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    Efesus Cafe

    4.5 (57 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    EFESUS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Pita bread
    Susan H.

    We learned of Efesus Cafe, located in the original part of Ashburn, when we were invited to an event at Anatolian Bistro. The owner was working on adding more healthy items to his menu and invited people to come in and sample them. We liked what we sampled and let him know. As we were leaving, he handed us a menu for Efesus Cafe which is owned by the wife of the owner of Anatolian Bistro. Efesus Cafe bills itself as a "Mediterranean Restaurant". The menu also has foods from Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Turkey and Albania. It's not upscale and definitely casual. The small shopping center where they're located also has an Orthodox church in it. No doubt, when the church has events or masses, people will end up going to Efesus for a meal. We were here on a Saturday for an early dinner. At the time, the parking lot was almost full as the church had something going on. Upon entering Efesus Cafe, we were immediately greeted and seated at a circular four top table in a corner right by a window. Our server was friendly and efficient. He brought a bottle of cold tap water, which we appreciated. To start, we chose "Spicy Ezme" from the "cold starters" section of the menu. "Spicy Ezme" consists of a mix of minced tomatoes, peppers, mint, parsley and herbs. Some homemade bread also accompanies the dish. We enjoyed this starter; the medium spiciness was just right and didn't drown out the other flavors. The only complaint we had (if you can even call it a complaint) is we would have liked more bread. We ended up running out of bread and couldn't finish all of the Spicy Ezme. I ordered "Kofte" for my main course. It consists of: "Grilled ground beef patties served with white rice, and sumac onion." I grew up eating "Chofta" as the Albanians call the same dish. I was surprised at how thin the ground beef patties were here and they were a bit overcooked. The ones my mother and grandmother would make were smaller and thicker. The dish is served with a very nice moist pilaf. The bit of onion that came with the meal was lightly grilled. Even though I took a photo of this dish, for some reason it didn't come out. My husband ordered "Lamb chops" which consisted of: "Grilled and seasoned lamb chops served with a side of white rice and vegetable. The chops were cooked medium rare to medium and were quite tasty. The roasted vegetables that accompanied both dishes were cooked tender crisp. For dessert we had baklava; I ordered Turkish tea and my husband ordered Turkish coffee. The baklava was quite fresh with a nice honey flavor and a generous amount of pistachios. They also serve some Italian items such as pasta and a Margherita pizza. Also, one of the "Hot starters" is Albanian liver (Arnavut cigeri). We both agree that we would like to return and try other items.

    chicken Adana kebab.
    Jackie M.

    Hidden gem! Great service, amazing food. Picture is of the chicken Adana kebab. Also had their sigara, cheese pide, fettuccine Alfredo ( trust me is good) and salmon. Will be coming back.

    lamb shish
    Tiffany T.

    Located a bit by itself and off to the side but worth checking out if you're craving mediterranean food/lamb! It has a very homey feel from the restaurant/cafe itself to the food when its served! The workers were very friendly and checked on how the food was too. Rice - came with the lamb dishes but making its own section because it was really yummy! seasoned nicely, plump and soft. 3.75/5 Lahmacun - essentially a super thin pizza. Its good and perfect to share with 4 people since its cut into 4 slices! Was good but nothing too special. I liked it with the red onions on top and lemon 2.75/5 Lamb shish - A little chewier but had really nice flavor from the seasoning and the cook! 3.5/5 Lamb Shank - Fall off the bone, extremely tender, good with the tomato sauce! Not dry but also not juicy but the tenderness makes up for it. Huge portion, the leg could defnitely be shared 3.75./5 Spicy chicken with yogurt - not my personal type of flavor. chicken was cooked nicely. the sauce is like a spicy buffalo sauce but i dont actually like buffalo sauce lol. yogurt mellows it out and makes it extra creamy. I liked that there is bread in it but i think it would be better if it was separate since they got too soggy while eating. 2/5

    Manti

    We got the spicy chicken and tzatziki, Manti, Beef Pide and the baklava and all of it was delicious! Great food and good service - we will be back.

    Inside view
    Kevin Z.

