Middle Eastern Restaurants near Annandale, VA

“Super yummy Afghan food and very affordable! I got the kabob combo with steak and chicken for around $20 during lunch, and it was so flavorful and filling. The owner (I think) was the nicest uncle ever — he even gave me free Afghan soup while I waited for my food. The chickpeas and salad on the side were fresh and tasty too.

The place itself is clean and cozy, just like the name says — literally a corner restaurant with a warm, welcoming vibe. Also, the owner speaks Spanish fluently which was so cool to see! Definitely coming back!“

“Amazing food ! AMAZING SERVICE !!! Will be coming back 😍🤤“

“We've been driving all the way down to Moby Dicks at the Kentlands, and then to the new Shady Grove restaurant, from Thurmont, MD. Yes, the food is that good! Now there's one in Frederick.���“

“ما شاء الله مطعم مع اراكيل شي راقي ونظيف استقبال روعه اسلوب تعامل حلو جدا ..... شكرآ لكم وفقكم ربي“

“Always delicious traditional Egyptian fare. My Egyptian husband makes me drive two hours just to eat here. Although the food is delicious and healthy, my fav thing is the mint lemonade which they make by hand.“

“I’ve been to a couple of Afghan Kabob restaurants but this one was truly really great and tasty. The food was delicious and the customer service was the best. I highly recommend trying out Fairfax Kabob!“

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

“Yafa Grille location in Lorton, VA is out of this world! We ordered the chicken shawarma, steak shawarma, and a chicken bowl — and every bite was absolutely incredible. The chicken was juicy, the steak was tender, and the flavors were perfectly balanced. The chicken bowl was overflowing with fresh, vibrant toppings — crisp arugula, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, briny olives, and sumac-seasoned onions. Everything was unbelievably fresh. Their garlic cream (toum) was next level — light, fluffy, and made fresh with healthy ingredients. The hummus was velvety smooth and full of flavor. You can truly taste the quality and care they put into every dish. This was hands down one of the best Mediterranean meals we’ve ever had. Can’t wait to go back!“

“Never disappointed!! The veggies taste amazing, the bread is perfect/not overdone, and the chicken is always so moist. I wish there was a larger seating area, but not a big deal. If I could change anything, it would be the music. Doesn’t fit the vibe.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Nice Shawarma Tasty food.“

“Yesterday was my 1st time visiting VA Kabob House here in Springfield. Being a fan of Afghan cuisine, I had to stop by as soon as possible. Their $11.99 Chicken Kabob Lunch Special advertised on the window had me drop everything I was doing at the moment, just to walk in and try their food out...and let me tell you....Their food is seasoned and flavored to perfection. Staff is very friendly and upon placing your order, you are offered a complementary plate of their chicken soup which is made from scratch..I ended up placing a side order of the soup and I finished everything on my plate in one sitting; kabob, rice, salad, chick peas, bread and all. I'm here again today ordering the same thing as I'm typing this review. I highly recommend VA Kabob House in Springfield, Virginia. anytime you are hungry, especially lunchtime...

One more thing....I don't really care for soup, but their chicken soup is really damn good and I'm not sure if other Kabob spots have their own soup, but VA Kabob House's soup alone is worth the visit, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite Kabob spots in all of Northern VA.“

“Excellent presentation and great tasting food. Tried kibbeh, falafel and fatoush as well eggplant fette and it was all authentic Syrian made with love.“

“I have never left a review of anywhere. But I love Shawarma Taco with my entire being. I was given a sample of my meal as they were preparing it and that sample bite was the best thing that could have happened. And then came my actual Shawarma…Every bite was filled with every topping I ordered. I can die happy knowing I’ve had some of the best food to exist.“

“I love it here. I wish I took pictures. But I was just so happy the entire time I forgot. Everything about Saba is beautiful. The food is amazing. The people are kind and sweet and happy to have you there. Our waiter was Hamza. He was wonderful and helpful and so sweet. Whenever anyone asked me any question all I could say was “I’m so happy”. Because truly, everything was lovely. I cannot wait to come back. I will be telling everyone I know about my very happy experience here.“

“Been eating Moby dick for over 20 years now. They've managed to preserve the quality in everything except the pita. This bread is obviously now shipped in from a factory and not made fresh. I understand that y'all are expanding rapidly but I would ask that you bring back the fresh baked pita cuz this dry cardboard is tanking my experience“

“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.“

“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.“

“Abid is very welcoming whenever we visit zaytoun he give us very best customer service. This guys always smiling and know how to make customers happy. I give Abid 10/10 . Very nice and very humble man that’s the reason we visit zaytoun more frequently. Food is delicious no doubt but Abid customer service is made it more special because he is very kind to everyone.“

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

“Great people, and delicious food.“

“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.“

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

“To start with Shamshiry in Tysons is still halal except for their steak. I asked them and they reconfirmed. I am sure a lot of you have been to Shamshiry , and their food has not changed since forever and it’s always so flavorful. I also love their newly renovated restaurant, it give such a nice feel to the experience. As always, the restaurant was full as usual and we added our name to the que. The new change is, this time they gave us a buzzer, something that I would love all the Muslim establishments have. It makes wait looks more reasonable. While we waited I saw live grilling from their kitchen which is in the wait area. The kitchen looked clean and the staff seem to look happy and enjoying what they do. After about 20-25 minutes wait our buzzer went off and we were promptly seated. We all love their Kubeida Kabob (Beef skewers) and every individual in the family ordered that. We also got cokes and small pitcher of Doogh. While we waited for our food, complimentary fresh baked breads (Roti) with butter, and spicy chutney was served. My boys love making the bread sandwich, by spreading butter, adding samak and a few drops of olive oil with a hint of spicy chutney and making it to a roll. While we enjoyed the self made rolls our food came out in a timely manner. Kubeidas were freshly made and the flavor was amazing like always. It was moist and juicy. If you like Doogh this is the place to get it. They make fresh Doogh with perfection in house. The wait staff was not readily available as the restaurant was full, but always responded back when asked for help. Shamshiry not only upgraded their restaurant but overall experience. Instead of serving pre-made bread they now bake their own bread. The wait buzzer is a good addition as well as it reduces the crowd near the counter. The water bottles are with the restaurant name engraved. It’s a nice blue bottle and for some reason the water tasted crisper. It might be in my head. The food is always on point and I’ve never had bad food there since 2006. If you haven’t been to Shamshiry lately, give it a shot. Be ready for long wait and not the best service, but the food is gonna make up for it. For all you bathroom lovers, you may not wanna come out of it, nicely upgraded with upgraded no touch faucet and dryer with real towels to wipe hands.“

