If Israel's hummus ruined all hummus found in the USA, run to Little Sesame. The hummus is on the same level (it better be since the recipe is from Israel). Little Sesame is a beautifully designed shop in downtown DC serving up hummus in all shapes and sizes. They started off making entree style hummus plates. You can get different vegetables on it and now you can even get a chicken shwarma on one. They recently slip into the wrap business catering to the lunch crowd. For dessert, you can get Middle Eastern flavored (i.e. tahini) soft serve. They also sell house made drinks like their purple lemonade (perfectly balance of sour and sweet). All of the food is superb, but their pita...wow. It's the best in the city. Maydan has good pita, but Little Sesame trained them on pita, so the best pita award goes to Little Sesame. There's plenty of seating inside and out so stay awhile AND always pay the extra $1 for another pita. You won't regret it! read more

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I didn't know it was acceptable to eat an entire bowl of hummus for lunch but I am a convert. The hummus is silky and incredible by itself but then it's topped with seasonal roasted vegetables and spicy herby sauces. You somehow find yourself uttering the phrase "I'm craving a hummus bowl." In the pre-covid days, I went into the office one day a week and I once made an 8 week streak of choosing Little Sesame for lunch. Definitely order ahead for pickup because the lines get very long. read more

Great fast casual food downtown! The folks I was with also enjoyed the Oatmilk ice cream.

I've passed this place quite a few times but never took the time to give it a try. Luckily, one day my job ordered the office lunch from here and I was very pleased. The only reason I give this place a 4/5 is because I am not a huge fan of hummus. HOWEVER if I had hummus like the one I tried here, then I'd eat it everyday! I tried the Seasonal Summer Corn Bowl which came with pita. It was delicious! It had the right amount of seasoning, it was filling, but did not make you feel TOO full. I am not quite sure when I would go back, but I would love to stop walking past and stop in one day soon! read more

I had been wanting to try this cute little to-go spot near my work. It looked like a decently healthy option for a quick lunch. I ordered the hummus bowl at the window, and it was ready within 3 minutes, awesome! What I didn't realize was that it was quite literally a big ole bowl of hummus. Like an entire salad bowl full of hummus with some cauliflower sprinkled on top. It was delicious, but I guess I was picturing more of like a salad/veggie/grain bowl with some hummus on top. That's my bad, though. The pita hit the spot. Quite possibly the fluffiest, tastiest pita I've had. I don't think I would get the hummus bowl again because it was too much hummus for me and I wanted more veggies/greens, but I would go back and try something else on the menu! I recommend checking this place out. read more

Little Sesame - Cauliflower Hummus Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Today I ordered delivery from Little Sesame for lunch, and it was just as good as it's always been in person, as evidenced by the fact that I ate it before thinking to take a picture I had the cauliflower shawarma pita, which was roasted and spiced perfectly and tucked in the pita with plenty of creamy hummus and slaw. I was worried it wouldn't be as good as my usual--the bowl version, with everything seasoning on top--but it was delicious. My partner had decided to cook his own lunch rather than order with me, but he took a bite of mine and said "wow, I made a mistake." As a vegan, I'm grateful that they have so many plant-based options (dairy-free soft serve!) and that they're just as good as anything else on the menu. I've loved this place for a while (I remember when they were just a tiny basement joint in DuPont!) so I'm psyched to see that they've expanded into Chinatown, and weathered the pandemic so far. read more

Love, love, love Little Sesame. So many delightful, seasonal, high-quality vegan options. Thank you for using organic chickpeas to lighten our glyphosate load. The oat milk soft serve is absolutely delicious. read more

The chicken shawarma hummus bowl is delicious! I recommend adding the crispy chickpeas, they compliment the smooth, rich hummus really well! The restaurant is clean and the staff is extremely kind. If you want to top off your bowl, have the hibiscus tea or lemonade! read more

