get it without the ground beef (only $1 more than the actual vegetarian version, but it has large pieces of eggplant that the vegetarian option does not.) It's so nice to go out to eat and not be limited to the one vegetarian thing on the menu that the chef threw in as an after thought . Granted, the entrees are mostly meat based, however, with so many veggie mezzes, the variety of veggie meal possibilities are endless We frequently bring out of town guests to Bacchus and all have thoroughly enjoyed their meals and experiences.
(5)Stephen M.
An incredible bargain if you only order multiple tapas. Many to choose from with nice flavors. Place is usually quiet except for the few outdoor tables in nice weather.
(4)Pratibha M.
My husband and I chanced upon this restaurant when walking around in Bethesda. The food was delicious and flavourful. We ordered fried eggplant and Armenian Kabobs as appetizers. I would heartily recommend the kabobs. The dip with the pita bread wasnt just olive oil, it had a lot of spices in it, very tasty! We shared one entree, which was the chef's special grilled chicken and fish combo. My husband and I seek out places that offer authentic, good food, and this is definitely among the places we would like to go back to.
(4)Matars Z.
My recommendation for Bacchus is to avoid lunches, which tend to somehow always be mediocre, and stick to dinner. I've eaten dinner at Bacchus at least thirty times over the last seven years, and I strictly order mezze (appetizer) dishes (because the main dishes disappointed me a number of times early on, so I stopped trying). I almost always get the same set of dishes, and thus am never disappointed, because the recipes and quality have remained extremely consistent over this period. The dishes I order include the kibbeh with pomegranate sauce, the hummus special (with ground beef), falafel, the fatoush salad, the spinach salad, the grilled lemon calamari, and the swordfish/cumin/rice, plus a few other eggplant dishes. When I have tried other items, I have sometimes been very disappointed (like their "sausage" mezze, which I deem not edible, or the shwarma, which I find too dry). But if I stick with the ten or twelve dishes I know well, the food is wonderful. Because the staff has gotten to know us over the years I think we get exceptional service. I have noted some other diners don't feel the same way when the place is busy. If I stick to my regular favorites, I am always pleased.
(4)Nan W.
Bacchus may be my favorite restaurant in the DC/MD area. I know it lacks trendy buzz, but for me that is part of its attraction. Excellent Lebanese mezze served in a lovely, comfortable, quiet atmosphere, with service that I would characterize as unhurried (very Middle Eastern). Four pages of mezze options on the menu make it hard to choose, everything sounds so tempting. I have never ordered an entree at Bacchus, but then I am one of those ADD diners who tend to prefer small plates. The falafel here is absolutely the best., You can't go wrong with any of the eggplant mezze. I am particularly fond of the baby eggplant stuffed with walnuts and pomegranate, but it's not always available. Shepherd's salad is my favorite among the salads. I can't speak to the meat side of the menu as I'm a vegetarian, but my carnivorous spouse always seems happy here. The outdoor area is pleasant on a summer evening, with the plashing fountain. Be sure to check out the over-the-top ladies' room, all gilt and mirrors. I have eaten here many times and always been pleased. Some people find it pricy, but if you stick to the mezze you can get a great meal for around $20 - which is very reasonable in Bethesda.
(5)Jenna W.
I have been here twice and love this place! The food is absolutely delicious - fresh, authentic, and flavorful. The portions are large and I always end up bringing half of my meal home, meaning I get to enjoy this meal twice! My personal favorite dish is Chicken Baalbeck. This is a perfectly grilled and charred (yum!) chicken breast topped with a lemon garlic sauce and sauteed mushrooms. It comes served with a side of basmati rice with toasted almonds. Complimentary pita along with a spiced olive oil dip comes with your meal. I would recommend ordering the houmous, which is addictively good. Funny story - the first time I went here the waiter thought he knew my mother, so he brought it to us for free even after my mother told him she had never been here before and thus did not know him! The interior is inspired by the Temple of Bacchus in Lebanon, creating a nice and somewhat upscale ambience, though dinners are causally dressed. There is a wonderful patio for outdoor seating. It is perfect for warm evenings during the spring and late summer. The staff is friendly, attentive, and efficient. What more could you want? There is parking in a nearby garage. Word of advice bring quarters! It is metered parking during the weekdays.
(5)Deena H.
I don't usually review a place unless I have gone there more than once (doesn't apply to chains). This place blew our minds after one visit. First of all, I don't usually venture out to Bethesda but I am so happy we did that day. We initially wanted a different Lebanese restaurant but it was July 4th and it was closed so we came here. Parking: all street parking. It was free that day because of July 4th. Location: beautiful building at the corner with outdoor seating and large entrance. Ambiance: authentic Middle Eastern decor and beautifully placed water fountains/falls inside and outside. Colorful and vibrant. Food: 1. Fattoush is amazing. So fresh and had the right amount of lemon, sumac, and olive oil. The pita bread in it was perfectly toasted as well. 2. Eggplant appetizers were very good. 3. My fatte dish: I don't know how to describe it. The flavors come out differently in every bite. The bread was crisped to perfection. The yogurt was also well balanced with texture and spice. (Does that make sense? Not sure. I'm not good at describing delicious food. It's just DELICIOUS!!) The service was excellent. The dessert was decent. The warm bread and zaatar are amazing. I can't wait to return to this restaurant. The food is amazing. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Caroline K.
Really good, authentic food. Sit outside if you can. The people who work there are nice, but the service is really slow.
(4)Samantha L.
