Mazadar Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (719) • $$

"Food was very good. Kofta was as good as it gets with the flavors. Lentil soup was fine but no bread or crackers were served with it. Saffron ice cream was very frozen (like a block) with ok flavor. I recommend letting it soften and be a bit more creamy and sweeter.I recommend bread and butter with the soup.I recommend iced hibiscus tea in lieu of hot. Please do not change anything about kofta. I would go again just for kofta. My friend liked his lamb meal."

Fig & Olive

★★★★☆ 3.6 (955) • $$$

"Came here for my friend's birthday and to check out restaurant week. We came in a party of 8 and had a reservation. We were seated right away and loved the decor of the restaurant. It's very spacious and they have a really good playlist. The restaurant week menu has really great portion sizes. We were not that impressed with the taste of the food. I will say I really enjoyed the wild mushroom croquette but the chicken Milanese tasted like eating an upside down fried chicken salad. There was a little sauce on the bottom but there wasn't enough to really tell what the flavor of it was. I got the dark chocolate mousse for dessert but was disappointed because the texture reminded me more of pudding. My friend's lemon olive cake was good but she thought it tasted a little too salty in certain bites. The best part of the meal was the bread they brought up with a little olive oil on it. The overall experience was only okay. I was hoping the food would could come out a little sooner than it did. I probably wouldn't eat here again by choice but the service is really nice and maybe someone else would like it. The overall consensus from my group was a little disappointment."

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!"

Lebanese Taverna

★★★★☆ 3.7 (860) • $$

"I hadn't been to Lebanese Taverna for a while and saw that it's undergone a major transformation. I did a double-take to make sure it was the same place and founding family running the show. And both are still true. A second generation is in charge now. I was told that the makeover was accomplished a few years back. I like the new look--captures the spirit of the Eastern Mediterranean nicely.The lamb sharat platter is to die for, can't go wrong with it. Fried artichokes are yummy, come with a garlic/lemon dipping sauce that's slamming. The baba ghanoush is smoky and creamy although I prefer it without the pomegranate seeds on top, however easy enough to work around. The mezza fries, lightly sprinkled with sumac, cumin and garlic, arrive hot and plentiful.Service is gracious. I'm a fan of Lebanese cuisine and think that this restaurant has done a good job of serving it up over the years."

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!"

Taverna Cretekou

★★★★☆ 3.9 (715) • $$

"This is my new FAVORITE date night spot.Lovely service from the moment we walked in. We started with a bottle of the house red which was delicious. We got a shared appetizer sample, the lamb shank, and flan. The orzo with the lamb was fall apart good. We saw some fish go out and would like to try that next time too.If it's a nice day, make sure to sit on the patio."

Vaso's Mediterranean Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (606) • $$

"The staff was fine. The waiter didn't go over any specials or really give any feedback with recommendations. The food is why I give it 4 stars. My food was absolutely delicious. I believe everyone at our table devoured their plates. There is outdoor seating but it started to sprinkle so we sat upstairs. The ambiance was fine as well. Nothing that stood out or caught your eye."

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!"

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (528) • $$$

"Barca Pier and Wine Bar in Old Town Alexandria is a favorite spot and I'm a frequent flyer!From the moment you arrive, you're greeted by stunning waterfront views that set the perfect scene for a relaxed meal. The tapas menu is both inventive and delicious, with options that includes an option for all dietary needs.The wine list is thoughtfully curated, offering a range of options that cater to all tastes, though the Pomelo Sangria is the real showstopper--refreshing and uniquely flavorful, it's worth visiting for alone.While the portions are naturally on the smaller side, consistent with the tapas style, every dish is crafted to deliver maximum flavor, making it easy to savor a variety of tastes. The ambiance is inviting and laid-back, making it an ideal spot for both a casual night out or a special occasion. Barca Pier and Wine Bar's blend of great food, exceptional drinks, and breathtaking views makes it an unmissable destination. A must-try in Old Town!"

Agora Tysons

★★★★☆ 4.1 (541) • $$

"The brunch was delicious. All of the dips and pita bread or a must try. The parfait was yummy too. I am definitely going back."

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!"

