Fantastic! We ordered take out again as we live further away and it was an after-work scenario. The gentlemen serving were very polite and their Turkish coffee was fantastic and reminded me of our time in the Middle East. The fried kibbeh, tabbouleh, shush tawook and kofta are amazing. The only criticism was that the hummus ate a little thick (probably because we ordered take out), and that the meat quantity on the lamb with rice was a little lighter, some more would have been more substantial for an entree. We absolutely love Mona's and wish we lived closer and could enjoy her delicious food more often read more

Not sure what to say.... Came across this place randomly....... One of the most memorable meals I've had in years!!! AMAZING experience! A hidden gem I'd never heard of. From ambiance, service, decor, taste, and Mona!!!!!! I cannot recommend this enough and wish I knew of 1000 different places like this. Go here!!!!! read more

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After our Mosaic Lamp Workshop @DMV art studio, we were hungry and found this beautiful restaurant called Mona's Lebanese cafe. Mona, the owner welcomed us warmly and seated us in a private room. This civil-war-era renovated colonial house was so cozy that it felt like we were in someone's family home. The gals and I enjoyed the hummus and spinach pie for appetizer. We also order Kafta kabob, beef shawarma, chicken shawarma, and falafel sandwich. Finally, we shared baklava, Knafe Bel Jibne, and Turkish coffee. Everything was delicious and you can tell that it was cooked with love. read more

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Mona's is a delightful change of pace from a traditional restaurant. It's in a Victorian house a little off the beaten path, but the space is wholly dedicated to the restaurant. It's warm and homey with antique furniture, and Mona cooking in the back kitchen. We shared a fattoush salad, meat pie appetizer and a roasted lamb entree. All were very good with the meat pies a real standout. The lamb was very tender and the fattoush fresh and tasty. Give Mona's a try, you'll be happy you did! read more

Authentic Lebanese like you're invited to a friends house for dinner. Highly recommend!

Excellent meal. Beautiful home. Really welcoming people. The beef kibbi was wonderful - our one year old seemed to think it was the greatest thing he's ever eaten. The tabouli salad was so fresh and flavorful. We also enjoyed the spinach pies, hummus and pita, pressed coffee, and shawarma wraps (one beef, one chicken). Will definitely return when we're in the area again. read more

Delicious food. Charming atmosphere. Wonderful, attentive staff. Mona's is a jewel! Don't miss the baklava read more

Delicious food. Loved the home cooked taste in all we ordered. Will be back again and soon!

This restaurant is located on the first floor of a house, which makes it a very unique ambiance. It feels like you're going over the owners house for a meal. Highly recommend getting the Turkish coffee, hummus, grape leaves, or any of the desserts. read more

It had been way too long since we had been in the area and enjoyed Mona's food. We finally made it back today. The beef shawarma platter, wrap and meat pies were amazing! read more

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Beautiful historic home Antiques Great menu and food Greeted and made welcome by some very kind women read more

Dropped in for lunch on a recommendation from a friend. Glad we did! Amazing Lebanese food including some standards. You always have to try appetizers and desserts too! Everything was delicious and it's like you're eating at a neighbor's house! And everything in the place is an antique for sale, including the table you're sitting at! Highly recommend! read more

These are the types of reviews which I am loathe to write, since I had high expectations of dining at Mona's Lebanese Cafe. I first came across this place in late 2019 when I was visiting friends out in Sterling. Back when I was still living in LoCo, I knew the building where Mona's is located as the Guilford Station Antiques. So I was intrigued when proprietor Mona Aboul-Hosn decided to open up her cafe in such an unique space. As other reviewers have noted, the restaurant itself gets one star just for the décor and ambiance. The main "dining room" is located on the first floor on an old home. And just taking a stroll, you see all types of interesting and cool Americana items. However, because this is a converted home, there are very few tables so don't be surprised if when you arrive, there is a lengthy wait; I was advised to call ahead to ensure there is available seating. The notes from my meal breakdown as such: Service: If you opt to dine here, do so with the knowledge that this will be a "leisurely" meal. We arrived around 1:30pm, which is normally after the lunch crowd, but the place was still buzzing. There were only two people working - Mona in the kitchen, and I assume either her son or a male relative who was frantically running around bussing tables, taking orders, delivering food, etc. I'm all about supporting mom and pop establishments, but having to wait 10 minutes for water, and then another 10 minutes to take our orders, and then another 15-20 min for the food to arrive is a bit much. But again, this is a family run restaurant, and during COVID, most food service places are short staffed, so I give them a pass. From the time we sat down to the time we left was about 75 minutes. Food: If I'm going to wait for "home cooked authentic Lebanese" cuisine, I expect it to be amazing. Sadly, what we got at Mona's was not. The Shawarma Beef Platter arrived at the table visually appealing, but the meat was a shade past warm...dare I say tepid. It tasted to me as if the meat was pre-cooked and was either microwaved or sitting in a warming tray since it was also a bit dry. The Shish Taouk was cooked fresh as evidenced by the steam rising from the chunks of marinated chicken. Seasoning was good, but could've used a bit more salt. But my main gripe is for $16, there were like six pieces of chicken a few pieces of grilled veggies, and a whole lot of rice. Garlic spread was good though, and paired well with the provided pita bread. All in all, a very uneven dining experience results in my 3 star rating. Meal for two persons, with two entrees (no appetizers or desserts), and just water, came to about $45 with tax and tip. read more

