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    Albi

    4.6 (470 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndMiddle Eastern
    Closed Closed

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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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    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.

    FATTOUSH and BATATA HARRA
    Narei K.

    We were so lucky to RSVP last minute. Beautiful restaurant. Very intimate and not too loud. The fattoush was phenomenal! Wonderful balance of salty, sweet, citrusy, juicy, creamy, and textures! The potato dish was very uniquely. Well seasoned, definitely heavy but desirable. The fried appetizer had a nice saltiness to it with a finishing sweetness from the apricots. I'm not much of a lamb person but it was cooked very well, seasoned through to medium rare. My boyfriend who enjoys lamb said it was the best lamb he has ever had. Service was great! They have a great choice of wine from Palestine and Lebanon that paired well with the lamb. Only downside is the price. It is quite expensive for the portion. Lamb was $85- it was a wonderful dinner experience but I don't think I'd go back!

    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
    Parth R.

    This is just the best restaurant in DC. Incredibly decorated, service is fantastic, and the courses and so imaginative. Run don't walk to albi if you can get a reservation. If you get anything, get the lamb belly skewers and the battata harra. Fantastic meal.

    Kristen M.

    I've been to Albi twice now and its just so. damn. good. They are so consistently impeccable. The staff is welcoming and really help to walk you through the menu. From the sommelier talking through the regional wines, to our waiter making sure our meal was balanced with snacks, dumplings and proteins, everything was fantastic. And don't worry, we left FULL. I will say that even by dc standards this restaurant is very expensive. The ambiance is lovely and every dish that came out of that kitchen was a hit so I understand the high price, but they may be pricing some foodies out of the experience.

    Trout
    Cynthia L.

    Check your comfort at the door and here is where we landed on a date night. I'm going to start by saying I have never tried Lebanese food (so don't come at me with your "you don't blah blah blah?!") Please and thank you. With that said, friends have given glowing reviews of this place, so Albi, we had to check you out. Albi did an impeccable job with their service and decor, as usual, for a Michelin-star location. Our sparkling waters never dipped below half and the table was always cleaned off after every tasting. Speaking of tasting, if you've never been here, I recommend doing the tasting (as the restaurant does as well to take you on a journey of their food). 4-Star because while the food was indeed very delicious, almost every dish has some yogurt-base/infusion/side piece to compliment the dish and my lactose-intolerant behind doesn't do dairy products like that. Some dishes were hits (like that truffle dish generously piled with black truffle?! or the lamb bread light bites) and some others felt like misses for me (like the main dish- trout, sorry! and stuffed squash). Def would recommend their tasting menu (4 + 1 dessert) because they also draw from seasonal flavors and we def sampled things we would not have chosen to order.

    Nevin J.

    This was one of my favorite food experiences ever. The aesthetic and ambiance when you walk in is homely and welcoming. When we were seated, the server gave us a great explanation of the menu. We ordered the following: 1. Sfeeha which was a small lamb meat stick/mini pie with toom (garlic spread) 2. Mushroom hummus : This is a must try , I would love to try the other hummuses next time. 3. Lamb kebab bbq was the star of the show every bite was flavorful and it was very filling. This can be split among two people 4. We had the knafeh and labene (soft serve with pomegranate molasses) both were very good We also had the date palmer which was a Moroccan mint tea mocktail I was so full at the end of this meal but everything was really and could not recommend it more

    Lamb kabob
    Tam V.

    I love Albi - I've been here twice within the last month because it's that good. My boyfriend who doesn't usually like lamb even liked the lamb here! The hearth cooking is incredible and you genuinely taste the flame in almost every dish. I loved the lamb kabob, but the star of the show was any of the menu items that came with the pita bread. Genuinely was the best bread I've ever had... All of the staff were incredibly helpful and knew the menu inside and out, giving great recommendations. I loved also being able to see the kitchen live as we ate, which added to the ambience.

