Mele Bistro

Amazing food, service, ambiance. This little gem made my Tuesday night. We were greeted in such a warm and friendly manner. The sea bass was perfect and the chocolate cake was great and not overly decadent. Would come back to try the other dishes.

Fantastic dining experience. I have lived around the corner from here and always wanted to try it. The waiter was very helpful with the menu and everything we ordered was delicious and the flavors were well thought out. I think the menu could do a slightly better job of distinguishing the difference between the small place vs large plate version of the same dish, but that's truly my only critique. It was a great meal and I'd recommend this place to people looking for a nice night out.

Mele Bistro is a must if you are in the Arlington area. Well seasoned steaks, hot olives, warm bread, perfectly cooked gnocchi, creamy risotto, and so many more choices. The owner is charming and attentive, and the patio has a great ambiance. Can't wait to go back!

Came here after a LONG day on our feet and it was wonderful. The staff was so friendly and seated us immediately. We were served excellent in-house bread with a satisfying assortment of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Mediterranean salt, and black and red pepper. We ordered and split a single fettuccine Alfredo dish and it was delicious. We got our dish quickly. The dishes are a little pricey, but it was well worth it. 100% Will be returning.

The restaurant was really, really good!. As soon as we stepped inside the restaurant, every single waiter made us feel welcome. The food was amazing, we ordered a calamari with white wine sauce and it was superb. We also ordered a dish from the exotic menu (fusili with sea food) and amount of sea food was generous. We will definitely come back again.

I first visited Mele in 2020. The staff is extremely warm and welcoming, and they make you feel like you’re at home. The food is exceptional! They only serve fresh, high quality, farm-to-table ingredients. I had my birthday party there and had a wonderful time. Mele is a hidden gem!

Wonderful Valentine's Day here, then COVID-19 takeout last week. Obv the ambiance was better the first time than on my plastic patio chairs, but both ways the food was divine! Super fresh dishes ranging from very traditional to a bit more adventuresome. Did i mention *ridiculously* fresh? I really hope they make it - the owner is so nice & hospitable, he really seems to care about quality and his customers #SupportLocal

Went here for Valentine’s Day with my girlfriend, best dinner experience I’ve ever had. The staff was incredibly friendly. Food came out fast and the service was great. I had the seafood fettuccine and I could’ve died after eating that incredible meal. The owner even came by with roses for my girl and said they were from me. All food is organic. Cannot wait to go back and eat again. Highly recommend for any date night or just a simple night out.

I live around the corner and have always passed Melé but never stepped in until tonight. Five stars across the board. Food was amazing, but the owner Frank really made a difference. I plan on becoming a normal!

Mele is an amazing place to have lunch or dinner. Frank was amazing and my wife and I had a beautiful time. The pictures and videos don't do it justice from the service to the food, from the ambiance to the location it can't be beat. On-site parking was a plus.

Amazing Arlington find. We were visiting from Canada in Oct 2022 and decided to drop by. Attention is beyond 5*, owner greeted us at the door and dropped by each table during the evening to chat with the patrons. We had reservations, which is something I'd recommend as the establishment was packed. Food was simply amazing. They boast of their seafood and with all the right. Fish is fresh, flown in from Hawaii and West coast regularly and you can definitely taste the difference. Hadn't had good Mahi-mahi (Dorado) on the East coast before this. Everything we ordered was amazing. From the seafood to the steak to the house pasta. Service and decor were also fantastic and not expensive. They also serve smaller portions for people who are calorie counting. All round amazing establishment. Will definitely come back next time we visit DC area.

What a lovely restaurant with a stunning bar! The decor is beautiful especially the patio with all the lights. The food was Amazing. I had the Small plate Alfredo w/mushrooms. My friend had the seafood pasta. Both were DELICIOUS. The pasta was perfectly al dente. The French Onion Soup was perfect. If you order the Bloody Mary, beware, it is SPICY! The server, Carlos, was very attentive. He did a great job. Go! ENJOY!

Authentic Italian in a warm atmosphere suitable for friends and family. A whim selection that turned out to be great, from the smoked grilled vegetables, duck sausage, delicious steaks and famous pistachio pie. The service is great, the vibe is casually Italian and you leave with stories to tell.

