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    Albi

    4.6 (481 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndMiddle Eastern
    Closed Closed

    Albi Photos

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    ALBI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Albi

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    Reviews With Photos

    Janelle T.

    Amazing ambiance and even better food. So many great options on the menu and everything was perfectly seasoned and cooked. I'm hoping to return because there were so many other menu items I wanted to try

    Tiffany C.

    I got super lucky and was invited to a private small party of my friend to celebrate her birthday. she rented out the garden terrace in the backroom and it was so intimate, beautiful, glass windows etc. I loved the pace of the food as it came out. She did help curate the menu already and every single dish I ate was so delightful. even something as simple as the date appetizer was so yummy because of the way they smoke it and honestly, i wouldn't usually try something like that. i knew this restaurant had such high recommendations and was rated really high in DC but trying it myself, I was honestly blown away by every meal. the meals are fun, interactive, you get to use your hands for the most part and I just really loved all parts of the dining experience. service was good, i don't really have comments about them haha

    Marinated olives
    Josh B.

    One of the best meals of my life, period. Dish after dish blew me away. The lamb flatbread was the first course and all of us were speechless. The pita and hummus with the labneh was a top 3 bite of all time. By the end, we were all completely stuffed until the knafeh arrived. Then a second wind overtook us all and we nearly ate the whole thing. Service was outstanding. We arrived at our table with a handwritten note to us celebrating our time with them for the occasion (it was a going away dinner for a few of us). We were given recommendations on drink pairings and each dish was explained. Whenever someone would get up to use the bathroom for example, their hand towel was changed for a clean one. Albi lives up to every expectation and recommendation it has. I would be hard pressed to find another restaurant let alone in DC, in the country that could take its spot on the podium.

    Ryan C.

    My wife and I have been trying for a long time to grab a dinner reservation at Albi and we've never had any luck. So for my birthday, we decided to walk in right when they opened to try our luck. Lucky for us, the staff was super nice and were able to accommodate us with a table near the bar. We went for their multi-course Sofra meal and their wine flight (pairing?). Every course was amazing. Our favorites were the meat pies, bread and hummus course, the lamb kabobs, and the desserts! Really we loved every single thing and the wine pairings were on point. Service was amazing and everyone we interacted with was some warm and welcoming. Definitely one of my favorite meals I've had in a while and will come back as soon as possible. Parking can be rough Friday-Sunday but there is a few garages nearby.

    Andrew P.

    I don't even know where to start with this. Last friday, I had a remarkable dinner here, and I was wowed from the moment I stepped inside. As much as I love the cocktail bar next door, I had no idea this epic place was here. The inside is a bit dark, yet so welcoming and cozy. It's the waiting area if you are either early for your reservation or waiting for others in your party. They are kind enough to give you a glass of water and the cocktail menu in case you want to get started. We were fancy and did the hearth table and WHAT a journey it was. From surprise drink tastings and bites to pretty much trying all new food items and combinations, I would absolutely do it again. I could name the things that I had, but you may or may not know what they are. All I can say was that it was seven delightful courses that left me just right. The friendly, professional staff made it even better. Check the reservations and to the hearth table. Do it.

    Kamali F.

    Very easily one of my new favorite restaurants in DC! The service was great and the restaurant is stunning and beautifully decorated, but the food was more than I could have imagined. I decided to do the Sofra tasting experience and I was not disappointed. Every course was rich in flavors that blended perfectly together, beautifully plated and leaving me wanting more! My favorites were the Sfeeha, Kibbeh Naya (lamb and peas), Squid Khibz. Dessert was also phenomenal! I got the Mahalabiya and the Twist soft serve! I can't wait to return.

    Paul D.

    This was hands down the best meal we had in DC. We did not have a reservation so we turned up 10 mins before they opened on a Saturday and managed to grab seats at the bar. The walk-in availability very quickly vanished and I heard people being quoted 2.5 hours for a seat, so if you want to walk in get there early. We had the tasting menu and it was a brilliant way to discover the menu and the cuisine, although it was almost too much food! The lamb is a must order.

    Sandra K.

    Agree with everyone that Albi lives up to the hype! The food was one of a kind. We enjoyed the sfeeha, oysters, crispy kibbeh (beef), mushroom khubz, squid khubz, lamb khubz, batata harra, malfouf, whole chicken (SO moist), and maqluba. I would 100% order everything again except maybe the squid khubz, the squid was a little brine-y. But wow that freshly baked, warm pita bread, too die for. We were celebrating a graduation and they had a handwritten card at our table, a nice touch. One note, and it's a problem with a lot of modern restaurants, is that the music was SO loud so it was hard to hear folks at my table.

    Lamb kebab
    Lauren C.

