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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Well, well my God! This place is it! Now, we all know how pricey this area of DC is (well all of DC a pricey, right?) But I am willing to spend big bucks here because this sushi was so good! This is my first time actually sitting and eating at a restaurant at the Warf because I'm usually here just to get some fresh seafood then head home. But I'm so glad I finally made the effort to stop and see what they have available. This was my 2nd restaurant of the night that I tried and if I would have came here first it would have been the only one. The first restaurant was good but for what I paid for it was not it. And I will say I would never go back to that restaurant again. My review on that will come later. But back to this fresh sushi and excellent experience and service. To get to the restaurant you have to go to an elevator and go up a few floors after you walk through the instagram phot ready maze to get to the elevator. Very cute indeed. After eating the elevator you head to the concierge who will show you around the restaurant if it's your first time and find you a place to sit . Because I was by myself I opted for the bar area that has small tables and booth. I'm so glad I opted to try new things instead of going to my regular sushi and was pleasantly surprised when the waiter's recommendations were all on point with the tuna roll, salmon, yellowtail, up to the (2) drinks I tried. I wish I remembered the name of the rolls as drinks but I can't. So if you don't know what to try ask! Now this might come to be a surprise for most but the bathroom toilet has to be mentioned. Besides the bathroom being ultra modern the toilet was it! Had a seat warmer and even a remote for you to use the other options if needed. Now I ain't going lie I wanted to try the other options to see...but decided I'll do that one next time I'm here...lol Run don't walk to Nara-Ya it's that place!
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.
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.
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.
The four of us had an exceptional dinner here as our last meal in Washington DC! We booked reservations for 5:00P on a Friday evening and were seated promptly after a kind welcome from the host. I was impressed by the classy and lavish atmosphere of the dining room, and we enjoyed a view of The Wharf from above. For being considered a more upscale restaurant, the pricing of the sushi was actually pretty reasonable with all the "Specialty Rolls" being $20 or less. All the sushi tasted super fresh and clean. + NARA-YA roll ($18): Spicy salmon, asparagus, sweet miso seared salmon, avocado, crispy quinoa & shiso. This was a simple classic roll and I appreciated how the salmon truly stood out as the star. + SALMON SIZZLER roll ($20): Shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado, garlic habanero seared salmon, habanero garlic oil, spicy mayo, eel sauce & crispy onions. So many flavors and textures melded into this roll. However, considering the elements of habanero that this supposedly had, I actually didn't detect much heat, if at all. + TUNA TRUFFLE roll ($20): White fish, serrano pepper, avocado, Negi, Yellowfin Tuna, sweet truffle soy & scallion. My favorite one! The serrano pepper added a nice crunch and a perfect amount of spice. + ELECTRIC EEL roll ($20): Shrimp tempura, cream cheese, cucumber, eel, avocado, furikake & eel sauce. The eel on top was actually pretty meaty compared to eel rolls I've had elsewhere! I was also pleased with the subtlety of the cream cheese. + THAI RED CURRY SPIDER roll ($19): Tempura soft shell crab, carrot, cucumber, spring lettuce, avocado, eel sauce & cilantro. The pieces of this roll fell apart easily since they're so large, so it was somewhat challenging to eat. With the abundance of veggies, this was a lighter roll, but I found the red curry sauce very overpowering. + CALAMARI ($16): Probably one of best plates of calamari I've had! The light breading was perfectly crispy and lightly salted. Dipping it in the wasabi aioli is a must as it added so much oomph. For dessert, I had the MATCHAMISU ($18), which was okay, but the amount of cream was overwhelming and it didn't have a strong matcha flavor overall. My family liked the YUZU CHEESECAKE ($20), finding it nice and tart. I considered both very pricey considering the serving sizes. At the time we made a reservation, we indicated that we'd be celebrating my dad's birthday, and the staff really made our experience special! Not only did the host wish him a happy birthday when we entered and exited, but our waiter provided us with a complimentary cheesecake bar dessert. The manager even came over to our table to thank us for choosing Nara-Ya for this special occasion. The staff's kind gestures made our dinner very memorable. Thank you!
