Mama Ayesha’s

Hummus here is amazing! The rest of the food is really good as well, but the hummus here is an absolute must-​have.
A little price-​y for the area, but the inside of Mama Ayesha’s is absolutely gorgeous – a great date night spot. It was pretty quiet when we went, with only three or four other parties, which was a little awkward, but that’s not something the restaurant can help.
Service is excellent – the restaurant is still run by the grandsons of Mama Ayesha. A really cool, historic DC spot with great food!

My best friend came to DC w/​her husband. She always talks about missing her grandmother’s home cooked meals and tries to mock her recipes. She loved the food and complimented on how authentic it was. The food was delicious & customer service was great, too!

My expectations were really high when I went to Mama Ayesha for lunch, but the place didn’t fulfill them. My husband and I ordered a fatoush salad that was almost frozen-​cold, which I assume was sitting in the fridge for a while. The cucumbers and tomatoes were not fresh, and it didn’t taste good. The pickled vegetables were delicious although the portion was very small for its price, and the presentation was just too clumsy. We continued with kafta kebab over saffron rice which was my favourite item, the kebab was very hearty and tasty, the rice was nicely cooked but again the presentation on the plate was very sloppy. I ordered a fava bean paste specialty that was okay but our server didn’t bring any bread with it at first so we had to ask for it. They might also consider to serve an amuse-​bouche like pita with olive oil, or zaatar since the menu has lots of spreads and saucy entrees. Overall, I believe they are big in kabobs and middle eastern specialties but they might as well work a bit on serving since the prices aren’t so cheap.

I can’t believe I’ve never been here before! It is tucked away in between Adams Morgan and Woodley Park — and on a residential stretch. But a great find! The portions were a bit small for the price — but wonderfully executed. The best? Stuffed cabbage rolls were not what we expected — they were better! We loved the hummus that came with lamb as well :)

the food is good. I like the lamp slank. The restaurant environment is mideastern. It’s a nice place.

Hummus, Hummus, Hummus. I could (and have) made myself sick on the stuff – but it’s all my fault.
The exterior of the building gives absolutely nothing away about the interior: pretty, dark, romantic, but accessible.
Depending on your standard for «authenticity» you may or may not be swayed, but Mama Ayesha’s offers solid, reliable food. The hummus is very good, and for my money, this is where I satisfy the falafel-​craving (not that abomination that is Amsterdam Falafel). Also, I’ve tried time and again to make mujadarah at home, but never get it exactly right. So I find my comfort here instead.

Been there a few times. Couple of them for large birthday parties. Accommodating and patient staff. Delicious Arabic food. Good size portions, good prices. Not a bad place for kids.
Their mahashi sampler is delicious along with their grill sampler.

Highlights:
Service and Food were amazing!
I would recommend the Reeash.
Parking is a nightmare.
I recently went here for one of my friend’s birthday and when my other friends and I looked at the menu, we were completely lost. Looking through other Unilocal reviews and pictures, my friend decided on the Reeash. After he had ordered it, my other friend and I followed suite and ordered the exact same dish as well. Everyone was super satisfied with their lamb chops. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked and not to mention melt in your mouth delicious. Also the garlic mashed potatoes with fresh cracked pepper and salt were really good too. Even though we were with a party of 14, the service was really attentive and friendly.
I gave it 4 stars because I couldn’t give it 4.5 stars due to the parking situation. Parking at this place is terrible on a busy Saturday night. It took us 45 minutes to find parking on the other side of the bridge and then another 15 minutes to walk to the restaurant in 45 (Fahrenheit) degree weather, but the food made it worth the time and effort to get to the restaurant.

Authentic Palestinian food (attested by our Palestinian dining party).
Really good food, (see below)
Good food service, (attentive and prompt)
not so great parking (street parking and nearly impossible to find) The lot right next to the restaurant is NOT for the restaurant)
in a small, well-​decorated space — small space with a bar and water feature along the walkway which divides the dining area in half. dark red walls with booth and regular table seating.
The FOOD
Starters
Hummus — all other hummus is ruined for me
Baba ganouj –My favorite of the night
Labneh –strained yogurt omg forget Greek yogurt (loved by all)
Sujok — Spicy sausage deliciousness (hubs favorite)
Fattoush– this was ok, but everything else was so good that this was outshined
Taboullah-​yum! Again something of the other stuff was too delicious for this to stand up against
Kibbeh– good
Falafel– good
Musakan –Half baked chicken, bread Sumac and sautéed onions– ok, but the onions tasted different than what we were expecting
Bamya
Okra lamb stew with tomatoes –yum! Finally another dish with okra other than fried or Cajun
Makloobah
Spiced rice with chicken and carrots and cauliflower — very good and a more perfumey than biriyani if you need a comparison
We had the combo plate-​Mushakal Mahashi 20 That had all of the stuffed specialties below:
warak inib (Stuffed Grape Leaves, Ground Lamb, Lemon, Rice),
Malfoof (Stuffed Cabbage, Ground Lamb, Lemon, Rice),
koosa (Stuffed Yellow Squash, Ground Lamb, Rice, Tomato Stew)
These were tasty but our favorites were the kabobs and starters
Dessert
Esh il afoor– phyllo rolled with pistachios
Yum!!!
There was also a cheese dessert with ice cream — good stuff
Will come again and again

