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    Rasika

    4.2 (4.1k reviews)
    ModerateIndian
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Rasika Takeout or Delivery

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    RASIKA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Rasika

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    Jane M.

    Rasika is a restaurant I really wanted to love, especially given its reputation, and the food definitely delivered--but unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired. We were a large group and ordered a wide variety of dishes including the lamb roll, lamb chops, palak chaat, paneer tikka, crab, shrimp curry, and the Everything Mango dessert. The food was delicious across the board, with plenty of bold flavors and beautifully prepared dishes. The downside is that it comes at a fairly high price, so I expected the overall experience to match the quality of the food. Unfortunately, the service was the biggest disappointment. We had made our reservation several days in advance for a large group, yet our server seemed to be rushing us from the moment we sat down. Even while choosing our wine, we were repeatedly pushed to make a decision rather than being given time to look through the options. It felt unnecessarily rushed and pushy, which really put a damper on what should have been a special group dinner. The atmosphere is lovely, with a sophisticated and ambient setting that works well for special occasions. Given the prices, though, I expected much more polished service. Great food, but the rushed service left a bad taste and unfortunately overshadowed an otherwise delicious meal.

    Zack G.

    Dimily-lit Michelin recommended Indian restaurant with both phenomenal food and service I came here for dinner with my fiance and we had a great experience. I tried the mango lassi, we got an order of garlic naan, their signature fried spinach appetizer dish, and an order of both their chicken tikka masala and their version of butter chicken (which I don't know that actual name of off the top of my head. The lassi, their signature appetizer, and the butter chicken were all phenomenal, and the naan and chicken tikka masala were very solid as well. The naan only comes with 2 pieces per order though, which is a little underwhelming. As I mentioned previously, the service here is top-notch. Our waitress was incredibly attentive and food was prepared quickly It looks like their tasting menu is absolutely worth it (we saw the table next to us with it). Also, it seems like their best dishes are featured on their tasting menu, so if you have any questions about what to order I'd recommend checking whats on there! The only downsides were that it was fairly cold and loud inside

    Coffee/date/nutmeg cream dessert
    Sarah N.

    What a wonderful place. Excellent Indian cuisine in a classy environment with lovely staff. From the moment we walked in, everyone was so nice. We missed our reservation due to unforeseen traffic jam, and yet the hostess was so understanding. We ended up sitting at the kitchen table area and the experience was great. The food is delicious, ordered the Chicken Tika Masala, the Chicken Green Masala and the Palak Chat. All so good! The bread is incredible. Should be an entree on its own! Definitely forget about your diet when you visit. We topped it off with desert and the chai tea. What impressed me the most was how helpful and kind the staff was. From the GM and the owner, all the way to the waiters and bar backs, everyone was friendly, very respectful and made you feel so welcome. We will be back!

    Selection of vegetarian dishes.
    Kate L.

    Amazing food and amazing service! We had a group of about 12 and the staff was amazing in staying aware of dietary needs, they kept beverages topped up, and the food just kept coming. Despite it being a busy Friday night, the food was attractive, hot, and delicious. I really wish my stomach could've kept up with my eyes! I appreciated that we had a small party room for our group (especially since we were a bit loud, at times). I will definitely make this a recurring stop when in DC!

    menu
    Melody L.

    Came here over 10 years ago with my parents and it left a strong impression on us back then as some of the best Indian food we've had. Was pleased to see that the restaurant is still around (and super busy). No reservations, but we were lucky enough that there were enough seats at the bar, otherwise I don't think we would've been able to eat here at all. So hard to choose from a menu where everything sounded so good. We got the palak chaat, bhindi ka lonj, gobhi mattar, mint paratha, vegetable pulao, gujarati lasagne, and chili and olive oil naan. Standouts were the palak chaat and mint paratha. The palak chaat was the most well-balanced dish that satisfied every part of the flavor wheel: crispy spinach fritters, some tang from the yogurt and tamarind, sweetness from the date, and a lovely savoriness. The mint paratha was wonderfully flaky and herbaceous. The other dishes were good, but not particularly exciting. For desserts, we had the mango rasmalai and gulab jamun. Generally love ordering gulab jamun whenever I can, and it really hit the spot. The cardamom ice cream was the perfect pairing for it. I can kind of see where they were going with the mango rasmalai and the different textures/presenations of mango, but personally did not find it to be that memorable. Overall, not as mind-blowing as I remember but still enjoyed the meal. Definitely recommend making reservations if you want a table.

    Dal Makhani
    Simi K.

