Maydan came highly recommended to me by food friends, and for a restaurant that has been hyped for some time already, it still lives up to every ounce of that hype. The entrance to the Middle Eastern restaurant is tucked away from the main street, only a small sign pointing you in the right direction. But those who know, know. Once inside, it’s like being transported into the set of a meticulously composed show, all centered around the open kitchen with chefs that have mastered the art of harnessing the power of the most primary element, fire.
Maydan has mastered the art of an immersive, elevated culinary performance. The attentive service and perfectly cadenced courses of the feast make for an unhurried and delightful dining experience. Their signature Tawle set menu does exactly what it sets out to do, fill the table with what feels like an endless stream food with “flow and abundance,” perfectly curated but still with the joys and wonders of creating your own perfect bites with the various sauces and herbs. The shared grazing mezze tricks you into thinking you are less full than you actually are, but the depth of flavor and visual wonder of the spread is just overwhelming in the best way. From drinks to dessert and the many many plates in between, Maydan promises a meal that will be a memorable event even on a weeknight.
Address | 1346 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC |
Website | https://www.maydandc.com/ |
Yelp | https://www.yelp.com/biz/maydan-washington-2 |
@maydandc | |
Hours | 5-11pm every day, closed Mondays |
Price | $$$ – Tawle menu is $75 per person (with optional add ons and drinks) which comes with plenty of food |
Aesthetic | warm, rustic, industrial in an elemental way |
Go here for: a decadent meal with a small group, a special occasion meal
Order this: go with the Tawle menu, you’ll still have to make a couple choices but at least it is mostly guided, you can even pair it with somm selected drinks
Amount of time to spend: 1-2 hours for the full experience
When to come: when you have a reservation, walk ins are hard here, and though they have a bar, wait times can be long
Getting here: by public transit it’s closest to buses 52, 54 and 59 on 14th St NW right around the corner, also a 7 min walk from the U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo green line station.
Other things to note:
Last visited: March 2023
Last updated: July 2023