This is an upscale, fine dining establishment, which isn't necessarily my thing, but I have to say, it was a phenomenal experience. The food was absolutely divine. Everything was perfectly prepared. We had the lunch prix fixe menu, so we got four appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts. Everything we tried I'd wholeheartedly recommend. The service wasn't quite as attentive as I'd expect, but they were quite busy despite it being nearly 3pm, so I expect they were understaffed for the amount of patrons present. Nothing inexcusable by any means. If I'm in the area I know where I'm eating. read more

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I went with my parents for my mother's birthday brunch, and it was all around a fantastic experience. Firstly, the interior is gorgeous as soon as you walk in, looking like an indoor garden. The food was also all delicious, with our favorites being the baba ganoush, fatayer (a cheese pie), shakshuka, and the smoked lamb belly. The baba ganoush had the perfect level of smokiness, and the smoked lamb belly just melted in your mouth. Service was great, and the food came out at a good pace. Would definitely come back for another special occasion. read more

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I had a horrible experience at ilili last night and I do not write this review lightly. My friend made a reservation at ilili for her BIRTHDAY dinner. It was a reservation for just the two of us. When the hostess first attempted to seat us it was at a weirdly placed table. My friend inquired if we could be sat somewhere else. Keep in mind, this reservation was earlier in the evening and there were plenty of 2 person tables available. The hostess informed us that the tables in the middle (6 seaters) were reserved for larger parties. Completely understandable, we weren't asking to sit at those... We asked about all of other the two person seating available around the restaurant and she told my friend the tables were being held for reservations to come later in the night. My friend asked if there were different tiers of reservations available and if certain tiers received preferred seating, to which the hostess confirmed there was only one type of reservation. We weren't walk-ins... we had a reservation AND an earlier reservation than the people these tables were being "held" for. Why would we, patrons that were already in the establishment, have to sit at a bad table to leave room for people that were not even here yet and may not even show up? She then tried to seat us at an even worse table, right beside the server station. At that point I spoke up and we finally got a slightly better table... hidden in the back on the side of the restaurant. Literally in the back corner right next to where the service door is. At first we tried to make the best of it but we were done after watching the hostess escort multiple TWO PERSON parties to the tables we inquired about earlier. After I watched one of those aforementioned parties gesture to request to move to a different table, only for the same hostess that gave US so much static to be affable right away and seat THEM where they requested we decided we would not be dining there. I spoke with the manager and he was apologetic and offered to seat us wherever we'd like but the damage was done. My friend didn't even touch the drink she ordered, she wanted to leave so badly. Again, this was for her birthday dinner. Horrible treatment, we left and went elsewhere at the Wharf. Do better, ilili. read more

Randomly went in here after leaving a nearby bar and the food was so good! I got the lamb sausage and brussel sprouts. The plates are small but it was just enough food to not feel uncomfortably full. Out service was kind and helpful and the ambience is really beautiful. I would definitely come back. read more

Looks just as good in person as it does in the pictures. The staff here is very friendly and move quick on their feet. The duck Shawarma with that sauce is SOO good. By far the best dish we got! Giving 4 stars because we asked for the meat to be cooked Medium but got it well done. As we all know the big difference that can make read more

Dined at ilili back in 2023 to celebrate my sister finishing a semester with honors. I was very excited to treat her to a nice dinner, so we decided on ilili. When we arrived we were blown away by how beautiful it was inside. The restaurant was bustling with people and the chandlers and lighting made it a really hip vibe. Our waiter was friendly, we enjoyed the mirrored tables. We ordered hummus, moussaka and the braised lamb shank. The portion of meat was large and shareable. The sauce that they poured on top was very tasty and the rice was also good. My sister and I both agreed that we've had more tender meat elsewhere. All in all we enjoyed our time, the ambiance was spectacular. We won't be running back to this restaurant but I wouldn't be opposed to giving it another shot, I enjoy Lebanese food. TY! read more

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Nice ambiance, great food and wait staff was great. You can do prefix or small plates to share. Delicious and would highly recommend. read more

