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    ilili DC

    4.4 (723 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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    Recommended Reviews - ilili DC

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    Kelsey R.

    We went to Ilili because our Uber driver recommended to stop by here. We were not disappointed at all. The food was excellent and the presentation of the food was beautiful. We had the lamb, which the meat itself just melted off of the bone, and the duck shawarma with pita. All the flavors hit the spot, the staff was kind and attentive. The place itself was hip and off of the water. The price of the items on the menu was a bit higher than we normally spend, however it was worth it!

    Abdou B.

    First time trying this place on my bday while in dc. Great atmosphere and location. Not too loud or crowded. Large variety of options on the menu however some were not wow, still very good and i would recommend

    Zack G.

    Middle Eastern restaurant that was ranked #7 on Yelp's national restaurant ratings. The place is slightly upscale and stylish, and the prices reflect this. The menu is comprised of a bunch of tapas-style dishes, but they have some larger dishes as well I came here with my fiancé for dinner on a Friday night and we split 4 different dishes: hummus, Brussel sprouts, duck schwarma, & meatballs. They were all solid, but best by far was the Brussel sprouts. Service was extremely fast, friendly, and on top of things

    Hummus with Lamb Confit, Smoked Beets, and Fattoush
    Tiffany E.

    AMAZING! I have been to ilili before with family and we were a large group. It wasn't as memorable as my dinner with my sister recently. Dimitri, our waiter was really helpful in helping us picking unforgettable dishes. We started off with the hummus with Lamb confit. So good, and like Dimitri said, game changer. 5/5! We enjoyed the fattoush salad and smoked beets with the burrata in side together. So sweet and fresh! Both 5/5 Then we had the Brussels sprouts and carrots! 5/5! Generous portion sizes. My sister went home and devoured the rest of her share of the Brussel sprouts. I was close to doing the same! The grilled octopus is so delicious! The sauce and smoky taste is incredible! 5/5 The service was amazing, everyone is so attentive, making sure out glass is full of water or the zero proof drinks we got... my sister enjoyed her grapefruit soda and loved my sweet berry hibiscus drink. Will be returning!

    Varsha S.

    I would rate this a 3.5 rounded up to a 4. This restaurant has a really cute, upscale interior and the servers are very nice and knowledgeable when it comes to describing their dishes and making recommendations. Kahwa x Shay- their version of an espresso martini. It was the perfect balance of alcohol, bitterness from the espresso, but some sweet/spice as well. So good! Mouhamara- a great dip to try if you want to branch out of the traditional hummus! The sweetness of the pomegranate was a great touch. King prawns- these were delicious! The shrimp was nice and tender and I liked the sauce. Cod- the fish was cooked perfectly. I will say the acidity of the tomatoes and the sauce was a tad bit much for me, but I enjoyed the fish itself. Overall a super cute spot in dc!!

    Sneha W.

    The place is beautiful and the staff is very polite. They're very welcoming to say the least. Our server was so well spoken - I've not met one in recent memory. The menu has a few different styles of food available. The hummus, falafel, duck shawarma, lamb burger - and all the dips we ordered were amazing. The bread came in nice and warm wrapped up in the napkins. Really good! The baklava was outstanding. The best thing on the menu!! It was quite an experience.

    Jad A.

    Easily one of my new favorite spots in DC. First off, the restaurant and decor are just awesome. A lot of windows, greenery and fun furniture. Second, the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Lastly, their food was delicious. Their grilled meets were perfect. Their fattoush is one of the best I have tried in the US. Great drink options too.

    Menu
    Crystal S.

