Absolutely lovely! Went with my boyfriend for our anniversary and it was just a lovely evening. Service: 11/10 service. We were greeted at the door and our coats were checked. They promptly led us to our table and after gave us a glass of champagne to celebrate. After, our waitress - Enom took our orders and gave us lovely recommendations to get the evening started. Waters were constantly filled and empty plates removed. Food: I can't describe how yummy! As an appetizer, We had the pumpkin dumplings which are a must try. I'm not a fan of pumpkin normally but these are scrumptious. We both ordered stew entrees , I had the lamb moughoil and he had a chicken lawaan. Ambience: Wonderful private date night. There's was afghan music playing and the lanterns were lit around the restaurant creating beautiful lighting. read more

Holy moly! Aracosia is so delicious! While I can't claim I've had a lot of afghani food, Aracosia definitely has to represent the best of it. Easy parking, great food, and exceptional service. I can see why it's so highly ranked and popular! Please, do yourself a favor and grab dinner at Aracosia! You'll love it. read more

Amazing food and super friendly staff. We went in a big group for a birthday celebration and we spent an unforgettable time, delicious food and welcoming ambience. Highly recommended read more

I was disappointed!! The quantity of the food was very little comparing to the price. I was super excited to try the meat (braided meat with greens) it came with spinach and rice, it turned out to be my least favorite dish, as a matter of fact I didn't even finish it I threw it away cuz the meat was full of fat and very very chewy and the rice was plain and tasteless, the spinach was ok. (Save yourselves don't order it!!) Other two dishes were not bad. The salmon fish was very delicious, I only had one piece as I mentioned quantity was very little and unfair, but I do want to point out it was amazingly delicious. The bread that came with the food was good and so were the sauces. I don't think I would go back to this place and most likely would not recommend after the experience I had. read more

Aracosia McLean - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

The service here is really good. The waitress was very nice and pleasant to talk to. She was personable. The mantu was good and the green chili chutney was a good compliment to it. I think this place has a lot of potential and would love to continue supporting if they made some updates. read more

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Dishes are delicious, well prepared and served. There are a variety of choices. The environment is cozy. read more

Aracosia McLean - Spicy Lamb Shank Moghuli - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Food was very tasty. Service was smooth and courteous. Atmosphere is incredible. Would go eat there again. read more

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Aracosia isn't your typical Afghan kabobs and rice quick cafe...its a total authentic Afghan eating experience. The food is rich with spices and flavor - we were blown away with the quality of the dishes and the depth of cooking. We ordered the chicken and kabob plate which came with a delicious potato curry on the side. The rice was fragrant, the meat was cooked well and the curry was perfect - soft, pillowy potatoes and just enough spice levels to not be overpowering. My favorite dish was the chicken stew - the chicken was soft and shredding into the curry. The curry itself was very different and unlike any curry I had before - yogurt base with herby cilantro and tons of salsas and dips. Very much recommend. My only complaint would be the bread - I did wish the bread was softer and more warm, it was a bit stale by the time it got to us (we ordered via Grubhub). Everything else was warm and delicious. read more

