Middle Eastern Restaurants in Washington, DC

“Albi (Arabic for 'my heart') is one of the most high-octane dining experiences in D.C. The air smells of wood smoke and sumac, and the energy is kinetic. While it’s a Michelin-starred destination, it manages to feel like a lively, loud Arabic household where hospitality is the primary language.

• The 'Sofra' Experience: While the à la carte menu is great, the 'Sofra' is the specialist move. It’s a spontaneous, multi-course journey through the kitchen’s best seasonal plays. It’s a lot of food, so come hungry and ready for a family-style feast.

• The Hearth Table Secret: For the ultimate insider experience, book the Hearth Table. It’s a front-row seat to the literal fire. You sit steps away from the wood-burning hearth that anchors the kitchen. It’s an immersive, chef-curated look at the craft that most diners only see from across the room.

• Signature Orders: The Mushroom Hummus with 'pita balloons' (the fluffiest, steam-filled bread you'll ever see) is mandatory. Follow it with the Barbecue Lamb or the Sfeeha (meat pies). For dessert, the Brown Butter Knafeh with yogurt ice cream is a marvel of salt, sweet, and texture.“

“An amazing dining experience!“

“Did the cocktail mixing class. Great food and awesome experience!“

“Delicious food, generous portions and FABULOUS & FRIENDLY service.“

“Delicious falafel, hearty portions, with lots of options of fixings. Gluten-free option is terrific.“

“Great Mediterranean food! The chef is the Master!“

“Grill kabob has one of the best kabobs in town. The juiciness and flavors makes me want to come back for more. The owner is a very kind man and helped me decide which dish to order as I was having trouble to decide. I highly recommend this place!“

“Every bite was delicious. three empty plates. great ambience and service. will be back soon!“

“Kabul Castle Kabob is a solid spot if you’re craving flavorful Afghan food. The kabobs were juicy and well seasoned, the rice was perfectly cooked, and the bread and sides rounded out the meal nicely. Portions are generous, the service is friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is casual and unpretentious — perfect for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Definitely a place I’d go back to for a satisfying, hearty meal.“

“I enjoyed the green zone, it had me flying high. Flying high when I tried their coffee drink. There was so much in it I don’t even know what to call it, but look at the picture, it looks delicious. I payed a pretty penny for it too, but pennies I got. This place cost a lot of green so bring your wallet, credit card too. Have fun, it’s good (at least their coffee drink is).“

“Excelente servicio ,deliciosa comida !..“

“I am a total hummus snob. You can ask my friends. I only eat hummus from restaurants because they seem to be the only ones that can make it right and with the consistency that is smooth and a little thinner. Every store bought hummus I have tried has been a thick paste and it doesn’t even feel like hummus. Until now. I am a total convert and very excited. Consistency is everything in hummus and Little Sesame has figured out how to do it and put it into a container that is sold at a store. Kudos. I love it.“

“Absolutely delightful spot for a casual brunch / lunch with a ton of delicious baked goods and prepared grab-and-go items! Cagla and Rachel are the sweetest people I've ever met, and Cagla's cooking skills are absolutely out of this world -- fully worthy of the many James Beard nominations she's received over the years! For a quick but hearty brunch, I love their egg and cheese sandwich; it's genuinely one of the largest sandwiches I've ever seen, and includes two fried eggs, generous helping of melted cheese, and perfectly nutty and herby pesto sandwiched between two giant slices of fluffy, super flavorful focaccia. If you want something a little simpler, I'm obsessed with all of her tarts -- the butternut squash and goat cheese one is my favorite, but the spring / summer seasonal tart with leeks and walnuts is also incredible. I don't know how she manages to create such a crispy crust with a tender, super savory and slightly sweet interior, but each one of these tarts is just perfection.

They also offer catering for parties and corporate events, and I highly recommend. We got their food for a work holiday party last year, and we got rave reviews from all the guests. That was where I first fell in love with the butternut squash tart, but the oyster mushroom hummus was also a huge hit. Even the simpler items, like the kale salad or red lentil balls, are executed perfectly and are a huge crowd pleaser.