    Me and my son looked this up and went here since we were visiting DC. Had no reservations, we were seated near the kitchen. Food and service were amazing. Sekhar offered us an amazing service. Will definitely come here when we visit DC again

    A'Yanna E.

    Valentine's Day here was perfect. We were seated for our reservation at the bar immediately as we were on time. The server was amazing and properly engaging. The decorations were lovely, included the photo backdrop being such a cute idea! The crowd was classy so it was ideal for my liking. The food was a disappointment to me as an Indian food lover and to him with a big appetite and trying something new given the menu was limited! My favorite part was that they gave the ladies a pretty rose after the check was paid! The most thoughtful Michelin experience on a loving holiday. I so appreciated the door to door service. Just work on the food the fish was a bit dry and tough vs flaky and soft to enjoy. Go, maybe they're better today.

    Joe L.

    What an awesome restaurant... the food is absolutely delicious! Everything we ordered was delicious. Recommend starting with the Ragda Pattice and your main dish butter or tandori chicken. If they are serving scallops, order it! Whatever main dish you order, you have to order one of their house made chutneys. We really enjoyed the mango chutney. Also, don't forget the naan! We like plain or garlic. They are about a 5-7 min walk from the Capital One Arena. So, it is best to make reservations just in case you are trying to dine here when there is an event at Capital One. It gets crowded! Notable is the service. Our server was super friendly and. attentive. He made some very good recommendations, to include a glass of champagne that enhanced the meal.

    Mixed Grill
    Vidhi P.

    Get reservations!! I am go glad i got reservations because we were seated right away and saw people having to wait a while before they were seated. The place is quite dark with that moody ambiance. It's also loud. Our server bhaskar was very attentive and a total sweetheart. I heard him ask a delivery driver if he wanted water or anything before he got his delivery order. Since we got the mixed grill, he recommended a new dish to us, chicken green masala. We also got the lacha paratha to go with it. The mix grill was nice to taste a bit of everything. The salmon was a bit undercooked in some areas but very tasty. The tandoori chicken was dry. The lamb was absolutely delicious and i could have eaten a whole platter of just that. The green masala has such warm spices and it was perfectly spicy. It went sooo well with the paratha. The paratha was flaky and buttery. The mushroom was so unexpected. I loved it so much. It was tangy and spicy. Perfect also. Overall, I'll be back for the mains, for the grill, i would definitely recommend the lamb but not others. This was our anniversary dinner, so bhaskar surprised us with a small ice cream and gulab jamun. Sooo sweet to recognize this. He is the best.

    Britney H.

    A DC classic that is just as wonderful as I remembered. I lived in the Washington, D.C. area years ago and used to dine at Rasika often. It had been quite a while since my last visit, and I'm happy to say it was every bit as good as I remembered. I visited with my two daughters, ages 8 and 22, after a long day of sightseeing in nearly 100-degree weather. We were dressed for the extreme heat outside and, understandably, didn't want to carry sweaters or jackets around all day. Our original table was directly beneath an air conditioning vent, and the staff graciously accommodated our request to move to a warmer table. When my 8-year-old was still chilly in the 67-68° dining room, our waiter thoughtfully brought over a tablecloth for her to drape over her shoulders. It was such a kind gesture and an example of truly exceptional hospitality. The food was outstanding. The appetizers were fantastic, and my youngest especially enjoyed the mango lassi and a butter paneer dish that served as a kid-friendly alternative to butter chicken. My oldest daughter and I shared several appetizers along with a shrimp entrée, and everything was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Rasika continues to excel in every way--wonderful food, attentive service, and a beautiful atmosphere. It's easy to see why it has remained one of Washington's premier restaurants for so many years. We had a fantastic evening, and I look forward to returning the next time I'm in D.C. Keep up the great work!

    Chicken tikka masala, lentils, mushrooms and peas, snapper, everything was perfect
    Sara S.

    The best Indian in the US in my opinion, and they've been consistently good since they opened over 20 years ago. That was probably the last time I visited the restaurant before this trip, and the first thing I did was order the spinach dish, Palak Chat, which had changed but actually improved. This dish is outstanding and a must for every visit. Everything was prepared perfectly, the chicken so tender, mushrooms flavorful, lentils perfect flavor and consistency. Our server was extremely attentive and polite. Ask for the front booth if you have a large enough party. It's the best seat in the house.

    Warm Black Rice Pudding-ultimate comfort food
    Sonia K.