On a rainy evening, my date and I came here for dinner. The restaurant was pretty quiet for a Tuesday night. The restaurant is dimmed, making this restaurant perfect for a romantic date. The ladies room is really nice! When we entered the restaurant, the host said we could sit wherever we like. There were so many great choices for appetizers. I read on a previous review to get 2-3 appetizers per guests so that's what we did. We ordered: 1. Beef Shawerma - tender slices of beef marinated in Middle Eastern spices, grilled and served with tahini sauce, pickled beets and peppers, onions, and diced tomatoes 2. Bethenjan Makli - deep-fried eggplant served with yogurt dip and slices of tomato. The deep-fried eggplant were half crescent shaped and crispy. Honestly, it was my favorite dish of the night. 3. Bacchus Calamari - fresh calamari (rings and tentacles) marinated and stir-fried in olive oil, fresh coriander, garlic and a dash of lemon. This dish was garnished with a slice of lemon and a tomato wedge. We felt that the dish was a bit too lemony. 4. Bacchus Scallops - fresh scallops stir-fried in olive oil, fresh coriander and garlic. This dish came with five tender small-medium sized scallops. The flavor resembled the other seafood appetizers except without the lemon. 5. Frog legs - tender frog legs, spiced, lightly floured, deep fried and served with garlic sauce. This was my least favorite dish - the flavor wasn't strong and the meat wasn't as tender as I expected it to be. They looked and tasted like chicken wings. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who's looking for good Middle Eastern cuisine or anyone who's looking for exotic delicacies and flavors :)
(4)Bhavin P.
Good food, ambience, outdoor seating! Service is good but often slow! It took them 30 minutes to get the check out to me. However, the food made up for the lack of service speed. The lamb and fish dishes are revered and acclaimed .I tried the chicken and mushroom entree with lemon herbs and almond rice. It was delicious!
(4)Jean Ann F.
Solid food and staff but only three stars due to such GREAT food available throughout Bethesda area. Traditional offerings will satisfy and the price is reasonable. Only three stars as this was just a so-so experience.
(3)Andy B.
I want to give this place 5 stars. Actually, the food totally deserves five stars. But I think that there are some current staffing or management issues - there were only two people working as servers for a Thursday evening, and we had to wait a while to get our order taken. This was after asserting ourselves for a seat, as no host was present at the door. That said, the food was fantastic. Everything was very flavorful and perfectly prepared. However, it was by no means a quick dinner, but rather a relaxing hour + of just hanging out outside as plate after plate came. I hope that next time I am in town they have sorted this out, because the food and outdoor areas are awesome.
(4)J M.
A friend introduced me to this restaurant a couple months ago, and I can't get enough of it now. I'm totally hooked. The food is incredibly fresh and authentic, we especially love their Lebanese salad and pretty much all their eggplant dishes (I think we've tried all of them now). Food here is 10x better and fresher than Lebanese Taberna. Main dish I'm hooked on? Grilled swordfish kebab, always cooked to absolute perfection! The staff are very knowledgeable and the pita bread is always coming fresh and hot from the kitchen whenever we need. During good weather, the patio is such a wonderful place to enjoy al fresco, with their garden fountain. Love this restaurant so much! Thank goodness I live far enough away, or else I'd be broke on eating here every.single.day .
(5)J R.
I don't know how this place is still open because the service is so bad. I've been going there for years because the food is so good. I've been there two times in the last month and the service has been horrible. I'm done with this place. We were there last night. It took them forever to take our order. Then it took forever to get our food and then it took forever to get the check. This is no exaggeration. I am done with you Bacchus.
(1)Mahsoon M.
I consider it one of the top 3 Lebanese oriented restaurants at the UAS. The provides the Lebanese dishes just the right way. My kids, wife & I visited here couple of times and left the same expression.
(5)K T.
As always, a great spot for authentic Lebanese cuisine. Lovely outdoor area, great service, nice location. The best scharwma outside of Beirut. Nice sized portions, reasonably priced.
(5)Jason S.
Wow. I've been here 3-4 times over the past couple of years. Always good. Tonight, middle eastern food went to an entirely new level. Fatte lahm - order it and be awed. Succulent, buttered lamb chunks on fried Lebanese bread with yogurt sauce, pomegranate, and almond slivers. Should be illegal it's so addictive. I seriously almost cried. Service was flawless. Dinner was only $22. Damn!
(5)Farrah A.
Very good middle eastern food! Definitely recommend the hummus and the grape leaves. I came here after a conference to eat, and it was absolutely delicious! Also, the dessert menu is worth trying! I had the kanafe and it was to die for. Highly recommend! The service was also top notch. I'm surprised to read other reviews that talk about the hostess, and not being seated, etc. I came at a time when it wasn't so busy, so maybe the staff wasn't under that much pressure? I can only speak for my experience and I can confidently say that our waiter was very prompt and friendly.
(5)Arnaud C.
My advice: Order only appetizers, 2-3 per person. Put everything in the middle of the table and share everything, mezze style! Always delicious. My favorite: the Kalage Bel Jiben, cheese in crusty filo leaves. The large terrace is also a must! Finally, for the women, check out their restrooms for a feeling of immensity ;-)
(5)Hamad A.
This place is pretty awesome who is very authentic and pasted the same time. I tried there couple of dishes and they're all awesome. The grape leaves and cubbah are very great appetizers as well as the hummus.
(5)Seth S.
Fairly phenomenal food, only held back by slow service on an extremely busy night. An eggplant starter impressed, as did a fried cauliflower and home made babaganoush. Try the lamb kebab for your entree. Portions are huge and reasonably priced, and the crowds are not here by accident. Recommended.
