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    Sababa

    4.3 (374 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Sababa Reservations

    Order Sababa Takeout or Delivery

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    SABABA ATMOSPHERE

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    Casual
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    Recommended Reviews - Sababa

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    Reviews With Photos

    Honeynut Squash Falafel
    Nams S.

    Salatim, Roasted Halloumi, and the seasonal falafel remain favorites. So does the charred eggplant. The use of labne as the base in the falafel and eggplant adds to the dish without overwhelming it with dairy. The latkes on the Hanukkah menu are the thicker in the middle variety but texture was perfect. Please bring the Chocolate Tahini Caramel Tart back on the dessert menu. Glad to have Simone as the server again, he knows his art.

    TG Salatim
    Maggie M.

    I'm always on the lookout for great middle eastern food and this place did not disappoint! The decor is very chic but casual. We got the salatim- every dip was delicious, but especially the Brussel sprout baba ganoush. We also got the beef kofta kebabs and the lamb shank - the lamb fell right off the bone, it was so good! And the service was very fast. I definitely plan on coming back here.

    Maria-Elena T.

    A friend ordered out the Brussels sprouts! They were incredible!! So much flavor and the sauce and dried cranberries really added to it. The pita had a lot of flavor but needed to be warmed up. Now I want to go there and try more things!!!

    Maxine J.

    EVERYTHING was AMAZING. From making my reservation with Michael to the PERFECT service provided by Youseff and his team. The restaurant is stunning, so much class and ambience packed in such a quaint environment. There was not one single complaint from our group of 14 (celebrating our Matriarch's 76th birthday). The food was delicious, presentation impressive, and portions hearty. The drinks (Fig Manhattan, Zhug Margarita, Prosecco, Pomegranate Fizz, etc.) were noteworthy. We sampled just about everything and, as impossible as this is to believe, we would absolutely eat everything again and again. As I'm writing this ... I want some more hummus, lamb shank and lamb kabab, and another pomegranate fizz, and glass of Chardonnay (Le Petite Silex Sancerre). However, next time I will NOT be buying bottles of the Chardonnay ... spent almost $200 on just that! *Sigh* BTW: That's not a complaint ... just a lesson learned. Please put Sababa/The Little Blackbird (sister restaurant) on your bucket list and try EVERYTHING ... the Israeli salad, fried cauliflower, all the meats I mentioned above, Brussel sprouts, chopped chicken liver, falafel, etc, etc. Yeah, we were absolute gluttons but remember, we listen and we don't judge. Definitely want to return to eat upstairs and/or on the deck. Hoping you make it there as well. When you do, tell them you saw it in Yelp.

    Rooftop
    Tonia K.

    Came in for a business lunch (private area reserved) and it was lovely. The restaurant team tending to our group was efficient and polite, explaining dishes (and pronunciation, lol). We had a set menu to accommodate vegans/vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. There was good variety and everyone seemed to enjoy. Lovely dining room and rooftop set the ambiance. Sorry for the photos in low lighting- not my finest visual work, I know. Lol. Hope this still helps!

    Whiskey cocktail - varies day to day, happy hour
    Victoria M.

    I have been to this restaurant once before and had such a delicious meal and a wonderful time. I decided to pop in prior to zoo lights. I hadn't been for about a year or two, so decided to see how things compared to my last visit. I sat at the bar and was pleasantly surprised to see that they had a happy hour. I ended up getting a whiskey cocktail, the happy hour spicy/chili, broccoli, and the salmon kebab. Everything was delicious, but my absolute favorite was the broccoli. The cool hummus below it mixed with the spicy flavors and the chili just absolutely blew me away. The whiskey cocktail as well was just perfectly made. And while the salmon was cooked well, I can't say that I truly enjoyed it. The sauce on it just really didn't do it for me. It was somewhat sweet and I just really didn't enjoy it. I was sad to see that the prior white fish that they used to have wasn't there anymore. Maybe next time I visit I will see it on the menu! The bartender was frequently checking up on me, and the service was spectacular by the other members of the service team. Despite the restaurant being semi full, I constantly felt like I was being checked on. I never had an empty glass, and I never had an empty plate in front of me. Sufficed to say, this place is still providing amazing food and great service. Overall, I had a wonderful time. I really love walking into this restaurant. It has a very cool and cozy vibe. I wouldn't say it's too dimly lit, but it provides a somewhat darker lighting. That really allows you to relax and enjoy your company and your food/drinks. I will definitely be returning and highly recommend this restaurant.

    Baklava
    Elizabeth M.

    we had a lovely double date and the desserts are probably the best I ever had in DC for me. However we felt like the plate portion sizing could have been more clear. The beef kofta was delicious, well-seasoned and flavorful but we didn't feel like it was shareable sizing for a table of 4, and the staff didn't really say what's the recommended number of plates for a party of 4. The pomegranate mocktail was amazing. Overall we would return!

    Amy B.

