Divan Restaurant
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Solid choice for more upscale Persian dining in what had become an area full of many Persian restaursant options. The price point is on the higher side, but the food quality and ambiance are definitely striving for higher quality standards. The maasta o khiar was rather salty, but everything else was great. I especially liked how the rice came an an individually sized round tadiq, which was a nice touch. The well dressed owner was friendly and attentive to his customers.
Had lunch here with a friend today. I had the 3-appetizer combo ($25) and chose the Hummus, Maast O Khiar, and a spinach/yogurt based item. My friend got the soup and salad combo. All three of the dips were a generous portion and the bread accompanying them is delicious. The bread was refilled 3 times during the meal. Very, very good. Each of the dips was different and very tasty. The Hummus was smooth and flavorful and the Spinach (served warm) had a garlic flavor. I took a lot of the dips home - the bread was so delicious, I filled up quickly. My friend thought the salad (Salad Alamut) was ok, but the soup (tomato based) was very good. We each had a decaf cappuccino, which were also very good. The service was outstanding. The bread basket was refilled several times and our water glasses were tended to very well. The place was not crowded and we had a leisurely lunch that lasted almost 3 hours. There was no impatience to present us with the bill, and, after we paid, we were still offered refills on water as we lingered for a few more minutes. Excellent service! We felt very welcomed here. The restaurant has a traditional Persian restaurant appearance. It's nice and light, a bit fancy in appearance, but not stuffy.
Great food with Great friends. We enjoyed Great service. Consistently Great ambience. We love this place. Different dishes. All were great
(4) ~ very good overall food & service DRINKS: ** Water (tap) = (4) very good, must be filtered;) ** Persian Tea = (4) very good, wish they had rock candy though... FOOD: ** Bread & Dips = (4) very good ** Beet Borani = (4) very good ** Soupeh Joh (Persian Barley Soup) = (4) very tasty (see photo) ** Kabob Torsh (medium) = (4) very good, wish the tomato was charred... ** Faloodeh = (4) very good * Berries Divan = (3.85
Delicious! We came here for Valentine's Day and the restaurant was absolutely lovely. We were sat right away and took in the ambiance. Low lighting, tasteful themed decor, not too loud music. The vibes were just right. Our server was amazing. A beautiful woman by the name of.... Noir maybe... maybe Dior. I don't quite remember but she was amazing. She walked us through the menu thoughtfully giving us some background information and her personal recommendations. The food was PHENOMENAL. This was my first time having Persian/Iranian cuisine and I was absolutely blown away. Can't wait to go back and try something new.
SERVICE FOOD AND ATMOSPHERE!!!! We took a chance on a Sunday evening after hearing about this small restaurant that gives you a little bit of Persian and a little bit of mediterranean blended recipes. Whatever they're doing just hits the palate just right. My sea bass melted in my mouth and the balsamic rice was presented beautifully. My lemonade mocktail was delicious. Barry had the seafood pasta which was full of mussel, shrimp and scallops. His cocktail was prepared well he said. I forgot to mention our salads - the dressings nicely prepared- like just for us. Lastly tiramisu- they make it in house -what a great place for a Sunday evening dinner!!-
Back again and same exceptional service with Rian taking great care of us and Cyrus the owners son is caring for everyone like they're family. The quality of the food is immpecable. The tahdeeg is EXCEPTIONAL!!!! The authentic flavor profiles are to be commended. And also the photos posted online of the interior do not do it justice... it has high ceilings and huge windows and lots of natural exposed brick. Really charming. Fun fact- this family has owned restaurants in DC that have been INSTITUTIONS !!! Anyone remember Picolo Restaurant in Gtown ?! In the gorgeous historical home ?? Yep theirs !! Plus a multitude of others. This industry is in this families blood and they're killing it !
One of the best Persian restaurants I've been to! Very elegant restaurant and the service was superb. The waiters came back and wiped down the table after every dish and they would replace your plates and silverware. The waiter came back to refill my water frequently. Excellent service! I ordered the lamb chop shandiz and I got to say that it was the best lamb dish I've had thus far. The lamb was very soft and tender. And there was a minimal gamey taste. Not pungent at all. They provide you with naan and dip in the beginning as well. Highly recommend this restaurant! So much to choose from - you can't go wrong with any choice.