(4)bea P.
I love this place and have eaten here numerous times but have never ordered the main dishes. The best way to enjoy this restaurant is to order strictly off the appetizer menu and I think you won't be disappointed. The appetizers alone are worth many pages on the menu and I have yet to get a bad one. In particular I have enjoyed the many different forms of Kibbeh and the dish with Fava beans as well as a grilled fish fillet (Sayadieh) that was really nicely done. Also really enjoy the hot pita bread and za'atar that is brought our with every meal. Sometimes, if the wait staff are extremely busy, it may be difficult to get timely and attentive service but the food has always been excellent.
(4)Chris K.
Food was ok (save some basically inedible lamb in the combo platter), but God was it expensive. And nobody seemed to care that half an entree was uneaten. I would sooner flush 100+ dollars down the toilet than come back again. I left hungry and full of hate. I wouldn't be surprised if planned parenthood sold my leftovers, of which there were a lot. Culinary abortion.
(1)Andres C.
We had a great dinner. We started with a lentil soup, hummus and baba ghannouj. For our main entry we ordered a surf and turf and a shush taouk. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor. To finish off we had baluza, knafeh and baklava. They were all amazing. The service was also very good. Highly recommended it.
(5)Katherine L.
Don't think Lebanese Taverna is the only awesome place in Bethesda for Middle Eastern food- Bacchus is better! The ambiance and interior design has a very different more classic feel, but I prefer the food here. The portions are very generous, and it's fun to order a bunch of appetizers! With that said, for veg*ns, you really don't have a choice of an entree but for one that I have yet to be inclined to order. The appetizers and salads abound with choices- about 2 dozen, all of which I have yet to try! All that I have tried have been delicious- the salads (fattoush, Lebanese, tabbouleh) are fresh and flavorful, I always like the beans (loubieh and fava) and dips (baba and hummus). There was only ever one dish that I felt was too salty- the lentils with rice, but everything else was delicious and flavorful with the olive oil, lemon juice and spices. This is the best place in Bethesda for Middle Eastern food!
(4)Sheryl K.
The food was some of the best I've ever had. The humus was outstanding. The chicken schwarma and the feta salad was full of flavor. The portions are big and the service was fantastic. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Laurie K.
What a great place to eat! We sat outside right beside the waterfall...the waiters were fantastic never leaving our side it seemed! My water glass was filled to the brim every time I took a few sips! The food was incredible! While waiting for our meal we enjoyed delicious pita bread in dipping sauce and hummus without even asking for it! The chicken and lamb melts in your mouth while the portions are so huge two could eat off of one!!! No wonder this is my daughter's favorite restaurant in Bethesda!!!!! Reservations are accepted and it's totally kid friendly with indoor seating as well. This place is on my list as the place to eat when in Bethesda!!!! Thank you!!!
(5)Andrew W.
Phenomenal SERVICE! Usually at most restaurants you can get an appetizer and still eat your meal easily. This place? I was full on the huge servings of appetizers alone. Beautiful establishment, decor and all. Best middle eastern food I have ever had. I will be going there again very soon.
(5)Vishal S.
We had dinner @ Bacchus one cold winter night and came out all warm and full! Service is a bit of a sore point here with this being a very family run restaurant, roles often get overlapped and that ends up with lower service levels than a bigger chain. But the food makes up for the poor service. They have an extensive menu that takes some time going thru and the decision making is that much harder given the excellent choices in the menu! The Hummus and Labneh were good appetizer choices that everyone liked. We ordered the following for the main course and here is my review of the dishes that I tasted/ had as my main course: Combination (Extraordinaire Bacchus) - The lamb in the Shish Kebab was tender, and succulent and seasoned well Warak Inab Mehchi - the minced meat was flavorful and cooked well in the grape leaf that had a nice tang to it. The portions are huge, especially if you order appetizers and we had enough left for a decent meal portion the next day! They do have a decent selection of wines to go with the food :)
(4)Danielle M.
Horrible service waited over an hour only to be told they never made our food. Will never come back here or recommend this place
(1)Norman G.
Over a period of many years, I've eaten at this restaurant many times. In fact, we've often booked the small side room for groups of eight. If you enjoy Middle Eastern food, Bacchus is reliably good. You can order individual dinners or mezze--a series of small plates. And if the party is larger than one, you may want more than a single plate of favorite dishes. With lots of competition these days, Bacchus isn't the hot ticket it once was. In fact, it's often fairly empty. However, the food remains good and it's possible to have a quiet conversation, which is an advantage some of its competitors do not provide.
(4)Jane J.
I wanted to like this place! However, several strikes against it: -A roach fell on our table (possibly from the ceiling), which we squished and ground into a napkin and table cloth -Totally confused my drink order -Served me the vegetarian choice topped with ground beef, which might have been nice if I ate ground beef, but I don't. That's why I asked for the vegetarian option. -Did try to win us back with free dessert, but that was too little, too late Maybe it was an off night but I'm not going back to find out.
(1)Samyuktha K.
I have to say, I was initially excited by the glowing reviews of the place and was anticipating a meal to 'wow' me. The ambience was great- it felt really cosy and we had a nice corner to ourselves. The waiter was very courteous. The appetizers were good. That's where my enjoyment lasted. For starters, we were given pita bread, but not the spiced oil (mentioned in the other reviews). We weren't quite prepared for the dry main course. We ordered lamb on rice and the chicken shawerma and meat was dry in both dishes. The yogurt sauce was the only redeeming feature. The main course seemed to be low on spices so it wasn't as flavorful as we would have liked. However, if spice is not your thing, you might enjoy it. A point for ambience, a point for service and half a point for appetizers, minus half point for no spiced oil.
