Brunch review ahead!!!!! Ambiance- perfect for a cute date, time with friends, family members, or coworkers. The ambiance welcomes it all. Hospitality- The hostess was incredibly friendly and seated us upon arrival. Waiter- Eric was an AMAZING waiter. Bubbly personality, very polite and personable. His service was definitely a 10/10 Brunch- My friend and I decided to try their Easter Sunday brunch and my only regret was not visiting here sooner and not selecting an earlier time to dine, LOL! The entire experience was phenomenal! Bottomless mimosas- SO worth the extra $ Standout dishes: Adana meatballs Braised lamb Chicken Golden cauliflower Crispy Falafel Desserts: Baklava Brownie Kadayıf Sadly we did not get to experience all of the brunch menu items because brunch ends at 3pm and our reservations were at the heel of this time. Nonetheless, the standout dishes and desserts were enough for me to come back. I've enjoyed their happy hour, cafe area, and now their brunch. Can't wait to return. read more

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Checked out ala for a weeknight dinner this past week. The restaurant was lively and had a lot of people seated at the bar. We came to dinner not overly hungry, so we opted to do a bunch of cold and hot mezze plates - ended up ordering the baba ganoush, duck prosciutto (2 plates because we were so excited about it), salmon kibbeh nayah, tawook shish chicken kebab, and golden cauliflower. Overall, our picks were solid. The duck prosciutto had a nice crunch with the chip(?) underneath and very interesting, lovely salad base and vinaigrette. Can't go wrong with the golden cauliflower with its yummy sauce and pomegranate seeds. Salmon kibbeh was my least favorite but perhaps I'm just not used to the texture/taste of bulghur wheat.. the salmon itself was great tho! I've heard lots of good things about brunch so I would come back for that, and/or try the short ribs or branzino if I'm back in the area for dinner! read more

ala - golden cauliflower - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We saved Ala for our last meal in DC and went all in on their all-you-can-eat brunch--and let's just say, I left a few pounds heavier and completely, absolutely unbothered. No regrets. You know it's serious when I'm saying that. The menu hits that perfect sweet spot: extensive without being overwhelming. There's so much variety, but it never feels chaotic--just thoughtfully curated and incredibly well-balanced. That's the beauty of Levantine cuisine, and this place truly does it justice. Every dish felt intentional, flavorful, and harmonious. The hospitality deserves a special mention. They even offered me a complimentary tea in exchange for a Google review--which, honestly, felt refreshingly generous. Most places just ask; they don't give. Their tea selection, by the way, is excellent. Now the food--because wow. The lamb, chicken, fish, sausage, meatballs, and all the egg dishes were spot on. The lamb was so tender it practically fell off the bone, and the chicken was juicy and perfectly seasoned. And then there were the bureks--cheese and lamb--just unfairly good. And just when you think you physically cannot eat another bite... the dessert spread appears. I'm not exaggerating when I say it felt like I ascended (Fitting, considering we went on Easter.) There was a chocolate fountain, for starters. Beyond that, an incredible spread of pastries, sweets, fruits, jams, breads, and even some gluten-free options. It was one of those moments where you're full but still emotionally committed to dessert. The value for money here is fantastic, especially considering the quality and variety. Service throughout was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The space itself is cozy with a unique charm, and the music added a fun, lively touch--honestly, it gave me flashes of Slavic party vibes in Belgrade, which I didn't expect but fully enjoyed. Overall, an unforgettable meal and the perfect way to end our DC trip. This one stays with you. read more

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This place is AMAZING and specializes in Levantine (historical geographical term referring to the eastern Mediterranean coastal region, encompassing modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, and Jordan from Google AI) and Mediterranean cuisine. They also have a $58 tasting menu option where you can order any three dishes from the cold and hot mezze menu. Very cool interior decor and service is very attentive (I believe our server was named Joseph or Jacob). Highly recommended if you are in DC! read more