    I dined with four friends at ilili last night & I'm going to tell you about (see what I did there?). My reservation was for 5:30 PM & there's a 15-minute grace period. Two of us arrived by 5:25 PM & the hostess informed us we could either head to our table & our dining time would then start or wait for the rest of our party; the obvious choice was to wait since we were early & didn't want to feel rushed. The restaurant is beautiful & situated at The Wharf, which is equally stunning with festive holiday lights & decor. Our waitress, Lila, was patient, kind & attentive as we ordered a variety of shared plates. Everything arrived rather quickly: -Labne -Moussaka (served as a cold mezze which was strange but tasted good) -Muhamara (EXCEPTIONAL) -Falafel (4 small pieces which were overcooked/dry on the outside but still flavorful) -Lamb-stuffed grape leaves (only a few crumbles of lamb & a few grains of rice were inside the grape leaves, so I wouldn't consider them "stuffed" at all & many of them fell apart in the warm broth because they were essentially empty) -Fried kibbeh (hearty, well-seasoned & excellent) -Duck shawarma (tasty but slightly dry for duck) -Day boat scallops -Bone marrow (served with pomegranate which I felt overpowered the bone marrow, however I appreciate the contemporary pairing as I consider this to be a modern Levantine restaurant) -Baklava (6 bite-sized cubes...sweet, flaky & delicious) Dietary constraints limited my options, I didn't drink like the rest of my party & ended up leaving hungry. What we ordered to share among 5 adults wasn't enough even if split equally (shared plates means appetizer-sized portions so you get a spoonful of this & a bite of that). However, everything we ordered was our choice so I definitely would've ordered a personal dish if I had more time.

    Brussels Sprouts
    Stephen G.

    My wife and I decided on ilili for our anniversary and it was spectacular. We opted in for the Lamb Hummus, Tabbouleh, Deep Fried Kibbeh, Brussel Sprouts, and King Prawns. The Brussels were a surprise, Lamb hummus and fresh hot pita were tasty. The beef kibbeh and meatballs weren't showstoppers and would probably order something different. The drinks were great especially my wife's ( Zaytoun & Honey) The vibe is classy, upscale vibe. Service was exceptional, they brought out an unexpected Baklava on the house! It even had a custom message. Definitely coming back soon

    Duck Shawarma
    Dazia H.

    Simply put I love this place. The service is amazing the food is immaculate and the drinks are even better. This restaurant is just a vibe all around I came before going to a concert at the anthem and it was the perfect preconcert dining experience

    Hearth Baked Loup de Mer
    Marc V.

    I started with the Zaytoun and Honey cocktail, which was excellent. A bourbon based drink with olive oil and honey that somehow comes together in a really smooth, elegant way. Later in the evening I had the Mersel Lebanese sparkling rosé which was bright, crisp, and paired beautifully with the seafood. My partner had the Lebanese Almaza pilsner. We initially wanted the Lebanese IPA but it was unfortunately out of stock. We started the meal with the hummus with the lamb confit add-on and the riz. The hummus was silky and rich with great tahini depth, and the lamb confit added a savory slow cooked richness that made it feel more substantial than a typical mezze. There was a generous pour of olive oil which I personally loved, especially with the warm pita. The Lebanese rice (riz) with toasted vermicelli and mixed nuts was simple but really well executed. Nutty, fragrant, and a great companion to the rest of the meal. One of the more interesting dishes was the bone marrow with steak tartare and pomegranate seeds. The tartare itself was excellent and the acidity from the pomegranate worked nicely with it, though the pomegranate did overpower the marrow a bit. Still a creative dish and a fun contrast of textures. For the mains we ordered the hearth baked branzino. The fish was beautifully cooked with crisp skin and flaky, tender meat. Served with mixed greens and tarator sauce, it felt clean and balanced without being heavy. After we had already ordered, we decided to add the beef kebabs and were really glad we did. They were cooked perfectly to order at medium, tender with a nice char, and served with roasted vegetables that complemented the dish well. For dessert we ordered the Ilili Candy Bar and the Mouhalabiyyeh. The Ilili Candy Bar was rich and indulgent with caramel fondant, sesame crunch, and milk chocolate sorbet. The Mouhalabiyyeh was lighter and more delicate with milk custard, orange blossom, citrus notes, and pistachio dust, which was a nice contrast after a full meal. To top it off, the staff surprised me with a birthday baklava with a candle which was a really thoughtful touch. The baklava had crisp layers, plenty of pistachio, and just the right amount of honey sweetness. The room was lively, the plating was beautiful, and the service felt warm and attentive without being overbearing. Ilili delivers Lebanese flavors in a polished and modern way that still feels authentic. A great spot for a celebratory dinner.

    Aphrodite's Orchard
    Nikita J.

