Portuguese • $$
“This a nice fast casual restaurant, food is good, although if you don’t add any sauces, it’s a bit dry. But, overall good flavor. I had the rice bowl with Harissa chicken and I added some fresh toppings. I think it might be a bit pricey for the portion size.The Hibiscus lemonade is really good too.The staff were very quiet and didn’t seem too happy. But, nonetheless, they gave me okay service.“
“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“
“Its absolutely amazing tasting and best experience with service if the owners are there, it really feels like they care and want to treat you right. But the second time going without the owners there, the experience fell below. Very sad. still delicious but missing the hospitality and care with the food. For example first time with owners everything was hot the bread was beautifully presented all puffed up and steaming hot when opening it second time going without owners the bread wasn't puffed up and barely hot. So from now on I only go when I know I'll get taken good care of because it's absolutely one of the best experiences me and my husband had in a long time.“
“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.“
“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“
“We came here for friend’s birthday and although imperfecto doesn’t scream birthday vibes the restaurant absolutely delivered. Food was immaculate- the drinks were delicious and the service was great. It was peak brunch time so the restaurant was super busy - but the staff was very timely and attentive.Onto the drinks, we had a variety of drinks, a crowd favorite was (classic) the espresso martinis.Some food highlights include the wagyu burger, the avocado toast was supreme, mussels, chicken and waffles and the pancakes.Be sure to specify if you are celebrating an event as the staff will be sure to make it special.“
“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!“
“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.“
“Great ambiance. Delicious food. Attentive staff. Had a great time dining at Agora. Look forward to coming back to try other menu items. Smoked Short Ribs were spectacular. Taramosalata (cod roe mousse with olive oil and fresh lemon juice) was the best spread!“
“Went for my daughter's birthday.Food was above average,the star i took away was due to kebab being burnt from one side ,but the rest tasted great .The ribs, adana and everything we ordered tasted like authentic turkish food. There was one man on the floor who was running like a headless chicken but was serving 6 tables. The place was jam packed and a bit noisy for us, therefore, took a star away. The manager was great because he catered my request.Overall a good experience.RecommenedParking: Parking lot right next to the restaurant. We paid $13 for 2 hours on Saturday.It was not charging hourly but for just parking so flat rate“
“Outstanding service, scrumptious food and great staffs. I have dine at Yayla restaurant many time and I have never been disappointed. The food is always good and the staffs are so polite and professional last night I took my family there for the restaurant 10th anniversary. We had a blast. The DJ did a great job and the belly dancing was amazing. I can’t wait to try their Turkish breakfast!“
“The food is light and refreshing. The price is extremely fair. Its great to eat right as it comes out and it also saves pretty well. The servers are kind--they'll even bring out the food to your car just to make things easier. The vibe is chill. This is a nice, local place that I will definitely be going to again.“
“Absolutely DELICIOUS!! Amazing schawarma and chicken. And the falafel and soup was outstanding!! Staff went out of their way to accommodate us and make sure we received everything in our order. We came back and hosted a birthday party there and they were incredible at handling our big group of kids!! Don’t think twice — GO NOW! You won’t regret it. Portions are big. Food is fresh. Staff is wonderful.“
“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!“
“Recently, I had a wonderful lunch with my friend to celebrate our birthdays. Service and food were top-notch. Our server surprised us with a complimentary dessert (and no reminder was needed...the restaurant read the notes on the reservation). The booths are so cozy and comfortable with a unique design. I also took takeout home to my family, who loved it.Parking: Lots of free complimentary guest parking spots in attached building on the ground floor.Wheelchair accessibility: I noticed an easy smooth entrance from parking lot into the restaurant... no steps.“
“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!“
“I had the pleasure of experiencing Talia'z Cuzina for the first time when they catered our Christmas lunch at the office, and it was a delightful culinary adventure. Every item on their menu was a true delight, but the braised beef brisket stole the show for me with its incredible flavors and tenderness. I was so impressed that I couldn't resist bringing some home, and to my delight, even my husband, who is quite the food critic, fell in love with their dishes. We ended up visiting their restaurant to pick up more to enjoy at home. Talia'z Cuzina is a definite must-try for anyone craving delicious and satisfying meals that leave a lasting impression“
Mediterranean • $
“I went to this amazing Greek restaurant, and the food was fantastic! The service was great too. They have delicious gyro, awesome steak, and tasty fries. It's a must-try place for a fantastic Greek meal! Everything was enjoyable and top of everything in the area.“
“Second time visiting Basil in Annandale. Tired of cooking after thanksgiving and wanted some lentil soup and halloumi pizza. Both were excellent! I have made lentil soup many times but Basil's soup has a lemon undertone that was very satisfying. Dough for halloumi was very tender and crust perfectly cooked. Last time I did carry out I ordered lamb shank entree for dinner and that was wonderful too. I hope Basil keeps up their great meals. My new go to place for carry out when my arthritic hands too tired to cook!“
