Went here today for lunch with my 10-person team as part of a work celebration. I decided to order the chicken kebab lunch and I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and flavor. Along with the the chicken was a small side salad, hummus, and pita bread. (Just make sure to order a drink if you want one because they might assume you're fine with just a glass of water!) Overall, everybody enjoyed the food and we have added this place to our short list of places to go for a work lunch. read more

I had never heard of this place until a friend suggested we meet there for lunch and my answer was yes because I'm always open to Mediterranean food. Little did I know once there while engaging in conversation we both kept stopping eating between bites looking at one another saying, "Humm, this really is good. There is absolutely nothing like when you can taste that the food/ingredients are fresh and that is seasoned just right. Great minds think alike in this respect that we both ordered the Tandoor Chicken Shawarma along with a side of Falafels; hey, why not. It came with their signature hummus, yellow basmati rice, chopped salad, za'atar cauliflower, and pickled veggies made for some good eating. I was so tempted to get some of the Turkish Yellow Lentil Soup but decided to save it for when I return another day. The atmosphere was nice, well lit, clean and inviting along with friendly customer service. I was going to say if you are into Mediterranean food go. But, even if you have not or never tried it, "go"! Sorry guys that I forgot to take photos because I had a friend moving from this area and was so caught up on their move I forgot; next time. read more

I had the lamb Sharma wrap and the fatoosh side salad that with it (recommend, but my husband got the fries and liked them). We sat outside today and the weather was great. It was pretty quiet around 3pm, but I can see what a great gem this place is across from a Montessori school and along historic row homes. I got the pistachio baklava to go and I love baklava, but I think I would try another version like Walnut next time. read more

TLDR: it's like a 3.5/5 personally. The entrees were good but nothing worth going out of the way for. The fries were very floppy and left something to be desired. My wife and I stopped here on our way to NYC since we had some time until the train arrived. The restaurant has a cafe feel to it throughout with an actual cafe to the right as you walk in. We started with the fries to munch on, but they were floppy and a bit oily. Left something to be desired. I ordered the lamb tagine for my entree. I would say that the tagine had good flavor but there was only a little lamb in the sauce from what I could tell. And some of the couscous was very hard as well. My wife got the beef kabob and it was better overall in terms of flavor and completeness. The service was fine and what you expect from a sit down restaurant. Nothing blew us away about the interior either but it's very cafe themed throughout. It's newer feeling a modern inside. It's right down the street from Union Station so not that far if you decide to take the train. read more

Cafe Fili - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I expected more because the prices were a bit high. I'm someone that appreciates value in portions and pricing. If one doesn't match up then it's not the place for me. I felt the prices were high and the food quality wasn't great. It felt very Americanized and wasn't bursting with flavor. The food took some time to come out so it was definitely a sit down kinda restaurant. The ambiance was nice. It felt like a place you'd have a business luncheon. Options were clean, not greasy (except the fries) or things that would have you feeling gross. They have a full bar with mocktails. Located fairly close to the train station it was around a 10 min or less walk. Beef Kabob platter 6/10 Za'tar fries 4/10 greasy, not crispy, no flavor Tandoori chicken shawarma 6/10 Overall I probably wouldn't get this again. read more

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We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. The lamb shawarma plate was beautiful to look at and varied, with fluffy yellow rice very tasty meat, salad some another vegetable and all yummy. The chicken soup was also very good, and the labuns with feta and vegetables on top was delightful. We found the price very reasonable for lunch for 2 and had leftovers to take home. read more

Dinner at Cafe Fili was very good. My wife and I shared the mixed appetizer sampler with four types of hummus! All were delicious with the beer root hummus being moist unique. Two of us had the Toureg Lamb Tagine - lamb chunks and mixed vegetables in a delicious sauce on top of rice. One individual had the Tomato-Basil Pasta which she enjoyed. Service was efficient and helpful. The restaurant has a cafe feel. Pro-tip: Try the 961 Porter. It is malty but dry. read more

