Karravaan Overall Rating: (5/5 Stars) Compliments to the chef! I am truly in awe of the flavors at this Silk Road inspired restaurant. From the specials to the classics, this is a must-try. And with an everyday happy hour, you really cannot go wrong. Food: Bread: * Naan Barbari+Herb Butter (complimentary): I love a delicious "free" bread and butter moment. Warm, fluffy, and perfect for sauces. Chef's Special: * Fire-roasted 0ysters $19: Stuffed with crab at just the right cook. I ate every single one without hesitation. StartingOut: * Pan-roasted Prawn $22: Black Truffle+Saffron+Curry= Magic! Fresh, flavorful, and still surprisingly light. Destinations: * Forbidden Duck $38: I am extremely grateful I started eating duck as an adult because this dish was perfection. I even asked for extra harissa honey glaze to fully sauce it up. I would come back for this alone. Service: I sat at the bar right at opening, so ignoring me was not an option. That said, service was top-notch. Plates were perfectly timed, the team was attentive, and I never needed to ask for a thing. IG: @_edaj_ TikTok: @_edaj_jade_ Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. Please try these restaurants and form your own judgments--it's what I would do. read more

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I recently went to Karravaan for a weekend brunch with my wife and two friends. Karravaan's concept of cuisines from along the Silk Road is excellent but could be better executed. The ambiance was fine but it felt like a standard nice restaurant-there is more that Karravaan could have done to lean into the unique theme (e.g., decorations). While brunch is generally an American thing, Karravaan tried to put too many American/modern brunch twists on their menu, ranging from lobster and steak (not found/prepared in the region) to bacon (not often eaten in the region at best and weird when giving tribute to a largely Muslim area of the world at worst). Our service was spotty; our server was unfamiliar with an iced latte, and there was a confusion about my wife's khachapuri (she ordered without bacon and it came with bacon). Karravaan does add an automatic 20% gratuity for all parties regardless of size; note that it is in the small print at the bottom of the menu. For brunch, Karravaan does two appetizers and a main for $40, with reasonable portion sizes for the brunch and fairly priced for a DC weekend brunch. I got a cappuccino to start, which was delicious. I got the smoky eggplant dip and the malai kofta for my appetizers, which were a mixed bag. The smoky eggplant dip and the accompanying naan were outstanding-the eggplant was perfectly cooked and seasoned, the pomegranate seeds added a nice touch of sweetness, the labneh was creamy, the caramelized onion added good texture and flavor, and the naan was hearty and buttery. The malai kofta were dry, rubbery, and flavorless without the labneh and garlic. I got the Lobster Mufurrakat Battata, which I got at the server's recommendation and was a big disappointment. This dish was mostly potatoes with too much saffron cream and virtually no lobster (the few chunks I got were very good). The saffron cream overwhelmed the eggs, berbere, and black truffle; per the comment above, this dish did not feel true to the restaurant's intended Silk Road theme. I also tried my wife's khachapuri, and while it was largely outstanding, the bottom was burned black and inedible. Karravaan's brunch has great potential; with a few different dishes on the menu and improving the quality of a few others, it could be unique and amazing. read more

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Dined here for brunch on a Sunday, encouraged by Karravaan's elevated pan-Asian menu. Brunch started off good, a highlight being a glass of complimentary champagne upon arrival. Brunch includes two small plates per person and one large entree for $20. I loved all of the small plates. My favorite were the shaved papaya and carrot salad with shrimp, the breakfast kachapuri, and the eggplant dip. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich for my main which was just OK. I think this dish would better be presented not as a sandwich, but as fried chicken with a side of bread. My friend ordered the steak and eggs which was cold by the time it arrived which was unfortunate as there was a good 20-30 minute delay btwn the appetizer course and the entree course. My main issues arose at the end of brunch. We had to flag down our server to bring the check. Once the check arrived at the table, I immediately noticed a "large group" tax on the receipt that had not been mentioned. Because there were only three of us dining, I asked a staff member about this, hoping that it was a billing error, and he told informed me that all bills have a 20% charge. I do not recall seeing the mandatory 20% tip listed anywhere on the menu and if it was on the menu, it was not highlighted properly. My friend had to then go hand the check to the waiter because he didn't come back to collect the bill. When we got one cards back, I noticed that the total per person had increase significantly. Upon close inspection, the staff had charged someone else's tab to our cards. We then had to flag down another staff member to have him void those translations and re-run the correct tab. Reverse transactions take at least 24 hours to process so that was very annoying bc that means that each of us would have transaction holds on our accounts due to staff error. The restaurant wasn't even close to being packed, so I'm confused about how that happened. Anyway, we weren't even given a complimentary dessert or discount on total for the very inconvenient mishap. And now I get to monitor my bank account to ensure the transaction was correctly reversed. How fun. Not sure that I will return. read more

