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    Nara-Ya

    3.9 (492 reviews)
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    NARA-YA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Nara-Ya

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    Olivia S.

    Service was attentive and provided solid advice for drink and appetizer selection. It's a fun spot and it actually has water views as you take an elevator up (unlike being street level at the Wharf). The bar has happy hour deals (more reasonable prices). Booth, high top, bar, big table seating options. It wasn't too crowded or loud when we went. Special feature: the Toto toilets in the bathroom with all the buttons

    Hummus
    Sehar M.

    I came here on a Wednesday to have happy hour with a friend. It was relatively empty, which I didn't mind because i was serviced very quickly, and it was relatively quiet. The ambiance is wonderful and you come in on the first floor to a wonderful decoration into the lobby area. You go up to the elevator and get a relatively nice view. The food was wonderful, especially for happy hour and I would definitely come to this place again my friend and I shared the hummus and sushi.

    French toast
    Erika J.

    Came for a surprise bday brunch for a friend. And upon arrival we were sat at the bar area when were thought we would b sat at the window for a view. However we didn't take issue with that. It did take a while for the server to take orders and get drinks and food rolling but once he did, it was non stop. The brunch is served family style for the number of ppl on your party. We prettt much wanted to try everything so we did. You order 3 times at a time. EVERYTHING WAS GOOD... except those octopus balls. They were mushy and o couldn't even swallow it. lol but other than the those... everything was amazing. My only critique would be for the French toast, pancakes and waffles to offer syrup. The waffles were a little dry and hard. The best things were steak and eggs, chicken dumplings and the Brussel sprouts. The French toast is an honorary mention lol.

    Shoguns and unicorns
    Breanne R.

    My experience at Nara Ya left much to be desired. While I understand restaurants have grace periods, I think its unreasonable that a member of our party showed up within the time period and were not only told she could not be seated, but that our table would be moved. I could understand if the restaurant was packed, but it was barely 50% full. Service was overall slow and we had several different waitstaff come to our table, which was confusing. One of the waiters did give us a round of tasty shots, which was appreciated, did not make up for the experience. I also enjoyed my "Shoguns and unicorns" drink as it was refreshing. The food was overall just okay and definitely not worth the price. The calamari was tender, but the breading was not crispy enough. The fried cauliflower was tasty and my green dragon roll was fine, but again not worth the price especially given they are both vegetarian dishes. It is overall a nice restaurant with a vibrant decor, but I will likely not return.

    Rhythm of the River
    Grace J.

    Nara-Ya is aesthetic and very picturesque, even more-so in the evening due to it having the best view of the Wharf. Between 4 people our total bill came out to be right around $300, which covered 2 appetizers (pictured), 6 rolls (I ordered the Tempura Crunch and Smoke Break), and 3 alcoholic beverages. The rolls were fairly mediocre in my opinion, and each priced about $20, though the Smoke Break was my favorite of the two I ordered. 20% gratuity is automatically added as well as a 3.5% charge if you're using credit card for payment. Do I feel the experience was worth the price, absolutely not. We were a few minutes late (a person from our party was on time but they refused to seat her) for our reservation and they didn't let us sit at our assigned table (though no one else occupied it the rest of the nice as we were there until closing) so we had to sit at the high tops. Mind you, we called them maybe 10 times on our way there to let them know we were running behind and everytime (no matter what button we pressed on their pre-recorded system) and we were unable to reach someone. Our waiter didn't arrive until after we sat for maybe 30 minutes and he often disappeared--at one point another waiter came over to take our food orders because he was nowhere to be found-- and honestly there was nothing worthwhile about the experience. I would be interested to try their brunch as it is very popular, and seems to have better quality food and service than dinner time.

    Ozzie T.

    We came here for happy hour. First impressions, loved the wall paper decor. Very unique and inviting. Also loved the bathroom amenities - heated toilets lol Happy hour menu for cocktails was limited however the bartender's special which was vanilla infused cocktails was good. The spicy salmon crispy rice was quite a large portion. Overall it was a good experience.

