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 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 in the United States where you can sample this region's delights.

compiled a list of the highest-rated breakfast restaurants in Washington, D.C. based on diners' reviews on 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.

Muncheez

1 / 30

#30. Muncheez

- Rating: 3.4/5 (61 reviews)
- Address: 1317 Connecticut Ave. Northwest Dupont Cir Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese, Caterers, fast food
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Sacrificial Lamb Kabobs & Wraps

2 / 30

#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
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Grill Kabob

3 / 30

#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
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George's king of Falafel & Cheesesteak

4 / 30

#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
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Tasty Kabob

5 / 30

#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
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Lebanese Taverna

6 / 30

#25. Lebanese Taverna

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

7 / 30

#24. Muncheez

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

Moby Dick House of Kabob

8 / 30

#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
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Mez茅 Restaurant

9 / 30

#22. Mez茅 Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (495 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2437 18th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Turkish, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian
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Mama Ayesha's Restaurant

10 / 30

#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
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Pars Kabob

11 / 30

#20. Pars Kabob

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

12 / 30

#19. River Club

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

13 / 30

#18. Villa Yara

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

14 / 30

#17. ala

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

The Green Zone

15 / 30

#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
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Shemali's

16 / 30

#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
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Zaytinya

17 / 30

#14. Zaytinya

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

18 / 30

#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
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Grill Kabob

19 / 30

#12. Grill Kabob

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

20 / 30

#11. Little Sesame

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

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Byblos Deli

21 / 30

#10. Byblos Deli

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

Maydan

22 / 30

#9. Maydan

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

Vera Cocina & 亘丕乇

23 / 30

#8. Vera Cocina & 亘丕乇

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

ilili Restaurant

24 / 30

#7. ilili Restaurant

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

25 / 30

#6. Cafe Fili

- Rating: 4.6/5 (142 reviews)
- Address: 701 2nd St. Northeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mediterranean, New American, Middle Eastern
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La' Shukran

26 / 30

#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
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Albi

27 / 30

#4. Albi

- Rating: 4.6/5 (427 reviews)
- Address: 1346 4th St. Southeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Lebanese
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Falafel Inc

28 / 30

#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
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Green Almond Pantry

29 / 30

#2. Green Almond Pantry

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

30 / 30

#1. Fava Pot

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