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As Middle Eastern food fanatics, Ilili's broad menu of both Mediterranean standards and twists on the classics highly appealed to me and my wife. We also were wowed by its seemingly beautiful interior as seen on social media. A visit from my brother in law gave us all a great chance to check out the Instagram famous restaurant for a weeknight dinner. Let's be honest, the reason you are here is for the vibes. The ambiance is indeed immaculate. Hanging birdcages, mirrored tabletops, appealing dish presentations, and plant elements throughout the dining room make for a truly beautiful space. This is one of the few restaurants for which the beautiful pictures you see on the socials don't oversell the design. While the main draw is the scene, the food, fortunately, represents a great representation of Levantine cooking. We ordered six dishes total (two dips, three hot mezze, and one large format dish) which proved the ideal amount of food for three hungry diners. Each dish possessed merit and we did not encounter any clunkers. The first items to arrive at our table were the crab falafel hummus and the muhammara. I prefer my hummus slightly more fluffy, but I could not fault the silky texture or strong chickpea backbone. The "crab falafel" hummus should be renamed to "crab AND falafel" as the topping comprised a generous portion of crab meat and a few tiny falafel balls on the side. The crab had a buttery, sweet taste which worked well with the dip; the dry falafel felt like an afterthought. The muhammara possessed the appropriate smoothness with a good balance of roasted red pepper sweetness and tang. Our hot mezze arrived shortly thereafter. The battata harra's perky spicing and savory cilantro garlic sauce made for an addictive bite. The spuds stayed crispy throughout our long meal, which impressed. The cauliflower showed an appetizing golden hue and a pleasantly nutty, roasted flavor. The duck shawarma offered a small skillet of tender, rich meat served alongside a sweet-savory fig toum, a clever take on the classic duck and fruit pairing. The slightly flabby duck meat could have used some more fat rendering, but the dish worked well regardless. Finally, the lamb stuffed grape leaves tasted comforting with plenty of intensely spiced meat wrapped in tangy grape leaves. We didn't care for the minerally bits at the bottom of the crock, but the flavors otherwise hit the mark. Service generally ran smoothly. Our waiter explained the menu well enough and all of our food arrived promptly and accurately. Our bread basket remained constantly refreshed, which we appreciated, even though the fresh pita taste was so-so. I also appreciate that unlike many other DC restaurants Ilili doesn't impose any superfluous fees to the checks. All told, I was expecting style over substance at Ilili but was pleasantly surprised by the food quality. It's subsequently a solid option for a fancy albeit spendy Middle Eastern dinner out, and we would gladly return for more tasty and creative mezze. read more

Ilili used to be one of my favorite restaurants in DC, which makes this experience even more disappointing -- and unfortunately, it's the reason I won't be returning. I made a reservation two weeks in advance for a party of five to celebrate my dad's birthday. He traveled all the way from Pennsylvania and specifically wanted to go to Ilili because we've been here countless times and always loved it. When we sat down, we immediately noticed that the table only had Restaurant Week menus, which consisted of maybe 10 total items and were missing most of the dishes we love and normally order. We asked for the à la carte menu and were told it was not available at all during Restaurant Week. I've done Restaurant Week in many cities -- including DC -- and I have never encountered a restaurant that forces the Restaurant Week menu with no full menu option whatsoever. To make matters worse, there was absolutely no mention of this anywhere. Neither the website nor my reservation confirmation email stated that only a limited menu would be available. I even showed both to the manager. When we spoke with her, she told us there was nothing she could do. No accommodation, no alternative, no acknowledgment of how misleading this was -- especially for a planned birthday dinner. We ultimately left and went to another restaurant that, unsurprisingly, offered both their full menu and a Restaurant Week option. Between shrinking portions, rising prices, and now this completely inflexible and poorly communicated policy, Ilili has sadly been going downhill for a while. This experience sealed it for me. What was once a favorite is now a place I won't return to. read more