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OMG! Where do I start...From the unassuming quaint colonial home to the wonderful welcoming of Mona herself. You will fall in love with Mona and this place immediately! It's just like walking into your own Grandma's home and Mona makes you feel that way too! We were traveling from out of town to a customer's location near here and were looking for a different dining experience. Boy, Mona did not disappoint! We ordered Baba Ganouj, Beef Shwarma and Lamb with Rice. For dessert we had Rice Pudding and Knafe Bel Jibne. The smoke on the pitas and Baba Ganouj was amazing and I don't like smoke on ANYTHING! I don't care for lamb but tried my business partner's meal and LOVED IT! Mona has definitely won me over hands down! The Shwarma was like nothing I have ever had before. And as a BIG pickle lover, this was a hit! The Rice Pudding was very delicate and a perfect ending to a perfect meal. We ordered the Knafe Bel Jibne as we were very curious. It is a warm sweet treat with a very slight hint of savory which comes from the pistachios - YUM! Mona cooks everything herself to order with LOVE! This is such an AMAZING AND UNIQUE dining experience and hidden GEM! This place is a MUST! When you go there, tell Mona that Kat and Rob sent you! read more

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This place is always consistently amazing!!! We have eaten in and had delivery from here several times and everything is always so so good read more

This is truly a hidden gem. Everything about this place is absolutely perfect. The atmosphere, the hospitality, and most of all the food. Mona is so sweet and welcoming. My husband and I wanted to try everything on the menu but for our first visit we had the Kibbeh and the hummus to start. I could have been satisfied with just that. Hands down the best I've ever had. Then we ordered the beef and the chicken shawarma platter. I can't say enough about how fresh and amazing everything tasted. I also ordered the lemonade made with tidewater.. out of this world! We will definitely be returning to try more of the menu very soon! read more

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The owner and namesake exulted warmth as soon as we arrived. We were seated into a well lit, cozy room. Drink order was quickly filled, appetizers arrived reasonably quickly after ordering. The spinach pie was delicately seasoned and the cheese pie arrived piping hot. Both were excellent, as were the hummus and baba ghanoush; the latter also visually appealing as it was chopped rather than puréed. Main dishes were delicious and portions generous. The beef in the shawarma was high quality as well as tasty. The mousaka was nicely seasoned and I soaked up all of it's liquid with pita. We took our baklava to go; it was a bargain since we got a goodly number of pieces to enjoy later, since we were stuffed, even though we took 2 to-go boxes. Definitely coming back. read more

The ambiance of this place is welcoming and warm with charm and home style atmosphere. Mona greeted us as we entered and was part of the entire experience, conversing with customers and taking orders. Everything is homemade and it does feel like being home. My husband ordered the Shish Taouk and he said it fulfilled his expectations. I ordered the Kibbeh Platter and I have never had baked ground beef. It was not greasy or fatty and I loved every bite. I highly recommend this place to bring family and friends to gather and enjoy. read more

Mona has special recipes that not only give you confidence in dishes being homemade, but also having that little extra something. I only tried hummus, baba ghanoush, and the meat pies, but all were above par and quite excellent. The baba ghanoush had a hint of a smoky flavor that was lip-smacking. The meat pies were as tasty as my own from scratch. I would wish they were bigger, or perhaps 50 cents cheaper each, but wonderful, wonderful. Beautifully-made as well. The only thing i thought might not be homemade was the pita served with the hummus. But, i don't make homemade either given there are so many good sources now. Some was very good, but some thinner cuts dried out too quickly, and it didn't have the same wonderful flavor from her meat pies' dough, which should be the same as a pita bread recipe. Beautiful ambience also, inside. read more