My husband and I had dinner at Karravaan this past Sunday and had a very good time. Karravaan is new-ish (it opened in June 2025), and it celebrates the cultural influences along the Silk Road (a 4,000-mile network of Eurasian trade routes active from 130 BCE to 1450-ish CE, it connected China with the Mediterranean). This concept allows chef/owner Sanjay Mandhaiya (also of Pappe) to explore and highlight cuisines you don't often see on a menu together and to get creative! The menu is broken up into small plates, entrees, and large "journeys" to be shared with at least 2 people. Each dish has a little Italic description of the cuisines/cultures being highlighted or that inspired that dish. We stuck to small plates on this occasion and shared: Cauliflower Manchurian ("Indo-Chinese pairing": soy, ginger, garlic, tamari, tomato paste, sugar, vinegar, scallions); Pork and Lemongrass Dumplings ("Rustic Staple of Tibet and Nepal": lemongrass broth, 3 hour chili oil, scallion); Cured Hamachi Crudo ("Classic Japanese with a citrus twist": kiwi mousse, tamari caviar, radish, jalapeño); Grilled Octopus ("Greek-Style with North African Flavors": gobe, charred leek, pickled tomato, green chermoula, fried chickpea); Nihari ("Middle Eastern favorite with Indian spice": braised lamb, classic Indian curry spice mix, lime, jalapeño); and Lebanese Fish Kofte ("Traditional Lebanese Specialty": crispy fish croquette, sumac, labneh, olive oil). Did I love every dish? No. The cured hamachi crudo didn't work for us (the idea of a kiwi mousse didn't work for us - the texture was odd, and the fish got lost entirely in that much kiwi), and I wasn't sold on the grilled octopus (the cook on the octopus was perfect, but there was a flavor I wasn't sure about - it might have just been that the charred leek was too much for me - like eating something off a grill that hasn't been cleaned and you're getting the the burnt bits). The other dishes were good - delicious and often fun. The gobi manchurian was classic, but the other dishes surprised us. The broth with the dumplings?! The fish kofte tasted of fish but didn't have the texture of other fish dumplings I've had! And the Nihari was flavorful and served with the most gorgeous bread for dipping into lamb and sauce. The also have a great drink program: cocktails, wines by the glass, NA drinks/mocktails, beers (including beers from India, Spain, and Lebanon). They offered us a glass of sparkling wine when we checked in for our reservation (a lovely touch), and I enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, while my husband tried and enjoyed a few cocktails. The na'na with the mint espuma? Wow. That cocktail surprised and delighted me, as did much of the food at Karravaan. And then on top of all of that, the service was outstanding: friendly, helpful, fast. Top-notch. And the restaurant is beautiful and played great music. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and would happily return. Hopefully next time with friends so we can enjoy more of the Silk Road! read more

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I think I'm at a loss for words on the let down of this restaurant...Silk Road journey screams flavor, depth, variety. While there was variety in the menu items, not one stood out. Khachapuri: 3.5/5. Good. Regular. Did not get a hint of chili oil Lebanese Fish Kofta: 4/5 tasty, and good portion. Supposed to be on a bed of labneh, but there was hardly a smear on the plate. When I requested extra, the waiter was happy to bring extra. Good combination. Tamarind bbq lamb chops: 2/5 I was pleasantly surprised at the size and meatiness of the lamb chops. This could have been a hit if there was actual flavor and the chops were not so tough. I was shaking the whole table trying to cut it. The accompanying curry lentils had curry powder, nothing else. Not creamy, no depth. Forbidden Duck: 4/5 Duck was tender and well cooked. It was good. Nothing to write home about. Midori Cocktail: 5/5 now this was a hit!! Well crafted and flavorful. Cafe cocktail: 0/5 apparently they ran out ‍ and could not try. Beautiful restaurant. No parking, it's Union market. Closest garage is still a walk in heels when dressing for the occasion. read more

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I like that this restaurant is in the cut! Reclusiveness is my new vibe. This place matched my energy. I loved the decor. The host seated us at the bar immediately upon arrival. We came to tryout happy hour. The fries came out first. They were more potato wedges. I appreciate them being HOT wedges. I wish they had a little more truffle and sauce. Next was the cauliflower bites. They were prepared well, I enjoyed. Last was the lamb sliders and the chicken shawarma. The presence on fresh herbs in both dishes was very impressive. I loved the authenticity of both dishes. I would order again. read more

