Middle Eastern Restaurants near Arlington, VA

“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.“

“They’ve ruined me for Lebanese food anywhere else lol“

“Great authentic south Asian cuisine . The restaurant is know world wide for its authentic and delicious curries , Kabab’s and samosa and chats run by customer friendly staff and managers“

“I love this food and I feel like family every time I’m there . Can’t wait for my next visit this weekend tho .“

“The food was amazing and perfectly seasoned! The mint lemonade is an absolute must-try. The guys also offered us complimentary fresh bread, and it was incredible watching them make it right in front of us in no time.

Great food, fresh flavors, and wonderful service. I definitely recommend stopping by if you’re in the area—you won’t be disappointed!“

“This place is absolutely magnificent! From the service and appetizers to the main course, everything was exceptional. The kebsa, lamb kabobs, and shishbarak were phenomenal. Great food, amazing vibes, and an overall wonderful experience. Definitely recommend!“

“An amazing dining experience!“

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

“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).“

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

“Food was good! The hummus texture was great but wished the bread was warm for the price. The chicken liver mouse was a little on the sweet side as well because of the beignet. They ran out of something to make the espresso martini and holy moly it tasted like straight liquor. Wish I could’ve liked it more!“

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

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

“I had the chicken kabob plate. In the picture there's white rice on the plate (under the naan bread). The chicken, both types of rice, and the bread were my favorite parts!! It was delicious and very filling. I didn't eat the salad (I don't eat salad, and I didn't know it came with the meal). I also tried the chickpeas, but I didn't finish them. They were ok.“

“I came here on a Sunday evening during Restaurant Week, but we wanted to try more dishes so we opted for a couple of them from the regular menu. My favorites were the mixed spread and dolma, as well as the sumac lemonade. Our server, Abdullah, was excellent! The whole dining experience was great from start to finish. Highly recommend this place!“

“Amazing service. Extremely accommodating to us and helpful trying to help us keep our babies in the party happy. Definitely recommend for the service alone but would also recommend solely based on the food as well. Chicken soup was great and chicken tawook was the best Ive ever had. Super flavorful and juicy“

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

“Passing by, stopped and accepted a great recommendation for Shawarma wrap. It was delicious. I ordered to stepped out and returned food was hot ready to travel and smelled delicious. I instead sat and tasted, wound up staying and enjoying the meal and woody woodpecker cartoons. Staff came and said if you were staying to dine in I would have given a different recommendation to really enjoy the food and taste the flavors. I will be returning and further enjoying this fast delectable food. Blessings brother!“

“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.“

“5 stars isn’t enough for this level of handsomeness the guy who works there his name’s Sharam or something like that he was awesome. He was very professional, and helpful. Great customer service and so gentle .The definition of fine 😁“

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

“My son and I dined here July 4th holiday for my birthday. I was quickly impressed by the enthusiasm of the staff. My compliments to staff and cook as well as the owners.“

“Love it you will as well.“

“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!“

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

“It was such as a wonderful experience; I loved it so much everyone was so kind and welcoming, the food was great, tasty and Full of flavor. The service was 5/5 and very friendly. I'm definitely going there again with my friends!“

“I just moved to DC and came across this place and wow the friendly service blew me away! The owner came out to make sure I understood that there was no gluten in the falafel and he explained exactly how he made it. The young man who took my order was super kind too. They made my experience fantastic! It wasn't the best falafel I've ever had, but I would come back just to support these kind people! Thank you!“

“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.“

“The spice blends here do not play around. The Jerk Chicken platter is an absolute standout—juicy, smoky, and packed with serious heat that meshes surprisingly well with classic Mediterranean white and red sauces. Even the simple yellow basmati rice is loaded with flavor.
Portions are Enormous. The platters come heaped with rice, a massive pile of protein, and a crisp Mediterranean salad blend. Order a side of warm pita, and you easily have two full meals packed into one tray.
Lightning-fast output whether you're grabbing a late-night bite or ordering takeout delivery. The food stays burning hot in the container, and the sauces come generously on the side so nothing gets soggy.
Straightforward, high-turnover casual spot. It’s clean and efficient, but heavily geared toward quick pick-ups and delivery rather than an extended sit-down experience.

