Got takeout from here and it was amazing and delicious. The food tasted fresh and flavorful. The Kabobs, salmon, chicken dishes and even rice were all perfectly cooked. While I did not dine in, the dining area looked quite comfortable and the outdoor dining was available with multiple heaters. Service was fast and friendly. Definitely recommended. read more

It was me and my friend's first time trying Afghan cuisine and we were impressed with the delicious food, good portions, and fast service. They were also very accommodating when I asked to move my reservation back 30 minutes on the day of. They also offer mocktails too! read more

Aracosia McLean - Saffron Chicken - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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We came in as a walk-in after someone recommended trying Afghan food. The food itself was good, but the service ruined the experience. Our server, Isae, was very slow and inattentive. He didn't check on us properly and didn't even offer to box up our leftovers. read more

My friend took me here for lunch. I'm sad I never knew about this place because the food is so good. This interior is also cozy looking and would make a nice date night. We got the tasting menu for two which came with a few dishes. I wish I could remember all the names but safe to say everything was excellent. I especially liked the lamb here (both the chops and the stew) and it's no wonder considering all the good reviews on it. The service was spot on and the server had great suggestions. I would definitely suggest coming here with a few friends so you can try out a larger variety of dishes. It was raining today but I saw there was an open area outside where you could be seated. I plan on coming back to experience eating at this restaurant in the nice weather. read more

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The food and service were fantastic. The ambiance was cosy. I will definitely be going back!

My mother-in-law reserved this place for dinner for her sister's birthday dinner. It was all of our first times here, and I would definitely come back. When you enter the restaurant, you'll see that they have a kind of "patio" area, you can sit outside of the reservation by the elevators. It was a little chilly when we went, but there were still a few customers who sat outside. They had nice heating lamps that filled up the area, but not enough for me personally! When we arrived to our reservation, our table wasn't ready yet- the staff was very kind to set up a table in the back for us. Food: overall 4.8 out of 5 -Complimentary bread with different sauces to dip, I only liked 2 of the sauces. I honestly can't remember what they were! -Lamb Tenderloin Appetizer : 5 out of 5, the cucumber dill yogurt complimented it so well -Lamb Chop Duo : 5 out of 5 - the appetizer lamb was soo good that I had to get it as my entrée dish. This dish was served with kabuli rice (I ordered it with no carrots and raisons), and roasted eggplant which was ama-zing! -Chicken Thigh Kabob : 4 out of 5 - my boyfriend cleaned up his plate but he said it was a little lack luster, putting the yogurt dill on everything really helped. Service: 3.8 out of 5 Since we were seated in the back area, it was hard to grab someones attention when we needed something. Our water glasses were empty almost all the time, and it took awhile for us to get a box and the check at the end. Regardless of the slower service, I highly recommend this place as it has a nice ambient for romantic or intimate family dinners and the food is delicious. read more

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

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Amazing food and great service. Check out the bistro signature mix grill mazza to get a little of everything. It comes with charbroiled lamb shoulder chops, lamb rib chops, lamb tenderloin and beef tenderloin and a chutney. Perfectly cooked and super flavorful. I would say this appetizer serves 2 to 3. For my main, I went with the saffron chicken. Think of this as a yogurt based curry but infused with saffron, lemon and dill. I was very bright and flavorful. All served over perfectly cooked basmati rice. Ambience was a little too dark. Also the heat was cranked up too high. Logistics: they have a small parking garage in the basement. Take the elevator to the 2nd floor. There is some limited outdoors seating that is covered and has space heaters. Reservations via Open Table. Online carryout orders can be made at https://www.aracosiamclean.com/order-online read more

Aracosia McLean - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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My first time trying Afghan food and it did not disappoint. My favorite item of the night were the pumpkin dumplings. We had lamb with cilantro and lamb with okra. Everything on the menu you could tell was made fresh and will great ingredients. The lamb was tender and flavorful. We also finished dinner with cardamom ice cream which was absolutely delicious and wish it was as sold by the tub. The staff were super friendly and attentive. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful, definitely on the nicer side as far as dress goes. Highly recommend. read more

