Wow, just like you would expect from the team from Albi, the dish preparations at La Shukran are on point. The flavor combinations were subtly complex and engaging. We enjoyed every dish we ordered. The dining room is relatively small and quite noisy. The rooftop dining area is casual and airy. Note: the rooftop seating only offers drinks and the small bites from the full menu. Larger entree options are not available on the rooftop. We will definitely be back to dine here again. read more

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Truly a standout experience at La' Shukran. The variety, creativity, and reinterpretation of Levantine cuisine, combined with French and other influences, were amazing to see and taste. I especially loved the thoughtful use of offal, the hummus was to die for, and the little lamb T-bone was another highlight. The service was equally attentive, and the recommendations were spot-on. I also loved the ambience. The slightly dark, beautifully designed space feels cozy and intimate, while still having a modern vibe that remains faithful to its Levantine roots. Overall, an easy five stars and a place I would highly recommend. It's not always easy to find great restaurants in D.C., and this is definitely one of them. read more

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La' Shukran lived up to the hype. We went for an early dinner at 5:15pm so that it would be easier with our 1-month-old baby. Accessibility for those with infants: there is a long staircase to get up to the restaurant. We were aware of this before we got there. We were able to carry the stroller up the stairs, and the restaurant stored it for us during dinner and we kept the baby in the car seat at our table. They gave us a nice corner booth which was perfect for having the baby at dinner. The music was really loud in the restaurant, which was actually a good thing for our baby (kinda acted like white noise). Cocktails: I loved the Mish Mish cocktail. It was a great tequila based drink with a lot of flavor. Food menu: We tried dishes from most sections of the menu. Our favorites included the Basturma Rabbit Shawarma, whole fried Quail, and Haswei fried rice. The dishes were creative and fresh. We really liked everything we tried. Our one critique was that the Maryland Crab labneh was barely crabby at all. If I didn't know it had crab, I wouldn't have been able to tell. Everything else was phenomenal. And I loved the financier dessert and lemon Madelines. The fresh sourdough bread was amazing. Service: Excellent service! Our waiter was kind and welcoming. The food came out very promptly. The dessert took longer but it was because they were baking the madelines fresh. The manager brought us baklava as an extra dessert due to the wait (without us even saying anything). Great experience! Highly recommend! I would definitely go back again. read more

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Five stars, no notes, perfect birthday dinner. Every dish was brilliant: escargot on hummus, light crispy sweetbreads, chilled melon with tahini sauce, grilled t-bone lamb cooked to absolute perfection. Finished with a traditional knafeh for dessert and took home peanut baklawa in a pretty La Shukran tin home. Our server Abby was friendly, helped us choose between items we couldn't decide on, and was attentive throughout. Cozy, hip chill vibe inside with an outdoor rooftop patio outside. Walked by the front door at first, so look for a big green door with a stainglass window in the alley behind Yellow. Will definitely be back to try everything else on the menu. read more

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I really wanted this to be a 5-star experience. The food was stunning. The ambience is lovely. The service, however, really lacked. If I'm honest, 4 stars is pretty generous. We waited over 20 min between courses and no one updated us proactively. I asked once and was told they were checking on it. The second time they said they lost the ticket and were firing a new one. I could tell they were stressed - I think the people sitting next to us (who arrived over 20 min after us) accidentally got our entree. I have had this happen as a server and a solid apology goes a long way. Luckily the fish was perfect and we quite literally cleaned every plate. I will put this spot on my list to return but I'm wary about the service. read more

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Highly rated for a reason! The restaurant is small so reservations book fast. You have to plan in advance but rooftop reservations open a week prior (rain or shine). I've visited twice and the food is amazing! Must try: BBQ Maitake and Soujek dumplings Service varies. The second time we felt rushed (the waiter kept interrupting to rush our order) and then kept pushing us to order more food but it was enough for us. Overall great restaurant, but expect to be rushed on weekends or prime dinner hours. read more

