Lebanese Taverna Cafe Menu

  • Beverages
  • Mezza
  • Soup and Salad
  • Sandwiches
  • Mezza Platters
  • Entrees
  • Grilled Kabobs
  • Fatteh
  • Rotisserie Chicken
  • Sides
  • Kids Menu
  • Desserts

Diabetics at Applebee's

Diabetics must resist their temptations when dining at Applebee's. Most of the items on Applebee's menu is either stuffed with sodium or sugar. You must be extra careful and pick low-sugar and low-sodium diet at Applebee's if you are diabetic.

Foods to Avoid at Applebee's for Diabetics:

If you are starting your meal with appetizers then make sure you skip the Classic Buffalo sauce, Honey BBQ sauce, and sweet Asian Chile sauce on your wings order. It is highly recommended to skip the appetizers if you are dining alone and instead build your appetizer keeping nutrition in check. Among the steaks, you must stay away from the Applebee's Riblets platter as well as Bourbon Street Steak at all costs. Shrimp 'N Parmesan Sirloin is also not recommended. Skip the sandwiches, wraps, and tacos as well. Desserts may be tempting but it is recommended to avoid them at Applebee's for their high sugar content. All the beverages except Iced Teas must be avoided as well to control your sugar intake.

Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Applebee's

Boneless Wings (Appetizer Sampler)

Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 17g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 800mg sodium, 25g carbs, 1g sugar, 2g fiber, 20g Protein

Caesar Salad (Sides)

Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 18g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 380mg sodium, 11g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 4g Protein

Portsmouth Clam Chowder

Nutritional Facts: 160 calories, 7g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 530mg sodium, 18g carbs, 4g sugar, 2g fiber, 5g Protein

Double-Glazed Baby Back Ribs, Half Rack (side NOT included)

Nutritional Facts: 430 calories, 32g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 15g), 330mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 35g Protein

Garlicky Green Beans Side

Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 7g), 310mg sodium, 11g carbs, 2g sugar, 4g fiber, 3g Protein

Steamed Broccoli Side

Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 210mg sodium, 6g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 3g Protein

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Nutritional Facts: 130 calories, 6g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 320mg sodium, 17g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 2g Protein

Healthy Meal suggestions for Lebanese Taverna Cafe

  • Beverages
  • Mezza
  • Soup and Salad
  • Sandwiches
  • Mezza Platters
  • Entrees
  • Grilled Kabobs
  • Fatteh
  • Rotisserie Chicken
  • Sides
  • Kids Menu
  • Desserts

High Blood Pressure at Applebee's

Most of the foods served at Applebee's restaurants are high in sodium. Unless you are visiting the restaurant or dining here in the group, there are hardly any options from the main meals if you wish to keep your blood pressure in check. You can rely on a few salad options though. If lucky, you may find low-sodium ribs as well at the restaurant.

Foods to Avoid at Applebee's for High Blood Pressure

Avoid Green Goddess Wedge at Applebee's. Broccoli Cheese Soup and French Onion Soup contain over 1000mg sodium and hence must be skipped as well. Skip all the chicken dishes and seafood at Applebee's except Grilled Chicken Breast and Baked Haddock without sides respectively. You must also skip Brunch Burger, Quesadilla Burger, Triple Bacon Burger, and Whiskey Bacon Burger at Applebee's. High sodium intake can be lethal for a high blood pressure candidate. Avoid ordering foods that contain over 1000mg sodium at Applebee's, especially if you're dining alone.

Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Applebee's

House Salad

Nutritional Facts: 120 calories, 6g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 200mg sodium, 12g carbs, 4g sugar, 2g fiber, 6g Protein

Caesar Salad (Sides)

Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 18g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 380mg sodium, 11g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 4g Protein

Mixed Green Salad

Nutritional Facts: 70 calories, 2g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 105mg sodium, 11g carbs, 4g sugar, 2g fiber, 2g Protein

Double-Glazed Baby Back Ribs, Half Rack (side NOT included)

Nutritional Facts: 430 calories, 32g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 15g), 330mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 35g Protein

Steamed Broccoli Side

Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 210mg sodium, 6g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 3g Protein

High Cholesterol at Applebee's

Well, steaks and ribs go hand in hand with cholesterol. Being their signature dish, it will be a challenge to find low-calorie, healthy food for those concerned with their cholesterol levels. However, you can always opt for their salads and other light foods to keep the cholesterol in check.

Foods to Avoid at Applebee's for High Cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, then you must avoid eating sandwiches, wraps, and tacos at Applebee's. While the salads and soups sound healthy, you must skip the Fiesta Chopped Salad and Loaded Potato Soup at Applebee's. It is also advised to dodge the Three Cheese Chicken Penne and Chicken Fajita Rollup. Any main meal with over 100mg cholesterol is not idle for someone with high cholesterol. So, skip those items at Applebee's.

Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Applebee's

House Salad

Nutritional Facts: 120 calories, 6g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 200mg sodium, 12g carbs, 4g sugar, 2g fiber, 6g Protein

Mixed Green Salad

Nutritional Facts: 70 calories, 2g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 105mg sodium, 11g carbs, 4g sugar, 2g fiber, 2g Protein

Portsmouth Clam Chowder

Nutritional Facts: 160 calories, 7g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 530mg sodium, 18g carbs, 4g sugar, 2g fiber, 5g Protein

Fire-Grilled Veggies Side

Nutritional Facts: 150 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 410mg sodium, 9g carbs, 6g sugar, 3g fiber, 2g Protein

Garlicky Green Beans Side

Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 7g), 310mg sodium, 11g carbs, 2g sugar, 4g fiber, 3g Protein

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Nutritional Facts: 130 calories, 6g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 320mg sodium, 17g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 2g Protein

  • Christine P.

    I met up with a friend for dinner at this place. If you're looking for fancy, authentic, gourmet Lebanese fare, this would definitely not be it. The interior reminds me more of a cafeteria nestled among several chain restaurants (Red Lobster, Macaroni Grill, etc.) in downtown Silver Spring. I gave them four stars because they serve some pretty decent food in generous portions for a reasonable (and dare I say relatively cheap) price. I recommend the Traditional Platter if you're especially hungry because it gives a balanced sample of protein, vegetables, and carbs. The dish comes with a couple of falafel pieces, generous portions of hummus and baba ganoush, one kibbeh, tabouleh salad, one grape leave roll, and some pita bread. The salad was refreshing, and overall the dish was a good value at $10. My friends also enjoyed the chicken shwarma and the salmon harra.

    (4)
  • Addy C.

    My sister & her husband like this place, and they usu. order several different things and share. Portions are generous. My sister brought me here last wknd, and we shared "Kia's Platter" which includes your choice of 4 mezza items plus chicken or beef shawarma. All this for just $10.95, and it was plenty of food for 2 people. We picked the Baba Ghannouge (good), 2 Falafels (good), Kibbeh (ok), Shakshouky (good), and the Chicken Shawarma (flavorful but salty). The platter also comes with a couple of very large and puffy pita bread ... yum :) We didn't get the kabobs but my sister said they're very good, too. FYI - garage parking available but rates are very low. Restaurant doesn't validate parking. This restaurant has 4 locations.

    (4)
  • Stephanie S W.

    Just okay. (I was tempted to only write those two words, but then decided an elaboration would be helpful) First of all, from the outside I thought this establishment would be a nice sit down restaurant. However, you enter and walk into a line where you can select a beverage from a freezer display, then order at the counter. The food takes entirely too long to come out and is surprisingly flavorless. I've tried to shwarma plate with hommos and it was so-so. The sandwich itself was fairly bland with the meat tasting dry (most likely over-cooked). The general feeling of the place is cold and off-putting.

    (2)
  • Ashli H.

    I should really branch out my options in Silver Spring, but I keep coming back to Lebanese Taverna any time I need a quick meal fix. Given the quality of the food, it really is a good value. The service is always friendly and there are several vegetarian options. If you are in the mood for many different flavors, then I recommend the traditional platter. It includes a mini sampling of some favorite dishes. Heads-up: you can substitute out the kibbeh for a vegetarian item (e.g. spinach pie) if that's a dietary restriction that you have. Another favorite is the falafel sandwich platter. For just $2 more than the cost of the sandwich, you can add a salad and a choice of potatoes, hummus, fries, or rice. I typically get the hummus because it's some of the best around, though their rice can also be a nice complement to the meal. My non-vegetarian friends also love this place and tend to gravitate toward the chicken shawarrma or the traditional platter (minus the kibbeh substitution). Be sure to ask for a rewards card if you frequent this location so you can work your way up to a free sandwich platter!

    (5)
  • Kelly C.

