Omar&#x27;s Pitas &amp; Platters

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17 days ago

This is definitely a go-to spot if you're looking for quality flavor and value for your money. We usually do a mixed platter with chicken and lamb, lettuce tomato onion, and sauces on the side. Omar's signature and white are our favorites, but know that you can order unlimited sauces. "Don't be shy" they say. Flavors are balanced, and the portion size is generous. For those with a medium sized appetite, a platter could last you two meals. Service is pretty quick, but know if there is a line or mobile orders, you could be waiting between 5-10 minutes. Parking is limited and seating is only outdoors. It's nice to eat outside when the weather is right - they have string lights! They're also open until 1am which is nice if you need a late night option (most places around here close at 9 or 10pm). I recommend giving Omar's a try! read more

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Julie H.

137

280

1508

5 months ago

Grabbed dinner at Omar's since it was on our way back home. Our food was ready for pickup in 5-10 mins. There weren't any seats inside so we grabbed our food and took it home. I had the jerk chicken (no onions) platter with the hot pepper, green chutney and jerk sauces on the side. The sauces were amazing! My mixed my hot pepper and jerk sauces together and it was fireeee! Then had some chutney to cool it down. The jerk chicken was flavor and the rice and side salad complimented it well. My husband got the crispy chicken (no onions) platter with the white sauce, spicy white sauce and Omar's signature sauce. The crispy chicken was a little too fried/overcooked for me but was very crispy. My husband loved it though! His sauces were also good but I def preferred mine. Both platters had a generous portion of chicken. Overall a great place to grab a casual meal. read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Crispy Chicken Platter - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Cearia D.

5

80

249

12 days ago

I love this place! The food is always fresh and staff are nice as well. I get the jerk chicken platter with extra salad and veggies. The jerk chicken is spicy but not overbearing still so good! It's not your traditional jerk chicken so don't go there with that in your mind! I just love it idk lol the falafel is made fresh to order and it's good as well. Try them out! read more

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Hannah H.

58

7729

73199

5 months ago

About a 1-1.5: We were excited to try out Omar's, as it had great reviews, specifically talking about their jerk chicken. We ordered: +the Jerk Chicken platter, which came with a basmati rice base, and the option to add tomatoes, onions, and/or cucumbers; we only opted to add the onions and the cucumbers. The jerk chicken itself, while served piping hot, was just a whole miss - the flavor was just super disappointing and was not tasty. It would have been much better if they had served white/yellow onions, but they were red. Adding the choice of up to 3 sauces, we went for the White, the Spicy White, and the Omar's Signature - adding the sauces made it more 'edible'. Either way, while the portions are generous and could potentially feed up to 2-3 people, we couldn't finish a small percentage of it as we had just lost our appetite. Staff were fine, but could have been more helpful in terms of providing recommendations; note that any additional 'toppings' comes at an extra charge. This is strictly a carry-out place, with a few seating outside. There seems to be a lot of pickups for online orders as well. Handful of spots available for parking. +avoid the jerk chicken +okay sauces +parking spots available read more

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Ailun H.

142

1767

4063

5 months ago

Omar's Pitas & Platters is carry-out only -- unless you're brave enough to sit outside in sub-30F weather with a 15 mph wind chill. A few of us grabbed lunch to go last Sunday. One of my friends is a regular and raved about the jerk chicken platter. I've never seen jerk chicken offered at a halal restaurant before, so I was immediately intrigued. JERK CHICKEN PLATTER - 12 They top the plate with a generous base of rice, and they really don't skimp on the chicken. Imagine a Chipotle bowl, but with nearly double the protein. It also comes with a generous amount of romaine lettuce and freshly diced tomatoes, and my platter was filled all the way to the rim. The jerk chicken was braised really well -- bold, punchy flavors with hints of smokiness and a warm heat that I wouldn't quite call "spicy." On the side, I got a couple sauces to elevate the platter. The White sauce was a classic, creamy yogurt sauce, while the Omar Signature sauce was sweet and savory. Overall, this was a solid platter for a great price. I had enough leftovers for lunch the next day. Tasty food and excellent value! read more

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Zach A.