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I came here for a very hard fought reservation and it was well worth it! The beverages were so unique and the food was delicious. It was so much fun to try this flavor of fusion. It is quite a small place so it makes sense that it would fill up quickly. Finding it was also very confusing too. We had to go behind in an alley and go up the stairs. My friends and I shared a few appetizers and then got our own food. We shared the fries and falafel, which were great. I got the escargot hummus and my friends got other dishes. We loved our dishes although they weren't very vegetarian friendly, which makes sense. I would come back here again, although there are other Mediterranean places in the city I favor more than this one. read more

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La Shukran delivered from start to finish. Easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in a while. We had a reservation but there was a short wait, so the hostess directed us to the bar. When we were finally seated, we found out our drinks had been comped. Such a thoughtful touch! We started with the BBQ'd Maitake spread which was the perfect blend of sweet and savory. It was served with French baguettes. We also had the lamb sausage dumplings, which were absolutely delicious. I had the Rumaan to drink which paired perfectly, and for my main, the slow grilled lamb. All were outstanding. I closed out with the Filfil cocktail and chocolate macarons, which were the perfect ending. The food was flavorful and consistently top tier, the vibe was great, and the service was truly one of a kind. Warm, attentive, and genuinely memorable. Five stars without hesitation!!! read more

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Wow literally every dish was a 10/10. I was a little intimidated by the menu before we got here but just trust the process and order a bunch of different things and you won't be disappointed! The interior is so beautiful and every element makes you feel like you've been transported outside of DC I got the fulfill for my Cocktail, which is a gin based cocktail at the recommendation of our waiter, who said it was a best seller for a reason and I absolutely loved it. It's extremely well, balanced, and easily suitable and really complimented all the food that we were eating as well. There were four of us signing, and we decided to just split a bunch of stuff starting with the falafel, and the batata frites, as well as the lamb fried rice, the la'Shukran salad, the dumplings, the smoky escargot, the BBQ maitake, and finally the grilled lamb. Literally everything was so good. We finished with the knafeh which was a great cap on a fantastic evening. read more

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Most certainly one of the best restaurants in DC, with amazing vibes. Hidden upstairs off an alley in Union Market La' Shukran is my favorite of the restaurant group's restaurants. Yes Yellow is cheaper and Albi is more refined and Michelin starred, but this experience is the most fun! The cocktail list is outstanding without a single bad cocktail. The salad is great, the foie gras donut is a real winner, and every dish just really hits. Lamb tartare out of this world! The service is fun, the vibes are great - always nice to have Kanufeh at the end! read more

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A hidden (quite literally), moody, and intimate middle eastern bar & bistro, tucked in an alley at Union Market! Another Chef Rafidi restaurant, everything remains consistent - from just simply vibes to serving the best bread & hummus and lamb dishes. I was particularly surprised by the Falafel Jibne, the Wagyu NY Strip Kebab, Triple Cooked Batata Frites, and the Hashwei Fried Rice! Falafel Jibne - Had the perfect crispy shell met with a spiced patty, and I loved the dill yogurt paired with it Wagyu NY Strip Kebab - Was SO so juicy and it literally melted in my mouth. Didn't think I'd taste Wagyu like this in a long time Triple Cooked Batata Frites - I was OBSESSED with how the frites had a sweet and savory element. The frites were lightly coated with almost cinnamon sugar-like spice, and was the perfect crispiness Hashwei Fried Rice - I enjoyed the slightly crispy, spiced rice, a lovely blend of texture and flavor Unfortunately the Soujek Dumplings and Knafeh were the ones that fell short for me. The Soujek Dumplings just tasted like any normal dumpling I've had, and the Knafeh, though the very same dessert served at Albi, I didn't like how there was more cheese than dough here. read more

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Cocktails on the rooftop is still a treat, it's a nice option if you just want to sip and chat with friends. I'm not the biggest arak fan, but I've enjoyed great wine and off-menu creations by their wonderful bartenders. read more

