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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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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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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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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Lapis was an absolute gem--our first time trying Afghan cuisine and we were completely mind blown! Every dish was bursting with bold, aromatic flavors that were both comforting and totally new to us. You can really taste the care and authenticity in the food. The restaurant itself is spacious with a great vibe--stylish but relaxed, making it a perfect spot for both a date night or a casual dinner with family. While it's not the kind of place where kids can run wild, it's definitely family friendly if your kid can sit through a meal--ours did, and we all had a great time. The service was top notch--attentive, kind, and clearly passionate about helping guests enjoy the experience. If you're looking to try something different and delicious in a beautiful setting, Lapis is 100% worth it. We'll definitely be back! read more

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My friend heard Lapis has a fantastic brunch menu from others so we made plans a month in advance to try it out. Upon arrival, we were given both the brunch and all-day menu and decided to family-style a dish from both menus. LAPOP CHAI - 8 The cost for a small cup of chai is a bit high, but it was well-spiced, flavorful, and creamy. I personally would not recommend skim milk (I asked for 2%, but I ended up getting skim?) for the chai. Overall, I enjoyed it along with the dishes we got during our brunch. LAPIS PANCAKES - 15 I saw a lot of positive reviews on the Lapis pancakes, so we ordered some to share. Each order comes with three fluffy pancakes topped with dried rose petals and pistachios and a side of rose water syrup. The syrup was truly different. Most syrups tend to be dense, thick, and overly sweet, but this one was light and fragrant. Each bite was nutty, floral, and not too heavy. Yum! MORGH KABOB - 28 I told our server I didn't like cilantro so she recommended the chicken kabob over the chicken dish from their signature list. However, the chicken is cooked and topped with lots of cilantro, so I had to pick it all out before consumption. The chicken was incredibly dry and a bit bland. There was a nice, spicy red sauce that enhanced the flavors of chicken, though. My friend ate all the salad since that had cilantro in it too, and she enjoyed it. My favorite part was the rice which was well-seasoned and tasty on its own. Overall, I would not recommend paying the price for 7 small pieces of dry chicken breast. Our experience was alright. The pancakes definitely stood out to us, but not enough for me to return just for them. read more

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I really looked forward to trying this place and it did not disappoint. We made a reservation but requested so sit outside in the covered patio since it was such a nice day. The patio has heating elements and fans but was a bit warm on a nice day. The inside was very cute but the downstairs seating area was so much more relaxing. Service was polite and she gave good recommendations on how much food we should order. We started with mimosas, the viceroy, the old fashion, etc. Drink service was incredibly slow - we often got food way before drinks came out. Otherwise everything else regarding service was quick - they bused tables quickly, water came out quickly, our waitress was attentive. We started off with the bolani - onion-potato and the beef one. Those were probably the weakest things we ate and they were still great! The other food was really just that good. We did the mantoo dumplings and were absolutely in love with how great they were- the dumpling skin was so soft and the toppings and flavor were amazing and unique. We then ordered the mixed grill and really enjoyed how tender all the meat was, including the chicken and the lamb. The flavor of the rice it came with was great but I would recommend ordering a second thing of rice if you have a group of 4. We also got a side of the eggplant and the cauliflower- both super tender and flavorful and great sides with the meats. We ended the meal with dessert (halwa and coconut rice) with a capuccino and iced chai - the drinks were fantastic. The halwa was ok but the coconut rice dessert was really refreshing and not too sweet. read more

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The ambiance is excellent here, it's a clean and beautiful establishment and the service feels friendly and familiar. Now the food. Be ready to spend. I highly recommend the shrimp dumplings in that saffron sauce and the flat bread service! Cocktails and mocktails were also perfect. I also had the chicken stew, highly recommend. I don't eat lamb but that's what they are known for. read more

This was my favorite visit to lapis so far. I tried the shrimp mantoo (dumplings) which were absolutely divine and outstanding. I can't recommend enough. The pumpkin (bantoo) dish is amazing. The Bolani are always a winner. The beans dishes are also great. I liked the dal (yellow lentils). The only miss was the "naan" bread which is not at all like Indian naan and is very hard. I don't recommend that but everything else was great. read more

