Diners' Choice: Middle Eastern restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Middle Eastern cuisine in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Maydān

4.8

4.8 (760)

$50 and over

Middle Eastern

Logan Circle

About the restaurant

Maydān explores the cuisines of the Middle East, Northern Africa, and the Mediterranean, taking diners on a culinary journey.

When you enter our town square — our “Maydān”— we want you to feel a sense of wonder. Forget what you know, and we’ll be there with you for every bite! Let us guide you through the square to a table full of dishes. Spreads, salads, condiments, grilled vegetables, meats, and seafood coming together in unison. Just remember, there is no wrong way to go about it! See you in our Maydān soon!

Reservations are released on a rolling basis 21 days in advance, at 10:00am. Reservations will be honored in the space where they are booked, and we can not guarantee availability in a different dining area.

Our Tawle tasting menu is available for all reservations and walk-ins! We have limited walk-in availability for tables in all dining areas, and our bars at Maydān and Medina are open on a first come, first serve basis!

*Please notify us of allergies or dietary needs.

Top review

KristinGold

Dined 3 days ago

Fun experience, great ambiance with the dark lighting and bright flames from the centerpiece grill. Delicious, diverse flavors!

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Experience

Maydān - Indoor Dining

Experience

Medina - Indoor Dining

Experience

Bar Seating

Medina - DC

4.8

4.8 (36)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

McPherson Square

About the restaurant

Welcome to Medina-- a beguiling and intimate neighborhood bar brought to life by the team behind award-winning Maydān. Enjoy Maydān's full menu and indulge in mezze-style bites, hearty Moroccan Tagines, and craft cocktails inspired by co-founder Rose Previte’s travels in Morocco and Tunisia. For those who cherished Compass Rose’s former Bedouin Tent, a touch of nostalgia awaits.

Walk-ins are always welcome at Medina Monday- Sunday. We accept walk-ins in our dining, lounge, and bar spaces on a first come-first served basis!

For groups of 7 and larger, please inquire at medinadc.com.

For questions about a booking, please reach out to meet@maydandc.com!

Top review

MicheleGold

Dined on 21 Oct 2026

Great service! The food is excellent. The Oyster mushroom is one of my fav!

Aracosia McLean

4.8

4.8 (1979)

$30 and under

Middle Eastern

McLean

About the restaurant

Our newest restaurant, Aracosia McLean, is the sister restaurant to Bistro Aracosia in DC, and Afghan Bistro in Springfield VA.

Tom Sietsema of The Washinton Post has acknowledged Afghan Bistro as “The area's best Afghan Restaurant”.
Yelp's top 100 restaurants in The US awarded Afghan Bistro the honor of 3rd best in the country.

Bistro Aracosia has been acknowledged by Forbes magazine as 1 of 50 best restaurants in the nation for Vegetarians, and awarded The Washingtonian's "100 best restaurants".
Aracosia accommodates any diet and is proud of taking cooking back to its origins.
Chef Sofia Masroor diligently ensures top grade cuts of meat and the freshest produce. Food at Aracosia is prepared with love. No artificial ingredients MSGs or preservatives are used, nor do we cook anything with nuclear such as microwaves and pre-made stations.
Full Bar, extensive Wine and Beer menu.
Come and experience authentic afghan cuisine.

Top review

Ann

Dined 2 days ago

Great variety on the menu. Excellent food and service.

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Popular dish

Lamb Shank Sabzi Moghuli

Joon

4.6

4.6 (425)

$50 and over

Middle Eastern

Tysons

About the restaurant

JOON has been named Best Restaurant in Virginia by readers of the Washingtonian and one of The New York Times' Top 50 Favorite Restaurants in America, and a 2026 RAMMYS finalist for the Fine Casual Restaurant of the Year award. .

Blending centuries-old flavors with modern culinary artistry, JOON celebrates fire, spice, and soul through refined dishes, crafted cocktails, and warm hospitality. Our menu is led by Executive Chef and Co-Owner Najmieh Batmanglij — James Beard Award semifinalist and hailed as "the grande dame of Iranian cooking" by The Washington Post. Join us for dinner, brunch, or our celebrated Social Hour — ideal for intimate evenings, corporate events, special celebrations, or simply lunch with friends.

For those seeking elevated dining in Tysons, McLean, or the greater DMV, JOON offers an unforgettable journey through Persian cuisine and contemporary elegance. Located across from Tysons Corner Center, with free parking and complimentary valet.