Cafe Fili - Fili appetizer Sampler - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cafe Fili is always tasty and fresh. Whether you have a salad, platter, or bowl, you will enjoy. The room is lovely and full of sun. It's fun for a coffee or an after work glass of wine. I especially love the fresh and healthy salads. They are a filling lunch or dinner. They also have a nice big table to gather a group. read more

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Genuinely the worst matcha I've ever had, $7 for it to taste just like milk. Had them remake it just to taste like chalk read more

Cafe Fili - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went here recently and got the Lamb wrap and the fries. Fantastic food and will be back again . The wrap also reheated pretty well the next day! read more

The restaurant is off by itself so it does not appear to get a lot of foot traffic but near enough you can walk to it. Upon entering, there is a market side for take out and seating area with a bar as well as seating outside. It's not a large space and was not crowded when I went for a late lunch. The menu is limited but has a good variety. I was only interested in trying a gyro so I got the gyro wrap with fries. I was very disappointed for the price. The meat did not appear to be cut from a spit but rather come from a package because it was uniform in thickness. It was nicely grilled and had good flavor when I tried a piece on its own. There was not a lot of meat on the wrap - I think 2 or 3 thin slices. The wrap was not on pita bread but instead on flatbread/tortilla wrap which is thinner and crunchy. The tzatziki sauce was nice but there was not enough of it. The lettuce, tomato, and onion were good. One thing that was plentiful were the fries which were slightly under cooked for my liking but what I expected for Greek restaurants. They were well flavored. Service was fine - it was after the typical lunch time so they were prepping for dinner service. They did check on me once but I had to go to the counter to pay once I was done. For me it was overpriced for the what I got. If I were to go again I would get something other than the gyro. read more

The manager is a sweetie pie. The black guy who is a bartender...he's awesome! Therefore the drinks are great. The flight shots are always a hit when I bring people there. HOWEVER....the new food menu is not good. That is the only reason I'm giving less than 5 stars. The menu changed without notice and I was looking forward to certain items that are no longer there. I think this is more of a bar because the food is not a focus or management. read more

Cafe Fili - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The "breakfast sandwich" is out of this world good. The combination of the soujouk sausage, bacon, and cheese is magic. The sesame bread adds yet another layer of complexity. The hummus trio is fantastic as well. The pita bread was decent, but the pita chips were truly stellar! Staff was cheerful and friendly, would definitely return! read more

Cafe Fili - Breakfast sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Visited this restaurant on a couple occasions and it's hit both times. I would call it a hidden gem because both times it wasn't too many people there. It is kind of off the beaten path. The customer service is always nice. I've eaten at the bar both times and the bartender is attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Highly recommend. read more

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Had a lovely lunch today at Cafe Fili. So close to Union Station and yet so far away from the hubbub. We had seats outside in the shade (that eventually became full sun - and then our server kindly moved us inside with the a/c which was very nice of her!) Service was amazing - hostess was very kind and accommodating as I arrived half an hour early and she let me sit at my table while I waited. Server was also very kind and friendly. Food was great! I want to try more items when I'm more hungry: - za'atar lemon pepper fries - 5*/5, delicious with the spices, would go back just for the fries - greek salad with falafal - 5/5, fresh chopped greek salad with tomatoes, feta, crispy chickpeas, red onion, kalamata olives. the dressing was very light and i'm not sure if I remember any cucumbers but appreciated the small dice on the olives as I'm not a huge fan of eating whole olives in my salad. Three sizable falafel balls were crispy and light. Very refreshing! Next time I need to meet someone near Union Station I'll definitely recommend Cafe Fili! read more

Highly recommended! Fresh, colorful entrees at a reasonable price point. Love the lamb shawarma bowl. An easy walk from the Capitol and the Hart building. read more

Cafe Fili - Lamb shawarma bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Cute spot located very close to union station. Came in for dinner on a week night and the place was decently busy. The server was kind and attentive. For food, I had the lamb shawarma which was very tasty and actually the perfect amount of food, although the pita bread that came with was pretty dry. My friend got the lamb sliders which also looked pretty good! read more

