Cancel

Open app

Search

Ammoora

4.4 (267 reviews)
Ultra High-EndMediterranean, Syrian, Lebanese
Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

Ammoora Photos

Business Info

AMMOORA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Intimate
Romantic
Classy

Recommended Reviews - Ammoora

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Ina S.

Ammoora is such a beautiful spot--definitely great for a nice night out. The vibe is upscale but still really welcoming. We went for my husband's birthday. We started with Arabic coffee and the Harra Wala cocktail--both were really good. The coffee was strong and flavorful, and the cocktail was unique and refreshing. For food, we ordered batata harra, beetroot hadiqa, lentil soup, saffron pita pie, and saffron rice. Everything was solid, but the saffron pita pie and batata harra were probably my favorites. The lentil soup was super comforting too. For dessert, we got the raspberry sorbet and baklava--perfect way to end the meal. The sorbet was light and refreshing, and the baklava was sweet and flaky. Service was great. Our server made sure we enjoyed our meal and was available to explain the menu options and checking on time to time if we need anything. Overall, a great experience. I'd definitely go back!

Branzino
Jacqueline A.

Even though this is my first review for Ammoora, I have been here many times. I am a fan of Syrian/Turkish/Greek cuisine and this is one of my favorite in MD. The staff are so kind and the manager has a hands-on mentality interacting with guests. They really put a lot of attention into the presentation of the food and the ambiance is simply lovely. During this visit: -Beyti shujuk - my favorite mezze on the menu aside from shrimp knafeh (try this and the octopus!) -lamb shank (tender and delicious) -Branzino (filleted) very light option, but flavorful -Old Fashioned Date (specialty cocktail based off of the classic with the sweetness of dates)

Braised lamb shank
Ashlee S.

It's not often I leave DC and head north to Baltimore, but I was in town for a comedy show and decided to do myself a favor and try some of Baltimore's finest dining instead of settling for questionable food near the venue. Ammoora did not disappoint. From the moment we walked in, the experience was top tier - food, ambiance, service, all of it. It's located inside the Ritz-Carlton, so the bar is already high, but Ammoora still managed to exceed expectations. This was my first time having Syrian food, and I can confidently say it won't be my last. The cocktails were beautifully curated. I had the Wild West Win, which was fantastic, and my friend ordered an old fashioned - both solid choices. We started with the Muhamara hummus and Mousakhan chicken rolls, and wow... absolutely delicious. Flavorful, well-balanced, and memorable. For our entrees, we ordered the Short Rib Freekeh and the Braised Lamb Shank. The short rib came with a mushroom risotto that paired perfectly, while the lamb was served with fragrant saffron rice. Both dishes were packed with flavor, and the meat was incredibly tender and juicy. We did have a small hiccup - we accidentally made reservations for the wrong day and didn't realize until we arrived but thankfully, we were able to grab bar seating with full menu access. Shoutout to Vince, who took great care of us all evening. He was friendly, attentive, and gave excellent recommendations. One thing to note: this is definitely a splurge. The prices are on the higher side, but the quality, service, and overall experience make it worth it. The decor was stunning, honestly, even the bathroom was gorgeous. If you're in Baltimore and looking for an elevated dining experience, Ammoora is absolutely worth the visit.

Lentil soup
Donyiel C.

Visited last night for restaurant week and to a celebrate a friend's birthday. We had a reservation which was pretty much necessary because it was restaurant week after all! Did valet and it was worth $15! Street parking was almost impossible as the streets were filled with snow/ice. Overall, we had a decent time. I do feel like our server could been a bit more engaging. He just seemed ready to get off his shift. Something about his energy was really off. Maybe he just was having a bad day. Either way, it rubbed me the wrong way. My friend asked for cream for her Arabic coffee and he told her, "it doesn't come with creamer. I'll see if there's any in the kitchen." The manager came around to check on us and said he'd come back but he never did. He was focused on other patrons, in particular a very loud, obnoxious table near us. They were ridiculously loud. I had a glass of riesling, which was nice. The first course, the lentil soup was really good. The second course, the grill plate was just ok. My friend's salmon was good. The dessert, a rice and milk pudding, was my least favorite. The place is beautiful! I just don't know if I'll be in a hurry to return based on the mid food and the service, or lack of. Check them out for yourself. This was just my experience!

