Really cute space! Love the indoor trees and decor! Staff super friendly, passionate and kind. Loved the falafel and mushroom shish kebab! Those were my favorites. Followed by the Zaytoon and then hummus and cauliflower. All really good but in that order of preference! Can't miss the first two. So much flavorrrrr read more

ala - Bethesda - MUSHROOM SHISH KEBAP - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

They charged for olives in my martini! First I ordered their signature drink, after asking and being told it was not too sweet. It was very sweet. Our server suggested a glass of white wine - undrinkable to my taste. I asked for a martini, up, with olives. It was a very nice martini - until we got the bill. They charged $1 for each olive! Outrageous! Who does this? I will never go back and promised I'd share this story with as many people as possible. The decor is old, they've done nothing to update since the prior restaurant, Positano, left. If you're contemplating this place- walk past! Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else read more

I came here for brunch on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with my sister in law and I love this spot. This is definitely one of the best brunch spots I have ever been to!! There is an extensive list of options. My sister in law is pescatarian and she had plenty of options. I will definitely come back because I feel like i barely touch the surface of food to try. I was disappointed in the service. We had to stop our waitress to get the run down on the brunch buffet while waiting quite a while on her. I also feel like she wasn't really attentive to our table nor did I really see her around when we needed any refills on our waters or clearing plates out compared to the other waiters. read more

ala - Bethesda - brunch menu - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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Wonderful brunch on the weekends . Loved their modern take on Arabic food and the amazing spread for vegetarians. The dessert section was such a highlight -- everything is served in bite sizes, so you can actually try a little of everything without feeling too full. We opted for the bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys, and both the drinks and coffee were excellent. The service was so warm, the decor beautiful, and the whole place has such a great vibe. Perfect spot for celebrating with friends, and I'd definitely come back again. Small tip: if you have an AmEx card, check the Resy app for offers before you go! read more

ala - Bethesda - The decor has an eclectic vibe -- modern, artistic, and full of character and vegetation options at weekend buffet really good! - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

We visited here on a double date and really enjoyed the vibe and atmosphere. The indoor area was one of the coolest looking interiors I have seen in the area. This place really gives off "The Bear" vibes if you have seen the show (which is a good thing). We ordered the fennel tawook, ras-el hanout short ribs and kunafa dessert. Everything was incredible. The portions were large and the prices seemed very reasonable considering how fancy the restaurant is. The service was outstanding and making a reservation was very easy. We intend to return for brunch, as I have heard it is also outstanding. This is an easy 5/5 stars! read more

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This place was amazing. I will say the parking is a little bit of a struggle but that was honestly the only thing that was so hard. The service was incredible and the dishes were even better. I didn't think I would like it that much but the meat on the short rib was so tender and juicy. There was a lot of people but the ambience and atmosphere still felt like you were being transported with the gorgeous interior. It's definitely a must try! read more

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I've been here multiple times, but this was my first time coming for happy hour and my first time sitting in the bar area, which I believe is pretty new. The space is gorgeous inside, and while the menu is a bit limited, I really enjoyed the dishes and drinks I tried. The only slight downside was that I got some pushback from staff about standing near the bar while waiting for a seat. They were nice about it, but it was still a little annoying since it is technically a bar area. That said, I understand it's a tighter space and the restaurant is mostly set up for seated dining. Nonetheless, they offer all day happy hour, which is really hard to beat and definitely makes it worth coming back despite the small critique. read more

ala - Bethesda - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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A good takeout option We ordered takeout from Ala on a very col evening, so that only one of us had to go outside. The Baba Ganoush was a highlight. It had a smoky flavor and was delicious. Everything else was very good. The order was available at the time promised by the delivery app. read more

ala - Bethesda - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

We shared several small plates at ala, including the hummus, crispy cauliflower, and lamb meatballs. The hummus was smooth and flavorful, while the cauliflower had a nice crunch with a little spice. The lamb meatballs were tender and paired well with the sauce. I liked that the dishes were easy to share and that the menu offered something a little different from the usual Mediterranean options. The meal was enjoyable overall, although a couple of the dishes took longer to arrive than expected. read more

