We went to dinner for my birthday and it was absolutely amazing! Our server saul did an astonishing job with food and drink recommendations and even had a complimentary dessert and candle ready. The place itself was beautiful, with great lighting and room for conversations! Will definitely be back again, even for just the service! read more

ilili DC - Hummus with Lamb Shank along with the aphrodite cocktail! - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A definite return in the near future and definitely recommend to colleagues. The ambience was superb , not overly loud or chaotic, very relaxed. read more

First time here and I was definitely impressed. The inside is very aesthetically pleasing, and the overall atmosphere was great. Service was quick, and the menu was explained perfectly. The mixed grill plate was definitely a hit. The lamb chops were seasoned so well, and the chicken and beef kabobs were just as good. Definitely recommend getting the mixed grill if it's your first time. We also ordered a side of potatoes, and they were seasoned perfectly, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. And you absolutely cannot leave without ordering the hummus Overall, great food, great service, and a beautiful atmosphere. read more

ilili DC - Mixed Grill - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really enjoyed the brunch here. Our server was phenomenal. She was knowledgeable and attentive, without interrupting us too many times, and I really appreciated her recommendations. I was pleasantly surprised with the Brussels sprouts with the grapes, but this was an amazing combination. The mixed grill was the perfect size for two people to share and everything was delicious. My favorite out of the mix was the beef kabob. The ambiance was really nice here. It felt peaceful and relaxed and elevated. I love a brunch that isn't too much commotion where you can just eat and chat, this was the perfect spot for this. I'll certainly be back again. read more

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We went on a Sunday afternoon. There was a brunch prix fix menu for $38 per person. (See menu in picture) We had the following: (see pictures) -Lamb burgers smothered with cucumber labne and harissa toum and a salad on the side. The lamb was seasoned well and it was deliciousm -Baba ghanoush one of my favorite. Love the sprinkle of pomegranates on top -hummus was smooth and creamy -Kebab kerez (beef & lamb meatballs with a cherry sauce,and kataifi) this was delectable. Definitely would order this again. --bata harra (potatoes with Aleppo peppers and cilantro toum). Potatoes were roast to perfection. Well seasoned and not overly cooked. With crispness on the outside and soft and moist on the inside Just right. It paired well with the cilantro toum. This complimented the lamb burger. Dessert was almond baklava and cashews baklava (mini bites) The staff was attentive and friendly. It was fairly crowded on a Sunday afternoon; but it wasnt loud. Nice atmosphere. read more

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Ilili is an exquisite Mediterranean restaurant, specializing in Lebanese cuisine that can bring a person into a sense of tremendous well-being. Usually, we come here when we stay at the Wharf because we're seeing a show at the Anthem nearby. As I mentioned in my earlier review, the food is tops and there are many items to enjoy. If you're gluten-free, the Lamb -Stuffed Grape Leaves and bone marrow are class, while the Mekanek is excellent. If you are not sensitive to the gluten, then order the duck shawarma with pita pillows. If you're in the mood for dessert, the ilili candy bar is so incredibly magical. I could come here just for that with its luxurious chocolate and caramel flavors and crispy mouthfeel. Everything is freshly made, savory, and delightful, with a full blast of wonderful flavors that radiate Lebanese goodness. Their cocktails are splendid, especially their mezcal-forward Spring to Summer cocktail with goseberry cordial, chartreuse, and lemon juice. Also excellent standouts include the Olive You Margarita and Keraz Carciofo Negroni. Plus, the interior design is gorgeous with its atrium layout, greenery, and dark green colors that provide an intimate setting at night. Depending on where you're seated, you can enjoy great views and people-watching. Ilili is one to check out in DC. read more

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Really enjoyed my dinner at Ilili. The restaurant is beautiful, and the service was excellent from the moment we walked in. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and the pacing of the meal was spot on. You can tell they run a well-managed restaurant. The food was solid across the board. Everything was well prepared and flavorful. It's the kind of place I'd happily bring friends or family, especially if they've never had Lebanese food before. Overall, an enjoyable experience, and I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu. read more

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Ilili is absolutely GORGEOUS inside. The space is elegant, lively, and perfect for a girls' night or a special dinner. Between the beautiful decor and attentive service, it definitely feels like a restaurant that's made for a fun night out. That said, I thought the food was just... okay. Everything was good enough, but nothing really stood out or made me think, "I can't wait to order this again." Considering the prices, I was expecting to be a little more impressed by the flavors. I don't regret going because the overall experience was lovely, but I'd probably come back more for the atmosphere than the food. read more

