Mejana - Lebanese Cuisine

If you're looking for authentic Lebanese cuisine in Northern Virginia, MeJana in Arlington is an absolute gem. The food is consistently outstanding and truly captures the flavors of Lebanon. Everything we tried was fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. The mezza selections are fantastic, the grilled dishes are perfectly seasoned, and you can tell the ingredients are high quality. But the real highlight for me was the knafeh (kenefe) -- easily one of the best I've had. Warm, perfectly sweet, with that ideal balance of crispy and creamy that makes this dessert unforgettable. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is attentive, and the overall experience feels both authentic and special. Whether you're going for a casual dinner or introducing friends to Lebanese cuisine, MeJana is a place you'll want to come back to again and again. Highly recommended! Special thanks to Mr. Azar for being such a gracious and outstanding host--his hospitality truly makes the experience even more memorable.

Eh. The food was fine, the service was medium, though our server was nice. The portions are very small for the price and they apparently don't offer their sandwiches/lunch menu on Saturdays. Who wants to eat a $44 lamb chop at 11:30a in the morning? The picture I've posted is the Shish Taouk (chicken kebab) which is insultingly small for $28 (phone for scale). The rice was pretty bland and they forgot our toum. I won't be back and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

#Exceptional Dining Experience @ Mejana - Lebanese Cuisine exceeded our expectations in every way. The service was exceptional – attentive, knowledgeable, and personalized. The food was outstanding, with expertly prepared and presented dishes that burst with flavor. The craft cocktails were delicious and visually stunning. The beautiful interior, with elegant décor and comfortable seating, created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Overall, Mejana is a MUST-visit destination for any food lover. Exceptional service, excellent food, and stunning ambiance make for an unforgettable experience. We'll definitely be back!

Mejana offers an incredible Lebanese dining experience with authentic flavors, warm hospitality, and a cozy atmosphere. The food is outstanding—everything from the mezze to the grilled meats is seasoned perfectly and full of rich, traditional flavors. The hummus was creamy and smooth, the kebabs were juicy and flavorful, and the fresh pita was a perfect complement to every dish. The service was attentive and welcoming, making the meal even more enjoyable. Whether you're looking for a casual meal or a special occasion, Mejana is a fantastic choice for Lebanese cuisine! Highly recommend!

I love this place! I ordered the hot sampler, the dip sampler, and the Shish Tawook platter. The food was amazing 😍 the dip sampler had an authentic taste, and the Tawook platter was delicious. The person serving my table was really nice and even accommodated my request to change the side on the Shish Tawook plate. The prices were a bit higher than I expected, but I’ll definitely be coming back for the excellent food!

It was a nice afternoon so we sat outside on their patio for lunch. The patio is nice, aesthetic and the inside decor is modern with a nice vibe. Service was friendly and the menu had a lot of good options, especially for apps… we wanted to make room for our main entrees… But failed we ordered the cheese sticks and they were delicious! We came for their mixed grill and it did not disappoint! The meat was flavorful and tender plus presentation is always a plus for me. I loved the rack they served it on. The lamb was my favorite. My husband opted for the chicken shawarma. And he was very happy with his choice. We would definitely return! There are more things on the menu I’d like to try.

A MUST TRY restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious. For starters, there’s street parking (harder to find) and, within about 2 blocks, a parking lot, which means there’s no reason not to go. The service is very good here, with attentive, friendly staff. And the setting is very pleasant. It’s the perfect place to take someone special. I took my wife for our anniversary. We started out with arnabit and fried kibeh. For entrees, I had the shish taouk (OMG), my wife had the shrimp skewers, and son the kafta skewers. It was all so delicious. We topped off the evening with desserts, ordering the knefe, warbat, and baklawa. Honestly, as much as the appetizers and entrees were fantastic, the desserts were something I would hold off on. The war at was good, but the knefe and baklawa need work. Overall, you MUST TRY here. This place is phenomenal. Parking is a little hard as it’s street parking but there’s other places to park nearby and you’ll be glad you did. This place is very welcoming with fantastic service; very attentive and friendly staff. The setting is very nice and is a great place to take someone special. And the food. The food is fantastic. Everything my wife and I got was absolutely delicious. Lately we’ve been on a kick for appetizers, which gives us more things to try and so we did quite a few appetizers and one entree to share. We started off with a pinky colada(?) and a blackberry mule. Both nonalcoholic and very good. For appetizers we had baba ghanouj, arnabit, and batata harra, while the entree was the Mejana grill (3 different skewers) with rice. I have to go back.

