“Coming from Arabic Family and growing partially in an Arab country I am very critical when it comes to Arabic food. I must say Ilili didn’t disappoint ! The food is actually ESPECTACULAR! I traveled to my childhood memories with every bite. The hummus with pine nuts and mushrooms is delicious, and the shawarma duck and fried kibbeh so good. Please do yourself a favor and close with a KNAFE“
“Our server, Frank was incredibly welcoming and kind. We had some lovely conversation with him throughout the meal and enjoyed the service, courses, and the overall atmosphere. Each course was paired well with Audrey's Wine pairing and the dishes were stunning.“
“I went to Imperfecto for a work event and was very impressed with the beautiful decor and ambiance. The service was incredible, and the food followed suit. The truffle pasta was a highlight. I also had the eclair for dessert which was also delicious!“
“This is a gem of a spot in Cleveland Park! I discovered it one day and now I’m a regular and have started bringing my friends. Who all have said they wanna come back. The restaurant is small, but intimate and the food is amazing. The Scallops are a must try. Every time I’ve gone and sat at the bar and have always had an amazing experience. Kyle & Victor are so knowledgeable on their wines and just make the experience 10x better. The playful pairings on the menu are also another highlight and a lot of fun. Definitely a spot worth checking out!“
“I liked everything about this place. The food was authentic and deliciously prepared. Though portions were small, I didn't feel slighted. And the atmosphere felt like it was in the Mediterranean, right down to the quaint water closet bathrooms.And, the staff was super friendly and attentive.“
“We had the best time at KooKoo DC last night. They accommodated a table of 14 for my spouse's birthday and never let us feel like an imposition. The food was so fresh, authentic, and reasonably priced - I did a double take when we got the bill. I even felt like we went all-out with apps, drinks, and desserts! The owner was also so kind - we just felt so cared for the whole time and can't wait to visit again.“
“Hands down one of the best brunch meals I've ever had. I got the batata with toum and harissa, fried halloumi with apple compote and pistachio, and scrambled egg sandwich with grilled soujak. Ali was very attentive, noticed anytime I ran out of water or even napkins. Friendly and accommodating staff, bold ambience, and mouthwatering courses!“
“Cute spot located very close to union station. Came in for dinner on a week night and the place was decently busy. The server was kind and attentive. For food, I had the lamb shawarma which was very tasty and actually the perfect amount of food, although the pita bread that came with was pretty dry. My friend got the lamb sliders which also looked pretty good!“
“Love the bottomless brunch - lots of delicious small plates (small portions, order multiple if very hungry), great service, nice atmosphere, and lots of vegetarian options. Got the olives, bread, hummus, baba ganoush, brussel sprouts, red lentil soup, a spinach eggs Benedict, potatoes, french toast, and more - Can't wait to go back!“
“Zaytinya…wow what can I say about this INCREDIBLE place? I want to start off by saying that I am allergic to all nuts (except peanuts), tahini, and I’m also vegetarian. This itself makes me stray from ALL Mediterranean places because most of their dishes have these things in them, and let me tell you before you tell me, I am missing out on some good stuff!My group of 14 & I dined here recently on Saturday, April 13th on the top floor. My friend called ahead for a large group & had the menu picked out in advance. My birthday was just a few days before so he also mentioned that to the restaurant & they added it to our personal menus! What a sweet & personable touch! To make it easier on our waiter, we split the table up by vegans/vegetarians on 1 side & meat-eaters on 1 side. By the way, BIG SHOUT OUT to our server, Elvis!! He somehow remembered everyone’s allergies & dietary restrictions and remembered whose drinks go where if someone switched their seats briefly. Elvis, I don’t know what to tell you, other than that you made my dining experience at a restaurant where I normally am not able to eat anything, so memorable that I will literally never forget it. He brought out dishes that accommodated everyone, and then if a vegetarian dish had tahini or pine nuts in it, he would bring me the same dish without it. This was for ALL courses, from the appetizers to dinner and even to dessert! I seriously cried happy tears on the inside!Anyways, everything here was absolutely fantastic. I’m still dreaming of so many dishes - the labneh, toum, the bread, fattoush, crispy Brussels, mujadara, and more. While it was mine & my husband’s first time dining here, a few others have dined here before and have raved about it. I can definitely say, that I am another happy & raving guest and will be recommending this restaurant for years to come. Can’t WAIT to be back!“
“Another delicious meal - I frequented the original location and I have visited the trendy and welcoming CR NoMA more than any other sit-down restaurant in DC. How is the Pastrami Poblano even better, each time I order? Perfectly runny egg, soft and toasted ciabatta, delicious crispy spiced fries. The cigars appetizer are not to be missed. Weather you choose the wines, beers, cocktails or mocktails, you are in for a good time. Thanks Oded and team for making our night out a great one!“