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Cafe Fili graciously hosted our team for dinner. We sat at their largest table past the bar and next to the wall of wine. Throughout the meal, they took care of us very well with drinks and water! We shared a bunch of different appetizer dishes and then ordered from the mains, bowls, and salads. I had the Lamb Shawarma and there was plenty to take home for another meal. As a team, we rarely go out and eat together. Weekday dinner was not too loud and busy inside the restaurant, so it was perfect for us to talk and hear each other. There's a lot of choices for Mediterranean cuisine in DC and this one feels a step above the much of the fast casual out there. read more

Cafe Fili - Lamb Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a nice little cafe! It's a great spot to get your Mediterranean fix, whether you want to eat light or enjoy some heavier options. I've been twice so far. The first time, I got the hummus trio and was a fan -- I wasn't too hungry, so it was perfect. The second time, I got the lamb tagine -- definitely a more filling option, especially with that couscous. Loved the little salad and hummus that came with it, too. Both times, it was never too crowded... and they happen to have a full bar. You can grab cocktails, mocktails, and flights to taste. Staff were super friendly and attentive on both occasions too, always willing to spark conversation if it didn't keep them from other tasks. It's a great spot for anyone traveling... and easily a recommendation I'd give to those at or near Union Station. read more

This is a favorite restaurant of mine. I loved when it was on Wisconsin Ave known as Cafe Olé! Loved the personable staff and the food was incredible! Here-- the food is wonderful too! Tried the hummus with lamb- yum, but I wish it would come out warm on top on the hummus. We loved the grilled pita chips that come with it! Mom had the chicken kabob platter-- good, however mentioned the chicken was a bit dry. I had the Lebanese Celebration which was amazing! I brought home leftovers because the dish is pretty large. Would definitely come back :) I'd love to try another dish or two and dessert! read more

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The service was fine and friendlt, everything was. Cocktail menu is a bit limited. Overall if I lived in the neighborhood I'd come back

A great alternative for those looking for a good meal outside of Union Station. Service can be a bit slow but the food is pretty good, the lattes are even better, and the staff is friendly. They have very generous portion sizes and the french fries are delicious! read more

Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing here? While the service was attentive, I can't shake that I would not want to order here again. I hosted a work lunch here and the space was perfect for that. Super empty around 11:30 on a Monday. We had our pick of the two-person tables. No one entered in the hour we were there. I appreciated not having to talk over the din of other diners. I ordered the gazpacho, unsweetened iced tea, and Fatoosh. The gazpacho was too acidic for my tastes and the Fatoosh lacked any of the bright taste I usually associate with the minty dish. Just disappointing on the whole. Given how perfect this was to host my work lunch, I will probably host another one here, but I will absolutely be ordering something different. read more

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Such great service! We got seated at 5p and was done by 5:50. Right by Union Station so super convenient while waiting for our train. The food is so good - great flavor! We got the Chicken Shawarma & Lamb Kofta, and hummus trio with a side of spicy lamb. The cocktails were different but still very enjoyable. Love it and can't wait to come back! read more

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I used to live within a two minute walk of Cafe Fili and the conclusion I've always come to when I've eaten here is that the food is average at best. The value of the service and ambiance definitely outweigh that imparted by the food, especially at that price point. I came in for a quick lunch this past weekend and ordered the chicken pomodoro panini with fries. When I asked if I could make an adjustment, the waiter said no and that the sandwiches were all premade; if I'm going to pay $19 for a sandwich and fries, it's somewhat shocking to me that I'm not allowed to customize it to some degree. The sandwich and fries came within 15 minutes of me ordering them and I began my meal. The fries were a highlight of the meal as the zaatar was able to come through really nicely and there was a mix between crunchy and soft fries. The sandwich was decent, but nothing more than that. The best part of the sandwich is the bread, which is almost a flat bread covered with sesame seeds that toasts up really nicely. The inside of the sandwich was good but nothing major. The staff was nice so I didn't mind paying as much as I did but I don't think I'll be back here anytime soon. read more

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Cafe Fili was a really nice spot with an elegant, modern interior. The food was aesthetically presented and very flavorful. We tried the hummus trio which came with harissa, beet, and classic hummus. The crispy chickpeas in it and seasoned pita elevated the flavors to new heights. The falafel bowl was plentiful with a mix of 4 balls drizzled with tahini, harissa hummus, fattoush, couscous and grilled cauliflower. Service was prompt and servers were very nice. Had a great experience here and will be back! read more