Had been on the list for a while, and Ilili did not disappoint! The restaurant itself is beautiful and in a great location. I don't think they have outdoor seating, so that may be the one thing missing (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). We went on a Monday evening right after work and it was pretty slow when we got there but picked up all evening. The service was attentive and speedy overall. As for the food, everything hit the mark. Fresh pita, crab falafel hummus was something new/delicious, grape leaves, tuna, beef, lamb. The plates were on the pricey side, and mostly small plates, so your best bet is to get a bunch of stuff and share and try a bit of everything. Drinks were great too! Highly recommend the espresso martini-style cocktail. Highly recommend to check this place out this summer. read more

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WOW! Finally a memorable dining experience out of all of these places that have popped up in the last 3-5 years. DC has done Mediterranean well with spots like Zaytinya.. Ambar.. heck even The Greek Spot, and Ilili is no disappointment! Service was slightly confusing because it seemed like i had 2 waiters until one just stopped checking on me.. dont know if they got their wires crossed or what but my waitress was great. My water glass never went empty thanks to the bussers. I started with the Tabbouleh and Chankleesh, which was deeelicious- i'd never had it before but it was a great starter and went really nicely with the duck shawarma. That duck shawarma... oh man. The duck was perfect and the accompaniments took it over the top. The prawns fell kinda flat in comparison but they were well-executed and a great size! My cocktails were delicious. 5 stars all around for Ilili! read more

We really need to return here when we are back in DC for another show or just because. The food here at ilili Restaurant is tops and there are so many items that looked intriguing that I wished we hadn't had lunch earlier and had to be rushing to get in line for the Death Cab show at the Anthem. Just from enjoying the duck shawarma, served with pita pillows, fig toum, pomegranate seeds, and micro chives, everything is freshly made, savory, and delightful, with a full blast of wonderful flavors that radiates Lebanese cuisine. Their cocktails are splendid, especially their mezcal-forward Spring to Summer cocktail with goseberry cordial, chartreuse, and lemon juice. The location in DC's Wharf area is beautifully designed. Depending on where you're seated, you can enjoy great views and people-watching. ilili is one to check out in DC. read more

LOVED this place. We came for restaurant week and the brunch was incredible. The restaurant is so beautiful, servers were so nice, and the food was delicious. Definitely would come back and highly recommend it!! read more

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Exceptional service thanks to Mo the manager and our amazing chef Satinder. Highly recommended the Caviar with Lebneh. Amazon combo!! The drinks and food are the most delicious. Service 5 stars and ambience is the best. Will be back soon. read more

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

This is such a great addition to the Wharf! I've been twice and have really enjoyed everything we've ordered each time. We started with some small plates, which came with airy and fresh pita that was refilled regularly: - Batata harra: This is not pictured (we ate it too fast, lol) but is a MUST ORDER. The potatoes are so perfectly seasoned and come with this incredible cilantro aioli. You can get more of the aioli for $2 (which is worth it!!). - Hummus: A basic done well- it's perfectly smooth and creamy. The additions are kind of pricey (like $5 for pine nuts) and not worth it IMO. - Muhammara: This is a walnut and red pepper dip that was really delicious- it has a little bit of sweetness and heat. - Chankleesh: This is like a feta and herb dip with tomatoes that's mixed tableside with olive oil- you can add more olive oil to your liking to make it creamier. We shared the mixed grill as our main, which was a nice amount of food for four people. It comes with two lamb chops plus chicken, beef, and kofta- everyone basically got one chunk of everything. There was also an option to add additional lamb chops for $14 per chop. Everything was cooked perfectly and had incredible flavor from the grill. The cocktail and wine list is also excellent- there was a great watermelon, lime, and basil G&T that was basically summer in a glass. We really liked the prosecco option, too. read more

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Wanted to try a new place at the Wharf. Loved the decor and ambiance of this restaurant. The service was amazing out server along with the rest of the staff were very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. The food was fresh and delicious definitely a place I will return to. read more

