My favorite Indian restaurant in the city! Karma has a special place in my heart, it is upscale dining with the comforts of culture crafted into each of their dishes. I highly recommend the daal makhani - simple dish but the best version of it I've had in a while. All of their reimagined experiences sound delicious too and I will be returning to try them. All of the servers have been nice and accommodating to dietary restrictions. Just writing this review makes me salivate thinking about how good the food is... If you are a South Asian food lover, you can't miss this spot! read more

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Tried Karma during DC restaurant week with a work colleague. I was able to make a reservation last minute sitting at the var. That turned out great because the bar tender was very attentive and knew the menu well. Owners also came around and talked to patrons - nice to see them engaged. (That's how I learned that Kismet in Richmond is the same owners!) Restaurant week menus are often meant to be more tasting sizes than full portions, bit the three courses were decent portion s and we definitely didn't leave hungry. I had a sausage appetizer that was spicy and warm and the fish curry that tasted as good as it smelled. We also ordered garlic naan because who doesn't love naan, and it was crispy and garlicky. Kismet is one of my favorite special meal places in Richmond, and I'm adding Karma to that list for DC visits now! read more

Karma Modern Indian - The liquor collection at the bar - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Definitely recommend getting the Nirvana 37 salad-- it was fresh and had so many flavors that really went well together; The lamb chops and butter chicken were good as well. I did not enjoy the special of the day -- it was small and the crab wasn't fresh; additionally the bathrooms were underwhelming/dirty and lacked hot water... I'd probably get take out next time. read more

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not bad, as indian food in dc goes! i dined at karizma, karma's new à la carte offshoot, with a friend. we got the tandoori cauliflower to start, which was alright. i had the dal makhani as a main, which was a little tomato-forward but still good and comforting. i had that with the garlic naan, which was great - crispy on the outside and very soft on the inside, as it should be. i ended with the halwa, which was absolutely delicious and tasted the most "authentic" to me. the service was phenomenal and the space is also really nice. it's a bit expensive for what it is but i'm glad i tried it out. my quest for the best indian food in dc continues! read more

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Everything was amazing!! We came for a birthday dinner and they were very accommodating even with our group being late. The appetizers were so good - the goat cheese naan was a big hit!!! Also the bhatti murgh skewers were so tender and flavorable. For mains, the butter chicken was delicious paired with the garlic naan. The side of potatoes were just okay, so I'd skip that. Everything was amazing, def recommend! read more

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Creative and unique Indian Lunch Grab & Go sandwiches, tasty and a nice quick lunch option! Of the 1/2 dozen options (veggies and meat), the Hydrobadi Egg Toast sandwich was my favorite and hit the spot! The egg salad stuffed inside fluffy ciabatta bread was bursting with flavor and nothing fell out. The Paneer Tikka sandwich was fun to try, but a bit messy. While I enjoyed the grilled paneer like patty, the pickled salad and dressing were a bit tangy and too sweet and had a weird flavor. Chunky veggies would have paired well with the paneer sandwich. The Paneer Roti Wrap was also interesting, I enjoyed the chunks of paneer. There were too many peppers and just a salad with the paneer would have paired better in the sandwich. The sandwiches are a bit small especially for $12-13, and wish it came with a choice of salad or fries without having to pay an upcharge for the fries. Excited to come back for more Egg Toast and to try the happy hour! read more

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A nice spot for dinner. The service and atmosphere is great. The hostess let us choose which table we wanted and our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes. She helped us figure out exactly how much to order (for example letting us know the portion sizes) and let us know which dishes take longer to cook. The servers also came by periodically to refill our waters and offer clean plates and cutlery. - Hits: Cauliflower and peas with the parantha, garlic naan, roti, pindi chick peas, batada bun. - Misses: Tabdoori chicken, lamb kabobs. - No strong feelings: dal makhani, chili potatoes. If I could recommend one thing to try I would pick the batada bun. I don't know if I've ever had anything like this at an Indian restaurant. The restaurant is on the pricey side but I did enjoy this take on Indian food and would go back to try more of the menu. read more