Cafe Fili - Falafel bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

From the Falafel bowl to the yellow lentil soup to the French Fries, we had a lunch for the taste buds! Attentive staff to top off a wonderful meal. A short walk from Union Station. read more

Food has gone downhill since it opened - and the waitstaff remains lackadaisical. I more often than not have to flag down my server for a refill of water or the check. They will forget about you for 15 minutes or more. The food also used to be more fresh. Now the chicken in the sandwiches is thin and tough. read more

My friend & I came for happy hour on the patio & the weather & ambiance was so pleasant we stayed for 3hours! The service was nice & non-intrusive & the food was delicious. Love the hummus with the crispy pita & the salad that goes with the wraps. read more

Food was very tasty, fresh, and served hot. We both throughly enjoyed our dishes. Will definitely be back! read more

Cafe Fili is a great spot to visit near Union Station. The restaurant is just a few minutes from the station on foot. It's a nice looking place, the servers were attentive, the service was fast and the food was very fresh and flavorful. What more could you want? I recommend the chicken shawarma bowl. The portion is a very generous size! It comes with spiced chicken, roasted seasoned cauliflower, lettuce, chopped salad- cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers, hummus with roasted crunchy chickpeas on top, and pink pickled turnips. It came with pita. The bowl was really massive! And so tasty! I'd definitely visit Cafe Fili and order this again. read more

Cafe Fili - Chicken shawarma bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Nice Mediterranean type of food near to Union Station. Prices are a bit high but consider the location it is comparable. Food is good quality and service friendly. My go to place for a good dinner if I'm working late and unable to prepare. read more

The food was okay the drinks were amazing and the staff was really nice. I like how bright and open the space was and it would be a nice spot for a casual dinner or a happy hour before an event. read more

Cafe Fili - Passionate Ginger with a shot of Khortytsa - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Came here for a quick late lunch with some friends before my train ride. The food was really delicious! I got the falafel bowl, which had great flavor. The service was quick and accommodating for my train departure. The ambiance was perfect for a brunch with friends. I would definitely recommend, especially for a quick bite near Union Station. read more

Cafe Fili - Falafel Bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good overall. Staff seemed friendly, but 1 person out of 3 (my server) seemed impatient about getting my order beyond my wine. They seem to be in a rush always even when there are only 2-6 tables occupied in the restaurant. I got the lamb tagine (a little sweet) and I wish the salad was served as an appetizer instead of on the same plate as the tagine. read more

Cafe Fili - Lamb tagine - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Delicious spot for lunch! It's in a convenient location near union station. They offer both indoor and outdoor dining but really the star is their food. It included such flavorful combinations and is presented gorgeously. Great spot for vegetarians especially. The staff was prompt and helpful and the vibe is light and airy. They have some fun art on the walls. Highly recommend this spot! read more

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Absolutely delicious and amazing staff. Very clean and relaxing dinning area. The baklava was the cherry on top. read more

Cafe Fili - Spiced chicken tawook - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A beautiful restaurant with yummmmmy food! I mean from the drinks to the hummus to the shawarma - we loved it al! I came here with my fiancé and toddler and we really enjoyed ourselves. The service was amazing and quick. We ordered the lamb shawarma, the lamb platter, and the hummus and fries. Honestly everything was very tasty, and could easily eat it all again. The lamb shawarma and the hummus had to be my favorite, I mean some of the best hummus I've had! My toddler also loved their rice a lot, and she's probably the pickiest eater. Will definitely be back! read more

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Fresh, plentiful food. Don't pass this one up. Close to Union Station. My friend, who doesn't care for spicy food, loved the shawarma.

Our first meal upon arriving in Washington DC and it was amazing. Great service. Beautiful outdoor seating and more importantly the food. Everyone enjoyed their meals so much I was only able to snap a photo of mine which was a lamb grain bowl. So delicious but you don't walk away feeling stuffed. Highly recommend. read more

Cafe Fili - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia