Zenobia Lounge

Best hookah spot in DC. Very authentic for those who are from overseas. Devastated that they closed. No place like it.

One of the better hookah spots in DC. Service is excellent. The food is outstanding. And the prices are just right. There’s also a lot of space, including this outdoor seating area enclosed in glass that gives a good view of the sky. This is a great place to chill with friends or a date. The quality of food and hookah are top-​notch as well.

I’m so sad this place shut down. Hopefully they’ll be able to recover quickly and open up in the next month. I love this place for the atmosphere. I know people complain about the service and lots of other things, but in all honesty, this is the most authentic shisha place I’ve been to in DC. I like that I can go in on a Saturday afternoon with a good nook and enjoy the tea and shisha. The staff is friendly to me (but possibly because I’m a regular). I also do really enjoy the food and find it very authentic. I would definitely recommend the Fatteh Chicken and the Mezze for 2 (the Baba Ganoush is fantastic!). Just be aware that shisha is meant to be an intimate activity, so take you’re close friends and enjoy some lively conversation. They will leave you alone until you flag them down, but that’s part of the experience.

Zenobia Lounge was, overall, an OK place for hookah and one of your only real hookah options within DC (sadly). I did like that they have Middle Eastern decorations and literature up in the front (made the place seem more authentic) and we did enjoy the hookah, though it was SUPER harsh, even after adjusting the coals. I also didn’t really like the seating area. It was under this really dirty white shingle and didn’t feel clean/​classy. The long sitting area we sat on was a bit moldy and the atmosphere was a bit too crowded. We were seated right next to the door opening to the patio so there was a lot of foot traffic right near us (a bit scary, considering we had hot coals just inches away). Also, the dinner options did not sound super appealing. We went somewhere else in Georgetown instead. I’d go back for an afternoon hookah experience again (and it’s conveniently located in central Georgetown), but not for food and I would consider other hookah options in the future.

I would rate this place a zero if I could and here’s why:
I came here on a saturday night with a group of friends, about 6 total. We were told to wait inside. The waiter didn’t even say why he just said, «Sit here» but we assumed it was while a table outside became available. Inside was extremely hot, humid, sticky and uncomfortable. The table became available within about 10−15minutes. When we were seated we looked around for our waiter but no one was around. Within 10 minutes we asked one of the staff where our waiter was, he said he will be right with you. Mind you the place was not crowded. Another 10 minutes had gone by (total of 20 minutes now) and no one had come by our table to say «Im your waiter», no one brought us water, nothing. It was as if we didn’t even exist at this place. We were completely ignored, disrespected and treated extremely badly. We again asked the same guy where our waiter is and he said «what’s the problem.» We said, «We have been waiting for 20 minutes no one has come by.» His response was, «So…» We were pretty livid at this point. To think you go out and the staff treats their customers with such disrespect. We get up and leave and as we are walking out there are 5 guys behind the cash register hanging out. We tell them we haven’t been served and its been 20 minutes. There response was no better, as they said, «If you know good customer service you should open up your own hookah lounge.» Really? This conversation went on for a few minutes but the staff continued their disrespect towards us, their customers. Not even an apology for not getting served. I will never be going back to this place again.

I’m a big fan. The atmosphere is very authentic and the hookah smokes very well. They can be a bit strict about the number of people that can smoke one hookah but otherwise they have a variety of flavors. The best thing I can say about the place is the atmosphere is really conducive to conversations and feels like someplace you would find in the Middle East. I don’t recommend the good highly but their drinks and hookah are great.

I would give this place a zero if I could. A group of friends and I went in to enjoy some hookah and they turned us away because «we would take up too much space.» We had 8 people. So if we walked in 3−2−3 if wouldn’t be a problem?
Beyond just this policy, they addressed our group as if we were all stupid. Even if you enforce a policy, you shouldn’t talk down to your customers, especially when it’s an unusual policy.

This place has the worst service. We came with an 8 person group and they refused to serve us because on Thursdays they’re «busy.» We offered to break up into smaller groups and they still refused to seat us. If I could give them 0 stars I would.
This is literally the worst service I have received in my life.

This place is great. I loved everything about it! Great service, good food and great shisha. What more can I ask for? We originally went to place called Nomad or something but it was more like a club and it wasn’t comfortable. I was very happy to see that this café is well priced. (Except for the hummus with shawarma… why does that cost 8.99?). The atmosphere is great and overall I am very happy I spent my Saturday night here.

