Ottoman Taverna

Name: Ottoman Taverna
Address: 425 I St NW, Washington, DC, United States, 20001
Telephone: (202) 847-0389
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1175 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

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jul 6, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 16 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(202) 847-0389

Other options

Private dining

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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: (855) 385-6856

Location
425 I St NW Washington, DC 20001
Neighborhood
Mt. 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

Featured in

The Best Restaurants in Washington D.C.

Popular dishes

Hummus$7.95
Chickpeas Spread with Tahini, Lemon Salt, Olive Oil, Pine Seeds
Haydari$7.95
Fresh Labneh Yogurt Flavored with Mint, Dill, Olive Oil & Walnut
Atom$7.95
Garlic-Yogurt, Celery, Sundried Chili & Tomato
Ezme$6.95
Sundried Tomato Paste with Onion, Green Pepper, Garlic, Parsley and Turkish Spices
Pembe Sultan$7.95
Beets, Labneh Yogurt, Garlic, Olive Oil
Muhammara$7.95
Red Pepper Spread with Walnuts & Olive Oil
Çiğ Köfte$7.95
Six Pieces of Bulgur-Wheat Kofta with Tomato Paste, Red Peppers, Turkish Spices
Moutabal$7.95
Charred-Eggplant, Yogurt, Tahini, Garlic, Olive Oil
Imam Bayildi$11.95
Roasted Eggplant Stuffed with Tomatoes, Onions, & Olive Oil

Hot Meze

Sigara Böreği$10.50
Feta Cheese, Onions & Parsley Wrapped in Homemade Dough
Falafel$9.50
Chickpea-Vegetable Fritters with Yogurt Sauce
Patates Köfte$10.50
Potato Cakes with Crumbled Feta & Yogurt Sauce
Anatolian Dolma$11.95
Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice, Pine Nuts & Raisins, with Yogurt Sauce
Butter Shrimp$14.50
Sautéed Butter Shrimp with Sundried Chili & Turkish Spices
Mücver$9.50
Pan-Seared Zucchini-Carrot Cakes, Onions, Dill
Içli Köfte$11.95
Bulgur Wheat Stuffed with Ground Lamb & Beef, Onion, Garlic, Walnuts & Parsley
Brussels Sprouts$9.95
Caramelized Onions, Garlic, Pine Nuts, Orange, Red Cabbage, Cream, Red Peppers, Lemon Juice

Meze Platters

Chef's Selection of Cold or Hot Meze Platters

Cold Meze Platter$23.90
Hummus, Pembe Sultan, Muhammara, Atom, Haydari, Moutabal
Hot Meze Platter$13.95
Sigara Boregi, Falafel, Patates Köfte, Mucver

Chefs Mixed Grill

Chef's Selection of Kebaps for Two Guests $57.50. Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) and Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

Lamb Chops
Köfte
Chicken Şiş
Adana Kebap
Döner Kebap

Beef Kebaps

Döner Kebap$21.75
Thinly Sliced Beef Döner Kebap Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
İskender Kebap$23.50
Thinly Sliced Beef Döner Kebap Served Over Toasted Pita Bread with Tomato Sauce & Yogurt
Adana Kebap$23.95
Char-Grilled Spicy Ground Beef Kebap Seasoned with Red Peppers & Spices. Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
Beyti Kebap$24.95
Char-Grilled Spicy Ground Beef Kebap Wrapped in Lavash Bread with Eggplant Salad. Served with Tomato Sauce & Yogurt
Inegol Köfte$23.95
Char-Grilled Ground Beef Kofta Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) and Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

Chicken Kebaps

Tavuk Adana Kebap$22.95
Chicken Kebap Seasoned with Red Peppers & Spices Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
Tavuk Beyti Kebap$23.95
Chicken Kebap Wrapped in Lavash Bread with Eggplant Salad. Served with Tomato Sauce & Yogurt
Tavuk şiş$22.90
Char-Grilled ChickenCubes Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
Tavuk Köfte$22.00
Char-Grilled Ground Chicken Kofta Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served over PitaBread with Tomato & Yogurt Sauce