    I know I'm late to the ilili party but I'm so glad i came! We had a great time. The decor is gorgeous, the servers were so sweet (and helpful with vegetarian-friendly suggestions). The food was, almost all of it, a hit for us! Here are some highlights: Zaytoun and honey: fun presentation, even tastier when you drink it. Sweet but not in an overwhelming way. Good quality bourbon. Aphrodite's orchard: light and refreshing. Passion fruit that actually tastes like passion fruit and one of the rare cocktails I would have two of with dinner. Muhammara: a total flavor bomb! You can taste the nuttiness, sweetness, savory-ness all at once. Labneh: creamy, feels decadent, perfect! Zaatar adds the perfect touch and the olive oil is high quality. Mekanek: Tender lamb sausages in a flavorful broth that brings all the spices to the party. You get like 7-8 small pieces but they pack a punch! Hubby was thrilled with these. Batata hara: could eat that sauce it's coming with with a spoon!! So flavorful with some heat but it hits you in the end and it's just such a fun bite -- definitely not your ordinary potatoes. Ambers carrots: beautiful Presentation with the orange from the carrots and green from the pistachio. Maybe a bit on the sweeter side than I expected but very tasty nevertheless. There's plenty more on the menu for us to try next time but for a first trip we really enjoyed ourselves!

    Lee Z.

    The service was on point. Both Biruk and Ozzie were knowledgeable about the menu. They were courteous and attentive. Ambiance was a blend contemporary and traditional. Very inviting. The dishes we had were as follow: Meza (tapas sizes) 5/5. Octopus al-hamra - the sauce complimented the grilled octopus. The octopus was very tender. This was our favorite. 5/5 baba gannouj. We always enjoy this dip. Smokey and creamy 1/5 Mekanek- lamb sausage. Our least favorite. The flavor was a bit off. And the lemon over powered the other tastes 4/5 The lamb rack was pretty good. There were 4 pieces of lamb served a small amount of veggies (turnip, a carrot, potato, and broccolini)

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    ilili DC Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - ilili DC

    How many ounces is the lamb shank? Can it feed 2 people?

    I have been there twice and had it on both occasions, shared amongst two. It was just enough. Of course we also had some other great things as well. But yes, eating it alone might be too much.

    Hello would it be appropriate to wear formal attire here? Example suit/ dress shoes etc and gowns

    Like all of DC, you can dress up or down and it's probably okay. It's a bit of an upscale feel, but attire ranges from smart business to flip flops for the pier.

    Is this restaurant pet friendly?

    No pets. Would call about service animals.

    Does this have dress code? or casual?

    No formal dress code from restaurant but patrons tend to be on the slightly dressy side.

    Is this restaurant by reservation only or people can also walk in?

    You can walk in however if there aren't any tables available you'll have to sit at the bar. We walked in and sat at the bar. A few other people at the bar but with us it was pretty full. Don't think it would accommodate another party. If you want a… Read more

    Is the restaurant kid's friendly?

    Yes it is

    Is any of the food halal?

    Yes, all of it- my friend is muslim and they informed us that the restaurant is halal.

    Is ilili like ambar? does it have an unlimited option, one price to pay to order multiple items on the menu?

    No it's not like Ambar

    Is there outdoor seating?

    Hi Zeb, our veranda has retractable windows and a retractable roof. However they are only open weather permitting.

    Do I need to make a reservation?

    Yesss, reservations run out quick as well!

    View All 11 Questions

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    La Vie - Rice ball appetizer...delicious!

    La Vie

    (1.4k reviews)

    $$$

    Beautiful establishment. Excellent service and very attentive staff. I loved the variety of small…read moreplates and walk up stations. The banana pancake, shrimp and grits, and truffle mac and cheese were all highlights. The brunch price isn't bad at $55 per person, but I do think the add on mimosa service could be more expansive for the cost. The base tier should include all the variety of mimosas. It would make more sense for the add on to function purely as an upgraded alcohol package. Coffee and tea should at least be included in the standard brunch price. I also think the shrimp and grits buffet dish could be improved. It would be better to have more grits under the shrimp or to separate them, so guests can customize how much shrimp and sauce they want. The sauce is AMAZING! Overall, a great experience and I can't wait to come back!