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Not really sure why and how this place has such great reviews. We obviously had high expectations based on the reviews. One star is for the cute ambience. But that's really about it. No other table was occupied when we went and yet the food was below average. Pita bread was over-heated and turned into pita chips. Spinach pie was soggy (it was clearly microwaved). The Chicken in shawarma was chewy and sprinkled over a bed of lettuce.. Moussaka was served pretty much at room temperature, I had to request them to reheat it. There was no "homemade tomato sauce" in moussaka as specified in the menu. Just a bunch of tomato chunks here and there on top of canned chickpeas. This is probably the worst Lebanese/Mediterranean food we have had. read more

The food was good, the ambiance so homey and welcoming, very attentive service - in the best way possible, it felt like we were invited into someone's home rather than dining at a restaurant. read more

I've had Mona's bookmarked forever and finally got a chance to try it out for the first time with M. The restaurant is in a house. There is a small parking lot in front of Mona's. Upon entering, we immediately felt like we were at our aunt's home. I love the cozy feel and beautiful antique pieces all around. The ambiance is very laid back. Our server was incredibly attentive, friendly, and welcoming. I can't stress enough how much we enjoyed our meal. Everything from start to finish was delicious. Homemade, perfectly seasoned, nothing was overly salty, fresh, and quality ingredients used. I don't think there is one thing off their menu that would disappoint us. It's all so good. To top it off, Mona is the sweetest! She welcomes you, makes you feel at home, and gives the best hugs. We had an amazing time here, you can't beat good food and great company. They have an outdoor patio too where you can see cute squirrels and birds as you enjoy your meal. They also sell antiques here. Overall, I will be back. Again and again and again! read more

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My fiancé and I were delighted by this place! feels like someone invited you into their home for tea. the inside is lovely and filled with antiques everything was served on beautiful china. The owner was welcoming and made us feel at home. and everything we ordered was delicious and fresh. Definitely recommend the hummus and the beef shawarma wrap. We'll be back and next time we'll save room for baklava! read more

Have you ever had dinner in an antique shop? Even weirder have you ever had Lebanese food in a farmhouse from the 1880s that sold antiques? Apparently this venture was started by two friends, Jackie who retired and dreamed of owning an antiques business and Mona who had a small Lebanese catering business and wanted to expand. Somehow the two enterprises go together. I had to check this place out when we were nearby at a brewery. The place is darling. The restaurant is found off the side entrance to a farmhouse found in a commercial area. The place abounds with antique clocks and lamps. You will certainly know when it's a quarter/half past or on the hour. You'll sit at table with lace tablecloths, and have coffee/tea out of adorable mugs. Since it was a winter day, no one was seated outside on the patio but there were a couple of cat friends there. In daylight, it is all every charming and has a historical B&B vibe. Mind you it would be different story if I was in here alone at 3am in an old house with all those clocks and my overactive imagination. Mona will greet customers, and she's a lovely host. We ordered the coffee and tea, and I have to say the french press coffee was quite good. Here is a list of what we had and my impressions: Fattoush ($7.99)-Just a simple salad but one of my favorite salads to eat. I was a little disappointed that there were not pita chips and it had red wine vinegar instead of the lemon/garlic, mint and olive oil on top. Hummus ($6.99)-the bowl was a generous portion. Loved the hummus. Not a fan of the pita they served, but the hummus was first rate. Chicken Shawarma ($8.99)-No regrets with getting this platter. The garlic puree is just pure crack sauce and the chicken shawarma was well seasoned. Kibbi bil Saniyeh ($9.99)-While quite good, I don't think I am a fan of this ground beef & bulgur dish. The beef had a sweeter taste to it and I was more into the chicken. If you are a fan of kibbi, I am more than sure her preparation of this dish was really authentic. Baklawa ($4.99)-Perfect with the tea/coffee. Keep in mind this is a lighter baklawa and less syrupy. I think the middle have halva vs. the nuts and honey mixture. This is definitely worth the visit if you are in the mood for a unique atmosphere, even better if you are in the market to buy a few antiques as well. read more

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The best Lebanese Restaurant in USA! No need to travel to Lebanon if you want to get your mother's cooking!! She has also Gluten free, dairy free, Vegan!! Try: Malfouf - stuffed cabage - 5 stars Kafta - meat kabab and rice - 5 stars Grape leaves - really this authentic - 5 stars Humus - 6 stars Baba Ghanoug - egg plant very tasty - 6 stars Kousa - stuffed zucchini - 5 stars Nice atmosphere in historic home - low prices considering the setting and service and food!! read more

Leaving Dulles airport, we were very ready for a late lunch. I always look for locally owned restaurants and Mona's was my immediate choice. Good Lebanese food alone would have been enough, but it is housed in an 1860's farmhouse furnished with antiques. The meat pies and spinach pies were delicious. I also ordered the lentil soup - warm and yummy with REALLY good pita. I recommend this local gem! read more

