Restaurant
Ben’s Chili Bowl
A family-run U Street institution since 1958, serving its original half-smokes and chili from a building that was once a silent cinema.
Zaytinya
José Andrés's Penn Quarter mezze restaurant, bringing together Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cooking in a large, bright dining room made for sharing.
At a glance
- Type
- Turkish, Greek and Lebanese mezze
- Area
- Penn Quarter, Washington DC, United States
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- zaytinya.com
Good to know
- Mezze sharing plates
- Private dining
- Terrace
- Online pickup and delivery
Why we recommend it
Zaytinya is a mezze restaurant directed by the chef José Andrés, and its Washington dining room at 701 9th Street NW in Penn Quarter is the original of a brand that now also has restaurants in cities such as New York, Las Vegas and Miami. The menu draws on the cooking of Turkey, Greece and Lebanon, served as small plates to share.
The format works best with a group. Order a selection of mezze for the table, then add more as you go. The grilled octopus Santorini, served with marinated onions, capers and yellow split pea purée, is one of the restaurant's best-known dishes. The cocktail list follows the same region, with drinks such as the 3 PM in Istanbul, made with tea-infused vodka, Aperol and citrus. The restaurant has also published its own cookbook of Mediterranean recipes.
Because the plates are small, the bill depends a lot on how much you order, which makes it flexible for different budgets. A light lunch of a few mezze is easy here, as is a long dinner.
Book through the restaurant's website, which lets you choose the Washington location, party size, date and time. Evenings later in the week are busy, and booking a few days ahead is sensible for a group. Zaytinya also offers online pickup and delivery in Washington. For events, there are several private spaces, including a mezzanine, a bar and a terrace, and the restaurant can be booked out for between 100 and 300 guests.
It suits groups of friends, families with older children and anyone who likes to try several dishes rather than commit to one. Allow an hour to 90 minutes. Because dishes arrive as they are ready, it helps to order in rounds rather than all at once, so the table does not fill up and hot plates stay hot. Ask your server how many plates to start with for the size of your group, and leave room to add a few more later.
The restaurant is in Penn Quarter, within walking distance of the National Mall and the downtown museums, and easy to reach by Metro from most parts of the city. It makes a sensible lunch or dinner stop on a day of sightseeing at the east end of the Mall.
Zaytinya FAQs
What kind of food does Zaytinya serve?
Turkish, Greek and Lebanese mezze, served as small plates to share.
Who is behind Zaytinya?
The restaurant is directed by chef José Andrés.
What is the signature dish?
The grilled octopus Santorini, with marinated onions, capers and yellow split pea purée, is one of the best known.
How do I book?
Reservations are made through the restaurant's website.
Does Zaytinya do takeaway?
Yes. Online pickup and delivery are available in Washington.
Can it host large groups?
Yes. Private spaces include a mezzanine, a bar and a terrace, with buyouts for 100 to 300 guests.
Where is it?
At 701 9th Street NW in Penn Quarter.