I ABSOLUTELY love cafe 8! I've been coming here for years and am proud of their revamp…read more If you're a hookah smoker they have some of the best prices in the city. I don't think anyone is beating $35-40 hookahs and $14 head replacements. My fave is the BMW (blueberry mint & watermelon). A friend ordered Love66 and peach; that was amazing too. The drinks are always super strong so drink responsibly!!! I always get Lemon drops with a sugar rim. I either get it regular, strawberry, or peach. The lamb chops and fried shrimp are bomb!! (Not pictured). Those are always my go to depending on how hungry I am.

Cafe 8 .. where have you been? I enjoyed Cafe 8 so much! I…read morewent on a Friday night and let me tell you.. the MUSIC .. 10/10! The vibe was nice as well. I ordered the chicken sandwich with fries and it was pretty good. It was pretty big too! The service was good, all of the staff were nice and attentive. The prices are good! Definitely come here for a good time and good drinks. The hookah was good, it just burns very fast. We asked to get our coals changed about 3 times. I'll definitely be back. Love it here.

I treated my friend to brunch after seeing all the hype on TikTok, Yelp, and Instagram, and it…read moreabsolutely lived up to it! This was easily one of the most entertaining brunches I've experienced in the DMV, while still maintaining an upscale vibe. From the singer taking special requests during brunch to the live entertainment afterward, drummers, dancers, and a saxophonist turning things into a full brunch party...we were thoroughly entertained from start to finish. What really stood out, though, was that the food matched the energy. At some places, you get great entertainment but mediocre food - not here. Everything was beautifully presented, served at the perfect temperature, and genuinely delicious. My friend was so impressed with her birthday celebration that she thanked me for days afterward. The service was impeccable, the space is stunning with plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, and despite how busy it was, it somehow still felt warm and welcoming. If you're in the mood to get dressed up, enjoy an upscale brunch, celebrate a special occasion, or impress someone on a date, this is definitely the place. I'm already looking forward to my next brunch party here!

Gorgeous restaurant! I felt very underdressed but I loved the vibrant atmosphere…read more STARTER: Prosciutto - very large portion, had plenty to take home, thinly sliced and addictive ENTREE: Hanger Steak Au Poivre $56 10 oz black angus hanger steak, pomme frites & green beans, green peppercorn sauce *I really enjoyed the steak but I didn't finish it because I polished off 2 trays of bread by myself...andddd I don't regret it. COCKTAILS: Smoked Old Fashioned $18 BB Bourbon, BB House Bitters, Syrup, Smoke *I loved the smokiness of the drink and it went great with the bread because I had no self control... Our service was consistent throughout dinner and they packed up all of our leftovers very nicely and set them aside on the counter while we chatted and they didn't rush us with the bill like a lot of establishments do. **Would you believe it that the server packed me a to go box of bread? I am dead. I could not stop laughing when I saw that. I will definitely be back! ;)

The baba ghannouj is well-balanced -- smoky char from the eggplant comes through clearly without…read morethe tahini overwhelming it, and it's not overly heavy despite the richness. Good start to the meal. The lamb kleftiko is the standout of the three. Slow-cooked until it falls apart easily, with the seasoning penetrating all the way through rather than sitting on the surface. It's a dish that rewards the time it takes to prepare -- nothing rushed about it. The kofte kebab holds its own too -- well-spiced, good char on the outside, moist inside, not dried out the way kofte can sometimes end up. Solid textural contrast against the kleftiko. Overall a strong meal across the board -- each dish distinct but all working within the same confident, well-executed style that Zaytinya is known for.

A coworker recommended Zaytinya, and I quickly agreed--without realizing it's under the direction…read moreof celebrated chef José Andrés. That made the experience feel even more special in hindsight. We walked in on a Monday night without reservations (clearly a theme for us!), not knowing they were needed. Thankfully, they were able to seat us in the bar area, which turned out to be a perfect spot for a relaxed dinner and a glass of wine. We ordered a mix to share: hummus, spanakopita, kofte kebab, and adana kebab. Everything was delicious, but the spanakopita really stood out. It was a bit unexpected--not layered like the traditional version, but more of a rolled presentation. Even so, the flavors were wonderful and elevated in a way that made it memorable. The only slight disappointment for me was the wine selection. The red wines leaned more dry than I typically prefer--I tend to go for something more fruit-forward--but it didn't take away from the overall experience. Dessert was the one miss. We were really hoping for baklava, which wasn't on the menu. Instead, we ordered the walnut delight. While it had all the right flavors, it didn't quite deliver the wow factor we were hoping for. That said, the food, atmosphere, and overall experience were still impressive. I was excited to learn that Zaytinya has locations beyond D.C., including closer to home in the Bay Area--so I'll definitely be visiting again. Highly recommend, and maybe make a reservation!