Wow! Mama Ayesha’s is an establishment and for good reason. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant, with cool lights and décor that many of the Unilocal photos have captured. But the food is always how I justify my rating and I had no complaints! My friend and I split the fava bean appetizer, served with warm pita bread. That was just okay — no complaints but probably not worth the $ 7. However, the lamb shank absolutely BLEW ME AWAY. The meat itself was so tender — I practically didn’t even need to touch my knife. Plus, too often the side vegetables at places like these are oversalted and bland — that was not the case here. The green beans were delicious even on their own, not that you had to eat them alone as there was also buttery rice with tomato sauce.
As many of the other reviews captured, this place is a bit more expensive than your traditional Mediterranean place. But hey, the occasional $ 20 splurge for the best lamb shank you’ll ever have is worth it!

Highly recommend!!! Warm cozy décor, excellent service, and delicious food at reasonable prices… who could ask for more! If you like Mediterranean food, you will love this place! Everything is so fresh and yummy, from the cocktails, wine, and appetizers all the way through to dessert. Excellent coffee too! Amir was super awesome!!!

This is the best Mediterranean food in the district point blank. I have been coming here for over 20 years and the food is absolutely consistent.
The best lamb shank and humus you can get.
Mixed grill is also a favorite.
No point in even visiting another Mediterranean restraunt, mama’s will not disappoint.

Not sure where to begin… best hour spent during my entire DC trip.
Get you fix with the monuments, then visit one of the best part of our capitol’s history with the staff and incredible food at Mama’s.
I felt right at home!!! Simply amazing —
Drinks: 5 stars (finally, a properly muddled Old Fashion)
Food: 5 stars — I wasn’t even that hungry, but I ate nearly every bit!
Service & atmosphere: Beyond measure
I cant wait to come back to DC, just to visit Mama’s again!

Very disappointed with the food here, where to start…
First the booth seats. Man they were filthy. They need to consider a serious remodeling job. They’re old and dirty and have stains all over them. Not appetizing. I should have just given up on the place based on that, but I wanted middle eastern food so badly tonight :(
Then the food prices. Unilocal needs to change the price rating for this place from «$$» to «$$$». It’s basically fast food quality (or worse) for $ 20 entrees.
The food itself. We ordered the kibbeh, the halloum grilled cheese, mloukhiyeh, and lamb shank. Only the kibbeh was acceptable. The mloukhiyeh, while ok, is really not the real thing, although I appreciate the effort that they attempted this on a menu. I’ve never seen it in other middle eastern places in the US.
I’m only giving 2 stars — not 1 — because the server and the lady at the front desk were nice.
I will never eat here again, sorry. No idea why anyone would pay such high prices for this.

A cool and beautiful oasis in DC, with super comfortable booths to better snuggle up to your sweetie! The pleasing décor and spacious design make you forget you are in the hot and sweaty unforgiving city and instead you feel like you are on a carefree holiday abroad.
My Syrian/​Palestinian boyfriend and I loved the authentic stuffed grape leaves and lamb kabobs :) Just thinking about their baklava with their Arabic coffee makes my mouth water :) We were pleased with everything and loved the never-​ending bread bowl and their traditional, legendary hospitality.
Thank you Mama Ayesha’s for staying true to your amazing and legendary traditional recipes! We will be back soon!

Cute restaurant in Adams Morgan. The outside doesn’t look like much, but the inside is beautifully decorated. Parking is horrendous. It’s damn near-​impossible. Highly recommend you walk/​über.
My bf and I came here as a recommendation by one of his lovely aunts. She used to frequent this restaurant years ago and really thought it was something special. Now that we’ve tried it, we can definitely say we agree! We both enjoy mediterranean food quite often, but Mama Ayesha’s was truly unique.
Recommendations:
For starters, you MUST get the Kibbeh. So unique and delicious. This is an authentic dish that can’t be found everywhere. We also ordered a half-​order of the stuffed grape leaves. Yum!
For entrees, get the lamb shank! (Mouzat)
^ The bf loved that one. The meat fell off the bone.
If we’re ever in town again, I think we’d like to come back.

