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    Lapis

    4.3 (1.2k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Lapis Photos

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    LAPIS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Lapis

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    Drink menu
    Audrey E.

    Recommended as one of my friends "favorite places in DC" and it was just perfect! I hadn't had any afghani food before but this was a great way to start that journey. We got the Kandahar platter alongside some aushak dumplings, bolani, and a lamb shank. The amount of food was perfect across the four of us and the food was amazing. The lamb shank was so tender, the bolani (specifically the leek one) was crisp and flavorful, the dumplings were fantastic and the afghan flavors were beautiful in them - hard to pick a favorite out of the meal. The ambiance was slightly more upscale, it was our splurge meal of the trip and it fits that vibe perfectly. Our server was very nice and the food came out spread out over time helpfully so we could get started on different parts and then clear our empty plates out of the way.

    My finished buranee bademjan (eggplant).
    Victoria M.

    I had such a delicious experience at Lapis. The setup of the restaurant is so unique. Serving as a bar/music lounge in the evening, it was pretty cool to be seated in this area. There is an overall mood lighting downstairs that adds to the ambiance. The food pairs with this, having so many levels of flavor options. There was so much to choose from, but settle with the buranee bademjan (eggplant) and rice. This was a great portion for someone who isn't super hungry. I would probably opt to order a few things and split with someone next time. Also, the rice side also felt so small for the charge. To accompany a dish it feels like there should be more. I found their vegetarian offerings great and appreciated their dedication if making a menu space for vegetarians. Our server was incredibly attentive and was always there at the right moment to grab us another drink. The overall experience was wonderful and we had a great time. It was stark contrast going from this comfortable, calm, musical space to the cold streets outside. I definitely recommend this restaurant for those looking to enjoy a warm meal, expand their palette, or have a good time in a cool space.

    Katelyn L.

    We had a delicious dinner here with friends to celebrate a dinner. Overall, we were thrilled. We decided to order a lot of dishes are share across our group. All of the dishes were delicious. Specifically: we loved the beef dumplings, the egg plant, and the lamb. The service was quick, the prices were reasonable, and we had a wonderful time! We look forward to going back!

    Nikita K.

    This was a cool spot to try and it was very busy. There's indoor and outdoor seating. The rice was good if you like raisins. The eggplant dish and dumplings were good too. Service was decent too. The portion sizes are kinda small though.

    Cauliflower
    Bansari S.

    So parking was a struggle however once you walk into Lapis, it is like you walked into your Afghani Grandma's house! Beautiful photos, candles, rugs fill the space! I will say the tables were very close together but the restaurant front is deceiving.. the space is VERY large! There's an outdoor space, upstairs: dining and bar area, complete downstairs and the waiter told us there's a bar on open on other nights! It is a great space, food was authentic and delicious, the mushroom and carrot sabjis were phenomenal! If you like to try different cuisines and do a Michelin type course experience, I highly recommend this place!

    Anar mocktail & Chardonnay
    Haley T.

    I saw this place everywhere from TikTok to articles, so I assumed it would be a big hit. But we rate the restaurant a 7/10, nothing really stood out and expected more since this restaurant was super hyped up. The ambiance inside was truly beautiful and a great atmosphere to chat and dinner but the food didn't really stand out. All of our waiters were so kind especially because of how busy it was. Aushak leek dumplings 7.5/10: super tasty and lots of beans/ split peas Mantoo shrimp dumplings 7.5/10: small shrimps inside I enjoyed the flavor. Afghan salata: 8/10: so fresh needed Pakowra: 5.5/10: it was a cauliflower spinach + potato mint yogurt & chutney. Cara said it was kinda dry but I enjoyed it. The chutney was really good Fries with Harissa aioli: 8/10, the sauce was gas and saved this. Solid fries on their own but needed more salt. Drinks: anar mocktail: 8/10 like a pomegranate Ross soda yum. Wss driving so mocktail night. Chardonnay -- my friend said it was good but a bit pricey per glass

    Lamb Tikka
    Nakia A.

    Unfortunately not the best introduction to Afghan food. I came with a friend for dinner. Let me preface parking in Adam's Morgan is the worst so give yourself over 30min to park or take the metro if you can. For dinner, we shared the shrimp dumplings (Mantoo Shrimp) and then I ordered a side of Naan Bread and the Lamb Tikka which comes with rice. The dumpling sauce was just so odd I wouldn't recommend and the lamb was so tough. I had to fight to cut through it. The naan was so thick and had no flavor so overall this restaurant wasn't great. Recommend you skip coming here. Rumi's Kitchen has similar food and it's amazing!

