Mama Ayesha

When you walk into Mama Ayesha, a Palestinian restaurant in Adams Morgan, chances are you’ll find neighbors having their weekly standing dinner or playing cards on one of the square wooden tables out back. The tiny restaurant, which you can walk the length of in under 60 seconds, has been a staple in the community since 1960. And the coral cushioned seats and wooden panels adorned with carefully crafted light fixtures are reflections of that. Stick to the basics on the menu. The hummus, charred kebabs, and dessert are all great, but the kibbeh, fattoush, and lamb shanks could be better.