Aldeerah

Went here for lunch with my dad. It’s super delicious! I had the Mandi lamb and the meat is incredibly tender. The rice is so fragrant. The lunch combo includes an entrée, soup, salad and appetizer. It was way too much food for me to finish, such a good deal! The Aldeerah salad was lovingly refreshing next to the spicy sauces that I tried with the rice. The okra soup was a very wholesome, hearty soup. I heard that Saudi coffee is something to behold, but we didn’t try that cuz I don’t drink it and they only come in pots rather than single cups. Thought about dessert, but absolutely no room for it. The décor is also quite an experience with incense burning. Definitely will go again; it was so worth it. Oh and we had Kareem for our waiter. He was adorable and sweet. Really tried to make our first experience a good one. He offered samples of any dishes we were unsure about.

Don’t bother going here if you want to eat !
They give the the tiniest portions for more than double its worth! The food doesn’t even taste good.
(Along with other things we ordered) There was a soup called Okra, on the menu it said it came with pieces of lamb but when it came out there was no lamb. The server was nice she returned it with the added lamb and had it reheated.
I just can’t believe people eat here, WAY too expensive for nothing special :/​
Awful food
Nice atmosphere.

Great atmosphere but noise music you feel like disco instead of Arabic restaurant
The dishes are taste

Delicious food, I never tried this dishes in America. I guess this is the only place in the East side. Love it :)

Lots to taste at lunch. Legit Saudi restaurant, which was fun. I didn’t like everything, but I that’s probably as much due to my lack of knowledge. The lamb and rice main dish was fantastic and a steal for the price I paid. Service could be improved, and I wish they served wine. No alcohol.

My only regret is that I didn’t come here as soon as I heard about this restaurant. I could have been enjoying this delicious food for months now. I just had a fantastic dinner with wonderful food and gracious service. Mayada was very eager to explain the food to me and make sure I had a terrific experience for my first time enjoying Saudi cuisine. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and leaves you feeling like you’ve truly been transported to Saudi Arabia. The portions are generous as is the hospitality. Be sure to try the Saudi coffee (which comes in a pot for two) and the Kinafah (a warm, sweet cheese dessert). I will definitely be coming back for more!

I stumbled across this place and was intrigued by the idea of ‘Saudi cuisine’.
First impressions: Way under staffed. There was a huge line at the door and we were waiting a good 10mins before we even got seated… not a good start. Our waitress was very nice, but she was way overworked — there were only 3 servers for the entire restaurant and it was pretty stacked… not sure what they were thinking.
I tried the Chicken and Falafel shawarma along with the Kibbeh and some ‘Saudi coffee’. The chicken was cooked well, but the shawarma was dry. The Falafel Shawarma was a little better, but definitely not something to get excited about. The Kibbeh was pretty good. Best part of the meal was definitely the coffee, which was something I had not experienced before — very light colored coffee with an intense cardamom taste…
Overall for $ 56 it was not worth it.

Everytime i come here, its such a pleasant visit.
Highly recommend this place for anyone craving authentic Saudi Arabian food.
Abdullah — he is sweeter than the kunafa.

The place is really nice, but the service was not satisfactory, the kebsa was not warm/​hot enough and I asked for kebsa with meat but I got kebsa with bones only ,
Hail gareesh was the best !
In all, it was a good experience for once only.

Very salty but good. No alcohol because it is haram. :) Beautifully decorated interior. Witnessed prayers in the traditional dinning area; very cool. Plenty of free parking. Excellent lamb as in cooked perfectly, which is hard to get in America.

Great food nice décor, lacks professional waiter experience, such as serving dishes in order, small things to be on table pitting trays .
I like it and recommend it for DC area visitors