I went to MeJana's for the first time yesterday with another Iraqi friend. The food was delicious! The staff and owner are very receptive and friendly! We were waited on by Mahmood from Iraq. He was very kind, super knowledgeable about the menu, extremely friendly, and very helpful! The owner greeted us before and after. I will definitely go back and try some of the other dishes.

Great selection, top quality meat at great prices. My wife sends me here to get their chicken breast because they sell younger birds thus the meat is much more tender.

Great experience. Very professional, patient and welcoming service. :) We tried the dipp mix, the tabouleh salad and the mixed grill. All of them were very good and I strongly recommend them. :) Very good wine choice, after having tried a few. As dessert we ordered Kanafeh and it was the best I've eaten so far, very light, delicate and tasty. Ambiance is elegant and not pretentious, perfect for many occasions: dates, friends outings and to celebrate special occasions.

Really excited to find this place open in the mid afternoon hours when my friend was ravished with his quest for protein and they really delivered. Cute and very on theme spot for middle eastern food and their hummus and baba ganoush did not disappoint. The mixed grill plate was huge and hearty, and to be honest very well value / price driven because I'm just used to such a different scale in SF. The staff were friendly & nice, and the service was super fast. I almost couldn't believe how quickly the food came out. Seems like the afternoon lull is a hang out spot for folks doing business since it is so close to DC, so many business meetings were happening around us. Great flavors so definitely a nice go to!

This is the case when I really need Yelp to allow half stars. I would be happy to upgrade it for 3.5. Positives: beautiful atmosphere, nice plating with matching colors of walls and plates, and really carefully mastered serving of every single dish. Amazing service,beautiful floor management,parking is free with validation and very convenient for busy area like this. Negatives: food was underwhelming and disappointing. We tried dip sampler and fattoush salad as shared starters and organic shish taouk for entree. Dip sampler was really small,it's really sampler like one bite if you share it for 2. I didn't like anything,muhamara tastes wrong,I didn't feel any fresh peppers,it might be just pepper paste ,not spicy,not tangy. Same with hummus variations,they were bland. Fattoush salad was just simple garden salad with pita chips,no complexity,not a sumac taste. Shish taouk dish had overcooked and burnt chicken,but rice side was best part of the night. Rice was perfectly seasoned and vermicelli mixed with rice were toasted and full of flavor. So,it was pleasant dinner with nice surrounding but with disappointing food.

Server was aloof and curt. Food was bland and boring. I ordered the garden vegetable plate and my guest ordered the Faroe Island Salmon. Ambiance was spot on, one of the main reasons that I chose this restaurant besides Mejana's great reviews but unfortunately as you are well aware that is not enough. I don't recommend Mejana.

A soon to be favorite, this spot is warm and inviting. The wait staff are quick and keep an eye on you! I sat at the bar and had such a lovely meal! they have sampler platters that are perfect for one person. The Kibeh was out of this world! The pine nuts and beef are such a terrific combo.

A Lebanese restaurant known to serve up delicious falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, and a standout mixed grill with tender lamb. Our waitress & staff were welcoming & attentive. The outer patio was romantic warm & inviting but rainy tonight. We sat indoors, our booth was tight and next to the restrooms & there was traffic. There were round tables with loud women & small children it was very noisy. The restaurant is right out around the corner from our Marriott and the aroma of lamb & spices reminded us that they are here! We started with a Smokey baba ganoush appetizer on warm homemade pita. The falafel was good & prepared as expected. The mixed grill came with lamb, chicken & ground beef skewers on a unique grill with an onion relish & aioli; everything was cooked to perfection. We had a side salad & could have had rice or fries. Dinner was reasonably priced & portions were generous.

