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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!
5 years ago
TREAT YOSELF, DON'T CHEAT YOSELF. @naraya_dc has been on my hitlist since they opened... I was saving my visit for a special occasion and I think pulling off a big project at work was just such an occasion. So a Wednesday night visit was in order. If you know me, you know I'm ordering any purple drink on the menu, so I had to have the Rhythm of the River! It was a beautiful, sweet but tasty drink. I also started with the electric eel, a shrimp tempura roll that was perfect for my novice sushi palette. The flavors were rich but perfectly paired. Then I had the Miso Chilean Sea Bass, of which I'm a self-proclaimed snob lol. When. I. Tell. You. I damn near shoveled every bite in my mouth? Mmm, there was miso on the soft bed of rice I almost missed in my haste, making that a yummy treat as well. The pickled daikon was also delightful! Speaking of shovels, I received a mini gold shovel to dig into my amazing dessert, the Matchamisu, a nice twist to tiramisu... perfect for this non-coffee drinking tea lover. My server was Luis and he was awesome. 5/5 ***** I'll be back. read more
3 years ago
We got the Lobster Dynamite & the Salmon Sizzler. Both were very flavor filled & left me wanting to take more home with me. Will be returning just for these. Simply Amazing read more
Business owner information
Maurizio R.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear…
Wish I would have taken more photos but this place is INCREDIBLE! First of all, were able to fit us in with no reservation around 630 on a Thursday before a comedy show at the anthem. The drinks were super fun and the food was amazing. My partner had the dumplings and we shared some sushi and mussels. The tuna truffle roll.. I have never tasted something so incredible. The decor is super fun and it's definitely going to be a new date night spot for us! It's on the more expensive side but definitely worth it. read more
Business owner information
Maurizio R.
We are so glad you enjoyed your time with us! Can't wait to see you…
Nara-Ya was everything I wanted it to be! Everything was perfect! From walking in to the breathtaking decorations on the first floor, riding the fully decorated elevator up to the restaurant, and the ambiance inside of the restaurant. We sat at an end table with beautiful views of the Wharf. For dinner, we started with the edamame hummus for our appetizer and the "rhythm of the river" for our drinks. For our entrees we had; duck & foie, the nara-ya roll, the shrimp tempura roll, tempura crunch roll, and the California classic roll. All of which were delish. Sushi rolls are a bit pricey, but I get it, you are paying for the experience. Plus, they brought the check out in a scroll, how cute! Can't wait to visit for happy hour! read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
Jas,…
5 years ago
I'll say the vibes are 100 when you go there, pretty murals with cherry blossoms hanging from the ceilings, IG picture worthy. Pretty and tasty cocktails. Cool Lion bathroom decor too! Sitting a the table next to the window overlooking the wharf was great. However the food was subpar especially for how pricey the restaurant is. The one thing I really enjoyed was the matcha tiramisu soft, creamy, matcha-ey, and hint of brie/cheesiness to it. And came out in a wooden box with gold shovel spoons and they added a sparkler to it! I will say the sushi needs work. Had the Nara Ya roll that had no flavor to the general roll except the sweet sauce. Wasn't giving at all. Kaiba King roll was overcome with saltiness from the soy garlic butter sauce and the king crab part was too sweet. The scallop on top was good, make sure to like foie gras because this was a small shavings amount but can come off strong in flavor. The Electric Eel rolll just tasted like an eel roll which was fine. The Tuna Truffle roll was prob the best one of the four we tried, hint of truffle with nice balance of flavors. It was interesting either wasn't giving as a dish or they were doing too much of mixing diff flavors. The smoked wagyu tartare was incased glass that was engulfed in smoke and cool to watch when revealed. But other than that very small and the sesame crackers that came with it were so salty, my first time trying beef tartare and it was not what I expected in a bad way. It had a hint of yuzu but wasn't tasty and it seemed like it was more cooked than raw than how usual tartare would come out pink, this one reminded me of ceviche version of wagyu tartare. read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
Sue,…
5 years ago
