Albi Photos
Business Info
ALBI ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Albi
Recommended Reviews - Albi
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
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.
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
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.
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
Came for a birthday dinner and was pleasantly surprised with a handwritten birthday card from the Albi staff waiting at our table, which was such a kind and thoughtful touch, reflective of the service attitude. Service is unique in that wait staff are said to " guide you" through the experience of dining at Albi, and we experienced this when ordering and being recommended to order more dishes for our party size, and being made specific recommendations based on our allergies and preferences. We decided to order à la carte because this was our first time dining at Albi; we tried the sfeeha, smoked goat awarma on hummus, fattoush salad, and BBQd lamb kabobs which also came with cinnamon stick kefta. The flavors were phenomenal across the board, though I can confidently say the best thing we had was the smoked goat awarma. Also, the Fattoush salad was nothing like fattoush I had eaten before, and although I was pleasantly surprised by the watermelon and cheese combination in the salad (an Arab classic), I thought the watermelon and honeydew made for a much sweeter salad than I had intended for, so bear that in mind when ordering. I didn't think the lamb kebab nor the sfeeha was anything to write home about, but the cinnamon stick kefta was perfection --the subtle cinnamon flavors seeping into the tender, warm kefta -- unlike anything I had tried before. Definitely felt like an intimate and intentional dining experience, and I hope to be back again and try more dishes, particularly off the khubz list
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
I saw Albi was rated #2 in The Washingtonian for best DC restaurants and had to give it a try Absolutely blown away with the food and portions. It was a bit pricey so I was thinking they would skimp on the portions and was I wrong! Left there very full Everything was SO SO good! If you can get a reservation, it's 100% worth trying and one of the best restaurants in DC. The duck was phenomenal read more
I think this may be my favorite meal of 2024! We dined at Albi's Chef's table and had an amazing view of the kitchen. We opted for the wine pairing to go with our tasting menu. The food was outstanding. Everything was so fresh. The spreads and pita were delicious. And for relatively healthy fresh ingredients, the flavors were very rich! I think I dreamt about this meal for days afterwards. The service was very attentive and pleasant! One critique is that some of the wine is a little experimental. There were a couple wine pairings that we were not so fond of, but we still enjoyed trying them. I 100% would come back here, and I hope to do that very soon! read more
2 years ago
One of, if not the best restaurant in DC. Everything about this restaurant is dialed in and exquisite. Cocktails and wine list are great. Food is amazing and the service staff are attentive and friendly. read more
1 year ago
The dining experience was exceptional. Every dish we ordered seemed to outdo the last, but the dessert was truly a standout. We especially loved the meat pies in the fattoush salad--easily one of the best bites of the night. The service was impeccable. It's the attention to small details like that, along with the consistently clean and well-kept table, that made the experience feel so polished and thoughtful. read more
This place is probably hands down my favorite restaurant in Washington DC. It is located at The Yards and it is a James Beard winner. So far, this is the only restaurant that is a James Beard winner that didn't disappoint. I highly suggest making reservations before heading here. We ended up getting a seat at the bar. We got the coal-fired mushroom hummus. I highly recommend this hummus. I was a bit scared of them putting an egg yolk in the middle but it honestly really made it taste better. I really liked how char like the hummus was. For the cocktail we got the za atar tini. I wasn't a big fan of the zaatar tini. I guess I was more intrigued on the cocktail containing olive oil and zaatar. It definitely didn't make a tasty drink (maybe part of a tasty dish). Baba ganoush was also charred. I really liked the pickled raisins and pine nuts. We also got the bobos chicken as our entree. I really liked how this chicken seemed very fresh. The dish overall was pretty good. Knafeh was the dessert we ordered. This dish was very sweet. I loved the pistachio on top of the dish. read more