(2)Stephen S.
I came here with a colleague and ended up ordering enough vegetarian appetizers to cover our table. Our waiter, even noticed we only ordered vegetarian dishes and ended up bringing us an extra one that he really liked that we had not selected. Not everything was a hit (for example I was underwhelmed with the shankleesh, aged goat cheese) but the service was nice and enough variety to be able to please a lot of folks.
(3)Stephen M.
Without a doubt, this is the best Lebanese place in the DMV. No one is going to call this place a bargain--it's prices are high by even Bethesda standards--but it's one of the places where you can walk away (stuffed--huge portions) and know you got your money's worth. It works for either a casual Saturday or a special night out. Seems lots of folks go with the small plate options vice entrees. Either way, everything is tasty and not the typical fast food version of Med food that most places try to pass off. Lots of meat options (go with the lamb!), but vegetarians will like a lot of choices, too, especially in the front of the menu. The patio is huge and slightly off-street. Even on busy nights, there always seems to be lots of room. Unfortunately, this is not a dog-friendly restaurant (odd for Bethesda). The good news is that, even outside, the servers seem content to let customers linger...its never a rush to turn over tables. Will def return (and hopefully with our dog when they ease up on the rules...)
(5)A V.
Bacchus is a nice, cozy restaurant in Bethesda downtown. First do not raise your expectations, meaning do not expect gourmet dishes- this is not the place for it. If you are looking for tasty food at a reasonable price then you surely wont be disappointed. Almost everything here is good from the pita bread, to the dips hummus, lebaneh to the mezzes. They have a huge selection for mezzes, especially the veggie options. We personally prefer ordering a number of mezzes and skipping the entree section all together. The Zahra Makli, Kibeh Bel Batata, the Grape leaves stand out from the veggie section. Overall its a perfect setting if you are looking to wind down with a calm evening and good food.
(4)Donna Y.
Upon sitting, the waiter brought out complimentary warm pita and spiced olive oil. For appetizer, I tried Kalage bel-lahm: Friend cheese... (must get!!) and Hummus which was smooth and delicious. I ordered the Fatte Bel Lahm. It's lamb chunks served with fried bread, yogurt and pine nuts. My lamb was under seasoned and slightly dry... probably the biggest mishap of the night. However, the waiter was fairly accommodating. For a table of 8 we were able to use multiple credit cards.
(3)Chris L.
Bacchus of Lebanon is one classy Mediterranean spot in the heart of Bethesda. With tons of options in this food mecca, one has to be picky. Bacchus is the place to go though. The menu is pages upon pages of delicious options split by hot apps, cold apps, full entrees, desserts, drinks. Anything you think of when you hear Mediterranean is on this menu. The pita and dip they bring out is crazy addictive and enticing tahini, splashes of butter and spices, and wonderful eggplant dips make this a go to spot in Bethesda. There's also a wonderful outdoor patio with a pleasant small fountain as well! Hope to see you there!
(4)Zara K.
I honestly wasnt expecting such high quality clean great taste! The complimentary bread isnt impressive at all they could work on that but the shawarma was wow! Basic shawarma like it should be clean great taste great meat crisp veggies!
(5)Sam J.
I have been going to the restaurant for years. They have the best appetizers and best food around the D.M.V area. The service is spectacular , try it and you will love it.
(5)Leslie R.
so yummy - i visited here in january - dined alone - had the eggplant salad (Salatet Bethenjan) as part of my dinner - it was wonderful - the whole meal was, and I felt very comfortable to dine alone. great service, great food - I will return when I can!
(5)Molly H.
My boyfriend and I arrived to eat here on a weekday an hour before they closed. Even though we were the only customers left in the restaurant, the service was exceptional, food fresh, proportions hearty, and price extremely reasonable. I agree the pita served with the hummus and dip could improve, but I was overall extremely pleased.
(5)Izzat A.
Went here for dinner with the wife. Love the decor. One of the best decorate places in Bethesda. Very Mediterranean vibe. Service was quick and very friendly. I ordered the Chicken Baalbeck and wife ordered the Salmon Mechwi. While the prices are definitely higher than I like spending, the portions and the flavor more than made up for it. Everything was very fresh. Ended up spending $50 for both of us. They included some baklava with the check and it was delish. Will definitely come back here again. Recommend it to all.
(4)Elizabeth P.
I came here for a birthday lunch at work in September. We had a group of about 8 people and were seated on the beautiful patio. The service was good, not outstanding or particularly notable but good. The lunch special was really great; for 12-13 dollars you had a choice of appetizer and main course. I ended up getting spinach steamed with lemon and garlic, and it was amazing! For main course, I had the lamb kabobs which were very tasty and just the right size portion; my only complaint: they were a tad dry. Overall a great experience.
(4)Joseph C.
We got the grape leaves to start, she got the tabouli salad, I got the lamb chops. All had great flavor. You could tell all the ingredients were fresh, and well prepared. Even the starter bread was fresh and hot. Servers were very tentative and polite. Definitely recommend this place as a top Lebanese restaurant in bethesda!
(4)Heidi M.
This place came recommended and it did not disappoint. The food is all made in house and authentic Lebanese. The decor is very nice and the staff is very friendly.
(4)Joel S.
My favorite Lebanese restaurant. I could have written songs about their food. Neomi, Roy and I ate here a couple of weeks ago and I already want to come back again. We shared falafel (the best I have ever had), Bacchus eggplant dip (divine) and special hummus (yummy) and Roy and Neomi also shared a full grilled fish. We ended dinner with Kattaif and Turkish coffee. Both were great!