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Great food with a nice atmosphere. Ala has a great location. Metroing in is super easy as the station is just across the street, and parking is available (although sparingly) on the streets nearby. They have an excellent patio area as well, as well as very beautiful interior design. My friend and I did the choose 3 option with dessert. The price we calculated I believe ended up showing that if we wanted dessert, then the option was worth it. The food was very good. The flatbread was our favorite and I'd come back just for that honestly. read more

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Came on my 31st birthday for dinner and it was amazing! I would make a reservation as it can get busy, but it's because it's so good! My boyfriend and I did the tasting experience because we wanted to try a few dishes and we're so glad we did! Everything on the menu sounds amazing and the items we got were so yummy! The drinks were also very good! Our waiter explained the menu and a little history and overall service was amazing. The whole vibe there is wonderful and we will totally be back! read more

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Restaurant Week 2025 Tried 8 different items. My favorite was probably the Brussel Sprouts. Baklava was amazing. No items were bad. I'm not an expert on West Asian cuisine, so much of this tasted very new to me. I think the owner and several of the waiters are Turkish, but I wasn't sure what to classify this cuisine as. "Modern Mediterranean"? Service and ambiance are great! But it was delicious. Portions are generous. Food has great color. Go! read more

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Ala is a Mediterranean restaurant with locations in DC and Bethesda. I visited the DC location for the brunch buffet and really enjoyed it. They have a wide variety of options and everything was very fresh and flavorful. The service was great and the staff were very attentive. They also have all day HH at the bar M-F. read more

ala - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Place has a very nice ambience and is tapas/mezze style. We ordered a few mezze dishes, a mix of hot and cold, and one large dish to share. We got the Adana kebab dish to share which was one large skewer of the kebab served with harissa on the side which was delicious. We also got duck prosciutto which was interesting and the roasted/fried cauliflower which was delicious. We wanted to try the tahini crème brûlée but they ran out, so we tried the layali lubnan ( a semolina flour Mediterranean dish) and was great. Our server was very sweet and brought us complimentary champagne since we were celebrating an occasion. read more

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We came here on a Monday night so the place wasn't too busy. The menu options all sounded so good we had a lot of trouble picking what to get, but we ultimately decided on a mix of spreads, vegetables, and two protein dishes--a good variety and meal size for three people. The waiter was very helpful in guiding us towards some of his favorite / more popular options. The first item we received was the Mixed Spreads sampler. While a lot of Mediterranean restaurants in DC have great spreads, what Ala really impressed me with was how fresh and amazing the pita was! Absolutely delicious. The chicken skewers (Tawook Shish) were perfectly cooked with a little bit of char on the outside and tender juicy chicken on the inside. I also really enkiyed the Golden Cauliflower and the Hazelnut Halva Semifreddo. Lastly, I really appreciate Ala being a member of the Inkind network so dining out here is a little more wallet friendly. read more

ala - Za'atar Pide - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I'm a fan of Ala Bethesda, so I had high hopes for Ala DC and it definitely delivered! Brunch here is a full experience, very similarly to the Bethesda location. The value is hard to beat when you factor in the bottomless drinks...you really do get your money's worth! Food-wise, the Adana slider was still one of my favorites. The lahm bi ajeen was another favorite.. I had quite a few of them lol. Overall, the atmosphere was lively, but not chaotic. I also appreciated how warm and attentive our server was. For these reasons, Ala DC is definitely a place where I'd come to again! read more

ala - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We have been to Ala twice now and loved it both times! Our first visit we tried the dip sampler (we loved all four dips though my personal favorites were the baba ganoush and labneh), chicken tawook shish (very juicy chicken paired with a tasty sauce) and the crispy Brussel sprouts (these were perfectly crispy with sweetest from the pomegranate and raisins and converted my bf from a brussel sprouts hater). Our second visit we had to redo everything we tried the first time but added the carrots which became my new favorite dish here and the shrimp which were also well cooked and flavorful! Overall can't go wrong with the food, especially the mezze! We also felt well taken care of during our meal. Our waiter was wonderful, he joked around with us, recommended new dishes and checked in often. Another member of the staff also checked in towards the end of our meal and offered us some Turkish tea/ coffee to end with. Lastly, the location and ambience were great, with the outside patio being perfect for the summer evening weather. Will definitely be back! read more

