Interesting FUSION of flavors from around the world. My dish had octopus, prawn, short rib, daal, channa masala and other interesting sauces. I think the place is delicious, but maybe lacks identity and that's totally okay. I think the food is 4 stars, and my favorite item was probably the channa masala and appetizer (don't remember the name). But I would rather just go to an Indian restaurant. Restaurant interior is beautiful. Service was attentive. Brought overall experience to 5 stars. read more

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I came here because I was very intrigued by the concept of trying food along the Silk Road. My friend and I came here for dinner where they still had some happy hour specials. We had the eggplant dip, and the naan, which was complimentary. The naan was absolutely so good and I could just come here and have that. We also had the eggplant dip, which was amazing. The nihari was just okay. It was a bit oily and could have been thicker. We sat outside on a lovely day, which was great. They had some covered outdoor seating. The inside seemed really neat and good also. The service was okay, although my friend and I agreed that it may have just been because of the timing and them starting their dinner service. I will definitely come back here again, even just for the naan and eggplant dip! read more

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This brunch journey takes place along a beautiful Silk Road! Host- the host was friendly, warm, and informative. I told him that this was my first time visiting and he provided a great welcome and wished me a wonderful dining experience. Service: the entire staff was great! Attentive to all of the tables and they did a good job at explaining some of the top menu items. Ambiance: simple yet elegant. The open kitchen concept is one of my favorite things but what adds beauty to this place is their magnificent patio seating (no pics as there was a large party present). The restrooms also add to the beautiful ambiance, showcasing cultural elements in every piece of artwork. They also have a cute bar in the middle so guests can grab a drink while waiting for reservations. The Silk Road Spread For $40, you can enjoy 2 small plates and 1 entree. This cost is per person and each person has the benefit of selecting their own 2 small plates and entree-such a worthy price. Small shareable plates: Shaved papaya & shrimp salad -- the perfect summer salad. It's lite and delicious. A beautiful balance of acidity, sweetness, and savory flavors. It was a great way to open your palate. Malai kofta -- another incredible dish! Lean and perfectly seasoned with a delicious side of confit garlic and labneh (yogurt). I could eat an entire bowl of this. Bombay toast -- this toast was sinfully good. The flavor profile was impeccable. The flavors in the tomato chili jam were AMAZING! Then add the sunny side egg, avocado, and perfectly crisped sourdough toast and you've found a dish worth trying. Pomegranate yogurt parfait --this was perfect! Not too sweet but balanced just right with a delectable jam, pomegranate, and crunchy granola. I was on cloud 9. For my entree I ordered the lobster mufurrakat battata. My only complaint is that my party and I ordered the exact same dish and the presentation and serving sizes were totally off-something the kitchen should be mindful of when serving a table. Nonetheless, this dish was rich in flavor and amazing! The lobster chunks were fresh and the spiced fingerling potatoes were divine! The eggs and sauce added to what was a perfect end to a beautiful journey. I am looking forward to another brunch adventure here to try some other dishes. Amazing flavors and an excellent calm brunch!!!! read more

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Came for a Saturday brunch and loved it! The $40 brunch menu came with 2 small plates and one large plate. Myself and my friend shared all of our plates so it was a ton of food and it was so tasty. The service was great and they were very attentive. I sat outside and the mosquitoes were horrendous...not sure if they could spray out there read more

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So... TBH I liked Karravaan, but I didn't quite love it. The restaurant is pretty and lively, but didn't bring the Silk Road experience entirely. A few minor tweaks that could go a long way are (1) to make the ambiance match its theme - eg drapes / lanterns that elevate dining to an experience (2) some of the menu items have somewhat repetitive ingredients - and so that would be good to broaden; and (3) more training for the staff. Although everyone was super courteous, the coordination between servers and bussers was a little thin (with other people's meals being sent to my table on three occasions). I would be happy to go back when tweaks are made ... and I'm sure they can do this! read more

The place is lovely inside and service is very good. The brunch special is a really fun deal on the weekends. It is plenty of food and a decent price. We were surprised how pricey a glass of wine is here, and a mimosa (a SINGLE mimosa) is $20!!!! That's absolutely insane. Fortunately the $16 lavender spritz cocktail was more reasonably priced and also REALLY fantastic. I enjoyed the malai kofta meatballs, eggplant dip, and khachapuri. I tasted my friend's shrimp and grits and it was unbelievably tasty. my other friend didn't love the lobster dish, but we all liked everything else. I would go back. read more