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If you've tried Albi or Yellow, then this is right up your alley...literally (the restaurant is in an alley). Reservations do go quickly so you have to be on top of it when they open. I loved the swanky hip dark bar vibes and the fun cocktails they offered on the menu. Highly recommend trying their drinms, we really liked their cocktails, especially the Clarified Al Enab. It's a more savory mocktail that smelled (and slightly) tasted like roasted peanuts. I'm honestly vexed how they managed to achieve that All the dishes are family style and were shared with everyone! We really liked the falafel jibne, which had a crispy exterior with a moist filling...falafel usually is way too dry but this made me realize what good falafel tastes like! I really loved the triple cooked batata - YUM! Love when a potato is super crispy on the outside and perfectly fluffy on the inside. You cannot skip on the Hashwei fried rice - it was my favorite dish of the night! The crispiness of the rice in each bite had me going back for more. I could eat an entire bowl of this by itself. Other notable mentions: the escargot hummus, soujek dumplings, and the two protein dishes: the Freedom Run Lamb Loin and the Wagyu NY Strip were cooked to perfection. Service was very attentive and food came out in a timely fashion. I would highly recommend checking out this restaurant and giving it a go! read more

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I had previously been here just for outdoor cocktail bar that is a more limited menu and this time came for dinner. The dinner was excellent we got escargot, falafel, tuna carpacci, and lamb dumplings. Escargot was delicious rich and savory paired with some freshly baked bread. It has a great rich flavor from the butter. The savory flavors punch through from the snails. Falafel is like a mazzarela stick but the coating is falafel. Very rich but perfectly paired with the savory taste of the fish on top with falafel. Tuna was very flavorful with oils that has citrus plus the puffed frekha adds a nice texture. Lamb dumplings are excellent and stole the show. It has fantastic broth that brings everything together. We also got the french fries which are excellent. For dessert we got cake that has honey and ice cream on it. It was decadent and the perfect palette cleanser. Service here is incredible so nice and attentive. And they really help guide you through the menu and pace it well. Inside it's one of the few places you can go that feels like you been transported to somewhere different. It's beautiful inside. Just remember the entrance is in the alley behind yellow gps won't guide you there exactly. read more

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1000/10. Every dish was absolutely delicious, it's hard to pick a favorite! We got a bunch of different options and just shared! My favorites were the smoky escargot, the dumplings and the lamb. The tahini salad that the lamb was served on was creamy and so flavorful! The fried rice was crispy and the batatas were seasoned perfectly!! I mean every dish was 10/10. I had a filthy Shatta! If you like dirty martinis then you'll love it. My friends got the filfil and Jaffa, both were really good! The atmosphere is stunning. Dim lights make it perfect for a little date night but it's also a great spot to hangout with friends! Service was impeccable. We were always taken care of and the servers were knowledgeable in all dishes/drinks. Will most definitely be back! read more

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I moved to Union Market about a year ago and made it my mission to try every restaurant in my neighborhood and become a regular at my favorites (shoutout to El Presidente and Yellow ). I finally made it to La Shukran, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We couldn't get a reservation and showed up around 5:45 hoping for a miracle. The host let us know everything was booked, even the bar but suggested coming back in 35-40 minutes to catch someone leaving. That advice was gold because we were seated within five minutes of returning. The space is intimate and very dimly lit (almost too dim for me), and it's tight inside so you can't really wait indoors but the décor is gorgeous and moody in a chic way. For cocktails, we tried the Jaffa (mezcal + cognac) and the Mish Mish, which drinks like a tequila old fashioned. Both were smooth, balanced, and beautifully crafted . Food-wise, we shared everything. We started with the Falafel Jibne and Soujek Dumplings. You don't get much falafel, but what you do get is delicious. For mains, we had the Grilled Duck Breast à l'Orange Blossom, Wagyu NY Strip Kebab au Poivre, and the Hashwei Fried Rice - every dish was packed with bold, memorable flavor. What really made the night shine was the service. From the host who steered us back at the perfect time to the two bartenders who walked us through the menu and made thoughtful recommendations, everything felt warm, attentive, and elevated. A heads up: the prices are high for the portion sizes, expect around $300 for two if you're ordering cocktails and a few dishes. But between the food, drinks, and hospitality, it was a top-tier experience I'm excited to repeat. read more

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Had a 5/5 experience! Made a reservation as soon in advance as I could after wanting to go for forever. After doing recon, we ordered the falafel (was stuffed with cheese), tuna carpaccio, escargot hummus, dumplings and the fried rice. Everything was worth it and we'd order and go back. Cocktails were unique. We got the green one that started with a F and it was so good we had 4 between the two of us. Sprinkled with pepper, our fav! read more

