Yayla Bistro

We had a wonderful experience at Yayla Bistro. The food was truly delicious, and the ambiance was extremely pleasant and carefully curated. The waitstaff were attentive to our table from start to finish, and we felt nothing was lacking. Sibel's attention, smile, and professionalism in particular made our experience even more special. The kebabs and appetizers exceeded our expectations; everything was fresh and delicious. It's definitely a place we'd like to visit again, and I recommend it with confidence.

Yayla Bistro is exactly the kind of place you want before a night out. 🌡 The three of us arrived dressed for an evening under the stars, fireplace jazz already on the agenda, and Yayla set the tone perfectly. Cozy, unpretentious, and refreshingly free of influencer theatrics—this is Turkish food that knows what it’s doing and doesn’t need to announce it. The kebabs were juicy, confidently grilled, and seasoned just right. The mezze was fresh and balanced—the kind that quietly steals the spotlight. Portions were generous (yes, leftovers were packed), prices were fair, and the overall vibe felt relaxed and grounded. Our server was Kurdish and very reserved—calm, quiet, and professional—which actually fit the atmosphere well. Service was attentive without hovering or forced small talk. Before heading out, we ended with Turkish coffee—strong, rich, and exactly what we needed to stay alert and in a dancing mood for the night ahead ☕🎶. A classic DMV moment: we spotted a Mr. Bean / Rowan Atkinson look-alike, realized too late that we forgot to get a photo, and immediately regretted it.💎 Dinner wrapped, leftovers secured, caffeine activated, and we headed straight to Godfrey’s for jazz by the fireplace 🎷🔥—confirming Yayla Bistro as the ideal pre-jazz, pre-night-out stop. Bottom line: great food, easy vibes, and just enough Turkish coffee to carry you smoothly into the evening. I’ll be back—camera ready. 🇹🇷✨

I came here for restaurant week, and got their special. It was multi-course meal for around $40 and you got to choose from a wide selection of of their menu. I went in a group and we all got to try different kinds of things and the dessert also had non-dairy sorbet options. The portions were small but this was a course menu. So if you choose their menu don’t be alarmed by portion size as you’re supposed to have multiple items. I think the sashimi plate was my favorite, it was incredible and tender. I could probably have a bowl of it personally. I want to return to try more of their menu soon.

Amir is an excellent server and made my friend’s birthday dinner amazing. He was very attentive, timed everything perfectly, and we couldn’t have asked for better service!! He was amazing. The food was spectacular as well, as was the ambiance. My favorite was the rice pudding dessert! Had a great conversation with the owner Zaza as well. I love supporting a small business like this.

Yayla Bistro is my favorite spot and the place I always go back to. The food is consistently amazing, fresh, and full of flavor. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the staff makes you feel like family every time. Never disappoints!

The food was warm, fresh, and tasty. Our server was attentive and very friendly. The atmosphere was welcoming and comfortable. I ordered the Kofta wrap paired with their salad, which was very tasty. I'm definitely coming back and may be part of the rotation of restaurants I visit in the area.

Absolutely loved our experience at Yayla Bistro! The Mediterranean food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Servet and Sibel were amazing hosts — friendly, attentive, and made us feel truly welcome from the moment we walked in. You can tell they really care about their guests. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, perfect for a relaxed dinner. Definitely one of the best Mediterranean spots in Arlington. Highly recommended!

Great food, great service, and great people. Servet and Sibel went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. The flavors reminded me of true Mediterranean home-style cooking. Everything tasted fresh and well seasoned. The service was fast, the restaurant was clean, and the vibe was very welcoming. One of my favorite places to eat in Arlington now.

Amazing food! The kabab for two is a lot of food and very tasty Environment is good and happy and service is friendly.

I even forgot to take a picture before we ate the lamb chops from mixed grill platter lol So the picture is missing lamb chops. This place!!!!!! is amazing! Hospitality, food, ambiance, musics, servers etc. All the best! Make sure to order a dessert after the delicious meal... Apricot desert and kunefe are my favorite desserts. If you don't have to drive, do not hesitate to order a cocktail before your meal because why not!!!!

