Visited here for a Saturday lunch in August. The place had a nice location and the front opened up to the street, I was craving Mediterranean and my friend suggested this place since we were in the area. I ordered some kind of chicken sandwich (because the seasonings and toppings made it sound delicious) but it was quite bland, so disappointment number one. When I requested the yogurt sauce (that the menu said it came with but didn't arrive with), it was just plain yogurt, no added spices or veggies etc, so a little disappointing. The portion was large and the homemade bread it came on was good, so it wasn't all bad. The service though was terribly slow. Admittedly I was quite thirsty that day and going through my water glass very quickly but it was completely empty and I had to track the waiter down myself for a refill, twice, but it was the same speed with the order taking and delivery and the check. Cafe 8 has potential but needs to work out a few fairly big issues if it wants to have real success. read more

A couple of people mentioned the same thing that I'm going to say, so I suppose it's true! If you are looking for a good place to eat in Eastern Market but don't want to wait for a table, go to Cafe 8! The decor is awesome (love the fireplace), the complimentary bread is soooo tasty (always warm), and the service is friendly (seems like a family owned restaurant). Yet, for some reason, it's not as popular as the other restaurants in the neighborhood. The only criticism that I would make is the menu choices. Not a lot of entrees and the pides are a bit small. read more

First visit last night, 9/16. Drinks were a tad slow to arrive and we had to ask for plates, but I wouldn't call it sluggish. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful; in DC, I call that excellent service. Decor is dark but not gloomy. Enjoyed the bread and olive oil with mix of weird spices. The wine, including a Turkish red I'd never heard of (Yakut), was very good. We went all-mezze for entrees; they were a bit hit-and-miss but none were terrible. Faves: Falafel -- some of the best I've had, crunchy and spicy (not hot-spicy, tasty-spicy). Lahmacun -- Plenty of lamb, not too bready, nice sprinkle of sauteed onion on top. Shepherd's salad -- A little short on olives and heavy on the cuke, but well dressed with lots of feta. Dolmas -- Routine, and that's fine by me. Not fave: Baba ghannouj -- too smoky, like someone had poured "Liquid Smoke" into the eggplant puree. Didn't realize that Turkish coffee requires constant stirring; the bottom of the cup was an unpleasant surprise. The five plates were more than enough for two; the whole thing, including three glasses of wine, ran about $64 before tip. I look forward to trying the pides next time. Our waitress recommended the Cafe 8 and the Patlican. read more

Fantastic food and service. Since its opening, Cafe 8 instantly became my restaurant of choice along Barrack's Row. In an area of growing competition (a matchbox just opened, along with staples - Belga Cafe, Banana Cafe and Las Placitas), Cafe 8 stands as the most novel and innovative of dining experiences. My tastebuds experience new and different flavors throughout the different options on the menu. HIGHLY SUGGEST you try it out. The only con, and it's hardly a con, is that the menu is primarily Lamb-based, as its Mediterranean food. If you don't like lamb, then this place will convert you to liking lamb. If not, then the bar's unique concoctions, will definitely satiate you beyond the time you are there. read more

I went here for a Saturday lunch with a friend and intended to sit outside, eat, talk, drink and enjoy the weather. I had anticipated being there most of the afternoon and ordering lots of wine. Alas, it was not to be. The server basically abandoned us as soon as we were seated. We had to flag him down to order, we were never asked if we wanted more wine (we did - so your loss, sucker), and we had to go in to ask for the check. My friend said the service was very European. If you are into that kind of thing, this is the place for you! As for the food, it was fine, but not remarkable. The homemade bread was actually super delicious, but we had to ask for them to bring it twice which diminished the deliciousness a bit. There are a lot of restaurants around Eastern Market and I will probably try somewhere else next time. read more

I've been a regular here for about 4 years now & this is my favorite spot in the city. Grew up in the area & have seen many places come & go but this truly is a neighborhood staple. read more

I had the Mediterranean Pide and it was delicious, my boyfriend had the mixed kebab platter and raved about the meat. All of the food is very reasonably priced, nice wine selection (including several organic wines). We also had falafel as a starter and it was pretty good but between the bread and olive oil they already give you and the generous dinner portions we didn't really need it! We were seated near the fire place, which was nice on a chilly night, and our server was great. (Also, we did not encounter the automatic 20% tip that another Yelp user had mentioned). read more

