This family-run establishment makes an otherwise ordinary mall worth visiting. Try the begendili kebab — chunks of lamb with tomato sauce over eggplant puree and rice — or the adana kebab (minced lamb). Desserts include a decadent kunefe and slices of baked pumpkin served with walnuts and whipped cream.

This McLean restaurant has been serving customers since 1980, excelling at traditional Turkish dishes served in generous portions. Start with the imam bayildi — stuffed baby eggplant served cold — or the meze platter ($17.95 for two). The spit-roasted doner kebab is a must-try special, but all of the lamb entrees are popular. Chef-owner Zeynel Uzun is typically in the dining room dishing out a bit of Turkish hospitality. 

In the heart of Adams Morgan, this popular Turkish restaurant is known for small plates, which makes it especially good for trying a variety of dishes. Some popular items here are the mucver (zucchini pancakes), sigara boregi (cigar-shaped fried pastries stuffed with cheese), and any of the grilled meats. Meze has a happy hour with long list of $5 dishes and half-priced mojitos. Brunch is a safe bet, too.

One of the longer running Turkish restaurants in D.C., Cafe Divan stands out for the variety of pides, or Turkish flatbreads. Try the spicy beef kebab or the divan mix, a kebab platter that has kofte, chicken, lamb shish kebabs, lamb chops, and doner kebab.

Agora isn’t exclusively Turkish — it also has Lebanese and Greek dishes — but there’s a large selection of dishes from Turkey. Making a meal of small plates is a smart move. Go for the Brussels sprouts with urfa peppers, kibbeh, and fried baby eggplant topped with beef.  

Located right off DuPont Circle, Ankara has an extensive menu featuring both classical and contemporary Turkish dishes. The “Ankara experience” offers a three-course option with a drink ($44). Some favorites here are the zucchini stuffed with ground beef, lamb chops, and an unusual sweet-and-savory mahi mahi baklava. 

Recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide, this expansive, eye-catching restaurant delivers more than just looks. Try the grilled halloumi that’s is drizzled with a honey-sesame glaze or for one of the flatbreads, the lamb chops, or the moussaka. This is a good spot for a celebration or a special night out. 

Chef José Andrés’s Mediterranean mainstay in Penn Quarter offers a variety of dishes with a heavy focus on Turkish-style small plates. Spreads are strong, particularly the hummus with lamb and the red pepper-based muhammara. There are a number of vegetarian plates — don’t miss the zucchini pancakes. Kebabs and seafood are safe bets, too.

Every meal at Istanbul Grill, one of the newer restaurants on the list, should begin with a cold meze sampler. The iskender kebab — lamb and veal doner served over flatbread with tomato sauce and yogurt — is especially nice here. Lunch is a great value with wraps hovering around $12.

This place is part restaurant, part take-out counter, and part market. Stop here for a doner kebab or kofte sandwich, and pick up a tub of creamy hummus or lentil soup to go. There are no frills here, but the food is decent and the prices are reasonable. The weekend Iskender kebab special is especially popular.