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Based on the reviews of excellent brunch recommendations, Ala was one that came up multiple times. My friend and I were surprised by the incredible and endless spread of delicious and healthy options presented to us by Ala's brunch menu. We didn't feel rushed and service was great in terms of attentiveness. As for the ambiance, I loved the intimacy and colors in different parts of the restaurant. Would love to come back again as this will be a top brunch option in the city for me! read more

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I want to like this place more than I do. The food is good, the service is fine. The atmosphere inside is nice - but for some reason it is missing something for me. I have been here a few times and I am always satisfied with my meal, but never impressed or blown away by anything. I want to be, which is why I keep coming back. I'll keep trying. read more

ala - Coffee and mimosa service - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We came here for the bottomless brunch on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't the best experience. The food is pretty good and the buffet selection is solid. The bad part was the lack of transparency. We were told that bottomless drinks were automatically added to our brunch because we're a party of 6, but that's not stated anywhere. We had people in our party who don't drink alcohol and tried to ask our server questions and explain, but he made it seem like the drinks were included no matter what, due to our size. It's frustrating that we didn't get a choice because we would've gladly had none of us drink. read more

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Wonderful spot for some of the best Mediterranean food in DC! I visited ala for a casual Friday dinner with a few friends, and we absolutely fell in love with this place -- the space is super cozy and beautifully decorated, the service was friendly, and the food is amazing. We initially snagged a spot on the patio because there weren't any open seats inside; while the patio was spacious and gorgeous, it was sweltering outside (shoutout to DC summers). The staff was really thoughtful and offered to move us inside the second a table opened up. The interior was just as gorgeous as the patio, and I loved the comfy circular booths all around the restaurant -- it's a cozier dining experience compared to the standard rectangular ones, and it makes sharing food so much easier. Speaking of food -- we got a bunch of items to share. We started off with the dip combo, tabbouleh, and grilled halloumi, then transitioned to the grilled shrimp and roasted cauliflower for our mains. Everything was absolutely incredible. I loved each of the dips, but you can never go wrong with a rich and creamy classic hummus. It went wonderfully with the soft, pillowy, and warm pita, but also with the crispiness of the fresh veggies. The tabbouleh was great on its own, but topped with an extra bit of creaminess and punch of flavor from either the hummus or baba ghanoush? Life-changing. The grilled halloumi was, well, grilled halloumi -- how can you NOT love a chunk of cheese that's been grilled and slathered with honey, herbs, and nuts? The grill brought out more of the natural flavor of the cheese, and it was rich and slightly melty; the savory cheese went perfectly with the sweet honey, and I loved the extra bit of crunch from the nuts. The shrimp was super flavorful and tender, with a great hit of spice and savoriness from the Urfa peppers and garlic. It typically comes with Turkish sausage, but you can ask for them to omit it if you don't eat red meat (although everything in their restaurant is halal, including the cheese). Last but not least, the golden cauliflower was outstanding! It was beautifully roasted on the outside, with the char adding the perfect hit of smokiness to complement the rich, nutty tahini sauce. To lighten up the dish and add a bit of brightness, they also topped the whole head with pineapple amba and a lovely herby, lemony chermoula. Unfortunately, the center of the cauliflower was a little bit undercooked so it wasn't quite as tender as I was hoping, but it was still a phenomenal dish. read more

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Ala offers a great balance of fresh and hearty options that are a great fit for any meat and veggie lovers alike ! They have such a large spread and my most favorite part is that you can make it your own with the large variety of dips and toppings! They also offer a selection of a la carte option that you can order on top of the buffet offerings. We also opted for the all you can drink for an additional $12 and it's certainly a deal! The service was also amazing! Our waitress promptly came by to welcome and introduce herself . She was also very helpful when it came to the bill. We had several staff who also came by to ask how things were and how everything tasted! The restaurant is great for an intimate setting. They have some two tops or tables for larger groups. The decor is also beautiful as it ties in some greenery with the colors from the many Moroccan style decor. read more

