Zaytinya
What Insiders Are Saying
Another Jose Andres spot with solid tapas. Head to Zaytinya for a power lunch that doesn’t feel like a power lunch.
Perhaps my favorite restaurant in DC. Never disappoints.
Great service and quality in a beautiful dining room at an affordable price...will definitely be going back!
I was thrilled to find Zaytinya just two blocks from my hotel. Dinner was so wonderful that I went back the next night with friends. My favorites were the Mushroom Saganaki, fried cauliflower and Spanikopita. The cocktails are very tasty, too. Service is also great. Reservations at peak times are a must.
it's was a wonderful dining experience. fantastic, healthy, flavorful food, nice ambiance. rather noisy and our waitress was great but busy. overall great evening!
My favorite restaurant in that part of town. Always a fabulous meal and great service. Happy to support José Andres and all he does for humanity around the world.
Did the Chefs Experience for $65/pp and loved that!
Fantastic server helped make the experience.
Really small plates main course doesn’t come with anything which is so weird
My friend and I make it a point to eat at Zaytinya's whenever we go to the Smithsonian American Art Museum or the Portrait Gallery. The noise level can be rather difficult right at the peak of lunch time so we try to sit by the large front window where it's not so noisy. We each had the chicken soup, which was just right on cold day, and we shared two mezze dishes: the spanakopita was very nice; the seared salmon was good but possibly a bit too tangy for one of us. We both had a cappuccino after lunch, which was much stronger -- almost bitter -- than we've had at Zaytinya's in the past. Service was excellent. Some day I'll check out one of those tempting lunch menu sandwiches.
This was one of the best meals I have had in years. There are plenty of unique meals to order if you are looking to try something new. Must eat here when in DC
Went on a busy lunch and it was amazing! The sever the host the food all to the caliber you would expect. Went to Turkey not to long ago and the food and wine they offer brought me back to the coast of Canakkale. The eggplant with tomato is a must get,save some room for the Turkish delight with a cup of Turkish coffee the way you like it. Amazing will be back and send all my friend who want a glimpse of what Turkish cuisine has to offer.
Halfway through our meal, I turned to my companion and proclaimed," THIS is how I should eat every day." Truly, this food is perfection--everything from the bread-balloons to the sumac on the Brussels Sprouts, EVERYTHING is tasty, delicious and good for you!
The food was perfect Our waiter very nice and knowledgeable. Noise level was very high since we had a table of six excited girls next to our table. I love what José Andres does in his restaurants and elsewhere. thanks
We were delighted with dinner at Zaytinya. Everything was fresh and full of layers of flavor. The bread was simply amazing, I have never seen anything like it. Rachael was our server and could not have been nicer. We completely enjoyed our evening there.
Amazing food and ambiance! Service was great as well but slow at times, which is understandable since it is always a full house. Would definitely recommend to vegetarians.
We were a party of 6 with a 8 month old and it was a great experience!
Good was wonderful as was the service and atmosphere!!
Family style dining allowed a taste of everything!
Love the place!!
Amazing food, as always! The best restaurant in DC!
My wife and I make an annual trip to Washington, DC from Ottawa Canada on our February long weekend known as Family Day in Canada (corresponds to President's Day in USA). This restaurant is a staple and a place we visit every year. It is one of our all time favourite restaurants for price, menu and service.
My sister and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Zaytinya which included the falafel, fries, dolmades and spanakopita as well as lavender ice cream for dessert. We also enjoyed a rose wine recommended by the waitress. It was a very memorable meal.
Tooooo noisy!
Food excellent. Lovely restaurant. Service just right.
This was the first time I was a bit disappointed in the overall service and food.
The server was not attentive and only checked on us 2 times. Once to take order and other to deliver/take the check. Had to ask for coffee and took a while to get out bread. Food brunch menu was disappointing. Flavor was lacking compared to other dishes. Will go back since I know this isn’t the norm but still disappointed. I know they can do better.
This is a great place to eat and enjoy company with family or friends. The Brussels sprouts were outstanding and we ordered them over and over again. The service was excellent as well. Overall, great experience!
This is my favorite restaurant in DC. The food and the wait staff are equally amazing. I have eaten here several times and I have always left looking forward to my next trip. Eat a meal at Zaytinya and you'll talk about that meal forever.
Date night...We both had the chiefs special that consists of 11 entrees with 2 being deserts. It’s $65 per person and by the time the 6 entrees arrived, I was full. My husband and I loved it. The waiter was great and new the menu very well. We had reservations and was 10mins late trying to find parking and when we arrived are seats were waiting for us. It was a packed restaurant and you should make reservations before going.
We went for an occasion which I put in the reservation, there was no acknowledgement by anyone. The food was good but the service was very bad and slow. Our server didn’t help it either.
I have been a Zaytinya fan for more than 6 years now. But unfortunately lately the quality and everything has been going downhill. The food quality and taste isn’t as good or even close to how it was. It is very sad that a restaurant that was really good to drop like this. Feels like the chef only cares about decorating the food more than how good it is.
Service is ok, waiters are nice. Servers aren’t the best and seem like they are always mad and not excited about doing their job. I have to every time ask to clear the table from empty dishes.
The restaurant in general looks worn out.
I really hope they start taking care of the restaurant again.
Really good food, lively environment
Wonderful food bursting with flavours !! The tapas concept helps you taste multiple hints on the menu instead of sticking to one or two entree. Th service is excellent inspite if the fact that the place is packed ! Fabulous experience can’t wait to go back ! Tip : avoid long weekends it’s super packed and don’t go without a booking.
Food was a bit bland and underwhelming. Not sure how one managed to make salmon taste like it has no flavor. Also the lamb chops were dry. Scallops were not memorable. The drinks were great though and the service was good. Also pretty decent ambience, though I don’t like the vibe in the back right section of the restaurant (past the kitchen) where we were seated as much as they main section.
A bit expensive, and not all dishes were a hit, but we ended up having a very nice time
Don't let the small plates deter you. The dishes here are very filling. I was in a party of 4, and we ordered about 12-14 different dishes. Everything was fresh and delicious. The kibbeh was one of my favorites along with the cauliflower. The tzatziki is different than what I am used to, but in a good way. The large chunks of cucumber gave it a good texture. Overall, it was an excellent meal, and I intend to return soon!
Valentine’s Day
Great for a business lunch and the food was wonderful.
Any Jose Andres restaurant is an instant success. Love the 3 PM in Istanbul cocktail and all the spreads for the warm pita bread.
Dined early on a Thursday. Service was good and the food was terrific. Nicely presented and for small plates the portions were generous.
We have dined at Zaytinya many times - this was the worst. We were seated at a window table near the desk - there must have been thirty people standing there and the noise level was deafening. While the food was excellent as usual, the service was terrible - not the fault of the waiter who was having to apologize frequently We each ordered two dishes and a drink from the bar. The first dishes arrived before our drinks, and then we waited nearly twenty minutes for the next two. We were given stuffed grape leaves at no charge and we were not charged for two coffees. But we got out of there as soon as we could and got to the theater inplenty of time. I hope this was an unusual situation, because we love Zaytinya and mean to return.
The noise level is a bit high because of the architecture of the space. But the food and service are excellent.
The best dolmades and terrific fried mussels
Valentine’s Day dinner. Excellent overall will definitely go back next time visit Washington DC.
The kabob platter was fabulous, as were the tabbouleh, grape leaves, hummus, and (especially) the brussel sprouts! Service was excellent, and the (ordering) suggestions much appreciated!