Little Sesame - Chicken Shawarma Hummus Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food: Simple good tasting dish - no frills Atmosphere: Sweet green meets cava Service: quick and friendly Price: $ So we were a little confused by the mezze and Salatims which are just sides. We still are a little confused if they are suppose to be eaten alone or added to a bowl/pita. Anyways the food was delicious the only complaint was each bowl could use one more thing. Like the Chicken shawarma was just chicken and humus with herbs. And the squash bowl was just squash and humus with a dressing. It would be much better if cauliflower or eggplant or some other vegetable was added for a bit more taste diversification and filling. They do offer "add ons" but again most of those are just dressings or cheese. Definitely will go back, good for a quick simple meal. read more

Little Sesame - Chicken Shawarma, Tzatziki, Pickled Red Onion & Dill - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

From outside, this small place doesn't look like much, but it serves by far the best hummus and pita in the area. Their cauliflower shawarma sandwich is absolutely delicious: soft and chewy freshly-baked pita bread is stuffed with hummus, coleslaw, and roasted cauliflower. My mouth waters just thinking about it (and I literally just had the sandwich!). The hummus platters are also very tasty, but they only come with one serving of pita bread, so make sure to buy extra (its worth it: their pita bread is simply the best pita I've ever had). The service is fast. During lunch the place is invariably busy. There is indoor and outdoor seating. In a word, it's a top-notch, moderately priced lunch spot in the area. read more

I just love this place. The interior, the fact that its fast casual but still feels like a sit down restaurant, the hummus. A new pet peeve of mine is when a eatery is super cute but the food is mediocre. When I first walked in, I had a hunch it might be this way. But thankfully, this was not the case...at all. The hummus is super flavorful and smooth. I loved the seasonal peppers to top my hummus, but my go to is the chicken shawarma. It's a true shawarma, sliced thin, tender and just melts. I also recently became a fan of the eggplant pita!!! Whatever you get, you will leave full, happy and satisfied. Come try this place!! read more

You'll be surprised at how full you'll get from an unsuspecting bowl of hummus! Little Sesame is a small "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" gem right in Dupont. You can either enter through DGS Deli or in a teeny tiny staircase in the back. If you've been to the famous Dizzengoff in Philly, Little Sesame is comparable with its own unique flair. The decor of the place Their menu rotates, but I appreciated how simple it was to choose from about 5-6 options. I ordered a bowl that included squash, chickpeas and cilantro. If your dish doesn't include chickpeas, you can get it as a side and add some feta or an egg for extra protein. The pita each bowl comes with is warm and fluffy, and an extra pita costs $1.00. I was only able to finish a little more than half of the bowl, so don't be fooled by the size or the fact that it's "just hummus!" It may be hard to snag a seat, so get your order to go, or get comfortable sitting in a small cafeteria-like setting. I've heard they may relocate to a larger space soon, so keep an eye out for that news. I'm eager to go back, and perhaps take some vegetarian friends here. read more

Little Sesame - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great selection of hummus-based meals. Portions are very large; order one main and one side for 2 people. App is easy to use. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Pretty loud for staying to eat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

I don't know what was so different about my experience versus other Yelpers, but I was so underwhelmed! When my friend suggested this place I was really excited looking at the menu. The ice cream especially looked intriguing--vanilla tahini or dark chocolate Turkish coffee. (Of course dessert caught my eye first.) The hummus bowls that I looked at next seemed solid. So I ordered the chicken shawarma hummus bowl and vanilla tahini soft serve. My friend and I came early, around 11:45 to beat the crowd and it was a good thing we did because right at noon, it got really hectic and it's a small space. I was given a ticket to pick up my ice cream when I finished my meal so I could order at one time (and not have to stand in like twice) but not have to deal with my ice cream melting. That is a very thoughtful policy! The staff was very friendly. The inside of the place was very charming and cute, though small. We sat at a very long table with barstool style chairs and I loved the displays on the table and on the walls. However my meal kind of disappointed. The bowl was very average without any strong flavors or taste. It tasted bland. It seemed like there was just no spices added to the chicken, veggies or hummus. The pita that was included was warm and delicious but it was such a small piece on the side. My ice cream, which I got with the SoomSoom crumbles (sesame seeds) was not for me either and I was bummed that again, no flavor. It was such an unseasonably warm day and I was really looking forward to it. But $5 for that ice cream was not worth it! I've had better middle eastern food from the local food trucks in town sadly. read more

