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    Shemali's

    4.2 (70 reviews)
    InexpensiveLebanese, Falafel, Wraps
    Open 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Shemali's

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    Gyro platter  -The gyro meat was not good. - French fries with a topping of sliced beef liver are presented in a takeout container. The fries are golden and crispy, while the beef liver slices are cooked and seasoned, placed directly on top of the fries. The container appears to be made of foam or similar material, suitable for takeout food. The image emphasizes the contrast between the crispy fries and the cooked liver slices, indicating a dish that combines fried potatoes with meat toppings.

    The Minced Beef Wrap (manaqish, Lahmacun) is good. It comes with tomatoes and cucumbers. The gyro, unfortunately, is clearly a frozen product and not a good one. Avoid it. The fries are good if also average. Service/prep times can run slow.

    Lamb Gyro Sandwich - A sandwich wrap, sliced in half, displays layers of lettuce, cooked meat, and a creamy white sauce inside a soft flatbread. The wrap is partially unwrapped, showing the filling, and rests on a brown textured surface with a piece of parchment paper nearby.
    Ifeoma I.

    Located inside Foxhall Square, Shemali's is a cute little Lebanese cafe I just happen to stumble upon. It has a variety of food options as well as some spices and sauces that can be purchased and used at home. There are a variety of appetizer, sandwich, and platter options. I ordered the lamb gyro sandwich, which was sooo good and well complemented by tzatziki sauce inside it. I also got some kebbe, which is pretty much ground beef inside of a firmer exterior (similar to falafel but beef inside) and absolutely loved it. The prices are also pretty reasonable for the area, and the portions were fitting for a full meal with potential leftovers. Very friendly staff and I believe they also have catering options. Highly recommend if you're in the cathedral heights/tenleytown area!

    Sweets
    Linda V.

    Wonderful wonderful Mediterranean market/cafe. I love the endless amount of spices they have and the little snacks and sweets. I also love the fact that if your hungry and wanna grab a big bite or an appetizer you can do that too ! I got the chicken skewer with side salad and fries and pita bread, all so filling yet light. I did get the baklava wasn't the best I've ever had but it was still really good. I come here Everytime I work in the area which is about once a week. Never dissatisfied, great place !

    2 falafels, 1 spinach pie, 2 stuffed veggie grape leaves, hummus, taboule salad, tahini sauce, pickled turnips, pita bread - $12.50 delish
    Spooky D.

    Just had the most amazing lunch at Shemalis on New Mexico Ave. It's a hidden gem in the back of Foxhall place but going to become a regular for me. Food has awesome flavor and is so delicious - fast ordering service and great to be able to sit in the cool right outside their door. The staff is super helpful and friendly. Huge stock for a small store and lots of great products so that you can even cook things at home. Wide range of spices, foods, and fresh produce. I ordered the Vegetarian platter - OMG everything is so fresh and flavorsome - my work colleague got a Falafel Wrap and she dug into it faster than I've seen her eat or enjoy anything in years!! Great location, lovely spot, delicious food - I'll be back (maybe even as early as this weekend if they're open!!) Highly recommend and such a yummy change from the typical Friday lunch of sandwiches or pizzas/burgers - feels fresh & healthy! Well done folks - Top notch!!

    The cafe (before closing)
    Lillian C.

    Note to other yelpers there are two separate storefronts for shemali's - the cafe for food (where I went) and then the store. The "mall" it's located in is interesting - it's filled with medical offices, a pharmacy, a bank, a liquor store, and random gift stores. If I were to pigeonhole the target consumer it's older, wealthy white folks because it's not really what you think of a mall and the prohibitive 4/hr parking on top of the 5:30pm closing time for the whole complex is indicative of this idea. So if you find this joint on grubhub like I did and think picking it up yourself us cheaper just don't because you'll have to pay for parking unless you park at a distance and walk right on up. Thankfully I was able to make it shortly before closing and grabbed a combo entree. It was solid, no complaints here. My only qualm is that the hours and paid parking are rather prohibitive and I'm not sure if I'll eat here again save for delivery.

    Alise G.

    My university catered from this restaurant last week, the presentation was amazing. The flavors were bold but the chicken and the falafel were a bit dry. The highlights were the humus and the tabouleh very fresh and flavorful.

    Cheese pies
    Brian B.

