Doener Bistro

Pros: the food is cheap AND good, charming ambiance
Cons: limited number of fountain drink refills, difficult parking

Our friend from Germany asked if we wanted to try out Doner Bistro since we live so close. I got the schnitzel sandwich and my husband got the Doner box — we were both really happy. Our meals were tasty, hot and flavorful! The fries were SO good — a lot like the kind you get at Steak Escape.
Our friend said it was like being back home in Germany. She really liked her Doner sandwich.
The inside space was a little cramped, but that wasn’t a big deal for us. We’re glad she recommended Doner Bistro — we’ll definitely be coming back.

Not sure how this place gets such high ratings. Ordered the doner, bratwurst and falafel. Doner was dry and hard (reheated), falafel was tasteless and the bratwurst was average. Also got a feta salad, which was ice cold and the lettuce brown from sitting in the fridge.
2 stars and not 1 only because the guitar player was awesome.

I’ve never been to Germany but to those that have, this place comes close! They have a great selection of beers and German street foods. My favorites are the doener box, which are hand cut fries covered with meat and a garlic yogurt and cucumber sauce called tzatziki, and the currywurst. They also have a special menu for Oktoberfest, with bratwurst, potato pancakes with applesauce, and pretzels with mustard. You can sit outside on the deck or come inside for the festive décor that take you straight to the streets of Germany.

I am through with this place. The first time my wife and went here I was greatly anticipating trying the Turkish Pizza they don’t call it that here but thats what it was called in Germany the last time I was there in 2007. We went during october fest and it turned out the only thing they had was a special menu and were not making the doner sandwich. I ended up with some German meatloaf that was just OK.
I stopped by today and asked the girl behind the counter if they had the Turkish pizza today and she said «We don’t sell that here.» Then of course I had to explain that when I was in Germany last the doner sandwich was called Turkish pizza, all was good. Then she said «We only have the chicken today.» Folks… that’s not Turkish pizza then. The original, and might I add very tasty, consist of gyro meat with the medly of hot sauce, tomato, lettuce, onion and other good assorted bits. I was told I can get the beef version on thursday through sunday but I will not be back to even attempt to.

Stumbled upon this place while looking for a lunch spot. Great «sandwiches» and good beer. I thought the prices were kind of high but I left with a full belly and happy heart so I guess it was worth it!

Amazing food, amazing service, warm friendly staff will walk you through the menu if you aren’t familiar with German food. They’re really great and the music and ambience are very modern German! We had lots of fun here!

I think the name threw me. I was expecting something a little more upscale since it’s described as a bistro with German/​European food. It’s German street food with a bar vibe, which is fine if that’s what you’re expecting, but we were looking for more of a sit down place. It was late so we decided to stay. The curry wurst was good as was the beer, but then how can you go wrong with German beer? However, the doener was bland and the falafel salad was equally boring. Meh overall.

Sehr lecker!
Take me out to the streets of Germany right here in Leesburg town. Great selection of beers, street food, and snacks. Whether you’re in the mood for a boot of beer, or just one stick of bratwurst, you’ve come to the right place.
In a homage to German’s street food stands, you’ll be greeted with the central kitchen right on the deck. Peek inside and smell the delicious aroma of what’s to come. Prepare your stomachs, it’s about to get zündend*!
The curry bowls are basically bratwursts drenched in a tomato-​like curry sauce. Don’t waste the sauce, dip your fries in it too. Or your plain bratwurst. Whatever, just don’t waste it. It’s too amazing to be disposed into the trash!
Not disappointment from the sandwiches and wraps either. Although I would think that falafels are not native to Germany, who knows — perhaps it’s a popular street snack? (hint, New York). Whatever it is — I’m happy. That kitchen pumps out your favorite flavors that you won’t be able to resist.
Great selection of beers! Although I am not a drinker myself, I respect the variety Doener Bistro has, and even better, how helpful the owner is when you don’t even know where to start. «Are you hungry? No? Then get the pork curry.»
Am I hungry? Always. So I got the pork and beef curry. With a side of fries.
*Thank you, Google Translate.