Lapis - Mantoo with shrimp, get them! - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The casual ambiance and great service made it a great birthday experience. The food was unique and tasted amazing! Our favorites were the shrimp dumplings and eggplant. read more

It's been a while since I've had dinner at a hip establishment where you need to make reservations so when my companion Cameron did it I knew I was in for a nice dinner. They have a meal for 2 around $92 where we chose the shrimp manhoo, kofta, spinach, and a chicken dish with a sheer berenj (pistachio rice pudding) for dessert. Everything was delightful and tasty. Lovely scene and ambiance. 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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Noise is the biggest downer. We were in the basement. Could barely hear people at my table[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. 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

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

Sooo happy I finally got to try this place! The place was packed on a Friday, you def need a reservation. The service was slow but the food was amazing! We tried the beef mantoo app which was so delicious. Light, airy dumplings served with flavorful sauce and beef. I also loved the eggplant appetizer and this dish had a very similar sauce. For entrees we shared the lamb kebabs ( so good especially with their yogurt)! And the chicken quorma which was a simple and delightful stew type of dish. The chicken was sooo tender it fell off the bone. We finished with the rice pudding - airy and refreshing and tbh a big serving size! I would definitely come back. read more

Went back a year later and sadly the service got way worse. We sat downstairs level as upstairs was full and very loud. While the food was tasty the service was subpar. It seemed like the waitstaff was untrained and never checked on us, forgot our salad, refused any modifications. While the food was mostly tasty, the chicken tasted either undercooked and flavorless or microwave heated. The pomegranate drink was obnoxiously sweet and lukewarm. The deserts this time around were tasty. We had both the pistachio cale and chocolate mousse cake. read more

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This is our third time having a family dinner here over a number of years. We don't go every time we visit dc but this time I chose to skip our regular Le Diplomate ritual (one of my faves Ever!) to take everyone here. We don't tend to eat a lot of afghan food and if you haven't you must try it!! It often requires reservation or patience. The service team is large friendly and efficient. Great cocktails that the ladies get but really their beer and standard drinks not a lot of choices so I usually skip. We ordered the chefs choice combo and the lamb shank extra and samosa trio. I don't generally care for eggplant but theirs is great in a kind of tomato sauce. The mushroom stew earthy and tasty. Rice dishes small but tasty. The beef stew fantastic The chicken leg stew absolutely fantastic Samosa great with good dipping sauce The "naan" bread good but really more like a few cracker like bread pieces. Meh It came with a dessert to share that was nice . Dishes are a bit salty on average but they will gladly keep bringing big bottles of still water for the table. There is a huuuge menu but we usually stick to the same things. One thing.... It's quite expensive and very close quarters and hectic. Parking can be tricky unless you want to use this sketchy looking valet of characters down the street. Don't recommend that! I'd def recommend that someone call their banker, and get out their comfort zone and try it. 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

I can understand the hype because we had a fantastic experience here. We started with the starters tasting flight, and everything was delicious. My least favorite was the pakowra, but that's only because of personal preference. My favorite was the spinach sambosa. We also did an order of the aushak dumplings, which were also really tasty. For my entree, I got the qabuli palow after a strong recommendation from our server. It was delicious and the lamb practically fell right off the bone. My mom got the kofta, and each meatball was pillow and full of flavor. We ordered a side of the Afghan bread, which was great to dip into the kofta sauce. read more

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

I celebrated a friend's birthday here last month and was quite impressed. They were able to cater to our group (small group but group nonetheless) and we got to choose where we wanted to sit downstairs. We got a cozy spot in the corner w the comfiest couch n the vibes were v loungy + chill. I enjoyed their bar drink options although I opted to just have their aromatic chai. It was my first time having Afghan food so I chatted w the owner? for a bit for his advice (he was extremely nice btw) n I landed w the lamb shank (I love protein). No gaminess whatsoever and even my cousin who doesn't prefer lamb had a bite and enjoyed it! They were also able to store and cut our birthday cake for us afterwards. A memorable night at an amazing restaurant! read more