I had been craving Lebanese, so this restaurant really hit the spot. I went with a couple girls and we decided to do a bunch of appetizers. The baba ghanouj and hummus were delicious and creamy, and they kept our table stocked with pita for them. The beef shawarma was very flavorful, and portioned out well. The falafel was the best that I have ever had. I also loved the grape leaves, they had great flavor. I personally didn't love the cheese rolls, I wished they had a sauce, but the other girls I was with liked them. I also got a blackberry margarita that had a very refreshing flavor and I could taste the alcohol. The inside of the restaurant is so pretty, it looks just as pretty as the pictures. The only negative was the service, it was a bit hard to order. We would have to get the waiters attention to get help, he didn't ever just check on us. The location is by the Courthouse metro, so you can find street parking or parking garages close by.

My family and I had an early dinner here on Sunday. We wanted to try somewhere new, and this restaurant had great reviews. We opted for items we have never tried and were not disappointed. Even my 12 year old nephew ate everything on his plate, which rarely happens. We started with warm appetizers of Chicken Shawarma Sliders, and Shrimp Provençal. Our cocktails were the French Garden (gin & lavender) and an original Margarita. Both were strong and had really nice flavors. For entrées, we ordered the Branzino, Mejana Grill (mixed grill - organic chicken, lamb & kafta), organic Beef Skewers, and Lamp Chops. Everything was delicious! It's a small restaurant with a lot of charm. It is decorated in a blue theme, has a full bar, and awesome customer service.

Stellar lamb chops (best in DMV), legendary kebabs -- dinner dreams do come true here. Top tier customer care and a great vibe all around!

The service is amazing and the food is delicious Thank you to Maritza she was the service and her recommendation was the best .

The food was yummy but seemingly caters to a more westernized customer (as opposed to ethnic places that are predominantly patronized by a local immigrant population). The plates are smaller, much pricier, and targeted to an "Arlington" clientele. It's next to a metro and it's a cute spot for a date if you want to show off your "worldliness" and "adventurous palate".

While staying at the Residence Inn (next door to this restaurant) my coworker and I came here for dinner. The folks here were very friendly and they accommodated us, even though we didn't have a reservation. They were moderately busy on a Monday night. Their menu is loaded with many Mediterranean specialties, small plates, entrées, etc. All of the items we ordered were great! Lots of flavor and freshness to the ingredients which showed through in the dishes were enjoyed. Some favs were their beef shawarma, toum, and beef kabob. But save room for dessert, they have Aschta here and that's an amazing dessert. They also offered mango sorbet on the night we went and it was great too. Service was decent. The venue is beautifully decorated. Prices are decent too.

I really enjoy Mejana and wish I had visited this Arlington legend sooner. It's very pretty and warm inside. Service has always been great. I love their baba ghanoush, which is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the meze sampler, consisting of fried kibbeh, cheese rolls, and falafel. All were great. I also really enjoy their cauliflower and shish taouk as well. I do wish their pita was a little bit better, as I find it bland, and I'm used to absolutely delicious, addictive pitas, but this is not it. Bakalva was good and I've enjoyed the cocktails I've had. I look forward to returning to Mejana.

It was a nice afternoon so we sat outside on their patio for lunch. The patio is nice, aesthetic and the inside decor is modern with a nice vibe. Service was friendly and the menu had a lot of good options, especially for apps... we wanted to make room for our main entrees... But failed we ordered the cheese sticks and they were delicious! We came for their mixed grill and it did not disappoint! The meat was flavorful and tender plus presentation is always a plus for me. I loved the rack they served it on. The lamb was my favorite. My husband opted for the chicken shawarma. And he was very happy with his choice. We would definitely return! There are more things on the menu I'd like to try.