I drop by the Eastern Market area around 10 to see if there's actually anything open at this hour, and I notice place is bustling. I try to find the bathroom, but I can't. Apparently it's disguised by a magical force field of heavy metal beads. ??? It's annoying to get slapped by beads when I want to use the restroom, and then I have to touch them after I've washed my hands. What happens if I catch swine flu and die because you decided to get cute with the decor? But the food is pretty awesome. I had the "Cafe 8" Turkish style pizza, consisting of ground lamb, spinach, and feta. Could possibly satisfy two people, especially with an appetizer. It was MmmmmmmmmmmMMmmMmmMm. I liked the Greek lager Mythos too. They have a bar too, this could be a decent pre-gaming spot. Or a dinner date if you're into that sort of thing. I've been back since. Had the feta plata, tasted fresh and came in acceptable portions. read more

Great customer service. Really chill place after happy hour for hookah. Hookha was good, food was good and service was excellent.

I will not recommend anyone where do I start first of they serve u with plastic cups and plastic plates for food they hookah the flavor be gone after 2 pulls and the stuff burn fast the waiters was rude he was also rushing on me and my friends order and it wasn't even packed...my friend also tried a drink and say she didn't like it and ask the waiter can he make it again because it was very sour he told her no I can't make it again and then took the drink and never came back at after we asked that he also kept slaming the back door where we was seated I ask for the manager he was being rude saying the "manager" is over in that area..he never got manager for us ...I found him myself I told the manager what was going on and that I'll waiter was very rude the manager going to tell us I will let u guys slide for free with this meal but u can't never come back after I told him how his wai was treating paying customers smh how rude when all we wanted was to treated right since we are paying customers. read more

Just ate here for dinner. It was quiet on this cold Sunday night, and it was nice to have a seat right near the fireplace in the back. 1/2 price pizza and beer until 7pm. Got the appetizer sampler, which was also great. The waiter was attentive, and the prices are good. I would definitely recommend this for other people. read more

Cafe 8 should be a four star and is barely making the three star category. The food was great, the service, once we got their attention, was lovely, however it needs to be deep cleaned from top to bottom. There are cob webs on the art work and the bathrooms have mold on the shoe molding - just kind of makes a really good experience tank quickly. I wanted to let them know in an email but they don't really have a way to contact them via email on their site unless I am placing a to go order. I will try again - it is more laid back than other places on 8th and there isn't a line but only once more - hopefully they will have hired Merry Maids! read more

Loved it! I hade delivered to my hotel while on a busines trip. I got the lamb shank and it was delicious but the spinach triangles were to greasy very very greasy that even a hotel towel could not absorb the grease. read more

I recently visited this establishment on a Sunday evening for drinks and if the air had been working more I would've given it a higher rating. The drinks were great, the veggie pizza was amazing and the hookahs are very reasonably priced. I have to come back and further add, they need CENTRAL AIR...went back on 7/14/15 and it was hot as heyll in there. They have 2 portable a/c units blowing in the bar area, however, the units don't pump enough air to cool the place off. I must say...the food and drinks are good, but burning up and getting eaten by mosquitos was not a good feeling. Not sure when I'll be back...yesterday's experience left me feeling some kind of way hence the reason for the downgrade to a 2 star review. read more

Fabulous kabobs and vegetarian dishes. I especially love their hummus which comes with amazing bread. Very high quality Mediterranean food with reasonable prices. Contemporary, spacious atmosphere. Go here instead of a place like Moby Dick's. read more

One of my favorite places in the whole city. I wish I could have that red lentil soup every day. The Donner Kebab is also one of my favorite dishes even if the dish with gyro-like lamb sounds like you're eating one of Santa's reindeers. The pides are excellent too. I've always had excellent service here and I've been here with a party of 3 and a party of 10. The back patio is a serene setting and the front patio is more lively as its next to the fire station. The inside is beautifully decorated but the hanging beads in front of the rest rooms are just a little annoying. If only there was one in the NW part of the city, I'd probably come here once a week. read more