The only note is that Green Almond Pantry is part of the Grace Street Collective, so you can't make reservations and it can be a little tough to find seating among all the other restaurants and eateries. It's usually a little easier to find a spot if you come during an off hour -- either right when they open at 11 AM or a little later in the afternoon after the lunch rush. Even if you can't find a spot, their food is delicious to go and it's quite close to the Georgetown Waterfront, so you can always enjoy your meal outside if it's nice out.“

“Muncheez catered an event of mine. The food, service, presentation and attention to detail was perfect! MY client from Dubai were very pleased! They where able to set up a pop up shawarma station for 150 guests. Their partnership with Society for the alcohol service is a winning combination. Ali is just GREAT! I will be using them again!“

“Second visit to this location . Quality , value and excellent taste . What more can I say .“

“Nice Shawarma Tasty food.“

“The food was great. I had a shrimp kabob, rice, hummus and a salad. The white Cosmo was very good. Loved meeting Ann.“

“As a Central Asian who grew up with a similar culture and cuisine, I can confidently say this is the best Middle Eastern restaurant I’ve ever visited.

We sat at the bar, where the two bartenders provided great service.

The dishes were creatively presented and rich in diverse flavors. The Pita with Mushrooms and Hummus was our favorite.

The Frozen Halva Bar is, without a doubt, the most unique and delicious dessert I’ve ever tried. The combination of chocolate ganache, sesame, and halva ice cream blended perfectly. Thank you, pastry Chef, Evyn.“

“Food is very tasty 😋 both indoor and outdoor seating is good.. love the interior and the portion of the food.“

“Excellent food and beyond excellent prices🌟“

“the whole thing - the people - the food - all good“

“Everything here is sooooo delicious. I usually get the veggie platter - I’ve tried all of the sides and my personal favorite is the okra but you really can’t go wrong with any. I don’t even live in DC anymore but whenever I come back I always crave tasty kabob“

“When you are down in DC please visit great food“

“Leb Tav is a gem! The chicken shawarma pita was bursting with flavor, the beef shawarma was tender and perfectly spiced, and the falafel was crispy outside, soft inside—absolutely delicious. The seasoned French fries were a great side, and their sauces bar is a highlight, offering a rich variety of bold, fresh flavors to customize every bite. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the experience even better. Highly recommend!“

“I’m a Muslim come from China, and this is my second time coming here. Every time I transfer at Union Station, I stop by. I think the service and taste are both great. I don’t understand why the rating is so low. My only regret is that they don’t sell burgers.“

“Before trying Sacrificial Lamb, I recall walking past the restaurant many times while they had a banner up touting their naan as the best in the city. Hard to believe, given the size of the place, and abundance of quality Indian cuisine in the DMV. Over a period of several years and many dishes, well beyond the best Naan, I’m a believer. They have all the essential dishes you’d expect and they’re tasty but the curry dishes are exceptional. Whoever is making the sauces has serious skills. Mackni, Korma, masala, vindaloo, all delicious with abundant portions and quality components. Rich flavorful sauces that don’t separate and seasoning that is layered and surprising. Excellent vegetarian dishes too. Aloo gobi was a favorite. Even this basic dish had a bit of a sauce to it. They also catered to my dietary restrictions without issue. One recommendation— order later in the day. It seems the sauces and seasonings only get more enjoyable as the day evolves. Take out is done well, with sizable portions and seemingly no lost quality. Don’t miss the naan. It’s extraordinary and was always delivered warm. They also do naan wraps which are exceptional late night. Dip a wrap in the Mackni sauce, so decadent. I recently moved and have not been able to replace this little gem.“

“Great atmosphere, excellent service and strong drinks!!! Our server was awesome!!! I definitely recommend!!!“

“They have a very unique specialty pizza with gyro meat that is amazing and unlike any other I have found. So yum. Also, when I had one bad delivery experience after usually good service, they went out of their way to make it up to me on the next order. Great pizza, (usually) good service, and a refreshing concern for keeping this regular customer happy. 👍“