I don't typically write reviews, but my recent experience at Divan was so awful that it warrants public feedback. As someone who usually praises restaurants, this review serves as a stark warning about the flavorless food and horrendous General Manager and Chef. We had made a reservation for eight well in advance, for my sister-in-law's birthday. Though she is from Bangladesh, one of her favorite foods is koobideh, and she was excited to try a new Persian restaurant in the area. I'm Persian-American and enjoy exploring local Persian cuisine to see different takes on classic dishes, so I was also eager. Sadly, from the moment we arrived, the evening went downhill. Upon arrival, we sensed subtle disrespect from the staff. Despite reserving well in advance, we were seated in a dim and unpleasant area near the kitchen, away from the open and inviting dining area. Our table appeared hastily assembled with metal bistro chairs (the type typically used outdoors) and outdoor tables hidden under a tablecloth. It felt like an afterthought, as though they weren't prepared for us. The problems only escalated when drinks arrived. Our cocktails were served warm with no ice and were so overpowering they were undrinkable. After requesting ice, they were still terrible--one guest even switched to juice, and I settled for a different drink that wasn't much better. As for the food, it was abysmal. Starters like the Grilled Octopus were passable but unremarkable. However, several of the entrees were unacceptable. I ordered Cioppino, which arrived smelling rancid, with seafood so off-putting I couldn't stomach it. The Saffron Basmati Rice was flavorless and dry, lacking the buttery richness it should have had. The koobideh was enjoyed by the birthday girl, and another guest liked the Mahechay (braised lamb shank), but these were the only highlights. The Barg, however, was undercooked and shockingly pink despite being ordered medium well, and another guest described it as flavorless and unseasoned. Most of us left our plates untouched, but we received little attention from the server throughout the meal, making it difficult to voice our concerns. Toward the end of the evening, I approached the General Manager to provide constructive feedback privately, hoping to salvage some dignity for the restaurant. To my disbelief, the manager--dressed in a tan suit and bow tie--reacted by yelling at me. He dismissed my concerns, raised his voice, and accused me of being the problem, citing the restaurant's many satisfied customers. His aggressive behavior was so shocking that I backed away toward my table. At this point, my family noticed the commotion and the interaction became humiliating. He stormed off, huffing that he would fetch the owner. The owner, Cyrus, arrived shortly after and handled the situation professionally. He was apologetic, comped my Cioppino and rice, and offered complimentary desserts and tea for the table. While I appreciated his effort to make amends, the damage was already done. The night could have ended there, but it got worse. As we were enjoying dessert, the chef approached our table uninvited, speaking to me in Farsi condescendingly and defensively. He insinuated that I was ignorant, claiming the Cioppino was supposed to smell the way it did and implying that I should have ordered something else if I didn't like how seafood is supposed to smell and taste. His arrogance and chauvinism were astounding. He also began to raise his voice at me, escalating the situation to the point where Cyrus had to intervene again to calm him down. By the end of the night, I felt disrespected, uncomfortable, and still hungry. Despite Cyrus' efforts, the overwhelming rudeness of the staff--most of all the manager and chef-- as well as the low quality, flavorless food left a lasting impression. I ended up paying $40 for a mediocre octopus and a lackluster drink, which felt like a complete waste, given the dreadful quality and experience of the night. This was hands-down the worst dining experience I've ever had, and I would not recommend Divan to anyone. While Cyrus' professionalism was appreciated, it wasn't enough to redeem this disaster of a night. There are far better Persian restaurants with higher quality ingredients and a much better value in the DMV, especially in the Tysons/Mclean area--avoid Divan at all costs. read more

Divan Restaurant - Mediocre Grilled Octopus - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

See all

Wow...was super impressed! with the food ...and service was excellent!! Raim was a. excellent waiter...very attentive to every detail. It made the experience feel very special. One of our top restaurants now. read more

We choose not to dine here after the rude treatment given us during a phone call to ask a simple question after my offering a cordial greeting : do you offer albalu polo (rice with tart cherries)? The response was an abrupt "do you see it on the menu?" Follow up questions and brief responses suggested it might be offered sometimes but without the satisfaction of saying when those times might be. Would it be regularly offered one day a week? Or on request? It's not an exceptional thing to offer or inquire about but clearly was of no interest to the person answering the phone . We don't need to be treated this way and take such responses as indicative of the culture and the people that work there. What a shame! read more

