I have since eaten here twice more, and the service was friendly. One occasion was on the back patio. Nice space to find!

Good strong menu and everything we had was tasty. nothing outstanding, nothing bad. I'll definitely go back, but next time will try a kebab. The Kofte was so-so, and the rice is not the yummy kind of rice I've come to expect in Turkish restaurants. read more

We order delivery from here pretty often because we're lazy and live around the corner. Cafe 8 is fantastic. The food is always yummy, fresh, and fast! I love the pides and the Tabbouleh! read more

I gave it four stars because when my friends and I arrived the place was really slow, so I assumed that the service would be faster than what it originally was. We had to ask the host for our menus, water, bread, and even if he was the one who would be taking our order(because there was no introduction). After about 10 minutes we had to call him again so that we can order our drinks and order pizza for my baby sister. After a little while the place got a little busy and service got faster and better for my table. I ended up ordering shrimp with rice and mixed veggies, my friend got salmon with mash and mixed veggies, and my other friend got beef/lamb wrap with fries. Everything tasted really good. At the end of the night the host (i guess as an apology for the slow start) brought out free dessert! read more

I went to Cafe 8 with a large group of 9 for dinner around 6:30 PM on a Sunday evening. They weren't super busy so there was no wait for our table. Our waitress was incredibly nice and checked in on our table to a satisfactory extent. The food was absolutely fantastic. The mixed kebab provided a great variety; the Kafteh was inviting and filling; the Beyti was sumptuous. The hummus was great, the Labneh dip was STELLAR, the Olive blend dip was amazing. The bread was fantastic. 10/10 would recommend. read more

I liked the place but the service was so bad that I'm not sure we will go back. We had to wait so long for everything from being seated to ordering to getting our food and finally our checks that it ruined the experience. I waited tables throughout college so I'm usually more understanding about service, but this was ridiculous. For those of you who go and actually have good service, the pides are better than the kabobs, also the hummus, falafel and flatbread to start are all good. But beware the service. read more

The food could have a little more umph, but it always seems well-prepared and presented, and they have a good wine/drink menu. The atmosphere is good, with outdoor seating, beaded curtains, and a relaxing decor. The service is iffy, but they will work with you on special requests. I'll definitely go back, but just wish the food was a little less blah. read more

I went for lunch and I was pleasantly surprised. There wasn't a wait (it was around 2:00). The pides looked great. I had the falafel sandwich and enjoyed it. The bread is amazing. The tabbouli was a little salty, but the baba ghanouj was great. It was smokey and textured. It wasn't that pricey, either. I would definitely visit again. read more

I went after church on Sunday afternoon with friends. The outdoor and back patios were very cute and well positioned to catch the sunlight and also offer shade, and the inside decor was festive. I'd give it a 5 for atmosphere. The service was decent, the place was not crowded and we didn't have to wait long for our meals. I got a lamb wrap with cucumber sauce, which was very greasy and came with a handful of limp fries. One friend got a pizza with feta and spinach that was extremely generous for a single serving and also came with a side salad. All dishes were a little too heavy for me but fairly decent, especially my friend's pizza that I sampled. Hers was $11, and my much-smaller wrap was $9, so next time I go I will definitely order the pizza. read more

Came here for work party. I got the swordfish sandwich. It was okay, but not great. Probably wouldn't come back.

Ever since Meyhane left Capitol Hill, I've been in search of an equally delicious Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant. My biggest complaint about Cafe 8 is inconsistency. The first time I went with my fiance and parents it was great--I loved their vegetable pizza, white bean hummus, and lentil soup. They have a Malbec wine that's pretty good for a decent price. However, the next few times we returned it was terrible! We had to wave our waiter down several times to get more water, the bread was cold, and they were cutting the bread over a trash can. I wish I didn't have to write a bad review for this place, because I really want it to be good but I feel like I just keep leaving there disappointed. read more