I visited the restaurant on Friday, and have not stopped thinking about the crispy cauliflower dish since then. It was crunchy, savory, and yet so light and fresh. If you visit the restaurant, you have to try the crispy cauliflower! I'm going to try to make it at home today, but I really do not believe that I will ever reach the level of flavor that they've mastered. The drinks were amazing. I had a martini and the restaurant special cocktail which includes their floor number. I had smoked salmon rolls and it was also to die for. Yes, we paid a hefty amount for dinner but it was 100% worth it. read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
Jose,…
5 years ago
This is a cute hidden gem in southwest waterfront ! The area you have to walk in and go through to get to the restaurant is so neat and different ! I love it. We decided to sit at the high tops area in the bar area. Our server was great and very informative - he offered us some great recommendations on food and drinks and I am so glad we listened! We order some small bites and sushi and everything came out great. The edamame hummus was by far my favorite. It had a little bit of spice and it was just the perfect texture. The Japanese rice cracker was the perfect fit for dipping as well. My husband loved the braised short rib and the miso clam chowder. The sushi rolls we ordered came out great as well. I wouldn't recommend this place as a nice formal restaurant, but defiantly for a fun casual date night or girls night out ! read more
4 years ago
Over priced and totally not worth it!! This place is over hyped for the quality of food and service they provide. We ordered a few apps and 5 rolls The edamame humus was the best thing we had on the table The presentation was great but I've had better quality fish at cheaper restaurants. We were celebrating a birthday and received a free dessert The check has a 20% pre-added gratuity plus a 3% surcharge which encourages bad service imo read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
My apologies you didn't enjoy your time with us more. Please contact…
3 years ago
5 years ago
We tried a few of the sushi rolls they offer and were just not impressed. The sushi was plated nicely but flavor wise, there was too much going on. The drinks we had were also aesthetically pleasing, however it wasn't anything special. Nara-Ya is definitely a cute, "Instagram-able" restaurant but the food and drinks were not impressive. read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
We're so sorry you didn't enjoy your time with us more Naomi. Be on…
5 years ago
The whole restaurant from the entrance to the bathrooms has Miami influencer vibes. And almost everyone is dressed up to go out. It's definitely a lot louder in here than a regular restaurant so if you're looking for something more intimate I'd try to go off peak hours or go somewhere else! My tequila 3.1 cocktail was delicious! I also, really liked my boyfriend's wagyu A5 cocktail. We got the scallop appetizer and it was amazing!! I highly recommend it. It comes with 2 big scallops that are very flavorful and are paired with a mashed kumquat flavored purée. For dinner we got a few different rolls: - California - actually turned out to be my favorite! Made with real crab meat that is super soft and high quality - Tuna truffle - unfortunately had 0 truffle flavor but the actual roll was really good - Electric eel - too many creamy sauces between the mascarpone, avocado, and unagi sauce for me but, my boyfriend liked it! - Nara-ya - also really enjoyed this roll! Lots of fresh salmon and great flavor! The service was pretty good but, at times we were wondering where our waiter was and if he forgot about us. However, I do understand that it's very busy! Overall, very lively and chic restaurant with good food and service! I wasn't blown away but, I did have a good time! I would definitely come back for happy hour but, probably not dinner. read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
Michelle,…
Loved the entry interior & waiting area. They did it right. However food and drinks were just okay. Their sushi was not that good. Our server was okay but not very attentive. He never checked on us after our food arrived. read more
This place has its perks but I found it somewhat pricey for the quality and amount of food you get. First of all-- the ambiance is impeccable. I haven't been to a restaurant recently that was as aesthetically pleasing as Nara-Ya. The dining experience has a lovely view of the Wharf skyline and a funky, yet trendy interior design. We started off with the calamari and edamame hummus. The edamame hummus was excellent. It has a perfect combo of crispy with the Asian sesame cracker and savoriness of the hummus. The calamari was in large slices that made it a bit hard to eat. Nonetheless-- the Mayo based sauce was pretty yummy. For the main course I ordered the electric eel roll and enjoyed it. It was definitely good sushi but not the most memorable roll I've had. Overall-- if you want a beautiful atmosphere, great vibe and some quality food and don't mind paying a bit more, this is your place. read more
