Medina

*chefs kiss*I loved everything about this place...the playlist, food, cocktails, & overall vibe. I like how it's small & quaint. This will definitely be a staple on my frequently visited list.

Really well done fairly new cocktail bar you can find in a alley across from its sister restaurant Maydan.Medina is beautiful! The design is artful, decadent, and colorful, I feel like I was walking into a totally different world. I haven't seen a bar so well decorated in a while.This place is definitely a true cocktail bar with a well curated menu. Service was great! Our server walked us through the whole menu, made notes on favorites and tasting notes and provided excellent guidance before we ordered.It was the end of the night for us so we ended up ordering non-alcoholic cocktails. Their free spirit menu is limited but the drinks offered exceeded expectations. We tried two of the three offered and still felt we were enjoying a nice cocktail. Both were on the sweet side without the alcohol to cut it so there could be some more balancing of flavor there but overall great N/A options!We had a few nibbles with the potatoes and eggplant dip -- both fabulous. The potatoes were a little spicy for me but still amazing and served with an outstanding and unique sauce. The pita the dip was served with could be better. It was lacking flavor and had an almost grocery store pita feel but it didn't detract from the flavor of the dip.Excited to come back and try a proper cocktail!

Not bad! I'd go again if a friend suggested it but probably not outside of that. Their ambiance was great, the service was good, but the menu is a bit limiting. That being said, everything we ordered was tasty! Everything pictured was delicious, we also got the lamb tagine (not pictured).Note: It is a bit difficult to find because it's in a back alley and their sign isn't super noticeable so definitely look it up before going so you have a good idea of where it's at.

This food here tasted amazing! The service was incredible. And the atmosphere was so beautiful with the drapes and ornate decor. You enter in the alley and park on the side of the restaurant. I loved the lamb here. And getting the Absinthe Tea Service is a terrific experience. Don't leave without getting it! You will definitely leave full.

Despite the immaculate vibes and a creative cocktail list, the only word which comes to mind to describe the food here is "mid." While I understand tagine is generally renowned for depth of flavor and not a particularly complex spice profile, the vegetables were undeniably bland, and only slightly uplifted by the more colorful saffron couscous. The hummus could have used a few generous spoonfuls of olive oil to resurrect it from its dense stupor.Nonetheless a fun time on a Friday evening with an uncontroversial Millenial-oriented playlist. Order the "Daucus" from the cocktail menu.

I think this bar may have taken the throne from Residents as the best cocktail bar in DC (others such as Jane Jane and 600T are still in my Top 5). Every single drink I tried here was phenomenal, and every single drink was boozy and bursting with flavor. I could literally taste every single ingredient in each cocktail.The Espresso Martini is really delicious and I love how they have a different take on it. Made with Tito's and homemade cardamom ice cream, it's the perfect dessert cocktail or end to the night. My other favorite drink is the Caspian Sea. Made with gin, grapefruit liquer, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and vermouth, this drink is literally perfect. Flavorful, boozy, and cute with little fruity caviar pebbles.The Clover Club is simple, but delicious. Made with gin, raspberry, lemon, and egg white, it's not too sweet, a bit tart, and flavorful.The Medina's Old Fashioned is one of the best Old Fashioneds I've ever had. It was really well made.The Medusa was okay, but a bit on the sweet side. It was good, but my least favorite.The only food I've tried is the smoked eggplant dip, and it's amazing. Service is also great as well.

Medina was a treat. I absolutely loved it and so did my friend. Designed as an opulent Middle Eastern tent, Medina is sexy. I scored a reservation and we were seated in the lounge area, which was perfect. Service was fantastic.We shared the hummus, merguez lamb, and tomato eggplant dip. And of course, they've included their sister's famous bread service. It's a small food menu, so I wouldn't necessarily plan a meal here, but everything was delicious. The focus at Medina is cocktails, which are gorgeous. I had the Rose-Tinted Glasses, which was light and not sweet at all. I then had an old-fashioned, which I regret. It was good but nothing special. It's better to order from their house cocktails side rather than the classics menu, though I am dying to return for their martini service. My friend loved her Baywatch and Medusa drinks.I'm looking forward to returning so I can bask in the ambience and try more of Medina's creative cocktails.

As a former DC resident, I was excited to go t Medina after having had great experiences at sister restaurant Maydan. Medina didn't disappoint! First of all, the restaurant is beautiful and intimate. Many of the design influences remind me of Morocco. Shout out to George, at the host stand, for his kindness as a host and remembering my friend who visited previously. The Lamb tagine was lovely and tender and flavorful. Even the couscous was fantastic, and I can't remember when I've had such a positive impression of couscous. As for cocktails, I had The Daucus, a rum-based location with ginger-carrot ice...what?! What an inventive and flavorful creation. The ice changed the flavor of the drink over time as it slowly melted, so it was like a progression. We had a great server, TJ, who was both friendly and informative. He suggested second cocktails for us, like the Bay Watch for me, that had this wonderful partially candied-tasting but really caramelized pineapple that was a great addition to the drink. As with Maydan, I'd gladly come back here any day!

An amazing spot located near 14th and U St and not too far from Columbia Heights. This is the cocktail bar associated with Maydan, a restaurant right across the alley and specializes more in unique Middle Eastern wines.I booked a spot for my partner's birthday and the staff went above and beyond in their service. We felt like sultans sitting in the comfy cabana alcove. Our table wasn't ready when we arrived but everyone took care of us so well. What could have been a negative experience made it a fantastic one and makes us want to come back.I ordered the Caspian Sea cocktail, which was unique with a Middle Eastern flair with bay leaf, rosemary and boozy with gin. I was thinking we'd just get cocktails but ordered some of the small plates, which were out of this world. The roasted beets were truly a standout. I often don't get the beets at restaurants but this was a much fuller dish with Tahini, cucumbers and almonds. Finally, if you're looking for more of the classic cocktail, the bartenders can likely make it. I ordered a pretty obscure cocktail that I learned about from another cocktail bar and they were able to make it exactly right.Definitely a unique spot for DC and if you're coming on a busy Friday or Saturday night, be sure you make a reservation. We came late on a Sunday night and the place was packed.

I was honestly blown away! I'm extremely particular about my cocktails (craft my own at home), so I'm usually skeptical of any fancy cocktail bar after plenty of experiences where the drinks are all show and no flavor.I only ordered one drink since it was my last stop of the night, but The Daucus was SO delicious. It came with ginger-carrot ice which really elevated the entire cocktail adding lots of flavor. Probably one of the most balanced cocktails I've ever had, too.The atmosphere was also exquisite and the entire staff was very welcoming both upon arrival and departure. I am so excited to come back to try the rest of their menu!