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My favorite restaurant in the Wharf area! Great food, courteous and attentive service, beautiful classy ambiance, and if you're lucky, large windows by the water to people watch. It's also a great date spot. So far, I've tried the following: - Almaza pilsner (Lebanon) - good light beer - House bread - soooo warm and fresh! I love the taste and texture - Baba Ghannouj - good soft and relatively simple dip - Chankleesh - really interesting and surprisingly good, seeing that I'm not the biggest fan of cheese in general. However, I really enjoyed this sharp, almost pungent yet flavorful cheese dish - Arnabeet Mekle - great cauliflower dish. Relatively large and filling compared to some other dishes here. - Duck Shawarma - although I still think Peking roasted duck is the best duck dish of all, I approve of this duck. The duck meat was juicy and flavorful, and the fig toum (Lebanese garlic sauce) was incredibly rich and creamy (almost buttery), lending an even richer flavor to the duck. Because of all this richness, I thought the duck tasted better and more refreshing with lettuce instead of house bread. - Octopus - delicious, and one of the best/most popular dishes here. It's my favorite dish here so far. The meat was thick and soft, yet also had a nice crispy crunch to it somehow. The sauce was very flavorful and loaded with spices. - Mekanek (sautéed lamb sausage) - meat was good, but it was definitely sour from the lemon, which I wasn't prepared for... lol. - Samkeh harra (bass) - bass was served in a large portion and had nice flavors and moistness. It was balanced well with the accompanying smooth tahini sauce. - Knafe Bil Jibneh - I really enjoyed this sweet cheese tart. It was a very novel dessert for me and tasted both sweet and savory. The server also put on a delightful show to serve this to us! - Ilili candy bar - good but quite rich and sweet, just fair warning. The black sesame gelato was perfect, but the cake was a bit too sweet for me. It was intensely rich and made me very very full by the end of the dinner! I really enjoyed the cake texture though--it was crunchy at the bottom which complemented really well with the soft creamy top/middle. Next time, I'll try the Mixed Grill, which looks good and very popular here. read more

Food 10/10. We got the lunch pre fixe. The portions are huge and I had to bring some home. I ordered baba gannoush, fattoush salad, lamb burger and the milk pudding. My husband ordered, batata harra, beef and lamb meat balls, shish touk and baklava. Everything I tried was great. Drinks 3/10 plus overpriced. Ordered a gin drink. It was literally a fancier version of dilute dirty gin martini without gin. My husband ordered Negroni and that was not it either. Must try place. May be order wine instead though. read more

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First and foremost I need to talk about the ambience!! It was so beautiful inside I felt like I was transported to another place. We went on a Saturday night so it was buzzing with energy and the greenhouse type vibe I was getting sitting in the restaurant seems like it would make for a great date night with a view of the water. Now onto the food - I will say that as with many high end restaurants, the food was pricey and the portions were not that large (see attached photos). I do have to say that overall the food was good! I found myself gravitating towards the smaller plates versus ordering one larger plate so we filled ourselves up on cold and hot mezze menu items. I'm not sure I would go again but I did enjoy myself. The Brussel sprouts were my favorite item! read more

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Wow this place was amazing. We came here on a date night after seeing the restaurant we wanted to go to was closed, and wow we were amaxed with the tapas. We order the carrots, eggplant, beets, and potatoes and it was all so good! The flavors were incredibly complex for the ingredients used. We were both really pleasantly surprised. The staff were also very attentive to our needs especially when we asked about several menu items given our dietary restrictions and assured us what we were getting was delicious. Definitely on my list of places to bring .y friends who visit out of town! read more

Came here to grab a quick drink and to chat after a local event and was disappointed I haven't visited ilili sooner! We sat at the bar and were immediately taken care of by the waitress and bar staff. The craft cocktails were great! The Summer Bliss G&T ($19) was refreshing, and they also have an interesting selection of domestic and imported beers to choose from if you're willing to step out of your comfort zone. One of the best parts about dining at ilili is the interior design. The space is open and bright, inviting you to lounge around while enjoying great food and drinks. We were there towards the end of brunch and never felt rushed to leave even when they began turning the restaurant around for dinner. If you're visiting the Wharf, ilili is one of the better mid-price dining options worth checking out. read more