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Food was great. We all had the lunch tasting so that we could try out a bit of everything. We enjoyed the lamb the most, super juicy, tender and fresh. The squash turnover was also very delicious. The decor is exotic and I guess quite authentic. Service was okay. read more

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From the outside when you're on the street, it isn't much. Once you find the front entrance, you are transported to a different place. The decor plays well with each other and it is dark, cozy, but spacious. I loved it! The servers and hosts were very attentive and were always checking in to see if we had enough bread, water, rice, etc. they made sure we knew what was in each dish and what the spices were in each dish. The service was really top notch. The food is flavorful. I have never had Afghan food or cuisine before, but after trying this place, I know it won't be my last time either. I am sold on how good the cuisine is and I explore you to try it. It is flavorful but not as powerfully spiced as Indian cuisine. It has some similar characteristics, but lighter and the taste or smell does not linger after the meal. It's balanced. There is a parking garage in the complex with multiple levels so I am sure you will find parking. read more

Aracosia McLean - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Updating my review, because my brothers and I just through a birthday luncheon for our mother here in their private room, and everything was even better than the last time. We did the mini-taste of Aracosia, which is hardly mini. (We had planned to have dessert, but almost all of us were to full to even contemplate it after the absolutely deliciousness meal.). We had about 10 dishes (mains, veggies, sides in all - see attached menu), and people raved! Standouts we're the chicken kabobs, which were one of the most well-seasoned, juicy, and absolutely delicious versions I have ever had (ruined me for my normal takeout place), each of the chicken stews, eggplant, and risotto. The only dish that wasn't received, as well, was the ground beef kabob - next time, I'd get the steak one instead. We (and I think all of our guests) will be back to this or other Aracosia outposts. Definitely now a favorite in the DMV. read more

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I've been to Afghan Bistro before and my experience prior was great. Aracosia's atmosphere was a lot less casual so it's perfect for special occasions/etc. They have a parking deck or street parking so it is very convenient. We originally had reservations at 7:30, but arrived early and still got seated about 45 min earlier. The waitress was attentive and friendly; however; after waiting a fair amount of time for one of our guest's drinks, we were told that they were out of a beer. All in all, the food was amazing. I generally don't opt for lamb, but the lamb shank was *chefs kiss*. I had it for leftovers the next day, and it was still amazing. I would recommend checking out Arocasia, but if you're looking for a more casual atmosphere - Afghan Bistro is probably a better option for you! read more

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It is really nice to find a restaurant that is elegant yet still casual, offers tasty food yet is not too expensive, quiet and convenient with lots of easy parking.  Aracosia is all of these things.  We first dined here during covid when they set up tables on the outside walkway/terrace.  It was such a joyful experience.  Different time period and different seating but still just as enjoyable.  The dining room is comfortable and reasonably quiet even when the restaurant is full.  The décor is colorful and interesting.  Most of all, the food is really good.  The delight starts at the very beginning with the bread and four different dips that are brought to the table.  Each is delicious in its own way and it is great how the bread seems to break off into sticks which fit perfectly to dip in each little ramakin.  The hard part is restraining yourself from eating more and more of the bread and dips because there are a lot of wonderful items on the menu.  We decided to focus on one main entrée to share accompanied by several appetizers.  The entrée was the braised lamb shank which was falling off the bone tender and really tasty.  The sauce itself was also really good - bread for dipping comes to the rescue again!  For appetizers we had the sambosa boulanee which was sweet and savory at the same time.  We also shared the dumpling assortment which gave everyone a chance to try three different dumplings.  We liked them all.  For dessert we had the traditional baklava accompanied by one green tea with cardamom and one black tea with cardamom.  They were both fragrant and a relaxing accompaniment to a really good meal.  Free parking is easy and can be found in the parking garage which is located under the building. read more