Sophie B.

Ammoora is a beautiful restaurant located in the Ritz Carlton Residences in Baltimore. The ambience is truly stunning, I loved the layout of the restaurant and the design. My partner and I went for Valentine's Day, which was a pre-fixe menu at $100 pp. It also came with a complementary rosé toast, which I will admit - our lovely waitress did forget about, but she was quick to resolve once I brought it up to her. To get this out of the way, would I say the food alone was worth the price we paid? Honestly, no. It was delicious but I was a bit shocked that it was $100 pp. I would've felt like $75 would have made more sense for the menu options. The cocktails I had were absolutely fantastic. The waitress was a sweetheart and service was overall good. I would definitely come back for some cocktails and an entree or appetizers, but I can't foresee us coming again for a $100 pp pre-fixe menu. That's not to say the food wasn't good, it was, but it just didn't feel worth the price compared to other bites we've had in the city.

coconut rice pudding
Kiana B.

Let me start with positives. The place itself is stunning and there's plenty of seating. It also wasn't packed so reservations aren't necessary. Okay now let me address the food. To preface, I came for the restaurant week deal and have never been here before, but I had heard that this place was known for creative, delicious dishes. What I had was okay and definitely not worth the price. The Syrian wedding soup was good but tasted like lukewarm tzatziki with diced vegetables, and the chicken in the Damascus grill plate was a spot-on copy of Bourbon Street chicken (yes, the mall food court spot). I'm not saying these were bad dishes, just that I expected more creativity and presentation than a soup and some kebabs with rice. I did like the dessert, but I thought the caramel layer on top was too thick and overpowered the rest of the dish, over-sweetening what I thought to be the perfect blend of flavors between coconut rice pudding and cherry bitters. As a note, a friend tried the NA pairings with their courses and disliked them. They enjoyed the iced hibiscus drink (app) and hot tea (dessert), but thought they were paired incorrectly, given that they had the Syrian wedding soup to start and a raspberry sorbet to finish. They didn't like the main pairing at all, saying that it was way too much cinnamon to the point of pain. Overall, we thought the food was mid and not at all worth the price. I would not return to Ammoora again given this experience.

Jordan N.

Honestly I have nothing but good things to say! To set the scene I was going to this restaurant before seeing Hans Zimmer play at the CFG Bank arena... to my surprise he cancelled as I was walking into the restaurant... So there I am in Baltimore with no more plans & a whole lot of disappointment.. I thought I shouldn't let the restaurant go to waste. So I went. Just upon entrance this place is gorgeous, the color palette is so peaceful and earthy, and the decor is very intentional! I loved every aspect of the design. So the food had big shoes to fill. The service was very nice and had a great sense of humor! The food was absolutely delicious! Exceeded my expectations by a landslide and turned a bad night into a really pleasant surprise! The meats were perfect cooked and everything was so fragrant and flavorful, absolutely would go again! Also! I had a cherry cocktail that I still think about all the time!

Pistachio cocktail. AMAZING
Danika G.

Amoora is a really beautiful restaurant. The space itself is stunning, and valet parking was available for $15, which was convenient. Our server was genuinely sweet and helpful, and the drinks were a highlight. Easily a 5 out of 5. The food was a bit more hit or miss. We ordered the short rib, lobster, and fish. The fish was fresh and really well done. The short rib was just okay. Unfortunately, the lobster had an ammonia smell, so we didn't eat it. We ended up taking our entrees to go and weren't able to mention it to the staff, though based on the service we received, I truly believe it would have been handled kindly if we had stayed. Overall, I would absolutely return.

Ifeoma I.

Ammoora is a hidden gem. The inside is so so beautiful and there is ample space for bigger (10+) and more intimate parties. We made a reservation on a Saturday evening for dinner and were seated immediately upon arrival. We ordered the octopus appetizer, which was tasty but a a little small portioned. For mains we ordered the braised lamb shank (this was excellent!) and the shish tawouk which is pretty much chicken kebab served with veggies and rice. The main portions were really nice and the lamb shank was just falling off the bone very tender and so well seasoned. Service was great. Even on a busy Saturday night we felt well cared for and the meals/drinks did not take long to arrive after ordering despite how complex they were. Amazing option for date night, celebrations, or just to eat good food.