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Went for a happy hour! In full transparency, it was good for happy hour prices but most of these I would not pay full price for. Fries: standard but yummy! Lamb sliders: star of the show, this is a must get Chicken skewers: fairly bland and chewy The kiwi cocktail was too sweet for my liking, the name escapes me. The vibes were great but there's too many other options in the area to be rushing back. read more

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We had a really nice dinner at Karravaan in Noma. I think overall the food quality was really good. There were a lot of creative dishes on the menu representing a range of different cultural cuisines. I think the price point is really high, even by DC standards, and that is probably my biggest complaint. That being said, the food was delicious. We were happy with everything we tried. The service was attentive and friendly. When we first got there for our reservation, they tried to seat us right by the host stand where people were lining up, and we politely requested a different table. They were able to accommodate us with a better seat, and we appreciated that. read more

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A beautiful cozy interior, great service, and an almost perfect first dinner out of 2026. We had: - seared tuna crudo: beautiful on the eyes and the pallet. Perfect little bites almost too pretty to eat - khachapuri: perfection. Albeit a bit of a smaller portion than I'm used to. Just enough for two. - smoky eggplant dip: probably my favorite dish of the evening! - the duck: nether one of us enjoyed this tbh. I think cooked at medium was the right choice but my friend thought it was too rare, whereas I felt like it was too dry/flavorless. Honestly I would have preferred the branzino but the price was a little high for me. Though I'm not sure if it was meant for two? Next time! Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. The biggest issue was drinks were verry slow and we spent a lot of time w empty glasses. I do look forward to coming back and trying more of the small plate menu. read more

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Karravaan has a great happy hour deal. The chicken shawarma skewers were very tender and flavorful. Four skewers per order were great, the pita was also very warm and herby. I also loved the lavender spritz it was extremely refreshing on a hot day. I can't wait to come back and try their regular menu outside of happy hour. read more

Karravaan - Lamb sliders and Chicken Shawarma - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My wife had come here with friends back in the fall for happy hour and, as we were brainstorming ideas for our anniversary, Karravaan came right up. Ambiance: 5 stars. Quaint, spacious, warm and lovely. Feels very homely. Service: 5 stars. Everyone is super attentive and very wonderfully personable. They hire excellent staff. Food: 5 stars. We got the, between the two of us, lamb main, Biryani, tibetan momos and crispy cauliflower for our main meal. Everything was super flavorful and delicious! The momos were delighful and, for anyone who's spice sensitive they weren't all that spicy (Momos can be very spicy). The cauliflower appetizer was great, it was just a little suspsicious that it came out right after we ordered. A few other tables probably had ordered it around the same time though. The lamb main was amazing, even though I felt awkward trying get all the meat off due to Karravaan feeling classy. I think I just need more practice; I rarely order lamb . The couscous with it was amazing! The biryani main was also excellent. Because it was our anniversary (well the day proper is tuesday) we also got dessert and the mango chai cheesecake was awesome! The 5 spice beignets were too, but i just didnt get much of the flavoring of the warming 5 spice medley and the fry on them felt a bit heavy. Those are minor nitpicks (and my tastebuds have been weird since my second bout of covid in 2025 anyway) though! Highly recommend Karravaan!! read more

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Brunch at Karravaan is was such a great experience. Their Silk Road brunch spread is $40 per person and you can select 2 small plates and one large plate with a few large plate options being an extra $5. You can also do bottomless Moet for $35. The food was delicious and flavorful. Our server Sam was amazing, very attentive and helpful. It's a beautifully decorated restaurant and I'll definitely do back to try dinner. read more

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Brunch review Food: $40 per person gets you 2 apps and 1 main. Our group of 4 tried a number of items: pomegranate yogurt parfait (meh), Bircher muesli (ok), eggplant dip (meh), Bombay toast (good), seared tuna crudo (good), malai kofta (probably best bite of the apps). Split the loaded khachapuri (by far best bite on table) and tandoori chicken omelette (this is a house speciality and I thought it was meh, seemingly no cheese in it? Felt like an omelette w chopped chicken inside that fell out w every bite). Ordered the French-ish toast as dessert for our table, this was delicious, the date butter was awesome. Drinks: espresso martini was incredible, 10/10, mandarin sour tasty and unique; you can sample the wines before ordering which is really nice since they have some unique offerings Service: restaurant wasn't packed and service was still slow; almost 3 hours for our table of 4, including waiting for long stretches for drinks and the apps not coming out all at once. Ambiance: super cute, bathrooms are dark and moody, big curtains and big windows in the dining area. read more