Very food Arab/​Syrian food. Somewhat of a DC institution; I think it’s been open 50+ years. Their hummus was excellent. Yes, it was $ 7, but it was no Sabra and not only was the bread hot, but more came without asking (and without an extra charge). I loved the Menzalah, which was eggplant and ground beef covered in nuts with rice. Service was very good, as it should have been as we were the only people there for a weekday lunch. That being said, they don’t offer a lunch menu, so you’ll be ordering off the pricey dinner menu at lunchtime.

Five stars for consistently amazing experiences!
Like eating from the table of my friend’s grandmother in Palestine! Iv’e been a customer for ten or more years, and always have the same waiter. Each time, the staff treat me like I’m visiting their home.
This place is great for a group! I love the family atmosphere and Hassan is always a charming and dapper server. The service may be a bit slower than in the chain-​style mediteranean restaurants, but the individualized attention and genuine pride in their dishes make it well worth the wait, in my opinion. The food here is more Palestinian/​Jordanian than Lebanese/​Syrian, and the subtle differences make me smile and remember my grad school days at Yarmouk University in Jordan:-) the indoor waterfall and plush furnishings seem to wrap around you leaving you esconced in glorious noise-​absorbing comfort. The painted ceilings, fretwork, pointed arches and candle-​lit chandaliers give the place an authentic feeling and encourage you to try something new and exciting that you’re sure you can’t pronounce. This is not a new restaurant; yet it is one with character and warmth difficult to find in the city.
The mixed mezza are wonderfully delicious– everyone loves hummus, but the pickled turnips and Helen’s salad and tabbouli are favorites of mine. (I love to pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, chenin blanc or one of the Ksara Lebanese white wine blends) For entrees, try the intricate Mahshi (stuffed) menu– whether grape leaves, squash, or (my favorite) the cabbage (malfoof) – these are so labor-​intesinve you’ll never be able to replicate at home. (I’d try a lighter, fruitty red, like pinot noir, or a tempranillo grenache blend, or malbec) The grill (mashwi) is great for more trepidacious eaters – it offers seared-​succulent lamb, beef, chicken, and salmon (I long for the days when they served grilled swordfish– this was the absolute best!) If your friend/​child/​partner is a picky eater (or afraid to try new things), relax – who doesn’t love grilled meat. Pair these with a true Zinfandel, Burgundy, or – if you’re into whites, try a brightly acidic Chenin Blanc or Pinot Gris)
If you prefer more hearty regionally specialized fare, try the manzala — a lasagna-​style layered dish with thinly sliced eggplant, thin piquant tomate sauce, and spiced ground beef and pine-​nuts… mmmmm… I feel like I’m back in Shmesani again! Mouzat and maklooba knock it right out of the park as well! Couscous is great, too. You’ll be surprized at how many complex flavor layers are mingled in each bite! (ask Hassan to recommend the perfect pairing with your choice)
If you’re loking for a bargain, this may not be the place for you; but if you’re looking for complex, multi-​layered flavors which taste like they come out of the kitchen of your grandmother in Palestine, this place will be right up your alley!

We were so pleased with our dinner at this venerable place. The chicken in garlic sauce was beautifully seasoned, fall off the bone good and probably better than what grandma cooks. The fried sardines were without doubt the best I’ve had; fileted perfectly, fried to a golden crisp, and swimming in lemons. The rishtaya (egg noodles and lentils) was plentiful comfort food perfection. Fatouch salad fresh and well balanced.
Come here for delicious food from a menu inspired from a real family.

Where do I begin? First of all, parking is a nightmare in this area. We called the restaurant ahead to see if we could park in their lot and they said you can park in the street and avoided answering the question. It took 20 or 30 min to find legal parking on a Friday night with 6pm reservation. We arrive and see that someone has parked there in the lot and we ask the host and he says if we want to take a chance then we can park. As the night continues it seems most patrons are parking in that lot that is supposed to be for the bus. I was irked but not enough to effect this review.
The service was slow. We were initially the only table for the first half hour and it was still slow. Oscar was our waiter and he was nice but he definitely doesn’t hustle.
The appetizers were fantastic. The falafel and fried eggplant especially.
I had the molokhaya but did not like it. They put a lot of chicken but doesn’t help. The rice was not good either and tasted rotten. I also had the fattoush but was also not impressed. There were too many beets in it.
My dad had the rice putting for dessert and he liked it. I did not because I have never enjoyed the taste of rose water so buyer beware.
For a party of six they added the tip into the bill.
They have coat hangers near the bathroom. There is a full bar. They take reservations. The food is hit or miss.
I will have to return to check some other items but for now given all the hype over this place, they are only three stars.