Went to this restaurant because I was interested in their manti (dumplings) and Tabbouleh salad. So I made a reservation for lunch, but these items were not on the lunch menu -- note that on their website there was only main menu and weekend brunch menu. Luckily, the manager asked the kitchen to do a special order for me, so I was able to try both of them! Moreover, when he learned that I wanted to make the manti, he even carefully explained to me how it was cooked! Thanks a lot!!! The Yara's Manti was basically small, boat shaped, half-covered dumplings baked in oil, then topped with yogurt and pine nuts. This is completely different from how Turkish or Afghan manti is made, thus having a different flavor as well. The baking procedure gave some crispiness to the dumplings, while the oil helped them to maintain sufficient moisture. These dumplings went well with the yogurt; I also tried sprinkling some sumac on them and it was great. However, the yogurt tend to get mixed with the oil when you move the dumplings. it would be better if they serve the dumplings (and toppings) in a separate, heated container. Yara's Tabbouleh is a creative twist to the traditional Tabbouleh. Besides the usual ingredients, there were diced beets and pomegranate arils. Both added some refreshing sweetness to the salad, and the beets also some hint of earthiness. The freshly baked pita was also delicious. Each piece weighed ~55-65g and was topped with sumac. Paired well with the other two dishes. The restaurant had a beautiful decor. At lunchtime there were not many people so it was relatively quiet. I will go there again the next time I visit DC! And I want to thank the resturant again for offering me the opportunity to try these dishes! read more

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Food is easily a 4.5-5 stars and really enjoyable so if I recommended based on just food alone, yes 100% go there. Their hummus was creamy and in my top 5 of the DMV thus far. Their mandu dumplings are extremely flavorful and their za'atar flatbread is simple but perfectly crisp and spiced. There were some hiccups with brunch when I went. My first pet peeve is when a menu online lies and they changed their AYCE (which is why we went) to a more expensive pick 3 items type thing (it is full portions so still filling but was disappointing). It was hard for us to get service, our drink was priced incorrectly on it, and it took some hounding to get some of our dishes out (I think our server forgot to put one in and just said it takes a while/ we had finished the rest of our food practically). I'd come back and try again at least because their food is flavorful and good. read more

Villa Yara is my family's go to spot when we visit DC. It genuinely never disappoints!! Every single thing from the fattoush to the dips to the lam chops is absolutely incredible. The service is lovely and food comes out quickly. I love that everything is made freshly in the restaurant. As someone that is Middle Eastern, this place is incredible and authentic read more

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Cute little brunch spot I went to with just the girls on a Sunday. The food was so good! I ordered almost seconds of everything. If you love good Mediterranean type food, this is a great version of that but make it Lebanese style! The service was okay, but the experience was still a good one. Looking forward to coming back on an evening read more

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My friend and I dropped by here pretty randomly one night in the mood for a snack. She had told me that they have a beautiful little courtyard inside, which immediate drew in my interest. It was about 8pm on a Saturday night and we were able to find seating quickly. We opted for the bar since we weren't looking for a full meal and were more so using this as a pausing point before determining our plans for the rest of the evening. We ordered the Lamb Hummus to share and it was amazing! We weren't drinking cocktails and stuck with water, but our bartender was so nice and attentive. The space is super cute so looking forward to returning again in the future to try more of their food! read more

Villa Yara - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Was in Georgetown for a treat myself day after a hard week and when I saw the scenery of this restaurant I immediately put it in Apple Maps. I sat at the bar and the placemat decor was pretty and pink, just how I like it. So may flowers and Audrey Hepburn photos to decorate this aesthetic restaurant. My waiter served me a deliciously spicy margarita or as it's called "Mardalida." The food has a kick but oh so good! I loved the SHISH TAOUK​​ (cubed chicken breast . garlic . olive oil . lemon). It was also spicy but packed with flavors. Will be coming back! read more

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Villa Yara is a must try- the location was very cute. The ambience felt like a restaurant you might find in New York because the tables were so close. I thought it made it feel a little bit more intimate and home like and added to its charm. The service was exceptional from the time I got there till the time I left, I felt very taken care of and accommodated. The food was really great especially the hummus with lamb is a must try. I would come back just for that dish alone! The pictures don't do the dishes justice however, I got the platter that was able to feed two people, and it was more than enough to feed two people - it included the lamb, Bronzino, beef sausages, and grilled chicken. For dessert, I got the baklava which was stunning. It had a floral taste to it, which was a really nice twist, and I also had the traditional yogurt that came with caramel. That was a little bit too sweet for me, but if you're somebody that likes very sweet desserts, it was extremely sweet. Would definitely love to come back and try their other dishes. read more

