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    Zaytinya

    4.2 (6.3k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Zaytinya Takeout or Delivery

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    ZAYTINYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Zaytinya

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    Reviews With Photos

    Sonya E.

    Whoa. Horrible outside host for outdoor seating and even worse experience with the indoor host for indoor seating -- this was not an okay experience at any level. Zero professionalism, no hospitality, and probably way too over their head with how popular this restaurant is for Middle Eastern cuisine. Completely not cool as to how they treat those who try to patronize their business. Note to management: we understand your establishment has great reviews but please don't take that for granted. Please train your staff to treat every single guest regardless of party size with respect, professionalism, and hospitality. Not mad about not being able to dine here because y'all were "fully booked" but more disappointed with how your outdoor and indoor hosts handled the messaging. P.S. There were plenty of tables left unoccupied for "7:30pm reservations" but it was already 8:00pm -- so I take it the grace period for reservations is 30+ minutes?!

    CHICKEN DURUM chicken, garlic toum, lettuce, tomato, lavash bread
    She C.

    The restaurant is lively, bright, and modern. My colleagues and I met up for lunch. We were seated quickly. They served up fresh warm bread with olive oil. I ordered CHICKEN DURUM. It came with a tomato based salad that' was well seasoned. I'm not much of a tomato lover but ate it. I shared the chocolate molten cake which came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It didn't make it to my pictures. It was tasty. I'll be back.

    Kathy T.

    Visited here for brunch and I was quite impressed with this place! My friends and I decided to do the Chef's Selection for brunch and its $70 for 2 guest which is quite reasonable! They offered a wide variety of plates to try such as dips, meats, and veggies. Everything was delicious but my top favorites were the brussel sprouts and soujouk pide. My least favorite item was the olive oil cake because it was dry. Service was excellent and they made sure to refresh the pita bread basket when it was running low. I would definitely come back to this place if I was planning a trip in the area!

    Second course: Mideyes, vegetable couscous, salmon, and spanakorizo
    Danielle F.

    Solo diner review (3/24/26): I came to Zaytinya for a pre-theatre dinner on a Tuesday evening. I had reservations at 5pm and was surprised at how busy the restaurant was for that early hour -- come to find out, there's a huge concert at Capital One that night and they are stacked with reservations and walk-ins. The restaurant is full of natural light and reflects the Mediterranean colors of cobalt ocean blue and bleached wood. I sat in a reserved booth in the bar area and had a great view of the comings and goings. It seems like a great spot for small and large groups. It was my intention to do the chef's tasting menu for $85 and I specifically asked my server if I could do that in the time I had (5-7pm would still get me to my show with curtain at 7:30pm). He said yes. I did not. I'm not sure how much of the service lags were standard and how much was due to the overwhelming number of patrons there on a Tuesday night, but I was disappointed to have to take my desserts to go. Highlights of the meal were the Squash Hummus with toasted pumpkin seeds, Wheat Berry Kisir salad, Lemon Potatoes with the amazing roasted garlic yogurt, and Moshari Me Kastano with an delicious chestnut puree and super tender steak. I do feel like I needed some different textures to the meal as it went on - there were a few too many hummus and purees for me. However, I will give amazing credit to my server and the kitchen for adapting this menu (as much as reasonable) for my allium sensitivity -- taking the onions off the plates if possible. Verdict: I probably won't be back, but this was nice to try. And bring your appetite! (When I mentioned that it was "a lot of food" to my server, he quipped back with a grin that it was "a healthy amount of food.")

    Bobbi D.

    Found this spot on in kind and decided to check it out (use my code if you wanna try in kind!)... Make sure to get a reservation- I figured we were good on a chilly Monday night, but it was HOPPIN - even outdoor. We were able to sneak in a spot at the bar. The free warm fresh bread is tasty - with olive oil and balsamic. The halloumi pide had a strange flavor palate for my taste - trying to put my finger on it but it was like it had a hint of brown sugar and cinnamon, which, for me, doesn't go with cheese and red sauce. The soup was delicious! Drinks are bougie! Definitely expensive, but I'd go back (and get a reservation next time haha).

    Greek Yogurt with Apricots
    Alfredo E.

