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    Shinwari

    3.5 (44 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Shinwari Takeout or Delivery

    Shinwari Photos

    Business Info

    SHINWARI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Shinwari

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tom T.

    The low Yelp scores for this place makes zero sense...except that I have some theories that are the stuff of fan fiction. Here's my first guess: This place is awesome and the people in the know don't want others knowing about it. This is the one that makes the most sense. They already do a brisk business and the current customers don't want to wait any longer than they already have to. My second guess: some people are totally clueless and don't understand that this is a place where your meal is an event and not just dinner. If you want to eat and run, go to McDonalds. This is the place where you come to eat, sip your chai, and enjoy the company of those around you. Food takes time to cook...figure it out people. Okay...about the food: WOW! So delicious and all perfectly cooked. I have to open with the one dish that was absolutely stunning: the lamb chops. The seasoning was spot on and flavorful while the cook point (which appears to be hard for many restaurants it seems) was flawless. Tender from end-to-end without a sign of chewiness. Next up on the menu hit parade was the Chapli Kebab. That little bit of char on the outside combined with the seasoned meat made this a repeat order for sure. Check the pics and you'll see what I'm talking about. The last but definitely not least on the list was the massive Namkeen Chicken Tikka. There was enough food on this order for three people and it was awesome! There was a smokiness to the meat that permeated beautifully and each piece was amazingly tender. We couldn't finish this one and it ended up in the to-go bag. Seriously, it huge. The service, decor, and general ambiance of Shinwari was so great too. The staff were totally professional and the families enjoying the props (which included a auto rickshaw) where fun to watch. I will be coming back here FOR SURE. Bring a close friend or five and enjoy an amazing evening.

    Pulao lamb shank
    Saba M.

    This place just keeps getting better and better. The flavors!!!! The scent!!! The way things are cooked to perfection fresh!! Excellent attentive service!!! #foodheaven if you havent already been here your playing yourself RUN!!! ‍ don't walk to these beautiful gem of a place

    lamb
    Hana R.

    Delicious everytime I come here! All of the skewers are amazing and the naan is perfect here. Also really liked the jamun. Reminds me of the restaurants my parents used to bring me too as a kid. Don't have much of this anymore on the west coast so i really enjoyed it! 10/10

    I've been their with my family twice, both times with the large group and for Ifthar. The interior decorations are authentic and cultural. Colorful vibes. Nice setup. We got the private room with the floor seating. Food was great both times. Great service offered by the friendly staff named Said Abubaker. He was very attentive and took very good care of the entire group.

    Outside
    Rebecca A.

    Fantastic place for the carnivores! All the dishes were well flavored and spiced. The fish was fantastic, the skin being completely crisp and the fish tasted fresh. The lamb karai was succulent and flavorful. The Kheer and milky tea (with hint of caramel) was a perfect ending to the meal. I just wish there were more plant based sides to choose from to balance the meal (chickpeas and spinach maybe?)

    Mint Lemonade
    Naveen H.

    Tl;dr: A must-visit if you're in the area. Every Eid it's customary for our family to get all dressed up and have a proper sit-down dinner outside. This year we decided to visit Shinwari on the second day of Eid. From the get to it's evident that they've put a lot of thought into making your visit an experience. From the decor and ambiance to the food and service, it is an authentic Pakistani Shinwari meal. There are plenty of seating options (including palangs and jhulas), you can make reservations ahead of time or walk-in. Keep in mind if you walk-in, there may be a bit of a wait. It's a family-friendly and easy-going atmosphere. There were children running around and playing on the decorative rickshaw and bike, and we were able to admire the beautiful artwork and collectibles while we waited for our dinner. The food is served family-style and piping hot. The aroma alone is enough to satisfy your palate. Of the items we ordered the dishes that stood out were the chapli kabobs and the charsi chicken tikka. But all the food was prepared well and really hit the spot. The chai was delicious but a small serving with no refill option. For a Desi restaurant it's borderline scandalous to not have some chai on tap. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to visit Shinwari again soon (maybe once more before I go back home!). Cheers to the staff and team, I hope you keep getting better.

    naan
    Imran S.

    we had heard a lot about shinwari - about the food and decorations so decided to check it out. the restaurant is a former hotel/motel restaurant and is still connected to the hotel/motel. they did decorate the restaurant with Pakistani and Pathan decorations - a lot of decorations and artwork we sat down and ordered naan, dum pukht, kabobs, and drinks. the naan was good, the drinks were good and so was the dum pukht; the kabobs were decent but could've been better. all the food had very little spice so that was good for some and not good for others. overall good pathan/pakistani food but no veggie options

    Michelle H.

