Go ahead and stop looking at reviews and go getchu a plate…read more 10/10 food and service I would add a picture of what I got but it's GONE

There are a lot of mixed reviews on this spot but I decided to try based on the numerous photos…read moresubmitted and the food looks great. Kabobs are usually priced around the price that this restaurant has priced their menu items at so I believe it is fair. I cannot review for takeout, but for dine-in, there was enough food that I had leftovers and had to ask for a to-go box because I could not finish the rice. The food is flavorful, they add a lot of little touches like a slice of lime, two different sauces for you, and a giant piece of bread. Mango Lassi is $6 but is made fresh.

I visited this establishment because they serve bone-in chicken…read more The food was ok, but too salty. The service was great and the restaurant is spacious. I really liked the owner. He is such a great person.

This is one of our standard go-to places to pick up take out lunch in a pinch. Good protein options…read moreand the platters are fairly big. Usually Ragz and I share the double platter - 2 rows of either chicken breast pieces or the minced chicken with rice, salad and chickpeas. Platters are served with a massive piece of naan style bread as well. Their chicken is always moist and tastes good - thankfully the taste has remained consistent over the years. The rice has 2 flavors - a plain one and a flavored one. I like mixing them both together. The chickpeas are also tasty. The bread can be a lot honestly - we usually don't end up finishing it. Ragz really likes their beef kobideh too. Ambiance - I will be honest, I don't always feel comfortable going here by myself. It's usually filled with older looking men who sometime stare. I either order takeout and quickly rush in and rush out, or Ragz picks it up. I have also seen the owner be kind short with the folks that work here - mostly immigrant students and I really hope they get paid okay

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!

The chicken bowl was amazing. Friend loved the spinach and we got the chickpea. The star of the…read morenight was the eggplant dish! We have had it at other restaurants but this place topped it!! Way too stuffed to get dessert but the ice cream looked phenomenal!

Amazing customer service and hospitality. The food is top Notch. Just tried the lamb kabob it was…read moreout of this world!! Def recommend it!!!!

Saw this place while driving by a few times and finally decided to try it for a birthday lunch…read moreright when they opened on a Saturday. Great food. Authentic. Fresh. Delicious. Place was clean and service was quick. Will definitely go back again.

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.

This is one of the best Turkish restaurant in DMV. We've gotten many different dishes from the…read moremenu and all are good. I almost always get their tea after the meal. Only downside is they are sometimes very busy. I've experienced waiting for 45mins for carry out.

Quite a pleasant place. I like the chicken sharwa and the kabobs. Quality especially for price is…read morehard to beat. Also great sides too. This is a nice restaurant to have a relaxing meal at. It could work for a date too, but I prefer it to unwind at. How's the service? Top notch. You will feel welcomed here. The staff are all good people, that work hard to make the experience a positive one. It's a clean restaurant. Parking can be interesting, as the area has some non drivers, but this wins in the risk vs reward game of dining!

IThe worst Falafel wraps we have ever tried. Even I can do a better job…read more We called for two falafel wraps($20),they were ready in lightning time(now we know that this was the first alarm) Anyways drove for a miles and tried them and realized that they fried stones dipped in something and called it falafel. These most certainly were frozen, which is bad to begin with, then they certainly cooked it on high heat and then they over cooked it hence the stones we were given to eat. Don't eat there e are or made an attempt to

This past weekend, I had one of those meals that lingers with you long after the last bite--halwa,…read morepuri, Punjabi murg chole, all coming together in a way that felt both familiar and completely new at Charcoal Chicken. The puri arrived hot and perfectly puffed--golden, light, and crunchy on the outside, yet soft enough to soak up every bit of flavor. Then came the Punjabi murg chole, and that's where the magic really happened. The chicken was tender and deeply seasoned, not overpowering, but rich with warmth and spice. Paired with the chickpeas, it created a hearty, comforting balance--earthy, savory, and incredibly satisfying. We all know halwa puri with chole is a classic. It's nostalgic, it's comforting, it's expected. But adding Punjabi-style chicken into the mix? That took the entire experience to another level. The chicken didn't compete with the chole--it elevated it. Every bite with puri felt intentional, layered, and indulgent. This wasn't just breakfast or brunch--it was a vibe. A bold twist on tradition that felt rooted yet exciting. If halwa puri is comfort food, then halwa puri with Punjabi murg chole is comfort food that decided to show up dressed sharp and confident. A combination I didn't know I needed--but now won't forget.

Really good, but next time I want to try some different items…read more I ordered the Garlic naan 6/10 not much flavor and the Briyani butter chicken. Although good, I really love saucy rice so I might have to try the Butter chicken independently. I'm also going to try a more standard briyani like the goat one. Overall, I will definitely give this spot another try. We ordered a to go meal. It took around 10-15 mins to prepare. A very casual looking spot.

This review is on the happy hour only: It's definitely one of the places to go for happy hour at…read moreMosaic. My friends and I sat at the bar, and the bartender was sweet, and very attentive. Their happy hour is called "golden hour" and it's Mon-Fri from 3-7pm, and also have daily specials. I loved their dip + drink for $10 as you get to pick one of any of the dips with unlimited bread. I enjoyed the three dips I tried: minty labneh, grilled red pepper dip and havuc. Only their house wines and draft beers are the drink specials on the happy hour menu, however they have cocktail specials depending on the daily special. I definitely will come back for happy hour again, or try a meal next time.

The ambiance is OK. The food is overpriced and in the crowded middle eastern food scene of northern…read moreVirginia does not stand out or even measure up. The service was also not up to par. There are MANY better options available.

Consistently the best food in the neighborhood. Every time I come here, I clean my plate…read more If you're looking for "fast", this may not be the place for you. Be patient. The wait' is worth it.

Great food at an affordable price - you can't get better than that. I got the chicken kabob with…read morebeef combo over rice.

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

AMAZING!! I tried this place out for the first time today and got a family platter for 2-3. The…read moreamount of food they gave me was so much it was able to feed four people with leftovers still! The place is split with a burger place and it reminds me of a classic diner style. The cashier was super nice as well and gave me some baklava on the house! I called in my order and it was ready within 10 minutes. Super convenient, tasty and worth the price. I didn't even get a chance to take a before picture because my family started devouring it straight away. The meat was very tender and I loved their hummus. It was super smooth and garlicky. Everything was cooked to perfection and I will definitely be coming back!