ala Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to ala, a delightful Middle Eastern-Mediterranean restaurant located in the heart of Washington, DC. With a menu curated for diverse palates, ala offers a rich selection of mouthwatering dishes that cater to pescatarians, vegans, and vegetarians alike.
Start your culinary journey with cold mezzes like Hummus and Baba Ghanoush, before diving into vibrant hot mezze such as the Falafel and Kadaif Feta. For larger plates, the Whole Lavraki and Turkish Coffee Rub Lamb Shank promise to leave you satisfied. Each dish bursts with authentic flavors, inviting you to explore the depths of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Whether it's a casual lunch, festive dinner, or joyful gathering with friends, ala provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere complemented by remarkable service. Grab your loved ones and discover a unique dining experience at ala!
COLD MEZZE
HUMMUS
VEGAN / Pickled dates, crispy onions
BABA GHANOUSH
VEGAN - GF / Charred eggplant, chermoula
JAGEGH
V - GF / Labneh, fried pickles, artichoke
ZA'ATAR LABNEH
V - GF / Labneh, home made za'atar, dill oil
MIXED SPREADS
Small portions of hummus, baba ghanoush, jagegh, za'atar labneh
IMAM BAYILDI
VEGAN / Baby eggplant, tomato, parsley
SALATAT SHAMANDAR
GF / Roasted beet, orange blossom labneh, water cress
CRAB FATTOUSH
Lump crab, mango, cucumber, onion, mint, fried pita
TARTARE DOLMADES
GF - Dolmades, yellowfin tuna, Urfa pepper, mustard, garlic, yogurt
AKHTABUT CARPACCIO
GF - Sous vide octopus leg, Urfa pepper, mustard, garlic, yogurt
DUCK PROSCIUTTO
GF / Crispy rice lavash, orange, shatta, Turkish Coffee
ZAYTOON & TORSHI
VEGAN - GF / House made pickles, olives (contains pits)
PITA (2 pieces)
2 pieces of famous pita bread
KADAIF FETA
V / Kadaifi, sesame, Maras pepper, bergamot honey
SHORBAT LOBSTER & CRAB (Soup)
Lobster reduction, lump crab, vegetables, pita
KECHI
V / Goat cheese, za'atar, preserved fig, pita crumbs
HALLOUMI WRAPS
V / Cyprus halloumi cheese, phyllo dough, bergamot, dukkah (contains nuts)
FALAFEL
VEGAN - GF / Falafel, sunflower-sesame-coriander-dill seeds, pickles
BATATA HARA
VEGAN - GF / Fried potatoes, harissa, toum
MANTI
Mini beef dumplings, beef stock, labneh, harissa, fried fresh mint
SMASHED ADANA BURGER
Minced rib eye, beyaz peynir (feta), torshi (pickles), red onion, tomato, harissa
KARANAB
VEGAN - GF / Fried Brussel sprouts, toum, walnuts
BROCOLLINI
V - GF / Grilled brocollini, dill seeds, toum, parmesan crisps
GARIDES SOUJOK
Shrimp, Turkish sausage, Urfa pepper, garlic, pita croutons
TAWOOK SHISH
GF / Chicken breast, amba, radish, celery
TAWOOK SCHNITZEL
Fried chicken breast, hot Urfa pepper honey
MUSHROOM SHISH
VEGAN / Portobello mushroom, black eyed pea stew, lime
SHORT RIBS PIDE (flatbread)
Pulled short ribs, toum, feta, tomato, pepper
SOUJOUK PIDE (flatbread)
Turkish sausage, creamy feta, hot Urfa pepper honey
ZA'ATAR PIDE (flatbread)
V - Palestinian za'atar, creamy feta, labneh, thyme oil
HOT MEZZE
LARGE PLATES
GOLDEN CAULIFLOWER
VEGAN - GF / Whole cauliflower, amba, tahini, chermoula
ADANA KEBAB
Minced rib-eye, labneh, harissa, onion
WHOLE LAVRAKI
GF / Grilled Mediterranean seabass, asparagus, fennel
SUMAC TAWOOK
RAS-EL HANOUT SHORT RIBS
Braised short ribs, ras-el hanout, grilled potatoes
TURKISH COFFEE RUB LAMB SHANK
Roasted lamb shank, carrot, potato, broccoli
ANTEP BAKLAVA
V / Pistachio baklava, white chocolate dukkah