So happy this place is open on a Monday and was pretty busy too. Came in for a dinner with two friends. We shared the dumplings and turnovers for appetizers. I had never seen powdered sugar on a beef turnover before but it totally worked. Amazing flavors good variety and lots of tasty dipping sauces for the bread. I had a really lovely cocktail that wasn't too busy or sweet. Our server recommended the lamb chop duo which were so tender and rare and grilled perfection. The spiced rice with raisins and carrots was a nice compliment as well. Service was friendly but not overpowering. Definitely have to come back for another special occasion. So many things on the menu I need to explore. read more

Bistro Aracosia - Lamb lamb Lamb lamb chop duo!!!!! (Eggplant on side, spiced rice with raisins and carrots) - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We came over to try this place on Friday evening. We were glad that we made a reservation earlier. The place was packed. The menu has a quite variety. The service was prompt. The food was so flavorful with many spices. I will come back to try more stuffs. read more

Bistro Aracosia - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I always get the lamb shank when I hit up aracosia. This was my first time eating at the DC location and I was disappointed in the cook on my lamb compared to how it tastes in VA. Much less tender and flavorful. Really disappointing. read more

Wonderful food, great service. Fabulous desserts. Will definitely come again. We ordered Afgani lamb shank which were delicious. Fabulous dumpling appetizers and outstanding rice pudding. read more

I'm so glad to run across this Afghani gem in beautiful Bethesda!! Although a little on the expensive side. For a unique restaurant, I get it. I thoroughly enjoyed my food - even though I ate it in the car because I was soooo hungry! my favorite things were their sauces and turnovers... Cute little spot. Too bad Covid19 won't allow me to eat inside. Shelby is great but watch your receipt for mistakes.. :) read more

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Value for Really Strong Kitchen and with the Service First Level is a pleasant Find after so many disappointing post-COVID dinning attempts. This is the full package Location, Cuisine, Service all in the same place. Thank you for setting the Table and Welcoming our family like you9r own. Great Team and the Food will bring me back. Do yourself a favor and make a trip costs everwhere have gone up but at Aracosia the Value is High. read more

We had a fantastic and lovely meal here! First, the service was perfection: informative and attentive without being intrusive. I believe our wonderful server's name was Aziz. Even when he became busy, two others (one server and a manager I think) seamlessly took care of us. The complementary bread and dips were particularly good. Among the appetizers, the butternut squash was really memorable. My entree, saffron lemon chicken on an aromatic rice, was spectacular. In my husband's entree, the lamb was not at the level of the other dishes; would not recommend that. We finished our meal with a lovely cake. The atmosphere is warm and interesting, with music that provided a nice mood and didn't interfere with our conversation. read more

We got take out from here and it is only my 2nd time earing Afghani food so I was not sure what to expect. It was great! It is much more then simple kebabs and the flavors are new and interesting. It seems like we tried all the chicken dishes and really liked them all. The sweet and savory dumplings were far better then I expected and I wish we had more. The soft dumplings and the pumpkin ones were not crowd pleasers but thats just our preference. I will be sure to order from them again!! read more

The food was fantastic and the service above and beyond One of our dining companions is in a wheelchair with limited mobility and both our waiter and the restaurant manager made sure he was comfortable, and able to enjoy his dinner. read more

I had been planning to eat here for years and the wait was well worth it! It was my first time here and it was highly impressive. They server, Kyle, was highly attentive and had some great recommendations. Also, he's pronunciation of Aashak is elite. It's rare to find fantastically made authentic Afghan food across the US and this place does it right. I ordered the Mantu and Qabuli Palou. The spicy beef-filled dumplings came out hot and rich in flavors. The dumpling shell was somewhat softer than what I would normally would consider amazing but nonetheless, it was mouthwatering. The Qabuli Palou came out, and oh man, you could the steam from the shank of lamb. As I lifted the shank, the meat melted off onto the Palou. The ambiance of the restaurant was great as it perfectly complimented the authenticity of the food. My neighbors were quite loud but that did not take away from my experience. Last bit -- wine selection is terrific here! read more

Tried the dumpling sampler and taste of aracosia set menu. It was great to try a variety of their offerings. The beef tenderloin and chicken stew stood out for me but everything tasted pretty good. Would go back if I'm ever in the area. read more