    Fabulous dinner at Albi. Came here to celebrate a birthday and had an excellent experience. From the hostess, to the waiter, to the sommelier, the customer service was top notch and on par of what you expect from a Michelin star restaurant. We ordered quite a few dishes and everything was well executed and tasty. Didn't try one bad dish. My personal favorites were the oysters and the stuffed cabbage with beef cheek (picture doesn't look like much but it was amazing). The kibbeh naya was a unique dish for us...similar to beef tartare but not quite the same. The lamb kebab was delightful and probably my biggest recommendation for entrees. We also got a bottle of a red Palestinian wine. Woowwww blew us away and not something you can find everywhere. We also got Negroni's and they were excellent. We are a bit of Negroni snobs and always try one at every bar or restaurant we go to if they have it. This one was one of the better ones we've had in awhile. Snag a reservation and enjoy with friends and family or go treat yourself to a solo dinner. You won't be disappointed! The inside of the restaurant is breathtaking and I love the open kitchen concept.

    Knafeh
    Hajir S.

    Wow - just wow. I didn't expect Albi to live up to the hype and it certainly did. Everything from when you walk in the door to your final sip of coffee or bite of dessert is a treat. Every interaction with every server, every drink put in front of you, every bite, and every view within the restaurant is well thought out and executed perfectly. The spot is beautiful, one of the most beautiful restaurants in DC for sure. Every server is wearing a nice outfit that matches the decor of the restaurant. It feels like there are uniforms, but you'll notice that there are not really uniforms, it's really quite the vibe. Every server is personable, and they truly make the experience one that you cannot stop enjoying. From a food perspective we did the Sofra. Definitely the right choice, I had more food than I could have possibly ordered brought to the table and everything was amazing. The real standouts included the batata hara, the lamb sneefah I think it's spelled, the labne, the hummus, and the lamb. Just every dish was so perfect. The coffee service at the end was also excellent, and every cocktail I had was great. I even ordered a ramos gin fizz that was done perfectly. I don't think the Knafeh was the best i've ever had, but it was still good, and honestly I was so full by the end I couldn't finish it!

    Priyanka T.

    Albi was such a good experience. The ambience was really nice, and the smoked lamb awarma hummus was rich, flavorful, and perfect with their incredible pita. The coal-fired beets were just okay for me, but the desserts made up for it, the brown butter knafeh was amazing, and I even loved the affogato despite not being a coffee person.

    Kala R.

    Sam at the bar and fellow bartenders made this an enjoyable experience. Ask of his recommendations were spot on and so tasty! The wine list was an enjoyable read. The website did not do Albi justice. Highly recommend

    Kell M.

    My boyfriend and I went here for our one year anniversary and this place is very much worth the hype! The coat check, the drink orders while waiting, the warm scented towels -- I'm a sucker for great service. To ensure I could secure a reservation, I stayed up since reservations drop 60 days out at midnight and that worked like a charm. This is not a book same month kind of spot. Labne: delightful, and the bread is as well. Manti (lamb dumplings): very flavorful and plentiful! Sfeeha: delicious textures. Batata harra: good but would skip this one and try a different side. Hashwei: out of this world! The squash, the brown butter and the flavors of the rice?! Immaculate. My favorite cocktail I had was no sleep til Beirut -- who doesn't love a good espresso martini.

    Tahdig with Maryland crab

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    Albi Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Albi

    My friend has a tree nut allergy. Is it worth taking her here? Will it change my experience of the food?

    I don't think so

    Is it smoky in the restaurant from all the food being smoked? Would a person with asthma of COPD have difficulty breathing well?

    No it's not smoky in the restaurant at all

    Does Albi have valet parking?

    No, but there is street parking and nearby public parking garages

    Are there any added benefits/perks to sitting at the Hearth Table? Or is it just that you are paying for the kitchen seating?

    There are some extras I believe in addition to having awesome seats - truffles shaved over a dip, drink pairing for a course, not sure what else. maybe some dishes not included on the dining room sofra

    Is there a dress code?

    No, but it is an upper-scale restaurant

    Do you have outdoor seating as well?

    Yes, when i went we we ate outside in a enclosed tent cause it was chilly out.

    Do they use halal meat or offer halal meat options?

    No they do not

    Do they have an outdoor seating set up for the winter?

    Yes they have a covered / enclosed patio but they also had individual greenhouses last year so I would check to see if it's back this year.

    View All 10 Questions

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    Zaytinya

    Zaytinya

    4.2(6.3k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$

    I was in Washington D.C. for the weekend and tried this amazing Mediterranean place for lunch. My…read morefriend who recommended this place has been obsessed with the food here and I can totally see why. We ordered mushroom kapnista, Halloumi pide, zaatar pide, htipiti and everything was so delicious. I'm not sure if I enjoyed the combination of dates and mushrooms together but really loved the smoky mushroom by itself. I was also very impressed with the Zaatar pide, it was cheesy and delicious. For desert we ordered greek yogurt with apricot and it was probably the best thing we tried here. The ambience is classy and they have ample of seating space. The overall meal didn't cost us as much as I thought it was, the prices were fairly reasonable!