We had our best dinner in DC at the Cafe 8. Wonderful bread, the spreads were awesome and the lamb was fantastic. Top that off with baklava and flan dish that was out of this world. For the kids, there are tons of pizzas to choose from. Very easy to get to from the Eastern Market metro stop--just a half a block from the entrance, right next to the fire station. Great prices, too. Wonderful place to eat at during your family DC vacation. read more

Come here for a good breakfast of Turkish fare and coffee. Brunch has always been solid every time I come here. I avoid dinners here though - the quality seems to have gone down compared to what you have to pay. Eighteen dollars gets you a Moroccan stew which is basically rice, spice, and chickpeas. Disappointing. Bar staff are always friendly though, and there is a good selection of wine and drinks. Try for brunch or cocktails instead. read more

Went for lunch on Labor Day and the place was (understandably) dead. I thought the food here was pretty good. My Adana sandwich (more of a wrap) was tasty, but not spectacular. I really liked the dipping sauce, tho. Not sure what it was. Something orange and spicy. The french fries that came with the wrap were very crispy and seasoned - I probably could have eaten a whole plate of just fries. Next time, I think I'll get one of the pizzas... my friends got those and they looked much tastier than my sandwich. Service was friendly, but slow... but we weren't in any sort of hurry so it wasn't bad. I'd probably go back here to try some different things, but if anyone has a suggestion for better food in that neighborhood, I'm all ears. read more

The Turkish Delight pizza was awesome. The prices are fair, and the service was very good. I loved the restaurant atmosphere too.

This place is great! went with my fiancé for a hookah and we absolutely loved it. the place is nice and the food is delicious ( got the chicken kabobs), as for the hookah, it's awesome its price is very competitive compared to other hookah places in DC..def going back. read more

OZER is the best waiter around. He is so attentive, courteous and always greets you with a smile. I am a regular at Cafe 8 and each time I go, I request he be my server. I think I've tried almost everything on the menu and each time, Ozer recommends something new and delicious! Although I'm not a smoker and hookah isn't my thing, my friends smoke and say it's better than the other hookah spots in DC. The drinks are always made to perfection and the food is always yummy. If you haven't tried Cafe 8 you must, plus it's right off the EasternMarket metro so it's UBER convenient. read more

I'd heard mixed things about Cafe 8 , but went there for lunch today and was pleasantly surprised. I was raised in the Turkish restaurant business, (my father currently runs this place: http://www.yelp.com/biz/lezzette-mediterranean-cucina-new-york?rpp=40&sort_by=date_desc ) so it's very familiar stuff for me. Two of us split the cigar borek, lahmacun, and the pide (I think it was the Cafe 8). The borek is feta rolled up in phyllo dough with dill. It was a nice little dish, 4 pieces. The lahmacun, a Turkish meat pie-slash-thin crust pizza, had a nice flavor but was sloppily plated -- the lemon dressing on the side salad leaked around, so about 1/3 of the pie tasted basically like lemon juice. Finally, the pide, which was spectacular. Pides are basically Turkish burritos, it's meat or other things in wrap form. The lamb was perfectly cooked and flavorful, and the thing is massive. Also has a nice side of cacik, yogurt with dill and cucumbers. Other yelpers disliked the service, but we had a very good experience. It might be the timing, as we went around 1:30 on a Thursday. Maybe it's a mess when it's busy, but it was fine for our late lunch. The decoration is warm, though the beads outside the bathroom are inexplicable and the music selection is bizarre. For two people, Cafe 8 is a great bargain. We paid $25 before tip for those three items plus a cup of Turkish coffee. We were absolutely stuffed, the pide + 1 appetizer would've been enough to split for lunch. I'd avoid anything too American brunch-y, (ie. scrambled egg-type stuff,) that seems to get poor reviews, and stick with the pides, various borek, and more Turkish items. I will definitely be coming back here. read more

