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    Darvish Kitchen

    4.0 (101 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Darvish Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

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    DARVISH KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Darvish Kitchen

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    Kabob-E-Mahi (Marinated Salmon Filet) with Sabzi Polo
    Leyang Z.

    Had a late dinner in this restaurant. Food was mediocre, service was horrible. Let's talk about food first. I came to the restaurant mainly because of their Kabob Torsh, cubed Ribeye served with pomegranate-based sauce. The sauce turned out to pair wonderfully with the meat: its sweetness and tanginess balanced the fattiness of the cut, and enahced the flavor of the meat. However, I got well-done meat even if I asked for rare! Moreover, I asked for Sabzi polo but got Adas polo. Then, knowing that it was challenging for the kitchen to serve rare meat, I orderd a Kabob Mahi (salmon kabob) with Sabzi polo. The salmon was good. The rice, however, was a bit soggy. Perhaps they did not cook out enough water in the herbs so that the rice absorbed too much water. I thought fluffier (Basmati) rice would pair kabobs better. I also got a complimentary flatbread which was basically a huge piece of bread crisp. I wish it could be more like a flatbread: fluffier and chewier. Now let's talk about the service. What I made me annoyed most was that when I complained about my steak and rice, the bartender (I sat at the bar) said somethign like "the steak was cooked on grill so it can only be made well-done", and "he could not do anything about the Adas polo". I told him he should have mentioned it when asking me about the temperature of meat (well, if it could only be made well-done then it's actually unnecessary to ask for temperature...) but he reacted as if "this was my fault, not his". I asked him if he could at least ask the kitchen to replace the rice for me but he refused! Unbelievable. Besides, the recipient canceled my reservation when I checked in, so I could not earn points on Opentable. Luckily they fixed it later. Also, the food was served slowly. The manager was nicer, and at the end I did not pay for the meal (I gave tips though:)). In short, not recommended.

    Yummy Kofteh Tabrizi meatball
    Mecede A.

    Great ambience; very beautiful decoration as each floor has a different theme. The service was great and food was good . Portions and prices were great. I am glad I tried the Koofteh Tabrizi meatball! Super good.

    Lamb Kabob
    Paul R.

    I was recently in DC for a convention staying nearby in the Mayflower. I saw this show up and had to try it. Having been to Cairo it sounded similar in offering middle eastern food. Boy did it deliver. It is a nice interior that is decorated with middle east decor. The food though had a few items on the menu I hadnt seen before. The rice was uniquely prepared by what looked like a double cooking technique. Also the bread service was great but definitely jot your standard pita bread. It was thicker and crunchier but very good with two toppings. I ordered the lamb kabobs which were delicious and well seasoned. Also they had a few unique non alcoholic drinks and the one I ordered was very good. Service was attentive and there was not a long wait for my dinner. They do play a nice medley of music and have a tv to watch while you eat.

    Zaytoon Parvardeh (Marinated Olives)
    Ying Z.

    Darvish impressed us with the food and the ambiance. We were a party of four that came in for dinner, and we left with full bellies, good conversations, and happy smiles. Everyone had different favorites of the night. I was most impressed with the chicken kebab. Usually with cubed pieces of chicken it can get a bit dry. But the chicken kebab was juicy and flavorful. Others loved the lamb kebab which just fell off the bone with one touch. Another favorite was the chicken saffron rice which had this tart and sweet pomegranate sauce to go with the chicken and rice. Drinks were okay. I liked how they had these wellness tonics. I only tried one and it was made with clarified cumin, meant to help with gut inflammation. I took one star off because I think our server could have been more knowledgeable about the menu, both food and drink menu. They had to refer questions to the bartender or back of house staff often. Our chicken saffron rice also came rather late (like well over an hour into the dinner) compared to everything else. Also, I loved the decor and detail in the red bathroom. My personal philosophy in dining is that every interaction is an opportunity to impress , and I was truly wowed by how ornate the bathroom was. Felt like I was in someone's home.