Food is excellent as always. I had a smoky eggplant appetizer and the veggie stew. Both were very flavorful and hearty. Service by Raim was good. He suggested a Persian tea that was really good. Clean open air gentle breeze, sat by open windows. Highly recommended. read more

Extremely crowded, elbow to elbow seating, poor staff service, staff never lefe to tb bill, had to ask manager for same in order t pay my bill and then leave. read more

This restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants ever! I recommend everything on the menu. I was never disappointed in anything I have ever ordered. The fresh bread and condiments are excellent. The service is personal and welcoming, with a warm, lively beautiful ambience. There are vegetarian and other healthy options as well as heavy, rich dishes. My favorite dessert is their unusual, saffron rose water gelato-like handmade ice cream. Maybe I should not mention that as their supply is limited! read more

10/10. Chicken was super tender & the salads, ceviche were fresh. Would highly recommend.

Loved my time here food was amazing and service was so nice. Raim was our waiter and he was such a great server !!! Very welcoming and helpful with navigating the menu. I will definitely be coming back read more

The impression we noted most about Divan was the service.  The staff was very friendly and attentive, checking in often to make sure everything was ok.  They were also very helpful about aiding us in choosing or adapting dishes for those in our party with dietary restrictions.    We enjoyed a nice and relaxed dinner with friends.  The only not relaxing part was the noise level which was pretty high. And, even though the menu has a little yellow box warning customers that they shouldn't hang out more than two hours for their meal, we never felt rushed, even as the dining room filled.  We started off with a couple of drinks that were both enjoyable. What was also noteworthy is that, unlike most places we have been to lately, the drink was actually more beverage than huge or multiple ice cubes.  You could actually get more than just three sips before you were done.  Both the Persiapolitan and the Grapefruit Cardamom Gin Fizz were tasty without being too alcohol forward (which is how we like our drinks.). We didn't even know there was a mocktail menu as well.  It is good to know for a future visit.  We split multiple appetizers, including the koofteh tabrizi (stuffed meatballs) and the grilled octopus.  Both were very tende and flavorful.  We also liked the lamb kabobs and the cauliflower.  There was plenty of bread on the table to enjoy the sauces as well as the sweet butter and olive tapenade that come to the table as you are seated.  For entrees, we liked both the lamb and the chicken skewers which came with beautiful, fluffy rice topped with that wonderful crisp and crunchy layer. Parking is easy in the lot right out front. read more

See all

I love the Persian, family-owned, upscale dining here at @divan.mclean I cannot stop dreaming about everything we ate! Everything was delicious! My favorite is the Seafood Oceano Service is amazing, thank you for hosting us Cyrus read more

Divan Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

Second time here. Employees giving serious attitude. Food was watered down Iranian food, Tomato not cooked enough, Chicken was dry and not authentic, Tahdig was wet and soggy, mirza ghasemi was not mirza ghasemi by Rasht standards, Ice cream had barely any saffron flavor and the cream puffs were stale and full of frosting rather than pastry cream. I wouldn't come back, not true Iranian food. My Aunts make much better food. The best. chai was good though. read more

This is a great option to leave the kids home and go out on a parental date (I'll let you think of a more romantic way to say it). This is a Persian restaurant with a great selection of cocktails and bartenders are well versed to make almost anything outside of the menu. The food will never disappoint and the portions are large. Leave some room for dessert. read more

Very cute restaurant for a date night! I really enjoyed the ambiance, the dimmed lights and wall decor. Our waiter was amazing, he went through the menu with us recommending some dishes as we've never had Persian food before. I enjoyed my kebab torsch and the portions were very generous, I ended up with leftovers as I was saving room for dessert. I would highly recommend the Makhloot which is a rosewater and saffron ice cream and a traditional Persian frozen dessert of delicate rice noodles, sugar, rosewater and lime juice, drizzled with sour cherry syrup. The only complain I had was the tables being too close together. read more

