Ottoman Taverna

4.6

1412 Reviews

$30 and under

Turkish

Top Tags:

Ottoman Taverna provides flavors and dishes from the Turkish cuisine. Enjoy house made kebaps, dips, hot mezes, desserts and more at our Turkish restaurant. Ottoman Taverna has been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand status since opening in 2017.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 29, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 66 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(202) 847-0389

Other options

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Turkish, Mediterranean
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:45 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(202) 847-0389
Website
https://ottomantaverna.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Mustafa Essizoglu
Catering
Catering menus are available upon request
Private party facilities
Ottoman Taverna features the Sultan’s Table (Chef’s table) with 12 seats. We have 3 private dining rooms, with the smallest accommodating 30 people and the two largest combined seating 90.
Private party contact
Felicia Ruffino: (202) 847-0389

Location
425 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Neighborhood
Mount Vernon Square
Cross street
4th and I Street NW
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
The restaurant is situated in between Judiciary Square and Chinatown metro stations in Mount Vernon Triangle along the red, green and yellow lines.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

The Best Restaurants in Washington D.C.

Popular dishes

Hummus$9.95
Chickpeas Spread with Tahini, Lemon Salt, Olive Oil & Pine Seeds
Haydari$9.95
Fresh Labneh Yogurt Flavored with Mint, Dill, Olive Oil & Walnut
Atom$9.95
Garlic-Yogurt, Celery & Sundried Chili
Ezme$9.95
Sundried Tomato Paste with Onion, Green Pepper, Garlic, Parsley & Turkish Spices
Pembe Sultan$9.95
Beets, Labneh Yogurt, Garlic, Olive Oil
Muhammara$9.95
Red Pepper Spread with Walnuts & Olive Oil
Çiğ Köfte$9.95
Six Pieces of Bulgur-Wheat Kofta with Tomato Paste, Red Peppers, Turkish Spices
Moutabal$9.95
Charred-Eggplant, Yogurt, Tahini, Garlic, Olive Oil
Imam Bayildi$12.95
Roasted Eggplant Stuffed with Tomatoes, Onions, & Olive Oil

Hot Meze

Sigara Böreği$11.95
Feta Cheese, Onions & Parsley Wrapped in Homemade Dough
Patates Köfte$11.95
Potato Cakes with Crumbled Feta & Yogurt Sauce
Anatolian Dolma$13.95
Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice, Pine Nuts & Raisins, with Yogurt Sauce
Falafel$12.95
Chickpea-Vegetable Fritters with Yogurt Sauce
Butter Shrimp$14.95
Sundried Chili & Turkish Spices
Içli Köfte$14.95
Bulgur Wheat Stuffed with Ground Lamb & Beef, Onion, Walnuts & Parsley
Brussels Sprouts$9.95
Caramelized Onions, Garlic, Pine Nuts, Orange, Red Cabbage, Cream, Red Peppers, Lemon Juice

Soups & Salads

Red Lentil Soup$9.95
Red Lentils, Onions, Carrots, Potato
Shepherd Salad$14.95
Chopped Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Onions, Green Peppers, Walnuts, Parsley, Lemon Dressing
Greek Salad$14.95
Romaine Hearts, Beets, Red Onion, Olives, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Feta Cheese, Lemon Dressing

Meze Platters

Cabbage, Cream, Red Peppers, Lemon Juice

Cold Meze Platter$23.95
Hummus, Pembe Sultan, Muhammara, Atom, Haydari, Moutabal
Hot Meze Platter$23.95
Sigara Boregi, Falafel, Patates Köfte, Icli Köfte

Chef's Mixed Grill

Chef's Selection of Kebaps for Two Guests $64.95. Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) and Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

Lamb Chops
Köfte
Chicken Şiş
Adana Kebap
Lamb şiş

Beef Kebaps

Döner Kebap$24.95
Thinly Sliced Beef Döner Kebap Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
İskender Kebap$24.95
Thinly Sliced Beef Döner Kebap Served Over Toasted Pita Bread with Tomato Sauce & Yogurt
Adana Kebap$25.95
Char-Grilled Spicy Ground Beef Kebap Seasoned with Red Peppers & Spices. Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
Beyti Kebap$25.95
Char-Grilled Spicy Ground Beef Kebap Wrapped in Lavash Bread with Eggplant Puree. Served with Tomato Sauce& Yogurt
Inegol Köfte$24.95
Char-Grilled Ground Beef Kofta Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) and Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