This was my first time trying Ala. I really enjoyed their menu. It is well indicated for allergies. I found lots of gluten free options. The waitress was also very helpful and was able to accommodate some dishes by keeping allergens on the side (bread, muts, etc) The restaurant is beautifully decorated, their setup provides a very enjoyable atmosphere. Everything we ordered was excellent. I particularly enjoyed the qouzi with lamb shoulder. They flip the pot in front of you, empty the content and add toppings and sauce on top while service. I'm adding it to my list of restaurants to visit when I'm in town read more

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What went well? Everything. We adored this fusion of Mediterranean flavors & the vibrant menu. It was two of us; we ordered 4 items & it was perfect! The fattoush al bir salad was incredible: the infused pears were phenomenal. The manti beef dumplings were delicious w delicious harissa & mint.... Still yum the next day. And of course the short rib pide - so satisfying! The service was amazing. We felt so welcomed on a wintry night. And it looks great for families as well. read more

ala - Bethesda - Short rib pide - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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Visited Ala for the first time and the food definitely worth the hype. They are on the pricier side honestly for the portion haha.. but otherwise all delicious and flavorful. Beautiful decor giving calming vibes. We are only a party of 2 and asked for a bigger table but was told there are plenty of reservations coming up, though a bit empty for a while, so that was a little bit of the downside. We ended up having to move around dishes and such to make sure we don't tip over anything. We had Manti (apparently homemade daily) , Dolma Bi Lahm - basically rice ground beef wrapped in grape leaves, Garides Kebab (shrimp skewer) and a latte. At first I got the Turkish coffee but given the turkey delights was out I decided on a latte, which def satisfying. Would come back and try happy hour in the future! :) read more

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Delicious food, it's hard not to overeat! We loved the mujadara (lentil rice) and karanab (brussels) the most. The zaatar flatbread is so incredible! And the pida with labneh was up there too. The falafels were mostly crisp exterior - I wish they were a little more substantial on the inside. Overall a flavorful and satisfying meal, including for vegetarians. Salim made our experience great. He was so friendly, checked in right when we wanted more pida, adapted for allergies, and answered questions. The decor is a little different than the DC location. Still the same soft lighting but some of the tables felt like they had been packed in for space rather than comfort. We heard one couple ask to move to a more central table. Luckily we arrived early and were able to get a table location we liked. read more

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Originally wanted to reserve for dinner, but groups 7+ require reservations through email and a credit card authorization form, so I grabbed a friend for lunch instead. The space is stylish but relaxed, cozy, and intimate. Wasn't busy, which made it a nice, calm spot to eat and some were actually reading books while eating. I ordered the mezze lunch, while my friend went for the tarkhun lavraki (branzino whole fish). Didn't realize the mezze lunch is meant for the whole table to order, but they allowed me to order. I haven't had a lot of Levantine or Mediterranean cuisine, so I'm not sure how it compares. From the mezze lunch menu, I ordered the tuna tartare dolmades and the garides kebab (shrimp), as well as added the short ribs pide (flatbread). The tuna tartare dolmades wasn't what I was expecting - very little tuna tartare and the taste of the dolmades in your mouth drowns the flavor of the tuna. The garides kebab I've actually tried the exact same dish next door at Beth's - it felt overcooked again and a little tough. The pieces of short ribs on the pide were a bit scant and also overcooked and dry, but the flavor combination from all of the ingredients was nice. Also tried the branzino fish my friend ordered and while it was perfectly cooked and nicely presented, it lacked any special spices or seasoning to make it stand out. Food came out quickly, and both the server and hosts were friendly and checked in throughout the meal. Prices are a bit on the higher side for what the food was, but with the great service, food presentation, and vibe, it may be worth it. We weren't rushed or bothered and were able to enjoy a nice long lunch. read more