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Hummus and the bread were great. The meats were disappointing. The chicken was too char grilled (burnt ends - heavily) and a single skewer. For the price charged, totally unfair. The meat kabobs were just fine. The ambience is nice, however, the meat was a total draw back. read more

Came here with friends for a nice time and a good meal. Lebanese food is always delicious and mostly gluten-free. The service was great and they took care of all our restrictions and helped us get a great meal. My wife and I ordered the platter for 2 that was awesome. The place used to be Le Pan Quotidien and they have done a great job converting to a casual restaurant. We sat outside in the back garden which was really nice. The only gripe is that they have not invested in mosquito control which was a bit of a distraction. Otherwise, I highly recommend this place. read more

Villa Yara - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This was our second time at Villa Yara to celebrate me and my best friend's birthdays and we have the best dinner. We ordered bunch of the small hot and cold meze which is the way to go here. Upon learning that this is a birthday celebration, they brought out all of the desserts, which was an amazing surprise. Our server was Naoures and she was the sweetest and very attendant. They play Middle Eastern songs in the background and the vibes are always 100! I highly recommend this place and I will definitely be back again read more

Villa Yara - Interior - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I love this restaurant! All of the dishes I've tried are amazing but don't miss the baklava ice cream dessert, 10/10. The service is incredible and all of the staff are so friendly. read more

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Updated review 04/04/2026 - we decided to come back here for another anniversary dinner and it was even better than our first experience. Perfect food, perfect ambiance and the service from Reem and Uday went above and beyond! Looking forward to returning! read more

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I've now visited villa yara twice and have loved everything that I've eaten here! My favorites would be the branzino (the green sauce is unbelievable), mouhamara, the batata harra, baba ghanoush, and sayadieh. The spices and sauces really make it all exceptional! I enjoy the ambiance and they have some good wines, but not too many cocktails that interested me. I gave 4 stars because of the 2nd time I came to visit the service wasn't great and there were a few snaffus! I came with a big group outing and we had less people than expected and told them this upon arriving. However, they still brought out food for the full group and set it on the two tables we weren't using without telling us, so we had wayyy too much food. When we asked if they could box the remaining food before it came out they told us that wasn't possible. Was just a bit inflexible and wasteful! read more

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We came on a random whim since the restaurant had my name. We sat at the bar and ordered a cocktail, a mocktail, and hummus. Everything was delicious and served timely. The restaurant is beautiful and feminine and I hope to return with a proper reservation. They lose a star for service. The host was incredible but the bartenders were slow and never acknowledged us. I always had to say "excuse me" to order and get our checks. It wasn't terribly busy just a few orders trickled in while we were there so a few words of hello is a pretty standard thing. read more

Villa Yara - Hummus and the Yara's lemonade mocktail - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Amazing service! The food was incredible, we tried the knafeh pancakes, shakshuka, kafta, and labneh all were so fresh and the presentation was beautiful. It was also my friends birthday and they brought out pistachio ice cream on the house. The garden was beautiful and filled with greenery, brick and mirrors. Will definitely be back! read more

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Villa Yara is definitely worth trying out, their brunch was very delicious. It's not only an instagram-able restaurant but their food is also fire which is rare to have both nowadays I know it gets very busy in there so the service could use a tad bit of touching up Highly recommend the mixed grill ‍ read more

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Went on a Saturday afternoon and arrived just before afternoon rush. Sat in the patio, but weather was a bit windy for the cover to be opened. Next visit will have to be when it warmer to sit "outside." Can't remember the exact names of the dishes or cocktail, but all were very flavorful. If you like pineapple, you'll like the cocktail. Beet salad was a bit tart, still loved the flavor. Eggplant dish was good, but we weren't as hungry so didn't feel we enjoyed as much as we could have. Lots of other dishes we wanted to try so will to go again. Sharing is perfect so you can try several dishes together. Portion didn't seem large, but they were plenty. Waitress was friendly and had good recommendations, although the ran out of an ingredient so we had to change our original cocktail order. Decor was inviting so want to go back to enjoy in warmer weather. read more

