Albi
Middle Eastern restaurant · Near Southeast
1346 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23437848/Albi_dishes_credit_Rey_Lopez.jpg "Albi by Rey Lopez/Albi")
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22394649/Chateu_Musar_Rey_Lopez.jpg "Albi by Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.")
Highlights
Michelin-starred Palestinian restaurant with hearth-fired Levantine dishes
Michelin-starred Palestinian restaurant with hearth-fired Levantine dishes
"The 2024 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Chef Michael Rafidi manipulates smoke with a master’s touch, sending out dishes from the wood-burning hearth at his recently renovated, high-end Palestinian restaurant that have a way of commanding a diner’s full attention. The Maryland native’s tweaks dishes to incorporate peak produce — see the crab hummus decorated with sunflower shoots — but the snack-sized lamb meat pies with toum and lemon should never go out of style. Cocktails, desserts, and a lengthy wine list full of hard-to-find Eastern Mediterranean labels all rise to the occasion. An a la carte menu joins a new five-course “Sofra” menu ($145) that’s a surprise on the plate every night, plus $65-$95 beverage pairings. For something more affordable, head to sibling cafe Yellow, which expanded to Georgetown with fiery pies at night, and added a Union Market locale with lively Levantine bar La’ Shukran up top. Best for: Date night, larger groups, an arak cocktail, and everything in between" - Tierney Plumb
"James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Rafidi will be among those offering off-court delights." - Evan Caplan
"The restaurant whose chef Michael Rafidi was named Outstanding Chef in 2024." - Missy Frederick
"Prove to your parents that just because you’re eating instant ramen and PB&Js to cover your ever-rising rent, it doesn’t mean you forgot what good food tastes like (especially if they're paying). We love the $165 Sofra tasting menu, which is mostly served family-style and comes with fresh, charred pita bread that you’ll dream about long after you're back to your oodles of noodles. Reservations open a month in advance, and that's when you should book if you want to avoid the early bird 5pm dinner slot. Albi does offer walk-in seating at the bar, but you’ll miss all the action in the dining room and open kitchen." - omnia saed
"This Middle Eastern spot dishes out some of the most delicious food in Navy Yard, including its Sofra tasting menu, which is the correct choice here (unless you’re in a rush on game day). You'll get some of the best pita in the city and crunchy, build-it-yourself lettuce wraps with carrot and tuna filling. Albi has a buzz, mostly thanks to diners excitedly talking about their meals. It’s not the spot if you’re looking for a rowdy, drunken pregame, but it’s perfect for a more tame group catch-up before hitting the ballpark or heading out for the night. Reservations open a month in advance, and that's when you should book if you want to avoid the early bird 5pm dinner slot. Albi does offer walk-in seating at the bar, but you’ll miss all the action in the dining room and open kitchen." - tristiana hinton, mekita rivas
