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Zaytinya

Mediterranean Restaurant, Greek Restaurant, and Turkish Restaurant$$$$

Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown, Washington

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Zaytinya

9.0^/10

1,567

ratings

Ranked #4 for tapas in 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)
"The hunkar begendi, garides and the spanakopita was delicious."(6 Tips)
"Absolutely amazing, creative and flavoursome mezze."(12 Tips)

394 Tips and reviews

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good for dates
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jose andres
healthy food
good for groups
mezzes
restaurants
hunkar begendi
desserts
lamb
Turkish coffee
bar
happy hour
yogurt
spacious
prix fixe menu
beet salad
great value
eggplant
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Parvathy NairAugust 4, 2015
Brilliant! 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)
Upvoted 1 week ago
Bitches Who BrunchAugust 18, 2016
The 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
Upvoted Mar 4
EaterJanuary 17, 2017
The buzzy restaurant has delicious brussels sprouts, flatbread and octopus small plates, and a number of fun festivals throughout the year, celebrating events like Greek Easter. Read more
Stacy Bo BacyOctober 1, 2021
Happy 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.
Lee HoffmanMarch 20, 2021
Everything 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
Simal SoydanJune 1, 2019
A 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
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
Derek FromsonMarch 31, 2013
Jose 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, 2018
Went 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.
Regina LindseyJune 24, 2014
The 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
Ranini PastelJuly 15, 2017
The 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.
Shawn CookNovember 28, 2018
This is an absolutely fabulous place. The food is delicious. Hummus, tabbouleh, Brussels sprouts, grape leaves, salmon and cauliflower are a must. Fantastic food.
Vasha HuntAugust 1, 2021
The 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, 2019
Delicious mezes.. Don’t forget to try ice cream vanilla baklava and Turkish coffee chocolate cake at the end !
Diana BrodyJuly 30, 2017
Oh 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.
Romain D.March 26, 2018
Went 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!
Bitches Who BrunchDecember 12, 2016
Bitches 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
Mirko PintarJuly 12, 2015
Mezzo choices imam bayildi, piyaz with specials crispy squash blossoms and grilled whole bronzino was excellent choice. Delicious food, outstanding service.
Sheila LampitocAugust 14, 2014
My 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!!
Alice EunjinJanuary 19, 2016
All 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
Renaud #May 14, 2018
We had a great dinner sitting outdoors under the umbrellas. Food was great and fairly priced. We recommend the hummus with lamb.
IS KLESeptember 24, 2014
Been here 25+ times
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.
Nushy SCFebruary 4, 2015
The 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
QQ TFebruary 10, 2015
Incredible 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, 2014
Get 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!
Caryn YruegasJuly 15, 2017
Simply 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
Dan PullmanJuly 11, 2012
It'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
Antonio CalderonFebruary 18
Trendy 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.
WuJuly 11, 2016
Two 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.
Lauren BernalDecember 29, 2017
Lamb 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.
AmateurConciergeMarch 30, 2018
Solid 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, 2017
Delicious! Great atmosphere, food, etc. The hot bread they bring all the time is great specially if you order the "mezze", humus. Definitely a must.
Washington PostApril 1, 2015
Only 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
Noaf AlFebruary 1, 2014
One 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
Karla DonjuanJanuary 16, 2019
Nice, 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
Jaime WojdowskiOctober 16, 2014
So 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!
Joe GizziOctober 5, 2014
Some 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.
ReserveFebruary 10, 2016
The Horta Salata is a kale salad made with smoked olives, fava Santorini, ladolemono (lemon and olive oil sauce), and toasted pistachios. Read more
Paul PDecember 4, 2010
Great 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.
Arsalan HashemiApril 30, 2018
The 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.
JorgeMarch 19, 2018
There 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!
Ilknur ✨May 13, 2014
Turkish, Lebanese and Greek dishes really very delicious, and the service was fantastic venue design. Surely come back again.👌👏👏
Deb LJuly 3, 2015
We had one of the best DC lunches here. Highly recommend Zaytinya! Start with a Turkish Storm cocktail and some hummus.
Vihang MehtaMay 9, 2019
Lunch 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, 2014
Hands down, the best restaurant in DC! Brussel Sprouts are a must! The kebab platter is excellent to share.
Paula BuzzoMarch 5, 2023
Food is divine. Our choices: Hummus, Halloumi Pide, Falafel and Lamb Bharat. Excellent attendance.
Yong KwonSeptember 15, 2014
Do this: Down ouzo on the rocks at bar. Pick up bottle of red. Proceed to table. Order octopus, baba ganoush, Brussels sprouts, lamp chops. Eat until you can't. Fin.
Nurgul ErdoganDecember 24, 2012
I 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 ..
James GoochAugust 20, 2018
Wonderful lunch here - tried a bit of everything and shared it out and it was fantastic.
Mahsoon HussainJune 4, 2015
One 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 😑

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