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SUCH a vibe. My date is vegan so this was the perfect spot for us to each get what we wanted in a trip to DC. To be fair, I'm a picky eater so we usually order a bunch of sides to make our own meal. We ordered two nonalcoholic drinks, a salad with pita croutons on the side, falafel served w tahini dip, potatoes served w cilantro dip, and duck sausage. My least favorite was the sausage as it tasted too vinegary. Favorite was the potatoes, so simple yet so perfect - and the cilantro sauce was everythingggg. Service was prompt, friendly and not pushy. There are staff to bring/clear plates so servers are encouraged to focus on other aspects of service. read more

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Came for brunch and was pleasantly surprised! The lamb belly was my favorite. baba ghannouj, rosti and grandmas toast were also really good and they gave a ton of pita. It also wasn't too crowded on a Saturday read more

ilili DC - Lamb belly - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've been to illi MULTIPLE times and I always enjoy myself! The decor inside is beautiful, and the food is yummy too! Majority of the menu includes platas (small plates), so my friend and I just ordered a few plates of different things to share amongst us and it was really nice to try the various meals that way. We got: - hummus with jalapeños and crab falafel (and pita) - octopus - Brussels sprouts - Cod - Lamb filled grape leaves We had a nice time, and illi is one of those restaurants that I keep in rotation if I want a nice dinner out by the Warf. read more

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The food was amazing, they had the best hummus ever. I ordered the crab falafel hummus but they have a variety of flavors. I ordered the aphrodite orchard, which I was told is their version of the porn star....it was light and refreshing. For my main course I got the lamb chops which were seasoned to perfection served with a mix of turnips and potatoes. I also ordered a side of the ambered carrots and to wash it down I went with a Lebanese red ~ chateau kefraya. For dessert, I selected the Ilili candy bar so if you're a chocolate lover this is the way to go. Customer service was awesome, they are very attentive - I can't recall her name but I appreciated her recommendations. The aesthetics were warm, romantic and upscale elegant. read more

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Met colleagues here for dinner before we all headed back home from a DC conference. Service was great, very attentive and instructive. Food good but not memorable (as I cannot remember anything we had without looking up the menu online). I do remember it was very sunny and they kept fiddling with the shades to keep us out of the blinding sun. In reviewing the menu online, I now remember there were some outstanding items: - hummus with lamb confit - 5*5, I would go and order just this and a vegetable and be done with dinner. Seems weird to have lamb confit in hummus? Yes, and it was super delicious along with some pita bread - baba ghannouj - 4/5, solid offering - brussels sprouts - 3/5, there was a little bit too much going on with this dish, with grapes, fig jam, walnuts, mint yogurt, I had one taste and didn't need anymore I vaguely recall some special fish dish we had too, but again, not a good sign that I can't remember! It was good I recall, and nothing to write home about. If on the wharf, a solid choice but not super amazing fare. read more

This food was insanely delicious. Highly recommend! We didn't have one thing that tasted average. read more

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I was so excited for ilili. I'd been a few years prior for a private event and everything was fantastic. But I went with a friend for dinner and didn't love it, and given the price, it should have been excellent. I loved the vibe and service was friendly. It's pretty inside. I ordered the Keraz Carciofi Negroni, pointing to the mocktail version. I didn't even realize there was a cocktail version and that's what they gave me. Why you would a have cocktail and mocktail with the same name is beyond me. I got lightheaded and dizzy almost immediately, but I couldn't taste alcohol, so I thought it was because I hadn't eaten, especially as I felt fine once I started eating. So this also tells me that the cocktail version is poorly made. I was definitely charged for the cocktail version. We ordered the Lebanese Journey tasting menu. Nothing really wowed, except for the bread, baba ghanoush, and mouhamara. The mouhamara surprised me because it is usually not my favorite but this version was delicious. Lamb was tasty but not good enough that I'd return for it. For a tasting menu to just have two mezeh standouts, on top of an improperly made mocktail, I'd not return to ilili. read more

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Really enjoyed lunch at ilili last week. The service was honestly one of the best parts of the experience. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome without being too over the top. The food was good across the board. We ordered a mix of dishes to share and really liked the kibbeh, meatballs, and whole fish. The portions were solid, the presentation was beautiful, and everything came out fresh. The restaurant itself is also really pretty and has a nice atmosphere for a lunch date or catching up with friends. Not quite a perfect experience for me personally, but definitely a strong 4 stars and I'd go back again. read more