    Kofta
    Allison O.

    My group of 3 came on a Friday night with no reservations, but luckily there was space at the bar. The decor is cozy, like a warm library meets comic book store. The anar mocktail was a bright and refreshing pomegranate/rosewater/soda companion to the meal, which we devoured - everything was delicious. The starter sampler had a citrusy chickpea soup called shore-nakhot, bolani flatbread, and other snacks. The Afghan dumplings with leeks, split peas, and garlic were tucked into a meaty sauce. The buranee khadoo was a succulent dish of sweet pumpkin with onion demiglace, garlic sour cream, and dried mint. We also loved the kofta meatballs. overall standout and great service at the bar!

    Buranee bademjan, Palow
    Andrea A.

    I don't say this about many restaurants, but I will say it here: I need to come back to Lapis! Went in never having tried Afghani food before and so did not know what to expect, but came out blown away by the depth of flavors. I was surprised by the many great vegetarian options, of which I got: - Buranee bademjan (eggplant, tomato demi-glace, garlic sour cream, dried mint): Perfectly cooked eggplant, amazingly rich and savory tomato sauce, creamy garlicky sour cream. I loved this, I just needed more of it :') - Palow (rice pilaf infused with chef's spices): Well-cooked rice dish, though I wish the veggie dishes came with it automatically. - Pistachio ricotta cake: This is pretty close to my perfect piece of cake- light, airy, creamy, not too sweet, strong pistachio essence. Service was fast and friendly; ambiance is elegant and modern, but also homey. Reservations are definitely needed, this spot was absolutely packed on a Saturday night. 10/10 would recommend!

    Gheeda H.

    Great experience! I ordered the Qubali Palow, and it did not disappoint! The lamb was incredibly tender and flavorful, and the rice was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The restaurant was fairly busy when we arrived, and we waited about 20 minutes to be seated, which honestly wasn't too bad, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time if you know you're going, especially during peak hours. Our server was amazing and really added to the experience. They were friendly, attentive, and took the time to walk us through the menu and give thoughtful recommendations on what to order. Overall, everything from the food to the service, to the cozy ambiance, was excellent. I really enjoyed my meal and will absolutely be visiting again. Highly recommend checking this place out if you're in the area.

    Kale Salad
    Gabrielle B.

    Chelsea's birthday dinner consisted of ten people, a bottle of red, and what I think was that coconut rice pudding. This meal was nice. I had the lentils though I had some at home I couldn't stop thinking about. The naan was a bit small and the portion was a bit small in comparison to my lentils. Fish of the day was trout. My friend said he liked the steak the most. I tried getting a photo and I missed the food. Very accommodating for our party size. Fries were good. Loved the interior, probably my favorite part.

    Pistachio ricotta cake
    Nash I.

    Beautiful yet sophisticated! Lapis was very nicely decorated and had a cozy ambiance. They had plenty of offerings, small dishes but still very filling. If you're feeling dessert, you can't go wrong with the pistachio riccota cake!

    Pistachio ricotta cake
    Khanh-Chau M.

    I think the hype for this place is legit! I came at 5 pm and was the first one seated in the basement, but it got full within an hour. This place is so pretty, decorated for winter holidays too. The seating can get a little tight but feels homey. I got the chai lemonade which was tasty and drank way too fast. We got the mantoo shrimp which were yummy with the saffron cream sauce. I LOVED the bolani though; we ordered it with pumpkin and onion potato and the flatbreads were delicious, and we loved the sauces that it came with. We ordered the buranee bademjan and mixed grill, which were both good. From the mixed grill, the chicken was so flavourful, that I liked it over the steak and lamb pieces. We got the sheer yakh and pista for dessert. The sheer yakh was not too overpowering and sweet, which complimented the rose flavour well. I loved the pista though, the texture, pistachio bits, cream, were all amazing. We also got complimentary rice pudding since it was a birthday for our party. Our waitress was extremely kind and knowledgeable about the menu. Service was quick with food and cleaning up our dishes and table too. Food was way too good and loved the vibes of this place. I'd definitely recommend eating here!

