“When indecisive, go for the chefs table which includes all of the apps but also an extra tasting per course. Aside from the food which was near perfect, the ambiance is very unique outside dining in a semi enclosed courtyard, railyard bar, and dining in a lodge-like room with fireplace. Some of my favorite dishes were the veggies, surprising because I'm more of a meat eater. Cocktails were excellent but do ask the bartender since not all liquor is documented. Wine list is extensive“
“Our server, Frank was incredibly welcoming and kind. We had some lovely conversation with him throughout the meal and enjoyed the service, courses, and the overall atmosphere. Each course was paired well with Audrey's Wine pairing and the dishes were stunning.“
“Coming from Arabic Family and growing partially in an Arab country I am very critical when it comes to Arabic food. I must say Ilili didn’t disappoint ! The food is actually ESPECTACULAR! I traveled to my childhood memories with every bite. The hummus with pine nuts and mushrooms is delicious, and the shawarma duck and fried kibbeh so good. Please do yourself a favor and close with a KNAFE“
“Brunch options 4 stars, with a varied drinks and food menu to appease all tastes. Vegetarian options included as well.The patio seating is gives a good view of the street, but my experience was ruined by an unwelcome visitor, shouting expletives and yielding a deadly umbrella in my face. Fortunately, the excellent staff and food came rescued a potentially scary situation. Recommend indoor seating, or a stronger security presence for the patrons seated outside.Value worth it and the drinks are next level.Dietary restrictions: Paid attention to food allergies“
“This is a gem of a spot in Cleveland Park! I discovered it one day and now I’m a regular and have started bringing my friends. Who all have said they wanna come back. The restaurant is small, but intimate and the food is amazing. The Scallops are a must try. Every time I’ve gone and sat at the bar and have always had an amazing experience. Kyle & Victor are so knowledgeable on their wines and just make the experience 10x better. The playful pairings on the menu are also another highlight and a lot of fun. Definitely a spot worth checking out!“
“I liked everything about this place. The food was authentic and deliciously prepared. Though portions were small, I didn't feel slighted. And the atmosphere felt like it was in the Mediterranean, right down to the quaint water closet bathrooms.And, the staff was super friendly and attentive.“
“We had the best time at KooKoo DC last night. They accommodated a table of 14 for my spouse's birthday and never let us feel like an imposition. The food was so fresh, authentic, and reasonably priced - I did a double take when we got the bill. I even felt like we went all-out with apps, drinks, and desserts! The owner was also so kind - we just felt so cared for the whole time and can't wait to visit again.“
“Hands down one of the best brunch meals I've ever had. I got the batata with toum and harissa, fried halloumi with apple compote and pistachio, and scrambled egg sandwich with grilled soujak. Ali was very attentive, noticed anytime I ran out of water or even napkins. Friendly and accommodating staff, bold ambience, and mouthwatering courses!“
“Cute spot located very close to union station. Came in for dinner on a week night and the place was decently busy. The server was kind and attentive. For food, I had the lamb shawarma which was very tasty and actually the perfect amount of food, although the pita bread that came with was pretty dry. My friend got the lamb sliders which also looked pretty good!“
“Dinner at the bar. Something to try even if they are booked.Highly recommend the mussels with chorizo. The sauce and the spice are top notch. The pork tenderloin sandwich is out of the world.Red light cocktail was great as well as trying thing with a custom wine flight. Great staff. Forgot the pics! But get the mussels ?“
“Love the bottomless brunch - lots of delicious small plates (small portions, order multiple if very hungry), great service, nice atmosphere, and lots of vegetarian options. Got the olives, bread, hummus, baba ganoush, brussel sprouts, red lentil soup, a spinach eggs Benedict, potatoes, french toast, and more - Can't wait to go back!“
“Another delicious meal - I frequented the original location and I have visited the trendy and welcoming CR NoMA more than any other sit-down restaurant in DC. How is the Pastrami Poblano even better, each time I order? Perfectly runny egg, soft and toasted ciabatta, delicious crispy spiced fries. The cigars appetizer are not to be missed. Weather you choose the wines, beers, cocktails or mocktails, you are in for a good time. Thanks Oded and team for making our night out a great one!“
“The food was sooo fresh and delicious, down to the fresh made lemonade and mango juices we got. Such a home cooked meal feel, with tender halal meat, fresh baked naan, and crispy kibbeh. Service was amazing and the owner treated us like family. I can't wait to go back and try their kenafa and more dishes!“
