Villa Yara

5/5 Experience! I recently enjoyed a spectacular lunch at this charming spot, and it deserves every bit of a 5-star rating. The ambiance was picturesque—dining under the shade of vibrant purple and yellow umbrellas, surrounded by greenery and a tranquil fountain, made the atmosphere feel like a peaceful escape. The outdoor patio was beautifully arranged, and the service was attentive yet unobtrusive. The Food: The dishes were as visually stunning as they were delicious. The grilled fish, perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices, melted in my mouth, and the side of broccolini was crisp and fresh, adding the perfect complement to the meal. Paired with roasted potatoes and a squeeze of lemon, the flavors were well-balanced and simply divine. The appetizer—a plate of rich, roasted red pepper dip with walnuts and a salad topped with crunchy fried pita—was a delightful start. The textures and flavors were vibrant, leaving me wanting more with each bite. Overall, the experience was beyond enjoyable, with a beautiful presentation of dishes and a relaxing setting that felt like a hidden gem. Highly recommended for anyone looking for both quality food and a picturesque dining atmosphere.

“Dining at Villa Yara was an exceptional experience. The elegant ambiance, coupled with a menu that showcases both creativity and authenticity, truly stands out. Every dish was crafted with precision, offering a perfect blend of flavors. The service was impeccable, with a staff that was attentive, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the evening. Villa Yara is a fine example of dining at its best, and I highly recommend it for those seeking a top-tier culinary experience.” Known for exceptional hospitality, the gracious owner ensures every guest feels welcomed and valued❤️

Wonderful atmosphere, Mediterranean meets shabby chic. It was very relaxing and our server was beautiful and sweet. The food was very healthy and unique with excellent ingredients. The tabbouleh was excellent and kabobs wonderful. The dessert very tasty but the service and dishes were so beautiful and unique. We were visiting and wish we had a restaurant like this in Houston.

Watch out for an explosion (of flavors) in your mouth. Villa Yara serves Authentic Lebanese food with a nice ambiance and carefully crafted decor. The hostess greeted us nicely and sat us at a great table by the windows. VY has 2 outdoors. One on the front sidewalk (on M street), and one in the back that's more private (and beautifully decorated). It was our second time there and we enjoyed both dinners! My only feedback to the staff is that they should serve labneh on their menu. That should be an easy add. But other than that, highly recommended.

I had such high expectations for Villa Yara but my restaurant week experience was truly truly disappointing. Firstly, we had booked for 11:30am on a Saturday and when we sat down and asked for the restaurant week menu, we were told that they only do restaurant week for brunch on Sunday (nowhere on their website had they specified this. On top of this, we saw that people who were coming later (at around 12:30/1 as we were leaving, were being offered restaurant week menus!! ) Secondly, the food was so sub par! Especially for the prices! The mujadara was one of the most average mujadaras I've ever had and the Muhammara felt like they just took it from the refrigerated food section at a grocery store. Our waitress also seemed unbothered. I was actually glad that I didn't end up doing the restaurant week menu and ended up saving money ordering just 3 mezzes to share between me and my brother. I thought the complimentary pita and marinated olives were good but that's it. Thirdly, it was a rather humid day outside but for some reason indoors the AC didn't seem to be working either. I feel like there are much better Lebanese restaurants around DC.