Outstanding experience featuring delicious food, beautiful presentation, and excellent service…read more Everything felt thoughtfully prepared, creating a memorable evening that exceeded expectations and made us eager to return again soon.

Following a recent visit, my friend and I popped in following the pride parade and were able to…read moresnag two seats at the bar. The environment was very comfortable and service was great and quick. We had some great recommendations with the cocktails. I had the 50 shades of purple and it felt so festive. I shared the tuna crudo with a friend and we both loved it. It was so bright and vibrant, I could not get enough of the sauce, so delish! Following my prior review regarding a friend's allergy, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was now noted as an allergy on the menu. Awesome job by management!

My wife and I have been trying for a long time to grab a dinner reservation at Albi and we've never…read morehad any luck. So for my birthday, we decided to walk in right when they opened to try our luck. Lucky for us, the staff was super nice and were able to accommodate us with a table near the bar. We went for their multi-course Sofra meal and their wine flight (pairing?). Every course was amazing. Our favorites were the meat pies, bread and hummus course, the lamb kabobs, and the desserts! Really we loved every single thing and the wine pairings were on point. Service was amazing and everyone we interacted with was some warm and welcoming. Definitely one of my favorite meals I've had in a while and will come back as soon as possible. Parking can be rough Friday-Sunday but there is a few garages nearby.

Craving for some Middle Eastern eats, we decided to check out Albi…read more We started off with: +the Crispy Kibbeh - kibbeh is one of my favorite snacks, so I was excited to find these on the menu +Jericho Dates - blistered, and prepared with ras el hanout and brown butter +the Mushrooms Lightly Smoked on hummus - with confit egg yolk and black garlic; served with wood-fired potato pita +and, the Sfeeha - wood-fired lamb meat pies, topped with toum and lemon juice For our mains, we ordered: +the BBQ'D Lamb Kebabs - marinated in dill yogurt +the Maqluba - softshell crab upside down on rice with ramps and crab fat yogurt; served with crab dagga gazawiya smashed tomatillo, dill seed, and chilis; note that this dish runs out Service was friendly, and the space is cozy and intimate; loved the seating setup and the coal fire oven! We were thinking of trying out the Sofra, but we decided to order a la carte; maybe next time! Metered and garage parking in the area. +shareables +friendly staff +metered and garage parking available

A complete vibe! I…read morecame here with a coworker of mine the day before 4th of July for lunch and drinks, and I left full and happy. There is a parking garage around the corner of the restaurant so that makes things very convenient. The inside decor is gorgeous and is chic but also funky fresh. I got grilled octopus over a bed of bean salad that had pieces of pomegranate in it - 10/10. The savory taste of the octopus paired against the sweetness of the salad was really delicious. For desert I got the baklava option that comes with ice cream - INCREDIBLE. You have to order it if you come here.

Went there twice to taste different kinds of Turkish dishes. One time for dinner and the other for…read morelunch. Overall the food was good. The serving size of the dishes I ordered were medium to small. The service was far less satisfactory than food. I tried the following dishes: 1. Complimentary pita: ~40g per piece. Not salty and paired well with the other dishes. Definitely get some! 2. Lahmacun: The lamb+beef mixture was tasty. It came with 4 pieces. 3. Branzino: ~6oz. The fish was grilled to perfection; juciy tender, and the skin was nicely charred. It was served with freh parsley and seasoned grilled tomato (salt+oregano I think). 4. Imam Bayildi: Half of an eggplant topped with sauteed onions and tomatoes. While itself was pretty normal, it went so well with the Ottoman rice. 5. Ottoman Rice: The true highlight of all the dishes I tried! It was basically Basimati rice cooked with dried apricots, raisins, almonds & pine nuts mix, and seasoned with black currant. Overall it was warm, earthy and lightly smoky. The apricot slices added some delightful sweetness and juiciness to the dish. Should pair well with Labneh, chicken and seafood. But to be honest, I can simply eat this stuff along for a whole meal! 6. Tabbouleh: They went against the traditional recipe by substituting the bulgur with quinoa and added some pomegranate arils. I liked the special texture of quinoa. The sweetness of pomegrante arils also enriched the flavors. However, I had to constantly spit the seeds when enjoying the salad. 7. Kofte: Adana style ground beef patties. Just like what I make at home haha! I ordered it as an add-on to my salad at lunchtime. It came with only 2 pieces which weighed no more than 3oz in total... Despite the delicious food, service was disappointing. The first time, the dinner, was Okay. While my food came out slowly, at least my server was aware of it and asked me how I liked the dishes. The second time, the lunch, was horrible. Even before I was seated, my server made me feel that he was reluctant to serve me, and emphasized that I had to order asap. "Luckily", I had already decided what to order. After I got my dishes, no one in the restaurant asked me if the food was Okay. And at the check, my bill was thrown onto my table. In comparison, the two ladies dining next to me came even after I started eating, but were greeted warmly and were given lots of time to decide what to order; not to mention that the staff gave them lots of suggestions, asked about their dining experience, and even chatted with them about sightseeing in DC, etc. Such discrimitory treatment is really unacceptable.