4 years ago
The restaurant and the view is a whole aesthetic. Plating of the food was exquisite, but the food was mediocre. The prices were overrated for food that tastes like something you can find anywhere. Service was good, where we ordered a drink and didn't like it they didn't add it to our check and gave us a complimentary dessert for my husband's birthday. Overall the food is the reason why I gave it 3 stars, but everything else I say 5 stars. read more
4 years ago
A very Insta-popular photo spot with some amazing food options! The decor here is also a vibe! The food and views are *chefs kiss*. I'm coming back for sure. read more
5 years ago
Total Instagram trap and scene-y spot for clout chasers. There's lots of cool areas that photograph well. For the price you pay to dine here, you would hope for excellent food and top-notch service, neither of which we experienced. The food was good but there's much better Japanese at this price point (e.g. Kotobuki). The service was okay: had to repeat requests a lot and the wait staff feels new to the game. Bar staff is a little snooty and unwelcoming. Not a fan of that, especially considering how much you're paying per round. read more
3 years ago
We walked in to the this restaurant and were seated immediately without a reservation. The service was wonderful. All the staff inquired to insure that we were comfortable. The restaurant is located at The Wharf overlooking the Potomac River. Ambience is intimate. Great spot for a date night! The food was delicious . Would definitely come again! read more
This place is fancy!!! You walk into an artsy hallway and then up the elevator to panoramic views of the water. So beautiful! The menu is a bit confusing - what's an app/entree, but our server helped us select. We started with champagne and scallops - YUM. Those are a perfect appetizer (definitely too small for an entree in my opinion). And I got sushi - shrimp tempura (probably the best shrimp tempura I've ever had) and king kaiba (not my flavor) and he got the chicken (tasty and large portion). Definitely pricey but perfect for a special occasion. read more
4 years ago
Nara-Ya is certainly worth a visit! I love the aesthetic of the space, and the happy hour offers some solid deals on Nara-Ya's traditional menu items. I had the cocktail special (5/5), shishito peppers (5/5), and the caterpillar roll (4/5), the latter of which was shared with a friend. I'm ranking the drink and appetizer 5/5 because I thought they were both tasty enough to order again. The portion of the peppers was also quite sizable, hence the reason I opted to split a sushi roll rather than eat an entire roll. I thought the roll itself was great, with asparagus, avocado, and crisped tofu adding excellent texture and flavor in addition to some of the sauces. In all, I thought it tasted good, but it felt like pretty standard flavors. I know I caught a deal since it was one of the happy hour sushis, but I would have loved to see some more creativity! One of the biggest reasons why I'm giving Nara-Ya four stars is actually because the happy hour process is super confusing, at least for Saturday visitors. You can't get happy hour unless you're seated at the bar which is first-come, first-served. We had gotten a reservation and wanted the happy hour, and we just felt so bad asking to move things around to get happy hour after we had already been seated at a table (leaving the waiter assigned to our table without the tip he probably anticipated)! I would love for some of these details to be more advertised! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited: See owner response below for happy hour menu and details! My error regarding difficulties finding the menu! I'm going to continue to keep the four stars just because I think my biggest concern related to the first-com, first serve confusion and difficulties switching from a reservation. But I so appreciate the care of the owner to respond to my review so quickly! read more
Business owner information
Nick L.
So glad you enjoyed everything Madison! Sorry for any confusion,…
Bottomless brunch was just okay. The dishes were hit & miss - most of them were just bland. My favorites were the green tea pancakes, sushi, smoked salmon toast, & takoyaki. Only complaint I have is that we ordered bottomless mimosas and had to practically hunt our waiter down for refills. The decor / aesthetics in here are great so come picture ready! read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
James H.