A total hidden gem in Alexandria. Get the Mixed Chicken & Lamb or the Jerk Chicken Platter, ask for extra white sauce, and try the avocado fries if you want a killer side.“

“I ordered DoorDash had the Combination of Quabili Palau and Chalau, served with meat sauce and one skewer each of shami, chicken, and lamb kabob, and it was outstanding.

Everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The Quabili Palau was rich and aromatic, the Chalau was delicious, and the meat sauce tied everything together beautifully. The kabobs were all excellent—the shami was tender and well-seasoned, the chicken was juicy, and the lamb was flavorful and perfectly grilled.

The portion size was generous, and the quality of the food was exceptional. The staff was friendly, and the overall experience was great. If you’re looking for authentic Afghan cuisine, I highly recommend this place. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“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.“

“Nice Shawarma Tasty food.“

“Second time here and it was even better than the first! The chicken and beef kubideh kabobs were succulent and flavorful! The qabli pulao was aromatic and with the perfect amount of sweetness from the carrots and raisins. The grilled tomatoes and the sauces were the perfect accompaniments with the correct amount of heat. The lady at the counter and the chef were warm and very accommodating with multiple requests. The prices are much more reasonable with generous portions, especially compared to the other Afghan restaurants in town and the taste is superior. Kabul Castle Kabob is one of the hidden gems of DC!“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I stopped by Kush yesterday, and it was hands down one of the best shawarmas I've had in a long time. The chicken was cooked to perfection—juicy, flavorful, and well-seasoned. The tortilla was fresh and held everything together perfectly, and the fries were crispy and delicious.

The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get.

I also had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners, Mohammed. He was incredibly welcoming and genuinely understands the importance of great customer service—a quality that's becoming harder and harder to find these days.

If you're craving something sweet after your meal, don't skip the baklava. It's light, not overly sweet, and the perfect treat to finish your meal without feeling like you've overindulged.

I would definitely recommend Kush to anyone looking for authentic, delicious flavors. I'll definitely be back!“

“I have been to this kabob house multiple times per recommendation from a friend and every experience does not disappoint. After experiencing multiple Kabob houses throughout the NOVA (Northern Virginia) region including Prince William, Fairfax, and Loudon counties I have to say that the kabobs at food corner house kabob house (FCK) are some the best bar none. The pita bread is soft and doughy, the kabobs are all seasoned and cooked to perfection, and the salad dressing and sides are top notch. The kabobs are consitently tender and nor hard or old and I know they are cooked correctly because there are grilled in such a way that there exists and exterior crunch followed by and explosion of moist flavor. The portions are stll substantial and the owner offers free soup and tea alongside the main meal. Speaking of the owner and crew, they are wonderful to deal with and its always a good conversation. They always listen to customer concerns are readily available to create custom meals on the fly. This place is a true gem, and I would be one of the first to recommend this kabob house if you are ever in the area.“

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

“Good portion size. it's a convenient concept if you need to eat with a group of friends with different preferences and restrictions. The place was a bit untidy after a seemingly busy day, but that's the only downside. I appreciate the outdoor seating and a spacious, clean bathroom.“

“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 is amazing! The Pita House is one of my favorite restaurants in Old Town! I have never been disappointed.“

“Is a great place good food I recommended. Is really good“

“We have been ordering from Moby Dick for many years and the whole family loves their food. Service is friendly and efficient. Over the years we have tried all their items from appetizers to family platters, from sides to daily special and all have been excellent.“

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

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

“Excellent food and beyond excellent prices🌟“

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

“Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.“

“AMAZING experience here at Balqees. I recommend this place for family events and activities. Really is phenomenal, never had an experience like this before“

“I like to go here about once a week for lunch. The owner is nice and the food is ready quickly. You get quite a bit of food for the price. It's important to support this truck especially considering a chain halal restaurant opened up just feet away.“