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We went for happy hour and the drinks were great. The food is also very tasty but it was served cold (not sure if it was intentional). I think the pricing is also decent. read more

ala - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wow!! Amazing amazing food and ambiance! The only negative was that we had a reservation and they overbooked and couldn't seat us immediately, but luckily they were able to turn something around quickly. The food however was soooo yummy. The labneh dip was to die for. The manti (beef dumplings) were like little pastas in broth which was something different to try and it was good but probably not worth ordering the next time we come back. The kabobs really shined as the chicken thighs were moist and flavorful and the beef Adana kabob was the standout winner!! Definitely can't wait to come back and try more!!!! read more

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I'm giving this place a 4 out of 5 mainly for effort, creativity, and ambiance. While I appreciate a good fusion dish, I think the chef may have overdid it with the sweet flavors (pieces of fruit) on the cold mezza platter which was the one with hummus, baba ghanoush and labneh. For non-middle easterners, I think the flavors and texture of the food would be great. But as I happen to be Middle Eastern, I'm a little more particular in how I like those mezzas I suppose. This is NOT a Lebanese restaurant. Some people wrote in their reviews that it is, it is not. It definitely draws on the Levantine food but I believe this Turkish. read more

Great Levantine brunch option in DC. Love that it's not your "traditional" brunch food. They have a brunch buffet, which is cool if you don't wait to wait for your food. Some of my favorites were the shrimp casserole, golden cauliflower, pulled short ribs and the mashed potatoes. Oh and braised lamb?? Perfect! I'll be back. Did I mention $12 bottomless mimosas or non-alcoholic beverages? One of the best deals in the city! I went during restraint week, but the price any other time isn't really different. read more

For a breakfast buffet this was pretty good, no real complaints. $35 for unlimited and the food was legit, full sides of lamb, pulled short rib, really good fried chicken, all the dips, breads, really good cheese selection with jams and nuts (need crackers for the cheese though) and then good fruit and dessert selection (though to be picky, I'd like the baklava to be crispier but what can you expect at a full buffet).!didn't catch the name of our server but he was Turkish and incredibly kind and friendly and prompt. Great experience all around read more

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Came here for restaurant week and they had numerous vegan and vegetarian options! The decor is very vibey, the food is delicious, and the portions are enormous! read more

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It's been a while since we ate at Ala. We've enjoyed lunch here on several occasions, and we met a friend for dinner a few nights ago. Ala is an interesting restaurant-the food is always really good though I'm pretty sure that the chef turnover here is pretty high. The menu also looked different than the one we we used the last time that we were here. It was a pretty cold night and our table was right near the front door. After the group behind us left, the staff helped us move to another table a bit further away. If there's one thing about Ala that could be improved it is the quality of the tables and layout of the restaurant. The food as always was amazing. We shared 3 appetizers and they were all good to excellent. The mushroom shish kebab was very tasty. The mushrooms had a nice flavor and texture and the skewer sat above a bed of black eye pea stew and tahini. A nice flavor/texture combo. The crab Fattoush was good, probably my least favorite of the mezzes that we chose. The flavor and texture were OK, but nothing really stood out for me. The Halloumi wraps were very good, crispy on the outside soft and warm with a great flavor on the inside. Our large plates included the Golden Cauliflower. I've had this before at Ala but the other night it was particularly delicious. The cauliflower is topped with a delicious flavoring-the vegetable is crisp and wonderfully baked. The Lavraki was filleted for us with a wonderful flavor and texture. The asparagus that accompanied the filet were delicious. Finally, my wife and friend enjoyed the Lamb Shank. I don't eat meat but I could see that the lamb was literally falling off of the bone. They said it was incredible-tender and delicious. The broccoli, carrots and potatoes that accompanied the lamb were really tasty. There was no room for dessert, but we completed our meal with tea-both healing and Levantine. This is a high quality restaurant that I highly recommend. read more