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When I say hands down the Chef here did his thing. We dis a tasting via Tasting Collective. When I say this place and food gets 5 stars from me. The flavors from every dish was amazing. The service was stellar and the drinks were to die for. A must visit. read more

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My husband and I had dinner at Karravaan this past Sunday and had a very good time. Karravaan is new-ish (it opened in June 2025), and it celebrates the cultural influences along the Silk Road (a 4,000-mile network of Eurasian trade routes active from 130 BCE to 1450-ish CE, it connected China with the Mediterranean). This concept allows chef/owner Sanjay Mandhaiya (also of Pappe) to explore and highlight cuisines you don't often see on a menu together and to get creative! The menu is broken up into small plates, entrees, and large "journeys" to be shared with at least 2 people. Each dish has a little Italic description of the cuisines/cultures being highlighted or that inspired that dish. We stuck to small plates on this occasion and shared: Cauliflower Manchurian ("Indo-Chinese pairing": soy, ginger, garlic, tamari, tomato paste, sugar, vinegar, scallions); Pork and Lemongrass Dumplings ("Rustic Staple of Tibet and Nepal": lemongrass broth, 3 hour chili oil, scallion); Cured Hamachi Crudo ("Classic Japanese with a citrus twist": kiwi mousse, tamari caviar, radish, jalapeño); Grilled Octopus ("Greek-Style with North African Flavors": gobe, charred leek, pickled tomato, green chermoula, fried chickpea); Nihari ("Middle Eastern favorite with Indian spice": braised lamb, classic Indian curry spice mix, lime, jalapeño); and Lebanese Fish Kofte ("Traditional Lebanese Specialty": crispy fish croquette, sumac, labneh, olive oil). Did I love every dish? No. The cured hamachi crudo didn't work for us (the idea of a kiwi mousse didn't work for us - the texture was odd, and the fish got lost entirely in that much kiwi), and I wasn't sold on the grilled octopus (the cook on the octopus was perfect, but there was a flavor I wasn't sure about - it might have just been that the charred leek was too much for me - like eating something off a grill that hasn't been cleaned and you're getting the the burnt bits). The other dishes were good - delicious and often fun. The gobi manchurian was classic, but the other dishes surprised us. The broth with the dumplings?! The fish kofte tasted of fish but didn't have the texture of other fish dumplings I've had! And the Nihari was flavorful and served with the most gorgeous bread for dipping into lamb and sauce. The also have a great drink program: cocktails, wines by the glass, NA drinks/mocktails, beers (including beers from India, Spain, and Lebanon). They offered us a glass of sparkling wine when we checked in for our reservation (a lovely touch), and I enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, while my husband tried and enjoyed a few cocktails. The na'na with the mint espuma? Wow. That cocktail surprised and delighted me, as did much of the food at Karravaan. And then on top of all of that, the service was outstanding: friendly, helpful, fast. Top-notch. And the restaurant is beautiful and played great music. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and would happily return. Hopefully next time with friends so we can enjoy more of the Silk Road! read more

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Very nice ambiance, upscale with attentive and informative waiters. I had the truffle steak fries, I missed the flavor of the parm and truffle. The lamb sliders were flavorful. The cauliflower was delicious in an Asian style sauce. They have specialty crafted cocktails such as a lavender spritz. The menu looks good with a fusion of flavor that may make it a stand out, especially in the Union Market area. read more