13

391

26

1 month ago

I'm not sure what it was but I didn't love it. I got the half half chicken and lamb. nothing wrong with it but I found myself getting tired by the end of the dish. since I can't articulate what it was that I didn't like I'm giving 3 stars. read more

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Austin G.

1502

5380

55897

4 months ago

I've always been curious about this little takeout only spot across the street from Target. There's a small lot out front. Walk inside and the friendly staff will walk you through the menu. I ordered the pita with chicken and all the toppings. I made the mistake of adding corn for fifty cents and the green chutney. The flavors were odd and I didn't enjoy it. However, it was my mistake. If I had gone with the spicy white sauce and their special sauce, it would have been delicious! It's messy to eat so grab lots of napkins! read more

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Christina R.

175

383

988

7 months ago

A fantastic spot for quick carry out or pickup. My go-to is the platter, either chicken or mixed (chicken and lamb), with the signature sauce, white sauce, and green chutney. SO good. It's a good sized portion for the price, and reheats well if you have leftovers. Parking is limited but usually there's a spot. Staff is very efficient and friendly. It usually takes less than 5 minutes from ordering to out the door with my food. This place just has a counter inside, and some outdoor seating if the weather allows. Open quite late if you need a late night snack! read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Mixed (Chicken & Lamb) Platter - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Monica W.

18

241

1281

9 months ago

SO wanted jerk so we headed to Omar's. Quaint little shop right off busy Richmond highway but well worth it. No indoor seating but they have a patio with outdoor seating..I counted nine tables, some two seaters and others 4-5. They had a steady flow of take-away orders and patrons that enjoyed the "patio" as we did. We ordered two jerk pitas that were packed: pita wrap, steam-kissed and paired with a fresh, vibrant Mediterranean salad (Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers). The jerk chicken has a nice, warming heat and the fresh Mediterranean salad complimented the spices wonderfully. I requested BBQ sauce on the side and the sweetness from the sauce enhances the flavor of the jerk. I can see bite-sized mango or pineapple as a topping....hint, hint. SO made his a meal with thick cut fries and a refreshing pineapple soda. Very enjoyable and satisfying meal. SO already has his eyes on the jerk platter next visit. read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Lightly salted French Fries - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Fresh toppings 2/2 - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Outdoor patio seating - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Fresh toppings 1/2 - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Signage - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Jerk Chicken Pita: steam-kissed pita & jerk chixn paired w/a vibrant Mediterranean salad (Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers) - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Up close and personal with the Jerk Chicken Pita, Yummy - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Jaide A.

8

79

149

1 year ago

I was looking for food near me that was open late and I came across this hidden gem with good reviews. I've tried plenty of halal spots in the area but none offered some of the options offered here. I told my spouse that I would call it in and to my dismay, there was no phone number listed online or on their Instagram. I was extremely hungry so I hesitantly placed my order online, without speaking to anyone first. I ordered a Jamaican jerk platter with jerk sauce and spicy bbq sauce on the side. This received the best reviews so I went with that. The reviews didn't lie! I absolutely LOVED the jerk chicken bowl without any of the sauces. The bowl itself was plentiful and filled to the brim. I also added a pita on the side and that made my meal perfect. I forgot to take a pic before but as you can in my after pic, it was GOOD! I would highly recommend! Organic, halal chicken that's THIS delicious at 11pm? I'll definitely be back again. read more

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Ami A.

387

677

1494

9 months ago

Awesome jerk chicken! We ordered two platters one with lamb and one with chicken both served with pita and a canned drink (tons of options!) for 12 each. They came with yellow rice, lettuce, onions and tomatoes and your choice of sauces. We tried three different ones (all delicious!) We took it to go and ate at a picnic table on the Potomac River. Delicious, fast and fresh! read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Picnic spot on the river - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Omar's - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Usamah N.

172

226

578

10 months ago

The jerk chicken here was so so good! I kept seeing the hype for Omars and decided to give it a try and it's worth the drive. The lamb was okay but the jerk chicken is what they're popular for and highly recommend trying it read more

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Jada H.

