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    Yalla

    3.5 (17 reviews)
    Wed 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Thu 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

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    YALLA ATMOSPHERE

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    Espresso martini
    Alisha J.

    My friends and I visited Yalla on Friday night! Our reservation was for 7:30, but we were able to stay for the belly dancer who performed at 10:00! I had the jibneh rolls, which looked similar to cheese taquitos. The sauce was supposed to have a harissa kick to it, but it wasn't spicy at all, mostly tasted the apricots in it. I also had the beef and lanb kafta, which was delicious! It was nice to have rice with it. For drinks, I had the Saffron Paradise (loved it, not too sweet), margarita (yum!) and an espresso martini (also delicious!). All in all, with the live entertainment which had my friends and I dancing in the restaurant, Yalla was such an amazing experience!!!

    cauliflower and potatoes
    Dona P.

    The owner / managers are trying hard to be hands on and involved, so you can feel the quality control happening in real time. Small kinks like a proper coat check or coat stands for the tables still need to be worked out. More bathroom cleaning / checks as well. Also reminding patrons, if you want hookah at the end of your meal, you may need to have it at the bar if the tables need to be turned around (which completely understandable, esp if folks have been sitting for 2 plus hours ! ). Food is high quality and delicately prepared / deliciously executed. I am surprised at the critiques as I think places like this are going to be slightly smaller sizes, better ingredients, etc like a higher end restaurant.... The bartender engaged with us directly even though we were at a table and he was amazing- my 66 year old mother who does not really drink, drank her mezcal strawberry lime shot AND drank mine, I was SHOCKED!! They even provided us bday Prosecco's for her bday !! She is very very picky about her cocktails and she was impressed. Service is exceptional, the DJ was spectacular- everything from Persian Arabic Hindi Latino beats and more. Even the bellydancer was high quality and did a fantastic job engaging everyone at the establishment. To be fair, this concept always is hard in the DC area - high end Arabic food, plus hookah, plus a whole vibe, plus a bellydancer, plus a DJ- its A LOT to pull off.... most places will pick 2 of these things and focus on them... my reviews are relative to considering the whole picture, and given all of that, yalla was truly impressive !

    Branzino, Tamarind Lumi Shrimp, Labneh, Tabbouleh, Sish Taouk, Batata Harra
    Gabriella C.

    Upon entering the rooftop, it's evident that Yalla has curated an elevated dining experience. The dim lighting with neon lights compliments a bright beautiful bar. There's a ton of greenery that fills the space, and the covered roof simulates a beautiful greenhouse vibe. The cushioned seating area was comfortable and was perfect to sit with friends! The drinks were very impressive: the Yallab had a great presentation of being lit on fire! The Very Beiry and Dalia were sweet and light - with the perfect foam! All dishes we ordered were great representations of classic Mediterranean dishes - with modern twists and beautiful presentations. We also got great recommendations from our server, which we appreciated! The Labneh had to be our favorite - it was a great pair to the pita! Additionally, we enjoyed the Tabbouleh's mint flavor and freshness! The shredded filo dough that covered the tangy Tamarind Lumi Shrimp provided a fun crunch! The crispy Batata Harra was another favorite for the table - they were so addicting and incorporated the perfect spices! The chicken skewers were also cooked to perfection - however the star of the show was tje Branzino on special! It was butterflied and flaky - with a kick of spice that we appreciated! Lastly, we ordered the Aish Al Saraya for dessert - a cream filled bread pudding topped with pistachios - and it was the perfect end to our dining experience at Yalla! If you want to experience elevated Lebanese cuisine with great service - come here!

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    Leonardo F.

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    1 year ago

    Hookah and kabob, decent labneh. Probably won't go back but it was a scene and fun to stop through.

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    1 year ago

    very average service, food was below average, I should have continued with my previous Mediterranean restaurants.

