DC’s best Levantine dining experience just got a serious upgrade.
The Renovation Was Worth the Wait
ala, a 2026 RAMMYS Semi-Finalist for Casual Restaurant of the Year, has completed a sweeping $1.5 million renovation of its Dupont Circle location — the first major overhaul since 1998. Four months in the making, the transformed space now seats 60 in the dining room, 80 upstairs for private events and larger groups, and 100 on a brand-new patio built for exactly this kind of DC spring weather.
Owner and architect Celal Gulluoglu preserved the original granite bar top as a deliberate nod to the restaurant’s legacy: “This serves as both a physical and symbolic homage to the restaurant’s history, honoring its legacy while stepping into a new chapter.” The Mediterranean-inspired design is bright, open, and built with sustainability at its core — restoring and reusing rather than replacing.
New Dishes Rooted in the Levant
The spring menu leans hard into Levantine history, and every plate carries that intention. The Kousayyah features lightly charred zucchini with labneh, spring onion, urfa spice, and walnut. The Half-Aged Basturma arrives as gently-aged, thinly-sliced beef tenderloin with arugula, parmesan, qiraz harissa, and basturma spice. The Kufta Bil Batata — minced ribeye meatballs simmered in tomatoes and peppers beneath brick oven-finished mashed potatoes — is the kind of dish that earns a return visit on its own. On the drinks side, the Khayyar puts a Levantine spin on a European spritz with gin, Persian cucumber, and dill, while the Shammam keeps things light with rum, house-made honeydew syrup, and arak.
Brunch, Happy Hour, and What’s Coming Next
ala DC is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, with bottomless brunch on weekends — named among DC’s best by The Washington Post and a 2024 RAMMYS Finalist for Best Brunch. Weekday happy hour is available all day at the bar. A mezze lunch is coming in the weeks ahead. The Bethesda location at 4948 Fairmont Ave runs seven days a week with its own full schedule. Make your reservations now for DC or Bethesda — patio seats will go fast!
A Michelin-Rated Neighborhood Gem You Should Already Know
ala opened on 19th Street NW in 2021 and earned its Michelin recognition by doing exactly what it’s doing now: honoring the Levant’s traditions without being precious about them. The name comes from a Turkish expression meaning “a mix of all the colors,” and that ethos carries through every corner of the new space. Spring is the right time to go. Book your table and go soon!
ala | DC | 1320 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 Tuesday–Thursday: 4–10 PM | Friday: 4–11 PM | Saturday–Sunday: Brunch 10 AM–4 PM, Dinner 5–10/11 PM.
ala | Bethesda | 4948 Fairmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814 Monday–Thursday: 11:30 AM–10 PM | Friday: 11:30 AM–11 PM | Saturday–Sunday: Brunch 10 AM–4 PM, Dinner 5–10/11 PM.
Average dinner: $55–$85 per person | Bottomless Brunch: approximately $65–$75 per person with drinks.