    Olivia S.

    Able to walk in around 7 and plenty of tables. Deceptively large as it has a few floors. Outside seating as well. Super fun interior. There were vegetarian options, but perhaps that wasn't the go-to here. We ordered a few dishes - the feta felt like just a block of cheese. The vegetarian stew was good. Service was friendly and always available.

    Amani A.

    What stood out the most was how pretty and thoughtfully designed the interior was. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the ambiance. As someone who has tried kabob at nearly every Iranian restaurant in the DMV, I found it very mediocre. The value was also lacking. I've never been to an Iranian restaurant that doesn't include rice with the kabob, yet my kabob combo was $34--and with rice, it's $44 for chicken and ground beef. The appetizers were also underwhelming. I did enjoy my kabob, but that was the only highlight. My friend, who ordered the Ghormeh Sabzi, rated it 3/10. The server was very friendly, but they didn't write down many items, so we had to remind them several times. Overall, I don't plan on returning

    Kabob E Chenjeh
    Khanh-Chau M.

    All I can say is WOW! I love this place! I'm not an expert on Persian food, so I can't really tell what's considered authentic or not, but the food and drinks were delicious regardless! I came on a Friday night with plans having to be changed; thankfully I could make a reservation for this place a few hours before. This place is beautiful with the Persian decorations and artwork. I got the Nights of Shiraz as my cocktail and it was so refreshing with the cucumber elements! They gave us complimentary bread with this butter and savoury spread (not sure what it was) and it was a great way to start the meal. They later gave us a powder and spicy sauce which was great with my entree. For food, I got the kabob e chenjeh (lamb kabob) with adas polo (rice with dates and fried onions I believe). The lamb was cooked well and the spicy sauce and powder worked great with the meat. The crunchy rice was tasty too. Even with side veggies and herbs were flavourful - it was such a good meal! The staff were quick and kind too. I really liked this place and have to come again to try some of their other stuff!

    Menu of specialities
    Rick S.

    Came for Norooz dinner and had a good experience at the former Mari Vanna location. A little chaotic (received an order I didn't request, some wait times for refills) but likely due to the busy night and the server himself (I didn't catch his name) was very good. Decor as nice as ever. Food: Salmon kabobs with zereshk polo - really liked the blends of spices and crunchiness of the saffron rice with nuts and barberries, all went well with the accompanying vegetables and juicy salmon. Herb stew - actually a lamb stew, but my partner felt the lamb was kind of overshadowed by the slimy eggplant (naturally it came with tahchin) Sholezard - cold saffron rice pudding was a big hit (cinnamon, saffron, and delightful rose water) Cake asali - honey cake was moist and creamy, with nice pistachio shavings and cream on top (almost as good as sholezard) I appreciated the bread and delicious butter it came with. We'd return.

    upstairs decor
    Nneka M.

    Im a Persian food novice, but I had some amazing home cooked Persian meals, so my expectations are very high. And Darvish was fantastic! The decor, the service, and the food were amazing! The service was extremely hospitable and kind, and the food was excellent. The decor included lots of Persian history and art, and reflected their cultural evolution throughout the years. Street Parking is limited, so get there early, but there is also garage parking available across the street with specific hours, so double check before parking. The price was a bit expensive for the amount of food served, but honestly no real complaints. Also, there is a lounge area upstairs on the 3rd level perfect for hosting an event or a special occasion. Overall, highly recommend!

    Huuuuge house made bread!
    Kelly M.

    My first visit was at the bar for happy hour price on drinks and dips. We ordered a cucumber cocktail that we both found quite delightful. The yogurt dip was yummy, was a generous portion, came with a huge piece of bread, and they'll refill the bread for free! We also got the crispy salmon, which comes with Brussels sprouts in a delightful Dijon cream sauce. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the portion size was good. The place has a lovely decor and helpful staff. I do think the drink prices are outlandish, at $20-22 each, outside of the excellent happy hour deal where they are $12 at the bar only. The place is a bit pricey overall but everything we had was very good. Happy hour goes until 7 and is very good, but there's not a ton of bar seating.