HOLY SMOKES people weren't lying when they said this is THE best restaurant in DC! Heck, it's the BEST RESTAURANT I've been to THIS YEAR!! I've been going to fancy Michelin star places and fine dining establishments this summer but wow-- this place just blew everything out of the park. I managed to snag a reservation for Saturday dinner at the bar. Vibes were amazingggg-- sooo dark and moody!!! I definitely want to sit near the chefs kitchen next time. Service was amazing too-- everyone was superrrr friendly! Now on to the main event: the food!!! Ofc I had to do the sofra 5-course tasting menu AND the wine pairing (as a wine lover). There was soooo much food I had to take some home because I was completely stuffed! - Oyster: 10/10 (fantastic baked oyster with a very juicy and buttery sauce and fish roe on top to add back the fishy kick) - Sfeeha: 10000/10 (this was my fav appetizer! It's like mind blowingly good. Like how do they even season that meat??? And the crispy flatbread?? And the garlicky toum spread!!!!) - Kibbeh naya: 10/10 (this dish almost reminded me of Korean ssam! You wrap the kibbeh naya with the veggies. Veggies were soooo fresh and slightly tangy from the vinegar sauce they put on top. Kibbeh naya was good!) - Crab hummus: 10/10 (excellent hummus! Very light and not too garlicky) - Fig and cream cheese spread: 100/10 (I forgot what this is called but omg this was heavenlyyyy to pair with the pita) - Pita: 10000000/10 (best pita I've had. Like ever.) - Shrimp: 10/10 (super juicy shrimp in super yummy sauce) - Batata Harra: 10000000000/10 (omg this crispy on the outside and soft on the inside potatoes were phenomenal!!! I still dream about this to this day) - Lamb kebob: 10000000000000000/10 (this was MIND BLOWING! Lamb was seasoned to perfection and it was soooo tender. Grilled veggies were heavenly. I legit laughed when I ate this because it was that good) - Brussel sprout: 10/10 (amazing and creamy! Good to balance out the heavier dishes) - Labne soft serve: 1000/10 (omg the soft serve with the honey and strawberry was just heavenly) - Knafeh with strawberry yogurt ice cream: 1000000000/10 (best knafeh ever. Like omg it's so crispy, the ricotta cheese is like heavenly creamy, and the strawberry yogurt ice cream adds a cold and nice kick to it) - Wines: 10/10 (loved all of them! Especially loved the orange wine and the red wine. The sommelier was like amazingggg he was so knowledgeable!!) I will be dreaming about this meal until I'm back. Take me back!!!!! read more
6 months ago
Get the full multi course meal experience. Amazing pita, hummus, lamb, mocktails. Very lactose intolerant friendly and beautiful ambiance! read more
3 months ago
Walked in for a seat at the bar. Been here about 6-8 times as I used to live down here at the Navy Yard when they had Yellow down here. Moved back here. So No seats at the bar and no availability for the evening. I said I will wait and see what comes available at the bar. They sent me a text stating the wait exceeds 5hrs. Sat here for 2hrs. Seats available at the bar and now there are 4 seats that have been available for the past 15mins. Someone just sat down at one of the seats. I can only see the seats directly in front of me. I will wait another 15mins or so and see what happens. 2hrs 15mins with 3-4 seats at the bar for 1!!! read more
1 year ago
Grabbed a table for 2 for a birthday celebration and was really looking forward to the dinner - here was my experience Service - absolutely amazing, attentive, friendly and even worked with me for a take-away which is not something they do Ambience- nice decor , cosy , rustic, music was eclectic electronic , predominantly middle eastern vibes - definitely enjoyed it Food - now here is where it gets 3 stars. We did the 5 course chef curated experience - some of the dishes were fantastic , some were salty, and flavors were just meh. There was also a lot of lamb in the dishes , now I know that is the staple of the area but i was hoping for more variety - my bad cause I should have said that when they asked of any dietary needs. Top dish for me is the foraged mushrooms with egg confit and the shannandoa lamb - amazing flavors and well prepared. Least favorite was lamb kabob The food was alot and we couldn't finish all of it - practically needed to be rolled out of there - so you def get your money's worth. In hindsight , next time I will do a la carte read more
A couple friends and I made a reservation for November 5 on October 1. After hearing so many positive reviews on Albi and knowing that we could enjoy a 1-star Michelin restaurant without making a nasty dent in our wallet, we were so, so excited. We arrived around 6:37 and left after an hour and 45 minutes. Our server told us her favorites and the popular orders. She was attentive in making sure we got enough water. We got our first plate of food about 15-20 minutes after ordering and the second one came pretty shortly after. However, we waited about 25-30 minutes for our third plate. Overall, service felt really slow today and we noticed other tables looking around, too. Also, the utensils here are not really good at scraping up the sauces on the plates, but not sure if that was just our problem. COAL-FIRED MUSHROOM HUMMUS (5/5) - 22 