Thank you for celebrating such a special occasion with us! We’re…
3 years ago
This was my first time with Nara-Ya. I had 5 other friends with me. Collectively, it was amazing. I'm sad to see the reviews in service because we had Diego (Sorry if I spelled wrong), I would recommend him. He was attentive. Polite. And keep the drinks coming! In terms of food, everything came out great. As well as a timely fashion. We were obsessed with the streak and scrambled eggs, so good. As well as the pork belly hash that was bomb. Even things I didn't like were cooked so well and made me rethink. Maybe I like tofu now . The only thing I could complain about was the room. It was very packed and understandable since it was a Sunday Brunch, but I feel like tables should be more spaced in my option. Overall, it was a really good experience. Again, I appreciate Diego for the great service as well as the other staff that took our plates and were so nice. Thank you for the great time. read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
David S.
Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled to have your support,…
3 years ago
5 years ago
Getting into the restaurant is quite a fun experience, taking you through a colorful hallway and up the elevator to floor 3.1. Likewise, the restaurant is decorated beautiful with bright floral wallpaper and dim, intimate lighting (hence my pictures aren't stellar.) However, I wouldn't recommend it as a date spot because everyone is trying to shout over the club music. The food is definitely pricey, even compared to the many other fine dining establishments in DC. Drinks hover around $20 to start... yikes. I tried the sour dojo which was actually quite good. The Ballad of Yasuke is sweet and light, approachable even for a non-whiskey drinker like me. For dinner, we started with the Smoked Tuna Zuke, which is presented in a cloche and unveiled in smoke and lights. A little gimmicky, but the tuna was pretty good. I wasn't holding my phone and the server asked me if I was ready before presenting the dish. He must've known that guests would wanna film the theatrics! That was cute. We also tried the Pan-Seared Scallops, which were tender and bouncy. Because we had to try some sushi, we started off with the Electric Eel roll, pretty standard but yummy. The A5 Roll is kissed with just enough umami wagyu flavor. Even so, the paper-thin slice of wagyu on top felt skimpy. We went back for the Green Tea Soba Noodles which come in a thick, hot broth. Noodles were chewy, broth was flavorful. The pickled vegetables were a little too sour and one-dimensional. We also tacked on the Tuna Truffle roll which was very good as well. It had just enough truffle flavor to carry through. Our server was very attentive, even verging on a little too overbearing. Plates were cleared between hot dishes and sushi. Our water stayed full, and so would've been our cocktail glasses if we agreed to every "Would you like another?" A manager came over at the end to personally ask how everything went and thank us as well. Overall, I wouldn't really recommend this restaurant. While the food was decent, none of it was extraordinary and certainly not worth the extraordinary price tag. I mean, we didn't even get real chopsticks.. just the flimsy takeout kind. We came here out of convenience at the wharf. Save your money, because there are a ton of actually stellar restaurants in DC that are more worthwhile. read more
We went to Nara-Ya for brunch and it was good, but I didn't feel like it was worth the price. We did the bottomless brunch and bottomless mimosas. Overall, the food was pretty good. They have a selection of savory food, sweet food, and a few sushi rolls. I would say they had pretty standard brunch menu, but most of it did have a Japanese twist. Our favorite things on the brunch menu was the Tamagoyak French toast and the steak and egg scramble. The bottomless mimosas were just regular orange juice and champagne, they didn't have other flavors. The restaurant itself had a great view of the wharf, since it is a couple stories up. The inside is decorated colorfully, and they have the hallway with flowers hanging from the ceiling you have probably seen on Instagram. The service was a bit slow, it took a while to order and receive our food. The day we went it wasn't too busy inside, they had quite a few open tables. For the unlimited food and mimosas, the ending total was a bit over $100 per person. Did I think the food and experience was worth over $100, not really. read more