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Decided to try Villa Yara during restaurant week. The ambience of the restaurant was exquisite, and the decor was beautiful. We had a very large party and the service was excellent. On top of that the food was superb. read more

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All the ambiance, food and the service are excellent. Bryce, our buddy was the BEST. read more

I booked this spot for lunch before a matinee at the Kennedy Center. It's Georgetown so parking is a crap shoot but I easily found a spot around the corner. Our reservation was 1145am - and we were the first customers. I was struck by how nice and unique the space and decor is. My friends and I ordered five or six mezze plates and a few pots of tea - split four ways, it was $40 each which is reasonable. All the dishes were good. My favorite though was the fatin battijan. Very unique with its flavors (tangy yogurt, eggplant) and textures (crunchy pita chips). It's not the most eggplant forward dish -- you've got to enjoy tang which I do ! I would definitely come back. read more

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Villa Yara is an experience, not just a restaurant. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance transports you--elegant, intimate, and thoughtfully designed with a balance of modern sophistication and cultural warmth. Every detail feels intentional, creating a space that's perfect for a romantic evening, a celebration, or a refined night out. The food is exceptional. Each dish is beautifully plated and layered with flavor, showcasing high-quality ingredients and a deep respect for culinary craftsmanship. You can taste the care and creativity in every bite, nothing is ordinary, everything is elevated. The cocktail program is just as impressive. Drinks are well-balanced, inventive, and executed with precision, making the bar a destination of its own. Pair that with the music and overall energy, and the vibe is effortlessly upscale without feeling forced. What truly sets Villa Yara apart is the service. The staff is knowledgeable, polished, and genuinely attentive. They anticipate needs without hovering and make every guest feel welcomed and valued. Villa Yara has mastered the art of hospitality--luxury, flavor, and atmosphere coming together seamlessly. It's the kind of place you leave already planning your next visit. Highly recommended. read more

I'd wanted to try the famous brunch at Villa Yara for a while now, hoping to go in the summer and sit in their back garden or front patio. Unfortunately, I didn't make it until the weather turned cold and I didn't make a reservation, so I sat at a table in the bar. The service in the bar went from excellent at the beginning of the meal, to nonexistent the second half. I'd recommend booking in advance and getting a proper table There were only two of us, so we could only select a few dishes (we had three for two people and it was more than enough). I think this is a place that's best to go with a bigger group so that you can try more things. Everything we had was good, but not overly remarkable. My favorite dish was probably the foul, as the beans were perfectly creamy. With all of the great Lebanese options in town, I can't say I'll be rushing back. I've seen a lot of reviews using the word "underwhelmed" and I'd say that is a good way to put it. read more

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The fresh bread that was brought out with olive pate was to die for!! The baba ganoush, fattoush salad, and chicken skewers were flawless. The star of the show was the fried eggplant in yogurt sauce. The crunchy pita, pomegranate seeds, and pistachios sprinkled on top complimented the dish perfectly. Service was great and the restaurant was so cute. Would definitely come back read more

Villa Yara - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Our family visited YaraVela during Eid al-Adha, and we truly had an outstanding experience. Everything was excellent -- the warm hospitality, the beautiful and clean atmosphere, the delicious food, and the great variety of dishes. What impressed us even more was that such high-quality service and food were still very affordable for families. Thank you to the entire team for giving our family such a memorable evening and wonderful quality time together. We sincerely appreciate your professionalism and kindness. Truly one of the best dining experiences we have had in Washington, D.C. Excellent service -- highly recommended! read more

--- I came to DC excited to experience the city's diverse food culture, which has such a great reputation. This was the first restaurant I tried, ordering through Uber Eats since I arrived pretty late. While the delayed delivery wasn't the restaurant's fault, the food itself was extremely disappointing. It was not worth the wait or the price. The meat was dry and overcooked, and although I was supposed to receive two skewers, I only got one. That skewer had very little chicken--after one bite, there were only two small pieces left. I also couldn't identify most of the vegetables or sides on the plate. Given the strong reviews, I honestly don't understand how this meal reflects them. Maybe it was a one-time issue because they were close to closing, or perhaps something went wrong with the delivery--but overall, the food was dry, unappetizing, and far too small for the cost. I was shocked by how bad it was and would not recommend it based on this experience. read more

