Lebanese Taverna

We’ve been going to LT for many years and service has consistently gone down as prices have increased. Our most recent experience, 1.30.16, was probably the worst — it took over an hour to receive our food in which two of the entrees and one of the drinks were messed up.
We’d been seated for at least 20 minutes before being attended to for drinks, water etc. Also, service was terrible when we tried to reorder drinks, our waiter was no where to be found. We had to constantly look around for him or any other wait staff to ask for things.
This use to be one of our go-​to restaurants as it was close and we really enjoyed the food. At this point, we’re not going back nor would we recommend it to anyone else. We feel that LT really needs to step up the service given how much the meals cost and train the wait staff to be more attentive and present.

Service wasn’t spectacular or anything, to be honest I had no idea who my server was. Just had randoms serve us what we needed.
Overall, food was very delicious and the interior of the restaurant it self is set up quite beautiful. Defiantly would recommend this spot to a friend.

It was aight. Nothing to write home about. But pretty decent food, and good service.

Went here for lunch with my boyfriend, he got a lamb shank and i got the chef’s sampler. we both were stuffed and happy in the end. Next time i shall order dessert first as they sounded fun. This was not fast, an hour? so don’t go if you are in a rush. I got the taverna and gun (saffron gin and tonic) and it was tasty, my boyfriend got a drink with an anise liquor and mint and it was also good!

Tysons has tons of dining options, and this is one of the ones you go to when you want to impress someone with good food and great service.
On my most recent visit I tried a bunch of appetizers, heavy on the meat, and all were great: Kibbeh were fried dumplings stuffed with beef/​lamb/​bulgur, Shanklesh was a zesty disc of feta/​tomatoes/​scallions/​peppers, Shawarma Rolls (new on the menu) is their take on crispy egg rolls with beef and lamb, and the Hommus Trio is a great sampler app foe hummus lovers.
I have a sweet tooth, so had to top off the meal with Awamat, Lebanese donuts drizzled with a honey saffron syrup — and don’t forget to dip them in the custardy yogurt milk pudding.

After eating at Lebanese Taverna tonight (carry out) I will not eat there again, Tysons only. I paid over $ 50 for two shawarma burritos (on a tortilla)! The sandwiches were inedible and were tossed due to the beef and lamb meat being grey in color and tougher than shoe leather. I wouldn’t have fed that meat to my dogs. It was almost as a carry out order, we were served the hard ends, big grizzly clumps of meat that we wouldn’t notice as they were completely rolled up like burritos.
Very disappointing, after years of eating there, we were so looking forward to a delicious meal and the $ 50 I ate would have been refreshing in place of the sandwich. What happened?
Take your chances but I will not again, lost a loyal customer! One star is too many.

The bartender who helped us was great! The service was good, but the food wasn’t. I heard their happy hour is pretty decent, but I won’t be back so I’m just passing the message along.
I third-​wheeled with some friends and we ordered some drinks and entrees. We all agreed that our food was deceptive and salt ridden.
chicken shawarma salad ²⁄₅ — so salty and so much dressing. I was trying to be healthy but clearly failing
chicken shawarma wrap ³⁄₅ — didn’t exactly try the wrap, but my friend gave me his rating
chicken fatayer.1.5/5 — neither of us was sure what was going on here. my friend was on some type of weird diet where she only wanted to order an appetizer, but when it came out she was shocked how little food it really was, and it was spicy, but not mentioned on the menu.
Overall an okay experience, and I did like the atmosphere, very chill.

Not bad but the service could be a little better. The food was cold last time I ate here but I overall like their food when it’s done right. There other locations are better than this one.

I was there last night and had the lamb shank. The food was ok. But the irritating thing was the waiter repeatedly interrupted us while I was in the middle of a conversation. He did not obtain any visual cues from the people at the table who were engaged in the middle of a topic and barged in with his agenda. He was also dressed sloppy for meals around $ 30 per person not including alcohol. This gives the restaurant an unpleasant experience overall. The restaurant did not take time to train the wait staff to provide an unobtrusive service.

The lebanese taverna happy hour has my heart. I have the menu memorized, the servers know my order, and I don’t even have to get in a car after work to catch the happy hour specials! If you’re not located in close proximity to Tysons Galleria, you should still check out this place for their delectable shawermas (my favorite is the lamb, but others are equally obsessed with the chicken version), french fries dipped in garlic paste (you weren’t planning to makeout with anyone after this meal, right?), and sides of harissa that will have even the biggest spicy food addicts perspiring just a little. All this comes for less than $ 10 per item — where else can you find that in the Tysons area?

We had a great experience at Lebanese Taverna tonight. The service that Yousef provided was what service should be … thorough and thoughtful. Yousef went above and beyond by bringing us hearty samples of wine to taste, an extra grape leaf to make sure everyone had their own and offered suggestions galore. Everything was great from start to finish (food & service).
We love LT and highly recommend the market (off route 29) when you’re in a rush!