    Good option for lunch around the area...I like the traditional platter (about $10) and the chicken shwarma (about $9) the best. Platters come with salad and a choice of hummus or fries - definitely opt for the hummus because they serve delicious fresh airy baked bread to accompany it. Atmosphere isn't anything spectacular--best for a super casual lunch or dinner. Price wise, it'll cost you more than a sando at Potbelly's but a nice change with plenty of healthy options.

    (4)
  • La B.

    I have been to the Bethesda location which has a very different vibe than this spot. This location is very accessible and laid back. you seat yourself, stand in line to order and they call your number. For dinner I had the Kibbeh lamb and the fatayer trio with two beef and one cheese. The lamb came with rice and pita bread. Everything was delicious as well as the small piece of baklava I had. My total was a bit more than I'd want to spend between 20-25$ including a fountain soda. They have a good amount of alternative beverages and wines. The bathroom is clean and accessible. They can accommodate larger groups and the tables are moveable and can accommodate someone who requires wheelchair access.

    (3)
  • Sasha N.

    I really hate to write a review that is not good, but here goes. I generally really like this place. This time I ordered a platter with grilled salmon and salad. While the seasoning was good, the salmon tasty like it was previously frozen. It was incredibly fishy. Very disappointing. I should have probably ordered something more traditional It also took quite a while to cook, which I really think I should have been told ahead of time. I will stick with the mezza platters.

    (2)
  • Tim H.

    Whatever you get here will be very well prepared--LT is a chain but it knows what it is doing and is focused on its product. It's not as good as the really great hole-in-the-wall middle eastern places, but it is very good. In fact, if there's someone out there who has never had Lebanese or any other middle eastern food, this would be a great place to start. The Cafe is not as good as the restaurants (I'm most familiar with the Baltimore location) but it's a lot of the same items and for a better price. There are big plates of kabobs and other very delicious meats, but if you want something lighter just get a falafel sandwich platter. You want the platter because you want the hummus. Yes, you do. I've seen slow service, even when it's not too busy. Also, it is a cafe, so you'll have to do some legwork (you lazy slug!). But even amongst other good options in downtown Silver Spring, I find I end up here all the time with no regrets.

    (4)
  • Mia R.

    Compared to the one in Woodley Park, this place is really subpar. This one feel far less like a restaurant and way more like a chain establishment. But that's not a big deal. I think the issue (for me anyway) is that the food--particularly the shawarma, seems to be prepared MUCH differently than what I've experienced in Woodley Park. The quality, taste, texture--very bad. Was not happy with it and a little embarrassed as I'd hyped this place up thinking that it would be the Lebanese Taverna-Woodley Park experience. It was not. I do give a star though for the hummus. That was good...but...we actually left here and went to Moby Dick's (which I also don't like, but my fiance seemed to prefer it) for better shawarma.

    (2)
  • Natalie M.

    I've been to Lebanese Taverna a number of times, but I haven't been completely wowed by anything on the menu. Still, I decided to give it another shot tonight. I ordered the Olivia's platter, which comes with a choice of three mezze items. I decided on the hummus; fattoush (a salad with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and pita chips drizzled with pomegranate dressing); and spinach fatayer (stuffed pastry). The hummus was smooth and delicious and tasted good with the cold, refreshing salad and yummy spinach pastry. I tried a piece of my friend's salmon harra dish. The salmon was nicely seasoned, but its supporting cast of bland white rice and house salad was a huge letdown. I also sampled the rotisserie chicken, which tasted dry. It could have definitely used a bit of marinated dressing on top. Verdict: Lebanese Taverna has some decent dishes ideal for a quick, filling meal at a low cost.

    (3)
  • Niana K.

    Golly. I really wanted to love this place because I heard the actual Lebanese Taverna (not the cafe version) is really good, but for the cafe, you get 3 stars. This is why: My friend ordered the djaj m'sahab and gave me a piece of her pulled chicken. It looked amazing, smelled nice and garlicy, but tasted DRY LIKE SAND. That was pretty disappointing. However, I was diggin her hommos...literally...hehe The prices are actually very reasonable, especially if you order one of the platters. I got the Olivia platter (3 mezzas for $8) and chose the tabouleh, shakshouky, and Lebanese salad. I have to say I enjoyed the tabouleh, and the Lebanese salad was okay. The shakshouky, in my opinion, was WAY too oily, but man, the flavors were on point. They should really work on not leaving a soup of oil on the plate though. I had to soak it up with napkins..... Um, the bread was nice and soft for about 10 minutes...then it got hard and stale. The bread gets 1 star for being free. Anyway, I would probably come back to try out some other mezzas and entrees, but I do NOT recomment the Djaj M'sahab sandwich!!! I'm definitely going to try out the non-cafe version of Lebanese Taverna as well.

    (3)
  • Lucy M.

    Seriously if I could give this location zero stars I would. I found a piece of fried plastic in my sons chicken. When I brought it to the attention of the manager, Ana, she simply removed the plastic and handed the plate back to me with so much as a "sorry". I incredulously asked for a new plate and she rolled her eyes in my face and said "okay". I asked if she would eat it or feed it to her own child and she said that she "has her opinion, but will respect mine" when I asked for a manager, I was informed that she was it. I asked her name and she smirked as she told me. She then proceeded to treat me with total disdain. I eventually canceled the order and just asked for fries for my son. When she brought the fries, she with the nastiest tone and rudest smirk on her face asked "is there anything else I can do for you?" I asked her to please continue smirking and she left. We didn't interact any further except when I caught her staring at me. Honestly, if she had apologized and treated the fact that I found plastic in my food (thankfully before my child swallowed it) seriously, it would have been fine. Her attitude does a real disservice to this company. I was horrified and will not return to this location.

    (1)
  • Deb G.

    Lebanese Taverna Cafe is a solid choice to head to in downtown SS. Not the best, not the worst, but pretty consistent. Depending on how hungry I am, I either get the Olivia's platter (3 mezza items) or the Kia's platter (4 mezza and shwarma). Their special hummus with meat is very good, the baba ghanoush is ok - not smoky enough for me - and I'm always torn about whether I should get the m'saka or shashouky - both eggplant dishes. I also like their kibbeh and falafel, and as noted in other reviews, their bread is oh so wonderful! However, if you're a big carnivore, don't go here. The meat portions tend to be small and pricey, and you'll be left wondering what else you can eat.

    (3)
  • Josh R.

    I was pleasantly surprised by this place, whose middling Yelp reviews kept me away from it. A friend told me it was good, so we went last night. We shared a "Lebanese feast," which offered a large plate of 12 different, mostly vegetarian options for $27. Everything was delicious. I found the ambiance, portion size, and ingredient quality to be fantastic in the context of the price. They also had a good alcohol selection, where most items cost $6. I got a wonderful Spanish red wine from the Jumilla region. They have two Old Dominion beers on tap. They also have Lebanese beer and wine options; the red Lebanese wine was not great. They also have bottles of Stella, Yuengling, Amstel Light, and other standard imports. To be able to drink quality wine and have authentic, fresh cuisine in the DC metro area is something that is rare under $20/person. I'm surprised there haven't been more 5-star reviews. Perhaps the other entrees are not as good, but another friend was thoroughly satisfied with his shawarma.

    (5)
  • Thanh N.

    This was the first time I ever had Lebanese food and it wasn't too bad. I had the platter with chicken shawarma and it kinda reminded me of the German döner. My boyfriend had the beef shawarma and loved it (got even two of them). So thumbs up for this place!

    (4)
  • David S.

    I'm lucky. I'm on a diet, and am supposed to eat really small portions. Fortunately, the ridiculously small falafel sandwich fits into a woman's opera purse. Do these guys know that Amsterdam Falafel and others are blowing them out of the water with full size meal falafel sandwiches?

    (2)
  • Nets H.

    The worst place yet. I had the Ouzi and meat was soo bad the rice had the taste of the meat-disgusting. The spicy hummus was very salty couldn't tell the taste at all. And the two orders came with two pita breads which wasn't proportional to the hummus. And all this was on top of waiting for more 30 minutes for the stinky food. Never again

    (1)
  • Mary K.

    Its good for a nice quick dinner. the garlic butter (they charge 50 cents extra) is really delicious. Hommus is nice and creamy and the pita came out nice, warm and puffy. Place is nice and service is quick.

    (3)
  • Lauren W.