    We had a very disappointing experience with our reservation at La Vie through OpenTable for the…read moreValentine's Day prix fixe menu. At the time of booking, we were charged a prepaid amount of over $190. However, when we dined at the restaurant, the final bill did not deduct this prepaid amount, and we were charged the full price again. After realizing this, we contacted the restaurant. We were told to send an email explaining the situation, which we did two weeks ago, followed by another email one week ago. To date, we have received no response at all. This is extremely frustrating. Not only were we effectively double charged, but the complete lack of follow-up or customer service is unacceptable. We expected much better from a restaurant of this caliber. At the very least, communication and basic billing accuracy should be handled properly.

    Zaytinya

    Zaytinya

    (6.3k reviews)

    $$$

    I made reservations for Sunday Brunch and was looking forward to experiencing another Jose Andres…read morerestaurant. We were seated immediately by the matra-dee before our reservation time slot. The decor is open and airy and there's a large patio if you prefer to dine alfresco. We wanted a variety of items and began with Hummus, smoked beet salata and baba ghanoush. Followed by Crispy brussels afelia, Chicken shakshouka, Soujouk pide and shish taouk. For dessert we enjoyed Greek yogurt with apricots and olive oil cake with champagne. The presentation of all the entree's were plated professionally, tasted outstanding, and service from our waiter was on point. I highly recommend this restaurant by Jose Andres.

    Whoa. Horrible outside host for outdoor seating and even worse experience with the indoor host…read morefor indoor seating -- this was not an okay experience at any level. Zero professionalism, no hospitality, and probably way too over their head with how popular this restaurant is for Middle Eastern cuisine. Completely not cool as to how they treat those who try to patronize their business. Note to management: we understand your establishment has great reviews but please don't take that for granted. Please train your staff to treat every single guest regardless of party size with respect, professionalism, and hospitality. Not mad about not being able to dine here because y'all were "fully booked" but more disappointed with how your outdoor and indoor hosts handled the messaging. P.S. There were plenty of tables left unoccupied for "7:30pm reservations" but it was already 8:00pm -- so I take it the grace period for reservations is 30+ minutes?!

    Albi - rosewater meringue + walnuts in honey syrup

    Albi

    (466 reviews)

    $$$$

    Navy Yard

    I don't even know where to start with this. Last friday, I had a remarkable dinner here, and I was…read morewowed from the moment I stepped inside. As much as I love the cocktail bar next door, I had no idea this epic place was here. The inside is a bit dark, yet so welcoming and cozy. It's the waiting area if you are either early for your reservation or waiting for others in your party. They are kind enough to give you a glass of water and the cocktail menu in case you want to get started. We were fancy and did the hearth table and WHAT a journey it was. From surprise drink tastings and bites to pretty much trying all new food items and combinations, I would absolutely do it again. I could name the things that I had, but you may or may not know what they are. All I can say was that it was seven delightful courses that left me just right. The friendly, professional staff made it even better. Check the reservations and to the hearth table. Do it.