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Best Indian food I have ever had; there was an explosion of flavors! Beautifully presented. The service was fantastic and it was clear that guest service was a top priority. Nice atmosphere to boot! Highly recommend! read more

Amazing food and drinks at Karizma, but mixed feelings about the service. We came on a very cold night and found the place quieter than it probably usually is, just because it was too cold to leave the house for most people. We assumed that a quiet night would translate into fast service, but we were disappointed to find that we had to wait quite a bit to order even our first round of drinks, and then again on the second round. We asked to be seated at the grill counter as our reservation had indicated, but after sitting there a few minutes we realized there were gusts of cold air coming from the vent hood above us (it was a very windy night, could have just been because of that). The grill was also not in use, which might have been nice to know before we were seated there. We might have opted to sit somewhere else if they had explained that it was not in use. It was still nice to be able to see into the kitchen, and the smells were amazing. Despite our issues with the cold and the slow service, we really enjoyed everything we ordered. The fennel paneer tikka was so flavorful and had a great texture. The bhatti murgh skewers were marinated and seasoned so well that they didn't even need a dipping sauce, although the sauces were amazing. We also enjoyed the butter chicken (which surprisingly had a great kick to it) and the lamb gushtaba, which was so savory and flavorful. The garlic naan was the best we've ever had, somehow it was perfectly crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside. We finished with the dal lentil halwa for dessert which we gobbled up in record speed. We had the Silk Road, Vimana, Navigator, and Pink City cocktails and all were wonderful, although the first three were the most interesting and delicious. Would absolutely return, perhaps on a warmer night, and enjoy those drinks again. read more

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All the food was amazing! My favorite was the Batada Bun which was filled with potatoes and herbs--all smothered in a lightly spiced mushroom sauce. It was defunitely my favorite dish of the night. The Dala Makhani was also delicious, especially when combined with rice & garlic Naan. Servers were friendly & attentive! I honestly think Karma blows other more popular upscale Indian restaurants out of the water. read more

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Absolutely amazing food. Combination of textures and spices made it unforgettable. I'm not particularly spirits in their mock tails were absolutely to die for. I had the Fish Curry and it was spectacular. We had Nirvana that can only be described as an appetizer before the Appetizer. Flavor and texture combo was perfect. Great service even without a reservation but I would recommend one for the future. It was a great evening so we ate outside. A 10 out 10! A must do! read more

Karma Modern Indian - Nirvana - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I visited Karizma for the first time recently, and the food, drinks, and service were all very good. Karizma is an offshoot of the similarly named Karma Modern Indian restaurant. In October 2024, they split up their restaurant space to have a more casual, a la carte concept (Karizma) and a chef tasting menu experience (Karma). They have separate menus, websites, and reservations but share a space and kitchen. You will probably see some Karizma reviews on the other Yelp listing for Karma. To eat, we got the Nirvana 37 ($28), Kakori Kebab ($16, four pieces), Chevre and Herb Naan ($9), Dal Makhani ($17, without rice), and Kerala Fish Curry ($32, includes rice). To drink, the Vimana ($15) and Vieux Carre ($17, but menu said $15). I heard that Karma was creative, modern Indian so I expected the same from Karizma, albeit a la carte. That wasn't really the case. The menu was fairly standard dishes that I've had at other Indian restaurants, like lamb chops, chicken tikka, butter chicken, dal makhani, and lamb vindaloo. The most interesting dish was the Nirvana 37, which they heavily promote. It is a huge tower constructed of 37 different ingredients. It was the highlight of the meal. They present it as a tower and then mix it up on your table, turning it into sort of a salad. It reminded me a bit of bhel puri. It serves 2-3 people depending on how much else you are getting. It was delicious and, despite the size, felt light and refreshing. There were sweet bits, savory bits, spicy bits. It was great. The Chevre Naan was also a highlight. The kebab, dal, and curry were all good but not very interesting. We would have liked more lentils in the dal and more fish in the curry, especially given the fish curry was the most expensive entree (and I don't really see why). Between two of us, we had about half the naan and dal as leftovers and skipped dessert. The drinks were good. Either the menu is outdated or I was overcharged for the Vieux Carre, but I decided not to take it up with management. Service was very good. Staff was both friendly and informative, including good, clear descriptions of the menu and other pleasant interactions. Service charge (20%) was included and the service was worth it. The decor was new and modern, but also a bit generic. I'm sure how to describe it, except it reminded us a bit of a hotel lobby. Like, it's new and clean, but not very welcoming. Overall, a good experience, and I'm curious to check out the more creative Karma menu. read more