Aracosia McLean - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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My friend and I came here last night for her birthday. I called for a reservation morning of and the guy who answered was super nice and accommodating. He even asked about if we were coming in for a special occasion and they were able to ensure a table outside. This restaurant is a gem tucked away in McLean. The outdoor seating area is really cozy with a great ambiance. It feels like you're in an alley at a nice cafe somewhere far away not in McLean with the string lights and vibrant table linens. From the moment I walked in to be seated, every single employee was authentically friendly and eager to take care of us. Our waitress was awesome too. They had a really fun cocktail menu and the bartender can mix some good drinks! They provide delicious bread to the table with four house made dipping sauces. The sauces were all awesome- though my favorite was the avocado green one. We started with the Pumpkin dumplings for an app which were flavorful and delicious. They give a nice portion but this was also a lighter option since we were going to go very heavy on meat later on. Per our waitresses recommendation, we ordered some Lamb which they are known for (we got the lamb duo) as well as the Veal and Mushrooms Qorma (stew). The lamb was cooked perfectly, still juicy and tender on the inside with a perfect chargrilled exterior. They let us substitute potatoes for the side of eggplant since neither of us really like eggplant. Those were great too. The veal was stewed to the perfect level of break apart with a fork tenderness. The flavors of garlic and cilantro were present without being overwhelming and the mushrooms gave it the perfect texture. It came on a huge bed of rice. Needless to say, we enjoyed our meals and were not able to finish everything. We ended up being there past the 9 pm close time because we were enjoying our food and conversation. We never felt rushed but moreso like they were eager to make sure we stayed as long as we wanted and had a good time! At the end after we had paid our bill, our waitress and the owner/manager? surprised us with two glasses of champagne and a delicious piece of cardamom cake on the house in honor of my friends birthday. You could tell that the staff were always smiling even though they had masks on. The service here is above and beyond what you'd expect at a nice restaurant but what is rarely achieved. Covid compliant- all silverware and plate sets were wrapped in plastic. I saw them prepping tomorrow's while wear masks and gloves, etc. I felt like they were able to look out for the safety of the patrons and employees but without ruining the dining experience. If you've never tried high quality authentic Afghan food, do yourself a favor and check this place out! I promise the flavors and quality will blow away any previous Afghan food you've experienced. They even have a lot of vegetarian options and lots of chicken dishes for those looking for different options than red meat. Bravo! Can't wait to come back here and also to try the other locations. read more

Aracosia McLean - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

I had never come across an Afghan restaurant before coming to Aracosia, so when I learned about it, I knew I had to try it out. Based on Yelp recs, I ended up getting the pumpkin dumplings. They were really good but the scallion and leek dumplings topped with the minced beef were far better. Also, the bread and dips they bring out pre-meal are phenomenal. I could easily just eat those and make a meal out of it. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor we opted for was well decorated and the service was professional and attentive. They have a good sized menu and I absolutely want to come back to learn more about what Afghan food has to offer. I obviously can't compare this to other places with similar cuisine but I can tell you that it was fantastic! Definitely recommend! read more

Aracosia has the best Afghan food I have ever had. The lamb platter was so delicious! Service is amazing, and ambiance is intimate and cozy. I would 100% recommend this place to everyone as I will be returning myself to try other dishes. read more

This spot has Great food and very gluten free friendly. One of my favorites in dc area

A average restaurant & highly overrated! We went as three couples celebrating a friends B'day. The service was so slow and food was by far average! My dh has visited this restaurant earlier and has had good experience. This time was different and none of us were impressed. Anyways hoping next time is better, that is if we go! read more

I have had my eye on Aracosia since it first opened in McLean, and it was our absolute best decision to have ordered takeaway from here over the weekend! My cousin once raved about this restaurant located in D.C. and we knew in our hearts we would have to try now that we have a second location right down the street from us! In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aracosia has a take out menu with many many specials. You may still order a la carte if your heart is only settled for a few fixed favorites on the menu, however being first time clients here we decide to go big or go home! We went ahead and ordered the family menu early bird special for $18/person that comes with your own selection of a 3 course meal. If you are looking for a special occasion with several in your family during this pandemic and love Afghan cuisine - this is your place! Even if it is just the two of you, you can also consider seizing their $75 three course meal/person + selected wine. Either way, you can't go wrong with the specials and they are indeed a deal to steal. My fiancé and I decided to go big, we ordered the family menu early bird special and selected nearly everything off of the menu! We are big lovers of lamb shank so decided to order both lamb shank stews. The lamb shank moghuli is our absolute top favorite! Flavored and seasoned down to the bone with an amazing roasted tomato and eggplant base. An amazing slowly braised lamb that melted in your mouth, moist and tender, fall of the bone style. This was absolutely bomb. We also ordered the saffron chicken and chicken lawaan stew. Yumyumyum. The soft chicken is perfectly coated in a yogurt stew sauce with a melt in your mouth creamy sensation. Delicious. We also ordered several appetizers of the leek and scallion dumpling (LOVED this, thin soft coat of outer flour and a bite of meat with the herbal scallion aroma), quroti (my fiancé liked this), and the potato and leek turnover, with the Sambosa (THIS -- was my favorite dish of the night: crunchy turnover exterior, filled to the bite with beef, and a sweet light yogurt drizzle glaze. Oh my Heaven). Lastly we also ordered both desserts (why not right? And if you like rose water infused milk pudding desserts than this is definitely for you), along with all of the sides (the toasted butter squash was a buttery soft goodness to bite topped with a yogurt drizzle). The meal also came with plentiful of naan breads and a wide array of chutneys (this was absolutely delightful and we had plenty to save for days). Overall this meal was an absolute hit and the highlight of our weekend! I would love to dine in when everything settles out more, and look forward to the in house experience! read more