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I recently went to Karravaan for a weekend brunch with my wife and two friends. Karravaan's concept of cuisines from along the Silk Road is excellent but could be better executed. The ambiance was fine but it felt like a standard nice restaurant-there is more that Karravaan could have done to lean into the unique theme (e.g., decorations). While brunch is generally an American thing, Karravaan tried to put too many American/modern brunch twists on their menu, ranging from lobster and steak (not found/prepared in the region) to bacon (not often eaten in the region at best and weird when giving tribute to a largely Muslim area of the world at worst). Our service was spotty; our server was unfamiliar with an iced latte, and there was a confusion about my wife's khachapuri (she ordered without bacon and it came with bacon). Karravaan does add an automatic 20% gratuity for all parties regardless of size; note that it is in the small print at the bottom of the menu. For brunch, Karravaan does two appetizers and a main for $40, with reasonable portion sizes for the brunch and fairly priced for a DC weekend brunch. I got a cappuccino to start, which was delicious. I got the smoky eggplant dip and the malai kofta for my appetizers, which were a mixed bag. The smoky eggplant dip and the accompanying naan were outstanding-the eggplant was perfectly cooked and seasoned, the pomegranate seeds added a nice touch of sweetness, the labneh was creamy, the caramelized onion added good texture and flavor, and the naan was hearty and buttery. The malai kofta were dry, rubbery, and flavorless without the labneh and garlic. I got the Lobster Mufurrakat Battata, which I got at the server's recommendation and was a big disappointment. This dish was mostly potatoes with too much saffron cream and virtually no lobster (the few chunks I got were very good). The saffron cream overwhelmed the eggs, berbere, and black truffle; per the comment above, this dish did not feel true to the restaurant's intended Silk Road theme. I also tried my wife's khachapuri, and while it was largely outstanding, the bottom was burned black and inedible. Karravaan's brunch has great potential; with a few different dishes on the menu and improving the quality of a few others, it could be unique and amazing. read more

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Beautiful decor tucked away in a quiet union market corner. Service was excellent. Food was a hit or a miss.

The brunch was decently priced for what we got. Everyone got two small plates and one shareable for $40. The "shareables" should be considered to be a main course for one person. We did have to ask for extra pita to go with the dip as the portions were substantial. However, the service was slow and it took awhile to get our food even though the restaurant was not crowded. read more

Karravaan - Brunch spread - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I think I'm at a loss for words on the let down of this restaurant...Silk Road journey screams flavor, depth, variety. While there was variety in the menu items, not one stood out. Khachapuri: 3.5/5. Good. Regular. Did not get a hint of chili oil Lebanese Fish Kofta: 4/5 tasty, and good portion. Supposed to be on a bed of labneh, but there was hardly a smear on the plate. When I requested extra, the waiter was happy to bring extra. Good combination. Tamarind bbq lamb chops: 2/5 I was pleasantly surprised at the size and meatiness of the lamb chops. This could have been a hit if there was actual flavor and the chops were not so tough. I was shaking the whole table trying to cut it. The accompanying curry lentils had curry powder, nothing else. Not creamy, no depth. Forbidden Duck: 4/5 Duck was tender and well cooked. It was good. Nothing to write home about. Midori Cocktail: 5/5 now this was a hit!! Well crafted and flavorful. Cafe cocktail: 0/5 apparently they ran out ‍ and could not try. Beautiful restaurant. No parking, it's Union market. Closest garage is still a walk in heels when dressing for the occasion. read more

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I like that this restaurant is in the cut! Reclusiveness is my new vibe. This place matched my energy. I loved the decor. The host seated us at the bar immediately upon arrival. We came to tryout happy hour. The fries came out first. They were more potato wedges. I appreciate them being HOT wedges. I wish they had a little more truffle and sauce. Next was the cauliflower bites. They were prepared well, I enjoyed. Last was the lamb sliders and the chicken shawarma. The presence on fresh herbs in both dishes was very impressive. I loved the authenticity of both dishes. I would order again. read more

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We were excited to check out Karravaan, in which they describe their menu as offering Silk Road flavors. We came here for dinner, starting off with: +the khachapuri - with egg yolk, yellow farm pepper cheese, feta, and chili oil; has a slight kick; this had a nice melty gooey center filling +the potato mandu - with whipped potato, curry, crispy chili sauce, and scallions +the lebanese fish kofte - a crispy fish croquette with sumac, labneh, olive oil, and scallions; not really what we imagined for the dish; this was just okay, as the seasoning was just a bit too overpowering for us +and, the charred purple cabbage - with burnt honey, onion soubise, chili crunch, and fried shallots I tried the maine lobster ravlioli, prepared with brown butter, cauliflower, white truffle cream, tarragon, lobster sauce, and Parm; our table also ordered the mixed grill to share, which came with black garlic short rib, charred octopus, and garlic chili prawns with mint and mango chutneys, chana masala, and smoked dal. The hubs ordered sanjay's award-winning butter chicken, as this dish is one of our favorites - this was prepared with tomato butter sauce, topped with a tandoori-marinated chicken, and served with basmati rice. The portions were generous and great for sharing and trying a taste of all the dishes. We couldn't skip out on their dessert, so we tried their mango-chai cheesecake, the yuzu-lime tart, and the warm 5 spice beignets (dusted with spiced sugar and filled with georgian brandy custard). I'd be interested in checking out their brunch, as it seems as if it's a set price per person, and you get to order various sized shareables for the table. Also, their Chef's Journey offered during dinner piqued my interest as well! Friendly staff and service. The space is nice, with the draped curtains; definitely try to get a booth seating area by the large windows! +Silk Road shareables +friendly staff & service read more