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Stopped in for a Friday lunch. Surprisingly, we were the only diners for most of our visit. The restaurant is beautifully decorated (though I was confused by some of the very noticeable duck-taped wear on their bench seating) and the service was friendly and quick. The two stars of our dining experience were the 37-ingredient nirvana salad (so complex with a balance of sweet from mango and spicy from chilis and more than enough for two people) and the goat cheese naan (absolutely delicious). read more

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Went here after a work conference, where they reserved the whole restaurant for us and served items buffet style. Ambiance is dimly lit but not too dim, bar seating and semi-circle/moon seating in the main part of the dining room, and a side room with extra tables for parties/events I'm assuming. Servers would come by and grab plates, but I think they were struggling to keep the buffet tables stocked, bc I wasn't even able to grab a plate until the 3rd round. I ordered the non-alcoholic dragons coast mocktail, which had pomegranate and spices - it was good and the spices weren't overwhelming. I read various reviews and noted the owner mentioned on yelp that most of the meats are halal - so I stuck to chicken. I tried the chicken jalfrezi which was nice, and the fried fish was absolutely amazing, as well the chutneys (spicy green + a tarter sauce raita combo) accompanying these items. The paneer stuffed kulcha/naan was great and not overbearing, so this was a highlight as well. I wasn't a huge fan of the paneer, which I was looking forward to, just bc the blocks were thick so it felt bland since the seasoning is only on the outside. They also had beef seekh kabobs cut into small pieces, which I did not try. On a normal day I would think the portion size is very small so I probably wouldn't dine here or go out of my way to come here, but would return if it was convenient since it's located a few min walk from the Chinatown-Gallery Station Metro near capital one arena. read more

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We are at Karissa (the a la carte side of the restaurant) and everything was upscale and delicious! The menu has takes well known, comforting foods and puts delicious modern twists on the dishes. Each dish we had was VERY flavorful and unique. The curries we got each were tomato based but each tasted different (butter chicken, karala fish curry, and paneer croquettes). The drinks were also very well crafted and tasty. We were celebrating and the kitchen gave us a free dessert which was thoughtful. I also appreciated that the owner came and personally checked on each table multiple times throughout the dining experience. I would definitely recommend! read more

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Nirvana was absolutely delicious! Not sure of all 37 ingredients but I'll definitely be back to enjoy it again! Fried snapper was flaky, fried well but lacked flavor. read more

Karma Modern Indian - Amritsari Snapper - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was super excited to celebrate a birthday at Karma with my Indian food loving family. I cannot express how disappointed I was to arrive and then be told that they do not accommodate food allergies. Everything is pre-seasoned and/or pre-marinated. I asked if they could just grill a couple of the lamb chops or a piece of salmon without for me and they refused. Considering the chef is as rigid as he is, the lack of flexibility is on brand. However, chef should recognize that it's the customer service and therefore, the customer, that suffer. Perfect example, we wanted to order our appetizers first while we continued to review the menu. Twice we asked to put in an order for appetizers and twice our server refused because of chef and his "preference" for curating the meal a certain way. Very off putting. Finally, check your bill before you leave. Our server charged $118 for 2 glasses of wine that should've cost $30 total. Bottom line, will not return and do not recommend. read more

Karma Modern Indian - Michelin recognized lobster dish- 3/5 stars - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went here recently for a dinner with friends and I'm surprised how much I LOVED it! The nirvana salad is truly a work of art and tasted magical. My paneer pasanda was a small portion but so amazing. We tried a bunch of the naan but the goat cheese & herbs one was my favorite. Yo drink I had the Navigator which has an excellent presentation. Service was beyond attentive and we received our food in a timely manner. It's definitely a date night or special celebration kind of spot, but I'll definitely be back! read more