Let's start with the bread. As you can see there's no pictures of it. It held its weight. While warm, it was easily some of the best I've had with the saffron honey butter. I had the koobideh and Caspian Punch. The punch was a refreshing yet subtly strong cocktail - I very much recommend it. My fiancée had the lamb chop & I've got to recommend it over the koobideh. That said, paired with the fries and spice offerings, it was a very solid meal! Finally, the service. All very attentive & friendly. I have to recommend Divan, I know we'll be back. Check it out!
A friend told me to come to Divan because I told him I was craving grilled octopus and he stated I would not be disappointed... and I was not! It was so good that I ordered two! Along with some grilled shrimp (which lacked flavor) and this Cornish hen dish (which is definitely plenty of food to share). Be careful of the green sauce the restaurant brings to the table with the bread (it contains nuts). The server did not explain what was in the sauce until I asked. Glad I did not eat it. The service was slow at first (and it was not even crowded), but then it got better. It seems like all the servers help with each table. The ambiance was nice and cozy. It is perfect for a date night. The majority (98 percent) of the customers were older. So if that is not your type of restaurant, you might want to find somewhere else to eat. There is plenty of free parking around the building.
We came for valentine's day dinner. There were many issues with the night that led to our dinner feeling more like a joke than not. First issue: many tables were added for valentine's day. This created an extremely cramped dining room where we were sitting almost shoulder to shoulder with the folks next to us. The other issue this created was that many food runners had no idea where the tables were now that many more were added. Certain tables near us had 3 or more visits from food runners who brought the wrong food. Food runners often looked lost and ambled around, often asking the customer whether they had their food or not. Second issue: the load generated from the holiday + extra tables overloaded the staff. We waited about 40 minutes for our drink and appetizer - 1.5 hours from sit down for our mains. By the time our mains came, we were ready to leave. We were served a dip without any bread - 10 minute wait for bread to eat our lukewarm dip. Third issue: the food was all served lukewarm and was missing seasoning. The food was spiced and had lots of herbs sure - but no salt to bring the flavor out. Everything tasted dull and the temperature of the food was extremely surprising. Tahdig varied greatly. Ours was a bit light, the tables next to us got burnt tahdig. Our roast chicken was dry, and the whole trout had lost its crisp by the time it hit our table, and we found a bunch of pin bones still present in the fish. Service was largely lacking. We had to flag people down for more bread. Add in the lost food runners, and we ended up thinking this was a bad joke. I am giving two stars as the food, minus the seasoning and temperature, was just OK. The service apologized a couple times, saying the tables added and busyness was tripping them up. Sure, but that's no excuse. Bottom line - $75/pp wasted. Food, service, experience was all poor. When you are charging $40 for a plate and $20 for a drink, there is a service expectation that needs to be met. We will not be back - there is no shortage of great persian restaurants in the DMV area. It's a shame given how many times I have been recommended this restaurant.
I believe this was my first time trying Persian food. My friends and I didn't know what to order so we went with what our server recommended: Salade Alamut- Arugula salad with beets, goat cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette. It's a nice refreshing salad to start the meal with, but at the same time, not very memorable. Grilled Octopus - Grilled octopus drizzled with olive oil and vinaigrette. The octopus was grilled perfectly and was very tender. Mirza Ghasemi - Eggplant and egg dip with Persian bread. It was a nice little light appetizer. Kabob Torsch - Beef tenderloin kabobs marinated in pomegranate juice. This dish was a little too sweet and the beef was a little too overcooked and dry for me. Mahi Shekampoor - A whole trout stuffed with herb greens and nuts, on sauteed spinach. I think this is my favorite of the night. The fish was cooked perfectly with the herb greens and spinach. I would get this dish again. Mahechay - Braised bone-in lamb in broth. This was my second favorite dish of the night. The lamb and broth was so flavorful with the spices. I would also order this again. Persian Saffron Rice Pudding - I didn't enjoy this. It tasted a little too floral to me. I should have picked a different dessert, but everything else seemed non-Persian. Each entrée came with a plate of rice. Service was great. Our server was very attentive and patient in explaining items on the menu. The owner came over to check on us. The restaurant has a nice cozy decor. It seems kind of upscale, but you don't need to be dressy to be here.
