A friend suggested that we come here after I told her that I don't really like Indian food and I am so glad I listened to her. This was the best Indian food I've ever had in my life and I'm so happy that I agreed to come here. Every single thing that I ordered was so delicious and fresh and hot and the presentation was really just elegant. The servers were very attentive and nice. The atmosphere is beautiful. It's very well decorated, pretty clean, and I'm just so glad that I came here. This is definitely going to be one of my stops every time I come to Washington DC. If you think you do not like Indian food, just try this place before you write it off completely read more

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As a former DC resident, We have been dining at Rasika since it opened 20 years ago. When we come back to DC a couple of times a year, we always have to hit it at least once during the trip. We cook at home out of the Rasika cookbook often. Yes, the palak chaat is the star of the show. Went to their West End location last night. Overall impression was? Meh. Service was fine. Food? I remembered better. Portions were smaller and the naan used to be better. The real disappointment was the simple, ubiquitous papadums. What we got weren't traditional papadums but these puffy things that looked and tasted like commerciallymproduced facsimiles that came out of a bag; more like chips. Ditto for the chutneys which weren't chutneys but more like jarred sauce. Not impressed. We left feeling like what happens to fabulous restaurants that then become franchises. The group that owns Rasika owns 9 other restaurants in the area. We will go back to the Penn Quarter location and try again. read more

Finally was able to try Rasika after hearing so much about it. The best part of this restaurant are the flavors of each dish. The black rice truffle dosa was able to elevate the earthy flavors of the truffle well with the filling (it was there but balanced). My favorite dishes were the pista malai kofta and the paneer badami korma. The kofta sauce was divine and you need to get naan to soak up all the sauce. It was a bit small but so well flavored, especially with the cardamom in it. The paneer badami kofta had a slight sweetness to it and had a taste that was kind of homey and comforting. The nuttiness from the almonds really elevated this dish, and the saffron was vibrant. Our service could've been better and I wish the rice the paneer came with was bigger (I was confused when it came out). read more

Rasika West End - Pista Malai Kofta - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Pretty slow but very respectable service. They check in on you every 30min and make sure you're done with your appetizers and then serve your entree meal, and always fill your water! My friend and I really enjoyed the food and vibes here. Make sure you make a reservation because it was pretty busy on a Monday night! I think I can speak for both of us that the palak chaat was our favorite, but I really enjoyed my baingan bharta. read more

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I went here for my birthday and it was PACKED. The food was interesting (really good, but different than I expected). Each item had some sort of twist (like the samosa with sweet potatoes). It was a fun way to eat Indian food I've been eating my whole life. Our server was also the sweetest. I appreciated the decor as well. read more

Rasika West End - Chicken curries - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

If it's not on the menu, just ask. My teen really wanted butter chicken and they made it, even though not on the menu. And it was good. We ordered a variety of options to share and try. Highly recommend doing this to try more options and don't forget a basket of variety of breads. The sauces are so good. Service and atmosphere was also top notch. Definitely worth a visit when in area. Enjoy! read more

Such a fun culinary experience. We had the Tasting Menu with 10 dishes and 4 desserts. The process gave us plenty of time to relax and enjoy the evening. We sat at a tiny table in the corner and enjoyed food samplings spread out over a 2 hour period. The appetizer section was my favorite- so many new and unique flavors. The "main meal" included chicken tikka, lamb curry, okra and potatoes, and dal, of course with rice, naan, and paratha. The dessert topped everything off nicely. This was our Friday night entertainment instead of seeing a show or having drinks like many might do - and it was well worth the experience. read more

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We were able to get a table without a reservation seemingly only because we were willing to sit outside (and it had sprinkled). And let me just say it was delightful - far enough off the sidewalk, plenty of heaters, and they opened the umbrellas just in case. Service was perfect. Food was excellent. We did not have time to try the chocolate samosa dessert, but will be back. The rasika cocktail though was like a mimosa so id opt for something else. read more

Rasika West End - Patio - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Rasika is always on our list when we visit DC. It's just so good!!! I could eat a bowl of chaat on my own - it's always the perfect blend of flavor and texture. Service is always good, whether we're there for lunch or dinner. read more

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I'd just landed on a hot afternoon and discovered this spot on my way to my hotel. They have a lovely outdoor patio. The food, wine, and service were very good. I love that the offer dosas as a GF option. read more

