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Welcome to a gastronomic gem that transports you to the sun-kissed shores and rich culinary traditions of the Levantine region. Nestled discreetly within a charming corner of the city, Michelin-rated restaurant ala invites you on an unforgettable journey through the flavors and aromas of the Mediterranean.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 4948 Fairmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Website: https://www.ala-dc.com/
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
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HOME | ala
ala | Bethesda 4948 Fairmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814. ala | DC Temporarily closed for renovation. . ala | Bethesda Monday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM.
ala (@alarestaurants) • Instagram photos and videos
ala | Dupont Circle (closed for renovation) & Bethesda, MD Michelin Guide 2022 & 2023. Modern Levantine Cuisine Bottomless Buffet Style Brunch …
Book Your ala | Bethesda Reservation Now on Resy
ala transports you to the sun-kissed shores … Read more. ala | Bethesda. 4948 Fairmont Ave. Bethesda, MD …
Reviews
Charles-Stephen Laubhouet
We celebrated my wife’s birthday at Ala, I saw them on Resy through Amex and it turned out to be one of the most refreshing dining experiences we’ve had in a long time.
The Levantine atmosphere was mind-bending modern, elegant, and full of sensory detail that makes you feel momentarily transported somewhere in the Mediterranean coast.
We had both had the $58 dollars tasting experience were you get to pick 3 hot mezze and 3 cold mezze, we had tried the Salmon Kibbeh Nayeh(our favorite), Tuna Tartare Dolmades, batata hara, with dolma bi lahm and some others stuff we forgot , the whole thing accompanied by a Mishmish cocktail and Acqua Panna water. The cocktail had smoke inside lol I was impressed, it also had a sweet and smoking flavor. Every bite was layered with texture, flavor, and artistry. The presentation alone felt like a form of storytelling bold colors, refined plating, and spices that awaken curiosity. I know they had a chef in the back because that was 5 stars presentation.
Our server Oumar was excellent attentive, warm, and genuinely proud of the food he was serving. His energy made the night even more enjoyable.
The meal ended on a sweet note with complimentary browny for my wife’s birthday. We had to take our deserts which were baklavas home because we were way too full! I would definitely go again
… moreThe Levantine atmosphere was mind-bending modern, elegant, and full of sensory detail that makes you feel momentarily transported somewhere in the Mediterranean coast.
We had both had the $58 dollars tasting experience were you get to pick 3 hot mezze and 3 cold mezze, we had tried the Salmon Kibbeh Nayeh(our favorite), Tuna Tartare Dolmades, batata hara, with dolma bi lahm and some others stuff we forgot , the whole thing accompanied by a Mishmish cocktail and Acqua Panna water. The cocktail had smoke inside lol I was impressed, it also had a sweet and smoking flavor. Every bite was layered with texture, flavor, and artistry. The presentation alone felt like a form of storytelling bold colors, refined plating, and spices that awaken curiosity. I know they had a chef in the back because that was 5 stars presentation.
Our server Oumar was excellent attentive, warm, and genuinely proud of the food he was serving. His energy made the night even more enjoyable.
The meal ended on a sweet note with complimentary browny for my wife’s birthday. We had to take our deserts which were baklavas home because we were way too full! I would definitely go again
R. Herman
We had a great Valentine’s Day at Ala for dinner. We participated in the tasting experience and bought a bottle of wine. The food was delicious! Our waitress did a great job too.
… moreC. Nkombengnondo
Absolutely loved our experience. The service was amazing from start to finish. My date and I arrived within the last hour, about 10 minutes before the kitchen closed, and the staff was still incredibly kind and accommodating. Our waiter made sure everything came out on time and never made us feel rushed or uncomfortable. The food was delicious, and while the dumplings were just slightly warm, it was very understandable given how close it was to closing and didn’t take away from the experience at all. The space itself is beautiful, the ambiance is so inviting, and everyone was extremely friendly. Such a perfect spot for an intimate date night or a relaxed catch-up with friends. Would definitely come back.
… moreCeren E
Huge thanks to Yeymi for such a great experience.
We had a great time at this restaurant. We loved the tapas/mezze style mini dishes because it made it easy to try a bunch of different things.
I have digestive issues so I am usually really careful about what I eat. From the first bite I could tell everything was made with high quality oils and ingredients. The food was rich and flavorful but still felt really clean and light and I knew it wasn’t going to cause any issues for me. No heartburn at all which honestly says a lot.
The kunefe was amazing and the hazelnut semolina halva was one of our favorites. For the main dishes we tried the Adana kebab and the Batinjan Sini kebab and both were full of flavor and cooked perfectly.
The service honestly made the experience even better. The manager (Mustafa) and the entire staff(especially Yeymi) were super friendly attentive, and genuinely nice which made us feel really welcome. The rakı (beylerbeyi gobek which is my favorite and gold standard in Turkey) was excellent too and paired so well with the food.
Overall it was a really enjoyable Turkish/Mediterranean/Lebanese dining experience, and we loved every minute of it. Definitely recommend checking this place out.
… moreWe had a great time at this restaurant. We loved the tapas/mezze style mini dishes because it made it easy to try a bunch of different things.