    Very nice place. Very clean and inviting from when you first walk in. Nice varied menu which features some great dishes. I had the chicken shish after the hummus app. Rice pudding was the best dessert. Friendly staff, very good prices, great experience.

    Efesus Chicken
    Lorna H.

    Delicious food and great service!!! The restaurant is so clean and welcoming. Our server was very sweet and recommended the efesus chicken. I loved it !! Highly recommend

    Chicken Steak
    Jeff H.

    We had dinner there on 5/26/2024. It's a quaint little restaurant. We had grape leaves and Baba Ganoush as an appetizer. The grape leaves were tasty, could have used some salt. The baba ganoush was very tasty, also needed some salt. My wife had the Chicken Steak. The chicken had a nice char, slightly overcooked but still ver tasty. The rice was cooked perfectly, also lacked salt. There was nice assortment of roasted vegetables on the plate. The yogurt sauce was tasty. I had the Hunkar Begendili Lamb. It was very tasty. Lamb was slightly overcooked but still delicious. The sauce for the lamb was delicious. The eggplant puree was creamy, very tasty. The rice was cooked perfectly, definitely needed salt. Overall, a very fresh, tasy meal. The staff were very friendly. We would go back and recommend this restaurant.

    Bob M.

    This is the new restaurant in town. They have a Turkish / Mediterranean spin on food. Simple clean flavors that work. Service was spot on and helpful. This location has had issues with the previous 2 restaurants but the owner has experience with another location in Herndon and that one is very successful. I wish them luck. Locally owned is a plus. My only minor complaint is was the napkins,they were the cheap giant kind. It doesn't match the plating, or the silverware.

    Kathryn P.

    Nice ambiance, friendly staff and delicious food! All the dishes we got were very flavorful. I really liked the spicy beef sucuk, just wished there was a bit more of it on the flatbread. Definitely would come back when I'm in the area!

    Katmer to share!
    Helik S.

    We've known Cemal from Anatolian Bistro restaurant in Herndon where we enjoyed many dinners over the past years, however living in Leesburg we couldn't go as often as we would have liked. This is why we were excited to hear he was opening another location in Ashburn much closer to home and couldn't wait for him to open. He finally did and we came right away. The place looks great: simple yet elegant, servers are very attentive and courteous, and of course the food was delicious and elegantly served as we expected! We found the menu here much more diverse with Mediterranean fare with offerings to accommodate different palates. We enjoyed a very fresh, delicate, and flavorful Greek salad, followed by a perfect Lamb shank and Begendili Spicy Chicken, and couldn't resist a sumptuous Katmer to share as dessert! Cemal, the owner was welcoming and friendly as always and we are sure he will make this place at least as good as his other one. We have a new go to destination when we feel like eating out well, in style, and without breaking the bank.

    My two sister-in-laws enjoying the appetizer and delicious bread at Efesus.
    Sharon V.

    One of the first restaurants I took Co. to after moving to Ashburn, VA. It did not disappoint. We had a lovely time and delicious food with excellent service. I would not hesitate to dine there again. The Efrsus Chicken was just the kind of comfort food I needed after a big move across 3 states!

    Adana kabab
    Fadhil A.

    The food is 10/10. this restaurant is impressive, clean, fresh, tasty, good food presentation, the portion is reasonable, good price, great friendly customer service. will definitely visit again. We need more quality restaurants in loudoun county like this place. Big thank you to all the staff :)

    Far picture is the beef sucuk cheesy flatbread and near is the Canu-shaped beef flatbread. Both were tremendous!!!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Amazing food! Great with accommodations for someone with a shellfish allergy and another with diabetes who needed substitutions.

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    2 years ago

    The best Turkish restaurant in DMV area. The food was so delicious. You want Tukiye like taste, this is the place where you should go.

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    Kolbeh Turkish Restaurant

    Kolbeh Turkish Restaurant

    4.5
    (90 reviews)
    14.0 mi

    Awesome service from the seating to dessert. Authentic flavors and great presentation of a large…read moreselection of my turkish favorites.