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I would give this place a 4.5. Make reservations if you can. This was my first time trying Afghan food and I thought it was delicious. First off, you get free unlimited bread with an assortment of dips. That was already pretty filling. I ordered the spinach dumplings which comes with beef on top and drizzled dill sauce, and I thought the sauce was delicious. The dumplings use the same thing wrap as asian style dumplings. The lamb is cooked really well and it is tender. It also came with flavorful beans. The only downside to this dish was that it didn't come with rice. read more

Excellent food, Excellent service. We ordered the sampler in addition to appetizer dumpling. So much food. It's so good that you don't want to stop eating. Way too much food, even for a foodie. Entree sampler: Lamb Shank, Lank chops, Chicken dish, Lamb stew spicy, lentils, butternut squash, lamb stew, chick peas, collard greens, eggplant, 2 kinds of rice. Must do you get everything. read more

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Afghani restaurant with a slightly upscale vibe and both an authentic decor and menu The service here was great. and all of the staff were both very attentive and friendly Complimentary bread and 4 different unique dipping sauces, two of which are fairly spicy Both a-la-carte and tasting menus. Very large portions I got a chicken and steak dish over rice and it was solid read more

So yummy! I came with friends and I wish I took note of what they exactly ordered, because everything was so delicious!!! I know we got their popular dumpling appetizer dumplings, that was veggie, pumpkin, and a meat filled. The table comes with bread and different sauces. Loved all the sauces but really liked their green one. Reminded me of a chimichurri sauce. We ordered their lamb shank, lamb with bone, a chicken dish, and a veggie dish. Everything was so yummy!! Must stop spot! It was my first time have afghan food and I thought everything was delicious! read more

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This restaurant is great in all aspects. Food is spiced beautifully. I got a dish with organ meat that was wonderful. Great service too.

The Afghan dumplings were okay, but they weren't as flavorful as I had hoped. The main dishes were good, though. I had a chicken dish filled with herbs, and the chicken was very tender. The service was excellent. read more

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100% nostalgia! The food was amazingly delicious. Every dish was perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. The service (Aziz especially but also other staff who tended to our table) was outstanding, appropriately timely and attentive. The ambiance was cozy, comfortable, relaxing, welcoming... so many other adjectives but most of all it reminded me of several family dinners in Afghanistan. The authenticity of flavors in every dish teleported me to several fond memories and time spent in the heart of south-central Asia. I've had this place on my bookmarks for a while and I was pleased to finally share it with someone who enjoys Afghan food as much as I do. We had a 6pm reservation on a Saturday. We ordered one cocktail and each decided on the sampler that includes an assortment of dumplings because it included MOST of our favorite dishes and some others. Also, as first time diners we thoroughly enjoy sampling many things to know what to order on the next visit. So much food but again... "we left no crumbs".... "Literally"!! Lamb A+, Beef A+, Chicken A+ Palou A*, Qubuli Rice A+... everything you see captured in the photos A+!!! The only dish that I didn't care for was the chickpeas dish and that's because I am not a fan of chickpeas. To all the lamb lovers, this is the place to be as the menu selections are expansive capturing nearly every way lamb can be prepared!!! Options, options, options galore!! If you haven't been to Aracosia McLean, you are missing out! Please visit this place it will not leave you disappointed in the food, service or ambiance departments. Also, the is covered outdoor seating along the front entrance and my favorite...free garage parking attached to the Shops! read more

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Really loved the food. I got a lamb chop dish and thought it was good, was tangy and good. The bread they provided was very nice as well since it came with a few dipping sauces. Also enjoyed the appetizer, I thought it was similar to a samosa if I recall correctly. Loved that it came with a variety of toppings as well. They had a good Amber beer on draft as well. Liked the ambiance and the service was good too. Great for date night imo. I'm excited to come back and try some other dishes. read more