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This carrot dish is way too good. Lots of different flavors from tamarind, chermoula, feta. The spreads are normal. I don't really like the duck prosciutto. Falafel is not that great imo, the outside is too crunchy but in a hard way because of the seeds. Chicken is moist but I'm not a fan of the sauce. The flat bread is okay with a sweet and sour sauce. The cauliflower is good too. The kunafa is great, though I don't like how they put too many rose petals on it. I think it would be better to put some for decoration and infuse the syrup with rose petal. read more

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I've been to the DC location before, but this was my first time at Ala Bethesda and it definitely didn't disappoint. The space has a great ambiance and the service was spot on. Cocktails were on the pricier side, but worth it--they tasted amazing. For appetizers, we tried the hummus, baba ghanoush, za'atar labne, and the fattoush salad (one of my favorites). The adana kebab was delicious, and the short rib pide was packed with flavor. We didn't skip dessert either--the baklava was great, but the real standout for me was the kunafa with pomegranate ice cream. Absolutely loved it. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Stopped in on a Sunday for a birthday dinner. The restaurant ambiance is beautiful and their patio is lovely, though we ate inside. The servers were attentive for our party of 6. We were surprised to hear they had a restaurant week promotion and took part in their 2 cocktails, 2 wines add on and the cocktails were strong and delicious! I had an espresso martini that knocked my socks off literally-I was up ALL NIGHT! We had an appetizer. I had hummus -pretty standard. The goat cheese second course was better with bread, and would be better if it had the fig all over the cheese rather than right in the center. The star of the night was the paper bag bronzino which our server recommended. 10/10 would recommend. And the presentation table side was fun! A good time in Bethesda but a bit spendy. A nice way to be transported to the Mediterranean for a night! read more

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Excellent middle eastern restaurant bringing the best of Turkish and Lebanese cuisine. I loved everything on their menu. I went for the lunch special, $28. You can't beat that! And if you want a glass of wine, it's extra $6 - it's really unheard of in 2026! Absolutely amazing interior design and I would definitely be back if I'm in the area. read more

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My good foodie friend and I decided to have an early dinner before catching an evening show at nearby Strathmore. What we had: RUMAAN NANA (mocktail) -- refreshing FALAFEL -- This was a bird's dream; way too many seeds. A dipping sauce would've been nice. SHORT RIBS PIDE -- Really good shortbread! I'm not a fan of feta, but it wasn't bad. The fresh veggies + tender short ribs + soft bread reigned supreme. CARROT MAHMAS -- I liked them. She didn't. She exchanged them for TAWOOK SHISH, which was an improvement. TAWOOK SHISH -- I didn't taste any, but it smelled amazing. However, she said that the chicken was seasoned to perfection but dry. SERVICE -- Our server (Amanda) was an absolute delight. Very polite, accommodating, and knowledgeable of the menu. ATMOSPHERE -- The décor was remarkable. Everything was so plush and pretty. PARKING -- I got lucky. I was able to score a sweet spot two doors down. I wouldn't mind returning to check out the unlimited brunch with a nice bottomless booze option. __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish read more

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The food and service is good. There's a good variety of dishes cold and warm in the brunch menu. The issue is that a person in a wheelchair cannot use the restroom because they have a piece of furniture where they store glasses and bottles obstructing the hallway into all the bathrooms. Also, they don't a have handicapped accessible stall. read more

ala - Bethesda - Entrance to the hallway into the bathrooms. - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

BRUNCH HERE IS SO WORTH IT!! love love love all the types of foods they offer and I was super satisfied. It's buffet style for $36 and we also did bottomless drinks for $12! The aesthetics is super pleasing and you can only take the cutest pics outside for content. Our server was great, wish I remembered her name. read more

