Zaytinya by José Andrés is an Eastern Mediterranean mezze restaurant at 701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, in Penn Quarter. Opened in 2002, this José Andrés original brings Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cooking into a contemporary dining room built around sharing. Travelers come for warm, puffed pita, vegetable spreads, grilled seafood, regional wines, and a location convenient to downtown museums and theaters.
What to Expect at Zaytinya by José Andrés
The menu rewards ordering in stages rather than treating mezze as miniature entrées. Start with hummus and htipiti, a Greek spread combining roasted red peppers and feta, then move through vegetables, seafood, and meat. Signature dishes include Brussels sprouts afelia, with coriander, barberries, and garlic yogurt, and Octopus Santorini: grilled Mediterranean octopus with marinated onions, capers, and yellow split pea purée. Warm pita arrives inflated from the oven, ready for tearing and dipping. Menu selections change, so leave room for seasonal dishes rather than fixing every order beforehand.
The original Washington dining room has soaring ceilings, extensive glazing, and a white-and-blue palette that contrasts with its downtown office-block surroundings. It feels bright at lunch and animated during dinner; this is a sociable restaurant, not a hushed tasting-menu room. Outdoor seating adds another option in comfortable weather. The wine program gives Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon meaningful attention, while cocktails include 3 PM in Istanbul, made with lemon-lavender-mint-tea-infused vodka, Aperol, vanilla, lime, and grape. Finish with Greek yogurt and apricots when available, a lighter counterpoint to the savory plates.
- Warm pita and spreads: Begin with hummus or pepper-and-feta htipiti, sharing bread across the table.
- Octopus Santorini: Grilled octopus meets yellow split pea purée, capers, and marinated onions.
- Brussels sprouts afelia: Coriander, barberries, and garlic yogurt make this a distinctive vegetable order.
- Eastern Mediterranean wines: Explore Greek and Lebanese bottles alongside Turkish selections rather than defaulting to familiar regions.
- Light-filled dining room: High ceilings, large windows, and blue-and-white finishes distinguish the original Washington location.
Zaytinya by José Andrés at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Penn Quarter, downtown Washington |
| Operating Hours | Monday 11:30am–10pm; Tuesday–Thursday 11:30am–11pm; Friday 11:30am–midnight; Saturday 11am–midnight; Sunday 11am–10pm. Check holiday schedules. |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$; à la carte mezze, with drinks and multiple shared plates shaping the final bill. See the official Washington menu for current prices. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Gallery Place–Chinatown, Red and Green lines; Metro Center, Red, Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Paid parking at CityCenterDC; metered street spaces are limited. |
| Official Website & Phone | Zaytinya official website; +1 202-638-0800 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve through the official website for Friday and Saturday dinners, larger parties, and evenings with events at Capital One Arena. Lunch near opening or an early dinner makes conversation easier than the busiest evening stretch. Walk-ins can ask about bar seating, but should keep timing flexible. Smart casual clothing fits the room; formalwear is unnecessary. Major credit cards are standard, and gratuity should be considered when budgeting. Vegetarians have substantial choices, but vegan diners and guests avoiding gluten should flag requirements: yogurt, feta, nuts, and wheat appear throughout the menu.
Use Gallery Place–Chinatown’s 9th Street side for the shortest approach, or walk from Metro Center in roughly five to ten minutes. CityCenterDC’s paid garage is a practical alternative to circling for curbside parking. The restaurant has step-free access to its ground-floor dining area; request a suitable table when booking, since closely spaced seating and dinner traffic can complicate wheelchair or stroller movement. Pair lunch with the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, about five minutes away, or browse CityCenterDC’s pedestrian lanes within a similar walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Zaytinya open, and when is best to visit?
Opening time is 11:30am Monday through Friday and 11am on weekends. Arrive near opening for a more relaxed meal; closing times vary by day.
How expensive is it, and are reservations necessary?
Zaytinya is a $$$ restaurant with individually priced shared plates rather than a required admission charge. Reservations are recommended for dinner; check the Washington menu through the official website for current pricing.
How long should you allow for a meal?
Allow 90 minutes to two hours for several rounds of mezze and dessert. Tell your server about theater tickets or another fixed departure time before ordering.
Is Zaytinya suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Shared bread, dips, and grilled dishes make family ordering straightforward, though the room becomes loud at peak times. Step-free ground-floor access supports wheelchair visits; request appropriate seating and space for mobility equipment in advance.
When planning your Washington D.C. travel guide or browsing verified nightlife in Washington D.C., pair this stop with standout local spots including Rock Creek Park, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Fiola Mare, and Smithsonian American Art Museum (0.1 km away).