2 years ago
Nara-ya is one of my go to sushi places! I love the wharf and this restaurant has some of the best views of the water! Perfect for a date night, birthday, anniversary, graduation or just to get some amazing food. The waiters and staff are always so kind and anytime I'm celebrating something they make sure to make me feel special and even give complimentary desserts! 10/10 place also don't forget to take pictures before going in! read more
Business owner information
David S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Miya! We’re honored to…
4 years ago
This place has unique dishes, such as the green tea soba noodles. It was nicely flavored but on the mild side. I enjoyed the hint of green tea flavor and the bokchoy. My favorite was the lobster dynamite roll. We were recommended it by our server. The lobster paired deliciously with the eel and eel sauce. There was a generous amount of lobster sitting on the roll too. The tuna truffle was very standard but refreshing. The tartare was also okay. The seaweed crackers that came with it were nutty and crispy. The view was great- you can see the boats and the water. read more
2 years ago
We had some great fish along with a Kirin Ichiban beer. A set of sushi nigiri (fish over rice), and a series of rolls made for a great evening. The service was great. read more
Business owner information
Maurizio R.
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're delighted to hear that you…
5 years ago
I give them 4 stars because the service and experience were incredible. You walk into a unique passageway that takes you to an elevator. From there, your in a beautiful dining room with a full view of wharf and VA on the other side. Excellent choice for a date night. If I could at least take a .5 of a star for the food I would. I'll start with what was good... Fried cauliflower is always my favorite but here they did it exceptional well! The lightly battered cauliflower is crisp and airy. The sauce compliments the texture and flavors of the veggies and micro greens so well. The duck and Kim chi was incredible! Served medium. It's a dish you must try. Not chewy at all and loved the unique presentation. The drinks we ordered were good but just ok for the price. I'm a light weight and didn't even get a little bit buzzed. They're light on the alcohol. Read all of the drink descriptions thoroughly because one of ours had habaneros in it, but it was the last ingredient so it was poorly placed in the description. The sushi..... please don't order it unless you like dry flavorless sushi. It was awful. Even the soy sauce didn't have flavor in it. They really missed the mark on every roll we ordered. I was extremely disappointed. Save your money and just order an entree. It's very pricey to eat here but you get a lot for your buck if you consider the overall experience. Be choosy in your food choices and you'll leave happy! read more
I came here for happy hour prior to a concert for some small bites. I sat at a high top near the bar, which had a great vibe. Our service was great and she recommended a few of her favorites, such as the gyozas and edamame hummus. Both of them were great but I loved the consistency of the hummus. I'm a big fan of toppings and speciality rolls so I loved all the flavorful additives that topped many of their rolls, specifically the Kamikaze! From decorative wallpaper, unique lighting and furniture, to fresh fish this place is one of my favorites for happy hour. read more
Beautiful, Instagramy restaurant with a gorgeous view of the wharf. I came here with a group of five girls ready for Ladies Night. truthfully was expecting mediocre service and food but was very pleasantly surprised. For drinks, I had the sour dojo and why is it floor 3.1. Although slightly on the pricey side, the drinks were delicious, unique, with the right amount of alcohol and flavor. The food was also slightly pricey for how much you get. I had the seaweed salad that had came with strawberries mixed in. It was slightly on the small side but filling and tasty. I also had the district spice sushi which was excellent. For desert (my fave) I tried two deserts - a matcha tiramisu and a flourless chocolate raspberry desert. They were devoured. Our waiter was also pretty great, the only thing I would have liked was for him to have asked was whether or not we wanted separate checks since we all ordered separately and we were charged for an extra seaweed salad. All in all, I would gladly go back. read more
4 years ago
Went to Nara-Ya for dinner a couple weeks ago with my sister and loved it! Finally a restaurant in DC with cute vibes great service, AND great food! We skipped the cocktail menu and settled on wine (honestly because we're 31 and wine presented the least risk of a hangover ) We ate: Vegetable Gyoza (not pictured we were hungry lol) 8/10 Crispy Cauliflower - texture was amazing 8/10 Tuna Zuke - from presentation to the quality of the tuna 10/10 Tuna Truffle - perf if you like a little spice+crunch (no avocado cuz I'm childish) - 9/10 Salmon sizzler - twas good but a little on the sweet side for me - 7/10 Will definitely be returning! read more
4 years ago
Such a cute restaurant that has a view that overlooks the murky waters of the Wharf. Started out with the edamame and crab tacos (Masago Tobiko, yuzu chili aioli, avocado puree, scallion)The shells for the tacos were tasty. For the entree, I went with the Lobster fried rice (whole warm water lobster tail and lump meat with fried rice, scallions, charred corn, egg, edamame with a garlic chili crunch) and Lamb Chops (Four lamb chops with purple sweet potato puree, roasted rainbow carrots and a sweet glaze) The lobster fried rice was just ok but the lamb chops were great. For dessert we tried 3 different desserts Matchamisu (Ladyfingers, matcha creme patissiere, mascarpone creme, matcha powder, leaf tuile), Nara-ya Panna Cotta (Silky vanilla cream, honey mousse, red berry cream, glazed raspberry, fresh strawberries and edible flowers) and Mt. Fuji ( Sweet tart shell, yuzu-lemon custard, maple chantilly cream, Italian meringue, flammable liquor ignited tableside). My favorite of the 3 was Mt. Fuji. read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
David S.