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Cozy restaurant for eastern mediterranean cuisine. I came for a birthday dinner so to make it easy, we selected the pre fixe menu that was (almost) like unlimited plates of food for the table for a certain price ($65 per person at the time I believe). I tried some new dishes and enjoyed a few (the thick pita was delicious! Went great with the hummus and I'm not a big hummus person. The halloumi wraps were also a pleasantly tasty dessert). A couple dishes were not my favorite but that might be due to my palate not being as familiar with the cuisine. The servers were extremely nice and the whole restaurant had family table feel. I would go back to try items from the a la carte menu. read more

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From beginning to end, this was a fantastic meal. We had an early reservation on a Sunday night, so were among the first people in the restaurant. We were greeted warmly and led to our seats. The decor is beautiful, the right combination of lux and inviting. Our server, Sadaf (sp?), was very friendly and helpful. She walked us through some of the things she liked best on the menu and which cocktails we might like. After hearing her recommendations, we tried two cocktails: Atesh, a pepper infused mezcal cocktail, and Zahr al-Karaz, tequila with sour cherry and lemon. Both were absolutely delicious. We also decided to do the tasting menu, which would give us a total of six mezze plus two desserts to share. Honestly, I was a little worried that we'd leave hungry because some of the other reviews seem to suggest it wasn't a lot of food. Those people were totally wrong. We got: Fetteh - eggplant with tomato and goat cheese, covered in crispy phyllo-like strips, pomegranate, chickpeas, with labneh. Omg delish! We both loved it and ended up fighting over the last piece. Manti - beef dumplings in broth with labneh and harissa. I thought these were totally amazing, but my date wasn't as into them. Honestly, more for me. Batata Hara - fried potatoes with harissa. I thought these were only OK, and probably one of the only things I would skip on a return visit. Garides - shrimp with tomatoes and shishito peppers. These were so good, very simple but so tasty, and my date's favorite. Halloumi wraps - ok, so love halloumi! I liked the mix of the halloumi, phyllo dough, and quince preserves. But the portion was teeny! Short ribs pide - seriously, by the time this came out we were totally full. I don't even think we tried it in the restaurant. I had it for dinner tonight as leftovers and it was amazing. 10/10! And then there was dessert... We got the tahini skillet soufflé and the hazelnut halva semifreddo. And because we weren't full enough, I also ordered an extra dessert - kunafa. All three were great, but I highly recommend the kunafa - not only was the cheese amazing, but the pomegranate ice cream was out of this world. The tahini skillet was delicious too. I also wanted to thank Kim and Zayneb (sp?) - Kim was incredibly friendly and helpful as she dropped off food and talked about our cocktails with us, and Zayneb helped when I ran into a billing issue (my fault!). Lovely staff, wonderful food, great atmosphere. What more could you be looking for? read more

Ambiance: the IG REEL video got me into to joint! From the strret, they made you feel like you're not in the DMV anymore!!! Decor is truly gorgeous. Sooooooo exicited for brunch. Service: our reservation was for Sat at 1:30pm. The restaurant was NOT busy. Hostess seated us promptly. Waitress thought we had 3 people and wanted us to go to a smaller table but we actually have 5. The waitress was ok though I had to hand her some plates to clear off the tables after she check up on us for more 'mini' entrees. It was AYCE, so I would recommend more attentiveness to cleaning out the tables when you check in. The people that delivered the food, well... we are not Mediterranean and we don't know the names of the dishes. She seemed a bit annoyed when she as dropping off the 'mini' main entrees when we didn't know what they were. Help us out and just bit give us this attitude for no reason. HUSH HUSH... ok, so we stayed OVER the 2 hrs but we paid for the food and was finishing the last bottle of wine. I didn't hear the comment about "we are now closed." This was at 3:30-4pm. Food: THE IG REEL was why we came for my fiends bday brunch. Now I have a feeling, I need to vet these videos cause I think they were paid. Honestly, the video was so good (they need to be in politics) that I was like -- I will be so stuffed and happy after!!! But that was not the case. Bloody Mary...tried it thinking maybe there's something special because it's 'house' specialty. Same same at every other places. Starters and desserts were buffet style. Smart and makes sense. Nothing stand out just regular starters you would find at any other 100 or so Mediterranean restaurants in the DMV. Mains: let's get to it. I got the salmon shrimp toast - it was a small piece of toast with 1 shrimp halved with a SIILVER of salmon (I have the pic receipt). Next I ordered the gyro with 3 silver of meat cause my bday girl was like "they have skinny tacos?" That's how much meat was on ten GYRO... then I ordered brussel sprouts, it was very salty. *** I really wanted to like this restaurant. The manager even came over when one of the other ladies didn't like her slider. That is a personal preference..." However, overall - I'm not coming back especially when there's so many Mediterranean restaurants in the DMV. read more