Connected with some friends who were in the area on vacation and we had dinner at Rasika West End. This was our first time there. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful. For dinner we had: Palak Chaat (Crispy spinach) Chicken Tikka Masala Butter Chicken (not on the menu but they made it for the kids) Cauliflower Bezule Kadhai Gosht (Lamb) Bhindi Aloo (Okra) Everything was so good! The stars of the show for the kids (10, 10, and 12) were the Palak Chaat, Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken and the Naan. Now the adults loved it also but the kids were asking for seconds. Butter Chicken is my daughter's favorite Indian dish. We appreciated that though it's not on the menu, they made it for her. Overall the food was exceptional as was the service. Parking was a little tough so we opted to pay the $15 valet. Overall it was a great experience and I highly recommend. You would not be disappointed!!! read more

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Great food and a friendly stylish updated Indian restaurant. The biryani was excellent as was pretty much everything we tried. I recommend getting a reservation, but we walked in and only had to wait about 10 minutes on a Friday night so it was packed, but we still managed to get in. Nothing but good things to say read more

Restaurant Week Review After constantly talking about this place, my boyfriend and I decided to check them out for summer restaurant week. Cost: $55 per person with a 20% gratuity charge added to the final bill. Ambiance: MAGNIFICENT! The decor was breathtaking and provided a rich cultural story through its artwork, layout, and color schemes. As mentioned, this was a restaurant week try so here are the selection breakdown: Drinks: Sania- fantastic cocktail!!!! Thanks to the spiced-pear infused honey which took this drink over the top. It easily became one of my favorite cocktails and I only needed one glass to move me through the evening. Meera- it's an old fashion with a herb twist. My boyfriend enjoyed it but said that my drink won, hands down. Appetizers: Scallop Moilee-spice level: balanced. The scallops, coconut milk, and green chilies blended together to provide a comforting warm taste. The scallops of course, were perfectly seared and while swimming in the coconut milk, it somehow maintained a seared/creamy flavor. Absolutely delicious! Crab Ghee Roast- spice level: spicy! While I must say that I didn't immediately get crab flavor from the dish, the herbs and spices in this recipe were incredible. It's a dish that requires water to reset your palate because the spice lingered a bit. Of course, when something taste that good, you simply don't want it to end lol Entrees: Kadhi Gosht (lamb dish) spice level: balanced-a shining star! This was easily my favorite dish of the night because the lamb was juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. Paired with the most delectable sauce, this dish presented a rich blend of herbs and spices-making it stand out on its own with some of that buttery naan. Paired with jasmine rice, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Chingri Malai Curry (shrimp curry) presentation: 10/10. Spice level: balanced! This dish was very calming, although presented in a coconut husk, you still tasted the seafood and curry flavors. My boyfriend complimented it upon first bite, I had a bite and can confirm that it was indeed delicious. Dessert: Bebinca- sweetness level: low. This dessert was stellar and a key part to that was the fresh mint flavor which was felt in every bite. The chocolate ice cream didn't add or take away from the dish, but the pastry itself stood out and was remarkable! Gulab Jamun-sweetness level: high. This dessert was fun and I'm glad that I didn't have too much of it because it does pack a sweet donut rush. The ice cream pairing was just right but the dessert indeed won my vote. Overall, our dining experience was worth every dime and given the wonderful first-time experience, I can confidently return to the restaurant to try some of their other dishes. Highly recommend! Secure your reservations. read more

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3.5 overall but you can't do half stars here. We were able to get a reservation with ease which was great. The food was good. Our server gave me the gluten free highlighted menu and let me know about the cross contamination. He was very knowledgeable and pleasant. I ordered the Scottish salmon tandoori with the saffron rice. Good but overcooked. Our server also hooked me up with some chickpea naan. While the naan was good, I started reacting to it so I wouldn't get it again. I have other food intolerances so it may not have been gluten cross contamination. Our waiter also had the kitchen make us palak chaat using chickpeas flour. It was truly amazing. They don't have dedicated fryers so I'd asked more questions or avoid if you have celiacs. The manager also came by the table to say hello and ask how everything was going. I did appreciate that. Where I take off points is the other staff. For a higher priced restaurant, the rest of the service staff weren't that great or friendly. I've had better service at lower cost restaurants in the area. I just wasn't blown away. Also, the bathroom wasn't the tidiest. Nicely decorated but not tidy. I expected a little more. So overall the experience was a little underwhelming but good food. Will stick to my go-to Indian spots. read more

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Rasika is perfect for celebrations, serving mouthwatering Indian dishes in a fine dining setting. While I did not love their murg badami korma, everything else was delicious. My favorite, by far, was the palak chaat. It is a crispy spinach dish with yogurt, tamarind, and other ingredients - a perfectly light course. The cocktails, like kaminee and sheela, were great, too. Moreover, their service was wonderful. I loved our waiter, Shiva, who was exceptionally attentive and friendly. Thank you for a wonderful evening. read more

