Taverna Cretekou has been an Old Town fixture since 1973, and is as perfect for a souvlaki with your grandma as it is for splitting spanakopitawith a date. It’s family-run, and has kept a steady stream of loyal diners for over 50 years with stellar staple dishes. Come here to experience Greek dishes that’ll make you feel closer to the Aegean than the Potomac, like the rich and cheesy lamb exohiko and the creamy, lemony glossa aegeou stuffed flounder.

For a Thursday night to remember, look no further than Taverna Cretekou. On this otherwise unassuming pre-weekend night, the restaurant hosts live Greek music, dancing, and plate-breaking that’ll make it feel like an all-out party. On other nights of the week, things are a little more refined in the formal dining room, but the food is quintessentially Greek.

Family-owned Taverna Cretekou opened in 1973 and has been keeping traditions alive in Old Town Alexandria ever since. Every Thursday night, expect live Greek music, dancing and plate-breaking. The white stucco walls of the dining room are brought to life by art from various regions of Greece and the menu is filled with classics.

Looking through the King Street-facing windows of Taverna Cretekou, pedestrians are blind to the exotic, plant-filled patio through the restaurant’s back door that all but transports diners to Greece. Down the street at Sonoma Cellar, guests can escape the formality of a typical wine restaurant for the laid-back, California-inspired patio that’s tucked away past the bar. In Del Ray, Hops N Shine’s graffitied walls and strip mall setting mask the beer garden with picnic tables and painted fences that awaits guests out back.

A bit farther up King Street than some of the other restaurants, Taverna Cretekou is worth leaving the waterfront area for—both for the consistently delicious Greek food and its spacious garden patio. This family-owned restaurant has been an Old Town staple since the early 1970s, and it continues to serve some of the best regional Greek food in the area. Inside, the whitewashed walls with pops of blue transport you to Santorini.

Another neighborhood mainstay — this one since 1973 — comes in the form of Taverna Cretekou, which serves up classic Greek dishes in an indoor-outdoor space with a beautiful garden. You’ll find all your favorite Greek dishes on the menu (definitely try the moussaka) and, as many diners comment, some of the friendliest service around. Don’t be surprised if you find the staff dancing and breaking some plates for celebrations.

This family-run Greek restaurant has been in business for over 60 years. Founded in 1959, Taverna Cretekou is often regarded as one of the best old-town Alexandria restaurants; the same family still runs it. A visit to this Greek and Taverna Cretekou is not complete without sitting on its large outdoor patio and enjoying a wide selection of dishes kept true to the restaurant’s original recipes.

Walking up to this brightly colored building with unique window displays that change with the seasons, the average passerby would never imagine there is a wonderful garden dining option out back. But once you get there you are instantly transported to a village in Greece where you will find dancing and plates breaking (yes, this does happen). Make sure to try the Saganaki and Exohikon!

Nestled into the streets of Old Town, Taverna Cretekou is a hidden family gem, serving traditional Greek cuisine since 1973. Once spring arrives, their tucked-away outdoor patio, like a secret garden, blossoms. Guests can dine in a tropical paradise, where tables are set against luscious greenery and picturesque vines scaling the walls like a Greek villa.

Taverna Cretekou offers a taste of Greece with its authentic Mediterranean cuisine. This family-run restaurant has been serving the community for nearly 50 years, making it a beloved fixture in the area. The restaurant is known for its traditional Greek dishes, which emphasize the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

To sit on the back patio of Taverna Cretekou is to transport yourself to a little spot along the Mediterranean. As music plays softly and waitstaff bustles about, take a deep breath in and relax. A glass of Greek wine, a plate of hummus and pita bread to start the proceedings … the world is your oyster.

818 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314Phone: 703-548-8688 Visit Website. A post shared by HungryLobbyist.com (@hungrylobbyist). One of the best restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia, you should consider booking for dinner after spending a day at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum is Taverna Cretekou.

The cuisine at this Greek spot has passed the test of time and then some. Many recipes for its classic fare date back to ancient Greece and Mesopotamia. And Taverna Cretekou can claim similar laurels.