We had a really nice dinner at Karravaan in Noma. I think overall the food quality was really good. There were a lot of creative dishes on the menu representing a range of different cultural cuisines. I think the price point is really high, even by DC standards, and that is probably my biggest complaint. That being said, the food was delicious. We were happy with everything we tried. The service was attentive and friendly. When we first got there for our reservation, they tried to seat us right by the host stand where people were lining up, and we politely requested a different table. They were able to accommodate us with a better seat, and we appreciated that. read more

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This was one of those impromptu reservations as we didn't really know where to go for dinner. Turns out it's on the Michelin guide and I totally understand why! We started with a pan seared shrimp which was a large shrimp with huge flavors of truffle and saffron. Then we ordered the butter chicken, super tender and the dish was elevated with pomegranate which added sweetness and crunch. Even as someone who's not a huge duck fan, the duck was so tender. We also loved the black rice which paired super well with the honey glaze. We ended with a mango chai cheesecake which was packed with flavor. Lastly the interior was super classy, perfect for date night or an elevated dinner! read more

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A beautiful cozy interior, great service, and an almost perfect first dinner out of 2026. We had: - seared tuna crudo: beautiful on the eyes and the pallet. Perfect little bites almost too pretty to eat - khachapuri: perfection. Albeit a bit of a smaller portion than I'm used to. Just enough for two. - smoky eggplant dip: probably my favorite dish of the evening! - the duck: nether one of us enjoyed this tbh. I think cooked at medium was the right choice but my friend thought it was too rare, whereas I felt like it was too dry/flavorless. Honestly I would have preferred the branzino but the price was a little high for me. Though I'm not sure if it was meant for two? Next time! Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. The biggest issue was drinks were verry slow and we spent a lot of time w empty glasses. I do look forward to coming back and trying more of the small plate menu. read more

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Went for a happy hour! In full transparency, it was good for happy hour prices but most of these I would not pay full price for. Fries: standard but yummy! Lamb sliders: star of the show, this is a must get Chicken skewers: fairly bland and chewy The kiwi cocktail was too sweet for my liking, the name escapes me. The vibes were great but there's too many other options in the area to be rushing back. read more

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Karravaan Overall Rating: (5/5 Stars) Compliments to the chef! I am truly in awe of the flavors at this Silk Road inspired restaurant. From the specials to the classics, this is a must-try. And with an everyday happy hour, you really cannot go wrong. Food: Bread: * Naan Barbari+Herb Butter (complimentary): I love a delicious "free" bread and butter moment. Warm, fluffy, and perfect for sauces. Chef's Special: * Fire-roasted 0ysters $19: Stuffed with crab at just the right cook. I ate every single one without hesitation. StartingOut: * Pan-roasted Prawn $22: Black Truffle+Saffron+Curry= Magic! Fresh, flavorful, and still surprisingly light. Destinations: * Forbidden Duck $38: I am extremely grateful I started eating duck as an adult because this dish was perfection. I even asked for extra harissa honey glaze to fully sauce it up. I would come back for this alone. Service: I sat at the bar right at opening, so ignoring me was not an option. That said, service was top-notch. Plates were perfectly timed, the team was attentive, and I never needed to ask for a thing. IG: @_edaj_ TikTok: @_edaj_jade_ Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. Please try these restaurants and form your own judgments--it's what I would do. read more

