I ate here again, this time with family. One reservation about the fesenjoon about which I was enthusiastic in my previous review. There were only three pieces of chicken, and they were a tad overcooked. But the rest of the menu was still good read more

July 2026: I recently went back to KooKoo with a friend and we shared the Kashk Bademjan, Khoresh Fesenjoon, and the Gigot of Lamb. I also ordered the salmon to-go. The ambiance and service were both good, and all the dishes were delicious. In particular, the Kashk Bademjan was creamy, smoky, and flavorful. However, the protein-to-rice ratio for all the main dishes was extremely low, especially for the price point. Notably, the salmon I ordered to go had just two medium chunks of salmon with a lot of rice for $35. To KooKoo's credit, when I mentioned this, they apologized and made it up to me. Additionally, there was a minimal amount of lamb once we took it off the bone and there was a lot of plain rice left over. Nonetheless, the food quality and taste itself is great. February 2025: I recently went here with two friends for a weeknight dinner and loved my experience. While the food came out on the slow side, the ambiance was good, the food was worth the wait, and KooKoo's prices are fair for the dishes and portions. KooKoo started by giving us complementary bread and seasoned vegetables, both of which were delicious. We shared the Tahdig, which was fantastic. The rice had perfect crispiness and the stew was a great hearty complement. I got the Khoresh Fesenjoon for my main and enjoyed it. While I wish there had been more meat in my stew to even out the stew-to-rice ratio, it was flavorful, with perfectly cooked chicken and rice, the right amount of pomegranate molasses, and good crunch with the walnuts. I look forward to going back to KooKoo! read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Salmon - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went with a group, we ordered a couple of shareable items such as the Potato Gratin, Beef and Chicken Skewers, the Lamb with rice, Falafel - all amazing dishes. Went during lunch and wasn't too busy. Honestly, I walk past this place all the time and I think what this place might need is better signage. I'm so glad I stopped by, it was sooooo good. I will definitely be coming in more. You won't regret coming here! Also, the decor is super cultural and clean. read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Potato Gratin - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've been wanting to try this place foreverrrr. Unassuming store front. Beautiful art on display. On a Sunday afternoon it was empty. 2 patrons at the bar and 1 table with 2 ppl were already there. The bartender was also the waitress. She was a kind lady but veryyy delayed. It took 20-25 minutes for our drinks. She apologized but they (Yar and Kookoo G&T) were not good or worth the wait. The owner introduced himself to us and was very kind. The complimentary bread was delicious. The appetizers (Kashk Bademjan and lentil soup) were scrumptious!! We scraped the dishes clean. I absolutely enjoyed the Khoresh Fesenjoon!!! My friend who's Persian wanted a different consistency and more nuts. The Bakhtiari was cooked to perfection. I will be back for the food! read more

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Had a friend in from out of town (a smaller city) who wanted to try new cuisine he'd never had before- so we scoped out this spot for Persian. It was a fantastic introduction to some new flavors and the staff was really kind in explaining the dishes and offering recommendations as well. We've had the grilled items before--but really wanted to dive into the stews. Smaller portions but definitely enough to try, especially if you get a few things. We got the kashk bademjan eggplant dish (great with bread and so flavorful), tahdig with khoresh gheymeh, khoresh Fesenjoon (the table favorite for being sweet, sour, tart and a new flavors for us), and ghormeh sabzi. We hung out for a long time to chat and didn't feel rushed to leave, a great spot to take it easy and enjoy a nice meal and chat. read more

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Just ok but worth a try if you're in the area. We started with hummus, which had excellent flavor, but the bread it is served with is a hard, stale sesame seed bread that is just not good. A fresh pita would go a long way. For entrees, we shared the ghormeh sabzi and joojeh. Both were good, I especially enjoyed the heavily peppered veggies and pomegranates on the rice. The entrees were solid. However, the ambiance is lacking, and that is one area they could easily improve with dimmer lighting at dinner. The space is washed out with overly bright lighting that makes it feel more like a fast food joint. The cocktails are also lacking. They have interesting drinks, but they are not well mixed, with way too much juice and way too much ice. I would be interested in trying the lunch menu, as the options are different. We came for dinner on a Friday, and while we may have enjoyed the food as a lunch takeout option, it did not hit as a Friday dinner spot. read more