    Sababa is a classy restaurant that is a little dark inside, so it'd be perfect for a special occasion, birthday dinner, or date. It's probably the nicest Israeli restaurant in the DMV, and even so, the prices are still reasonable. Sababa offers a menu with plenty of vegetarian options and will not leave anyone disappointed. Everything was delicious and fresh. Of course, the hummus and pita were fantastic. Service was very good. I'll be back!

    Eggplant
    Michelle L.

    Wonderful service, delicious food and a pretty restaurant. We ordered four small plates and one large for a group of three and it was plenty. Everything had wonderful flavors.

    salmon benedict
    Sonya H.

    A delightful Mediterranean spot up in Cleveland Park, serving up incredibly flavorful dishes for brunch and dinner! I came to Sababa for a Sunday brunch with an old college friend. We arrived right when they opened at 11 AM and they were already quite packed, so I would definitely recommend making a reservation unless you want a 30+ min wait. However, even with how busy they were, the staff was incredibly friendly and the service was efficient and attentive. Our server kindly walked us through the menu and recommended we order a couple of things to split, in true Mediterranean tapas fashion. My friend and I were, tragically, not super hungry so we went against our server's advice and each got an eggs benedict on latkes; mine came with smoked salmon, and hers with lamb. The benedicts were enormous, probably 2-3x the size of a normal benedict on an English muffin. And it was delicious -- the latke was nice and crispy, and was a good, hearty base for the smoked salmon and perfectly poached egg. The egg yolk and hollandaise mixed into the most delightful rich, creamy sauce, and they topped the whole thing with capers, fresh dill, and pickled red onions to help cut through the heaviness of it all. As delicious as it was, I definitely started to feel a bit of flavor fatigue after about half of the dish; the latke was a bit too heavy to make it your entire meal, but that's also why the server recommended we try a bunch of different things to share (so it was really our fault for disregarding his words). I'll have to come back with a larger group (or just hungrier) to try a bunch of different dishes! I'd also love to come back for dinner -- the dinner menu seems absolutely incredible, and I've heard nothing but amazing things about their hummus. tl;dr -- great food, great vibes, and great service. And listen to your server when they tell you the best way to order...they really do know what they're talking about.

    Hummus, warm pita bread, eggplant and tahini
    P.C. K.

    EXCELLENT!!! Highly recommend. The best Mediterranean food in town. Food: A+ Service: A+ Atmosphere: A+ Value: A+

    Lamb benedict
    Lauren F.

    I've been to Sababa twice now: once for dinner a while back and once for brunch. The dinner was a great experience. We got the spread/salad sampler, which was delicious and served with fluffy pitas, as well as two kebabs. The salmon I particular was great. It was enough to have leftovers the next day even with 2 people. The only underwhelming part was the dessert, but overall I thought it was great. Unfortunately, but probably not unsurprisingly given how different brunches can be, that wasn't true for my last visit. The service was just as excellent as the first time, but the lamb was under-seasoned and even the harissa seemed bland. I liked the Hollandaise sauce, but as a whole the lamb benedict dish just didn't taste very good, and that really should have been a home run of a flavor combo. I would recommend them as a dinner spot, but I think the brunch menu just probably doesn't get the same love. 2 for brunch, 4 for dinner, so 3.5 if I could rate it that overall for good service but two very different food experiences!

    Harissa Marinated Chicken Kebab
    Toni R.

    I've come to Sababa a few times now and absolutely love it each time! The food is amazing. We love getting the salatim and having a sample of the different dips to start. We've tried their sea bass which was a good portion size, the grilled meats (salmon and chicken) were cooked to perfection and well seasoned. The vibe inside is wam and cozy. My only feedback is that the service on weekend was less attentive. Our waters didn't get refilled and they took a while to check on us. But for the amazing food, I am def planning to come back over and over again!

    Eggplant "Benedict": one poached egg, Hollandaise sauce, a delicious soft hot bagel, and the amazing charred eggplant on the sides.

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    1 year ago

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    Sara P.

    Amy, what lovely feedback! Thank you so much!

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    10 months ago

    Great food, outstanding service, and incredible cocktails. It's pricey but somehow seemed worth the price even for a frugal like me!

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    11 months ago

    Excellent as usual. We try to eat here every season to try the updated menu. The dips platter is a favorite & home made pita is the best.

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    Sababa Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sababa

    I believe all meats will be kosher here?

    This restaurant is not kosher. But, it's very good and has plenty of fish and vegetable choices.

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    Far and away the best cupcakes I've ever had!! I was lucky enough to go when there wasn't a line,…read moreand I snagged seven of these to try. I don't remember the exact names of the cupcakes I got, but they were basically a strawberry, a vanilla, a vanilla with chocolate frosting, a chocolate with vanilla frosting, a double chocolate, a red velvet, and a pistachio. They were fantastic!! My personal favorites were the strawberry, the vanilla with chocolate frosting, and the vanilla which really surprises me since I've never actually enjoyed a vanilla cupcake before. I can't wait to return!!

    If you're looking for a new place to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee, baked goods, or a world class…read morecupcake that's the size of a muffin. Then, come here! You won't regret it. Everyone is as sweet as the cupcakes. They make you feel like family! This place is a hidden local treasure that I'm proud to support. I was first introduced to this place a few years ago by my brother who lives in DC. And, let me tell you, It was love at first bite! I absolutely love coming here anytime I'm in town. I always get the German Chocolate Cupcake. It's not the traditional German chocolate that you'd expect. The chocolate cake itself is a rich moist decadent, dark chocolate. Not the traditional light and airy cake that is German chocolate. But, it's still delicious! The frosting is pure perfection! It has notes of coconut, caramel, and sweet vanilla. It's so unbelievably moist, decadent, and delicious that you wish that you had 2X as much. But, it'd be too rich at that point. They truly have the well balanced cupcake down. They have plenty of seating. So, if you're not in a rush. Sit down and enjoy the ambience. Also, they have a really nice coffee bar with incredibly delicious coffee, tea, and tasty treats. So, make sure to check it out. The cupcakes are a little pricey. But, don't let the price tag scare you away for enjoying a once and a lifetime treat. They're worth every penny! I've enjoyed seeing them become the fancy bakery that they are today and hope that everyone tries them. So, that you can experience your love at first bite moment! You won't regret it.

    Rose Ave Bakery - Ube iced coffee

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    Rose Ave Bakery has been on my radar since early this year! I finally made it to DC this weekend…read moreand this was naturally our first stop. They are open until 1 PM on Saturdays, we reached at around 11:30 AM and I was half hoping for them to be out of most items. Fortunately, even though they were super packed, we were able to find all of the items we were looking for - thanks to the hard working staff as they continue to make their pastries until closing - unlike so many other bakeries these days that make a certain amount and call it a day! Now to the food, everything we had was absolutely phenomenal! I am not a donut person but I loved theirs as they were very flavorful and weren't too sweet. I definitely prefer their Ube and Pandan over the Black sesame donut. The Matcha chocolate croissant and the Ube Kouign Amann were my favorites of the bunch! I cannot recommend them enough, this will surely be my first stop every time I am in DC!

    Visited Rose Ave Bakery in DC on a busy weekend after a friend recommended it, and we ended up…read morewaiting in line--which was worth it. The space is a pretty cute, modern café with cherry blossom décor and a great mix of sweet and savory pastries. We honestly tried almost everything Garlic Scallion Bun - Soft, lightly toasted with just the right crunch. Inspired by a Taiwanese garlic bun, it was super easy to eat and one of my favorites (9/10). Matcha Chocolate Twice-Baked Croissant - A rectangular croissant absolutely loaded with matcha and chocolate, topped with matcha powder. It was almost a bit too heavy on the matcha for me, and the bitterness overpowered the chocolate. Banana Chocolate Twice-Baked Croissant - Banana cream on top with banana chocolate inside. Pretty straightforward--tasted exactly like what you'd expect from a banana chocolate croissant. Ube Cheese Kouign Amann - Unique sweet-and-savory combo. The ube adds a subtle sweetness while the cheese gives it a creamy balance. Rich and slightly dense, and I just wished there was a bit more filling to balance the pastry. Miso Garlic Salted Bread - One of my top picks. Savory, buttery, and paired with a slightly sweet brioche-like base that balances everything really well. Elote Bread - Corn-topped savory bread with a nice sweetness and texture. This and the miso garlic bread were tied for my favorites. Strawberry Passionfruit Kouign Amann - Fruity and rich, but a bit filling overall. I just wished there was more filling to balance the pastry. Sugared Donut - Simple and classic, just a soft, sugary donut done right. Drinks: * Strawberry Matcha & Mango Matcha - Both layer fruit puree with matcha, but the flavors stay quite separate rather than blending together. * Vietnamese Coffee with Cold Foam - Strong coffee base with strawberry-flavored cold foam. It's pretty sweet overall with less of a coffee-forward taste, but still smooth and enjoyable. * White Mocha Latte - More coffee-forward compared to the sweeter drinks, which I actually preferred. Overall, I loved my visit--great spot for both savory and sweet pastries with creative flavor combinations and a lot to try. I definitely preferred the savory items over sweet here particularly the garlic scallion bun!

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    Al Tiramisu

    Al Tiramisu

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    $$$

    Dupont Circle, Downtown

    I enjoyed my meal and experience here! Came here after a con and it was very easy to be seated on a…read moreSunday night. Apparently, it was their 30th anniversary too, so that was fun to celebrate. The waiters were very attentive with waters, clean up, and following up with our dishes. Although, I could tell they were trying to upsell me every time I tried to order something, which I rather not deal with for most dining occasions. Place is cozy with some Italian decor and Italian music playing. Everything was pretty good in my opinion; can't say that I can choose which course was my favourite! We had the duck prosciutto as an appetizer, which was a special. It was delicious with the cooked duck taste, alongside the toast with very vibrant jam. My vongole pasta was good too; I do like pasta more on the firmer side, which it was. It tasted great with the calm, garlic, and olive oil - simple, yet tasty. The tiramisu itself was fine, but I believe it was enhanced even more with the sauces and cookie bit on the top; the cookie bit was too good. I definitely would like to come back to try some of their other things!

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