Zaytinya, Chinatown
32 people recommend, 7 warn against itvia r/washingtondc30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 14 threads.
What people say, in short
Zaytinya in Penn Quarter has fans of its small plates, pita and group dinners. It also comes up for solo meals, dates and birthday celebrations. Diners praise the tasting menu and drink pairings, although two separate visitors found the amount of food excessive. Recent reports are more divided: some still enjoy the food, while others describe disappointing meals, sluggish service or a packed room too noisy for easy conversation.
Address
Zaytinya, 701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
At a glance
- Price
- Mid-range
- Signature dishes
- Pita bread, Brussels sprouts
- Best for
- Groups, Dates, Celebrations, Solo
- Opinions divided
- Yes
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Mixedu/yhu564738 in r/washingtondc · Dec 2024portion
Tasting menu was far too much food for two but was a good experience overall.
- Mixedu/Character_Answer_204 in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026service
Found the food good but unremarkable, with slow service, cramped tables and a very loud room.
- Recommendsu/keegeen in r/washingtondc · Mar 2025price
Says the restaurant handles group dinners very well at a reasonable cost.
- Recommendsu/ddpizza in r/washingtondc · Apr 2026taste
Gives the pita a personal honorable mention.
- Recommendsu/Radiant_Plantain4179 in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026
Basically perfect a couple months ago.
- Mixedu/rhit_engineer in r/washingtondc · Feb 2024taste
Says they didn't personally care much for it.
- Recommendsu/wrld_tvlr in r/washingtondc · Dec 2025
Recommends this Middle Eastern spot in Penn Quarter for lunch.
- Recommendsu/mmeeplechase in r/washingtondc · Aug 2024
Longtime favorite since childhood special occasions; would order many small plates to share.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/ApplaudingOkra in r/washingtondc · Feb 2025
First night out after returning from five years away; holds sentimental value
- Recommendsu/pooorSAP in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026consistency
Favorite DC restaurant; still packed since 2002 speaks for itself.
- Mixedu/BroBrotherBrah in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026service
Had mixed views on it.
- Recommendsu/gumercindo1959 in r/washingtondc · Dec 2023
Lists Zaytinya among recommended options.
- Recommendsu/lmboyer04 in r/washingtondc · Dec 2023price
Recommends it.
- Mixedu/diaymujer in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026service
Recent lunch food as good as ever but service sluggish.
- Recommendsu/mf416 in r/washingtondc · Mar 2025
Loves their group dinners.
- Recommendsu/Remarkable_Sign_8033 in r/washingtondc · Jan 2026
Really enjoyed the tasting menu, with drink pairings available
- Recommendsu/FerdinandThePenguin in r/washingtondc · Dec 2023
Seconds Zaytinya as one of their favorite date night spots.
- Recommendsu/BenfromIT in r/washingtondc · Mar 2025price
Recommends it.
- Recommendsu/maveryc in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026service
Never a bad experience; constantly impressed by service and bread.
- Recommendsu/phillymaz in r/washingtondc · Jan 2026taste
Thought Zaytinya was much better than China Chilcano.
- Recommendsu/illinistylee in r/washingtondc · Dec 2025
Says Zaytinya is great.
- Recommendsu/Wheresmycardigan in r/washingtondc · Dec 2025variety
Notes you can order a tasting menu and wine pairing for lunch there.
- Caveatu/pastryandprosecco in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026taste
Very mediocre meal, especially disappointed with the bread.
- Recommendsu/spectacularbird1 in r/washingtondc · Apr 2026taste
First thought for best free bread
- Caveatu/Fragrant-Duty-9015 in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026taste
Always just okay; produce quality not there.
- Recommendsu/Friendly_Coconut in r/washingtondc · Apr 2026ambience
Loves the patio and had a great birthday dinner there.
- Recommendsu/demeatuslong in r/washingtondc · Mar 2025
Seconds the Zaytinya recommendation.
- Recommendsu/stayonthecloud in r/washingtondc · Aug 2024
Simply endorses Zaytinya.
- Caveatu/broncoholmes in r/washingtondc · Feb 2024taste
Tried it and was disappointed.
- Caveatu/Logical_Procedure_24 in r/washingtondc · Aug 2024consistency
Used to love it but the last two visits were surprisingly not great; won't chance it again.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.