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Everything was great - highly recommend . Wonderful vibe. Delicious short ribs . Will be back again and again. read more

The brunch is phenomenal!! Mami found this place and it lived up to the reviews. I mean everything: food, customer service, decor, ambiance, cleanliness, even the all you can eat set up - 10/10. A huge shoutout to Estephanie with her amazing customer service. We tried to review all food items of the day below, all scores out of 10: Branzino salad 8 Crab salad 6 Chick pea salad 9 perfect Deviled egg 6 not heavily seasoned Cheese 10 (I love cheese) Salmon waffle 4/10 pass French onion 8 (missing cheese) Main course - one at a time Toum short ribs gyro: 7/10 short rib good, need sauce and cheese Adana slider: 10 - pickled onion goes good Tawook schnitzel: 10 - incredible sauce ordered twice Lahm bi ajeen: 10 so flavorful Tawook shawarma omelette: 5 could do without it Karanab 7 Shaksuka 8.5 very hearty. Meat free chili vibes Fall latke- 7.5 avoid the roe Gardies and salmon toast 6/10 Soujok & egg sandwich - didn't eat due to soujok being pork I strongly recommend this place. The only downside is trying to find parking. There was a promo on the app "inkind" so we saved $40. Get here. read more

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If you're looking for a delicious bottomless brunch with fresh ingredients, Ala is definitely a must try. Visited the Bethesda location for Saturday and it was a time! I loved the decor and setup--it makes you feel like you're in a European restaurant. For the brunch buffet menu, you can order from the bottomless main course which had various options to choose from. My favorite was the Adana slider with minced short-rib. You can then also choose from an assortment of starters, sweets and sides from the buffet. For drinks, our server was on top of things and always made sure we never ran out of sparkling wine for our mimosas. Overall great experience and reasonably priced for a bottomless brunch! read more

ala - Bethesda - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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Tried to book a party of 12 for dinner - spent an hour trying to figure out how to book on Resy - the link for large party booking requests takes you to a 404 ERROR page - and the restaurant doesn't have a phone number listed anywhere. I shouldn't have to work this hard to spend my money at their restaurant. read more

My friend went to the DC location and highly recommended the Bethesda one. We came here on a busy Saturday for brunch. When you arrive its giving Mykonos vibes with some of the decorations and aesthetics. We decided to go for the bottomless brunch. Some of my favorite breakfast items include shakshuka, toum short ribs gyro, salmon toast, karanab, fall latke and the tawook schintzel. All of the items that came out were seasoned well, plated with plenty of greens and had all the right flavors. Some of the items were so good we had to re order them. They also have a nice buffet line that include fresh fruit, plenty of dessert items, cheese, pastries and French onion soup. We really enjoyed our experience here and made sure we tried everything. Our servers were amazing as we were constantly getting juice and champagne refills. I really enjoyed my experience here and will definitely be back to try their dinner options. read more