1144

357

1471

11 months ago

Another solid experience. I like that the pita bread is big enough to share! The jerk chicken is a solid option. I definitely will be back to try a different flavor. I appreciate this late night option. read more

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Maya O.

6

51

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10 months ago

Tried the mixed platter with pickled turnips, pickled onions, spicy white sauce, Omar's signature sauce, and green chutney- and it did not disappoint. super friendly and patient staff, small and clean walk-in counter. First time visiting Omar's and it definitely wont be my last read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Toppings - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Shenita B.

2

97

2

2 months ago

All I can is that the food is good and fresh. We found this jewel by accident. The line was outta the door. I was like the food must be good! And Boy Boy Boy it WAS! We first had a pita withe jerk chicken for him and chicken and lamb for me. Then we turned around and got a platter eavh for later. The meat was so tender and well seasoned! I rate Omar's a 10! No question!!!! You WILL NOT be disappointed! read more

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Ryan S.

2

80

191

10 months ago

No need to think twice about going... just go. I got the jerk chicken platter and it was unreal. Also added the white sauce and Omar's sauce on top - both highly recommend. Everyone working was super accommodating and even let us sample a few sauces to help us decide. Will absolutely be going back soon! read more

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Jasmine M.

352

73

324

1 year ago

That jerk chicken is bomb!!! The gentleman working the register was so sweet and very attentive. read more

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Michelle I.

2

34

16

2 months ago

Great tasting food each time. Noticed they are starting that strict policy on sauce. Don't become like Chipotle and lose customers.

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Chantel P.

26

107

201

1 year ago

10/10 Lamb over Rice w/ Spicy White & Green Chutney Sauce and pita bread yessss! Went to a few places that did not use yellow rice, so I was glad to see Omar's does..makes a big difference. read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - 10/10 Lamb over Rice w/ Spicy White & Green Chutney Sauce and pita bread yessss! - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Alistair P.

0

13

7

5 months ago

Misleading product name: the lamb pita is not a lamb pita. It's a doner/mystery meat product that is mixed with beef. I have a bovine allergy and now I'm a phlegmy mess. Worse than that, it's not lovingly chopped small or shaved. It's hacked in 1/2 to inch blocks. Absolutely no love in the product. Needs improvement. Omar can do better.. read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Doner kebab, not lamb - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Karen S.

Elite 25

141

180

466

1 year ago

Omar's is one of my favorite pita spots! I love and eat many gyros, so I'm always on the hunt for the next best Halal restaurant. And Omar's ranks high on my list. The service is top tier! Orders are ready fast, it's hot and consistent. I usually get the combo chicken/lamb platter but today I had to add on some jerk chicken... it was FIRE! It's seasoned perfectly and the jerk had a nice little kick to it! The falafels are delicious, as well as the hummus. And the pita is always fresh! If I wasn't trying to save money and unBIG my BACK, I'd be here 3 days a week! When in Alexandria, stop by and get yourself a taste! You won't be disappointed!! read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Chicken Mixed (Chicken & Lamb) Platter. With add on of Jerk chicken. - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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David B.

204

113

0

2 months ago

Very good pitas and platters! They give a lot of food for the price. Been there twice and each time I'm not sure what to get. The counter guys are gems and just as excellent as to food. Give them a try. read more

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Janrose S.

137

267

824

1 year ago

SO good! I passed by on my way to another store and saw the reviews were great so I decided to try it for lunch. I told the cashier it was my first time and I was deciding between the crispy chicken and the jerk chicken and she recommended the jerk chicken. I had the platter with jerk chicken and white, spicy white, and Omar's signature sauce. I meant to ask for sauces on the side so I could try them individually but forgot to ask so definitely recommended doing that. I tried the French fries and mozzarella sticks as well; both were fine but the real star of the show was the platter and the drinks (they have Palestinian Cola!). I'd recommended trying the spicy chicken first with sauces on the side, that's definitely what I'll be doing next time. Interior is small but nice and clean. No space to eat inside but there's outdoor seating. read more

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Vivian R.