It was my first time having been here and I would definitely encourage people to try Turkish cuisine if they haven't had it before. My party consisted of two people and although I don't remember the order my Mother chose, I had the Qabuli Palou (but substituted beef with lamb shank because they were out). My dish had raisins and carrots with rice and I've gotta say, it's the almost interesting rice combination I've had. I think I need to peruse more of the menu (and have the intended meal, with no substitutions!) to get a more well rounded picture. My dinner was ok but I'm not sure if that dish in particular was for me. However, the real star for me was the cake. Our server recommended what was supposedly the Turkish rendition of a tres leche, and it was amazing & a must try. I won't count here out yet, but I personally need to revisit. P.s. the cocktail menu is interestingly titled! read more

Bistro Aracosia - Qabuli Palou (out of beef do lamb shank instead) - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I visited Bistro Aracosia last night (January 29, 2023) because this family-owned Afghani restaurant recently added a two-page VEGAN menu. Wow! Their vegan food is delicious. Rich, filling, and perfectly spiced. They even offer vegan savory yogurt. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The service was excellent, including from the owner's daughter who seated us. The only room for improvement is that no dessert is listed on the vegan menu. I understand Bistro Aracosia offers vegan sorbets. read more

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Excellent Afghan Cuisine. Loved it. Great service & atmosphere. The bar service was slightly off (no mint leaves for the drink they were offering, no jalapenos in the margarita) but otherwise awesome. read more

Bistro Aracosia - Special dumplings - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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OMG Bistro Aracosia is a Restaurant that lives up to the high expectations, AND sets a new standard for Afghan cooking in DC. This new restaurant is not only one of the best in DC's Palisades neighborhood. It is a legitimate destination itself. The family that drew raves at Afghan Bistro in Springfield has brought their famous charm to the former Listrani's location on MacArthur Boulevard. Service is sincere and off-the-charts friendly. And of course there's the food. You'll find beautiful stews, kabobs and meat dishes at most tables, but don't overlook the vegetarian options such as roasted eggplant, rice dishes, butternut squash, or steamed pumpkin dumplings. And then there's the Aushak -- I cant imagine coming here without getting the Aushak, and I plan to come back often. read more

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Really yummy entrees and the bread/sauce they give is addicting and fantastic! They have a lot of options for both vegetarian and meat-eating diets too which is great. The patio and inside are both nice read more

Great authentic food. Made with care, wonderful staff. The owner even participates at front desk and serving

The food is amazing. We got the vegan and beef dumplings. I only had the vegan ones and they were good. The lamb shank stew meal was delicious. Very tender. I got the rice with carrots and raisins with it. The bread with sauces is delicious. It's complimentary. The waiter was awesome. I can't wait to return. The cardamom and rise ice cream was good. We found street parking with no issue. read more

Bistro Aracosia - Vegan and beef dumplings - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The best restaurant in Washington DC! I live in the area and was blown away when I first stopped by. Amazing food and beautiful ambiance. A very special place. read more

Love this place! Came last week and ate outside. Comfortable sidewalk seating with lights and a covered roof. There were also heaters but it was a warm evening and we didn't need them. Our waitress was Alana and she was great and knowledgeable about the menu. I got the veg platter and it was so good, but I would have loved one of the components to be lentils or beans or something with protein. The rice and sabzi (greens) were my favorite but each part of the dish was fantastic. Also a vegan dessert on the menu please! All in all a great meal and I will definitely be back. My whole family loved it. read more

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We just pop down this restaurant and it was really delicious. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked and succulent. We had some nice dipping sauces in a really fabulous dining area indoors. The staff was fantastic too, they were courteous kind and efficient. I am anxious to return. read more

Bistro Aracosia - Great lamb chops - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Me and hubby were out taking a joy ride when we decided to stop here and eat and it's was definitely delicious and worth it every was so good. Especially hubby's lamb. I almost wanted to trade plates with him. It was nice to sit outside and eat since it had warmed up. Though they have overhead heaters by all of the tables to keep you warmer also which was nice read more