Hummus  Za'atar Honey Burrata
Qinyue H.

Food: 8.8/10 Hummus -- 10/10: Incredibly silky and flavorful, with bread that complements it perfectly. An absolute must-order here. Mousakhan Chicken Rolls -- 9.5/10: I really enjoyed this hot mezze. The filling was rich and aromatic while still retaining the texture of the chicken, and the crispy exterior elevated the warm, savory interior even more. Za'atar Honey Burrata -- 9/10: As a sweet tooth, I absolutely adore this combination. The creamy burrata paired with honey is refreshing, addictive, and beautifully balanced. Kebbet Karaz & Braised Lamb Shank -- 7/10: Both were solid, but they didn't stand out to me as much compared to the dishes above. Overall, the food was delicious and well-seasoned. The mezze at Ammoora clearly outshined the entrées and felt more representative of the restaurant's cultural specialties, so I'd recommend prioritizing those. Service was wonderful; our servers checked in on us frequently without being intrusive. The space was spotless and elegant, making it a great spot for special occasions, family gatherings, or business dinners.

Andrea K.

This place is absolutely beautiful. Feels like you are transported overseas when you walk in. Every piece of decor absolutely stunning, I mean the DETAILS. The drinks were really well made the service was impeccable, down to the valet being added to the bill. I love a seamless service. Every hummus on the menu is a win, the lamb was to die for. The chicken kabob was the bomb, I mean not a single thing missed! And again, even the bathroom was BEAUTIFUL And a vibe!

Braised lab shank
Umar M.

Lamb shank is one of my favorite things to eat regardless of how it is prepared. I was super duper excited for this braised lamb shank from Ammoora after a friend hyped it up but honestly I might not return to this place again. Ask me why? Let me explain! I was in Baltimore for a concert and I got there early so based upon a recommendation I went yo Ammoora to try the braised lab shank. This thing was $50+ so my expectations were also accordingly. I don't want to get too much into the service and the ambiance because both were great but ultimately I care about the food. I don't care if I sit on the side walk next to a pothole to eat something as long as it is delicious. This however was not delicious at all. The rice was undercooked, some parts of the lamb shank were dry which pretty much said that this was not freshly cooked at all. This is all I have to say. This was a massive let down. 1/5 - 1/2 star for ambiance and 1/2 for service. 0 for the food.

Octopus
Abigail R.

The food was absolutely amazing, but a few details were lacking that made this a 5 star review for me. To start, when we arrived, it took a few minutes for us to be treated for our reservation. Okay, no biggie. We got seated, and my finances drink menu was just the folio and no menu. Alright.. Our waitress was lovely, our mezes came out and were delicious. We got the humus, octopus, stuffed leaves, and burrata. All absolutely phenomenal. Our entrees come out, those are fantastic. However, there's something on the outside of my plate that gets on the table and my hands. And at this point there's 4 glasses that need to be bussed from our table that haven't been. We ordered sparkling water so our bottle of water is on the table, and we've been filling our own glasses. Which, I'm not above doing mind you. But when I'm spending 400$ on a dinner for two I just.. expect more. The food was AMAZING. Every aspect of the food was perfection. I just really expected the polish of service to be more than it was. I don't know if it was an off night, or if my expectations were too high? We do a lot of fine dining and I don't know if I am just holding to a higher standard than I should. But all of that to say we'll be back.

cafe blanc

See all

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

29 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 2

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

12 days ago

Took my son and his family for dinner. The service was excellent and steak was delicious.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 2

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Maz W.
1
68
79

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ammoora B.

Ammoora B.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 6
Oh no 2

5 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Jeff B.
0
21
61

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Toni J.
0
29
32

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 7

Ammoora Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ammoora

Syrian / middle eastern cuisine but not halal?

There are halal options such as hummus but it is not halal specific.

Do you use halal meat and chicken?

I was told there menu is not halal.

Are all the meat dishes served currently Halal?

Thank you for inquiring. Our menu, while thoughtfully crafted, is not halal.

What are the vegan options available? Can you make some vegetarian dishes vegan?

Hello Hope, Our cuisine has a plethora of vegan and vegetarian options. Yes, many of our vegetarian… Read more

Do they serve halal meat?