    KenScale: 8.5/10 Visit: March 2026…read more My wife Jun and I have been to Albi multiple times already and on every visit we end up ordering the exceptional lamb kebabs for our final savory dish. Earlier this year, I saw that the restaurant started offering a large duck rice dish on the menu and, knowing how much Jun loves duck, tried to see if I can book a table. We had a reservation in January but we had to cancel that due to a last-minute trip to New York, and really struggled to find an open seating on a reasonable hour (we just had no appetite for a dinner past 9 p.m.) until recently last month. As we opened up the menu, we were very sad to learn that the duck was no longer on the menu (our server couldn't give a definitive time on when the dish will be back), but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm for another outstanding meal at Albi. Since my last review of the restaurant was in 2023, I figured a re-review was in order, especially given that this visit was our 10th total. When it comes to Middle Eastern spreads, it's hard to beat what Albi offers along with a giant pita bread. At this point, Jun had tried the mushroom hummus with confit egg yolk multiple times, and yet she couldn't again stop marveling how addictively delicious the hummus was with alluringly smoky flavor of mushroom. One new spread that we saw for the first time and decided to order was msabaha with embered firefly squid and white peas covered in tahini; not surprisingly, it was another standout dish even if squid is not an ingredient one would ordinarily see in these spreads. Another item on the menu that we tried for the first time (and really liked) was malfouf, a wrap of cabbages stuffed with smoked beef cheek and red shatta condiment. By now, we have seen multiple variations of the lamb kebabs at Albi and every time we walked out of the restaurant happily stuffed. For the current season, we were greeted with loin and smoked belly shish accompanied by vegetables of charred turnips and brassicas. The lamb's texture as usual was quite outstanding, and the charred vegetables (as well as a side dish of Fattoush salad with orchard fruits and smoked feta) also offered a wonderful complement to the meat. If someone asks me to list the most iconic dishes in DC, I won't hesitate to include the lamb kebabs from Albi. During our trip to Jordan in February, we fell in love with a popular dessert called knafeh (made with pastry dough layered with cheese and soaked in syrup); we never had a chance to try the same from Albi until this visit, and Jun remarked that the delightful knafeh was just like how she remembered from a restaurant in Petra, except the pomegranate sorbet that was placed in the middle. It seems like getting a reservation at Albi is becoming more and more difficult over time. The reservation window opens on the first day of each month and once past that first day, it is really challenging to find a seating during early and prime-time dinner windows, especially for the main dining room. This visit was the first time we had to be seated at the bar as we were slightly late to the reservation party, but the bar seating actually wasn't bad at all, as we chatted with the friendly bartenders from time to time while enjoying the food. As always, the beverage list at Albi is outstanding, featuring many Middle East-based cocktails and wines. As we increasingly find ourselves in our culinary journey together these days visiting our old favorites more often rather than checking out new places all the time, Jun and I are very thankful that Albi is in DC. It still is firing on all cylinders even after being around for several years in the DC dining scene, and deserves to be one of the best restaurants in the city.

    Maydan - Roasted carrots

    Maydan

    (1.3k reviews)

    $$$$

    This is actually my second time coming to this restaurant, and both times were absolutely…read morespectacular. The food is nothing but genius--fantastic concepts like their roasted carrots, soft, spicy outer textures with a simultaneously solid and rich core. Their hummus is delectable and thick, offering an appreciated simplistic flavor paired with everything served. Their nutty, sweet, warm halloumi, mezze tasting (various pickled veggies offering a cool addition and sometimes a kick), ribeye steak & chicken souvlaki blew me away. The steak was as good as it was last time (9.9/10), and the chicken souvlaki was soft, cooked to perfection served with a zingy garnish of pickled onions. For dessert, their chocolate spiced mousse was a run-of-the-mill chocolate mousse. It was good, but I wasn't getting much of the spice. The service at our time there has a funny backstory--reservations were accidentally made at their sister restaurant, Medina. However, due to it being a special occasion, George (shoutout) managed to find us a perfect seat on the second level, overlooking the inner workings of the exposed aesthetic of the restaurant. The ambiance was calm, smooth, dim-lit, and encompassed a primal, eclectic atmosphere at the same time. Nonetheless, Maydan is an incredible restaurant providing outstanding meals suitable for various diets (keto, vegan, etc.) with great and dutiful servers who bring together the shrouded, intimate atmosphere. Everything just works and time flies in there. Definitely worth a try!

    Went here to celebrate with my family and had a party of four…read more Drink order took 10 minutes, delivery of said drinks took another 15. The appetizer was dropped on my lap as the waitress cleared the plate. She didn't seem to care and said "slippery little things". $300 worth of food was delivered and not once were we asked how the food quality was. The problem is the $75 flat iron steak we ordered as medium came out as rare and was to the point it was hard to cut it was so chewy. Spoke to manager about the situation and his care meter seemed to be broken. It's a shame because ambiance and environment is great. The service was not.

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    Dupont Circle

    I've been here twice now and have had a great experience. I recommend getting a spot on the outside…read morepatio if the weather is nice. It is covered and you can watch all the Dupont atmosphere pass by on the street. I'm a big fan of Mediterranean food. And it didn't disappoint. They were also really good with kids as my partner and I have 5 year olds. They not only have kids menus but crayons and unique coloring activities that were perfect for our son and daughter. We ordered the dip sampler, the grilled chicken and manti, which are dumplings stuffed with meat and topped with cream. The kids loved the pita bread, as did their dads. The pita was so delicious and we kept dipping it in the complimentary olive oil with black olive tapenade. The dip sampler was good, but we didn't love all the options as part of that mix like the red pepper dip or the fishy roe. Finally, the wine selection is unique here. It consists of a lot of Greek and Turkish wines. We aren't as familiar with this regions o appreciated our server allowing us to taste the wine before committing. Overall, service was attentive and they did a great job checking in with our family. I'd definitely recommend this spot. It's a higher end place on the strip!