“All of our appetizers and our two pizzas was a real food experience. The creations and presentation were outstanding. We had a large variety and each dish was amazing . The pistachio baklava cheesecake was over the top. Staff very friendly too❤️“
“Hands down one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at and probably the best in Washington D.C. Started with the sensational mushroom shish and the perfectly grilled octopus, followed by two remarkable entrees, Aleppo Smoked Chicken and the Cherry Lacquered Shortrib. Absolutely stunning combination of flavors. It’s a phenomenal restaurant in all ways. Excellent wine list and exceptional team.“
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at this establishment and I must say, the manti here is absolutely delightful! The flavors were rich and authentic, and the texture of the dumplings was perfect. The portion size was generous, and the service was impeccable. I highly recommend trying the manti here for a truly satisfying culinary experience. Can't wait to come back for more!“
“The food was really good - couldn’t be faulted! Service was excellent too.My only gripe was the amount of single use plastic items in the cafe. Everything from the plate to the cup to the cutlery was disposable. We need to do better by our planet.“
“Love this gourmet shop & market! The wine and cheese selection is excellent. Plus my 10yo loves & loves their olive blend and focaccia. Nido is our stop for a special evening together. Also, the owners are just lovely and know their product really well. 100% Recommended!!!“
“Stopped by with two kiddos on a weeknight and the service was impeccable. Aside from having the usual parking issues - Connecticut Ave is sometimes difficult- we had no issues finding it. It's on a row with a lot of options but we (I) wanted hummus so here we were! The service and greeting were great? Our waiter was thorough and advised of the best items on the menu as well as allowed us to take out time ordering. We tried the pita bread with olive oil which was a little bland and required salt and pepper-but the pita itself was warm perfection. We also tried the artichoke hearts, which were amazing and the dressing was so good, the kids tried to eat it with a spoon! I typically don't eat after 7 and since it was much later, I ordered a salad with tabouleh and falafel, of which I finished one. The falafel was a little dry, which didn't make for a great reheating experience but on day one it was great! The kids both ordered the kids meal with falafel which is massive and comes with hummus and rice or fries. He let my picky water get a salad instead which worked nicely. There were a ton of leftovers and we are hearty eaters. I will just say the falafel and tabouleh salad doesn't reheat very well. The tabouleh is as expected, quite wet and if I'd had space to eat it on day one, it would have been a 5/5. As such, I'd give it a solid 4.3. It wilted almost completely in 12 hours even after separating the falafel. But we would go back, the menu is expansive, the service was very good, and the ambiance is perfect for a date night at any point! The high backed booths lend and aura of privacy and the high ceilings swallow conversation in a way that allows you to relax and really talk. Definitely a good restaurant design! If you like Lebanese/Mediterranean food, you won't be disappointed!“
“I’ve been wanting to visit this restaurant since I moved to DC, and we finally went for brunch. LOVED the ambiance and that was the main star of the visit, service was on point, the food not so much.I got the Salmon Cavlax, my partner got French toast and our friend got the chicken sandwich, I’d say all of us were disappointed in what we got. See the pictures and you be the judge, underwhelming food for the price and for the places reputation with that being said we would give them a second chance for a different menu and see if the experience changes.“
“My wife and I were stuck in Washington, DC because of a weather related airplane cancellation. Since it was Christmas Day, our options for dinner were limited. We were very pleased to have chosen the Ottoman taverna. The food was phenomenal. The service was impeccable and I would recommend this to anybody looking for a dining experience in Washington, DC. While it is certainly not cheap, it is not terribly expensive either. The food was unbelievably delicious. Oddly, our Lyft driver who delivered us to the door happened to be Turkish and was telling us how great the place was as we arrived.“
“Opened the shop 10 minutes after closing to make me a chicken shawarma to go on New Year’s Eve. Staff are always kind. Food is quick, generously-portioned, affordable, and delicious. I like having the option to eat outside when the weather is nice. A Cleveland Park gem for sure!“
“Amani, the most gracious hostess greeted with the most enormous smile one can get just before mind blowing ambiance experience at this magical place. The owner of this place is going to get so much business just because of her amazingly genuine welcome to Villa Yaara by the hostess Amani. I’m sure the food and the service will be at par as well so that we could rate it five star as well.Parking: Metered Parking.“
“It was a beautiful early springlike day when I dined here so I requested a table outside. The food was delicious - I had the brussel sprouts appetizer and the chicken tagine. Excellent flavors in both. My server was very kind and helpful. I splurged on the crunch bar dessert which was delightful! I will definitely return for another meal.“