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Another excellent meal at La' Shukran. If you haven't been, what are you doing?! You must order drinks, a dreamy hummus and dessert too. Also whatever else sounds good will be excellent. Our waiter was very helpful in explaining and giving recommendations. Good for date night, catching up with friends or any celebration. read more

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This place is a must try if you're ever in the dc area and looking for a good time, with an amazing vibe and ambiance and to explore a very delicious and unique menu! I originally had reservations for 2 and at the last minute had friends join us and they were extremely accommodating in still finding a space to sit during our reservation! The wait staff as a whole was extremely friendly and knowledgable about everything, the food, the drinks, what goes good together and everything in between! We ordered a number of drinks and food to share across the table and let let me tell you, the food was so delicious and very filling, one of the few places in DC that I left the restaurant without finishing all of my food! read more

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I'm really struggling between 3 or 4 stars here. Service and ambiance here were great. We came in without a reservation and they kindly asked us to give them 15 minutes to get us seated at the bar. Really liked the vibe and decorations here and had a hip and romantic vibe. More so than Albi I think. My debate on if this should get three stars really lies with the prices. They are a bit absurd for really pretty standard fare. There is nothing on the menu less than 18 dollars and that includes basic things like their version of French fries and falafel ( sorry, I don't think a little dab of trout roe on top of three tiny falafels makes it an 18 dollar dish) . The only items that came at surprisingly low price point were desserts were largely around 8 bucks. Cocktails start at 19 dollars which I can understand given it's dc and they are quite unique. Overall I think if I came back it would solely be for the vibes and just a cocktail. Nothing I had to eat stood out for the cost and at the prices I would just go to Albi, no doubt. read more

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La'Shukran was good, but not great. It's a tough reservation to get, has great reviews, and comes from an acclaimed chef, so I was expecting great. It doesn't live up to the hype. The food menu is a mix of Levantine and French, with dishes like escargot with hummus and a dessert menu featuring both madeleines and baklava. The decor is very stylish -- colorful but dark, plush, neat hanging lamps. I heard the place has very loud music, but thankfully this was not the case on my visit. Conversation was easy. We had the escargot with hummus ($20, 7 pieces, 2 pieces of bread), falafel ($19, 3 pieces), cabbage ($19), and fried rice with lamb ($26) plus a few cocktails: Jaffa, Filfil, and Mish Mish ($20-$21 each). To finish, the knafeh ($14). My first bite of the hummus was outstanding -- a delicious mix of hummus and garlic-parsley butter. But I found myself less interested in further bites, which tasted mostly of plain hummus. All of the components were good -- the escargot, the hummus, the bread -- but just good, not great. The falafel was a real disappointment. We weren't going to order it, but then the server said it was filled with cheese and described it as a mix of falafel and mozzarella stick. It was not. There was no visible cheese inside or any taste of cheese. It was overly salty and fairly dry. The trout roe didn't add anything. Absolutely do not recommend. The cabbage was solid. A mix of soft and crunchy, sweet and savory. The fried rice was good. It had tasty crunchy bits and a very nice, interesting flavor from the 7 spices and apricot. I wish the lamb pieces were larger and more discernible both in taste and appearance. The concept reminded me of the brisket fried rice at Chiko, another well regarded restaurant, which has very discernible pieces of brisket in it. That's what I wanted from this dish. The knafeh was very tasty. It was very rich so the portion was enough for two people. I loved the Filfil cocktail for its herbaceous flavor, even though I'm not normally a gin guy. The Jaffa and Mish Mish cocktails were less successful to me because the flavors were milder and less interesting. Fine, but nothing special. Our main server was good - very energetic, friendly, knowledgeable about the menu. Overall service timing was fine. 3% employee wellness fee. I would visit again to try more of the menu to see if it impresses more. read more

