Aracosia has been a stellar Afghani food staple for Northern VA since they opened. Their tender Lamb shanks--both Sabzi and Moghuli are hit with family and out of state visitors. So is the Vegetarian platter and tasting menu, aushak, quroti, and turnovers. You cant go wrong with saffron rice or the rice with carrots and raisins. Enough reviews already mention the four dips and soft bread, a cross between middle eastern bread and focaccia. Non alcoholic drinks are not an after thought, the sour cherry rose lemonade is liked by kids, adults, and seniors. Service is warm and welcoming, the Rumi quotes on the walls and turkish lamps add to the ambience, parking is easy and aplenty. A few tips: 1. Go for the lunch menu if you are feeding a large group. It is cheaper. Or consider making the trek to where it all started, Afghan Bistro in Springfield. 2. Ask for the daily selection of cakes. The pistachio and cardamom are the best, not too sweet, light, moist, and fragrant. Of course we devoured the food before taking pictures but a couple attached. read more

Aracosia McLean - Sour cherry and rose lemonade. - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Overall it was a good experience! We absolutely loved the bread and the difference sauces that went with it. The pumpkin dumplings and pan fried veggie filled dumplings were great as well. I thought my salmon wrap and the chickpea side was ok. Interesting flavors for sure. As for the service, there was always someone filling up our waters and our waiter was very nice checking in every now and then. The only downside of the experience is at the end when the waiter was boxing up all the food for us. Very sweet that they do this but when boxing up my partners food, they only boxed up the rice and they got rid of the lamb that he was looking forward to eating more of later. So that was kind of a disappointment for us. I think if we go again, we would request to box our food ourselves since I'm not sure why they decided to get rid of all of his lamb. read more

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This restaurant had such a wonderful assortment of unique foods, reasonably priced for lunch. Great dining experience with indoor, outdoor seating. Fine dining but lunch is a little more casual. Servers were great as well to explain new food items to us. Spicy beef dumplings were so delicious, perfectly seasoned. Braised lamb was so tender and juicy. All the portions were ginormous! Parking is free. read more

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Very nice restaurant . Enjoyed their free bread with three sauces.Then I loved their saffron tea. We were 6 of us . We ordered variety of their lunch specials . I must say each snd every item were prepared to perfection . Will be back soon .I simply loved their pistachio cake . read more

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Amazing food with good variety of choices. The only thing I didn't like that that they charged 20% service which I didn't understand if this a tip or extra charge so I didn't pay a tip and assume the 20% is a tip read more

We've gone to Aracosia a few times times now and they never disappoint. The food is always great and they're always so welcoming. The naan bread with the dipping sauce is always good but we always make sure to get the Mantu Appetizer. You can't go wrong with any of the entree. From the Lamb Chop platters to the simple Chicken Breast Kabob, everything moist and delicious. On our last visit, we tried the Beef Tongue Zuban. The hostess noticed that we had not finished it and asked if we didn't like it. It was good but it was just different. We didn't realize until we got the check that she had taken the Zuban off our check. She didn't have to but we definitely appreciated it. Those small gestures definitely make Aracosia one of our top restaurants picks hands-down. Aracosia is always on top of our list when we want really good food and very welcoming atmosphere. We don't live in the area anymore but it's definitely worth the drive! read more

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Tasty lamb dishes, lot of healthy, tasty vegetable and dessert selections, nice & quick service, clean.

I would give this restaurant 3.5 on food. We went here to celebrate my birthday. They have a branch in DC. But we were excited to try the location in McLean. I had never been to an Afghan restaurant, so was curious to try. They have a huge vegetarian menu. So that's not a problem at all. The server was super nice and very attentive. I ordered the following: - Pumpkin Dumplings: these were really good. A bit sweet of course, but served with different sauces. - Qabulli : this is sweet rice and for vegetarians, it comes with four different veggies. The chickpeas and eggplant were delicious. The spinach was ok. The pumpkin was decent. Overall, definitely on the sweeter side. The bread initially came out very hard and dry. My son was not able to bite it. But then a fresh batch came, and the bread was soft. Overall, great ambiance, service and restaurant. If you enjoy Afghan food, definitely give it a try. read more