    Diane And Steve S.

    Service was very good. I've been here twice for lunch on a Saturday. Great menu and dining space. Every dish had great flavor.

    Leesa T.

    The food was great. I enjoyed the olive tapenade and bread the most. Hummus was not the best I've had. I was one of four customers in the restaurant. There were 12 people on staff. They were training more. The service was clearly good with that ratio. However, what was dissatisfying and not good were the politics. I've lived in DC for years and never been disappointed with staff members talking politics to me. It's never happened! This establishment pushed their story and agenda too hard. It was utterly unacceptable and quite disappointing. I enjoyed the food but not the story about how they opened or what they stand for. I didn't want to hear about some older member of their staff's violent story while waiting for an Uber. Overall, I am not interested in discussing politics at a restaurant ever. I may live in DC but I choose not to partake in things that aren't related to my life. I mind my own business. It's frustrating and not pleasant after eating a meal. One star due to awkward beginnings for Darvish.

    Alcoholic drink with molasses and pomegranate
    Stacy A.

    I haven't been back to DC in several years and I was so excited to see the emergence of so many Persian restaurants!! I used to love the Russian restaurant that used to be here but wanted to try this new spot that took over. They kept the decor very similar but re-decorated the walls with some Iranian-centric decor. The food was spectacular! I got the the minced kebob and a side of the saffron rice. I couldn't stop eating it, everything was perfectly flavorful!! I tried one of the alcoholic drinks, I forgot the name but it had molasss and pomegranates and was such an interesting combo of sweet and sour. Overall, it may have been slightly too sweet for me but I enjoyed it! I highly recommend this place and plan to be back next time I am in town!

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    Ask the Community - Darvish Kitchen

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    Agora DC - Cauliflower**

    Agora DC

    4.0(1.8k reviews)
    0.4 miDupont Circle
    $$$

    Went there twice to taste different kinds of Turkish dishes. One time for dinner and the other for…read morelunch. Overall the food was good. The serving size of the dishes I ordered were medium to small. The service was far less satisfactory than food. I tried the following dishes: 1. Complimentary pita: ~40g per piece. Not salty and paired well with the other dishes. Definitely get some! 2. Lahmacun: The lamb+beef mixture was tasty. It came with 4 pieces. 3. Branzino: ~6oz. The fish was grilled to perfection; juciy tender, and the skin was nicely charred. It was served with freh parsley and seasoned grilled tomato (salt+oregano I think). 4. Imam Bayildi: Half of an eggplant topped with sauteed onions and tomatoes. While itself was pretty normal, it went so well with the Ottoman rice. 5. Ottoman Rice: The true highlight of all the dishes I tried! It was basically Basimati rice cooked with dried apricots, raisins, almonds & pine nuts mix, and seasoned with black currant. Overall it was warm, earthy and lightly smoky. The apricot slices added some delightful sweetness and juiciness to the dish. Should pair well with Labneh, chicken and seafood. But to be honest, I can simply eat this stuff along for a whole meal! 6. Tabbouleh: They went against the traditional recipe by substituting the bulgur with quinoa and added some pomegranate arils. I liked the special texture of quinoa. The sweetness of pomegrante arils also enriched the flavors. However, I had to constantly spit the seeds when enjoying the salad. 7. Kofte: Adana style ground beef patties. Just like what I make at home haha! I ordered it as an add-on to my salad at lunchtime. It came with only 2 pieces which weighed no more than 3oz in total... Despite the delicious food, service was disappointing. The first time, the dinner, was Okay. While my food came out slowly, at least my server was aware of it and asked me how I liked the dishes. The second time, the lunch, was horrible. Even before I was seated, my server made me feel that he was reluctant to serve me, and emphasized that I had to order asap. "Luckily", I had already decided what to order. After I got my dishes, no one in the restaurant asked me if the food was Okay. And at the check, my bill was thrown onto my table. In comparison, the two ladies dining next to me came even after I started eating, but were greeted warmly and were given lots of time to decide what to order; not to mention that the staff gave them lots of suggestions, asked about their dining experience, and even chatted with them about sightseeing in DC, etc. Such discrimitory treatment is really unacceptable.