    Shemalis is nothing short of fantastic. The family that runs this place is always inviting and warm - they even gave us free tastes of their cheese pies, which prompted us to immediately buy a dozen more. The kibbeh is out of this world. The spices they use are fantastic. Easily the best I've ever had. The cheese pies are one of the best things I've ever eaten. I don't understand how they're so good. The baba ganouj is also very good, and the spinach pie was delicious. Definitely come here if you're remotely nearby.

    Spinach pies and falafel from the grocery.

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    Food is good but this is the second time I have paid extra for fries and they have forgotten them. Rwe

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    I shouldn't tell people this, but the grape leaves stuffed with meat and rice are excellent. Leave some for me.

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    5 years ago

    A gem. Everything is delicious. Perfect for lunch, catering, snacks, special treats & groceries. Wonderful service.

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    7 years ago

    My favorite authentic Lebanese, have been tasting Shemali's food for years, highly recommend it!!

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    Olive Lebanese Eatery - Enjoy LIfe with a Turkish Coffee

    Olive Lebanese Eatery

    (108 reviews)

    Was in the area for an appointment that was rescheduled but had already paid for an hour of…read moreparking. So, I decided to pull up the nearest breakfast spot and ended up here at Olive Lebanese Eatery. The menu had a lot of options for breakfast! I decided to try the Lebanese Scramble w/Wheat toast and a Lebanese Mint Lemonade. My food was seasoned to perfection and tasted amazing! The drink was not overly sweet and the mint was fresh! Seating is available inside and on the patio. It is a small spot but service was great and they were knowledgeable with the menu and offering suggestions. This will definitely be a fave for me whenever I am back in the area! I hope to try their lunch menu soon! The pricing was great and the atmosphere was relaxed and fairly quiet. I had a high table next to the window for a view! I walked here but Im sure parking is available on the street. It's kind of tucked off behind a building but you cant miss the red umbrellas on the patio!

    Went to a brunch on Saturday morning with a group of 20+ people and Olive Lebanese Eatery delivered…read morea solid experience. The establishment is small but don't let you fool that. They definitely can handle crowds! Everything that I tried was super duper fresh. I personally ordered a Sheesh Tauk Salad and Mint Lemonade. The chicken was juicy, the salad was glistening. The dips tasted fresh. Mint lemonade was fresh af! I highly recommend Olive Lebanese Eatery for a great brunch and a good time! 4.4/5

    Zazzy - Dips Sampler

    Zazzy

    (45 reviews)

    Clarendon

    My friend and I met at Zazzy for a casual weeknight dinner. At Zazzy, you can either order at the…read morecounter or use the QR code on the table. The service was quick, and the restaurant/cafe was pretty empty on a Wednesday night. We over-ordered and ended up with a ton of food! We got the dip sampler, the halloumi platter, the halloumi fattoush salad and the beef shawarma bowl. I also got a house lemonade. The food was excellent. I loved the salad and grilled halloumi. The dips and pita chips were great. We had a lot of leftovers, which we ate the next day. Great little spot! Cute and clean cafe. I recommend checking it out.

    I feel like I went on a magic carpet ride, took a wrong turn somewhere over the Mediterranean, and…read morelanded at Zazzy. And honestly, I am not mad about it. Let me start with the good because there is a lot of it. The place is spotless. Like, noticeably clean. The atmosphere is warm, modern, and inviting, the kind of place you actually want to sit and enjoy your food instead of rushing out. The guy who took our order was genuinely kind, patient, and welcoming, which always sets the tone for the whole experience. Now the food. This is where things get a little adventurous. My son ordered the chicken pita and it came with ketchup on it. Ketchup. On a Lebanese pita. That was a first for me. I have eaten a lot of Lebanese food and ketchup has never once made an appearance on the menu, let alone on the sandwich. It was not bad, just unexpected and a little confusing. I had the chicken shawarma bowl, which was solid, but the garlic paste on the side was different than what I am used to. Again, not terrible, just not traditional. I found myself wishing there were more classic Lebanese sauce options available. A little toum variety or something more familiar would have really elevated it. That said, everything tasted fresh, the portions were good, and nothing felt careless. It just felt like a modern remix rather than an authentic throwback. And now, the wildcard. The giant chocolate chip cookie. Absolutely amazing. Warm, gooey, and worth every bite. Honestly, that cookie almost pushed me to a 4.5, but the app would not let me live my truth. Overall, this is a strong 4-star experience. Clean, friendly, great vibe, and good food with a creative twist, even if it strays from traditional Lebanese flavors. If you are looking for comfort, atmosphere, and a killer cookie, this place delivers. If you are a Lebanese food purist, just know you are boarding a slightly re-routed magic carpet.