Ottoman Classics

Moussaka$19.95
Eggplant, Potato, Ground Beef, Bechamel Sauce & Kashkaval Cheese
Grilled Lamb Chops$28.95
Thyme & Pepper Marinated Lamb Chops Served with Sautéed Baby Vegetables & Smoked Eggplant Puree
Shrimp Casserole$19.00
Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Mint in Tomato Sauce with Kashkaval Cheese
Grilled Salmon$25.50
Char-Grilled Salmon Served with Mashed Potatoes & Sautéed Spinach
Kuru Fasulye & Pilav$18.90
White Beans Stew with Tomatoes, Onions & Green Peppers. Served with White Rice
Cauliflower Stew$19.00
Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Onions, Tomatoes, Carrots & Served with White Rice
Manti$18.95
Turkish Ravioli Stuffed with Ground Beef & Served with Garlic Yogurt and Anatolian Sauce

Sides

French Fries$5.00
Sautéed Vegetables$5.00
Plain Yogurt$5.00
Bulgur Pilav$5.00
White Rice$5.00
Brussels Sprouts$9.95

What 1,175 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.4Service
4.5Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

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GG
GigiGirl
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good and abundant food. Nice ambiance and noise level to socialize.
H
Harry
Washington DC
56 reviews
vip
5.0
56 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food. Great service - prompt, attentive, fast and accurate delivery, not pushy, friendly.
AT
AnthonyT
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience5
Overall experience was great. Chicken was undercooked but restaurant was great about handling the issue. All of the other food was terrific.
c
christyg
Washington DC
26 reviews
4.0
26 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall4food4service2ambience4
Great value for the food! The servers didn’t come over for a while, it seemed like they were prepping for big parties. Good food & will definitely go back.
AB
AbedB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience4
Food was great (tried the Turkish Experience). disappointment were the Baklava (sweets, 4th course) and the tea (expected better quality tea)
MH
MelanieH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food. Waitress was very helpful and attentive.
d
deena
Washington DC
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on June 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice event
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great amazing foooood
NC
NatC
Washington DC
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on June 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Is the second time I visit this restaurant and I love it!! I like their service and food! Their bottomless brunch is one of the best in DC right now! Variety and quality! Both times my friends really enjoyed too! I like to make reservations, but I am sure they will take walk ins when possible. The ambiance is nice and the crowd is mostly adults. Will continue to recommend.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Delicious meal and great service! The cold meze platter was amazing, would definitely recommend!
S
Seif
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing as always. Great authentic food and ambience
A
Abe425
Las Vegas
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience5
The appetizers were delicious, soup sent back to reheat. Service was slow but we expected that and they were kind and as attentive as could be given the help situation. Main courses were delicious but lukewarm and mine was very greasy. The tablecloth had dribbling of food on it ftom a previous diner and should have been changed. The decor and ambiance are wonderful and the 3 course fixed price menu is great.
DC
DCfoodfan
Washington DC
167 reviews
vip
5.0
167 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We enjoyed a lovely dinner sitting outside on a perfect June night. The food is delicious, the portions generous and the service very attentive.
V
Vinny
Chicago
24 reviews
vip
4.0
24 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
It was a great evening until we received the bill and was charged $9 for an ice tea with one refill. We asked about it and we’re told that was correct. We were not even given a new glass of ice tea, just refilled the glass. They did not have a take away cup either. If there are no refills please tell me in advance. I would not return just because I feel like I was taken advantage of. Otherwise all was good.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely place. Good food. We’ll definitely be back.
SM
SusanM
Washington DC
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
It was a happy birthday
GF
GreatFallsEater
Adelaide
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 13, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
The decor and service punch above the price point. Lovely place to take a group- great appetizers to share, good vegetarian options. Reasonable drink prices also!
JO
JOSEPH1
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We enjoyed our food, and the service was fantastic. We will definitely be back!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 5, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
I reserved a table outdoors and was told that I didn’t have a reservation.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food and atmosphere. I will definitely hit it again next time I’m in DC! Superb!
SC
StefanoC
Washington DC
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
we had dinner outdoor: great food at a very fair price, great service not obsessing with continuous questions like it happens in may places where the waiter comes every 5 minutes to justify its tip, great ambience and privacy between each table and the walkway. Outstanding place!
DK
DKDC
Washington DC
27 reviews
vip
3.0
27 reviews
Dined on May 30, 2022
overall3food5service3ambience3
The food was excellent, however the service was spotty. After being seated, we were not approached by any server for about 15 minutes. We had to wave over a manager, who ended up taking our order and acting as our server for the remainder of the meal.