I love Lebanese food. Unfortunately, this was easily the most forgettable Lebanese food ever. Let me start from the beginning, though. I arrived before the friend that I was dining with, but I thought she was already there. I spoke to the hostess who told me that I was the first to arrive. At that moment, my friend called-- she was lost-- so I stepped outside to take the call. Less than 5 mins later I walked back inside, but the first hostess I spoke to was now seating a party, so I went to the hostess stand and spoke to the other two hostesses who were there. I said "I have a 1 pm reservation" and one of the hostesses looked at the computer and then looked at me and just said "yes." So now I'm like...? (just looking at her bc surely I don't have to ask to be seated? Why else would I be at the hostess stand?) The other hostess steps in and says "would you like to be seated?" And I'm like "... yes." (Again, what else would I be doing at the hostess stand?) Anyway, once seated I ordered two starters: halloumi with watermelon and dates and the fattoush. The halloumi was fine, but the fattoush was easily the worst I've ever had. It was way too acidic and there were not nearly enough crispy khubz pieces. We decided to order the mixed grill which was extremely overpriced and under-portioned-- three little skewers of meat and a side of rice for $37 is madness. The flavor of the skewers was fine, but nothing to write home about. The rice was super bland. The only thing actually tasty on the platter was the toum. TL;DR: overpriced and underwhelming.

We had a mixed experience at Mejana. My martini was perfect, but the Lebanese Spring didn't taste like it had any gin. We shared the haloumi & hummus Beiruiti, which were both the highlight of the meal. The whole branzino was a disappointment, it wasn't very thick and seemed to have less meat than others I've tried. Our server was semi-attentive and we had to call him over multiple times to order then bring the check.

Loved returning to Mejana in Courthouse on a Sunday afternoon. We were greeted by the hostess and sat right away. Ambiance was great and cozy per usual. We ordered the Dip Sampler with bread and Hot sampler (2 fried kibeh, 2 cheese rolls, 2 falafel) which were both great. I loved their bread with the beet dip, definitely a standout. The lentil soup was rich and creamy. For main entrées, we went with the Kafta Skewers and Beef Skewers. I absolutely loved the Kafta skewers as the flavor of lamb was not overbearing. It was just perfect. We were so full we couldn't fit dessert in, but I have had their Baklava so many times, just delicious !!

Stopped by got lunch and got their new beef lamb burger. It was cooked just right. Maybe needed more quality toppings in terms of tomatoes and lettuce. Side salad was ok and nothing special. Their cottage cheese desert was great with Lebanese coffee. Avoid the white coffee. It's deceptive name. Our server didn't tell us correctly what it was and landed up being warm rose water!!!

Came for lunch 2x in a week. Both times I got the trio of spreads and the lebne. Both were excellent. Loved the hummus especially. The eggplant spread tasted smokey. The red pepper one was a delightful surprise. They happily replenished the "bread". I tried the falafel but found it hard and dry so I didn't order it the second time. I also got the mixed grill which was a lot of food. The presentation was beautiful. It was served with the rice, roasted tomato, slides onion, and a garlic spread. Service was excellent. Highly recommend.

Me Jana is a unique and very yummy Lebanese and Mediterranean food restaurant in Arlington. I found their menu to be different, most likely because of the Lebanese influence, from other Mediterranean restaurants and was eager to try quite a few things on the menu. We ended up ordering the falafel, haloumi, and Branzino to share. I found the falafel to be a little dry, the haloumi to be delicious, and the Branzino to be cooked in a unique way that was flavorful and unexpected. We ended our meal with the kanafeh, which was so yummy and the perfect end to our meal. For dinner I ordered a Pinot noir but switched to a Lebanese red at the recommendation of the server. I found it to be very good and it complemented the food nicely. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and provides a warm and inviting atmosphere. I ate here with a friend and the server gave us just the right amount of space to socialize and catch up while also being attentive to our needs. I would love to return and try the Me Jana grill with multiple meats and some of the other items on the menu. Truly, everything that came out of the kitchen looked and smelled delicious.

Ambiance, service and food were excellent. 6 of us walked over from the Residence Inn. We were seated quickly despite no reservation. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and 3 entrees to share. Strongly recommend the Dip Sampler. The red pepper dip in particular. This vegetarian was very satisfied and the meat eaters of the group were happy too.

