Came here for the first time on a Tuesday night for take-out. The restaurant was pretty empty - seemed more like a takeaway spot than a dine-in. But the food - INCREDIBLE! I ordered the rice and lamb dish, and had three meals out of it as they're generous with their portions. They were also so hospitable and kind and gave me a free drink just out of kindness. The meat was super tender, flavorful, and fresh. Excited to come back again. Additionally, the restaurant is nested within a stretch of Ethiopian and Arab restaurants - excited to come back and try others out! read more

Kulan Cafe - Rice with lamb - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

Food was great. Parking lot was really busy with deliveries. Not much of a dine in option. read more

The only Somali food in town. To me, it's not really a sit down place - I think a lot of people are doing takeout. The food is bomb but you never know what they will or will not have that day. I guess that means it's fresh! Calling in an order on the phone is iffy. They seem to only randomly answer it. Both the rice and the pasta are great. I prefer the lamb the most. Entree come with soda and of course, a banana. read more

Kulan Cafe - Lamb w pasta. Everything comes w a banana and soda - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

Someone brought this for me at the hospital. It was absolutely delicious. The goat meat was well-seasoned, the rice was fragrant, and the stewed potato side dish was wonderfully well-balanced. If you have never had Somalian food, today is the day! I will be eating this for both lunch and dinner because the portions are very large. read more

Kulan Cafe - Goat meat with rice. - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

We got the Sports for 2 and the food was good. The server was attentive, really personable, and accommodating! Seems like a family style restaurant; I love supporting these. They recommended the lamb and they delivered! The combo had lamb, chicken, rice, pasta, and started with salad. Great value and the food came out fast! I went in thinking this would be a 5* experience but they fell a little short: - The food could have been warmer. - I expected a bit more seasoning; usually these middle eastern places deliver on that - I would have also appreciated a bit more cleanliness in the restaurant; however in their defense, it was a storm and it was mostly leaves. Tips 1. Get the Sports (combo), they scale up to 6 people 2. Make sure you get some lamb no matter what you order. 3. The photos have vegetables, but call ahead, they don't have everything every day. read more

An amazing hole-in-the-wall halal place for the best introduction I could've had to Somali food. The people were so kind and treated us like family. We had 3 adults and ordered "sports 2" menu item. It came with pasta, choice of 2 proteins, rice and salad. We were recommended to try the beef and fish. My particular favorites were the beef, fish and rice. read more

Kulan Cafe, is one of the best Halal Restaurants in the DMV. I love their Rice and Meat Dish. Also the their rice with Seafood was extremely great. One thing, I like is their customer services for dining In. Great place for food lovers like me. :) read more

AMAZING. It's really that simple. We ordered the lamb combo w/chicken and this amazing platter that could feed an army came out. The lamb was flavorful and tender, while the chicken was fried Milanese style. The potato was super flavorful and the rice and pasta served as the excellent carb to a perfect meal. And yes, you will get the customary banana to eat with the rice. The perfect sweetness to the savory. The tea is also amazing. Has a cinnamony kinda taste to it but the perfect complement to the perfect meal. This is a no frills kinda place so what you're not paying for in atmosphere and ambiance, goes directly into the food which is what I prefer every single time. If you're looking for excellent Somali chaining in the DMV, this place it is. Don't hesitate and get there asap. You will not regret. Somalia Hanoolaato! read more

Kulan Cafe - Fish, rice, potato, salad - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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Very good authentic Somali food. Lamb was cooked well and served with rice. Ordered fish and rice for our second dish but was given chicken. It was good but not what we ordered. Very nice employees. read more

It was our first time having Somalian food and also at this cafe. The owners recommended that we get the Sports for 2 people with lamb, chicken, rice, and spaghetti. 1000/10 would highly recommend this place read more

