The Most Scrumptious Halal in Washington

Bantam King

★★★★☆ 4 (997) • $$

"Decent $12 lunch special for ramen, close to work and convenient. Service is quick and pleasant. I'm not a fan of the "hole in the wall" aesthetic. It's one thing to be one, but another thing to literally just not spruce up the place... at all. School chairs for seats is insane for a dine in experience outside of a school. Anyway, I will go back for the affordable ramen for lunch during the cold season my food was tasty and hearty and the vibe of the place is chill and you can tell everyone's letting their hair down."

Ravi Kabob House

★★★★☆ 4.1 (851) • $$

"The place is a bit tight, but clean. Parking is so-so at best.But the food and service are top notch. My family and I have tried several of the dishes here and have really liked them all.Reasonably priced also.Worth a visit."

Simply Banh Mi

★★★★★ 4.5 (659) • $

"This sandwich is EVERYTHING!... Lemongrass Tofu Banh Mi with crispy eggplant. Please follow the rules. You must order your food online... and yes they are located in a basement. But seriously, the sandwich is amazing"

ilili Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (614) • $$$

"WOW! Finally a memorable dining experience out of all of these places that have popped up in the last 3-5 years. DC has done Mediterranean well with spots like Zaytinya.. Ambar.. heck even The Greek Spot, and Ilili is no disappointment! Service was slightly confusing because it seemed like i had 2 waiters until one just stopped checking on me.. dont know if they got their wires crossed or what but my waitress was great. My water glass never went empty thanks to the bussers. I started with the Tabbouleh and Chankleesh, which was deeelicious- i'd never had it before but it was a great starter and went really nicely with the duck shawarma. That duck shawarma... oh man. The duck was perfect and the accompaniments took it over the top. The prawns fell kinda flat in comparison but they were well-executed and a great size! My cocktails were delicious. 5 stars all around for Ilili!"

Raouche Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (565) • $$

"Speaking for dine in experience: We came here and it was pretty crowded on a Sunday afternoon. The lady that sat us down said we could choose any table we'd like to sit at, but the tables weren't cleaned off (that's where my star deduction comes off) Other than that, the service was very fast! Here's what we ordered:LENTIL SOUP This one knocked it out of the park. I've never had such flavorful lentil soup that adds a squeeze of lemon. Would order again!BABA GANOUSHThe texture was well blended yet you knew it was still eggplant and garlic. This went really well with the combo plate and side salad. It came with Pita bread but it's definitely NOT fresh... it was dry and lacking in fluffiness COMBO KEBAB PLATE Comes with a side salad which was nice; I loved the chicken kebab, it was so juicy. The kufta was a little dry but still flavorful. I'm not sure what nuts were in there but it worked really well with the rice (attn: nut allergy). They also give you a garlic butter on the side which amped up the flavor profile of the dish. Overall I would definitely come here again! I hope next time they would have cleaner tables upon entry and better pita but other than that, it's great. I'd like to give their sandwiches and fries a shot too!"

Fava Pot

★★★★★ 4.6 (468) • $$

"Been wanting to try this Egyptian restaurant for a while now, and was excited to find the time to try it out. A cozy atmosphere with less of a sit-down vibe, and more of a to go vibe with its to go screen by the door and QR code menus on the table, but it seemed owner was present so we felt sufficiently welcomed by her warm and friendly service. She was able to identify what would suit us as first-time customers and really helped us navigate this menu. She also took our order for us, which was kind.We were able to take advantage of their weekday happy hour (ends at 6pm) where all alcohol was 50% off, including full wine bottles. Thoroughly enjoyed the red we ordered, Avalon.The hummus was excellent and we were excited to try the falafels that were made from Fava beans. We were provided extra naan too!The mixed grill platter was an excellent introduction to how well they grill their meats. The chicken was flavorful and tender. The beef was tasty and juicy. The potatoes were good enough as a meal of their own. Would definitely come back to try more of their menu!"

Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (460) • $$

"Ordered delivery. Everything was pretty tasty but favorites were ayeb and eggplant. Different flavors than some other Ethiopian restaurants."

Arlington Kabob

★★★★★ 4.6 (414) • $$

"One of my favorite kabob restaurants in the DMV area! Ordered the salmon & beef platter and it was so flavorful and delicious!"

Pappe

★★★★☆ 4 (541) • $$$

"Met up with a friend here for their happy hour. We didn't have reservations, but it was pretty empty when we arrived, so we were sat right away. I was greeted immediately upon entry, which was nice. I love the decor in the restaurant; it's so chic and modern - with the dim lighting, this would also be a cute spot for a date night. Their happy hour menu has a good selection and is actually decently priced. The only thing that was disappointing was they were out of the lamb samosas for the evening, but aside from that, everything else went smoothly. My favorite dish from the evening BY FAR was the mussels - that curry broth was so flavorful, I wanted to drink it straight from the bowl. I also liked the old fashioned that I ordered. Overall, I enjoyed my experience here. This is a solid option for a happy hour if you're in the area."

Sheesh Grill - Chantilly

★★★★☆ 4.4 (447) • $$

"5 stars in one of the best vegetarian dishes I've ever tasted in this area. Yeah I was a person who ordered the Cauliflower Shawarma so you didn't have to, LOL. It was so flavorful and nutritious, and I didn't feel bad eating them afterwards and undo the workout I just did at Hotworx next door."

Bawadi Mediterranean Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (509) • $$

"Well if your GPS takes you around to the back parking lot like mine did, it might look rather unassuming BUT go INSIDE! You will not be disappointed!The pita is made fresh in house in a wood fired oven! You pass it as you head to the inside seating area. There's also an outside area and they have hooka too The food is buffet style with different hot options depending on the day. Kabobs, roasted chicken and rice seem to be staples. Then different stews and rice. Salad, hummus, tzatziki, and babaganush are cold option staples. Different coffees, espresso, tea, FRESH lemonade (gotta try it!) as well as canned sodas.Deserts are plentiful variety of baklava and other sweets I can't remember the name of. They are all delicious.Folks are friendly and happy to explain the different foods if you're not familiar.We'll be back again for sure!"

Bistro Aracosia

★★★★★ 4.7 (362) • $$$

"My normal place was closed, so I tried out this spot. I opted for delivery because who wants to drive into the city on Sunday/first pro football day of 2024? I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED! The food was perfect! I opted for vegetarian dishes so I could take them to work throughout the week with the middle eastern meatballs I had already prepared. The pairing and flavors were amazing. Would I order from therm again? ABSOLUTELY!"

Bansari Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.4 (356) • $$

"Upscale Indian. Restaurant is so cute, while you can get carry out it would be a shame to miss the ambiance of the restaurant. Don't miss the chili cheese naan!!"

La Tingeria

★★★★★ 4.7 (302) • $

"La Tingeria in Falls Church is an awesome spot that truly shines with its taco offerings. Despite its small size and limited seating, the cozy atmosphere only adds to its appeal!The menu is a taco lover's dream, featuring a selection that caters to a range of tastes. From the juicy carne asada to the perfectly spiced al pastor, each taco is crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients.The variety of salsas and toppings available ensures you can customize your tacos to your liking! The service is friendly and efficient, though the small space means it can get busy--so be prepared for a bit of a wait during peak times. All in all, La Tingeria delivers a memorable taco experience that's well worth a shot!"

VA Kabob House - Springfield

★★★★☆ 3.9 (433) • $$

"One of my go to kabob restaurants in the area! Really good food and great customer service. Staffs are always very nice and friendly! If you have large orders they always help you carry the items to your car. I always have a great experience every time I go there."