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This was my second visit to Ala Bethesda, and once again an amazing dining experience. It was a group of 8 of us so we had to do the prixe-fixe menu. They have a range of group menus ranging from $50-$100. We went with the Classic which was $65 pp. This was such a great option for the group. We tried it all. Cold mezzes, hot mezzes, meats, veggies, and desert! Everything that came out was delicious. We tried dishes we wouldn't have normally tried. Our server and the supporting staff did a great job with making sure we were well taken care of. Some of the standout dishes for me were the...Zaater Labneh, Halloumi wraps, the mushroom shish kebab, and the Adana kebab. Mind blowing!! I would recommend this spot to anyone looking for a great cultural dining experience. read more

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We did not this night but rather had a few drinks before heading to Beth's for a Yelp event. I had the Jallab Sour. It is rimmed with fresh ground pistachio...cool! Slightly sour (duh) but not too bitter. I really liked it. The vibe is calm and pleasant. The bar was full so the front person asked if we wanted a table which we asked if it was ok? So we did. We want to come back for dinner even though prices a little steep. I suppose it's typical for Bethesda. But, it is an upscale restaurant. read more

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Great service, great vibes, and great food! We shared several tapas. I loved the grape leaf beef wraps and the mixed spreads. The cured beef flat bread was also great. I would not order the grilled shrimp again bc it was hard to share (just served one extra big shrimp). I probably won't get the mini beef dumplings again either. They were okay but got cold quickly. I will definitely return! read more

They have a fruit fly or some other insect problem. These small bugs would land on my plate or table and wouldn't go away when swatted, like gnats do. It was annoying. But the service was wonderful and friendly and professional and charming. read more

We visited Ala in Bethesda for their Restaurant Week brunch menu. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a Middle Eastern flair. There are stunning displays of wine and wall art. The DC restaurant has received a Michelin star. Their brunch menu offers both buffet and a tapas menu. There is a large buffet filled with everything from deviled eggs, hummus, a variety of cheeses, and some salads. I really appreciated the selection of cheeses. The pita bread was fresh, soft, and tasty. I was not a fan of their spreads. Then, you are allowed to order from a menu of tapas style small plates from crab omelettes, gyros, potato pancakes, and smoked salmon on toast. I found a lot of inconsistencies with the food. My crab omelette had a fishy taste, the crab didn't taste fresh, so I didn't eat it. Next, the gyro meat was tough and tasteless. It was served on a prepackaged taco shell which was rubbery. The potato pancake was drenched in zatar and that was not listed on the menu ingredients. Why would you mix apple pie flavors with a heavy handed spice? I left that dish too. The tastiest dish was the smoked salmon on toast. Unfortunately, they had small shrimp on top that were overcooked to a hard tough texture. I removed them. The smoked salmon and creme fresh base topping was delicious. The dill mustard brought a bright punch of flavor. There was a large display of desserts. But, many of them were tasteless and cold. The best dessert, hands down was the baklava. It was heavenly. It was crunchy, nutty, delicate, with a sweet honey taste. They also had a chocolate fountain that you could dip fruit or cake into. The cake was tasteless. My friend even tried dipping the cold cake in chocolate, but even that didn't help. The service was excellent. We had a great server who was very polite and nice. I also really liked my mimosa. It was refreshing and thirst quenching. So, stunning ambiance, great service, excellent baklava. But, the food was not memorable, the cost was high, and I wouldn't go back. Maybe, my experience was an outlier, but my friend ended up getting sick after our visit. So, that sealed the deal for me. read more

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Definitely worth visiting if you like Mediterranean food. The staff is above and beyond accommodating. The waiter was out of a kabob I originally ordered due to waiting for shipment but offered excellent alternatives. The drinks were great , espresso martini strong , and definitely worth the price point. I've been here a couple times but never written a review. The only downside is the mosquitos . There's nats around the area and bathroom. That's a little bit of a concern read more