This place is pretty awesome. I’ve been here twice and gotten the beef doener sandwich with fries both times. It is a LOT of food; you could make two meals out of that order. It’s got a great location in Leesburg and is good for outdoor seating. Great German beer selection.
There is one annoyance I had the second time I went here. I tried to order a beer and the cashier wouldn’t sell to me because my ID was vertical rather than horizontal. My ID is still a legal VA drivers license and I was over 21, I’ve just had it since before I was 21 and I don’t want to go to the DMV and pay to get it renewed into a horizontal ID. The cashier said it was company policy to deny vertical IDs because apparently they had some ABC violations and they didn’t want to risk another. It’s a lame company policy to have in a state where you don’t have to renew your license until you’re 28. I’m sure dealing with the VA ABC can be rough on small businesses like this so I’ll cut these guys a break. It’s still an A+ restaurant that’s loved by locals. A must-​try if you’re in Leesburg.

This place always keeps me coming back for more. I love their Doner box and their currywurst. I’m also positive that they have the best fries in the area. They can be a bit pricey but it is worth the quality and quantity. They also have a wide selection of beers and if you’re feeling frisky, a boot to drink them out of. If it was healthy for me I would eat at this place for every meal.

Just wasn’t overly impressed with it. Ordered the box with extra meat for around $ 12. It had good flavor, I guess the most simple way I could explain it would be to compare it to a gyro with fries, stuffed in a large fry cup with some mustard (?). It was good, but I thought the meat was a little dry, even though it was smothered in sauce. I also wasn’t as full as I expected to be considering the price and the fact I got extra meat. I’ll definitely go back to try the schnitzel and sausages though!

My first time here, but not my last. I love German beer and this place has quite the assortment for being so small.
The guy behind the counter was very friendly and loved talking about beer and sharing samples. Mmm, good stuff!
I’ve never had a döner sandwich before, but that’s really good. I suspect that won’t be my last one either. Loved every bite of it!
The weather was perfect, so we sat outside and enjoyed the breeze under the canopy.
I’d write more, but my beer is empty and that’s more important. :)

Curry wurst! It’s revolutionary! Get the beef wurst and sprinkle some extra curry powder (provided on the tables) to the curry ketchup to add some oomph. Great to eat with fries too.
Doener is pretty good though I was hoping it was served in a pita instead of a sliced open ciabatta bread. Still tasty though. For doener I prefer their doener box, which is the doener filling topped on a pile of fries. Definitely the way to go over bread.
Also had a slid selection of German beers.

What’s not to love? The 2 gentlemen (managers/​owners?) who are typically here are kind, helpful, and lovely to interact with. I have arrived just before closing time (on more than one occasion and not intentional) and still served– and even though I was apologetic for being an inconvenience they never made me feel like one! Unfortunately I have had an experience with another female server (who potentially doesn’t work there anymore. it’s been a while) that was not as pleasant.
Anywho the food is amazing. I’ve been coming here for 2 years maybe? And sadly discovered the Doner Box a year into the fun. Omg amazing… do you like tzatziki? Beef? Fries? Please get a doner box!
If not… fries + Tzatziki and perhaps a delicious European beer (awesome selection love love love)
There is wifi here, great place to sit when it’s warm outside and get in «work» time.

As a café purporting to serve authentic German street food and beer, the Döner Bistro (umlauts necessary) falls horrendously short in living up to its German-​styled culture. Sure, they’ve got over 20 German beers in bottle and three on draft (including Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier) available by the Half Liter, Liter, and 2L Boot (yes, it’s actually a life-​size glass boot!). Sure, they have seemingly authentic German street food, including currywurst, falafal, and schnitzel, and play football (soccer) on the TV screens all the time. Sure, they have the tables laid out in beer hall fashion with benches and a super awesome patio well-​shaded out front but still manage to provide efficient table delivery services throughout the restaurant.
But where’s my German coke? Why is the menu in English, not German? You’ve got great German spicy mustard and curry powders available for everyone, and yet Heinz is the ketchup — there’s nothing German about Heinz! And truly, the beers should only be coming from Bavaria, because any real German knows the best stuff comes from down South. Plus, there’s only one unisex bathroom. If you want the real German street food experience, you’re just not going to find it at the Döner Bistro, you’re going to have to go all the way back to the fatherland. Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!
I suppose I will just have to continue to stop by the Döner Bistro every time I’m around Leesburg, it sure beats driving all the way to Germany. I guess the delicious food, relaxed atmosphere, great beer, and patio will have to do, especially in the summer months.
Just one question: why does Unilocal call it the Doener Bistro?