“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.“

“We visited the McLean location on a weekend, and it was our first time there. From the moment we walked in, the experience was wonderful!
Atena, the manager, welcomed us so warmly and made us feel like valued guests. She even brought us freshly baked bread and hummus as a kind gesture for our first visit such a thoughtful and hospitable touch!
The food was fresh and delicious, the place was spotless, and the staff were friendly and professional.
We’ll definitely be coming back again soon. Highly recommended!“

“Great food and service! Thank you.“

“Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.“

“The food was delicious!! It was a great , more than enough to eat Very friendly place!!!awesome staff Highly recommend!!!“

“One of my favorite middle eastern food restaurant.“

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

“Great middle eastern food. Thriving for the original taste. Employee are ok. Manager is a nice man. I been visiting this restaurant for a long time. Today the Sunday, I passed by around 4:30 pm. I was annoyed, I was planning to eat some chicken. The door was close as soon as I tried to open. Don’t know if it was intentionally or not based on a history of bad behaviors by this manger. Anyway thanks.“

“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.“

“Guys, as a federal employee I’m grateful to you with all my heart for running specials during a shutdown. You can’t imagine how great of an impact it makes to our lives. I was frequently buying from you before and I’d continue buying even more once the shutdown ends. I’ll also recommend your place to all my friends 🫶“

“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!“

“Lebanese Taverna saved the day! They created a wonderful menu for my event of 250 people with only a week’s notice after the original caterer canceled. On the day of the event, they were on time and provided delicious food. Amanda, the catering representative I worked with, even took my call after the food had been delivered and offered to be available to answer any questions about allergens or ingredients. LT also provided placards for each dish that included ingredients so folks with dietary restrictions or allergies were able to enjoy the meal without worry. Would highly recommend LT to cater your event - even if you’re not sure what you’d want from their great menu!“

“I have gone twice and both times have been amazing. There is a good variety of flavorful food to choose from. I love the chicken kabobs. They are so good and juicy. But my favorite is the rice. I'm not familiar with all the names but every type I've tried has been good. On top of the great food is the friendly and welcoming staff. This is some of the best kabob I've had in the area. And to have a buffet lunch is a dream come true.“

“Amazing food and service! definitely will be going back!!“

“The ma’soob at this traditional Yemeni restaurant was an absolute showstopper — the kind of dessert that commands a moment of silence after the first bite. Rich, comforting, and unapologetically indulgent, it perfectly balanced rustic authenticity with refined execution. The mashed banana base was smooth yet textured, soaked just enough in cream and honey to create a luscious, almost pudding-like consistency without turning soggy. Every spoonful delivered a layered experience — the warmth of cardamom, the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, and the nutty undertones from crushed wheat and ghee.

What really elevated it was the garnish — a generous drizzle of honey and a scatter of roasted nigella seeds that added both depth and crunch. Served slightly warm, it felt like the culinary equivalent of a hug: familiar, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying. It’s a dessert that doesn’t need to impress with presentation; its power lies in authenticity and flavor integrity.

In short, the ma’soob here isn’t just a dessert — it’s a cultural experience. If you visit this restaurant and skip it, you’re missing the soul of Yemeni hospitality in edible form.“

“This is my one of my favourite local spots. I’ve been trying their food since they’ve opened and I’ve loved the consistency in the pricing and food. I’ve especially loved the newer plastic packaging, how flavourful each meal is, and how their service is exceptional. Food is made quickly and fresh; i highly recommend the lamb platter with extra white and red sauce.“

“Absolutely incredible experience! The food was rich in authentic Afghani flavor, perfectly seasoned, and beautifully presented. The service was warm and attentive, making us feel genuinely welcomed. You can tell they take real pride in both the taste and quality of their dishes. Easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while — highly recommend!“

“Large portions, got chicken kabob and beef kubideh. The kubideh was one of the best I've ever had, but the chicken a bit overcooked. Bread fresh and hot. Veggies crisp, onions sweet red, lettuce in salad fresh and good quality/cut (if somewhat uninspired). Yogurt dip and hot mint very well balanced. The 5 star rating is really overall for the great value, generous hours, and great service of the family. This is a good choice for a casual meal day or night.“

“Les recomendados muy delicioso la tensión ni que decir Carlos el nuevo trabajador muy amable“

““Tasty, Quick & Worth Every Bite!”

Grabbed a chicken shawarma wrap—juicy, flavorful, and loaded just right. The gyro platter? A total win. Fast service, clean spot, and prices that don’t hurt. This place is my new go-to for quick, delicious eats. Don’t skip the white sauce! 🔥“

“First customer of 2019 here! Had the loobia polo, ghormez sabzi, and so much more. Everything was delicious and the service was wonderful! They're super friendly here and make you feel like family. I will definitely be coming back!“