Neyla, web site, 3206 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-333-6353 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | MenuPages | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Readers have been recommending this place to me, Chug likes it too. I have yet to go. They are supposed to have good pita, among other dishes.
Levante, web site, 7262 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-657-2441, also 1320 19th Street NW, Dupont Circle, Washington, DC, 202-293-6301 [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Some of the dishes here are OK, but if you like this place you are reading the wrong food guide. Ethnic food for yuppies with bad taste. Let’s hope that’s not you.
Mama Ayesha's, web site, 1967 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-232-5431 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Recommended by Washingtonian magazine, dates from the 1950s, I am suspicious.
Cedar Cafe, web site, 6409 Shiplett Blvd., Burke, VA, 703-455-7080 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]
Recommended to me, I haven’t yet been, a Lebanese person emailed me and said their Tabouleh was excellent.
Pita House, web site, 407 Cameron Street, Old Town, Alexandria, VA, 703-684-1118 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]
One of my favorite places in Old Town, and one of the best Lebanese places around. Very reliable, and will prove outstanding comfort food for many. Get the dishes with the yogurt sauce, most of all, but you can’t go wrong here.
Meze, web site, 2437 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-797-0017, near Columbia Road (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Middle Eastern appetizers, broadly Lebanese, main courses at your peril.
Layalina, web site, 5216 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, 703-525-1170 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Reasonably good food, but a bit overpriced to me, not a place I am enthusiastic about.
Lebnan Zaman, 8411 Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, VA, 703-748-1400 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp]
A neglected place, surprisingly authentic given its Tysons location. The dishes with yogurt sauce are great, and none of the others are bad. Reasonable prices and good selection. The atmosphere is “order at the counter,” not fine dining. They have hookah in the front parlor, if you want to get stoned. Recommended, go soon in case they don’t make it in the long run.
Also see, "Local Hookah Bars," by Monica Bhide, The Washington Post, September 25, 2005
Lebanese Taverna, web site, 5900 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA, 703-241-8681, not far from Falls Church (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Economist | Silver Chips Online | WBFN | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Gayot]
Other locations
Very tasty Lebanese food. Draws an older, more traditional sort of Virginia crowd. Don't let them put you off. Good yogurt sauce, especially when pomegranates are involved.
Bacchus, web site, 1827 Jefferson Place NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-0735, closed Sundays. A bit south of Dupont Circle, doesn't open for dinner until 6:00. There is also a branch in Bethesda: 7945 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-657-1722 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Traditionally it has been the area's ruling Lebanese restaurant. Very good on all counts, especially the appetizers. I love the chicken in yogurt sauce with pomegranate seeds. Not cheap, but worth it, this restaurant is a favorite for many people.
Update: Now closed.
Zaytinya, web site (flash), 701 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-0800 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WBFN | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Has received much attention and a few awards. It is uneven, much variety, and many of the dishes have genuinely new ideas. Not just the same old stuff. Lots of vegetarian. Get the mezzes. Overall I feel the place is in decline, having become too trendy. Note also that the dining room is too noisy and crowded, even on weekdays.
Lebanese Butcher and Restaurant, 109 East Annandale Rd. at Annandale and Rt.29, Falls Church, VA, 703-241-2012, usually open (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Falls Church News-Press | City Paper]
Superb mom and pop Lebanese place, maybe the best Lebanese place up and running right now. Everything here tastes like real food, unlike so much of what you eat in this country. Perhaps the Lamb Ouzi is best.