    Flatbreads stuffed with pumpkin and leeks

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    Press Club Bar Of Record - Nights over Egypt

    Press Club Bar Of Record

    (48 reviews)

    $$

    Dupont Circle

    One of the best new spots I've tried this year. On weekends, a reservation will be a must, as they…read moreare small and get packed, but for good reason. It's a sexy basement vinyl den with additional outdoor seating, 10/10 unique cocktails, and incredible Japanese inspired small plates. Between two visits, we have tried 6 different drinks. They are named after songs and listed on the back of a fake vinyl cover. Each costs around $20, but with the mandatory tip and tax, it comes to around $26-28 per drink. The since I left you, though, is worth every penny. It is similar to an old fashioned but a little sweeter, with bourbon (makers mark), and while the menu says it also has miso, blackberry, cardamom, and cacao, I wouldn't say those flavors come through. But it is one of the best cocktails being served in DC right now. It is so good. They serve it with a cardamom tuile that is delicious as well. There is a lot of variety on here, but my number 2 is the Roses, a bright red gin based drink with a hint of fruitiness and a spicy kick in the back end. If you want something a little sweeter, the Takeover is a cognac based drink with coffee notes served with a mini donut. The food is exceptionally well seasoned and so flavorful. The fried chicken cannot be missed, and I love that you can get it in half or full size portions. The shrimp tempura might be even better. You get four large pieces that are super crisp and have a little orange sauce on them. Amazing. Our second visit we tried their chips and dip, and these potato chips alone are worth a visit. Large, crunchy, and served with a tasty ranch dip. I think 2 dishes is good for two people to fill you up, but add a third if hungry. The place is quite expensive, but they are worth it. For a date night, they are a great choice. Four drinks and three dishes shared between two people came to around $195, but as of this review, they are offering a $30 off deal if you pay through the app In Kind. Bonus points because the first time we came, they seated us maybe 5 minutes after our reservation time, and they gave us a free glass of cava. Top notch customer service right there

    TL;DR Drinks are unique and tasty, atmosphere is groovy, and prices are high. Would recommend a…read morevisit for a treat or celebration! This bar is sweet -- awesome music, a neat menu, truly craft cocktails, and a unique menu. We tried several cocktails and each was delicious - from spicy to sweet, they don't miss. We also tried the cheese burger egg rolls and the tuna hand roll. The food is expensive for what you get but it's advertised to be small bites, not a meal. The egg rolls felt like remixed in n out, and as a Californian, I was grateful. Why not 5 stars? With the premium pricetag, I do expect premium service. The bartender was more interested in chatting with some folks he knew who came to sit at the bar. He also spent a lot of time chatting up the couple next to us, so do sit at the bar if you're feeling social. However, for the spare attention he did provide us, he was a bit condescending when we asked for a different glass for a drink that came in a bowl. It was slow until the very end of our stay and yet there were several times where I had an empty glass for a long period (and wanted to order more) or needed water. FYI for 6 drinks and a few bar bites it was $165... we went for a cheap burger dinner afterwards!

    The Alchemist DC - Bubble machine!

    The Alchemist DC

    (117 reviews)

    U Street Corridor

    Just stepped into The Alchemist DC -- crowned Best Bar in DC in both 2024 & 2025 -- and now I see…read moreexactly why it holds the title. The space feels part-speakeasy, part-laboratory, where every cocktail is crafted with intention, story, and a little bit of magic. Their mixology roots run deep, drawing on technique + creativity to deliver flavors that feel familiar yet completely new. Here's what I tried (and loved): Lavender Killer Sally -- light + floral with a hint of citrus, beautifully balanced and so easy to sip Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned -- warm + cozy, with notes of brown sugar + ripe banana; it tastes like a dessert you can drink Shared Secrets -- a gin-based peach sangria poured straight from a French press, releasing more fruit + aromatics right at the table -- interactive and delicious Latte Martini -- smooth, creamy, and bold with espresso; a perfect pick for coffee-cocktail lovers Butterscotch Russo -- sweet + silky with rich butterscotch notes; comforting without being too heavy If you're hunting for a cocktail bar that's equal parts craft + creativity, The Alchemist NEEDS to be on your list. 1334 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009 Save this post for your next night out + follow @daithefoodie for more food + drink gems across the DMV! #dmv #datenightdc #dcdatenight #speakeasybar #speakeasydc #dccocktailbars #dcbars #dcbarscene

    We visited The Alchemist in DC and ordered the Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned and a Fireplace…read morethemed cocktail with chocolate and cherry notes. Both were disappointing. The drinks tasted watered down and unbalanced. The banana flavor in mine was dull and overripe rather than fresh and vibrant. The smoke and fire presentation was nice, but the actual cocktails did not justify the $25 price point. The restroom was unacceptable. There was urine on the floor, a strong foul odor, and the surface was slippery. For a speakeasy positioning itself as upscale, this was a major miss. The space is very small and service was just okay. Overall, the concept has potential, but the execution did not meet expectations. I will not be returning.