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Surprisingly good food --- didn't know what to expect and we ordered the sampler. Delicious food and a lovely variety of tastes. The atmosphere was great too! read more

This neighborhood gem met and exceeded my expectation, especially during our Covid-restricted times nowadays -- they made the dining experience very pleasant with great dishes and ingredients, friendly and attentive service, and well-functioning heaters for the outdoor dining and a nice quiet, properly-spaced indoor tables. My favorites here include leek-scallion dumplings (option to add beef sprinkled on top; dumpling shells are nice & thin and tasted like home/hand-made) and also enjoyed their slow-braised, fork-tender lamb shank with egg plants. Portions are generous; dishes aren't over-seasoned and taste just right. We also enjoyed their cardamom green tea and their cardamom saffron tea. Green tea was excellent, while saffron complemented the authentic spices of the dishes perfectly. Bread and especially their dipping sauces were superb. I came back here for a second visit in the same week and will be coming back for more. read more

Aracosia McLean - I can eat these Leek-Scallion with beef dumplings everyday! - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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The food was absolutely delicious and the service was wonderful. I will definitely be going back there!

My favorite dumplings are the pumpkin dumplings. The bistro signature mix grill dish is a good summary of goodness. You can taste very unique sauces here. The food quality seems to never fail for a long time. The restaurant looks cozy and pretty, and the staff members are friendly. Delivery service was also great. read more

Five. Stars all the way. the food is amazing, The service is amazing, The ambience is amazing. Overall a great experience, Every time we go there. we have taken our whole family and friends there for our birthdays, several years in a row and never have been disappointed. read more

Outstanding service from Ms. Zainab! The food was great as but the lamb chops seem a lot smaller and less this time around. The restaurant's ambience was pleasant as always. read more

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will I go again? Absolutely! Tonight was our first time. We had the variety dumplings as an appetizer and they happily made my husband's vegetarian and added meat for me and my son. For dinner we ordered the vegetarian platter, saffron chicken and chicken aracosia. Dessert was pistachio and ricotta spangle cake plus and almond sponge cake. All delicious. Service excellent. Atmosphere excellent. read more

I had been trying to get a reservation via open table for nearly two years at the DC location but it was always full. So when i found out there was going to be a Mclean location I was excited because it was closer. I went on Valentine's day and lets just say the food and service exceeded my expectation. It was a full house! It was our servers first day and he was really comfortable with the menu and super nice. We ordered a dumpling sampler as an appetizer. The dish consisted of beef mantu, pumpkin mantu and scallions aushak. I had never had pumpkin dumplings and I already pove aushak and mantu.The pumpkin dumpling ended up being my favorite, it was so delicious. I ordered the chicken sabzi lawaan with the owner's recommendation. This item is not on the menu, but the veal sabzi lawaan is. I don't really like veal, so the owner substituted it with chicken which was very considerate. It was one of the most delicious meals I've had, it smelled so good i can't wait to go back and have it again. My husband had the lamb shank moghuli. He really enjoyed it and cleaned his plate up. I tasted the lamb and it was so tender and flavorful. Even the four different chutneys (sauces) were on point. I couldn't decide which one to eat with my food! We had the vanilla ice cream with cardamom and rose water for dessert. I dislike vanilla ice cream, but i love when Afghans add the cardamom and rose water, it really is an excellent combination and adds excellent flavor. This whole experience was great, i can't wait to take my family and friends. As an Afghan American, the few dishes we tried are culinary masterpieces. Great service and delicious Afghan cuisine -- a wonderful addition to Mclean and the surrounding areas. read more