1 year ago
Business owner information
Samantha J.
Thank you for your review, Martha! We’re delighted to hear you…
1 year ago
Business owner information
Samantha J.
Thank you! We’re so happy you enjoyed the Persian dishes and loved…
6 months ago
6 months ago
The impression we noted most about Divan was the service. The staff was very friendly and attentive, checking in often to make sure everything was ok. They were also very helpful about aiding us in choosing or adapting dishes for those in our party with dietary restrictions. We enjoyed a nice and relaxed dinner with friends. The only not relaxing part was the noise level which was pretty high. And, even though the menu has a little yellow box warning customers that they shouldn't hang out more than two hours for their meal, we never felt rushed, even as the dining room filled. We started off with a couple of drinks that were both enjoyable. What was also noteworthy is that, unlike most places we have been to lately, the drink was actually more beverage than huge or multiple ice cubes. You could actually get more than just three sips before you were done. Both the Persiapolitan and the Grapefruit Cardamom Gin Fizz were tasty without being too alcohol forward (which is how we like our drinks.). We didn't even know there was a mocktail menu as well. It is good to know for a future visit. We split multiple appetizers, including the koofteh tabrizi (stuffed meatballs) and the grilled octopus. Both were very tende and flavorful. We also liked the lamb kabobs and the cauliflower. There was plenty of bread on the table to enjoy the sauces as well as the sweet butter and olive tapenade that come to the table as you are seated. For entrees, we liked both the lamb and the chicken skewers which came with beautiful, fluffy rice topped with that wonderful crisp and crunchy layer. Parking is easy in the lot right out front. read more
I love the Persian, family-owned, upscale dining here at @divan.mclean I cannot stop dreaming about everything we ate! Everything was delicious! My favorite is the Seafood Oceano Service is amazing, thank you for hosting us Cyrus read more
Very cute restaurant for a date night! I really enjoyed the ambiance, the dimmed lights and wall decor. Our waiter was amazing, he went through the menu with us recommending some dishes as we've never had Persian food before. I enjoyed my kebab torsch and the portions were very generous, I ended up with leftovers as I was saving room for dessert. I would highly recommend the Makhloot which is a rosewater and saffron ice cream and a traditional Persian frozen dessert of delicate rice noodles, sugar, rosewater and lime juice, drizzled with sour cherry syrup. The only complain I had was the tables being too close together. read more
2 years ago
I don't typically write reviews, but my recent experience at Divan was so awful that it warrants public feedback. As someone who usually praises restaurants, this review serves as a stark warning about the flavorless food and horrendous General Manager and Chef. We had made a reservation for eight well in advance, for my sister-in-law's birthday. Though she is from Bangladesh, one of her favorite foods is koobideh, and she was excited to try a new Persian restaurant in the area. I'm Persian-American and enjoy exploring local Persian cuisine to see different takes on classic dishes, so I was also eager. Sadly, from the moment we arrived, the evening went downhill. Upon arrival, we sensed subtle disrespect from the staff. Despite reserving well in advance, we were seated in a dim and unpleasant area near the kitchen, away from the open and inviting dining area. Our table appeared hastily assembled with metal bistro chairs (the type typically used outdoors) and outdoor tables hidden under a tablecloth. It felt like an afterthought, as though they weren't prepared for us. The problems only escalated when drinks arrived. Our cocktails were served warm with no ice and were so overpowering they were undrinkable. After requesting ice, they were still terrible--one guest even switched to juice, and I settled for a different drink that wasn't much better. As for the food, it was abysmal. Starters like the Grilled Octopus were passable but unremarkable. However, several of the entrees were unacceptable. I ordered Cioppino, which arrived smelling rancid, with seafood so off-putting I couldn't stomach it. The Saffron Basmati Rice was flavorless and dry, lacking the buttery richness it should have had. The koobideh was enjoyed by the birthday girl, and another guest liked the Mahechay (braised lamb shank), but these were the only highlights. The Barg, however, was undercooked and shockingly pink despite being ordered medium well, and another guest described it as flavorless and unseasoned. Most of us left our plates untouched, but we received little attention from the server throughout the meal, making it difficult to voice our concerns. Toward the end of the evening, I approached the General Manager to provide constructive feedback