Thank you so much for your continued support, Isabella! We love…
If you love good food and posting it on instagram, this is the place to be! Me and boyfriend love Japanese food and this place did not disappoint! Love the indoor decor, the ambiance, the view of the water, the staff and most importantly the food and drinks (although it's a bit on the pricier side but that's expected being it's at the wharf where everything is pricey) Will definitely be back! Oh our drinks were so on point too! Nara-ya is not one to miss!!! read more
4 years ago
The ambience and decor of this place is def top tier! It's really nice and some of the seating overlooks the water. The drinks were pricey but, the were good, nice and strong. As far as the food, it was good but definitely not worth the price. The sushi rolls provided were the same sushi rolls you can get at Wegmans. You can actually probably get a better variety at Wegmans for a fraction of the price. The menu in general was not very extensive and the plates are extremely small. Overall, it was ok but def not worth the price. I don't see myself ever going back but it was a nice restaurant to check off my list. read more
Business owner information
Anna D.
Thank you for your review. We hope you try us again as we'd love to…
4 years ago
Located in the wharf, sharing an entrance with LaVie, this location has amazing cocktails and sushi. They offer wagyu in sushi and their old fashion. I visited for my girl's birthday. We took a party bus here and was a group of 18. We had two tables overlooking the water and two servers which were very attentive and knowledgable. Sushi and food were flavorful and had nice presentation. Everyone had at least two cocktails and a few bottles of the sake. I will definitely be back for a date night and would recommend to others. read more
What a wonderful dining experience! Perfect place for date night or celebrations! It was my friend's milestone birthday and we decided to do the Luxe Omakase - totally worth it! Felt like we tasted the entire menu! Everything was delicious, flavorful, and fresh. The service was exceptional - Jesus was amazing! Very attentive and knowledgeable. I love my craft cocktails and Nara-Ya definitely serves up some amazing unique drinks! On the pricier side but totally worth it. Highly recommend. read more
Business owner information
Anna D.
Thank you so much for your great review! I'm so glad Jesus provided…
4 years ago
Loved it! The atmosphere was super chic and food was amazing. My server was very kind and gave great suggestions!! A bit on the expensive side and has an automatic 20% gratuity PLUS a "DC tax" Which is probably normal for the area so just be prepared. Overall the experience was worth it! read more
3 years ago
Elegant and sophisticated place to dine. Lights are dime and the views are giving romantic vibes. Food is just as exquisite. Service was above and beyond we had a birthday in our group. The manager came over just to wish him a happy birthday. drinks were delicious and different as well. Overall good experience. read more
Business owner information
David S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear…
4 years ago
Love the interior design from the moment you walk in to take their elevator and even their bathrooms! Super extra and it's great. You definitely dine here for the experience with the decor & music all around you. I got the luxe prefixed menu option and I did leave very stuffed. Some courses were good but others were okay and I did expect my mouth to be blown away by every course I would have. I will say that the cocktails were excellent! read more
3 years ago
Sushi was delicious, filling and reasonably priced. The two sushi rolls I got were the Kamikaze and Tempura roll. I was adequately full after eating those 2. I would HIGHLY recommend the Kamikaze roll if you are in between any of the other options, you don't even need soy sauce. Drinks were tasty but strong, the bright side is they have happy hour even on weekends. Great view of the wharf too for any romantic or casual dinners. Well worth it. read more
Business owner information
Maurizio R.