    Mejana - Mixed grill

    Mejana

    (925 reviews)

    $$$

    I have been a long time fan/patron of MeJana b/c of the friendly, welcoming staff, beautiful…read moreambiance, and consistent delicious dishes. I especially appreciate the thoughtful presentation, tableware and glassware. One of my favorite go-tos for lunch is the Chicken Shawarma with salad. Light, healthy and tasty, presented on a board. Now that the weather is pleasant, try dining on the patio like I did today. Enjoy!

    9 years later and I am back- I have seen this place very busy on weeknights so I decided, it's time…read moreto go back. They pride themselves as a healthier spot and the food definitely reflected that. We started off with drinks (they only do happy hour at the bar) and got the Mojito and the mediteranean martini. Both were good but the purple mojito was definitely the star of the show. For appetizers we got the "fried" cauliflower and the hot appetizer platter. The cauliflower definitely felt more baked then fried and the portion was quite fair. The hot appetizer platter comes with 2 cheese rolls, 2 falafels, and two kibehs. I will say, for $17, I would love perhaps 3-4 of each item instead of just 2 each. The kibeh were super tasty and so were the cheese rolls, but the falafel were a bit dry. For our mains we got the lamb chops and the steak kabob - both were fantastic. Simple flavors but really well done on both ends, with both cuts of meat cooked to order. I will say, I would love a little bit more side veggies- especially for the $45 dollar lamb chops but I assume they expect you to order more sides like we did. Quick service, Arlington prices, a bit cold inside on a cold day. Will definitely be back to try more!

    Fettoosh - Chicken Tagine

    Fettoosh

    (585 reviews)

    $$

    My first visit to Fettoosh felt intimate in the best way. The owner personally served the dining…read moreroom while also tending the kitchen, which lent the experience a quiet, home-cooked sincerity. Their signature mint tea was genuinely splendid--aromatic, balanced, and restorative--whether by recipe or by the hand that poured it. I ordered the Tfaya (djaaj), drawn by curiosity about raisin-topped couscous, and was rewarded with a warm, herbal, deeply satisfying dish. The flavors felt honest and transportive, offering the closest approximation of a Maghrebi home kitchen I've encountered locally. While the setting is modest and the operation clearly small, the food carries cultural confidence and care. Fettoosh succeeds not by spectacle, but by intimacy--and that, here, is its strength

    Only Moroccan place I have found in the DMV. If there are others, please let me know…read more Chicken Bastilla: First time trying it, a savory chicken pastry with powdered sugar, it wasn't really for me, but the phyllo was well done. Lamb Tagine: Tasted pretty good, Lamb Shank could have been a little more tender, sauce and prunes were good. I wish i had gotten Lamb Cous Cous instead. My meal came with Moroccan bread, which is good, but Cous Cous is better. Kefta Tagine: Savory, delicious, more familiar tasting. My friend crushed it. Service: Owner is very friendly and made the experience much better. Ambiance: Crowded, cool decoration, felt like it was catered towards the ethnic community, which is what I want! Overall impression: First time i've had Moroccan in years. Appreciate it while it's here. Not every city has a Moroccan place. It's unique and different from other Mediterranean. It's a 4.5, not the best I've had but pretty darn good.

    ilili DC - pita pillows

    ilili DC

    (723 reviews)

    $$$

    Dining with my friend on Lebanese cuisine was a delightful culinary adventure filled with surprises…read moreand delights. Moussaka: A classic Lebanese dish. Eggplant and hummus were simmered until soft and flavorful, with a subtle smoky aroma. The addition of mint leaves enhanced the flavor. Bone Marrow: Beef tartare with bone marrow and pomegranate seeds--how interesting! The first two provided a rich, fatty texture and intense aroma, while the latter burst in your mouth occasionally, juicy, tangy, and refreshing. Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts with grapes, walnuts, fig jam, and mint yogurt--a whimsical yet magical combination... The Brussels sprouts offered a fresh, vegetal aroma and a slightly roasted aroma; the walnuts provided a nutty richness and crunch; the fruit provided a fresh sweet and sour taste and plenty of juice; and the yogurt acted as a binder between the flavors while adding a touch of minty coolness. Duck Shawarma: My friend and I thought: ...Peking duck? The skin was soft, the meat tender, not gamey, with a subtle smoky flavor; the fig and lemon sauce was sweet and refreshing; the small pita pillows held the meat securely, better than the lettuce what might have been too cold. Lamb Stuffed Grape Leaves: Black rice was wrapped in grape leaves and simmered with minced lamb. The rice absorbed the fragrance of the grape leaves, similar to lotus leaves (my friend and I thought: lamb version of sticky rice chicken糯米雞...?). The lamb, however, was served separately at the bottom of the pot and didn't absorb much flavor; overall, it was intensely sour. In short, this dish was a bit oddly designed, and it was the only one we didn't finish because the sourness was unbearable. Pita Bread: The bread was thin yet chewy, with a rough, slightly powdery surface, making it substantial and satisfying. I especially loved the "everything wrapped in a big pancake" style! This restaurant is located on the wharf near the Potomac River and boasts beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. The spring sunlight streamed in softly.

    I was so excited for ilili. I'd been a few years prior for a private event and everything was…read morefantastic. But I went with a friend for dinner and didn't love it, and given the price, it should have been excellent. I loved the vibe and service was friendly. It's pretty inside. I ordered the Keraz Carciofi Negroni, pointing to the mocktail version. I didn't even realize there was a cocktail version and that's what they gave me. Why you would a have cocktail and mocktail with the same name is beyond me. I got lightheaded and dizzy almost immediately, but I couldn't taste alcohol, so I thought it was because I hadn't eaten, especially as I felt fine once I started eating. So this also tells me that the cocktail version is poorly made. I was definitely charged for the cocktail version. We ordered the Lebanese Journey tasting menu. Nothing really wowed, except for the bread, baba ghanoush, and mouhamara. The mouhamara surprised me because it is usually not my favorite but this version was delicious. Lamb was tasty but not good enough that I'd return for it. For a tasting menu to just have two mezeh standouts, on top of an improperly made mocktail, I'd not return to ilili.

    Lebanese Taverna - Platter

    Lebanese Taverna

    (874 reviews)

    $$

    Woodley Park

    Lebanese Taverna is always delicious! I had this restaurant 2 years ago in Maryland, dreamt about…read morethe bread and shawarma since then. They give free flatbread, which was this puffy bread that was piping hot that can be dipped in their sauce, consisting of olive oil and herbs. We ordered a mehshi, which is tomato, eggplant, and zucchini stuffed with rice pilaf, concoction of sauces, and nuts. As simple as the dish is, it's hearty and my boyfriend loved it! The tomato and yogurt sauce go well together, many vegetarian dishes taste very plain, but this dish was flavorful. The Taverna platter is always a safe option, with selection of beef or chicken shawarma, hummus, and veggies. I complain a lot of other Middle Eastern restaurants have dry shawarma, but this restaurant cooked it perfectly.

    My wife and I have a routine. I take the train from NYC, where I work and usually live, and she…read moremeets me someplace near a Metro stop; she is in DC often, due to elderly family we have look in on. We have eaten at Lebanese Taverna probably ten times over two decades. But we also do takeout with the same routine: she picks me up at the rendezvous, rather than our sitting down at the restaurant. I had booked a table for us, then we decided to go with the alternative of bringing the dishes home. We want to be there for our dog, who is having health issues. I emailed them to apologize, because I want them to know we are not just flaking out. Everything is good. We do not keep halal, but if you do, they promise they meet the certification standards. Our order will consist of the following: Baba ganoush Artichokes Shrimp Arak Fatayer trio Fatteh chicken We already have hummus at home. The baba ganoush I especially like. Their chefs have that consistency and subtlety that even if a home cook is good they aren't that good. I have two friends in particular who are highly skilled in the kitchen. I'd put their meals up against anyone. But when I am at a place such as Lebanese Taverna, I see what professionals are able to do. They also are faster, and, if you account for labor costs, they are much less expensive. My wife and I also have enjoyed dining in. This is a compliment, not a criticism. I would not select Lebanese Taverna for a quiet date. It is for a festive group. When we are there as a couple, we plan getting enough for two meals for two people, or four extra portions. Otherwise, you cannot sample the menu. Service has always been highly competent.

    Shemali's - lebanese - Updated May 2026

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