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This was the first time I tried this restaurant and I'm glad I did. We opted for the Iftaar set menu even though we were pass the time. They accommodated our group of 4 and we were very happy. There was so much food offered and honestly I can't even remember all the names but I'll try to mention a few that kept me wanting coming back. - The lamb leg with rice - gosh my favorite x Stuffed dates Hummus Eggplant Lentil soup So many more other things I can't remember. The waiter was very attentive and we felt very well taken care of. They did not rush us or anything and our girls evening was just wonderful. The food is fresh , flavorful and amazing. I definitely want to Go back to try more dishes. The ambience is definitely vibe and we enjoyed all the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. Amazing place all around! read more

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Ilili was cute! Great location beside The Anthem at The Wharf and service was excellent, attentive and extremely competent with ability to make recommendations and discuss, in-depth, menu choices. We chose to go lighter and eat after our show at nearby Anthem. So, we got the fattoush salad, the lamb and beef meatballs, and rice. Paired with their warm pita bread, this was more than enough of a fill us up and the meatballs were served with delicious, warm cherries that I probably could've eaten by themselves. Our server was elegant and knowledgable about the menu and easily about to answer all questions and make suggestions for us. As we were seeing a show at The Anthem we had a "hard stop" time and we easily met this and were on our way. Would come back again for sure. read more

ilili DC - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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! read more

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Dining with my friend on Lebanese cuisine was a delightful culinary adventure filled with surprises and delights. Moussaka: A classic Lebanese dish. Eggplant and hummus were simmered until soft and flavorful, with a subtle smoky aroma. The addition of mint leaves enhanced the flavor. Bone Marrow: Beef tartare with bone marrow and pomegranate seeds--how interesting! The first two provided a rich, fatty texture and intense aroma, while the latter burst in your mouth occasionally, juicy, tangy, and refreshing. Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts with grapes, walnuts, fig jam, and mint yogurt--a whimsical yet magical combination... The Brussels sprouts offered a fresh, vegetal aroma and a slightly roasted aroma; the walnuts provided a nutty richness and crunch; the fruit provided a fresh sweet and sour taste and plenty of juice; and the yogurt acted as a binder between the flavors while adding a touch of minty coolness. Duck Shawarma: My friend and I thought: ...Peking duck? The skin was soft, the meat tender, not gamey, with a subtle smoky flavor; the fig and lemon sauce was sweet and refreshing; the small pita pillows held the meat securely, better than the lettuce what might have been too cold. Lamb Stuffed Grape Leaves: Black rice was wrapped in grape leaves and simmered with minced lamb. The rice absorbed the fragrance of the grape leaves, similar to lotus leaves (my friend and I thought: lamb version of sticky rice chicken糯米雞...?). The lamb, however, was served separately at the bottom of the pot and didn't absorb much flavor; overall, it was intensely sour. In short, this dish was a bit oddly designed, and it was the only one we didn't finish because the sourness was unbearable. Pita Bread: The bread was thin yet chewy, with a rough, slightly powdery surface, making it substantial and satisfying. I especially loved the "everything wrapped in a big pancake" style! This restaurant is located on the wharf near the Potomac River and boasts beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. The spring sunlight streamed in softly. read more

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Located at the warf, with a beautiful patio overlooking the water, ilili offers delicious food, fresh and light, however the service was late, inattentive and lacked pacing, it took a while for us to be greeted by a server and they were not busy. We ordered the baba ghanoush to start, it was served with freshly baked pita pillows it was pretty spot on, the lamb shawarma was also tasty The atmosphere was great, with plenty of sunlight all around and it was not that loud! All in all a good experience and well worth the price. read more

I took a good friend last night for an early father's day dinner. Due to the crowds at the Wharf parking took longer than normal. They were very accommodating for that. Upon arriving at the restaurant there was no waiting we were taken to our table. The waiter was very helpful and attentive regarding the menu and specials not on the menu. We ordered a mixture of hot and cold mezza plates to share at the table. I initially ordered a mocktail that was good then we ordered wine. My friend ordered a glass of the red table wine however in my case my palate was off last night because every wine before settling on the chardonnay was clashing with the food. For the meal we ordered the mixed meat plate with suppose to be roasted veggies. The veggies were odd they seemed pickled and not roasted. The meat with the warm bread and dirty rice were good. We didnt order any dessert. I gave 4 because of the veggies and wine selections. read more

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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 read more

ilili DC - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Tried ilili DC recently and honestly loved the vibe as much as the food. The space feels upscale without being stuffy, and the energy at The Wharf makes it a great dinner spot for a date night or group outing. The mezze was fresh and flavorful, especially the labneh and hummus, and the patatas bravas absolutely lived up to the hype. Service was attentive even though the restaurant was packed. It's definitely on the pricier side, but the atmosphere and quality made it worth it for a special night out. read more

