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Zaytinya
Mediterranean Restaurant, Greek Restaurant, and Turkish Restaurant$$$$
Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown, Washington
The experts at Bon Appetit Magazine and Washington Post recommend this place
"My favorite Jose Andres spot in the DC area."(9 Tips)
"My favorite restaurant in DC!! Go during lunch - 4 courses for $25."(7 Tips)
"Absolutely amazing, creative and flavoursome mezze."(12 Tips)
"The lamb kleftico is overrated."(5 Tips)
391 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Parvathy NairAugust 4, 2015Brilliant! Baba Ghannouge & Brussels sprouts werethe best we ever had. Fried squids came with a buttery & delicious garlic sauce, also the Shish taouk is a MUST. N those desserts...DELECTABLE. (10/10)
Bitches Who BrunchAugust 18, 2016The Bitches say: A. A calming and upscale restaurant with impeccable food, flavors, and service. Super accommodating for vegetarians. We love the new brunch menu. Read more
Lee HoffmanMarch 20, 2021Everything we had was incredible - starting w the bread, then the best salad, best Brussels sprouts I’ve ever had, incredible egg plant, excellent fattoush zoo good
Stacy Bo BacyOctober 1, 2021Happy hour in the bar, no reservations, Monday to Friday 4-6pm. Nice way to have $8 cocktails, $7 wine, and $5 small food plates. Otherwise, get online reservations and order the Brussels sprouts.
Simal SoydanJune 1, 2019A great mezze restaurant that combines both Turkish and Greek cuisines. The hunkar begendi, garides and the spanakopita was delicious. They also have a varied wine list. Highly recommend
Derek FromsonMarch 31, 2013Jose Andres scores again w/innovative Mediterranean tapas. Try Htipiti, Kolokithokeftedes, crispy eggplant, crispy potatoes, okra, grape leaves, squid, lamb. Impeccable service. Save room for dessert.
Michael CFebruary 3, 2018Went during Restaurant Week. Great way to sample a number of dishes. Portions were generous. Every dish was wonderful. Our entire table was pleased with everything we ordered.
Shawn CookNovember 28, 2018This is an absolutely fabulous place. The food is delicious. Hummus, tabbouleh, Brussels sprouts, grape leaves, salmon and cauliflower are a must. Fantastic food.
Ranini PastelJuly 15, 2017The brunch is fantastic and totally worth the price! $25 for a full 3 course mezze lunch + dessert. Incredibly delicious and one of the best places for brunch in DC.
Vasha HuntAugust 1, 2021The French toast at brunch is amazing. Fries with an egg was quite good too. Good coffee, amazing cheesecake (different cheesecake format, more of a cheesecake ‘yogurt-style’ on caramelized apples)
Burak SavasanSeptember 16, 2019Delicious mezes.. Don’t forget to try ice cream vanilla baklava and Turkish coffee chocolate cake at the end !
TripExpertMay 21, 2015"Stylish mid-priced Turkish and Middle Eastern eatery that serves a range of inventive meze plates...Lebanese beef tartare to pork-and-orange-rind sausage and veal cheeks." Rough Guide on TripExpert Read more
Diana BrodyJuly 30, 2017Oh my goodness, what a lovely spot for amazing shared dishes and wine. Highlights for me were the labneh, hunkar begendi (braised lamb shank), and mushroom risotto. I hear brunch here is amazing, too.
Dan PullmanJuly 11, 2012It's not just the excellent and creative food but the passion and knowledge of the servers. Combined, they make a great dining experience. Try many plates both veggie and… (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
Washington PostApril 1, 2015Only at lunch can you get Zaytinya’s crunchy falafel in jumbo form. The Lebanese-style falafel is patted into the shape of a burger and served on a soft, glossy olive-oil brioche. Read more
Mirko PintarJuly 12, 2015Mezzo choices imam bayildi, piyaz with specials crispy squash blossoms and grilled whole bronzino was excellent choice. Delicious food, outstanding service.
One of the best restaurants in DC. Consistently great food - Mediterranean tapas style. Excellent hummus, tzatziki, salads, falafel sandwich, salmon, Brussels. Cannot make a bad choice on this menu.- Sheila LampitocAugust 14, 2014My favorite restaurant in DC!! Go during lunch - 4 courses for $25. Love the baba ghannouge and the shush taouk. And the olive oil w/ pomegranate molasses is love; can't get enough of it!!
Antonio CalderonFebruary 18, 2024Trendy place to go and have a great time!! Is a tapas place, the humus is great. Great place to go with friends, family or in a date. Is a must if you are in DC.
Alice EunjinJanuary 19, 2016All the lamb dishes are awesome! Also try the beef tongue, octopus, and halloumi cheese. It's good to order about 3-4 mezzes per person
Romain D.March 26, 2018Went there on a Saturday night with a reservation. Food was really good but long wait to be seated & service was really chaotic. If you go for the tasting menu, make sure to get the Chef’s experience!
QQ TFebruary 10, 2015Incredible Turkish tapas-style meal for the price. Get Soujouk Pide (flatbread), mushroom couscous (vegetarian-friendly), & order extra of the Hunkar Begendi (braised lamb shank w eggplant purée)
Debanjan DeyJanuary 21, 2014Get a reservation & be dazzled by a menagerie of Greek delicacies. Our waiter was very prompt as we worked our way through imam bayildi, lamb kleftico & snail kibbeh washed down with Limnio wine. Wow!