    Was able to do a walk-in on a recent Thursday evening…read more I had been many times before, but it had been a while, so it was great to dine at Agora again. Everyone in my group loved the assortment of small plates that we had. We considered getting the lamb chops, but it only comes with 2, and there were three of us, so we opted against it. The dishes we got instead (an assortment of vegetables, meat, and seafood) were all delicious, and we would all be happy to get them again.

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    Agora DC - A quiet dining room. The main dining room was much more noisy.

    A quiet dining room. The main dining room was much more noisy.

    Agora DC - Weekend Bottomless Brunch

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    ala - GOLDEN CAULIFLOWER

    ala

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    0.3 miDupont Circle, Downtown
    $$$

    Brunch review ahead!!!!!…read more Ambiance- perfect for a cute date, time with friends, family members, or coworkers. The ambiance welcomes it all. Hospitality- The hostess was incredibly friendly and seated us upon arrival. Waiter- Eric was an AMAZING waiter. Bubbly personality, very polite and personable. His service was definitely a 10/10 Brunch- My friend and I decided to try their Easter Sunday brunch and my only regret was not visiting here sooner and not selecting an earlier time to dine, LOL! The entire experience was phenomenal! Bottomless mimosas- SO worth the extra $ Standout dishes: Adana meatballs Braised lamb Chicken Golden cauliflower Crispy Falafel Desserts: Baklava Brownie Kadayıf Sadly we did not get to experience all of the brunch menu items because brunch ends at 3pm and our reservations were at the heel of this time. Nonetheless, the standout dishes and desserts were enough for me to come back. I've enjoyed their happy hour, cafe area, and now their brunch. Can't wait to return.

    Three stars isn't the actual rating; I'd say more 3.5. Stopped by after visiting the Dupont…read moreCircle's weekly farmer's market to try their Sunday brunch buffet. Was warmly greeted, seated, and given an overview of the menu and brunch package options; decided to opt-out of the bottomless drinks, which had an alcoholic (mimosas and Bloody Marys) and NA (juices, sodas, drip coffee and black tea), as I wanted to try their more speciality coffee and tea. The drinks I ordered were the Turkish coffee, Levantine-style tea and digestive tea. All were quite solid. The Turkish coffee was as robust as espresso, yet not overwhelmingly bitter and slightly sweetened. The Levantine tea was a smooth black tea with natural sweetness and layered with a mint steep and floral notes of hibiscus, and rose petal. The digestive was more herbaceous with fennel and pomegranate zest, in addition to a steep of spearmint. The food was more hit-or-miss. On one hand, the meat and seafood was all very delicious and well-made. The braised lamb shank is their speciality, and well-deserved, as it's moist, savory and tender. The short rib similarly so, and the chicken casserole, lamb biajeen, Adana kebab and steamed lavraki (sea bass) were all similarly flavorful. On the other hand, the sides and mezze options were more mixed; the dolmas and fresh bites cheese with za'atar/nuts were delightful, however, the borek, cheeses, and some of the dips tasted reheated and/or not super fresh, the Brussels sprouts were quite scorched, and the savory salmon waffles were bone dry and flavorless. The French onion soup had the right flavor profile, but not the intensity; it tasted watered-down and even looked it, due to the noticeable oil blebs on the surface. Dessert was similar; the melon and fruits were fresh enough, the yogurt bar was quality, the kadayif nutty with the sweetness balanced, and the layali lubnan was intoxicatingly tasty, but many of the baked goods looked rather packaged and the fondue station was mediocre. The staff, however, were extremely friendly (my special regards to Mia, she's a great conversationalist and a sweetheart!). They answered all my questions, and one of the bartenders even gave me half a lemon to zuzh up my tea with. As I said at the start, more 3.5 stars than 3 stars. The core of their offerings are all quality, so I can't quite dock them a full two stars for the food quality because they had buffets aren't usually renown for said quality. You really can't expect perfection from AYCE, even though I naturally encourage the management to avoid sourcing pre-made items from Sysco if possible. The friendly staff and eloquent Eastern Mediterranean ambiance allows me to still say I enjoyed this experience, and may be back for dinner in the future.