    I've enjoyed meals at several of the restaurants and the cafes in the area - in fact, it is probably one of my top 3 favorites in the area. The quality of the food is consistent across the board: when you order a mezza platter in the cafe it contains the same delicious ingredients as the restaurant dining room. (The falafel and shakshouky are my favorites!) Props to them for that. The Silver Spring location is on prime real estate: located just behind the fountain and courtyard where people gather for outdoor summer concerts, etc. It is convenient, and I am sure their business is great because of it. Of course, this heavy foot traffic comes at a price. The cafe is very busy and it is hard to find a table in peak hours. If you do find one, you will be within a few inches of the party next to you, so it is not conducive to conversation. If you want something quick and/or take-out, this is perfect. However, if you want to have dinner with a friend and good conversation, you will be better off somewhere else.

    (3)
  • Sara M.

    This is as close as you're going to get to Lebanese fast food. You wait in line, place your order, pay, and pick up a tray when your number is called. The main thing that elevates it above other fast food is that you get real plates and silverware - and that they bus your dirty table for you when you're done. But it's not a full-service restaurant like the regular Lebanese Taverna locations. It's a "cafe." I think the atmosphere at this location is fairly nice, much classier than some of the other cafe locations that have a more minimalist layout and decor. The tables are stone and the restaurant has high ceilings and nice lighting. But I don't really care about the atmosphere, because the food is quite excellent. I usually order one of the mixed platters, like the Lebanese Feast, so I can have a variety of dishes. The hummus is incredibly smooth, and the baba ghannouge is delicately smoky and tart. The falafel are crisp on the outside and perfectly moist and tender on the inside. And I'm an especially big fan of the kibbeh, which are incredibly flavorful and juicy. The displays along the line to order have spices, imported beverages, and a rotating selection of Mediterranean snacks. It's a reliable place to pick up a box of Turkish Delight! The counter around the registers also has single candies for purchase, and those are a fun way to finish a delicious meal.

    (4)
  • Mark M.

    I first got to know Lebanese Taverna on Connecticut Avenue when I lived downtown. After I moved to Silver Spring, I was so happy to see the cafe open -- but I wondered if the quality would be as good. The answer is a resounding yes. The shawarma, kabobs, hummus, and meze platters are outstanding. Great for carryout -- call ahead to reduce your wait. Try to hummus special -- the meat and pine nuts are a nice addition.

    (5)
  • Sana J.

    We went here for dinner and the food was disappointing and expensive. We got the Olivia's platter (any three mezza items), eggplant fatteh, and the kafta - which came with salad and potatoes. The kafta was decent, but the potatoes were a bit dry and didn't exactly seem fresh. On the Olivia's platter we got the falafel, grape leaves, and shakshouky which were all okay. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful which is the only reason this didn't get only 1 star. Bottom line: go to the real Lebanese Taverna restaurant because this version was too expensive and we were rather disappointed.

    (2)
  • Phi N.

    The shawarma here was horrible... the meat is horrible quality and dry, and they don't give all the vegetables that I'm used to having with it. Boo, I didn't even finish mine. My fries were pretty good though... the best thing I ate was the humus, they gave good bread to eat with it. But by far the best thing offered here are their drinks. I got a lemonade, probably full of sugar, hah. And I tried my friends' Best Mango and Best Guava drinks. You should just come here get, drinks, and go to one of the other restaurants to eat...

    (2)
  • Landon C.

    Went here a few times when I was in a training class in silver spring. Very good food that is very authentic. Prices also were very reasonable. Restaurant was clean. Wouldn't hesitate to go back.

    (4)
  • Nancy H.

    I like almost everything I've had at Lebanese Taverna, but I love the falafel. It is my favorite falafel by a mile--crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. My sandwich yesterday was a delightful combination of falafel, a little sauce, tomato, parsley and radishes. The hot tea was good, too. This location is a stripped-down version of the restaurant (hence "cafe"). Not fancy, but good food and quick service.

    (4)
  • Kristina M.

    I made sure to read previous reviews before eating at Lebanese Taverna Cafe (It's important to do one's homework). Based on what I saw I chose Anna's plate which is a little bit of everything: beef or chicken shawarma, hummus, Lebanese salad, and pita ($10.50ish). The chick at the register said she prefered beef shawarma so I went with it, found a table, and waited for my number to called. So, this is my first time having beef shawarma. I'm used to chicken and it had small cooked onions and tomatoes. This shwarma is only meat. The beef was good, resonably well cooked. The rice pilaf was very nice (I'm a huge fan of well-made rice). The pita was fresh and unlike what a previous reviewer said, it did not get rock hard when it cooled. It does get harder, but that's because it's a bread product and that's how those work. The hummus was very smooth with a nice flavor. The Lebanese salad could use some work in my opinion. I think it needs a touch of acidity like a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a little vinegar and it will really shine. The food was good. I mean nothing amazed me but it was solid. The price was a little high for lunch, but would be great for dinner. I noticed a lot of people were getting the veggie plate with hummus, tabouleh, and something else. I think I'm going to try that next time (only $7.50) Oh, and the reviewers are right the Garlic Whip is crucial to the success of your meal, dip your meat in it, and I found it came with my food (I didn't have to ask for it).

    (4)
  • Tom C.

    Decent chain middle eastern food. Got the grilled lamb on this visit. It's serves with a tasty little salad and some mostly bland rice. The sauce it was swimming in was fantastic. Lemony, herby... Just really tasty. I could not get enough of this sauce and it complimented the lamb perfectly. Just loved sopping pieces of the fresh pita in it, wrapping this nicely drenched wrapper around a piece of lamb and going to town. The food came out a little slow given it was 2pm and not busy but, I'd definitely go back if in the area again.

    (3)
  • Libby F.

    A little piece of Silver Spring History: The banquette in the front of the restaurant is constructed from a curved stone wall that was once a part of the original 1950's Silver Barber Shop's rear wall. The plaza itself was constructed in 1938 and was one the first strip plazas in the US; unique because it featured a street front parking lot whereas most malls liked to have their window displays facing the street to entice customers in. History lesson over. Lebanese Taverna is good, quick and cheap. The decor is pleasant. The background music is nice. It is not fancy and does not have table service like in Bethesda, that's why it's called a cafe. ;) The hommos is cheap ($3.95) and served with ample warm, puffy pita bread. A real bargain if you ask me. The baba ghannouge ($4.50) is good too, but I prefer the hommos. Fatayer trio - three mini savory pies; spinach, cheese or meat, are very good if you want a small snack. I like the cheese best. They are similar to tyropitas (or tyropitakias as they are referred to in various "Greektowns" across the country). This is my number one choice for summer grazing while shopping in downtown Silver Spring.

    (4)
  • Ben B.

    I tend to base my reviews not just on a 1-5 score of my entire life experiences, but I also take into account location, the type of restaurant, and overall experience, so it's not spectacular, but for an order at the register then get served later (panera, noodles n co) type experience in downtown silver spring, it's a 4 star venue. my recommendation, go with 1 or two friends who are up for a journey and order one of their big platters, the $25-30 dollar platters. You get like 15 different samples, it's almost like the experience of an Ethiopian restaurant, everyone just digs in and eats. The place certainly is not nearly as nice inside as the full service locations, but i've also seen lesser quality Lebanese Taverna Cafe's, so enjoy the food.

    (4)
  • Bruce G.

    There are two Lebanese Tavernas I've eaten in, one in the Rockville Town Center and this one in Silver Spring . About the same review would apply to both of them, and in fact most of this review is copied from the one I just did of the Rockville one. They also have a few other locations, including one in Bethesda and one on Rockville Pike where I've gone by but never eaten. The Bethesda place seems to have a different, more expensive, menu. A lot of the stuff on the menu looks interesting but is too expensive to order for lunch, so I generally end up with the "traditional mezze platter." It's pretty good, including both a nice sample of kibbeh and falafel, but they've made it affordable by skimping on the portion size, I think. One think I always order is a weird currant-flavored red soda called Vimto that I've never seen anywhere else. My wife tasted it once or twice and turned up her nose -- of course her choice to drink is an Iranian-style yogurt drink they also have (but so does Moby Dick, for example) so we just have different tastes in beverages. But again it comes in a small 12-oz can and costs quite a bit for such a small portion, so the theme continues -- I like the food but I think the place is overpriced.

    (3)
  • Tori M.

    Four stars and I'm coming back (mostly because I don't know what I ate and I want to try it again). Make sure you try the chef's special. It looks like it changes weekly. If you've never been: there's no waiter service, so the queue is along the right hand wall to place your order. Grab a seat after you order and pick up your food from the counter when they call your number. Voila. There were some hiccups the first time I went: they got my order wrong and didn't charge me correctly, but I still had a pleasant experience. Call in your order if you want take out and avoid the lines.

    (4)
  • Ja H.