169

147

88

1 year ago

I know I shouldn't admit this - but I pick places sometimes for their logos. If it's iconic, if it's well-designed - I know there was some thought that really went into the presentation of the business. So here we have Omar's. These guys came in after Mario's pizza went out, and I first noticed the fresh coat of paint that went on the building. Then it was some focused lighting. And then their logo. And it was lovely. Then, I wasn't so sure about this little stand that sat across from Target along the busy highway (I never hit Mario's either), but a short convo with some folks down the street who were all like awwwwwwyeah we gon get some good yums there for dinner one night convinced me. And when I saw they hand avocado fries on the menu, it sealed the deal. Great food, nice folks, plenty to eat, fast service. And a great logo. We love the mixed grill, and the white sauce (tzatziki mayo with garlic) and green chutney are solid. This place is definitely in my regular rotation. read more

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Ken C.

93

1365

4

5 months ago

Finally, affordable good food in NoVA. Depending on how you define service, the cashier is not particularly friendly or customer oriented, but does it really matter? The wait time is usually about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the order, and overall the service is fast. Parking can be challenging since the location is right next to a main road, so I highly recommend placing an online order for easy pickup. The mixed chicken and lamb platter with white and green sauces is the way to go, and the avocado fries look very tempting. There is limited room for you to wait inside, too. Overall, this is a great spot when you are craving comfort food. read more

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Keyin L.

156

184

150

11 months ago

My favorites are the plates. I would recommend the jerk chicken and the half lamb and chicken plate. The fries are just okay but the portions are really good for the price. There's parking right outside and pickup is pretty easy if you order online. read more

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Angie S.

8

93

80

10 months ago

The food is DELICIOUS!! Quick, easy, fresh ingredients with the best flavor and the whole staff are hustling and happy to provide great customer service! read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Chicken Pita - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Beatrixx K.

0

48

12

7 months ago

Finally got to try this place and it didn't disappoint. customer service was great and helpful; I forgot to add sauces to my order. Prices are great during this time tough read more

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J D.

0

12

0

5 months ago

Positives - food was plentiful, service was fast and friendly Cons - food taste/quality on the lamb/chicken combo platter was somewhere between almost okay and not great. Not good enough for me to go back. read more

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Alex G.

128

78

41

11 months ago

Solid middle eastern spot. White sauce = Tzatziki. The combo was killer, and the rice and pitas were excellent.

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Grok T.

84

4

5

3 months ago

Always delicious and it's awesome they are also a late night spot ! Never disappoints !

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Courtnee B.

0

2

0

2 months ago

the food is bomb. The building appears to be clean and the service is fast and they are nice

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Valerie B.

0

6

1

5 months ago

The cashier was pleasant. The jerk chicken and lamb & chicken platters were great. However, we ordered two orders of falafel and they were burnt. read more

Omar's Pitas & Platters - Food was good but these burnt falafel was not. - Halal Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Natasha I.

0

37

23

3 months ago

Platters are very good! Ordered the jerk chicken place twice in the same week. Very flavorful. Great sauces. Huge portions. The falafel are also very good. read more

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Kevin L.

97

512

1445

2 years ago

4.5 stars. Fantastic food. I ordered the mixed platter and the lamb and chicken was delicious. Grilled perfectly and packed with flavor. They have a variety of sauces you can choose from and the ones I tasted were great. And the portions were generous for its pricing . Friendly staff and quick service. Would definitely recommend. read more

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D'Nia M.

0

9

0

11 months ago

- Flavor. Bomb. Alert. I came to Omar's Pitas and Platters on a whim and left completely obsessed. I ordered the chicken plate and every bite was . The chicken was juicy, well-seasoned, and grilled just right -- but the real star? That yellow Omar's Sauce. Y'ALL. I don't know what they put in it -- turmeric? curry? pure gold?? -- but it took the plate from good to unforgettable. Creamy, tangy, flavorful with just enough kick. I also tried the spicy tahini, which slapped, but Omar's Sauce? That's the one. I added chickpeas; this brought a nice texture and soaked up all that flavor perfectly. The rice, salad, and sauces together? Balanced, fresh, filling, and straight-up delicious. Definitely a hidden gem. Great portions, fast service, and the flavors? Chef's kiss. If you go, get the chicken plate -- and don't skip the Omar's Sauce. read more

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Svetlana L.

