Omg what an experience. Truly some of the best food I've had in a very very long time. The shrimp dumplings really stole the show for me. They were melt in your mouth good and I really enjoyed that the shrimp was the main flavor I could taste in the filling. Sometimes that can get lost. The dough itself too was rich and full of flavor, as well as the sauce on it!!! The lamb tikka was also delicious. The lamb was cooked to absolute perfection and that paired with their rice? YUM!!!! The ambiance of the place was also super unique and cool, we got sat downstairs which I was a bit hesitant about because of the no windows but it was such a vibe and I really loved it. The service was fantastic. Our waiter gave us many recommendations and explained many dishes which was super helpful. Our table was always clean and our water cup always full. If you can come here I definitely recommend read more

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Delicious! I would definitely come back. I really enjoyed the food. We went around brunch time so there were two menus, the choice of lunch or brunch. The service was alright. We were seated fairly quickly in the outdoor area. We ordered from the tasting menu - Kandahar platter ($98). A bit pricey for the price of 2 but came with a good variety. Portions are decent but not worth the price Anar 3/5 Chai lemonade 3/5 Beef mantoo 5/5 Sambosa trio (beef, shrimp, spinach) 5/5 one stew 4/5 one kebab 3/5 one veggie 3/5 palow: caramelized rice with chef's spices 4/5 sheer berenj: coconut rice pudding, pistachios 3/5 Overall I'd come back, but due to pricing I'd say it's not an all the time type of restaurant. read more

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4.5 Stars out of 5 I visited Lapis on a Sunday for brunch. When walking into the space it was very welcoming, like going to a family or friend's house. The gallery wall of photos, the comfy atmosphere, and the pop of blue color weaved throughout the decor and staff attire was a nice touch. It was lively and despite the heat, the patio was packed. I opted to sit inside. I ordered the pre fix brunch menu. I selected the chocolate croissant, the Kabul frittata, and the Lapis Pancakes. I ordered an Iced Golden Milk Latte. Croissant- I noticed when picking it up it was very heavy and not light and airy. Despite that the chocolate was perfect, not too sweet. It was very good. Frittata (7/10)- fresh, simple, clean. If you want a little spice, I would suggest asking for black pepper or pepper flakes. Rosewater-cardamom pancakes, with pistachios &warm rose water syrup: 10 out 10. I love Cardamom and Pistachio. This item is what lured me to the restaurant in the first place. I have never had these ingredients together in pancakes and Lapis nailed it. Tasting the pancake plain- good, slightly crispy edges and soft. Then I tasted with no syrup and the roses made me feel like I sprayed rosewater on my face and refreshed my taste buds on this hot day. Not overpowering at all. Then I added syrup which is light and airy. I was shocked it wasn't overpowering. It was just balanced. Golden Milk latte (I ordered iced)- I added a shot of espresso-very very good. Spices mixed perfectly for me. The hit of cayenne wasn't overpowering on this hot day. Service was great. Staff were very attentive. I will certainly return for dinner because I see several items I want to try. read more

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Food was very good. Service was pleasant but waited too long for attention, drinks, food, etc. Not awful. Just too long. Noise is the biggest downer. We were in the basement. Could barely hear people at my table. We had three deserts. The pistachio cake was very good. The rice pudding was tasteless. Then there was this warm, gelatinous dome that I could not swallow. But the sliced almonds on top were okay. The people at the next table left without eating theirs. That should have been a clue. Also, make reservations. read more

This place was pretty good. I especially liked the fried sambosa and the two sauces. I enjoy this cuisine because I don't get very many yogurt sauces, and they were really good. The chicken was incredible, the way it just fell right off the bone, but it wasn't overcooked and it was still moist and juicy. The only downside is that some of the flavors with the tasty menu overlapped a little too much. The chicken sauce and the carrot sauce were like the exact same. Overall it was very good. read more

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@lapisdc spread of AFGHAN DUMPLINGS, buranee bademjan: eggplant, tomato demi-glace, garlic sour cream, dried mint, buranee kadoo: pumpkin, onion demi-glace, garlic sour cream, dried mint & qabuli palow: rice pilaf, boneless braised lamb, carrots, & raisins read more

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In a city filled with amazing Middle Eastern food, Lapis reigns pretty high up there. But on top of their very reliably fantastic cuisine, Lapis has the best atmosphere - busy, colorful, and vibrant upstairs dining, and two speak-easy-ish cocktail and dining areas downstairs. read more

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. read more

Lapis - My finished buranee bademjan (eggplant). - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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! read more

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I was so excited to try lapis and it didn't disappoint! The food was all delicious and I like that the menu is great for sharing! They have a great atmosphere and the place feels cozy even with all the people the fit in. Our server was nice and came back a few times to check in and give us more water. I tried the khandahar platter that came with many different dishes to try and we added on the lamb shank and bolani as well. Every single dish was a hit! My favorite was the beef mantoo dumplings because you could taste all of the spices but it was a very balanced dish overall. The sheer berenj was for dessert and it was a perfect light dessert to round out the meal. Definitely has a higher price, but all the food was so tasty and worth it! read more