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Will start by saying I love Albi and yellow and had really high expectations for this place and I'd say they were mostly met but was perhaps not wowed like I wanted to be, still good but not out of this world. Started with the (beef) sweetbreads with a sweet mango sauce, which were good but nothing crazy, the aioli sauce on the side was too heavy and bland, ate the sweetbreads without any of it. Then had the falafel jibne which was good, a bit dense for my preference but the spices were on point, the "caviar" was actually roe and didn't add much but the dill yoghurt sauce was good Then the most disappointing dish of the night was the beef heart shawarma hummus. Beef heart genuinely had no taste whatsoever, even eating a slice on its own it tasted of nothing at all, seriously needed work. The rest of the dish wasn't great either, wouldn't recommend. However, the bbq'd mitake mushroom hummus was the opposite, well flavored and the pomegranate balsamic was super delicious. Would have liked a slightly harder char on the mushroom but was excellent overall Then had the hashwei 7 spice rice which was my favorite dish of the night, again would like some more crispy bits in the rice but the spicing was on point, the apricot add-ins were super sweet and tasty, the yoghurt was tangy (though would have liked more of this too) and rice was cooked well--very good. Knueffe for dessert was good, sweet and salty as you want it to be, would have changed the ice cream flavor, didn't seem to fit with the rest of the flavor profile, and the syrup was very rose forward if you like that, overall still a tasty dish. Service was good, efficient, friendly read more

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La Shukran is the newest and undoubtedly hippest restaurant by Michael Rafidi. Rather than the purer take on Palestinian fare evinced at Albi and Yellow, here the kitchen riffs on French and bar food. The results, while interesting and served in beautiful surrounds, feel less compelling than the more soulful food at the other restaurants. My wife and I snagged a last minute reservation for 8:45 on a busy Saturday. We were not seated until a bit past 9, but the front staff was quite accommodating and cognizant of our situation so no harm no foul. We ordered drinks and found the libations tasty and inspired. My wife's sumac cocktail impressed us the most with its fresh flavor and distinct tang from both fresh citrus and the eponymous spice. We ended up ordering six plates between the two of us, which was a bit too much food given how unexpectedly heavy some of the dishes were. Two of our initial selections ended up being 86'd, but this proved providential as the two items we ended up substituting ranked among our favorites. The hit of the evening was the lamb kibbeh nayah. The fresh, lean, and tender raw lamb was mixed perfectly with crackly wheat and garlicky toum. Served as lettuce wraps and paired smartly with pickles, the tartare evoked freshness. We also, unsurprisingly, loved both dips we ordered. I favored the escargots, which brought tender gastropods quite literally swimming in bright, herbed butter atop Rafidi's signature thick, creamy hummus. The crab with labneh balanced tangy yogurt with the bite of dill and sweet crab meat. These three dishes tasted the most straightforwardly Levantine, and would be at home on the menus of the restaurant group's other establishments. The other three dishes we sampled did not fare quite as well. I would pass on the fries. While technically well executed with large spears of spuds bearing a shatteringly crisp exterior with fluffy innards, the flavor of the fries tasted fairly ho hum with a muted spice dusting and a somewhat flat green aioli. Because the frites were cut so thick, the dish ate very heavy. We enjoyed the hot quail dish, though this conveyed a more straightforward hot honey fried chicken rather than something Middle Eastern save for the tahini "ranch" dressing. The small bird was nonetheless well fried with juicy meat and a crunchy, flavorful crust. The lamb fried rice had a comforting taste with a good sweet-savory balance and a surprising wok hei, but the meat portion seems quite skimpy for a $26 dish. The vibe here is a big part of the experience. The dimly lit, lounge-y space strewn with pastel pinks and greens as well as Arabic signage certainly transports. The room can get very loud and quite hot, so plan accordingly. Service here was accommodating and thoughtful. Our waitress sent us a falafel jibneh dish on the house since the kitchen ran out of our initial menu choices, for example. There was a noticeable lull between some courses, which may be why our reservation time was delayed a bit, but the ambiance merits a bit of a slower pace. Overall, my wife and I enjoyed our meal here, though it lacked the at times revelatory, soulful taste journey we experienced at both Albi and Yellow. The menu here succeeds best when it hews close to the Levantine cookery Rafidi is known for, with ventures outside the Middle East somewhat less compelling. While we would gladly return, we are not quite clamoring in the same way we would to the group's other venues. read more

