Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in Washington DC

The food and service were good, it was extremely busy due to the federal holiday; too much noise made it harder to have clear conversations.

We had an amazing experience at Ivy by the Lake! We stopped by on Valentine’s Day after a concert and were warmly greeted and seated right away. To start, we ordered the hummus with lamb, which was absolutely delicious—rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. For hookah, we went with the waitress’s recommendation, Poison Ivy, and it did not disappoint! Smooth, well-balanced, and truly elite. The DJ was phenomenal, playing a mix of music that kept the entire place vibing. I found myself dancing in my seat all night! The atmosphere, service, and overall experience were top-tier. I’ll definitely be back for more great food, hookah, and vibes!

We enjoyed dining at Aracosia on Valentines Day. Our only concern was we ordered cocktails that didn’t arrive before our food.The server reported the bar was very busy. We cancelled the cocktail order and requested a glass of wine to have with dinner. The server delivered it promptly.

My wife and I went to Kirby club for their Valentine’s Day special. First thing that stood out was the preparedness of the staff to seat us right away. Secondly, the restaurant’s interior looks so much better in person. I loved the atmosphere. We did the 3-course dinner special with wine pairings. Every part of the meal was delicious and the bartenders were very busy, yet very attentive to us. And I can’t forget to mention the rest of the staff, all contributing to a wonderful experience. Thank you for making our Valentine’s Day a special one!

There was a slight delay with seating the reservations. Based on overhearing the communication between the hostess and other staff, it seemed to be largely due to the inexperience of the waiting staff. However, I attribute most of it due to the holiday, Valentine’s Day. It Can feel a little tight as they’ve maximized the use of all available space to seat patrons, so if you get a little claustrophobic, you may want to consider dining at a time that isn’t busy. Overall great value and great experience, especially for the Washington DC area. The only recommendation I would make to Rumi’s Kitchen would be to broaden your selection of wines by the glass. At the price point of your bottles of wine, it makes it a little difficult for some patrons to commit to making the purchase of a bottle.  Thanks for the good time!