privately, hoping to salvage some dignity for the restaurant. To my disbelief, the manager--dressed in a tan suit and bow tie--reacted by yelling at me. He dismissed my concerns, raised his voice, and accused me of being the problem, citing the restaurant's many satisfied customers. His aggressive behavior was so shocking that I backed away toward my table. At this point, my family noticed the commotion and the interaction became humiliating. He stormed off, huffing that he would fetch the owner. The owner, Cyrus, arrived shortly after and handled the situation professionally. He was apologetic, comped my Cioppino and rice, and offered complimentary desserts and tea for the table. While I appreciated his effort to make amends, the damage was already done. The night could have ended there, but it got worse. As we were enjoying dessert, the chef approached our table uninvited, speaking to me in Farsi condescendingly and defensively. He insinuated that I was ignorant, claiming the Cioppino was supposed to smell the way it did and implying that I should have ordered something else if I didn't like how seafood is supposed to smell and taste. His arrogance and chauvinism were astounding. He also began to raise his voice at me, escalating the situation to the point where Cyrus had to intervene again to calm him down. By the end of the night, I felt disrespected, uncomfortable, and still hungry. Despite Cyrus' efforts, the overwhelming rudeness of the staff--most of all the manager and chef-- as well as the low quality, flavorless food left a lasting impression. I ended up paying $40 for a mediocre octopus and a lackluster drink, which felt like a complete waste, given the dreadful quality and experience of the night. This was hands-down the worst dining experience I've ever had, and I would not recommend Divan to anyone. While Cyrus' professionalism was appreciated, it wasn't enough to redeem this disaster of a night. There are far better Persian restaurants with higher quality ingredients and a much better value in the DMV, especially in the Tysons/Mclean area--avoid Divan at all costs. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
What an incredible place!! Where to begin. The cuisine was perfectly prepared, presented and the taste was beyond phenomenal. All the meats are halal and cooked to perfection. Best Persian food I have had in the USA, compares to anything I have had overseas. The service was prompt, informative and spot on. Perfect attention to detail! All recommendations were excellent. The restaurant is setup in an incredible manner. From the tables, flatware to the interior decor everything is very well done. The music was so good that I Shazam much of their playlist. This experience is well worth the trip. Beware no DoorDash or delivery. They do have takeout. read more
11 months ago
7 months ago
3 years ago
Very good choice for authentic Persian Halal Restaurant. The food is very flavorful and generous portions. It's a little pricey, but the quality of food is not compromised. Definitely recommended. Nice clean place and attentive staff. read more
7 months ago
Great, attentive service and staff and good food, hearty portions. Noise level is conducive to conversations even at their busiest and GM (or owner??) always makes rounds to spot check quality. I've been twice and have enjoyed a diverse selection of dishes that are consistently tasty. Some entrees are a bit on the salty side though, but not too distracting. Obsessed with their rice! read more
1 year ago
Located in the heart of Midtown this restaurant is inside a castle. The building was completed around 1910 and listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. The large building has different levels: the street level has a bar (get the Persian Smash cocktail with apricot liqueur and basil). Upstairs is the main dining room but what's cool is the slivers of glass flooring where you can see the bar below! We can't wait to go back and try the patio in the warmer months! Note - follow me for more Atlanta restaurant content - https://www.instagram.com/roamilicious/ I always get lamb at a Persian restaurant but I'd had so much around Christmas already I went rogue and tried the scallops! I'm so thrilled I did because that is a fantastic entree as is the Verlasso salmon. Don't sleep on the Smoked Eggplant (Kashke Bademjaan) or the Crab croquettes to start your meal either. The restaurant is uber romantic, perfect for a date night. Cocktails in the underground grotto to kick off your meal! read more
3 years ago
I was looking for an upscale persian restaurant in the DMV area, and it's the place! Took my non-Iranian friends there, and they loved the atmosphere, food, and the whole experience. The food was great, but they could improve the quality of their desserts. They are located in a strip mall that you wouldn't expect a restaurant with this clientele to be present. read more
8 months ago
7 months ago
10 months ago
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Samantha J.
