Every experience is elevated when sharing a laugh and great eats with friends. That being said,…read morethis review is likely a bit bias, but nevertheless, Lapis became one of my favorite meals in DC. With a touching backstory and Michelin accolades, Lapis upholds its reputation offering modern Afghan cuisine and highly shippable drinks. It doesn't matter if you dine on the patio, in the main dining area or catch a vibe in the funkier basement, the energy adds a sparkle to every sharable home style dish. What did we enjoy? Well, we ordered (and inhaled) near everything with ease. The table favorites were the dal, lamb shank, and anything and everything served with bread! All three dumplings were a mixed bag, earning mixed reviews among the group, but I can confidently say that after trying all of their desserts...yes, I recommend ending your meal with a sweet treat (preferably with sharbat if you're a fan). And most importantly, if you choose to dine here, dine with friends because this food is best enjoyed family style, accompanied by deep belly laughs and genuine joy.

We were required to make a reservation with a credit card, with a $15/person penalty for…read morecancelation less than 24 hours. Typically reservations are made LESS than 24 hrs in advance in the FIRST PLACE!! We waited almost 25 minutes before our drink order was even taken, our cocktails arrived over 40 mins after being seated. Our server essentially ignored us the entire evening, naturally, bc their policy is that 20% tip is automatically added to ALL parties. So, of course, no incentive for good service. We had to flag down various servers throughout the evening, as we were never checked on. Arrogant and condescending servers when we got their attention. Huge disappointment; food was good, but the service was probably some of the worst we've ever experienced. Like they were doing US a favor when they designed to notice us. They literally couldn't care less

Talk about a hidden gem!…read more Saying that we enjoyed our time at Afghania would be the biggest understatement of 2026. It's a little higher up than some of the more commonly known restaurants but we are so glad we made the trek. Everything we had was a hit, there were no misses and that's rare- especially since our group totaled 6 people. That's a lot of people to impress. We were only a couple bites into our dinner when my mom said "we have to come back here again, and soon" For starters we had the assortment of dumplings. All delicious but my favorite was definitely the pumpkin. Sweet, and flavorful. If you're not a huge fan of spice, like myself, skip the spicy beef dumplings. I mean, it's in the name. Our table bought a variety of things and sampled all of it as dinner. We got the beef tenderloin and chicken, the chicken and ground beef, the Kandahari vegetarian flights, and the Moguhli (the one thing I hadn't sampled (hint, it was also spicy). The beef? Tender. The chicken? Juicy. The difference varieties of prepared rice? Flavorful. The drinks were also a hit. I had a mocktail that was mild in taste, with a hint of sweetness yet refreshing (the name is slipping me at the moment). Dessert? To die for. The cardamom tres leches was the best dessert I'd had at a restaurant in a while. I would make a trip back to Afghania just for it. The service was also amazing. Our server was very patient (we were a table of six, ¼ bilingual, ¼ just French speakers and the rest English speakers), and also very knowledgeable as everything we ate came at her recommendation. The décor is tasteful and in no way overbearing : white table clothes, artwork that depicts the culture, and it was overall a very cozy and intimate vibe. Hands down, a wonderful experience.

This was my third time trying Afghan cuisine. Overall, compared to Persian and Lebanese food,…read moreAfghan dishes use spices more aggressively, featuring heavier flavor profiles.The main reason I came there was the assortment dumplings. In general, the food was unique and delicious but the service was disappointing. For food, I tried the following dishes: 1. Assortment dumplings: On the menu, "For X" means there are X pieces of each type of dumpling. I ordered "For 3". The pumpkin dumplings were my favorite. They were packed with sweetened and herbed mashed pumpkin. Paired well with the warm yogurt. The Aushaks had the mildest flavor overall, with just a hint of fragrance and sweetness from leeks. However, there was so little filling that I doubt if each dumpling had 1/10oz leeks... The Mantus were incredibly peppery-spicy. 2. Sabzi: A medley of leafy greens featuring spinach, kale, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, cilantro, dill, and a tiny amount of green pepper slowly simmered for ~3 hours until it reached a texture of Saag in Indian cuisine. It tasted good. 3. Afghan Naan: Golden brown outside and fluffy inside. Served with (spicy) mint yougurt, spicy mango sauce, cilantro sauce and chii oil. However, I found some burnt piece in my Sabzi. I mentioned it to the staff and was told that it was "just" residue from the bottom of the pot that had charred from cooking too long and was "normal". Unacceptable. How could you serve the scrapings from the bottom of a pot to a customer!?