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Absolutely love this place. Good service, great food, very reasonable for the quality. I've had terrific meals multiple times and one time when things went wrong they comped the whole meal. I make it a point to take guests here. Strong recommend the 4 dumplings appetizer for 4 if you have 3 or more people. Terrific experience. read more

My husband and I had always heard about the wonderfulness of Afghan Bistro, but we'd never been. When Aracosia McLean opened, I was very excited! Been to Aracosia McLean twice - once, not long after they opened (pre-COVID-19) and once again for take-out after stay-at-home orders due to Coronavirus Stated. When we dined in, you could tell they were definitely unprepared for their instant popularity - we had reservations, but decided to sit at the bar, which we prefer anyway. I admit, I was shocked by their wine list - excellent selection and good prices. We started with sparkling rose and ordered the dumpling trio. I loved the dumplings - I think the leek one was my favorite. Exquisite flavors. In addition, I loved the bread and the sauces - all of them, including the super spicy one! For my meal, I ordered Rumi's chicken. I loved the combination of the sweet and spicy and just with the dumplings, the depth of flavors and spices used was just incredible. Honestly, other than a pretty significant delay between our appetizers and food, no complaints. You could tell the staff was working hard, especially our bartender...again, I think they were just unprepared for their instant popularity. It was a Thursday night and the line was out the door! I loved our visit so much that I was craving my dish a few weeks later and it was after the stay-at-home orders were issued, so we decided to get take-out. The food traveled well (from McLean to Vienna) and I'm pleased to say the quality of the cooking is just as high as when we dined in. I look forward to ordering from Aracosia McLean again and visiting again when they re-open. read more

Aracosia McLean - Rumi's Chicken - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Great service, great food. Easy to park the car, portions are generous. Ordered the tasting menu a few times, never finished them, very delicious. Strongly recommend if you are going for the first time trying different varieties. Pretty much everything on the menu is recommended, but be mindful that their vege dishes may lean on the heavy side. read more

Wow Wow Wow! Aracosia you really out did yourself! The new location in McLean is fabulous and the service was even better. The waitstaff and manager were so attentive and thanked us many times for coming in, they truly made our group feel welcome. The restaurant itself felt very cozy and warm with cute inspirational quotes throughout. It would make for a great date night spot. The food was delicious! I had the chicken kabob, it was tender and full of flavor. My table also shared the assortment of dumplings and they were amazing as well. The price point is reasonable for the quality of the food. I can't rave enough about this restaurant it is a MUST try! read more

Aracosia McLean - chicken kabob - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Ate here with friends and it met all of our expectations! Delicious food :) Would recommend making a reservation for weekend dining, unless you're ok with bar seating. read more

There are not many fine dining restaurants in this neighborhood, but Aracosia is a gem. The food is so so good, reasonably priced, and has nice service. Try the tasting menu, but come hungry and expect leftovers. read more

This is my 3rd time here in probably the last 2 months. I will say this place is AMAZING- the menu is surprisingly wide and varied perhaps catering to the burger and fries staple audience but you would be missing the incredible afghan dishes of chicken, lamb, and veal. There are incredible options from which to choose those dishes with tomato based sauces or those with yogurt, basil and fresh tomatoes. The meat is incredible tender and lean. This is a gem and they have indoor and outdoor seating both of which is great depending on weather and heat. Please support this business- the portions are incredible, service amazing, prices are totally fair. A really incredible experience! read more

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I love their Carryout specials! Unfortunately, the carryout special is not available on Sundays. This did not dampen my mood however, because the food is so good. I have dined at all three locations and have always been met with exceptional cuisine. I ordered the Qabuli Combination Platter (vegetarian) and the Hot Mazza Assortment. This place does not just serve, authentic Afghan food, but great food period utilizing recipes that will leave you mesmerized! I've been here enough, that I can tell you the warming spices really satiate my taste buds. Treat yourself! read more

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Amazing food and the spices were spot on. Portions are a decent size too so be prepared to eat. The staff was great too.