Eleni's Greek Taverna

★★★★☆ 4.2 (462) • $$

"Once again wonderful friends have introduced us to an excellent Springfield restaurant! Eleni's Greek Taverna is literally a hidden gem. We had the Cheese Saganani (fried cheese) that was served flambé at the table! The cheese was served with pita. The Greek Garden side salad of course has the mandatory feta cheese, fresh and crisp greens and an herbed creamy dressing. The Mousaka [sic] was the best in the region! Eleni's Mousaka is a huge portion of this classic Greek casserole dish. As described in the menu it is made with layers of potatoes, eggplant, seasoned ground beef and topped with a creamy bechamel sauce baked to golden perfection. I'd go back for that for done in or carry out! Other dishes enjoyed by our party were the gyros platter with lots of crispy fries and a Greek omelette, both of which were devoured and obviously enjoyed! Did I mention that Eleni's serves all day breakfast? We will need to go back soon to explore more of that part of the extensive menu.The atmosphere was very family! Our waitress is the mother of Eleni's and is familiar with our friends. She was glad to see them and asked about happenings in their lives, and our friends reciprocated the conversation. Where were introduced as friends and were addressed by our first names during the meal, true to a Greek family gathering.We had an amazing time and enjoyed the white and blue themed paint surrounding the Greek decor that lent a special ambiance.Prices for these very large portions of very well made Greek food were very reasonable, making our meals a high value for the dollar.We must return to try all of our Greek favorites and Eleni's specialties! I'm sure it will become a favorite place."

Cafesano

★★★★☆ 3.9 (535) • $$

"Ehh... the Greek salad was very nice. It was massive and served with a nice amount of cheese, avocado, and toasted bread.However, the brick oven pizza was very okay. The dough lacked flavor and was a bit undercooked?Overall, I really didn't enjoy the pizza, and I would not get it again.I will say the views of the water were very nice."

Mazi

★★★★★ 4.5 (396) • $$$

"Very lovely, classy ambiance. We ordered the pork chop, chicken skewers, and lamb burger. Our favorite was the pork chop. Very juicy and savory sauce. The burger was juicy too but the bun was not very intact and crumbled apart quickly. The skewers were a bit dry but the sauce it came with paired well."

Lebanese Taverna Pentagon

★★★★☆ 3.6 (508) • $$

"Came here for a quick dinner with my coworker while I was in town. We ordered the hummus and I got the pita with a side salad. The hummus was amazing! I added some onto the pita and it made it super tasty. The staff here is also very nice and friendly."

Shawarma Guys

★★★★☆ 4 (357) • $

"I'm back in the DVM for work after leaving 3yrs ago due to COVIDand let me tell you I missed this place so much reminds me of being back in Manama Bahrain.The food is amazing hot and fresh I'll be coming back once a week to get my Grub on :)"

Athens Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (297) • $$

"First time I try Greek food . I had the chicken kabob , beef kabob , lamb kabob ,the salad is great, the dressing is so good the bread everything is great , for dessert I try peach really yummy .. good food friendly and good service .. I highly recommend this place..."

Vasili's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.7 (400) • $$

"We have been frequenting this establishment for years and have never been disappointed. Wonderful fresh items that are pleasing to the palate. Try the branzino, always tasty. If you're there during the summer, the watermelon salad is refreshing and delicious.The desserts are few when it comes to choice, but the portions are so generous with the main dishes that you won't care all that much. The outdoor patio is nice for those Concerned regarding the pandemic. It doesn't open up to the main street, but rather a courtyard in between other venues that offer more people watching than traffic. All in all, this is a nice trip and I will be sure to make it again with my family."

Talia’s Cuzina

★★★★★ 4.7 (247) • $$

"Everything about Talia's is first rate. The quantity and especially the qualify of food is top notch. The owner is very friendly and has some great ideas to help you put a great menu together. I have gone back to Talia's on many occasions and they never disappoint. The catering is always on time and plentiful. I highly recommend!"

Balkan Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 (305) • $

"Best affordable Balkan food in Northern Virginia!!!! Turkish Small Business that serves authentic Balkan -- Eastern European -- food. Go to:- Cevapi:Balkan KabobCevapcici grilled dish - Made to Order -minced meat - national dish ofBosnia and Herzegovina and Serbiaand common in Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania and Austria. 10 piece is the way to go. Flatbread, with chopped onions, (either sour cream or kajmak -- creamy dairy food similar to clotted cream, made from the milk). - Baklava:Sweet treats. Paper thin dough. Deeelish as a splurge. - Börek:pastries made of a thin flaky dough, such as filo with a variety of fillings, like meat (my fav) or cheese (second fav)!Brings back memories. A must try. Support this Small Business. Next door is a Balkan grocery store (imports, like chocolate bars). One table outside. Few chairs inside hightop. First come, first serve. No reservations. Mainly takeout. Get in to my belly!!"