Hello! I totally agree with you about the Kamikaze Roll. I have it at…
4 years ago
When you enter the building where Nara-Ya is located you will have to go to the right where there is an entry way. Through that entry you turn left and a there is an elevator. You will press 3.1 to get to the floor it is located on. Nara-Ya is beautiful! As soon as you enter it is a pretty cool aesthetic. The hosts were super friendly. My waiter was very attentive and helped me to select a delicious cocktail to start. These cocktails are really good but pricey! I spent $22 for each cocktail I had. I enjoyed the Rhythm of the River and the Shinjuku Noir. They were both good, but not worth the price to be honest. The drink prices were pretty inflated because of its location at the Wharf. I never really had sushi that I liked, but here I really enjoyed the Smoke Break. It was tasty! My friend got the electric eel and really loved it. Definitely one of the better places for sushi places in DC. I would return if someone invited me to go with them, but not sure if I would go on my own. If you like delicious cocktails and sushi but want a higher end experience you should check it out. read more
2 years ago
I went here for brunch and overall it was pretty good. Some things were really good and some things were just alright. I loved the matcha pancakes, steak and eggs, salad, and the takoyaki. I do think there is way to much egg variants on the menu and the tofu not only tasted like egg but bad. Also the chicken didn't taste good. I was able to eat myself silly and try everything on the menu so it felt like a good price for around 60 dollars per person. But we did go when the restaurant was not busy and I think if the restaurant was full we would not have been able to get the most out of the brunch. Your party can order 3 things at once and it comes with a serving size for each person. There is a beautiful view of the wharf from the restaurant and is a solid brunch spot considering. read more
Business owner information
David S.
Hi Liyah,…
2 years ago
Honestly the food wasn't out of this world. The vibe inside feels like a cocktail lounge, but the staff was nice enough to move our table to somewhere a little more quiet when we had a loud table next to us. This place is definitely a little over priced for what you get, but overall loved the experience and atmosphere. But probably won't go out of my way to eat here again. read more
Business owner information
Maurizio R.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We…
3 years ago
Overall I thought the sushi was very good. Service was great too. I thought it was a tad overpriced for the quality of fish though based on my taste but I'm very particular about my sushi read more
4 years ago
Nara-Ya is one of the coolest restaurant atmospheres in DC! The view is absolutely amazing looking over the wharf and the aesthetic of the restaurant is perfect for all of your Instagram needs. We went during happy hour (5-7pm everyday) and found the deals to be pretty good! I enjoyed every small plate and highly recommend the grilled edamame. The sushi was also fantastic and I found the ratio of fish:everything else exceptional. When you get to the restaurant you have to walk in a separate door, down a hallway and up an elevator- but the hostess was super helpful in directing us! read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
Krislyn,…
Yep, I got pulled in by TikTok once was again. I came here with my bestfriend for a late birthday celebration. She is a sushi lover so it we thought it would be a perfect spot. The restaurant is beautiful and it is great for pictures, especially as you walk in. From the moment we walked in, the customer service was lackluster and we were barely greeted. Even getting seated was a task as the employee acted as if we did not have reservations and somehow was lost and stumbled into the restaurant. While at the table, our server was slow and not very attentive. In fact, when we asked questions about the menu offering she was kind of condescending as if we should've been experts on the menu. However I ended getting a roll, I forget the name but it included waygu. It was actually delicious, which is the frustrating part because the service and treatment received was disappointing. There were lots of people celebrating and having a good time, and it appeared that they were receiving better service than my friend and I. Is it a cute spot, yes it is. The food is also good as well, but the overall experience left a lot to be desired. I most definitely would not return. read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
David S.
Hi Tanisha, we’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your…
4 years ago
Nara-Ya is such a great vibe - super chic decor, delicious food and drinks and very attentive servers. It's definitely an experience from the hallway leading to the elevator and all through the entire restaurant. I had the shrimp tempura roll and it was sooo good. It's definitely a bit pricey but expected for the area. Perfect for a date night or hangout with friends. read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
Thank you so much for the kind words Samantha & we hope to see you…
3 years ago
Business owner information
Maurizio R.