Pros: The food here is always very, very good, and it's always pretty easy to get a table in a good location (including ample outdoor seating in the front and a really nice back patio/garden that's great for private parties when the weather permits). Con: The service is incredibly inconsistent - some of the servers are fantastic while others seem on edge and have actually gotten pissed off when we asked for menus (or for our check)! read more

The service effing S U C K S ! Like how hard is it to check on the people that you seat? Servers should not expect tips if you can't even periodically check on guests. Me and my friends made a joke like we should leave, doubt it if they say come back because they forget that your there. I bet if we were military marines that damn server would have been all over our table with good service. Other than the service the hot wings are crispy af. They tasted okay, maybe because I was hungry read more

"You've got to see my ice cubes." Now there's something you don't hear everyday. But then Caf 8 isn't your everyday restaurant. It's you're any day restaurant. Thursday night I arrived at its doors destitute and hungry. In other words, lawyered-out. Caf 8 posted week day hours until 10 p.m. We walked in at 9:30 p.m. They happily seated us by a roaring fireplace in the warm color infused back room and then proceeded to take my worries away with their cigar borek via the chef's mixed appetizer plate, a Mediterranean Pide, and life changing Baklava that takes years off your heart and adds light to your world. Somewhere in the midst of my feast, two of the three restaurant partners introduced themselves, asked what we thought, and shared their hopes for the restaurant. One of which personally took us behind the bar to show us his carefully selected ice maker. "I got the one that made the biggest ice cubes I could find, you know, so the drinks stay cold without becoming watered down." And that's the kind of attention to detail that let's someone whom is culinary clueless know that she's in the right place. Campaign is in the air, but these guys made it feel like talking to neighbors. Neighbors that include restaurateur Tombel's financial backing, a former Zatinya sous chef, and Caf Diva veteran Hamza Celik. The compilation of their efforts is authentic and innovative without being presumptuous and overpriced. Culinary pedigree aside, Caf 8 has one of I Street's best kept secrets--Francis the Bar Man. His honey infused Athens martini made going to work exceedingly difficult the next day. Or maybe it was that free shot. The point is, the place was warm, inviting, and fun. And entertaining. Ever seen white guys try to move to Indian music? It was like watching twenty and thirty somethings get a vibe from the Bend It Like Beckham soundtrack. 8th and I Street is becoming the SE Georgetown with its eclectic array of pubs and restaurants in close proximity to the Nat's new stadium. It'll have arrived when its moniker isn't derivative of its north east predecessor, but with places like Caf 8 on the roster, it shouldn't be long before soon. read more

Unlike some overly conceptual restaurants, the menu at Café 8 is fresh and unassuming. The menu is Mediterranean, the cooking consistently good, and the young staff warm, attractive and efficient. What's more, the selections are familiar, yet deliciously executed, like creamy hummus. At Café 8, the elements of food, wine and ambience all come together. The menu is well thought out and is accompanied by a list of wine and beers that is smart and fairly priced, with more than a few interesting bottles for under $30. Moreover, the small selection of international beers is intriguing, and my waiter, Adam, was more than happy to spend a few moments walking me through the nuances of each brew. The crowd is young and attractive, too, and the atmosphere is electric, as if everyone there knows something good is happening. What's more, it was a pleasant surprise when the manager Jordan stopped by the table to inquire about my satisfaction with dinner -- I had no complaints on what was my 2nd visit to this wonderful café. To be sure, this simply decorated restaurant is one of the best things to happen to the Eastern Market area in years. read more

Yeah, I am unlikely to go here again although the great patio on the back.. the service was lackluster, the bugs aplenty and the food only so-so Nothing special. read more

This is based on the weekday lunch experience which was pleasant and is fairly inexpensive given the area. The service is prompt and attentive without being intrusive. I was visiting the area for work and needed to eat somewhere, so this worked out fine. The cocktail list seems a bit unadventurous (not that I'm having cocktails for lunch) as is the beer selection but really for lunch, as I said, I don't mind that much. I am sure it is livelier in the evenings. read more