Villa Yara - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cute place but left a bit underwhelmed. Had reservations for Friday at 6:30pm for 3. We were sat upstairs, but were left waiting at the front and asked 3 times who we were and to please wait (once by the original hostess, and twice by the same person within in the span of 5 minutes...) Parking: street or garage Service: our waitress was nice and accommodating (one of our friends had gluten restrictions). We were offered vegetables instead of pita bread for the hummus (which was usually an extra cost, but it was waived). She became really busy, and it was hard to get our drinks refilled. Food: we got the warak inab ($14), hummus nil lambe ($20), spinach fatayer ($14), kibbeh ($16). All were so good. The friend with gluten restrictions had the warak inab, hummus nil lambe, and makanek (all easy to pick because it was dictated on menu). All the drinks were so good! It costs more than the food but very tasty. Friend got the caramella (their spin of espresso martini) -which was my favorite. I tried their beruits passion which was also good- sweeter side. read more

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What happened to the quality of the food? I took 3 out of town Lebanese friends to the Villa Yara. We were very disappointed in several uneatable dishes. There is not a Lebanese chef in their kitchen based on what we received. The restaurant was mostly empty around 8 PM on a Friday night. One does not need a reservation. We will never return. read more

Gorgeous space through out the restaurant with a beautiful outdoor dining space with a retractable roof. I loved the decor and the food was amazing. We enjoyed the roasted red pepper spread, spinach pies (so fluffy) and chiken skewers. So flavorful & service was good too. The wine we tried was great too. Highly recommend taking the time to enjoy this beautiful place & the amazing food. I'll be back for more... read more

I don't come to Georgetown often, but I went out of my way to come to Villa Yara. The restaurant is bigger than I expected, with two floors and an enclosed patio. The restaurant and bar area are decorated very cute. I felt like I was in Europe. The bar area is pretty small though. The drink menu is pretty small and uninspiring, with each drink costing $20. They use medium-top shelf liquor here, however. The Georgina's cocktail was pretty good, it was essentially a French 75 made with Empress gin, which gave it a subtle purple hue. The Dawa cocktail was my favorite. Made with Maker's Mark, it was perfectly strong, not very sweet, and deliciously spicy from the ginger. I also loved the candied ginger on top. This was my favorite drink. The Jnaineh cocktail was very good as well, and also wasn't very sweet. It was essentially very herbaceous gin and tonic. I don't think any of these drinks were worth $20, however. I was headed elsewhere for dinner, so I made it a point not to try much food. I did, however, try the bread and baked halloumi. The halloumi was very tasty and was baked with a nice tomato and olive sauce. The bread was cold and dry. I am looking forward to trying brunch next. read more

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Worst experience ever. We reserved a table for Mother's Day brunch two weeks in advance, expecting a nice experience for a special occasion. The brunch was $48 per person, but unfortunately it was nowhere near worth the price. Despite the reservation, we were seated on the top floor in a corner area where the ceiling appeared damaged, the windows were open, and there was no air conditioning. It was hot, uncomfortable, and not the atmosphere you would expect for a Mother's Day brunch -- especially after planning ahead and coming out in the rain. Our waiter was respectful and tried his best with what was available, but the overall service and management were extremely disappointing. For almost an hour, we were only served a few dips/appetizers, and our main course did not arrive until nearly 1 hour and 30 minutes later, even though there was a 2-hour seating limit. By the time food arrived, only one main course was served, the appetizer bread was cold, and even the water was warm. At the end, they only charged for one person. I still left a 20% tip for the server because he was polite and clearly trying, but the restaurant overall failed badly on service, timing, and customer experience. After reserving two weeks in advance and paying premium brunch pricing, we expected much better. Unfortunately, we will not be returning. read more

Staying nearby on a staycation, my family of three walked into Villa Yara for a Sunday dinner Labor Day weekend. The indoor and back patio were full, but we got one of the outside tables out front along M Street NW. We left disappointed. What they have going for them is a large space with beautiful design and decorations. Although fully booked, the back patio seems like a perfect spot to relax with one of their cocktails. The menu is large and includes many options. However, the prices are steep, even for expensive D.C. I'm fine with paying more money for amazing food, but almost every dish was average. For example, the cauliflower wasn't roasted well and lacked flavor. The bread fell flat too. What we did love was the roasted red pepper dip. It was well spiced and very tasty! Service was not bad! It was busy and it took awhile to get our order, bill, etc., but our server was very kind. read more