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My wife had come here with friends back in the fall for happy hour and, as we were brainstorming ideas for our anniversary, Karravaan came right up. Ambiance: 5 stars. Quaint, spacious, warm and lovely. Feels very homely. Service: 5 stars. Everyone is super attentive and very wonderfully personable. They hire excellent staff. Food: 5 stars. We got the, between the two of us, lamb main, Biryani, tibetan momos and crispy cauliflower for our main meal. Everything was super flavorful and delicious! The momos were delighful and, for anyone who's spice sensitive they weren't all that spicy (Momos can be very spicy). The cauliflower appetizer was great, it was just a little suspsicious that it came out right after we ordered. A few other tables probably had ordered it around the same time though. The lamb main was amazing, even though I felt awkward trying get all the meat off due to Karravaan feeling classy. I think I just need more practice; I rarely order lamb . The couscous with it was amazing! The biryani main was also excellent. Because it was our anniversary (well the day proper is tuesday) we also got dessert and the mango chai cheesecake was awesome! The 5 spice beignets were too, but i just didnt get much of the flavoring of the warming 5 spice medley and the fry on them felt a bit heavy. Those are minor nitpicks (and my tastebuds have been weird since my second bout of covid in 2025 anyway) though! Highly recommend Karravaan!! read more

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Dined here for brunch on a Sunday, encouraged by Karravaan's elevated pan-Asian menu. Brunch started off good, a highlight being a glass of complimentary champagne upon arrival. Brunch includes two small plates per person and one large entree for $20. I loved all of the small plates. My favorite were the shaved papaya and carrot salad with shrimp, the breakfast kachapuri, and the eggplant dip. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich for my main which was just OK. I think this dish would better be presented not as a sandwich, but as fried chicken with a side of bread. My friend ordered the steak and eggs which was cold by the time it arrived which was unfortunate as there was a good 20-30 minute delay btwn the appetizer course and the entree course. My main issues arose at the end of brunch. We had to flag down our server to bring the check. Once the check arrived at the table, I immediately noticed a "large group" tax on the receipt that had not been mentioned. Because there were only three of us dining, I asked a staff member about this, hoping that it was a billing error, and he told informed me that all bills have a 20% charge. I do not recall seeing the mandatory 20% tip listed anywhere on the menu and if it was on the menu, it was not highlighted properly. My friend had to then go hand the check to the waiter because he didn't come back to collect the bill. When we got one cards back, I noticed that the total per person had increase significantly. Upon close inspection, the staff had charged someone else's tab to our cards. We then had to flag down another staff member to have him void those translations and re-run the correct tab. Reverse transactions take at least 24 hours to process so that was very annoying bc that means that each of us would have transaction holds on our accounts due to staff error. The restaurant wasn't even close to being packed, so I'm confused about how that happened. Anyway, we weren't even given a complimentary dessert or discount on total for the very inconvenient mishap. And now I get to monitor my bank account to ensure the transaction was correctly reversed. How fun. Not sure that I will return. read more

I live in Union Market and have been dying to check out Karravaan since it opened. With my sister in town, I decided it would be the perfect birthday finale for her, my mom, and me -- and it absolutely was. The restaurant looks bigger than it actually is, but with the patio seating, it feels open and inviting. The decor is beautiful -- warm tones, modern touches, and a stunning bar that immediately catches your eye. We lucked out with one of the best booths in the house, right next to the bar. For cocktails, my mom and sister ordered dirty martinis while I wanted something tequila-based (none of the listed drinks featured it). Luckily, the staff knew it was my birthday, and the mixologist crafted a custom cocktail just for me -- and it was perfection. Refreshing, balanced, and easily one of the highlights of the night. To start, we ordered the khachapuri, nihari, and pan-roasted prawns. I thought I'd love the nihari most, but the khachapuri stole the show -- cheesy, flavorful, and perfectly baked. The lamb came in as a close second. For our mains, we went family-style (as always) and shared Pappe's Famous Butter Chicken, the pan-seared branzino, and the cauliflower Manchurian (a starter we added to balance it all out). Every single dish was outstanding. The flavors took us on a culinary journey -- a thoughtful fusion of cultures and cuisines that felt intentional and elevated. To top it off, the service was exceptional. Our server Victor was attentive and friendly, the mixologist Brian was incredibly skilled and personable, and the manager (whose name I missed, but he was a kind Black gentleman) made sure we were taken care of from start to finish. Overall, Karravaan exceeded every expectation. Between the atmosphere, food, and hospitality, it's one of those spots that truly delivers a full experience. I'll definitely be back soon -- next time, probably for brunch or another round at that gorgeous bar. read more