    I went with a friend to try the restaurant week lunch menu…read more The good: I loved the flavor of the shrimp for the third course, the scallops (non restaurant week dish) , the falafel, and the garlic sauce from the chicken dish of the third course. The restaurant is pretty and spacious. The bad: Most of the dishes unfortunately were pretty bland. The chilli oil did nothing for the hummus, the chicken with orzo (?) lacked salt, and the cake was extremely small with little flavor as well. Regarding service: they were kind, but it was a long while before we received bread and had to flag someone down. The lack of flavors and minuscule portions are what prevents me from returning

    Photos
    Zaytinya
    Zaytinya
    Zaytinya - Spreads & Bread

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    Spreads & Bread

    Maydan - Roasted carrots

    Maydan

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$$$

    Genuinely beautiful. The food was amazing. Service was attentive and friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed…read morethis. Star of the show was definitely the lamb tagine. However, the halloumi and scallop were impeccable as well I will be back for Many more visits as my wallet allows.

    Went to Maydan in DC and had such a lovely time. The ambiance is amazing -- such a fun, warm,…read morebeautiful place, and our server, Haley, was so wonderful and attentive. We always had pita, they were quick to check in on us, and overall the service was great! Food-wise, there were some HUGE standouts. The red pepper walnut dip is a MUST. It's a little sweet, a little tangy, and super flavorful overall. The hummus was also delicious, with a sorta woodsy, smoky depth of flavor. The oyster mushrooms, though, were an absolute standout. SO much umami, really well seasoned, and perfectly cooked -- they genuinely tasted like steak. Amazing, amazing dish. The vegetables were also really well done overall. The fire-roasted asparagus was great, and the sweet potato was perfect. The cauliflower was also amazing, although we ordered so much food that we weren't able to finish everything and had to take some home. If you're choosing vegetables, do the sweet potato and the mushrooms, hands down. The carrot havuc was yummy as well, more mild and yogurt-y, and the pickled veggies were really interesting. I had never had a pickled tomato before! The pomegranate mocktail was also delicious. Gingery, well balanced, and very refreshing. HIGHLY recommend. There were a couple dishes that fell a little short for me. The halloumi comes out VERY hot, so be careful lol, but it was veryyy sesame-forward and ultimately wasn't my favorite. It was good, just not something I'd necessarily reorder. The saffron couscous was also not a huge hit around the table. It wasn't bad, just a little too sweet with the raisins and not 100% there for me. My mom liked it more than I did! Overall, you can tell everyone at Maydan believes in the food and really cares about the experience. We were celebrating my brother's birthday, and Haley even brought out a little champagne toast :,). I will absolutely be back!

    Photos
    Maydan - Tawle

    Tawle

    Maydan - Shrimp

    Shrimp

    Maydan - Spiced chocolate mousse

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    Spiced chocolate mousse

    La' Shukran - BBQ'd Maitake

    La' Shukran

    4.6(163 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Wow, just like you would expect from the team from Albi, the dish preparations at La Shukran are on…read morepoint. The flavor combinations were subtly complex and engaging. We enjoyed every dish we ordered. The dining room is relatively small and quite noisy. The rooftop dining area is casual and airy. Note: the rooftop seating only offers drinks and the small bites from the full menu. Larger entree options are not available on the rooftop. We will definitely be back to dine here again.

    Service A+ Ambiance A…read moreDrinks A Food...this is where it gets interesting. They suggest family style and 2-3 items per person which we thought was excessive bc each dish averages about $20. We ordered 5 for 2 people and could with done 4. They are still all pretty small for the price. labneh with crab had 0 flavor should have skipped it Hummus with mushroom was good but need all the items on the plate at once to get full effect. The bread that comes with the dips....omg the bread. It was probably the best part of the dips to be honest. The falafal was very good, would def repeat. An order is 3 but we added a 4th one The potato frites thing was omg probably the best item we had. Crunchy outside, soft fluffy inside but the green sauce was *chefs kiss* amazing I almost licked it from the bowl. Last item was the lamb fried rice...it was good a lot of flavors with the lamb, corn and apricots. Would I order again honestly not sure. I'd prob get a coupe cocktails the falafal and potato things and leave overly satisfied. We went with the cheese dessert bc he described it similar to a cheesecake which cheesecake it was NOT. It was ok. My dinner date loved it tho.