One of my favorite places in Eastern Market. The place is uniquely decorated, has a nice outdoor area, the staff is very friendly, they accommodate for group meetings, and the food is very good and reasonably priced. If you like mediterranean food and turkish food in particular this is a must visit. My favorite things are the piadines (in my mind a turkish version of a pizza) and the cheese cigars. If you are a cheese lover, what are you waiting for! read more

The food was incredible as was the service. They have a great fireplace in the back room that really lends itself to a cozy feeling. For the price you get a lot of food and the flavor is amazing. The staff was attentive and friendly. I wished I lived in SE so I could eat here more often! read more

This place was possibly the worst place I have been in D.C. Service: 1 star. The place was empty on a Thursday night, and we got the seat in between the bathroom and the door. And since it was cold outside, it was pretty drafty. We ordered hummus and it took an extra 5 -10 minutes to get the bread that goes with it. Food: 2 stars, but they are dedicated to the hummus. The pide smelled and tasted like dog food. And let's just say my stomach hurt for the remainder of the night. Not pretty. Price: Overpriced. read more

Cafe 8, or "Cafe Ocho" as its known to some, represents the best in what DC dining can, but often does not, offer. Quiet and intimate, Cafe 8 has the advantage of being one of the last truly neighborhood-style establishments on the ever-expansive behemoth of chains and boutiques that 8th Street has become. Places like Cava and Matchbox serve an expected array of processed, mass-produced food, resulting in a processed and mass-produced dining experience. Pro or con, no experience at Cafe 8 can ever be dubbed "processed" or "mass-produced". Sure, sometimes the hostesses are skittish, the waiters are unintelligible, and the food is bland. But other times, the hostesses are adorable, the waiters are wonderful, and the food is exceptional. I have dined here no less than twenty times, and I can safely say none of those experiences have been the same. This variance, this ability to create an unknown anticipation within the diner might be Cafe 8's best quality, and a mark of its place at the top of the local remnants of the strip. Aesthetically, the walls are dark, better accentuating the intimacy. The restaurant is successfully partitioned into sections, allowing a relatively small space to appear much larger. The patio situations in both front and back are major draws and should be commended. Many DC establishments attempt patio-seating, but fail miserably; Cafe 8 does not. The food is a wonderful reflection on turkish culture, and having had all of the pides, a quite savory reflection, as well. Staples like the stuffed grape leaves and hummus are musts and best coupled with selections from the fully-stocked bar. And although not everyone enjoys turkish food for brunch, I find the combination of scotch and pizza to be a delight. Bonus: The beads in front of the bathroom entrance are a fun and festive addition that will surely liven up your trip! read more

If you aren't getting you're hookah here, you are doing it wrong. Great prices and the best staff around. This is my spot after work in Eastern Market. I loooove this spot. read more

I've been here many times and have always had a decent experience and never really had any complaints. I am not sure what was going on this last time I came though. The service was unkind, not very patient, and not very attentive. I think someone was having a birthday party, but the music was extremely loud and the waitstaff was dancing and partying and taking pictures with the party. It was very unprofessional and really made me question whether I'll be back or not. I was seated outside and everyone out there expressed the same sentiment - that the atmosphere was not peaceful or welcoming. The food was decent enough. read more

Saturday I had to return some movies to Blockbuster and decided I was too lazy to make lunch when Café 8 had half price pizza and beer during the Red Skin's game. We split the chef's mixed appetizer plate and the Greek style white pizza. Seriously you could not beat the deal, the pizza was good and we ended up taking three slices back. The appetizer was a good mix, you got the hummus, stuffed grape leaf, and some other things, and it was great for two people who were splitting a pizza. I've been here several times before and will definitely be back. read more

Great atmosphere at the bar. Chris makes strong drinks and Solly takes care of all your hookah + food needs. Chris keeps the drinks flowing with strong drinks and we had a hell of a Sunday Funday. Not expensive and for sure a hidden treasure in SE. Love the Hospitality! We came in 20 deep and they good care of us. LOVE THIS SPOT! You wanrlt an escape from from the the overcrowded downtown spots Cafe 8 is the place to be. read more