    The vibe? Immaculate. Think warm lighting, gorgeous bar seating, and just enough "I'm chic but…read moreeffortless" energy. The kind of place where you accidentally stay way longer than planned. The food? Delicious across the board -- and definitely made for sharing (or pretending to share while guarding your favorites ). Every dish felt thoughtful and flavorful without trying too hard. The spread platter is a must. Shrimp was yummy-- wish more came with the dish. Lamb was succulent. Chicken kabob was grilled to perfection. Manti was yummy. I loved the baklava. And can we talk about the hibiscus spritz?? Beautifully balanced, refreshing, and dangerously easy to keep ordering. She's pretty and she delivers. 10/10 would return for the ambiance, the bites, and a little sip-sip moment

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    (1k reviews)

    $$

    Gypsy kitchen This…read moreplace is quite good. I really love the charcuterie board and the cauliflower was amazing. This was the first time I've been impressed by charcuterie from a restaurant. The Spanish cheese (Mahón) along with the crackers and mustard sauce was superb. All the meats had their own characteristics and unique flavors but the jamón stood out to us the most. It even went well with the sauce that came for our cauliflower dish. It was fun piecing the components together to make unique tasty bites. I would come back just for the charcuterie alone. The drinks we got were Angelli's Ferrari along with the espresso martini-ish. My favorite was definitely the Ferrari one, but the espresso martini was super mild and had a slight coffee flavor. Good for people who like very light coffee. The Ferrari one was very bright and had lots of fruity notes to hide the alcohol. For entrées, we had the shakshouka, crispy, cauliflower, and brunch pork belly. Out of all these the cauliflower was definitely my favorite; super light with good earthy flavors and nuttiness and acidity from the lemon. The brunch pork belly was good too. The meat was perfectly cooked, but I found the beans to be a little bit overwhelming. I'm not a fan of baked beans personally so that might've been my fault for picking the dish, but I still did enjoy it and the pork that was well cooked made up for it; definitely for someone who likes beans. Shakshouka was very hearty with a lot of tomatoes and red vegetables in general. If you like lasagna or any sort of tomato spaghetti dish, you will like this one. I found this to be a bit much though. I was slightly tired of the flavor at the end. Just be aware it is a bit spicy. We had a pear tart for dessert. Honestly, it reminded me of an apple pie and it was good, but I think that some of the other desserts would've been a bit better. Had a lot of sweet cinnamon notes along some crispy flaky dough from the outside. It was an interesting take but it was still good. The atmosphere is great here; we had seating on the second floor, so it was different from the busy first floor. Very relaxed and there's a lot of natural light coming around which made everything feel very welcoming. Our server was also super friendly. I will definitely be back at this place

    Brunch !! We had a…read moregreat time & enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant very much! We went on a day they werent very busy, so that was a plus, but our service could have been better. They forgot one of our benedicts & when it came out, it looked smaller than the other one. My main issue is that they promote that they have vegan options, but they really do not. The crispy cauliflower is about the only thing that is vegan on the menu. While I do occasionally eat meat, most everything had dairy in it & I have an allergy. We ordered: Crispy cauliflower-- 8/10 Spanish Benedict-- 9/10 Steak & Eggs-- 6/10 Lamb Hummus-- 10/10 Mimosa-- yum! Espresso Martini-- 8/10 Passionfruit Gin-- 8/10

    Lebanese Taverna Pentagon - Garlic Hommus & Baba Ghanoush at Lebanese Tavern Pentagon