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With its its unique and historic farmhouse exterior, Mona's feels like you have been invited in for a Lebanese mother's home-cooked meal. One of my family's favorite restaurants, I've been going to Mona's for years and you'll want to try many dishes. We love the Kibbi Platter, Mujadra, Shawarma, Malfoof, and Shish Taouk. Of course, Lebanese classics like the Baba Ghanouj, Tabouli and Falafel are all wonderful. Vegetarians will find plenty of choices as well. (Pro Tip: Mona also caters!) Be sure to save room for a Turkish coffee and Baklawa! Mona's is simply a unique and hidden gem in the NoVA restaurant scene. read more

This place was amazing!! I got to go while on a trip back before the pandemic. There was a huge group of us that had to eat very quickly and they accommodated us very well. The food was delicious. I would definitely recommend it! The decor is also very sweet and relaxing. read more

This place is an absolute gem! Tucked away in Sterling, it is a house that was built in the 1860's and converted to a restaurant. Very nice looking from the outside, but wait till you taste the food and see the inside. We ordered a variety of yummy dishes and the service was top notch! The food was beyond delicious and we can't wait to go back. The place is decorated in antiques that are all for sale. It was so much fun to look around at the decor. After we were done we took a quick look around upstairs at the decorated rooms and bathroom. Be sure to try this place out for a wonderful treat! read more

Have eaten here twice so far. Once dined in, once ordered a take out. Both times food was delicious. Service was great too.

Fantastic authentic Lebanese food made right in the kitchen. The owner is a nice lady and the ambiance is very relaxing. The appetizers are very scrumptious. read more

We are so glad we stopped to enjoy this unique cafe. Gorgeous place and delicious homemade food. Do yourself a favor and find Monas. read more

Mona's Lebanese Cafe - Baba Ganouj, stuffed grape leaves and falafel. - Lebanese Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

Had lunch here on 06/18/21. What a find! I didn't know these types of restaurant existed in Northern Virginia. Excellent food, great ambiance. Highly recommended. read more

What a treat for authentic Lebanese food. This place is a must, our dishes were made with love, you can just taste it.

This place is awesome!! Located off the beaten path, it is literally in an old 1800s style farmhouse. And the food is awesome!!!

We have eaten Lebanese food several times before and all agreed that Mona's is the best we have tasted in the area. Everything was fresh and homemade. The falafel was just perfect: crispy on the outside but not dried out on the inside. The Turkish coffee with a hint of cardamom was especially tasty. Service was also excellent and the ambiance is very quaint, as it is located in a historic home surrounded by antiques. We would eat here again. read more

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When I heard about this Lebanese Cafe and antique shop, I thought what a bizarre combination. But it all made sense when I visited the quaint house filled with small dining spaces between three different rooms and an aromatic kitchen. The upper level and the house itself is filled with antiques for sale! The menu is short and simple. The food is also very simple with a home cooked feeling but served in pretty dishes with lovely presentations. I loved all three dishes that we ordered - Ratatouille, baba ganoush and chicken shawarma platter. My hubby has had really good chicken shawarma in Saudi Arabia so the seasoned here is mediocre to him. I was very pleased with the flavors of that dish and how the chicken isn't dry. The Ratatouille has a sweet and cinnamon taste with the tomatoes. The baby ganoush is creamy and flavorful. The service made the best impression. Everyone was so inviting and hospitable. The extra touches to the food made it feel like we were dining at their home for Sunday supper. They truly made our time extra special. read more

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It is so worth it to come visit Mona's. You truly feel welcomed into someone's home. Dishes were packed with flavor. I ordered the Shish Taouk and Tabouli salad. Decent portion and super fresh ingredients. My husband got a combo of chicken and beef shawarma platter and he enjoyed it. PS the lemonade + rice pudding with a hint of rose water was on point. They also do Uber Eats so I'm definitely going to order from work. read more

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Mona's is a phenomenal place. Part antique shop, part Lebanese restaurant, this is the most original restaurant in Loudoun County (perhaps all of Northern Virginia). Mona, t owner is always there, always welcoming. The food is consistently top notch and they seem to use fresh ingredients all the time. They have tons of gluten free, vegan, and carnivore options. A few of the items not-to-be-missed include: Hummus Lentil Soup Ratatouille Baba Ganouj Falafel (the best!) They have a nice sitting area and a small patio dining no area with a screen porch. Great option when the weather is warmer. If you get tired of eating the same fare around town, Mona's is definitely the place to go. read more

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I don't know why people like this place the food was terrific and the staff were so rude.