(5)Niana K.
Tender and juicy chunks of meat bursting with flavor and spices Beautiful interior and outdoor seating Excellent service and VERY accommodating. We ordered the Ouzi (lamb, spiced rice, yogurt sauce), Bacchus Delight (fish skewer and Shish Taouk chicken skewer), and the Salmon Mechwi. LOVED everything!! The lamb dish was my all time favorite, especially because of the juicy juicy lamb chunks and spiced rice which I smothered in the creamy yogurt sauce. The Bacchus Delight had the most tender chicken chunks and the fish was incredibly fresh and meaty. The salmon dish was pretty good too, but the other dishes outshined it. One of the downfalls of the night was the fact that my parents got the old menu with the old prices and I had the newly priced menu. Some of the price differences were pretty drastic, but hey, that 22% markup on the lamb dish was worth it. 1 appetizer + 3 courses = $90. Not cheap but not crazy.
(4)Jess A.
Came here with three others and we each got the $20 special - an appetizer and entree (add a glass of house wine for $5). Everything was delicious. It's definitely a lot of food for one person, but was cost effective since most entrees were right around $20. Get the fatteh - ridiculously good. Oh! The ambience is cool, too. Servers were very nice, though they were a little over zealous with water - the take one sip and get refilled kinda' place. All in all, I'd definitely recommend Bacchus.
(4)Amani A.
This is probably one of my very favorite Lebanese restaurants in the DC area. I can vouch for it's ethnicity. My favorites are the mezze: lebana, hummus, bastrima, and falafel. The tabouli and baba ghannouge were ok my dad is a beast at making theses two so I'm a little hard to please. The chicken shawarma is seasoned well but it's def not rotisserie. I don't like lamb but my family loves it and everyone enjoyed their lamb dishes. The serve and ambiance were both pleasant. I love coming here during the warmer months and setting outside they have a nice patio area
(4)Jay B.
The food, service, and atmosphere were excellent--I think all three were better than the Lebanese Taverna. I was there early for lunch and the place was empty then picked up quite a bit. The hummus, pita, chicken, and baklava were delicious.
(5)Lorena B.
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the whole meal! The cheese stuffed in filo dough and lightly fried was delicious, as were the scallops and yogurt appetizers. Ordered the Ouzi for my main course and it was great! The lamb is cooked well done but is very tender and served with rice, pine nuts, and yogurt- a hearty and filling dish. The pita bread served at the start of the meal is nothing memorable and service can be slow, though the server was enthusiastic and knowledgeable when he did make it to our table. I will return for more Lebanese food!
(3)Amanda N.
BE WARNED!!!! The service here is slower than a snail hitching a ride on a turtle! Then again, there was only one waiter for the entire lunch service. It took 20mins for us to get our orders in and another 35-40 minutes for our appetizers to arrive. Service was so slow I began to think maybe the waiter was also the chef! Their lunch special is a great deal. You get an appetizer and an entre for about $12; give or take a buck or too. I ordered the Kalage Bel-Lahm (ground beef with spices wrapped in fillo dough and fried) but the server mistakenly gave me the Kalage Bel-Jiben (cheese wrapped in a fillo dough and fried). I ate the cheese one anyways and the server gave me the ground beef as well. That's what I like to call good customer service! The cheese one was ironically better than the ground beef I had ordered. For my entree, I got the Samak Mechwi (Fish Brochettes). It comes with seasoned white rice. I believe the fish is swordfish; I wasn't sure. It was good. This is a good place to come for a very cheap lunch. It isn't great to come here during your work lunch break because you will end up spending more time than you anticipated.
(3)J E.
Love this restaurant. Wonderful dining experience and waiters really seem invested in delivering great service. Excellent food - appetizer to entree to dessert. Nice decor. Definitely recommend this place!! P.S. Definitely get the hummus and falafel!!
(5)Omid A.
The portions are huge. The appetizer portions are pretty much entree size. I had the appetizer portion of shawarma and sea scallops and they were both very good...Their outside seating area is really nice as well.
(5)Sophea R.
Good food and good service. The entrees are all too pricey so it makes sense to make a meal out of the appetizers. The interior looks old, but it's not terrible. Would definitely go back.
(4)Elizabeth D.
We were there quite late on a Friday night, so I'd like to come back when the restaurant is a bit fuller! Our server was great attending to a rather raucous foursome. We ordered a little bit of everything. My favorite was definitely the goat cheese with pita, the grape leaves, and the garlic shrimp. I also tried a little of the lamb which was well cooked and flavorful. I wasn't a huge fan of the wine, which was a Lebanese Syrah. I wanted to try something different, but it's a bit too sweet for me. The entrees are a little pricey for the amount of food you get, but the atmosphere seems pretty authentic and they have a decent size patio for warm weather.
(3)Rebecca B.
Had a great experience at Bacchus! The lamb kabob dish was my favorite and the recommended wine pairing was great! Complimentary hummus and pita was excellent as well.
(5)Sandra M.
We had a party of 9 on a quiet Sunday evening. The servers brought 8 of our dinner orders, apparently forgetting the 9th. Despite repeated requests that the one person who was not served receive her food, it was not forthcoming. We finally had to ask for the food to go (so, one person at the table was unable to eat dinner!). The waiter apologized to the only man at the table and when asked to apologize for not bringing the order to the woman who actually ordered the meal, would not do it. Apparently a problem with women? We will not be returning. Ever.
(1)Katrina K.
