Entire ambiance was ideal!! The food to the service was top…read morenotch. Will definitely take my lady here again for dates.

Gypsy Kitchen is one of those places you can take anyone and everyone to have a great time and an…read moreeven greater meal! One of my favorite tapas style spots in DC! Everything and when I say everything, is absolutely delicious! Some honorable mentions are the hummus, beef kebabs, and literally anything bread! Always so fresh and delicious, and the service/vibe is top tier for a good photo opp! PS: Crispiest Diet Coke in DC!!!!!

A complete vibe! I…read morecame here with a coworker of mine the day before 4th of July for lunch and drinks, and I left full and happy. There is a parking garage around the corner of the restaurant so that makes things very convenient. The inside decor is gorgeous and is chic but also funky fresh. I got grilled octopus over a bed of bean salad that had pieces of pomegranate in it - 10/10. The savory taste of the octopus paired against the sweetness of the salad was really delicious. For desert I got the baklava option that comes with ice cream - INCREDIBLE. You have to order it if you come here.

Went there twice to taste different kinds of Turkish dishes. One time for dinner and the other for…read morelunch. Overall the food was good. The serving size of the dishes I ordered were medium to small. The service was far less satisfactory than food. I tried the following dishes: 1. Complimentary pita: ~40g per piece. Not salty and paired well with the other dishes. Definitely get some! 2. Lahmacun: The lamb+beef mixture was tasty. It came with 4 pieces. 3. Branzino: ~6oz. The fish was grilled to perfection; juciy tender, and the skin was nicely charred. It was served with freh parsley and seasoned grilled tomato (salt+oregano I think). 4. Imam Bayildi: Half of an eggplant topped with sauteed onions and tomatoes. While itself was pretty normal, it went so well with the Ottoman rice. 5. Ottoman Rice: The true highlight of all the dishes I tried! It was basically Basimati rice cooked with dried apricots, raisins, almonds & pine nuts mix, and seasoned with black currant. Overall it was warm, earthy and lightly smoky. The apricot slices added some delightful sweetness and juiciness to the dish. Should pair well with Labneh, chicken and seafood. But to be honest, I can simply eat this stuff along for a whole meal! 6. Tabbouleh: They went against the traditional recipe by substituting the bulgur with quinoa and added some pomegranate arils. I liked the special texture of quinoa. The sweetness of pomegrante arils also enriched the flavors. However, I had to constantly spit the seeds when enjoying the salad. 7. Kofte: Adana style ground beef patties. Just like what I make at home haha! I ordered it as an add-on to my salad at lunchtime. It came with only 2 pieces which weighed no more than 3oz in total... Despite the delicious food, service was disappointing. The first time, the dinner, was Okay. While my food came out slowly, at least my server was aware of it and asked me how I liked the dishes. The second time, the lunch, was horrible. Even before I was seated, my server made me feel that he was reluctant to serve me, and emphasized that I had to order asap. "Luckily", I had already decided what to order. After I got my dishes, no one in the restaurant asked me if the food was Okay. And at the check, my bill was thrown onto my table. In comparison, the two ladies dining next to me came even after I started eating, but were greeted warmly and were given lots of time to decide what to order; not to mention that the staff gave them lots of suggestions, asked about their dining experience, and even chatted with them about sightseeing in DC, etc. Such discrimitory treatment is really unacceptable.

I treated my friend to brunch after seeing all the hype on TikTok, Yelp, and Instagram, and it…read moreabsolutely lived up to it! This was easily one of the most entertaining brunches I've experienced in the DMV, while still maintaining an upscale vibe. From the singer taking special requests during brunch to the live entertainment afterward, drummers, dancers, and a saxophonist turning things into a full brunch party...we were thoroughly entertained from start to finish. What really stood out, though, was that the food matched the energy. At some places, you get great entertainment but mediocre food - not here. Everything was beautifully presented, served at the perfect temperature, and genuinely delicious. My friend was so impressed with her birthday celebration that she thanked me for days afterward. The service was impeccable, the space is stunning with plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, and despite how busy it was, it somehow still felt warm and welcoming. If you're in the mood to get dressed up, enjoy an upscale brunch, celebrate a special occasion, or impress someone on a date, this is definitely the place. I'm already looking forward to my next brunch party here!