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The food was absolutely delicious, we were there for late lunch and had their special sampler it was perfect! We tried everything, will definitely go back . read more

Aracosia McLean - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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You might not revisit [yes, you'll go back] Aracosia McLean because you're solely craving Afghani food as much as you are looking forward to the refined and exotic, immersive culinary experience you had the first time, which includes Afghani food at its heart. When you're in the MD/DC/VA area, your Afghani restaurant selections are classically 'cafe kabob' style, with few upscale options. You're probably just wanting the comfort of any manner of bbq-seasoned kabobs, saffron rice, raita yogurt sauce and tandoori bread. Beyond this classic Afghani fare, Aracosia's menu supersedes the basics opening up a new world of exotic flavors. It is a delightful, if not dreamy approach to Afghani cuisine. The environs are something gorgeous with outdoor tent coverings and the most intimate centrally-placed darkly-lit bar you can enjoy a cocktail at. I used to eat at the sushi bar, years earlier and before it was Aracosia, and the environment was sterile and congenial at best. So, the interior designers really have done special magic with Aracosia. My bartenders were so accommodating, explaining everything and even letting me sample drinks. And I had tea at the bar, as well, which was as close to white glove service as I can remember and delightful. Though Aracosia bills itself as an Afghani Gourmet and Chophouse, the vegetarian options at Aracosia McLean are endless. And their "sister restaurant, Bistro Aracosia, was voted one of the top 50 Best Restaurants in The United States for Vegetarians by Forbes magazine." I haven't been to that one but a Washingtonian vegan foodie friend raved about it. I tasted a fare bit of the vegetarian dishes here with a group of friends and enjoyed the flavors. The Bistro signature lentil soup with mung beans was delicious. I ordered the Qabuli Combination Platter. The description reads, "four variations of our vegetables: sabzi, nakhoud, kadoo and baadenjaan, served with qabuli rice." The bread and chutney with the qorma stew was the best part, aside from the saffron infused basmati rice. I have no idea how the kabobs are here, yet, but I'm sure you cannot go wrong with them. Beyond the classic Afghani kabob platter I lead this review with, I am not very familiar with the differences and nuances between Afghani and Persian foods. Here, the kabob options are vast, including: lamb, beef, ground beef, chicken, salmon, portabello and vegetables and kabob combinations. The beans and lentils here are brown, orange and yellow. I'm always looking for beluga black lentil dishes, but didn't find them here. Regardless of the softer and larger beans and lighter-colored lentils, everything was aromatic and memorable. I've always thought of Rumi as Persian, which is why it was even more special to find his thoughts displayed on the walls and in the menu. The Rumi quotes are so delightful and I count myself among the throngs of fans who love his tender words. I think I actually cried after reading one of the posted Rumi quotes, here, the evening I went solo. Here is one, "Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, 'You owe me.' Look what happens with a love like that. It lights up the sky." --Rumi When one peruses the Aracosia McLean menu, there are way too many dishes to go back to try, not to mention all of the variations on dumplings! As for the dumplings, there are Pumpkin, Leek & Scallion, Spicy Beef, Sabzi (greens and bean stew), and Samarooq (mushrooms). Mushroom dumplings? Yes, please. I could easily become a regular at this restaurant, if I lived nearby because of the friendly service and dreamy dishes. The servers really take the time to educate patrons on the ingredients and cultural aspects of the menu items. Definitely check out the carryout specials on their website, ie a 3-course vegetarian or vegan menu to be ordered by 3pm for $28.95 per person. I enjoyed the rose water ice cream as well as the rice pudding with cardamom the times I visited. read more

We have been coming through this gem in Mclean for many years and last night we introduced friends who were looking for a great Middle East experience and they had it last night. The table was ready at our reservation time and the waiter did an excellent job the food came out, slowly, but not at a pace that was distracting from our conversation. There was no rushing. The only comment I have about the bar was the excellent of the drinks. I failed to take photographs of the food, and I apologize for that, but we were having such a great evening and enjoying the food there was one little hiccup with the filet mignon, but they not only fixed it. They fixed it perfectly and then offered me a 15 year Macallan! Thanks to Iman she is fabulous. read more

