AYAT, whose original Bay Ridge restaurant appears in the Michelin Guide, opened its first Washington, DC location in Foggy Bottom on July 21. The Palestinian restaurant announced a 6 p.m. soft opening at 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue NW and said it would remain open after launch night.
This is still opening week, so regular hours, reservation availability and delivery options may move around while the team settles in. Check AYAT’s Instagram before making a special trip.
AYAT Washington, DC: Quick facts
AYAT is now open in Washington, DC
AYAT started in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, in 2020. Founders Abdul Elenani and Ayat Masoud built the restaurant around food they knew from home, and the name honors Masoud. The group has since expanded around New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its original Bay Ridge location is listed in the Michelin Guide, which describes AYAT’s Palestinian menu and neighborhood setting. The Washington restaurant is a new location and has not separately received a Michelin distinction.
The DC dining room is on Pennsylvania Avenue in Foggy Bottom, close to George Washington University. AYAT’s July 21 opening announcement described the restaurant as a place where people can share a table, learn about Palestine and feel at home.
What to expect on the AYAT menu
AYAT’s menu centers Palestinian cooking rather than a trimmed-down fast-casual format. When the restaurant was first announced, the team told Washingtonian that dishes such as msakhan, mansaf, fattat jaj, mezze and mixed grills were planned for DC.
Mezze to share
AYAT’s official menu lists hummus, baba ghanoush, muhammara, labneh and a mixed Palestinian mezze platter. Offerings can vary by location.
Msakhan
This Palestinian staple is one of the dishes AYAT specifically planned to bring to Washington.
Mansaf and mixed grills
Hearty platters and grilled meats make the restaurant a good fit for groups who want to order several dishes for the table.
Falafel and house specials
The broader AYAT menu includes falafel alongside location-specific specials and playful dishes promoted on social media.
Opening-week note: The DC menu may not match every item shown at AYAT’s other locations. Confirm availability at the restaurant before going for one specific dish.
Why AYAT stands out among new restaurants in Washington DC
AYAT is one of the city’s newest restaurant openings, but the reason to know it is specific: the Foggy Bottom restaurant brings the Brooklyn-born group’s Palestinian cooking to 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
For diners searching for Palestinian food in Washington DC, AYAT adds another place to find dishes such as msakhan, mansaf, mezze and mixed grills. It also gives Foggy Bottom a new sit-down option near George Washington University and Metro.
AYAT may appear on lists of hot new restaurants in Washington DC, but opening-week interest is not the same as a full review. DC Spot will update this guide after regular hours, the DC-specific menu and other opening details settle.
The Falafel Pizzawarma that showed up on Instagram
One recent AYAT post features a Falafel Pizzawarma, a pizza-and-shawarma-style mashup built around crispy falafel. It is worth watching, but the post promotes AYAT’s broader restaurant group and does not confirm that the item is available in Washington.
Getting to AYAT in Foggy Bottom
AYAT is at 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near the George Washington University campus. The closest Metrorail stop is Foggy Bottom–GWU on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.
Street parking in this part of the city can be tight, especially around dinner. Metro, a rideshare or a nearby paid garage may be simpler than circling for a space.
Three things to know before you go
AYAT has opened, but the team is still in its soft-opening period. Verify the latest schedule on Instagram.
Mezze and larger platters make more sense when the table can try several dishes.
AYAT operates several locations, and menus can differ. Ask before ordering around one specific post.
Frequently asked questions about AYAT Washington, DC
Is AYAT open in Washington, DC?
Yes. AYAT announced a soft opening on July 21, 2026, and said the restaurant would remain open after that night. Regular hours may still change during the opening period.
Is AYAT a Michelin-starred restaurant?
No Michelin Star is shown for AYAT. The Michelin Guide lists the original Bay Ridge restaurant, but that is different from earning a star, and the new Washington location has not separately received a Michelin distinction.
Where is AYAT in DC?
AYAT is at 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Foggy Bottom, near George Washington University.
What kind of food does AYAT serve?
AYAT serves Palestinian food. The menu includes mezze, falafel, grilled dishes and traditional plates such as msakhan and mansaf, although item availability can vary by location.
What is the closest Metro station to AYAT?
Foggy Bottom–GWU is the closest Metrorail station. It serves the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.
Does AYAT DC have the Falafel Pizzawarma?
AYAT promoted the Falafel Pizzawarma on its main Instagram account, but the post does not confirm that the item is available at the Washington location. Ask the restaurant before making a trip for it.
What are AYAT DC’s hours?
AYAT had not posted a stable set of regular Washington hours when this article was updated. Check AYAT’s Instagram or current business listing before visiting.
Is AYAT a new restaurant in Washington DC?
Yes. AYAT opened its Foggy Bottom restaurant on July 21, 2026, at 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
What Palestinian food can I order at AYAT in Washington DC?
AYAT planned dishes such as msakhan, mansaf, fattat jaj, mezze and mixed grills for Washington. Availability can change while the restaurant settles into regular service.
Photograph courtesy of Ayat.
Last updated July 23, 2026. Opening details were verified through AYAT’s official Instagram announcement, AYAT’s website and menu, and prior reporting from Washingtonian. Soft-opening hours, menu availability and service details may change.
