Albi is a Palestinian restaurant in Washington, D.C., located at 1346 4th St. SE, Washington, 20003, founded by chef Michael Rafidi. The MICHELIN Guide Washington 2023 star list names Albi a one-star restaurant, with the official table listing its address as 1346 4th St. SE, Washington, 20003. This entry records the name, address and star from that official table; the table carries no individual review, so no dish or chef details are drawn from it. [1]
Overview
"Albi" means "my heart" in Arabic. The official website describes how chef Michael Rafidi weaves personal, family and traditional connections into the restaurant's culinary philosophy: cooking is his bridge to the family's roots in Ramallah, Palestine. The kitchen centers on a wood-burning hearth through which nearly every dish passes at some stage; the cooking rests on a Palestinian foundation, using peak-season Mid-Atlantic ingredients (Maryland crab, Chesapeake rockfish and more), with techniques rooted in live fire, fermentation and spice. [2]
Dishes & Signatures
- The "Sofra" experience: a five-course, spontaneous exploration of Palestinian cooking where meals aren't chosen—they're offered, in the spirit of hospitality in an Arabic household
- The equally intuitive beverage program: cocktails introduced with cheeky one-liners; a wine list grouped by tone and emotion rather than grape or region, anchored by wines from the Arabic-speaking world (Palestine, Lebanon and beyond)
Honors
- First MICHELIN star in 2022, maintained every year since (including the MICHELIN Guide Washington 2023) [1][2]
- 2024: chef Rafidi won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef; sommelier William Simons was named Sommelier of the Year by the MICHELIN Guide Washington, DC
- 2025: included on the inaugural North America's 50 Best Restaurants list; 2026: rose to No. 6 on The World's 50 Best North America
Practical Information
- Address: 1346 4th St. SE, Washington, 20003
- Website: https://www.albidc.com/