Sheesh Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (356) • $$

"Huge fan of Sheesh. I've been coming to Mosaic to get my hair done for over a year and if it's during a time when I need to grab a meal, Sheesh is at the top of the list. My faves are clearly (I mean, look at my pics. Haha) the chicken kabob platter with the juicy flavorful chicken, spinach, chickpeas, and rice. Love the green/hot sauce but will also use the other sauce as well.The burger was such a surprise to me. I got it just 2 weeks ago (oh yeah, I get my hair done every other week) for the second time and it was as good as I remembered. Really SO many delicious spices that it's better than a "regular" burger. I get it with fries which are super crunchy, just how I like them. Pro-tip: You can pay with the inKind app and take advantage of the deals they give and it's so convenient. I will be coming back."

Marib Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (332) • $$

"Well lit dining area with Middle Eastern music softly playing in the background. It was my first time having Yemeni food. Our server was very patient and described some of his favorite dishes and the ones we were questioning. I got the Sautéed shrimp, very flavorful. I thought it was gonna be spicy, but it wasn't. I finished my meal with Shai' Adeni (Yemeni tea)- it was amazing and I'd honestly come back just for that!My sister had the Fahsa Salta (lamb stew). She liked the flavor and the big chunks of lamb in the dish. I don't like lamb, but the stew was good. There is a plate of dates on each table. They were soft and sweet."

New Dynasty

★★★★☆ 3.8 (379) • $$

"New Dynasty is a great Chinese food spot on P St (Dupont). Since 1992, they've offered authentic and delicious food. I'm always looking for quick spots to grab food, and really enjoyed their veggie lo mein. The service was great, and the manager was very kind. A cute place to come on a date or with friends."

Cafe Divan

★★★★☆ 3.5 (433) • $$

"We shared a chicken sandwich and pide (Turkish pizza) along with some Turkish mint tea. The food tasted good and the chicken was juicy even before adding some yogurt sauce. There were a bunch of other things I would happily try next time when in the area."

Haifa Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (310) • $$

"Driving here put me in a bad mood haha The awkward turns to get into the parking lot and then finding out the parking lot is very small and incomplete... whew, I had to park in the lot next door. I wasn't sure what to expect inside after that fiasco, but wow, i'm glad I made it inside. I got the Chicken Shawarma Shrak, all spreads and toppings included (pickles on the side). This was one of the BEST Chicken Shawarma wraps I've ever had in the area. A lot of places make it too dry, but Haifa's was moist and full of flavor. Very generous in size too.Worth the headache of driving and parking there, I promise you!"

Kabobistan

★★★★☆ 4.2 (292) • $$

"The owner of the place is super friendly, and the sides are really good! I usually have the lamb chops which is always a big hit. I leave the place nice and full and definitely come back when I'm in the area"

Sacrificial Lamb Kabobs & Wraps

★★★★☆ 3.6 (370) • $

"Wow, been a long time since I wrote a review. This place deserves some praise. It is a tiny restaurant that requires you to walk down some steps to enter. There are some tables, but this is mostly a to-go spot. The owner told me as much and said 95% of their orders are for takeout. You can eat there, but don't expect spectacular ambiance. There isn't much parking, I double parked on the two occasions I picked up.The food is amazing. I have had my fair share of Indian food in my life, and this ranks up there. I feel like chicken Tikka masala is a good measuring stick, and this was excellent. Sauce had spice and depth to it, even the texture was nice and thick yet smooth, with tender chunks of chicken. All the dishes we got were great. My cousin got a vegetarian dish that she loved, I forget the name. Butter chicken was on point. The second time around I got the Chicken Kali Mirch. Excellently seasoned sauce with tons of flavor and spice. Once again big pieces of perfectly cooked chicken. Their rice is not dry and the Naan is fluffy. My mom got some lamb kabob, nice pieces of meat. And the samosas were on point too.Prices are perfectly reasonable. Definitely worth a visit."