“Zaytinya…wow what can I say about this INCREDIBLE place? I want to start off by saying that I am allergic to all nuts (except peanuts), tahini, and I’m also vegetarian. This itself makes me stray from ALL Mediterranean places because most of their dishes have these things in them, and let me tell you before you tell me, I am missing out on some good stuff!My group of 14 & I dined here recently on Saturday, April 13th on the top floor. My friend called ahead for a large group & had the menu picked out in advance. My birthday was just a few days before so he also mentioned that to the restaurant & they added it to our personal menus! What a sweet & personable touch! To make it easier on our waiter, we split the table up by vegans/vegetarians on 1 side & meat-eaters on 1 side. By the way, BIG SHOUT OUT to our server, Elvis!! He somehow remembered everyone’s allergies & dietary restrictions and remembered whose drinks go where if someone switched their seats briefly. Elvis, I don’t know what to tell you, other than that you made my dining experience at a restaurant where I normally am not able to eat anything, so memorable that I will literally never forget it. He brought out dishes that accommodated everyone, and then if a vegetarian dish had tahini or pine nuts in it, he would bring me the same dish without it. This was for ALL courses, from the appetizers to dinner and even to dessert! I seriously cried happy tears on the inside!Anyways, everything here was absolutely fantastic. I’m still dreaming of so many dishes - the labneh, toum, the bread, fattoush, crispy Brussels, mujadara, and more. While it was mine & my husband’s first time dining here, a few others have dined here before and have raved about it. I can definitely say, that I am another happy & raving guest and will be recommending this restaurant for years to come. Can’t WAIT to be back!“
“All of our appetizers and our two pizzas was a real food experience. The creations and presentation were outstanding. We had a large variety and each dish was amazing . The pistachio baklava cheesecake was over the top. Staff very friendly too❤️“
“Hands down one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at and probably the best in Washington D.C. Started with the sensational mushroom shish and the perfectly grilled octopus, followed by two remarkable entrees, Aleppo Smoked Chicken and the Cherry Lacquered Shortrib. Absolutely stunning combination of flavors. It’s a phenomenal restaurant in all ways. Excellent wine list and exceptional team.“
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at this establishment and I must say, the manti here is absolutely delightful! The flavors were rich and authentic, and the texture of the dumplings was perfect. The portion size was generous, and the service was impeccable. I highly recommend trying the manti here for a truly satisfying culinary experience. Can't wait to come back for more!“
“Love this gourmet shop & market! The wine and cheese selection is excellent. Plus my 10yo loves & loves their olive blend and focaccia. Nido is our stop for a special evening together. Also, the owners are just lovely and know their product really well. 100% Recommended!!!“
“The food was really good - couldn’t be faulted! Service was excellent too.My only gripe was the amount of single use plastic items in the cafe. Everything from the plate to the cup to the cutlery was disposable. We need to do better by our planet.“
“Stopped by with two kiddos on a weeknight and the service was impeccable. Aside from having the usual parking issues - Connecticut Ave is sometimes difficult- we had no issues finding it. It's on a row with a lot of options but we (I) wanted hummus so here we were! The service and greeting were great? Our waiter was thorough and advised of the best items on the menu as well as allowed us to take out time ordering. We tried the pita bread with olive oil which was a little bland and required salt and pepper-but the pita itself was warm perfection. We also tried the artichoke hearts, which were amazing and the dressing was so good, the kids tried to eat it with a spoon! I typically don't eat after 7 and since it was much later, I ordered a salad with tabouleh and falafel, of which I finished one. The falafel was a little dry, which didn't make for a great reheating experience but on day one it was great! The kids both ordered the kids meal with falafel which is massive and comes with hummus and rice or fries. He let my picky water get a salad instead which worked nicely. There were a ton of leftovers and we are hearty eaters. I will just say the falafel and tabouleh salad doesn't reheat very well. The tabouleh is as expected, quite wet and if I'd had space to eat it on day one, it would have been a 5/5. As such, I'd give it a solid 4.3. It wilted almost completely in 12 hours even after separating the falafel. But we would go back, the menu is expansive, the service was very good, and the ambiance is perfect for a date night at any point! The high backed booths lend and aura of privacy and the high ceilings swallow conversation in a way that allows you to relax and really talk. Definitely a good restaurant design! If you like Lebanese/Mediterranean food, you won't be disappointed!“