Great food, nice atmosphere; we stumbled on this gem! Everything I've tried is amazing.
(5)Kathie L.
This is no lie, but before I ate at Bacchus, I would say "I don't like Lebanese food." And now, we are regulars of Bacchus. I am not sure what other sort of endorsement you would need. Our Usual Order: Fried Cheese (a MUST have) Garlic Shrimp Chicken Shawarma Falafel Hummas
(5)Colin G.
Best Lebanese in the DMV area! My favorite appetizers are the shawarma and baba ghannouj, and for the entree fatte bel lahm. Very authentic! My fiancé and I come here a lot!
(5)Dana M.
YUM. Great Mediterranean flavors, atmosphere is great when sitting outside. Service was a little slow, but the food made up for it! Would definitely go back.
(4)Jennifer N.
I'm going to eat my words here -- or at least eat a few of them. We went back to Bacchus of Lebanon (BOL) two nights ago. One's perspective on BOL is very different when one sits inside (and it was far, far too humid to sit outside). The interior reminds me of a Catskills hotel circa 1970. It's sort of depressing living room shabby, but I'd forgive all of that for good food and good service. The food was fine- it suffered from the same problems as our first visit- relatively monotonous, relatively large portions (I'm not the kind of person who gets excited by a huge leg of chicken. I prefer a small piece of chicken, and some veggies, salad, rice, something that will help me create a more varied eating experience.) But what really gets me about BOL is that the service is so, so, so bad. The waitstaff acts like they are doing you a favor by serving you. It starts the moment you get there when they are very slow about getting your drinks, it continues when you are still finishing your appetizers and they insist on serving you your main course too (now there are so many plates on the table that it feels like something will spill any minute). No one at BOL will ever refill your water glass, and if you ask them too, they will fill it about 1/4 of the way. The only time they are responsive is when you ask them to bring the check. One last thing- BOL does one of my least favorite restaurant things: when you ask for leftovers to be packed up, they just bring a big styrofoam container to your table and you pack it yourself. Ugh.
(2)Johnny A.
Ok, not great. The quality of food is good, but that's pretty much it, otherwise the dishes are not very authentic, bread is stale and the service is not great. The meat shawarma platter is bbq'd steak strips, which is fine on to itself, but it's not Shawarma. While I didn't have the chicken Shawarma, I saw another plate being brought out that was also similar (Chicken strips). The fries were good though and the Hummus ok. The bread is warmed up in the microwave and dries up quickly. Ok, so I'm nitpicking! Point is, I think Lebanese Taverna is more authentic and probably tastier.
(2)Samah M.
Surprised this place is not more widely known. Authentic Lebanese, tons of options, and reasonably priced.
(5)Craig M.
We love this place! Food is always solid. Yes, service ain't the quickest but if you're not in a rush, then who cares?
(4)Ben J.
I got take out from Bacchus and it was really good! We got the Hommos Baladi, Kalage Bel-Jiben, Bacchus Shrimp, Lebanese Salad and the Fatte Bel Lahm. All were excellent and I will be back to dine in soon!
(5)Bill H.
Great Lebanese food! I had the stuffed grape leaves - very yummy. My service was fantastic! Ya - I'm a fan.
(4)Lauren J.
We had our engagement dinner here for our family & friends (30ppl). I can't tell you HOW amazing this place was at every level, I am so happy we picked it!! We were SO indecisive about whether to eat inside or outside (even I was getting annoyed with us!) because the weather was questionably cool so the restaurant owner decided to set us up outside under the tent, while it was sunny, for a reception (their idea) of wine & drinks, and ALSO a big table inside for dinner. What a GREAT executive decision! It was so beautiful on their patio, we def got our best photo's outside and in the main lobby. Dinner was sooo yummy!!!! I mean, we have some great chefs and critics in my family that have cooked millions of the same kind of dishes we were eating, and even THEY were completely impressed! It was hands down generously portioned, had amazing flavor, hot and beautifully prepared. After we were done with the mezze (falafel, hummous, baba, fattoush, sausages, bread), everyone thought that was it & the dinner was over. Little did they know we had the main course of Kabobs with fish, chicken, beef & lamb. WOW! We were all stuffed, but man, did our tummies clear when we smelled that amazing food! They even let us bring in cupcakes, without charging us a fee, which most restaurants do. But their dessert was amazing too, I wish I got a chance to eat way more of it. The baklava, coffee & pudding at the end were so great. The service was AMAZING, SEAMLESS!! The main waiter, David, was VERY nice and patient and they kept the wine flowing the whole night.I don't think any resturant I've been to is so warm, welcoming & willing to help. They sent us home with the leftovers which we were MORE than happy to have the next day, even that was amazing. Overall, if you are looking for a great place to host any celebration, or just eat a dinner this is the place!! It is THE best Middle Eastern restaurant around, the service is impeccable & the decor is amazing. I can't WAIT to go back soon! Thank you Bacchus for welcoming us :))
(5)Carrie E.
Make it 4.5. Great Lebanese restaurant in Bethesda. Nice seating looking out onto street. Service was great. Waiter made a few suggestions. My husband had the "20 minute" chicken. Well worth waiting a few extra minutes. I had the swordfish kebab and it was great. Had hummus as an appetizer. Could not finish our meal as very plentiful portions, so we took it home and they threw a few pitas in as well so made a great meal the next day.
(4)Ali D.
The best Lebanese restaurant we ever tried in Metro DC Area. The food is authentic and the service is excellent.
(5)john c.