I came here Wednesday with my boyfriend who is from Saudi Arabia. He was very pleased with the décor and was excited about the seating. Everyone greeted us when we came in, including each server we passed and even the other customers.
Our server was Kareem. When we were seated, he asked if we spoke Arabic or English. When my boyfriend said that I don’t speak Arabic, he said he’d speak in English, which I thought was very kind. Most servers at Arab restaurants will not think to do this. I also appreciated that he sat us in the back of the restaurant; even though I don’t cover my face or hair, he respected my modesty.
First we ordered the Mutabbaq. It came out in just a few minutes. Super fast. The herbs in the dish were beautiful. It was my first time eating it, and my boyfriend liked it, too.
For our entrée, we got mathloothah with lamb. It is a dish that is layered with Jireesh, qursan, rice and lamb. The waiter was great in being realistic about our food orders. We were about to order a separate order of Jireesh, since I wanted to taste the flavors, because I make it at home. However, he explained that our mathloothah order would be plenty and included Jireesh, and it was.
The mathloothah was delicious. My boyfriend had never had it before, but he is obviously accustomed to Saudi food. We both enjoyed it. The lamb was the star of the dish. It was amazingly tender. I wish we had remembered to order laban to pour on top.
Other reviewers have commented about the rice being dry; I thought it was great. «Moist» rice is either mushy or a sign of a lot of oil, which I don’t like in my food. Also, I found the rice to be inline with the subtle flavors I have observed in food cooked by Saudi friends in their homes.
For dessert we had muhalabiya. I was especially excited to try this, because I have been planning on making this at home to, but have never tasted it for comparison. It was the most beautiful dessert I have ever tasted. It was fragrant and cool. We followed this with Arabic coffee, which was wonderfully flavored.
The bill was under 60 dollars with gratuity, which is much less than we expected to pay. Other Arab restaurants we have been to are much pricier. I am not sure why other reviewers have complained about gratuity being added. It is only 15 percent, which is what you should pay for bad service. I will gladly tip more for the great service we received.
We had hoped to take an order of date dips to go, since our house is full of Saudi dates, but they weren’t sure if they would be able to pack them. Maybe next time. We will definitely be back. Thank you! May Allah bless you all.

Aldeerah claims to the be the first Saudi restaurant in the DC area. I’m not familiar with Saudi cuisine at all, and especially Arabian Peninsula offerings in this part of the country (though I know of a Yemeni restaurant in Fairfax) so I can’t say if there’s truth to their claim. However, they do provide very delicious and beautifully presented food in an elegant and charming setting. And the prices aren’t bad considering the quality of the food and service, though there is a catch. More on that further below. But first let me tell you about the food.
They have daily specials. We opted to get most of the daily specials. For starters, we had a taste of their «green soup,» which is a dish called mulukhiyah. Mulukhiyah means jute (yep, the same jute also used for clothing), and here the jute leaves are transformed into a super savory soup. Jute is slimy like okra, so avoid if that’s not your thing. Order if you like filling, comforting vegetable soups. This is a winner in my book. I would come back and order two bowls for myself.
For mains, he got the grilled fish of the day (forgot the Saudi name :(). It starts with an S. If the server tells you about a grilled fish special, you MUST get it, unless you don’t like fish. The fish is served whole, boneless, and with three dipping sauces (one tart and spicy, one tomatoey, and one yogurt-​based). The fish flesh was so moist and well-​seasoned. I’ve had many preparations of whole fish in my life, grilled and baked, and this is probably one of the best grilled whole fishes I’ve ever had. It possibly beat out some whole fishes served at my favorite Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. The fish was just so incredibly juicy and meaty. I was in heaven. The three accompanying dips are pretty awesome, too.
I ordered the Falafel Saaj, which is a falafel pita sandwich platter served with fries and mashed eggplant, kinda like baba ghanoush. This was a pretty tasty special, though it certainly paled in comparison to the phenomenal grilled fish. Still a delicious though less refined bite. There were some things that made their falafel sandwich superior to others I’ve tried: 1) the falafel balls weren’t too dry; 2) the hit of parsley throughout was refreshing and complimentary to the fried chickpeas; and 3) the usual suspects – lettuce and tomatoes – were really fresh. It also tasted healthier than other falafel sandwiches I’ve tried.
We also received a «complimentary dessert,» (didn’t feel like it was quite complimentary because of what is described in the next paragraph). It was, however, absolutely wonderful and beautiful, like something out of a much more expensive dining establishment. The dessert consisted of condensed milk, cinnamon, and almonds. It reminded me of panna cotta, and the preparation seemed very similar. Bravo!
Now here’s my warning: The only con is that 15% gratuity is automatically tacked onto your bill, regardless of party size. That might be a big deal to some… I was initially a little bothered, but I figured later that they might do this to circumvent any poor tipping for their dedicated servers. With that said, I still think tipping should be a matter of choice, and I only agree with automatic gratuity for parties of six or more, where it’s a given that the staff will have to work a bit harder (whether keeping track of more orders, cleaning up more often, or dealing with more special requests). Hopefully, this policy is done in the servers’ best interest and not because something else shady is going on…
Anyway, that is my only complaint. The food and service were a solid five stars (I guess it should be since since we’re automatically paying for it: P). Highly recommended.

