Cancel

Open app

Search

Kayu

4.4 (57 reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

Kayu Photos

KAYU ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Kayu

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Sabrina P.

Had a great experience at Katy in D. The salad was delicious and fresh, and the crab pancit was definitely my favorite. The dumplings could have been a bit more flavorful, but overall everything was well prepared. I would have appreciated slightly larger portion size for the pancit, but still a solid spot worth visiting.

Asia daisy
Sydney G.

Came here for restaurant week with some friends and had a lovely experience. FYI the menu online is a bit different from the one they have at the restaurant, so that threw off some of my ordering choices. We basically did the whole RW menu to split between 4 of us, and that's definitely the way to go. Loved the bao bun, and surprisingly the Chicory Salad and the tofu sisig were my favorite dishes of the night. We did the upcharge for the wagyu and I found it to be a bit of a disappointment -- i found it really tough and chewy, although the sauce and potatoes it came with were good, so it wasn't a total loss. They have a simple cocktail menu, but the bartender was super friendly and made my Asia daisy a bit less sweet per my preferences.

Hajir S.

Wow this place is so great! The food is all fabulous and the service fantastic. Not one dish was bad and the ube bao bun was so so good! They could use going to a more upscale spot, but the win is the food. Also the drinks could use some more creativity. They're not as good as the food.

PEI mussels
Jasmine D.

Since Filipino restaurants are few and far between where I live, I make a point to try and find one when I'm in a big city and Kayu did not disappoint. We chose their pre-fixe Salo-Salo menu which is family style dining that allows you to try a little bit of everything on the menu for $65 per person. It's not your average pre fixe where normally you get one app, entree and dessert. Instead you get ALL the available apps, entrees and dessert portioned out for 1 person assuming you can finish it all ...which we didn't. Stand outs from the first course were the hamachi and ube bao buns. I did enjoy their reimagined cassava cake which usually is topped with cheese for a sweet and savory combo, but was paired with smoked trout roe instead. Second course faves: tamarind chicken wings and the gem lettuce salad (my pick) and lamb kare kare (hubby's pick). I'm not a big lamb eater but the chops were cooked to perfection- melt in your mouth smooth! Even though we thought we had no room left, dessert came out and we cleaned our plates. I liked the silken tofu , but the malted smores was unique combining the Milo powdered drink with buko pandan. They also serve cocktails and beer/wine, and I enjoyed my calamansi mule. Service was friendly and attentive , and I even got a complimentary glass of champagne to finish my meal. Highly recommend Kayu if you are in DC.

Kinilaw Hamachi
Gregory C.

I was visiting town for a work conference and was looking for a place to eat because I didn't want to eat at the hotel restaurant. I checked on yelp and saw there was a close by Filipino restaurant in the neighborhood. I invited some colleagues to join me and I'm so glad we went. When we walked in the restaurant was buzzing and was pretty full. We had the option to sit at the bar or a high table and chose the latter. Good energy and vibe. Curious what it would be like during the day. We started off with drinks which were made with so much care and tasted lovely. I ordered a pomegranate margarita less sweet and The Bartender made it twice which I really appreciated. The food was a balance of Filipino fusion, hearty portions, and nuanced flavors that made my stomach very happy. I later learned the restaurant is led by Chef Paolo Dunca and was proud to support. Come check this place out the next time you're in DC.

Bourbon cocktail. Can't remember the name.
Marisa H.

What a great addition to the neighborhood! I love what they did with this space and I look forward to going to their patio for drinks. Their cocktail list is awesome. I had a bourbon drink with calamansi, and I could drink three of those (dangerous). They also have a really unique wine list with wine from Arizona and MD. The food is really good and hard to define. I've only had Purple Patch and friend's Filipino food to compare. This is definitely more Filipino flavors with a twist on presentation--in a great way! The pimento dip with crab chips is a must order! I'll get two next time. They're sides should not be slept on. They have delicious roasted veggies and great yellow rice. We did that with their crispy chicken wings small plate and that was enough for a meal. Their sizes are better for sharing/a group. The main plates are good for sharing, but my friend and I had some dietary restrictions, so we didn't order those. It seems like their menu is constantly changing, so I'm excited to go back and try something new! But please, keep the chips and dip on the menu!! Pretty reasonably price for two people. The service is very friendly and our waiter was great about explaining items on the menu we were unfamiliar with.

Elizabeth S.