Greek • $
“The food was excellent----2 -lamb plates and 1-shrimp plate. The lemon potatoes were different and delicious. The warm pita bread and humus was a great appetizer while we waited on our order. This was a great little place for lunch after a trip to College Park IKEA--very close. Only counters---no tables, but food is worth it.“
“Great restaurant with even greater customer service. Food was great and the atmosphere was unbelievable.Vegetarian options: Vegetarian options available.Dietary restrictions: Lots of non dairy options for lactose intolerant peopleParking: It can get very busy during Jummah prayer (Friday prayer)Kid-friendliness: Yes; super kid friendly.“
“Opened the shop 10 minutes after closing to make me a chicken shawarma to go on New Year’s Eve. Staff are always kind. Food is quick, generously-portioned, affordable, and delicious. I like having the option to eat outside when the weather is nice. A Cleveland Park gem for sure!“
“I’ve been wanting to visit this restaurant since I moved to DC, and we finally went for brunch. LOVED the ambiance and that was the main star of the visit, service was on point, the food not so much.I got the Salmon Cavlax, my partner got French toast and our friend got the chicken sandwich, I’d say all of us were disappointed in what we got. See the pictures and you be the judge, underwhelming food for the price and for the places reputation with that being said we would give them a second chance for a different menu and see if the experience changes.“
“My wife and I were stuck in Washington, DC because of a weather related airplane cancellation. Since it was Christmas Day, our options for dinner were limited. We were very pleased to have chosen the Ottoman taverna. The food was phenomenal. The service was impeccable and I would recommend this to anybody looking for a dining experience in Washington, DC. While it is certainly not cheap, it is not terribly expensive either. The food was unbelievably delicious. Oddly, our Lyft driver who delivered us to the door happened to be Turkish and was telling us how great the place was as we arrived.“
“We came to D.C. for a couple days from AZ and my son wanted Italian. I sent my Mom some options in many different areas and she chose this place, and I’ll admit when we were dropped off in this area, I wasn’t quite sure, but we decided to go in, and were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed an amazing meal! I got the Gnocchi with Meat Sauce, my Mom enjoyed Ravioli with cream sauce, and my son said his spaghetti with meat sauce was one of the best! We go out to eat A LOT, and am glad we gave this little place a try.“
“Amani, the most gracious hostess greeted with the most enormous smile one can get just before mind blowing ambiance experience at this magical place. The owner of this place is going to get so much business just because of her amazingly genuine welcome to Villa Yaara by the hostess Amani. I’m sure the food and the service will be at par as well so that we could rate it five star as well.Parking: Metered Parking.“
“It was a beautiful early springlike day when I dined here so I requested a table outside. The food was delicious - I had the brussel sprouts appetizer and the chicken tagine. Excellent flavors in both. My server was very kind and helpful. I splurged on the crunch bar dessert which was delightful! I will definitely return for another meal.“
“I ordered catering from Big Greek Cafe for my son’s baptism. The food was amazing, and my family and friends could not stop complimenting the spread. Everyone went back for multiple plates; huge portions and lots of leftovers. Petros and his staff were such a pleasure to work with. Fresh food and quality customer service!“
“First time in this Greek restaurant in Alexandria.On recommendation, we went to this restaurant for the Easter meal.Well decorated restaurant, welcoming and helpful staff.For this special day, there was of course lamb (which was cooking on the barbecue on the terrace!!).The meal was very good. The wines too, with the advice of the waiter.There was also music, it was a very nice atmosphere.A very nice restaurant where we are comfortable and we eat well.To do without hesitation!(Lunch meal on March 31)“
“I was there for the opening day and it was wonderful. The staff are so friendly and had huge smiles on their faces. The line moved quickly and the food was delicious and made exactly to order. The soup was still piping hot when I got back to the office. So happy they finally opened a location in Union Station.“