Hello Ryan D.…
Nara-Ya [N-Y]. (3 stars). I've actually been here twice. The second time I forgot my phone and camera. *Gasp*... Shocking!? Well, it was a last minute decision... but here's my opinion of N-Y... When I reviewed Sushi Hachi, I said N-Y would be better. At that time, I hadn't tried N-Y but heard lots of positive reviews about them. There are some acceptable items on and off the menu that swayed me to rate N-Y "A-OK" and slightly better than Sushi Hachi in some facets. First off, I would NOT recommend ordering the omakase because you get 2 of the same nigiri (total of 12 pieces) for $84. Wasn't worth it in my humble opinion. The fish seemed like it was kept in the fridge a little too long? Plus, maybe it's just my expectations ruining my dining experience again, but when I hear "omakase", I think of a variety of offerings from the fresh seafood of the day?! I've tried the hotate (scallop) nigiri (ordered it "off the menu") and it was just OK. Scallop was fresher than most sushi places in the DMV. Their rolls look pretty but don't have much flavor to me. The endless amounts of drizzled sauces is really not needed. But to be fair, I don't like sweet food (except desserts)! The fish used in these preparations seemed subpar. Lots of sinew in each bite. Ugh. Their Sakura dessert was pretty to look at but I really couldn't discern it's flavor profile?? The one and only thing I enjoyed both times (but asked for NO UNAGI SAUCE THE 2ND TIME) is their foie gras nigiri!! The foie gras is delectable and the portions are very generous even at $30 a pop!! I could do without the gold foil... The staff were very friendly and accommodating to my "off the menu" requests on both visits. N-Y is located on the 2nd floor above Mi Vida and below La Vie in The Wharf. Parking is $10/hour or something like that but I walked over on both visits so I didn't have to worry about that. I may come for a nice adult beverage or to have some foie gras in the future. That's worth my return visit! read more
5 years ago
Went here to celebrate a birthday. The drinks were great. The sushi was amazing, well two of the rolls. The third one was average. Sorry wish I remember which was which but I think the one with asparagus was the okay one. The other two were great. This beef broth noodle dish wasn't hittin. We ordered it with shrimp tempura because it did not come with any meat. Wasn't anything to write home about. The taste and portions of the food didn't match/warrant the price. Try here if you want but I wouldn't do it again. The location is great however. You get a good view of the wharf. Popular spot but overrated in my opinion. read more
What a quality spot that stands out amongst all the restaurants on the wharf. It is so fancy and intricate in its Japanese inspired decoration with a modern touch of a color changing bar top and seating that overlooks the water. Of course it has the price to match but they have a solid happy hour with a handful of different $9 options mainly sushi which had such delicious and interesting flavor as well as some fried Japanese curry balls and veggie tempura. The drink menu also had some high end options for Japanese beer, wine, highballs, and the one that really caught our attention was the daily cocktail special for $9 which are typically around $20! In my opinion that base price is absolutely ridiculous but between the location, the ambience, and the absolutely ridiculous quality and complexity of the drink, we are very excited to come back and try a different one on our next date night. BTW happy hour is 7 days a week and ends at 7. That is hard to find even outside the wharf. read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
Jimmy,…
5 years ago
I wanted to love this place so bad! Walking in is a great experience. Location is beautiful. You are made to feel as if you are transported through some hip decor. It adds to the build up of excitement, especially if it's your first time. Service was fine. At this price point, you would think asking for recommendations would come with a more detailed looks at dishes... however it felt as if he didn't really want to suggest anything. We ended up going with one of their tastings. We figured, we can taste whatever the chef would really want to show off! The tasting was fine, however it missed some serious flavor. At $100 per person you would think all of the dishes would come as individual bites. There were some tasting dishes that came as one piece (the portions are already small). I wouldn't complain about the portion size, had we each gotten a dish or an individual piece. There was no explanation to our dishes, we just got what we got. The sushi lacked life. There was absolutely no character, flavor or thought put into the sushi. The quality of fish was fine. I was extremely disappointed! I know there are more creative ways to expand on their sushi. We even ordered another roll off of the tasting to try and love something. We did not love anything :( I would've given this place two stars, however their drinks were great. So one full star for their drinks! I feel taken advantage of. Our $400 meal was mediocre and I believe the price truly just pays for the location. If that's the case, get bigger more comfortable tables/chairs. I'll pay your rent for a better ambience. read more
4 years ago
I think they might be the only place offers happy hour at the wharf on the weekends we took advantage ordered a couple of their happy hour, cocktails, appetizers and short ribs Nothing to complain on the happy hour price. prime location awesome design. everything is very Instagramable. read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
Michelle,…
More info about Nara-Ya
88 District Square
Fl 3
Washington, DC 20024
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(202) 301-8145
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https://nara-ya.com
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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…
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