    This is our third time in this restaurant. Zaytinya is one of those restaurants in DC that people talk about a lot, and after dining there, I can understand why. The restaurant, led by the team of chef José Andrés, focuses on Mediterranean mezze inspired by Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese cuisine, with dishes designed to be shared. We went for dinner and decided to try a variety of plates across seafood, vegetables, and traditional mezze. The whole fish was the highlight of the evening. It was beautifully presented and tasted fresh, with delicate flavors that let the seafood shine without being overcomplicated. It's definitely a dish worth ordering if you enjoy Mediterranean-style seafood, and you eat a lot. It can serve two. The octopus was another strong plate. It had a nice grilled flavor and tender texture, which can be difficult to achieve with octopus. The char and seasoning complemented the dish well and made it one of the more memorable items we tried. The Brussels sprouts were excellent--crispy on the outside with a flavorful seasoning and yogurt-based elements that balanced the dish nicely. I strongly recommend it and seem to be one of the restaurant's standout vegetable plates. The spanakopita was solid: flaky phyllo dough filled with spinach and feta, a classic Mediterranean combination that worked well as a mezze-style starter. For dessert, we had the Greek yogurt with apricot, which was light, refreshing, and a perfect way to end the meal. The yogurt's creaminess paired nicely with the sweetness of the apricot, making it a satisfying but not overly heavy dessert. To accompany dessert, we ordered lavender mint tea, which was fragrant and calming--an excellent palate cleanser after several savory dishes.

    Megan B.

    This place was super hard to get into. Literally the doorway was packed with people. I went on a whim and was hopeful to get a seat at the bar. I had to wait about 15 mins but a spot opened up. I got a halloumi pide, octopus, and shish taouk. The cocktail had ouza and wasn't my favorite but it was different and had Moroccan mint. Everything was really good. The best thing was the shish taouk. The only thing I would have enjoyed more would have been more of the garlic toum. I loved the dishes and the decor. It was worth it and I would go back.

    Turkish coffee
    Nandi S.

    I got the lamb baharat, cauliflower, and imam baylidi-- these are the top favorites off the menu. I dont like other jose andreas restaurants in the area-- this place is 100% worth it though. The restaurant was my staple for consistency and effort. It was genuinely refreshing. Not a fan of the Turkish coffee, despite being a coffee fan. Service is good indoors, but they could do better. Ambiance inside is expensive and beautiful.

    Gheeda H.

    From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere and overall vibes were great. It is such a welcoming and lively spot, and the presentation of the food was beautiful which made my experience better. We ordered the whole fish which came with a fresh salad, sun dried tomatoes, and skordalia. Everything paired so well together and tasted incredibly fresh and flavorful. For dessert, we had the Turkish coffee chocolate cake and it was absolutely delicious, the perfect way to end a meal! Make sure to have a reservation because it gets busy. Overall it was a great experience and I cannot wait to be back!

    Bradley L.

    Great ambiance and service, and nothing to really complain about, the none of the food stood out to me. I came here with a friend we ordered 3 dishes each, with a flatbread and hummus to split. The best thing here in my opinion was the flatbread. Everything else sort of fell flat.

    Spanakopita
    Joseph S.

    I'd been to Zaytinya years ago, but couldn't remember what the food was like. We were visiting DC this weekend, and decided to try it out. We started with house made pita bread - or 'puffy pillows' as they're called. They came with a small dish of olive oil. Aesthetically, they look amazing! However, they have no flavor or taste- I know they're meant for dipping into various mezzes - but the olive oil didn't exactly adhere to the pita. We were disappointed we didn't have a solid, flavorful pita bread to begin our meal. Next up, the Spanakopita. I'm somewhat of a spanakopita aficionado. I worked downtown (DC) back in the '80s, and there was a cafeteria near the office that made incredible spanakopita-every day! I had it at least once or twice a week. I was expecting a square of crispy, flaky phyllo filled with a mixture of spinach, feta, onions etc. Instead they served what look like a little hot dog - a fried roll - that had a hard exterior (didn't even resemble phyllo) from being deep fried - it had a mostly spinach stuffing, with feta sprinkled on top, and a green sauce which was probably spinach as it had no flavor either. It was, to say the least, below average. Next, the Scallops with sweet corn and turmeric yogurt. I love scallops - my favorite had been at Aqua Grill in NYC. I know it's not easy to cook scallops - they must be dry - high heat and a very hot pan to sear them sufficiently. These scallops were 'seared' on each side for what appeared to be a few seconds - they had no char whatsoever on the outside and appeared almost raw inside. A good scallop has a deep brown sear on both sides and is cooked medium - the interior should be an opaque white color. See the attached picture - it's the saddest example of seared scallops I've ever seen. Well, we had one dish left - Lamb Chops. They brought the Lamb Chops and we each had one. Surprisingly it was very good - it was a very flavorful chop that was lean and juicy with plenty of meat! Luckily, the lamb chop 'salvaged' our meal. Based on its reputation, I expected much more from Zaytinya.