    Very addictive, great food. I heard they order fresh lamb every day. Everything I had was amazing!! I'm definitely going to be their regulars Ambience, very homey Service, very attentive and helpful with questions Overall, would recommend you to stop by if you are in the area! Great prices for yummy food (FYI, they only open at 5pm at this time)

    Outside
    Khadija S.

    Y'all, overall not worth the Uber ride from downtown DC. I got there a little after 6 and was the only patron. Ordered the chapli kabob and tarka daal. Both entrees came with a naan each. Did not try the mint lemonade which they're known for. The food took sometime to come out. The chapli kabob were hefty. Flavor wise, bland. Texture, chewy. I was not impressed at all. Would be better if they made thinner patty's and served more than two on the platter using the same amount of beef. This was not good. The tarka daal was also flavorless and full of oil. There was literally no seasoning. The naans were the best part of the meal. As far as services goes, it was so bad. I was checked on once after I received my meal. And then I waited, waited, and waited. No one offered to refill my Diet Coke or offer me water. I got water with my check. They also add 18% gratuity to each check- fyi. The ambiance is fun that may be the only saving grace for this bad food restaurant.

    The 6inch salad plate of Appetizer smh...

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    2 years ago

    The food was delicious and plentiful. Authentic northern Pakistan cuisine and decor. Service was quick and attentive.

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    4 years ago

    Excellent authentic Afghan, Pakistan foods. Gratuity is included in the bill and hope it goes into servers pockets.

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    2 years ago

    This place has everything to offer! You won't find a more authentic Pakistani flavor anywhere else. A must try!

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    3 years ago

    Amazing authentic food. Quality is great for the price too. Will come here again for sure.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Shinwari

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    Aracosia McLean - Qabuli Combination Platter - this was ok. The channa and eggplant were good.

    Aracosia McLean

    4.8(475 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$$

    Aracosia has been a stellar Afghani food staple for Northern VA since they opened. Their tender…read moreLamb shanks--both Sabzi and Moghuli are hit with family and out of state visitors. So is the Vegetarian platter and tasting menu, aushak, quroti, and turnovers. You cant go wrong with saffron rice or the rice with carrots and raisins. Enough reviews already mention the four dips and soft bread, a cross between middle eastern bread and focaccia. Non alcoholic drinks are not an after thought, the sour cherry rose lemonade is liked by kids, adults, and seniors. Service is warm and welcoming, the Rumi quotes on the walls and turkish lamps add to the ambience, parking is easy and aplenty. A few tips: 1. Go for the lunch menu if you are feeding a large group. It is cheaper. Or consider making the trek to where it all started, Afghan Bistro in Springfield. 2. Ask for the daily selection of cakes. The pistachio and cardamom are the best, not too sweet, light, moist, and fragrant. Of course we devoured the food before taking pictures but a couple attached.

    Overall it was a good experience! We absolutely loved the bread and the difference sauces that…read morewent with it. The pumpkin dumplings and pan fried veggie filled dumplings were great as well. I thought my salmon wrap and the chickpea side was ok. Interesting flavors for sure. As for the service, there was always someone filling up our waters and our waiter was very nice checking in every now and then. The only downside of the experience is at the end when the waiter was boxing up all the food for us. Very sweet that they do this but when boxing up my partners food, they only boxed up the rice and they got rid of the lamb that he was looking forward to eating more of later. So that was kind of a disappointment for us. I think if we go again, we would request to box our food ourselves since I'm not sure why they decided to get rid of all of his lamb.

    Photos
    Aracosia McLean
    Aracosia McLean
    Aracosia McLean - Bread - good.

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    Bread - good.

    Arlington Kabob - Beef Kofta Kabob Ground beef, mixed with chopped onions and seasoning, char-grilled.