Hmmm what to say about Cafe 8, i went last week as it is one of 3 restaurants that I have not tried on 8th street and it has really great outdoor seating. The service was painfully slow, we got beers, tabouleh, hummus, and a pizza. The tabuoleh and hummus would have been ok had it not been for the half frozen pita we were served; and I think the pizza wouldve been really good had it come out in under 40 minutes and been fully cooked. The place wasnt completely slammed so I dont know what the hold up was about or the shabby service. I would only go here for happy hour and the outdoor seating ...... read more

Was the food OK? yes- good for the price Did they get our order wrong? yes Did they forget to put cheese on our sandwiches? yes Were they out of cheese, but didn't tell us until after they brought out the sandwiches? yes Did the fries come with black burnt chunks? yes Was the waiter rude? yes Was the waiter sorry for messing up so many times? no Did the waiter ever ask us how we were doing or if the food was good? no read more

Love the food here. The back patio is a gem. Sometimes the service can be spotty but they are friendly and the food is well priced. Inexpensive, quality food. read more

I might have given Cafe 8 two and half stars. But getting food poisoning from their awful calamari drops them to one. Or zero, if that was an option. I've been to Cafe 8 twice now, and had roughly the same experience (minus the food poisoning, which was a special bonus the second time around): some menu items are OK or even good. Others are terrible. The food is affordable, and service is fine. But I wouldn't come here if I cared to eat well, and the fact that the place is half-empty most nights suggests that others feel the same. On the "good" size, the lentil soup is fine, and the roasted red pepper and babganoush dips are both really good. The lebneh (third in the trio of dips on the menu) is not good. The bread everything comes with is amazing, easily the star of the show. The felafel is well made and fairly tasty, but the hummus has an odd texture and taste. The calamari, as I said, was awful, with weird/mushy octopus, a bizarre breading deep-fried into oblivion, and some sort of modified mayo dip. I assume the fish was just old and slimey, hence the food poisoning. All in all, I'd say this place needs a serious kitchen re-boot, including a thorough cleaning. The space is welcoming and large, but the food doesn't come close to what other Barracks Row restaurants are offering. read more

I came here for lunch and had the lamb chops. They look like they were going to be fabulous but it was slightly overcook and under seasoned. The rice definitely has frozen mixed vegetables added which was unfortunate since the rice itself tasted great. The plate came with mixed vegetables and again it was obviously from a standard frozen mix. I was impressed with the size of the wraps my friends received, well worth the price in terms of quantity, but my buddy said despite the description saying it had lamb it tasted more like ground beef. The fries were served with ketchup PACKETS. Seriously! It's a sit down restaurant not a take out joint. Overall it has great potential but I found it average at best. I left thinking they could use some help from one of those Food Network restaurant rescues/make over shows. read more

Stopped for the hookah and was pleasantly surprised. It never got harsh which is a huge issue everywhere else. The spicy hummus wasn't spicy but the bread was good. The red lentil soup was meh- definitely on the bland side. If you can deal with very slow service, then I would recommend it. read more

I wouldn't even give this restaurant a one star.I actually didnt eat there.But there were no tables an chairs anywhere,On this street.An so my dad that is a Veteran war hero.Couldn't walk no more.Due to his physical abilities.So i sat him at Cafe 8 on the street not even in the restaurant And a employee came out all rude.saying my father couldn't sit here.I say my dad just cant walk right now.So then he got his rude boss.Which was more insensitive to us.My dad fought for this country for freedom.an they were so mean to us..Iv never experience people like that..Normally my dad gets thank yous, and people who salutes him.I was appalled by this restaurant.WE.WILL NEVER EAT HERE!!! read more

Delicious food, shared the Beyti and Kofte and the flavors were marvelous! I had the red lentil soup to start and it was also very good. The restaurant is connected to a bar and the noise carried over to the dining area, which made for a loud evening, hence only giving 4 stars. read more

I highly recommend the lamb shank at this place. The lahmbajeen was great too! The service and the place is very pleasant.