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Bistro Aracosia is definitely some of the best and most unique Afghani food in D.C. It's menu, though overwhelmingly expansive, is delicious and contains a host of unique items that are hardly found elsewhere. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable, though they can be slow at times. Our waiter unfortunately messed up one of our entrée orders, luckily it was delicious anyway. Nothing compensates for a mistake like delightful food! Bread Plate (5/5): The bread that comes with your meal is accompanied by four sauces, each with slightly more spice than the next. The bread was warm, fresh, and doughy but not excessively dense. My favorite sauces were the cilantro and mango based ones. They were both creamy, and the mango has a perfect sweetness and subtle kick. Dumpling Sampler (5/5): These are probably the most unique items on the menu. Never have I had dumplings that taste quite like the leek and pumpkin dumplings offered here. They are soft and chewy and incredibly flavorful, considering how simple the ingredients are. These dumplings will surely disrupt any preconceived notions you have about this usually generic dish. Lamb Shank (5/5): The lamb shank was perfectly tender without being too fatty. The rice and greens that accompanied it were also delicious. The greens, in particular, were surprisingly good. Chicken Breast Kabob (4/5): I ordered the dark meat thigh kabobs, but I believe we received breast. Despite this, they were excellent. They were well spiced and tender for breast meat. Ground Beef Kabob (5/5): The ground beef kabob was probably my favorite entree after the lamb shank. It was well spiced and tender. I would recommend this kabob over the chicken or lamb chops. Dessert (5/5): We ordered the rosewater ice cream with cardamom, and it was exceptional. Ice cream is already good, but the rosewater and cardamon flavors really made this dish outstanding. read more

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This is such excellent food. I don't eat meat so I usually order the lentil soup and vegetarian platter and I've never gotten tired of them.

Saturday night, 8:30 reservation at this amazing Afghan restaurant. We were seated promptly and quickly greeted by our friendly waiter. We started with a bottle of Malbec and the Hot Mazza Plate, which was delicious. Our main courses were Lamb Shank Moghuli and Baadenjaan and Basmati rice. Both dishes were superb! We topped off the meal with the rice pudding which was the perfect ending. We will happily return in the future! read more

(4) ~ very good overall takeout. Note: Afghan Food is best described as in between indian & Persian, which makes sense given where the country is located;)lol MENU: ** Bistro Signature Mix Grill Mazza = (4.25) Very tasty ** Lamb Shank Moghuli = Very satisfying ** Yogurt w. Cucumber & Dill = (4) very good ** Basmati Rice = (4) very good, came with the Lamb Shank ** Firni (pudding) = (4) very good * Bread = (3.25) pretty good * Pistachio Cake = (3.25) pretty good read more

My rating = 93 (food 70/75, ambiance 9/10, service 14/15). Lisa's rating = 90. Outstanding lamb and vegetarian dishes, along with Rumi quotes, in a modern space on a quiet Palisades corner. Believe the glowing reviews. We had: 1. Assortment of dumplings (butternut squash,* leek/scallion, and spicy beef) topped with a minced beef and lentil (or carrot and pea) qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne 2. Qabuli combination* - assortment of sabzi (spinach/greens), nakhoud (chickpeas), kadoo (butternut squash) and baadenjaan (eggplant), served with qabuli rice* (seasoned rice with julienned carrots and raisins) 3. Spicy risotto* (spiced with fenugreek, with chickpeas, lentils and kidney beans) and baadenjaan (eggplant) and kadoo (butternut squash) 4. Qabuli palou - braised bone-in lamb shank with baadenjaan and qabuli rice 5. Chicken aracosian - boneless chicken thigh in tomato based stew with eggplant and garam masala, served with saffron rice 6. Cardamom milk cake 7. Firni (Milk pudding with rose water and cardamom, topped with pistachios) * = our favorites read more

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Bistro Aracosia is my go to spot for great middle eastern food. I ordered the Lamb Shank which the owner says is a fan favorite. The lamb was fall off the bone tender, the rice cooked perfectly and the sauce perfectly seasoned. The dumplings are flavorful and the bread they serve is freshly made and tasty. The owner is very friendly and the staff are happy to answer any questions. If you haven't tried middle eastern go for the lamb shank or lamb platter with delicious cuts of meat. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food. read more