City Kabob-Arlington

★★★★☆ 4.1 (283) • $$

"Soooo goooooood! The naan was so fresh and fluffiest I ever had. I loved that it wasn't greasy. The chickpeas are really good, it was my favorite. I will definitely be back!"

The Kabob Joint

★★★★☆ 4 (293) • $

"This place in my opinion is a hidden gem. I got introduced to it by my sisters last year and have gone back at least once every month. That spicy chicken Kati roll has me in a choke hold. The perfect amount if spicyness and flavor in every bite. The pictures do not do it justice but two of these rolls will get you filled. It is a ghost kitchen so you have to order online and go and pick it up to eat at home or elsewhere. Service is always on point when I go. Would highly recommend if you ever want a little Indian & Pakistani flavors with Mexican."

Yummy Kabob

★★★★☆ 3.8 (320) • $$

"Good food, kind of awkward experience. I had been wanting to try this place because it's in such an unusual location and it's near the Cross County Trail (not a lot of businesses are). They really seemed like they didn't want me to eat there. They handed me the food to go when I wanted to eat it there. I asked if there was some kind of outside patio where I could eat, and they said no. Then I noticed the cool indoor/outdoor hookah space (which I'd seen online.) I was like, "can I eat there?" They were like ........"oh yeah, sure."I got out there and they turned the music off. Totally strange vibe. This was around 3 pm, so it was definitely a strange time anyway. The shawarma was decent. The pita was perfect, the chicken a little gamey, the garlic sauce was money.I was really surprised to see they're open until 4 am! It must really transform in the evening."

Saba Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (272) • $$

"This was an amazing place to try out! The restaurant is cozy with very friendly service. I came here with three other people and we came hungry! We order a beef, lamb, and chicken dish along with hummus. Everything was so flavorful, filling, and well cooked. We asked the server for their recommendations and they did not steer us wrong. We also had the baklava and fatah, which were also both amazing and recommended."

Kabob Corner

★★★★☆ 4 (267) • $$

"The kabob by which all other kabobs are measured. I'm surprised I haven't reviewed this place before. It is one of my favorite local haunts. All the kabobs and the naan are made fresh to order. Some of the sides are from a hot tray but that is because of the volume needed. Service is nice and humble. A great family owns this restaurant and they take pride in their restaurant. The atmosphere is simple but the warms of the owners fill the restaurant. Try the soup. It is awesome. And not on the menu."

Amina Thai - Silver Spring

★★★★☆ 4 (261) • $$

"3.5 Stars.I ordered beef pad Thai and spring rolls from here through GrubHub. The food arrived hot and slightly ahead of schedule. The spring rolls were good. Nice and crispy! The pad thai, however, was quite sweet. The beef in it was also tough and a bit overcooked. It tasted okay, but I could only manage to eat a few bites of it because it was just so sweet. I had a question about my order and when I called the restaurant, the staff person was very nice and she quickly and kindly addressed my concern, so points for that as well!"

Dulcinea Bar & Grill Gaithersburg

★★★★☆ 4.2 (236) • $$

"I found the place for my mole poblano cravings!!! Don't let its weird location and parking situation turn you off!!!Food:Chips and salsa dip - 5/5 - light, spicy delicious, and tastes fresh made. Rivals Guapo's chips and salsa and much superior than Uncle Julio's chips and salsaMole Poblano - 5/5 - absolutely love this sweet, spicy, creamy, decadent dish! By far the best version of this dish that I have tasted around the DC areaCarne Asada Arrachera - 5/5 - large hearty plate of grilled, salted steak with fried egg, plantains, rice and beansEnchiladas suizas - 4/5 - very good but not exceptional Taco al pastor - */5 - it turned out to be more like carnita or barbacoa, then proper al pastor style but still was goodAguas frescas (Horchata, Jamaica) - 5/5 Location:Maybe had to find because of its partly hidden, odd location, attached to the side of storage areaAmbience:Looks like a Mexican desert beach-side restaurant stand mixed with some traditional elements Service:Super friendly and attentive, especially Sochi, a real sweetheart! She is a hostess, server and bartender. She stops by to check on you, quick pleasant chat. She even offers alternatives or even something on the house if it doesn't turn out as desired. She is one of the best types of individuals to work in service. *if you like tequila & grapefruit soda-juice, ask for the Paloma!"