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The potential to be really great is there. We recently visited for a friends birthday and our reservation was originally for 8 people (confirmed on the app) but I had called to add 2 to our table and the GM so nice and helpful to adjust our reservation and confirmed with me over the phone and with a follow up email that we would be 10 people. When we arrived our table only had 6 seats? Our server was very kind and knowledgeable about food but I believe was a little too green for a large party. He felt very flustered and a little disorganized. At times it was hard to get his attention but, given he had almost every table in that section of the restaurant...it's understandable. The wait between courses was extremely long. Our dinner started at 8 and we didn't leave until almost 3 1/2 hours later. The kitchen seemed very backed up and it was about 20-30 per course. I wouldn't suggest if you have somewhere to be after. The food was incredible, the quality was great and everything was cooked very very well. My only gripes would be that with a Silk Road inspired menu (that traditionally includes a lot of Muslim countries) there is a lot of pork on the menu...including items that don't list pork as an ingredient, which, as a very common dietary restrictions, is risky. Luckily we had mentioned our table doesn't eat pork and our waiter came back to let us know the octopus included pork in the beans. The chef/waiter were nice enough to adjust the dish to make it safe. My second issue is....lots of pomegranates where I don't think they are needed.... Overall...such great potential but needs some refinement on the front of house experience read more

This restaurant opened around June and isn't yet fully receiving the recognition it deserves. They've got a beautiful, modern interior with a large, high ceiling bar, plenty of tables, and an outdoor patio. The food and drinks are fantastic and if you stop in between 4-6pm, you can take advantage of great happy hour specials including tasty specialty craft cocktails and delicious food options. Both were great and I highly recommend the smoky eggplant dip which was well portioned and packed with flavor, the lamb sliders (2) which had a little kick to them, and the chicken shawarma that comes in a tasty dipping sauce. Service was fast and friendly and I'm looking forward to my next visit. read more

Karravaan - Smoky Eggplant Dip - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I can't say enough good things about Karravaan! They clearly care very deeply about making sure everyone has a great dining experience. First, they have found a way to create an ambiance that is equally cozy, classy, and chic. Service was exceptional from the moment I walked in, and our server was helpful, attentive, and nice. I got the happy hour punch, and it was very flavorful and tasty. We ordered the pita, which was delicious; the cauliflower, which was probably the best, most exciting cauliflower I've ever had; and the lamb sliders, which had a lot of flavor and were cooked well. My friends also liked the martini and fish from the happy hour menu. I'm looking forward to going back!! read more

Karravaan - Happy hour punch - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I live in Union Market and have been dying to check out Karravaan since it opened. With my sister in town, I decided it would be the perfect birthday finale for her, my mom, and me -- and it absolutely was. The restaurant looks bigger than it actually is, but with the patio seating, it feels open and inviting. The decor is beautiful -- warm tones, modern touches, and a stunning bar that immediately catches your eye. We lucked out with one of the best booths in the house, right next to the bar. For cocktails, my mom and sister ordered dirty martinis while I wanted something tequila-based (none of the listed drinks featured it). Luckily, the staff knew it was my birthday, and the mixologist crafted a custom cocktail just for me -- and it was perfection. Refreshing, balanced, and easily one of the highlights of the night. To start, we ordered the khachapuri, nihari, and pan-roasted prawns. I thought I'd love the nihari most, but the khachapuri stole the show -- cheesy, flavorful, and perfectly baked. The lamb came in as a close second. For our mains, we went family-style (as always) and shared Pappe's Famous Butter Chicken, the pan-seared branzino, and the cauliflower Manchurian (a starter we added to balance it all out). Every single dish was outstanding. The flavors took us on a culinary journey -- a thoughtful fusion of cultures and cuisines that felt intentional and elevated. To top it off, the service was exceptional. Our server Victor was attentive and friendly, the mixologist Brian was incredibly skilled and personable, and the manager (whose name I missed, but he was a kind Black gentleman) made sure we were taken care of from start to finish. Overall, Karravaan exceeded every expectation. Between the atmosphere, food, and hospitality, it's one of those spots that truly delivers a full experience. I'll definitely be back soon -- next time, probably for brunch or another round at that gorgeous bar. read more