We stopped by ilili for brunch while exploring the wharf. It was pretty easy to get a table mid-day on a weekend - but super hard to find parking! So keep that in mind. They have an expensive lot and I don't think they validate. Anyway, I had been looking forward to dining here for a while. There are so many good middle eastern options in DC and this one keeps up with the rest. We got the shakshuka and fattoush salad (classics) and they were really good. The pita and side of potatoes were also delicious and well flavored. Service was good too. The ambiance is fun, very much like a date spot and would be a good place to impress others for dinner. Speaking of which, we will be back for that meal too! read more

Love this place for date night or meals with groups. We stopped in before a show at The Anthem. Although we had a reservations, we had to wait ~25 minutes to be seated. We ordered Levantine lemonades, delicious herbaceous bottled lemonades. Roasted Cauliflower served with a creamy sauce reminiscent of a very mild blue cheese to me. We also got the mixed grill. While all the meats were well seasoned, the chicken and steak were stand outs for flavor--but the steak and lamb were cooked beyond our requested temp. Carrots were amazing-- slightly sweet with warm spices and they maintained a good crunch. This was the perfect amount of food for two people, but I wish we would have had time to enjoy dessert as well. read more

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really nice looking restaurant, great for a night out, sort of jungle vibe inside with plants and lots of light. food overall is ok, labneh and baba were the favorite dips, pita is fluffy and warm. also loved the salad, the mains and desserts were ok, great meal to split with a group read more

We went here to celebrate a career milestone. We arrived early and got a drink at the bar. The service alcohol drinks and hot tea. There were some patrons that ordered tea with biscuits. Such a cute idea! The menu had a limited selection so definitely review before booking a reservation. Most dishes do not come with a side such as rice. It is extra. We inquired and just ordered the rice with cashews on the side. It was one of the best parts of the meal. The bread was also delicious. We asked to get our left over bread to go and we were given fresh bread instead. Such a simple kind gesture. The service was quick. We were served promptly. Not sure if we will go back for dinner since the menu was a little limited for us but we'd like to try the seasonal menu (NYE or Christmas ). read more

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The food here is excellent. We had the humus, baba ganoush and lamb shank, which was especially excellent. The ambiance is great too. Very fun and lively. But the service leaves A LOT to be desired. It is rushed. I felt like a cow - each time I stopped eating, the wait staff was on top of me to see if I was done - there was still plenty of food left on the communal plate! The staff needs to slow down and let the clientele enjoy the food. I finally gave up, paid and just left. I had also told the restaurant that we were here to celebrate a family member's birthday. We got nothing for that. No "congrats", no desert, nothing. Hence my 3 star. The service/client services is abysmal. read more

My experience at ilili was above and beyond. Not only was the food UNREAL (I'll dream of those scallops forever) with both freshness and amazing, unique, and carefully crafted flavors. But also my visiting family brought a toddler, which we weren't sure was smart based on how beautiful and nice the restaurant is (ambiance is amazing), but the staff went above and beyond to accommodate her and find things she may like. She's a picky eater and she actually ate more than I've ever seen her eat and couldn't stop yapping about how much fun she had afterwards. Our waitress also knew the menu deeply and was personally delightful. I loved the hummus, carrots, rice dish, and especially the scallops. 10/10 experience, highly recommend. read more

It feels like every other restaurant popping up in DC lately is Mediterranean "fusion". Even though this one is a bit on the pricier side, I figured I'd see if it could stand out among the others. The move here is to order multiple mezzes and share to try as much as you can. The batata harra (crispy, spicy, herby potatoes) were especially good. The ambiance is a real plus too; the whole place has a warm, inviting vibe that feels perfect for a cozy dinner date. No complaints- I'd come again! read more