The food at LT is good. Not great, but good.
At seating, we were given our basket of complimentary bread with olive oil. My credible source (the BF), commented that the bread is traditionally prepared, so for that I give LT props. It’s delicious, though I’m a fan of the more rounded, fluffier pita bread.
We ordered the Kibbeh and Watermelon Salad appetizers. Again, boyfriend commented that the Kibbeh was prepared traditionally, with a really crispy exterior. I didn’t try any of this because I can’t do lamb… yet.
Watermelon Salad was so light and I’d love to recreate this one at home. Feta cheese crumbles, roasted pistachios, mint, and pine nuts — bursts of flavor and no guilt attached.
I chose the chicken shawarma for my entrée. It felt like carb overload so I ended up scraping all of the inside-​ingredients and using the pita bread for dipping so that I could control my carb-​intake. Where the LT crew gets more credit is that they actually noticed me doing this and checked to make sure all was ok. Thanks for that!
The staff here is a little all over the place though — three different members were checking on us, duplicating their efforts and ours. But I suppose that’s better than being underserviced?

I’ve been three times in the last month for dinner. Each time the experience was better. I’ll be honest, I’m a newbie when it comes to middle-​eastern food. And the only reason I originally came here was because I wanted to try Shawarma, thanks to Avengers end credit scene.
GOOD:
The service was friendlier each time. The first time I went here during Ramadan and our poor server was fasting. I admire his will power. During the second and third experiences, the owner came by our table to ensure we were treated well. The food is also decently priced. For less than $ 20 you can have a full meal. One time I requested a dish that was not on the menu and referred to a Unilocal image. They fulfilled that order.
BAD:
The first time dining, the hostess wasn’t very friendly. She seemed cold and didn’t smile. The latter times, the hostess was different and very friendly. During a crowded restaurant, only outside seating was available, but she was able to find indoor seating for us.
FAV:
The bread and olive oil FREE
Taste of Lebanon $ 14
Taverna Platter
Shawarma Salad + Pita Chips (not on menu) $ 16
Beef/​Lamb Shawarma Flat Bread $ 13
Baklawa $ 6.5
Pistachio and Vanilla Ice Cream
Arabic Tea $ 4
1-​star: I’ve had hemorrhoids more pleasant than this.
2-​star: I would rather avoid this place.
3-​star: On par with other similar establishments.
4-​star: Will return as often as possible.
5-​star: I refuse to find a better place.

Solid 3 star.
I have quite a few Lebanese friends and I have tried some authentic Lebanese dishes. Based on my experience and their opinions, Lebanese taverna is not the best but reliable enough to have some decent Lebanese food.
I had the chicken shawarma salad and shrimp arak. Both dishes are tasty but too salty to my preference. I need to drink a lot of water afterwards. Friend ordered another dish, presentation was pleasant. In terms of food, Lebanese taverna is reliable but not outstanding .
The décor and service really shine through. Service is attentive and our waitress is lovely. Interior design is trendy and has some sort of lounge feeling, different from your neighborhood middle eastern restaurant.
It is a local joint and I have been to other locations as well. It is not a bad choice in terms of middle eastern food.

This one definitely took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting much– just didn’t want to have to wait for a table at the busy surrounding restaurants.
As soon as we got sat we were brought puffed pita pillows. I broke it in half and a cloud of steam came out because it was so fresh. It came with some spices and olive oil.
They had plenty of appetizer dips on the menu you could choose from to pair with the pita. We got roasted cauliflower and baba ganoush to start. They were both very good. The cauliflower was so simple yet hearty.
I ordered the falafel salad and bf got the shrimp kabob. Both were great.
Overall the food was very fresh and tasted like it was made to order, not sitting around or from a can. One thing I did have to say was that they used a lot of lemon on everything, so it was very tangy.
Service was good. Server wasn’t overbearing but also didn’t dissappear for bouts at a time.
Looks like a great spot for lunch or a dinner with family, friends or even a date. I definitely recommend and would be back again.

This place is so nice! The staff is super friendly and their food, especially the bread, garlic sauce, maneek, lamb kabob, chicken kabob super delicious ;)
DOWN SIDE…
I am a huge Kanafa fan… And I was sooooooo disappointed when theirs came out :(the presentation was so beautiful that I couldn’t wait to get my spoon in that yummy warm cheese goodness. Unfortunately, my heart cracked a bit when my spoon struggled to go through the, oh so very cold cheese :(the baklava that came on the side was good but I wish that they would’ve been warm too.
I really want to give this place more stars but the Kanafa just ruined it, not to mention the manager was flirting with a group of blondes at the bar the entire time we were there. Haha. He was nice though :)