La' shukran is a whole vibe! From the second you lay your eyes on the speak easy entry door! to the interior, the ambiance, the food, all the way down to the service! food was 10/10 flavor & originality! I love the twists they have on the traditional middle eastern dishes! Must have the fried quail and falafel topped with caviar! Service and staff are great and very knowledgeable about the menu! They also have a rooftop out door seating when it's nice weather and both inside and outside seating is its own amazing vibe! This is a good place for cocktails and mock tails too! They have a good selection and the drinks also 10/10! This is great for a quick drink and some light bites, friend dinner, date night! Def a must try in the Union market area! read more

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I came to La'Shukran not sure what to expect and left as a HUGE FAN--they did their big one here. Nestled right in the Union Market area, La'Shukran is right over top of the new Yellow bakery. Parking is super simple here with loads of garages and parking spaces available. You head in through the alley and by a door with stain glass over top. Once inside there's black and white stairs and a candle lit, IT IS A VIBEEE! Here's more of what I loved about this visit: - Able to get a seat outside with no reservation around 5 ish on a Thursday - read more

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We love all the restaurants from this group (Albi & Yellow) and really enjoyed this place also! Very attentive service and fun atmosphere. Drinks: Mish Mish - Tasty FilFil - the star! Really loved this drink, so refreshing. Apps/snacks: Carrots: Interesting and flavorful, but in the end they are just carrots. Squash: Excellent dip! Dumplings: These were amazing. Very unexpected flavors and really delicious Batatas: Classic offering from all the restaurants. These came out like steak fries. I really loved the seasoning on them, but my favorites are from Yellow (not pizza). Main: Wagyu kebab: Perfectly cooked and a great sauce underneath. This was excellent. My only gripe is that it's labeled as "au poivre" which normally means crusted in pepper, I felt the amount of pepper to be lacking. I wanted more pepper, or a little fresh ground pepper over the top would have made it even better IMO. Sweets: Nabulsi: Fried labne cheese with rise syrup and ice cream. Its such an odd flavor profile (to me) but it really works. The sweet and savory goes together very well. Lemon madelines: We also really enjoyed these with the orange honey. My suggestion would be to add some orange zest on top, but other wise it's a great end to a fantastic meal. read more

I went to this beautiful place for dinner before a concert I was seeing in town . So my vibe. The place was beautiful. The staff accommodated me as a solo guest . The bartender was very knowledgeable and suggested this delicious drink. I already knew what I wanted to try which was the Hashwei. So many different options here if you love middle eastern dishes . I love a different restaurant that stands out . I will definitely be coming back . The black and white stairs was classic , and the entry being in an alley way is so cool. Hats off to the owners , everything here was top tier .. read more

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LOVE this spot in Union Market. It is behind Yellow in an alleyway, which can be easy to spot if you're coming from the metro. I've been here twice and have loved all the dishes and drinks I've gotten here. I especially love the lamb fried rice, the maitake hummus, and the dumplings. I will say this place is expensive, but I personally think it's worth the price and ambiance. The food is very flavourful and unique, in my opinion. Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about the items. Reservations can be hard depending on what time you want to go, but I have typically had no issues for a weekday after work hours. Will have to come again to try some of their other dishes and new drinks! read more

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My buddy and I are DC natives who live in very foodie cities and we agreed this was probably the single best new dining experience either of us had all year. I don't think I've called a restaurant's design choices "cool" in a long time, but... yeah, they're cool. We missed a lot of it sitting at the bar, but it had its own vibes that were worthwhile. The guys back there were chatty and, for such a lively setting, it felt like a good balance of intimate and communal. Apparently reservations are hard to come by, and our unencumbered walk-in experience quite rare, but I'd definitely try to land at the bar a second time. Food was fantastic - I could live off those lamb dumplings for eternity. Drinks were solid but not really a highlight. read more

One of the BEST meals I've had in 2025. HANDS down. La' Shukran is tucked away near Union Market in a non De script alley way. You walk in and you're immediately transported to someone's home in the Middle East. The shag carpet, colorful artwork, and comforting smells of delicious spices and herbs. Their cuisine marries French with Palestinian dishes for a funky, creative fusion. Everything including the cocktails set the bar high for the next dish. read more