    This is a composite review for several visits over 15 years. I'm glad to report that it's still a beautiful and comfortable dining experience with fresh and delicious interpretations that make me a repeat customer. Seating and ordering food ends by 2:30 for lunch before reopening for dinner. Even with a late lunch Yousef was an attentive and helpful presence. The masala chai was more black tea forward. Palak chaat is always a tasty treat; I still remember the first time tasting it here over fifteen years ago. All the tastes and textures still create a dopamine rush. The okra was more astringent than I recalled. The roasted style reduced the mucilage, which many people prefer. The crusted two tandoori lamb chops were a generous size so made it more filling. The lemon cashew rice was tasty also. Feel like a little kid to report that my dessert was probably my favorite part. The warm black rice pudding was delicious comfort food and something I will remember for a while. Unctuous and crunchy with stewed raisins and cashews, I will add this as something to order each time.

    Cauliflower Bezule
    Srinanda G.

    Cauliflower Bezule was great as an app to munch on. The Sweet Potato Samosa was like Thanksgiving in a samosa, and it was a unique pairing we didn't expect to enjoy as much as we did. Definitely try it if you can. Got the Gosht Ahuna which was well made, and the lamb pieces were very tender. Chicken Makhani was average, good but not exactly a memorable dish in my opinion. Truffle Naan was a bit of a miss and didn't really pair that well with our entrees, but the Garlic Naan was pretty good. We got the Kashmiri Sour and Ginger-Pom Pisco Sour for drinks, and they were both well made and paired really well with our meal. The Kashmiri Sour was definitely our favorite drink of the night between the two. Overall, service was great and the staff was attentive. It was also pretty easy to get a reservation.

    side pf hot sauce, cooked  to order, the best, spicy

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    Rasika Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rasika

    Are the helpings decent sized and worth the prices? Or they small like at a lot of "fine dining" Indian places?

    It's between small and medium size. Taste is worth the price but not the quantity.

    Is this restaurant kid friendly (9 yr old) in terms of pacing and ambience or is it really just for adults? Is 1.5 hrs enough time for dinner here or longer?

    During Covid, Rasika implemented a no kids (I believe under 8 or 9yo) policy. Not sure if that policy still exists but it's obvious they don't really care to have kids there. You can bring your kid (since he/she is of age) but by no means would I… 

    Can they make dishes that aren't spicy? I have allergy to spicy pepper (chili, jalapena, black, white pepper)

    Yeah most dishes are not spicy

    Are there many gluten free options? Are many of the protein dishes gluten free?

    Don't see any GF options mentioned specifically in the menu.

    Do they have Valet parking service?

    They have valet parking but only in the evenings, and it is awkward to stop in the street given the location. There are, however, several parking garages in the vicinity so you can do whatever is most convenient for you.

    Is this place halal?

    I do not believe so

    What's the dress code here for dinner? Will I be able to get away with jeans and a nice top?

    Yes, you'll find a mix of people in terms of dress code. Some dressed in suits and some in jeans.

    Do they have free parking?

    No have to find street parking around there and that can be a nightmare depending on the day and time.

    View All 10 Questions

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    Chai Pani - Paneer tikka and disco bhel

    Chai Pani

    4.3(164 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Chai Pani completely blew me away and is easily going on my must-visit list every time I'm in DC…read more This was such a fun celebration of Indian street food, with every dish delivering incredible flavor. We ordered the sloppy jai (lamb sliders), lamb skewers, SPDP (sev puri/dahi puri), vada pav, chai with Parle-G biscuits, and jal jeera. Everything was fantastic, but the chai with Parle-G was pure nostalgia and brought back so many memories! The lamb dishes were flavorful and perfectly cooked, while the street food favorites were packed with the kind of bold flavors you'd expect from a great Indian chaat spot. Service was exceptional. The staff were attentive, friendly, and I especially appreciated that the servers actually pronounced the Indian dishes correctly--a small detail that made the experience even better. The vibe is lively, colorful, and incredibly welcoming. We went for lunch with a reservation, and I'd definitely recommend making one. They also have a pani puri stall on weekends, which is another reason to come back. Absolutely loved this place and can't wait to return the next time I'm in DC!