    Sushi
    Jahaan T.

    My friends and family dined with me here on 10/11 for my birthday brunch. It was everyone's first time so there was a lot of chaos but it was the most delightful and savory experience ever. I had the pleasure of speaking and working with Bilson to get this reservation squared away. He was so patient and kind. Very efficient. And our server, David, was so pleasant despite the confusion. He deserved every penny of his tip! I cant say what I liked best because everything was immaculate! From the staff upon entry, to the decor, to the food and service! I found this place on TikTok and besides the all you can eat option, I was immediately drawn to the steak and eggs. And it did not disappoint!! There were so many options to share and we had not one complaint. I believe we tried almost everything. I can't wait to come back.

    Octopus takoyaki
    Kyla G.

    Bottomless food for $55 great deal. The only thing is it's a shared experience not your own plate. So table has to agree to select on the menu item. Best thing was the roasted potatoes and matcha pancakes 10's across the board. The steak and eggs 8/10 the steak was highly seasoned perfectly just wasn't cooked long enough to my liking. The Sakura sunrise mocktail was amazing. The French toast was also great not too eggy and honestly good and fluffy. The chicken and waffles 3/10 waffles were burnt and chicken was ok. But the chicken Benedict was great took off the egg and it was good cooked perfectly. Crispy Brussels sprouts-2/10 they weren't crispy it was like they were boiled. Service was good individuals were cleaning consistently and checking in. Just didn't keep my friends bottomless drinks filled. Place is cute tables could be a lil bigger. Requested a serving spoon and bigger plates which they delivered

    A5 WAGYU $30 CRAB | SWEET TRUFFLE SOY ROASTED SWEET PURPLE POTATO
    Gloria M.

    The chef's selection of sashimi is a really good value for $79 and the Wagyu roll was delicious. The chutoro, eel, and white tuna sashimi really stood out to me. The restaurant wasn't very busy for a Friday night but service and food were both excellent. The restaurant is clean, staff are friendly, and the women's room has a Japanese toilet, which is worth a visit itself.

    Sara T.

    Upscale sushi destination. Entering the establishment almost gave speakeasy vibes. Definitely a must try

    Entrance
    Sara R.

    We dined at Nara-Ya for happy hour this past weekend. Important to note: do note make a reservation for HH in advance. Apparently, it is only available at the bar--a detail not mentioned when making a reservation, despite what the host may claim. I would have rated Nara-Ya 4 stars for its interior design, location, views, and the prices relative to the quality of the food. The sushi was good given the price ($10 for rolls). Sadly, they offer only two gluten-free options: salmon avocado and a vegetarian avocado roll. Despite the owner's claim on their Yelp profile--"We are very happy to have many gluten-free items, or items that can be made gluten-free"--this was not the case. Unlike other high end restaurants that take food restrictions and allergies seriously, the server rudely informed me more than once that NO modifications could be made to the HH menu, even for a gluten allergy. On several occasions, the server had to go to the back to confirm that I was receiving the GF dish. This was disappointing, as I was concerned I might accidentally consume gluten! I had been looking forward to trying other types of sushi, like their tuna rolls, but once again, I was not given the option. One final note: make sure to opt for bottled water. We initially drank tap water, which had small mildew particles floating around. We immediately informed our server and opted for bottled water instead. Overall, due to the lack of GF options and the moldy water, it was a one-time visit for me.

    Gyoza (Chicken)
    Mark O.

    I took my sister out for her birthday and we went to NaRa-Ya. Needless to say she had a great experience. They have a really awesome staff. Our host, Jose, did a great job serving us and made it a memorable event for my sister. The food was great. I loved the tempura crunch. The view is beautiful but the floor was a bit slippery.

    Miso Glazed Salmon. Absolutely delightful. Rich & complex flavors.
    Hannah S.