Thank you for inquiring. Our menu, while thoughtfully crafted, is not halal.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Lebanese Taverna - Pizza happy hour edition

Lebanese Taverna

(617 reviews)

$$

Inner Harbor

The food was excellent, but delivery missed the mark. We didn't receive utensils or the shawarma…read morechicken on the salad we ordered, which was disappointing given the already high delivery price. That said, everything we did get tasted fantastic. The chicken shawarma samosas were a standout -- crispy, flavorful, and perfect with the dipping sauce. The salad was fresh, and the feta was miles better than anything at my local supermarket. The hummus was creamy and delicious, and they were generous with the pita, which paired perfectly with both the hummus and the falafel. I'd absolutely eat here again because the food is genuinely great, but I'd skip delivery next time since it felt overpriced for what actually arrived.

I hate to do this, but I had a very bad experience with the server. The food was excellent as…read morealways, and we love this place whenever we are in town; I always make sure to eat the delicious food here. However, our server attempted to scam my credit card, which made for a very unpleasant experience. I have never seen anything like it before, and it left me feeling uncomfortable. From the start, the server seemed pushed to sell additional items, and her attitude was off. We decided to ignore her and enjoy our meals instead. After we finished eating, she came over and asked if we wanted to see the dessert menu. When I said no thank you, her demeanor changed. Then I requested the bill, and she brought it. We still tried to overlook her poor attitude. I was shocked to find that she had added a 48% tip without informing me. I questioned her about the discrepancy in the bill amounts compared to the previous one. She said she needed to check and would get back to me, but when she returned, she concocted a story claiming she had charged my card for another tap. Which could have happened, but she just brought it without checking. When I asked if she had double-checked before bringing the bill to me, she remained silent and just looked at me. Strangely, the manager never approached us to apologize; he just observed from a distance. Which was very funny, I have never felt like this before. Given the similar reviews I had seen, I didn't believe her story. I will never return to this place, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone in town. There are many other options available. Don't let them scam you. The management should be ashamed for allowing scammers to victimize their customers repeatedly.

ilili DC - pita pillows

ilili DC

(725 reviews)

$$$

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 was so excited for ilili. I'd been a few years prior for a private event and everything was…read morefantastic. But I went with a friend for dinner and didn't love it, and given the price, it should have been excellent. I loved the vibe and service was friendly. It's pretty inside. I ordered the Keraz Carciofi Negroni, pointing to the mocktail version. I didn't even realize there was a cocktail version and that's what they gave me. Why you would a have cocktail and mocktail with the same name is beyond me. I got lightheaded and dizzy almost immediately, but I couldn't taste alcohol, so I thought it was because I hadn't eaten, especially as I felt fine once I started eating. So this also tells me that the cocktail version is poorly made. I was definitely charged for the cocktail version. We ordered the Lebanese Journey tasting menu. Nothing really wowed, except for the bread, baba ghanoush, and mouhamara. The mouhamara surprised me because it is usually not my favorite but this version was delicious. Lamb was tasty but not good enough that I'd return for it. For a tasting menu to just have two mezeh standouts, on top of an improperly made mocktail, I'd not return to ilili.

Zaytinya

Zaytinya

(6.3k reviews)

$$$

I made reservations for Sunday Brunch and was looking forward to experiencing another Jose Andres…read morerestaurant. We were seated immediately by the matra-dee before our reservation time slot. The decor is open and airy and there's a large patio if you prefer to dine alfresco. We wanted a variety of items and began with Hummus, smoked beet salata and baba ghanoush. Followed by Crispy brussels afelia, Chicken shakshouka, Soujouk pide and shish taouk. For dessert we enjoyed Greek yogurt with apricots and olive oil cake with champagne. The presentation of all the entree's were plated professionally, tasted outstanding, and service from our waiter was on point. I highly recommend this restaurant by Jose Andres.