None of us have had Afghan cuisine before so the set menu lets you sample so many dishes and the portions are generous. Lots of veg options. The ambiance is bright and lovely for friends catching up, or co-workers unwinding. The service is friendly and informative, exactly what you need when trying new cuisines. read more

Aracosia McLean - Taste of Aracosia menu was the way to go for us. - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Aracosia is a very cozy. Authentic feel for afghan cuisine. It brings a more upscale look/vibe to it. We ordered their mantu assortment, which was really yummy. One of the choices being their pumpkin mantu, that was my personal favorite. Also, I ordered the beef and chicken combo. The beef was very tender and yummy, and the chicken was cooked well. Overall, I recommend coming and trying this restaurant out. The waiters and staff were very nice as well read more

Aracosia McLean - Beef Tenderloin & Chicken - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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I ate here once on a work trip and have thought about it almost weekly since then. Imagine how happy I was to come back when I moved here?! The food is delicious. I'd never had Afghani food until this place so I don't have a frame of reference but I don't think this keeps it from being objectively delicious. Came for my anniversary and the servers were swamped but so sweet, even brought us a dessert on the house! We order the taste of Aracosia to try everything. It's a great deal and we had so much food for two more meals after. It's a nice spot, dark and moody, pretty lively and has always been busy when I've gone. I love this place and will be bringing family and friends over and over. read more

Aracosia McLean - Taste of aracosia menu. - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Excellent place to try Afghan food! The place was very decorative and you can park in the garage below for free. We had to wait 15 minutes for our table even though we had a reservation unfortunately. Our server was funny and entertaining! He was as friendly as most of the staff. Food came out super quick and all at once which was overwhelming. We got the Mini Taste of Aracosia for 5 people ($46 per person) and an order of Assortment of Dumplings for 4 people ($24.95). Everything was super flavorful and delicious! My favorite things were definitely the dumplings. We all really also enjoyed the Grilled Lamb Chops, Banjaan (eggplants), Daal (lentils), Rumi's Veal, and the qabuli rice. It was definitely way too much food. I think we were only able to eat half of the whole tasting menu. Very generous portions so come hungry, or be prepared for a whole feast for leftovers LOL read more

Aracosia McLean - taste of aracosia for 5 - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

For a special date night out to a family gathering, Aracosia serves really unique, well-spiced, and unique dishes that are hard to find in the area. We ended up getting the complete taste which includes the mini taste and the assortment of dumplings. The meaty dumpling was probably the best. It came with two different rices, an each of which pair nicely with the complete taste dishes including the lentils and sweet ribs. The complimentary bread was warm and the sauces were either sweet or savory with a bit of spice. While the wait for the food was admittedly longer than expected, they were also generally pretty busy. We also got a lot of food at $55 each person. Docking off one star because when we sat down, and I got my plate, it was left with a bunch of crumbs. Very great experience overall for trying Afghan food for the first time. read more

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Came here on Valentine's Day. Sat in one of the dining rooms on the side, checking in 10 minutes after our reservation, we were greeted another 10 minutes after sitting down. Understandably busy from it being Valentine's Day, but hopefully they will be a little more mindful in the future with checking in earlier...life after being a server in the past. I knew I wanted "Taste of Aracosia" from some Yelp posts a couple of years ago and they still have it. If you don't see it on the menu, be sure to ask. We had complimentary bread and dips, which were fresh and aromatic. The first course was the dumplings...a favorite that is not pictured in the review because we downed them. The main course has the rice, lentils, lamb, chicken, chickpeas, and other dishes that were absolutely delicious and the perfect smorgasbord of food and flavor. I really appreciate this restaurant and brought my boyfriend here for Valentine's Day because I always feel good leaving this place. They use fresh ingredients, nicer oils, and it shows in the quality of the food. I'm not usually a baklava person, but the baklava here is divine. read more