Amazing lamb chops. Cooked very well. Their appetizers and rice pudding dessert (sutlac) was delicious too. A very pleasant surprise.

Starting with its bread basket with olive spread and a nice selection of Turkish wine, Yayla offers many great dishes to try. My favorite is the lamp chops. I have been a regular customer and the grilled lamp chops never disappoint. If you have a large party, I recommend the mixed grill platter which offers an excellent value (and a perfect takeout option for dinner parties). To top off a nice meal, try the apricot delight. It is truly delightful. Yayla has a patio for outdoor seating, perfect for a nice summer evening.

Meat platter for two is excellent and very worth the value, extremely flavorful and good quality. The spreads and appetizers were just okay which is why it loses the 5th star. Service was very nice. Would recommend going in a group to get the meat and seafood platters!

Hidden gem! Friday night was not packed and steady flow! Amazing service and food! Def to put on the list!!!!

I visited yesterday with my family for the first time and had a very pleasant meal with excellent service with a relaxing ambiance. They have breakfast most of the day and a number of interesting traditional Turkish specialties. I had the crepes, which were perfectly made. The key distinction of this place, however, is the service. The DC area is full of restaurants with service so bad you could even describe it as actively hostile at times. Here, we were attended to constantly. Part of the pleasure of dining is good service and the staff here understand this well. Our waitress was also very good with our children, who were tired and cranky.

I was dropping off a friend in the area and found out this Turkish restaurant was near me so I wanted to give it a try. Honestly, I went in without expecting much; however, surprisingly this place is the best Turkish restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia, in my humble opinion. Why? First, ambience is wonderful. Restaurant was clean and beautifully decorated. There were Turkish vases hanging on the walls, handmade Turkish carpet at the vestibule of the restaurant, and pretty paintings all around the room. Absolutely loved every detail they came up with. Second, customer service was sensational and authentic. For example, the server named "Tugba" helped me with a big smile the entire time. She got my order and delivered in a timely manner. I don't think I waited more than 3 minutes for my starter and more than 7-9 minutes for my main dish. Third, food was delicious as heck. As a Turkish person, I did not expect this high quality of taste and delivery. It was actually super delicious!! Overall, 5 out of with full confidence. I will highly recommend to all my friends and family members. Special thanks to Tugba and the business owner who switched my table from patio to the inside because it suddenly started drizzling.

Healthy Mediterranean food, friendly service, cozy ambiance. Wait and a belly dancer. On their 10th year anniversary, Yayla Bistro provided us an experience we will always remember. Well done.

Food is good service was friendly and the ambiance was more casual than expected. It's a little overpriced for my opinion but I would call this a good lunch option.

Outstanding service, scrumptious food and great staffs. I have dine at Yayla restaurant many time and I have never been disappointed. The food is always good and the staffs are so polite and professional. They always treat you like family! Last night I took my family there for the restaurant 10th anniversary event. We had a blast. The DJ did a great job and the belly dancing was amazing. I can't wait to try their Turkish breakfast!

Great food, great service. Came with a large group and our waitress was very helpful with our ordering. We tried a lot of things, but really enjoyed the meat sampler and shrimp skewers.

Enjoyed Mothers Day Brunch here with my daughters. The service was excellent. Our meal was leisure and the waitress was very accommodating of one of my daughters being late. We had 2 mocktails and one cocktail with our brunch and one Turkish coffee with dessert. All the food was EXCELLENT. We ordered 2 fish and one lamb chop entrees. For dessert, we ordered 2 rice puddings and one baklava. Crazy delicious!!!! Definitely, we will return!!!

Went for dinner with family. Warm, helpful staff... and the food! It's excellent and abundant. And I got to try Turkish wine! Next time maybe we'll have room for dessert...

Amazing food, with loads of vegetarian options, really friendly staff, and a nice outdoor patio. Went there for my parents' anniversary dinner and it was a great time!

Happily came across Yayla Bistro while exploring the neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon, we noticed people eating brunch outside and the food looked yummy. I'm very glad we stopped, the waiter was super nice and answered my questions regarding the traditional Turkish menu selections. Everything tasted delicious and I will definitely stop by again to try some of the other menu selections.