I’ve only been there early in the evenings and haven’t actually had any problems with service, but then again at max. I have seen 5 – 8 customers seated during that time. However, something that I strongly dislike is the fact that they add an 18% gratuity, that’s a really big pet peeve of mine and turns me away from coming back to a place. As far as their products are… I’ll cut the story short and say I have definitely experienced a lot better. They do not allow you to mix hookah flavors (I asked for Watermelon mint and was told that wasn’t possible… even though all you have to do is take a pinch of Watermelon-​flavored tobacco and another pinch of mint-​flavored tobacco, and viola you have watermelon mint. It doesn’t really require much work…). On my first visit, I had their cappuccino — which was an annihilation of the word cappuccino. There were coffee grounds, the espresso tasted like muddy water that had been placed out in the sun for two days, and the milk was not properly frothed. In fact, it was a dollop of foam with half of the cup filled with «espresso».
I believe in giving everyone and everything a second chance, so on my second visit I ordered the Double Apple and it was a huge disappointment; it tasted like synthetic essential oils combined with grass of some sorts. It was very low quality tobacco and supposedly it was Al-​Fakr. So, I don’t think I’ll be giving this place a third chance, although its proximity to my work is very enticing when I am in the mood to leave work early and relax with some shisha. I guess I’ll have to go to Prince’s Café — which I’m not too fond of but their Hookah is definitely better than Zenobia’s.
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I am afraid the comments about bad service are right on the money. Forget about getting seated there with five or more people in your group. The gentleman who often wears the Real Madrid Jersey is not even apologetic about it. When we said we’d sit outside he responded, «you can’t, I’ll close the garden after these people leave.» His disdain was only matched by His arrogance.

Worst customer service ever. I don’t recommend anyone to step a foot in here. I had 8 people in my group the guy refused to seat us because we are a big group and on the weekends they can’t do that. What kind of bull crap is that. I told him to split us 4 and 4 he said he can’t. Yet everyone else that was waiting was getting seats. I hope everyone reads this and doesn’t go there. If you have experienced such non sense please write about them and don’t ever go back not worth your buck

My friend and I stumbled upon this Syrian café Sunday night while walking around! We didn’t want anything too heavy as we came after a yoga class in gym clothes. This place wasn’t pretentious and the outdoor patio was filled with shisha smokers which makes this place great because it feels like a hangout café that’s appropriate to stop by at at any point in time.
Service wasn’t great but the food was good. I had the shish taook sandwich and friend had the kafta sandwich. For $ 8 it was not bad at all.
It’s also a bookstore filled with Arab studies and culture type topics. Shelves were empty when we walked in but I’m not sure if that’s because it was late or because its like that normally.

Great little place that takes me back to Gulf every time. I lives in Qatar and UAE for awhile and this little place reminds me of the great times I had with friends back then. Great hookah service.
Location is very small but offers great authentic food and drinks. There is an extensive library on various countries in the Gulf and Middle East. There are some great reads.
The IFTAR buffet is outstanding.
Definitely a place I would revisit.
Warning: This place is small but seems alot larger when the weather is good and the outside area is opened up. When the area is closed in, it can seem very claustrophobic. The seating looks a a little warn and could use a cleaning.
The servers can be very inattentive and you literally have to chase them down. Dont understand that at all. The place is so small… how could they miss anyone?
Restroom Alert: There is only one restroom that we saw. Its a small closet. Unisex usage. Ladies, dont count on having a spot for your purse. clutch it tightly while you do your business!
Love the Mint Lemonade.

WARNING: Check your receipt carefully as they add an 18% automatic gratuity.
I’ve eaten here only a couple times, and so infrequently that I can’t fairly comment on the food. However, I do enjoy the hookah here quite a bit. The tobacco they use is very high quality, likely Al-​Fakher or Starbuzz; Blackberry is my go-​to flavor.
Ask for the wide-​mouthed plastic tips; they change the flow of the smoke so it’s more evenly distributed, possibly mitigating harshness from overly heated tobacco. This is not based on science at all, by the way.
If I could change two things about the place, I would change:
1) the height of the bench along the wall. It’s so comically high that whoever is sitting across from you is forced to look at your chest. Maybe that’s the whole point.
2) the available space. It’s often a tight squeeze for the servers and guests to move past your chair, and you’ll often have people’s rear ends bumping into your head. Maybe that’s the whole point.
The last time I was there they seemed to be doing something with the adjoining property to open up the space. I promise to update after my next visit.
On nice evenings, they open up the sliding roof, making Zenobia one of my favorite places to enjoy good company, hookah, and some tea.

I have mixed feelings:
Pros:
— Tons of Arabic literature that you can read and enjoy.
— Food options are available from kabobs to sandwiches plus desserts.
— Hookah is cheap
— Décor is awesome
— Large outdoor patio for both small and large parties of people
— Georgetown! Must I saw more?
Cons:
— Stuffy inattentive servers
— Hookah made me nauseous. Turns out it was the flavor we chose instead of it being the hookah itself. Apparently lemon mint is a heavy flavor according to my boyfriend who smokes the stuff pretty frequently. (He’s Persian…)
— Bathroom on the main floor needs paper towels instead of a roll of toilet paper to dry your hands… come on! Quit being cheap. It isn’t the cleanest either.

I’m giving this restaurant 4-​stars for the environment more than the food (which I would give 3 stars). I loved the books that lined the walls. Many were in Arabic, but others were in English for those two cannot read Arabic, spanning everything from Arabian horses to Arab world leaders to Ancient Egypt.
The chicken Shawarma was good, as was the Kebsa. Not exceptional, but good.