Placed a large order via Uber Eats since restaurant will not accept takeout orders directly…read more Restaurant does not allow any specifications when ordering through Uber Eats - for example, one person wanted one ingredient held from her salad. Uber Eats lacked description for Zaytinya's food items (such as the ounces of the drinks) and some items (such as the horta salata) were not as pictured. There were no extra napkins in our bag. The Coke came in bottles but we didn't receive any bottle openers. To top it off, we had three food items missing. I called the restaurant again to let them know about the missing food - they were unapologetic and didn't know what the proper protocol was to fix the situation. The service was subpar and the servings were small. Won't be back. The next day we had food delivered from another local restaurant where both the food and service were outstanding, unlike at Zaytinya. UPDATE: After writing the Yelp review, a general manager at Zaytinya emailed me the following: "..."The restaurant normally offers takeout, but the location was actually closed that day for a private event. However, since the order had come through, we tried to honor it. The mujadara and 2 orders of rice were missing because we hadn't prepped those items, as they were not offered for the buyout..." The restaurant knew on Friday what I was ordering for Tuesday. They had plenty of time to reach out to me and tell me they would be closed and wouldn't be able to fulfill the order. Instead, they knowingly sent out an order without all of the food for our group and charged as if we received everything. This shows a lack of professionalism and is disrespectful.

Albi - rosewater meringue + walnuts in honey syrup

Albi

(466 reviews)

$$$$

Navy Yard

I don't even know where to start with this. Last friday, I had a remarkable dinner here, and I was…read morewowed 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.

KenScale: 8.5/10 Visit: March 2026…read more My wife Jun and I have been to Albi multiple times already and on every visit we end up ordering the exceptional lamb kebabs for our final savory dish. Earlier this year, I saw that the restaurant started offering a large duck rice dish on the menu and, knowing how much Jun loves duck, tried to see if I can book a table. We had a reservation in January but we had to cancel that due to a last-minute trip to New York, and really struggled to find an open seating on a reasonable hour (we just had no appetite for a dinner past 9 p.m.) until recently last month. As we opened up the menu, we were very sad to learn that the duck was no longer on the menu (our server couldn't give a definitive time on when the dish will be back), but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm for another outstanding meal at Albi. Since my last review of the restaurant was in 2023, I figured a re-review was in order, especially given that this visit was our 10th total. When it comes to Middle Eastern spreads, it's hard to beat what Albi offers along with a giant pita bread. At this point, Jun had tried the mushroom hummus with confit egg yolk multiple times, and yet she couldn't again stop marveling how addictively delicious the hummus was with alluringly smoky flavor of mushroom. One new spread that we saw for the first time and decided to order was msabaha with embered firefly squid and white peas covered in tahini; not surprisingly, it was another standout dish even if squid is not an ingredient one would ordinarily see in these spreads. Another item on the menu that we tried for the first time (and really liked) was malfouf, a wrap of cabbages stuffed with smoked beef cheek and red shatta condiment. By now, we have seen multiple variations of the lamb kebabs at Albi and every time we walked out of the restaurant happily stuffed. For the current season, we were greeted with loin and smoked belly shish accompanied by vegetables of charred turnips and brassicas. The lamb's texture as usual was quite outstanding, and the charred vegetables (as well as a side dish of Fattoush salad with orchard fruits and smoked feta) also offered a wonderful complement to the meat. If someone asks me to list the most iconic dishes in DC, I won't hesitate to include the lamb kebabs from Albi. During our trip to Jordan in February, we fell in love with a popular dessert called knafeh (made with pastry dough layered with cheese and soaked in syrup); we never had a chance to try the same from Albi until this visit, and Jun remarked that the delightful knafeh was just like how she remembered from a restaurant in Petra, except the pomegranate sorbet that was placed in the middle. It seems like getting a reservation at Albi is becoming more and more difficult over time. The reservation window opens on the first day of each month and once past that first day, it is really challenging to find a seating during early and prime-time dinner windows, especially for the main dining room. This visit was the first time we had to be seated at the bar as we were slightly late to the reservation party, but the bar seating actually wasn't bad at all, as we chatted with the friendly bartenders from time to time while enjoying the food. As always, the beverage list at Albi is outstanding, featuring many Middle East-based cocktails and wines. As we increasingly find ourselves in our culinary journey together these days visiting our old favorites more often rather than checking out new places all the time, Jun and I are very thankful that Albi is in DC. It still is firing on all cylinders even after being around for several years in the DC dining scene, and deserves to be one of the best restaurants in the city.

Ammoora - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...