I consider myself an adventurous eater but I never thought I’d venture to eat Lebanese food. To be honest, I didn’t really know what Lebanese food was but I’m so happy that I got a chance to discover it. I checked out Lebanese Taverna in Baltimore‘s Harbor East neighborhood and realized how much I’d been missing.
I went to the restaurant with a group of other travel writers and I’d have to say that going as a group is probably a better experience. You have a chance to sample a nice selection of different foods from the menu and not over-stuff yourself. It was also a nice opportunity to experience a different culture with other adventurous spirits. We started off with the Chef’s platter which was a sampling of hommos, baba ghanoush, tabouleh, lebneh, grape leaf, falafel, fatayer spinach, kibbeh, foole m’damas. It’s funny what food can do to your senses. The smell of the spices enveloped me, transporting me away from Baltimore to a Syrian restaurant I dined at ten years ago in Cyprus.
The delivery of our entree and what followed brought me back.
One of our colleagues didn’t get the memo that we were dining family style. So when our server delivered one of the plates of fragrant flaky Mediterranean sea bass, and placed it near him, he kindly put the plate square in front of himself, started moving veggies around, and was 2 seconds from digging in when one of our hosts politely uttered, “Ahem, we’re all sharing tonight.” It took every ounce of professionalism for me not to burst out into hysterics. I got it! I knew where he was coming from – he was ready to dig in.
Had that been my husband, a Charleston native who loves eating whole fish, there would’ve been no sharing. Turns out, even with the sharing, his side of the table couldn’t finish the entire fish. Lamb, beef, chicken, rice, and other Lebanese specialties kept making their way to our table.
Besides the good food, beautiful decor, and very friendly staff, what I like about Lebanese Taverna is their clearly stated gluten free items. I really wanted to applaud them for that. It immediately made me say to myself, hey, I can bring my kids here.
Listen, I could keep showing you pictures of delectable dishes. Well, to be honest, I don’t have that many – I was too busy eating! The life of a travel writer is complex – sometimes we don’t know when to turn it on or turn it off. Pass me a bottle of wine and I forget who I am for a second. This is what I will say:
- The wine selection was fantastic. I’m not a red fan but I enjoyed a glass of it with my meal, although I ate chicken and fish. (How unclassy of me!)
- Go with a group of people – preferably 4 or more adults so you can really enjoy a lot of what the restaurant has to offer in terms of dishes.
- Don’t gorge on the warm pita. Yes, it’s almost irresistible, paired with the creamy hummus or olive oil and Zaatar spice, but you can do it. Just walk away or have a sip of wine.
- Be sure to order an appetizer sampler. I think this is the best way to gradually immerse yourself in the cuisine.
- Leave room for dessert, especially if you’re a fan of pistachios. Personally, they’re a favorite of mine and unfortunately, I don’t get to see as much of it as I’d like outside of New York.
- Share your fish!
Although Lebanese Taverna is a chain of restaurants, I think they do a good job of maintaining that singular restaurant feel. Have you had Lebanese food before? What’s your favorite dish?
I have been a fan of Lebanese Taverna since its inception!. This reviewer said this restaurant is a chain. That to me is a falsehood! It still is a family owned restaurant with some extra locations so others in DC, MD and VA can enjoy the food if you don’t want to go to Arlington.
I remember when I was in High school and they opened their first restaurant in the Westover section of Arlington, VA. It was a small family run business! The food has always been great! I can remember having a meal for 4 for less than 15 bucks with tabbouleh and hummus included!
As a little kid my family lived in Beirut for 2 yrs! We missed the rotisserie chicken, shwarma, tabboleh and hummus! One day when my brother and i were on the bus coming home from high school, we saw that Airborn pizza was now Lebanese Taverna! So my family made it a monthly dinner destination!!
Over the years they eventually expanded to the store next door and opened the Lebanese Taverna Market. I could get that rotisserie chicken with garlic paste and mountain bread just like we used to on the streets of Beirut at the Market! Oh and lebanese groceries too, along with other premade salads, shawarma, desserts etc!. Great place if you want some Lebanese food quick and delish!
The fact that they have other restaurants in Tysons Corner and Pentagon City, DC and Baltimore, just speaks to the quality and determination of a family to bring good Lebanese food to the public! I just wish they would open a restaurant here in the Twin Cities! I moved to Minnesota 2 years ago and miss them! I loved that I lived 2 blocks from the Market and could get a shawarma or roasted chicken anytime I wanted!
But as far as I am concerned, I will always eat their food over any other middle eastern restaurant!
It’s a local/small chain, please qualify.. very different from, say, Red Lobster. Lebanese isn’t very uncommon at all these days, certainly not for an adventurous eater! Although many place overlap it with similar aspects of Turkish or even Greek food.
Thanks for the nice review. be adventurous and try new things! Lebanese Taverna has been in the DC area for 20+ years…