See all

What an incredible place!! Where to begin. The cuisine was perfectly prepared, presented and the taste was beyond phenomenal. All the meats are halal and cooked to perfection. Best Persian food I have had in the USA, compares to anything I have had overseas. The service was prompt, informative and spot on. Perfect attention to detail! All recommendations were excellent. The restaurant is setup in an incredible manner. From the tables, flatware to the interior decor everything is very well done. The music was so good that I Shazam much of their playlist. This experience is well worth the trip. Beware no DoorDash or delivery. They do have takeout. read more

See all

We just had lunch here. The food was delicious. The bread was to die for. Super cute place. Best service from Raily!

Went on a weekday. Nice ambience and easy parking off of Dolly Madison. Of several Persian restaurants this was best for us. Ambience good. Sat by an open door window. No good views except parking lot but OK. Service: Professional and excellent. Kudos to Zach. Timing and attentiveness perfect. Food: Salad Alamut shared. My Khoresht GB very good ( would have liked more meat) and Trout good. Spouse preferred different seasonings with trout. Drinks: V. Good inc: Tehrattan, Hibiscus non-alcohol, and Amaro after dinner. Surcharge on credit card which don't like. Not inexpensive. Will return. read more

Divan Restaurant - Mahi Shekampoor (Trout) w rice - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

See all

Phenomenal experience. Loved it all! We sat at the bar and enjoyed sharing appetizers and 2 meals between 4 people. The drinks, ambiance...everything was incredible! read more

This is a great spot for dinner or any special occasions. I went for dinner and had the chicken kabob which was amazing. The chicken was perfect. The ambiance is very pretty and overall a great place to celebrate a special occasion. read more

Divan Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

See all

Very good choice for authentic Persian Halal Restaurant. The food is very flavorful and generous portions. It's a little pricey, but the quality of food is not compromised. Definitely recommended. Nice clean place and attentive staff. read more

See all

Great, attentive service and staff and good food, hearty portions. Noise level is conducive to conversations even at their busiest and GM (or owner??) always makes rounds to spot check quality. I've been twice and have enjoyed a diverse selection of dishes that are consistently tasty. Some entrees are a bit on the salty side though, but not too distracting. Obsessed with their rice! read more

See all

I was looking for an upscale persian restaurant in the DMV area, and it's the place! Took my non-Iranian friends there, and they loved the atmosphere, food, and the whole experience. The food was great, but they could improve the quality of their desserts. They are located in a strip mall that you wouldn't expect a restaurant with this clientele to be present. read more

See all

Located in the heart of Midtown this restaurant is inside a castle. The building was completed around 1910 and listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. The large building has different levels: the street level has a bar (get the Persian Smash cocktail with apricot liqueur and basil). Upstairs is the main dining room but what's cool is the slivers of glass flooring where you can see the bar below! We can't wait to go back and try the patio in the warmer months! Note - follow me for more Atlanta restaurant content - https://www.instagram.com/roamilicious/ I always get lamb at a Persian restaurant but I'd had so much around Christmas already I went rogue and tried the scallops! I'm so thrilled I did because that is a fantastic entree as is the Verlasso salmon. Don't sleep on the Smoked Eggplant (Kashke Bademjaan) or the Crab croquettes to start your meal either. The restaurant is uber romantic, perfect for a date night. Cocktails in the underground grotto to kick off your meal! read more

See all

Great food and amazing service. Our server, Raim was super nice, efficient, friendly. He surprised us with a Birthday Tiramisu for our birthday celebrant, making the day very special. read more

so incredibly yummy! we got the octopus, ceviche, and shish kabob. the restaurant is really cute, the tables are a bit close together, but it wasn't too busy at the time i went. the fillet mignon in the shish kabob was so tender and flavorful, and the octopus was perfectly cooked. the ceviche is good, but would skip it. our server, raim was so sweet and knowledgeable. he explained the menu extensively and gave us a lot of us recommendations. at the end of meal, he surprised us with tea which was a great way to close our meal. we talked a lot with raim and enjoyed his company a lot. im definitely going to come back with more people and ask for raim!! read more

Divan Restaurant - octopus and shrimp ceviche - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

See all

Excellent food, especially the tomato soup, chicken pikata and cod. Excellent service as well from our waiter, Raim!