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    2 months ago

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    23 days ago

    Very good experience, food was stellar, and service was fantastic. The pita, chicken and lamb appetizers were all incredible

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    Albi Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Albi

    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 9 Questions

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    ilili DC - pita pillows

    ilili DC

    4.4(735 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$$

    Dining with my friend on Lebanese cuisine was a delightful culinary adventure filled with surprises…read moreand delights. Moussaka: A classic Lebanese dish. Eggplant and hummus were simmered until soft and flavorful, with a subtle smoky aroma. The addition of mint leaves enhanced the flavor. Bone Marrow: Beef tartare with bone marrow and pomegranate seeds--how interesting! The first two provided a rich, fatty texture and intense aroma, while the latter burst in your mouth occasionally, juicy, tangy, and refreshing. Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts with grapes, walnuts, fig jam, and mint yogurt--a whimsical yet magical combination... The Brussels sprouts offered a fresh, vegetal aroma and a slightly roasted aroma; the walnuts provided a nutty richness and crunch; the fruit provided a fresh sweet and sour taste and plenty of juice; and the yogurt acted as a binder between the flavors while adding a touch of minty coolness. Duck Shawarma: My friend and I thought: ...Peking duck? The skin was soft, the meat tender, not gamey, with a subtle smoky flavor; the fig and lemon sauce was sweet and refreshing; the small pita pillows held the meat securely, better than the lettuce what might have been too cold. Lamb Stuffed Grape Leaves: Black rice was wrapped in grape leaves and simmered with minced lamb. The rice absorbed the fragrance of the grape leaves, similar to lotus leaves (my friend and I thought: lamb version of sticky rice chicken糯米雞...?). The lamb, however, was served separately at the bottom of the pot and didn't absorb much flavor; overall, it was intensely sour. In short, this dish was a bit oddly designed, and it was the only one we didn't finish because the sourness was unbearable. Pita Bread: The bread was thin yet chewy, with a rough, slightly powdery surface, making it substantial and satisfying. I especially loved the "everything wrapped in a big pancake" style! This restaurant is located on the wharf near the Potomac River and boasts beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. The spring sunlight streamed in softly.

    I took a good friend last night for an early father's day dinner. Due to the crowds at the Wharf…read moreparking took longer than normal. They were very accommodating for that. Upon arriving at the restaurant there was no waiting we were taken to our table. The waiter was very helpful and attentive regarding the menu and specials not on the menu. We ordered a mixture of hot and cold mezza plates to share at the table. I initially ordered a mocktail that was good then we ordered wine. My friend ordered a glass of the red table wine however in my case my palate was off last night because every wine before settling on the chardonnay was clashing with the food. For the meal we ordered the mixed meat plate with suppose to be roasted veggies. The veggies were odd they seemed pickled and not roasted. The meat with the warm bread and dirty rice were good. We didnt order any dessert. I gave 4 because of the veggies and wine selections.

    Photos
    ilili DC - Stylish dining room with greenery.

    Stylish dining room with greenery.

    ilili DC - Duck Shawarma

    Duck Shawarma

    ilili DC - Olive You Margarita and Keraz Carciofo Negroni.

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    Olive You Margarita and Keraz Carciofo Negroni.

    ala - GOLDEN CAULIFLOWER

    ala

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    3.3 miDupont Circle, Downtown
    $$$

    Brunch review ahead!!!!!…read more 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.