Sadly, this restaurant was a total miss for me. I felt like they tried to be innovative/fancy with the flavour combinations but it didn't really work :( We had to order the tasting menu because we were a party of 6+ and for the price it aint worth it at alllll. and the towel also smells. seaweed salad - nice variety of seaweeds with different textures. not a fan of the strawberries (think it was pickled) they were too sour and overpowered the rest of the dish. sashimi - its supposed to be kiwi/cherry blossom sauce but it straight up tastes like a thai curry. confusing flavours. balance between the citrus and the salt was kinda off bc of the big flakes of salt. the main dishes were probably the best in the course. I'd recommend getting the duck! The sushi rolls were mediocre at best. felt like it was served just to fill us up because the rest of the dishes were pretty small. Dessert was good! The mascarpone cream was floofy and the matcha flavour was p strong. The vegan chocolate dessert on the other hand had the texture and flavour of playdoh. read more
3 years ago
Beautiful decor and ambiance. Strangely quieter to sit near a table by the bar than the lower seating area. Yummy appetizers and the sushi was amazing too! We got a bunch of rolls and shared them. read more
I know alot of reviewers said that Nara-Ya is all glam minus the taste but i'd have to disagree. I liked the food but it wasnt fantastic where I would crave anything (maybe their cherry blossom dessert because it was like eating a cherry blossom macaron pretty cloud) but thats how most of the restaurants at the Wharf are; aesthetically pleasing and overpriced. Nara-ya is definetly both but we had a fabulous server and the views and atmosphere cannot be beat. The sushi was good but nothing great. The crispy cauliflower but pretty nice and quite a good serving even if shared between two people. I would probably be back for another girls night but skip the sushi and go for the apps and zerts. read more
5 years ago
I would have to say it was just okay. We got the Chefs Lux Omakase so we got to try a little of the chefs favorite. While there were definitely some stand outs the Sea Bass, Seaweed Salad, The Smoked Tuna Zuke and the A Little Wahgu Never Hurts, everything else was just fine. For the amount we paid we just expected everything to be outstanding and other than the standouts, the other dishes weren't anything to write home about. read more
Nara-Ya is a Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. Absolutely amazing atmosphere and food presentation. The food: Food is mind blowing. The sushi was the best I've ever had. I recommend trying the Crunchy shrimp roll. The attention to detail with each plate was great. I tried the Green tea soba noodles with contains baby bok choy, pickled turnips, carrots and kombu broth that the server pours on the noodles. The drinks: There were so many options for the signature cocktails. I tried the Toki-yo story which was good and sweet on the side. The dessert: I highly recommend trying the Matcha Tiramisu, you won't be disappointed. Service: The service was great. It was our first time at a Japanese restaurant and the server was kind enough to give us options on what to order. Overall, I will definitely come back again. A great place for IG photos and has an awesome view of the wharf. read more
2 years ago
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David S.
Dear Anthony,…
5 years ago
Nara-Ya was a great experience! They were great about us sitting at the waterfront facing table - right under the golden sun. We started with the Rhythm of the River and Sakura Stinger. The rhythm of the river was just beautiful - and sadly I didn't get a picture of it. The stinger was light and refreshing - perfect for the designated driver. The crispy cauliflower was such a large portion and amazingly crispy. Even as we worked on it slowly - it didn't get soggy. The shishito pepper-miso purée was a great "sauce". The wagu tartare was complex in both flavor and texture. The smoked tuna was a cool experience - with the smoked glass that permeated the table when released. We went for sushi and honestly was quite satisfied already. I got the Nara-ya and couldn't even finish after all our starters. I highly recommend if you like spicy sushi and give our order of smoked tuna - we like the raw fish type of rolls. read more
2 years ago
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David S.