Aracosia McLean - Complimentary bread - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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We went to celebrate a friend's special birthday. Everything was perfect: food and drinks, service, and atmosphere. The entrees were vegetarian and chicken. They were excellent! The ice cream dessert for our friend was delicious! The saffron tea was delicious and a great point of conversation. Overall: An outstanding choice! read more

Came here on a recommendation, and everything was great! Cute place with very convenient parking, which is always a bonus! The atmosphere is very Afghan. It's a bigger restaurant than you think from the outside with both indoor and outdoor seating. The service was five stars from beginning to end. Aziz was very attentive, and the food and drinks came FAST! They've got that part down pat. What we ate: I started with a lemony vodka drink that I think was called In the Fog, and I would definitely get it again. Very refreshing! We started with the pumpkin dumplings. A friend of mine told me they were delicious so I had to get them. They were good, but I would try another type next time. Maybe the hype was just too much or I built it up too much in my mind. Very good though, and the texture of the dumpling skin was just how I like it. I was with two other friends, and we tasted each other's dishes, and I have to say the lamb was the best. It was perfection!!! I had the Saffron Chicken, which was delicious as well. I ate it all! And my other friend also had a chicken dish that I can't remember the name of, but again yum. Everything was great, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm going for the lamb next time!! For dessert we shared the rice pudding and the pistachio cake. You've got to love a place that has a daily cake menu with four options!! The pistachio cake was the winner hands down. We really didn't enjoy the rice pudding at all. It was a little too watery for my taste, and I also thought it could have been a little sweeter. There is a huge menu to choose from so I will no doubt return for more. It was pretty full for a Tuesday night. read more

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We enjoyed a lovely meal, with great service, on a recent visit to McLean. The lamb shoulder chops with basmati rice, glazed carrots, raisins and eggplant was a delicious dish, tender and cooked to perfection. Likewise, the saffron chicken stew was hearty and tasty. The food was nicely presented and our server was professional and proficient. read more

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

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The husband and I picked this Resturant based on stars and the amount of reviews alone and we are for sure coming back! Adelso was our waiter and was great with the recommendations and his hospitality. We ate the Lamb Shank Moghuli, Risotto and Lamb Shank and the Hot Mazza Assortment for our appetizer. One comment said if you like lamb try them all and we for sure will do such as that. Great authentic food and the portions were satisfying. read more

Aracosia McLean - (Top to bottom) Lamb Shank Moghuli, side of Kadoo, and Risotto & Lamb - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Our favorite restaurant! Love the vegan options too enjoy the decor and quotes. Service is always great!

Several people have recommended Aracosia, and unfortunately whenever we planned to go, it was full. So we popped in during lunch one day. A little hard to understand were to park because maps and google took us to a parking lot that was signed with towing warning. When you drive to the Beverly road side, we found out that there was a lot of parking in the basement, away from the hot sun and parked the car in the cooler shade. That parking was the parking for the restaurant, so a good advice is to drive to Beverly road and park in the basement. The lunch menu was small and had small bites but also for those who wanted to have full courses. We tried something called mini bites that had lamb chops, beef (grilled) chick pea curry, stew with eggplant and meat, chicken spinach and lentils. It was 23 dollar or person. In addition they served Naan taste bread with three dip as an appetizer. We also ordered alcohol free mocktails. The curry combinations, usually more hot spiced if an Pakistani or Indian version, it still had good taste and were less spicy. I must say that majority of the food was a new good experience and tasted great. The ambience was relaxed and the only thing that's was a mismatch in an afghan decorated restaurant, was the music that was perhaps a bit loud and played the top 40 songs. So if I am ought to be picky, I would have switched that to a more background relaxed music rather than aforementioned. The service was great with the perfect amount of follow up and smile. The last one goes a long way way for creating a good impression. I was told later from my foodie buddy that I should have tried the kabobs, which apparently is the signature items. So that would be next time I guess. I am def going back read more