We had been wanting to try Little Sesame since we saw it featured in the Washington Post's "25 best casual restaurants in the D.C. area" this past June. Beautiful, beautiful decor inside. Loved the tile work and the functionality of everything. Seating was a bit difficult as we arrived towards the end of the lunch rush. It's a fast casual spot that focuses on hummus bowls, pita sandwiches, seasonal salatim, and mezze. Our group of three all opted for bowls over sandwiches and it came in right around the ~$10-11 mark pre-tax. The menu is definitely pretty seasonal so most of what we ordered is no longer included in the winter offerings. One bowl was the chicken shawarma, one featured beets, and the third (I believe) was zucchini. Regardless, all three came served over a bed of outrageously smooth, creamy hummus. Best hummus I've had in DC and just might be the best I've had outside of Israel. Each main also comes with a delicious, warm pita. We additionally ordered a seasonal fattoush salad and the dairy free, vanilla tahini soft serve for dessert. Unfortunately both were forgettable, fattoush was overly soggy and the ice cream pretty flavorless. Would love to give LS a 4.5 but it's at a 4 right now with the caveats being that if you love hummus, it's your spot and if you're particularly sensitive to veggie, vegan, or dairy free lunch options it seems like a fantastic alternative to other fast casual spots in the city. read more

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If you're interested in eating the hummus bowl at Little Sesame, be sure to put on your swim-trunks. You might find yourself swimming in a bowl of hummus soup. Don't get me wrong, the flavor is great--a veritable Beirut night-club in your mouth, albeit an underwater one. If you forgot to eat breakfast, Little Sesame may not be a satisfactory lunch. But if your belly just needs to be topped off, (and you have a snorkel handy) stop by! read more

Intro: We stopped by this local restaurant after hitting the gym because we felt we wanted to indulge in some healthier options. Getting There: There are several locations throughout the city but some are closed. Food: We ordered the delicious chicken shawarma hummus bowl (pictured) which comes with fresh toasted pita on the side. I know that in some places, hummus might have a one-dimensional, somewhat bland taste that might turn some people away. But not here - the hummus is very flavorful. The chicken is juicy and the onions add a great balance of acidity. Final Say (tl;dr): By most people standards, a pretty simple dish but the taste definitely is there. Try it out if you're in the area read more

Little Sesame - Chicken Shawarma Hummus Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great hummus bowls and tahini dip , nice service, [[HIGHLIGHT]]nice interior for a quick lunch[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Would recommend

So this spot opened up near my office a while back, and I find myself going every now and then. I am a big hummus fan, so I automatically have high expectations of a place that is known for their hummus. Well... I can say that their hummus bowls are deceptively filling. I had the chicken bowl, and while it didn't look like it would be much, I was so satisfied once I finished! They nail the texture of the hummus, the chicken is flavored well, and it's such a refreshing dish! Now, the tahini ice cream... equally refreshing, but in dessert form! It's such a grand flavor, and getting sesame seeds or cocoa nibs as a topping just enhance it. One little bowl will cost you $5 though, keep in mind! But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY. Give the place a shot! read more