Ordered the CHILBIR for breakfast, delicious creamy yoghurt sauce over poached eggs. Unfortunately the eggs were overcooked.

Another delicious party catered by Yayla! Yayla has been my favorite neighborhood restaurant since it opened, and it's my go-to meal for every party or gathering we have in our home. The food is always a huge it! The presentation is beautiful. Amed and all staff are so friendly and amazing. Looking forward to many more meals in 2024!

Loved expediency (walked in with 15 min to close, ordered a "to-go", not even half through my Pilsner beer and I was ready to go), plus waitress' friendliness and overall look of the place. I had a KOFTE, which is grilled ground beef and lamb patties with garlic, onions, tomatoes, cumin, and garlic aioli sauce for only $14. I enjoyed the Turkish Pilsner, a very good complement to my food. Would definitely stop by again!

This place is such a gem for me. I usually stick to East Asian and western food. I discovered this place by accident and both me and my wife fell for it. Friendly and fast service. The food is made with professionalism and love. Definitely would come back for more !

What a gem! This would be my go-to neighborhood place if we lived closer! We had elegant lunch service on Saturday noon. We enjoyed treating relatives from DC to a leisurely meal in a quiet space at noon on a Saturday. It was important to me to find a place where we could actually catch up over good food. Yayla's was perfect. They serve the full menu on Saturday, not just the brunch menu. We had baba ganoush, and halloumi to share and moussaka, manti, and kofte platter for entrees. All were delicious; the flavors were great. There are great options for anyone trying to eat with a special diet (keto, vegetarian, gluten free, etc.) There are kids options that are healthy. And there are wraps/ burger/bowls if you want a smaller portion/price point. Desserts: The rice pudding and the Turkish apricot dish were excellent!

I love Yayla for so many reasons. Number one though is that they don't have loud music and you can actually hear one another. The food is amazing and my family is from Istanbul so we have high expectations. They start the meal with delicious bread and an olive tapinade and the menu is filled with so many delicious choices. My mother had the Manti and shepards salad which were delicious. The rest of us split the Grilled meat platter (for 4 but could have fed 6)which included lamb, beef, chicken and a traditional turkish dish called Adana (slightly spicey ground beef/lamb). The staff are so nice and attentive. Can't wait to go back!

Very nice brunch. Not your typical but pretty cool. I love both Turkish tea and coffee. Fun shareable foods.

A delightful surprise kind of hidden from view. It's a classic old school restaurant with cloth table tops. Kid friendly, outdoor patio, and lots of Turkish influence on the menu obviously but with a western spin. You'll find a burger and a pizza on the menu but try to avoid those especially the burger because it's well done and with no Mayo or sauce/juice. Turkish breakfast for brunch is solid choice however, really chill place overall for group hangouts.

Food is SO good. It was first time just recently and I was very impressed. We shared hummus, calamari. Both very tasty. Had the grilled shrimp and rice. Yum! And for the shrimp dish they give 10 shrimp altogether! Which was awesome and I was able to get two meals out of it, so always a plus. Deserts were also a nice end to the meal. Rice pudding, apricot delight, and Turkish coffee. The service is super nice and friendly, and the restaurant is very nice inside. Would definitely recommend and will be back!

Our experience didn't live up to our expectations. We had heard a lot about this place and went with another couple to enjoy a Sunday dinner. I think our mistake was going on Superbowl Sunday? For starters, we shared some Baba Ghanoush, Grilled Calamari, and their Mezza Platter (for two). Of those, the high point was the calamari for its tenderness, and the low point was mostly everything else for its tastelessness. I had the Lamb Shank for dinner. That consisted of a remarkably tender and tasty hunk of lamb sitting in a rectangular bowl of bland red sauce with a few root vegetables floating around. For my free-with-a-yelp-check-in dessert, I had the Coppa Pistachio. Like the rest of my meal, it suffered for being overly bland. Access is convenient, there's covered parking a few doors down, just to the right of the entrance. The staff was pleasant, attentive, and mostly wearing masks. The room was cozy while the tables were still socially distant from each other. From the other reviews, I really expected this place to do better and expect that we'll give them another chance to try.