The mushroom hummus was definitely the best thing we had from Albi and I can see why it's so popular. The egg yolk mixed in the hummus made the texture extra smooth and creamy. The mushrooms were so smoky and tasty. The pita bread was soft and fluffy. Everything about this hummus was perfect. It left us with high expectations to what there is to come. YELLOWFIN TUNA KIBBEH NAYA (2.5/5) - 24 We were told to make lettuce wraps using the tuna tartare, pickled vegetables (cucumber, radish, and onions) and other garnishes like mint and garlic sauce. Not the biggest fan of this one. The tuna was really thin and felt very flat. The garlic sauce was pungent and tasty which was the only highlight. I enjoyed the pickled radish, though. My friends who typically liked cucumbers felt like it didn't add much to the flavors. Overall, this one fell short of expectations and we weren't impressed. SWEET + SUMAC CARROTS (5/5) - 21 The first bite of the carrot was the best bite because it had that smoky charred flavor that reminded me of a charcoal grilled steak -- yum! Our server recommended us the carrots and told us she normally doesn't even care for carrots. She was not wrong. The carrots here are special. It was sweet and there were nice little toppings like peanuts and dates along with a really smooth, nicely whipped goat labne on the side. Overall, pretty solid and our second favorite. BBQ'D WARAK DAWALI (3/5) - 28 This was stuffed grape leaves with a few pieces of lamb belly and some garnish/sauce on the side that was a mixture of molasses (?) and cinnamon. The stuffed grape leaves were OK, nothing too special. One of my friends did not like the grape leaves. The lamb belly was nicely seared and flavorful but there were only like 4 pieces LOL. The sauce on the side was good and the sweetness was perfect. SMOKED CHICKEN MUSAKHAN KEBAB (1.5/5) - 72 The pita bread was on the bottom with a huge layer of caramelized onions, topped with some pine nuts and then two big chicken kabobs perched on top. The chicken was well cooked and super juicy, but some pieces were overly salty. The pita bread was good but it was ruined by the unbearably sweet onions (cooked with molasses?) that ruined the flavor. The balance of flavors did not make sense and even when we scraped the caramelized onions off the pita bread, it was still way too sweet because the sauce seeped through it. Additionally, this was not most definitely not worth it for the price given the quantity and the subpar quality. We understand that there can be off days, and the menu does change seasonally. Unfortunately, we didn't enjoy our experience at Albi and we probably won't be back -- maybe for the hummus we'd be back. One of my friends thought it was the best hummus he's ever had and it's definitely up there for me. read more
Came for dinner at 9pm on a wednesday. The place was still packed i almost forgot it was a week night! We really wanted to do the sofra but i goofed the reservation so a la carte it was. Here's what we got: Crab hummus- good, not the best ive ever had, but still very solid. My partner really enjoyed this one Fattoush- ordered purely on the waitress' recommendation! We wouldnt normally gravitate to something like this, but it was surprisingly delicious. I could've eaten a whole plate of just the pita bits alone Yellowfin kibbeh- get this. No explanation needed. Bbq lamb kebob- good, but not $82 good (sorry!) it was super tender, had a nice crust on the outside and the meatballs on cinnamon sticks were sweet, but id say just stack up on some other mezzes instead Halvah bar- i loved the clusters of salt on top with the sweetness of the halva. The nutty crisps made me feel less guilty about indulging Affogato- the labne soft serve was divine! I was expecting a froyo type situation, but it was much more rich and less tart. Would come back to try another one of these. read more
1 year ago
Absolutely phenomenal. We only managed to get last-minute seats in the Bar Room instead of the main Dining Room, but honestly, it didn't matter -- the space was still beautiful, intimate, and felt like part of the experience. The food blew us away: - Sfeeha (meat pie) - perfectly crispy crust, flavorful lamb filling with just the right kick. - Squash Blossom - such a unique bite. The tempura was crisp without feeling heavy, and pairing it with the lettuce "taco" kept it refreshing. - Amba khubz - INSANE. Probably the best pita I've ever had -- warm, fresh, pillowy. The combo of stone fruit, tangy labne, and honey was unforgettable. - Batata Harra - impossibly thin and crisp potatoes, seasoned perfectly, with a creamy toum dipping sauce I could've eaten by the spoonful. - BBQ'd Lamb Kebabs - the smoked belly shish was loaded with flavor, and the loin was solid too (I'm not usually a steak person, but still enjoyed it). Loved the dramatic presentation with the sword tableside! And the desserts -- wow. - Knafeh - warm, brown-buttered, loaded with pistachio, and perfectly balanced by the frozen yogurt. Hands-down the best way to end a meal. - "Twist" Labne Soft-Serve - repeat after me: you cannot leave without ordering this. Creamy, tangy, refreshing, and absolutely out of this world. On top of the food, the service was outstanding. Our waiter gave thoughtful recommendations that matched everything we had read online, and it really elevated the experience. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but completely worth it. I literally booked my next reservation before we even left. read more