    Brussel sprouts
    Neil W.

    It was a nice museum day at DC, we were taking a friend who was from out of town around. We postponed lunch because we were very focused on the exhibits at the Natural History museum, and before we knew it, we were so hungry! We walked into Zaytinya at around 4pm with no reservation, and luckily it didn't look too crowded. However, we were told they needed the table back at 6. Perfectly fine, we were happy to be seated and weren't planning on taking that long. There were a good number of folks sitting at the bar socializing, but wasn't super loud in the restaurant, so it was nice to be able to hear each other. It took quite a while for someone to come check up on us... nobody asked if we wanted drinks, and and there weren't already water cups on the table either. There were waitstaff at the PoS waiting around, but either didn't see us raising our hands, or didn't bother because we weren't part of the tables they were in charge of. Eventually someone came to take our orders, must have taken about 7 minutes. After the order, they took off and... missed our ask for water again. It wasn't until our first dish came out that we managed to catch someone and ask for water. As for the food, we got the Tirokafteri goat cheese, smoked beet salad, bantijian bil laban eggplant, seared halloumi, Egg pastirma pide, brussel sprouts, the lamb leftiko, shish taouk, branzino, and Galatopita. The food was good, a little on the pricy side - the biggest disappointment was the halloumi.... we got just two pieces of halloumi. Crazy. It was a bummer that the olive oil cake was only part of the chef tasting menu, because we've had it before and it's incredible! A shame the service was quite slow, because we intended on eating and getting out of there before 6pm but it ended up taking that long before we could finally leave.

    Vicky R.

    Ordered the Brussels sprouts, the sautéed shrimp dish, and a cucumber mint refresher. The brussel sprouts were perfectly flavored and the yogurt helped give it a refreshing citrus touch. The cucumber mint refresher was a little too sweet for my liking and was lacking the mint aroma. The ambiance is great, I was able to get a seat outside and enjoy the sun. Service was amazing, my food came out in about 7 minutes after ordering. It's never been done before

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    Zaytinya Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Zaytinya

    What kind of dress?

    Nice, clean, casual dress is fine. No ball caps or ripped tee shirts.

    Is this place kosher?

    I am not sure, and I don't think so.

    Is there any heating outdoors?

    Yes there is!

    Can you do the tasting menu here for just one person? (I know I've seen that some places ask for a minimum of two people, but I would be solo.)

    They don't offer a tasting menu from we what I remember. Best time to go is during restaurant week when they offer $40 or 45 for a variety of dishes. Great deal in my opinion and you will be full for sure.

    Is the outdoor dining area covered or open?

    The majority of the outdoor dining area is covered for protection from the elements. But some areas are not. They may get some shade but if it rains, those areas will get wet.

    Are there vegan menu options?

    I'm almost certain a number of the small plates are vegan or could be made vegan if you ask for no yogurt on top (i.e. hummus, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, pilaf)

    Are reservations mandatory?

    No, you can grab seats at the bar or go on the waitlist. But reservations certainly help.

    Heaters on the patio?

    Yes ! And quite efficient too...Their patio set up is pretty nice with market lights :)

    Is the food halal?

    No it's not.

    What time is happy hour?

    4-6 pm Monday's -Friday's

    We do not have a reservation. Is there a bar and do they serve the same menu as they do at a table?

    Yes, the restaurant has a bar that is first come, first serve and the regular menu is available.

    Saturday night dinner dress code? I know it says casual, but sometimes it says that and people…

    Casual wear is just fine. A lot of people choose to go dressed nicely because it's a nice place and people seem to be celebrating special occasions. But I went on a Saturday night wearing khaki shorts and a t-shirt. They don't care as long as you… Read more

    Are any of the meat options halal?