Chicken Kebaps

Tavuk Adana Kebap$23.95
Chicken Kebap Seasoned with Red Peppers & Spices Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
Tavuk Beyti Kebap$23.95
Chicken Kebap Wrapped in Lavash Bread with Eggplant Puree. Served with Tomato Sauce & Yogurt
Tavuk Şiş$23.95
Char-Grilled ChickenCubes Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
Tavuk Köfte$23.95
Char-Grilled Ground Chicken Kofta Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served over PitaBread with Tomato & Yogurt Sauce

Ottoman Classics

Moussaka$21.95
Eggplant, Potato, Ground Beef, Bechamel Sauce & Kashkaval Cheese
Lamb Şiş$28.95
Char-Grilled Lamb Cubes Seasoned with Herbs & Served with Bulgar Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) and Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw
Grilled Lamb Chops$29.95
Thyme & Pepper Marinated Lamb Chops Served with Sautéed Vegetables & Smoked Eggplant Puree
Shrimp Casserole$21.95
Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Mint in Tomato Sauce with Kashkaval Cheese
Grilled Salmon$26.95
Char-Grilled Salmon Served with Mashed Potatoes & Sautéed Spinach
Kuru Fasulye & Pilav$19.95
White Beans Stew with Tomatoes, Onions & Green Peppers. Served with White Rice
Cauliflower Stew$19.95
Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Onions, Tomatoes, Carrots & Served with White Rice
Manti$21.95
Turkish Ravioli Stuffed with Ground Beef & Served with Garlic Yogurt and Anatolian Sauce

Sides

French Fries$5.00
Sautéed Vegetables$5.00
Plain Yogurt$5.00
Bulgur Pilav$5.00
White Rice$5.00

