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Ottoman Taverna, Washington, DC
Ottoman Taverna, Washington, DC
Falafel - Ottoman Taverna, Washington, DC
iskender - Ottoman Taverna, Washington, DC
Ottoman Taverna, Washington, DC
Award-winning

Ottoman Taverna

4.5
4.5
1493 Reviews
$30 and under
Turkish
Top Tags:
Ottoman Taverna provides flavors and dishes from the Turkish cuisine. Enjoy house made kebaps, dips, hot mezes, desserts and more at our Turkish restaurant. Ottoman Taverna has been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand status since opening in 2017.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 16 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Turkish, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:45 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 847-0389
  • Website
    https://ottomantaverna.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Mustafa Essizoglu
  • Catering
    Catering menus are available upon request
  • Private party facilities
    Ottoman Taverna features the Sultan’s Table (Chef’s table) with 12 seats. We have 3 private dining rooms, with the smallest accommodating 30 people and the two largest combined seating 90.
  • Private party contact
    Felicia Ruffino: (202) 847-0389
  • Location
    425 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Mount Vernon Square
  • Cross street
    4th and I Street NW
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    The restaurant is situated in between Judiciary Square and Chinatown metro stations in Mount Vernon Triangle along the red, green and yellow lines.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,493 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

1,493 Reviews

  1. hiamj

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, service is good . The hostess accommodated our request for a table

    Is this helpful?

  2. GregoryJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely my favorite restaurant in DC. the service is great, the waiters and waitresses, etc. always SO kind. I love getting the trip to turkey with friends so we can try a lot of different flavors. Exquisite food!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Joyce

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is refreshing and delicious. Tried the Tour of Turkey and was not disappointed. Service was great as well. Friendly staff, great ambiance, clean environment.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Anna

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Superb food and service, generous portions, delicate yet sophisticated Mediterranean flavors.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience4
    Food was so so good - great hummus, meat, and wine. Just wish the service wasn’t so bad :(

    Is this helpful?

  6. Kiers

    Richmond

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The food was absolutely phenomenal! The restaurant was beautiful and the food was fresh and very tasty. As a vegan, there weren’t as many options as I thought there would be (their menu labeling was incorrect for most things, so it was pretty limited as to what I could have). There was also a 20% service fee added to the check but our waiter mentioned that it did not go to the waiters but instead went to the restaurant. I wish instead of that, they’d adjust prices accordingly to account for necessary inflation and wage adjustments that they need to make. I’d love to see more vegan options in the future!!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. AparnaA

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    Very nice food. A bit noisy. Way too many bus-people eager to take non-empty plates away. 20% service fee added - fine, very happy to pay. But then server said fee doesn't include tip. Never heard of such a thing.

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  8. CalliS

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    The service was not great, felt like we were waiting forever and had to ask for the server to come to the table. Some of the meat was over cooked.

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  9. StevenM

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience4
    The food was incredible, as always! Ottoman Taverna definitely deserves all their awards. The service was really off during this meal. For a Wednesday evening where half the table were empty and plenty of staff were milling about, our server only checked in on us to take our order and bring our check. Even to order another round of drinks and receive our check, we needed to flag down other servers because ours was MIA. We were catching up with old friends and we like to enjoy our time so were were there for 2.5 hours with our waiter essentially only taking our food order. The two drinks and check request were facilitated by other staff. Not even a check in mid meal or drinks to make sure we were enjoying. And then the 20% service charge. It does not go to tips and their menus are not complict with DC Attorney General guidelines (which state menus must clearly represent where these charges go). When the waiter brought our check, he explained this. But again, legal requirement dictate it should be printed in the menu or that the server should explain the service charge before the meal. Neither of these criteria were met. Of course we tipped in addition but it was just a confusing and sad way to end a delicious meal where we didn't quite feel valued as customers. It was really a disappointment because we all LOVED the food but were so disappointed in service.

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  10. Caro

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great time at Ottoman Tacerna. The food was delicious, and the staff super friendly! The rice pudding is amazing!

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  11. Mahidevran

    Washington DC

    19 reviews

    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    This has been one of my favorite restaurants for a gathering, but yesterday I got to know something that disturbed me. The restaurant charges 20% as service charges which I thought includes the tip for the server, but the server informed me that the service charge goes to the restaurant and not them and that we have to add the tip on top of the 20% we were already charged. So, now I have to give 40% on top of the cost for food. I feel this is too much and unethical. so, I will not go back to the restaurant again.

    Is this helpful?

  12. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    They have 20% tip already included but service is ok

    Is this helpful?

  13. Catherine

    Washington DC

    27 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience4
    Food was absolutely delicious. Will definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  14. nousha

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Haven been in a while. It’s a place you feel at home and never disappoints. Great ambiance and delicious food. Will always come back. Thank you

    Is this helpful?

  15. Rich

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience3
    Outstanding service, okay food. We got there at 6:00 and it was pretty quiet; by the time we left at 7:30 it was packed and difficult to hear. Service was fantastic: from reservations to hostess to table service.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience2
    Food is very salty- specifically the meats, apps were good… had to send the main course back. Service is good, they are attentive

    Is this helpful?