Dear Shelly,…
1 year ago
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James H.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly…
2 years ago
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David S.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear…
I came here for dinner with a friend and while the vibes are cute and the view is nice, the food isn't anything to write home about. We got the Nara-ya roll, the district spice roll, and the short ribs. My favorite was maybe the short ribs? But nothing was that amazing and unfortunately really overpriced for what it is. The sushi rolls were alright but there's a lot of flavors and so nothing really stands out and you can't identify any of the flavors. Nara-ya is a cute date night spot if you just want a good view and environment but the food isn't amazing read more
5 years ago
Nara-ya's basically a magical wonderland with incredible food, incredible drink and an incredible view. Everything from presentation to flavor was on point, and the bar program was awesome as well. Everything was phenomenal, but my favorites were as follows: 1. Miso Clam Chowder: made with littleneck clams, crispy bacon and potatoes. 2. Smoked Zuke Tuna: presented table side in a smoking cloche of cherry wood chips. 3. Pan-seared Duck Magret: Okra-jicama salad, kimchi cloud and crystalized soy. 4. Nara-ya Roll: cherry blossom rice, spicy salmon, asparagus, topped with salmon, avocado, black pepper, torched with a lemongrass miso glaze, finished with crispy quinoa and micro greens. If I HAD to pick a favorite dish, I'd say the zuke tuna with the roll coming in as a close second, but it was all so tasty. As for drinks, they have a Toki Highball machine which is super exciting, but I especially loved their "Sweet Otera." Made with crème of cacao Tempus Fugit, biscotti faretti, heavy cream, coconut milk, and matcha green tea powder, and perfect for dessert! Follow me on @nomtasticfoods for more! Site: nomtasticfoods.net read more
I visited Nara-Ya for the first time a couple weeks ago. I was really excited for a restaurant with a ton of Vegan options, because that isn't super common. We booked our reservation a couple weeks in advance and were able to get a spot for 7:15pm on a Friday. It seems like they book up quickly, so if you want to visit, making a reservation sooner rather than later is probably better. When we arrived, we checked in with the hostess on the bottom floor and she checked our temperature and then sent us up to the elevator where the restaurant was located on the upper level. When you walk past the hostess into the restaurant, the vibes are awesome. It's decorated beautifully and there is awesome artwork, colors and lighting throughout the restaurant. The aesthetic is definitely on point. We were seated by the window and had a really great view of the wharf. For cocktails we ordered the Rhythm of the River and The Ballad of Yusake 2.0. They were both OK, tasty but honestly really sweet and not super strong at all. For food we ordered the Edamame Hummus, Crispy Cauliflower, Miso Clam Chowder, the Special crab Sushi roll and the Garden Sushi roll. I was reallllllllllllly underwhelmed by the food. I didn't try the Miso Clam Chowder and the crab roll because I'm vegetarian, however everything I did try was pretty average. The only item that I did enjoy was the Crispy Cauliflower. Overall, I didn't really love my experience at Nara-Ya. It's really overpriced for what you actually get. The vibes are nice and service is good, but food isn't great and the cocktails are just OK. I don't think I'll be visiting again. read more
5 years ago
My husband will be the first to admit that he doesn't crave Japanese cuisine. I, on the other hand, crave it about once a week. Fortunately, we decided on NaRa-Ya for a week-day date night and I AM SO GLAD WE DID!! We started off with some signature cocktails. Hubby ordered the Why Is It Floor 3.1 because he loves Mezcal and I opted for Rhythm of the River which is vodka based. Well-- my drink was possibly the yummiest concoction I've ever drank and it was almost too beautiful to sip down. We started with the Edamame Hummus and Electric Eel Roll. Whatever you do, be sure to order the Edamame Hummus because holy shit, it's amazing. I then enjoyed the Green Tea Soba noodles with the most amazing broth that is poured over top. The broth is sweet, savory, and complex. It was topped off with a tiny bit of spice which was perfect. Hubby opted for the Braised Short Rib. I took a bite of his and was blown away. Once again-- so. many. flavors. We finished off with dessert and once again we were not disappointed. We enjoyed the cherry blossom and Matchamisu. The matcha tiramisu tasted so fresh and delicate. I could have eaten 5 more. Needless to say we will be returning for brunch as soon as possible! read more
More info about Nara-Ya
88 District Square
Fl 3
Washington, DC 20024
Directions
(202) 301-8145
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https://nara-ya.com
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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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