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    Maydan - Roasted carrots

    Maydan

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$$

    Maydan is amazing. FYI, it's the green door that has their name on it. It's obvious, but for some…read morereason, none of us in our group clocked that and we accidentally ended up confused and in thier event space. XD. Anyway, misadventure aside, our group of 6 was in the upstairs room. For groups of 5 or more they have you do the tasting menu but we asked to do a la carte and they allowed us. We got a lot of food, all of which I can't remember, that included the shakshukah, one of the salads, 3 of the spreads, the veggies and a few others. The cocktails drew rave reviews as did my wife and i's mocktails and we loved how substantive the list was. The fresh, constantly coming bread was amazing. Everything was delightful and incredibly tasty and well seasoned. One note: the bathroom music is REALLY loud (it's the same music as in the restaurant) so if you've got loop earplugs or ones you can easily pop in that don't block out your company, that'll help. Oh and also, the currently on offer bitter orange sorbet isn't actually bitter. It's just the name.

    Some restaurants serve an excellent meal. Maydan creates an experience…read more This reservation had been on my wish list for quite some time, and when everything finally aligned, it exceeded every expectation. The restaurant itself is stunning. Walking in, you're immediately greeted by the massive open hearth where much of the cooking happens. Watching the chefs tend the fire throughout the evening adds another layer to the experience and sets the tone before your first bite even arrives. Our server explained the tasting menu ($95 per person) and optional wine pairing ($75 pp), but we decided to order à la carte--and I wouldn't change a thing. We started with the Carrot Havuç spread. It was impossibly light, silky, and beautifully whipped. I'll admit, the bread seemed understated at first, but after the first bite, it became clear that the spread was meant to be the star. Every bite was packed with flavor. The lamb shish kebab was incredibly tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The Omani shrimp arrived with five enormous shrimp that were cooked flawlessly. Then came the whole roasted chicken. Watching it roast over the fire as we entered made us excited, but nothing prepared us for how incredible it would taste. It was, without question, some of the best chicken I've ever eaten. Moist, deeply flavorful, beautifully seasoned, and delicious completely on its own. It came with an accompanying sauce that was excellent, but honestly, use it sparingly--you don't want anything distracting from the chicken itself. When a dish can stand entirely on its own, that's greatness. Since it was a whole chicken, we happily went home with leftovers (which felt like winning the lottery). The cocktails deserve their own standing ovation. A special thank you to Nancy upstairs-- Great bartenders don't just make drinks--they elevate the entire experience, and she certainly did. The Serpent was beautifully balanced with bright citrus and herbal notes, while the Medina Palmer was refreshing, unique, and one of the most memorable cocktails I've had in a long time. Every drink felt carefully crafted rather than simply mixed. In the beginning of our night they asked if we were celebrating anything and I immediately answered, "my friend graduated from nursing school." Little did we know, they came with glasses of bubbly at the end of our dining experience to celebrate! Such a lovely gesture to end our evening. The word that kept coming up throughout dinner was divine. Service was warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about guiding us through the menu. A few practical tips: * Reservations book well in advance, so plan ahead. * Street parking is limited. We chose to Uber and were glad we did. This was one of those meals where every course made us look at each other and say, "Wow." I can't wait to return.

    Photos
    Maydan - Wood oven front and center

    Wood oven front and center

    Maydan - Shrimp

    Shrimp

    Maydan - Spiced chocolate mousse

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    Spiced chocolate mousse

    Zaytinya

    Zaytinya

    4.2(6.3k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$

    Visiting after a few years...and not disappointed. Jose Andres restaurants are never a miss…read more Service is amazing, the decor is beautiful and matches the cuisine, try all of the dips, the seared halloumi with sour cherries, spanakopita with home made phyllo, can't go wrong with fries topped with garlic yogurt, and while i would typically order the octopus.. i recommend the lamb shoulder. Order the Lamb Kleftiko - tender smoked lamb shoulder with salad wrap and spreads. Lamb is particular and this was just so delectable - not gamy, not too smoky, and paired nicely with a recommended beverage. The creative menu options will not disappoint. The culinary genius, the well informed staff and immediate service are all wins. Whether you are a local, or tourist - this is a must to stop by!