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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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Combined with the warm hospitality and inviting atmosphere, Lapis delivered a truly memorable dining experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] An easy five stars, I can't wait to come back and explore more of the menu. read more

Outstanding. I have been in 3 times in the last 7 years. Last time was 5 years ago and I missed the flavorful dishes. Everything is tasty you cant go wrong! read more

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Every time Lapis came up in conversation, friends couldn't believe I had never been there and after going to dinner last night, I know now why. What an amazing meal! I cannot wait to go back and try more items off their large menu. I caught up with a former colleague and we were both Lapis newbies. When we walked in we commented to each other about how it already smelled delicious and the upstairs space is so cozy and welcoming. We were seated downstairs where it was quiet and a great place to catch up. I didn't realize the restaurant was so expansive with so many spaces. I'd love to host a private event there. The menu has a lot of items and it's a little overwhelming but our server was so helpful in making recommendations and talking us through it. We had the following: - bolani: onion + potato and beef - mantoo shrimp dumplings - buranee bademjan - lamb shank - torshi - pista - bottle of pinot noir The highlights were definitely the bolani and the buranee bandejan. The bolani were crispy but chewy inside and the combination of the mint yogurt and the chutney sauces were perfect. I especially loved the onion + potato and the beef reminded me of an Armenian dish I love - lahmajun. The best dish of the meal was absolutely the buranee bademjan. I like eggplant but it's not something I make at home and every bite was melt in your mouth amazing. I'm still thinking about that dish and can't wait to go back and have it again. The dumplings were good but light and had a nice kick to them. The lamb shank was tender (but not fall off the bone) and the sauce was rich and full of depth. We loved the vinegar in the torshi and it was a nice complement to our meal. I think I had a pumpkin or squash piece -- something I've never had pickled before! We finished our meal with the pista which was a very light ricotta cake with pistachio and honestly the perfect way to end the meal. Go to Lapis! Yes, you, right now, go! read more

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

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I was seated downstairs and we started with cocktails which were surprisingly good and well balanced. The kofta and chicken shish were good. I would have preferred more spice on the chicken. The ambiance is good, it's a little loud but still quiet enough for conversation. read more

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

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Lapis had been on my list for a while, so I was excited it to try it. The food was fine but not great. Staff was very friendly. Service was inelegant at best, though our server and busser were nice. I loved the ambiance though. It was warm and lively. The two tops are way too small. The chairs are extremely uncomfortable. Our server struggled to determine dish placement, causing us to maneuver the dishes, which a diner should never have to do. When I reached for my purse at the end of the night, it had fallen on the floor, and not one server or busser bothered to advise me or pick it up. You must box your food yourself, which I hate. I was brought a tiny box to bring home a lamb shank. I think training is probably in order. I ordered the Herati Western (Planteray dark rum, Cynar, Peychauds, Angostura) for a cocktail and it was excellent. My tempranillo paired nicely with my lamb entree. The bolani with pumpkin and leek was the standout. It was absolutely delicious. We ordered fries too, because my friend said they were really good, and she was right. I was disappointed by the kadoo, as the flavor was not what I was used to for this dish. The naan was hard. My lamb shank was tender and I enjoyed it, but I was not wowed. Rice was good. I will say that I tried my friend's trout and it was delicious. So I think I just orderd wrong, but there should be such a thing. We didn't have room for dessert but based on the meal, I don't think we missed anything. Lapis was a major let down and I'd not return. read more

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Lapis exceeded my expectations. The food was amazing. We loved everything we tried. We brought guests from out of town, and they were impressed, too. The dumplings were definitely a hit! We tried several different types. We also enjoyed the salad and the chicken dish. Everything was just so tasty! We sat in the basement section of the restaurant but it was cozy and comfortable. It's a loud environment, which can make it harder to chat. We were too busy chewing to chat much anyways. Overall, this was a very satisfying meal. No notes! We will be back. read more