Being Lebanese and having a mother that can cook, family life that revolved around food at home it is hard for me to accept the fact that a restaurant would prepare my childhood foods better than my own family. I would love to come to this place everyday but my wife would get jealous, everything they make is fresh. It is interesting that some people get irritated at waiting 3 extra minutes to be served FRESH food. Having a job that takes me around the country and a better part of the world i can say it is hard to find more authentic Lebanese food prepared with love and care 5 stars All the way! John C
(5)Mr. H.
Bacchus of Lebanon is an outstanding establishment in the heart of Bethesda! I've dined at Bacchus before and reviewed it on Yelp. But having read my previous review from almost two and a half years ago, I deleted it out of embarrassment. I had previously stated that Bacchus did not provide an authentically Lebanese/Middle Eastern experience. That might have been the Arak talking. Bacchus is the ONLY authentic Middle Eastern restaurant in the DC metro area. Take it from somebody who spent most of his childhood in the Middle East. This is not some shish-kabob joint. This is NOT Moby Dick's! Do they have all the Lebanese mezzes (hot and cold appetizers)? Fattoush salad? Check. Kubbideh? Check. Real Baba Ganouj? Check. Kibbeh Nayeh (raw minced lamb served with capers and spices)? Check. Bamye (okra simmered in olive oil, garlic, coriander, tomatoes and spices?) Check. Do they serve imported Ksara wine from Lebanon and Al-Maza beer also from Lebanon? CHECK! Is the service slower than a turtle with a full frontal lobotomy? Hell yes. But that's part of the fun. If you're in a rush, please find somewhere else to dine. If you are not in a rush, just enjoy the ambience and work your way through several mezzes and the excellent pita bread (served with za'taar a Middle Eastern spice mix). Expect your entrees to arrive an hour after you've ordered them. In the meantime, allow your appetizers to digest, enjoy the ambience and when you do get your waiters attention, perhaps order some Arak (anise flavored liquor). And finish off your leisurely meal with some Turkish coffee. I have something else to point out. Yelp says Bacchus only serves beer and wine. But they actually have a full bar. Otherwise, they wouldn't serve the inevitable Arak. Foodies on that silly Mediterranean diet who think Moby Dick's is an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant probably won't enjoy Bacchus of Lebanon half as much as I did. But if you've got time, patience, an expandable stomach and an appreciation for this time of cuisine, you just might fall in love with Bacchus. ME LIKEY BACCHUS! ME LIKEY BACCHUS!
(5)David M.
In town for the weekend and looking for a nice restaurant to take my mind of some stressful times. Saw the inviting patio at Bacchus of Lebanon and decided it might just provide the right setting. The atmosphere was just right. One of the better outdoor street dining areas in Bethesda. The service was just as nice. The food, OK, but nothing special. Had the lamb and chicken kebabs. Ordered the lamb medium rare and it came out medium +. If you ever want to put a downer on a diner, mis-cook the meat. Folks who like their steak raw/rare don't mean medium-medium rare, and vice versa. If the kitchen cooks the meat as ordered, they're half-way home to having served a good meal. Didn't happen at Bacchus tonight. On the other hand, the pita tasted homemade and the eggplant meze was pretty good, if not very imaginatively served. Had a decent Lebanese sauvignon blanc followed by a so-so pinot noir. Their turkish coffee was not impressive at all. Would I go back? No. Too many really good restaurants in the area and nothing particularly special about Bacchus. Sorry for the boring review, but it reflects the ho-hum but simply OK and nothing more nature of the meal.
(2)Esther O.
*Finally*, another sit-down restaurant in Bethesda that I actually enjoyed. Not only enjoyed but truly loved. Bacchus has delicious food and an absolutely wonderful outdoor seating space, complete with white columns, tablecloths, greenery, and a lovely fountain. And it didn't even cost a fortune. $40 before tip for 2 people, which isn't cheap, but is certainly not awful. Plus we probably ordered one more dish than necessary, so it could be cheaper. They have entrees, but also 5 pages of appetizers, so we opted to go tapas style and ordered 6 appetizers, all vegan. We ordered hummus with foul, which was extraordinarily delicious (I love foul, but this was one of the best versions I've ever had), grape leaves, lentils, an eggplant dish, fried cauliflower, and falafel. Everything was absolutely excellent. Highly recommend.
(4)Muriel H.
My girl friends and I have a monthly dinner where we try out new spots or host themed dinners at our homes. This was November's spot & BOY WAS IT GOOD! This spot is truly a Bethesda gem. I had the Chicken Shawerma for my appetizer and it was delish! The marinade on the chicken was so good! I had the Ouzi for my main course. It was succulent lamb with vegetables. The held the almonds since I am allergic. I asked for extra garlic and they brought me this amazing garlic sauce that i wish i took home to put on EVERYTHING! I had the house red wine which was a Lebanese wine. It was pretty good; not too dry, not to sweet. Since my group was so awesome, our amazing server surprised us with comp desserts! The chef was beyond generous. My girls had the Baklava and i got the Baluza, a cream pudding with orange and lemon custard. DIVINE! Best night EVER!! I LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)Varn S.
Quality fine dining. Main dish surf and turf featured gigantic chunks of swordfish, no skimping there! Even better though, were the appetizers - flavorful, well presented, diverse, well constructed. The only hiccup came when the order of one person in my group was made incorrectly. It did come out about 5 minutes after the rest of us got our dishes, and for the price of our suffering as we looked longingly at our meals waiting for the last one, we were treated to a dessert of baklava samplers on the house. Delicious food, classy ambience, and professional service make this a top notch restaurant in Bethesda!
