Balqees

This is an excellent restaurant, with friendly service and delicious food. Good news is that they're holding regular hours in the day, despite extended hours in the evening for Ramadan. Having not eaten all day, we ordered tabblouleh, baba ghanoush, kibdah, fahsa with saltah, and mint tea. The servings were large, fresh, and delicious, with the right balance of spices across the board. It all was accompanied by a very generous serving of fresh bread to go with it. The tea was served in a very large thermos pot, and was at least double the size of the teapots (for two) served in other establishments. The service was attentive, prompt, and very welcoming!In short, the food was excellent all round, with fresh dates offered at the end for the holiday time. We plan to return again soon, as the weather warms a bit, to enjoy the seating outside (with firepits). The restaurant itself is being renovated and expanded, and is looking modern and upbeat! We're fans!

Had been eyeing this place for a while and finally gave it a try for lunch w/ a friend. We ordered the following:- fattoush salad: delicious! Perfect balance of acid from the lemon juice and spice. I would've like a few more crispy pieces, but overalls very taste. - cheese manakeesh: pretty good. - hummus: standard, served with huge piece of freshly baked bread. - lamb mandi: the lamb was very tender, but the dish was missing *something* -- it would've really benefited from a tomato based gravy or some time or yogurty-minty-lemony sauce to accompany because the lamb shank and the rice together were a tad dry. There was only one waitress, who was also the cashier, so be prepared to wait a little while to order.

One of the best kept secrets in the DMV! When people find out how good the food is and how great the ambiance. They just installed HUGE TVs and screens outside to make it even more cosy for games and events. Tips1) Open late and kitchen does NOT close early.2) Some of the best Middle Eastern food in the area. 3) We get the Chicken Mandi almost every time4) Fasa - a must try 5) Kunafa - my favorite - period; we come here late at night just for this... I live in DC 6) I forgot to order the Mint Lemonade this time but never again 7) SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT THESE FOLKS!Bonus: the service could use some improvements, but they are providing opportunities for folks, so pls be patient with them. - I think they are working on it!

Flavorful dishes and friendly service. Got the chicken and veggie tajin with a side of bread ($21) and the haneeth lamb with rice and a side salad ($28). The entrees were zesty and very big portions. The indoor space is just your typical restaurant but the outside dining and hookah area is covered and spacious--perfect for dining al fresco.

What an amazing food. I highly recommend it. Service was great. We went with my family. The quality of lamb was exceptional

Yemeni cuisine, with Lebanese and Moroccan dishes on the menu. We tried the Mandi Chicken, couldn't resist the many delicious pictures on other reviews, and we didn't regret it! The chicken was mildly spiced, and the rice aromatic, it melts in the mouth! We also tried the kofta kebab, not a fan; dry and bland. Kebbeh on the other hand was very good, these are a sort of deep fried breaded meatballs, spicy and very aromatic. Overall it was worth the discovery; a cultural immersion, complete with patrons audibly doing their prayers in a corner reserved for that. Service is super friendly, I would recommend it.

The food was so delicious the portions were also very generous! The service was the best! The girl in the front was awesome and made us feel so welcome! The place has cute aesthetics and even have outdoor seating areas. I orders the lamb and it was soooo good and well cooked I am 100% going to come back and try more items

I've been here twice - the first time I came when the new hookah room opened up and they had a ladies night on a weekday to promote it (august 2023). Service was really slow but they did come to check in you and converse which I appreciated. Dessert was delicious. I dined in Monday night in the main dining area, got there at 7:15 and the place got busy around 8. The service is insanely slow - I ordered a chicken Mandi and a mint lemonade. He remembered I had a mint lemonade yet never came back with it lolll so no drink. 45 min wait after you order isn't acceptable, especially when drinks aren't even brought out. Then when asking for takeout boxes we had to wait a while at the payment counter and no one was addressing us bc they were busy. I wanted to go to the hookah room and grab dessert after as well but was unable to since it was already 9:15pm and I wanted to get home. The food was delicious and seasoned well, however service is not great - I would rather come during the day when I can waste a few hours and not care how long things take, or just do carry out and take the food to-do ; do not recommend dine-in.FYI - parking isn't great but it's like that for most places nearby in that area. Also, they automatically add in a fee (grateful he told us so I didn't have to give extra tip - this brought my total for one order of chicken Mandi out to $27 ... for one entree and no drink bc it was forgotten lol).

I been to this place few times and every time I been served with a broken dish which is very unpleasant and it's not fair to pay high amount and be served with a broken dish

The beautiful Instagram worthy pictures were taken inside the room that had the Iftar buffet. The indoor seating was very limited. You definitely have to make a reservation and have paid before coming to join the buffet. We were a party of four and paid about $175 for the buffet. The food was delicious and mouthwatering, but a little bit expensive for a buffet in a room if you ask me. The lamb & basmati rice was yummy. Seasoned perfectly & lamb was tender & mouthwatering. Rice pudding was tasty & sweet. Omg their stroganoff was delicious and to die for. Their salad was fresh & yummy. Really the whole iftar buffet was great. The service was OK, the young lady would help seat everyone. So make sure you reserve early and paid in advance and arrive early if attending the Iftar buffet.