Truly stunning dining experience. The owner welcomed me and spent ten minutes talking with me about the history of the menu and how they source ingredients for their menu! I had the roast duck with lingonberry and mushroom risotto - easily one of the best meals of my life. I’ve never felt so welcomed and at home in a restaurant. This place is truly special.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience, look no further! This restaurant is an absolute gem. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and exceptional service. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. The highlight of our evening was when the owner himself visited our table. He shared the fascinating history of the restaurant, from its humble beginnings to its thriving success today. He also explained how their ingredients are sourced, emphasizing their commitment to freshness and quality. His passion for his craft was truly inspiring and added a personal touch that made our meal even more special. And the food? Absolutely divine. Every dish was perfectly crafted, bursting with flavor, and beautifully presented. You can tell the team takes pride in every detail, from the appetizers to the desserts. This is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. I can’t recommend it highly enough! We’ll definitely be back!

I love this place so much. The food is amazing. The owner and staff take great pride in the restaurant, where they source ingredients, and the quality of the experience. This is not a place to go for a quick meal. Everything is fresh. The bread is so good. The fish is always wonderful. The desserts are amazing.

The menu was intense! Each meal was named to include location of ingredients which was very helpful for seafood. Just put you at ease that ingredients are fresh. And so many delicious options for meat, pasta and seafood dishes. Our table loves our entrees we didn’t care for the cheese plate but the eggplant mozzarella was amazing and they loved the fried calamari. The staff was super nice and very efficient. The restaurant was packed when we arrived with reservations but they got us seated quickly and moved tables around so get the best fit (the place was packed!) While we waited we were watching the plates go past which gave us ideas on what to order. We will definitely be back.

Great food. Decor is pretty interesting. Service was great. Recommend the spicy scallops. Also whatever pineapple cider they have is really good.

This is the first time I have ever left a review. Frank and his team put together the most amazing dining experience for my wife and I, that I just had to leave a review. He takes pride in his food and experience and cares about every little detail. Incredibly healthy food, sourced from great places that make me feel good about what I’m eating, not just how amazing it tastes.

Loved the food, vibes and friendly staff here. Back when we lived in NoVa, we would always love doing anniversaries, birthdays and special events at Mele. Must try!

Amazing meal and experience. Frank is a top notch guy who made our night memorable. He took his time to explain the awesome and extensive menu. Ravioli, gnocchi and seafood dishes were delicious. Next time we are in Arlington, we will be eating at Mele Bistro!

What an amazing experience it was! Food, service, atmosphere are just amazing! The bread and wine family feel of the place makes us want to come back! Parking is also not an issue, which is crucial in Washington. Thank you so much for such an amazing experience!

Our first visit to Mele presented as the most comforting and welcoming restaurant that serves the best food. The servers Stephanie and hope my memory is correct Thomas were so considerate and knowledgeable about the food because they both enjoy eating there, especially desserts. My husband had the ribeye steak and the bistro salad. He was so pleased that this amazing steak was cooked exactly as he requested, medium rare. The steak salt and the homemade horseradish were so tasty. I had the fried zucchini and the seafood linguine. The zucchini was fresh with juiciness that popped after the crisp bite. The linguini was prepared perfectly covered in a tomato cream sauce and fresh seafood. The mussels,clams,shrimp and calamari were delightfully fresh and cooked right. The wine list is amazing. My husband could not choose from this amazing list and relied on Carlos for assistance. He chose the most perfect wine that worked well with both our meals. Before our meal came out, Frank came to say hello and welcome us to Mele. His relayed a sincere joy and sense of humor that was pure fun. His thorough knowledge of the natural beef and making of the home made pasta was a great learning experience. We made ourselves stop eating our entrees so we could I'm I've in dessert. We are so glad we did. My husband had the tiramisu and I had the creme brulee. The tiramisu was presented with a flowered design painted with chocolate. It was light creamy and not overwhelmingly sweet. The creme brulee had the perfect crisp top and delightful creaminess. The regular coffee worked perfectly. We were pleased with our choices. However my my husband added a request for the chocolate cake once Stephanie described details of the hazelnut flavor. We were only discussing the chocolate cake as a potential choice for our future visit. Once we tasted this cake we were in total dessert heaven. I guess this sealed our return for desserts, and also for the opportunity to try the other menu items. I want to give a shout out to the server who brought us bread and seasonings etc. I want to point out her professionalism and efficiency with such pleasantness. I also noticed her assisting an elderly customer to his table. My husband and I visited Mele after a few rough months of loss and some hard spots leading into 2026. I want to thank the team at Mele for making our evening special. Jo Ann and Mark Pettis

The most amazing experience ever! The food was absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere was incredible — such a perfect vibe. Frank was so sweet to me and my friends, making us feel so welcomed the entire time. 10/10, we will definitely be back again!