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What a fun dining experience at Kaaravaan. Owned by the same creators of Pappe, Karravaan was a really fun and unique dining experience that had been in my list for some time!! Though this restaurant is particularly difficult to find (all the way to the end of the road past Blue Bottle Coffee and El Presidente, almost behind Saladworks from the street) the decor and vibe is really cool. Floor to ceiling windows, ornate ceilings/floors/dishware, and a stocked bar all add to the feel. The food is a rare mix of several cuisines, and meant to be shared. We wanted to try all new dishes, so we went with the tibetan momos (dumplings), leventine fish kofte, jamon-wrapped dates, cauliflower manchurian, caramelized shallot spread, and the butter chicken as a main. Needless to say we were FULL. The jamon-wrapped dates were incredible, a small deviation from the normal bacon-wrapping. The caramelized onion dip was smoky and surprisingly fresh, especially paired with the fresh bread service. The sticky cauliflower was also amazing and came in a heaping serving. The dumplings had a yummy filling, but were a bit dry on the outside. The fish kofte was good, but not a standout. The butter chicken was to die for and had a really unique sweet (honey) flavor that made it stand out from the typical Indian dish. My only gripe with the butter chicken was that it came as a full uncut chicken splayed which made it nearly impossible to cut into. We eventually asked our waiter to bring it back to the kitchen and cut it up. Overall, I would love to come back and try more of the menu. The service was extremely attentive and the menu was so unique there's much more I'd like to experience! read more

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Karravaan felt like a frat party dressed up as a restaurant. The space is gorgeous, and the location is a quiet break from the usual Union Market chaos. That's the strongest part of the experience. The food lands at a solid three out of five. Nothing terrible, nothing memorable. The cocktails were the real miss. Too many flavors competing in one glass, which made them confusing instead of creative. Service was the breaking point. I sat at the bar and waited while staff openly flirted with two women next to me instead of taking orders. When they finally got around to us, everything moved slowly. Drinks took forever. Food took even longer, which was strange since we were among the first guests that day. Overall, not a good time. I won't be back soon. I hope your experience is better than mine. read more

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I won't give them 2 stars because they are still relatively new. So I'll give them grace. I had heard good things about Karravaan, so I made a reservation for my friends and me to kick off my birthday weekend. The restaurant is in the busy Union Market area, and with its "Silk Road-inspired" concept, I was excited to try something new , DC has plenty of great spots to compare it to. My party arrived on time and were seated promptly, but that's where things started to go downhill. It took quite a while before anyone even acknowledged us -- we waited about 15+ minutes before asking who our server was, as several staff members walked by without greeting us. Eventually, our waiter (I believe his name was Zach) showed up and said he'd be back to take our order, but another 10+ minutes passed before he returned. He seemed nice and was friendly but the slow start left a poor first impression. I understand the section was busy, but lack of staffing shouldn't affect basic service. Once we did order, we made sure to get our drinks and appetizers in quickly. The cocktails and appetizers were actually quite good. (Eggplant dip, prawns, crispy Brussels sprouts, Caesar salad And chicken skewers) However, the table setup was frustrating...the small round tables don't leave much room for multiple dishes. It was tight with just three of us, so I can't imagine how it would've worked with the fourth guest who couldn't make it. Service throughout the meal felt disorganized. Staff brought out plates without checking if there was space, and while I suspect there were some communication issues(wait staff was just doing their jobs but they couldn't understand us), better training and timing would go a long way -- especially for a restaurant that encourages sharing "small plates." For entrées, we ordered the scallops, pork chops and the whole branzino. Unfortunately, the pork chops and branzino were overcooked. We've enjoyed branzino at many DC restaurants, and this one missed the mark. the texture was dry and not what we expected. Beautiful presentation tho. Maybe it was just an off night, but with so much competition in DC, consistency and service matter. I might give Karravan another try in the future, but for now, it didn't live up to the hype. read more

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We went as a group of three during happy hour and just couldn't decide on what to order.... So we ordered one of everything! It was the best - the perfect amount of food to share. Everything was so delicious. My favorite was the cauliflower manchurian and the Lebanese caeser! The eggplant dip was a close third but it was so smoky and a lot of spice, it was hard to taste anything else once it hit your taste buds. Don't get me wrong, I liked it but def try everything first and then finish with the dip and labneh which was also delicious! We sat at the bar and the bartender was so great. He walked us through the happy hour menu and recommended his favorites. The vibes were also great - I've walked past this spot on the daily and being it was my first time here, doing a HH tasting was the perfect entry. read more

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New spot, I've had my eye on. Knew I wanted lamb or duck. Came in for dinner service, sat at the bar. It was busy but it took some time for me to get water and a menu. Drinks at Indian restaurants are either too savory or too sweet. So I tried one, but didn't really care for it. I was two whisky's in from Bar Betsie so I didn't really need anything else. Food took no time to come once I ordered. I tried the duck, it was awesome. Cooked perfectly and the forbidden rice was a great addition. There was a sort of reduction that was awesome as well. The veggies were marinated and melted in your mouth. Overall, 8/10. Food great. Drinks- for a certain palette. Ambiance was chill and not too bad for a Thursday night. read more

