Divan Restaurant of McLean

Overpriced and tasteless. Persian iced tea tasted like ice water. Eggplant app. was fair. Scallops were not seared and rubbery so they made a vegetable dish that wasn't on the menu. Also bland even after they added spices. Tiramisu was cloyingly sweet. Bread was the only item I can recommend. I won't go back.

Great food and great service, Raim and the front house staff were very nice. 100 % would recommend.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Barg & Kebab Torsh, Braised Lamb Shank, Soltani, Gormeh Sabzi, Lamb Chops

Divan Restaurant of McLean offers a stylish ambiance and top-notch service, but the food falls short of its hype. While the appetizers were visually appealing, the main courses were disappointing. The kebab, a signature dish, was undercooked, and the rice, a key component of Persian cuisine, was substituted with Indian rice, altering the authentic flavor profile. The portions, considering the price point, were on the smaller side.
Despite these culinary shortcomings, the restaurant excels in other areas. The attentive staff and well-curated music create a pleasant atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for impressing guests. However, for those seeking a truly memorable dining experience, the focus should be on the service and ambiance rather than the food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chicken Barg & Kebab Torsh, Soltani

We had a mixed experience at Divan Restaurant. While the service was attentive, the overall experience fell short in some areas. At the start, the waiters had an awkward argument over who was in charge of our table, which didn’t leave the best first impression. Then, one of our dishes was undercooked. To their credit, the staff quickly replaced it, and their customer service was excellent. They even treated us to cream puffs on the house as an apology. However, if you’ve ever had truly authentic Persian food, this might not meet your expectations. The high ratings are surprising given the lack of rich, authentic flavors Persian cuisine is known for. Service was thoughtful, but the food and organization could use improvement.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 3

Food was really great here! We got the soltani and morghe kermanshahi , both were really good ! Raim was our waiter , he was very polite and professional !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Soltani

Except for the Lamb Kabab, all the entrees had a very sweet bias. The Hen, the chicken and the lamb in the stew/entree section of the menu was way over cooked to the point that even the hen thigh or the drumstick had lost all its moisture and was dry and mushy!
Service was spotty.
Atmosphere was very loud.
I’d only go back for the kabobs! That too very pricey.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3

Divan and its staff went above and beyond to facilitate a beautiful memorial for my mom. Everything was exceptional and done with care and love. I am forever grateful for Karen and all the staff for their kindness, professionalism and genuine care, and of course the wonderful food. Thank you for everything.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I love this restaurant, the food, atmosphere and more importantly their service is top notch. Thanks so much , you guys are the best!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food here is absolutely incredible, bursting with flavor and perfectly prepared every time. The warm and welcoming host makes you feel right at home, adding a personal touch to the dining experience. On top of that, the atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing meal. It’s easily one of my favorite restaurants in the DMV area!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Soltani

Robert is an amazing waiter. David Very friendly Robert went above and beyond excellent service very friendly environment will come back all the time because of the service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Barg & Kebab Torsh, Kabob Torsh, Lamb Chops

The best Persian restaurant in the area, with being excellent in food and service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Barg & Kebab Torsh, Tiramisu

Eating here was a worthwhile experience. The food was incredible, and Robert took great care of us. I highly recommend this location for a romantic dinner date.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Kabob Torsh, Saffron Ice Cream, Saffron Rice

The food is incredible and the service impeccable!

Each appetizer I tried was a good sized serving of food, and the choose-your-own sampler made for a nicely-sized meal for one with some leftovers. I also learned that they offer a really good deals on their prix fixe menus, both of which have plenty of options. Their main menu offers a variety of dishes that are vegetarian and pescatarian friendly, and I was very impressed by the menu’s overall selection.

My server, Robert, was very knowledgeable of the menu, and gave great recommendations based on both my tastes and dietary restrictions. He was also very attentive to my dining experience, and despite the restaurant being busy at no point did I feel like I had to wait for service. The general manager David was one of the most authentically friendly people I’ve met in the service industry, and his smart outfit and warm smile make for a lovely welcome to the cozy and upscale environment of Divan.

Though Divan is slightly out of my usual price range, I will definitely be back to try the prix fixe menu, as the food I had tonight was well worth the money. I will definitely be recommending Divan as THE place to go in McLean for business meals, dates, or other special occasions, and I look forward to returning in the near future.

Vegetarian options: There were plenty of options for vegetarians. I noticed at least one dish on the prix fixe that had was visibly labeled as having a vegetarian version upon request, in addition to other options both on the prix fixe and the main menu. I recommend the appetizer sampler as a great way to try a variety of their options, as you’re able to pick 3 dishes you’d like and it comes with enough food to serve as an entree.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mirza Ghasemi

Un lugar agradable para comer o cenar. Buenas opciones de mezhe como buena opción para compartir al centro. La carta no es demasiado amplia pero es muy variada, pollo, cordero o del mar con diferentes tipos de arroz, hay uno especiado que tiene gran aroma y sabor. Los platillos están bastante bien servidos por lo que quizás convenga compartir.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chicken Barg & Kebab Torsh, Kabob Torsh, Saffron Rice

We had our annual business dinner for around 60 staff at Divan Restaurant of McClean.
The atmosphere was warm and inviting---plenty of room for us to eat tasty appetizers, great drinks, and talk to friends. The shrimp and lamb appetizers were so good, we couldn't get enough of them. The food was fantastic from the appetizers to the saffron rice pudding.
The staff was welcoming and always there when we needed them.

Earlier in the week my husband and I went in for an early dinner. The same compliments can be given for our dinner. I have a Persian friend who recommended a number of the dishes on the menu; these were better than what I have had at her house.

I would highly recommend this restaurant for a quiet dinner or a loud, fun-filled gathering. You can't go wrong. The food, the ambiance, the staff, and management couldn't be better.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5