Aracosia is a treasure. From the moment you step in, everything feels indulgent in the best…read morepossible way. Each and every member of their team is warm, professional, and attentive. The food is flavored to perfection and their deft use of spices lends the dishes a quality that is both comforting and invigorating. The atmosphere is cozy and the service is impeccable-- food arrived quickly and piping hot. We picked this place to dine since our daughter recently became vegan and we wanted a place with more than one option for her. Not only are many dishes vegan friendly, but they have a special menu for vegans filled with literally dozens of options. And they carefully delineate between vegetarian and vegan dishes. For example, many vegetarian dishes use yogurt, but for vegan dishes they sub this with almond yogurt. It is hard to believe a place like Aracosia exists. The atmosphere feels both upscale and welcoming, the dishes explode with flavor and yet still are light enough to feel healthy, and those with food restrictions are valued and not treated like an afterthought. We have dined in many, many restaurants over our decades living here. This might be our favorite place.

Hands down, the best Afghan food I've had! (And it's safe to say, I've had more than most)…read more Since we only dropped in for a light meal, not much to review BUT the food was so good we're trying to drive the long distance back just to make our way through more of the menu! We ordered only vegan options- the kadoo (pumpkin) turnover and the Nakhoud & Mushroom Lawaan I believe (it might've been the Nakhoud & Mushroom Sabzi Lawaan, I can't remember and both are very similar). Everything was cooked to perfection and each bit was incredibly yummy. Textures were on point and mixed with the assorted of chutneys they offer, it was heaven! Easy to (happily) overeat here Décor was pleasant, the restaurant is spacious and every staff member was gracious. We felt very welcomed and, again, looking forward to going back! Can see why this place is a neighborhood favorite! You will NOT be disappointed here.

( This review is based on delivery via a third-service provider .... )…read more I ordered from here for Nowruz (Persian new year) -- and everything I received was very, very good! I say 'everything I received' because I didn't receive my drinks -- but the food was all great! The Chickpeas were well-cooked and flavourful, bathed in a tasty red sauce, the Buranee Bademjan eggplant was nice and soft plus super-tasty, and the salata added a nice crunch -- I ate mine along with the chickpeas, mixing some of each in my spoon, bite-by-bite. I do feel the salata was rather small for the price, and feel you -- the customer -- should know none these dishes do not come with rice or bread. It would be nice, I think, if this fact were written in the descriptions -- but apparently, those are AI-generated, or at least the one for the Chutney Sabz is, and it's definitely not what you get! The description says you get four things, but you only get one. Maybe I should've known that from the price, but I only figured it out later, after I'd gotten it. It wasn't clear to me, because I saw both names and photos of four different things and they all sounded so good! It was still rather perfect. It was nice to not have leftovers, too! It's not that I wanted the rice or bread, by the way -- I didn't -- but it's just nice to know in advance what you're getting, with clarity! I do highly recommend this place!

Was visiting my friend in Glover Park and we were so excited to pop into Bonjon Rumi for a little…read moreappetizer. We got the Mantu, an Afghan dumpling with meat, yogurt, and lentils on top. These were delectable! The lentils reminded me of Indian chana dal - very savory and full of flavor. The service was speedy! The restaurant gets pretty crowded, but the food comes out hot and fresh. The ambiance is beautiful - lots of mood lighting/individual lamps at each table with some cultural elements. I cannot wait to come back and try their rice dishes! Do not miss out on this wonderful spot.

If you're considering eating here I say do it! This place is amazing, the food is delicious, and…read morethe inside of the restaurant itself is cute. I had the manto and the qabili pallow and they both blew me away especially the pallow. Friendly staff and the service was really quick. I also really love the location of the restaurant its a really cute area.

Is it unfair if I rate a place when I used uber eats? So take as that a caveat for this review…read more.. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal from here. At first I was disappointed when I learned from the app that the chicken kobeda option was no longer available, so I instead ordered the kabob option. The food was prepared pretty fast for a Saturday night and I got my food within 30 minutes of ordering. Shoutout to my uber eats driver; the food came hot still and I enjoyed all aspects of my meal. I especially liked the sauces that came on the side! I would be interested to check out this place in real life. But until then... 5 stars to Kabul Castle Kabob!

Came for the Sheeryakh, but had such delicious, authentic Afghan food! I'd give 4.5 stars for some…read moreconstructive modifications to make in the future related to service, but overall amazing food! I left with a full belly and a happy heart. Got a combo of chicken kabob and shami kabob along with a side of their borani banjan/eggplant dish. The eggplant was honestly one of my favorite things- it's a must get in my opinion. Homey dish with incredible flavors! Their naan is fresh and pairs well with it. The chicken was good, but I've had better honestly. The shami was a little disappointing as I expected more flavor and it was slightly dry, but good. Their rice was so tasty and I loved the sweetness coming from the carrots an raisins. Of course, the sheeryakh was great- quite a big portion for one person, but I loved the texture. It tastes very similar to the Indian/South Asian/Pakistani ice cream, "Kulfi." CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK: Service needs improvement. The whole time I was there I had to keep looking for waiters to make eye contact with to ask for menu, water, paying, etc. It took about 10 min or more for me to have to call a busy waiter over just to look at the menu- no one came over on their own. Things just took time for a Saturday night- plus they were hosting an event on top of this. Needless to say, I've never had service like this, but the vibe and food made me be not as harsh. Despite the service, this place is a must try for authentic Afghan cuisine. Can't wait to try more of their menu (and the borani banjan again) in the future!