    I'm a big fan of their hummus. (It's come to the point where I cannot enjoy hummus from anywhere else!) I can always rely on a freshly-made, authentic meal from Lebanese Taverna.

    (5)
  • Mike H.

    Had lunch here and had the lamb and beef shwarma with roasted red potatoes.

    (3)
  • Helena R.

    Ok I had the lamb fatten which took 30 min to come put. They need to work on their time serving food. This was my first time tasting Lebanese food and the fatten was yummy but rich. Caution: the yogurt is hot ( temperature ). It was ok and after asking my friends about their dishes it gets a two star. Don't go out of your way to eat there.

    (2)
  • Mary L.

    This is a great place to satisfy your Lebanese hunger and for a quick diner or lunch. The decor is not fancy or luxurious however the food is excellent. Anytime I don't have time to cook dinner I grab some Rotisserie chicken with pita bread and roasted potatoes and I'm good to go. Some of the staff are friendly and helpful, especially when you don't know the type of dishes.

    (4)
  • Dave B.

    Everything is good except priceing.

    (3)
  • Rania N.

    I have been to the Bethesda, D.C and Arlington locations but I feel the need to review this location in particular. Their food is delicious, no question about that. My first experience in the Silver Spring location at their cafe was a tad disappointing. We phoned to place an order for Chicken Shawarma, picked up our food, arrived home to realize they had given us Chicken M'sahab. We were like "ok cool... lets try this..." It was basically cheese, garlic sauce and chicken wrapped in a soft pita. Delicious BUT the size was ridiculous. It looked like they threw a $1.25 McDonald's Snack Wrap into a styrofoam carry out box, tossed in 3 spoonfuls of rice, and a few shreds of lettuce & onion and called it a meal. Puh-lease! Delicious? Yes. I am craving their garlic sauce right now especially with their fries. *mouth waters* BUT having portions the size of dollar menu items is not cool. :\

    (2)
  • Heather J.

    I love the falafel sandwich here! I love the regular Lebanese Taverna, too, but they don't have my falafel sandwich. When I want falafel, I want it in a warm, chewy pita like the ones at the cafe. They stuff it full of falafel, lettuce, tomato, and tahini, and serve it with a side salad of your choice. It's fast, reasonably inexpensive, and super delicious!

    (4)
  • Johnny A.

    Fantastic for lunch. For dinners and dates you should hit one of the other nicer Lebanese Taverna's around DC. My favorite is the Pentagon Row location in Arlington. The food is good, but they tend to be skimpy on the garlic sauce which is a must with any chicken dish. Come on people! put it on the menu and charge extra but don't give me that look as if I have asked for your for your soul.

    (3)
  • Stretch G.

    This is my first time in here. I read lots of reviews on this spot and decided to give it the good old college try. I have to say I like it a lot. I went with the chicken shawrma (sp) platter. It had chicken so it has to be good right? I destroyed the sandwich. Lol. The pita bread is fresh and the sandwich was delicious. This place is great to chill and people watch on the weekend. Not to mention some pretty dope as Middle Eastern women frequent this spot! I bypass the ones with the mustaches though. ;) I will be back here for sure.

    (4)
  • Michael M.

    This is a great place for a quick laid back dinner. The seating reminds me of my high-school cafeteria...with a little tastier food and fewer authority figures. The "cafe" is your first tip that the quality is a little on the low side... but, judging by what i got here I'm sure their full-fledged restaurants are fantastic. The falafel is a little dry, but the meat platters are always tender, juicy and spicy. They also have some fun lebanese wines to pair with your meal that are pretty good but... a little pricey for the quality. All in all, good quick Mediterranean, nothing special.

    (2)
  • Jereme M.

    Sometimes it's nice to be able to see into the kitchen and maybe catch a glimpse of your food being prepared. Today was not one of those occasions. I happened to glance into the kitchen and saw a Chef reach into the deep fry basked with his bare hands and grab and handful of fries and cram them into my to-go Styrofoam container. Can't he use tongs or wear a freakin' rubber glove or something? I mean can't you make a weak attempt just to appear somewhat sanitary. If not, close the kitchen door and put a shade on that window...Don't let people see in there at all. I typically don't care about stuff like this, and I still ate (most of) the fries, but it's real unappetizing to see that. The schwarma (sp?) that I ordered was tasty otherwise...I wonder how he got the meat into the pita?

    (2)
  • Sean B.

    The schwarma and chicken schwarma sandwiches are above average for a Lebanese place: the garlic and sauce they use is just the right amount, there is just the right amount of crispness on the surrounding pita so that it is not chewy, but not brittle. If you get the platters, the rice is good, the salad is tasty. The falafel is average. They do offer a nice ambiance, stereotypical Lebanese music, big nice windows to people watch, Chiclets with Arabic for sale and Lebanese drinks and candies in addition to the usual fare. They were pretty quick about doing everything made-to-order. A good lunch stop overall.

    (4)
  • Quinton C.

    This place is fantastic. Easily one of the best Mediterranean joints in the DC area. The menu here, in Silver Spring, is about the same as the other locations but half the price because it is the "cafe." I will happily pay half the price to get my own beverage and silverware. I'm a big fan of Kia's Platter so I can try different mezza items every time (four items, plus shawarma for only $11). ASK FOR THE GARLIC WHIP, its free but you have to ask. AMAZING!!

    (4)
  • Jenipher C.

    Love this place!!! It is the one thing I miss the most since I moved out of Silver Spring. The food is amazing, the quantities are plentiful, and the price is so low! especially when compared to the lebanese taverna restaurants in DC. If you're in silver spring, you MUST try this place!

    (5)
  • Joe H.

    Tasty and inexpensive fare with a nice vegetarian selection. I especially love the hummus and the tabouli. Lots of good sides. FYI for those interested in the vegan thang: VegDC.com reports the pita bread isn't vegan.

    (4)
  • Katie W.

    I have always been a fan of the Rockville location and now that I live a few blocks away, I am a regular on Ellsworth Drive. I know on each visit I will receive friendly counter service and excellent, fresh food. If you are hungry and with a friend, try the Supreme Feast for 2, which comes with 7 mezza items, mixed grill of chicken and lamb, pita, baklava, and two drinks for $30. It comes beautifully displayed on a large platter and can be shared easily. Check your Val-Pak coupon envelope in the mail for a $5 off coupon, which makes it an even better deal. Sit inside or outside by the patio on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening and take in the Silver Spring concert series. Definitely a diamond in the fast casual rough!

    (4)
  • Patrick H.

    I'm a fan of Lebanese Taverna on many levels. I like the food here. I LOVE their hummus which is extra rich with tahini and olive oil. Kabobs here can be sublime, though sometimes they overcook the meat. When they get it right, though, it can be a heavenly experience. I also love tabouleh salad, the fatoosh, the kibbeh and falafel. If shwarma is your thing, LT makes a good one. My one complaint about LT is that its a little pricey for what you get. LT is not an expensive restaurant per se, and I have no problem paying a higher price for quality food, but I always seem to say to myself, "hmmm, that was a bit more money than I thought it would be."

    (3)
  • Kate F.

    Hands down, this is my favorite place for hommus outside of Israel. It is very creamy. If you like Sabra brand hommus you will probably like the hommus here. The food here most reminds me of the kinds of things an Armenian roommate used to make (simple, satisfying, and usually lemony or garlickly...). You can taste the ingredients - it's hard to describe but things just have a clean flavor. I usually go for Anna's platter. Chicken, rice, hommus, bread - mmmmm. The portions are large, it's a good price for good food. I'll be sure to take notes the next time I go order to give specifics.

    (4)
  • sherri s.

    It was good. I enjoyed the falafel! The stuffed grape leaves also delicious. My friend enjoyed her Anna' s plate. This was my first time here and since I did not know the lay of the land, I had to keep getting up to get a fork, refills on ice tea, yogurt sauce, napkin, straw, etc. A reminder of why I hate these kinds of restaurants! It was not relaxing at all!!! When I placed my order the girl did not tell me they would call my number (I did not hear any numbers called, partly because I was having a conversation and also because I did not know they call numbers!) The restaurant was fairly empty as it was a late lunch. SOOO...my food sat at the counter, cooling off, for quite sometime. (I figured they bring the food out like other restaurants of this nature) The counter girl finally came over to tell me my food was up. I guess she assumed I was here before and assumed I knew to jump up and get it! But at this point...if she came over to find me...why didn't she just bring me my food??? As I mentioned, It was a late lunch and the restaurant was fairly empty! I guess the reason I assumed they bring the food over is because when I paid with a credit card it had a line for the tip...which I filled in! So...why did I even fill in the tip? I feel like I got taken! This gave me a bad attitude towards the place and in my opinion a deal breaker. One other reviewer said it was cafeteria style seating and that is a great description! Tables were too close together!