I think what made me love this place is that it has heart and soul. You can tell from the workers and food that they love what they do and take pride in it. I came here randomly on a Monday and can't believe that Ive been living near here for so long. It's Persian cuisine and it's authentic, all whilst being at a reasonable price point. My highlights were the Kashk Bademjan. Perfectly tender eggplant with fresh ingredients throughout. My other standouts were the lamb (friend described it as the most tender lamb she's ever had) and the beef chinjeh which was also tender and flavorful. The rice was such a highlight for us, as there was flavor in both the saffron rice and the baghali polo. Our server was one of the owners and he really just made our experience unforgettable. You could just tell this was his passion and it just made me even happier to support them. read more

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We had an unfortunate experience at KooKoo. The reviews for this restaurant are positive and I really enjoy Persian food. And so we came here early on a Friday evening. The ambience is comfortable, the tables are nicely spaced apart and the noise level makes it possible to have a conversation easily. The food was meh. There was nothing particularly distinctive or flavorful about any of the appetizers or entrees that we ordered. The quality of the food was good, but the taste was nothing special. There was only one server working in the entire restaurant. He ran around the place and did his best. But he was truly overwhelmed. We ordered drinks to begin the meal, neither of them arrived. We ordered 3 appetizers and only 2 were brought to our table. At the end of the meal we were charged for the appetizer that we didn't receive. That is just not good form. Our service was extremely s-l-o-w. I enjoy myself when dinner is nicely paced. I appreciate being able to sit and savor dishes; and not be served entrees when I am still enjoying the appetizers. On the evening at KooKoo we waited nearly 45 minutes to receive the appetizers and another 45 minutes before the entrees arrived. That is just too slow. All in all, a disappointing dinner at KooKoo. There are other excellent Persian restaurants in DC and we won't be returning here. read more

I had an excellent Khoresh Fesenjoon at the restaurant a few months ago, then came back to order it again and was terribly disappointed. I suspect the difference was, the first time, the chunks of chicken had actually been *stewed* in the sauce whereas, the second time, they had not. The second time, there was no infusion of that delicious and amazing sauce into the chicken such that the chicken itself was boring and bland. I suspect they cooked the chicken separately and then threw it in just before serving. read more

Iranian here and went to KooKoo tonight for the first time. Really enjoyed everything we tried. Great neighborhood spot with Iranian stew options (not just kabob). Comfort food that tastes homemade. Staff are super friendly and the owner is incredibly kind. Will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu. read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Lamb entree, kashkebademjan (eggplant), zeitoon parvarde (olive, walnut, herb & pomegranate appetizer), azizam cocktail. - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Every thing was great. Food was amazing. Service was great. The owner came out and asked how everything was. read more

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A Persian labor of love by very dedicated owners. We went because our daughter is in Farsi class at college and the professor encouraged the class to find Iranian/Persian places. This is a lovely space just by the Columbia Heights plaza and farmers market. Beautiful paintings and nice music on a Saturday early afternoon. We got there just after they opened and a few more people came in while we were there. The tea is great of course but the food is just exquisite, meticulous, authentic, and delicious. I had a stunning beef and fava bean stew, served in a small ceramic pot and loaded to the gills with fresh dill. Daughter got a super delicate Persian frittata, wife and son both got huge skewer and rice platters. Just tremendous. read more

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It's one of the my favorite Persian restaurants in DC. It offers authentic dishes slow roasted lamb to smoked egg plants with amazing bread. Sabzi is one of my favorites. We were in a group of 8. The service was slightly slower than usual. We believe they had just hired a new server. Every time we had a question about the menu he had to call the owner or the manager. We finally got some good recommendations. We ordered a bunch of stuff as you can in my pictures. It's not as pricey as compared to Rumi's kitchen while delivering the same quality of food. Ambiance is alright. Not too fancy to mention. Highly recommend all their deserts. That was the highlight of our dinner. We ordered a bunch of the desserts twice. read more

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The meal was decent with fair portions and reasonable prices, but service felt slightly slow. The atmosphere was pleasant enough, although nothing particularly memorable stood out during our visit today. read more

Food was great. I ordered hummus and chicken kabobs. Vibe is very clean and a nice space . I will go back.

