Aracosia McLean Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to Aracosia McLean, a refined fusion of Afghan cuisine nestled in McLean, VA. This remarkable establishment offers a unique dining experience, boasting a menu that tantalizes the palate with a selection of both hearty and delicate dishes.
The highlight here is the Mazza, an array of appetizers that showcases the rich flavors of marinated meats and seasonal vegetables. Try the Bistro Signature Mix Grill Mazza, featuring tender lamb and beef cuts finished with a spicy herb chutney. Vegetarians will find themselves equally catered to with options like the Hot Mazza Assortment and the delicious Baadenjaan Bouranee.
The diverse offerings extend to burgers and wraps, where the Bistro Burger stands out with its savory flair. Coupled with a romantic ambiance, outdoor seating, and excellent service, Aracosia McLean promises an unforgettable dining adventure for all.
Appetizers (Mazza)
Bistro Signature Mix Grill Mazza
Marinated and charbroiled lamb shoulder chops, lamb rib chops, lamb tenderloin and beef tenderloin, served with spicy fresh herb chutney
Mix Grill Mazza
Marinated and charbroiled salmon, ground beef, beef tenderloin and lamb rib chop, served with avocado yogurt
Hot Mazza Assortment
Aushak, mantu, baadenjaan, kadoo, topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne Vegetarian option available
Quroti
Afghan bread topped with a minced beef and lentil qorma, yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Baadenjaan Bouranee
Roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Kadoo Bouranee
Butternut squash topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Carrot Slaw
Julienne carrots cooked with brown sugar and cardamom, chilled and tossed with fresh citrus
Potato & Leek Turnovers
Stuffed with potatoes and leeks, fried until crisp, served with a side of avocado yogurt
Sabzi Turnovers
Stuffed with slow cooked greens, fried until crisp, served with a side of avocado yogurt
Kadoo Turnovers
Stuffed with butternut squash, fried until crisp, served with a side of garlic yogurt
Samarooq Turnovers
Stuffed with mushrooms, fried until crisp, served with a side of avocado yogurt
Sambosa
Stuffed with a minced beef and lentil qorma, fried until crisp, topped with powdered sugar and cardamom
Pumpkin Dumpling Appetizer
Steamed and stuffed with butternut squash, topped with a minced beef and lentil qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Aushak Appetizer
Steamed and stuffed with leeks and scallions, topped with a minced beef and lentil qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Mantu Appetizer
Steamed and stuffed with spicy minced beef, topped with a carrot and pea qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Sabzi Dumpling Appetizer
Steamed and stuffed with slow-cooked greens, topped with a spicy bean medley qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Samarooq Dumpling Appetizer
Steamed and stuffed with mushrooms, topped with a spicy bean medley qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Seekh Kabob Appetizer
Marinated and charbroiled ground beef, served with cucumber and dill yogurt
Lamb Tenderloin Appetizer
Marinated and charbroiled, served with cucumber and dill yogurt
Bistro Burger
Marinated and charbroiled ground beef, mixed greens and spicy herb ketchup on a toasted brioche bun with a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Seekh (Ground Beef) Wrap
Marinated and charbroiled ground beef with mixed greens, spicy herb chutney and avocado yogurt in a lavash wrap, with a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Chicken Wrap
Marinated and charbroiled chicken breast with mixed greens, spicy herb chutney and avocado yogurt in a lavash wrap, with a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Salmon Wrap
Marinated and charbroiled salmon with mixed greens, spicy herb chutney and avocado yogurt in a lavash wrap, with a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Burgers & Wraps
Soup & Salad
Bistro Signature Lentil Soup
Minced beef, lentils, chickpeas and mung beans, topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint, cayenne and fresh dill
Bistro Salad
Mixed greens, bell peppers, tomatoes, croutons, bleu cheese crumbles and walnuts, tossed in a balsamic dressing
Mixed Green Salad
Mixed greens, bell peppers, tomatoes and croutons, tossed in a balsamic dressing
Braised Lamb & Greens
Braised bone-in lamb shank served with saffron infused basmati rice and slow cooked greens, topped with fresh dill
Qabuli Palou
Braised bone-in lamb shank served with seasoned rice topped with carrots and raisins and a side of roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Risotto & Lamb
Braised bone-in lamb shank served with spicy short grain rice, chickpeas, lentils and kidney beans topped with fresh dill
Aushak Entree
Steamed and stuffed with leeks and scallions, topped with a minced beef and lentil qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Pumpkin Dumpling Entree
Steamed and stuffed with butternut squash, topped with a minced beef and lentil qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne Vegetarian option available
Mantu Entree
Steamed and stuffed with spicy minced beef, topped with a carrot and pea qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Entrees
Qormas (Stews)
Chicken Lawaan
Boneless chicken thigh in a garlic yogurt based stew, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Chicken Sabzi Lawaan
Boneless chicken thigh in a garlic yogurt based stew with slow cooked greens, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Chicken Ryehaan
Boneless chicken thigh in a garlic yogurt based stew with diced tomatoes, topped with fresh basil, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Saffron Chicken
Boneless chicken thigh in a yogurt based stew infused with saffron, lemon and fresh dill, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Afghania Chicken
Boneless chicken thigh in a spicy tomato based stew with eggplant, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Chicken Aracosian
Boneless chicken thigh in a spicy tomato based stew with eggplant and garam masala, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Rumi's Chicken
Boneless chicken thigh in a sweet and spicy tomato based stew, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Lamb Shank Moghuli
Bone-in braised lamb shank in a spicy tomato based stew with eggplant, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Lamb Shank Sabzi Moghuli
Bone-in braised lamb shank in a spicy tomato based stew with slow cooked greens, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Veal Lawaan