Kulan Cafe - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

KULAN CAFE - YOU ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITES! This small Somali restaurant is located by the Skyline Towers, in the Build America Plaza. When you enter, it's all 1-way through their parking lot, so when you turn in from Seminary, go until there is a split between the two sets of the buildings, make a right, and then make a right again. The Cafe itself is around the corner from the main road. The menu is limited, but very straightforward - chicken/fish/beef/lamb entrees with rice, pasta, or sabaya (bread), meals to share among 2/3/4 people, sandwiches, samosas, and salads. The hubs and I came here for a later dinner, and we tried the Rice with Chicken Steak (the rice was perfectly cooked, fluffy, had raisins, and sliced bell peppers; the chicken was a nice pounded thin breaded cutlet) and the Pasta with the Beef Steak (the pasta was cooked al dente and dressed in a light marinara sauce; the beef steak kind of reminded me of a Korean juhn; it was lightly breaded, thin, and very tasty!). The meats were juicy and yummy! Entrees come with a banana, in which you can dice and mash and mix into the rice, have it as a complement to your main mail, or just have it for dessert afterwards. It's really up to you! Don't forget to ask for their housemade zhoug - it's in a squeezy bottle, and it's green, spicy, made with cilantro and jalapeños, and great on the rice, meat, and salad! For those who are against cilantro (like myself), you couldn't taste it - it was more like a spicy tomatillo sauce. We also received a plate of fresh salad - mixed greens, freshly-sliced tomatoes, and red onions, with a bottle of Italian dressing to dress your plate to your heart's content. YUM! The portions are extremely generous and filling, so delicious, and tastes homemade! Everything is made-to-order - just be patient, as it is all worth it! Don't forget to try their tea - made with cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and black tea - no need for any addition of sugar/cream - this is spicy, already sweetened, and soothing. Perfect for those who are feeling under the weather or to enjoy on a cold day! Note that they don't serve tap water, and it is bottled water only. The staff and the customers are very welcoming, very kind, and just very sweet. At first, you can't distinguish between the owners and the customers, because they all say 'Welcome' - so amazing! It was like stepping into a relative's kitchen. There are 2 separate 'dining' areas, but they're both the same - it's just separated by a wall. The parking can be a bit tight, as the plaza is always busy and packed; you may have to circle around a few times to find a spot. Check this hidden gem out - you will NOT be disappointed! I'll definitely be adding this place to my dining rotation! +Rice +Beef Steak +fresh salads +tea! +housemade zhoug +delicious homemade entrees! +friendly service! +located in the Build American Plaza +tight parking read more

The food was delicious with millions of flavors and a spicy kick. The service was excellent and made sure everything was perfect. The ambiance was okay but lacked in color and charm. Overall my experience was amazing and I highly recommend Kulan. read more

I went here after going to the gym and was looking for a healthy meal to have. The food was very delicious and healthy with a lot of variety. There was lamb chicken fish rice and you also got a house salad. Everything was family style and it was really well priced. I highly recommend anyone to come to this restaurant. This was my first time ever eaten, Somali food or even encountering anybody from Somalia and it was a very pleasant experience. read more

Food was soooooo good if you are thinking about going goooo. You will not be disappointed, fast service and very friendly.

Ordered the lamb and rice(to go). I was warmly welcomed and service was outstanding. Currently eating it but I had to stop and rave about it Bc WOW. The lamb is seasoned to perfection: it's juicy and is doing everything lamb is supposed to do(send my tastebuds dancing) The rice and pasta are delicious, I'm definitely coming back! read more

Kulan Cafe - Lamb and Rice - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

Kulan is a hidden gem. The only authentic Somali restaurant im aware of in the DC area. For the uninitiated it's a unique combination of familiar flavors that work really well together. Pro tip -- any Somali restaurant you go to will provide a banana with your meal. Chop the banana with your fork and eat it with the pasta (or rice) and protien. read more

Kulan Cafe - Chicken with pasta - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

During Ramadan the hours are evening only. I had the pasta with lamb. Good and delicious but expensive. However it's enough for two and can be shared. read more

I just left and couldn't wait to write a review. The food is so good and the service is great! I got the lamb meat and rice, which filled me with plenty to spare. It's 45 minutes from where I live, but 5 minutes from my doctor. Will be going again. read more