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I've never felt so inclined to write a Yelp review while still at the restaurant. This is an absolute MUST, our waiter, Darwin, was extremely knowledgeable on the menu and went above and beyond expectations. Every staff member was incredible professional and made the experience top notch. The food matched up to the incredible service. We tried the Spicy lamb and lamb duo plus the chocolate mousse cake. Everything was incredible, we will absolutely be back. read more

Stopped here while in the area for work. Absolutely delicious food, with kind staff. Would recommend! read more

Aracosia McLean - Chicken Breast Kabob and Hot Mazza Assortment - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Seated in a cozy corner that comfortably accommodated 6 of us. This was our first time. We were surprised to see an extensive whiskey menu which we ordered from. For dinner I had the special smoked tongue appetizer. Wonderful flavor and very tender. My entree was the goat stew. I'm use to having the meat on the bone but this was off the bone, tender and moist. Spicy and excellent. My husband had the lamb shank Afghani dhood palou which he devoured before a picture could be taken, yes it was delicious. We shared the cardamom pistachio pudding that was a very good palate cleanser. Recommend. FYI, there was also live music. read more

I should probably start this review with a bit of a disclaimer. I don't want there to be any insinuations made and I don't want to hide anything. There might be a conflict of interest here, so I'll put it out in the open... : I freakin' love Afghani food. I love Kabobi By The Helmand I loved Faryab in Bethesda when it was there I love Afghan Grill I don't think I've had terrible Afghani food in my whole life. Of course... some Afghani food stands above the rest - but for me it's truly like saying: Do you want gold or cash more? Both are great! I guess... one is easier to use... so I'll take the cash. But really give me either! Do you want to play with a bunch of puppies or kittens? I mean... ya know what... I'd take either So Aracosia made Yelp's Top 100 list of Places To Eat in the U.S. and Canada. Do you know HOW many restaurants there are in the United States? 660K as of a Spring 2018 count according to the top search result. Like... this place is LE-freakin-GIT Here are a few standouts: The dumpling platter for two: Comes with pumpkin dumplings, leek and scallion dumplings, and spicy beef dumplings. One could complain that the spicy beef dumplings were not spicy... but that person would not be me. The dumplings were each delicious. And pretty much anything that has pumpkin in it at an Afghan restaurant, I'm a fan of, and this is no exception. The turnip on the lamb chop platter. HOLY COW. Kimi gave me a bite of her turnip and it had more layers of flavor than a Smith Island cake. It was so sweet, so caramelized, so deep with flavor. That bite was nothing but exquisite. I got the salmon. The salmon was cooked REALLY well, but I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce that was served on the salmon. I also wasn't expecting there to be a sauce on it... so that was a little bit of a surprise. I guess I did not read the menu well enough *smiling emoji with sweat drop on forehead*. I know... you're like... how are you giving Aracosia 5 stars then? You didn't love what you ordered. Listen, it wasn't bad by any means... I just didn't really prefer it. ALSO, not only was every single other thing I tasted superb... the service at this place was Gilded Age good. Exceptions of Mrs Russels Lady's Maid obviously... and the chef that tried to steal the silver candlesticks. But like... it was so good. The woman in the front who sat us... she was terribly kind. She came to check on us at some point and was just so warm. Also... I haven't even gotten to the bread course that was served to us complimentary at the start of the meal. Delicious Afghani soft bread thats served with 4 different types of dipping sauces. One had avocados and cilantro in it I think! One was mango based. My favorite was there herb one that had a stupid amount of vinegar in it. So tangy, so bright, and really paired well with the bread. The red one was the spicy spicy one... so I avoided. Also we got dessert which was this delicious rice pudding like rose water hinted delicious bowl of deliciousness. Coffee was great. I mean... I'd take anyone and everyone here. Not to mention the restaurant is beautiful decorated and comfortable. Well deserving of Yelp's Top 100. Looking forward to making it back there soon. read more