Wandering around Leesburg yesterday, the rows of inviting picnic tables and promise of delicious German beer drew us in to Doener Bistro.
However, I was sadly underwhelmed with my Wiener Schnitzel and they were out of Warsteiner when we stopped here for a late lunch. On the other hand, the Döner sandwich and Döner box my friends got and let me sample were FANTASTIC. I will get either the next time we are in the area. The pommes, hot sauce and the spicy mustard are also pretty excellent. The curry ketchup was just OK, I have had better, although it was definitely a nice change from the regular stuff. Service is prompt, we were seated and our food was brought to us within about 5 minutes from placing our order. With the exception of my husband’s pretzel which we had to hunt down – not sure what that was about.

It’s a little German Gem. The outdoor seating is inviting and it’s a nice place to chillout especially on warm weathers. They do have space hearers for those chilly nights. The indoor seating is not as big but there has never been any issues with seating.
Their Doner Box is the thing to get here. The box includes fries, meat with their special curry flavor. You have to try it. Even the European delight sauce is yogurt like that accents the curry taste. Slap on some hot curry powder and you got yourself an amazing dish.
I’ve also tried the curry bratwurst and that was very good also. It is a Curry sausage basically. This dish is pretty heavy.
Today I tried the regular German bratwurst with brochen (fries). It was ok. It needed some flavor. I asked for sauerkraut but they don’t carry it. That would have made that dish amazing.
If you’re around the area, try this unique restaurant out.

When in Rome, eat Doener Kabob.
We were headed to the place next door, but discovered Doener on the way. I’m definitely glad we did.
It’s a really simple menu – Doener, fries, Doener fries, and sausages. Nothing fancy or frilly, but the food is definitely worth the visit. Soft bread, good meat, and you can tell that someone really loved their Doener before they opened up this joint. The woman at the counter is friendly and they sell plenty of Doener gear if you need a sweatshirt to liven up your wardrobe.
My one comment is that it would make more sense (to me) to put the sauce on the pita so that you get some in every bit. The way it is now you get bite of meat, bite of sauce and salad. Bite of meat, bite of sauce. For those people who separate all the food on their plate, that’s great, but I like the whole she-​bang in my mouth at one time. Re-​reading that, it’s not as graphic as it sounds.
They also have a really nice selection of German import beers, but the prices are a bit steep for my tastes.

Doener Bistro is so much fun and the only place of its kind in the immediate area, definitely nothing like it in either Loudoun or Fairfax counties! Very hip and cute, with great prices and huge portions.
I have to add that the «story» of Doener Bistro made me fall in love with the concept even more, as the German owner apparently started the business after a visit to his American girlfriend and an unsatisfied craving for German doener sandwiches led to the creation of this authentic doener shop!
There is a cool selection of beers, including Shandy and many German beers, with a nice happy hour until 7 PM (at least that’s the case during the winter, check their website to see if it changes during the summer when their outdoor seating area is open). Oh, and they carry actual Radler from Europe, too! Super-​refreshing fruity beer :)
The menu is simple and easy to understand. You basically choose the day you visit based on if you want chicken doener meat or beef doener (again, check website), and then choose if you want a sandwich, a salad, or a «doener box.» Their crispy and tasty shoestring fries, legitimately awesome currywurst, and other menu items are available 7 days a week. They are proudly «sauerkraut-​free» here. May I also suggest that you take advantage of the various sauces and spices available at the tables — there are various hot sauces, spice powders, etc. You will need many napkins, which are supplied on each table.
Seating space is either outside in the warmer months or indoors and downstairs. It’s also easy to take your doener to go!