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The waitress was friendly but service was a bit slow. I think it's just cause they don't have too many workers and honestly wasn't a problem! We ended up getting the complete taste since it was our first time and seemed like a great way to try everything. I feel like the deal was pretty good because it was more food than I expected we ended up having to take some home for yummy seconds! In this fog - 3/5 little sweet which I like but still kinda strong In the garden - 2.5/5 a bit strong but still good Complete taste of aracosia Dumpling sampler - 3.5/5 very soft skin and flavorful insides! I liked all but in order I would say the beef, the sweet potato(?) then the lamb Chicken Sabzi Lawaan - 3.5/5 great flavor and not dry * Lamb Shank Moghuli - 3.5/5 cooked nicely and good sauce! * Rumi's Veal - 2/5 soft but too sweet * Grilled milk fed Lamb Chops - 5/5 the softest and so juicy and flavorful!! Loved this so much and not games * Grilled Beef Tenderloin - 4.75/5 prob one of best tenderloin I've had! Super soft * Nakhoud (Chickpeas) - 3/5 good amount of spices and yummy * Kadoo (Squash) - 3.5/5 like th e filling of the earlier momo. Sweet and easy to eat * Banjaan (Eggplant) - 2/5 this is only cause I don't like eggplant. I usually can't really eat it but this was good for an eggplant * Daal (Lentils) - 3.5/5 good spices and goes well with the meat * served with chalou and gabuli rice. - 3.5/5 love the flavors on the rice! Special shout out to the free bread dips I kept going back for more and all 4 were so good read more

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We tried this restaurant on the way back from Union Station. The ambiance of the restaurant is similar to a fancy steakhouse. We did not have a reservation and they were really busy. We were lucky to be able to sit at the bar. The restaurant provided house bread for starter with four kind of sauces to taste. We also got the potato and leek turnover as appetizer. For the main course, we got the Lamb Shank Moghuli, Qabuli Palou, and French rack of Lamb. All the dishes were excellent and cook to perfection. The lamb falls off the bone on my shank. For the rice with the main dishes, get the Chalou if you are not into raisins and carrots. For dessert, we got the Pistachio Ricotta Cake that tasted almost like an ice cream cake and Baklava. The food is a bit on the pricey side but reasonable for lamb dishes. The wait staffs are very attentive. We would definitely return to try other dishes on the menu and that Pistachio Cake. read more

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The lamb was SO good! It was really juicy and tender. The service was a bit slow but everything we ordered (2 platters and the veal dish) were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The interior was also really nice. Highly recommend! read more

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I brought my wife and my family here for her birthday. It was our first time dining here but since we heard amazing things, we decided to check it out. Possibly one of the best Afghan restaurants I've been to! Every item we had was great! I particularly enjoyed the vegetarian flight and the pumpkin dumplings! read more

Aracosia McLean - Vegetarian Qabuli Combination Platter - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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I enjoyed a tasy dinner at Aracosia with my team this past Tuesday. I don't think reservations are necessary, but it's good to make one just in case! Our server was really helpful and gave suggestions when we asked them questions. A few of us got some drinks (not me, but the ones who did enjoyed them, it seems). The complementary bread they gave us with the four chutneys on the side were enjoyable. I enjoyed the mango chutney (slightly spicy) and the avocado, cilantro, and yogurt chutney (very creamy). Some people really enjoyed the red chili chutney, but unfortunately, I'm not the best with spice. LAMB CHOP DUO - 33.95 This came with four lamb chops, two of the lamb ribs and two of the lamb shoulders. Each was nicely salted and cooked at the perfect medium. The lamb ribs were a lot more thin/tender compared to the lamb shoulders, which was much chewier, but there's more meat if that's what you're looking for. In general, the flavor of the lamb was fantastic, but I wish it wasn't as chewy. It also comes with a side of qabuli rice, which is seasoned rice with carrots and raisins. The rice was flavorful and enjoyable on its own, naturally sweetened by the toppings. There was also a side of roasted eggplant. Portions are big and I was very full by the end. We all enjoyed the food we ordered here. A few of my teammates got the chicken based stews which they liked. The chicken based entrees are in the $20 range which is much more affordable compared to the red meat options! read more

Aracosia McLean - Lamb Chop Duo - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Absolutely delicious food. We did the tasting menu and everything was great although the lab chops and beef really shone--would definitely just get an order of those next time. Service was incredibly attentive throughout the meal, absolute 5 star experience. Ambiance was also very good and transported us out of suburban Virginia. Would highly recommend Aracosia. read more