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I searched for Karma to write a review and turns out there's a bar in DC with the same name. The restaurant is split into two and I dined at Karizma, honestly this is just so confusing. I came here for restaurant week and lunch was $35. Afterwards I asked myself why I don't come here more often, everything was perfectly delicious! The meal started off with an amuse bouche of lentil soup in a tiny teacup. So flavorful! I didn't know lentil soup could taste that good! I also appreciated how hot it was, not lukewarm. I got the FENNEL PANEER TIKKA which were thick, steaks of paneer with a tasty mint sauce. My main was the PANEER KOFTA with gold in a sauce of yogurt, cashews and poppy seed gravy. It was rich and hardy. Then my favorite dessert in the whole wide world is carrot halva which for some reason Indian restaurants don't have in this country, but they had LENTIL HALWA which was so succulent! They also have chai masala. 10/10 meal. Must come back more often. Staff was very friendly and tip was automatically added to bill. The owner Sachin was there and was very welcoming and made me feel like I was in his home kitchen. My only critique is that the seats are duck taped together. Spring for a new couch. I wish they had their happy hour menu on their website because I'm not trying to spend $20 on a cocktail. read more

Karma Modern Indian - see the silver duck tape on the seat - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here for Valentine's Day and the wait for the food is so long. The waitstaff were stressed at how long the lobster masala took to come out. We waited 35 minutes for the second course and I got so hungry waiting. Order again: lobster masala, crab appetizer, cardamom ice cream, garlic naan Solid: lamb entree, halva Pass: paneer appetizer, rose cake The food was okay and severely overpriced for what it is read more

Great environment and energy all around. Food is nicely plated and with great taste. Service is on point, read more

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Delicious Indian dishes with a creative, modern twist. Some dishes are authentic while others include different ingredients and unique presentations. The interior was modern and spacious. Our waiter was entertaining and engaging; the food came fairly quick. It's a bummer and a concern that mango lassi isn't offered here, but I opted for the masala chai along with the Chicken Chettinad. The chai smelled great, but could've used less milk in my opinion. I've had better masala blends. The chicken chettinad was authentically flavored. I tasted the South Indian influence of coconut and curry leaves. I also tried my friends Palak Paneer and Lamb Rogan Josh. The Palak Paneer was surprisingly really good. The Rogan Josh had a nice rich flavor and was well seasoned. The rosewater cranberry palette cleanser was an interesting, unique addition to the meal. Overall, good tasting Indian food. A bit pricey, but nice on occasion. read more

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I'll start with the service which was top notch, superior attention to detail. The was food really good! While one cook grinds the spices and the your nose starts catching flares the other starts the lamb meat in the grill and then move it to the spear that will hold your seekh kebabs in the tandoori oven. One more cook starts rolling the mushroom dough and placing it into the pillow to stick it to the oven walls. The branzino and the duck very well prepared spiced and interesting! Well recommended! read more

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This restaurant is beautiful hands down, and provided such an elevated dining experience. Our server was so kind and knowledgeable. The food was very good and refreshing. We tried many items and shared them amongst the table. It was truly a good experience. read more

Visited Karma after about three years -- and left disappointed. The food quality has noticeably declined in both presentation and flavor. We used to be wowed every time -- beautifully plated dishes with incredible taste -- but not this visit. The appetizers were the best ! Main course was very disappointing Perhaps this is the common restaurant cycle: they start strong, then settle into mediocrity. I've recommended Karma to so many friends in the past, but after this experience, have to rethink read more

Karma Modern Indian - Nirvana chaat - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Incredible experience at Karma! Every dish - from drinks to appetizers to mains - exceeded expectations. I called ahead about my mum's dietary restrictions, and the chef went above and beyond to make her a special curry not even on the menu. Also, we accidentally left a passport bag, and the staff promptly called and returned it. Amazing food, thoughtful service - 100% recommend! read more

