Nabiha Restaurant & Cafe — Restaurant in Washington

I read about this spot in an article and the story really resonated with me. I wanted to support a local Palestinian business, and really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, there were too many things to overlook, but it all really stemmed from what appears to be a lack of effort. The ambiance and decor was great, and service was good. But that’s really where the pros end. Cons: (1) we ordered the Villagers’ Salad, which was ~$15. It was tiny, and about 50% onion, and even the mint was just dried mint sprinkled on top. (2) We asked the waiter if the labneh sandwich came with fries and pickles, as the other sandwiches did, and she said yes so we ordered it. When it arrived, there were no fries. We asked the waitress about it, she checked with the owner, and came back apologetically saying she made a mistake and fries were not included. Mistakes happen but a restaurant that cared would comp a table with fries because of the misunderstanding. (3) The pita is not made in house. The falafel seemed to come from a box, or a mix. The kafta lacked flavor, possibly also pre-made. In fact, it’s clear that very few of the dishes are made in house. Which is a shame, because the dishes, and Palestinian culture, deserve better. (4) As lots of reviewers mentioned, the portion sizes are tiny. Which is fine, it’s mezze-style, but at the price point… Everything costs about 50% more than you’d expect for upscale DC mezze fare. Coupled with the fact that the food was bland and not entirely made in-house, I’m not sure what we’re paying for.

Anyway, it was a disappointing experience, and an expensive one. With some more care and thought about what they actually want to do here, I think this could be...

It is with a heavy heart that I rate Nabiha poorly, but the service was probably the worst I’ve had in my life. I understand they had a big table at the same time that took up a lot of their time, but no customer should wait 50 minutes to order food, especially after being told we have the table for only 1.5 hours. The couple behind us almost left after 20 minutes of waiting, but they were convinced to stay and treated with a free bottle of wine. My only regret is that I didn’t speak up about our preposterously long wait to order. When the server finally made it to our table after numerous failed attempts to make eye contact with her, she did not apologize for the wait. I would have appreciated at least a simple “sorry for the wait.” The mloukohiay and bamia were quite good, almost as good as my grandma’s, but the portions were too small for the cost. I was going to bring my dad here when he visited DC to have a taste of our treasured home cooking from back home, but after that experience I stayed away. I really wanted to like this place, especially with the great music that brought me back to my childhood in Syria. I didn’t take pictures of the food as I might have done normally, because I was too disappointed and just wanted to finish and leave. I will say the falafel is actually the first I’ve had in the US that is cooked properly, not dense and soft, but light and crispy as...

A Home Away From Home

Nabiha DC is hands down one of the most special places I’ve ever been to. I randomly ordered the fattet jaj one night, and now I can confidently say it’s my favorite dish in the world. Every bite is packed with love, and you can feel the passion behind every plate they serve.

What truly blew me away was how the staff kept the kitchen open late just to accommodate me and my friends. That kind of hospitality is rare, and it made us feel so cared for. The vibe here is unlike anything else it genuinely feels like home. Cozy, welcoming, and full of stories.

You can tell this isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a space filled with heritage and soul. Every detail in the decor has history behind it, every corner holds a piece of the story, and it's all so authentically Palestinian. I could honestly sit here for hours, just soaking in the atmosphere and chatting away.

I find myself here about three times a week...sometimes just to enjoy the calm, friendly environment. It’s a space where anyone can be themselves. Whether you’re with family, friends, or just enjoying your own company, you’ll feel like you belong.

Nabiha DC isn’t just a restaurant it’s a love letter to culture, community, and comfort. Can’t...