My wife and I visited on Friday night around 8:30 PM. We drove all the way from Virginia because we had heard great things about this restaurant, and the food absolutely lived up to the hype. Every dish was delicious, and the ambiance was fantastic. Unfortunately, our experience with the host was disappointing. Although the restaurant was busy, the patio was mostly empty. We asked if we could sit outside, but the host told us the patio was reserved for reservations only and seated us in the middle of the dining room instead. We even stepped outside for a few minutes because we weren't sure if we wanted to stay, but since we had traveled so far, we decided to dine there anyway. Throughout our meal, I kept an eye on the patio, and none of those tables were ever seated. That was frustrating and made it feel like we were turned away unnecessarily. The food and atmosphere were excellent, but the hospitality at the front door didn't match the quality of the rest of the experience. I hope the restaurant reviews its seating policies so future guests have a better experience read more

Loved walking into Ala! I almost walked right by it so make sure you look for the sign because all the restaurants are so close together. It was super cute inside, but the tables are kind of close to each other and in the aisle. We went on Saturday for brunch during restaurant week. We did the all you can eat plus one mimosa. The buffet was nice. We were able to get all of our cheeses and dips plus desserts and a chocolate fountain. The food was amazing. I can't pinpoint my favorite dish because everything was so flavorful. I highly recommend going! A parking garage is right across the street or around the corner. read more

I've never written a bad review because everyone is entitled to have an off day occasionally. But this was such unbelievably bad customer service I felt I had no choice. We made a reservation well in advance for the Father's Day brunch buffet for 2 adults and asked for a high chair for our 9 month old baby, (who would obviously not be eating the buffet). Just 4 hours before the reservation--on Father's Day when everywhere else is already booked up--we received a text from Mustafa saying they will not accommodate a high chair at a table for 2 because the restaurant is too small. Go look at the pictures yourself and tell us if we're crazy, but there is very clearly plenty of space for a high chair to be added to a table for 2 without crowding other tables or obstructing walkways. When we challenged them on that, they tried to blame us for making a reservation for 2 and saying they are not required to honor requests, so we had no choice but to cancel. Thanks, Ala, for ruining our first Father's Day. read more

We came here to have a quiet new years eve dinner before celebrating at home. The waitress was very nice and helpful. We had several Mezza plates and she was able to make all but one gluten free. The hummus was great (I was pleasantly surprised by a sweet note). The falafels were great (but does have cross-contamination due to the fryer). The chicken skewer was also great. I had the beef skewer which I really liked and had some very nice and spicy sauce to accompany. My dad loved the branzino, and my wife love the lamb shank. We all walked out satisfied and saying we will definitely return. The place use to be an Italian resteraunt called Positanos. And the decor still had some remenants of the Italian vibe. Overall this is definitely a place to go for middle eastern food - the waitress said the dishes are mostly Turkish, but with heavy middle eastern influences from Jordan, Syria, etc. read more

ala - Bethesda - Mediterranean Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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It was my daughter's birthday and she wanted to visit here. Despite being full they did accept our reservation which felt nice. Great welcome. Restaurant is very cozy and the decor like a Mediterranean home. It was a busy night and we had a friendly staffer. Mixed spreads was a great way to start. Comes with 2 pieces of pita so it was great suggestion to order extra pita for a party of 4. Usually only wouldn't praise potatoes but the Batata Hara was a wonderful that I hadn't tasted in potatoes before with a finger licking sauce. If you are vegetarian the Batata Hara and the Mushroom Shish would be a great combination. These are Mezze which I have learned are smaller portions so you can taste more dishes without filling your stomach on one. Other delightful dishes we ordered were Tawook Shish (chicken kabab), Garides Doujok (shrimp) voted by the table as the best dish. A few other dishes that I can't recall but good memories and the stomach felt good. I tried the Armenian beer which reminded me of the days living in Russia in the 90s. It's a good beee but very different from usual fare. Next time I'm here I'll try the Lebanese beer. You can expect to spend $30 to $40 without tips or more depending on drinks. I wouldn't call it an expensive restaurant as the prices around here are similar. One think that was a small miss was that one of the cutlery pieces looked dirty. Parking is paid in the garage right in front or you can park cheaper a block away at the Woodmont corner public parking. Thanks to Montgomery County parking was free on the holiday Saturday we went . read more

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