What a wonderful experience from start to finish! We will be adding this to our favorite DC spots. We had friends in town and went to Albi to celebrate my husband's birthday. It's a nice space with an open kitchen. When we got to our table, there was a nice sign at his seat wishing him a happy birthday. Our server offered up the Sofra, a five course meal at $145 pp where the chef prepares the menu. After looking at the prices, we opted for a la carte--we still had a five course meal and saved at least $100 total from Sofra. Maybe they offer you a free extras to make it worth it? Our friends were so impressed they kept asking the group about their favorites and discussing if it was possible to recreate some of the dishes at home. The highlights? --Pickled fennel which was brought out as a snack with olives. I was surprised how good this was as the pickling cuts the usual sharpness of the fennel --Mushroom hummus with fresh out of the oven pita --BBQ lamb kebab - this is a big one for me because I am particular. I don't like my meat too rare or fatty. This was neither AND the kefta meatballs that come with it? Chefs kiss! --Apple cider soft serve - not overly sweet and so refreshing. There were also bits of candied pecans that added a great texture. My friend ordered the frozen halva bar which was basically a vanilla ice cream bar coated in chocolate with sesame pieces. Not a stand out to any of us. read more
Received a gift card from my boyfriend's family for Albi! We dined here not knowing much about the restaurant. Wow--words can barely describe the experience we had here because the food, drinks, service were just outstanding and blew us away. Our server, Aaron, was very knowledgeable and made us feel comfortable when choosing our a la carte options. read more
Wow - we tried their sofra experience for New Year's Eve, including the wine pairing, and had a beautiful time. Definitely want to try their updated menu and collab sofra experiences sometime soon. Fantastic service to top it off. Because our dining experience was several months ago now and the menu changes, I'll note how incredibly well balanced everything was and how much we enjoyed. read more
1 year ago
The service is 5 stars! They give you a warm towel before your meal, clean plates and silverware every course and the staff is professional and courteous. Sujek hummus with pita: 10/10. The hummus is flavorful and the pita is a giant pillow dusted with garlic. I could seriously just eat this! Wood-baked shush barak: 5/10. The dumplings were hard on the edges and I could've done without ordering these. Smoked chicken kebab: 9/10. This is huge! Enough for 4 people. The sauce on the bottom is tangy and delicious. read more
2 years ago
Truly the best dining experience I've ever had. I booked Albi well in advance for my husband's birthday and it was such an amazing treat. We decided to order items a la carte and ended up wayyy over ordering because everything sounded so good. My cocktail was incredible! I love anything with lavender and pomegranate, and this drink had it all. The food...oh my god. Literally every dish we ordered was packed with flavor. Each bite I took was an experience in itself. I honestly don't think I've ever had food like this before. My favorite dishes were the tuna kibbeh naya and lamb kebab. The tuna dish just tasted so fresh! And the lamb kebab was juicy and seasoned perfectly. The service was amazing as well. I'm definitely not used to restaurants where plates and silverware are changed so frequently, but our server was on top of it! Overall, an amazing meal. Will definitely return for a special occasion because I can't afford this quality of a meal too often haha read more
What an amazing experience. I'm Palestinian and was proud to see the Palestinian heritage in almost every meal! Michelin star well deserved indeed; food was fabulous. Service was exceptional and the atmosphere was homey! We came out as a group of three and had to reserve well in advance on Resy. We were seated once we got there. Our server did a great job keeping us in sync with the menu. We ordered many apps and mains and will share details below: Palestinian olives 5/5: spicy yet so tasty Sfiha: 5/5 light yet elegant presentation and delicious bite with garlic. Garlic sauce; Arayis: 5/5 delicious snack indeed; simple Hummus and pita: what a combination, bread was phenomenal 5/5 Batata harra: exquisite 5/5 Wara2 dawali: my fav! Dip the pita in the dish sauce/liquid from the grape leaves 5/5 Chicken dish: not boneless but the maftoul was delish and the spices were on point 4/5 Knafe: well done chef! Not sure about the strawberry ice cream but amazing dish! 5/5 It would be nice for the postcards to have the name of the cities in the Middle East to bring it home for the customers! Checking out Yellow tomorrow but very happy we were able to visit this restaurant. Loved it, loved the experience and the overall service! read more