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This is a great addition to the Noma/Union Market area! I was elated when I first heard that a central Asian restaurant would be opening near me. Indoors, this place looks great. It serves a modern yet cultural flare, and the vibes perfectly paired with the assortment of foods on the menu. My sister and I went during HH, so we got a bunch of food items off that menu plus the Khachapuri. All the foods tasted delicious! That being said, my sister ordered a drink and she did not enjoy it (i forgot the name of the drink, but it had gin?) The service here was pretty understanding to my sister and I showing up without a large crowd. The servers came pretty frequently, but not to the point that they were annoying. I would totally recommend folks to come and try Karravaan next time they're in the area. read more

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I live in the neighborhood and when this place was first announced, I was excited. Seeing the progression from build to open grew the anticipation. Unfortunately, the hype did not live up to reality. First off, the interior is absolutely beautiful. Wrap around windows allows a lot of natural light. We made reservations and you do have to wait until your whole party is there before you can be seated. Their menu is pretty limited but here's everything we got: Appetizers Smoky Eggplant Dip 10/10 - genuinely the only thing I liked on the whole menu. Absolutely delicious flavors and goes well with the fresh bread that they provide Tibetan Momos 6/10 - it was okay Shrimp skewers 7/10 - also food but not super memorable Main Butter Chicken 4/10 - I'll preface that I'm not a butter chicken fan in general but for the price, I was expecting more. The chicken was pretty good but some parts were charred a little too hard. Now, the pros. Our waiter was very nice and attentive and they have delicious bread which goes well with the eggplant dip. Overall, I had high hopes for this place but left disappointed. I was full but not satisfied. I'll caveat by saying that I had a friend that loved this place and highly recommend it. read more

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With restaurants, there's a trifecta of ambiance, service, and food and Karavaan nailed it on the head in each aspect during my visit there. I had read previous reviews of this place and saw suggestions from other customers. When I came, they had updated their menu with the feedback received from their customers and I just really have to acknowledge and respect that. There is a level of intentionality there- in the foods, the flavors, the experience that it does take you through the Silk Road. They do happy hour everyday (including weekends) from 4-6 and it's half off plates so go there and try a spread. Was with a vegetarian and food-wise my highlights were smoky eggplant dip which was well spiced and had a slight kick to it, the brusselsprouts which was a new menu item and was crispy. My favorite item though that I'd get every single time was the mushroom biryani. It was rich, the umami was prevalent, it was earthy and all these flavors were really well balanced. And don't get me started on the fresh bread. The servers and hosts all went out of there to make a birthday celebration memorable. From the get go everyone was super friendly and genuine. read more

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Great location and ambience. High ceilings, classic Christmas music, and superb service from our server Victor. We had the cauliflower and btussels sprouts as appetizers. Cauliflower was the highlight for entire meal for me. For entrees, I had the wild mushroom biryani and my companion had the forbidden duck. Everything was shareable in keeping with the restaurant's theme. If there was one gripe, the rice for the biryani could be considered too salty by some. But that's a matter of taste. Great experience all the way around. Not a cheap night out but didn't break the bank either. read more

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We really wanted to love this place! After reading all the great press Karravaan has received, my wife and I decided to celebrate our birthdays here. We spent the day drooling over the pics before our 8:30pm reservation. The restaurant is beautifully appointed. We were greeted warmly and escorted to a sexy table in a nook. Brian (who was wonderful) welcomed us again and made a few cocktail recommendations. That's when things took a turn. Our server, while beautiful to look at, was clearly not interested in....us? being a server? We asked a question, but before we were able to ask another, he was gone. And that's how the rest of the evening went. His descriptions were the bare minimum (e.g., "tell us about the Butter Chicken." "It's chicken, in a butter tomato sauce." "Do you LIKE it?? Is it good??"). And again, he was gone. Apparently, the sexy table also came equipped with an invisibility cloak, bc no matter how often or loudly we said "Excuse me!" he sped by to attend to other guests. We had to ask for additional bread THREE TIMES. When we called him over the third time, he literally replied, "Yeah?" What???? At that point, we'd had enough. We went to the host stand and asked that a manager be sent to our table. The GM, Sarge, came at once. And once we told him what we'd experienced and how disappointed we were, he quickly stepped up to rectify matters. He replaced our server with Sophie, who was wonderful. And they comped a round of drinks, which we appreciated. But the truth is, by that time, our experience had been tainted. And seeing our original server chatting up other guests was just salt in a wound. As for the food,, it was good. But not especially memorable. The eggplant dip and goat dip were spicy and flavorful. But the eggplant dip lacked nuance and the goat dip needed more meat and less juice. The prawns were huge but a touch overdone, making them slightly chewy. And the sauce was just a single note--curry and cream. The butter chicken was good, but not unlike what you would find at any Indian fast casual spot. In sum, from the food, we wanted more nuance and complexity. And from the service, we expected more attention. Sarge, Brian, and Sophie are gems. But not enough to get us to return. read more