Nushy SCFebruary 4, 2015The snails skordalia are one of the most delicious dishes I have ever eaten. Jose Andrés I need the recipe. All the food is good in thie fun and cool place
JorgeMarch 19, 2018There where these dried apricot filled ham slices whose name I can't remember. The labne was amazing and the dolmas are THE BEST I've ever had. And I've tried many!
Lauren BernalDecember 29, 2017Lamb shank with eggplant and brussell sprouts are must. People seem to like the octopus but it was just okay for us. Meatballs were also great.
Caryn YruegasJuly 15, 2017Simply amazing food. Our server was great and the two bus boys were very attentive. If we lived here, we'd become regulars. A must do if you are in the city! 5/5 stars
Renaud #May 14, 2018We had a great dinner sitting outdoors under the umbrellas. Food was great and fairly priced. We recommend the hummus with lamb.
AmateurConciergeMarch 30, 2018Solid Greek from Jose Andres in a nice (albeit overproduced) environment. Hummus and fattoush were very average but the shrimp, kibbeh and braised lamb were excellent
Paulo FedeleAugust 31, 2017Delicious! Great atmosphere, food, etc. The hot bread they bring all the time is great specially if you order the "mezze", humus. Definitely a must.
WuJuly 11, 2016Two visits: both outstanding. Never thought of DC as a strong food town, but this place has served up two of my favorite meals in years. Subtle and refined flavors in every dish.
Noaf AlFebruary 1, 2014One of the best restaurants in DC, Greek Turkish and Lebanese try their set menu and choose a four-course meal with dessert I liked the Kabob and shrimp and shish taouk
Deb LJuly 3, 2015We had one of the best DC lunches here. Highly recommend Zaytinya! Start with a Turkish Storm cocktail and some hummus.
Regina LindseyJune 24, 2014The Octopus Santorini and lamb meatballs are to die for. The octopus is braised is red wine for 45 minutes and then roasted. It is sooooooo tender. Lamb - peefect amount of cinnamon
Karla DonjuanJanuary 16, 2019Nice, but no lentil soup 🤬 you can’t call yourself Middle East food with out it. Large portions and nice wine selections. Staff is great too. Se habla español
Ilknur ✨May 13, 2014Turkish, Lebanese and Greek dishes really very delicious, and the service was fantastic venue design. Surely come back again.👌👏👏
Joe GizziOctober 5, 2014Some of the brunch options are actually sizable, so be careful when ordering several plates at one time. The ashta is very sweet. Sausage and meatballs are both incredibly good with fetta.- Bitches Who BrunchDecember 12, 2016Bitches Who Brunch's Best Bites 2016 winner for Best Veggie Burger. Both our resident vegetarian and a meat lover LOVED the falafel burger. Read more
Nurgul ErdoganDecember 24, 2012I tried Lebni. My suggestion is for the Chef that yogurt should be mix with smashed walnut and nuts makes the meze more delicious .. Also , Imam bayildi needs more beef and ingredients with spicy ..
Paula BuzzoMarch 5, 2023Food is divine. Our choices: Hummus, Halloumi Pide, Falafel and Lamb Bharat. Excellent attendance.
Vihang MehtaMay 9, 2019Lunch mezze combo is a lot of food! The crispy brussels sprouts were outstanding. The turkish delight dessert was unique and also delicious!- Eric HinmanApril 27, 2014Hands down, the best restaurant in DC! Brussel Sprouts are a must! The kebab platter is excellent to share.
James GoochAugust 20, 2018Wonderful lunch here - tried a bit of everything and shared it out and it was fantastic.
Mahsoon HussainJune 4, 2015One of the best Turkish Restaurant I ever eat at. Staff are so friendly, menu is great. The only negative comment that they have no Turkish Dessert 😑
Arsalan HashemiApril 30, 2018The food quality is one of the best you can find in US. However, it is overpriced and each order comes as a small dish on tapas. If you end up here seize the chance to try the ice-cream.
Paul PDecember 4, 2010Great assortment of vegetarian options beyond the standards. Make reservations if possible, and take your time meandering through the meal a few small plates at a time. Must try: brussels sprouts.
cheryl bDecember 29, 2015Shish taouk, hommus, spanakopita, mushroom couscous, tabbouleh,kebab tasting platter. Lamb tongue soulvaki was special. Small plates. Need to order a lot. Yum.
Jaime WojdowskiOctober 16, 2014So many delicious and different flavors... The meatballs are amazing, and the Turkish delight is to die for. So much care detail into the dishes, and great service!
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Closed until 11:30 AM (Show more)
- Mon, Sun
- 11:30 AM–10:00 PM
- Tue–Thu
- 11:30 AM–11:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 11:30 AM–Midnight
(202) 638-0800
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Music
No
Parking
Street, Valet
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Happy Hour, Bar Snacks
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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- 9.3
"Had an amazing meal with great service. Amaro flight at the end was also a great finishing touch."
Ben - 7.9
"Great ambiance, good service and tasty food. However it does not worth the price. Tried the zucchini ravioli. It was normal. The mushroom croquet was delicious! Highly recommend it!"
Simal Soydan - 7.4
"The chicken is incredibly delicious, succulent, and well-spiced. Great food for a decent price!"
Bshark Andrews
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"Watching a Caps game live is so worth doing if you get the chance. Best live sport, period. Don't pass it up. GO CAPS!"
Optimus Prime - 9.3
"Awesome portraits, gorgeous artwork by talented artists. Beautiful and cool looking courtyard too."
Harjit - 8.7
"Tons of history here. The house looks amazing and the grounds are so well kept."
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