    Reynold's - Femme Fatale (back)

    Reynold's

    (22 reviews)

    Dupont Circle, Downtown

    The service was slightly slower than one would want, but Yousef was a standout. He was attentive,…read moreoffered solutions, and made me want to stay waiting. An awesome contribution to the organization in my opinion! It was my first time visiting and I brought friends from out of town for my bday and they shared the same sentiments... Love the place

    Would have love to patron this space but found front of house staff really rude. I sent my husband…read morehere to grab one drink on a Friday early evening. I am aware this is a small space, I did research on it and did notice their website makes mention that while they prefer reservations, they do have a limited spot for walk ins. Knowing this, I sent my husband here, hoping for a spot at the bar as he was alone. When he arrived around 6pm, he saw 2 open bar spots and a bunch of tables with reserved signs. The head of house asked about a reservation and my husband said he was hoping to get 1-2 drinks, bar spots were fine. He noticed a group of 4 girls waiting as well- he was then told the bar was full and the 2 open spots were not to be filled at the group of 4 had first dibs on them. This makes 0 sense because one person could have easily filled them but I digress. On top of that, when my husband asked what time they could potentially get him in, as he did not mind waiting, they told him 11:30PM. Then the host scoffed and said "You do know it's Friday, right?" insinuating my husband must be an idiot who can't read a weekly calendar. Look - I get it, small exclusive spot obviously trying to replicate the swanky NYC speakeasies vibe, those that are impossible to get into- however, do not be flat out rude. Remove the verbiage on your reservation booking spot about walk in's if you cant accommodate ONE walk in spot. Don't waste your time- Press Club DC has better staff and are way more accommodating than this spot.

    Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

    Death & Co DC

    (111 reviews)

    $$$

    Shaw, Downtown

    I've been eyeing this bar for several weeks now, and the other day, I finally decided it was time…read moreto give them a try. I know reservations are probably highly recommended, but we were fortunate to walk in at just the right moment and snag a seat. The seating is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening. The atmosphere is just my style, an elegant, dark, grown and sexy vibe that really sets the mood. The decor is striking, with thoughtful touches that create an inviting space to unwind. While it leans a bit on the pricier side, the exceptional service more than justifies the cost. Jordan and the team were incredibly knowledgeable about both the drinks and food menu, offering suggestions that perfectly matched our tastes. We tried two standout drinks that I can't recommend enough: the Attractive Nuisance and El Tiburon, (which is an Old Fashioned made with gin). The bartenders here clearly know what they're doing, each drink was crafted with care and precision. The good music in the background added to the overall ambiance, making it a delightful spot to spend an evening.

    Bar scene so sexy, you decided to add it permanently on your date night list! Come along as I…read morereview Death & Co DC!!!! Ambiance: from the outside you'd have no idea that a hidden treasure awaits you up a flight of stairs. The decor was very mysterious, perfectly dimmed, and sexy. They added greenery near the hostess station to create what I would describe as an exotic/jungle vibe. This area also contained a beautiful small bar and a few cozy seatings. Next, the hostess led us to a table inside where the magic of candles, cozy tables, and intimate booths immediately meets your eyes. Did I mention that we sat in most comfy green velvet chairs in our cozy booth? How sexy! Service: our waiter, Jordan, was the best! He provided great service and recommendations. However, shoutout to the rest of the staff because it was truly all hands on deck. Drinks: the bartender is indeed a mixologist! There is no question of the magic he created in a glass. Her drink- I ordered the Attractive Nuisance, an elevated spritz. The drink was perfectly balanced with flavors to include G.H. Mumm Champagne, Avua Prata Cachaca, Cocchi Americano, Saffron, Vanilla. I literally tasted all the flavors in the drink and the liquor ratio was just right. Of course I went with another round, you simply have to try it understand why I did. His drink: El Tiburón-Let's just say that he said that this is now one of his favorite cocktails because it was smooth! Small bites: the kitchen was out of mussels and their famous donuts so we decided to try the Franks en Crute, the sexy adult version of pigs in a blanket lol. Such a delicious treat, well balanced flavors giving both sweet (flaky puff pastry) and savory (well grilled wagyu beef). Definitely recommend. The music was perfect for the evening! The bar was filled with all matured folks enjoying their group meets or dates, the atmosphere welcomed all. As I stated earlier, this has now become a regular on the list and I'm excited to visit again.

    Lapis - afghani - Updated May 2026

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