Unfortunately, this restaurant didn't live up to my expectations…read more When we arrived the dining room felt very humid and sticky which made it uncomfortable to sit and eat. We were also a party of five but were only given one menu to share so not very convenient. I ordered the Chicken & Shami Kabob and it came with a choice of white or brown rice, one side, and naan. The meal looked nothing like the photo on the restaurant's website. The portion was overwhelmingly rice with very little meat. None of the garnishes shown in the picture were included on the rice. For $24 I expected a much better presentation and a more balanced portion. Oh and the meat was kind of dry. Parts of our order were missing, some dishes that came out were incorrect. The experience felt disorganized and the food didn't justify the price.

Loved my lamb dish! Surprisingly reasonable pricing when you at opening/lunch too!…read more Nice cozy but elegant vibes. Great to take out your family or significant other. Interesting art on the wall and nice bathroom. Park on the parking garage below or on the side street/lot nearby. Make sure if you don't finish your lamb and ask to put it in a takeaway box go specify that you want your lamb scraps. Learn from me because my waiter tossed all my lamb and just boxed up the rice likely thinking I was done with them. Big bummer since I was looking forward to my leftovers but oh well.

Overall it was a good experience! We absolutely loved the bread and the difference sauces that…read morewent with it. The pumpkin dumplings and pan fried veggie filled dumplings were great as well. I thought my salmon wrap and the chickpea side was ok. Interesting flavors for sure. As for the service, there was always someone filling up our waters and our waiter was very nice checking in every now and then. The only downside of the experience is at the end when the waiter was boxing up all the food for us. Very sweet that they do this but when boxing up my partners food, they only boxed up the rice and they got rid of the lamb that he was looking forward to eating more of later. So that was kind of a disappointment for us. I think if we go again, we would request to box our food ourselves since I'm not sure why they decided to get rid of all of his lamb.

This is the best Afghan/Middle Eastern fast food restaurant in Washington, DC. The restaurant is…read morevery clean, respectful, and welcoming. The staff are incredibly kind and friendly, and the food is absolutely delicious and mind-blowing. If you're looking for a great place to enjoy a meal with family or friends, you must visit this restaurant. Highly recommended!

This spot was a pleasant surprise. Most late-night spots are loud and overcrowded, but this one had…read moreplenty of space and a relaxed vibe. The staff were amazing and made the experience even better. I had the gyro and fries, and both were outstanding. The fries had a seasoned coating that made them next level, and the gyro was packed with flavor. For a meal at 2 a.m., it exceeded all expectations. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in DC.

I was a bit disappointed by Kabuli Pulao as I was excited to try an Afghani restaurant near my job…read more I just got the buffet, which was advertised as $19.99 for lunch. The buffet options were less (6-8 dishes) than I expected but still had rice, plenty of chicken dishes and lentils. Overall, the food was fine but the prices seemed more than advertised. More notably, the service was nonexistent. There was no offer of water or any other service that I would've liked.

Kabuli Pulao recently replaced Post Pub, and this place offers a great variety of Afghan eats…read more Try their kabuli pulao; ours was tasty and filled with lots of raisins and soft rice. Staff were friendly!

Delicious Indian food, kind service, and cute decor. There's a non-alcoholic bar, and it looks…read moreexactly like a regular bar with rows and rows of bottles of liquor, except that everything is non-alcoholic. That is really cool--and great for people who don't drink much, like me! There's also a quite large menu of mocktails, which look very intriguing, but tonight I opted for a lassi drink because I needed to get some nutrients in after a very sweaty hot yoga workout... I tried the following: - Mango lassi - thick, sweet, and very refreshing after a sweaty workout! It was my first time to try a lassi, and I thought it was great. The texture was very thick and creamy and smooth, and you can definitely taste the mango. - Veggie samosa - texture was perfect, very crispy. The sauces were outstanding and very flavorful. Possibly the best veggie samosas I've had! - Butter chicken - not the best butter chicken I've had but still a solid dish. The sauce seemed to be less creamy and less sweet than other places, yet a bit more flavorful. My partner was a bit disappointed in this dish, but I still thought it was good (I'm more about flavors, while my partner is more about creaminess). I did find the chicken meat to be a tad dry though. - Lamb & spinach - lamb meat was excellent and very tender. While the butter chicken (see above) might've been a bit dry, this lamb was cooked perfectly. And it was packed with tonsssss of flavors. - Garlic naan - texture was not as thick/soft as I would've liked, but the flavor was veryyyy garlicky, which I liked. Heads-up: It takes a while for the food to get ready. The place seems to make everything from scratch. So, order some appetizers if you're hungry while you wait for the main dishes!

Got the chicken biryani for takeout might be the best I've had in DC!! Def impressed.read more