    Came across this place while shopping at Fair Oaks. What drew us was the savory aroma coming from…read morethe restaurant so we had to check it out. Upon entry, we were greeted with warm smiles and a friendly staff. The general manager was also there and was very welcoming. Right off the bat, we were offered complimentary tea even though we were ordering for take out. The gesture was really cool. The menu has a bunch of offerings so it took us a minute to choose. We ended up getting a little bit of everything so we could try all the flavors. We got the Adana and Chicken Platter and the Beef and Lamb Donner platter. The Adana which is a ground beef skewer was delicious and surprisingly juicy. The chicken was a little dry and under seasoned making it hard to eat. I would pass on the chicken in the future. Maybe they could have benefited from using chicken thighs. The beef and lamb donner was a little underwhelming for my preference. With the meat being cooked the way it was, I was expecting a little crisper texture on the outside which would have made the eating experience more enjoyable with the rice and the bread. The meat could have used more seasoning but that could just be my personal preference. Both entrees came with a healthy portion of rice, bread, and veggies which was really great and filling. Overall something to definitely try if you have never had Turkish food but would only go again when I'm in the area.

    Photos
    The counter for takeaway
    The counter for takeaway
    Cheese burger with fries
    Cheese burger with fries
    Lamb shish kebab

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    Lamb shish kebab
    Eerkin's Uyghur Cuisine

    Eerkin's Uyghur Cuisine

    4.0
    (337 reviews)
    16.5 mi
    $$

    I've been meaning to come here for years and I'm so glad I got the chance to try it for dinner with…read morea friend!! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The space itself was cozy, and the wall decor made it feel warm and comfortable, perfect for a nice dinner with friends or family. The lamb skewers were so flavorful with generously-sized chunks of lamb on the skewer. I was so curious about the noodles and I'm glad we got the chance to try the gambian soman. You can tell the noodles were hand-pulled, they were so bouncy and absorbed the flavor of the meat (we got lamb) and the bell peppers so well. For dessert, we had the honey cake, which was also amazing. The cake layers were a little crumbly which complimented the cream layers in between, and the sweetness was perfectly, which I usually am cautious about when it comes to food sweetened with honey. I did end up coming back two days in a row because I was craving the lamb lol

    Even though Eerkin lacks on the side of ambiance but it more than makes it up for it by the…read moreuppercut its food delivers. I have been to almost all the Ughyur food spots in the DMV and Eerkin is simply my favorite for several reasons. The food is served piping hot. Like pipe down hot or whatever you say... and it is darn delicious. This time around I went there on a date and even though the date went horribly wrong because the girl was telling me if I want to be with her I have to stop wearing shorts but as soon as I took a bike out of this Thawa Lamb Shank her voice became mute and all I could hear was the storm caused by the flavors in my mouth. Everything here tastes amazing, from the soft and chewy hand pulled noodles to the dumplings and the pilaf. I love this place. 5/5 I won't mind having more bad dates here.

    Photos
    Eerkin's Uyghur Cuisine
    Uyghur Lamb Kabab (Per Skewer) - delicious my fav thing here
    Uyghur Lamb Kabab (Per Skewer) - delicious my fav thing here
    Eerkin's Uyghur Cuisine

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    Agora Tysons

    Agora Tysons

    4.2
    (623 reviews)
    16.4 mi
    $$

    Agora was an outstanding dining experience from start to finish. Every dish we ordered was…read morebeautifully presented and tasted just as incredible as it looked. The mezze sampler offered a fantastic variety of fresh flavors, the watermelon and feta appetizer was refreshing and unique, and the cocktails were both creative and expertly crafted. Even the warm pita served with the dips was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was inviting, upscale without feeling pretentious, and perfect for a relaxing meal. The service was attentive, friendly, and helped make the evening even more enjoyable. The only negative was that the restaurant didn't carry cash on hand to make change when people wanted change for a cash tip.