27

31

15

1 year ago

This was my first order from this place and it definitely wasn't what I expected. I had a craving for lamb and got excited they had lamb platter on the menu. Unfortunately what I received wasn't lamb. The meat part of the plate was cubes of something with weird spongy texture and no flavor. Very salty too I would have also appreciated if the sauce was on the side as i like to see what I am eating. My food looked like a pile of vomit with something smeared all over it, like they were trying to hide what was on that plate read more

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Zarin B.

181

208

278

2 years ago

I am SOOO HAPPY this place opened near me. I grew up in NYC so I know my chicken and rice platters like nothing else. I absolutely loved the lamb platter with the spicy white sauce and omars sauce. The jerk chicken and falafel were also so so yummy. Portions are generous for the price, and ingredients are fresh. I didn't even take any photos before I inhaled everything. Def check this place out read more

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Hanna

0

1

0

2 months ago

DO NOT ORDER FROM HERE. They do not close their platters lid like AT ALL and the food is super ass. You're better off going to cava or shahs, blazin halal, dcg, ANYTHING ELSE BUT HERE. You will be so disappointed read more

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More info about Omar's Pitas & Platters

3100 Richmond Hwy
Alexandria, VA 22305
Directions
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order

Hours

What time does Omar's Pitas & Platters open?

Omar's Pitas & Platters opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Omar's Pitas & Platters close?

Omar's Pitas & Platters closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Omar's Pitas & Platters closes at 1:00 AM (Next day) on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Next day)Fri-Sat 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters take credit cards?

Yes, Omar's Pitas & Platters takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters have catering options?

Yes, Omar's Pitas & Platters does have catering options.

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters have a drive thru?

No, Omar's Pitas & Platters does not have a drive thru.

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters serve alcohol?

No, Omar's Pitas & Platters does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters allow dogs?

Yes, Omar's Pitas & Platters allows dogs.

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters have TVs?

No, Omar's Pitas & Platters does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters have bike parking?

Yes, Omar's Pitas & Platters has bike parking.

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters have outdoor seating?

Yes, Omar's Pitas & Platters has outdoor seating options.

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters have parking?

Yes, Omar's Pitas & Platters has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Omar's Pitas & Platters wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Omar's Pitas & Platters is wheelchair accessible.

Does Omar's Pitas & Platters have free WiFi?

Yes, Omar's Pitas & Platters has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Omar's Pitas & Platters is your no-frills, halal take-out/carry out, one-stop shop, proudly family-run!

More Info

Special Hours, Health Score

Omar's Pitas & Platters Reviews in Other Languages

Turkish
1 Review

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7.3 mi

We came here on Sunday afternoon before a wine festival and they were pretty busy but we were able…read moreto be sat for the 4 of us without a problem. This was in a shopping center so we didn't have any issues with parking. Everyone was so friendly when we walked in and even with it being busy, service was fairly quick. Cute decor inside. We started off with a couple of sangrias, the red one was really good. We ordered the Spread Sampler, the Double Cooked Octopus, and thr Grilled Sucuk. The spread was delicious and came with warm pita breads, we were also able to order more when we ran out. I definitely recommend getting the Sampler to try the different spreads as all of them were amazing. The octopus was incredibly tender and flavor as was the Sucuk. I wish we were hungrier when we came but we had a great time and would definitely be back to try the rest of the menu.