Mykonos Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (415) • $$

"My bestii called to tell me she wanted to take me out for my birthday so I was ready but I was thinking we would go to one of our usual chain spots, but the morning of she suggested we go Greek at Mykonos. I was skeptical so she suggested I YELP it which I did and the reviews were outstanding but as many of you know, sometimes Yelp reviews can be off, lol.Mykonos did not disappoint! We started off with the saganaki appetizer (fried cheese). It was a little salty for my liking."

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."

Little Sesame

★★★★☆ 4.3 (285) • $$

"Service here was SPEEDY! The only thing I tried was the chocolate soft serve (which is vegan!) and it definitely put the soft in soft serve. Despite scarfing it down, it was definitely melting very quickly. The soft serve was flavorful without being overpowering. Would want to return to try the vanilla tahini soft serve!"

Jerusalem Restaurant & Catering

★★★★☆ 3.7 (349) • $$

"My picky friend and I revisited Jerusalem restaurant last night. We were once again impressed with the expertly prepared dishes: the lamb dishes, appetizer and dessert were utterly delicious. And this place has such beautiful décor, perfect for a date or family gathering. Highly recommended."

Oh Mama Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (243) • $$

"5 Stars for this AMAZING restaurant! Serving authentic Shawarma and freshly made falafel on a big fresh puffy pita bread -packed with anything and everything you like from sumac onions, eggplant, cucumber and tomato salad with lemon, spicy shug, hummus, cabbage, pickled beets, red cabbage, seasoned carrots, beautiful caramelized onions, pickles, chickpeas and other spiced delights!For a bargain $13.95 shawarma pita, it's huge and packed to the brim and overflowing! Ain't no way you're going to be able to eat it all unless you're a 6'2 weightlifter! You gotta try this place! Very clean too!"

Soussi Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (363) • $$

"6 of us dined and hung out here for several hrs on a sat. evening. A friend is traveling to Morocco soon and wanted to try the counties food before going. We went upstairs which is lounge like and comfortable for a group. Later the the area became filled with hookah smokers. If you have trouble navigating stairs you may not want to venture up there. We ordered a variety of appetizers including pita and hummus (to be honest the hummus tasted store bought) and the pita bread was fluffy and served warm. The person who is traveling wanted to try the lamb on the menu and they didn't have any. She and a few others ended up ordering the jambalaya which was kind of comical--Moroccan jambalaya! I had the masculin salad which was huge (enough for 3) and enjoyed it. I also had mint tea which was served nicely and tasted great. It's sweetened upon arrival. We had a good time. Service was fine. I would return if in the area. Didn't take pictures!"

Maya Bistro

★★★★★ 4.8 (175) • $$

"My husband and I are both Turkish, so I decided to find a Turkish restaurant while we were visiting DC to enjoy for his birthday. The original restaurants I picked did not serve döner on the day we wanted to go, so I had to find a place that served his second favorite- Mantı. I was in it solely for the Pide, especially as a vegetarian. I also ordered the fried cauliflower with cacık (yogurt sauce) instead of tahini... and it was wonderful! In fact, I thought MY food was so good, that I ordered it for delivery again the next night! My husband and I both agreed that we didn't care too much for the lahmacun, (yes, the vegetarian tried a BITE because I had to... It's in my blood.) but the Pide was baked perfectly. I could taste a hint of feta or a sharp cheese inside, but just enough to add the perfect amount of flavor! Dining in was a calm atmosphere, but my husband and I were dealing with a few family issues at the time so our visit was cut short. I wish it wouldn't have been, because I wanted to stick around for coffee and dessert! I did manage to order Künefe to go, and it was really good too. Not the first restaurant I had in mind, but definitely a cute little hidden gem. Go support this small business, solely for the Pide!"

