Middle Eastern Restaurants near Bethesda, MD

“Had an amazing lunch at Ala Bethesda! The short ribs were tender and full of flavor, and the hummus was some of the best I’ve had. The space was cozy and inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive. A perfect midday treat — can’t wait to go back!“

“Excellent place. The falafel wrap was outstanding chock full of falafel with the requisite salad, hummus and tehini. Even better when you add some hot pepper mix for a little spice. Spouse enjoyed the falafel platter which included a side of pita. Their fries were great, very crunchy. Their food is very authentic to various middle eastern countries that I have visited. The place is comfy, booths and a few tables. Service was quick and excellent. The owner is Palestinian and surely deserves our support. We highly recommend!“

“I loved my experience here and I was so surprised it was relatively empty on a Friday night. My brothers fiance kicked off her bachelorette weekend here with a party of maybe 16-18 people and a three course family style meal. The service was AMAZING. Everyone was super kind and friendly and quick to remove our plates, refill our waters and make sure we were good. At the end they kindly took a group picture of us. We had a lot of dietary restrictions and they made sure to coordinate who can eat what dishes. On Friday and Saturday nights there are belly dancer performances and wow our performer was so beautiful, talented and fun. I would definitely come back and I would love to try different Lebanese dishes. Thank you for having us!“

“GREAT food, and some of the friendliest people in Bethesda! We’ll be frequent fliers...for sure.“

“We recently got a large catering order and we’re so happy with everything. My order was ready upon arrival, the order was packaged nicely serving and eating utensils were included. The friendly staff helped me load the car. Once we got the food home it was at least 30 minutes before I put it out to serve and it stayed nice and hot. We got the 80-100 person package and we were very pleased with the generous portions. We had aprox 100 guests they all said how good the food was and they were plenty of leftovers. So much so that we sent several guests home with large care bags and still had more. It was a good experience and I would highly recommend.“

“As much as I love the local staples like Ledos, Stained Glass, etc... this is hands down my favorite pizza spot in Mo Co and probably the DMV. It also has the best cheesesteak in Bethesda for sure, despite the claims of Peter's Carryout a few blocks over. I've tried other sandwiches here and they're all very good, but for the past couple years I've religiously stuck to either my steak and cheese + fries or a large double pepperoni.

After talking with the owner, he credits the halal ingredients for the taste which serves my pork restriction perfectly. To get an idea of it, I would say the pizza is like a much higher quality version Pizza Boli's style if that makes sense. There was a time that the pizza was slightly overdone and it was STILL pretty delicious.

My second favorite pizza place in the area is coincidentally around the corner. M & N's, another phenomenal halal spot. But they're a bit more expensive and their sandwiches are nowhere near as good as Aden. Out of the dozen restaurants focusing on pizza in downtown Bethesda, these two are the kings in my opinion.

Highly recommend!

Vegetarian options: Lots of non-meat options ranging from the pizza to falafel, mozzarella sticks, etc.

Dietary restrictions: Halal!“

“Delicious, tender, succulent 🍖 cooked fresh for you. It may take a bit to wait, but trust me, the wait will be worth it. 🤤

Atmosphere is hip and rizzy, service is with a smile. The 🎶 that ________ to ___ here is Teri Meri by Andreea Bostanica. 😉🙏🫶

Nom nom nom! 🤪🤪🤪“

“Albi is exceptional! Such a great evening with amazing food. The only, and very small, issue we had was the volume in the restaurant. We had a hard time hearing the server a few times. Nonetheless the food was fantastic and the wine pairing really topped the evening off.“

“An amazing dining experience!“

“Thought I’d go by and give them a try today ,I ordered several different ones to see what was good and I must say the food was delicious and fresh! Can’t go wrong with any of them .Highly recommend!“

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

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

“I got myself a yummy lunch this week. I love the fresh ingredients and amazing flavors. I love that I can eat meatless and still feel satisfied and full. I highly recommend this gem of a place.“

“Incredible Tour of the World menu!“

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

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

“I had a fantastic experience at Grill Kabob! The food is consistently top-notch, with the chicken and lamb combo being my favorite. The flavors are rich, and the ingredients are clearly of high quality. My only critique is that the cashier didn't seem particularly happy.“

“This is the best kabob place I have ever been to it’s awesome and the best food ever

Vegetarian options: Great chickpeas

Kid-friendliness: Great kid friendly food

Wheelchair accessibility: Extremely excess able“

“Best kabobs I’ve ever had! Very juicy with the right spices! Recommend the Aleppo Steak and Meat Lovers. The Kirby Salad with yoghurt ranch dressing was fresh and creamy while the falafel was moist and yummy. Topped off all this with a slice of apricot pound cake which melted in my mouth. Accompanied with spicy cocktails, the Mirage and the Zaartini, the meal could not have been better!“

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

“This place is fantastic. I’m Middle Eastern and the food here is legit. Tastes just like my mom’s cooking and you can tell it’s all made with authenticity and care in mind. The staff is very friendly and attentive. It was worth the 39 minute Uber ride from DC. I will definitely be back. If you’re looking for authentic Syrian food, this is your place. Excuse the photos… I dug in before remembering to take pictures 😋“

“The food was delicious and the Resturant is really clean I came from ashburn to try it and it was amazing love it 😍“

“I was in town for 6 days and ended up eating here 4 times. Excellent value and flavor. I had the: 1) $10 daily special, which was a chicken bowl. 2) $15 gyro and fries. 3) $30 lamb chops plate which is prolly enough to feed 2 people.