Great ambiance and service. I went here with my wife as a date night and as a break from taking care of a baby 24/7, and it was totally worth it. The "mini" taste the menu order was fantastic in giving you a variety of dishes to "try" but I'd caution that the order is not so "mini". It is probably enough food for 4, not 2, so we went home with a lot of leftovers, but it makes for a good meal at home later on. Our favorites were the chickpea, lamb, and chicken dishes. I forget what they're called... read more

Finally tried this phenomenal, all-around-beautiful, restaurant thanks to Yelp! From beginning to end, our dining experience was nothing short of pleasant and delicious! ‣ QUALITY - Every dish my group ordered was exceptional in how it was cooked and seasoned (especially the meat, which was consistently tender and moist) with wonderful portions and flavors -- stellar for sharing! My top pick was the Lamb & Beef Tenderloin (under CHOPS AND KEBOBS on the menu). The meat was *chefs kiss* and the basmati rice and roasted eggplant truly shined and paired well with the meat. ‣ AMBIENCE - My party parked in the nearby garage and once we exited the elevator, we were immediately enveloped in Aracosia's charm with inviting music, outdoor tables, and elegant lighting. Overall, the ambience was captivating with its warm atmosphere + decor. It was also enjoyably quiet even amidst a bustling lunch hour. ‣ SERVICE - The service here was thoroughly flawless! Professional, helpful, and attentive, everyone made us feel right at home and ensured our water glasses were always full. We truly can't wait to return! read more

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Went here on Easter Sunday - we were able to get a table fairly quickly. The ambience of the restaurant was warm and cozy. I haven't had much experience with Afghan food thus far, and I'm so pleased that this was one of my first meals. We tried the assortment of dumplings for the appetizer (one was pumpkin, one had green onions, and there was another flavor that I forgot but they were all absolutely delicious). The lunch assortment included two types of rice, chicken, veal, lamb, beef, lentils, and chickpeas. Everything smelled so good, was amazingly seasoned, and was so satisfying and savory. We left with leftovers and full stomachs! Highly recommend, yum! read more

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I'm going to start by saying I've never had Afghan food, so I have no baseline. With that said, I Also do not enjoy lamb because of its gaminess that comes with most lamb dishes I have tasted (yes, I said it, I did, and then you're going to why I would go to an establishment Known for their lamb and veal). Thankfully, the waitress told me there was plenty to choose from that was not lamb, but also, that their lambs were milk-fed, so it wouldn't be quite as gamey as I imagined. For a weekday lunch, we visited and were seated right away. Bottomless bread- Yasss. Who doesn't love carb Heaven? We enjoyed 3 of the 4 dips with the pink spicy one being our least favorite. Variety Dumplings - I always picture my native Chinese dumplings, so it is so hard to picture anything But Chinese dumplings when someone says the word "dumpling." We had their spicy beef (not super spicy), leek and scallion (I couldn't taste a strong leek and scallion), and pumpkin dumplings. We enjoyed all of them equally. Lamb & Beef Tenderloin - Tender, tender meat. The lamb was not terribly gamey. The rice with sweet shredded carrots and raisins was interesting, paired with a yummy side of eggplant. Chicken Aracosian - This tomato-based stew reminded me of Indian Butter Chicken. I enjoyed this dish, but would have loved more rice (because well, I am a rice bucket and I love rice). Dessert (Baklava & Sheer Birinj)- The baklava threw me for a loop. No doubt it was tasty, but I had imagined a big, chunky, square slice originating from a large tray that had been baked. These were 3 bite-sized baklava's Packed with nuts. The Sheer Birinj reminded of a rice pudding with lots of cardamom and a twist. Our group very much enjoyed ourselves. Portions are big. Service was good. Bring empty stomachs. As they say, go big or go home. read more

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Absolutely delicious and good service but the waiter did not include the side dish (chickpeas) with my meal - which I recall tasting amazing. I ordered vegetables to be added, but instead he replaced them. I was on a date so I didn't bother to ask. Please be more thorough next time. Thank you. read more

