Ottoman Taverna, Washington DC

My first time at this restaurant at my best friend’s recommendation and I would come again. We ordered the 4 course meal and from start to finish it was delicious. One of the dessert orders was wrong and the manager was kind enough to correct the error and give us complimentary tea/coffee

I ordered a Turkish breakfast because I usually love it, especially when it has Turkish Bal Kaymak (honey and butter cream). I chose the regular menu, not the discounted or bottomless one, because I wanted a full meal. To my surprise, it didn't look like a Turkish breakfast at all. It only had three olives, half a cucumber, and some tomatoes. I was disappointed; it was the worst breakfast in DC. They even called it an "Award Winning" breakfast. I suggest trying other places like My Cravings, where they serve good Turkish dishes.

Great food, great service. HOWEVER, 20% service charge doesn't go to employees? Our waitress reminded us this few times when we were paying the check out. So basically you give 40% tip when you dine here, which is insane.

This is my comment to the greedy restaurant owner: Unfortunately, our people are the same everywhere. You have solved the system again, I congratulate you very much. We bring our foreign friends and guests because it is a beautiful place. You are disgracing us with this kind of Ali Cengiz games.

We were celebrating a birthday and wanted a special place and someone had suggested Ottoman Taverna so we decided to check it out.

The ambiance of the restaurant was nice - reminded me of the business class lounge at Istanbul airport. The service was also good and attentive throughout our time (they include service charge for every table no matter the size)

we started with the cold mezze which was good and filling - complimentary pita bread was also given.we then got the vegetarian moussaka, lamb dish, kabobs and eggplant.the veggie dishes were good, a little bland but good.the meat dishes were good but the salad and rice accompanying could’ve been better

overall good turkish food in a nice ambiance

We were a group of 23 and we enjoyed a set menu. They were prepared for us and executed without disappointment. Always a great time we visit.

Incredible food, awful service. On Saturday, September 23,2023, my husband and I had lunch at Ottoman Taverna. This was not our first time, we love this place and do stop by occasionally, when we have a taste for some Turkish food. Service, in general, is not up to the Michelin Star restaurant, but today it was quite horrible.
To begin with, we were "greeted" by a young lady wearing a see-through crop tank opening her belly and showing white with some flowers/circles bra. This was very distasteful. I do not believe this an appropriate attire for a restaurant's hostess.
We then were served by a young lady who's English was very limited, it was very difficult to communicate the order, mistakes were made.
But the last straw was a food runner/bus lady, who was proudly walking around the restaurant with her very long hair, that end up everywhere. This young lady was cleaning and setting tables up when i noted her hair would land on clean plates, silverware, napkins, and glasses, on everything that we used once we sat at our table.
I am sorry, i do not care how nice your long hair are, i do not want to taste them. It is unprofessional and i do not understand why such restaurant has no standards when it comes to personnel and hygiene.

Place was amazing first time we went then 2nd time food was dry service slow and the glass smells bad and at the end we pay 20% but non go to the server? Twice they tell us when they bring the check so it’s agreed and the owner know, how is this ok? So we have to pay 40%? So stupid never going back again, there is plenty smaller family owned better food and service

Outstanding service, okay food.

We got there at 6: 00 and it was pretty quiet; by the time we left at 7: 30 it was packed and the open floor concept made it difficult to hear.

Service was fantastic: from reservations to hostess to table service.

Appetizer and desert was good but Iskender was not up to our standards unfortunately. They should remove it from the menu, if they’re not able to slice and serve it fresh. It tasted like it was reheated. Wait stuff are not very attentive to say the least.

I want there for dinner. Staff was very kind and helpful. I liked the food a lot, it was very tasty and all ingredients were fresh. The portions are big so I was full after dining there The restaurant is spacious and I liked its atmosphere. I had a nice time there. It was a bit strange the fact that we had to pay a service fee of 20% but this wasn’t tip for the waiter so I left tip also for the waiter.

The restaurant is lovely and the service was excellent. I thought the food was good, not great but solid. They have a very reasonably priced three course lunch menu. The standout dish was the Baklava which was excellent. I'm amazed how many places screw up Baklava but it was just right. If you like Turkish food you'll definitely like this restaurant. If you don't like Turkish food this won't make you a convert.

Traveled to Washington DC and Ottoman Taverna was in one of the Michelin Guide recommendations, and obviously the food was absolutely delicious, flavorful and authentic.
Our server was very nice and kept apologizing because the food took over an hour and a half to get to us (it was Labor Day weekend, place was full) regardless, the food was amazing and I’d like to think it was just our bad luck that day.

We went to ottaman taverna for brunch. The food is good and the staff is great. But at the end we found out the 20% service fee was not at all a tip and we’re expected to pay 40% of fees and tip on top of food. I like the food and staff, but considering we are paying almost half of the food on top of already not cheap food, I’m not sure if return

This place always has great food. I have been here a few times for there brunch experience. Strongly suggested.

The reason for the 2 stars, the 20% service fee. I understand charging more to pay your staff better, but this feels super dishonest. Instead of just raising your prices to accommodate, they choose to add a 20% service fee to cover the cost.then to top it off. The waitstaff make a point to call it out saying non of it goes to them. So if the 20% is for better wages why are waitstaff excluded? This is is a greedy move by greed restaurant owners to make a dollar off their staff.
Granted this isn’t the only place in the district that operates like this but this practice needs to stop… pay your people right, show an honest price we will pay more.and stop trying to manipulate our customers and staff.

I am giving 3 stars for these reasons:
1- I did not like Adana Kebab. Taste and smell were not good. It was very oily for me.
My husband ordered donar, and he also didn't like it. We like Turkish food and we go to Turkish places sometimes, but this was Not what we would come back for.
2- seatings were very tight, as the chair of a lady seated behind me was without any space with my seat, which was really annoyinneeded! Some more space between seating are nedded!
3- There was only one functional and clean washroom. There were no tissues to dry hands.

Nice looking place with good food. No complaints. The service was a bit rushed but it happens.

Now onto the service charge. 20% charge and none of it goes to our server? We were not expecting that. Basically gave them a 40% tip after they refused to address it. Didn’t want to stiff the waiter. Not his fault the owner is greedy.

Not going back.

I was there last Tuesday evening with my family. We were all in good mood that evening, but hostess and two waitresses ruined everything. The taste of food same like in other places. I recommend to the owner of restaurant try to hire professional staff.

Doner Kabob was more like a Shawarma dish than a real doner. Dollar-wise, the food is never worth it.