Lots to like at Smyrna!…read more I highly recommend the 3-course express lunch menu, which includes a starter and dessert. At $24 as of this writing, this is a great value! Decorated in clean blue and white colors, Smyrna has an appealing feel. Smyrna also has a rear patio open during good weather. We were started out with very decent complimentary warm pita bread. For my first (starter) course, I ordered the chicken avgolemono soup. While the soup was packed with tender chicken, I was disappointed that the soup didn't really have much of a tart, lemony flavor. It actually was bland. But what more than made up for the avgolemono soup was the beef Keftdedes I chose for my second course. This dish came with absolutely the best tomato-based sauce I've ever had anywhere anytime! Delicious and fabulous!! The beef keftdedes were plump ground beef patties served over little squares of pita bread and topped with the tomato sauce and also a yogurt sauce. JP ordered the Imam Bayildi, which was good. It came with roasted eggplant, diced tomatoes and diced onions. For our third course (dessert), I ordered the Revani, which was a moist dense semolina cake topped with ice cream and chocolate shavings. Outstanding flavor and texture. Perfect! JP ordered the walnut baklava which was excellent. Service was friendly and fine. Other than the avgolemono soup, this was indeed a five star dining experience.

2.3 mi•Old Town Alexandria

Aegean bar

Greek potato has thyme and lemon zest marinated roasted baby potatoes, kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes.

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Back patio

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

4.2(641 reviews)

•$$$

Full bar

Large group friendly

Came here for my pre-birthday dinner and had a great experience. We sat outside on the deck: Though…read morethe evening turned cool on us, the clear roll-down walls and heat lamps kept the outdoor seating comfortable, even so that I had to take off my jacket at one point during dinner. Despite how busy it was on a Saturday night, drinks and food came out quickly, and our server was attentive throughout the evening. We ordered several tapas, but the standouts were definitely the tzatziki dip, the whipped goat cheese dip, and the patatas bravas, which were crispy, flavorful, and reminiscent of some I've had while vacationing in Spain. The tuna tartare was also surprisingly good, especially with the added crunch from the breadcrumbs. Oh, and make sure you order extra pita because the warm, fluffy bread disappears fast, especially if you use it as a dipping tool for the tuna tartare! The waterfront view of the Potomac, with National Harbor in the distance, really makes this place special. Great atmosphere, great food, and definitely worth a visit!

Went to Barca for brunch and sat outside. Even though the weather was gloomy that day, we still had…read morea great time outside, and the staff was very attentive and helpful throughout the meal. For drinks, we got the Espresso Old Fashioned and the Pineapple Express. The Espresso Old Fashioned was probably a 6.5/10 for me. The flavor itself wasn't bad, but the presentation definitely needed work. I'd suggest using a better glass and the appropriate large cube ice instead of regular pebble ice, especially when you're paying $14+ for such a small cocktail. The Pineapple Express, though, was great -- not overly spicy and the pineapple paired perfectly with the tajín rim. From the brunch specials, we ordered the empanadas and the breakfast croquetas. The empanadas had really nice flavor and were well seasoned. They came with a green cream underneath plus pickled onions and a tomato-based hot sauce on the side, which complemented them well. My only issue was that the filling wasn't proportional to the amount of dough -- it needed more filling. The breakfast croquetas were exceptional and honestly something I'd go back for alone. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, and served over hot honey that made you want to keep dipping every bite into it. We also ordered the Catalan-style mussels, and those were definitely one of the highlights alongside the croquetas. The mussels were very well seasoned, and the sausage and vegetables paired perfectly with them. The bread served with it was also delicious, especially dipped into the sauce. The fried calamari had good seasoning, but the batter was too thick, making it hard to really taste the calamari itself. The sauce it came with was delicious though, and there was one battered lemon slice mixed in that was AMAZING. They honestly should add more of those because that flavor combination was so good. For dessert, we tried the burnt Basque cheesecake and the chocolate torta. The Basque cheesecake was fine, but honestly tasted like a pretty ordinary cheesecake. The chocolate torta itself was good, but I personally didn't think the Pedro Ximénez mousse and bananas paired that well with it. I think black cherries would complement the chocolate much better, but that's just my opinion. Overall, a decent brunch spot with some standout dishes, especially the croquetas and mussels.