Beautiful interior here along with attentive service. We came late for our reservation here but there was no problem taking care of us, and it was most appreciated. Tasty food and inventive all across the menu, with points for excellent presentation! Most of the menu items were 'good' to 'very good' but didn't blow us away; however the mushroom biryani was an absolute delight. The tagine was tasty but had more of a south Asian taste than North African, rather than somewhere in the middle. It was basically curried vegetables served on a tagine, lacking those dried fruit notes that often belong in a tagine dish. However, wine here is exceptionally expensive. I understand $17-22 a glass for good quality wines, but the majority of wines on the menu were simply not worth the cost. Our bill for 4 was almost $400, and I'd say it was just on the cusp of being worth it. Would certainly come back, but at these price points we'll do our drinking elsewhere. read more

Came here for restaurant week with some friends this weekend; felt like that was the perfect way to try one the of the newest restaurants in DC. The food was wonderful, and the place was busy for a Friday night! We opted for the $55 restaurant week menu, and the range of flavors felt like a journey through the Silk Road. Accompanied with the wine, the food was a hit. As great as this place is, there's definitely some logistics to work out. Our server, Chris, was wonderful, but we sat at 7pm and didn't leave until 10:15. There was about 45 minute-1 hour wait between courses, and he kindly explained the party in front of us was 16 folks. I can't hold it much against them on their third week open, because their menu is truly that good. I recommend the cauliflower the most (not pictured, but had plenty from my friends!). This place is cute for a cocktail and a few bites, or a nicer dinner with a range of flavors. And the place is beautiful! Happy to say I've tapped in early. read more

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Came here for dinner tonight and had a fabulous time! I got the alcoholic nimbu pani to start and it was perfectly tart and refreshing. We decided to split a bunch of small plates. I especially loved the smoky eggplant dip with the fresh baked bread, the kachapuri, the nihari stewed lamb, and the chicken shawarma. The momos were good but not my favorite. The dishes are definitely shareable and filling. We were going to order a main dish to split but were so stuffed we decided to pass. I'd love to come back to try dessert and some of the larger plates. Also it looks like the bar has slightly different options, so that might be the move in the future. read more

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Came here for happy hour, had a res but for a table which wasn't eligible for happy hour, so we ate at the bar. Bit crowded in there but good service and drinks helped pass the time. Sliders were insane. Nice classy spot for some good eats and drinks. Order: - Za'atar fries and cauliflower Manchurian - Karravaan Sparkling Punch and Bosphorus Strait Up cocktails - lamb sliders read more

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Dare I say best happy hour option in Union Market these days- but only at the bar and outside, which fills up very quickly. Great wine selection and solid snacks - although I will say the "fries" were more like a quarter potato each. read more

Karravan's been on my radar for a little bit so some friends and I decided to grab dinner there on a Wednesday night. It is a little tucked away from the main street, and hard to find based just on the directions from Google maps.. but we found it. We were promptly seated and our server was very warm and attentive to us, made sure to switch out plates and silverwares between courses. Food really was excellent. So it is all sharing/family style, both for the smaller plates and the main. For a party of 3 we went with three smaller dishes, and two mains. We got the lamb nihari, the pan roasted prawns, smoky eggplant dip, the mushroom biryani and the forbidden duck. Our unanimous favorite was probably the nihari for the smaller plates - honestly wish they would move this to the mains and provide a bigger serving. Of the larger plates, the forbidden duck dish was the standout winner. The mushroom biryani was good, but I thought they should have seasoned the mushrooms itself prior to making the biryani - the mushroom pieces themselves tasted a little bland and watery like it hadn't been cooked out properly. The dessert was very good too - we opted to share a slice of the mango chai cheesecake. The chai notes went very well with the mango compote. I also got an n/a Halva Milk drink and though it comes in a small glass it did last through my entire meal because its very thick and you take smaller sips. It was a very tasty milkshake in essence. Absolutely would recommend coming to Karravan. Great service, great food and a good time with friends. read more

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I went here a few weeks back from my friend's birthday. While there was some food that we found to be tasty, the service was absolutely horrible, and that is after considering the fact, we were very forgiving when it came to the mistakes that were made. Besides one person's dinner taking over an hour longer than everyone else's' to come out, there were multiple errors with drink and food orders. And when I say multiple, I'm not just talking one or two, but more than that. I could understand if the restaurant had been busy, but it really wasn't. Given all this, I feel like the food is slightly overpriced for what you get, in the service areas were really inexcusable. There are too many other places in the DMV, let alone the Union Market area that this would not be on my list again as somewhere I'd return to or recommend. read more

Unfortunately an underwhelming experience. We were excited for this restaurant to open given the interesting concept of dishes inspired by the Silk Road. For those not familiar with the Silk Road, it was not a single road but a network of routes, both overland and maritime, connecting civilizations across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Given the concept we expected bold flavors and unique combinations. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and service overall was great for our 7pm reservation. We arrived and immediately were seated. We browsed the menu and noted some items were cut after family and friends night. So went with our waitress recommendations. For starters we initially had the Tibetan momos and snapper crudo. I'm guessing that with my first bite of the momos I made a face that caught the waitresses eye because she immediately came over and asked if we liked the dish. Unfortunately the momos were bland and dry. The meat portion of the dumpling was too big and underseasoned. They swapped it for the cauliflower that tasted like a veggie general tso. While the snapper crudo had temperature issues (a touch warm) it honestly had the best flavor of all the dishes we tried. For entrees we ordered the forbidden duck and pan seared scallops. The duck was inspired by North Africa with a Chinese touch. The first round of the duck was well done and we ordered it medium. They quickly re-fired it and it came out at the appropriate temperature. The scallops were salty and honestly veggie forward. Given the issues throughout the dinner we sought out dessert elsewhere. As for the concept the menu references the Silk Road in a blurb but leaves off Northern Africa despite having a dish inspired from the region. This may have been an oversight or intentional given the flavor profile. Overall, I'm not sure if it was a new restaurant working out the kinks but it was definitely lacking in flavor and the menu wasn't cohesive. read more

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Had a great meal at Karravaan recently. Walked in and sat at the bar - bartenders were friendly and food comes very quick (small plates). Everything was priced well, standouts were the nihari, roasted prawn (huge) and octopus. cocktails were alright read more

Came here for happy hour and the food and deals were amazing! Such a fun vibe and our service was some of the best I have ever had in the city! The happy hour cocktails were strong and well priced, I got their version of a sazerac which was recommended by our waitress! Best one I have had outside of NOLA. We also got the kofta which is a must! I can't wait to come back for a full dinner. read more

Karravaan - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Ambiance - the patio is NOT outside. It's a sunroom type thing. Waste of a beautiful night to sit there Food - fine but not for the price point. Service - got one dish looong after the others, couldn't get our servers attention all night. Also, our server clearly didn't know what spirit-forward meant when she recommended a cocktail :( read more

Karravaan is in an enchanting light-filled restaurant West of Union Market offering a mix of small and large plates with the silk road heritage. Although nothing particularly blew us away, we had a favorable impression of most dishes. Best - yuzu-lime pie (I love key lime pie and this had a few tiny refreshing pieces of fruit inside the very hard shell); the lebanese fish kofte (four or five pieces of nicely browned fish croquettes with some tomatoes and labne to balance it out), a small portion; and the halva milk mocktail (small, but unique and delicious). Good - the pan-seared scallops were appreciated (although he felt the risotto/creamed corn base was a bit too salty), and the wild mushroom biryani (also tasty with nice raisins but some mushroom pieces seemed a bit understeamed, I thought I tasted a jalapeno, and I didn't notice truffles). I'd recommend getting biryani if there were at least 3 or 4 people sharing it, otherwise it is just an overwhelming portion of rice. Needs improvement - smoky eggplant dip (this was actually spicy, despite the menu not indicating it, and while the pomegranate seeds added a nice splash of color, that didn't seem to be mentioned in the menu description either). I think if a few refinements to the menu descriptions are made, and some calibration of the spices/salts, it will be a promising restaurant. I appreciated the complimentary pita which were warm and had a nice butter accompanying. read more

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Was very busy last Saturday but the service was very good, attentive (sometimes too attentive as the servers often tried to clear dishes we were obviously not finished with). The bread was good but it (and the butter) needed salt. Fav dishes were eggplant dip, fish kofte (it had a more dense mouthfeel than fish though so was a little confused), Lebanese Caesar, Jamon wrapped datesThe cauliflower was least favorite of the table (too sweet). We were pretty full after all the apps but got 2 entrees (for 4 of us), mushroom biryani and forbidden duck which was plenty of food, we ended up most of it home. All in all a solid place for dinner. The biggest surprise was the check, between the four of us, food came to $170 and that includes tax! So very reasonable for a lot of food. Two of us even had cocktails and those came to more than the food read more

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