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    Yalla

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

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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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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    Leonardo F.

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    1 year ago

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    Leonardo F.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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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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    2 years ago

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    Leonardo F.

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    Leonardo F.

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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

    (1.3k reviews)

    $$$$

    This is actually my second time coming to this restaurant, and both times were absolutely…read morespectacular. The food is nothing but genius--fantastic concepts like their roasted carrots, soft, spicy outer textures with a simultaneously solid and rich core. Their hummus is delectable and thick, offering an appreciated simplistic flavor paired with everything served. Their nutty, sweet, warm halloumi, mezze tasting (various pickled veggies offering a cool addition and sometimes a kick), ribeye steak & chicken souvlaki blew me away. The steak was as good as it was last time (9.9/10), and the chicken souvlaki was soft, cooked to perfection served with a zingy garnish of pickled onions. For dessert, their chocolate spiced mousse was a run-of-the-mill chocolate mousse. It was good, but I wasn't getting much of the spice. The service at our time there has a funny backstory--reservations were accidentally made at their sister restaurant, Medina. However, due to it being a special occasion, George (shoutout) managed to find us a perfect seat on the second level, overlooking the inner workings of the exposed aesthetic of the restaurant. The ambiance was calm, smooth, dim-lit, and encompassed a primal, eclectic atmosphere at the same time. Nonetheless, Maydan is an incredible restaurant providing outstanding meals suitable for various diets (keto, vegan, etc.) with great and dutiful servers who bring together the shrouded, intimate atmosphere. Everything just works and time flies in there. Definitely worth a try!

    Went here to celebrate with my family and had a party of four…read more Drink order took 10 minutes, delivery of said drinks took another 15. The appetizer was dropped on my lap as the waitress cleared the plate. She didn't seem to care and said "slippery little things". $300 worth of food was delivered and not once were we asked how the food quality was. The problem is the $75 flat iron steak we ordered as medium came out as rare and was to the point it was hard to cut it was so chewy. Spoke to manager about the situation and his care meter seemed to be broken. It's a shame because ambiance and environment is great. The service was not.

    Zaytinya

    Zaytinya

    (6.3k reviews)

    $$$

    I made reservations for Sunday Brunch and was looking forward to experiencing another Jose Andres…read morerestaurant. We were seated immediately by the matra-dee before our reservation time slot. The decor is open and airy and there's a large patio if you prefer to dine alfresco. We wanted a variety of items and began with Hummus, smoked beet salata and baba ghanoush. Followed by Crispy brussels afelia, Chicken shakshouka, Soujouk pide and shish taouk. For dessert we enjoyed Greek yogurt with apricots and olive oil cake with champagne. The presentation of all the entree's were plated professionally, tasted outstanding, and service from our waiter was on point. I highly recommend this restaurant by Jose Andres.

    Whoa. Horrible outside host for outdoor seating and even worse experience with the indoor host…read morefor indoor seating -- this was not an okay experience at any level. Zero professionalism, no hospitality, and probably way too over their head with how popular this restaurant is for Middle Eastern cuisine. Completely not cool as to how they treat those who try to patronize their business. Note to management: we understand your establishment has great reviews but please don't take that for granted. Please train your staff to treat every single guest regardless of party size with respect, professionalism, and hospitality. Not mad about not being able to dine here because y'all were "fully booked" but more disappointed with how your outdoor and indoor hosts handled the messaging. P.S. There were plenty of tables left unoccupied for "7:30pm reservations" but it was already 8:00pm -- so I take it the grace period for reservations is 30+ minutes?!

    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.

    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.

    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!

    Yalla - lebanese - Updated May 2026

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