“We came to D.C. for a couple days from AZ and my son wanted Italian. I sent my Mom some options in many different areas and she chose this place, and I’ll admit when we were dropped off in this area, I wasn’t quite sure, but we decided to go in, and were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed an amazing meal! I got the Gnocchi with Meat Sauce, my Mom enjoyed Ravioli with cream sauce, and my son said his spaghetti with meat sauce was one of the best! We go out to eat A LOT, and am glad we gave this little place a try.“
“We came in with a group of 8 (that grew to 10) and they were very polite and accommodating. Even with a big group, the waiter took the time to break down the menu because it was our first visitOur food came pretty quickly and everything was delicious.“
“I was there for the opening day and it was wonderful. The staff are so friendly and had huge smiles on their faces. The line moved quickly and the food was delicious and made exactly to order. The soup was still piping hot when I got back to the office. So happy they finally opened a location in Union Station.“
“Nice bookstore slash restaurant Cafe. Plenty of space to work and eat or both. Strong wifi as well.The art decorations are amassing. It's almost like being in a gallery. Service is chill, mostly younger with a chill, friendly demeanor - I like it.I ordered the creole shrimp which was sad in terms of portion. It was $18 for a scoop of rice, several pieces of shrimp and vegetable tomato sauce. Want really good nor really bad just meh. I felt it was overpriced. Plus the shrimp could've been cooked more. But the presentation was beautiful.All in all it's a nice cafe. And I'd recommend coming here to read our but books, drink a coffee and work, but not the food. A bit overpriced for what you get.“
“Came here for dinner and was very impressed. Everything was fantastic. The atmosphere is cozy and not too noisy. The service was great, and the timing was appropriate. All of the food was prepared well and tasted great. I had the Kabobs, which were tender and juicy, and there was plenty leftover to box up. I definitely recommend coming here if you haven't already.“
“Delicious food, beautiful presentation, affordable prices. Also get free baked goods and some sauces. First time eating Middle Eastern rice, the rice grains are longer, slimmer and lighter than Asian rice grains, quite delicious and refreshing. Friendly employee. Good space, good music.“
“Was driving by and noticed it’s location very easy to spot so I had to try it and I’m glad I did MOST AMAZING FLAVORS the food was great the service was friendly and very attentive to the customers, definitely a must try if you love Mediterranean food an nice change from what has been there. I highly recommend “
“I came here for a networking event and I ordered the greens salad which was bomb! It was so fresh and that pomegranate vinaigrette was tasty and lemony. The staff was so kind and accommodating. The design of the restaurant was also so pretty! I loved the women empowerment buttons everywhere.“
“It was a very great experience out with family. It’s perfect for a lunch or a dinner spot. It’s not super fancy but has a comfortable place. The counter is used for ordering and then the server brings it out. The food tasted great. And there’s ice cream options by the counter. Would go back again.“
“Behind the modest exterior, an immersive culinary journey awaits! Every foodie traveler enjoys 'the find' - a place you don't expect but allows you to join the curated journey of an exceptional chef and his team. Xiquet is one of DC's few true finds, tucked away in a small neighborhood but standing tall in the burgeoning DC dining scene. It is one of those rare places in an otherwise hypertensive town where time becomes ephemeral, and you can truly give in to enjoying artistry for its own sake and within its own parameters.Since Chef Danny changes his menu constantly, based on inspiration and availability of high quality ingredients, check their site for the latest, and definitely allow them to pair their wines, ports, vermouths, etc. to achieve 'peak flavour'.Our experience, a special occasion for my wife and me, was - to use one word - blissful! And equally importantly, relaxed - as visits to special places like Xiquet and its Michelin-starred siblings like Rose's Luxury, Jaunt and Inn at Little Washington should be.Make the time, take the time, and enjoy the journey!“
Mediterranean • $
“This food was delicious. I was so surprised at how fast my order was prepped and how fresh everything was. The staff were all very kind given that it was my first time and I was a little clumsy figuring out what I wanted and if I was going for a bowl or pita. But the falafel pita was so good that I considered visiting twice in one day.“
“Me and husband recently got food from this carry out spot during a late night after we finished a concert in DC. The food was tasting delicious and fresh, even though it was late night!?The staff were nice as well. Please give this spot a try, if you get the chance!?“
“When indecisive, go for the chefs table which includes all of the apps but also an extra tasting per course. Aside from the food which was near perfect, the ambiance is very unique outside dining in a semi enclosed courtyard, railyard bar, and dining in a lodge-like room with fireplace. Some of my favorite dishes were the veggies, surprising because I'm more of a meat eater. Cocktails were excellent but do ask the bartender since not all liquor is documented. Wine list is extensive“