Gorgeous restaurant! I felt very underdressed but I loved the vibrant atmosphere…read more STARTER: Prosciutto - very large portion, had plenty to take home, thinly sliced and addictive ENTREE: Hanger Steak Au Poivre $56 10 oz black angus hanger steak, pomme frites & green beans, green peppercorn sauce *I really enjoyed the steak but I didn't finish it because I polished off 2 trays of bread by myself...andddd I don't regret it. COCKTAILS: Smoked Old Fashioned $18 BB Bourbon, BB House Bitters, Syrup, Smoke *I loved the smokiness of the drink and it went great with the bread because I had no self control... Our service was consistent throughout dinner and they packed up all of our leftovers very nicely and set them aside on the counter while we chatted and they didn't rush us with the bill like a lot of establishments do. **Would you believe it that the server packed me a to go box of bread? I am dead. I could not stop laughing when I saw that. I will definitely be back! ;)

One of the best Turkish restaurants in USA…read more Real Michael Guide experience Definitely worth it every penny that you paid. Real traditional Turkish food without any modern ingredients. Have visited for lunch we were group of 3 all of us had "Turkish experience " the name of lunch combo. Price to value is high. 20% tip added to bill automatically. Great place to visit. All payment forms accepted except Apple Pay , pay attention

Came here with 2 other friends for a Saturday lunch based on a friend's recommendation. It wasn't…read morepacked and the weather was nice so we took an outdoor table. We got the ottoman experience which included unlimited foods and drinks on the menu. I didn't know what to expect but the experience is mindblowing good! They served us everything included in the experience menu which has cold mezze and hot mezze plates, omelette, various skewers and desserts and sides. Everything is so fresh and tasty. I especially enjoyed the muhammara, the pink dip, and the omelette. The pita breads are warm and fluffy, perfect with the mezze. We also got a lot of mimosas and the honey yogurt dessert was not heavy and perfect end to our brunch. We all ended up so full but very much satisfied with the experience. If you go with friends or a group, get the experience you won't regret!

My friends and I get together once a month for brunch or dinner, and this month we landed at Ala in…read moreDupont Circle--and whew...this brunch did NOT disappoint! If you're hungry, come with an appetite because their bottomless brunch is the real deal! The buffet is packed with options including braised lamb, braised short rib, crispy chicken, fish, beef sausage, turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, potato latkes, hummus, salad, and so much more. There was truly something for everyone. And don't even think about skipping dessert! They have a full dessert table with brownies, baklava, fresh fruit, donuts, and other sweet little treats that make it way too easy to go back for "just one more." The bottomless drinks are an incredible value too! For just $15, you get unlimited mimosas, Bloody Marys, and coffee. Our server was absolutely fantastic. She was attentive throughout our meal, and the moment she noticed our champagne bottle was getting low, she brought us another without us even having to ask. Now that's service! The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but they have a beautiful patio that's perfect for enjoying brunch on a nice day. And let's talk value because it's hard to beat: $36 for the all-you-can-eat brunch and $15 for bottomless drinks is an absolute steal, especially considering the quality and variety. They also offer plenty of other cocktails and beverages if mimosas aren't your thing. If you're looking for a fun brunch spot with delicious food, flowing champagne, and excellent service, Ala is definitely worth adding to your list!

I came here for brunch which is a great deal for unlimited food. If you're looking to try a bunch…read moreof food, their deal is a great option. We had a slight issue with our reservation when we came in. They seated us outside even though we asked to sit inside. Because of that, we had to wait a bit. Because it was a very hot day, we definitely had wanted to sit inside. The ambiance is great. I think they have a private room upstairs and they had plenty of room. It does get crowded for brunch so if you have a preference for inside or outside, I recommend a reservation. They did have plenty of bar seating though, which has the regular menu.

The Best falafel sandwich I've ever had in my life. Came on a busy Friday afternoon so I had a…read morechance to watch the staff doing their efficient thing. Heathy food. Nice hospitality. When I mentioned it was my first time visiting they gave me a free iced tea.

I ordered salmon with my rice bowl today and the salmon was very badly burnt. It was so bad I could…read morenot eat it. Picture is attached.

