Alara: attractive, well-lit restaurant interior

Alara: appetizing, high-quality food photography

Alara: attractive, professional interior shot

Alara: inviting atmosphere and professional interior shot

Alara: clear exterior shot of restaurant

10 photos

Alara

Name: Alara
Address: 1303 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, Washington, D.C., Georgetown, 20007, US
Telephone: +12025063446
Price range: $$-$$$$
Rating: 4.1

★ 4.1 · 458 reviews Washington, D.C. Opened March 2025

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The Ottoman Taverna team on Wisconsin Avenue

The Ottoman Taverna people opened Alara on Wisconsin Avenue in March 2025, working the Turkish end of the Mediterranean rather than the Greek one everyone else is doing.

There is a four-course prix fixe if you want the guided version, or order chicken shish kebab and moussaka off the card. The tahini crème brûlée is worth the extra course.

What guests say

Reviews by Google

Michael L. 18 reviews · Local Guide 21 July 2026

I’ve eaten at Alara twice — first for a family dinner, and later for a family lunch. Both times, the service was perfect and the setting impeccable. The food is excellent, consistently well executed, with no unpleasant surprises. The prices are reasonable considering the quality offered. If I had to mention one criticism, it would be the noise level in the dining room at night, which can get quite loud when the restaurant is full.
George Mathew 6 reviews 18 July 2026

The restaurant has good kebabs and mezze. We ordered the mixed grill platter, mezze trio and fatoush salad. The kebabs were perfectly cooked. The lamb chops were slightly under seasoned. The mezze trio was a bit small but excellent. The fatoush salad was the standard affair. Would recommend again. The restaurant did not have a great ambience. The tables were crammed too close to each other making the restaurant too loud and hard to talk.
MAURICIO REYGADAS 280 reviews · Local Guide 23 June 2026

Incredible aesthetics, great service, and overall amazing place for a nice brunch or lunch. Great spot for a date. The food was excellent. No complaints.
Sudipan Karmakar 27 reviews · Local Guide 26 May 2026

Absolutely loved this place! The food was authentic, incredibly tasty, and everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The vibrant atmosphere made the whole experience even better. However, I was surprised by the billing transparency. A 20% service charge was already added to the bill, but the server mentioned that it goes toward operational costs and that additional tips were appreciated. I ended up paying nearly 40% over the actual bill amount. To me, the mandatory service charge felt like a hidden cost. Clearer communication around charges ahead of time would make the experience much better.
Israt Bhuiyan 25 reviews · Local Guide 14 April 2026

Some of the best Mediterranean food I've had. All meats are halal-friendly, and there's also great vegetarian options. My top 3 fans are probably: Shakshuka Lamb (Lule) Kebab Potato Pie (Borek) And their Alara Blush mocktail is always a nice and refreshingly tangy reset.