Delicious food it reminded me back home growing up when my mother use to cook. If you want authentic Somali food in VA come to this restaurant, read more

Great experience. Hard to say anything that is not covered by the other reviewers. The food was very tasty, the atmosphere was very welcoming. I've never had Somali food before and am happy to have experience it. read more

Really enjoyed this place, ordered a sampler; chicken goat, rice, pasta, bean mix. The pasta didn't wow me, but pasta is always good, the bean mix though was fantastic, goat was tasty and the chicken was seasoned wonderfully. Generous portions too. If I lived around these parts this place would be a weekly stop in for me. Definitely recommend checking them out! read more

Kulan Cafe - Chicken, goat, pasta, rice, and a killer bean mix. - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

This is the best Somali Resturant in the area. I love it Everything is delicious and very cost effective read more

The best Somalian food in the DMV area. The goat meat is one of my favorite but you honestly can't go wrong with anything from the menu. Not to mention the owner/staff are so friendly. read more

Kulan Cafe - Rice, goat meat, and delicious spinach - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

Before this I did not know what Somali food was, nor am I familiar with the culture whatsoever. I was apprehensive coming here at first because all the other reviews seemed suspicious. Now, I know better than to have doubted. I've tried the goat and the lamb. Everything is fucking delicious. I recommend getting it spicy or extra spicy, as the flavor is tantalizing. The rice is light and fluffy, the raisins add a great contrast, everything is just so perfect. On top of how good the food is, everyone here is so friendly and welcoming. This has become a regular for me. read more

Amazing hole in the wall place. My first time trying Somalian food, and I'm very impressed. Got a sports platter for two with lamb and chicken, meat was extremely tender and flavorful. Noodles were light and delicious, rice was Afghan style topped with raisins and peppers. They use some kind of red sauce with the noodles, not sure what it is but I would go back just for the noodles because they were that good. Served with a side salad and banana and comes with two drinks. HUGE PORTIONS. 10/10 food and great service. read more

Five stars for taste and service. My favorite was the chicken steak and pasta-- though honestly everything I had was absolutely superb. Yes this a hole in the wall type of restaurant so it won't be super upscale ambiance but that's not what you go to a place like this for. It's clean and charming in its own way, and the family that runs this place was incredibly welcoming, gave us our space but also checked on us to make sure we had everything. I can't wait to come back just to try more things on the menu. The portions are generous-- my husband and I shared two plates and we still had leftovers. I've had Somali food in Columbus Ohio where there's a large Somali population and Kulan measured up to what I had in Columbus. Very authentic, perfectly seasoned without being spicy, and a refreshing change of cuisine. Looking forward to bringing my parents when they're in town to try it. I also appreciate that they had a corner for Muslims to be able to comfortably pray in without it interfering with the dining experience, a very thoughtful addition read more

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Adventurous eaters? Go for the food!! Huge portions, you will not have to eat again x 1 week. We had the goat + rice and pasta and bananas it was perfect! Never tried Somali food? What are u waiting for!!? read more

Kulan Cafe - Goat + pasta + rice platter = delicious!! - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

My Somali friend wanted me to try this restaurant. I was a bit hesitant never having Somali cuisine before. But boy was I surprised! It was one of the best rice and goat dishes I have ever had. You have to order the sports meal for 2 with goat. Make sure you get the banana to eat with it. Yes I said banana. read more

Kulan Cafe - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

This restaurant is located in Skyline and is really hard to miss. I want to start off by saying the food is amazing. The rice with hannid is excellent! The problem is the restaurant itself. I am not sure what's going one with the ventilation, but it's literally like I am in the kitchen. The smoke and oil is so thick, my eyes watered the whole time. I wish I had taken it to go. Long story short, excellent food, but not good ambiance. Take it to go! read more