    We returned for a second lunch with our daughter--in-law who was visiting from Zanzibar, and were…read moreable to explore more of the menu. She liked the food just as much as we do -- this time we tried the catfish special , catfish koliwada (I confess I was disappointed to find that the dish came in fried bite-sized morsels instead of whole filet), plus the disco bhel, aloo tikki chaat, and lamb kala masala (my favorite of them all), as well as another kale pakora chaat. Our daughter-in-law wanted some extra spice and was brought a small plate with a few hot peppers and a very spicy pickle (a small extra charge). One disappointment was the very loud music blaring , making it harder to chat in a normal voice -- the maitre d' explained that it is equally loud throughout the restaurant, providing an atmosphere comparable to Mumbai. I was not impressed by that excuse (and besides, it was NOT that loud every where in Mumbai when we were there 25 years ago) Sill, good and interesting food. A recommended place

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    G.O.A.T. Room - Chicken Shammi Kabab Half Chilli Chicken

    G.O.A.T. Room

    4.5(236 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown

    Wow! We had such an amazing experience at Goat Room Indian Cuisine! Being from the Bay Area, where…read morewe have some incredible Indian food, I came in with high expectations--and this place completely exceeded them. Every dish was packed with rich, authentic flavors and perfectly balanced spices. We ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Veggie Korma, Shrimp Korma, garlic naan, cheese naan, plain naan, fragrant rice, and tea. The owner also recommended an appetizer, and we're so glad we listened because it was absolutely delicious! The service was just as outstanding as the food. The owner personally checked on us several times, made thoughtful recommendations, and made us feel so welcome. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. If you're looking for authentic, flavorful Indian cuisine with exceptional hospitality, this is the place. We loved every bite and can't wait to come back. Highly recommend!

    Great service, delicious food, and a great central location. The GOAT Room looks to give you the…read moreGreatest Of All Time experience and their food will certainly have me coming back. The Palaak chaat was packed with flavor, lamb samosas were really tasty, and I also enjoyed the spinach rolls. They have a number of share and signature dishes and Indian-fusion cocktails. The outdoor patio was nestled near a beautiful garden and the interior was modern and chic. Looking forward to another visit and coming back with a larger appetite.

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    G.O.A.T. Room - Aloo Tikki w/ tamarind sauce

    Aloo Tikki w/ tamarind sauce

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    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Goat Sekuwa

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar

    4.8(37 reviews)
    1.8 miH Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast

    This place is so good!! When we walked in there was only one other table with customers, and I…read morewondered if I had made a mistake. However, by the time we left they were packed, and everyone there enjoyed the bright atmosphere, attentive waitstaff, and delicious food. We tried several dishes--we got the fried chili buff momos. I will definitely get. Them again, but steamed. Honestly, I think that I could make an entire meal of momos. We got veggie samosas--standard--crisp, plump, a little salty, and good. We also got a creamy chicken dish and an okra (bhindi) dish. Both were very good. The service was exemplary--there was a team of four or five dedicated staff who rotated through with dishes and takeaways. Oh! I almost forgot the garlic naan--some of the best I have had. Definitely stop in and give this place some love!!

    We were actually looking for another restaurant in the area when we chanced upon this…read more This is not fast food. It may take awhile to get to the table but it was delicious. They tried to tone down some of the dishes as the hubster is a non-spicy person. The stuff still spicy , he stayed away from. We ordered a meal set for two to try a little bit of everything. We aren't experts in this type of cuisine, but there wasn't anything we didn't like. With the meal for 2 plus a side order of naan, we ended up making 2 lunch take out plates for us. I wasn't super hungry so that probably resulted in us taking more home. It was great, quiet and we'd come here again!

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    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Inside

    Inside

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Garlic Naan with Herbs

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    Daru - Chicken Tikka Masala

    Daru

    4.4(309 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Good quality food with unique fusions and creative add-ins to typical Indian dishes. It's…read morehigher-end, but not super elegant or fancy, instead it's more of a semi-casual atmosphere Definitely palatable for those who are new to Indian food or can't handle much spice. My Korean parents LOVED all the dishes! I thought everything was really yummy too, but personally, I wish it was spicier!! Mushroom Biryani (4.5/5) Solid biryani with a nice umami flavor from the mushrooms. I really like the bread top - you can dip it into any of the sauces you get. The fig raita is delicious too. Branzino (6/5) SO good. Beautiful, meaty fish. They didn't have the typical side that comes with it, so they replaced it with the cabbage, and it was honestly so good. I also really liked the sauce that came with it. Daal Burrata (2.5/5) Bland. It didn't really taste like much to me, and I don't think the creamy burrata added much to the dish. Chicken Tikka Masala (5/5) Yummy, tender chicken pieces. Probably the dish most similar to classic Indian food/takeout. Paneer Lasagna (3.5/5) Very unique dish! I liked the creamy sauce, but I wasn't a huge fan of the crunchy paneer bits. The saag flavor was also pretty light - I wanted MORE saag :) Very nice workers and a semi-casual interior. Service was good. Waiter helped us think through which dishes to order and how or why. Would recommend!! But don't expect your typical Indian takeout ;)

    I came here for dinner on Sunday. It turns out they have happy hour everyday so we got some happy…read morehour specials. Everything was great. For the side dal buratta, I don't think the buratta did much to add to the dish. Everything else was great though. My favorite was the scallops and bison momo. The service was great. It was quite crowded on the patio, so service was a little slow but the staff provided wonderful recommendations. The patio was also very comfortable and well-spaced. I would definitely come back to try more restaurants!

