ilili Restaurant
Lebanese restaurant · Waterfront
100 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
Highlights
Refined Lebanese dining with modern meze & garden-like ambiance
Refined Lebanese dining with modern meze & garden-like ambiance
"When you look around at this huge upscale Lebanese restaurant, the walls and ceiling will bring to mind a Mondrian painting, and you'll notice that an entire bowling lane (or two) could probably fit into the dining room. There's also a very long bar, and it's a great place to enjoy some arak alongside fattoush and duck shawarma. Come here when you know you'll have a large party, or when the headcount for an outing unexpectedly triples." - sonal shah, bryan kim, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, carina finn koeppicus
"This glass walled restaurant is one of the only reasons locals venture to the tourist-crowded Wharf, and eating at the plant-filled spot before a show at the Anthem or Arena Stage is always a good idea. We like to make a meal out of Ilili’s cold and warm mezze, ordering plates of traditional hindbeh and chankleesh along with citrusy olives and nutty mouhamara for the table. You’ll want to try at least two pours from their robust Lebanese wine list, perhaps starting with a Lebanese take on a blanc de blanc before moving on to a fuller cab sauv." - madeline weinfield
"Nestled in the heart of the Wharf, Ilili serves Lebanese-inspired dishes in a stunning space with big windows overlooking the boardwalk. A meal here is animated but not overwhelming, which makes it ideal for an elegant birthday brunch in which you can actually hear whoever’s giving the toast. In addition to the shakshuka, we like the swiss chard benedict with dukkah and roasted butternut squash, and the smoked lamb belly topped with pickled thyme chimichurri and fresh lemon. For a sweet treat, get Grandma Marie’s Lebanese toast, which decadently blends the flavors of poached figs, ricotta labne whip, and Lebanese syrup." - mekita rivas, omnia saed, tristiana hinton
"If you’re looking for warming drinks that don’t scream holidays, check out the winter cocktail list (all $19) at this Lebanese restaurant on the Wharf. If a bitter Negroni, the winter cousin to an Aperol spritz, wasn’t seasonal enough, ilili adds a shishito-infused mezcal that gives a little smoky, vegetal spice to the strong drink. Dates, which are still being harvested in December, add a little sweetness to a cognac and vermouth cocktail with a carob and date cordial. And if you’re reminiscing about the fall (and the early sunset is making you sleepy) Cinderella’s Midnight Fuel might be the drink for you, featuring bourbon, Creme de Moka, espresso, and a Levant pumpkin-spiced cordial." - Emily Venezky
"Ilili is a bustling Lebanese restaurant at The Wharf, known for its luxurious labneh, fluffy pita bread, and excellent grape leaves. The chic bar offers the same full-service experience as the dining room." - Tierney Plumb