    Arlington Kabob

    4.6(438 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    High Protein, Strategic Eating…read more If you are navigating a serious health journey or, like me, currently in the middle of a "Biggest Loser" contest to start the year, Arlington Kabob is a strategic goldmine. Under normal circumstances, I would happily indulge in their fragrant basmati rice and that delicious, fresh-baked tandoori naan. However, staying disciplined requires a different approach, and the team here makes it effortless. The High-Protein Order Hack: I ordered the Chicken Shawarma platter but requested a total carb-swap. I asked to replace the rice and naan entirely with a double portion of vegetables. I went with the chickpeas (channa) and the sautéed spinach. The result is a nutrient-dense, high-protein win. The chicken is lean and perfectly charred, the chickpeas provide steady energy and fiber, and the spinach adds great flavor and micronutrients. The 50% Strategy: Even without the bread, these portions are significant. I ate exactly 50% of this platter for lunch, which provided an estimated 38g of protein and 450 calories. It is the perfect meal for someone who wants to feel satisfied but stay strictly within their caloric and macro goals. Community Inspiration: I have to give credit to local Northern Virginia foodie Mya Yoon. Her social media posts documenting her own health journey and "smart eating" choices inspired me to start looking at local menus through a more intentional lens. Following the modifications she shares online has been a game-changer for my own progress. Service & Vibe: The staff here deserves a specific mention. Despite my request to skip the core staples of their menu (rice and bread), they were helpful and happy to modify the order to meet my goals. It is rare to find a spot that is both a neighborhood staple for comfort food and a reliable partner in a weight-loss journey. Everything was delicious as always. If you are looking to stay on track without sacrificing quality or flavor, this is the place to do it.

    About a 2-2.5: We were really excited to check out Arlington Kabob, as this place has been around…read morefor a while, and it seems to be a local favorite. We came here for an early lunch, and we ordered: +a Combo Platter for 2 - this came with chicken kofta, beef kofta, and a choice of chicken, lamb, or beef kabob - we went for the beef; for the sides, we went for the potatoes and the lentil soup, and for the rice, we went Quabli style Out of all the meats, we thought the chicken kofta had the best flavor; both the beef kofta and the kabob were just 'okay'; the beef kofta had a more game-y flavor - not sure if they had mixed it up with lamb first; the beef kabob was overcooked and dried out, more on the chewy end, which was not enjoyable. The Quabli-style rice didn't really enhance anything - the carrots were way too soft, and there were hardly any currants, which was disappointing. Potatoes were forgettable, as they were bland; the lentil soup was piping hot, but could have had more lentils - it seemed like just broth with just a spoonful of lentils in it. The white sauce was more dill-heavy and ranch-like which didn't complement the kabobs and the kofta at all. There was complimentary tea for those who dine-in, which was nice, but the tea wasn't steeped well and was too watered down. Staff were friendly, and there's limited parking in the tight strip plaza lot. +chicken kofta +game-y beef kofta +dried-out/overcooked beef kabob +avoid the Quabli style rice +friendly staff +limited parking in lot available

    Photos
    Arlington Kabob
    Arlington Kabob - Beef Kofta Kabob Ground beef, mixed with chopped onions and seasoning, char-grilled.

    Beef Kofta Kabob Ground beef, mixed with chopped onions and seasoning, char-grilled.

    Arlington Kabob - Beef Kofta Kabob Ground beef, mixed with chopped onions and seasoning, char-grilled.

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    Beef Kofta Kabob Ground beef, mixed with chopped onions and seasoning, char-grilled.

    Afghan Restaurant  - Lamb kabob

    Afghan Restaurant

    4.4(54 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Came for the Sheeryakh, but had such delicious, authentic Afghan food! I'd give 4.5 stars for some…read moreconstructive modifications to make in the future related to service, but overall amazing food! I left with a full belly and a happy heart. Got a combo of chicken kabob and shami kabob along with a side of their borani banjan/eggplant dish. The eggplant was honestly one of my favorite things- it's a must get in my opinion. Homey dish with incredible flavors! Their naan is fresh and pairs well with it. The chicken was good, but I've had better honestly. The shami was a little disappointing as I expected more flavor and it was slightly dry, but good. Their rice was so tasty and I loved the sweetness coming from the carrots an raisins. Of course, the sheeryakh was great- quite a big portion for one person, but I loved the texture. It tastes very similar to the Indian/South Asian/Pakistani ice cream, "Kulfi." CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK: Service needs improvement. The whole time I was there I had to keep looking for waiters to make eye contact with to ask for menu, water, paying, etc. It took about 10 min or more for me to have to call a busy waiter over just to look at the menu- no one came over on their own. Things just took time for a Saturday night- plus they were hosting an event on top of this. Needless to say, I've never had service like this, but the vibe and food made me be not as harsh. Despite the service, this place is a must try for authentic Afghan cuisine. Can't wait to try more of their menu (and the borani banjan again) in the future!

    The chicken bowl was amazing. Friend loved the spinach and we got the chickpea. The star of the…read morenight was the eggplant dish! We have had it at other restaurants but this place topped it!! Way too stuffed to get dessert but the ice cream looked phenomenal!