This place is amazing, red lentil soup is the best soup I've ever had. All the hot mezze is amazing - great to share. Love the kebabs and the dips do NOT disappoint. Highly recommend, great for large groups, families, and lunch

Party of six but still had attentive, quick service. Food was great, varied appetizers and main courses were universally praised. Just a good place to eat.

Amazing Turkish food! Went there with my sister and ordered off the grill. Evening for fresh and tastes great!

Tasty food, outstanding service and overall willing to please customer. Delicious appetizers, love the warm freshly baked bread plus the free olive paste that comes with it. Reasonable priced. There is a reasonably stoked wine bar.

Delicious!! My husband and I went there today because we were craving Mediterranean food and I've been meaning to check out Yayla. The place did not disappoint! We got the trio spread with ezme, htipiti, and smoky eggplant & yogurt. They were all tasty. We also got the shepherd salad which was very refreshing. We were craving meat today so decided to share the mixed grill platter--wow, was that amazing! The lamb chops and filet mignon were amazing quality and cooked perfectly. The adana kebab was really flavorful and I loved that it has a spicy kick! The chicken was definitely less exciting than the other meats but it was also cooked well. Loved the potatoes too. Thoroughly enjoyed our meal and service was spectacular too. Glad to have found this spot--we'll definitely be back!

Great food for the 4th of July!!! If you never tried the lahmacun, I highly recommend ed. Very delicious.

The ambiance was quite pleasant, as it is located on a side street, w/ only 1 other nearby restaurant. I went there during the daytime with a friend & we were quite impressed with the falafel. It reminded my friend of falafel that his mother used to make. The main dish was supposed to be a mixture of diff. meats, however it was mostly chicken, which was slightly disappointing. We ordered the mix for a reason. The service was reasonable. The chairs were uncomfortable especially for someone like me w/ back problems. Overall, I'd recommend it. Next time I'd prefer to try something different & hope that they have some specials.

I had eaten at Yayla Bistro when it first opened over a decade ago, and gone there many times since, until the pandemic. My impression then was of an authentic Turkish restaurant with prices that were a bit on the upscale side, and smaller portions than I got at most other Turkish restaurants. The service has always been great. So I wasn't crazy about going there when a friend offered to treat me to celebrate my birthday. I was pleasantly surprised. I found the food tasted better than ever and the meat mixed grill we shared ($50 for two) was a deal. The moussaka was also good but I think Taverna Cretekou makes it best. I've tried almost all other menu items and would recommend them all. I can't wait to go back for the seafood mixed grill!

Went here for restaurant week lunch Had a great experience overall and will definitely be back to try more of their menu! Dolma was amazing, best I've ever had! And the moussaka was perfect!!! Can't wait to be back :)

My friend and I split the Trio of Dips and Mixed Seafood platter, which were a lot of food. For the trio of dips, we chose the Baba Ghanoush, Hummus, and Cacik. These were served with soft and pillowy bread (that wasn't pita) and olive tapenade, which was delicious. The baba ghanoush had a subtle smoky flavor, hummus could have been more smooth and have more tahini. The Cacik was creamy yet light and refreshing. The mixed seafood platter is such a great bang for your buck. It came with grilled salmon, branzino, shrimp, and swordfish (they didn't have calamari that day), vegetables, rice, and pilaf. I enjoyed the branzino and shrimp the most. The salmon and swordfish were a little dry. The potatoes that were served with the dish were very delicious and crispy! Overall, the food wasn't mindblowing but it was still a great meal and the portions are great!

A very affordable restaurant with real Turkish food We all loved our dishes. The baklava is delicious and I had never had such a good one in the US. Service is great and staff very pleasant. I highly recommend Yayla Bistro.

There have been consistent love notes from me to this establishment. Here's a MUST order- the grilled seafood platter !! All you're missing is being by the ocean... !!

WOWOW! I came here for a girls night out this past weekend and it blew me away. We participated in a wine pairing dinner and got to try many things. My favorite part was the meats! The lamb shanks were very flavorful and it was some of the best fish I've ever had. The staff is friendly and fun and very attentive. This place is 10/10, definitely come visit to get your foodie fix!