    (1)
  • Mark P.

    The lady and I ate there last night and were pleasantly surprised, or at least I was. I had a vaguely positive, pre-existing impression of Lebanese Taverna from friends who'd eaten there. But when i walked in I was initially turned off a bit by the idea you have to order from the counter the wait for your number to be called. But it's worth it! The mezze platter was really quite good. The spinach pie was one of the better ones I've had in the US and the lady, who's spent some time in Israel and knows her stuff on these kinds of things, says the grape leaves were very, very good. We also got a chicken kebab, which comes with a nice tomato sauce. And the portions? Jesus! we were stuffed (and I like to eat). I can't imagine anyone else complaining about the servings. With a couple drinks, the whole thing came out to under $50 for the two of us, which is quite reasonable for what you get.

    (4)
  • Michelle V.

    Portions to share. Service is pretty quick. The food: delicious.

    (4)
  • Zachary H.

    Uninspired. Nothing like eating Lebanese food in a restaurant that looks and feels like the back corner of Best Buy. This place has NO personality and it really detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, I will say that the chicken swarma sandwich and the hummus special that we ordered were incredibly so-so, though reasonably priced. We will likely not return.

    (2)
  • Jeannie L.

    I've passed by so many Lebanese Tavernas throughout the DC met but never had a chance to eat there until the other day...It was the one and only 70F day this week and I totally took advantage of it and stepped away from work. I thought the food was really tasty and LT gave some generous portions for your $$. I was amazed I didn't fall asleep from food coma later on. The hummas was really garlicky and I LOVE their bread pockets. The chicken was well-flavored and juicy. I think I may have just found my new addiction....

    (4)
  • Chris B.

    I'm not generally a big fan of deli/cafe style restaurants for dinner. If I'm going out for dinner, it means I don't want to have to do any work, and while the work at cafes may be minimal, it still counts as work. Lebanese is one of the few exceptions. The food is very good and cheap; the last time I was there, I had a Shwarma sandwich that was perhaps a little light on the sauce, but otherwise excellent. The other reason I like Taverna is the wine selection. I really like wine, and while the wine here isn't like what you'd find at a place like Proof or 701 (of course), it's still good, and it's very cheap at $5.

    (4)
  • N S.

    I disagree that Lebanese Taverna is not vegan friendly. Granted, you are not going to find an abundance of vegan dishes (and never will in a restaurant doesn't have that as their primary focus), but having been a vegetarian for 18 years, saying "not friendly" IMO opinion means the lack of ability to be accommodated at all. Vegans can eat the falafel sandwiches, the hummus, the baba ghanoush, and their salads. I like to make the fattoush salad into a sandwich. Basically everything I opt for there is vegan (and I'm not!). Service is good, food is good, prices are good, plus it's a locally owned business and that makes it even better.

    (4)
  • Dan D.

    I LOVE shwarma but it's not all that great here. Food is of decent quality but it needs more flavor. Definitely not a bad place but it just didn't cut it for me.

    (3)
  • Raneem M.

    i am an arabic and i do know how does kabab and ground beef would taste ! thias restaurant is bad ! the mezze was good other wise nothing is tasty .

    (2)
  • Port D.

    Silver Spring is loaded with restaurants. You can cross the francises/chains off your list and head right here as a place to have an informal dinner or lunch. Even the kids liked it.

    (4)
  • Meow W.

    i love this place! the kibbehs are to die for! they are perfect...not too gritty and not too saucy! the chicken shwarma is yummy....the sauce they marinate it in is lemony goodness! they have home made pita bread that is always fresh! the basmati rice is always tender! great prices! this is a carry out.....NOT A RESTAURANT! you can sit in and eat your food but this is definitely what you would call a restaurant....you order your food at a cash register & they bring it to you.

    (5)
  • Trang N.

    I have to explain my strange bathroom story that I experienced here -- I really had to tinkle and got up 3 times to try to use the restroom. Every time I came to the door, it was occupied. Whoever was in it, was in there for a very longgg time. During my last attempt, a lady waiting behind me obviously had stomach issues. She was skipping around and became so agitated with the long wait that she made her way into the men's room. I'm a patient person, so I decided to continue to wait for whoever was in the women's. 2 minutes after tapping my foot repetitively, a tall GENTLEMAN walks out wearing a lady's wig and red lipstick. He/She? half grinned at me as they walked away. Can somebody please tell me what the hell he doing in there that whole time?! Onto an actual review: I don't know if I had high expectations, but throughout my entire meal I kept thinking, "Is this right? Is it supposed to be tasting this way?" The lebneh dip reminded me of sour cream in every way; from the texture, color, flavor, etc. It appeared as though they scooped sour cream into a bowl, threw in some olives and decided to call it lebneh. I could only handle two pieces of the grape leaves. The second one I had to force myself to eat. It was way too sour. This is coming from a person who loves grape leaves! I ordered the Traditional platter as my entree; It consists of: hommos, tabouleh, baba ghanouge, kibbeh, and falafel. I wasn't a huge fan of the hommos, but my boyfriend loved it. The baba ghanouge was good with my kibbeh. The falafel reminded me of burnt hush puppies. I really tried to like my meal, but I was salivating as I watched the boyfriend eat his lamb kabob across the table. I had high hopes for this place so I want to try again. Next time, I am going to surely order something else.. maybe even try the actual restaurant instead of the cafe version.

    (2)
  • Josh O.

    I'm a huge falafel fan, so one of my first orders of business after moving down to Maryland was to find a good falafel place. Lebanese Taverna Cafe is right across the street from my office, so it seemed like a good place to start. I gotta say, Maryland is off to a good start in my opinion, because this place is pretty fantastic. Lebanese is no usually my favorite style of falafel (I prefer Israel or Palestinian), but this was definitely relatively high on the list of good falafel I've had. I'll definitely be grabbing lunch here a lot in the future.

    (4)
  • James J.

    The food is delicious, inexpensive, and the portion sizes are always more than generous. This is an excellent place to take a vegetarian. The restaurant itself has a kind of cold cafeteria feel to it, which is why I'm not going to give it 5 stars. Overall a great place to eat though.

    (4)
  • Dave L.

    Great food, great atmosphere, great location although it is a little pricey. Typically I order the Anna's Platter and a bottled tea drink. The platter includes either chicken or beef shawarma, salad, hummus, and pita. I usually get chicken shawarma but that's because I don't like red meat. They've got a nice selection of drinks, mostly juices and teas. That meal costs $16 which seems a little high to me but I'm usually there because I'm with a group, otherwise I might seek out some slightly less costly Middle Eastern cuisine in nearby Takoma Park.

    (4)
  • Soneyet M.

    Food was good. Chicken with veggies...not bad at all. Baklava was good as well. Good wine. I wish the place was smaller for the owner's sake (the place isn't full enough to make the rent palatable is my guess). I'll try it again though it did not blow my socks off. Good restaurant.

    (3)
  • Sunmy B.

    I love the food here: extremely fresh, affordable, and satisfying. The portions are huge, so you can probably split an entree with another person. The food can sometimes be on the salty side, however, the pita and garlic hummus spread is superb! Try it with their chicken shawarma and it's a great meal all the way around.

    (4)
  • Laura W.

    They take expired coupons! So save up the ones u get in the Valpak and go here for a tasty bite. I like that the café offers many of the same dishes as the full restaurant for a much cheaper price.

    (3)
  • Asieh C.

    I've only been here once, but I liked it. Good food, reasonably price in an easy going atmosphere. One thing I particularly liked was I ate like a pig and I didn't feel too full. You're eating fairly healthy; roasted chicken, chicken shawarma, rice, salads, and tasty flat bread. I will most certainly be going there again.

    (4)
  • Nicole M.

    i like mediteranean and middle eastern food a lot, but this was just ok. they have some very interesting nontraditional drink choices to browse as you wait in line. My friend and I shared the mouzat lamb shank, baba ghanouje, and house salad for about $20. the lamb was good, but lacking a little sauce and missing some flavor to cut through the fat. the rice tasted kinda lamb-y which was very weird and i'm sure would have been a problem if i wasn't eating lamb. sadly, my favorite part of the meal was dipping the pita into the garlic aioli that came in a little plastic sauce cup that might have been for the lamb. i didn't discover it till the end of the meal. afterwards, we had bhaklava which was also pretty good but kind of a rip off for such a small piece. also, it was kinda cold the whole time because of the layout of the place. but all in all, it's fine.