Best Afghan food I have ever had, and I can now say I like lamb. This place is small so you need to make a reservation. A friend of mine recommended Bistro Aracosia and I will definitely be back. If you are not a fan of sitting close to other people you may not like the back room. However, I grew up in Europe so being close to others does not bother me. Some of the staff were wearing traditional outfits and all were very friendly. After half of our party was present they sat us in the back room. The ceiling looked like a tent and a beaded lamp was hanging down the middle. Art work adorned the walls. It was quite breathtaking and when we first arrived the lights were rather dim with a candle flickering on each table. Whoever decorated the restaurant did a great job. They brought us out fresh flat bread with different dipping sauces. Three were spicy and the orange one was a sweet mango. All four dipping sauces were excellent and they replaced the bread several times. We ordered the quoti which was ground beef on the flat bread with yogurt on top. It was very good. For our main meal we ordered the lamb with beef tenderloin. We asked for it well done.. which was a mistake. It came out burnt. So I do not recommend ordering anything well done from here. The manager was so great that he removed this from the bill and brought out 4 medium cooked lamb chops. It was amazingly-the lamb did not have a strong flavor at all. Then we ordered the lamb shank. It was literally the size of one of those turkey legs you get from the fair. Anyway we could not finish it so I asked for a to go box and guess what? They added more rice to go. This is why restaurant goes above and beyond because they aim to please. Please note food takes a bit of time but the wait is well worth it! I usually don't order dessert but I just had to. They had a rice pudding and a regular pudding. I couldn't decide so I just ordered both. I know this meal went above and beyond my caloric intake for the day. The pudding had a smooth texture with pistachios on top. The rice pudding also tasted really good, but I think the pudding was better. Great place to come with friends and sit and talk! read more

Bistro Aracosia - The pudding! Amazing - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Such tasty, interesting food. Even loved the side dishes. The real star of the night was the assorted dumplings. Flavors unlike any other dumplings I've had. Each of the three kinds was superb. Very attentive staff in a cozy, spacious environment. Love that there was space between the tables and you didn't feel like you were participating in your neighbors' conversations. read more

I kept hearing about this place from friends who live in the Palisades and finally checked it out for brunch. It's everything it's made out to be and more - the most flavorful food, large portions, and excellent service. It is a family run restaurant and they're very warm and welcoming. For appetizers, my friend and I got the quroti, which is a flatbread with roasted eggplant and yogurt and it's a medley of flavors - smoked flavor plus a little tangy from the yogurt... so good!!! For entrees (which were brought out in a very timely way), we got lamb shank which came on a bed of rice with roasted eggplant. The lamb was tender and amazing! The spices were just perfect too. Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone interested in trying authentic Afghani food - you will not be disappointed! read more

Bistro Aracosia - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Fantastic authentic Afghan food and ambience, in a neighborhood restaurant on MacArthur Boulevard. We love coming here with friends for delicious food in a comfortable place. We usually book through Open Table and are seated promptly. Nice selection of beers and wines to go with the delicious meals. Our favorites are lamb shank and the goat. Yesterday was a special celebration and we got the royal treatment. Highly recommended. read more

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I came to this restaurant with my family on Saturday & Let me tell you... the food was AMAZING!!!! We ordered the appetizer sampler, the beef & lamb chops , and finished the evening with the vanilla cardamom ice cream. Everything was fantastic! The food was very flavorful. I'm not usually a fan of lamb but this restaurant made me love it again ! I'm shocked. Same goes for ashak. I'm a mantu fan, and the amount of filling was JUST right making it perfect ! The eggplant..... don't get me started. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Our server was MAX. He was very knowlagable about all of the dishes & recommended some of the tastiest dishes I have had recently ! Very very nice and attentive servers at this place. I hate when you go to a place and the servers are rude and can't recommend dishes. Even servers who were not waiting on us were very attentive & nice. Came to the table to ask if we needed help. We sat outside and the decorations were super cute and aunthentic. Super cute vibes all over. Not to mention.... The playlist was bomb. I found myself shazamming every other song. I should be good on hits for a while. I will definetly be coming back !!! Loved the bread and the choice of chakni as well ! 5 stars all around ! read more

5 stars for the appetizers. We often order a sampling of the appetizers carry out, as a mezze meal in themselves. I really like how generous Aracasio is with their three signature dipping sauces. They usually put in enough for everyone in the order to have their own. They're all delicious in different ways, and fun to dip the bread in as well. read more

I have been here several times, most recently for takeout during the pandemic. The high glass wall that separates the diners and the entry not only blocks the cold but now serves as a barrier for those doing takeout in COVID times. The food here is absolutely amazing. Hot Mazza is a mix of four appetizers, each seems more delicious than the other no matter what order you eat them in. The Lamb Chops and Beef Tenderloin were a hit for both of us. Lastly the Braised Lamb Shank was a delight. It gets better the closer you get to the bone. Definitely one of my top restaurants in DC. Can't wait to go back and eat there properly. read more