Mejana is great, we went as a girls night dinner. The decor is lush and colorful, and I can't wait to come back in the warmer months to take advantage of the outdoor space. We had a very patient and attentive server, who got our various drink orders flowing. We ordered a table of appetizers for sharing, and the Octopus was perfectly cooked and tasty

Overall, we found the food to be okay and expensive, but everything else from the dining experience and service was wonderful. Food - Dip Sampler: Hummus, Hummus Beiruti, baba ghanouj, mhamara, Labneh, Beet, $20. This was the best thing we ordered. It would be better to split between 2 people, but you got to try 6 different dips. the bab ghanouj was the best I have ever had. It also comes with bread and they will bring you more if you need it...we may have gotten 3 servings... - Kafta Skerwers: Ground lamb & beef, sumac onion, tomato, garlic whip, rice, $27. Mine was tough, almost hard to cut but the rice with it was good. - Mejana Grill: Chicken, lamb, kafta, with sumac onion, tomato, garlic whip, rice, $36. The presentation for this is amazing. My friend said it was undercooked. Ambiance Lovely outdoor seating with lots of space inside. Service The staff was amazing. So fun, so helpful, very engaging. 10/10 service!

Mejana is a jewel among Lebanese restaurants. Truly authentic in every sense of the word, from their perfectly seasoned grilled meats, to their amazing selection of Lebanese wines and beers, to the hospitality of their owners & their wonderful staff. The ambience is also beautifully decorated and welcoming. Highly recommend, and make sure to get the lamb!

One of my favorite Lebanese spots!! My colleagues and I frequent Mejana for lunch and business meetings and they NEVER disappoint. Every meal is made fresh, the service is great and the price is right. The venue is fitting for any occasion and offers ample indoor and outdoor seating.

I've never been to Lebanon but I have been to the Middle East and have enjoyed my fair share of shawarma. I ordered take out from here a while back just to get a sense of what they had to offer, assuming that if their shawarma is good then everything else must be as well. When I order a chicken shawarma wrap I expect moist and well seasoned mix of dark and white meat chicken, pickled turnips, maybe even some fries inside the wrap and last, but most importantly, a really garlicky Toum sauce. Unfortunately, that's not what you'll find here. It lacked flavor, was dry, and had no textual nuance. I won't be back.

If you want middle eastern food in Arlington, Me Jana is by far your best option. We LOVED the kafta, and the hummus is quite literally perfect. On top of the great food, the service is second to none. Truly an A+ establishment. This is our go-to restaurant in the area.

A MUST TRY restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious. For starters, there's street parking (harder to find) and, within about 2 blocks, a parking lot, which means there's no reason not to go. The service is very good here, with attentive, friendly staff. And the setting is very pleasant. It's the perfect place to take someone special. I took my wife for our anniversary. We started out with arnabit and fried kibeh. For entrees, I had the shish taouk (OMG), my wife had the shrimp skewers, and son the kafta skewers. It was all so delicious. We topped off the evening with desserts, ordering the knefe, warbat, and baklawa. Honestly, as much as the appetizers and entrees were fantastic, the desserts were something I would hold off on. The war at was good, but the knefe and baklawa need work. Overall, you MUST TRY here.

It has a nice ambiance but I was not impressed with the food. Left a lot to be desired and lacked flavor

Had a nice lunch at MeJana. Nice menu for lunch with a lot of options for appetizers and small plates. The decor is lovely and they have a nice patio. Really enjoyed the dip trio. Service was attentive.

Food was amazing! They have gluten free/vegan options. The service was not the best as our server was not as attentive.

What an absolutely beautiful spot! Had the pleasure of meeting one of the managers (Khalil) who was extraordinary in his hospitality and I must say, I may just be their newest regular given how phenomenal everything was and naturally is, haha. Very well deserved on all aspects in regard to food (absolutely delish) ambiance (very chic and exotic) , and even more on the service spectrum (they say Arabs are the most hospitable for a reason). Will definitely be back, thanks to Khalil

Food is great and very friendly! We had a big group and were able to accommodate us. Shawarma sliders were good and the tawook was good.

Excellent food and service. Yes, the prices are a bit steep but the dishes and quality of service make it worth the extra dollar. Wine was also superb! The restaurant was excellently designed, and music felt very fitting. Overall a wonderful experience and perfect for a date night dinner!