Love supporting local restaurant. Highly recommend reservation. We had the $85 tasting menu, since we had 3 people we ended up almost trying everything on the menu. The food was great, our friend who follows the chef really wanted to meet them again, so when the chefs were done with cooking they ended up coming upstairs to chat with us which was awesome. Loved the food and the service. Parking is a little rough though. We would out there are only two chefs and they cook the entire night by themselves in a small kitchen. Now that's what i call being Pros.

Drinks menu
Kelly F.

Kayu (a newly moved location from what I could understand) was amazing from cocktails to mains to vibes! The space was warm and inviting and service was great. We were treated to delicious Filipino inspired and flavored dishes and delicious cocktails with a tropical twist. Standouts were the perfectly cooked pork belly of the pork and beans appetizer, the umami-bomb mushroom tea that we had delicate dumplings served in, and the crispy skin of our chicken tocino. Everything was so flavorful, and by the time we were done with dinner, the dining room was deservedly full. I can't wait to go back and eat through the menu, knowing each bite will be crafted with a dedication to cuisine and deliciousness!

Pork and beans, second only to the tocino
Jordan T.

Kayu is a fantastic foray into Filipino cuisine - one that isn't the pancit and lumpia you may be familiar with. Starting off with a Red Horse was the best decision I've made at dinner, but the food didn't need the bliss provided by the strong kick. The food (pork belly and beans, mushroom dumplings in mushroom broth, and the best chicken tocino I've had that wasn't made on a ship) was all seasoned to perfection and presented beautifully! The service was extremely kind and attentive, while the atmosphere, less a few items indicative of Pinoy culture (read: boxing gloves) highlighted the stark transition from an amazing experience of the Philippines to the bustling street outdoors. The calm and collected atmosphere really made it feel like we were in a whole other place. 10/10, will eat here again. Welcome to the new spot!

Toni R.

I love the way Kayu elevated Filipino dishes. We ordered ala carte instead of their course dinners and had plenty of food to take home because of the generous portions. The flavors were flavorful and reminiscent of traditional dishes but they definitely put their own spin to it. The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars is because some of the cooking was a bit uneven like for the chicken, and some of the descriptions in the menu do not reflect the dish exactly. Still a great experience. The service was attentive and the space is warm and inviting.

Jess Y.

The restaurant is nice but definitely do not order their adult jolly meal. It's just a basic cheeseburger with regular fries. It took a really long time to come out for 3 of us, and we noticed a lot of other people who came in after us were getting served, even when they also ordered the same burger as us. Our fault for choosing that and felt like we should've chosen the actual entrees on the menu instead. The fries were also cold but they were nice enough to make hot ones for us. I will say that while the food choice was subpar, the service is amazing here. The staff was so nice and accommodating, and they were very apologetic about the long delay in food and made up for it with us with their service recovery. Will def go back just for the wonderful staff and to try the actual menu again next time

The BEST. Not a traditional filipino restaurant. It was such an amazing meal. We did the Salo-salo which is a 3-course meal and every single dish served was a chef's kiss.

Strawberry crepe cake
Khanh-Chau M.

Was excited to try a nice place for Filipino food in DC! Got the chef's corner menu with I believe seven items, alongside some complimentary things too. Overall, I think the food was okay but not worth the price (especially after tip and fees). The food items I liked: the radish soup (refreshing to start with), the chicken heart skewers (I am a fan of heart tastes) , the pasta (the curry sauce went well with everything), the ending cake (not too sweet and airy). The food items I thought were okay: the tuna (tuna tasted normal but the sauce and vinaigrette were tasty), dirty rice (the rice itself was good but the pork belly was rather dry, lacking flavour, too crispy), the lamb (I thought it was fine with peanut sauce and bok choy, rest of the sweets (just nothing too spectacular, but a good amount were complimentary, which was kind of them). The staff were really friendly and attentive though, so I liked that. The place is cute and played a variety of different music. I'm unsure if this is authentic Filipino food; not too familiar with Filipino food and I mostly treated it as a culinary experience in general!

See all

11 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

27 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 1

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 2

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jess Y.
203
47
56

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of E E.
5
64
215

6 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Emily H.
519
39
67

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Leland S.
1388
1705
2054

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Vy T.
324
265
907

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Marissa C.
34
667
497

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Tyler M.
2
144
157

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Randy M.
0
193
345

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Hailey P.
47
127
148

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Andy T.
468
89
3

2 months ago

Excellent cuisine and very tasty. Cocktails can be very skimpy on the liquor. You are better off just drinking water.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Cocktail Bars 4,440 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Press Club Bar Of Record - Nights over Egypt