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    Daru - Seating

    Seating

    Daru - Carrot halwah

    Carrot halwah

    Daru - Bandit Queen

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    Bandit Queen

    Rania - Dhal Makhani, rice and garlic naan that came with the main course

    Rania

    4.5(270 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$$

    This was my first experience at a Michelin star restaurant. I opted to try the chef's tasting menu!…read more Service was beyond my expectations. I don't eat pork, so they made reasonable accommodations. I saw online that they're know for the happy hour and fun drinks! I did try a mocktail that paired really well well my dinner. Let's get into the food. I tried tuna tartare for the first time. I was nervous before I had never eaten that type of food. LOVED IT. because I had so many courses, I'll speak on my favorites. The Lamb Kebab was superb! I'd over it again on Wednesday's when they have à la carte. The dessert, the chocolate tart, remarkable. I'd definitely eat that again! The restaurant itself was very clean! It would be great for a date night! I did go by myself to fully enjoy the experience, but I'd love to return with a special someone!

    We came here for Restaurant Week lunch ($35 for three courses). Since Rania has a Michelin star, I…read morewas expecting service to be top-notch... it was mediocre. The first time I went to Rania, it was shortly before they had received a Michelin star, and service was truly exceptional. Since returning, the quality of service has continued to wane. We were actually celebrating two birthdays, but aside from the "Happy Birthday" wishes from the hostess checking in, no further birthday acknowledgments were given. We didn't make a big deal about the birthdays, so I'm not dinging them for it (just something to note). Service across the board was pretty taciturn. The first course dishes were great! They were brought out super quickly; it felt like an express lunch. I ordered the potato samosa, and my friends got the chicken kofta and shrimp koliwada. The samosa came with two pieces, the chicken kofta came with three meatballs, and the shrimp came with three pieces. I really enjoyed the shrimp koliwada which had a lightly crispy batter. The chicken kofta was served in a tasty creamy truffle sauce. The samosa was good but pretty standard - nothing special. My ranking would be 1) shrimp koliwada, 2) chicken kofta, and 3) samosa. For the second course, I ordered the monkfish moilee. As tempted as I was to order the cashew butter chicken, I've had it before and opted to try something new. (Note: Since this is fine-dining, Rania's take on butter chicken is chicken placed on top of the makhani sauce instead of marinated in it.) The upscale of it all takes away the saucy goodness that I love in a butter chicken curry. As for my moilee, I didn't feel like it was anything to write home about. The coconut curry was nice and velvety, and the monkfish was cooked fine, but it didn't wow me. I got to try my friend's short rib - while my piece was deliciously tender, her primary piece was fat, which was disappointing. I do appreciate the complimentary extras that were included with the meal - naan, basmati, and black daal - but portions were skimpy. I feel like I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth, but the black daal bowl was not even half-full - it was a very thin layer (shared amongst two people) - I suppose meant only to be a taste. While I get that the normal menu price is four courses for $90, the cost-cutting measures to slim down the offerings for a $35 three-course lunch were apparent... it felt like we got a third of a serving. We did enjoy dessert. I opted to try the Kesari Mango, which was a frozen yogurt (perfect for summer) with sesame brittle for texture. My friends ordered the chocolate tart which came with masala chai ice cream. I would definitely order the chocolate tart again - it was like a chocolate lava cake in the best way. The chocolate tart was the most memorable dish from the whole meal. Overall, I didn't leave feeling like I had a Michelin experience. Plating was refined, but admittedly, I was still hungry afterwards. We also sat in a booth and the table arrangement made it awkward for the server clearing plates and doing drink refills. I do think dessert is where Rania shines (I'm still thinking about that Shrikhand Mousse from my very first visit). They also have amazing, show-stopping drinks (but I'm not a big drinker). I'm not ruling Rania out completely, but I still prefer Rasika.

    Photos
    Rania - Table decor

    Table decor

    Rania - Gobhi Manchurian Tomato

    Gobhi Manchurian Tomato

    Rania - This is not lassi

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    This is not lassi

    Rasika - indpak - Updated September 2026

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