Great food good ambience and friendly caring staff, my favorite Afghan restaurant, I love their grill meats as well but I always go for lunch and order the sampler taste of Afghanistan read more

Aracosia McLean - Amazing two types of rice - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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I loved Aracosia! Our server was so kind and genuinely so happy to see how much we were enjoying our meals. And the decor had such beautiful, modern Afghani decorations. My white wine was a really solid selection, compared to the standard mediocre by-the-glass options at other restaurants. We got the dumpling appetizer platter, and they were all SO. GOOD. I almost wished I had ordered the dumplings for my main meal as well! And the bread basket and dips were so delicious. I got the chicken-greens-garlic sauce-rice dish, and I was fairly happy with it--though I have to say, I did expect it to be a bit more flavorful and garlic-heavy than it was. I definitely want to come back, but I would try a different entree. read more

While my dinner party was waiting to be seated, I asked the hostess if there was special significance to the name of the restaurant, Aracosia. She explained the term "Archosia" is the ancient name for the modern day Arghandab river which flows through the city of Kandahar and eventually terminates into Afghanistan's longest river, the Helmand. It was an interesting history lesson, and more importantly pays homage to the owner's home country. The first thing you notice as you either walk up the stairs or off the elevator, is the amazing outdoor dining area. The narrow pathway leading to the front door is lined with tables, and festive lighting, as well as heat lamps. And as soon as you walk in, you're immediately met with friendly greetings. The decor is also amazing and showcases the beauty of Afghanistan. Colorful lights, glossy wall art, and an overall dark color motif create an inviting and cozy ambiance. The food can be summed up in one word: FANTASTIC! There were four of us, so we opted to share plates from the expansive menu; and when I say expansive, I mean the menu is several pages long of mouth watering choices. The first thing I have to recommend, is to try (and I mean try) to not fill up on the complimentary house bread and the accompanying dipping sauces. Traditional long rectangular pieces of Afghan bread comes to the table pipping hot along with a dish of four sauces - the best of which is the green yogurt based garlic. Before our appetizers arrived, our table had already downed THREE baskets of the scrumptious bread. But that didn't stop us from requested more baskets once the food arrived. We needed the bread to spoon the amazing roasted eggplant onto. The eggplant was nicely seasoned with a yogurt drizzle. And the sampler platters - hmmm, really good! Of the dumplings, the pumpkin was surprisingly my favorite. Typically I associate dumplings as a savory dish, but Aracosia's version is slightly sweet, but the pumpkin puree filling is spiced to create that sweet/salty dynamic. As for the turnovers, expect to be blown away by the spinach filled. Hints of garlic, onion, and other spices in a triangular shaped dough pocket were delectable. The meat dishes were also expertly prepared. The Signature Mix Mazza contained an assortment of grilled meats, with the best being the beef tenderloin. The cubes of beef had intense smoky grilled flavor with just the slightest hints of salt. And when the menu describes the chicken thigh kabobs as "juicy" - BELIEVE IT! Along with the distinctive grilled flavor, the meat retained amazing moistness and was perfectly paired with the rice and potato bournaee. Service was on point the entire evening. Even though the restaurant was extremely busy and there was a large party in the private dining area, servers constantly stopped by to check on us and ensure water glasses remained filled. Aracosia is one of the best dining experiences I've had in the entire DMV for all of 2021. read more

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Oh yes hello from McLean resident since 1988 Polish American and I have to say Aracosia it is a wonderful Afghani cuisine I do like quality of the food ambience and special service by the two daughters of the owner and serving organic Afghani and Middle Eastern food special Olympics different way of cooking lamb the restaurant is good for family events I see a lot of diplomatic core ambassadors generals congressman leaving in the rich McLean going there and this is Polish American for McLean and very happy with this place read more

Aracosia McLean - Afghan Near Me - McLean, Virginia