    Agora is one of my favorite spots in Tysons when I'm in the mood for tapas. The food is…read moreconsistently very good, the ambiance is warm and inviting, and the décor gives the restaurant a unique feel that's perfect for a date night or dinner with friends. The staff has always been friendly and attentive. On this visit, we ordered the appetizer sampler, lamb chops, and the Adana kabab. Everything was excellent. The appetizer sampler is a great way to start the meal, the lamb chops were cooked perfectly, and the Adana kabab was flavorful and well seasoned. My only disappointment came at the end of the meal. We were planning to order dessert, but the kitchen had already closed. It would have been nice if our server had stopped by a few minutes earlier to let us know the kitchen was about to close and ask if we wanted to order anything else. That small bit of communication would have made the experience even better. Overall, this is still a great restaurant with delicious food, excellent service, and a beautiful atmosphere. Just keep in mind that the kitchen may close earlier than you expect, so if you're thinking about dessert or another course, order it before the kitchen shuts down.

    Photos
    Turkish Tea
    Turkish Tea
    Fresh pita
    Fresh pita
    Purple Kelebek cocktail

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    Purple Kelebek cocktail
    Kazan Restaurant

    Kazan Restaurant

    4.2
    (241 reviews)
    18.0 mi
    $$

    Came back for lunch yesterday with a couple of friends. I had the Musakka a la Turk, one friend…read morehad the Vegetable Musakka and the other had the Turkish Omelet. The Musakka dishes are served with a side of rice pilaf and the Omelete with a side of fries. Bottom line - all three of us found the entrees to be bland. In fairness, I have only had Greek Musakka before, but I expected more seasoning and flavor, and my friend (the vegetarian) noted that they didn't get a hint of Bechamel - only mozzarella. I tend to agree the entree was heavy on the mozzarella and light on other flavors. We agreed that the rice was very good, both in texture and mild flavor. The french fries also were very good. The service here continues to be beyond excellent. Really good service. If I could give 3.5 as a score, I would, because the service was exceptional. But this is the second time I was here and both times found the entree to be bland. Maybe that's how Turkish food is - if so, please let me know, but I doubt it. The restaurant, which is very attractive and comfortable inside, has been around for 45 years and has an average Yelp score of 4.2. So obviously, a lot of people like it. I just call it like I see it.

    We came across Kazan when searching Turkish restaurants. What we saw on their menu had us wanting…read moreto give them a try. Plus they have a great track record---they've been around for 44 years. They open for dinner on Saturdays at 5 p.m. That's when we arrived and were greeted and seated immediately. We liked their two top tables as they were wide and able to accommodate several items at once without feeling cramped. Our server was prompt getting to us. To drink, we both had ginger ale. For dinner, I had Filet Mignon Shish which consisted of: "charcoal grilled tender chunks of filet mignon skewered with fresh tomatoes, green peppers and onions. Served with rice pilaf and vegetable du jour". My husband had "Lamb Chops Karaman" which consists of: "Mediterranean cut tender lamb chops grilled to your perfection. Served with vegetable du jour and rice pilaf". Meals come with a side salad which is simply prepared. Our server offered to grind some pepper over them and we agreed. Plus two warm pitas along with butter were served. We found the food to be delicious. My filet mignon was served medium rare and was very tender, moist and flavorful. The grilled veggies were tender crisp. The vegetables du jour were nicely flavored and tender. The pilaf was wonderful---moist and flavorful. My husband really enjoyed his lamb chops. There were four on the plate cooked medium. He found them to be tender and flavorful. He, too, enjoyed the vegetables du jour and the pilaf. We saved room for dessert and ordered the "Mixed dessert tray for two". The selection varies each day so if you want to order this, ask your server what is on the plate that day. When we ordered it, there were 2 small pieces of each item. There was Turkish rice pudding, which was quite good and quite different from what one expects. Also, there was some pumpkin that was sweetened and tender. Creme caramel custard was also on the platter. The baklava was the star of the plate. Kazan makes their own which is orange flavored and awesome! The phyllo dough was crispy and light plus drizzled with honey and the orange flavoring came through clearly. My husband also had a Turkish coffee which he ordered medium sweet. I had Turkish tea which came with 5 sugar cubes on the side. The restaurant was very tastefully decorated with Turkish items. Service from start to finish was excellent. We left feeling like we had enough to eat but not so much that we were stuffed. And, yes, we intend to return!

    Photos
    4/20/25 spacious
    4/20/25 spacious
    Kazan Restaurant
    4/20/25

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    4/20/25

    Efesus Cafe - mediterranean - Updated August 2026

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