Lebanese Taverna is a nice Lebanese restaurant that has several locations in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. I was meeting a good friend in Tysons Corner and decided to give it another go. My last experience there wasn’t that memorable, but they have lots of vegan options, so, why not?!
Plus, my friend has lived in and around Lebanon so she knows good Lebanese food from bad Lebanese food so I knew she would be a good critic. We met at the restaurant located inside of Tysons Galleria. From the outside mall, you might not expect to walk into such a nice restaurant, but it is very classy. From the stone pillars to the plush, white chairs, it is a modern look and the servers are dressed quite nicely.
There are many vegan options from your typical hummus and babaganoush to other less traditional offerings like the pumpkin kibbeh. We munched on the delicious pita bread with za’tar spices and olive oil while we perused the menu.
I decided to go with two small plates. The Fattoush Salad was simple and very good. It had romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, mint, radish, and toasted pita chips in a pomegranate-​sumac dressing.
I also ordered the Arnabeet, which was roasted cauliflower and onions with pine nuts and tahini. Unfortunately, this dish lacked some flavor as the sauce tasted like straight-​up tahini without much else mixed in. It was good, but quite plain.
My friend ordered the falafel salad and wasn’t that impressed with it.
Overall, I think it is a good option for vegans as there are a lot of options on the menu. One of my dishes was very good and the other was so-​so. They were priced appropriately at around $ 7.50 per small plate so that was fine. And the service was great. I’ll give them another try sometime in the future.

Starting with the hummus sampler, our desire for full flavors made LT a good choice. The garlic hummus in particular was just strong enough but not so as to make your tablemates hate you. But the roast chicken farrouj… Mmm. Surprisingly moist. And a hint of something we couldn’t quite identify but almost like cinnamon. Not but it had that aromatic quality.
The only (minor) setback was sporadic attention from our server. They are usually very good so it may have been an off night. Or perhaps just short staff. The service itself was good though. And very helpful. Samir helped with every selection and he was spot on every time.

Three of us had lunch after shopping. We sat at a long table. We started with a yogurt dip and bread. Delicious!
One friend got the Chef Platter, one got the lentil soup. I got the Taverna Platter.
I really enjoyed my lunch. I would eat here again while shopping at Tyson’s Galleria. The two, «Taste of Lebanon» platters are great for tasting a little of everything. Both are healthy portions. We couldn’t fit dessert.

The hubby and I have been coming to Lebanese Taverna for years, in fact he introduced it to me early in our courtship, and we have since shared many special meals here and have introduced all of our friends and family to LT as well. Although we’ve been to all of their VA/​DC/​MD locations, we visit the one in Tyson’s most frequently, so I’ll comment on the experience it provides, specifically.
Although you typically don’t need a reservation on a weeknight, we like to make one anyway through OpenTable so we can get the points. On weekends, I would say you definitely should make a reservation. Parking is really ample and proximate to the restaurant entrance. You can dine al fresco, but there’s not much of a view, as you’re pretty much in the parking garage. I suppose good people– and car-​watching if you’re into that at Galleria :) .
We’ve always had pleasant experiences with the service here, even when they’re very busy. Although some servers might be too soft-​spoken in a loud atmosphere, you can always point to what you want on the menu if you’re not being heard. The interior of the restaurant is sumptuous and truly takes you away from the «I’m in an (upscale) mall» environs. Think dim lighting, dark surfaces, big velvet drapes, Lebanese pottery/​décor, and a cool mix of clientele. Great restaurant for a date, a celebration, and for small and large b-​day dinners. We’ve partaken in all of the above at LT.
The bread that is served piping-​hot is among our favorite Middle Eastern breads. Eat it while it’s hot and steaming, as once it’s cold, it’s no good (like a French fry). White and whole wheat served, along with some (underwhelming) oil/​sesame seeds for dipping, so treat yourself to one of their many dips or hummus varieties; you’ll be glad you did. They have an okay wine list that includes some Lebanese and other Levantine region wines, and I think you’ll find that there’s actually something for everyone here.
Recently, they changed their menu a bit to bring in some lunch items, such as their sandwiches, but they still have a wide selection of entrees for the carnivore, pescatarian, picky eater, and even the vegans. In fact, one of my BFFs who is a 14-​year-​long vegan loves going to LT for their hummus and veggie/​rice-​stuffed pepper entrée. Personally, I am obsessed with their salmon and rice entrée, or I could really eat the Chicken Fatteh or Eggplant Fatteh everyday. If you imagine Lebanese comfort food, Fatteh would probably be it. It’s even more amazing when pomegranates are in season… you’ll see why if you order it.
Overall, LT is fancy enough for a special occasion when you want something more than a kabob shop, but still need a nice ambiance and amenable waiter service without paying too, too much. With non-​alcoholic drinks, an appetizer, and two entrees for two people, our bill typically runs about $ 50.
Why not five stars? Their desserts are seriously lacking.