Moda Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in Chantilly

I had an absolutely terrible experience at Moda Café. First off, the service was unbelievably bad. When we arrived, we had to wait in the front, squished into a tiny area that doubled as the exit. It was chaotic, with people jumbled together, and the server didn’t even acknowledge us.

When we were finally seated, we were crammed into a table meant for five, despite being a group of six. The server didn’t seem to hear us or care, so I had to get up and ask for an extra chair myself since I didn’t want to grab one from another table. Meanwhile, there was a perfectly good couch table available, but we weren’t given the option. On top of that, the table design was awful—there was a weird middle section that made it impossible to scoot in properly, so I was uncomfortable the entire time. To make things worse, I was stuck right behind another person eating, meaning I couldn’t scoot in properly or get out without bumping into someone. This is a huge restaurant—why is everything so cramped when there’s plenty of space to arrange tables better?

The service only got worse. The server took forever to take our order, and when she finally did, she told us we were looking at the wrong menu because the one online wasn’t updated for suhoor. If you’re going to be open during those hours, at least update your online menu! Since we had to switch menus, we needed more time, which meant even more waiting.

When we finally tried to order, half the items we wanted were out of stock. Instead of telling us upfront what was unavailable, the server made us go through the process of choosing items just to tell us we couldn’t get them. When we asked what was available, she literally said, “I don’t know, go check the dessert station yourself.” At that point, it felt like we were being trolled.

The food was just as disappointing. The mini strawberry cake was lukewarm and melted immediately. The mushroom omelet wasn’t even an omelet—it was just a fried egg with mushrooms thrown on top. Who thought that was acceptable?

• 2 Strawberry Cakes → $10 each → $20 • 3 Iced Lattes → $6 each → $18 • Saffron Rose Tea → $10 • Mushroom Omelette → $10 • Lemonade → $6 • Tip → $4

Total before tax: $68

With a 6% VA sales tax, my total should have been $71.84, including the $4 tip, but I was charged $77. That means there were extra fees they didn’t mention—hidden charges that weren’t disclosed anywhere. Definitely check your receipt because they might be adding fees without telling you. With terrible service, bad food, and hidden charges,...

The food was delicious (the Turkish manti was lovely and very fresh), and the atmosphere was unbeatable. It felt like I’d walked out of northern Virginia into a fashionable cafe in a swanky part of Istanbul. The menu is entirely halal and alcohol-free. Menu items are clearly labeled for dietary needs/preferences, but more on that later.

I reserved a table online through Google for a Saturday night. We were running a little late, and I called to let them know. When I called they did not have my reservation in the book, and when I explained that I had made it online they said, “Oh, we don’t use that.” So not great, but they said that a table would be ready for us shortly, took my name and number and were otherwise very polite.

When we arrived, we got a table along the bench in the front area where we had a full view of the dining room and the pastry counter. Perfect for people watching, and we were not disappointed! It was a truly international crowd, with families gathered for birthday celebrations, young people drinking tea and working on assignments, groups of men having animated conversations, women enjoying a meal together, couples, and all kinds of people.

Service was prompt without feeling rushed, and while polite, they weren’t falsely friendly. They were efficient and mostly left us to enjoy ourselves. My partner has celiac disease, which we told our waiter right away. Menu items were labeled as gluten free, and my partner ordered a dish labeled as such. Unfortunately, when it arrived, the meat was laid on a bed of bread. We alerted our waiter immediately, he apologized and offered a quick solution.

The rest of the meal went smoothly, and I only wished we had brought our backgammon game or cribbage board so that we could continue to sit and people watch. We didn’t feel rushed to leave and it felt like we could have sat there until closing time. We actually had to ask for the check rather than having it dropped on our table as a rude hint to leave as happens in so many American restaurants.

From my experience, I imagine the average rating is 4.3 stars because the service is not obsequious and falsely-friendly the way it is in so many American restaurants. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was unbeatable. I will definitely go back to enjoy the people watching, and I will bring a pack of cards or a game board to sit and enjoy the space over a...

Our experience at this Turkish café was truly delightful, and the desserts left a lasting impression.

The ambiance was inviting, featuring elegant rose gold design elements, colorful tiles, and hanging plants, with the café's logo prominently displayed throughout. Despite the bustling atmosphere, we were seated after a brief wait, and the service was generally satisfactory. We particularly enjoyed the pistachio mini cake with chocolate, which was notably balanced in sweetness, complemented by pistachio pieces layered within the cake. The mixed berry sponge roll cake, filled with cream and berries and topped with a syrup-glazed strawberry, was also pleasantly subtle in sweetness. The hibiscus iced tea was refreshing, while the Ayran, a yogurt drink, offered a unique, pleasantly salty flavor.

To enhance the experience for future visitors, we have a few suggestions: implementing a waiting list where customers can note their arrival time or a system that informs them of the estimated waiting time could be beneficial. Additionally, labeling the cakes and desserts in the display fridge with names and prices would give customers a clearer idea of their options. Lastly, for those unfamiliar with certain menu items, having matching images on the online menu could greatly assist in making informed choices.

Update: 10-17-2025 Moda Cafe & Restaurant in Chantilly is known for its contemporary decor, varied Turkish and Mediterranean menu, and friendly atmosphere. Its dishes highlight authentic flavors, generous portions, and fresh, healthy, and delicious salads. The elegant, spotless interior features modern lighting fixtures. The bakery at the entrance offers a wide array of tempting cakes and desserts in a glass display that immediately draws attention. Their desserts leave a lasting impression.

We enjoyed lunch there, with excellent service and attentive staff. The lentil soup had a wholesome flavor, and we especially appreciated the quinoa salad with avocado for its freshness and health benefits. The grilled branzino fillet was cooked perfectly, and the high-quality Adana Kebab was served. We shared a moist tres leches cake with a café latte for dessert—its balanced sweetness made it a...