City Kabob and Curry House - Washington

★★★★☆ 4.3 (222) • $$

"The food here is great every time. Value for the money is excellent. For about $20 you get a large meal, bread and a smoothie! On the rare occasion that they made a mistake, they've fixed it and given we a freebie of some kind. Highly recommend."

Maiwand Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (232) • $$

"First time having this, ordered by my office for lunch. Delicious! Large portions and very good quality food. Will definitely return."

Big Red Halal

★★★★★ 4.6 (171) • $$

"Halal guys who? Haha I used to be a big fan of them, but I kept asking myself why. It lacked a lot of flavor, but I probably liked it for it's quick service.Anywho! BIG RED HALAL IS SOOOOO PACKED WITH SEASONING, and their sauces that you can throw on top are so good, I wanted more. The white, Cilantro, and red sweet chili is what I opted for in mines.For the price here vs. Halal guys... you don't get more than 3 toppings without additional charges. Also they gave me someone else's order yesterday. I had ordered the chicken over rice platter and you get a choice of one side( chickpeas was mines) cucumbers, tomatoes, and cranberries. Instead I got lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. It wasn't a game changer, but I wish I got what I asked for. Also there was a LONG WAIT TIME, considering there was only 5 of us there with three workers, the order took almost 20 minutes to make. Now I know order ahead of time... other than that I was super happy with the overall taste and quality of the food. I will make sure to check my food before leaving next time. *I did find two pieces of men's hair in my good, I'm usually old about things like this...but I was hungry and just pushed a quarter of my food into the trash*"

Chiyoshi

★★★★☆ 4.4 (175) • $

"Solid 4 1/2 if half stars were allowed. Ordered one large General Tso's chicken with lo mein noodles, one medium Orange chicken with lo mein noodles, one large Orange chicken with fried rice. Added two chili oils for the spice lovers.Ordered online, was quoted an hour, came almost thirty minutes earlier, food was steaming hot. Did not try the fried rice but m and dad really enjoyed it with their Orange chicken. Boyfriend and I really enjoyed the lo mein noodles, he loved his General Tso's especially with a bit of chili oil--i thought his was a bit better than my Orange chicken (which I thoroughly enjoyed, just next time will get General Tso's if craving something similar) but with a bit of chili oil added to mine it was just hot enough, and very very tasty.All in all an enjoyable meal and we definitely will order again. Parents want to try Chicken with cashew nuts and chicken fried rice, I would like to try some of their non spicy offerings with that chili oil to customize my heat level :D"

Courthouse Kabob

★★★★★ 4.5 (155) • $$

"Ordered via Grubhub...The Ground chicken kabob was really good and perfectly seasoned.Naan was like cardboard. I didn't mind it, just not what I expected. I was expecting Indian naan though so this might be a style I'm not familiar with (so benefit of doubt). The lentil soup needed more salt but I mixed it with my rice and it worked out (for me).Curry chicken was overcooked and I prefer more spice but it was good. I think a lot of curry the chicken is usually overcooked though and it's nature of the dish IMO.First time I ever had firnee (afghan custard?) and it was delicious. Had a vanilla flavor and it was a lot more delicate than flan but firmer than pudding. I looked up the recipe and it's not vanilla I'm tasting ... unless it's different than what I found on google. Either way, it was good.Overall, I really enjoyed it."

Jalapeño Fresh Mexican Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (166) • $$

"This place is clear not the same i haven't been in 3yrs .I think it's under new management. The place looks nice on the inside but the food is not the same. What restaurant runs out of fries lol"