We went to celebrate Valentine's day and followed the fixed menu. It was quite good. Usually these Valentine's deals are a rip off, but it was actually pretty good value. Servers were friendly, restaurant is cute. Overall a nice experience.

the best mediterranean food you can eat if u are visiting with affordable prices highly recommended

Absolutely delicious food, a friendly and welcoming environment, and great service! Mejana is a gem highly recommended by a connoisseur of Lebanese food and it did not disappoint! They have delicious share options and we'll-portioned main dishes. Prices were reasonable. Inside was beautifully designed with a private room and side area perfect for entertaining a group of 20-40, an outdoor patio, and booths and tables inside. Thankfully, this is close to Rosslyn offices and I look forward to my next visit!

The service at Me Jana is always good and the food is simply amazing. You do yourself a disservice if you don't at least try it! They get really busy on weekends so I recommend a quieter weeknight. Me Jana can be a romantic dinner or dinner with friends. So highly recommended!

We just had a lovely Easter lunch at at Mejana. We chose an assortment of mezza (small plates) and all were delicious. The hummus with meat chunks and the tabbouleh (very fresh!) were my favorites. My husband loved the kibeh nayeh (steak tartare) and shrimp provencale. Be sure to dip the homemade puffy pita bread into the sauce for a real treat. Service was attentive and pleasant. We recommend it highly.

We drove almost one hour to try the food here. The inside environment is nice and the waitress is warm. I ordered MeJana Grill and my favorite meat Lamb, but it's disappointing that lamb not chewable. Chicken is fine.

The flavors are good (loved the hummus beirutí) but the portions are a bit small for the price. The pita bread is delicious also. Also, don't pick the salad as a side as it is rather a bit uninspired and not like the salads listed in the menu (not as good at the tabbouli or fattoush). I do like that they have kibbeh nayeh in the menu and the restaurants seems pretty popular, even with the large footprint it has in the area.

Very tasty food and very authentic Beautiful ambiance and layout Great service by Paulina

A stay at the neighboring Mariott Hotel brought us to Mejana. After being greeted with a friendly smile and welcome the instant entered, the hostess led us to our table. From there, the friendly and attentive service did not cease. We opted for the sampler appetizer consisting of 2 kibbes, 2 pieces of fried cheese, and 2 falafel. All three items were served hot. The falafel just average. The fried cheese with its mixture of three cheeses was flavorful and the kibbe was the best of the three. Its a great way to try different items. After the starter plates were cleared, the true stars of the meal arrived- the mains. Both the shrimp kebabs and keefta were full of flavor. They were grilled to perfection remaining juicy. Both were served with a fluffy pilaf and grilled tomato. The shrimp also had some grilled vegetables with it. While dining our attentive waiter and manager(and I would suspect owner) came by the table to ensure that everything was to our satisfaction. We our travels bring us back to the area, we will definitely return to Marjana.

Went there twice this week and really enjoyed the food, but the service was definitely lacking. Kafta Skewers were excellent, so was the Hummus Beiruti. The Kanafeh was great for desert. The Mejana Grill was an interesting presentation, skewers over hot rocks/coals tableside, but was overcooked. On the charred side of well done despite ordering them cooked medium. About the service... Both times we had to physically go track down the waiter to get our check after waiting a LONG time, and even after we walked up to the front to remind him, he took his sweet time to get over to our table. It was almost like the waiter was actively trying to avoid our table after dropping off the food. We tried to wave him down to no avail. It was weird. Same waiter both times, same experience.

Best Lebanese in Arlington! Amazing! Mejana grill is incredible, so good. Hummus is great also!

Came with a very large group (~20) and they made wonderful accommodations for us. The server was very helpful and patient with the group. Lots of different dishes were ordered and everyone enjoyed their meal! I'm no expert in Lebanese cuisine but it was excellent!

Excellent tasting food and really good service. I ordered the grill with three different meats. Season pretty well not overbearing.

I've been dining at Mejana for over 10 years. The food, the service, and the ambiance are always spot-on. Some of my favorites include the potato kibeh, mekanek, and kibeh nayeh. And you can't go wrong with any of the mains. All of their food is fresh and flavorful. Visited this past weekend with a few friends for the first time in awhile and it was outstanding, as always.