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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! read more

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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 read more

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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! read more

Lapis - Lamb Tikka - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

Lapis - Buranee bademjan, Palow - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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. read more

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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! read more

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absolutely yummy food. As a person who eats as few carbs as I can get away with, I was hesitant to try the leek dumplings. But I did, and they were delicious! I'm writing this review aout a year after i went there, but I still remember how good the food was. It took a while for us to get it, but the quality was unmistakable! Worth going there for a repeat visit for sure! read more

WOW First time having this type of cuisine and I was blown away. I went with two friends who had been before so they gladly steered the ordering process to their favorites. Definitely recommend ordering a bunch of dishes to all share together. The sambosa trio was delicious, all perfectly crispy with decadent fillings inside. The dumplings we ordered had beef come on top - this was probably my favorite food item we got! Flavors were outrageous it's hard for me to even describe how good it was! The rice pilaf with braised lamb was phenomenal. Lamb was extremely tender and full of flavor. I loved how the pilaf came with carrots and dried cranberries. Felt like authentic home cooking that warmed my soul. We got a side of their carrots and WOW, these melted in your mouth, it was like eating candy. Overall ambiance of the place is cozy yet chic, very charming and perfect for date night too. Loved the low lighting that made it feel like a special spot. Oh, and don't forget bout dessert! The orange cake was sooooo good read more

Really lovely Afghan spot in DC. The dumplings were amazing, as were the pancakes. Those really seemed like the specialty. The frittata didn't quite do it for us, but wasn't bad, just not special. Overall really positive experience! read more

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! read more

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Beautifully decorated spot with flavor bomb dishes! Overall, the food was delicious but a little strong in flavor for me, so by the end of the meal our palettes were overwhelmed. No fault to the restaurant but likely just personal preference! We started off with the starters tasting flight: the kebab was a little dry but otherwise we enjoyed the crispy pakora and refreshing shore-nakhot. I'm a big soup girl so I ordered the aush - tangy and filled with umami. The mantoo shrimp was fun and new, but probably will opt for the regular mantoo next time. Finished the meal off with eggplant and lamb shank, which was fall off the bone tender. read more

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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. read more

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First time trying Afghan food & I'm sold! We tried the beef dumplings (so incredibly good I'm still thinking about them) and pumpkin/beef flatbread to start. Then the eggplant and lamb shank with fries as our mains. Everything had the most intricate flavoring, with sauces & dips I need to have again! Smaller restaurant but very happening, service was great other than coursing could've been a little better as we were at a very small table. read more

Lapis was my first experience trying Afghan cuisine, and it absolutely blew me away. Every dish was packed with incredible flavor, showcasing a perfect balance of spices, fresh ingredients, and comforting textures. From the beautifully prepared appetizers to the unforgettable entrées, this was some of the best food I've ever eaten. Combined with the warm hospitality and inviting atmosphere, Lapis delivered a truly memorable dining experience. An easy five stars, I can't wait to come back and explore more of the menu. read more

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! read more

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Found them on the Michelin guide and wanted to try for awhile! The interior was beautiful with high ceilings, bright blue contrast, and big windows -- the price reflects this! It reminded me of being on the coast in the Mediterranean. The service was wonderful. Our waiter was very kind and welcoming! This was our first time having Afghan food. In order of preference: Shrimp dumpling - Creamy sauce with bits of shrimp and herbs YUM. Reminded me of a soup I enjoy. Potato and onion bread and beef bread - this was recommended by the waiter, the potato and onion filling was better than the latter but overall it did not standout to me and was a bit dry. Beef kabob with rice - I thought it was going to be juicy minced beef but these were like steak skewers, it was enjoyable but did not standout! I'd come back for the shrimp dumplings and to try other items. My true rating would be 3 1/2 stars for the food, but four stars for the service so I'm rounding up. read more

Lapis - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

BIG big shoutout to my local bestie who brought us to Lapis for a celebratory meal. It's only every so often three kindergarten bestie have a chance to spend a weekend together! Every element of this restaurant is remarkable. The sexy downstairs speakeasy vibes where we sat, the approachable but distinctive menu, and the courteous service. We...tried a little of everything! Dumplings, starter tasting flight, the buranee kadoo pumpkin dish, mixed grill meats, and delicious kofta beef meatballs. Wrap it all up with some pistachio cake and call it dinner and nearly missing your train home. The cocktails were excellent as well. I don't think you're doing to go wrong with anything on the menu but I highly recommend ordering a bunch of things for the table so everyone can try a bit of everything. One of the best dining experiences I've had in DC and will remember the meal for a lifetime! Thank you to the team for the amazing experience. read more

Lapis - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here for an amazing brunch! They have a very reasonably priced 3-course menu wherein you can choose from a variety of dishes, including loads of vegetarian options. The croissants were literally the best I've ever had, and my friend got rose water pancakes that were different from anything I've ever tasted. I love that they also had healthy dessert options, including an açaí bowl and parfait. It was too much food, so I got mine to go. The inside decor is very vibey and the staff is friendly. Would definitely come back! read more