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    Zaytinya

    Zaytinya

    4.2(6.3k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    The baba ghannouj is well-balanced -- smoky char from the eggplant comes through clearly without…read morethe tahini overwhelming it, and it's not overly heavy despite the richness. Good start to the meal. The lamb kleftiko is the standout of the three. Slow-cooked until it falls apart easily, with the seasoning penetrating all the way through rather than sitting on the surface. It's a dish that rewards the time it takes to prepare -- nothing rushed about it. The kofte kebab holds its own too -- well-spiced, good char on the outside, moist inside, not dried out the way kofte can sometimes end up. Solid textural contrast against the kleftiko. Overall a strong meal across the board -- each dish distinct but all working within the same confident, well-executed style that Zaytinya is known for.

    A coworker recommended Zaytinya, and I quickly agreed--without realizing it's under the direction…read moreof celebrated chef José Andrés. That made the experience feel even more special in hindsight. We walked in on a Monday night without reservations (clearly a theme for us!), not knowing they were needed. Thankfully, they were able to seat us in the bar area, which turned out to be a perfect spot for a relaxed dinner and a glass of wine. We ordered a mix to share: hummus, spanakopita, kofte kebab, and adana kebab. Everything was delicious, but the spanakopita really stood out. It was a bit unexpected--not layered like the traditional version, but more of a rolled presentation. Even so, the flavors were wonderful and elevated in a way that made it memorable. The only slight disappointment for me was the wine selection. The red wines leaned more dry than I typically prefer--I tend to go for something more fruit-forward--but it didn't take away from the overall experience. Dessert was the one miss. We were really hoping for baklava, which wasn't on the menu. Instead, we ordered the walnut delight. While it had all the right flavors, it didn't quite deliver the wow factor we were hoping for. That said, the food, atmosphere, and overall experience were still impressive. I was excited to learn that Zaytinya has locations beyond D.C., including closer to home in the Bay Area--so I'll definitely be visiting again. Highly recommend, and maybe make a reservation!

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    Barbouzard - Onion Soup Gratinée

    Barbouzard

    4.3(72 reviews)
    0.2 miDowntown

    I treated my friend to brunch after seeing all the hype on TikTok, Yelp, and Instagram, and it…read moreabsolutely lived up to it! This was easily one of the most entertaining brunches I've experienced in the DMV, while still maintaining an upscale vibe. From the singer taking special requests during brunch to the live entertainment afterward, drummers, dancers, and a saxophonist turning things into a full brunch party...we were thoroughly entertained from start to finish. What really stood out, though, was that the food matched the energy. At some places, you get great entertainment but mediocre food - not here. Everything was beautifully presented, served at the perfect temperature, and genuinely delicious. My friend was so impressed with her birthday celebration that she thanked me for days afterward. The service was impeccable, the space is stunning with plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, and despite how busy it was, it somehow still felt warm and welcoming. If you're in the mood to get dressed up, enjoy an upscale brunch, celebrate a special occasion, or impress someone on a date, this is definitely the place. I'm already looking forward to my next brunch party here!