4 months ago
5 months ago
The food and ambiance at Albi are outstanding. But there are two factors that I cannot negate: 1. After 5 years, it is still incredibly difficult (but not impossible) to get a table in the dining room between 6 pm-9 pm. 2. Albi is very expensive, and a bit overpriced compared to similar establishment. As a special occasion, we went with the Sofra experience, which is a five-course meal that the chef leads. Unlike a set menu, though, you can inform your server (in our case the bartender, since we were seated at the bar) with your strong desire to try certain things, allergies, and dietary restrictions. Admittedly, given the smaller portions to try the various things and the unknown of what is coming next, there were times that we questioned if we were going to get the value for the experience vs. a la carte. Ultimately we did. There were two standout dishes for me: Any of the hummus dishes, since the hummus is impeccable. And the creativity in the cinnamon stick kebabs. If you are a Mediterranean cuisine fan, who is willing to splurge, Albi- the heart should be on your DC list. read more
Unforgettable kibbeh, the softest pillowest pita, and flavor bombs. Service was very friendly and attentive. We got great recs and our table was cleaned after every course! We chose the a la carte menu instead of the $145 fixed menu. For 2 people, we got 1 snack, 1 hummus, 1 kibbeh, 2 mezzes and we were very full. Fav dishes: - kibbeh (what a crazy explosion of flavors) we got it bc we saw Phil from Somebody Feed Phil cry from eating kibbeh. And yeah, almost cried too lol - warak dawali- the lamb pork belly had lovely warm spices -pita Parking: there are service parking lots you can reserve in advance on SpotHero that's cheaper than the garages. Or try your luck with street parking! read more
Met and exceeded the hype!! Albi is the first Michelin star restaurant I can say is well worth the price. We dined at the Hearth Table (in the kitchen) and enjoyed every course in the 12-course tasting menu which offered both Middle Eastern classics and unexpected flavor combinations (e.g. Fried okra topped with labneh & caviar). We also ordered the (classic) wine pairing which also exceeded expectations--especially with the smoked & tea infused Muscat wine! Even if you opt not to go with the drink pairing, you will receive a welcome drink which absolutely blew me away. Ours was a mixture of Arak, Green Chartreuse, and spiced mango juice. The staff really went above and beyond to make our dinner an unforgettable experience. I absolutely will come back and can't wait to experience the tasting menu again as it changes with the seasons. read more
Have been wanting to try Albi for a couple years and finally made two visits in the last 6 months. The first visit was with my wife and we had the Sofra tasting menu. We thought it'd be 5-6 courses but it ended up closer to 8-9. Each dish and every bite were delicious. The lamb kafta on cinnamon stick really stood out. My wife who isn't a huge fan of lamb even loved it! The second visit was with a party of four and we ordered a la carte. While the steak and duck entrees were delicious, the dips really stood out the most! Highly recommend trying as many as possible! Espresso martinis are also top notch here. Can easily see why this is the top rated spot in DC over the last few years. One of the few places worth the hype and great value for the quality. You can enjoy most of the menu for half the price of most $$$$ spots in the city. Definitely a new favorite for my wife and me! read more
10 months ago
3 years ago
When I visited DC recently, I wanted to take my hostess with the mostess to dinner. As we both like the finer things in life when it comes to dining and cocktails, I let her pick. She selected Albi, a Michelin-starred restaurant honoring Chef Michael Rafidi's Palestinian roots while marrying them with local, seasonal ingredients. We had a reservation, and opted to sit at the bar because it is always entertaining to dine at the bar. We ordered: +mushroom hummus +Yellowfin Tuna +Duck Breast Shish +Chicken We probably ordered other things too, but I cannot remember. I do however, remember that everything we had was great. For cocktails I ordered the NEVIZADE NEGRONI and the ZA'ATAR-TINI - both were super interesting and delicious. The entire experience at Albi was divine, from the service to the food to the vibes. The chicken was most definitely the most tasty and interesting dish I have had this year so far. I learned from a friend that "Albi" means "my heart" in Arabic, and you can most definitely taste that the recipes at Albi come from the heart. Would return in a heartbeat, as this spot made quite the impression on me this visit. read more