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Amazing place! Mehrez was so overly welcoming as was all of his staff...we walked in later after a dinner and they welcomed us to the bar for a glass of wine and complimentary topped our drinks off just for coming in! GREAT staff and atmosphere-will definitely be back! read more

Villa Yara was an amazing place for a dinner out. were not disappointed. Intimate seating in a garden like setting. Staff friendly and attentive. We wanted to try everything so went with a family style dinner. Tried a cauliflower dish, eggplant dip, and a fish entree. Meal was well prepared and very tasty. We also tried a nice bottle of red wine and were happy with the choice. read more

Villa Yara - Friends from Seattle enjoying dinner out - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came for restaurant week and it was a solid deal! You can choose 4 items from their menu, which includes a mix of starters, mains and dessert. We were a party of 3. Each of us could pick 4 items and there were a total of 14 items on the menu. There was an eggplant allergy in our party so we opted out on the two eggplant dishes offered and ordered everything else which worked out great. We started with hummus and mouhamara which were both good. Then we continuously had food coming to our table at a very fast pace. It was a great opportunity to try everything. Some of my favorites were the cauliflower, shish taouk, sujuc jibne, and the spinach fatayer. We also shared a bottle of white wine. Overall a good deal which allowed us to try a lot of new things. The inside is decorated beautifully and it was a very classy vibe. read more

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First time dining here on a Saturday night and I loved everything about this place. Our server was great, attentive and helpful and the food is just delicious- from the free pita bread to the dessert. To start, we ordered yara tabouli salad and its the best tabouli salad i've ever had. We then ordered the mixed grill and everything on that grill was tender and juicy and flavorful. We ordered baklava for dessert and once again, it was really good. Not too sweet which I prefer. Everything was above my expectations and I cannot wait to go back. read more

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5 Stars - Beautiful Atmosphere & Incredible Food Villa Yara is an absolute gem. The interior is stunning -- thoughtfully designed with warm, elegant touches -- and the staff is professional and attentive from start to finish. We sat on the street-facing patio, which was perfect for people-watching and soaking in the neighborhood vibe. Our server was fantastic, striking the perfect balance of friendly and efficient. We ordered the hummus, lentil soup, Yara tabouleh, cauliflower, and the Oliver salad that comes with the meal -- each dish was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. You can really taste the quality in every bite. To drink, we had the pineapple margaritas, and they were delicious. We asked for them to be made on the less sweet side, and our server absolutely nailed it -- refreshing, well-balanced, and not overly sugary. There's also a gorgeous outdoor space tucked behind the restaurant, offering a more secluded escape if you're looking for a peaceful city reprieve. Can't wait to return -- everything about this place was just right. read more

Villa Yara - Yara tabouleh, lentil soup, cauliflower - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Amazing food and service! Would return again beautiful design and all food was good! I think more selection for mixed drinks would be nice though read more

Absolutely and completely obsessed with Villa Yara! Whether it's a date night or a girls night out, the ambience here is perfection. From the customer service, quality of food, to the innovative cocktails- my experience here was unmatched. Shoutout to Mehrez who made sure we had a 5 star experience. Will be back!!! read more

Beautiful spring night and a perfect setting Villa Yara's garden. The food was really tasty and moderately priced (mezza portions). The service was friendly, but not very attentive. The drinks and wine were way overpriced. Pleasant evening, but Villa Yara should think about adjusting their wine prices. read more

My trip plans to Lebanon seem to be indefinitely on hold, but to satisfy my curiosity on what it must be like to pass through the contentious suburbs of Ghoberry and enter the posh streets of Downtown Beirut, Villa Yara gets the job done well for now. My favorite of the breakfast options, which can be enjoyed on the sunny patio out back while listening to retro Fairuz hits, was the ful, which came topped with a healthy dallop of olive oil that gave the dish an undeniable richness. The muhammara was also excellent, and if I had one complaint about the meal, it was the somewhat miserly portion of eggplant hidden under the pita chips in the fattet batinjan. read more

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