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Surprisingly, I live in the neighborhood and was completely unaware of this place until I saw it on Eater as a top rooftop place in DC. This place is amazing. Bar service, food, drinks, etc. I came by at 5 PM when they opened yesterday and was easily able to get a bar seat. The tables filled up rapidly but the bartender said I could usually get a bar seat at opening time. The drinks and food were amazing. I can't say I had a favorite as the Scallops, Falafel, and Escargot were all equally delicious. The service was also on point. read more

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Oh my my MY! I had just finished a concert with someone nearby and we weren't ready to call it a night yet. We had considered a few options... but with it being a Thursday night, some of the first ones were closed. So we had decided to stop here... she had been once before and was hyping it up. And of course, I recognized it as being one of the top DMV spots to eat according to Yelp Elites! We stepped inside, and the entrance and stairs were a bit trippy! If this isn't a hidden gem, idk what it is. We got inside, and the place was packed for the time it was! Thankfully, there were two open seats at the bar, and that's where we settled. The pink and green theme with the logo and other elements of the restaurant was quite unique. The entire place was dimly lit and had quite a vibe. We were greeted warmly and given food and drink menus. Many of the cocktails were unique, intentionally incorporating arak (think of anise) somehow. Others were more classic, but either way I love the design of the menu... the way they displayed the colors and sectioned the drinks in the pictures was really cool! I got a Zanjabeel and we shared the batata (think fancy potato skins) and beef shawarma heart (extra fancy hummus spread). I have nothing to say about either dish besides perfection. Every element was great and I wish I had room for more... though we would've spent an arm and a leg LOL. Great first impression and I see why they're up there on the list. I'd definitely come back! read more

I had a great solo dining experience at La' Shukran last week. The entrance is located in an unassuming alleyway, with the doors opening to a beautifully appointed stairway and dining room. The waitstaff was friendly and had great recommendations. I ordered the seven spice rice, fried sweetbreads, and beef heart hummus. The sweetbreads were by far the best dish, with a smoked honey dip that was one of the best things I've eaten this year. The rest of the dishes were solid, but far outshined by the sweetbreads and dip. I would love to go back and try other dishes in a group setting. I can tell that the restaurant has a lot to offer and I can't wait to try them all. read more

Located near union market this is truly a hidden gem! I came here with friends & was so curious on how the food will taste.. atleast to say it did not disappoint. We ordered a few dishes to share: falafel: soft on the inside & topped with caviar lamb fried rice: crunchy rice mixed with lamb & a yogurt sauce on top. bbq mitake: homemade hummus with sweet molasses vinegar on top paired with sourdough bread.. the star & highlight of the dishes! This is addicting to eat. sweatbread: fried & chewy paired with a creamy sauce The food is amazing although if you're looking for filling food.. might not be the place as the portions are small, prices are high, but quality is expectational. Indoor seating is limited so definitely recommend grabbing a reservation. A lot of people come here for the ambiance & drinks. Tucked away in a sketchy alleyway (that's dc hidden gems for you!). read more

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Ok this place is IMPOSSIBLE to find the front door ... go down the sketchy back alley directly behind Yellow the breakfast cafe and walk until you think you've gone too far until you see a green door with a beautiful stained glass archway that leads to steep dark stairs LOL ... so they need better signage but that's my best direction help All this to say, the vibe once you make it is really cool. The steep stairs lead to an intimate but intricately decorated space with a cool bar, unique drink menu, and yummy bites. There's an entire section that is very "arak" forward - a distinctive anise, licoricey flavor that you either love or hate. I was convinced to try the Warda which is Arak forward, and it was not for me, but if you enjoy flavorful spices and a pina colada vibe this one's for you. The Dukhan is a traditional cocktail with mezcal forward flavors - a definite fan favorite. We shared the falafel jibne with trout caviar & dill yogurt and they were incredible. The falafel was so soft and fresh, and the caviar and the yogurt were a delicious combo! Highly recommend. I'd love to come back here and sit on the roof and enjoy some more of their bites and vibes. My biggest complaint about this place is they don't do matchboxes anymore I'm a collector, so if anyone has tips/tricks to snag one please let a girl know! read more