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Pretty awesome brunch! While the food was delicious, our server made the brunch all that more enjoyable. I wish that I remembered her name, but our server had excellent people skills because she was quite funny and very engaging...and she was on point with making sure we were taken care of. Ala has a very generous bottomless brunch for $48 that includes three courses. The first course has starters that include about 5 dips for the table. For the second/main course, one can select from a list of nine or so entrees. The final course has a selection of three desserts. Of course, the bottomless cocktails gives you a chose of mimosas and bloody marys. One thing I really appreciated about the bottomless brunch: for the mimosas, the restaurant will leave a bottle of champagne and small bottle of a mixer on the table. I think that's quite efficient because you do not have to track down a server to get a refill. Plus, you can prepare your mimosa to your liking depending on how much juice you want to put in your mimosa...I'm team one to three drops of juice per glass of champagne for my mimosas. ;) Unfortunately (for me), the restaurant does not have too many egg dishes for brunch. I'm a bit of a egg fan for brunch. However, this gave me an opportunity to go outside of my brunching box. For my dining pleasure, I went with the Tawook Strips, which were three fried chicken breasts with hot honey sauce. I though the chicken strips were perfectly fried and had a perfect blend of hot and sweet. The portion sizes (especially with the various dips) are quite generous. The restaurant has nice size so it's great for large (5-8 [maybe more] people) brunch parties. Ala-DC definitely has been added to my go-to brunch spots list. read more

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This place was good !! Couldn't have been more content with what I ate. It is pricey, but we did have coupons through InKind app which was nice The ambiance is beautiful and very cool. Coffee was good and the little sweet was interesting. The flat bread incredible, duck prosciutto was something new and good, the salmon and shrimp dish was great! Chicken and veggies were so tasty and tender Our waiter was great and attentive as welll Would love to return read more

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Joined Ala for their new revamped brunch and was not disappointed! Ismael took care of us on the patio, which was covered and provided a nice ambiance on a cool summer day. The brunch buffet itself was replenished often and had plenty of options to choose from! Everything was delicious! Only downside was slightly slow service on bottomless drinks but otherwise great brunch deal in the city! read more

ala - Brunch buffet (eggs, turkey bacon, pulled short rib, Brussels, potato's, and dill cheese) - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

stopped in the restaurant on a Friday afternoon. Thanks to the DC Discovery Book, I was able to receive a complimentary spreads sampler. This included hummus, baba ghanouch (charred eggplant), jagegh (artichoke & mint) and za'atar labneh (labneh with dill oil). All the spreads were so fresh and vibrant with the addition of the soft pita bread to scoop everything up with. My server was taking care of 4 tables and still checked on me very often. The restaurant was beautifully decorated, and the music was welcoming. I'll definitely be back again to try more menu items in the future. read more

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Fantastic food and service on a Friday night at Ala -DC! On food - Because the dishes are small and shareable, we chose to do the tasting menu where each person at the table gets 4 mezze plates and one dessert. We also tried cocktails and tea. Each of the dishes was packed with flavor and texture combinations and beautifully plated. My favorites were the beet salad, kechi, labneh pide, and halloumi wraps. The cocktails looked beautiful but did not bring the same exciting flavors as the food. For dessert, the table agreed the hazelnut halva semifreddo was the best! For service - the manager and servers were so attentive and kind. We felt like special guests or something! Unlike at other restaurants, we were never rushed. It was my first time at Ala but I'll be back! read more

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Ala offers a lovely lunch tasting menu made up of several popular Lebanese and other Middle Eastern dishes. Make sure to save room for dessert! read more

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Stopped while visiting DC. I tried the Tawook Schnitzel and the Toum Short Ribs Gyro. Both were really good, but the gyro was the way to go! I had to order another one because it was that good! Coming back next time I'm in DC! read more

ala - TAWOOK SCHNITZEL - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great Mediterranean spot with seats not basic but very cushioned and felt great all night. Upscale feel and modern well lit. Started with mixed spread which was quick and warm pitas which was good to start. You get two and we didn't get more as we'd get full. Ended with broccolini and halloumi as that's my favorite and cooked well and broccolini was flavored and not bland. Server was great and not asking us too much to flip the table. read more