    (3)
  • Becky F.

    the restaurant set-up is a little awkward. You walk up to the counter, order and then wait for your ticket to be called... pretty much just like panera. The food is good though, there are definitely greater and lesser middle eastern restaurants in terms of quality and this is pretty good and not at all expensive!

    (3)
  • Mic X.

    yeah, i'm giving it 4 stars....... count em 4 stars. i am not a huge fan of middle eastern food, but i like this place, and for a chain, it's darn toot'in. yeah i know it's not "authentic", but what do you really expect? it's fast food......... but the good kind. all i am gonna say is that i enjoy the chicken schwarma and hummus, and screw you guys........ i'm going home.

    (4)
  • Phu N.

    Went here with 2 co-workers and the service is friendly but the food was not very good. Maybe I don't have a taste for it but...when we got back to work ALL 3 of us had stomach aches!

    (1)
  • I. C.

    Most of the fare here is very good, with fresh ingredients and large portions. I used to come on Mondays for the 50% off sandwich platters. The falafel is very good and not overly dry like some other places. The chicken shwarma is quite dry, however. For their sides, they make a really good basmati rice. The roasted potatoes are hit-or-miss, sometimes too overdone but if they get it right it's very creamy. After they changed the sandwich discount to 25% off, I decided to try some of the other dishes. If you're a fan of lamb, the "mouzat" is to die for. I no longer order anything else when I come here. It's a steal at $13 or so -- a large braised leg of lamb with meat that falls off the bone, and very flavorful. My wife orders the salmon harra, which is also very good -- moist and fork tender, with a tomato based sauce. I wish I could review the other entrees such as the platters, but I can't get myself to order anything else.

    (4)
  • Allyson P.

    I love the Lebanese Taverna restaurants, but they're a bit too expensive for me to eat at regularly, so I love that they have the cafe in Silver Spring. Just about all of the platters are under $10, and everything I've had there has been better than average. I really love their m'saka salad, a mixture of eggplant, tomatoes, and chickpeas.

    (4)
  • Steve J.

    OMG, you gotta be crazy to walk in this joint and expect anything better than a middle eastern version of McDonald's. The service poor, they don't even know their own menu items, the tables were dirty, and the Falafel is about as dry and bland as any food can be. If I had closed my eyes I would have no clue what it was. AND IT'S OVERPRICED. I love Lebanese food and this was the furthest thing from it.

    (1)
  • Becky T.

    Their rotisserie chicken is good, and though not the best baba ghanoush ever, I thought it was good. The manager was nice and service was decent. Just overall, good, which is the only adjective that I can muster up to describe my experiences there.

    (3)
  • Mike M.

    Decent Lebanese for the price and very big portions. The shwarma meat was a bit overcooked and dry though.

    (3)
  • Naz R.

    I love this place, because the food is as good or better than regular Lebanese Taverna restaurants but the prices are so much more reasonable. Their lamb was amazing. Every peice of food I tasted was seasoned very nicely. The service was also very good because when I placed my order, the cashier suggested a different dish and his advice made my dinner even better. I do think that the serving size of the actual meat part of the meal was small. I was still full because of the rice, salad, and bread so it was okay.

    (4)
  • Ryan M.

    Reasonably good food, though many of the flavors (in the hummus, for instance) are different than one might be used to. I think there are other places that might be better for the same price.

    (3)
  • Kara S.

    Disappointing at best. The man who took my order was brusk and he would not substitute the french fries with bread for my kid's meals (don't they already get enough french fries). It took forever to get our food. The meat was dried out, the pita bread was hard and the salad lacked anything interesting. There are much better places for Mediterranean food. This chain needs to do more to earn its keep.

    (1)
  • Cinthia R.

    Like most popular places in the DC area, Lebanese Taverna has become overrated. The food is decent, but nothing to rave about. It has fallen into the traps of your regular chain restaurant and lost its individuality. The only reason I ever go to Lebanese Taverna is to take advantage of half-priced Monday nights where sandwiches and sandwich platters are half off for dine-in only. At about $3 or $4 per platter after the discount, that's quite a dinner bargain!

    (3)
  • Timothy M.

    i am not a big fan of lebanese food, i guess because most of the dishes have meat in them, and i am vegan. the menu is not very vegetarian / vegan friendly, i think that there were maybe 3 dishes on the menu. i ended up getting a vegetable salad, which was not very big at all. it was tasty, but did not fill me up. i did like that you do get a side of bread with the salad. i am a big fan of bread, and it was quite tasty. i did get a extra side of bread for free, which was nice. another plus is that they have beer, not a big selection, but they have it. the prices where decent too. so over all its not a bad place, not the best for vegetarians. i give it a 3 because its not a vegetarian friendly, but the prices are good, and they have bread. fyi - they are next to cake love, which does have vegan cookies and cake.

    (3)
  • Katie T.

    This is my favorite source for fattoush. I'm not sure why, exactly, although the pomegranate molassas dressing might have something to do with it. It just tastes better to me than the fattoush from other Middle Eastern restaurants I've tried. The moussaka is also extremely good. These are my favorite appetizers at Lebanese Taverna, and the baba ganouj runs a close third (good smoky flavor). Those, plus maybe lebneh, which is also respectable, in one of the combo platters (there's one platter that involves choosing 4 mezze and adding meat, and I always get that and give the meat to my friends--have to be careful about the meat touching the rest of the food, though) and I'm perfectly happy. Most (all?) platters come with pita bread, which I've always found fresh and hot and crisp. The rice is fairly uninteresting; I would skip it and substitute something else (I've done this in the past, they don't seem to mind). They serve wine and beer, which is convenient, but I usually get the lemonade instead. It has an interesting flavor--rose or orange blossom, maybe? It's very good, regardless, if a little bit expensive. Mondays are half-priced sandwich days! Good to keep in mind if you eat meat, although if you're vegetarian it might not matter, because, while the falafel sandwich is good, the mezze are better.

    (5)
  • Silver S.

    Way overpriced and not very tasty; the meat was too sweet for me.

    (2)
  • Steve F.

    This used to be a solid place. While never the greatest food they always had good hummus and falafel and I kept my loyalty card full. Unfortunately they changed their model. The new model is "less food, same/lower quality, and significantly higher prices". So, forget about it. The mark ups make this place not worth it any more. Sorry.

    (2)
  • Jeleesa F.

    The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. They have a lot of options to choose from as well as a decent selection. I ordered the Kia Platter that consisted of Lebneh (great), cheese fatayer (great), kibbeh, and M'saka salad ( great flavor but not my favorite) I felt like the lamb was very very dry and tough. I will go back here and try other things.

    (3)
  • Bryony B.

    Its easy to come here and order some quick delicous food. The hummus and pita bread is great, along with the falafels. My favorite, however, has got to be the chicken schwarma - the sauce they use is just so creamy and delicious - plus it comes with salad and fries -mmmmmm. This is a place where you order at the bar and then pick up your food when it comes out - casual and semi-fast. If you want more of a dining experience, check out the Bethesda location - its a sit down restaurant and nice too.

    (4)
  • Amitaf B.

    I'll start off with we went when it was relatively empty. No more than 5 customers. And service STILL gets a zero. Honestly, is it that hard to be nice to people simply ordering the food that walked up to your counter? We didn't ask for anything customized or not on the menu but the cashier's rude handling of our order made it seem like we were bothering her at 4pm. Set aside how she wanted to charge us for the empty water bottle we obviously brought in. Aside from that, we ordered Ouzi (baked until tender lamb in shards with spiced rice. Think biryani if you eat Indian food more often.) came with soggy tomatoes but also a delicious yogurt sauce with crisp cucumber bits in it.) I would happily eat this more frequently. Yum! Also ordered beef/lamb shawarma sandwich with fries and a salad. Sandwich was loaded with meat, don't recall seeing anything else honestly and that's just fine with me. I just think if it had the yogurt sauce from Ouzi itd been perfection. The bread is the pits served with hummus that is basically paper thin and all air inside. It's NOT delicious naan like you'd get excited for at an Indian restaurant. It's just basic here. We did love the fries. Those were done fresh and served hot. Crispy on the outside edges, soft in the center. Whatever the side salad served was just odd. Some strange vinegrette over the lettuce and cucumber made it soggy. Disappointing and not worth wasting precious stomach space for. Eat more fries or pita with hummus. The pita did grab the hummus well. For a $6.xx snack, it's pretty good. We also grabbed a $2 rice pudding. HIDDEN GEM. The right amount of sugar, just enough to make it sweet and call it dessert. Definitely floral tasting with the rose water in it. If you don't know rose water, think of what an old paper flower bouquet from the 90's might be scented like. That's what you'll have a hint of in each bite. Nonetheless I loved it. As did hubby and our infant. The date and raisin drink hubby enjoyed. I didn't. Infant didn't. In case you're a raging fan of it, look up Roo AF Zah or however it's spelled. Just not my thing. will we go back? Maybe for hummus and the sandwiches when on discount (mon & tues I believe) and to split a rice pudding. We spent about $40 for 2 to eat with appetizer and shared dessert which isn't bad but I'd rather go upstairs and get some hibachi usually if I have that much to spend. Also, hubby tipped right at ordering with that cranky cashier hoping there was service to come after worth tipping. No. No service. Maybe I'm missing something but next time I go there'll be $0 tip if I see her face again but I hope I don't.