    Gorgeous restaurant! I felt very underdressed but I loved the vibrant atmosphere…read more STARTER: Prosciutto - very large portion, had plenty to take home, thinly sliced and addictive ENTREE: Hanger Steak Au Poivre $56 10 oz black angus hanger steak, pomme frites & green beans, green peppercorn sauce *I really enjoyed the steak but I didn't finish it because I polished off 2 trays of bread by myself...andddd I don't regret it. COCKTAILS: Smoked Old Fashioned $18 BB Bourbon, BB House Bitters, Syrup, Smoke *I loved the smokiness of the drink and it went great with the bread because I had no self control... Our service was consistent throughout dinner and they packed up all of our leftovers very nicely and set them aside on the counter while we chatted and they didn't rush us with the bill like a lot of establishments do. **Would you believe it that the server packed me a to go box of bread? I am dead. I could not stop laughing when I saw that. I will definitely be back! ;)

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    Barbouzard - Bread

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    Maydan - Roasted carrots

    Maydan

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$$

    Maydan was one of the most anticipated dining experiences for my partner and I on our DC trip and…read moreit was even better than I expected. Gorgeous restaurant centered around a giant hearth, the heart and soul of the space where much of the food is cooked. We went with two friends and opted to do ala carte, and ordered a bunch of items to share. - Muhammara & hummus spreads were both phenomenal - creamy, delicious goodness served with piping hot, generous portions of freshly made pita bread. - Halloumi with a nutty honey glaze - perfection - Sweet Potato - soft and just melts in your mouth - Mushrooms - super unique preparation, definitely worth a try. Very delicious. We also ordered every kabob on the menu (shrimp, scallop, chicken and lamb). The shrimp and chicken kabobs were excellent - charred to perfection and bursting with flavor. Paired with zhoug sauce, I was in heaven. Do not miss these! Scallop and lamb kabobs were just okay. Incredible service, beautiful ambiance, and a memorable meal that will stay with me. Grateful to have experienced Maydan!

    Finally! I've been trying to make it to this restaurant, and my gfs took me for my birthday…read more The best experience. I can't quite tell you that you'd have the same experience each time you go because it all depends. I believe it also depends where you're sitting how impactful it will be on your experience as well. Whatever you do come back each time and try something else because I will Love Amb

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    Maydan - Wood oven front and center

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    Maydan - Shrimp

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    Iron Gate

    Iron Gate

    4.0(828 reviews)
    0.1 miDowntown, Dupont Circle
    $$$

    Could not have asked for a better experience from the hostess to the food, it was top notch. Our…read morewaiter, Joey, deserves a review of his own because he made the experience 1000x more memorable. If you go here ask for him, he was amazing, knowledgeable, and made us feel so special. We came to celebrate our engagement and left with all the best memories. Had the four course dinner with wine pairings and everything was unreal. Get the seafood!!! After coming back from the South of France recently the seafood was as close as we had in Nice and that's huge. Absolutely stellar service, atmosphere and food. 10/10 recommend, we will definitely be back, but only when Joey is working.

    Iron Gate is doing EVERYTHING right! 4.5 stars! And if I…read morelived in the area I would come back. They offer a family style menu in which you pay one price and all the appetizers come out in small bites so you can try everything. They also add complimentary little surprises during each course. My top 3 were the oysters the potato croquette with caviar and the branzino... oh the focaccia was also very Tasty!!!! The capellini was very salty which was a little upsetting. The yogurt had a a light crunch crust and it just wasn't doing it for me. But their take on a cheesecake was very airy which was nice. Let's talk about our server, she was a pleasure!!!! She was honest about every dish we would Receive. She was attentive and there was nothing more we could have asked for. I will remember this meal forever!

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    Iron Gate - The "Tunnel of Love"

    The "Tunnel of Love"

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    Courtyard

    Darvish Kitchen - persian - Updated July 2026

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