Stopped in alone for lunch as I was in the area and had a gift card. The place was empty, but I was still warmly greeted and seated by a nice Persian man. The place was clean and elegantly decorated with Iranian and French motifs, though not at all gaudy. Ordered the Lamb Gigot (lamb shank) which I was told was a house speciality, and was pleasantly surprised to receive a complimentary platter of pita crisps, bread and sabzi khordan, which included fresh leafy greens, scallions, radishes, walnuts and a couple cubes of feta. The appetizer was light but super refreshing and plenty tasty. The lamb itself was quite impressive. Melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the flavor and moisture of the meat was quite robust, though it may have benefited from marinading in the tomato sauce and spices a little more. On the side, the roasted veggies were also solid, though I would have liked a few more, and the baghali polo was a well-seasoned base. All-and-all, I was very impressed and will be back in the future. read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Gigot Lamb - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The fava bean stew with beef is a specialty and oh so good. The owner's family is from the north of Iran, so there's a regional influence typically not found in Persian restaurants in the US. The fava bean rice is also great. The fessenjoon always the first depending on the ethnicity-- so be sure to ask whether it's on the sweeter or sour side. I also really like the artwork on the walls. The house was very accommodating to a large party on more than one occasion. read more

Food - delicious, soulful, hearty, large portions; all the flavor profiles I'd expect from a lovingly prepared Persian meal. Rice was perfect pearl texture. Cocktail - the Azizam was -stun-ning- seriously, elixir of the gods! Service - warm and professional (bonus: server was kheili khosh-ghiyafeh!) Ambiance - upscale casual. clean, cool, collected and not ostentatious Edit: forgot to mention my friends made room for dessert, had the baklava and were blown away. So chuffed I got to share this special cuisine with new people read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Chelow and ghormeh sabzi in foreground, Jujeh kabob with zereshk polo in background + noon paneer sabzi for the table. - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

They do a nice takeout business. I've never actually been to the restaurant. It gets delivered. It's good food and we'll prepared. Chicken and beef kabobs, saffron rice eggplant stew. The menu is great because it not the typical Persian food, they have several items that are unknown to me. I'd recommend it to anyone. read more

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Tucked in a busy corner of downtown, This Culinary gem that effortlessly combines warm hospitality, inspired cuisine, and elegant presentation. From the moment you walk in, the rustic-chic ambiance sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. The menu is a seasonal celebration of locally sourced ingredients, crafted with traditional and authentic ingredients that bring you home. Whether you're planning a romantic evening or a special occasion dinner Five stars, without hesitation. The owner, Yahya is an amazing host and me feel that you are welcome into his home for an authentic Persian experience. Thank you so much! read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great atmosphere, vibes, and hospitality! We had the Mirza Ghasemi, Mast O Laboo, Tehrani, Baghlava, Kookoo Sangria and the Kookoorita - all were delicious and would recommend. The staff were very attentive and friendly, will definitely be coming back! read more

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The service alone at this restaurant was 10/10. The owner, Yahya, is so sweet, attentive, and passionate about his food. He kept coming over to check on how we were doing, gave recommendations, explained Persian ingredients to us, and even gave us a few free dishes bc he saw that we were enjoying the food. It's a beautiful space and I really enjoyed interacting with the staff. I don't eat Persian food often so all of these dishes were a unique experience for me. My favorite dishes: - khoresh fesenjoon (pomegranate and walnut stew) - sweet, tangy, and savory all at the same time - gigot of lamb - the lamb is sooo tender and easily slipped off the bone - kashk bademjan - like baba ghanoush with a lot more flavor - mysterious spicy green dip we were gifted - malawi - very floraly, creamy, and not too sweet read more

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I came across KooKoo while looking for a place to eat nearby and decided to give it a try based on the solid reviews. Glad I did! The space is thoughtfully decorated, with artwork by a local artist and fresh flowers on each table--it made for a calm and welcoming atmosphere. The menu is extensive. I'm not very familiar with Persian cuisine, but the owners took the time to explain a few dishes, which I appreciated. We tried the Kashk Bademjan and Mirza Ghasemi (eggplant mezze), Gigot of Lamb (lamb shank), Mast O Moosir (yogurt dip), and Beef Koobideh kebab. Everything was delicious and well-prepared. The sautéed eggplant and lamb shank stood out in particular. I also had a yogurt mint drink that wasn't on the menu but was kindly offered--refreshing and a great pairing. Finished the meal with Baghlava and tea, which felt like a nice, traditional end to the evening. Overall, this was a really enjoyable dining experience--friendly service, amazing food, and a relaxed setting. Would recommend to anyone interested in trying authentic Persian dishes. read more

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Unfortunately I wish I could actually have tried the food. I heard good things about this place however we weren't served. I booked a reservation before hand and it was for a celebration. Upon getting to the table they ignored us and served the people around us. We finally put in drinks which never came. 45 minutes later we had mentioned we were waiting awhile and the waiter snuffed us. We ended up leaving due to the poor service and lack of accountability by the wait staff. Would have loved to have tried to food but felt disappointed since it was for a special event and we communicated that early to the restaurant read more

Food to die for. We had the yoghurt and beets, fries, samosas, smoked eggplant, chicken and minced beef grill and both desserts. EVERYTHING was delicious. Can't recommend this place highly enough. read more

The service was excellent and the food was even better. Very close to homemade. The eggplant was oneof the best I have had. The price was very reasonable. Will definitely go back! read more

had lunch on a Friday--delicious food, thoughtful and attentive service, and very aesthetically pleasing ambience. Loved all of it! Highly recommend! read more

Great selection of Persian dishes. Very flavorful. Despite the restaurant being very shortstaffed on the night that we went, the server did a fantastic job. We got several different types of appetizers to really give us a full flavor. Would highly recommend that. read more

The food is Amazing!! Lamb shank is paradise! Tahdig is fantastic! Fesenjoon is delightful! Ghormeh sabzi is rich & satisfying! Bastani is the sweetest finish! Service was warm & elegant... treated us like family! Ambience is beautiful & inviting!! Highly recommended! read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Gigot Lamb - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We ordered the lamb entree which came with a special type of rice. This was my first time trying Iranian food, and I was pleasantly surprised! First of all, the ambience of this restaurant is so so nice. We were just walking past the restaurant and decided to stop in because it looked really nice from the outside. It's beautifully decorated and there's Iranian music playing. The lamb is so well cooked and the meat is tender and easy to chew. I appreciated the free appetizer before the meal and unlimited bread. I thought the food was all delicious, and it also came quickly. All in all, definitely stop by this place and try their food! I'd highly recommend from the one dish I tried - if you like lamb and deliciously tender meat, get their lamb dish!! read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Free bread and cilantro salad - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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KooKoo's is a needed addition to Columbia Height's 14th street corridor. Classy interior, comfort food that is not conventional, and a good mix of wine and cocktails. Persian food reminds me a little of Indian but more nutty/flowery. As someone who doesn't eat much meat, I appreciated the mezze options: Mirza Ghasemi - like an eggplant puree thickened with egg and garlic Botani Esfenaj - a savory yogurt dish with spinach and garlic (helpful pairing with the joojeh chicken dish that came with a spicy pepper) KooKoo Sabzi - like a herby egg quiche with subtle walnut and berry flavoring instead of cheese But my favorite dish is probably the Kashk Bademjan - it's a creamy eggplant dip with sweetness and garlicky tinge - this is a must order (though the pomegranate wings are all up there). Not to downplay the main dishes - the pulled chicken with a spiced/sweet flavor (like a stew) - Koresh Fesenjoon, the lamb my parents got ('heavenly'), and a sweet dessert roulade with flowery rose petal garnish. Personally, I like the cranberry polo rice over the baghali one. Everything I had seemed a good value for the portion. I look forward to coming back! read more

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Wish I took my phone out to snap some pics but this place is SO good!! Our server taught us a lot about Iranian food and everything was so fresh and flavorful. We ordered the following (already forgot the real names but here's what we had by description) - smoked eggplant dip - olive tapenade (cold) The service was excellent and we can't wait to be back!! read more

We were craving a hearty meal and were interested in trying a new restaurant that had been on our radar. It is located a couple minutes north of the Columbia Heights Metro. This authentic Persian Restaurant has been open for two (2) years. The decor is brand new with a modern look with elegant Art Displays. There is a sit down bar and upstairs for additional seating. The Bathrooms are new and have design that compliments the rest of the Restaurant Ambience. The owner(s) connect well with customers and treats everyone like they are a "VIP". The service is attentive, detail oriented, and timely. We received many complimentary Appetizers including an Eggplant dish, Yogurt Dipping Sauce, and Pistachio Baklava (one of the best as it is light in sweetness). For the main dish, we ordered a Lamb Stew and Beef Kabobs. The presentation and amount of food you receive is great for big eaters. The marination and flavor in every bite including the Rice with Sumac was phenomenal. They do have an alcohol menu but we recommend ordering the Yogurt Drink which is rich in Mint Flavor and unique to Persian Cuisine. Our experience was relaxed and enjoyable as we got to engage in some conversations with the Owner. We will definitely be back and we wish this Restaurant much success. read more

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We are there for first time , and they did had no kobide kabob . And we despond it, and what kine Persian restaurant is that doesn't have any kabob kobide!! read more

A Hidden Gem in DC - Kookoo Delivers a Special Dining Experience Kookoo is an absolute delight! From the moment you walk in, the warm ambiance set the stage for a memorable meal. The menu is a refreshing departure from the ordinary, offering unique flavors and carefully crafted dishes that showcase both creativity and quality. Every bite felt intentional, with well-balanced spices and fresh ingredients that made each dish stand out. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to ensure a great experience. Whether you're here for a casual night out or a special occasion, Kookoo delivers on all fronts--excellent food, inviting atmosphere, and top-tier hospitality. We were a large group and tried many of the food items including the kabobs, stews, and appetizers! Every item we ordered was tasteful. Definitely a spot worth returning to! read more

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The flavor, the texture, the garnishing, the ambiance, the welcoming faces, the attentiveness of the service, they all make you feel like you are sitting in the middle of Tehran. It is not about just one thing. It is about all of it. It just works and it leaves you with such appreciation of the culture. And of course may I add you will also get a glance at art-gallery quality original art hung on the wall and you enjoy your delicious food. Give it a go and you wont be disappointed. We'll go back for sure! read more

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Visited Kookoo on our trip to DC! The restaurant is pretty close to the metro station. The service is outstanding. Owner/workers are friendly and cater to their customers. They have good amount of seating and a bar area. Unfortunately the food itself was bit too sweet and we are spoiled by lot persian foods locally where kookoo's didnt match with some of the items. Overall a decent place. read more

Delish Loved the fries ( surprise) Wings were so tender I loved the taste my parter in crime did not Eggplant was very appealing Hummus great with fries Service was attentive Lovely ambience read more

We walked by and liked the atmosphere so we stopped in for food. It was sooooo good. The drinks were fast and tasted great. Genie was a great server. read more

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge - Appetizers Kookoo Sabzi, Kookoo Sibzamini V Mirza Ghasemi (Northern Iran Smokey eggplant dip) V, GF Fries with a Persian twist V, VG - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Found this AMAZING hidden gem while visiting DC. The food is outstanding! Fresh and flavorful. Great ambiance, beautiful art painted by the manager, good lighting, attention to details of table design and settings. The service was stellar! Great conversation with the owner and manager. Recently awarded the Open Table critics choice award. Worth driving from anywhere in the DC area! read more

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