Food was fresh and delicious! The owner was charming and helpful with recommendations. The wine list is comprehensive and has some unique selections. Overall, a lovely dinner experience and I will be back soon!

Frank was just incredible. By choosing this restaurant you will experience the best customer service possible. For first timers, which I was, you will feel like you are family. Not to mention the food was delectable. Can’t recommend enough.

Mele Bistro is such a hidden gem! 💕 Cozy, elegant vibes with amazing food and super sweet staff. The seafood pasta and tiramisu were everything. Perfect for date night or dinner with the girls — I’m obsessed! 🍝🍷✨

Just had a magical evening at Mele Bistro. Delicious food, the kind of authentic, caring, funny, lovely service that is so hard to find these days, and a lovely ambiance outdoors on a beautiful night. Highly recommend this place; the fresh pasta is glorious. Would love it if they had a graphic designer update their menu to be a little easier to follow.

Where do I even start? This cozy spot is such a hidden gem in Arlington for many reasons. The food was fabulous, the service was incredible, and the atmosphere is so endearing. My friend and I have been wanting to try this spot for awhile now and we will definitely be returning. Immediately we were greeted by the owner who was so kind and warm in his conversation with us. They are very passionate about the quality of food they serve and are very knowledgeable about where and how they source their ingredients. Every bite of food was proof of the quality. We felt welcome and appreciated as guests and I could tell other diners are frequent guests as the owner remembered his regulars and welcomed them back. Price was very reasonable, and we left full and so pleased with our experience. You have to try this restaurant!

Great and underrated little spot. Food is classic Italian and tastes fantastic. The service is great.

Loved the 4 cheese ravioli so much! Extremely pretty ambience with globes of light fluttering around and multi-colored fairy lights everywhere! The outside seating is gorgeous. Amazing service from friendly, chatty, and funny employees. A man who works here got his guitar down from the wall inside, began to play it and sang in Italian, beautifully, to an older couple for their anniversary. Such a lively, fun, and beautiful restaurant with great food and stories to share.

Nice mediterranean restaurant. The beef was cooked almost to perfection and, if you are not too hungry, it is good for sharing. The calamari is tasty. Good service.

Recently revamped and made some nice changes. Friendly and relaxed service. Portions are generous and they have a focus on quality ingredients and homemade pastas. Recently renovated patio is quirky and looks nice but attracted some bees.

Food was overly good but certain dishes not the best. Chicken in Mediterranean salad was abit dry. And not enough of Mediterranean ingredients to be called Mediterranean salad. Kalamari and fish trout dishes were excellent though.

The cuisine is great although it took a bit too long to get these 3 scallops prepared. The service I feel will vary depending on how busy they are. In my case there was a table of 12 people being served so my service (i was by myself) felt a bit second-handed. The Caesar salad is labeled as “traditional” however, I don’t know what traditions they are following 🧐

I got some amazing blackened fish. The mushroom risotto and asparagus that I chose as my side dishes were both cooked to perfection. The waitstaff and owner (?) were gentle and kind. Only one complaint was that they let my water run dry. But overall, my meal was delicious, and the experience was a fine experience.

I had a great experience at Mele. The service was friendly and attentive, and the food was made from scratch and felt pretty authentic—full of flavor and clearly made with care. The wine list is solid, with a well-curated selection, though I wish there were more options available by the glass. The atmosphere is cozy and pleasant, making it a great spot for a relaxed meal. I’d definitely come back!

We came on a busy Saturday evening. Was seated within 15mins. Our waiter was pretty good..busy but good. We waited longer than we would like for our food, but no different than anyone else that arrived around the same time as us. It was very good and we will be back to eat there again. Our reservations were for 7pm and we chose the outside seating which I highly recommend. However, by the time we were served it was cold (outside), and most or us had our jackets on as we ate. The manager was excellent - he sets the bar as what you'd expect when you go to a nice place to eat. Great restaurant...you will not be disappointed!

The service was quick and very friendly. They understood everyone and accommodated us without issue. However, I doubt I will return because my food, especially for the price, was very lackluster. The pasta was completely tasteless and that is not easy. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their meals so that explains my two stars.

This one was a miss for me. Beautiful place but quite overstimulating for my taste. Very tight seating. The owners hospitality was a highlight but the food was just ok a with a confusing menu. Try for yourself but I don’t think I will return.