Alshami Restaurant — Restaurant in Bailey's Crossroads

By far, the worst service of any restaurant I’ve been to in the DC area. I went for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I understand it was busy, but that doesn’t mean the following had to happen when not even all tables were full: -had to wait ten minutes to be seated, even when some tables were empty. -had to flag several servers to come to me just to take my order, after waiting another 10-15 minutes. -first the wrong food came out, then my entree. Appetizers came out long after I was done eating my entree. So I got my chicken shawarma sandwich, finished it, then zaatar fries, finished it, and then hummus. Had to ask two different waiters to bring me bread, had to ask for silverware and napkins. -sandwich was alright (not cold but definitely not hot), fries were soggy and could definitely tell they were frozen before. Hummus was the only good dish I got. -I ordered a lemon mint smoothie, that should’ve been the first thing out but I had to ask literally four times for it to be brought out. After sitting for 40 minutes, I told my server just to give me my check if it’s not even ready yet. Miraculously, the smoothie came out two minutes later. I would’ve ordered desert, tea, and maybe another appetizer or dish but after the service I experienced, I just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.

I’m Syrian, have been to several other Syrian and middle eastern restaurants and have never had this poor of a service. I’m always understandable if it’s busy, but that doesn’t mean the quality of service has to be as bad as it was here. Probably never going to come back. Plus, why charge a “supplemental fee”? $40 for lunch for one person is already too high for this quality of service and food, I would’ve had a lot better experience at Illilli or Villa...

If you’re searching for the best Middle Eastern restaurant for authentic Levantine food, this place is a true hidden gem. The Syrian home-cooked flavors instantly reminded me of my mother’s cooking, only elevated and perfected.

We ordered the traditional Syrian Ouzi (صرر اوزي), filled with tender lamb pieces, pistachios, and fragrant spices. It was absolutely incredible. The Fatteh Lamb (فَتّه لحم) was rich, layered, and so comforting. Portions here are very generous. Each dish easily serves two people, making it perfect for families or groups.

The Tabbouleh salad was bright, fresh, and perfectly balanced, and the mixed platter of mezze dips including muhammara, hummus, mutabbal/baba ghanoush, and labneh was outstanding. Each dip was creamy, flavorful, and made with obvious care.

If you love Syrian or Lebanese food or just want some of the best Middle Eastern cuisine in the area, this restaurant is a must-visit. From the authentic recipes to the warm hospitality, it’s one of the few places that captures the real taste of Syria and Lebanon. Highly...

Date of Visit: November 2, 2025 We came for brunch and waited 30 minutes to be seated. Unfortunately, our table had to be moved three times due to a confusing and poorly arranged floor plan.

The food was a major letdown. Most serving trays were empty for almost an hour, and the fava beans were cold, hard, and undercooked. Despite staying and asking multiple times for 45 minutes, no tea was available. Croissant are from Costco or Walmart....., olives are out of the can not even washed and smelly, hummus is from can, old bread from freezer,......... list is long of disappointments.

Guests are charged upon entry, yet there was little to no food and no service. Even though it’s a self-serve setup, a tip is automatically added—which feels misleading.

Overall: Poor service No food available Unclean environment Not representative of Middle Eastern cuisine

Recommendation: Skip this place. It’s not worth your time or money. Disgrace to middle...