    No, the lamb "might" be halal as most of the lamb at Jose Andres restaurants are from new Zealand, but it isn't listed on the menu as halal and the waiters have never been able to confirm it either.

    Do they have glúten-free options?

    Hi, Tomás - they have GF options, but it's not much - just ask your server and they will point out/circle which items can be made gluten-free.

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    Maydan - Roasted carrots

    Maydan

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    1.5 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.

    Photos
    Maydan - Wood oven front and center

    Wood oven front and center

    Maydan - Shrimp

    Shrimp

    Maydan - Spiced chocolate mousse

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    Spiced chocolate mousse

    ilili DC - pita pillows

    ilili DC

    4.4(730 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$

    Dining with my friend on Lebanese cuisine was a delightful culinary adventure filled with surprises…read moreand delights. Moussaka: A classic Lebanese dish. Eggplant and hummus were simmered until soft and flavorful, with a subtle smoky aroma. The addition of mint leaves enhanced the flavor. Bone Marrow: Beef tartare with bone marrow and pomegranate seeds--how interesting! The first two provided a rich, fatty texture and intense aroma, while the latter burst in your mouth occasionally, juicy, tangy, and refreshing. Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts with grapes, walnuts, fig jam, and mint yogurt--a whimsical yet magical combination... The Brussels sprouts offered a fresh, vegetal aroma and a slightly roasted aroma; the walnuts provided a nutty richness and crunch; the fruit provided a fresh sweet and sour taste and plenty of juice; and the yogurt acted as a binder between the flavors while adding a touch of minty coolness. Duck Shawarma: My friend and I thought: ...Peking duck? The skin was soft, the meat tender, not gamey, with a subtle smoky flavor; the fig and lemon sauce was sweet and refreshing; the small pita pillows held the meat securely, better than the lettuce what might have been too cold. Lamb Stuffed Grape Leaves: Black rice was wrapped in grape leaves and simmered with minced lamb. The rice absorbed the fragrance of the grape leaves, similar to lotus leaves (my friend and I thought: lamb version of sticky rice chicken糯米雞...?). The lamb, however, was served separately at the bottom of the pot and didn't absorb much flavor; overall, it was intensely sour. In short, this dish was a bit oddly designed, and it was the only one we didn't finish because the sourness was unbearable. Pita Bread: The bread was thin yet chewy, with a rough, slightly powdery surface, making it substantial and satisfying. I especially loved the "everything wrapped in a big pancake" style! This restaurant is located on the wharf near the Potomac River and boasts beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. The spring sunlight streamed in softly.

    Tried ilili DC recently and honestly loved the vibe as much as the food. The space feels upscale…read morewithout being stuffy, and the energy at The Wharf makes it a great dinner spot for a date night or group outing. The mezze was fresh and flavorful, especially the labneh and hummus, and the patatas bravas absolutely lived up to the hype. Service was attentive even though the restaurant was packed. It's definitely on the pricier side, but the atmosphere and quality made it worth it for a special night out.

    Photos
    ilili DC - Stylish dining room with greenery.

    Stylish dining room with greenery.

    ilili DC - Duck Shawarma

    Duck Shawarma

    ilili DC - Olive You Margarita and Keraz Carciofo Negroni.

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    Olive You Margarita and Keraz Carciofo Negroni.

    Ammoora - 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America by People Magazine & OpenTable

    Ammoora

    4.4(268 reviews)
    34.6 miInner Harbor
    $$$$
    Fine dining
    Outdoor seating