What 1,412 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.4Service
4.4Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
The food was great, they were slammed so it was a little hectic - we loved it. Will be back.
BG
BriGuy
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this place. Always go for special occasions.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I had a great time at this restaurant, and I would come back again in the future. The food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, and I felt at ease throughout my meal. I highly recommend this restaurant, and I look forward to returning soon!
M
Mehdi
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 17, 2023
overall3food3service2ambience5
Food (meat) was cold but high quality and tasty. Service was so enthusiastic initially and then disappeared.
s
shwn
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
Food was decent. The appnwas a little burned and had to send it back. The chicken sis is plentiful, but a little dry.
DA
DAks
Washington DC
12 reviews
vip
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
Good not great. Middle eastern food was not what we expected.
C
Chase
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was fantastic and food was delicious. Careful when sitting outside as you my be right in the sun.
r
ratedit
San Francisco
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
We had a large party celebration and the service was attentive and accommodating. Food was good and we enjoyed our dining experience here.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had the Ottoman Experience brunch on a Saturday. The food quality is very high and some plates, like the İnegöl köfte, are better than most in Turkey. The iskender kebab is so much better than “İskender” restaurant in Bursa where this dish originated. The fresh pide (flat leavened bread with cumin seeds on top) was very good, especially with muhammara and other small meze size ezmes (spreads). We enjoyed all of the staff, who either are mostly or all efficient, intelligent, friendly Turkish students at local colleges and universities. We have been to several Turkish restaurants over 12 years in this area and this is the best for the food, ambiance, and service. It was definitely expensive for brunch. Children are half price. Otherwise, get a la carte. The whole table must have the full brunch. The ambiance is great. Parking is a huge hassle in that area but there is parking a block away under the Safeway.
MH
MereH
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
We had a lovely time celebrating Mother’s Day early. We all had the tasting menu and were able to try a variety of dishes. The staff is very welcoming and efficient. The atmosphere is good and energetic but a bit noisy. Definitely recommend.
E
Eric
Chicago
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Lively atmosphere but not so loud you cannot hear conversation. The crowd is very diverse - all ages, all ethnicities, quite a few tables that were extended family groups. Food was quite good and a lot of wonderful choices. I did not care for our wine (it was one of the Turkish selections), but that is just personal taste. Service was solid and friendly. We were a large group (table for 8) which is always hard to deal with, but no complaints. I would certainly go here again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Pittsburgh
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 6, 2023
overall5food5service3ambience3
Great food, but it was very busy so the food took longer. Would come here again for sure.
GR
GonzaloR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A great experience in the city. Highly recommended. I’m going back soon. Very tasty and delicious food.
JM
JillianM
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 25, 2023
overall5food5service3ambience5
This place is incredible. The Tour of Turkey is a little bit pricey but the portions are perfect and the TASTE is beyoooond.
L
Lisa
Washington DC
16 reviews
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on April 25, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
This was my second time and i really enjoyed the entire experience. The food was great, service was gracious and responsive. The decor is wonderful and with beautiful fabrics, enabled my dinner companion and me to converse without shouting!
EG
ErhanG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Authentic Turkish food, very well done and presented.
b
b2k1973
Washington DC
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience3
Extremely loud. Not a good place for friends who haven’t seen each other in awhile to catch up. We could barely hear each other.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience4
Where’s the quality pita — warmed!?!? And where’s the amazing hummus? I expected a bit more from all the ambiance but the food was lackluster. The dolmas are okay but the stars are the Turkish coffee, the espresso martini (harum sultan), and the baklava.
JB
JackieB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Amazing and authentic Turkish food. We loved it so much we’re going back for a second round.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Whenever we dine in Ottoman, food is always good as expected. Our server was really nice and kind. I suggest you to dine in here to taste Turkish foods.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall1food2service2ambience4
Brunch was a let down. I will not be back. The bottomless mimosas were good but the food options were not good. The noise was just too much and it took 10 minutes for someone to come take our order. Then they brought the food out at weird times
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Great dining experience, food and ambience were great! Only issue was with the server having long hair, feels icky with hair being tossed around also lots of silverware and glass getting dropped by servers around.
AH
AydinH
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 19, 2023
overall4food2service4ambience1
Soup and food we ordered were cold. food is prepared in a hurry.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The staff are very kind and accommodating. Plus the food is amazing!
MR
MarinaR
Washington DC
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
La comida estaba excelente. El brunch es muy completo y el precio vale la pena.
G
Guest1
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on April 15, 2023
overall1food2service1ambience1
The place was very crowded, too noisy and the service was extremely slow. We took the all you can eat brunch but the portions were not only very small, served once, we could barely see our waiter and the food came very very slowly. Definitely very poor value for the money, will not go back and do not recommend especially for brunch
V
Vivek
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food and service. Definitely going back multiple times. The noise levels are high but only because everyone's having a great time
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall2food3service3ambience3
Friend retirement party First, upon arriving the lady at front desk said reservation was at 4:00 pm. I showed her email from open table that reservation was at 6:00 pm. Second, for a Michelin bib gourmand restaurant, giving paper napkins instead of cloth napkins is really a big let down. Food not exceptiional, bread given in the beginning wS hard and tasteless…
RR
RevRex
Washington DC
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience2
Ottoman Taverna demonstrated why they are no-more Michellin rated anymore. The shift to chase a volume business has resulted in sub-par food and an ambience that resembles sardines in a can.
A
Adarys
Washington DC
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4
Fixed price brunch need tweaking. Less items, better explained. Did not get soup or salad items.
TM
TahirM
Philadelphia
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on April 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nice open restaurant with a lively vibe. Attentive service with wonderful food at a very good price.
P
Ptash
Phoenix
181 reviews
vip
5.0
181 reviews
Dined on April 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Amazing food from a solid Turkish staff!! Courses are definitely large enough to share!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
34 reviews
vip
4.0
34 reviews
Dined on April 8, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience4
Love the food — service is a little spotty especially at busy times.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 8, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
I wouldn’t consider this place fine dinning, and perhaps that’s why my expectations were not met. The food was good, service could have been better. Portions were big enough to share.
H
Henastone
Washington DC
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on April 7, 2023
overall2food3service4ambience2
You can’t reach out to them by calling because their phone doesn’t work. And reception lady interrogates you about it. A weird experience. Food was average, service was good. I didn’t like mezes and the lentil soup. Portions are really small except the main course. Overall it was okay except reception part.
JO
JimO
Washington DC
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on April 7, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience1
Overall disappointing experience. The place is noisy, crowded, and you have to be really lucky to get a quiet, serene table ...ours was in the hallway next to one of the exit doors.
J
Jack
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food was terrific! Some of the “best ever ___” from our table. Service was solid, efficient. The main dining room got noisy where our table conversation required increased volume ourselves.
RP
RobertoP
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is my fist review. I can said that the service and the food was outstanding
H
Helen
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 1, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Excellent food at a fair price point - we did bottomless brunch and loved the opportunity to try many dips, warm meze and warm bread.
AA
AliA
Los Angeles
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on March 29, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
The food was delicious, although disproportional (the appetizers were kids size but the main dish was filling). Great service and vibe.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Ottoman Taverna does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now and Uber Eats. Ottoman Taverna also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 847-0389.

Ottoman Taverna is rated 4.6 stars by 1412 OpenTable diners.