I've been here several times, and I've got to say, I really like it. It's cheaper than a lot of the other Barracks Row options, and the food has always been really good. The bread that they bring is delicious, and I'm not sure what spices they put in the olive oil, but I love it. I'm a big fan of the mezza platter, which has a cigar borek, falafel, stuffed grape leaf, and hummus. I'm not always a huge fan of grape leaves, but found theirs to be really good. It had a hint of lemon in it, which I really liked. I think their pides are some of the better ones in the city, and all of the sandwiches I've tried have been really good. They have a pretty good selection of wines by the glass, which I always appreciate. Perhaps not a destination spot, but a great choice when you happen to be near Eastern Market. read more

I ate here Thursday night with two coworkers. One coworker had the salmon and loved it; I had a the most bland meal you could get here, and as I was not looking for adventure, that was exxaclty what I got. dried out chicken, some rice and a few greens and carrots on the side. There was no shish in the kabob. The steamed carrot(s) - there were two - were the best thing on the plate. I wish we had gone back to Molly's or the Chesapeake, both of which are very good. read more

I would highly recommend getting a combination platter to start with a variety of dipping sauces. The bread was a bit stiffer than I was expecting, but the sauces were delicious. The pides resembled open faced calzones, and were a bit salty. I was a bit disappointed with my Iskender Kebab which was doused in tomato sauce and yogurt. a bit too much for my liking. The atmosphere is nice, and the cool bricks inside make for a great refuge from the hot DC summers. If you're feeling brave, there are tables out front, but there is a much more intimate patio out back. read more

the best mediterranean food in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Hookah is at its best and server always takes care of you immediately. A great family owned place that committed to take care of the customers. read more

I went here for the first time due to a suggestion from a friend. It was great! We ordered the hummus to start with and it was amazing. The fresh bread was also good. The waitstaff was very prompt and attentive. It offers outdoor seating in both the front and the back of the restaurant. I will definitely be back! read more

Walked in on a Friday night and was seated quickly. The restaurant seems set up for tables of 2 or 4, so I'd definately call ahead for a larger party. Table service was patient and attentive, and although the menu was fairly small and they could not prepare a few things that night, their long list of specials helped make up for it. The food is almost all Turkish, and it's delicious! It got a little loud at times in the front room, but the ambiance was nice overall. I definately plan to return and bring guests here. read more

Went here for a bachelorette party/dinner for a sorority sister. We had a group of 8 and apparently that was too many for our waiter to handle. He barely spoke English, messed up many of our orders, and never seemed to be around when we needed him. That said, the vegetarian pizza was delicious and a great price. And the bread they bring out is very tasty with hummus. :-) read more

Very tasty Mediterranean food. In comparison to Cava across the street, Cafe 8 has much larger portions in exchange for some of the romantic ambience you will find in the former. Between two people, the three spread meze was enough that we had to bring home a dip and a half. The roasted red pepper spread was my favorite as it was very spicy. Greek salad was large and what you would expect in a Greek salad. We each ordered the salmon which was incredibly tender and flavorful. We skipped dessert because nothing really jumped out at us. Still, menu is diverse and service attentive. read more

I came here a few weeks ago on a Friday night and it was not all that busy. Considering it's location that worried me a little. The service was really good. The bartender was very attentive. The food was ok, but took a chance on my order and think I would have liked some other things better. I got the combo kabobs and was surprised when it was mostly the flat meat, and the mixed beef. Only one or two small pieces of chicken and steak, mostly the other mystery meat. I'd defitly try it again, I just will order something difftrent. The rice with veggies, and bread they bring out with olive oil and spices where great. read more

Meh. Food was ok. I had the Mediterranean Pide (they were out of the one I wanted) and it was nothing fancy- it's pizza by another name. But the service could have been better. We ordered hummus and they brought it to us. Without the bread. The bread came about 5+ minutes later. Then when they told me they were out of what I wanted, i asked for a new menu. The guy took an order next to me, collected their menus, went inside, and had me wait for about 5 minutes for another menu (it was not busy). However, they did bring my dog fresh water and that of course, gets major points. We went Sunday around 5- the beers and pizzas were half price. read more