July 2026: I recently went back to Namak to try their new Sunday brunch with a couple of friends…read moreand enjoyed it immensely. We were seated immediately and had outstanding service from start to finish. We all shared the pikilia (sampler of all five spreads), all of which were delicious with special kudos for the labne and the muhamarra. I got the Adana for my main dish, which was outstanding. The lamb was perfectly cooked and seasoned, the sumac onions provided delicious crunch and flavor, the rice was well-done, and the lavash was the perfect accompaniment for the lamb. I also got the Turkish coffee which was solid, and split the coffee cake with a friend. While the coffee cake was fine, it tasted more like a honey or spice cake instead of a coffee cake. I look forward to my next visit to Namak! July 2024: A great addition to the Adams Morgan dining scene! My friend and I recently went here for a weekend dinner and were seated immediately at our reservation time. It was extremely busy when we initially arrived; however, after an initial service snafu (which our server apologized for), we received outstanding service with our dishes coming out in a timely manner. Namak's ambiance is lovely, with blue-and-white tiling, lots of natural light, wood tables, and Greek, Turkish, and Persian decorations. Namak automatically includes a 20 percent service charge and clearly indicates this charge on their menu and receipt, which I appreciated. Namak also has plenty of vegetarian options. My friend and I split the four dishes listed below: Kuru Patlican Dolmasi: An OK dish with well-cooked rice but there was too much salt and there was minimal flavor other than the sauce (there needed to be more sauce). Ahtapot: A phenomenal dish, Michelin-star caliber in presentation and execution, and one of my five favorite dishes I have had at a restaurant this year. The octopus was prepared and grilled perfectly-the best octopus I have ever had. The carrot puree was aesthetically stunning and provided excellent sweetness and freshness, with the pickled onions adding acidity and crunch. The greens on top added further brightness and flavor to the dish. Finally, the blue tilework on the plate below capped off a beautiful array of colors for the dish. It is worth coming to Namak just for the Ahtapot-it was that good. Ispanakli Pide-Another delicious plate, with the pide excellently baked, the right amount of fresh spinach and dill, and the perfect amount of feta to complement the other ingredients. Roasted Cauliflower-While the cauliflower was perfectly cooked, it needed a bit less salt and far more tahini, za'atar, and pomegranate seeds. I would have paid $2-3 more for the dish to make it outstanding if there had been substantial tahini and pomegranate seeds at the bottom. My friend and I split the Anatolian cheesecake for dessert. While the sour cherry compote was delicious, I was disappointed that I couldn't taste the Turkish yogurt and Greek feta. I look forward to my next visit to Namak!

It's my fault for trying restaurants that serve food that isn't spicy and full of flavor. The…read moreingredients are fresh and the service is FANTASTIC. The food is so forgettable. The pita bread was the best thing in the meal. I think we got the muhammara spread. I can't remember. The zucchini fritters were dry, the spinach was cold, and the trout was bland. However, the decor is beautiful! The bar is very romantic! My favorite cuisines are West African, East African, Caribbean, Indian, and Thai, so take my review worth a grain of salt if you don't care for those cuisines.

Food was quick and service was attentive. Steak was cooked to our liking. Would recommend in DC.read more

I've eaten there twice and the food has been great each time. The first time was on a date and the…read moresecond time was with a large party. Be prepared to eat because the portions are decently sized. and the food is great, fairly priced, and you leave feeling satisfied and catered to.

Some days Urfa is a 3, some days a 4, some days a 5, very inconsistent…read more I really want this place to be 5 stars but they don't make it easy. I typical get the falafel platter with rice, veggies and salad and it's delicious! The falafel are quite good (yes deep fried-some days a little too much but so good). The meal itself with veggies, rice, salad and dressing is a really good meal. And I always get hummus on the side. Their hummus-as a middle easterner I find it weird they have hummus and a hummus dip on the menu. Keep it traditional with the hummus - one of them is super soupy like which is disappointing and when I order I can never remember which one I like. Hummus shouldn't be thin it's not tahini (although made with tahini) :) Also what I dislike is that I always ask for no bread or no sauce and they always give me 3-6 pieces of huge bread when I specify no bread and it just goes to waste EVERY time. I hate wasting food and I can't eat gluten so it's just frustrating-I wish they would read the notes when people order or listen better. I still order from here knowing that my meal will be either mediocre or great, it's a chance I take sometimes when I crave their falafel platter.

In these times I am doing everything I can to support small business, especially restaurants, so I…read morewas hesitant to even write this review, but decide to based on the food and the subsequent treatment of my request. I ordered a gyro and eggplant salad. I requested the pita for the gyro be separate so it didn't get soggy. That was not done. It's not the biggest deal but it would be nice if customer requests were honored. The bigger issue was the eggplant salad, which was rancid. I literally had to spit out what I had eaten and then throw out the container. When I asked for a refund (just of the eggplant salad) I was told that was not possible, which I do not understand since the food was spoiled and could have made me sick :( Very disappointing experience all around.