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Lapis was absolutely fabulous! We ordered so many items that I can only recall a few: For appetizers we ordered the meatballs, the tasting plate, and the eggplant. For our main course we ordered the lamb, the chicken, and lentils. This service was amazing and the ambiance was full of just joy! The restaurant was just filled with people who you could tell were enjoying the food and company! I'll definitely be back! read more

Wow. This was one for the books. My top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality and I came here for lunch on Inauguration Day, deciding after roughly 48 hours in DC that we were kind of over politics and would rather just make a non-presidential day of it. I did a lot of groundwork for this one, and had a vibe about this Adams Morgan neighborhood. A few bars/restaurants caught my eye, but Lapis seemed like an interesting place to eat with strong reviews. Easily a huge weekend highlight for both of us if not THE highlight. This really is a cool neighborhood; it reminded me a lot of Park Slope, very chill and a totally different vibe from the chaos going on closer to the White House. For these types of adventures, I always feel better when the sidewalks are teeming with hipsters - it means the cocktails will be good and I'll receive tons of compliments on my gorgeous denim hats. Lapis was very easy to find and while decently busy, we were able to secure a table in the back almost immediately and settle in. For several hours. If you're apprehensive about the ethnic flavors and/or general unfamiliarity with Afghan cuisine, I wouldn't sweat it - it has a lot of parallels with Mediterranean and Indian food, and the menu had so much variety it would be almost impossible not to find something intriguing to sample. We went pretty nuts in that regard. We knew going in that the dumplings had a reputation, so we got (if memory serves) the shrimp and pumpkin ones; the pumpkin were probably my least favorite item I tried here, and they were still pretty good. I think the taste was just a little bland for me. We also were hoping to mix and match a little with the dumplings, and weren't permitted to, which was a bit disappointing though ultimately not a huge issue. The other food was dictionary definition phenomenal. At the waiter's urging we got the kofta, the official dish of Afghanistan, featuring boneless lamb and rice pilaf. Delicious, and the lamb was incredibly tender and flavorful. Huge portion as well; I think that was one of the few items we weren't able to completely demolish. We also thought most of the apps looked interesting so the tasting flight seemed like the natural option in that regard. Everything I sampled there was awesome, particularly the bolani; I believe we did beef for that. The word that really comes to mind here is memorable, which when you think about it can be the highest form of compliment you can give. We're going to be talking about this meal for months. In a very unsurprising development, the drinks were excellent too. We both got Lapis Old Fashioneds (just a Don Draper kind of day), which had a unique spin on them with char masala bitters. It took a few sips to get used to it, but it was really tasty and definitely had an "ethnic" feel to it without losing the essence of the basics. We got a few of those with no regrets. The service was pretty good. My chum was VERY cranky/yowly when we first got in here and the waiter was able to navigate those treacherous waters ably. He was also very familiar with the menu, which to me is an important quality at a place like this where I'm sure a lot of patrons are not quite as comfortable ordering as they would be in, say, an Applebee's. The wait time for the initial drinks was close to 15 minutes but that was the only real hiccup. We also appreciated very much that they let us linger and chat even though the restaurant was technically closed by the time we left - that more than makes up for a slight delay on a beverage. If/when I'm back in DC, I'm figuring out a way to get back here. I'm not saying that about any other place, which should tell you something. read more

Lapis - Lapis Old Fashioned. - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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First time dining at an Afghan restaurant! I'm very familiar with Persian food and thought Afghan food would be quite similar, but I was surprised to learn that it's quite different. The thing that shocked me the most was that they had dumplings! This was by far my favorite dish at Lapis...packed with flavor and covered in an incredible sauce. If there's one dish to order here, it's definitely the mantoo classic. The bolani and zardak were amazing as well. The meat fell short for me. All the different cuts in the mixed grill were overcooked and hard to eat. I think I'd avoid ordering grilled meat next time. Would 100% come back for the dumplings though! read more