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I wish that I would've written something about this place closer to when I've been. Now that it's been a while, I realize that there really wasn't much that was memorable. The food was OK. The vibe was a bit stale. When we came, they had just updated their brunch menu. The food was not bad at all. The service definitely needed some work. All in all, I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come back, especially given some of the better spots in DC that serve similar food. read more

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Lovely modern Turkish cuisine. They bill themselves as coming from the Levant, but I think most of the items in here are Turkish. I confirmed that after talking with the owner. I have eaten here a few times and all the food is great. Loved the crab salad, chicken shish kebab, falafel. Lunch special for $44 includes 3 meze and a desert. read more

Delicious all you can eat brunch for $36! There is a large portion of self serve foods and they are all amazing. You can order tapas styled entrees that come out hot and filling. I highly recommend this place if you ever need a big brunch! The staff were extremely nice and the place itself looks fancy and great to just hang out with your friends to chat over brunch. Would definitely come back again for brunch occasions! read more

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The beautiful thing about this restaurant is I have managed to walk in every time Ambiance is nice outside, especially with fans in the summer. Inside, I would recommend sitting downstairs! The upstairs feels like I am clocking in for work - the tables are in cubicles with uneven harsh lighting and was really warm. Service was okay. Our waiter was also working a table of 20 so ‍. I think they should have just left a pitcher of water on our table. Food was good. It seemed a little off (cold items) but taste was still the same. Great for the vegetarian in our group. read more

My friends and I went to ala looking for a place to get drinks and grab some food. I can't say anything about the food because my friends and I waited 30 minutes and didn't even get our orders in. Meanwhile, the tables next to us were served, despite having larger party sizes and coming at the same time as us. I was excited about the menu, which looked great but I expected better service. read more

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One of my absolute favorite spots in Dupont. I used to work nearby so we would come here for lunch on occasion and the food never disappointed. It's a great spot for vegetarians, but they also have what looks like to be good meat dishes too. My favorites include the dips (especially the zaatar labneh), halloumi wraps, and the golden cauliflower. They also have a nice drink menu that includes a lot of non-alcoholic options. Service has always been attentive and friendly and it's a wonderful ambiance. The decoration is lovely and the patio is huge and comfortable. I definitely need to go back for brunch which features, bottomless buffet, drinks, and made to order hot items. Their pricing duration policy doesn't make any sense to me though, so I'm not actually sure how to read that. read more

Came here for brunch this past weekend. The place is really cute and the service was good too. The problem for me was the food. It all looked very good and fresh but literally every dish was missing flavor. All the dips just tasted completely bland and the meats were dry and lacked any taste. I'm not sure what went wrong here. I wouldn't come back anytime soon. We really ended up filling up on the bread, cheese, nuts and fruit. Also, would be nice if they served the bread warm at the table instead of leaving it out on the buffet. read more

I came here for the three course menu brunch with a group of my friends on a Saturday morning. We had made a reservation prior, which was a good move our part, because the restaurant was very busy. We decided to go for the bottomless mimosas option, in addition to the brunch, which we thoroughly enjoyed. For starters, highlights were definitely the patatas bravas. The hummus bubble goodies were fine, but there was definitely not enough pita for our party size, and it took a while for them to come out with more. The shakshuka was a standout for the main course. The brussels sprouts were a little undercooked, and the latkes were under seasoned and kind of mushy. The challah French toast was delicious, though I wish that that the portion size had been larger. The desserts were absolutely incredible, and we enjoyed all of them. I think overall, the food was very delicious, and I was extremely satisfied. I think the service was fine, though rather slow. Despite opting for the bottomless mimosas option, it felt like our champagne bottle was always empty, and required us asking the servers multiple times for a new bottle of champagne. I would definitely come back here, but would recommend it only if you have a lot of time. read more

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