    Lebanese Taverna Pentagon

    (516 reviews)

    $$

    Pentagon City

    Decided to give Lebanese Taverna another shot, assuming they have taken care of those health code…read moreviolations mentioned above. Ordered the roasted beet salad, salmon harra, a glass of Chateau St. Thomas Les Emirs, a chocolate turkish coffee cake, and a glass of Ayran. Roasted beet salad: Balanced between sweet and tart from the oranges, slight pepperiness from the arugula base, a crunch from beets and sunflower seeds and brine mess from the feta. Solid overall. Salmon harra: Flaky and tender, if a little overcooked as last time, though it's was only slightly charred and not devoid of texture. Charred squash and tomato-pepper compote were nice savory accompaniments. Chateau St. Thomas Les Emirs: A full-bodied Bekaa Valley red blend, Rhône-inspired but not a GSM; more GSCS. Not my best pairing, but I prefer fuller reds, so that's on me; it's solid regardless. Chocolate Turkish Coffee Cake: A warm (albeit slightly small) chocolate-lava style cake accompanied by cold mocha ice cream and a room temperature marshmallow crême fondant with date-orange syrup. An eloquent dessert; appreciate the temperature variation as a sensory note. Ayran: Turkish savory yogurt drink to finish. Lightly salted and well creamy, with a refreshing level of tartness; no complains, a decent Ayran. The server was also much nicer this time, which warranted the adding of an additional star. Overall, there is certainly improvement, though still room for more.

    Food was good but they did not include utensils in our delivery order. Wish I had known the…read moretzatziki, hummus, and baba ganoush come with pita. We got 3 bread orders and ended up throwing them out. The chicken kabob was definitely the best item and the shrink appetizer with lemon was excellent as well. The chicken shawarma was not as tender or tasty. The dips were all good and I like their garlic toum. Pretty quick order processing via Uber Eats. Can't speak to the ambiance because we got the food delivered.

    ala - GOLDEN CAULIFLOWER

    ala

    (1.2k reviews)

    $$$

    Dupont 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.

    Checked out ala for a weeknight dinner this past week. The restaurant was lively and had a lot of…read morepeople seated at the bar. We came to dinner not overly hungry, so we opted to do a bunch of cold and hot mezze plates - ended up ordering the baba ganoush, duck prosciutto (2 plates because we were so excited about it), salmon kibbeh nayah, tawook shish chicken kebab, and golden cauliflower. Overall, our picks were solid. The duck prosciutto had a nice crunch with the chip(?) underneath and very interesting, lovely salad base and vinaigrette. Can't go wrong with the golden cauliflower with its yummy sauce and pomegranate seeds. Salmon kibbeh was my least favorite but perhaps I'm just not used to the texture/taste of bulghur wheat.. the salmon itself was great tho! I've heard lots of good things about brunch so I would come back for that, and/or try the short ribs or branzino if I'm back in the area for dinner!

    Cafe 8 - Bianca Pizza Fries Wings (not pictured)

    Cafe 8

    (333 reviews)

    $$

    Capitol Hill

    I ABSOLUTELY love cafe 8! I've been coming here for years and am proud of their revamp…read more If you're a hookah smoker they have some of the best prices in the city. I don't think anyone is beating $35-40 hookahs and $14 head replacements. My fave is the BMW (blueberry mint & watermelon). A friend ordered Love66 and peach; that was amazing too. The drinks are always super strong so drink responsibly!!! I always get Lemon drops with a sugar rim. I either get it regular, strawberry, or peach. The lamb chops and fried shrimp are bomb!! (Not pictured). Those are always my go to depending on how hungry I am.

    Since Cafe 8 has started their brunch on Sunday's prices have raised. You would think that since…read morethey are partnered with Caspi Lounge that the prices and unlimited mimosas would be the same. The fact that you only are provided 1 bottle of champagne for $35 is outrageous. Especially for a bottle of champagne that's not a top brand. You all provide a $7 - $13 bottle of generic champagne. The shrimp & grits could be seasoned, and the grits needs to be cooked a lil longer. Also, gratuity should not be added to a single person's bill, especially if a customer has to keep running after the server to grab their attention. Service has become lazy and too comfortable. I will be writing a review ever single week with no problem! They can be very rude as well. I don't recommend. Also, be aware of the lemon drops and the frozen strawberry margaritas. Watch the door as well. Security doesn't check everyone at the door either. Most times they let anyone they know inside the door, even if they have a weapon.

    ilili DC - lebanese - Updated May 2026

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