Boneless veal in a garlic yogurt based stew, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Veal & Mushrooms
Boneless veal in a garlic yogurt based stew with mushrooms, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Veal & Mushroom Sabzi Lawaan
Boneless veal in a garlic yogurt based stew with slow cooked greens and mushrooms, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Veal Ryehaan
Boneless veal in a garlic yogurt based stew with diced tomatoes, topped with fresh basil, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Veal & Nakhoud
Boneless veal in a spicy tomato based stew with chickpeas, garam masala and cinnamon, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Afghania Veal
Boneless veal in a spicy tomato based stew with eggplant, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Veal Moghuli
Boneless veal in a spicy tomato based stew with eggplant and garam masala, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Lamb Tenderloin Kabob
Marinated and charbroiled, served with qabuli rice and a side of roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Frenched Rack of Lamb Chopaan
Marinated and charbroiled lamb rib chops, served with seasoned rice and a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Lamb Shoulder Chops
Marinated and charbroiled, served with qabuli rice and a side of roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Lamb Chop Duo
Marinated and charbroiled lamb rib and shoulder chops, served with qabuli rice and a side of roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Aracosian Lamb Platter
Marinated and charbroiled lamb tenderloin, lamb rib and shoulder chops, served with qabuli rice and a side of roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Bistro Signature Kabob
Marinated and charbroiled lamb rib chops and beef tenderloin, served with qabuli rice and a side of roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Lamb & Beef Tenderloin
Marinated and charbroiled, served with qabuli rice and a side of roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Beef Tenderloin Kabob
Marinated and charbroiled, served with seasoned rice and a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Beef Tenderloin & Chicken
Marinated and charbroiled, served with seasoned rice, saffron rice and a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Seekh Ground Beef Kabob
Marinated and charbroiled, served with saffron rice and a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Chicken & Ground Beef
Marinated and charbroiled, served with seasoned rice, saffron rice and a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Chicken Breast Kabob
Marinated and charbroiled, served with saffron rice and a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Boneless Juicy Chicken Thigh Kabob
Marinated and charbroiled, served with saffron rice and a side of a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Salmon
Marinated and charbroiled, served with saffron rice and a side of slow cooked greens topped with fresh dill
Surf & Turf
Marinated and charbroiled salmon and beef tenderloin, served with seasoned rice, saffron rice and a side of roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Chops & Kabobs
Vegetarian & Vegan
Afghania Baadenjaan
Roasted eggplant in a spicy tomato based stew with eggplant, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Baadenjaan Moghuli
Roasted eggplant in a spicy tomato based stew with eggplant and garam masala, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Sabzi Moghuli
Slow cooked greens in a spicy tomato based stew with eggplant and garam masala, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Sabzi Lawaan
Slow cooked greens in a garlic yogurt based stew with slow cooked greens, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Nakhoud & Mushroom Lawaan
Spicy chickpeas in a garlic yogurt based stew with mushrooms, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Nakhoud & Mushroom Sabzi Lawaan
Spicy chickpeas in a garlic yogurt based stew with slow cooked greens and mushrooms, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron infused basmati rice
Afghania Nakhoud Chalou
Spicy tomato based chickpea qorma with garam masala and cinnamon, topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron rice
Baadenjaan Chalou
Roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne, served with saffron rice
Kadoo Chalou
Butternut squash topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne, served with saffron rice
Sabzi Chalou
Slow cooked spinach, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip leaves and cilantro, topped with fresh dill, served with saffron rice
Qabuli Combination Platter
Four variations of our vegetables: sabzi, nakhoud, kadoo and baadenjaan, served with qabuli rice
Risotto with Eggplant & Butternut Squash
Spicy short grain rice, chickpeas, lentils and kidney beans topped with fresh dill, accompanied with sides of roasted eggplant and butternut squash topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Aushak Entree Vegetarian
Steamed and stuffed with leeks and scallions, topped with a carrot and pea qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Pumpkin Dumpling Entree Vegetarian
Steamed and stuffed with butternut squash, topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Samarooq Dumpling Entree
Steamed and stuffed with mushrooms, topped with a spicy bean medley qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Sabzi Dumpling Entree
Steamed and stuffed with slow-cooked greens, topped with a spicy bean medley qorma, garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Bamya Chalou
Spicy tomato based stew with okra topped with fresh cilantro, served with saffron rice
Kabob-E-Samarooq
Marinated and charbroiled portobello mushroom, zucchini, onions and tomatoes, served with saffron rice and a side of a spicy tomato based chickpea qorma, topped with fresh cilantro
Yogurt with Cucumber & Dill
Nakhoud Side
Spicy tomato based chickpea qorma with garam masala and cinnamon, topped with fresh cilantro
Baadenjaan Side
Roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Daal Side
Spicy lentils topped with fresh dill
Sabzi Side
Slow cooked spinach, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip leaves and cilantro, topped with fresh dill
Kadoo Side
Butternut squash topped with garlic yogurt, dried mint and cayenne
Qabuli Side
Seasoned basmati rice topped with julienne carrots & raisins
Palou Side
Seasoned basmati rice
Chalou Side
Saffron infused basmati rice