I was impressed with how fresh the food was and the quality and qtty of the protein, especially for its afforbility. The staff is very friendly and the main guy remembered me after just my first visit. I look forward to coming back some day.

If you like spicy, be sure to get a side of their jalapeno sauce.“

“i thought I cooked good basmati rice. The rice I had there today kicked my rices butt!“

“Good food. Been around for decades. Only issue is take away is served styrofoam and the rice tastes like styrofoam… why can’t they learn? Old owners hate change.“

“Exceptional Service. Culinary Excellence. Our dining experience at JOON was extraordinary, made even better by the exceptional service from our server, Yacine. His thoughtful recommendations, warm demeanor, and perfectly timed attentiveness made for an unforgettable evening. Even as the restaurant got busier, Yacine maintained his focus on us— a warm and welcoming touch that elevated the entire experience. Thank you! As fans of Persian cuisine and frequent shoppers at Yekta Market in Rockville— having recently tried our hand at making Persian dishes like Fesenjan at home— coupled with all of the culinary accolades— we had high expectations for JOON. It not only met but exceeded them. Mast-o Musir, yogurt dish with Persian dried shallot and rose petal, was exceptional— more elevated and nuanced than any we’ve had. The mushroom Khoresht stew with white truffle was another highlight, offering perfectly balanced flavors something hard to do with white truffles and a satisfying richness, complemented by the perfectly crunchy Tahdig, iconic golden rice crust. The braised lamb shoulder which Yacine suggested was the undeniable highlight of the meal I which each dish was excellent. Tender and flavorful, it was paired beautifully with texture. It’s a signature dish that rivals the best we’ve ever had, bringing to mind the legendary Bo Ssam pork shoulder from David Chang’s Momofuku— bold, unforgettable, and expertly prepared. The Gormeh Sabzi, short rib stew with its delicious sour depth, was excellent but couldn’t quite match the lamb’s showstopping brilliance. Two very minor points. While the food and service are exceptional, the main dining room lighting would benefit from dimming. A water filtration water system could make a big difference as well. JOON has firmly secured its place as a must-visit dining destination for us. We can’t wait to return and explore more of the menu.“

“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).“

“Nice Shawarma Tasty food.“

“We visited this cozy little restaurant tonight for the first time. Excellent food and service. The people who work here are very friendly. Very diverse menu. They specialize in Yemeni and Ethiopian food. We shared the vegetarian platter, which is Ethiopian. We also shared a pot of wonderful Middle Eastern tea, boiled with milk, cardamon, sugar, and maybe some saffron. We will be back.“

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

“It was good. Stellar option for a light dinner“

“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.“

“Friendly & efficient service! Great tasting food, check it out!“

“This Is A GoOd Rusturant A GoOd Food Tank YoU SoO MuCh FoR FoOd“

“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.“

“number 24 it's good and number 14“

“I've visited this place several times, and I've always been impressed by the friendly staff. In particular, Atena went above and beyond, taking the time to explain the menu items despite being busy. We'll definitely be returning here more often.“

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

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

“Great people, and delicious food.“

“My favorite place in Takoma Park! Great food and drinks made and served with care.“

“One of the best persian food in VA 100 times better than Shamshiry -
One of the best in Customer Service.
The folks who serve are the most courteous. And provide you with the best service.
The food is beyond expectations.“

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

“Absolutely delicious - the best falafels I’ve had in a long time and my family said the lamb/beef combo was very flavorful. The ingredients were fresh and the service was very attentive. And I’m still dreaming of the chocolate peanut butter cupcake I had - so good!“

“AMAZING FOOD!! Me and my family went there two days ago and everything was just perfect. We had chicken, lamb, and beef kabob and it all just tasted amazing. Make sure you try their food with their special hot sauce and BREAD, you won't regret it. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who is looking for that original kabob taste.“

“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.“

“The gentleman at the counter had wonderful customer service. We paid for our food even brought it to the table, which was very nice. It felt like fine dining, he gave us a bit of conversation and seem like such a pleasant gentlemen. I enjoyed the food. It was amazing. I eat every drop and the baklava ice cream with everything took a friend for the first time. My friend said he enjoyed it, and we will definitely be back again. I recommend this place highly if you love Greek food and gyros.“