2.0 mi•Old Town Alexandria

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Taverna Cretekou

3.9(738 reviews)

Great place! Lovely atmosphere, we sat outside on a beautiful evening. They have a really great…read morepatio, and the inside looks very inviting as well. Food was really good, I wasn't blown away but I did like it, it was fresh and presented very beautifully, the eggplant mezze was good and the poached apricot dessert was also quite good-needed more apricot for the amount of yogurt though. The service was excellent, everyone who works there was very pleasant, and they did separate the checks for our group which was really convenient. I would definitely go back. Downsides are it's a bit pricey and the parking is a challenge.

My only regret is forgetting to take photos... this place gives off Greek family energy! They can…read morepull tables together or apart for any size party and they have ample space to do it whether indoors or on the cute outdoor/ covered balcony area. Felt like I was in greece! Service was phenomenal, our host and server were very friendly, helpful and fast. My water never ran out, constantly refilled which I noticed! The food was also amazing I had the Arni youvetsi and that is a healthy lamb shank portion paired with creamy orzo ! The baklava was also really good for dessert. I appreciated the selection of Greek wine available and the waiter was able to select one that matched my taste! I will def recommend!

Dining room

Garides Cretekou - Crete

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Downtown Alexandria restaurants and businesses at sunset.

Zaytinya

4.2(6.3k reviews)

4.7 mi

•$$$

My favorite restaurant once again excels! I always try to visit when I'm in DC ! Had shrimp and…read morebranzino this time, fantastic!

This place is in a great corner location, the food was delicious, and the staff were friendly…read moreoverall. We had a reservation to make sure we got a table, and the restaurant was completely full when we arrived. The only downside was that after being seated outside, we felt a little forgotten for the first 30 minutes or so. No one came by with water or to check in, and it seemed like the staff may not have realized a new table had been seated until we flagged down the outside host. There were also swarm of flies hovering around the outdoor tables, which another table pointed out and then we started noticing too. Aside from that, the experience was good overall. The inside dining area definitely had a dressier vibe compared to the patio seating, and once we were helped, the food made up for the slow start.

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Spreads & Bread

Maydan

4.3(1.4k reviews)

6.0 mi

•$$$$

I came here for my 30th birthday celebration and all I can say is WOW- what a way to ring in a new…read moredecade. I left feeling full, grateful, and with a new love for middle eastern cuisine. The service was impeccable- the waitress and sommelier were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Nadia, our waitress, offered suggestions about what dishes would pair well together for the tawle experience and shared her favorites. The sommelier went over the extensive wine list and helped us pick a nice red that paired well with our chosen dishes- it was called Yacoubian Hobbs from Armenia. The ambiance was comfortable and welcoming- you could dress up or down, pretty much anything goes! The walls are lined with colorful patterns and draped tapestries to create a high end living room vibe. Now for the fun part- THE FOOD! The first dishes brought out were the mouneh (pickled veggies), the honey soaked dates, and the three spreads (we selected the hummus with lamb on top for an additional $15, havuc, and beet borani). I'll add that they continuously bring out fresh, warm pita throughout the whole meal. The lamb hummus was savory and well-balanced, but very rich. The havuc had a beautiful lightness from the carrots and I loved the textural element of the crispy onions on top. The beet borani also added a welcomed freshness throughout the meal and was vibrant, light, and had wonderful yogurt flavors. The underrated dish were the pickled veggies because INSANE. I used these in bites during the entire meal and they all had a unique flavor as if they were each pickled in a special way- my favorites were the white radish and scallions. The honey dates were a sweet palette cleanser and cut through the savory elements of the meal. We continued on with the next round consisting of the field lettuce salad, the three condiments (we chose the toum, chermoula, and harissa), halloumi, omani shrimp, and chickpeas. The field lettuce salad had a zesty vinaigrette and I appreciated the acidity addition of the sliced oranges and the crunchy, salted pistachios. The toum was a garlicky aioli that I felt was best paired with the chickpeas- although all the dips were delicious with all the dishes and the pita. The harissa was a lighter version than I am used to, spicy, and paired well with the veggies and ribeye. The chermoula was my favorite and paired best with the ribeye- it reminded me of a flavorful and herbaceous chimichurri. The halloumi had a sweet honey and was grilled perfectly, paired with nice crunchy nuts. The chickpeas had a lovely consistency and were well seasoned- I think it was sumac, but whatever it was, I couldn't get enough. The shrimp were ONE OF MY FAVORITE dishes from the whole meal. They were juicy, seasoned perfectly, charred, and just chefs kiss. I enjoyed them with the chermoula and squeeze of lime. The main dishes and veggies came during our final (besides dessert) round. We ordered the sayadieh as part of the table experience and also added a ribeye to the order. We had ordered the charred carrots, but they accidentally brought us the wildflower honey zucchini instead, so we were lucky enough to be able to try both. The branzino (sayadieh) absolutely blew my mind. It was citrusy, spicy, seasoned with bright spices, and incredibly moist. I would honestly skip the ribeye- it was cooked to a nice medium rare and had a nice flavor, but I don't think it compared to the rest of the meal. The charred carrots were spicy, cooked soft- also one of the standouts. The zucchini was served beautifully and I enjoyed the sauce, but could also skip next time. We ended the meal with the bitter orange sorbet and the chocolate mousse. The sorbet was a nice palette cleanser as it had zest in the mix and was very light after the heavy meal. The chocolate mousse was very rich and had a new balance of chocolate and peanut flavors. They brought over complimentary glasses of champagne to celebrate my birthday as well :) I cannot wait to come back to try more of the menu and I am so happy to have had a diverse taste of the Middle East. I'll also add that we had a HUGE bag of leftovers that lasted several meals and they packaged it up like true professionals. A food lover completely satisfied and eager to get back :)