SUCH a vibe. My date is vegan so this was the perfect spot for us to each get what we wanted in a…read moretrip to DC. To be fair, I'm a picky eater so we usually order a bunch of sides to make our own meal. We ordered two nonalcoholic drinks, a salad with pita croutons on the side, falafel served w tahini dip, potatoes served w cilantro dip, and duck sausage. My least favorite was the sausage as it tasted too vinegary. Favorite was the potatoes, so simple yet so perfect - and the cilantro sauce was everythingggg. Service was prompt, friendly and not pushy. There are staff to bring/clear plates so servers are encouraged to focus on other aspects of service.

Came for brunch and was pleasantly surprised! The lamb belly was my favorite. baba ghannouj, rosti…read moreand grandmas toast were also really good and they gave a ton of pita. It also wasn't too crowded on a Saturday

I ordered from Uber Eats since there was a buy 1 get 1 free offer. In my opinion, Mezeh matches up…read morewith Cava as a build-your-own bowl quick Mediterranean spot. The food is always fresh in my experience.

Wish they had this place in San Diego! Was visiting DC for a few days and came across this spot…read more Lots of healthy topping options. Our dish had a punch of flavor. Portion was generous but ate so light. One bowl was enough to share for two. Very delicious! They also have baklava bites for a quick dessert bite. We had a few and was yummy and crunchy, not too sweet.

We all know Maydan's cuisine is amazing - fire cooked meats and dips galore. But I find myself…read morevisiting Maydan (often) for their high cocktail game: Colin, Nadia, Zack, among others, are absolute mixologist artists. Ordering off-menu, they excelled in my: Pennicillin, Army Navy, South Side, East Side, 50/50.... While everyone stumbles on the Maydan for the food, definitely check out their artists behind the bar.

Maydan was one of the most anticipated dining experiences for my partner and I on our DC trip and…read moreit was even better than I expected. Gorgeous restaurant centered around a giant hearth, the heart and soul of the space where much of the food is cooked. We went with two friends and opted to do ala carte, and ordered a bunch of items to share. - Muhammara & hummus spreads were both phenomenal - creamy, delicious goodness served with piping hot, generous portions of freshly made pita bread. - Halloumi with a nutty honey glaze - perfection - Sweet Potato - soft and just melts in your mouth - Mushrooms - super unique preparation, definitely worth a try. Very delicious. We also ordered every kabob on the menu (shrimp, scallop, chicken and lamb). The shrimp and chicken kabobs were excellent - charred to perfection and bursting with flavor. Paired with zhoug sauce, I was in heaven. Do not miss these! Scallop and lamb kabobs were just okay. Incredible service, beautiful ambiance, and a memorable meal that will stay with me. Grateful to have experienced Maydan!

This is my favorite falafel place in all of DC and Virginia. The reason is because of the fresh…read morefood and management. I'm on a strict low sodium diet so finding a restaurant that serves zero sodium/low sodium food items can be difficult. Owner informed me that they started making ZERO sodium falafel, which is amazing! So while my partner munches away on his hearty Shawarma wrap, I can devour a delicious, zero sodium, falafel salad. (yes, salad can be that tasty!). The café is clean and tended to.

This is a nice little hidden gem! I came here about 15 minutes before they close and ordered to-go…read more The inside is not that big and only has a couple of tables for dining in. The menu is the perfect size and has the right number of item on it. Even though they were about to close, the staff greeted me as if I was the first customer of the day. Now let's talk about the food!!! I ordered the chicken/lamb shawarma and it was delicious!!!! I asked the guy behind the counter to make it the way he likes it. That turned out to be a good call!!! Overall it was a great experience and I'm pretty sure I'll be coming back.