    Ate dinner with my sisters at Nara-Ya after a lovely day in DC visiting the Hirshhorn Museum. Nara-Ya is one of my absolute favorite Japanese cuisine establishments to frequent in the area & per usual they did not disappoint. The service was courteous & attentive. The food was absolutely exquisite. Each bite was a mouth feel of culinary joy. The ambiance was pretty peaceful for a Sunday afternoon & after a long day with lots of walking, our group really relished the serene atmosphere. Nara-Ya is definitely on my list of restaurants to consistently frequent. As previously stated, I am NEVER disappointed & if you have not given them a try, if you do, I do not think you will be disappointed either!

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    Like everything in DC it was overpriced for the experience. The food was good but. Not much atmosphere. Nearly empty

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    Nara-Ya Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nara-Ya

    What items are gluten free?

    Great question Ginger! We are very happy to have many gluten free items, or items that can be made gluten free. Many of our appetizers, and of course our sashimi. Fun fact - ALL the soy sauce at Nara-Ya is gluten free. We always appreciate advance… Read more

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    Sakaki Izakaya

    (308 reviews)

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    This is an awesome addition to the Clarendon area and I'm so happy something like this has finally…read morecome into the neighborhood. The food at Sakaki is full of flavor and the prices are reasonable for the amount. I think, after being twice, that the AYCE is not as worth it for me personally because I'm not a big eater, but it's totally worth it if you want a lot of variety and you have a good appetite. I really liked the rolls in particular. The service was excellent- it was a nice balance of coming over once in a while to ask how we were doing without coming over too much. The vibes are awesome with a really nice interior- definitely a nice place to go for a date,!just to go with friends to have a nice meal, or even to grab a meal alone since the center has a large area for single seating. Fyi- for the AYCE menu, note that once you put in an order for a round, you can't order for another 10 min so be sure to order enough at a time. Also, there is a time limit to the AYCE (I think it was 90 min). This'll definitely be a place I go to regularly in the future!

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    Izakaya Seki - Sashimi platter

    Izakaya Seki

    (517 reviews)

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    I am writing reviews now that I am being more effusive, to replace earlier entries on Yelp that…read morewere not as descriptive. I recommend Izakaya Seki with enthusiasm. I have been there three times. My wife's family is in St. Louis. The chef moved to Washington, D.C. from there. His establishment in the Midwest was not bad. But his new venture in the capitol is excellent. I would gladly go anytime the opportunity presented itself. The only issue is reservations at the tiny place. (They have a time limit for tables.) They offer standard fare for a izakaya. They also have sashimi and sushi (that is not always available on a pub menu), and it is among the best you'd find in the city. The dish that has been written about in the NY Times is the ara yaki. That is prepared from leftovers, scraps that otherwise might be tossed as trash: heads, jaws, fins, bones, etc., broiled with a bit of salt. The explanation is insufficient. For this by itself, the restaurant is worth visiting. It will make you want to try to prepare the same quality from leavings. I'd bet it is like much else: simple in concept, easy to execute poorly or at a level that would be deemed middling, and frustrating or maddening to try to perfect. That also is true with the only imperfection, which was the tamago. Brought at the end, which is a custom (it can be the first course or the last course), the omelet was more rustic. It would not have passed muster with Jiro of the acclaimed documentary. The issue was the shape; it was crude. But by any standard short of perfectionism, the meal was great.

    The sushi was actually pretty good, but unfortunately the experience was ruined by the attitude of…read morethe owner's daughter. She constantly looked annoyed, unwelcoming, and acted like customers were bothering her whenever anyone asked a question. Several of my friends have said the exact same thing and refuse to come back because of how uncomfortable she makes people feel. Good food alone is not enough when the service and attitude are

