Cheap Eats 2008: Cafe Divan

Reviewed by Rina Rapuano , Dave McIntyre , Ann Limpert , Cynthia Hacinli , Todd Kliman

Cafe Divan

1834 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-338-1747

Cuisines:
Turkish, Middle Eastern

Opening Hours:
Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu:
General: 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Fri,Sat:
General: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sun:
General: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Foggy Bottom-GWU

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Crowd:
Sophisticates young and old.

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Not needed

Special Features:
Delivery, Weekend Brunch, Kid Friendly

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Sigara borek; sous borek; hummos; baba ghanoush; iman bayaldi, the classic stuffed-eggplant dish; doner kebab; iskander kebab; lamb kebab; yogurtlu kebab with beef; kuzu guvec, a lamb-and-eggplant casserole; whole roast baby lamb (Thursdays only); lamajun; pizza with kasseri cheese and fried eggs; Sucuk Pide pizza; kazan dibi, a rice-flour pudding.

Price Details:
Appetizers $3.95 to $5.95, entrées $5.95 to $16.


Why go: Turkish mezze and kebabs, full of savor and served with style in a glass-enclosed wedge of a cafe in Georgetown that attracts both Euro club kids and a graying neighborhood crowd.

What to get: Among the mezze, the briny tarama; fried cigara borek oozing feta; su boregi, a borek variation made with pasta and cheese; and imam bayaldi, baby eggplants stuffed with tomato and onion and glistening with olive oil. Among the bigger plates, sandwiches or platters with fluffy pilaf and grilled vegetables; tender lamb shish kebab; spicy adana ground-beef kebabs; doner kebab, veal and lamb cooked on a spit, sliced razor thin, and served plain or Iskander style with yogurt and toasted pita bread.

Best for: Mezze is meant for communal-style dining, but with its cozy cushions and banquettes Divan is intimate enough for a date.

Insider tip: The well-priced meze platters for one or two are generous enough for a light meal. Whole roast lamb on the spit is available only on Thursdays—and well worth the visit.

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

See all 2008 Cheap Eats restaurants