Aracosia McLean - Rice - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Wow. Wow wow wow. This is some of the most delicious food I've ever had! Quick and efficient service, and what a beautiful place on the inside. We did the tasting menu, and I absolutely STUFFED myself on everything. Will definitely be returning. read more

My husband, our friends , and I have never had Afghanistan food before so choosing this establishment as our introductory to this cuisine was just perfect. At the top of my head, I cannot remember the names of the dishes we ordered, but what I do remember ordering were a variety of dumplings, an eggplant dish, and for my kids, a chicken dish with rice. All of what we ordered were phenomenal and were packed with flavor. The dishes reminded me of Indian food, though, with any dish, there are always different flares specific in that region. If I lived in the area, I would have definitely returned. If you have kids in tow who aren't used to eating this type of food, introduce them. My kids are two and 13 months and they absolutely devoured whatever they were given. Yes, they do have high chairs available. read more

Two Haiku Review: A famous McLean Restaurant, great service and food. First time? Get the Taste Of Aracosia. Enjoy the Rumi quotes and Classy ambiance. read more

The food here was amazingggg! I really enjoyed everything including the experience. If you want to sit in the dining area and not the bar seating book a reservation. They get very busy on weekends and it's not a huge place. Very intimate interior. The food: The lamb chop duo 8/10 The lamb and beef tenderloin 10/10 The sambosa appetizer 8/10 (sugared samosa) The service was great! Even though we had to sit at the high tops near the bar I still liked our service. Overall, great experience and I'll be going back! There's a garage nearby with free parking. When you arrive go up the stairs the restaurant is on the second level. read more

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This place had been in one of my collections on Yelp for a while. Someone at the gym had told me how good this place was when I had brought it up in conversation one day as a place I wanted to try. So my gf and I visited here the other night. They proved why they have nearly 5 stars still. We started with sambosas and the free bread. The sambosas were filled with a tomato base sauce and beef and topped with powdered sugar. They were amazing! The powdered sugar really gave it a nice punch of sweetness. I ordered the lamb duo and my gf got the lamb & beef tenderloin. I loved the lamb. It was delicious, tender and cooked to perfection. I don't usually eat eggplant but they served it in a tomato sauce that was divine. My gf's food was also delicious. She gave me some of the beef to try and it was also cooked well and was tender. She got the chickpeas instead and really enjoyed them. The service was good for being in the bar area. The waitress usually wasn't too hard to find. The food came out relatively quickly which was appreciated at dinner time. The ambiance is very Afghani. We sat in the bar since we didn't have a reservation and it was still romantic. There was a tv with a fireplace video on. There were some decorations and middle eastern colors on the walls. There's art on the walls of the dining room that we'd love to come back and experience another time. Highly recommend getting a reservation if you want to eat here. There's either a long wait or bar seating without one. There's also a small parking garage attached to the buildings there so no need to pay for parking. read more

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Fantastic Afghan Food and conversation with the family. The service was excellent and attentive. Aziz was very helpful. Seating was a little tight because we were in a corner table. The chairs were big and heavy. We needed a bigger table due to the amount of food we ordered. read more

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Love this place ! Great food and service is amazing. Definitely going back and recommend

I tried this place out first to-go. Pretty fast service and the food was fairly decent. Will try again to dine in read more

Aracosia McLean - Lamb & Beef Tenderloin - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Overall great, though took some time to get us seated with a reservation. Very nice decor and quiet - good for conversations and groups. Convenient free parking in the garage. Reasonably priced wine selection, dumplings appetizer was delicious, as was the lamb shank. Giant entree portion. I wasn't blown away but it was all solid. read more

One of my favorite places I've been to this year. I've had Afghan cuisine before but don't recall ever dining in at a restaurant. The decoration here is absolutely beautiful and the waiters are friendly. They bring bread to the table to start you off which is really nice. Warm with a good balance between crispy and soft. Each of the sauces are great but really loved the mango chili sauce, as its very satisfying. I started with the beef dumplings which were delicious. Then ordered the lamp chops which were tender and juicy, probably the best I've ever had. Finished which a bite of the toasted almond cake which was light and well flavored all while not being too sweet. Overall, everything from this dining experience was impressive. Prices were reasonable, portions were great, and service was quick. read more

