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  5. Mount Vernon Square
Ottoman Taverna, Washington, DC
Award-winning

Ottoman Taverna

4.6
4.6
1705 Reviews
$30 and under
Turkish

Make a reservation

2 people
9:00 PM
Booked 40 times today
  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
Ottoman Taverna provides flavors and dishes from the Turkish cuisine. Enjoy house made kebaps, dips, hot mezes, desserts and more at our Turkish restaurant. Ottoman Taverna has been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand status since opening in 2017.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Turkish, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:45 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 847-0389
  • Website
    https://ottomantaverna.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Mustafa Essizoglu
  • Catering
    Catering menus are available upon request
  • Private party facilities
    Ottoman Taverna features the Sultan’s Table (Chef’s table) with 12 seats. We have 3 private dining rooms, with the smallest accommodating 30 people and the two largest combined seating 90.
  • Private party contact
    Felicia Ruffino: (202) 847-0389
  • Location
    425 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Mount Vernon Square
  • Cross street
    4th and I Street NW
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    The restaurant is situated in between Judiciary Square and Chinatown metro stations in Mount Vernon Triangle along the red, green and yellow lines.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Menu

Cold Meze

  • Hummus$9.95

    Chickpeas Spread with Tahini, Lemon Salt, Olive Oil & Pine Seeds

    • Haydari$9.95

      Fresh Labneh Yogurt Flavored with Mint, Dill, Olive Oil & Walnut

      • Atom$9.95

        Garlic-Yogurt, Celery & Sundried Chili

        • Ezme$9.95

          Sundried Tomato Paste with Onion, Green Pepper, Garlic, Parsley & Turkish Spices

          • Pembe Sultan$9.95

            Beets, Labneh Yogurt, Garlic, Olive Oil

            • Muhammara$9.95

              Red Pepper Spread with Walnuts & Olive Oil

              • Çiğ Köfte$9.95

                Six Pieces of Bulgur-Wheat Kofta with Tomato Paste, Red Peppers, Turkish Spices

                • Moutabal$9.95

                  Charred-Eggplant, Yogurt, Tahini, Garlic, Olive Oil

                  • Imam Bayildi$12.95

                    Roasted Eggplant Stuffed with Tomatoes, Onions, & Olive Oil

                    Hot Meze

                    • Sigara Böreği$11.95

                      Feta Cheese, Onions & Parsley Wrapped in Homemade Dough

                      • Patates Köfte$11.95

                        Potato Cakes with Crumbled Feta & Yogurt Sauce

                        • Anatolian Dolma$13.95

                          Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice, Pine Nuts & Raisins, with Yogurt Sauce

                          • Falafel$12.95

                            Chickpea-Vegetable Fritters with Yogurt Sauce

                            • Butter Shrimp$14.95

                              Sundried Chili & Turkish Spices

                              • Içli Köfte$14.95

                                Bulgur Wheat Stuffed with Ground Lamb & Beef, Onion, Walnuts & Parsley

                                • Brussels Sprouts$9.95

                                  Caramelized Onions, Garlic, Pine Nuts, Orange, Red Cabbage, Cream, Red Peppers, Lemon Juice

                                  Soups & Salads

                                  • Red Lentil Soup$9.95

                                    Red Lentils, Onions, Carrots, Potato

                                    • Shepherd Salad$14.95

                                      Chopped Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Onions, Green Peppers, Walnuts, Parsley, Lemon Dressing

                                      • Greek Salad$14.95

                                        Romaine Hearts, Beets, Red Onion, Olives, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Feta Cheese, Lemon Dressing

                                        Meze Platters

                                        Cabbage, Cream, Red Peppers, Lemon Juice

                                        • Cold Meze Platter$23.95

                                          Hummus, Pembe Sultan, Muhammara, Atom, Haydari, Moutabal

                                          • Hot Meze Platter$23.95

                                            Sigara Boregi, Falafel, Patates Köfte, Icli Köfte

                                            Chef's Mixed Grill

                                            Chef's Selection of Kebaps for Two Guests $64.95. Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) and Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

                                            • Lamb Chops

                                              • Köfte

                                                • Chicken Şiş

                                                  • Adana Kebap

                                                    • Lamb şiş

                                                      Beef Kebaps

                                                      • Döner Kebap$24.95

                                                        Thinly Sliced Beef Döner Kebap Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

                                                        • İskender Kebap$24.95

                                                          Thinly Sliced Beef Döner Kebap Served Over Toasted Pita Bread with Tomato Sauce & Yogurt

                                                          • Adana Kebap$25.95

                                                            Char-Grilled Spicy Ground Beef Kebap Seasoned with Red Peppers & Spices. Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

                                                            • Beyti Kebap$25.95

                                                              Char-Grilled Spicy Ground Beef Kebap Wrapped in Lavash Bread with Eggplant Puree. Served with Tomato Sauce& Yogurt

