Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge

​An Absolute Gem: Kookoo Restaurant Sets the Standard for Persian Cuisine in DC! ​If you're searching for the best Persian food in the DC area, look no further than Kookoo—it is truly magnificent. Every single item we ordered was an absolute delight, showcasing authentic flavors and incredible culinary execution. ​From the moment you step in, the experience is wonderful. The beautiful decor creates a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the service is so friendly and attentive, making you feel right at home. ​Now for the food! The appetizers are a must-try. The pomegranate sauce chicken wings were a sensational start—a perfect balance of sweet and tangy that left us wanting more. We also thoroughly enjoyed the classic tahdig (crispy rice) and kashk-e bademjan (smoked eggplant dip), which were bo

Great atmosphere, vibes, and hospitality! We had the Mirza Ghasemi, Mast O Laboo, Tehrani, Baghlava, Kookoo Sangria and the Kookoorita - all were delicious and would recommend. The staff were very attentive and friendly, will definitely be coming back!

had an insatiable craving for ghormeh sabzi, an herby beef stew. Google brought me here. Service was quick and attentive, the restaurant itself is cozy and non-pretentious. Staff is personable and welcoming. The ghormeh sabzi itself was divine, very citrusy from the dried limes just how I like it. Pro tip: ask for tahdig crispy rice on the side, every bite was an explosion of texture and flavor! Highly recommend and will be back again and again ❤️

This is a DC hidden gem. The food is SO GOOD. We had the lamb and eggplant. It has the family-owned restaurant charm that is becoming more and more rare in this city. Will definitely be coming back. The owner and staff are also so kind!

The food is incredible and the service so warm! It's rare nowadays to find a place in DC that is a local small business focusing on truly great food. The owner, Yahya, and his team are super sweet and hospitable. I'm no stranger to a kebab or falafel, but it's not common to find Persian food filled with so many fresh herbs and citrusy dried lime that adds depth and complexity of flavor. We had the kookoo sabzi (a miracle how the egg was able to hold all of the greens together), the surprisingly perfect potato au gratin (reflecting the years the owner lived in France), the chicken kebab, and the gormeh sabzi the latter two served with perfectly fluffy rice where every grain was separate. We had it with a solid and delicious bottle of wine. If they have the pistachio cake on the dessert menu