    Photos
    La' Shukran - View from waiting area

    View from waiting area

    La' Shukran - Shortbread

    Shortbread

    La' Shukran - Summaq

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    Summaq

    ala - GOLDEN CAULIFLOWER

    ala

    4.2(1.3k reviews)
    3.3 miDupont Circle, Downtown
    $$$

    I attended a Yelp Elite event here and honestly everything was a 10. The space is beautiful inside…read more Clean lines, modern decor, great lighting, and just a really polished vibe. It feels upscale without feeling stuffy, which I loved. The service was just as good as the space. Everyone was attentive, friendly, and made sure we were taken care of the entire night. Now the food... We started with the Fehleq and it was delicious. Then came the Batata Hara, which was technically for my cousin because I do NOT like white potatoes but that harissa and toum had me reaching back over to their side of the table. The Brussels sprouts were another win, but the Za'atar pide was absolutely my favorite. I could have eaten the whole thing by myself and probably should have ordered another one. And because apparently we were not done eating, we moved on to the regular menu and ordered the tuna tartare. So good. Fresh, flavorful, and definitely not your basic tuna tartare. The drinks were great too. Everything felt well balanced, creative, and matched the food perfectly. By the end of the night, I was already looking at the menu trying to figure out what I am ordering when I come back. And yes, I am definitely coming back. Great food, great drinks, beautiful space, amazing service. Ala understood the assignment. Thank you Yelp DC and Ala for such a fun night!

    Was invited to try Ala through a fellow Yelper and grateful for the introduction because this place…read moredelivered-ish. The all day happy hour menu is the move and we took full advantage. The Batata Hara: fried potatoes with garlic were dangerously good. Overpowering with the garlic but in the absolute best way possible. The Karahab fried brussels sprouts and the Tawook chicken breast burger were both delicious and well executed. The only miss for me personally was the ribeye gyro but that's less about Ala and more about me finally confirming that gyros and I are just not meant to be. The food gets a solid 5 stars. The seating situation however deserves a conversation. Yelpers were directed to either the bar or outside with no other options offered. The weather cooperated and it wasn't a bad experience outdoors but when the hostess specifically stated that Yelpers sit at the bar or outside, that landed differently. The restaurant appeared beautiful from what I could see and assuming the inside was as lovely as it looked, that felt like a quiet form of segregation that the restaurant should probably revisit. Guests are guests regardless of how they found you. Our waiter was attentive and never forgot about us which is always appreciated. Overall a great experience with one note worth addressing. I'd return but hopefully at the main table next time.

    Photos
    ala
    ala - Adana Kebab

    Adana Kebab

    ala

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    Joon - Inside

    Joon

    4.2(644 reviews)
    12.3 mi
    $$$
    Private events
    Large group friendly

    Dear Joon Management,…read more My family and I have been regular customers at your restaurant since March because we truly enjoy your excellent Persian food. I have also brought many coworkers and friends to introduce them to your restaurant. Unfortunately, during every visit over the past several months, the rice has been excessively salty. It tastes as though salt was added to the rice rather than the rice being properly seasoned. In May, I brought eight guests, and nearly everyone left their rice untouched. In early July, I returned with four people, and once again no one ate the rice. We mentioned the issue to our waiter, who was very polite and said he would inform the manager and the cook. On the third Wednesday of July, I came with two friends, and once again none of us ate the rice. I spoke with the manager, who was very kind and assured me she would discuss the issue with the cook. Unfortunately, despite reporting the problem more than once, nothing has changed. If this had happened only once, I would not be writing this email. However, after several disappointing visits, I expected that our meals would have been replaced or that we would not have been charged for food that was left uneaten because of the overly salted rice. I respectfully request that you consider providing a refund or another appropriate resolution for our most recent visit. More importantly, I hope this issue is corrected so future customers can fully enjoy your excellent food. If our feedback is important to you, I would appreciate hearing from you. I would also like to share your response with the friends and coworkers I have encouraged to visit your restaurant. My name is David A., and my email address is Shirpelang@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, David A.

    First time at Joon, and it was a great intro. Went with a friend for social hour and shared a…read morespread: the Joon burger, lamb and pistachio meatballs, falafel, lamb hummus, and French fries. Everything was delicious, no weak dish in the bunch. The meatballs and falafel especially stood out, but honestly the whole table was clean by the end. We also tried the Fig Old Fashioned and the Hafizz Spritz. The Fig Old Fashioned was the standout of the night: bourbon sweetened with fig cordial and warmed with Angostura bitters. Perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and dangerously easy to drink. The Hafizz Spritz was refreshing too, cucumber, lime, and mint with gin, prosecco rosé, and elderflower, but the Fig Old Fashioned is the one I'm already thinking about ordering again. Great first visit. Will be back for social hour again.

    Photos
    Joon
    Joon - 7 Sin Nowruz 2025

    7 Sin Nowruz 2025

    Joon - Haleem Bademjoon

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    Haleem Bademjoon

    Albi - mideastern - Updated September 2026

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