If you've never felt the urge to put your entire face into a plate of hummus, you clearly haven't been to Little Sesame. I love hummus, have always loved hummus, and have gorged myself on hummus throughout the world. Even so, when I saw that half the options at Little Sesame were "hummus bowls", I thought - how can someone basically have a bowl for hummus for lunch? Order one, and you'll see just how easy it is to devour a ridiculous amount of the most ethereally divine hummus you'll find this side of the Mediterranean. Oh my stars, this place lives up to the hype. Here's the breakdown. Little Sesame is a fast casual place and seating is somewhat limited (although my friend and I were able to snag a table after only a few minutes of waiting at prime lunch time). Big thumbs up for the overall cheery aesthetic - including lots of greenery from DC favorite Little Leaf! Since half the options are sandwiches and half are hummus bowls, my friend and I decided to get one of each and split. The roasted eggplant sandwich with pickled cabbage was absolutely delicious. My roasted squash hummus bowl was equally tasty, as was the ultra fluffy pita that accompanied (you WILL want to eat up every last morsel of hummus). My only complaint (and it is very minor) is that the skins on the roasted veggies were left on. Not a big deal for eggplant, but for squash it was just unexpected. Not bad, just not what I anticipated. The food is filling, and I left very satisfied without feeling like my stomach was going to burst. My absolutely top fast casual place in DC is Shouk, and I think I'm going to put Little Sesame right at the top with them. This is good-for-you food done very, very well. Our cashier recommended either the house-made lemonade or the Moroccan Mint Tea. As we are in the midst of the Polar Vortex '19 (ok, Chicago, we know we are wimps compared to you), I opted for the hot tea. It was good - I feel like I detected some notes of rosemary in the tea, which was nice. Little Sesame, you are a gem! read more

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This place looks adorable! Cute decor and Instagram-ready. But the taste? Meh. The food was very dry and lacking in flavor. Too bad. (I know it has a ton of great reviews, whatever. But this was *not* the experience I had). I ordered a hummus bowl with greens and chicken. The meat was extremely dry (needed extra water to down it!) and the hummus was chalky. If you're a hummus-focused place, you better have good hummus! It was very expensive for such a small bowl -- about $12. I also ordered a sesame soft serve dessert, which sounds so unique. I asked to get it after my meal, so they offered me a stamped "coupon" to get it after I finish my bowl. What a novel idea, except for when I finished my meal (at lunch hour), the line was out the door and the place was packed! I had no desire to get back in that long line in the heat to retrieve my dessert, so I kept my coupon. I will be back to claim it, but right now I have no desire to go back to an expensive fast-casual. If I want a pricey casual meal, it better taste good. This one does not fill the bill. Very over hyped! read more

Best hummus in DC! Warm, chickpea filled bowl of hummus. Amazing oil tops it off. Limited menu and everyone better want similar items for lunch. Hibiscus flavored tea was good too. I did need to get back in line for a second pita, forks are available for people who want to eat their hummus with a fork (?????). Enjoy read more

This beautiful little place has found a special place in my heart because the food here is so amazing. It's been a long time since I enjoyed fast food that was so fresh and tasty. Their hummus is so creamy and flavorsome. I was never really a hummus person until I had their hummus bowl. I now realize that the issue was just mediocre hummus, so thank goodness to this place for elevating my palate. They get pretty crowded during the lunch rush, but the line moves fast. I never waited more than 10 minutes to receive my order, even when they are extremely busy. You even have the option to order online and pickup when you get there. They also get an A+ for consistently delivering food that looks good every time. They take the time to perfectly dish your food. I love that! There is nothing more annoying than seeing something on a menu and then you receive something that looks nothing like what is pictured. Every bowl I had out of this place was IG worthy! My only tiny complaint, if we can even call it that, is that they do not share the nutritional value of their food. I know they use fresh ingredients and make everything fresh in store, but I still want to know how many calories I am consuming. That is a me problem, so I won't knock any stars for that. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants good, wholesome, clean food. You won't be disappointed. read more

Little Sesame - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Love me some Little Sesame! I used to frequent it a lot when it was in its old location and I worked in Dupont. It's been a long time but I forgot how delicious it was and it arrived very quickly to my new work location in Foggy Bottom. The hummus, vegetables and spices are just the perfect combination. The only thing I don't love is the pita which is just too thick and chewy. read more