“I went for iftar upon my friend's recommendation. Pleasant smells greet you as you enter. The salad bar is very fresh and very tasty. All the meats we tried were very delicious. The staff are great with their date treats, smiling faces and helpful attitude in every way. Especially the tea that came with it crowned the whole meal. You should definitely experience traditional Turkish flavors and desserts. We thank Mr. Akif and his team.“
“We had no idea this gem existed in Wheaton. A must try for anyone looking for quality food and excellent service. My wife loved her steak and my stuffed shrimp with pasta was awesome. Sorry the photos show half eaten food. It looked so good that I forgot to take pictures before we started eating!“
“I went to try this place because of a friend of my girlfriend's was working. I came around lunchtime and got the MORNING AFTER BURGER as well as the SCHNITZEL BODEGA BREAKFAST SANDWICH. Both were satisfactory and gave me a good boost for the rest of the day. I am not going to mention how good or bad the service was due to the fact that we had a friend serving us, but in our case, we had excellent service. CR NoMa is a cute place to get a bite to eat if you are in the area and are looking for the quintessential neighborhood restaurant. A place without pretense, locally owned by people who know and appreciate the neighborhood and the people who live and work there.“
“One of the best meals I've had in a long time. We did the vegetarian version of the Cookbook Sampler and it was simply amazing. The starters were my absolute favorite and I'll be back for more. The sampler is pricy though, excellent for a special occasion.Vegetarian options: 10/10. An entire veggie variation of the special menu on top of all their other veggie options.“
“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❤️“
“Delicious Turkish/Middle East cuisine. My salmon salad was delicious. Service is excellent & prices are more than fair. We went on a Monday night & it was half/price wine (bottle) night ! Yay, we had a wonderful Turkish dry white wine.“
“Our server was very knowledgeable and helpful. One glass of wine we ordered was a disappointment and he immediately substituted an excellent replacement. The menu is unusual in having 4 categories of plates. This worked out very well. Our meal was a relaxing experience in a quiet, calm atmosphere. It was a wonderful meal and overall experience.“
“With so many options to choose from, I had to get the chef's platter to try it all! Everything was delicious. I could make a meal out of the bread and hommus! My only disappointment was that they only had 1 of the 3 Lebanese beers listed on the menu.“
“They offer various kinds of kabobs. We tried Qabili pallow, a traditional Afghan dish, and beef Sambosa. The ghabili came with shank and tasted good but was too oily. The Sambosa was okay in flavor. The food quality was okay, but overall, it was too oily. I wish they'd make it less greasy.“
“If I lived nearby I would be tempted to selfishly hoard this tiny gem for myself, but given that I don't visit often, I'll share the love:I stumbled upon Nido while looking to kill some time between two sets of plans in the area and am SO glad I did! Thea was such a delight, the products were well curated, and the recommendations were super thoughtful. The "half pours" of wine, the Basque cheesecake, the goodies to go... what was intended as a pit stop became the highlight of my day.Thank you Thea!“
“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.“
“Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday to celebrate our anniversary. The owner greeted us and chatted with us a for a while. Most tables were reserved for an event that afternoon, but when we told her we could be out before then, she seated us and brought out the menus. We ordered using the QR code on the menus, as that was the only option. I will say, that was the only thing I didn't like. I have having to use my phone for everything and wished I could've ordered in person and paid in person. And then the tip part was unclear and it chose the tip for us (18%). That felt kinda weird...what if I wanted to leave more? But that feels like the same complaint, having to order on my phone.Anyway, besides those 2 things, everything else was amazing. The food was fresh, tasty, and was brought out in a reasonable amount of time. The waiter was quick to bring out water and refills. Dina was sweet and chatted with us just the right amount. We ordered the 3 plate appetizer baba ghanoush, grape leaves, and fava beans. They were all good, but the fava beans were extraordinary. We also got the Susu's chicken plate. It was also delicious...and the best part of that plate was the amazing tomato sauce.I can't recommend this place enough and we will surely be back!“
“Wow just wow!!! Pita on the Plaza is truly a gem!! Norma, the woman handling orders is such a sweet woman! You can tell she genuinely cares about her customers experience eating there. NOW THE FOOD. The chicken pita they’ve got (Old Gtown Wrap I believe) is INSANELY DELICIOUS. I really haven’t had a chicken pita that good in a very long time. Everything from the seasoning on the chicken to the choices in sauces was on point! The falafel was fresh and delicious. The Pita is soft and has a really nice flavor as well. I can’t wait to go back and try everything else they’ve got to offer!! (If you like spicy foods, ask for some of the creamy harissa dip!!!!) Thank you again to Norma and the rest of the Pita on the Plaza team for a memorable experience!“