La' Shukran - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Instead of writing an extensive review going through every detail of my experience, the restaurant, and every morsel of flavor packed food, I am going to start with just stating that all the praise this place has been receiving and the reason it is so difficult to get a table, all incredibly well deserved, if anything they need more. I loved the speakeasy vibes, walking in through the semi discreet side door, up the stairs, and to a beautifully cozy room, it was perfect. And one detail I could not get over, jsut how perfect the seating arrangements were. While it was packed, and cozy, people were spaced just enough that I could hold a conversation, stand, walk, and put on my coat without fear of bumping into others tables or having to be hyper vigilant of my surroundings. On top of this the service was incredible, knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient, the staff made sure everything was perfect. Food, well there are plenty of testimonies to just how good it is. Personally, my favorite dish though was the unassuming bbqmitake. Would highly recommend and gladly return if ever presented with the opportunity. Definitely a top dining option in the area, if not just overall regardless of area. read more

A little pricey and on trend with DC upscale restaurants, but the service and flavors make it so worth it! We ordered the Crispy Sweetbread (do your research before, because they're not pastries), but still oh SO good! The flavor and texture reminded me of an elevated chicken nugget. For drinks we ordered Bedouin Coffee, Farawlah, and Zanjabeel. The Coffee drink & Zanjabeel stood out the most. The layers to this drink were absolute perfection. I'd go back to get them & check out the full menu inside, as we dined on the gorgeous patio in communal seating, read more

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*chefs kiss* I loved everything about La'Shukran except their hostess at the door, which almost set the tone for our entire visit. However, the bartender saved the day. The food & cocktails: 10/10. read more

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If I could give this place 10+ stars, I would. I couldn't get reservations since they opened. Searching and searching and finally found an opening in March. Decided to snag it right away without even asking anyone to join me. And when I say it was worth the wait, I mean it! Unfortunately we got a late 9:45pm reservation for the amount of people I had (6 people). We decided to go earlier to the "rooftop" to grab a drink until the rest of the party gets there. The hostess realized that we've been waiting for our table and was able to give us our table 15-20 minutes earlier. Honestly, the sweetest considering how busy they were, even on a Wednesday night! By 9:30pm our table was ready and we were already ordering food left and right as if it was bottomless! I'm not going to rate every dish even though majority of them were 4/5 or 5/5, but some call outs - Vegetarian dumplings 5/5 - we got 2 plates, and wanted more but they had ran out. I don't usually like mushrooms or even eat them, but whatever sauce was used definitely masked the fungi taste. Falafel jibne 5/5 - of course we got caviar on the side as half of our party was vegetarian, but the dill yogurt sauce complimented the chickpea falafel extremely well. The place is pretty dim lit with mood lighting. It's quite small, but wasn't too loud. I could hear my party just fine. I now understand why reservations fill up so quickly! read more

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La' Shukran is my new habibi. My new habibi is gorgeous, treats me right, and feeds me well. Allow me to elaborate. The entrance to La' Shukran might be in an alley, but once you see the glowing lights above the door and ascend the fun stripey stairs up to the restaurant, you enter a whole new world that is fun, warm, and welcoming. Everyone who works here is so nice that it's almost scary?? We had to wait a few minutes out in the bar area of the patio while our table was being cleared, but didn't mind at all because it's so gorgeous out there, and the drinks are good, especially the zanjabeel. The menu is share plates based, and between the three of us we got 7 dishes and two desserts, leaving us satisfied but not overstuffed. They explained the menu to us in a way that was descriptive and helpful without making our eyes glaze over. Standouts from our meal: -Oysters with citrus and serrano mignonette, fresh briney perfection -falafel with trout caviar and dill yogurt, the cheese in the middle actually really works -bbq-ed maitake, the platonic ideal of a mushroom dish -hot quail, appropriately high ratio of crispy skin to juicy meat -dumplings (veg version of their special), insane, drank up all the broth -knafeh, love a slightly savory dessert -madeleines, perfectly done and not too sweet Their menu makes it easy to order a meal that is perfectly balanced in flavors and richness. Nothing is same-y, nothing gets old. Did I mention that everyone here is ridiculously nice? Service was excellent all around, the meal was well paced, and we really felt so welcomed here. Reservations are hard to get, so it's not like people need any extra encouragement, but La' Shukran is a must visit. I love my new habibi too much to keep them to myself. read more