                                                              • Inegol Köfte$24.95

                                                                Char-Grilled Ground Beef Kofta Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served with White Rice, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) and Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

                                                                Chicken Kebaps

                                                                • Tavuk Adana Kebap$23.95

                                                                  Chicken Kebap Seasoned with Red Peppers & Spices Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

                                                                  • Tavuk Beyti Kebap$23.95

                                                                    Chicken Kebap Wrapped in Lavash Bread with Eggplant Puree. Served with Tomato Sauce & Yogurt

                                                                    • Tavuk Şiş$23.95

                                                                      Char-Grilled ChickenCubes Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served with Bulgur Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) & Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

                                                                      • Tavuk Köfte$23.95

                                                                        Char-Grilled Ground Chicken Kofta Seasoned with Turkish Spices & Served over PitaBread with Tomato & Yogurt Sauce

                                                                        Ottoman Classics

                                                                        • Moussaka$21.95

                                                                          Eggplant, Potato, Ground Beef, Bechamel Sauce & Kashkaval Cheese

                                                                          • Lamb Şiş$28.95

                                                                            Char-Grilled Lamb Cubes Seasoned with Herbs & Served with Bulgar Pilav, Ezme (Turkish Salsa) and Carrot-Red Cabbage Slaw

                                                                            • Grilled Lamb Chops$29.95

                                                                              Thyme & Pepper Marinated Lamb Chops Served with Sautéed Vegetables & Smoked Eggplant Puree

                                                                              • Shrimp Casserole$21.95

                                                                                Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Mint in Tomato Sauce with Kashkaval Cheese

                                                                                • Grilled Salmon$26.95

                                                                                  Char-Grilled Salmon Served with Mashed Potatoes & Sautéed Spinach

                                                                                  • Kuru Fasulye & Pilav$19.95

                                                                                    White Beans Stew with Tomatoes, Onions & Green Peppers. Served with White Rice

                                                                                    • Cauliflower Stew$19.95

                                                                                      Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Onions, Tomatoes, Carrots & Served with White Rice

                                                                                      • Manti$21.95

                                                                                        Turkish Ravioli Stuffed with Ground Beef & Served with Garlic Yogurt and Anatolian Sauce

                                                                                        Sides

                                                                                        • French Fries$5.00

                                                                                          • Sautéed Vegetables$5.00

                                                                                            • Plain Yogurt$5.00

                                                                                              • Bulgur Pilav$5.00

                                                                                                • White Rice$5.00

                                                                                                  Last updated: November 13, 2022

                                                                                                  What 1,705 people are saying

                                                                                                  Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                                  Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                                                  4.6
                                                                                                  4.6 based on recent ratings
                                                                                                  • 4.7Food
                                                                                                  • 4.4Service
                                                                                                  • 4.6Ambience
                                                                                                  • 4.6Value

                                                                                                  Noise • Moderate

                                                                                                  Loved For

                                                                                                  • District of Columbia

                                                                                                    Best Value

                                                                                                  Review summary

                                                                                                  AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                                  Ottoman Taverna shines in DC with "amazing food and great service," offering "the best brunch in the city." Guests rave about its "delicious, fresh, and authentic" Turkish dishes. The ambiance is inviting, and the "large portions" make it perfect for sharing. Notably, the "prix fixe menu is highly recommended."

                                                                                                  1,705 Reviews

                                                                                                  1. Kurt

                                                                                                    VIP

                                                                                                    New York City

                                                                                                    7 reviews

                                                                                                    4.0

                                                                                                    7 reviews

                                                                                                    Dined 1 day ago

                                                                                                    1. Overall 4
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                    Food is delicious and Ambience is good but the seats near the window has the heat blowing from the top downwards which made it too hot. Would recommend and would come back

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                                                                                                  2. Ann

                                                                                                    VIP

                                                                                                    Washington DC

                                                                                                    16 reviews

                                                                                                    2.0

                                                                                                    16 reviews

                                                                                                    Dined 3 days ago

                                                                                                    1. Overall 2
                                                                                                    2. Food 2
                                                                                                    3. Service 1
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                    Service is just horrible. Waitress forgot to place appetizers. Automatic 20% gratuity and 11% tax. Took doner kabob off menu. What?? It’s a Turkish restaurant. This was my favorite place. No longer.

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                                                                                                  3. Amal

                                                                                                    Washington DC

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    5.0

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    Dined 3 days ago

                                                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 4
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                    Overall great experience, food was amazing and fresh.