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After seeing Lapis in the Michelin guide and NYT, I thought it could be a fun experience for a Fri anniversary lunch. Other reviews made me nervous, but it was the BEST decision! Where do I begin... Food/drinks: mmm mmm mmm! Did I eat anything I didn't like? No. Did I eat too much? Yes! We ordered shamee kebab, meat platter for 2 (which had a few items I couldn't eat due to dietary restrictions), and mahee. This was enough food for 3-4 and could not all fit on our table. The fries were outstanding, the meat tender, the fish tasty, the carrots (and salad also) were bursting with flavor. Cocktails were fantastic. The only things that could make the food experience better: 1. Deboning fish - The fish filet had tiny bones that I didn't expect! 2. Food packing - You pack our own food when there are leftovers. Service: No complaints! We made a reservation (which was probably unnecessary for lunch and they didn't read the notes). The hostess, who was also the solo server, was efficient and helpful. She navigated restrictions on the menu with ease and knew everything that could be gluten free. And best of all: she brought us 2 glasses of bubbly when I mentioned it was our anniversary! A lovely surprise! Ambiance: Shabby chic, and very cool. Like being in someone's worldly and expensive yet understated living/dining room. The building gave me NYC vibes. My attention kept zooming in on wonderful details. Note that the bathroom is downstairs (if you have mobility issues). Lastly, I will say, I think I can understand why some people weren't impressed with their experience. It's small and could probably get loud. Tables don't hold much food. You're not doted on consistently. I probably would avoid coming during a rush time. But I absolutely am adding this to my list to come back. Thank you for making our anniversary special! read more

Lapis - Mahee (trout), white rice, pilau, and chicken stew - Afghan Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Everything I had here was delicious. The shrimp dumplings were moist and flavorful. The lamb kabobs were tasty and not dry. And the pistachio cake for dessert was amazing. It was fluffy, sweet and had a great pistachio taste. I definitely wouldn't mind getting the same items if I were to come here again. The service was good and the restaurant had a cozy and charming ambiance. read more

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This Afghani restaurant in Adams morgan is so cute and delicious! The Bolani was incredible especially with the chutney. The Kofta was great as well. The chicken kebab lacked some flavor however. The fries were just okay (nothing special definitely better things on the menu). The pistachio ricotta cake was sooo delicious, would definitely recommend. Will def come back to try their brunch read more

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History of Present Indulgence: I've been to Lapis many times now with groups of varying sizes and the food just keeps bringing me back. Physical Exam: Food: There isn't a single dish I wouldn't recommend. Some must-orders include the Mantoo Shrimp, the Bolani with leek, the Aushak dumplings, the Buranee Bademjan, and the Qabuli Palow. If you go for brunch, their fluffy pancakes with rose and cardamom-infused syrup will make you forget about maple syrup forever. The food is perfect for sharing, so bring a group and try as many dishes as possible! Service - Friendly and attentive. They handle both large groups and intimate gatherings with ease, making the experience seamless and enjoyable. Ambiance - The decor is stunning and adds to the feeling of being transported. It's versatile enough for a lively dinner with friends or a cozy date night. Assessment/Plan: Lapis is a gem in DC and absolutely deserving of its Michelin Bib Gourmand status. It is hands down one of the best restaurants in DC. Every visit feels like a culinary escape, and the decor and flavors transport you far from the city. Whether you're dining with a group or on a date, you'll love the food, service, and ambiance. read more

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I must say this is the first time I have tried afghan food and it was amazing. The food is very exotic and is something I would definitely recommend people to try. The dumplings in my opinion were the best but the goat dish was excellent as well. The staff were very accommodating even with our 1 year old daughter. If you do get a chance/reservation, I highly recommend this awesome cuisine/ restaurant read more

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This is probably the first Afgan restaurant i've been too. The food is similar to Indian but is unique. Definitely recommend This is a large multi storied space and it's become quite popular due to the Yelp platform and others. It does take some time to get order in and served. We ordered about 6 items for the table and they missed one, a salad. Very nice, just busy read more