    Photos
    Afghan Restaurant
    Afghan Restaurant
    Afghan Restaurant  - Tea party set with Afghan cream roll and cake

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    Tea party set with Afghan cream roll and cake

    Lapis - Pistachio ricotta cake

    Lapis

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    7.8 miAdams Morgan
    $$

    Omg what an experience…read more 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

    Food was very good. Service was pleasant but waited too long for attention, drinks, food, etc. Not…read moreawful. 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.

    Photos
    Lapis - Dining area

    Dining area

    Lapis - Aushak Afgan Dumplings

    Aushak Afgan Dumplings

    Lapis - Lamb Kebob

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    Lamb Kebob

    Afghan Bistro - Chocolate cake

    Afghan Bistro

    4.7(1.1k reviews)
    9.2 mi
    $$

    Craving lamb. Submitted my order via their website. Arrived at the restaurant and we were greeted…read moreas we walked in. The restaurant's decor is culturally appropriate. We arrived early evening and they had a candle and tablecloth on each table. I ordered Baadenjaan Bouranee, luscious eggplant dish; Frenched Rack Of Lamb, perfectly cooked, tender and flavorful; and Pumpkin Dumpling Entree, perfectly sweet, smooth interior and perfectly steamed dumpling wrapper. I will continue to support this establishment.

    We were able to get reservations to this restaurant earlier in the day, but I would highly suggest…read moregetting reservations ahead of time because we saw people get denied when they just walked in. When we walked in, we were greeted very nicely and sat quickly. Our server was new and it was her first day so she couldn't really give any recommendations which wasn't the best, but the manager came out and was able to help with describing some of the dishes and giving great recommendations. Most of the people that we ate with ended up with some type of lamb dish and the lamb was phenomenal. The rice was delicious. The eggplant was delicious. We got a bunch of appetizers. Everything was on point. Everything tasted super fresh and overall we had a very nice experience. The food also came out very quickly. The overall ambience was very nice very home type vibe and it is a smaller restaurant for limited tables One of our friends that we went with since we haven't seen each other for a long time was really craving a beer and kebabs which sometimes a little bit harder than one would anticipate but they served alcohol as well as delicious food so win-win here. So overall, I would highly recommend this place if you want delicious Afghan food, but of course remember to book in advance .

    Photos
    Afghan Bistro - Inside. Quaint and cozy

    Inside. Quaint and cozy

    Afghan Bistro
    Afghan Bistro - Peach martini

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    Peach martini

    Bistro Aracosia - Mini Taste of Aracosia - Chicken Sabzi Lawaan, Rumi's Veal, Lamb Chops, Beef Tenderloin, Nakhoud, Kadoo, Banjaan, Daal

    Bistro Aracosia

    4.7(383 reviews)
    5.4 miPalisades
    $$$

    I've visited bistro aracosia twice. The food is always amazing and the service is also great…read more Everyone is kind and friendly. The bread comes out with four different sauces in the beginning which is nice. We got the assorted dumplings which were very flavorful and delicious. The lamb rack is to die for and the saffron chicken is also very good. I preferred the other two entrees over the lamb moghuli but it might be because I'm not a huge fan of the smoky flavor. The restaurant has a cozy and comforting atmosphere and is pretty quiet. Will be going back again:)

    Perfection. Everything I have tried in this special Afghani restaurant is done perfectly…read more Delicious, fresh, beautifully presented, colorful, nice atmosphere and very clear and friendly in regard to vegan/ vegetarian and other dietary options. I highly recommend this restaurant to vegetarians and vegans. Excellent service and the food is truly mouth watering. I love their outdoor patio and they have heaters outdoor for cooler weather. A must try for sure! My general rating system: 1 star: I would stay away 2 stars: Has some good things about it but I generally don't recommend. 3 stars: Pretty good. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back but a decent place 4 stars: Great place. I would go back. 5 stars: I highly recommend stopping whatever you are doing and making plans to try it out! An Evie favorite!

    Photos
    Bistro Aracosia - Dining room

    Dining room

    Bistro Aracosia - Dumpling Assortment - Spicy Beef, Leek & Scallion, Pumpkin

    Dumpling Assortment - Spicy Beef, Leek & Scallion, Pumpkin

    Bistro Aracosia - Pomegranate and cardamom tea

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    Pomegranate and cardamom tea

    Shinwari - afghani - Updated May 2026

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