    All I can say is WOW. My dining partner and I had such an amazing experience here. First of all,…read morethe restaurant is gorgeous inside. We had an earlier dinner reservation so it wasn't as crowded at the beginning but was quite busy at the end. We tried a couple different cocktails and I loved both of mine - Ashta Affair and Asfar So Good. The Ashta Affair was sweet and creamy and the Asfar So Good was deliciously refreshing. My friend really enjoyed his Old Fashioned Date and had a fun experience trying the El Massaya Arak. For appetizers, we ordered Muhamara and Mousakhan Chicken Rolls. The Muhamara came with pita and was such a great dip. The chicken rolls were equally as good with their own sumac labneh dip we enjoyed. For entrees, we shared the Braised Lamb Shank and Makloubeh. The portions were large and the meat was tender. Neither were over seasoned and were absolutely delicious. We couldn't finish it all and saved the rest for leftovers - yum! We wanted to try their dessert and ending up getting the Ashta Bil Asal and Ruz Bil Karaz. The Ashta Bil Asal had cotton candy which made it a fun dessert to try and the Ruz Bil Karaz had a great caramelization coating. Neither were overly sweet which we preferred. It was such a great ending to our meal. I absolutely loved my experience here. Our server, Miriam, was friendly and attentive. We even chatted with the GM, Iman, who also made sure we were provided a great first experience. I cannot recommend this place enough for anyone who's looking for a boujee but amazing time!

    Ammoora is such a beautiful spot--definitely great for a nice night out. The vibe is upscale but…read morestill really welcoming. We went for my husband's birthday. We started with Arabic coffee and the Harra Wala cocktail--both were really good. The coffee was strong and flavorful, and the cocktail was unique and refreshing. For food, we ordered batata harra, beetroot hadiqa, lentil soup, saffron pita pie, and saffron rice. Everything was solid, but the saffron pita pie and batata harra were probably my favorites. The lentil soup was super comforting too. For dessert, we got the raspberry sorbet and baklava--perfect way to end the meal. The sorbet was light and refreshing, and the baklava was sweet and flaky. Service was great. Our server made sure we enjoyed our meal and was available to explain the menu options and checking on time to time if we need anything. Overall, a great experience. I'd definitely go back!

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    Ammoora
    Ammoora
    Ammoora

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    Cedars Of Lebanon - Lamb Kabob

    Cedars Of Lebanon

    4.6(134 reviews)
    10.6 mi

    The Cedars of Lebanon is an easily-overlooked cafe right on the corner of the Old Greenbelt…read moreShopping Center which is a lovely hidden gem. I spent every summer in this town, growing up, and I never discovered this restaurant until a precious friend brought me here a few years ago. It's a dated, though efficient, and charming, cafe with fresh dishes you might love. Firstly, if you plan on having lunch here on a Monday, make sure you are able to finish by 2:45 since they close by 3pm. All other days, they are open past 8pm. We started with the sweet potato soup despite the fact that the reviews for the lentil soup here are the highest. Yes! If it's featured: get it! The turmeric and coconut milk make this soup delightful. The herbs made it so fresh and there was just the right amount of sweetness and gentle heat. Parsley really adds to this recipe and I'm not usually a fan of this herb. The pitas are soft, thin and light. Love them. We needed to order more. I've never had such paper-thin pitas. Yum! I love love love the hummus, here. It is nothing short of divine. The flavors are fabulous and deeply complex. You can really taste the tahini. The olive oil is mild and delicious. I exclaimed, "the hummus was the best ever." And then 5 minutes later, I read a review by Yelper James H. where he says it's the best ever and, "... this hummus at Cedars of Lebanon might have ruined all other hummus for me forever." While I've had similar swooning feelings over the hummus at Lebanese Taverna in Tyson's Corner, this hummus is at least a top contender if not the metro DC area's hummus winner. The cucumber mint yogurt salad is nice, cold and refreshing. You can really taste the mint. I would order this yogurt salad with every meal. The falafel pizza is unusual and fresh. Straight away-- you can taste the tahini, parsley and couscous. The dough is grainy and natural. And there are radishes on this falafel pizza: not overpowering. For the $9 or so pricepoint, this dish is a true labor of love. To prep all of these vegetables, even with food processors, must take time. How novel of a dish! Put the yogurt salad on this pizza. You will thank me. And I only did it because I was watching someone else slather it on. There were at least 12 desserts on the menu. Meow. If we weren't so full of pita, hummus, tahini and fresh veggies, we certainly would love to taste a few of these. As well as the Turkish coffee, with an authentic ceramic and metal carafé presentation.