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

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Came here for a quick bite and drinks before a show at the The Anthem. We did not have a reservation but there were plenty of high tops and bar sitting when we arrived at about 5:30 PM on a Friday. Definitely recommend getting a reservation ahead of time, by the time we left there was no seating available. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous, the decor is beautiful and ambience was on point. We started with drinks, I had a glass of cab, for the price I was expecting better. My friends had cocktails, one had the Negroni and couldn't enjoy it due to being so strong, the other had the spices of atlas and it grew on her as she continued drinking it. The food was the highlight of our night. We had the hummus which is arguably the best hummus I've had, the pita was fresh and warm and accompanied it perfectly. They even had dairy free pita for my friend with a lactose intolerance. We also got the grape leaves, they're smaller than normal and there was a lot of leaf and very little filling. The octopus was delicious, it was perfectly cooked and the chips in top complimented it really well. The last dish was the blue fin tuna naye which was my favorite. The portions were really small but wow was it delicious, perfectly tasty, fresh and the jalapeños gave it just the right amount of heat. Overall a good experience. The drinks were ok, the food was great and the service was attentive and efficient. read more

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Very good Lebanese food with impeccable service. The bread was warm and airy and the server made sure we never ran out. He described each dish to us and how to enjoy it. Not to mention the food was delicious. Highly recommend ilili. read more

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

Came here for a birthday dinner with fam. The interior design is beautiful and made the experience better. Our server was also wonderful. He was very knowledgeable about the food and walked us through the menu. We ordered a bunch of dishes and basically shared everything. I thought every dish was well seasoned and presentation was beautiful. Drinks were good too. My husband said he would definitely come back again too. read more

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An absolutely gorgeous Lebanese restaurant from the interior to the food! Shout out to our waiter, Tyler, for being a gem. We started with cold mezzes: baba ghanoush, Labne, and Chankleesh. Pitta bread came out with these. I loved the baba ghanoush and the addition of the pomegranates was unexpected but a joy. A great way to add texture to the creaminess of it. It was classically made, smokiness and all! The Labne was a delight as well. I didn't eat it much because I was distracted by the Chankleesh. Our waiter, Tyler, mixed it right in front of us which was amazing to see. Then, when I tried it, omg. I put it right in the pocket of my pitta and I almost shed a tear. My eyes were watering because it was that good. And yes. It was that dramatic! I don't really drink much but couldn't help to order the Taybeh beer which is from Palestine. I was shocked to see it on the menu but in a good way. I guess I missed the memo that they have beer! lol. anyways, it was a wheat beer so very similar to your Blue Moons and Shock Tops. But lighter and not so heavy. The potatoes (Batata harra) was roasted to perfection. The perfect crisp came with in every single one! I ate these alongside my kebab Kerez dish. These kebabs were a mix of lamb and beef. It was smothered in a sweet yet tangy sauce. It was delicious. I loved dipping it into the mint/cilantro green sauce that came with it. The falafel was also good! Filled up really nicely and a great size. The white sauce it came with was so goooood. For desserts, my friend and I shared the pistachio and cashew baklava and the ice cream. The baklava was drier than most baklavas I've had in the past. It didn't make it less tasty but it definitely had me craving a tea or coffee! The ice creams that night were black sesame, dulce de leche, and vanilla. That black sesame was my favorite flavor!!! Honestly a 10/10 experience. I loved all that I ate and I loved the vibes of the place. It is the ultimate destination for a date or girls night. I'm returning for sure!!!! P.S. please make a reservation before going! It gets really busy... especially on the weekends. read more

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The food was good, nothing too special. Average for a Lebanese restaurant. Not expensive for a restaurant at the wharf. Our bill was about $70 before tip, we ordered two dishes, one appetizer & drinks. Would I go there again? Probably not but if you want to try something new I would say go!! read more

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

Delicious Lebanese dishes served in a classy waterfront restaurant at the DC Wharf. Staff was professional & attentive. It's pricey, but perfect for date night or that special occasion. read more