I’m giving them five stars for many reasons but most of all for how kind and attentive the entire waiting staff was. I felt I was at a friends home and their family was taking care of us. The way the restaurant was decorated was also very nice and different to what you usually see. The dates, the samosas and the dessert were delicious. I’m a vegetarian and they had three main dishes and we tried all three. I’d give them four stars on those dishes, but that was simply a personal taste thing.
Lastly, I’m a little weary of the negative reviews this restaurant has. Many are by people who have one to three reviews and they seem to be targeting this restaurant without real reason. Just my opinion. I’m moving tomorrow or I’d be a regular here.

I was so excited when I’ve heard there is a Saudi restaurant. I was curious to see what they have to offer and try some authentic Saudi food which is very hard to find.
We came here with a group of friends for Iftar… And so we all left hungry!!! Had to stop by somewhere else for some decent food.
Décor was nice, it has that middle eastern feel. They have two sections. One for table sitting and the other one for the traditional sitting where you sit on the floor.
The food was dry, flavorless and expensive for what you get.
Everything we’ve ordered was with a dry rice and and small portion of chicken/​meat.
The service was very SLOW. It takes forever to get what we’ve ordered. Is like they chip it from Saudia Arabia.
Everything backwards here… We got our entrée then our appetizers and then our drinks. I don’t know if it is a Saudi thing or just they don’t care. t

Our order was cofee, Sukkary dates, and Ma’amool dessert. All of them was perfectly done just like an excellent prepared one back in Saudi Arabia! We also ordered Mathlothah it was very good.
We came before the lunch time and had to wait until 2, the lunch time. Then, our food came almost 20 minutes later. We loved the place and enjoyed waiting our lunch while drinking our coffee.

My first time at a Saudi Arabian restaurant was just incredible. This is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. When you enter through the doors you feel instantly transformed. The interior is beautiful and sumptuous, yet cozy and comfortable.
It was packed at 5pm. As a non-​Muslim, non veil-​wearing woman, I wasn’t quite sure if I’d feel like an outsider. Well, I felt entirely at home and welcomed by the exceptionally warm staff. One side of the restaurant had regular tables and chairs. The other side had rugs and cushions so you could sit on the floor and eat with your hands (I’m trying that next time!). They also had a prayer room and a foot washing area. The beautiful and clean bathroom had a little brass watering can next to the toilet, sort of a makeshift bidet. There was also a very large changing table. This restaurant is very family friendly. It was all very cool how they have set up things to appeal to everyone – traditional and modern alike – and make everyone feel comfortable and welcomed. A bit of the old world and new world mixed together. They’ve covered all the bases!
The food was delicious. Saudi Arabians start their meal with Saudi coffee in tiny cups (it’s very light and is flavored with cardamom) and some dates with dipping sauces. I highly recommend trying this. It will not fill you up. It’s more like an «amuse bouche» to get your appetite going. We ordered a garden salad to start. It was huge and every last veggie in it was fresh and crisp. It’s very lightly dressed and they will bring extra wedges of lemon for it if you like. I loved the fresh and clean aspect of a salad not dripping in the usual heavy dressing. We both had chicken and rice dishes. The rice is bountiful and you will end up taking some home if you so choose. I cannot imagine being able to finish it all. The chicken was extremely delicious – tender, fall off the bone. We had 2 dipping sauces: red and green. Both were amazing! I want a full bottle of the hot red sauce. For drink you must try the laban. It’s a tangy and smooth yogurt drink which goes very well with the food. Dessert was kinafah with cream. It’s a creamy, crunchy pastry redolent with a slightly floral sweetness. Absolute heaven!
The service was so hospitable. I felt like I was an honored guest at someone’s home the entire time I was there. The staff explained the menu and answered any questions we had. It was really nice. I can’t wait to go back.
Bottom line: gorgeous décor, delicious authentic food, unmatched friendliness, an experience you will not soon forget.