Press Club Bar Of Record

(48 reviews)

$$

Dupont Circle

One of the best new spots I've tried this year. On weekends, a reservation will be a must, as they…read moreare small and get packed, but for good reason. It's a sexy basement vinyl den with additional outdoor seating, 10/10 unique cocktails, and incredible Japanese inspired small plates. Between two visits, we have tried 6 different drinks. They are named after songs and listed on the back of a fake vinyl cover. Each costs around $20, but with the mandatory tip and tax, it comes to around $26-28 per drink. The since I left you, though, is worth every penny. It is similar to an old fashioned but a little sweeter, with bourbon (makers mark), and while the menu says it also has miso, blackberry, cardamom, and cacao, I wouldn't say those flavors come through. But it is one of the best cocktails being served in DC right now. It is so good. They serve it with a cardamom tuile that is delicious as well. There is a lot of variety on here, but my number 2 is the Roses, a bright red gin based drink with a hint of fruitiness and a spicy kick in the back end. If you want something a little sweeter, the Takeover is a cognac based drink with coffee notes served with a mini donut. The food is exceptionally well seasoned and so flavorful. The fried chicken cannot be missed, and I love that you can get it in half or full size portions. The shrimp tempura might be even better. You get four large pieces that are super crisp and have a little orange sauce on them. Amazing. Our second visit we tried their chips and dip, and these potato chips alone are worth a visit. Large, crunchy, and served with a tasty ranch dip. I think 2 dishes is good for two people to fill you up, but add a third if hungry. The place is quite expensive, but they are worth it. For a date night, they are a great choice. Four drinks and three dishes shared between two people came to around $195, but as of this review, they are offering a $30 off deal if you pay through the app In Kind. Bonus points because the first time we came, they seated us maybe 5 minutes after our reservation time, and they gave us a free glass of cava. Top notch customer service right there

TL;DR Drinks are unique and tasty, atmosphere is groovy, and prices are high. Would recommend a…read morevisit for a treat or celebration! This bar is sweet -- awesome music, a neat menu, truly craft cocktails, and a unique menu. We tried several cocktails and each was delicious - from spicy to sweet, they don't miss. We also tried the cheese burger egg rolls and the tuna hand roll. The food is expensive for what you get but it's advertised to be small bites, not a meal. The egg rolls felt like remixed in n out, and as a Californian, I was grateful. Why not 5 stars? With the premium pricetag, I do expect premium service. The bartender was more interested in chatting with some folks he knew who came to sit at the bar. He also spent a lot of time chatting up the couple next to us, so do sit at the bar if you're feeling social. However, for the spare attention he did provide us, he was a bit condescending when we asked for a different glass for a drink that came in a bowl. It was slow until the very end of our stay and yet there were several times where I had an empty glass for a long period (and wanted to order more) or needed water. FYI for 6 drinks and a few bar bites it was $165... we went for a cheap burger dinner afterwards!

The Alchemist DC - Bubble machine!

The Alchemist DC

(117 reviews)

U Street Corridor

Just stepped into The Alchemist DC -- crowned Best Bar in DC in both 2024 & 2025 -- and now I see…read moreexactly why it holds the title. The space feels part-speakeasy, part-laboratory, where every cocktail is crafted with intention, story, and a little bit of magic. Their mixology roots run deep, drawing on technique + creativity to deliver flavors that feel familiar yet completely new. Here's what I tried (and loved): Lavender Killer Sally -- light + floral with a hint of citrus, beautifully balanced and so easy to sip Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned -- warm + cozy, with notes of brown sugar + ripe banana; it tastes like a dessert you can drink Shared Secrets -- a gin-based peach sangria poured straight from a French press, releasing more fruit + aromatics right at the table -- interactive and delicious Latte Martini -- smooth, creamy, and bold with espresso; a perfect pick for coffee-cocktail lovers Butterscotch Russo -- sweet + silky with rich butterscotch notes; comforting without being too heavy If you're hunting for a cocktail bar that's equal parts craft + creativity, The Alchemist NEEDS to be on your list. 1334 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009 Save this post for your next night out + follow @daithefoodie for more food + drink gems across the DMV! #dmv #datenightdc #dcdatenight #speakeasybar #speakeasydc #dccocktailbars #dcbars #dcbarscene

We visited The Alchemist in DC and ordered the Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned and a Fireplace…read morethemed cocktail with chocolate and cherry notes. Both were disappointing. The drinks tasted watered down and unbalanced. The banana flavor in mine was dull and overripe rather than fresh and vibrant. The smoke and fire presentation was nice, but the actual cocktails did not justify the $25 price point. The restroom was unacceptable. There was urine on the floor, a strong foul odor, and the surface was slippery. For a speakeasy positioning itself as upscale, this was a major miss. The space is very small and service was just okay. Overall, the concept has potential, but the execution did not meet expectations. I will not be returning.