    It's just a step below the other Jose Andres restuarants here in DC…read more FYI: it's all small plates/small portions. And actually, that FYI is one of my knocks, there's just less bang for your buck portion wise here. Everything is very flavorful and well done though. My Chicken Kouvetsi, while tasty seemed to have not that much chicken. Many bites were just orzo and tomato sauce. I needed more chicken. The bread is complimentary and very tasty; hilariously, after we asked for more, they just kept bringing our group 2 baskets. This review sounds very negative for 4 stars, but Zaytinya is niceand the food is tasty. Just know all the above going in. It's also very noisy,to the point where it was hard to hear everyone at our table and our server had a hard time hearing us. They probably need to update their soundproofing or just have fewer tables. That actually led to some confusion about the "for the table" lamb dish we ordered, which seemed to come out as sliced lamb, seasoned as described on the menu, on a plate. Frankly, for the price it didnt seem like enough for our group of 6. Also, there were 2-3 flies around our table before we sat down. They eventually left, but that probably should signal there's more mess there than just wiping down the table takes care of.

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    Zaytinya
    Zaytinya
    Zaytinya - Spreads & Bread

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    Spreads & Bread

    Ammoora - 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America by People Magazine & OpenTable

    Ammoora

    4.4(272 reviews)
    33.9 miInner Harbor
    $$$$
    Fine dining
    Outdoor seating

    Came back to Ammoora because it is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Baltimore with great…read morefood. The service was attentive throughout our meal, and every dish arrived beautifully plated with great attention to detail. We started with the Beyti Sujuk Rolls and the Beetroot Hadiqa. The rolls were one of my favorite appetizers. They were crispy, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the yogurt and tomato sauce. The Beetroot Hadiqa was equally impressive, with beets, apples, walnuts...it was a refreshing combination of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors. For our entrees, we ordered the Riyash of Lamb and the Freekeh Short Rib. The lamb chops were cooked beautifully and served over couscous with broccolini, while the pistachio crust added a nice texture. The Freekeh Short Rib was incredibly tender and the rich beef jus paired perfectly with the mushrooms. It was hearty, comforting, and one of the best short rib dishes I've had. The cocktails were just as memorable. I ordered the Asfar So Good, while my partner had the Ashita Affair. Both were beautifully presented with a silky foam on top and were as delicious as they looked. The Asfar So Good was light, refreshing, and well-balanced with subtle floral and citrus notes, while the Ashita Affair had a smooth, creamy texture with pistachio and rose flavors that made it feel almost like a dessert cocktail without being overly sweet. This is definitely on the pricier side, but the quality of the ingredients, presentation, atmosphere, and service justify the cost. Every plate felt thoughtfully prepared, and the overall experience was memorable from start to finish. If you're looking for elevated Middle Eastern cuisine, creative cocktails, and one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Baltimore, Ammoora is absolutely worth the splurge.

    All I can say is WOW. My dining partner and I had such an amazing experience here. First of all,…read morethe restaurant is gorgeous inside. We had an earlier dinner reservation so it wasn't as crowded at the beginning but was quite busy at the end. We tried a couple different cocktails and I loved both of mine - Ashta Affair and Asfar So Good. The Ashta Affair was sweet and creamy and the Asfar So Good was deliciously refreshing. My friend really enjoyed his Old Fashioned Date and had a fun experience trying the El Massaya Arak. For appetizers, we ordered Muhamara and Mousakhan Chicken Rolls. The Muhamara came with pita and was such a great dip. The chicken rolls were equally as good with their own sumac labneh dip we enjoyed. For entrees, we shared the Braised Lamb Shank and Makloubeh. The portions were large and the meat was tender. Neither were over seasoned and were absolutely delicious. We couldn't finish it all and saved the rest for leftovers - yum! We wanted to try their dessert and ending up getting the Ashta Bil Asal and Ruz Bil Karaz. The Ashta Bil Asal had cotton candy which made it a fun dessert to try and the Ruz Bil Karaz had a great caramelization coating. Neither were overly sweet which we preferred. It was such a great ending to our meal. I absolutely loved my experience here. Our server, Miriam, was friendly and attentive. We even chatted with the GM, Iman, who also made sure we were provided a great first experience. I cannot recommend this place enough for anyone who's looking for a boujee but amazing time!

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    Ammoora
    Ammoora
    Ammoora

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    Fettoosh - Chicken Tagine

    Fettoosh

    4.5(585 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    Good food with even nicer service. This place feels very authentic and the man who owns it is very…read morekind and friendly. He chatted with us the whole time and recommended the mint tea to us which was delicious and well worth it. My first time really eating Moroccan food but the flavor combinations were good and the preserved lemon and olives used in the dishes were tasty. My favorite dishes here were the chicken tajin and the mint tea

    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.