Zenobia is a hidden gem off the main craziness that is M Street in Georgetown. I’ve been here twice so far, and have had two different experiences — however, the service stays the same — subpar. From reading everyone else’s reviews, I think that you should come to the conclusion to just expect subpar service. That being said…
The first time I came here, we were seated inside. The outside section was completely full. We ordered a Nutella and Banana crêpe to share, which was delicious. Seriously, you can’t screw up anything with Nutella! The rest of their menu looked delicious, and I really want to go there for lunch or dinner one day.
They have a TON of hookah flavors. They also have premium hookah flavors with real fruit? I’m not sure what that means, but we tried the regular both times that we went. The first time, we got double apple, and the second time, we got grape. They were both really good. They will not tend to your hookah — once they bring it, and your food if you ordered any, you’ll have to get a search party for your waiter/​tress. So, I guess some basic hookah knowledge is needed, but it’s nothing that we couldn’t handle.
The second time that we went, we were seated outside, and it was a totally different ambience. Inside, the lights were harsh, and it would loud. It was a lot more chill outside. They have fans and heat lamps for the elements.
They sell books and trinkets, so if you need anything Middle Eastern, I’m pretty sure that you can find it there. Like the 3 star description says, this place is A-​OK, and I’ll be back!

This place is unusual: it’s one of my favorite places in DC, yet fiercely mediocre in a number of ways. This doesn’t stop me from spending far more money than necessary here more often than I responsibly should, but in the interest of truth, there are some things I want to warn potential newcomers about.
The service is friendly but slow. Not your standard «this is a nargile bar so we’ll leave you to your own devices for prolonged periods of time» slow, but the kind of slow where you want to set off signal flares to get the waiters’ attention. This is equally true whether it’s a packed house for the weekend or you’re the only table there.
The food is generally excellent, sometimes not — consistent really only in its inconsistency. Sometimes you’ll bite into Kafta and fall mouth-​first into a delicious, delicious wormhole to the Levant. Sometimes, your fillings will be cold, your pita stale, and everything just generally disappointing you. Nonetheless, as long as you order the mint lemonade, you will retain the will to live for the duration of the time it takes you to assemble a search party (including floodlights and bloodhounds) for your waiter. The check he brings you will make you weep. But if the kitchen was having a good day, it’s totally worth it.
The shisha is FABULOUS, with an excellent array of flavors and equipment in vastly better shape than the other local standby, Prince Café. It’s pricier than you’d want it to be, but hell, it’s Georgetown. Everything except air and sidewalk space is pricier than you’d want it to be, and that’s only until they figure out how to monetize those two things. The back porch, aka the only place you’re allowed to smoke, is in desperate need of a renovation, but it has a kind of vintage charm to it.
The book selection is dated, but enjoyable nonetheless. I approve.
Verdict: need someplace to crash while you write a paper about water politics in Israel? Want to unwind after a movie (but never before, because you’ll miss the first 15 minutes?) Desperate to impress your date with facts about tasty Turkish coffee? Don’t get any Arab news channels on your home TV and need to keep up to date? Is money no object? Come. Stay. Enjoy.

Why/​When I tried it
My girlfriend actually recommended this place after going there with her friends a few times before.
Location/​accessibility
Located in on 31^st St in Georgetown, it’s generally within walking distance of GU and GWU. It’s also nicely accessible via bus (MetroBus and Circulator) and the trails down by the Potomac River if you happen to prefer biking. Like the rest of Georgetown you can’t really metro there very easily and the closest stop is either Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn (orange/​blue), but both require some walking!
Atmosphere
I’ve never actually traveled to the Middle East, but I’m told Zenobia has an authentic Middle Eastern feel to it. Inside features a library-​looking café with plenty of Arabic-​themed books for perusal and possibly purchase (although I’m not sure about that). Outside, there are about 25 – 30 small tables, plenty of hookah smoke in circulation, music (radio), and Arabic-​language news on a big screen TV.
Menu/​pricing
Offers a wide variety of hookah flavors, food, and coffees/​teas. The hookah was about $ 13 and it comes with two coals, while the sandwiches ran about $ 7. The drinks, in particular the Mint Lemonade was about $ 6. I note that you need to order the platter version of sandwiches to get side dishes included, however sides are available on the side too. I would also mention that 18% gratuity is included on all checks, so consider that when you get your check.
Food
I don’t really care for hookah, but my girlfriend ordered the Blackberry flavored coals and had great things to say about it. I ordered the beef shwarma, which was delicious. It reminded me, as have other restaurants I’ve reviewed on here, of Eastern European street food, which I absolutely love. The fries (ordered separately) tasted like bowling alley fries, but strangely fit nicely with the rest of the meal/​atmosphere. My girlfriend’s mint lemonade was unique and tasted good, while her falafel and hummus sandwich was actually really wonderful…
Service
The service seemed a little disorganized, either by design or by accident. I don’t think we saw the same server twice throughout the meal. One waitress took our drink orders and another brought the drinks out. Another waitress took our food order, but a waiter brought it out, etc.
Grading
The food was really good, but I felt the portions were a little small for me. Nevertheless, I would definitely go back for more. The service seemed disorganized, which slightly detracted from the overall experience when we had three different servers asking us if we’ve already ordered. Overall, I give Zenobia 3 stars.