My friends and I did the Sofra which was around $150 incl tax and tip. pickled fennel and olives kibbeh naya: half yellowfin tuna 4.5/5 half smoke carrot 3.5/5 coal-fired mushroom hummus + pita 5/5 labne tabat 5/5 I've never had anything like this and it was so tasty scallops 4.75/5 bbq'd warak dawali - 5/5 must order fattoush 4/5 but honestly should order anyway since it's healthy and tasty bbq'd lamb kebob 4.75/5 labne soft serve 5/5 read more
Albi was awesome. It lived up to its reputation. I visited on a Wednesday evening at 7 PM with four people. We debated getting the Sofra Menu (tasting menu) or ordering a la carte. The Sofra menu did not seem like a good value, since it didn't list any specifics and it was pretty pricey ($145 food, $65/$95 drink pairing). I'm skeptical of tasting menus that don't commit to courses because it's not transparent for the diner and puts all of the control (and benefit) in the hands of the restaurant. They could skimp on ingredients, courses, or portion sizes, but they also benefit from batching everything for the group. We went a la carte, we ate and drank plenty, and we spent about as much as only the Sofra *food* would have cost. We had a round of cocktails and a magnum of wine recommended by the sommelier. Cocktails were good, like the Nevizade Negroni (basically a mezcal negroni) and Sting Like A Habibi (like a beesting) but too expensive IMO at $18-$20 a pop. The wine was a good recommendation in our price point and paired very well with the food. They started us off with a small gratis bowl of olives and pickled fennel. I didn't expect to like this, but I did. Then, we feasted on Crab Hummus ($25 w/ pita), Mushroom Hummus ($20 w/ pita), Fattoush salad ($22 with cucumber, tomato, feta), Tuna Kibbeh Naya ($24, came with lettuce leaves and some pickled veggies to make lettuce wraps), Rockfish Kebab ($31), Roast Chicken ($68 with couscous) and Lamb Kebab ($82, main kebab and four small kebabs). We would have gotten dessert but we were too full. They gave us small cookies with the check. We had enough leftover for a small lunch for two. Everything was delicious. Some particular standouts were the pita with za'atar seasoning, the salad with very bright flavors, the kibbeh naya (although we agreed that eating it as suggested, in a lettuce wrap with the pickled veggies, actually detracted from the flavor because the pickles were too strong and the tuna itself was so flavorful), the chicken with one of the best bites of chicken I've ever had, and the lamb kebab. We had a very nice table in the corner near the windows. Our server was good and friendly throughout. The only minor hiccup was one dish delivered by a different server who mumbled through the explanation. They packed up our leftovers for us and had them at the host stand to pick up - a nice touch. The only other downside was a 3% wellness fee (disclosed on the menu) which is entirely unnecessary; just raise your prices. Anyone paying $82 for a lamb kebob will also spend $84.50. read more
What can I say... This is, hands down, one of the best dining experiences you'll ever have. Really cool vibe and the service was outstanding. We went with the Sofra option, which is essentially a chefs tasting menu where they bring you the best off their menu, plus a few other thoughtfully-crafted dishes. We weren't disappointed with a single dish, and each one was so unique and flavorful. Check out all the pictures to see what I mean! Whether it's a special occasion or you're just looking for an incredible dining experience, you have to try Albi! read more
Albi is okay. The ambiance is nice but the no walk in concept when tables are open is weird to me. The food was just okay. It's on the expensive side and I didn't get the wow factor! Not sure if it's trendy and that is why it's sustained all these years but I do think they will need to get better with walk ins, why wouldn't you want to make more money? They are only open 5 days a week with a VERY limited menu. Nothing I ordered was worthy of a review. The mint was used too much and it literally ruined my palate. They add their own twist to traditional Mediterranean dishes, unfortunately that was not for me. Traditional food would have been nice the extra touches make for good presentation but the taste didn't do it for me. read more