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!! read more

ilili DC - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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! read more

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My friend and I dined at ilili as first timers last night and had a great time. Apologies for my server name escapes me but she was phenomenal. We would return just to service us. She was kind and provided great recommendations. We loved it. Food was delicious and the decor is definitely social media worth. Now all they need is to introduce happy hour and it would be perfect. read more

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. read more

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What a beautiful restaurant! immediately upon walking in, I was floored by the decor inside the restaurant, you truly feel like you're transforming into a different space. Everything I ordered here, was both picturesque and delicious! The octopus is incredible, the hummus with lamb is so flavorful, and the hummus feels fresh, and the meatballs are decent in size while not being dry. Every time I come here, the service is phenomenal, the staff really do uphold the quality of the restaurant. Would definitely recommend! read more

Food was awesome. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I'll definitely be back. The ambiance is amazing. I wasn't able to select that read more

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 read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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The food was pretty mid overall, especially considering how outrageous the prices are. The falafel was probably the highlight and was actually good. The hummus tasted sour, and the octopus was served over a tomato paste that was extremely sour and tangy, which completely overpowered the dish for me. Service was so so, but the vibes and atmosphere were definitely good. Overall, I just don't think the food or experience matches the price point. read more

ilili DC - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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What a wonderful experience! We had never had Lebanese food and it was great. It's a small plate type of restaurant so they recommend at least two items on the menu for a party of two. Started off with their hummus (added their lamb confit). It was tasty and we highly recommend. It comes with their signature bread that's light and fluffy. Had their Mekanek which are lamb sausages. Probably our favorite item of the night. They were soft and so flavorful. Dip the bread in the sauce for added deliciousness! Beef fried Kibbeh was up next. Such an earthy flavor that was unexpected but great. The sauce it came with was the best. The Smoked Pumpkin was the third item we had. Might not be our favorite of the three but still very good. It was such a unique flavor and we had never had pumpkin charred like that. It was so soft! Finished it off with baklava. It was the perfect sweet ending to the night. The service was fast and very attentive. The interior was absolutely lovely. So beautiful and cute. This can be a date place, a brunch place, a bring your family place, etc. Highly recommend a reservation here as it got busy when we went and we were thankful we had a reservation (5:30pm on a Saturday). We walked but there is a parking structure for the wharf nearby. read more

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Our family was visiting DC and picked this amazing restaurant for our last evening there. Every dish from the mezze to dessert was so flavorful. The service was impeccable as well. We also loved the ambience and can't beat the location at the Wharf. My two teenagers said it was their favorite restaurant of all time--and that says a lot coming from these two critics of everything! I see there is one in NYC too closer to where we live so we must try that location too! read more

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 read more

ilili DC - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I'm going to be harsh on my rating even tho the food was good, and clean and bright. Expensive to boot! But what got me was I always take the Tax of the bill and always give 20% tip, I do not tip on the taxes, and I think 20% is fair the male worker watched me like a hawk. He expected a minimum of 25%. Tip should never be expected it's a gratuitous gesture, after seeing my 20%, he literally snooted me, not one word and gave me an angry look, that's a story I will tell. That's horrible to the customer. No thank you , no come again soon. Nothing. Now I wish I left a 15% tip minimum. read more

ilili DC - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Our new go-to spot before a concert at The Anthem. I will start by saying you will likely need a reservation if you come on a busy day/time, like a weekend. But around 6:00 on a Wednesday night before a show, the place was nearly empty. The atmosphere and ambiance are top notch, very classy, with a fountain and large windows showing off the River. Prices are high, but quality is mostly excellent. We have not loved any of the entrees we have tried, but the starters are flat out spectacular. The crab falafel hummus is the best hummus I have ever had, and I am a true hummus fanatic. They give you very good warm pitas and will fill up your basket for no extra charge if needed. The hummus is worth the trip alone, to be honest. Other standouts include the grape leaves and moussaka. The best part of the experience, though, is the cocktails. These are as good as any cocktails you'll find at a dedicated cocktail bar in the city, and the menu changes with the seasons. We have visited 3 or 4 times now, and tried different drinks each time, and they have all been 10/10. They have an old fashioned variation using brown-butter bourbon which is mind blowing, very smooth, lightly cinnamony, and deceptively boozy. The negroni variation currently on the menu, which comes with cynar instead of campari and a home-made cherry cordial, is also excellent if you like bitter drinks like I do. Even if you don't want to eat, this is easily the best option for a pre-concert drink. read more