I had the opportunity to have lunch here today and was so impressed with everything! Absolutely loved everything about this restaurant. After being served some Afghan bread with four unique delicious dips , my lovely server suggested the Hot Mazza Assortment since this was my first visit. Quite delicious! I plan to bring my family and friends back here many times! I will be a regular diner and devotee of this restaurant for years to come. I may have to move to McLean. read more

Wow this is the third Aracosia restaurant, and I couldn't be more excited! The first one is in Springfield, VA, second is in DC, and this one the third is in McLean. I recommend making a reservation, but the bar is first come fist serve. The DC restaurant is much smaller. The McLean restaurant is more spacious and right next to a parking garage with free parking. Most of the menu is the same as the DC restaurant and they bring out the complimentary flat bread and four dipping suaces. Service is exceptional at both the DC and McLean location, and the food is amazing. I ordered the Quroti, spicy beed dumplings (Mantu), and the bistro salad. I wasn't that big a fan of the Quroti as the flat bread ends up being soggy. However, the spicy beef dumpling is awesome. The beef is nice and spicy and the dumpling is soft. It is topped with a yogurt garlic sauce and peas. Each bite of the dumpling was flavorful and and it comes with 4 so enough to share. For our main dish we ordered the braised lamb shank with greens. The tittle is somewhat misleading as the greens are more for flavoring not a side. I don't like lamb-as I never order it. However, Aracosia is the only place I will eat lamb at. The lamb has a wonderful flavor and isn't overwhelming. I remember the lamb shank in DC being a bit larger, but none the less the flavor was spot on. I highly recommend! Overall, the McLean location has a different vibe than DC. However, I consider this a top restaurant in the area. You will not be disappointed! FYI- this is a great spot for a nice date as the atmosphere is quiet enough to carry a conversation. read more

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We came here on a Saturday for dinner and I was thoroughly impressed. From the beginning, our server, Hussein, greeted us warmly and brought bread with an accompaniment of sauces while we discussed the menu. The sauces were fantastic. We ordered pumpkin and beef mantu as well as boulanee to start. I especially enjoyed the pumpkin mantu and would definitely recommend those, but everything was good. It was so good my wife got the entree. I had the lamb tenderloin, which was very tender and delicious. The service was a bit slow, but nothing terrible for a Saturday dinner especially in the current service industry environment. And the inside of the restaurant is beautiful, so come with a little patience, enjoy your conversation, and you won't be disappointed. Would definitely visit again. read more

The food was absolutely spectacular. Perfectly cooked and so flavorful. I wish I had 2 stomach to fit in more food. Also the service was top tier. When ever I'm in Virginia I will be stopping by. read more

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

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The meal of the year award goes to this location as it was a special family event occasion in 2022. Every single dish was delicious and the design and elegance of the interior of this place should win awards. Special treat was the chill electronic music that I would consider downtempo house music. Service went above and beyond as I made a few errors and spilled some of the dishes on the table. Servers were alert and attentative to my special needs. read more

Great food. Standard kabobs plus a few dishes you'll not find at the typical Afghan restaurant. Food tastes homemade.

Anyway food was amazing service was awesome and Zack our waiter made sure we were catered to exactly what we needed without being over the top. We ordered the Appetizer flights with the lamb chops and beef (I got med well, my friend got med) they separated our portions according to taste and it was soooooo delicious! We also had the meat dumpling appetizers and that was also amazing!!! The flavors were memorable, I ordered an entree version to go. My friend had the lamb shank - fall off the one good - with the rice and spinach purée - cleaned the plate! I had the lamb burger which was seasoned perfectly and juicy! No games taste at all. Dessert and drinks were excellent. Highly recommend if you're looking to treat yourself to good food and a great experience. This was a perfect end to a rough week for both of us before going to a comedy show. I'd give this place 10 stars if I could. read more

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Amazing lamb, beef, tenderloins, chicken, superb. The Mantu assortment was fantastic, I come here every month for a treat! read more

Aracosia McLean - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Fabulous food! Everything we ordered came out delicious. Beef kabob is the best I've tasted. However, If you're a lamb fan...their lamb shank is out of this world. Meat just falls off the bone. Service is phenomenal here. We'll definitely be back! read more