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I loved my experience. Staff were so friendly and professional and food came out quickly. I came for lunch some time ago and enjoyed the flatbreads. This time I opted for the brunch three course special at $37.I chose the chocolate croissant, karayee and açaí bowl. It was a lot of food! I took the croissant home and had to share the açaí bowl with my friends. The karayee is one of their more popular dishes, soft cooked egg on top of a tomato based pepper, potato, and onion stew. I thought it needed a little salt and pepper but overall it was a well composed dish with a side of bread. I love the açaí bowl and honestly it was enough food on its own. Their lattes looked great, but I got the afghan 75, just like a French 75 but with a little more umpf! I like the fact that it's not on the main strip of adams morgan so it's not as much street traffic. Inside is beautiful and the decor appeared to match the region of the food. I would recommend! read more

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lapis is one of the best restaurants in DC. The service was super nice and the people as well. The food was amazing. The lamb and the eggplant was the highlight of the show. It was a nice cool vibe. I would recommend this place to anybody. I would definitely come here again. read more

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Wow! I'm still thinking about the shami kebabs that I had the other night at Lapis. This is now my 2nd visit here. I came back specifically for their Barbur Gardens cocktail that was just as delicious this time as it was the first time. I've only seen this place during the weekdays and let me tell you, it's always busy. I do love that the restaurant has multiple areas and it's very cozy. This time I also tried their mezcal cocktail and that was also delicious. The shrimp dumplings I thought were ok. And the pakowra (cauliflower app) was also just ok. The highlight for sure was their kebab and fries appetizer. It was packing with flavor and the perfect light bite for anyone who just wants a snack. The rest of the menu features a lot of vegetarian dishes which I appreciate. I look forward to slowly trying everything on the menu lol. Compliment me back if you have any dish suggestions for Lapis. read more

Lapis - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very, very good! Lapis has been on my radar for a while as I work to eat my way through Adams Morgan, and it might be one of my favorites! Many have told me how good the dumplings are, and they are correct. I had the shrimp dumplings but also tried the beef ones, and both were a hit. The range of flavors between the dumplings and their accompanied sauce are wonderful. I was a little disappointed that they were out of the chicken & rice dish, so I opted for the kofta. The food and in the cozy atmosphere of the place just felt like a home cooked meal made with love. Ended up very happy with the decision! The service was also great despite the place beginning to pack up. I'm very excited to return, this time for that chicken dish! read more

Lapis - I got ahead of myself and started pouring rice when this was taken - I was that excited! - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Loved the basement dining room. Very beautiful & comfortable. Food was amazing. Distinctive flavor profile and great to share. Service was really good. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes. read more

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Lapis was delicious. My partner took me here for our night out in DC and we both really enjoyed this place. We had reservations and were seated downstairs. It was a bit more boisterous upstairs so it was nice to be downstairs where it felt more intimate and romantic with the dimmer lighting. Our server was great at providing recommendations and we ordered a few of his suggestions. The drinks we had were great. Food was even better. We got the Bolani (pumpkin and beef), Mantoo Shrimp dumplings, Buranee Bademjan (eggplant), and Gabuli Palow braised lamb all to share. Everything had great flavor and it was all well balanced. Each dish was cooked perfectly and we loved everything we ordered. It was plenty of food for us and was really such a great experience. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for some great Afghan food around the Adam's Morgan area. read more

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Huge fan of lapis and recommend for any nice dinner. I came here recently with family and my Korean dad who generally only likes Korean food said these dishes taste similar; I'll take that as a compliment that they matched his palette! I enjoyed everything we got, which four people shared family style: bolani, shrimp mantoo, beet salad, lamb shank, and eggplant. The vibes and food are cozy and hearty. They also accommodated a family member in a wheelchair, which I had flagged in advance on the reservation and by phone, and I appreciated that they made it so easy. Service was great and we had a lovely time read more

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FOOD IS SO FREAKING GOOD i've never had Afghan food and this was a great intro! get the lamb dishes! also, the rice is insanely good! read more

Lapis - special lamb dish, cauliflower, and rice - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It was a good experience. The food was really good. We got the Nask soup, lamb tikka, lamb chops, starters tasting flight, Aushak and a few other items. We were a party of 6 and there was more than enough space to accommodate. The food was great. The sleeper of the evening was the soup! If you had to get something, this would be it. So much flavor. The lamb tikka was great. The meat was tender and in my opinion better than the lamb chops. I would come back! Our server was gracious as well. Even when it got busy. The only top I would provide is to make a request to be seated upstairs! We were in the downstairs area during the day time, so we didn't get any natural light on a nice day. We sat in the basement which was the only bummer on a nice evening. read more

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Food was amazing. Also you have to try the sheer chai. Deducted one star because the service was very slow. read more

Lapis - Chicken kebab - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia