This review is for the Crystal City location that recently opened. I have been waiting for this…read morelocation and glad that I could finally go there. My husband and I enjoyed a fantastic lunch of the cucumber salad, lamb kabob and one of the specialty noodles dishes. Each was well prepared with nice portions. We also took home a slice of honey cake that was delicious as well. Our server was friendly and our plates came out quickly. The restaurant is clean and tidy with pretty glass chandeliers. Welcome to Crystal City and what a nice addition to 23rd St.!

I would like to give 4.2 stars. I was already excited when I…read moregot into the restaurant. I saw the high ceilings with fancy lights, ethnic decorations and comfortable dining chairs. One young man welcomed us with a big smile and he recommended some popular dishes to us. All the dishes were great. Beef noodle was a pinch spicy but it was a right kick; steamed dumpling with lamb meat was excellent, you can taste the juice from the meat and the soft strong skin outside. But unfortunately, two of six were The meat pie was so delicious with full of flavor; cucumber salad was good too, but the skin was a little hard; lamb chops came out with right temperature and perfectly done. We loved all the seasonings and spices. Our drinks were good too. Salty yogurt was light but very smooth. The last one: our dessert was a honey cake. It was so so good! It was moist with a bit chewy texture. This is a Must Order One! Everything there was freshly made after taking orders. The restaurant dining table and chairs are well made and comfortable. We definitely will go again.

Came for the Sheeryakh, but had such delicious, authentic Afghan food! I'd give 4.5 stars for some…read moreconstructive modifications to make in the future related to service, but overall amazing food! I left with a full belly and a happy heart. Got a combo of chicken kabob and shami kabob along with a side of their borani banjan/eggplant dish. The eggplant was honestly one of my favorite things- it's a must get in my opinion. Homey dish with incredible flavors! Their naan is fresh and pairs well with it. The chicken was good, but I've had better honestly. The shami was a little disappointing as I expected more flavor and it was slightly dry, but good. Their rice was so tasty and I loved the sweetness coming from the carrots an raisins. Of course, the sheeryakh was great- quite a big portion for one person, but I loved the texture. It tastes very similar to the Indian/South Asian/Pakistani ice cream, "Kulfi." CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK: Service needs improvement. The whole time I was there I had to keep looking for waiters to make eye contact with to ask for menu, water, paying, etc. It took about 10 min or more for me to have to call a busy waiter over just to look at the menu- no one came over on their own. Things just took time for a Saturday night- plus they were hosting an event on top of this. Needless to say, I've never had service like this, but the vibe and food made me be not as harsh. Despite the service, this place is a must try for authentic Afghan cuisine. Can't wait to try more of their menu (and the borani banjan again) in the future!

Unfortunately, this restaurant didn't live up to my expectations…read more When we arrived the dining room felt very humid and sticky which made it uncomfortable to sit and eat. We were also a party of five but were only given one menu to share so not very convenient. I ordered the Chicken & Shami Kabob and it came with a choice of white or brown rice, one side, and naan. The meal looked nothing like the photo on the restaurant's website. The portion was overwhelmingly rice with very little meat. None of the garnishes shown in the picture were included on the rice. For $24 I expected a much better presentation and a more balanced portion. Oh and the meat was kind of dry. Parts of our order were missing, some dishes that came out were incorrect. The experience felt disorganized and the food didn't justify the price.

I've done takeout here numerous times and their food never misses. The portions feel generous and…read moregreat value for your money. They pay attention to detail, with their seasonings, garnishes, and sauces. The flavors of their food really mix well together for a delicious meal. I will stay a repeat customer and recommend to give it a try if you're looking for quality kabob.

Stopped in here on a whim, and I'm glad I did. I went with the chicken and lamb combo. Both were…read moresolid, though if I did it again I'd go with just the chicken. It comes with rice and a massive piece of pita, plus your choice of a second side. I went with the chickpeas on a staff recommendation, and they were delicious. Didn't disappoint. The food was good all around and the portions are a nice size. A good unplanned find, and worth a stop if you're in the area.

Ordered the lamb kebab to go, and they've done a really good job! The lamb is delicious and well…read morecharred. This is also probably one of the best pita breads I've received from a kebab restaurant. Very soft doughy and large ! I really enjoy the spinach side as well. Well cooked and pleasant fast service when I walked in to collect! Clean restaurant as well with a very casual atmosphere.

Friendly service, food prepared to order, fresh flatbread. The dish called "butter chicken" is…read moreactually kabob chicken chunks in a sweet anise-laced tomato sauce that is one of my favorite dishes in the entire DMV. Dining area is small and quiet, nothing fancy, but pleasant.

In addition to our occasional dining in, during the past 8 months we had two large catering orders…read morefor over 80 people and in both times the food and service was great. the order was on time and the quality was consistently great. The management (Saeid) and his team did a great job for us. We highly recommend them. Thank you! EN

Sysco Food quality and Soko butcher price!…read more Waste of stomach space. Desperation brought us in Regret sends us on our way. The kabob looked to be a better choice. Z burgers hotdogs and fries were awful. Sticky steamed potato buns - low quality over cooked Sysco patties Never again

The food is always great. I'm so happy they opened a location in Urbana, the drive to the other…read morelocation was a limiting factor to my enjoyment. Ordering online is super easy, that's the only way I've ever gotten food or service. The interior looks like your standard take out based restaurant with a few tables to sit at as well. The family platters work well for groups of people! Highly recommend!

The stafff who is always at the register is great he is a good salesman always moving food items…read morelike few times I was offered 50% on the special dishes at the end of day, or gave us some samples of the chicken wing when I asked. First few times I didnt know the salad platter didnt come with roasted tomatoes but he also gave me some to try.great service!!

Super authentic, and exceptional service! The food was nice and fresh. Got the beef doner pita and…read morebeef doner plate and some fries. Loved the sauce that came with it as well! Love that had outdoor patio with umbrella for a nice day.

I tried the Iskender gyro platter at Capital Donar Shawarma, and it was a letdown. The dish…read morefeatured tough slices of roast beef instead of lamb, which felt off. The meat lacked flavor, making it a disappointing choice. Additionally, the staff seemed inattentive, which didn't enhance the experience. If you visit, and give it a shot ...stick to a classic gyro or doner sandwich instead.

We sat on the patio on nice day. The servers were very attentive and nice, providing…read morerecommendations on our first visit. I was really craving baba ganoush but unfortunately they didn't have any eggplant based dip. We ordered the red pepper dip and the meat shindig. Red pepper dip - came with warm pita and was pretty good. A mix of savory and sweet from the pomegranate. Shindig - came with trumpet mushrooms, steak, lamb-beef kubideh and chicken. The proteins were all cooked well but unfortunately under flavored making the use of the sauces a necessity. I also wish there was more pita. The rice, although a beautiful vibrant value, lacked the aroma and flavor of rice from the Mediterranean. This dish was not a good value for what it contained. Further, the inside of the restaurant is suffering from the effects of wear and tear. Both bathrooms were out of order. This lack of care is incongruous with the intended vibe of the restaurant. I don't think I will be making a return visit.

Mediterranean spot with bar, table, and patio right off of the main drag in Mosaic…read more I came here for dinner with my fiancé and we split a couple of apps between the two of us, all of which were solid. These included a hummus, chicken swarm sliders, brussel sprouts, and falafel. The falafel was my favorite. We each also got a mango margharita, and we both really enjoyed our drinks. The atmosphere and service left a little to be desired, as the our table was falling apart and our waitress seemed to be a little overwhelmed.

TLDR: Great Turkish food with standout chicken kebabs, flavorful rice, generous mezze portions, and…read morefriendly service. Bonus points for the relaxed patio and late-night Sunday hours. Taste of Istanbul was a delightful experience. I ordered the combination kebab platter to sample a bit of everything, and not a single item disappointed. The real standout was the chicken, it was cooked to perfection, incredibly juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Even the rice exceeded expectations, as it was well-seasoned and genuinely delicious rather than just a side dish. The service was attentive, with the staff offering thoughtful recommendations and ensuring we had everything we asked for. The ambiance is relaxed and inviting, and the outdoor seating makes it an especially enjoyable spot when the weather is nice. The mixed mezze platter was another highlight, offering generous portions that were easily enough to share among a few friends. The bread was fresh, warm, and crisp. It's also worth noting that they're open until midnight on Sundays, making Taste of Istanbul a fantastic option for a satisfying late-night meal.

The food was lacking the authentic Turkish flavors and atmosphere that I had anticipated. The menu…read morewas not as traditional as we had hoped. However, the service was exceptional. A hardworking young girl behind the counter efficiently took orders, served food, and cleared tables. I hope she knows her work is appreciated by customers and that she's running the place incredibly well on her own. It was frustrating to see others mingling with customers while she was so busy. The place filled up quickly during lunch, and things moved too slowly for some of us. I hope they can provide her with some assistance to help her manage the workload better.