The National

Valentine's Day in Athens. Very good food and great atmosphere. Busy night, and I'd like to be back on a slower evening. Food took a bit longer than expected, especially for a fixed menu, but still good.

It was Father/Daughter weekend at UGA and I had to treat my daughter to a nice dinner! The National did just the thing and more! Connor was our server and he did an outstanding job. He was super friendly and gave me good advice about the Athens area. Marnie was one of the bartenders that ran our desserts to us but was confused because we ordered 3 desserts at a 2-top! It was hilarious and she was super sweet. Glad we ordered all three desserts, which included the Citrus Basque Cake, Flourless Chocolate Cake (gluten free) and the Portuguese Custard Tarts. All three were amazing. For apps we ordered the Albondigas (think meatballs but gourmet and delicious), and Stuffed Mejdool Dates (the mix of flavors - yum!). And for entrees we split the Vegetable Plate and Chicken Schnitzel - both off the charts. I want to thank the staff at The National for such a wonderful dining experience with my daughter! I will most certainly be back!

The National is one of those restaurants that truly elevates the Athens dining scene. The menu is thoughtful and creative, with Mediterranean-inspired flavors that feel both refined and comforting. Every dish we tried was beautifully presented and packed with balanced, well-developed flavors. The atmosphere is stylish without feeling pretentious, making it perfect for a date night or a special dinner with friends. Service was professional, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout the meal. The National consistently delivers a top-tier experience and is easily one of the best restaurants in Athens.

Super good food, and lovely people. I have always enjoyed going there but it can be a long wait to receive food . My favorite part is their dinner, but the chicken salad lunch was soo good. The place is not very pretty, not too fancy looking but it is so cozy.

Overall pretty good. Kinda on the pricey side, but you get a lot of food for what you pay for so it's worth it if you look at it from that perspective. The biggest surprise from the menu was definitely the Stuffed Medjool Dates. I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. The restaurant is advertised as having "Mediterranean-style dished created with seasonal, southern influences". However, I would argue that these dishes are far more southern then they are Mediterranean. This is by no means a bad thing if that is your desire you will not be disappointed! However, for me personally, I would have preferred a menu more on the Mediterranean side.