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This restaurant opened around June and isn't yet fully receiving the recognition it deserves. They've got a beautiful, modern interior with a large, high ceiling bar, plenty of tables, and an outdoor patio. The food and drinks are fantastic and if you stop in between 4-6pm, you can take advantage of great happy hour specials including tasty specialty craft cocktails and delicious food options. Both were great and I highly recommend the smoky eggplant dip which was well portioned and packed with flavor, the lamb sliders (2) which had a little kick to them, and the chicken shawarma that comes in a tasty dipping sauce. Service was fast and friendly and I'm looking forward to my next visit. read more

Karravaan - Smoky Eggplant Dip - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

12/10 ! The bar manager stephon was so kind and tooo our feedback so well. Our second round of drinks were literally perfect. Even though our first round by Corbett the great was absolutely amazing he found a way to make it even better. Make sure you find Corbett at the bar to get the absolute most insane drinks ever ! I've been to over 50 bars and restaurants jn dc and he makes the best espresso martinis and Hugo spritz as does his bar manager Stephon ! Stephon went above and beyond more than once when he didn't have to just to make sure this was a beyond amazing experience. We sat at the bar and the bar manager truly made sure he could accommodate us to make sure we were all absolutely comfortable and had a place for 4 of us to sit. We ordered lamb sliders , oysters and truffle fries everything was perfect ! Even my picky eater of a friend loved everything. There's no denying how good their food and drinks are. The resturant itself is beautiful from the wood to the drapery the ambiance was beautiful. read more

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I can't say enough good things about Karravaan! They clearly care very deeply about making sure everyone has a great dining experience. First, they have found a way to create an ambiance that is equally cozy, classy, and chic. Service was exceptional from the moment I walked in, and our server was helpful, attentive, and nice. I got the happy hour punch, and it was very flavorful and tasty. We ordered the pita, which was delicious; the cauliflower, which was probably the best, most exciting cauliflower I've ever had; and the lamb sliders, which had a lot of flavor and were cooked well. My friends also liked the martini and fish from the happy hour menu. I'm looking forward to going back!! read more

Karravaan - Happy hour punch - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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What a fun dining experience at Kaaravaan. Owned by the same creators of Pappe, Karravaan was a really fun and unique dining experience that had been in my list for some time!! Though this restaurant is particularly difficult to find (all the way to the end of the road past Blue Bottle Coffee and El Presidente, almost behind Saladworks from the street) the decor and vibe is really cool. Floor to ceiling windows, ornate ceilings/floors/dishware, and a stocked bar all add to the feel. The food is a rare mix of several cuisines, and meant to be shared. We wanted to try all new dishes, so we went with the tibetan momos (dumplings), leventine fish kofte, jamon-wrapped dates, cauliflower manchurian, caramelized shallot spread, and the butter chicken as a main. Needless to say we were FULL. The jamon-wrapped dates were incredible, a small deviation from the normal bacon-wrapping. The caramelized onion dip was smoky and surprisingly fresh, especially paired with the fresh bread service. The sticky cauliflower was also amazing and came in a heaping serving. The dumplings had a yummy filling, but were a bit dry on the outside. The fish kofte was good, but not a standout. The butter chicken was to die for and had a really unique sweet (honey) flavor that made it stand out from the typical Indian dish. My only gripe with the butter chicken was that it came as a full uncut chicken splayed which made it nearly impossible to cut into. We eventually asked our waiter to bring it back to the kitchen and cut it up. Overall, I would love to come back and try more of the menu. The service was extremely attentive and the menu was so unique there's much more I'd like to experience! read more

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Karravaan has a great happy hour deal. The chicken shawarma skewers were very tender and flavorful. Four skewers per order were great, the pita was also very warm and herby. I also loved the lavender spritz it was extremely refreshing on a hot day. I can't wait to come back and try their regular menu outside of happy hour. read more

Karravaan - Lamb sliders and Chicken Shawarma - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Karravaan felt like a frat party dressed up as a restaurant. The space is gorgeous, and the location is a quiet break from the usual Union Market chaos. That's the strongest part of the experience. The food lands at a solid three out of five. Nothing terrible, nothing memorable. The cocktails were the real miss. Too many flavors competing in one glass, which made them confusing instead of creative. Service was the breaking point. I sat at the bar and waited while staff openly flirted with two women next to me instead of taking orders. When they finally got around to us, everything moved slowly. Drinks took forever. Food took even longer, which was strange since we were among the first guests that day. Overall, not a good time. I won't be back soon. I hope your experience is better than mine. read more