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After reading reviews, I decided on Karma over Rasika on my DC trip. I think Karma is an overpriced & overrated Indian spot with decent service, tasty select items and elegant ambiance. We really liked their Cocktails, Dal Makhni, Breads and Chicken tikka the most. Rest items like Butter chicken were average. Appetizers like Tamarind potato spheres, Paneer pesto were underwhelming. They are presented creatively but quite meagre for sharing. Get this - They basically serve 2 small dahi puris for $11 and call it Tamarind Potato Spheres- frankly it's a joke! Paneer Pesto- Again just 2 pieces of paneer coated in basil pesto for $12! Daal halwa for dessert wasn't bad, not quite outstanding. My advice is to stick with main course only. Good luck. read more

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Great food, amazing ambiance and very good service. Love the overall feel to this. Indian food very well done. Don't come here if you want to just eat random spicy food, it's not a place for you. If you are looking for a classy place with decent Indian food, and enjoy the different type of food they provide, then this is the place. read more

Karma Modern Indian - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The most delicious and absolutely outstanding Indian meal to be had in the Washington DC area! From impeccable seasonings and spice blends to savory flavors, each item seems to wow me anew. read more

Karma Modern Indian - Nirvana! The perfect start to an amazing meal! - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had such a lovely dinner at Karma! We came on a Friday night at 7pm, and we were so surprised that the restaurant was practically empty! Even the bar area was looking lonely. However, as the night went on, more people came in for later dinners. I loved the cocktail I ordered. It was the Vimana mezcal with red wine topper. This was one of the best cocktails I've had recently! We had a party of four, and we split a bunch of different dishes. Some of the highlights included: the paneer pasanda, zucchini kofta, chicken tikka and garlic naan. We loved just about everything we tried. I would definitely come back here again. Indian food is my favorite, and I've had a hard time picking a go-to spot. This might be my new one! read more

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The food was absolutely amazing. If this review was based on just the food quality it would get a 5 star. The lamb and Bronzino were slightly over cooked. The pistachio kulfi was the best ice cream that I have ever eaten. We did the tasting menu and I highly recommend for someone who loves indian and wants to sample different items. The service was hit or miss. The servers weren't very attentive. Our drinks came after the 2nd appetizer. The first time we went to karma, they mixed up our reservation and our party had to sit at 2 different tables. The atmosphere is loud. The ambience is beautiful and very modern. The restaurant gets cold when the door is opened. The restaurant is very noisey. read more

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Probably the best naan bread I've ever had! Wasn't a huge fan of the lamb roganjoosh with the rice but it went perfectly with the naan. Chicken dish was amazing! Cute restaurant and friendly staff! read more

Karma Modern Indian - Lamb Roganjosh (Dinner) Chicken Chettinad and naan - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Reserved for dinner for 4 on Thanksgiving Eve. There was plenty of availability. There was street parking. We were seated in a room with a rug on a loom as decoration. The space was sleek and modern. It's definitely a good date spot. We tried the "for the inquisitive". Each person chooses 2 apps, the main, and dessert. Food and cocktail presentations were nice and portions were good. They started us with spicy lentil curry soup that came in an espresso cup. The flavors were complex and delicious. I'd choose the lamb chops over the Branzino. The kulfi was a refreshing finish to the course. I enjoyed the Will of the Wolf cocktail, which is a popular choice. read more

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The restaurant is beautiful and the service was unbelievable-I think we were checked on at least 6+ times but not in a bad way. Our waiter was Timmi and he was extremely helpful with advice and definitely met our every request. The snapper appetizer pared with garlic naan, greens and sauce was so tasty. The chefs melon/sweet potato was unexpected and appreciated. Also frozen sherbet between courses was classy. Dishes were fresh and healthy with curry sauce on the duck. The staff was so friendly and attentive. We would come back! read more

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Started at bar with Edward and Emilio. Fantastic service from both and they made us feel so welcomed at the bar that we didn't take our reserved seats at the counter. Edward mentioned a Silk Route. Pineapple drink with tequila, turmeric, and basil. Yum! I forced myself to try another drink because that one was so good. My cousin had a French 95 which she enjoyed very much. We shared the Kerala fish curry. Very flavorful and great for dipping garlic naan. We also shared charred broccolini. Can't go wrong. The tamarind chutney potatoes spheres were little, delicious works of art. Soft on inside. Full of flavors. Other drinks we enjoyed were a spicy margarita (happy hour special) and the French 75. read more