So so amazing!!!!!!!! First off, our waiter was so kind and helpful. She went above and beyond to give us recommendations and we chatted with her for a while. She had such positive energy about her and clearly enjoys what she does. Second, the interior of the restaurant was absolutely stunning. There was greenery, gorgeous hanging light fixtures, a fountain, and the bar was beautiful. Lastly, the food. We ordered kibis, falafel, the octopus, and the grilled meat shared plate. Everything was DELICIOUS but the octopus in particular was so flavorful and the spicy crispy potatoes on top matched perfectly. The grilled meat was juicy and tasty and the lamb chops were some of the best I've had in DC. read more

The host and wait staff were extremely attentive to our challenging party. Our daughter was having sensory issues near the fountain, and the staff easily moved us. The restaurant was also careful to honor our dietary concerns. The food was excellent. The atmosphere was lovely. Expensive, but worth it! read more

I had dinner at ilili a few weeks ago after having it on my list for a long time. Overall, it was a mixed experience for me. We shared a few dishes and some wine/drinks. The hummus with crab falafel was good, but am I stupid? I guess I was expecting crab "falafel" (crab balls with lots of herbs?) but instead it's hummus with crab and falafel. We also got the ambered carrots with sumac vinaigrette, pistachio dukkah, and sea salt, which I really enjoyed (my husband not as much). Next, the duck shawarma (pita pillows, fig toum, pomegranate seeds, micro chives, and the duck shawarma), which my husband loved but I liked less. we both agreed that the lamb stuffed grape leaves were to die for, however, and that's probably what pushes this review into the four star category. For dessert, we shared the mouhalabiyeh, which was okay but I wouldn't order it again (and I'm a sucker for pudding/panna cotta desserts). The wine and drinks were good, no complaints. The service was good and the restaurant is obviously a showstopper (maybe a little too cool/decorated/much for me, but still beautiful), but it's the lamb stuffed grape leaves that is making this review four stars. Maybe it's just because my expectations were so high, but ilili was a little bit of a letdown. I enjoyed some dishes, but overall I can't say that the food really wowed me. I'd give it another shot, but it doesn't rank among my favorite spots I've tried in DC. read more

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This is easily one of my favorite spots and I've only been once. The food here is amazing, the service was on point, and presentation / ambiance was perfect. The pita pillows are from heaven, kept that thing refilled during the meal and just stuffed them with everything we got. read more

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This is a fun place for a small group or a date night. While it packs in a ton of people, the high ceilings keep the noise to a level where conversations are possible without shouting. The staff was very professional and kind and the decor was fun with the bird cage suspended lighting. Overall, the food was good with one exception (the duck shawarma). The moussaka was a little chunky with its "old world spices" that seemed like a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg (we weren't fans, sorry). This went unfinished. The beef fried kibbeh was interesting but oddly plain without the sauce that came with it...which led it to taste more of the sauce than the meat. I'd give it 3 stars. The kebab kerez was something that I was really looking forward to but in the end it just tasted like merguez in a cherry sauce. This went unfinished. The Brussels sprouts were quite good and I'd probably order them again, but I love them in almost any form so I may not be a good judge of that. Now...the duck shawarma...HOLY MOLY! This dish was one of the most delicious things I've eaten in a long time. Every component of it was perfection - especially the fig garlic sauce. The mini pitas and the lettuce wraps made the dish an adventure that I will be coming back for...it may be the only thing I order...is three or four times in a single sitting too much? If you fail to order the duck shawarma then you are making a gargantuan mistake. The pitas that accompanied the meal were tasty too and I used them to polish off the fig garlic sauce too. I'd probably come back here to see if there are other eye-popping dishes like the duck. The prices were also reasonable for the location and style. read more

ilili DC - Fresh from the oven pitas. - Lebanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Wonderful restaurant for groups! We came here with family and the service was fantastic, every dish we ordered was delicious and better than I imagined. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous and well designed. Lighting was delicate and the servers throughout the restaurant had great energy. The meat was so tender and the brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly, not too salty. We got a birthday dessert that was so dense in flavor. I look forward to going back again if I am in the area. The surrounding of the restaurant is very walkable! read more

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