Little Sesame - Roasted tomato hummus bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Lets get things straight here: I am a hummus addict. A legit, no question, bonafide hummus psychopath. If i had to choose my last meal, it would be a big bowl of hummus with pickled red onion, a big warm pita, and a big hunk of feta. Now that we have that cleared up - when my boyfriend suggested we try out Little Sesame I was excited but of course had my guard up as not too many restaurants, let alone fast casual places, can pull off a bowl of hummus. Much to my delight, all my skepticism was quickly put to rest as we walked in and i saw the amazing decor and the not too big but not too small menu ahead of me. I selected the chicken shawarma bowl with extra feta and my boyfriend went for the chicken pita. The bowls also come with a side of pita. We ended up ordering another pita as the sheer amount of hummus would create a disproportional hummus to pita ratio if you just had one. The portions were extremely large and very filling - you definitely get your moneys worth here. After the first bite of my hummus i wanted to dive in face first and just use my pita as a snorkel. My meal was so good that, towards the end, I found myself forcing every single bite down so that none of this absolute deliciousness would be wasted. If you love hummus dont even waste your time looking for other places - go here!! PS if youre in to instagram and all that stuff then this place is a dream. read more

Little Sesame - Decor Inside - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

(3.5 stars) Super cool addition to the fast-casual food scene around Farragut. The concoctions are interesting blends that work together and the prices are reasonable at $10 or so a plate (though one pita is not nearly enough). Sadly the hummus bowl was just way too oily for my liking, ended up feeling heavier than I had hoped the mixed greens option would. I was hoping the pesto would be more prominent in the dish but it was just mixed into the greens so it was pretty much lost. I asked for some pesto on the side to add it in myself but they said that they don't do that kind of thing? A good option but not sure I'd return. read more

Little Sesame - Summer Greens Hummus Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I don't think I've ever said "hey, I need a plate of hummus for lunch", but Little Sesame has changed all of that. I had a simple hummus bowl with roasted and fresh tomatoes and gobbled it up. The hummus was silk smooth and delicious. I'll be back! read more

Little Sesame - Silky hummus bowl with tomatoes. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Oh Little Sesame, you sing a siren song of hummus to my heart! Like i actually forgot i could even enjoy hummus THIS much--- its sooo delicious! the interior has a light freshness to it, the bread is amazing! my only word to the wise is: * stick to vegetarian options * we ended up eating AROUND the chicken in the chicken shawarma bowl * the green schug is gloriously spicy and verdant (that's right, i said verdant :) Also, i wish they would give out free samples of the ice cream, because let's be real, while i can wrap my head around a turkish coffee/ cardomom/ chocolate flavor, what in the world do vanilla and tahini taste like together? i just think it would be nice to let the world sample these very unique flavors before throwing 5 clams down for some softserve. read more

I tried the chicken shawarma bowl here and let me tell you, it's a lot more filling than it looks! The bowl comes with a generous portion of creamy hummus, topped with cubes of chicken thighs, herb tahini, pickled red onion, fresh za'atar, and a warm pita. The pita itself wasn't too bad but I've definitely had better pita elsewhere. As I was finishing my bowl, I had a little revelation -- I realized the amount of hummus I had just consumed was likely the equivalent to a container of hummus purchased at the store... and that is a LOT of hummus! More hummus than I generally consume in one sitting. I do love the concept of taking hummus as a main base and adding ingredients to make a full meal. In which case, I wished there would be more protein options AND more protein in the bowl itself (aka more chicken please). It would also be nice to see other flavors of hummus added to the menu for variety. The dairy free soft serve here isn't too bad either. I love the uniqueness of the flavors but I agree with some other reviewers that the flavor itself could be a little bit more dominant. And my cup wasn't filled all the way :( read more

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My daughter loves their Hummus. Tried to order a bunch her birthday party. Can't place an online order, no one answers the phone, the live order email comes back as unknown address. What's up with that? I guess if you want it you have to go there and get it. read more