I just had the pleasure of dining here for a dear friends birthday — and I have to say I was so pleasantly surprised, especially given all of the mediocre reviews on Unilocal!The service was impeccable, the food was excellent (tasted homemade and very authentic). When you walk in, you are immediately greeted with the smell the oud perfume that’s so popular in the Arabian Gulf region. The lamb (which I am not usually a fan of bc of the lamby smell/​taste) tasted sooo fresh that I mistook it for beef! The décor is so beautiful — the chairs all look like thrones — that you forget you are in a random strip mall in Vienna. There is even another room that you can sit on the floor for a very authentic Saudi experience. They were kind enough to serve the birthday cake brought in for the celebration. Overall it was a wonderful evening, and I highly recommend it for a large group celebration!

The only authentic saudi cuisine in the area
Descent food but the place is very very nice
And the atmosphere is great don’t expect the food to be like saudi but at least they serve a good quality of food and to be honest. It’s pricy

I was really excited to check out Aldeerah, as this is pretty much the only Saudi restaurant that offers authentic Saudi cuisine in the DC metro area: D ‘Aldeerah’ means ‘the homeland,’ and the cuisine focuses more on the Najd region (central Saudi). The menu offers items like Saudi coffee, dates, dips for the dates (tahina, cream, and sour cream), sambosas, beleelah, meat/​cheese/​spinach pastries, soups, salads, qursan, sileeg, mathloothah, harees, and sayyadiyah. The hubs and I tried: Sambosa (you have the option for beef or cheese filling; we opted for beef; these were triangular samosas that were filled with ground beef with a subtle hint of spices, freshly-​fried); Potato Kibba (potato kibba stuffed with ground beef; these were little fried balls that had a creamy potato filling with some ground beef); Mutabbaq (thin layers of crepes, lightly stuffed with ground beef, parsley, tomato, green onions, and eggs, all grilled on a hot skillet; imagine a little crêpe ‘sandwich’ with some fillings; the fillings do fall out, but just fold it strategically; these were very savory, but I just wished the crêpe was more crispy!); Chicken Kabsa (rice cooked in chicken broth, topped with half of a chicken; you can also opt to add a garnish of raisins and fried onions (OF COURSE I WANTED TO ADD THAT!!!); this dish was very clean-​tasting — the chicken was so moist and cooked perfectly, lightly seasoned with some spices; the rice was yummy with the lovely sauteed onions and plump raisins! A green and a red sauce (shuta) comes with, but I highly recommend the shuta sauce — it’s spicy and definitely a great complement to the dish!); a bowl of Jireesh (crushed wheat cooked in rich yogurt broth, topped with sauteed fried onions; this was more of a porridge consistency, but I really enjoyed this dish — it was creamy, and topped with olive oil and sauteed onions and it was very comfort food-​like!); and, Margoog (the special entrée of the day; this dish contained thin layers of whole wheat bread, cooked in a broth of vegetables and tender chunks of lamb; this seemed more tomato based, and the thin strips of the wheat bread tasted almost like pasta-​esque; the lamb was very tender and definitely not game-​y-​tasting, which we both loved). We also ordered a small pot of traditional fresh mint tea, that was very soothing and great for warming up (no sugar needed!). Our servers were Ms. Maryam and Derek, and both were oh-​so-​sweet! Ms. Maryam checked up on regularly, and Derek had a great sense of humor! One of the owners, Mr. Ziad, was so kind and lovely, and he made sure that we were enjoying everything: D They have only been opened less than a week, but I can see this becoming a great local favorite! I’m also excited about their AYCE weekend brunch that will be begin in April; I’m definitely coming back to try that out and also to try out their other house specialties. The restaurant itself is very beautiful, with spacious large wooden chairs, covered in lovely textiles, to the cute little Saudi couple salt/​pepper shakers/​sugar ceramic basket on the tables: D Definitely a gem, and I’m a fan!
+offers authentic Saudi cuisine (Najd region)
+Sambosas
+Potato Kibba
+Mutabbaq
+Jireesh
+Chicken Kabsa (don’t forget to add the raisins and the fried onions!!!)
+tender lamb!
+shuta sauce (spicy!)
+fresh mint tea
+ask for Mr. Ziad, Ms. Maryam, and Derek: D
+gratuity automatically included in check
+located in the CVS plaza off of Vedar Lane, on the west side (next to Big Chicken Peruvian)