    Love Makoto - Hand rolls

    Love Makoto

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    Hi, so I was at Makoto Love for dinner. It was a dinner for a birthday party for an 11-year-old…read moregreeting. Staff was very friendly management. Staff was very commentating put my issue is that the service staff upon arriving we received it and we were told that a group of Aiden More would be obviously more but Moving forward skip past we seated in our server. I forget the name and I will find out again. A game moving forward were accommodated as two different seats. There was a kids table, and there was an adult table. All the initial orders came from the adult table, but the server decided to ring in from the children's table when initially that was not how the order method rolled Anything ordered from the adult table, but this server decides to go to the children's table and orders takes in orders from the kids and as a parent very concerning one because said there had been an allergy that we did not know about and said that, but anyhow, the food orders that were coming from the children's table were rang in I just so happened to look up and I see the server at the kids table and she's reading stuff for the children when that's not how it goes if the initial order came in. From the pants table then only the parents should be ordering food so at the end of the night we received the bill and there are items that the kids ordered that the server did not check with the adult. Who initially did to order God forbid that there were any allergies that were not taking any consideration. God forbid there were any intolerance that were taken into consideration. God forbid that anyone gotten sick because the server did not Come to the parents table but automatically and we're not talking oh one order or two order we're talking about multiple orders of things that these children don't know it was a lovely experience. Truly, it was but for this to happen and for us to get a bill that the server decided on her own that it's OK to take a Orders from a child when the initiating ordering party was from the adult table is my issue at a lot of mission star places we do not allow children or servers to make an or place orders. I am writing this review and I plan antennal going to the next platform to write the same review because this cannot happen one of the children from the party that was not even the party one of the initial children from the gathering has so many allergenic red flags where we need the server to confirm verify first and confirm orders with the adults

    Really enjoyed going to this place for was for the sushi brunch which was great I thought the…read moreselection of food was good and the drinks were great value. Sushi is definitely the star of the show and there are a bunch of options. Service was very nice and quick. Inside the restaurant looks great normally it's more of a food hall except on Sunday.

    Shōtō - Pork belly skewers

    Shōtō

    (686 reviews)

    Downtown

    We loved everything about this experience, from the knowledgeable staff to the each delicious bite…read more There's an entire wall of mini fire places and the entire restaurant has high ceilings with a mostly open floorplan. It's gorgeous. The seats are well arranged, close but angled and not overly intimate. We ordered the tuna & salmon tartar, ceviche, a pair of salmon belly tacos, an eel roll, two cocktails, and they gifted us a celebratory small sorbet dessert. Every moment felt perfectly curated and thoughtful. Every member of the staff was kind, swift, and knowledgeable. The prices are high and the portions are small, so be warned. Definitely will feel a bit of sticker shock but it's excellent for a celebration. Above all, the tartar was a crowd favorite and we cannot wait to return!

    This is arguably one of my most favorite restaurants in the city. Let's come once or twice a month…read moreplease! Date Night me here over and over again! Shōtō is one of DC's most striking Japanese dining experiences, equal parts upscale restaurant and high‑energy nightlife spot. The moment you walk in, you're hit with dramatic lighting, a sleek volcanic‑stone aesthetic, and a buzzy crowd that's clearly here to make a night of it. If you're looking for quiet, this isn't your place; if you're looking for a vibe, you've found it. The food is genuinely impressive. The robata‑grilled dishes are the stars, especially the short rib with chili‑soy glaze and the wagyu cuts that arrive perfectly caramelized. Sushi is clean, fresh, and beautifully presented; the hamachi and tacos are crowd favorites for a reason. The omakase is high‑quality, though ordering à la carte gives you more freedom to explore the menu's highlights. Don't skip the lobster tempura or the black cod gyoza. These are two of my absolute favorites! Service is polished and knowledgeable, though it can be a bit inconsistent on busy nights. The dress code is enforced, so come prepared...this is not a sneakers‑and‑hoodie kind of spot. Glam up! Prices are undeniably steep, and portions lean small, but the overall experience, food, atmosphere, and presentation, makes it feel like a worthwhile splurge for celebrations, date nights, or anyone who enjoys a lively, modern Japanese dining scene. If you want a quiet, traditional meal, look elsewhere. If you want great food wrapped in a high‑energy, beautifully designed setting, Shōtō delivers. Yes to this place! Over and Over AGAIN!

    Nara-Ya - sushi - Updated May 2026

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