    (4)
  • Shani L.

    I tried the mix platter. The meat and chicken had a nasty smoke flavor. The Falafel's are mediocre and the sauce served with it is sour. The eggplant was also sour. I make better tzatziki at home. The only positive comment I have is for the rice. The rice alone moved them up to 2 stars. I'm glad I have better options in Alexandria.

    (2)
  • Don W.

    While visiting Silver Spring MD, at the downtown Courtyard, I immediately jumped onto Yelp looking for some Middle Eastern food to eat. This place popped up based on how close it was. I ignored the 3 star rating (shut up) and went to see this place for myself. Very basic menu and kinda over priced. I'm not sure if it's me or what, but I expected more, even from a Yelped 3 star restaurant. Nothing wowed me at all and I probably won't go back. Not that it was nasty, it's just I want to taste SOMETHING yummy somewhere in a $40 dinner. I got a chicken schwarma sandwich ($8), with a side of kibbie ($6), and a drink ($2). My wonderful wife got chicken kabob dinner with a side salad and rice ($13) and a drink ($2). We spilt some spicy hummus ($7). The kibbie, schwarma, and kabobs were just average. The salad was small and plain with no flavor. Rice is kinda hard to screw up (except for my wife, haha). The hummus tasted out of a can with Cayenne pepper and dried red peppers on top. The best part was the bread you get with it. We sat outside under one of the umbrellas which was nice. Well, minus the stale beer smell that kept wafting our way from somewhere or somebody. (It wasn't me, either). It was nice to try some middle eastern from someplace new. But that's all I got to say about that.

    (3)
  • Grace H.

    I have not been here for a while. A total disappointment. I do not expect this place to give me anything like I had in Lebanon. I only just realized that as I updated my review for this place, I gave it a 1 star also 2 year's ago. I went to this place was I had to change my summer wardrobe and it is located right in Silver Spring Plaza. I had a Chicken entree which comes with rice and salad, and pita. The chicken was so blend, it had no taste not even salt and a bit of lemon favor that was it. The worse is that the table counter was so dirty that it is greasy... I am not going back.

    (1)
  • Antonia N.

    Every time I'm in Silver Spring, I come here for lunch. I had a traditional mezze platter and really enjoyed it. The hummus and baba ganoush a both flavorful and creamy. I'm not a big fan of tabouleh, but theirs isn't bad. I wish there were more grape leaves because they are tasty! My favorite part is the kibbeh. They are always so good. The shell is crispy and inside meat is juicy and flavorful. Also love the yogurt dipping sauce that comes with it. Bread was cooked nicely - puffed up just right. My only complaint is that the cashier was not very friendly and the food took a while to come out. I waited about 15 minutes for my lunch.

    (3)
  • Natalie M.

    I usually get the chicken salad at Moby Dick, but the location in Silver Spring closed so I wandered into this place. I decided on the shawarma salad sans feta cheese; I was expecting a nice big salad full of grilled chicken, tomatoes, onions, and fresh lettuce, but what I got was what seemed like old lettuce, bland chicken and some olives that were actually pretty good. The lady at the register was very nice and gave me some tomatoes on the side, at the time I ordered she also informed me that the dressing has feta and advised me to try the lemon dressing, which was actually pretty good. While I really didn't enjoy my salad, the bread was quite good and I may go back to try something else, but I definitely won't order the shawarma salad again.

    (2)
  • Timothy C.

    The food here is decent. I've never been wowed, but they ride the Mediterranean flavor train and it works. It's always packed on the weekends, especially on Sunday, when they open at noon and are full by 12:30. The decor needs some work, with huge windows lighting up a poorly patched ceiling and a few hookahs on a shelf. The restaurant is arranged kind of oddly with a bench that bends across the middle of the eating space, and the service is kind of slow. The pita is light and filled with air like half of a neck pillow, but parts get overcooked and are somehow chewy and crispy. The hummus was pretty good, and I had a falafel sandwich one time that was the best thing I've had here. Some people swear by this place and often suggest it as a dining option, but I don't see it.

    (3)
  • Dennis O.

    Out of all the food options in that area in downtown Silver Spring, this is probably one of the better and healthier ones. There's that American something grille there...whatever it's called, but it will probably be huge portions and fatty. I had the Kafta sandwich..and it was pretty good. Not going to say it was the best tasting pita sandwich ever, but decent. Price is reasonable too. I tried this soft drink there that a friend of mine said was very common in Africa, but it turned out to be just cream soda flavored! Mega disappointed, but this has nothing to do with the restaurant per se.

    (3)
  • J R.

    I'll make this short and sweet: 1. The prices are high. 2. The portions are pretty small. 3. It takes a long time to get your food. 4. The service is unfriendly. 5. But the food tastes pretty good. There are too many great Mediterranean places in DC with better prices to come back here. I don't see how they're going to stay in business with a subpar experience like that.

    (2)
  • Sharon W.

    Had not eaten at Lebanese Taverna in Silver Spring in quite a while and had never done carry out before. Finishing up our shopping at the Farmers Market it was a little early for lunch so we decided to do take-out. I know we enjoy their food, but we still had one more stop before we went home so I was concerned at how well the food would hold up. My chicken kabob platter and husband's falafel sandwich were packaged carefully and they tasted as good as if we had eaten in the restaurant. When we first unpacked things I didn't see any tomato sauce but the chicken was already in the sauce, not in a separate container, so that made me very happy. The food was packed in a "tv dinner" style tray so the chicken with sauce, the rice, and the salad were all separate and not running into each other. I also got two pita rolls and a sauce which my husband ate. His falafel sandwich was still warm in the wrapper and he proclaimed that it was delicious. It's counter service only and the staff was friendly. The cashier admired the bouquet of flowers we had purchased from a vendor and we had a brief chat about that. The wait for our order was only about 10 minutes. The restaurant is much larger than the Rockville one and was laid out nicely. It was bright and clean looking. They also have wine and beer. I lamented to my husband that I didn't know why we didn't pick up dinner there more often. Well, now that I know the food carries out nicely we can fix that!

    (4)
  • Gardner O.

    I got take out here. The food was very disappointing. I ordered the quarter chicken of dark meat with potatoes. The chicken was under-seasoned and the Skin was not crispy, very flaccid. The potatoes were just boiled with almost no seasoning. My girlfriend got the chicken kabob. Im pretty sure the sauce was Tostitos salsa or at least it tasted that way. The rice was under-seasoned as well. Pretty much no flavor or spice all around. This is about as far from lebanese food as you can get. Dont waste your time.

    (1)
  • Good E.

    did take out with a friend i got the lamb kabob which was ok, i hadnt eaten at LTC in a while and never tried this location. the food is ok, nothing really stands out and there are way too many great kabob places in DMV for me to keep coming back here

    (3)
  • Marcia S.

    I'm not impressed. This place is pricy for what your getting and the portion sizes are to small. I like Middle Eastern food less fast food and more Mom Pop spots. It's not bad but not really worth it.

    (2)
  • Sonia K.

    I have had not good and OK experiencesat this location, but never a great one. I ordered beef a couple months ago, and it was grayish, overcooked unflavorful dregs. I was shocked that it made it to my plate. I am happy they have many vegetarian options and like the overall menu and decor, but food is often not executed to my satisfaction. Besides, the portions leave me spending as much as a higher-end restaurant just to get full. Stick with hummus and baba ghanoush as a snack!

    (2)
  • Yasmin M.

    Shawarma and rice are excellent! Service is horrible. This place is rarely full but the cashiers make you feel rushed to place your order.

    (2)
  • Koral S.

    This is one of my favorite places in the neighborhood. I often held meeting here with a particular client and we would feast while we worked. The salmon and lamb (with green lemon sauce) are two of my favorites dishes. The rice is great and salads always fresh. The pitas right out of the oven melt in your mouth ... especially when you spread their garlic spread over it like butter. Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm. I have had kabobs here as well. And also falafels - which are good but with so many other fabulous options on the menu why do it when I have a favorite falafel place in DC. If you like Mediteraanian flavors, you can't go wrong here!