Top review

HannahGold

Dined 6 days ago

Amazing as always! The service is phenomenal, and the food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and delicious. The Albaloo Polo (cherry rice) is my absolute favorite with the branzino! Always such a wonderful dining experience at Joon. ❤️

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Lebanese Taverna - Washington DC

4.7

4.7 (1335)

$30 and under

Middle Eastern

Woodley Park

About the restaurant

Lebanese Taverna DC is located directly across from the Woodley Park metro, this location offers a 15-seat bar, lounge and seating for 130 people. Great for groups of all sizes and offers a private room for seating up to 50 people.

Top review

Andrea

Dined on 19 Oct 2026

I am always quite satisfied with my experience at Lebanese Taverna. The food is excellent, the servers attentive. And the atmosphere is pleasant, not too loud, and attractive.

Naja Mediterranean

4.6

4.6 (224)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

Merrifield

About the restaurant

NAJA celebrates Lebanese culinary traditions while blending Mediterranean and American flavors to share the story of founder Tariq Alaeddin’s heritage and the food that shaped him. Guests of Kirby Club, we look forward to welcoming you back into this space for its new chapter as NAJA.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

This is our second time dining here and again we had a wonderful experience. The food was delicious and fresh. We had the trio spread and the naja plate. This was more than enough for both of us. Also the drinks were well made and delicious.

Lebanese Taverna - Tysons Galleria

4.5

4.5 (1951)

$30 and under

Middle Eastern

Tysons Corner / McLean

About the restaurant

Lebanese Taverna creates an environment where good food is enjoyed in good company. Each restaurant is a "home away from home," even though the food and ambiance are from across the globe. Whether you are visiting for the first time, the twentieth, or have been coming to a Lebanese Taverna for over 35 years, you will feel welcomed and like a member of the family. The atmosphere is bustling and each of the restaurants has its own design and slightly different flavors. That is because the food is made fresh.

Top review

Isam

Dined 2 days ago

Mistafa did a great job. Describing food items and helping in presentation.

Lebanese Taverna - Pentagon Row

4.6

4.6 (1197)

$30 and under

Middle Eastern

Arlington

About the restaurant

Located in Pentagon Row, Lebanese Taverna serves authentic Middle Eastern fare in a casual yet stylish setting. The menu boasts over 25 appetizers and salads as well as a variety of grilled lamb, beef, chicken and fish entrees. There is a large selection of vegetarian dishes, too. To complement your dining experience, choose from our award-winning wine list or specialty cocktails. The restaurant is child-friendly and great for groups of all sizes.

Top review

AnneGold

Dined 1 day ago

Three women friends split 4 mezza dishes -- fried cauliflower, beet salad, schwarma rolls, Camel wings -- and had a glass of wine. Great flavors, value, service. Lebanese Taverna has been around for many years and still delivers consistently delicious food and value. Thanks!!!

Lebanese Taverna - Westover

4.7

4.7 (594)

$30 and under

Middle Eastern

Arlington

About the restaurant

The original restaurant of Lebanese Taverna, this recently renovated location is a local favorite. Lebanese Taverna serves authentic Middle Eastern fare in a casual yet stylish setting. The menu boasts over 25 appetizers and salads as well as a variety of grilled lamb, beef, chicken and fish entrees. There is a large selection of vegetarian dishes, too. To complement your dining experience, choose from our award-winning wine list or specialty cocktails. The restaurant is child-friendly and great for groups of all sizes. Please note, menus listed are samples and prices are subject to change.

Top review

markGold

Dined on 16 Oct 2026

We had a lovely family dinner here with cousins visiting from out of town. Food was terrific, service was amazing, and while the dining room was bustling, we could actually hear one another talk! Thanks for a great evening.

IVY by the Lake

4.4

4.4 (224)

$30 and under

Middle Eastern

Sterling

About the restaurant

Conveniently located in Loudoun County, Ivy by the Lake combines Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences with local-inspired dishes.
Our unique lakeside getaway is the perfect ambiance for our chef’s curated menu. Begin the evening with our flavorful dinner options and custom cocktails, and let the night evolve into a late-night revelry.
The perfect escape, we look forward to seeing you at Ivy by the Lake.

Top review

Alicia

Dined on 30 Aug 2026

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ivy by the Lake for my birthday yesterday, a delightful establishment offering authentic Mediterranean cuisine. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance was inviting, with a charming decor that set the stage for a wonderful evening. The menu presented a tantalizing array of flavors, each dish prepared with evident care and fresh ingredients. Our selections were beautifully presented and tasted as good as they looked. The service was attentive and friendly, contributing significantly to our overall positive experience. It is a truly wonderful place to enjoy a delicious meal. We highly recommend Ivy by the Lake for anyone seeking a memorable culinary journey.

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Experience

Tableside Shawarma($92 Per order, NOT per person)

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