I had a fantastic birthday dinner at Albi! The ambiance here is quite lovely - we sat at the high table and loved being able to see the chefs work in the open kitchen. The staff were welcoming and wonderful. We debated between a la carte and the sofra menu, but ended up going with the former because we had some particular dishes we wanted to try. A huge thanks to our waitress who suggested we order one less dish than what we originally put in because it was too much food. We ended up ordering the perfect amount! We started out with some pickled carrots and olives on the house. These olives, y'all, were SO good - salty, savory, and smoky. The carrots were so crunchy and bright. Our first order was the mushroom hummus. I thought the black garlic was quite subtle but the mushrooms were sooo umami and wonderfully cooked. This is also served with fresh pita. The creamy hummus, umami mushrooms, rich egg yolk together created a wonderful symphony on top of the pita! Next, we had the prawns grilled over coals. These were gigantic prawns, and assertively flavored. I think this was my favorite bite of the evening. So jam packed with flavors yet quite tender prawn! We then had the bbq'd lamb kebob with the mujadarra fried rice. The lamb kebob were different cuts of lamb served as a big kebob and also served with lamb popsicles. I loved tasting through the different cuts - this dish felt like a celebration for sure. The rice!! This was my favorite dish - absolutely savory. The golden onions were too die for, and I loved the dill in there too. I would have bowls of this if I could. A constant through-line in all of the dishes we tried were hearth and smoke. I felt delighted and rejuvenated at the end of the meal. We finished with the labne soft serve - oh my gosh, so delicious! The soft serve was so creamy and more gelato like then a typical soft serve. I love love loved the olive oil and sea salt on there! The wines here are also fantastic - I had a really delicious palestinian red wine. I hope to come back soon! read more
Incredible restaurant. The service is amazing and the food is even better. This is the perfect spot for a special occasion. The food is flavorful and plated incredibly. I couldn't recommend the Sofra enough. I think this restaurant perfectly encapsulates middle eastern cuisine and fine dining. The drinks are unique but honestly not the best I have ever had. The service is wonderful and it is a very intimate space. read more
It took a year, but I finally made it back for the tasting menu, and it was everything I could have dreamed of! First off, they've completely designed the space. It feels way roomier now, and there's an open kitchen where you get to watch the team cooking. It's gorgeous inside and everything feels very thoughtful. The new tasting menu lets you specify what sort of things you particularly like or dislike, and then they cook a meal for you. I said I liked lamb, and I was given lamb: more ways of preparing it than I could even have imagined! Lamb tartare, lamb kibbeh, lamb sfeeha, lamb dumplings, lamb meatballs, lamb kebabs, the list just goes on and on! The flavors and styles of cooking were so creative that it never got old. The lamb meatball wrapped around a cinnamon stick was incredible; the kibbeh with pickled raisins in the filling was unlike any flavor combinations I've had, and overall I was just blown away by how good everything was. It was a stunning, staggering amount of food and I was so full by the end I thought I might be sick, but I soldiered through for the incredible dessert (that labneh soft serve with pomegranate molasses is just amazing). The only issue was a few times where staff forgot about the one ingredient that had been requested to not include and brought it as the main component of the dish, but other than that it really did feel like they were tailoring the menu to the request! I would absolutely come back and try it again in the future based on how much I loved it; this is easily one of the (maybe even the) best meals of my life. It's expensive, but the quality and quantity of food is undeniable. It delivered on everything I wanted! I highly recommend the tasting menu here (but their a la carte menu is also incredible and just as high quality, so really you just can't go wrong here!). read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Personally for me I don't get to eat these kinds of food a whole lot. So this was something new. I was really surprised at how delicious it was. You can taste all the spices and different flavors really well. Dessert was great too. Not too sweet either. The bread was fluffy to perfection. Coming into this I knew the restaurant was going to be a bit pricey but I do feel like the food was worth the experience. Would come back a few more times with different people just to enjoy the overall food and theme and hospitality's of this place. read more
1 year ago
8 months ago
More info about Albi
1346 4th St SE
Washington, DC 20003
Navy Yard
Directions
Visit Website
https://www.albidc.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
More Info
Health Score
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
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 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.
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
15 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
1 month ago
5 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 months ago
3 years ago
6 years ago
4 years ago
1 year ago
5 years ago
5 years ago
5 years ago