Ordered a specialty juice from here via Uber Eats because I was sick and not only wanted something to eat but also a fresh juice packed with vitamins (I mean the way it was advertised, it was the main draw). When the order came I received a 6oz. can of pineapple juice!! couldn't believe my eyes. I was charged $4 for that?! Wow. If you don't have it, you could've just told me after the fact or....here's a thought....simply take it off the menu!! BTW, food tasted average and didn't look appetizing. Won't order here again. read more

The atmosphere was great. It was a great place to go with my grown family, but not for children. The pides were excellent as were the kabobs and dipping bread. The drink selection was a bit lacking, but that isn't why we chose the place. read more

Charming neighborhood spot with lots of outdoor searing. Shared a light dinner with a friend: hummus, lebneh, tzatziki (which they called by some other name), and a tomato-cucumber salad. It was tasty and reasonably priced. Nothing really jumped out at me, and the service was a little slow, but it was a pleasant place to have dinner. read more

I loved my experience here. I came for lunch on a Sunday after hitting Eastern Market; it was pretty empty and the staff was very kind to me. I am a vegetarian, so I ordered the spinach pide, which was absolutely delicious - I have had daydreams about it. I can understand why some people would comment on the service, but that sort of thing doesn't bother me. It was a lazy Sunday and I prefer not feeling rushed. read more

It was a beautiful Sunday stroll down Barracks Row when I came across Cafe 8. Pizza, had a taste for it all week. Happy hour till 7, sweet. I'd like to have a seat. No, you can't sit outside because our tables are for two people and you are by yourself. But... you can sit on our back patio in the alley. And look at a fence no thanks. Went to matchbox and spent way more than I would have here. Thanks! End of review. read more

The number 1 thing this place has going for it is the setting. Inside by the fireplace on a cold winter evening or out back on the patio in the summer are both lovely places for a meal. Unfortunately the food and the service leave a lot to be desired. The salads are uninspired and the pizzas and pides arrive with the crust still raw in the middle. The red wine is served too warm (which granted is not a problem exclusive to this restaurant). The waitstaff is amateurish at times and simply not able to be found at others. If you want to enjoy a few cocktails and some hummus or muhammara in a pleasant setting, and you have low expectations for service, come here. Other good thing: it's rarely crowded. If you want to have well prepared food and knowledgeable, attentive service, don't. read more

Thus place is amazing, especially being a hidden spot in eastern market, they have great hookah. I was walking down the street with my other half and I wa Ted to check it out. There pizza is phenomenal and during happy hour its only $6 dollars.Great value for high quality food. Also try the shrimp with harvest vegetables its really good. You the best service at the bar. Bartender name Chris, he makes the best drink.based on preference or likes or dislikes..He makes it happen.. I had a great time with my other half its our second time, coming here and we love service. If your looking for a good time and you spend time with your dates & she loves good food, drinks, and hookah. Then you need to be here.. read more

The food is amazing here! I have been several times and they always make me feel right at home. Ozer is the best server! Ask for him...you won't be disappointed ! I love how fast they are with delivering your food and continuous asking if you need anything else. They will keep me coming back over and over! read more

We got the hummus, falafel, and a "margarita" pizza. None of it had much flavor, and the pizza was inedible. Very disappointing.

So.... went to this place the other day.... EEEEWWWWW!!!!!! i wouldn't waste your time, or money.... the drink i got was way too strong. the meat in my "durum" tasted like old hamburger meat.... wasn't a fan @ all. can't even rate AH star, but had to give a rating read more

The pides are very good and there's a yummy red pepper sundried tomato spread, but the hummus is dreadfully bland. Just awful. Salads and such are pretty good. Efes beer is available, which is nice. read more

This joint is ok. It never seems busy, which is too bad, because its just as good as the other places with waits. The iskender kebap is good, nice outside patio. No draft beer, which keeps me away during happy hour. read more

Amazing food and service! Pides are very tasty :) salads are flavorful