Excellent food, Raim was superb, he managed a table of 12 guests in a very quick and professional manner. I will be back!

Excellent food, Excellent service! Xxxxxx Axxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxxxxxxxxxx read more

Outstanding little Persian restaurant in McLean. I tried the Koobideh and was not disappointed! It was packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. I also really enjoyed the house flatbread with the olive spread! This place has a great atmosphere and the service was also top notch. I definitely recommend checking this place out. I hope to visit again when I'm in the area. read more

Divan Restaurant - Koobideh - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

See all

Recently went to Divan with my family coming in from out of town. My sister had an unexpected allergic reaction and couldn't eat her meal. At the very least Divan could have cut her meal from the final bill, or provided us with a courtesy dessert. Nope! Full charges with the 20% automatic gratuity . Then I read later that the owners plead guilty to tax evasion. Super disappointing! Divan has a nice ambience but I will never be going back due to the crooked business these people have been running ! https://www.ffxnow.com/2023/08/16/owners-of-mclean-restaurant-plead-guilty-to-tax-evasion-covid-relief-theft/ read more

Divan Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

Delicious. I had the Mahi Shekampoor (stuffed trout) with dill and fava bean rice. I was shocked by how well the fruit went with the trout. The Mirza Ghasemi was amazing as well. The waiters were nice and the place was definitely quiet enough for me and my party. read more

We had a very nice experience at Divan restaurant! Beautiful ambiance and customer service from Mr. Cyrus! Will certainly be back.

Delicious food in a wonderful atmosphere. I highly recommend the lamb chops. Raim was a great host!

We came for lunch on a weekday and were glad to try Divan's 2-course lunch special for $20. Even before we tried the menu items, we were already impressed with Divan's honey butter that came with the breadbasket. For main course, I tried the Koobideh and really enjoyed the ground beef kabob and saffron rice. I gave Divan a four-star rating only because the lunch service was a bit slow. Other than that, the price is a great value and the restaurant looks upscale. read more

See all

Great quality healthy food, great service. And a very nice atmosphere! perfect for dinner with friends

This is not just an amazing Persian restaurant. It's a top rated restaurant in the DMV area. This is a place where everyone remembers your name and you are treated like family. Who else would take the time and care to detail a day's worth of birthday events on a dessert plate for my little guy. read more

Divan Restaurant - Special birthday dessert to detail our entire day. - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

Had another fantastic dinner a Divan. the food is marvelous. highly recommend Ambiance and service compliment the great food. read more

Divan Restaurant - Dessert for my birthday - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

The ambience was very beautiful with nice velvet wall decor and couches along the wall, and the host and owner Cyrus along with our waiter Raim was very kind and attentive to our needs and anticipated what we may need. This was my second time here and the food was just as exceptional this time along with service being very prompt. Will continue to come back with family and friends! read more

Divan Restaurant - Main dish - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

We have been to Divan 6-7 times. We have taken many friends there and have always liked it and recommended it. We went there for Father's Day yesterday at 3:00 pm. Couple of tables were occupied and the first thing I noticed was very loud voices and loud laughing , when I looked around I saw two men at the bar who were extremely loud . I let our waitress know that it was very disturbing and she laughed and said I think they had too much to drink. I did tell her that we were not happy . It got really bad when they started saying a lot of profanity and the manager was talking to them and joking around. The other thing was that we noticed their food is not as good as it used to be. Kind of bland . I am very disappointed , obviously we won't be going back. read more

The kabob torsh is amazing! The service was phenomenal. Shout out to Raih for making the experience for my friends and I great. read more

Divan Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia

What an experience. Two girlfriends and I arrived before our reservation just in time to have a drink at the bar. When it came time for our reservation, Dave was kind and showed us to the best table in the restaurant. Throughout our evening we met Christian and Cyrus but the star was Raim who attended to our every need. In addition, we enjoyed an amazing display of spectacular sweets. Would particularly recommend the limoncello. Everyone was very accommodating, the food and wine were delicious, and it made for an amazing evening! read more

Divan Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Mclean, Virginia