I have digestive issues so I am usually really careful about what I eat. From the first bite I could tell everything was made with high quality oils and ingredients. The food was rich and flavorful but still felt really clean and light and I knew it wasn’t going to cause any issues for me. No heartburn at all which honestly says a lot.
The kunefe was amazing and the hazelnut semolina halva was one of our favorites. For the main dishes we tried the Adana kebab and the Batinjan Sini kebab and both were full of flavor and cooked perfectly.
The service honestly made the experience even better. The manager (Mustafa) and the entire staff(especially Yeymi) were super friendly attentive, and genuinely nice which made us feel really welcome. The rakı (beylerbeyi gobek which is my favorite and gold standard in Turkey) was excellent too and paired so well with the food.
Overall it was a really enjoyable Turkish/Mediterranean/Lebanese dining experience, and we loved every minute of it. Definitely recommend checking this place out.
wa ffles
Oumar was my server. He was very attentive and made me feel like royalty! The brunch buffet is simply spectacular!!! The price is well worth it and the food is all phenomenal. Beyond food and service, the vibes are emasculate. You can tell the owners put their blood sweat and tears into creating a magical dining experience in a beautiful environment with excellent food and beverages. Looking for a top of the line place to eat or party with friends? Looking no further!! And they won’t break the bank
… moreMarc Neilson
Yep, Ala is worth the hype! I’ve had Mediterranean food many times, but never prepared like this. Some old favorites like kabobs and simple hummus were prepared to perfection.
Also, if you want to know what true service is, dine here. Our waiter Harrison treated us like royalty and even surprised my wife with a birthday song. I truly felt like we were back at the Med and dining with Europe’s best.
What a perfect night!
… moreAlso, if you want to know what true service is, dine here. Our waiter Harrison treated us like royalty and even surprised my wife with a birthday song. I truly felt like we were back at the Med and dining with Europe’s best.
What a perfect night!
Sonya Kitchens
Made reservations blindly to celebrate a girlfriend’s birthday and so glad I did! My first time here and I have already planned a return trip for later this week with more friends. The food is gorgeous and delicious! We had exceptional customer service from beginning to end! They have definitely gained a fan.
… moreHarper Chiu
Great food, all the dishes had flavors you can’t find anywhere else. I was skeptical when the salmon kibbeh didn’t come with some sort of bread, but it ended up being amazing. However, I didn’t find the service particularly friendly or efficient. Our waitress never explained the menu to us which was a little confusing but we figured it out. I saw a different waitress introducing the restaurant and explaining the menu happily to the people at the table next to us. Our waitress never checked on us once and after waiting 35 minutes we had to chase her down to request the bill.
… moreDMV Foodini
Originally planned to dine for dinner with a big group, but opted for lunch with a friend since they require reservations for groups of 7+. The restaurant has a stylish, relaxed, cozy, and intimate vibe. It wasn’t busy for lunch – some patrons were even reading books while eating.
I was confused with all the menus and ordered the mezze lunch (2 select mezze plates + bite-sized baklava), which is usually meant for the whole table, but they allowed me to order individually. My friend ordered the tarkhun lavraki (whole branzino). From the mezze lunch menu, I chose the tuna tartare dolmades and garides kebab (shrimp) from the mezze lunch and added the short ribs pide (flatbread).
• Tuna tartare dolmades: the tuna lacked flavor and was overpowered by the sour notes in the dolmades
• Garides kebab (shrimp): overcooked and tough, but flavors were nice
• Short ribs pide: short ribs were scant, overcooked, and dry, but the pide as a whole was delicious
• Tarkhun lavraki (whole branzino): well-cooked and nicely presented, though it lacked distinctive seasoning
Overall, I appreciated the flavor combination of the ingredients. Service was quick and the staff were friendly. Prices are slightly high but justified by the overall experience. The relaxed atmosphere made it easy to enjoy a long lunch, though dinner service might not be.
… moreI was confused with all the menus and ordered the mezze lunch (2 select mezze plates + bite-sized baklava), which is usually meant for the whole table, but they allowed me to order individually. My friend ordered the tarkhun lavraki (whole branzino). From the mezze lunch menu, I chose the tuna tartare dolmades and garides kebab (shrimp) from the mezze lunch and added the short ribs pide (flatbread).
• Tuna tartare dolmades: the tuna lacked flavor and was overpowered by the sour notes in the dolmades
• Garides kebab (shrimp): overcooked and tough, but flavors were nice
• Short ribs pide: short ribs were scant, overcooked, and dry, but the pide as a whole was delicious
• Tarkhun lavraki (whole branzino): well-cooked and nicely presented, though it lacked distinctive seasoning
Overall, I appreciated the flavor combination of the ingredients. Service was quick and the staff were friendly. Prices are slightly high but justified by the overall experience. The relaxed atmosphere made it easy to enjoy a long lunch, though dinner service might not be.
Lev Freinkman
Nice place, with a real regional flavor. But to my taste, their sister shop in DC is even better – more authentic and better managed. Still, baklava was exceptional – Smells like the one in poor suburbs of Istanbul. And Armenian wine, Karas, was great, as expected.
… more