Namak

Namak is an Eastern Mediterranean and Persian restaurant in the heart of Adams Morgan, opened in 2024 by longtime friends and established restaurateurs John Cidre and Saied Azali. The kitchen turns out creative takes on Persian, Greek, Turkish, and North African dishes — sesame-crusted feta, walnut-marinated tenderloin kebabs, and braised lamb shoulder in harissa-scented jus — inside a chic space of cozy alcoves and Moroccan tile work. Its non-alcoholic program is unusually serious for a restaurant: Resy singled it out as a menu where the zero-proof drinks "take center stage with a diverse range of flavors." Highlights include the N/Aperol Spritz, a spiced hibiscus punch made with hibiscus, spices, rose, citrus, and clover honey, and traditional Eastern Mediterranean drinks like The Ayran (a salted yogurt drink) and The Şalgam (fermented black carrot and turnip juice served spicy or mild). Namak was named to Washingtonian's "100 Very Best Restaurants 2026," ranking #98 on the list published in January 2026. The room stays buzzy through dinner service Tuesday through Sunday, with an added Sunday brunch.