“Grabbed a bowl for lunch and left full and satisfied with another half of the bowl still to eat. The portions they scoop into your bowl are quite generous and the chicken and steak shawarma were both tasty. I grabbed a chocolate chip cookie as well which was quite good. I must call out the staff as well. They were all pleasant and friendly even during the busy lunch hours.“
“We came in with a group of 8 (that grew to 10) and they were very polite and accommodating. Even with a big group, the waiter took the time to break down the menu because it was our first visitOur food came pretty quickly and everything was delicious.“
“This restaurant is located outside of the mall next to Five guys. Clean location with friendly staff and fresh ingredients. Everything was in stock. I ordered the falafel and personally didn’t like it because I found it kind of tough and dry. I’ve ordered chicken kebab and lamb here in the “
“Mideterranean cusine, pure and simple. You step in the restaurant and the first thing that hits you is the warm smell of a home cooked meal. We ordered the appetizers platter, which is good for two people. Everything tasted like it should be. The beef shawarma, the salmon salad, and the falafel platter all tasted good.As for the atmosphere, it's clean, chic and welcoming. The prices are very reasonable, not as crazy as Lebanese Taverna or other high-end Mediterranean spots. Service was excellent and the food came out quickly.I am definitely coming back for other other specialties and the amazing dining atmosphere. 5 star rating it is.“
“Excellent customer service and yummyFresh food from Downtown silver spring Cava. I usually get chicken bowl and the food is amazing the ingredients are always fresh and especially Vicky, she has been a phenomenal manager. Always super friendly and helpful. This cava is amazing, great atmosphere as well. Yo I recommend this location to anyone in the Downtown silver spring area!!“
“This was a fantastic Italian restaurant. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, the food was amazing, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting.I came here on a date. The staff gave us a great table. We could really take in the atmosphere and it wasn't loud where they put us, so we could easily have a conversation.I had the daily specials. All of them. I stuffed myself to capacity. It was great. The wine pairing was recommended by the waiter and it was a perfect compliment to the meal. My date was a vegetarian and the staff happily worked with her to ensure her order fit her dietary restrictions. I will definitely be coming back.“
“Nice bookstore slash restaurant Cafe. Plenty of space to work and eat or both. Strong wifi as well.The art decorations are amassing. It's almost like being in a gallery. Service is chill, mostly younger with a chill, friendly demeanor - I like it.I ordered the creole shrimp which was sad in terms of portion. It was $18 for a scoop of rice, several pieces of shrimp and vegetable tomato sauce. Want really good nor really bad just meh. I felt it was overpriced. Plus the shrimp could've been cooked more. But the presentation was beautiful.All in all it's a nice cafe. And I'd recommend coming here to read our but books, drink a coffee and work, but not the food. A bit overpriced for what you get.“
“Came here for dinner and was very impressed. Everything was fantastic. The atmosphere is cozy and not too noisy. The service was great, and the timing was appropriate. All of the food was prepared well and tasted great. I had the Kabobs, which were tender and juicy, and there was plenty leftover to box up. I definitely recommend coming here if you haven't already.“
“Me and husband recently got food from this carry out spot during a late night after we finished a concert in DC. The food was tasting delicious and fresh, even though it was late night!?The staff were nice as well. Please give this spot a try, if you get the chance!?“
Mediterranean • $
“This food was delicious. I was so surprised at how fast my order was prepped and how fresh everything was. The staff were all very kind given that it was my first time and I was a little clumsy figuring out what I wanted and if I was going for a bowl or pita. But the falafel pita was so good that I considered visiting twice in one day.“
“I came here for a networking event and I ordered the greens salad which was bomb! It was so fresh and that pomegranate vinaigrette was tasty and lemony. The staff was so kind and accommodating. The design of the restaurant was also so pretty! I loved the women empowerment buttons everywhere.“
“Mezeh is one of my favorite places to eat out. I go to Mezeh at least once a week. Authentic and healthy choices to choose from the menu. The staff is very polite and courteous and makes you feel appreciated. I wish more food franchise were like this Mezeh at Richie Station. Hopefully more people can come and experience the great taste of food and services.“