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We went to this Afghan restaurant with very high expectations. The restaurant is very pretty and welcoming, the lighting and decor is very nice. They were decorated for Christmas. They sat us promptly and our waiter came to the table shortly thereafter. He was a very nice and helpful young man. I went against my gut of ordering Kabab's and we went for the taste of Aracosia, it had many dishes that are popular. We also ordered mantu for an appetizer. The presentation was great but the rice was lacking. The kabuli was extremely greasy and the white rice wasn't fluffy and white which led us to believe everything was microwaved. Granted it would be impossible to make all these dishes from scratch in 20 minutes everything tasted like it was refrigerated and reheated. The taste was still Fine but being that we were there at the beginning of dinner time , around 6pm on a Friday night I would expect at least the rice to be fresh. If I'm in the area again I would try again but I would order kabab because that can't be reheated. I enjoyed the eggplant the most, my daughter ate all the lamb and said it was good. read more

Aracosia McLean - Dumpling appetizer - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

The lunch was amazing! I'm just gonna dive straight to the delicious food! We ordered a chicken lawaan for the baby (upper right in the picture). While the baby only had a few bite of the dish, we finished it without any problem! The chicken and the yogurt mixed with rice was delicious with every bite. There's simply a bit of everything in every bite. For $14, this dish's cost/portion/taste is unmatched. My wife had the bistro signature lamb chop with beef tenderloin ($23, bottom right of the pic). The mix of carrots and raisins on the rice with squash on the side made the dish super balanced. There's the heavy taste from the two meats, the sweetness from the squash, raisin, and carrots; finally, all of these elements were balanced with lightly seasoned rice. Absolutely amazing taste. I had the lamb shank ($21, bottom left pic). The lamb meat is essentially fall of the bone soft and tender. The lamb had great seasoning. The pistachio and carrots in the rice neatly complemented l the stronger taste of the lamb. I would recommend this dish to anyone! Finally, my friend ordered the saffron chicken ($16, top left). She said it was simply delectable. I was too busy eating from my wife and baby's plates to see what exactly were in my friend's plate. Overall, the service was great and the food was heavenly. This is the type of 5/5 restaurant that deserves constant revisits. read more

Aracosia McLean - Saffron Chicken, lamb shank, Chicken Lawaan, Bistro Signature Lamb Chops & Beef Tenderloin - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

My son discovered a lovely Afghan restaurant near me, and it happens to be the sister restaurant of one of our favorites, Afghan Bistro in Springfield. We ordered the Spicy Beef Dumplings (Mantu), Chicken Sabzi Lawaan, and Chicken Lawaan from Aracosia McLean, and it was all so delicious. The desserts looked amazing, too, but we were just too full...next time! read more

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Fantastic tasting menu! They gave a generous portion for the tasting. All the dishes were delicious (especially the lamb shank). Drinks here were great also, not too sweet which I loved. Service is top notch. I highly recommend! read more

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This Afghani restaurant slaps harder than my mom. High quality food. I was stopping in DC and had been fasting for nearly 18 hours until stumbled upon this culinary gem like an overflowing well in a desert oasis. Every bite was packed with flavor of the perfectly charred kabobs, qabuli pilau, and channa. I was eating and likely weeping at the same time, overjoyed by the flavors. The dimly lit ambience is more for an intimate experience. Good spot for people who want to eat somewhere ethnic, flavorful, ambient, and not excessively pricy. read more

Great for lunch to catch up w friends. Reservations recommended. They have a huge menu with proteins ranging from chicken, beef, salmon, lamb. I loved their service and their lunch specials. Proced right. Garage parking available. read more

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Not much to say - Service was 5/5. Food was 5/5. Ambiance 5/5. I always love trying new things so I appreciate a good sampler plate. Specifically, they actually had respectable portions at a fair price for the different offerings. I found it super fun with my date as we got to try a lot of items and left more than satisfied. Please keep up the good work! read more