FIVE STARS ALL AROUND! Wow! I am so happy my mom and I decided to pop into Little Sesame & I hope they open a location in Arlington, preferably Clarendon soon. Looking for a healthy spot for a quick lunch... look no further! We decided to try the #1 roasted squash, #5 chicken shawarma, and #11 roasted eggplant. Everything was extremely flavorful and expertly cooked. The chicken was melt in the mouth tender. The eggplant pita sandwich had the perfect balance of textures and I lived for the crunch. The sauces are on another level. It is perfectly seasoned, not like too salty or anything. The portions are on point. Overall I was really impressed, can't wait to return and try the soft serve which is dairy free!!! Great vegan options. Just wow, super impressed. Pro tip: try the jalapeno cilantro sauce on the side! read more

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I must've passed Little Sesame a million times, as it is only a few blocks from my place. I finally decided to try it today, and truly I regret not having it sooner. Ordering pickup was extremely easy through their website. Only about five minutes after placing my order was my food ready. I got the cauliflower shawarma hummus bowl, and it was absolutely delightful. I was so stoked about how good it was that I finished it all in one sitting, but there's definitely enough for two meals. It's basically a big bowl of hummus with seasonings and an extra dousing of olive oil with a generous helping of delicious cauliflower and what seemed sort of like cooked celery, and topped with some dill, mint, and cilantro. Absolutely delicious, and it comes with the most incredible pillow of a pita on the side. I will say that I wish there were more descriptors on the online menu of what their sauces are--I'm super averse to cilantro, and I ended up having to call to confirm that the green shug and green tahini both have cilantro. read more

Little Sesame - Cauliflower Shawarma Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Awesome hummus bowls. Been visiting them since they opened on Connecticut Avenue. Bowls are on a weekly lunch rotation.

This place is bad quality. About one year ago, it got me sick to the point of vomiting (left a Google Review at the time). I used to be a regular customer but haven't been back there since. read more

Four stars for flavor! The line is always out the door so I had to try. Much to my surprise I was greeted by the warm and friendly staff. The menu options were confusing but the staff were kind enough to explain. I was a little disappointed that there were no customizations but nevertheless I found something enticing. Flavor was the name of this game the combination of spices and seasoning it what makes this simple Mediterranean style stop worth trying. This place surely takes your love for hummus to a new level but be prepared to pay the price. read more

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Little sesame is easy, healthy, and delicious. It's a favorite spot for a quick lunch or to grab and go!

Believe the hype. Little Sesame is the humus bowl of your dreams. The humus itself is a delicious flavor and consistency as the base of the bowl, and the fluffy pita serves as your spoon. You can choose from curated topping options instead of creating your own bowl. Last time I went I thought the meat/protein options were lacking, but I think they have an updated menu for the new season. It's a lot to eat in addition to the humus bowl, but don't miss out on their dairy free soft serve. I've made special trips just for that as an afternoon treat. read more

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This place relocated to L street between 18 and 19 and I am beyond happy! I ordered my all time favorite, the cauliflower bowl, and matched it with smashed cucumber salad. Everything tasted divine. My friend and I also split the soft serve which is terrific: vanilla tahini and chocolate Turkish coffee, topped with cacao nibs. You get to try this! I will definitely come back to try the roasted eggplant pita sandwich and the hibiscus black tea. read more

Little Sesame - DC RescueDish - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This hummus was so delicious! I had the chicken shawarma bowl and would definitely get it again. It's a great amount of food and I am stuffed. I would love to have a bit more bang for my buck though - possibly some lettuce thrown in? I took one star off because a part of me feels like it's a bit pricey to spend 12 dollars on a bowl of hummus. read more

Never knew I could love a hummus place so much haha! I visited here recently for a team meeting and absolutely loved the place. 90% because of the esthetic, but the food is good too! They serve many different hummus parings and other light bites. I like that you can go for snack or a full on meal. The sweetest part was probably the soft serve to top it all off. This is a cozy DC treasure and I look forward to visiting again! read more

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