  17. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ottoman was great! Food was perfect. Servers were very attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  18. GregoryJ

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My favorite restaurant in DC! I love getting the trip to turkey with friends to try a lot of their flavors. Service staff are ALWAYS attentive and friendly. And the food SUBLIME.

    Is this helpful?

  19. LadyfortasteofTurkey

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is my second time and it was worth it. I will recommend to family, friends, and anyone that loves Turkish Foods. Ellerinize Saglik, Cok Zengin, Tesekkuler.

    Is this helpful?

  20. KenB

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience2
    The food was excellent, but it was extremely noisy. The worst part was the surprise 20% "service charge" that did NOT include the waiter's tip. So....we ended up leaving what amounted to a 30% tip. I try to be generous, but this was a bit too much.

    Is this helpful?

  21. Tess

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, service and ambience for a big group!!

    Is this helpful?

  22. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Had a large party (10 Guests) during the peak hours of Sunday DC Brunch, during restaurant week. To say the least the staff was accommodating given the hectic atmosphere. Food is always great and reasonable pricing!

    Is this helpful?

  23. MichaelA

    Washington DC

    20 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience2
    Very busy night and the kitchen suffered. We’ve dined before on less active nights and enjoyed a superb meal — less so on this occasion. There was limited seating space, bread was either fresh from the oven or cold, and dinner plates sadly were the same. I’d steer away from this dining option on holiday weekends.

    Is this helpful?

  24. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    I used to love this place and the food but the experience was terrible the last two visits. My observation: New servers who are not trained well and don’t know the food. The food taste is not the same. Got the hummus without salt or garlic. Beets are my favorite and taste is still same. No attention to customers. It is so sad to see this place going down.

    Is this helpful?

  25. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went for restaurant week and the value for money vas fabulous. Great meal.

    Is this helpful?

  26. Turkishfoodlover

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Great food and good service, but a little too noisy when crowded.

    Is this helpful?

  27. AlisonP

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    I went for DC restaurant week and chose the brunch option.

    Is this helpful?

  28. SeanM

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Delicious food, nice interior & a great restaurant week menu! This place was great.

    Is this helpful?

  29. Woody

    Jacksonville

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a great restaurant with outstanding service. If your thinking about it, just do it.

    Is this helpful?

  30. tinap

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service. Friendly staff, beautiful dining room, and best of all delicious food.

    Is this helpful?

  31. Enid

    Philadelphia

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was Restaurant Week so we each enjoyed a 5-course dinner..... and everything was absolutely delicious! And, the service was terrific. Can't wait to dine here again.

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Good food but not totally Turkish authentic. Great presentation and service.

    Is this helpful?

  33. Nate

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good food, good staff, great price. They are very accommodating for large groups. Would be nice if they had a few more options for bottomless drinks other than just the standard mimosa and Bloody Marys.

    Is this helpful?

  34. naz415

    San Francisco

    18 reviews

    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    The service was alright, not great, but the effort was there. The food was good, again, not great for what we were expecting based on reviews. Funny enough, the table next to ours said they were not impressed either. The thing that really threw us was the service charge. Our bill was $127 but with tax and the service charge it was $168. That didn’t include a tip which would have been another $25. What are people on a budget trying to have a nice dinner out supposed to do when they’re hit with an unexpected extra fee. I think of my grown kids who live on a budget and something like this would have really hurt them. Remove the service fee and increase your prices. That way you still make what you need but there isn’t a surprise at the end of a meal.

    Is this helpful?

  35. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience5
    The food was very good and we were very happy with all the items we had during the bottomless brunch, however the service was not great. We had to consistently ask for someone to come to our table to get us drinks. It was our first time at OT and we were unsure of the process of what items we would receive. No one really told us if we had to ask for sides or specific things. If service could be improved by making rounds to tables and asking if anything is needed, I would love to come here again with additional family members and friends.

    Is this helpful?

  36. Irfan

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible food, very good mixed grill, 3-4 people can probably eat the mixed grill, even though they say it’s meant for 2. Great ambiance and service. Altogether, loved it.

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Indiana

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful but noisy and they only kept everyone at a portion of the restaurant area The food was excellent

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  38. GonzaloC

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    The food was great . The service was friendly but they missed several essentials of service

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Kansas City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent, authentic Turkish food with great service and a beautiful interior. I highly recommend the iskender!

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went for the brunch and it was all around very good.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Ottoman Taverna does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now and Uber Eats. Ottoman Taverna also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 847-0389.

Ottoman Taverna is rated 4.5 stars by 1493 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 16 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Ottoman Taverna

425 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Cross street
    4th and I Street NW
  • Neighborhood
    Mount Vernon Square
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:45 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Turkish, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    The restaurant is situated in between Judiciary Square and Chinatown metro stations in Mount Vernon Triangle along the red, green and yellow lines.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Mustafa Essizoglu
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    https://ottomantaverna.com/
  • Phone number
    (202) 847-0389
  • Catering
    Catering menus are available upon request
  • Private party facilities
    Ottoman Taverna features the Sultan’s Table (Chef’s table) with 12 seats. We have 3 private dining rooms, with the smallest accommodating 30 people and the two largest combined seating 90.
  • Private party contact
    Felicia Ruffino: (202) 847-0389
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