Shemali's

If you like Middle Eastern food, head to Shemali's. There are two locations, but this one is along New Mexico Avenue NW. It's inside Foxhall Square, a small shopping complex.Walk to the back and find a market with a food counter in the back where you can order hot food. There's a grab-and-go area with dips, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and other items.I stopped in for veggie stuffed grape leaves and meat (beef) pies. Both were very tasty and were fresh.Service is kind!

Been coming to Shemali's for years and always have an amazing meal! I absolutely love their salads with their home made dressing, but my absolute favorites are their falafel and the shawarma. I too am Lebanese, so I am very critical about other Lebanese places, but this place feels like I'm at home. The food is delicious and consistently amazing, and the staff are some of the kindest I know. The service is fast, and you can conveniently eat in the seats next to the cafe, or take it home to share with the family. The ambience is calm, clean, open and inviting. I also love that we get our middle eastern grocery items here as well. If you haven't been here before, you're missing out. Please make sure to give this place a try if you haven't already. You won't be disappointed!

Located inside Foxhall Square, Shemali's is a cute little Lebanese cafe I just happen to stumble upon. It has a variety of food options as well as some spices and sauces that can be purchased and used at home. There are a variety of appetizer, sandwich, and platter options. I ordered the lamb gyro sandwich, which was sooo good and well complemented by tzatziki sauce inside it. I also got some kebbe, which is pretty much ground beef inside of a firmer exterior (similar to falafel but beef inside) and absolutely loved it. The prices are also pretty reasonable for the area, and the portions were fitting for a full meal with potential leftovers. Very friendly staff and I believe they also have catering options. Highly recommend if you're in the cathedral heights/tenleytown area!

Wonderful wonderful Mediterranean market/cafe. I love the endless amount of spices they have and the little snacks and sweets. I also love the fact that if your hungry and wanna grab a big bite or an appetizer you can do that too ! I got the chicken skewer with side salad and fries and pita bread, all so filling yet light. I did get the baklava wasn't the best I've ever had but it was still really good. I come here Everytime I work in the area which is about once a week. Never dissatisfied, great place !

Just had the most amazing lunch at Shemalis on New Mexico Ave. It's a hidden gem in the back of Foxhall place but going to become a regular for me. Food has awesome flavor and is so delicious - fast ordering service and great to be able to sit in the cool right outside their door. The staff is super helpful and friendly. Huge stock for a small store and lots of great products so that you can even cook things at home. Wide range of spices, foods, and fresh produce. I ordered the Vegetarian platter - OMG everything is so fresh and flavorsome - my work colleague got a Falafel Wrap and she dug into it faster than I've seen her eat or enjoy anything in years!! Great location, lovely spot, delicious food - I'll be back (maybe even as early as this weekend if they're open!!) Highly recommend and such a yummy change from the typical Friday lunch of sandwiches or pizzas/burgers - feels fresh & healthy! Well done folks - Top notch!!

Note to other yelpers there are two separate storefronts for shemali's - the cafe for food (where I went) and then the store. The "mall" it's located in is interesting - it's filled with medical offices, a pharmacy, a bank, a liquor store, and random gift stores. If I were to pigeonhole the target consumer it's older, wealthy white folks because it's not really what you think of a mall and the prohibitive 4/hr parking on top of the 5:30pm closing time for the whole complex is indicative of this idea. So if you find this joint on grubhub like I did and think picking it up yourself us cheaper just don't because you'll have to pay for parking unless you park at a distance and walk right on up. Thankfully I was able to make it shortly before closing and grabbed a combo entree. It was solid, no complaints here. My only qualm is that the hours and paid parking are rather prohibitive and I'm not sure if I'll eat here again save for delivery.

The Minced Beef Wrap (manaqish, Lahmacun) is good. It comes with tomatoes and cucumbers.The gyro, unfortunately, is clearly a frozen product and not a good one. Avoid it.The fries are good if also average.Service/prep times can run slow.

I've enjoyed every menu item and in-store refrigerated items I've had so far. My go to is the Fattoush salad with chicken and their Kebbe. Some of the best Fattoush and Kebbe to be found in the DMV area. We've even had them cater an event for 25 people. Excellent food indeed.

Meal was very good, service was ok. However, a bit overpriced and wait time was somewhat long for a simple order. Since this place is in a medical building, I recommend you go there after your doc appointment as you may be pushing it if before.

Food is good but this is the second time I have paid extra for fries and they have forgotten them. Rwe