    Pretty easy, breezy no-frills restaurant…read more We stopped by Cedars of Lebanon, because it was one of the few places that had outdoor seating and was not full. The restaurant has a small outdoor dining area with three four-seater tables, which was find for our two dogs. The experience overall was pretty low key, which necessarily is not a bad thing. Although there is waiter/waitress service, you will have to order your food at the cashier's counter. Actually, maybe that's only a thing if you are dining outside. The menu has a nice mix of Middle Eastern dishes. I went with a beef (or maybe it was lamb) kabob plate. The portions were fine and my meal was pretty good. It was not out of this world amazing, but it got the job done. I thought that the prices were pretty good for the area and the amount of food received. Although the food was fine, I do not think that I would go out of my way (e.g., driving more than 30 minutes) to dine here. Just be aware that the restaurant does not serve alcoholic beverages.

    Photos
    Cedars Of Lebanon - Gorgeous wood stick art. Listening for the Whisperer by Artist Paul Downs.

    Gorgeous wood stick art. Listening for the Whisperer by Artist Paul Downs.

    Cedars Of Lebanon - Passion Fruit Custard

    Passion Fruit Custard

    Cedars Of Lebanon - Gorgeous wood stick art. Chief Red Cloud by Artist Paul Downs.

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    Gorgeous wood stick art. Chief Red Cloud by Artist Paul Downs.

    Mejana - Mixed grill

    Mejana

    4.1(928 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$$
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    I have been a long time fan/patron of MeJana b/c of the friendly, welcoming staff, beautiful…read moreambiance, and consistent delicious dishes. I especially appreciate the thoughtful presentation, tableware and glassware. One of my favorite go-tos for lunch is the Chicken Shawarma with salad. Light, healthy and tasty, presented on a board. Now that the weather is pleasant, try dining on the patio like I did today. Enjoy!

    9 years later and I am back- I have seen this place very busy on weeknights so I decided, it's time…read moreto go back. They pride themselves as a healthier spot and the food definitely reflected that. We started off with drinks (they only do happy hour at the bar) and got the Mojito and the mediteranean martini. Both were good but the purple mojito was definitely the star of the show. For appetizers we got the "fried" cauliflower and the hot appetizer platter. The cauliflower definitely felt more baked then fried and the portion was quite fair. The hot appetizer platter comes with 2 cheese rolls, 2 falafels, and two kibehs. I will say, for $17, I would love perhaps 3-4 of each item instead of just 2 each. The kibeh were super tasty and so were the cheese rolls, but the falafel were a bit dry. For our mains we got the lamb chops and the steak kabob - both were fantastic. Simple flavors but really well done on both ends, with both cuts of meat cooked to order. I will say, I would love a little bit more side veggies- especially for the $45 dollar lamb chops but I assume they expect you to order more sides like we did. Quick service, Arlington prices, a bit cold inside on a cold day. Will definitely be back to try more!

    Photos
    Mejana - Patio

    Patio

    Mejana
    Mejana - Bar

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    Bar

    Nabiha

    Nabiha

    4.3(24 reviews)
    1.5 miU Street Corridor

    What an absolute amazing dinner that ended on live music performances by various artists…read more I was suppose to meet a friend at Nabiha's after a long time. I was very hungry that day, so hungry that I didn't even wait to take a picture for yelp. I ordered the appetizer sampler and the makloubeh. I think my friend ordered fattet jajj. Everything was delicious though I couldn't focus much on the food since I was catching up with my friend after a long time. After we finished the entrees, we ordered kunefe for dessert and it was amazing. A proper end to the meal. Then we heard live music coming out of the other hall and the owner was kind enough to let us sit wherever we wanted to listen to the performances. The staff of Nabiha is delightful and they made sure that me and my friend are well taken care of. More than a restaurant this felt like visiting a friend's home. 5/5 must try!

    Been eyeing this place for a while and finally got around to trying it! We ordered the Chicken…read moreFreekeh Maqlouba and the Fattet Jaj. The Fattet Jaj was okay, the rice was a little clumpy, but the Freekeh was pretty good and tasted authentic. It's also connected to El Secreto de Rosita, so there's a combined menu and you can order from either place, which gives you plenty of options. The service was great; our waitress was very sweet and welcoming. The ambiance was chill, and there was live music playing, which was fun to watch. Overall, a cozy spot for a relaxed night with good vibes and live music.

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    Nabiha
    Nabiha - Babousa

    Babousa

    Nabiha

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    Zaytinya - greek - Updated May 2026

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