Reynold's - Femme Fatale (back)

Reynold's

(22 reviews)

Dupont Circle, Downtown

The service was slightly slower than one would want, but Yousef was a standout. He was attentive,…read moreoffered solutions, and made me want to stay waiting. An awesome contribution to the organization in my opinion! It was my first time visiting and I brought friends from out of town for my bday and they shared the same sentiments... Love the place

Would have love to patron this space but found front of house staff really rude. I sent my husband…read morehere to grab one drink on a Friday early evening. I am aware this is a small space, I did research on it and did notice their website makes mention that while they prefer reservations, they do have a limited spot for walk ins. Knowing this, I sent my husband here, hoping for a spot at the bar as he was alone. When he arrived around 6pm, he saw 2 open bar spots and a bunch of tables with reserved signs. The head of house asked about a reservation and my husband said he was hoping to get 1-2 drinks, bar spots were fine. He noticed a group of 4 girls waiting as well- he was then told the bar was full and the 2 open spots were not to be filled at the group of 4 had first dibs on them. This makes 0 sense because one person could have easily filled them but I digress. On top of that, when my husband asked what time they could potentially get him in, as he did not mind waiting, they told him 11:30PM. Then the host scoffed and said "You do know it's Friday, right?" insinuating my husband must be an idiot who can't read a weekly calendar. Look - I get it, small exclusive spot obviously trying to replicate the swanky NYC speakeasies vibe, those that are impossible to get into- however, do not be flat out rude. Remove the verbiage on your reservation booking spot about walk in's if you cant accommodate ONE walk in spot. Don't waste your time- Press Club DC has better staff and are way more accommodating than this spot.

Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

Death & Co DC

(112 reviews)

$$$

Shaw, Downtown

I've been eyeing this bar for several weeks now, and the other day, I finally decided it was time…read moreto give them a try. I know reservations are probably highly recommended, but we were fortunate to walk in at just the right moment and snag a seat. The seating is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening. The atmosphere is just my style, an elegant, dark, grown and sexy vibe that really sets the mood. The decor is striking, with thoughtful touches that create an inviting space to unwind. While it leans a bit on the pricier side, the exceptional service more than justifies the cost. Jordan and the team were incredibly knowledgeable about both the drinks and food menu, offering suggestions that perfectly matched our tastes. We tried two standout drinks that I can't recommend enough: the Attractive Nuisance and El Tiburon, (which is an Old Fashioned made with gin). The bartenders here clearly know what they're doing, each drink was crafted with care and precision. The good music in the background added to the overall ambiance, making it a delightful spot to spend an evening.

Bar scene so sexy, you decided to add it permanently on your date night list! Come along as I…read morereview Death & Co DC!!!! Ambiance: from the outside you'd have no idea that a hidden treasure awaits you up a flight of stairs. The decor was very mysterious, perfectly dimmed, and sexy. They added greenery near the hostess station to create what I would describe as an exotic/jungle vibe. This area also contained a beautiful small bar and a few cozy seatings. Next, the hostess led us to a table inside where the magic of candles, cozy tables, and intimate booths immediately meets your eyes. Did I mention that we sat in most comfy green velvet chairs in our cozy booth? How sexy! Service: our waiter, Jordan, was the best! He provided great service and recommendations. However, shoutout to the rest of the staff because it was truly all hands on deck. Drinks: the bartender is indeed a mixologist! There is no question of the magic he created in a glass. Her drink- I ordered the Attractive Nuisance, an elevated spritz. The drink was perfectly balanced with flavors to include G.H. Mumm Champagne, Avua Prata Cachaca, Cocchi Americano, Saffron, Vanilla. I literally tasted all the flavors in the drink and the liquor ratio was just right. Of course I went with another round, you simply have to try it understand why I did. His drink: El Tiburón-Let's just say that he said that this is now one of his favorite cocktails because it was smooth! Small bites: the kitchen was out of mussels and their famous donuts so we decided to try the Franks en Crute, the sexy adult version of pigs in a blanket lol. Such a delicious treat, well balanced flavors giving both sweet (flaky puff pastry) and savory (well grilled wagyu beef). Definitely recommend. The music was perfect for the evening! The bar was filled with all matured folks enjoying their group meets or dates, the atmosphere welcomed all. As I stated earlier, this has now become a regular on the list and I'm excited to visit again.

Kayu - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...