TK
TonyK
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 29, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience5
The restaurant was huge and bright inside. The service was prompt. Atom and falafel were excellent. Chicken kebab (Tavuk sis) was juicy but a bit salty to me. Beyti kebab was ok and it was a bit salty too. Trip to Turkey menu was a good value. Overall nice experience.
MS
MazinS
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 28, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great Turkish restaurant and nice place for a dinner discussion too.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
EXCEPTIONAL spot for dining. First, tea is awesome and served with all the great customs and kindness we remember from our years living on the Turkish coastline! Absolutely no issues with service and it is so great to see so many dishes done so well on their menu! I highly recommend bringing a group and splitting their big courses. Prices are very reasonable considering it’s location in DC and parking can be had for cheap directly across the street!
SW
SteveW
Yorkshire
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
Fabulous food with sensible portions. Good value and friendly service.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time visiting the Ottoman Taverna and we had a wonderful experience! We've tried many Turkish restaurants in the past few years with the hope of having the same experience as eating in a local restaurant in Istanbul. However, none of them completely satisfied it. When I tried Iskender kebap in Ottoman, I could close my eyes and imagine myself being in a good restaurant in Turkey. Içli köfte and Adana kebap were also awesome. Baklava was almost the same, but still has some room for improvement. Dondurma coming with Baklava was not the one deserves to be a side of Turkish baklava. The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was perfect. Overall, definitely will go there again and recommend it to all food lovers.
b
blairc
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 22, 2022
overall4food3service3ambience3
The food was extremely average for a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Nothing special beyond the falafel and patates kofte. Also all of the 2-person tables are in a weird spot, so at times it can feel like you’re sitting in a busy hallway. I’d go back, but only if someone else had chosen the restaurant.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing restaurant! Everyone enjoyed the service and food. Will definitely be back.
F
Foodfriend
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Lovely restaurant, great service, and delicious food. We were in the side room with a big party so it got very loud, but it was festive. Our server was very kind and made great recommendations. Definitely want to return!
l
luvfood
Washington DC
38 reviews
vip
4.0
38 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience3
Nice outdoor seating. Very nice staff. Fairly standard and good middle east cuisine. Nothing wrong, but nothing super exceptional.
SB
Settle4Better
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
2nd time this month!!! This place is amazing, from the staff, ambiance and of course, THE FOOD!!! Lamb chops are AMAZING!!!
EF
ErikF
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Unbelievable food! Hands down the best Turkish restaurant in the city.
C
Chris
Atlanta
29 reviews
vip
4.0
29 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
What a fun menu! This needs to be savored over a nice long meal.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food. Bottomless brunch is a steal for what you get. Staff was very nice and helpful. Highly recommend
WG
WadeG
New England
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall2food1service1ambience2
Very disorganized with seating and reservations. Several couples got up and left before ordering. We waited 20 minutes before the waitress came around. It took another 20 minutes before the appetizer, middle course, and main course all arrived at the same time. I like to eat family style but the table was too small to accommodate the dishes. I was really looking forward to having some foods I grew up with. I cook these dishes at home from my family recipes and we’ve travelled through Turkey a lot. This is not what the food is supposed to taste like. The hummus was bland, the falafel was burnt, and the kefte tasted like Jimmy Dean sausages cooked in very old oil. The baklava was fair.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
5 reviews
1.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall1food1service1ambience1
Overall very disappointing so we left before ordering anything. From the moment we entered it seemed the front desk staff were overwhelmed and it was palpable. The atmosphere was not calm. It was erratic and not in a good way with food trays swinging by our heads after being seated at these high tops. Reservation was for standard seating also. Sadly just really wanted to try the food and have a great experience but wasn’t meant to be. Hope to try again someday.
K
Kristin
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall2food2service1ambience1
Service was terrible the waiter came to us only twice. Once to get out order and second to give us the bill. The chicken was not cooked.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Terrific food, recommend the 4-course prix fixe for a “taste of Turkey.” Unique wine list. It’s a bit loud due to to the size of the restaurant. Definitely plan to return.
v
vicked
San Diego
8 reviews
vip
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall3food3service5ambience4
Was quite unimpressed given the high rating. The food was only okay. One of the kabab plates we ordered came with the kababs hot on the outside and completely frozen on the inside. These are clearly not being made fresh… The entrees were decent and the desserts were great. Don’t plan to visit again.

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 4.6 stars by 1175 OpenTable diners.