    Photos
    Fettoosh - Green tea with mint leaves

    Green tea with mint leaves

    Fettoosh - Take Out Order of Lamb Tagine with Mixed Veggies - Not happy.

    Take Out Order of Lamb Tagine with Mixed Veggies - Not happy.

    Fettoosh - Lamb with Prune

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    Lamb with Prune

    Cedars Of Lebanon - Lamb Kabob

    Cedars Of Lebanon

    4.6(137 reviews)
    10.1 mi

    The Cedars of Lebanon is an easily-overlooked cafe right on the corner of the Old Greenbelt…read moreShopping Center which is a lovely hidden gem. I spent every summer in this town, growing up, and I never discovered this restaurant until a precious friend brought me here a few years ago. It's a dated, though efficient, and charming, cafe with fresh dishes you might love. Firstly, if you plan on having lunch here on a Monday, make sure you are able to finish by 2:45 since they close by 3pm. All other days, they are open past 8pm. We started with the sweet potato soup despite the fact that the reviews for the lentil soup here are the highest. Yes! If it's featured: get it! The turmeric and coconut milk make this soup delightful. The herbs made it so fresh and there was just the right amount of sweetness and gentle heat. Parsley really adds to this recipe and I'm not usually a fan of this herb. The pitas are soft, thin and light. Love them. We needed to order more. I've never had such paper-thin pitas. Yum! I love love love the hummus, here. It is nothing short of divine. The flavors are fabulous and deeply complex. You can really taste the tahini. The olive oil is mild and delicious. I exclaimed, "the hummus was the best ever." And then 5 minutes later, I read a review by Yelper James H. where he says it's the best ever and, "... this hummus at Cedars of Lebanon might have ruined all other hummus for me forever." While I've had similar swooning feelings over the hummus at Lebanese Taverna in Tyson's Corner, this hummus is at least a top contender if not the metro DC area's hummus winner. The cucumber mint yogurt salad is nice, cold and refreshing. You can really taste the mint. I would order this yogurt salad with every meal. The falafel pizza is unusual and fresh. Straight away-- you can taste the tahini, parsley and couscous. The dough is grainy and natural. And there are radishes on this falafel pizza: not overpowering. For the $9 or so pricepoint, this dish is a true labor of love. To prep all of these vegetables, even with food processors, must take time. How novel of a dish! Put the yogurt salad on this pizza. You will thank me. And I only did it because I was watching someone else slather it on. There were at least 12 desserts on the menu. Meow. If we weren't so full of pita, hummus, tahini and fresh veggies, we certainly would love to taste a few of these. As well as the Turkish coffee, with an authentic ceramic and metal carafé presentation.

    Pretty easy, breezy no-frills restaurant…read more We stopped by Cedars of Lebanon, because it was one of the few places that had outdoor seating and was not full. The restaurant has a small outdoor dining area with three four-seater tables, which was find for our two dogs. The experience overall was pretty low key, which necessarily is not a bad thing. Although there is waiter/waitress service, you will have to order your food at the cashier's counter. Actually, maybe that's only a thing if you are dining outside. The menu has a nice mix of Middle Eastern dishes. I went with a beef (or maybe it was lamb) kabob plate. The portions were fine and my meal was pretty good. It was not out of this world amazing, but it got the job done. I thought that the prices were pretty good for the area and the amount of food received. Although the food was fine, I do not think that I would go out of my way (e.g., driving more than 30 minutes) to dine here. Just be aware that the restaurant does not serve alcoholic beverages.

    Photos
    Cedars Of Lebanon - Gorgeous wood stick art. Listening for the Whisperer by Artist Paul Downs.

    Gorgeous wood stick art. Listening for the Whisperer by Artist Paul Downs.

    Cedars Of Lebanon - Passion Fruit Custard

    Passion Fruit Custard

    Cedars Of Lebanon - Gorgeous wood stick art. Chief Red Cloud by Artist Paul Downs.

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    Gorgeous wood stick art. Chief Red Cloud by Artist Paul Downs.

    Yalla - lebanese - Updated August 2026

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