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                                                                                                  4. Joseph

                                                                                                    Washington DC

                                                                                                    2 reviews

                                                                                                    5.0

                                                                                                    2 reviews

                                                                                                    Dined 4 days ago

                                                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                    Ottoman Taverna in Washington, D.C., provided a memorable experience for my mom and me on Christmas Eve. We were treated to a wonderful prix fixe menu that perfectly captured the flavors and richness of Turkish cuisine. As someone who had never tried Turkish food before, my mom was pleasantly surprised by the variety and authenticity of the dishes. From savory appetizers to tender kebabs, each course was a delight. The ambiance was warm and inviting, making it the perfect setting for a special holiday meal. The service was attentive, and overall, it was a fantastic introduction to Turkish cuisine. Highly recommended!

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                                                                                                  5. Alan

                                                                                                    Richmond

                                                                                                    3 reviews

                                                                                                    4.0

                                                                                                    3 reviews

                                                                                                    Dined 6 days ago

                                                                                                    1. Overall 4
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                    Be aware the restaurant adds a 20% service fee to your tab, which is NOT a gratuity for your server. Overall still a very good value with some tasty dishes. We would go back again.👍

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                                                                                                  6. John

                                                                                                    Dallas

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    2.0

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    Dined 6 days ago

                                                                                                    1. Overall 2
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 1
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                    The service was really bad, but the food really good

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                                                                                                  7. BRADD

                                                                                                    Washington DC

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    5.0

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    Dined on December 14, 2024

                                                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 4
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                    Absolutely amazing food and a great experience. Mushroom Hummus was sublime

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                                                                                                  8. Nancy

                                                                                                    New York City

                                                                                                    4 reviews

                                                                                                    5.0

                                                                                                    4 reviews

                                                                                                    Dined on December 11, 2024

                                                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 4
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                    We arrived at 5:15 and we’re quickly seated and served. The food was excellent and the service good until the restaurant got full. Then the service disappeared and we waited a half an hour or more for desserts. Went full you couldn’t pull your chair out without hitting somebody else. And the noise level was high. The food was phenomenal.

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                                                                                                  9. Ryan

                                                                                                    Washington DC

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    3.0

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    Dined on December 8, 2024

                                                                                                    1. Overall 3
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 3
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                    They need to split checks. It was an ordeal having to deal with this for such a large table.

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                                                                                                  10. Raj

                                                                                                    Washington DC

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    4.0

                                                                                                    1 review

                                                                                                    Dined on December 8, 2024

                                                                                                    1. Overall 4
                                                                                                    2. Food 4
                                                                                                    3. Service 4
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                    The appetizers were really delicious especially the red lentil soup, butter, shrimp, roasted eggplant – in cold meze. The entrees were not that as compared to the appetizers but lamb chops were good. They charge 20% of the check as the service fee which came as a surprise to us as it was not counted as gratuity. So we ended up paying 40% on top of the check .

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                                                                                                  FAQs

                                                                                                  Ottoman Taverna does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now and Uber Eats. Ottoman Taverna also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 847-0389.

                                                                                                  Ottoman Taverna is rated 4.6 stars by 1705 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                                  Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                                                  Make a reservation

                                                                                                  2 people
                                                                                                  9:00 PM
                                                                                                  Booked 40 times today

                                                                                                  Order delivery or takeout

                                                                                                  Google Map for Ottoman Taverna

                                                                                                  425 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

                                                                                                  Dining areas

                                                                                                  Additional information

                                                                                                  • Award-winning
                                                                                                    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
                                                                                                  • Cross street
                                                                                                    4th and I Street NW
                                                                                                  • Neighborhood
                                                                                                    Mount Vernon Square
                                                                                                  • Hours of operation
                                                                                                    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:45 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
                                                                                                  • Price
                                                                                                    $30 and under
                                                                                                  • Cuisines
                                                                                                    Turkish, Mediterranean
                                                                                                  • Dining style
                                                                                                    Casual Elegant
                                                                                                  • Dress code
                                                                                                    Smart Casual
                                                                                                  • Parking details
                                                                                                    Street Parking
                                                                                                  • Public transit
                                                                                                    The restaurant is situated in between Judiciary Square and Chinatown metro stations in Mount Vernon Triangle along the red, green and yellow lines.
                                                                                                  • Payment options
                                                                                                    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                                  • Executive chef
                                                                                                    Mustafa Essizoglu
                                                                                                  • Additional
                                                                                                    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                                                  • Website
                                                                                                    https://ottomantaverna.com/
                                                                                                  • Phone number
                                                                                                    (202) 847-0389
                                                                                                  • Catering
                                                                                                    Catering menus are available upon request
                                                                                                  • Private party facilities
                                                                                                    Ottoman Taverna features the Sultan’s Table (Chef’s table) with 12 seats. We have 3 private dining rooms, with the smallest accommodating 30 people and the two largest combined seating 90.
                                                                                                  • Private party contact
                                                                                                    Felicia Ruffino: (202) 847-0389

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