“Hasib was amazing! He truly explained everything on the menu with such passion and was incredibly informative. He really made our experience and we will certainly be back. Hasib, thank you for pushing us to try different courses and drinks, and sharing your wealth of knowledge with us!Dietary restrictions: Completely accommodates any allergies and even asks at the beginning of the meal.“
“I have walked past Mele for a year, believing it wasn't my type of cuisine. Boy was I wrong! The selection of fresh seafood, quality cuts of steak and fabulous sides are unparalleled in the area. It was the best meal I've had in months, to include dining in LA, DC, FL & OH. Bravo!“
“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!“
Mediterranean • $
“A great add to College Park! Taim offers great Mediterranean food with a nice variety of options. I got a bowl with honey harissa steak and it was really good. The meat was a little chewy so I would have preferred smaller pieces. I got a couscous and salad base with pickles, feta, marinated tomatoes, garlic sauce, and some green sauce. It was really good and even better in warm pita. The ginger lemonade is pretty good but nothing special. The service is mostly non-interactive but they gave me a free refill. The atmosphere is very yellow and there’s a row of mirror wall that wraps around the seating area. This isn’t as good as UIUCs Shawarma Joint, but I still want to come back and try more!“
“We have been coming here for a couple of years now and EVERY time it has been a very pleasant experience. The staff is extremely friendly and the food is amazing. BEST gyro meat I’ve ever had. The hummus is good and I like the fries but the real show stopper is the meat. I mean, my mouth is watering while I write this review…“
“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.“
“Parking: Julii is within the Pike & Rose outdoor mall complex in North Bethesda (Rockville). Most of the parking is in one of the paid parking garages that are part of the Pike & Rose complex (first 2 hours free). There is one small surface parking lot that is diagonally across from Julii, which quickly fills up. On Saturdays, this small lot is taken over by the farmers' market that runs April - December thus, if you're coming for brunch on Saturdays, you'll have to choose one of the parking garages.This is a seasonal French bistro with a Mediterranean twist (steak fries and lamb tagine are on the menu). Service is consistently attentive for the small space which fills up quickly - there are outdoor dining pods (pandemic era holdover) for larger groups during winter and inclement weather. Inside the largest group table seats 6 at one very "cozy" table. This is really a place for singles to four tops.“
“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.“
“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.“
“Stayed at the hotel next to Bawadi for 3 nights and ate their all three nights. Had something different each night and everything was very good. Staff was great. The food came out quickly even when we had a large table of folks one night. While they do not serve alcohol there is a nice craft beer place right next store.“
“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.“
Mediterranean • $
“I don't remember how I found this place online, but am so glad. You'll feel like you're on a treasure hunt and maybe in the wrong building, but go to the G (=LL) floor via the elevators and it's there. Simple decor and the owner is really friendly and accommodating. The food was excellent - I am vegan and he had no problem using tahini instead of tzaziki in my falafel sandwich, which was one of the best I've had! The prices were extremely reasonable and I am just sad it's so hidden away that people won't just run across it without knowing about it. The food was obviously prepared with care. Worth a visit - I plan on returning!“
“As someone with dairy and egg allergies, I was extremely grateful for the many vegan options on the menu. We came our first night in DC and had the delicious vegan nachos and vegan BBQ “chicken” bites and I was beyond impressed. We had such a great experience that we came back again…. And again while we were in DC. Everyone in my family (vegan and not) raved about their food and our service was phenomenal. Add in the great bookstore attached that the kids and us enjoyed while waiting for food and this place is a must go. If you’re a beer lover, try the Busboys Haze and you won’t be disappointed.“
“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.“
“Food was good and freshSpace was kind of tight between tables especially with people standing in line for buffet.I was expecting some Ramadan decorationI would definitely go back but not for Iftar .I would recommend if you want to try the taste of Moroccan cuisine“
“I ordered catering from Big Greek Cafe for my son’s baptism. The food was amazing, and my family and friends could not stop complimenting the spread. Everyone went back for multiple plates; huge portions and lots of leftovers. Petros and his staff were such a pleasure to work with. Fresh food and quality customer service!“
“We made a meal of appetizers and every dish was delicious! The garlic hummus was amazing, and I loved the lebneh too. We brought selections back for our teens and they also loved them. The baklava was made fresh that day and was exquisite. If I am not mistaken, the pastry was house made too!“
“This spot seems like a local institution. They had live music- two guitarists playing in the background. The atmosphere was perfect and the food was really tasty as well. The restaurant is underground with no windows but the murals and lighting make it seem as if you’re transported to Portugal. Overall, an older clientele but a lovely spot.Parking: There’s a free parking lot for customers to use.Wheelchair accessibility: There’s a ramp to enter the restaurant to accommodate those in wheelchairs.“