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I won't give them 2 stars because they are still relatively new. So I'll give them grace. I had heard good things about Karravaan, so I made a reservation for my friends and me to kick off my birthday weekend. The restaurant is in the busy Union Market area, and with its "Silk Road-inspired" concept, I was excited to try something new , DC has plenty of great spots to compare it to. My party arrived on time and were seated promptly, but that's where things started to go downhill. It took quite a while before anyone even acknowledged us -- we waited about 15+ minutes before asking who our server was, as several staff members walked by without greeting us. Eventually, our waiter (I believe his name was Zach) showed up and said he'd be back to take our order, but another 10+ minutes passed before he returned. He seemed nice and was friendly but the slow start left a poor first impression. I understand the section was busy, but lack of staffing shouldn't affect basic service. Once we did order, we made sure to get our drinks and appetizers in quickly. The cocktails and appetizers were actually quite good. (Eggplant dip, prawns, crispy Brussels sprouts, Caesar salad And chicken skewers) However, the table setup was frustrating...the small round tables don't leave much room for multiple dishes. It was tight with just three of us, so I can't imagine how it would've worked with the fourth guest who couldn't make it. Service throughout the meal felt disorganized. Staff brought out plates without checking if there was space, and while I suspect there were some communication issues(wait staff was just doing their jobs but they couldn't understand us), better training and timing would go a long way -- especially for a restaurant that encourages sharing "small plates." For entrées, we ordered the scallops, pork chops and the whole branzino. Unfortunately, the pork chops and branzino were overcooked. We've enjoyed branzino at many DC restaurants, and this one missed the mark. the texture was dry and not what we expected. Beautiful presentation tho. Maybe it was just an off night, but with so much competition in DC, consistency and service matter. I might give Karravan another try in the future, but for now, it didn't live up to the hype. read more

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New spot, I've had my eye on. Knew I wanted lamb or duck. Came in for dinner service, sat at the bar. It was busy but it took some time for me to get water and a menu. Drinks at Indian restaurants are either too savory or too sweet. So I tried one, but didn't really care for it. I was two whisky's in from Bar Betsie so I didn't really need anything else. Food took no time to come once I ordered. I tried the duck, it was awesome. Cooked perfectly and the forbidden rice was a great addition. There was a sort of reduction that was awesome as well. The veggies were marinated and melted in your mouth. Overall, 8/10. Food great. Drinks- for a certain palette. Ambiance was chill and not too bad for a Thursday night. read more

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I live in the neighborhood and when this place was first announced, I was excited. Seeing the progression from build to open grew the anticipation. Unfortunately, the hype did not live up to reality. First off, the interior is absolutely beautiful. Wrap around windows allows a lot of natural light. We made reservations and you do have to wait until your whole party is there before you can be seated. Their menu is pretty limited but here's everything we got: Appetizers Smoky Eggplant Dip 10/10 - genuinely the only thing I liked on the whole menu. Absolutely delicious flavors and goes well with the fresh bread that they provide Tibetan Momos 6/10 - it was okay Shrimp skewers 7/10 - also food but not super memorable Main Butter Chicken 4/10 - I'll preface that I'm not a butter chicken fan in general but for the price, I was expecting more. The chicken was pretty good but some parts were charred a little too hard. Now, the pros. Our waiter was very nice and attentive and they have delicious bread which goes well with the eggplant dip. Overall, I had high hopes for this place but left disappointed. I was full but not satisfied. I'll caveat by saying that I had a friend that loved this place and highly recommend it. read more

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This is a great addition to the Noma/Union Market area! I was elated when I first heard that a central Asian restaurant would be opening near me. Indoors, this place looks great. It serves a modern yet cultural flare, and the vibes perfectly paired with the assortment of foods on the menu. My sister and I went during HH, so we got a bunch of food items off that menu plus the Khachapuri. All the foods tasted delicious! That being said, my sister ordered a drink and she did not enjoy it (i forgot the name of the drink, but it had gin?) The service here was pretty understanding to my sister and I showing up without a large crowd. The servers came pretty frequently, but not to the point that they were annoying. I would totally recommend folks to come and try Karravaan next time they're in the area. read more