Came here for my birthday dinner with my boyfriend and we were both blown away by the food and the service! It was our first time trying Afghan food, and the waitress provided such good recommendations on our appetizers and entrees. All the chutneys were so delicious and the hot mazza plate was perfect to share between us and to try a little bit of everything. read more

Bistro Aracosia - Lamb shank! 10/10 - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food is very tasty, great with rice. I feel they are carefully prepared, also very nicely presented. I appreciate the efforts put into the food by the chef and staff. read more

Bistro Aracosia - Lamb Shank Moghuli - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Having had some tasty kabobs from Afghan Bistro at a DC summer festival, I vowed to check out the restaurant the next time I'm in the Springfield area. I'm never in the Springfield area. However, the universe was on my side when I found out that Afghan Bistro recently opened a sister restaurant a mere 10-minute drive from me! Rejoice! Thanks to the insight of fellow Yelpers, I made sure my boyfriend and I had a reservation before venturing over on a Friday night. This place was hoppin! There's a guy playing music, a line of people waiting for tables, wine glasses clinking, smell of smoked meat and spices in the air. There were beautiful art on the wall and colorful rugs lining the dining room. The menu was extensive, and everything sounded good, which made the decision making process that much harder. A friendly woman sitting at the table next to us highly recommended the pumpkin dumplings, so we got that. We also decided to share this braised goat on the specials menu (I wish I remembered what it was called!) and the Aracosian lamb platter (came with shoulder chops, rib chops, and tenderloin). Once our orders were put in, a warm bread basket with four dips arrived. The dips were sooo good. I had to force myself to not get full on the dip and bread. I don't think I was successful because we finished two bread baskets before our appetizers arrived (based on the time stamps in my photos, only 15 minutes lapsed). The pumpkin dumplings were delicious! I'm not the biggest fan of dishes that are both sweet and savory though so will probably try the aushak (leek and scallion dumplings) or the mantu (spicy beef dumplings) next time. The braised goat was also amazingly spiced and perfectly braised. It didn't taste gamey at all either. Then, the star of the show, the Aracosian lamb platter, arrived. Let's have a moment of silence for the lamb that died for this dish. Talk about sacrificial lamb, literally. And it was divine. All the pieces were soft and juicy and flavorful. The rice and veggies that came in the platter also blended perfectly. Ok so here's my gripe and the reason for taking a star off the rating. At $41.95, easily twice the price of many other entrees, I was expecting the lamb platter to be bigger. However, it was served on the same sized platter as many of the dishes ordered by our surrounding tables. That aside though, I can't wait to come back! read more

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This is place always brings me joy. I've been coming here for the past ~5 years. The food is phenomenal every single time. The lamb falls off the bone, the seasoning are all lovely, the veggies great.... I can't recommend this place enough. It's my go to spot when friends and family visit and everyone loves it. read more

Great Afghan food, which for the uninitiated is somewhat similar to Pak and Northern Indian with various meat and vegetable sauces over birayni rice, perfectly cooked lamb shanks and other meat bits. And yet it's not quite the same as those more common cuisines, much in the same way a South Carolina barbeque is not the same as what comes from Texas or even North Carolina. Especially North Carolina. I digress, but only slightly; BBQ lovers might not recognize the menu items but will be salivating all the same when the the lamb chops and beef tips are set before them. Meat here is cooked to perfection, and that includes the rubs and sauces that bring out the flavor. Bistro Aracosia's service is prompt and friendly, with knowledgeable recommendations at the ready. I was part of a party of nine that the owner accommodated last minute as the result of a wrong date on our end. (Don't count on this, however, as it appears the place is fully booked continuously). Our group opted for a chef's choice selection, a good option if you are not going in with specific dishes in mind. One specific dish we did ask for was Sabzi Moghuli, a cooked down slurry of kale and other greens that was reminiscent of saag. It was delicious, much better than the industrial description I just gave it. The chef seemed surprised that I asked for a vegetable dish, but I honestly thought the meat dishes were more similar to each other. Next time--and there will be a next time--I plan to try some of the other non meat-on-rice options. Appetizers are outstanding, especially the dumplings. Spend some time and money here, as the diversity of textures and flavors (pumpkin dumplings!) are broader than the entree selections. Dessert options are cake, rice puddings, and ice cream. You can't make a bad choice here, provided you like rose water (I do). read more