We’re thrilled to hear your first visit was such a great one, Jackie.…
1 year ago
2 years ago
8 months ago
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Samantha J.
What a joy to hear about your birthday celebration with us! We're so…
2 years ago
Went on a weekday. Nice ambience and easy parking off of Dolly Madison. Of several Persian restaurants this was best for us. Ambience good. Sat by an open door window. No good views except parking lot but OK. Service: Professional and excellent. Kudos to Zach. Timing and attentiveness perfect. Food: Salad Alamut shared. My Khoresht GB very good ( would have liked more meat) and Trout good. Spouse preferred different seasonings with trout. Drinks: V. Good inc: Tehrattan, Hibiscus non-alcohol, and Amaro after dinner. Surcharge on credit card which don't like. Not inexpensive. Will return. read more
9 months ago
Business owner information
Samantha J.
We're so thrilled to hear you had such a wonderful experience! Raim…
11 months ago
Business owner information
Samantha J.
Thank you for your 5 star review! We’re thrilled to hear that you…
2 years ago
This is a great spot for dinner or any special occasions. I went for dinner and had the chicken kabob which was amazing. The chicken was perfect. The ambiance is very pretty and overall a great place to celebrate a special occasion. read more
Outstanding little Persian restaurant in McLean. I tried the Koobideh and was not disappointed! It was packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. I also really enjoyed the house flatbread with the olive spread! This place has a great atmosphere and the service was also top notch. I definitely recommend checking this place out. I hope to visit again when I'm in the area. read more
8 months ago
Recently went to Divan with my family coming in from out of town. My sister had an unexpected allergic reaction and couldn't eat her meal. At the very least Divan could have cut her meal from the final bill, or provided us with a courtesy dessert. Nope! Full charges with the 20% automatic gratuity . Then I read later that the owners plead guilty to tax evasion. Super disappointing! Divan has a nice ambience but I will never be going back due to the crooked business these people have been running ! https://www.ffxnow.com/2023/08/16/owners-of-mclean-restaurant-plead-guilty-to-tax-evasion-covid-relief-theft/ read more
2 years ago
so incredibly yummy! we got the octopus, ceviche, and shish kabob. the restaurant is really cute, the tables are a bit close together, but it wasn't too busy at the time i went. the fillet mignon in the shish kabob was so tender and flavorful, and the octopus was perfectly cooked. the ceviche is good, but would skip it. our server, raim was so sweet and knowledgeable. he explained the menu extensively and gave us a lot of us recommendations. at the end of meal, he surprised us with tea which was a great way to close our meal. we talked a lot with raim and enjoyed his company a lot. im definitely going to come back with more people and ask for raim!! read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Samantha J.
Thank you for your 5-star review, Helen! We’re so glad you enjoyed…
9 months ago
2 years ago
This is not just an amazing Persian restaurant. It's a top rated restaurant in the DMV area. This is a place where everyone remembers your name and you are treated like family. Who else would take the time and care to detail a day's worth of birthday events on a dessert plate for my little guy. read more
3 years ago
Had another fantastic dinner a Divan. the food is marvelous. highly recommend Ambiance and service compliment the great food. read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Samantha J.
Thank you for your 5-star review, Jun! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the…
3 years ago
11 months ago
Business owner information
Samantha J.
Thank you for your 5 star review! We’re thrilled to hear that you…
More info about Divan Restaurant
1313 Old Chain Bridge Rd
Mclean, VA 22101
Directions
(703) 712-7309
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https://www.divanrestaurantva.com
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