    Three stars isn't the actual rating; I'd say more 3.5. Stopped by after visiting the Dupont…read moreCircle's weekly farmer's market to try their Sunday brunch buffet. Was warmly greeted, seated, and given an overview of the menu and brunch package options; decided to opt-out of the bottomless drinks, which had an alcoholic (mimosas and Bloody Marys) and NA (juices, sodas, drip coffee and black tea), as I wanted to try their more speciality coffee and tea. The drinks I ordered were the Turkish coffee, Levantine-style tea and digestive tea. All were quite solid. The Turkish coffee was as robust as espresso, yet not overwhelmingly bitter and slightly sweetened. The Levantine tea was a smooth black tea with natural sweetness and layered with a mint steep and floral notes of hibiscus, and rose petal. The digestive was more herbaceous with fennel and pomegranate zest, in addition to a steep of spearmint. The food was more hit-or-miss. On one hand, the meat and seafood was all very delicious and well-made. The braised lamb shank is their speciality, and well-deserved, as it's moist, savory and tender. The short rib similarly so, and the chicken casserole, lamb biajeen, Adana kebab and steamed lavraki (sea bass) were all similarly flavorful. On the other hand, the sides and mezze options were more mixed; the dolmas and fresh bites cheese with za'atar/nuts were delightful, however, the borek, cheeses, and some of the dips tasted reheated and/or not super fresh, the Brussels sprouts were quite scorched, and the savory salmon waffles were bone dry and flavorless. The French onion soup had the right flavor profile, but not the intensity; it tasted watered-down and even looked it, due to the noticeable oil blebs on the surface. Dessert was similar; the melon and fruits were fresh enough, the yogurt bar was quality, the kadayif nutty with the sweetness balanced, and the layali lubnan was intoxicatingly tasty, but many of the baked goods looked rather packaged and the fondue station was mediocre. The staff, however, were extremely friendly (my special regards to Mia, she's a great conversationalist and a sweetheart!). They answered all my questions, and one of the bartenders even gave me half a lemon to zuzh up my tea with. As I said at the start, more 3.5 stars than 3 stars. The core of their offerings are all quality, so I can't quite dock them a full two stars for the food quality because they had buffets aren't usually renown for said quality. You really can't expect perfection from AYCE, even though I naturally encourage the management to avoid sourcing pre-made items from Sysco if possible. The friendly staff and eloquent Eastern Mediterranean ambiance allows me to still say I enjoyed this experience, and may be back for dinner in the future.

    Photos
    ala
    ala - Adana Kebab

    Adana Kebab

    ala

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    Nabiha

    Nabiha

    4.3(24 reviews)
    3.6 miU Street Corridor

    Been eyeing this place for a while and finally got around to trying it! We ordered the Chicken…read moreFreekeh Maqlouba and the Fattet Jaj. The Fattet Jaj was okay, the rice was a little clumpy, but the Freekeh was pretty good and tasted authentic. It's also connected to El Secreto de Rosita, so there's a combined menu and you can order from either place, which gives you plenty of options. The service was great; our waitress was very sweet and welcoming. The ambiance was chill, and there was live music playing, which was fun to watch. Overall, a cozy spot for a relaxed night with good vibes and live music.

    Braving a bone-chilling cold yesterday evening, we ventured with friends over to Nabiha in the…read moreDistrict. This was my first experience with Palestinian cuisine. Nabiha is a family-owned restaurant connected to the other restaurant the family owns, El Secreto de Rosi, which is Peruvian cuisine. As a matter of fact, the menu has Nabihi dishes on one side and El Secreto dishes on the flip side. Our server was a lovely young woman who told us the restaurant was named after her grandmother. After we placed our orders, she took us around both restaurants to show us the wall art. One wide painting in El Secreto is quite naughty. I understand the restaurants have separate kitchens. Unfortunately, our server's service left something to be desired. She never checked on us during the meal, except for one time she came to refill water glasses but only refilled glasses of two of the four people at the table. That was kinda rude. Largely because of the service, I can only give three stars. They had a food runner who brought our food out that knew nothing about the food and was unable to tell us which dish was which. On the other hand, another gentleman who helped out was entirely professional, energetic and proactive. As far as ambience it was fine. If there was music playing, I didn't notice it. In other words, you could easily hold a conversation. So as far as the food? Pretty good, for the most part. As a matter of fact, the hummus was freakin' delicious! We all ordered the daily soup which was broth, onions, carrots and lentils. Three of us thought the soup was tasty, but picky me thought there was just too much cumin. We wanted to try the Mujaddara Freekeh, but they were out, so we went with the Fattet Jaj. Containing rice, yogurt and chicken thigh meat, it was delicious. However, the toasted pita chips atop the dish were scorched but they still sent the dish out anyway. The mildly seasoned ground beef Musakhan Wraps were very good. Our desserts, the Yafa Orange Walnut Cake and Knafeh Nabulsiyyeh were excellent. The Chicken Freekeh had pungent spices. Would we come back? Maybe, but prices are high.

    Photos
    Nabiha
    Nabiha - Babousa

    Babousa

    Nabiha

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    Albi - mideastern - Updated June 2026

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