Divan Restaurant

Reviews

• AL

  Andre Lincolne

  1 day ago
  1.0
  I've eaten at Persian restaurants across the U.S, and Europe, so I know what real Persian cuisine should taste like. This restaurant is, hands down, the furthest thing from authentic Persian food I've ever encountered—and easily one of the most disappointing and overpriced experiences in the entire DMV area.For what is quite possibly the most expensive Persian restaurant in DC, Virginia, and Maryland (prices that would make even upscale Tehran spots blush), the quality is shockingly poor.Their Mirza Ghasemi is an absolute disaster: basically just a salty, oily eggplant mush with zero depth, no balanced smokiness, and so much salt it actually hurts to eat. It tastes like someone dumped half a salt shaker into a pan and called it a day. The Kashk-e Bademjan is equally awful—inexplicably sweet instead of the rich, tangy, savory classic it should be. Sweet kashk? That’s not a variation; that’s a mistake. The rice was dry and under-seasoned, the meats were overcooked and bland, and even the simplest things like mast-o-khiar tasted like generic supermarket yogurt with a sprinkle of mint. To top it off, the service was indifferent at best—slow, inattentive, and zero effort to make up for the subpar food despite the astronomical bill.If you're looking for real Persian cuisine that honors the tradition—smoky, balanced, aromatic, soulful—this place is not it. It's an overpriced tourist trap masquerading as upscale Persian dining.Save your money and your taste buds. There are far better (and far more authentic) Persian restaurants in the area for half the price.Strongly, strongly do not recommend.
• DS

  Danna Sherif

  4 days ago
  5.0
  The food at Divan was delicious and honestly unlike anything we’ve had before. We highly recommend the koofta and the torsh kabob! both were incredibly flavorful, well-seasoned, and truly unique. The flavors were rich and comforting, and you can tell a lot of care goes into the cooking. The restaurant itself is very pretty and has a lovely atmosphere. One small thing we noticed was that a few of the plates were chipped, which didn’t affect the food but is something that could be improved. Noor was our server and she did an amazing job. She was attentive, kind, and made sure we were taken care of throughout the entire meal. We had such a great experience with her that we’ll definitely be asking for her again. Highly recommend Divan for the food, atmosphere, and great service!!
• FL

  For Li

  Dec 31, 2025
  5.0
  My family had a wonderful New Year’s Eve dinner at this Persian Mediterranean restaurant in McLean, VA, and the experience exceeded our expectations. The food was excellent—beautifully prepared, flavorful, and thoughtfully presented, showcasing the richness and balance of Persian and Mediterranean cuisine. Every dish felt fresh and well-executed. The service truly stood out, especially our waiter, Raim, who was exceptional throughout the evening. He was attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming, making us feel comfortable and well cared for during a very busy holiday night. The setting was elegant yet relaxed, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere perfect for celebrating New Year’s Eve. From the attentive service to the high-quality food and refined ambiance, it was a memorable dining experience. We would absolutely return and highly recommend it for special occasions or a refined night out in McLean.
• MZ

  Maira Z

  Dec 29, 2025
  4.0
  We had an excellent experience at Divan Restaurant, a Persian restaurant in Virginia. Everything about this place was spot on — from the food to the atmosphere. The vibe is warm, cozy, and perfect for a date night or a relaxed evening out. The staff greet you so kindly and make you feel welcome right away, which really adds to the experience. The food was outstanding — rich in flavor, beautifully prepared, and tasted very authentic. Every dish felt thoughtfully made and truly representative of Persian cuisine. Overall, Divan Restaurant delivers on ambiance, service, and incredible food. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a cozy spot with amazing Persian flavors.
• RM

  R M

  Dec 25, 2025
  3.0
  We visited this restaurant based on the reviews that were posted. The atmosphere is romantic with candle light and holiday decoration. Parking is available and it is recommended that you book in advance. I Appetizers we orders humus, Shirazi salad, French fries I would say the salad and the fries were good but the humus did not taste good. Main we ordered the mixed grill that includes lamp chops, steak, and chicken with a side of asparagus and potato. Lamp chops were all fat may be we took one bite, chicken was over cooked and steak was good and well seasoned. Asparagus was tasteless and potato was good. rating this restaurant to other similar one this would be at the bottom of my list comparing it to the price we paid the quality and taste of food was overall average. The problem is the delays between meals we waited almost 45 minutes for our dinner I would not go back again.

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