Spectacular food and service! Can't wait to return. If you like Mediterranean this is your go restaurant

This place is a gem. First, the tables are set apart so even in a full dining room, which isn't all that big to begin with, you can hear and talk clearly at your table. The service is first class, very attentive, your water glass is never empty. Entrees are about $25, give or take. Fair and reasonable, doubly so given their quality, which is outstanding. The moussaka is fantastic and I say that having had moussaka in Greece two years ago. We had two separate flatbreads for appetizers and the six of us made them disappear quickly; soft, great toppings. I was suppose to share a piece of chocolate cake for dessert with my wife but all I could eat was a forkful, I was too full and the cake was too sinful.

Loved it. Everything was fresh and delicious. The young man waiting on us was very good with explaining options. We sat outside, and enjoyed it. One in our group really was craving halloumi and it did not disappoint. I am Vegetarian, and the beet salad was awesome. We were debating the dips, and the waiter suggested the trio option, perfect. Always love ethnic restaurants run by the same ethnicity, glad we found Yayla.

Excellent food and great service. Try the Turkish wine. It is very good too. It wasn't too crowded on a Tuesday night. The staff is very friendly.

This restaurant was the corner from our hotel and we were lucky enough to find it. From the beginning to the very end, service and flavor were nonstop. We're returning to Virginia at the end of the month and we'll go to restaurant again! Can't wait!!

Had another great meal at Yayla enjoying everything from the food and drinks to the service and vibe! They made some updates which only escalate their already fantastic restaurant. I can't wait to return for another date night!

Originally found out about this place through neighborhood word of mouth, and am I glad I visited this place. The food was delicious. Falafel was some of the best I've ever had. When I ordered the bronzino, I was told that this shipment was smaller than normal and thus I'll be getting a discount. You gotta love an honest restaurant owner. I've already recommended the place to several people. Will definitely return with friends.

An outstanding meal from beginning to end and the service was excellent. We ate inside, but there is also plenty of outside seating. We will definitely be back.

Stop everything you're doing right now and BOOK A RESERVATION. This resturant is absolutely phenomenal, from the food to the staff and the wine selection. I don't know how this was my first time here because everything was delightful. Started off with Turkish rosé which I've never had before and it was quite good, paired well with the mezze platter as our starter. The chefs cigars & dolmas were my favourites and the spreads were all so tasty. We did the grilled mixed grill platter for 2 which had a little bit of everything and OH MY STARS. The Filet mignon was so tender and tasty with a smokey flavour as well as the Lamb chop. The kebab was SO good too, full of flavour and I would eat a whole platter of it alone. The chicken was prepared perfectly, not dry and it came with pilaf & rice, a couple tomatoes, brocoli and peppers. Definitely get the platter if you want a little bit of everything. We even took some home cause we didn't finish it all. We also had dinner paired with a Turkish red wine, also a first for me which was so smokey and paired PERFECTLY with the entrée. Ended the night with baklava & apricot delight paired with Turkish coffee for my friend and Turkish tea for me. The expierence was amasing, took our breath away each time they brought out a dish. Overall such a gem and I highly reccomend. - Your favourite NoVA gremlin food reviewer, Insta @ SpicyAivy

They've placed febreeze-like devices in the restaurant, the smell of which overpowers all other odors in the restaurant. This is an automatic faux-pas, I want to smell the food, the kitchen not this artificial odor. Food quality has also decreased; the lahmajun barely had any meat or toppings on it. Service was lackluster. It's too bad, we used to really like this place.

We had a lovely time eating dinner at Yayla Bistro. We arrived at the restaurant without a reservation at around 6:30 on a Thursday and were seated right away. It wasn't very busy but was very busy by the time we left. Our waitress and servers were kind, fast, and attentive. We had the mezze platter and loved that we could try a little bit of everything. It also went well with the Greek lager we ordered. For our mains we had flatbread and the ravioli, both of which were flavorful and filling. We finished our meal with Turkish coffee and when we requested the bill, we were able to process it right away. I look forward to coming again so I can try their grilled entrees and eat more of the vine wraps, which were so delicious. I'd love to try their sandwiches and burgers which are only available during lunch.