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We had such a great experience at Lapis in D.C.! We came here for my friend's birthday, and everything from the food to the ambiance was amazing. The portion sizes were generous, and every dish was incredibly flavorful. My friends did bottomless mimosas and said they were really tasty. The staff was also very sweet and gave us a complimentary birthday dessert, which made the whole night feel extra special. Plus, the interior is absolutely beautiful, stylish, and perfect for a cute brunch. I would definitely come back! read more

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

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Absolutely delicious! The dumplings were fantastic. We tried all three and the shrimp was deemed the favorite by most in our party of five. The eggplant, lamb shank, and steak kabob were also standouts. We were seated in basement which was disappointing initially though turned out fine. Next time I would ask to be seated upstairs for a more lively atmosphere. read more

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This was my first visit to Lapis and I can see why it gets good reviews. Four of us shared a bunch of dinner dishes and everything was good. We had: Starters Tasting Flight ($24) - A great start to the meal. The Bolani, Sambosa, and Pakowra were my favorite bites of the night. Mantoo Classic, 4 pieces ($16) - beef dumplings, delicious Lubya ($12) - beans, pretty good Buranee Badenjan ($15) - baked eggplant, very good Buranee Kadoo ($15) - baked pumpkin, good but not a personal favorite Chaplee Kabob ($32) - lamb patties, also a hit Qabuli Palow ($35) - rice with carrots, raisins, and lamb. Good, but the carrot and raisin combo isn't my favorite This was plenty of food for four people. They were out of a two of the desserts and out of one of the teas. I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant that was out of multiple things, so this was a surprise. Service charge was included (20%). Service was fine, nothing special. It was a bit slow to get our appetizers but the rest of the dishes were prompt. It was also a little hard to understand our server, partially because the restaurant was a little loud and partially due to his accent. read more

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Every time I think about Lapis, I get excited--my experiences here have consistently been enjoyable, with some truly memorable dishes. We had a lovely time, and the patio atmosphere is great. That said, it's a bit of a tight setup. Our backs were bumped a few times by passing servers and other guests due to the narrow walkways. Definitely something to keep in mind if you're coming with a larger group or aren't a fan of cramped spaces. Here's what we ordered: * Mantoo dumplings - Excellent comfort food and always delicious. A must-order. * Appetizer sampler - Not my favorite. The empanadas weren't well fried, the bolani was a bit soggy, and the pakowra had too much batter. * Chopawn (lamb shanks) - Favorite dish of the night. The lamb was well-cooked and packed with flavor. * Pan-seared trout filet - Beautifully prepared with a buttery, delicate taste. * Steak kabob - Nicely seasoned and cooked well, though the cut of meat wasn't the best. * Naan - Not like Indian naan. It's more of a stiffer, focaccia-style bread. * Pickled red onions - Pretty standard. The service was good, and we'll definitely keep coming back--especially for those dumplings and the standout grilled mains! read more

I was in the mood to try something new and Lapis kept coming up on lists of great restaurants in DC. I made a reservation on Resy that did require a credit card to book. Cancellations less than 24 hours in advance will be charged $15 per person. There was a line outside the door since they open at 5pm for dinner and that's when our reservations were for. We were immediately seated and provided with water and menus. Service was great throughout the night. The vibes for dinner was cozy and romantic. I loved the lighting and decor. I loved the menu as well as it told their story of being immigrants and going on to open a plethora of restaurants in DC. There are pictures and captions that really tell their story and a history of Afghanistan. The food was fantastic. I loved the spice, how it wasn't over or underwhelming. We opted for a white wine from Santorini and a cab sav from Lebanon to go with our mantoo beef dumplings as well as the lamb shank and lamb chops. My date wanted to try the fries mainly because of the harissa aioli and they were in fact fantastic! Our meals each came with rice. You cannot go wrong with the lamb! There's a lot of seating both indoors and in a fully covered patio. Can't wait to come back! read more

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