Highest-rated Middle Eastern restaurants in Washington, D.C. by diners

Written by:
August 22, 2025
Hashem Issam Alshanableh // Shutterstock

Highest-rated Middle Eastern restaurants in Washington, D.C. by diners

The aromatic spice combinations of Middle Eastern cuisine can make your mouth water and your stomach growl. It stems from ancient civilizations influenced by the Mediterranean along its western border, the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria, and the mountains of Afghanistan in the eastern part of the region.

That said, it's easily confused with its geographic neighbor, Mediterranean cuisine. Although the two have some foods in common, like pita bread or stuffed grape leaves, Mediterranean food tends to use herbs. At the same time, Middle Eastern fare is flavored with bolder spices like sumac, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and cardamom.

As consumers lean toward healthier fare, Middle Eastern restaurants are poised to have a moment. The cuisine's plant-heavy options include hummus, falafel, and fattoush salad. Lentils have been another Middle Eastern staple since at least 8,000 B.C. To satisfy a sweet tooth, options like baklava and halva fit the bill.

Middle Eastern dining emphasizes a shared experience, with many dishes designed to be eaten communally so that everyone at the table can build relationships through food. Mezze platters of bite-sized options and family-style stews are perfect for a night out with family or friends.

Although Middle Eastern restaurants aren't as prevalent as other ethnic cuisines, there are over 144,000 places in the United States where you can sample this region's delights.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated breakfast restaurants in Washington, D.C. based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of July 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "Middle Eastern" on Yelp and within a 10-kilometer radius of Washington, D.C. were included. Some restaurants featured may serve other food items besides breakfast food. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 10 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.

Keep reading to see if your favorite restaurant made the cut, and to discover new spots you haven't been to yet.

1 / 30
Muncheez

#30. Muncheez

- Rating: 3.4/5 (61 reviews)
- Address: 1317 Connecticut Ave. Northwest Dupont Cir Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese, Caterers, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 30
Sacrificial Lamb Kabobs & Wraps

#29. Sacrificial Lamb Kabobs & Wraps

- Rating: 3.6/5 (370 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1704 R St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Indian, Halal
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 30
Grill Kabob

#28. Grill Kabob

- Rating: 3.6/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1401 K St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Halal, Afghan
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 30
George's king of Falafel & Cheesesteak

#27. George's king of Falafel & Cheesesteak

- Rating: 3.6/5 (452 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1205 28th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Sandwiches, Middle Eastern, Cheesesteaks
- Read more on Yelp

5 / 30
Tasty Kabob

#26. Tasty Kabob

- Rating: 3.6/5 (245 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2130 H St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

6 / 30
Lebanese Taverna

#25. Lebanese Taverna

- Rating: 3.7/5 (869 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2641 Connecticut Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 30
Muncheez

#24. Muncheez

- Rating: 3.7/5 (534 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1071 Wisconsin Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese, fast food, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 30
Moby Dick House of Kabob

#23. Moby Dick House of Kabob

- Rating: 3.9/5 (362 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1070 31st St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Persian/Iranian, Halal
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 30
Mezé Restaurant

#22. Mezé Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (495 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2437 18th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Turkish, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian
- Read more on Yelp

10 / 30
Mama Ayesha's Restaurant

#21. Mama Ayesha's Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (612 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1967 Calvert St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp

11 / 30
Pars Kabob

#20. Pars Kabob

- Rating: 4.0/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Food Trucks, Middle Eastern, Persian/Iranian
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 30
River Club

#19. River Club

- Rating: 4.1/5 (79 reviews)
- Address: 3000 K St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese, Spanish, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 30
Villa Yara

#18. Villa Yara

- Rating: 4.2/5 (243 reviews)
- Address: 2815 M St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mediterranean, Lebanese
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 30
ala

#17. ala

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1199 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1320 19th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp

15 / 30
The Green Zone

#16. The Green Zone

- Rating: 4.2/5 (210 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2226 18th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp

16 / 30
Shemali's

#15. Shemali's

- Rating: 4.2/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3301 New Mexico Ave. Northwest Ste 117 Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese, Falafel, Wraps
- Read more on Yelp

17 / 30
Zaytinya

#14. Zaytinya

- Rating: 4.2/5 (6137 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 701 9th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Greek, Turkish, Lebanese
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 30
Sababa

#13. Sababa

- Rating: 4.2/5 (356 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3311 Connecticut Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

19 / 30
Grill Kabob

#12. Grill Kabob

- Rating: 4.3/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1028 19th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp

20 / 30
Little Sesame

#11. Little Sesame

- Rating: 4.3/5 (284 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1828 L St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp

21 / 30
Byblos Deli

#10. Byblos Deli

- Rating: 4.3/5 (377 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3414 Connecticut Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp

22 / 30
Maydan

#9. Maydan

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1269 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 1346 Florida Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Moroccan, Lebanese
- Read more on Yelp

23 / 30
Vera Cocina & بار

#8. Vera Cocina & بار

- Rating: 4.4/5 (142 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2002 Fenwick St. Northeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mexican, Lebanese, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp

24 / 30
ilili Restaurant

#7. ilili Restaurant

- Rating: 4.4/5 (654 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 100 District Square Southwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese, Mediterranean, Halal
- Read more on Yelp

25 / 30
Cafe Fili

#6. Cafe Fili

- Rating: 4.6/5 (142 reviews)
- Address: 701 2nd St. Northeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mediterranean, New American, Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp

26 / 30
La' Shukran

#5. La' Shukran

- Rating: 4.6/5 (97 reviews)
- Address: 417 Morse St. Northeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

27 / 30
Albi

#4. Albi

- Rating: 4.6/5 (427 reviews)
- Address: 1346 4th St. Southeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese
- Read more on Yelp

28 / 30
Falafel Inc

#3. Falafel Inc

- Rating: 4.7/5 (872 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1210 Potomac St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Falafel, Middle Eastern, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

29 / 30
Green Almond Pantry

#2. Green Almond Pantry

- Rating: 4.7/5 (64 reviews)
- Address: 3210 Grace St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp

30 / 30
Fava Pot

#1. Fava Pot

- Rating: 4.7/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1817 M St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Egyptian, Halal
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 102 metros.

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