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With restaurants, there's a trifecta of ambiance, service, and food and Karavaan nailed it on the head in each aspect during my visit there. I had read previous reviews of this place and saw suggestions from other customers. When I came, they had updated their menu with the feedback received from their customers and I just really have to acknowledge and respect that. There is a level of intentionality there- in the foods, the flavors, the experience that it does take you through the Silk Road. They do happy hour everyday (including weekends) from 4-6 and it's half off plates so go there and try a spread. Was with a vegetarian and food-wise my highlights were smoky eggplant dip which was well spiced and had a slight kick to it, the brusselsprouts which was a new menu item and was crispy. My favorite item though that I'd get every single time was the mushroom biryani. It was rich, the umami was prevalent, it was earthy and all these flavors were really well balanced. And don't get me started on the fresh bread. The servers and hosts all went out of there to make a birthday celebration memorable. From the get go everyone was super friendly and genuine. read more

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Brunch at Karravaan is was such a great experience. Their Silk Road brunch spread is $40 per person and you can select 2 small plates and one large plate with a few large plate options being an extra $5. You can also do bottomless Moet for $35. The food was delicious and flavorful. Our server Sam was amazing, very attentive and helpful. It's a beautifully decorated restaurant and I'll definitely do back to try dinner. read more

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Came here for restaurant week with some friends this weekend; felt like that was the perfect way to try one the of the newest restaurants in DC. The food was wonderful, and the place was busy for a Friday night! We opted for the $55 restaurant week menu, and the range of flavors felt like a journey through the Silk Road. Accompanied with the wine, the food was a hit. As great as this place is, there's definitely some logistics to work out. Our server, Chris, was wonderful, but we sat at 7pm and didn't leave until 10:15. There was about 45 minute-1 hour wait between courses, and he kindly explained the party in front of us was 16 folks. I can't hold it much against them on their third week open, because their menu is truly that good. I recommend the cauliflower the most (not pictured, but had plenty from my friends!). This place is cute for a cocktail and a few bites, or a nicer dinner with a range of flavors. And the place is beautiful! Happy to say I've tapped in early. read more

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Brunch review Food: $40 per person gets you 2 apps and 1 main. Our group of 4 tried a number of items: pomegranate yogurt parfait (meh), Bircher muesli (ok), eggplant dip (meh), Bombay toast (good), seared tuna crudo (good), malai kofta (probably best bite of the apps). Split the loaded khachapuri (by far best bite on table) and tandoori chicken omelette (this is a house speciality and I thought it was meh, seemingly no cheese in it? Felt like an omelette w chopped chicken inside that fell out w every bite). Ordered the French-ish toast as dessert for our table, this was delicious, the date butter was awesome. Drinks: espresso martini was incredible, 10/10, mandarin sour tasty and unique; you can sample the wines before ordering which is really nice since they have some unique offerings Service: restaurant wasn't packed and service was still slow; almost 3 hours for our table of 4, including waiting for long stretches for drinks and the apps not coming out all at once. Ambiance: super cute, bathrooms are dark and moody, big curtains and big windows in the dining area. read more

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Great location and ambience. High ceilings, classic Christmas music, and superb service from our server Victor. We had the cauliflower and btussels sprouts as appetizers. Cauliflower was the highlight for entire meal for me. For entrees, I had the wild mushroom biryani and my companion had the forbidden duck. Everything was shareable in keeping with the restaurant's theme. If there was one gripe, the rice for the biryani could be considered too salty by some. But that's a matter of taste. Great experience all the way around. Not a cheap night out but didn't break the bank either. read more

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We went as a group of three during happy hour and just couldn't decide on what to order.... So we ordered one of everything! It was the best - the perfect amount of food to share. Everything was so delicious. My favorite was the cauliflower manchurian and the Lebanese caeser! The eggplant dip was a close third but it was so smoky and a lot of spice, it was hard to taste anything else once it hit your taste buds. Don't get me wrong, I liked it but def try everything first and then finish with the dip and labneh which was also delicious! We sat at the bar and the bartender was so great. He walked us through the happy hour menu and recommended his favorites. The vibes were also great - I've walked past this spot on the daily and being it was my first time here, doing a HH tasting was the perfect entry. read more

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Came here for happy hour, had a res but for a table which wasn't eligible for happy hour, so we ate at the bar. Bit crowded in there but good service and drinks helped pass the time. Sliders were insane. Nice classy spot for some good eats and drinks. Order: - Za'atar fries and cauliflower Manchurian - Karravaan Sparkling Punch and Bosphorus Strait Up cocktails - lamb sliders read more

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