Kazan Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (221) • $$

"Authentic Turkish mom and pop restaurant with lots of meaty options and great homey service. Highly recommend the lentil soup!Vegetable Musakka (3/5) - Left more to be desired. The roasted eggplant topped with a coat of melted cheese was tasty, the mixed vegetables of green beans, carrots, corn, peas were out of a frozen box and a miss. The fresh medley of vegetables would really elevate the flavor. While the Eggplant Moussaka was a miss, there were plenty of sides that rounded out the meal equipped with lentil soup, pita, and a side salad with delicious dressing! The staff is super nice and kindly swapped out the rice pilaf for the lentil soup - glad I asked for it! The lentil soup is a puree full of flavor with a generous serving. Would be nice to see more vegetarian dishes on the menu. If you're looking for authentic Turkish food, try Kazan!"

Cafe 8

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (330) • $$

"This place hookah was soo good, the drinks had me at the spot for hours inviting more people to come but the food, pass it was very nasty just make it for happy hour"

LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (340) • $$

"I hosted a dinner (30 people) and a brunch (20 people) at Lillies recently. I can't say enough nice things about those events.The manager, Ryan, and I worked on the planning in advance (reserving room, menus, etc). Everything went exactly as planned and was stress-free for me and my wife.The food and drinks were excellent. We heard nothing but compliments from our guests.Dennis and Noura were all class and charming servers.I would recommend Lillies for events (and for small quiet dinners)."

Kirby Club

★★★★☆ 4.2 (204) • $$$

"4.5: Great tasting food, good service and ambiance in a cute shopping complexCame here on a Monday afternoon and it was empty. The menu isn't big but if you are open to kebabs, hummus, pita type things you'll be fine. The lunch special chicken Shwarma dish was delicious! Chicken tender, fragrant rice, nice salad, hummus, chips. Best thing was you didn't feel gross afterward. The seating surrounds a bar area and there's also outdoor seating if you prefer.I'd love to return when it's a little more bustling. There are quite a few good food places in this area including True Food and I think most people would find something they'd like!"

CR NoMa

★★★★☆ 4.4 (184) • $$

"Lovely atmosphere and tasty food! Nice selection for brunch! Really enjoyed my wrap, it's huge. Ps. The French fries are delish!We had nice service for a Saturday brunch!Would love to come back to try more and have a cocktail!"

Rosemary's Thyme Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.8 (237) • $$

"Not great, not terrible. More than likely will not return. The seafood pappardelle pasta was meh."

Tarbouch Mediterranean Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (326) • $$

"Genuinely surprised by the poor ratings because I have been twice to date and really enjoyed it both times.I cannot speak to the hookah experience b/c the friends I've been with have not been into it, but I hope to find some people to go smoke hookah with because, in college at Brandeis, sitting around smoking hookah was like our version of a kegger.We have therefore sat in the less smokey room that you enter immediately when you get in the door, the one with the giant Dali face staring at you. I will say that the decor here baffles me and is the one thing about this restaurant that I find unsettling.The food has been great, and at a reasonable price. The muhamara has been a little spicy (a lot of chili oil) for my taste but that's personal preference, but the hummus is super creamy and the babaganouj is mild and it's the only pistachio baklava I've found that I like as much as walnut. I was particularly impressed by the iced tea they brought my boyfriend, because it was very clearly tea they had brewed in house and chilled, rather than something from a mix. The chai is also really nice - more spicy than sweet, but not to a point where you feel like you're chugging a pepper mill, like at some places.I especially like that they stay open late because we are always at a loss for easygoing, casual, affordable places to go late for coffee and a desert or snack.Some of the other reviews complain about service. Service is definitely relaxed here, but they're very nice and helpful. I like the fact that the service is a little slow-paced here because it contributes to the fact that it's a loungey, casual, relaxing environment where you can sit and hang out for a while, rather than a busy restaurant trying to turn tables. I'd be annoyed if I was coming for a formal meal with multiple courses that require timing, but that's just not the vibe.Arlington - and the DC area generally - needs more places with chill, so I'm glad this is here."

Maman Joon

★★★★☆ 4.4 (165) • $$

"A decent fast casual option in Tenleytown. Their grilled chicken is thick and fresh, so if you want your protein, they are a solid option. Hummus is good, but their pita could be a tad fresher. Overall, they deliver a satisfying meal, though."