Kulan Cafe - Somali Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

I rarely review restaurants because lots of people have already said similar things. But this place only has a few reviews. So: Somali food can be thought of as a combination of Italian and middle eastern food, with optional bananas. The food here is delicious, with great textures and flavors. Very authentic. It seems like most of the customers are Somali. The portions are huge - a "sport" platter for 2 ($30) is a very large meal for 4 adults. They ask if you want pasta or rice, and goat or fish or chicken - I said bring them all, and they were all great. The goat is stewed tender, the fish and chicken are pan fried crisp like a thin chicken Parmesan cutlet. The rice and pasta are both quality accompaniments, not bland. The service is also great - the staff is very happy you are there. Possible negatives: limited parking, probably hard to have groups much bigger than 4, only a few tables, they do have a TV on which might bother some. read more

Best restaurant in the DMV. Portions are huge, food is fresh and smells amazing! My fav! Try goat/lamb with rice comes with sautéed onions & salad read more

Took Somali food to my office party. The food was great. My coworkers who never tried Somali food are obsessed with the food. The customer service was amazing. The food was great. I recommend this place to anyone who wants something different and amazing food . You will not be disappointed. read more

I was craving Lamb and rice for dinner. I usually go to another Yemeni restaurant, but she raved about her friends going to this Somali restaurant. I wasn't convinced since some places are notoriously unprofessional. The food was awesome! I mixed a magic juice with sprite And it was delicious. The lamb was cooked to perfection and the rice was very tasty. Great find.... Customer service was good also. The young man was very attentive. read more

The food is sooo good. Check it out when u get a chance and don't forget the banana and hot sauce.

Stumbled upon this place with a very hungry family. The service was outstanding. Very kind and engaging. We'd never eaten Somalian food before, so it took a bit of education. My wife and I had the chicken steak dish. This is a ton of food for $15, which includes two cutlets which were so savory, a big greens salad, lots of rice, beans, and, yes, a banana. $40 fed the whole family with leftovers (which I've now gobbled up a few hours later). Our son ate and ate (which he never does) the pasta and the spaghetti. He wanted more in the car on the way home. Strong recommendation for folks looking for a little bit of a culinary adventure at great value. read more

First time there today because of how 13 other reviews all gave it a 5-out-of-5 star rating. And I'm here to give it another 5-out-of-5 rating to echo everything that has been said by the other users. The food was delicious, and the service by Ahmed was very kind and friendly. I could not have spent my lunch time better today. Do take Ahmed's recommendations for a delicious course. However, do note that the restaurant may not be as aesthetically pleasing as other restaurants you may be accustomed to. Once you receive your food though, you'll forget all about it. Also, you should try their hot sauce. It does not hurt, and adds a nice acidity to your meal. The heat will kick in afterwards though. read more

One of the best Somali restaurants in the NOVA area! Don't be afraid to try it, so good!

Tried Somali food the first time and it was a good experience at this simple restaurant in a strip mall off Seminary road in Alexandria. We ordered a lamb dish with rice. Some spinach stew was spread on the rice along with a banana. The restaurant served us free tea as we were first time customers. The tea was the best. They have free refills if you do not leave the restaurant. It was spicy tea with cinnamon, ginger and other condiments. Food was pretty good and it was busy with people from the region of the restaurant. A good restaurant to enjoy a different cuisine. read more

Large portions of really good food. This listing is under Falls Church but it is a few minutes away from the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center hotel. Get the sport platter for 2 included two meats..nice thin chicken cutlets..out of this world spaghetti ( I do not know how they make a spaghetti that taste so good), rice with raisens was perfect. We ate from this one meal for 4 days including having bananas for breakfast and drinks. Make sure you put your dressing on your salad before leaving if you pickup your food. One long building with separate businesses in different suites. Note: This business is on the back of the long building. Parking is limited. Fortunately, one person sat in the car while another went in and ordered and picked up the food. The setting is more on the lines of a carryout place with some tables as opposed to a restaurant so good for the food not the ambience. Cheers! read more

Great restaurant, every time I come here the food Ishtar delicious. If you've never had Somali food or miss having a home cooked meal, this is the place for you! read more