(5)Clarissa C.
Made a reservation, showed up at six. The ambiance was nice, service was good. Fried cheese appetizer was fine, I don't think it warranted the rave reviews I've seen. We ordered the Fatte bel Lahm, Ouzi, and Lebanese combo. Everything was good; the Fatte bel Lahm was the big standout. LOVED the pomegranate seeds in this. Lingered at the table and chatted a while after dinner but didn't feel rushed or anything. My one complaint is that the prices are higher than those listed in the online menu.
(4)Fenny L.
Have you ever been to a restaurant, where the food was tasty, and you had a great time, but the next day as you're telling your coworkers about the place, you can't remember the name of the place, nor what you had for dinner? Yeah, Bacchus of Lebanon is like that. I'm not sure if there is some kind of memory-blocking vortex that is over this restaurant or perhaps this establishment just lacks that certain...je-ne-sais-quoi, because I've been here three or four times (recently, even!) - and each time I've had a lovely time, with great food and decent service...but the next day, as I find that I can't remember what I had, nor even what the name of the place was! Situated on the corner of "old Bethesda" (old Bethesda is around St. Elmo and Cordell, new Bethesda is down by Bethesda Ave), it's a large building, with odd statuary by the front door. Upon entering, you are greeted by Mediterranean tiles and a large water fountain. Low white columns, chandeliers, and fake greenery weirdly separate the dining room. The effect is rather cold, which is odd, as this is a Mediterranean restaurant, which should conjure up visions of warm white beaches, and brilliantly blue waters. I'm going to have to lose some serious "useful" votes here, as I can't really tell you what we have. Like I said - there is a weird mental block over this place. I know that the bread that is served is marvelously delicious. I recall that the martinis were small, but delicious. The grape leaves were tasty - if not really my thing (my husband really enjoys them), but that's all the specifics my brain can conjure up. I DO know that the food is always served hot, and it was plentiful and delicious, and the service was prompt and friendly...just not the actual dishes that we have. I know. Not the most useful review I've ever written, but that's the thing. This place has all of the makings of a nice "date" or group restaurant...but there is just something...forgettable, about it. Dim lights, white linens, white columns and a water fountain beckons for romantic dates - but the coldness of the dining room dispels that. The big spaces, delicious menu, and prompt service should make this an ideal spot for group outings, yet there is something lacking, keeping it from ever making it onto anyone's list of must visits. Which may be a blessing in disguise, as my husband likes this place (when he remembers that this place exists), and we never have to wait for a table.
(3)J. K.
Bacchus is the best Middle Eastern restaurant I have ever been to. My mother and fiancee agree. The salads and hummus taste better than homemade, and just as fresh. My favorite dishes are the kibbeh bel batata, which is like beef kibbeh but vegetarian (made of potatoes and walnuts), the baba ghanouj, which comes iwth pomegranate seeds, the stuffed zucchini, and the hummus. The tabbouleh also tastes wonderful (although it is a simple dish). Note: I am vegetarian, so I can't judge the meat dishes here.
(5)Patrick C.
RUN, do not walk, to this restaurant!
(5)Cesar P.
I took some fellowship candidates(all Indians, several vegetarians) to this place on a coworker's recommendation. I had always wanted to try the place, but I figured (based on the look of the place on the outside) that Bacchus was out of my league. The place is a little pricey, but I think if you just get mezze then it come be fairly cheap. We were a decent-sized party (9 of us) and we all needed separate checks so the waiter recommended a fixed menu of different appetizers, an entree, and dessert for $30 each, which was a reasonable price. We got some good chicken, falafel, and dolmades with an eggplant salad, a rice dish with hunks of chicken, fish, lamb, and vegetables,and some assorted desserts. I'd like to be able to tell you what we had, but the waiter didn't tell us the names of the dishes and the servers were absolutely clueless about the food. But we got a lot of food, and had plenty of leftovers. It wasn't a bad dining experience, but the service was just way too slow. I know we were a large party, but I felt our waiter was largely absent (it took him at least a half hour to take a drink order) and there was a long lag between the appetizers and the main course. Also, the food was decent, but the dolmades weren't very flavorful, and the chicken and fish in the rice dish were pretty dry. The lamb was also a little overcooked. For the prices, I expected the food to be a step above. I'll consider coming back when I have a titch more money to burn and it's nice enough to sit outdoors in their patio. But they'll really have to impress me.
(3)Ari R.
One of my parents favorite restaurants in downtown Bethesda; if the weather is nice, it's very pleasant and soothing to sit on the patio. I'm partial to the fattoush (bread) salad, baba ghannoush, kibbeh (get the one with the pomegranate sauce), arayess lebnan. I suggest skipping the main course and just sharing a bunch of appetizers- about 5-6 is probably good for 3 people.
(4)Lynnette D.
My husband and I think Bacchus is the best-kept secret of Bethesda! We eat out a lot since moving here. Bacchus is tied for the best food, atmosphere, and service we have had, but definitely is the least known of those few favorites. If you have not tried Bacchus, we highly recommend trying it soon. As someone else said, if you do not know what to order, ask for recommendations and explain what you like. We have said we just should let Zaid order for us - he always has made fabulous recommendations.
(5)Helen C.
We ate dinner outside, and it was the best restaurant experience I have had in a very very long time! The atmosphere and lighting was perfect, and the waterfall gave great, relaxing background noise. The staff was attentive but gave us our space. The Ouzi lamb dish was amazing. I am definitely coming back here, and I want baklava next time!
(5)Jeffrey T.
good lebanese food with excellent service. Would definitely return
(4)