Zaytinya - DC

Review summary

1. SS

   ScottS VIP

   Washington DC27 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Dependably delicious with great and friendly service. Everything we ordered was very tasty and the waitstaff paced the meal well. Outside “dj” could make more pleasing selections and turn down the volume when the space is relatively empty.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Philadelphia1 review

   4.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Enjoyed our dinner, good food with a great ambiance and service for a reasonable price
   

   Zaytinya - DCResponded 1 day ago

   Thank you for the kind words. We look forward to hosting you again here or at another José Andrés Group restaurant soon!
   

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3. H

   Hannah

   New York City2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 1

   Food was outstanding, and the service was excellent. But good god, the noise level was absolutely unbelievable. It is mostly tile and there is literally nothing to absorb sound so it is an absolute cacophony. Forget about having any kind of conversation; I repeatedly had to ask our lovely server to repeat herself. I got maybe 30% of what she was saying and my dining companion gave up on asking her anything at all. It's not like we went expecting a library, but this is seriously one of the noisiest places I have ever eaten, and we decided that as awesome as the food was, we won't be going back. We just don't feel the need to go to a place where we have to spend the evening screaming at each other just to have a basic conversation. That said, if noise doesn't bother you, then I do recommend it for the food and service. The food was as wonderful as you'd expect, and the service was a very well-oiled machine, fast, efficient, and attentive. My companion had the mujadara meze and loved it, and then the lamb wrapped in homemade phyllo dough and it was fantastic (I had a bite). I had the dolmades which were very intense with sumac, and then the lamb kebab plate, perfect portion, not too large or skimpy, and perfectly cooked. I also want to note the bread and olive oil that were brought out to us before the meal, and may have even been the best part. The bread was some kind of pita, dusted in cornmeal and puffed up with steam like a football, and absolutely incredible. The olive oil laced with some kind of vinegar was top notch; seriously, we could have made a meal of just that. Neither of us drink, so I can't be much help with the cocktail menu, but people around us seemed to be enjoying theirs. I would love to give this place a higher rating, but honestly, the painful noise level is a real dealbreaker for me (and my companion). Maybe if they someday install some kind of sound dampeners I would come back, but for now, no.
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Mississippi1 review

   1.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Waiter was not interested in serving us. We had to get his attention for everything including drink refills while he just stared out the window. Was not interested in explaining the menu either. Called me his friend when he brought the check. We would never be friends. BTW - I asked for a receipt and never saw him again. Food was great…
   

   Zaytinya - DCResponded 1 day ago

   We regret to hear your expectations were not met and greatly appreciate your feedback. We always strive to provide the best guest experience and have passed this along to our team. If you'd like to send us an email at info.dc@zaytinya.c.., we always welcome additional feedback. We hope you'll join us again at Zaytinya so we can exceed your expectations.
   

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5. F

   Florence VIP

   Washington DC6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Amazing as usual! I’m a repeat customer, and this is my favorite restaurant.
   

   Zaytinya - DCResponded 2 days ago

   Thank you for all the support. We are so glad you had a wonderful experience. We loved hosting you and look forward to welcoming you again here or at another José Andrés Group restaurant soon!
   

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6. R

   Robert VIP

   Dallas17 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Food was unique. Service was very attentive. Only downside was the noise level was a bit high.
   

   Zaytinya - DCResponded 2 days ago

   We greatly appreciate your feedback and always strive to provide the best guest experience. We're so glad you enjoyed your meal and hope to host you again soon.
   

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7. A

   Alex VIP

   Phoenix33 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   The evening started off promising enough—the appetizers were flavorful, the salad and main course were decent, and the staff suggested we round out the meal with dessert, which we happily agreed to. We weren’t rushing through our courses, but we also weren’t dawdling; it felt like a typical dining pace for a place that prides itself on a full experience. Imagine our surprise, then, when—almost as finishing our dessert we’d been encouraged to order—our waitress approached and curtly informed us we needed to leave. Apparently, they had another reservation to seat, and our table was in demand. Now, I’m all for efficient service, but at no point during the reservation process, our arrival at the host desk, or even when we ordered that final course did anyone mention a time limit. It felt like a bait-and-switch: lure us in with the promise of a leisurely meal, upsell us on dessert, then hustle us out the door before we could finish it. The food itself? Perfectly ok—nothing I’d rave about, but solid enough to warrant a return visit if the service hadn’t been so jarring. Instead, I left feeling like a cog in their turnover machine rather than a valued guest. If they’re going to impose strict time slots, they need to communicate that upfront—not spring it on you when you’re barely done with a Turkish coffee and lemon sorbet. Decent food doesn’t make up for being treated like an inconvenience. Next time, I’ll take my appetite somewhere that respects both my time and my reservation.
   

   Zaytinya - DCResponded 2 days ago

   We regret to hear that your experience did not live up to expectations. We take our guests' needs seriously and have passed on this feedback to do better in the future. We also invite you to share more with us over email so we can exceed expectations if you'd give us to opportunity to host you again. Please email our management team at info.dc@zaytinya.c..
   

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8. H

   Heather VIP

   Washington DC10 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   Some food was delicious and some was not. So incredibly loud we could barely hear each other. Good service.
   

   Zaytinya - DCResponded 2 days ago

   We regret to hear your expectations were not met. We take great pride in our quality of ingredients and service and have passed along this feedback to our team. If you'd like to send us an email at info.dc@zaytinya.c.., we always welcome additional feedback. We hope you'll join us again at Zaytinya or at another José Andrés restaurant in the future.
   

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Central Coast1 review

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful experience, cocktails and food delicious! Service was awesome too.
   

   Zaytinya - DCResponded 2 days ago

   Thank you for the kind words. We look forward to hosting you again here or at another José Andrés Group restaurant soon!
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3

    We went all in for the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing. It was excellent. Our waiter was charming and available. It is a loud, vibrant space. I wish it was a little less loud and a little more intimate but that is of course prefernce. The support staff is everywhere, dropping off and picking up plates, filling water, replenishing bread. Only once did they mistime pick-up to remove a plate before we were done. Particular favourites included the cretan dakos salad, hommus, garides saganaki, saffron pilaf, steak mishwi, and lemony potatoes. Tapas can be tough if you're not sure what to get. The tasting menu was great. After a full day of being very thoughtful and on our feet at a couple museums, we only had to be mindful when enjoying each plate, not choosing it.
    

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    Zaytinya - DCResponded 2 days ago

    Thank you for the kind words. We look forward to hosting you again here or at another José Andrés Group restaurant soon!
    

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