A popular spot near Adams Morgan. The restaurant features Middle Eastern grilled food. In fact,…read morethere were several fire grills in the center of the first floor of the restaurant (it has two floors), and you can see the staff constantly grilling the meats, fish, vegetables and pita. This, together with the dark vibe, made me feel as if I were eating with ppl. from B.C. in a cave. Very interesting. I like that. For food, I got the Carrot Havuc, Omani Shrimp and Halloumi. But first I was served with some freshly made whole wheat pita. They were soft, chewy and earthy. The Carrot Havuc was basically a carrot+garlic puree. Very silky, refreshingly sweet, and a bit sour. The sourness may come from the garlic and lemon. Paired well with the pita and meats. The Omani shrimp came with 5 pieces, each shrimp was ~1oz so it was not very filling. The shrimp were meaty, fresh, juicy, though I wish it could be less salty, even if I already asked for less salt. The shrimp was said to be marinated with dried lime and tamarind but I could only taste the flavor of dried lime. The Halloumi cheese was brushed wild flower honey and topped with Egyptian dukkah, then baked until the outside was golden brown. It was salty and sweet, and the (tons of) sesame seeds added some fragrance to it. However, the peanut was too roughly chopped so that they fell off from the cheese when I slice it, and thus difficult to eat with the cheese. Service was not worth the 20% mandatory tip. For example, when I asked about the sourness of the Carrot Havuc, he did not know why and said he would "taste it and let me know where the sourness came from". Unfortunately, he did not tell me until I asked again when doing the check (I doubt if he tasted it in the first place). Neither did he ask me about the other dishes. Overall, the dishes were great but not impressive, and was mostly heavily flavored. The service could be improved.

Wood oven front and center

Shrimp

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Spiced chocolate mousse

Vaso's Kitchen

4.1(323 reviews)

1.1 mi

The staff is amazing. Friendly and very responsive. The food is delicious and consistent. My go…read moreto is the Village Salad!

I've been meaning to get her for a long time. A cute little restaurant tucked away in a north old…read moretown neighborhood with the icon Dixie Pig neon sign on the roof. The service was friendly and swift. An excellent Greek menu. I enjoyed the Chicken Marsala special. Tender cuts of chicken with mushrooms. So tasty. A side of pasta which was well prepared. No dessert. I love the relaxed friendly atmosphere and neighborhood feel. Reservations are recommended because of limited seating. They do have outdoor spots for beautiful days.