    (5)
  • Jezza N.

    Decent spot for lunch. Generally quick enough for a lunch-break if you have an hour; fresh food and nice staff. have been eating here regularly for a couple years, and have never had a bad experience.

    (3)
  • K P.

    The Lebanese Taverna is one of the best restaurants in town. It's the perfect mix of sit down restaurant and fast food style. The food is delicious and made in a reasonable amount of time, you pay when you order so you don't have to wait to be waited on. The staff is very friendly and keeps the atmosphere welcoming.

    (5)
  • Monica S.

    I have never ate Labanese food until now. I would have to say based on this experience it is not my favorite! I had the cheesy chicken sandwich. The chicken was dry, the sauce was way overpowering but the bread was soft. I did like their hummus that I got as my side. The side salad was bland with lots of onions, tomatoes and cucumbers. The service was just okay but seemed very much like a fast food restaurant so not very friendly and when you asked about products they just seemed to be like don't you know what that is? Overall, to try Lebanese food I would go somewhere else and give it a shot. I will probably not be back here again!

    (2)
  • Elizabeth C.

    Really enjoyed our dinner here. Food is delicious, classic Lebanese. Casual atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Antoinette A.

    I walked in for take out and decided on the Chicken Shaw. Platter. It came with a side salad and fries. Though the chicken was good, the fries were not and neither was the side salad. Neither had flavor. I'd go back again but I would definitely choose different sides.

    (2)
  • Nina B.

    I usually get their chicken salad which is good. I deducted half a star each for their service and another for inconsistency- sometimes the salad is good and sometimes it could be better. Their hummus is great so definitely try that. The spicy version really is spicy. Their garlic butter is awesome- eat it with your bread.

    (4)
  • Dee S.

    I tried this restaurant for the first time two days ago. My summary is that it's okay but not fabulous. It's very convenient if you're going a movie at one of the nearby theatres, which is what my friends and I were doing. I ordered the traditional mezza platter and really liked the hummus, which was very smooth and creamy, and the pita bread, which was nice and fluffy. The rest of the platter was simply okay. I think those with large appetites will find the portion size satisfactory; a guy at my table was concerned about the traditional mezza platter being too small, but he wound up feeling full after the meal. He did ask for extra kibbeh to be substituted for the tabbouleh, and the staff accommodated his request. Turns out he did himself a favor regarding the tabbouleh. It tasted good for the first few spoonfuls, but after that I began to have a bad taste in my mouth, which even after having something sweet for dessert, lingered for the next few hours. I normally don't have that type of reaction happening after eating tabbouleh elsewhere. Since I've never eaten at the full-service locations of Lebanese Taverna, I'd like to try one of them to see if the food is a little better.

    (3)
  • MrGennao H.

    I've never like humus before and the Lebanese tav. nailed it. The con is that the food relentlessly ran through me in 20 minutes.

    (3)
  • Laurie K.

    The cafeteria-style restaurant has good middle Eastern cuisine at reasonable prices. The service is not friendly, but you can get past that. We sat on the patio because the weather was a nice and it's great for people-watching by the fountain, but we had to bring our food out through a very heavy door.

    (3)
  • Ebonne B.

    If you've been to Lebanese Taverna and come here looking for that full service restaurant experience you've come to the wrong place. But even with that fact in mind, should you find yourself in downtown silver spring give the little quaint establishment a try. The cafe menu has mezza (appetizers) sandwiches, platters & entrees and a kids menu. They're also very gluten-free friendly, labeling their gluten free options on the menu and providing gluten-free options on certain menu items. They has have an allergen menu and a variety of vegan and vegetarian options. There's usually plenty of enough space to sit inside or if you fancy you can sit outside in their patio and be front seat to some primo people watching. It's great for a casual outing or a quick lunch.

    (4)
  • Deborah N.

    Grab a thick coffee with sugar here when you are cold in downtown Silver Spring. A great change from Starbucks!

    (3)
  • Carter M.

    This Silver Spring "cafe" was not nearly as good as the Woodley Park restaurant. I was very disappointed. The presentation and the service was fast food, though the prices weren't. My shawarma lacked character (and many ingredients) and fell apart in my hands. Wait...I should show restraint. I feel I'm being harder on this location because it is such a letdown compared with the Woodley Park location. If you're looking for dining options in chain-and-corporation-happy Silver Spring, you could certainly do worse.

    (2)
  • Phil D.

    3.49. Some visits are great and deserving of a 4, but others lean toward a 3. On the upside, the food is usually quick, fresh, and tasty. The schwarma and chicken schwarma are rock-solid lunch options. I would stay away from the roasted chicken. Recently my chicken seemed to be partially roasted and partially broasted. Dry and rather tasteless. So if you're looking for roasted chicken, steer your attention across the street to Nando's, Copper Canyon, or even better, make the drive to Sardi's, which I cannot recommend highly enough (2 locations: Beltsville and Gaithersburg). The hummus is always great, though on our most recent visit the pitas were over-baked and burnt on the bottom. But they're usually spot on. The platters are worth a try, if you really want to branch out into some authentic-ish Lebanese fare.

    (3)
  • Val A.

    I was excited to eat here but it was a bit of a letdown. I love kabobs and they did an ok job. The rice was warm and the grilled tomatoes was also good. When I walked in, I thought I would be seated so I felt a little out of place standing there about a minute. Anyway, soon as I got to the counter, I ordered my food (but didn't really know what I was ordering) and waited about 10 mins until my number was called. For the price, the food should be better - the flavor was a little bland for my liking. The staff was ok, neither friendly or rude. There are a few similar restaurants in the area that I would try first before I consider coming back.

    (3)

Q & A on Applebee's

What time does Applebee's half price appetizers start?

Applebee's restaurant has launched the late-night happy hour where some of the listed appetizers are sold at half price. The offer is available at most of the Applebee's locations where one can enjoy the offer after 9 pm on weekdays and after 10 pm on weekends.

What time is the happy hour at Applebee's?

Applebee's Happy Hour Monday starts from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Apples Late Night Happy Hour Monday starts from 9:00 PM until midnight.

What can a vegan and Vegetarian eat at Applebee's?

There are almost no vegan option and sparse vegetarian option at Applebee's. If you are a vegan ask for steamed vegetables, baked potato, salads, or fried vegetables without butter. There are certain vegan dressings you can try to make your salad tastier.

What are the opening and closing timing at Applebee's?

Applebee's Restaurant operational hours on weekdays (Monday through Thursday) and Sundays start from 11 am until midnight. While on Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant remains open until 1 am. The timing may vary as per the location.

Does Applebee's remain close on holidays?

Applebee's remain closed on many holidays, but it may vary as per the location of the restaurant. For holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, the restaurant remains closed throughout the USA.

How to find the nearest Applebee's Restaurant?

Today Applebee's is located on 135+ locations in the USA and growing. The restaurant is famous for its lip-smacking ribs and steaks, seafood and fried chicken wings. There are healthier salads and sides for people who are health conscious. If you want to find nearest Applebee's restaurant in your area, just go through the Restaurant Listing Directory to find one.

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About Applebee's

Applebee is an American full-service restaurant brand popularly known for its signature Riblets. Applebee was conceptualized in 1980 by Bill and TJ Palmer in Atlanta, Georgia. At first, the restaurant was named T.J. Applebee's RX for Edibles and Elixirs. After the concept was acquired by W.R. Grace and Company, the restaurant was renamed as Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar. Later the company and the Applebee's concept changed hands with Abe Gustin and John Hamra who started the first Applebee's franchise restaurant in Kansas City.

Later in 2007, IHOP Corp. now known as DineEquity, Inc. acquired Applebee's and began their journey together to make Applebee's the world's largest full-service restaurant chain. Today, Applebee's serves at more than 1,830 locations worldwide. The Applebee's menu ranges from Appetizers and Salads to heavy meals consisting of ribs and steak. Although the trademark dish Riblets is a hot favorite among regular Applebee's dwellers, the restaurant also serves some amazing burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and salads.

Healthy Food Options at Applebee's

When a restaurant serves ribs as their main dish, then you can assume the diet-friendliness of their menu. Well, Applebee's is no different. However, you can dig deeper into their menu and pick some good healthy food options for sure. You can try the salads, light sandwiches, appetizers to ensure you don't order heavy items, etc. If you are really diet conscious, then you got to be careful with their steaks & ribs as well as desserts section.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Garage
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Lebanese Taverna Cafe

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