Karma Modern Indian - Silk Route. - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food was good, not exquisite and definitely not bad! It was filling but nothing too unique or giving me any "wow" factor, it was reliable. I did try their cardamom ice cream for dessert and that was delicious and unique! For my drink, I had the Cote Chalonnaise, Bourgogne, France 2022 red wine which was delicious. And Emily was so gracious and kind! The ambiance was quite nice as well. read more

Karma Modern Indian - Goat Lamb Vindaloo on the left and Paneer Pasanda on the top right with rice for each. - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The presentation and service were fancy but the tastes were all underwhelming. Chicken tikka was decent. Soup was disappointing! Butter chicken and chhole were meh. The amuse bouche was a frozen sorbet - an assault of unbalanced flavors and artificial food coloring. I wouldn't visit again. And at these prices, I certainly cannot recommend read more

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Great restaurant. Food is terrific. It's "fancy Indian" so not really traditional Indian food. But it's a really excellent meal.

Wow, wow, wow! I had a wonderful culinary experience at Karma Modern Indian. This is an elegant, contemporary restaurant with laser attention to detail from the seating, lighting, dinnerware, menu , food preparation and plating. While sipping on a G & T, fancied up with a cucumber shaving, the chef sent a taster of honeydew, chickpea and avocado (see pic). What an interesting and thoughtful combo. I loved the sweetness of honeydew with the nuttiness and earthy flavor of chickpea. For my appetizer I tried the Paneer Pesto. This was grilled paneer, bursting with flavor and just the right amount of heat. Next we were treated to a rose water cranberry sorbet, refreshing and perfect to cleanse the palate. On the recommendation of Zachariah, our waiter extraordinaire, I had the Chicken Chettinad for my entree. The chicken was moist and savory in a fiery curry. So many flavors! It was garnished with fried (?) curry leaves, which haha, I didn't know that curry leaves were a thing. Indeed, the curry leaf is an herb grown on the curry leaf tree. My oh my, it packed flavor! The curry sauce coupled with the herb and goat cheese naan was fabulous. For dessert I had the peach tartlet. Delicious and artistic. Wonderful food and experience and looking forward to returning! read more

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I came here for a weekday lunch with a friend and we ordered the Pre-fix menu (three courses; $36.50 per person). As the restaurant name suggests, it has a modern and elegant ambiance. Service was excellent. Our waiter gave us an overview of the menu and was attentive throughout the meal. We ordered the wild mushroom and truffle oil naan a la carte and it was my favorite of the day. The naan was fluffy and plentiful with mushroom flavor. This would be a great dish to enjoy over happy hour. For the pre-fix lunch, my friend and I ordered multiple dishes to get a taste of everything: First Course/Appetizer: - Seekh Kebab (minced lamb) - the least interesting of the dishes we ordered; essentially a log of meat which lacked texture but came with a spicy dipping sauce to up the flavor. - Tamarind Potato Sphere - Elegant plating; it was almost like a deconstructed samosa. As a tamarind fan, I enjoyed this little bite and the crunchy chickpea vermicelli gave it additional texture. Second Course/Entree: - Butter Chicken - solid. Good flavor and consistency of the curry and chicken was moist. I would get this again. - Palak Paneer - I liked the creamy consistency and the dish had beautiful presentation, but it needed salt. Both entrees were served with a side of basmati rice. Third Course/Dessert: - Coconut Medallions - we weren't sure what these would be since there were limited pictures on Yelp. It ended up being almost like a warm cookie but much more powdery and delicate as it melts in your mouth. Plating was interesting - it had an edible silver foil on top (which seemed out of place to me) along with a sprinkle of pistachios. - Rose Ice Cream - as I'm not a big fan of coconut, I enjoyed the rose ice cream more (note this is the flower, and not the wine). The rose flavor was subtle and not overpowering. Karma is on the Bib Gourmand for good quality and good value cooking. Their pre-fix lunch is basically like a Restaurant Week deal year-round and a great opportunity to sample the menu. I would come here again- there are more naans and plates here that are calling my name! read more

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