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I've been debating for awhile whether to review this place when I personally had such a negative experience that I left before ordering. I do think this review could be beneficial for others with a number of severe food allergies, but I want to be clear about how the restaurant tried to rectify the situation because my bad experience wouldn't necessarily reflect the experience of others. The reservation site requires you to input any allergies ahead of time so that they can accommodate you. I've used this many times before at other restaurants and never had an issue. In my experience, restaurants will be prepared with the allergy ticket at arrival. I have also eaten at numerous Indian restaurants before without issue, and I had a friend with me who had suggested this place because Indian restaurants are usually accommodating, in their experience. When I sat down at our table and mentioned my allergies, the waiter immediately said that I chose the wrong restaurant. This struck me as quite rude, and I was shocked because I have eaten at so many restaurants in my life and have never been told that. It left a bad taste in my mouth, but we continued to try to work something out. They were unaware of my allergens, so they went to print the allergen ticket and discuss with the chef. When they returned, they pointed to 2 items on the menu. Both of those had my worst allergens in them. At this point I was starting to get concerned for my safety if I were to eat what they prepared. After identifying those allergens on the pre-written reservation ticket, they spoke with the chef again and said they could make a dish from scratch. To be fair, they were doing their due diligence to rectify the issue, however, at this point I was concerned about the attitude toward my allergies and their mistake in suggesting what would be safe to eat. We decided to leave and went to Chef Geoff's down the street. I recommend you compare my experiences at these two restaurants if you have food allergies. Overall I was honestly shocked and mortified because I have never had an issue like this at any restaurant in my entire allergy-ridden life. read more

Again, one of my favorite restaurants in the world lol. Tried the West End location this time and it was still amazing, like I knew it would be lol. Absolutely beautiful restaurant with an amazing layout and design! The staff at this location was amazing as well! My best advice is try everything, it's great! Lol I partook in the usual with the Mango Shrimp, Palak Chaat, Tawa Baingan and Garlic Naan w/ Herbs. As usual they were all phenomenal. read more

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So, I've had Rasika on my list for quite some time now and finally had the opportunity to try them (the Dupont Circle location). We came here for an early dinner and sat on the patio and had a beautiful experience! For appetizers, we tried the Mango Shrimp and the Sweet Potato Samosa which were absolutely delicious. Both dishes were flavored well and left us wanting more, however, we were saving room for the entrees. For my main dish, I had the Chicken Tikka Masala with some Garlic Naan, which were okay. I think I was expecting a little more umph for the chicken and more garlic for naan. The service here was also really good. Our waiter gave his honest POV for dish recommendations, which I thoroughly appreciated. I just wish that I would have tried the duck dish that he recommended rather than going to my norm. He also was very thoughtful in honoring our friendship day with their unique dessert! Overall, great experience. If ever in the area again and craving Indian food, I will definitely opt to go back to try the duck dish. read more

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Rasika's reputation is legendary in the DMV - and it deserves every bit of praise. Simply one of the best Indian food restaurants you will find in the US, and it is in our nation's capital to boot! Every single dish here is magic, but if I were to steer you in a general direction, I would say don't miss a main on the tandoori (salmon is unstoppable), Palak Chaat is a must, their Dal Dhungaree and honestly any other dish on the menu. Priced reasonably affordable for the DMV, it is a great stop for both business and pleasure. The decor and interior is one that is highly modern, with white table cloths, but the ambiance is lively, and the clientele is one that is not afraid to use the naan appropriately to scoop up the delicious curries. I bring friends and business clients here, and it is a perfect experience for both. Plus, if you are in the mood for takeout, the service is incredibly fast and reliable. They have their operation down to an art form. See you next time at Rasika! read more

Boyfriend and I came by for our anniversary dinner to try their tasting menu. I always recommend Rasika to friends visiting from out of town because I know how well-rated it is, but this was my first time actually trying Rasika myself. And it was AMAZING. The tasting menu is $80 and I also got the wine pairing (an additional $45). Honestly for the quality, taste, and variety of foods and wines, this was super worth it. We left completely stuffed and even took leftovers home. The dinner started off with a tomato soup poured into a little cup of sun dried tomatoes and cilantro and served with a piece of papadam. This soup was so flavorful and delicious - it was just the right amount of flavor bomb. A bit spicy. Papadam was light and crispy, fried to perfection. Next we got the sweet potato samosa (in purse form) over cranberry chutney and a puri bite on top of a mango chutney. These were so delicious, the mango chutney was especially delicious. This course made me even hungrier. Then we got the palak Chaat which I heard so many rave things about. It was so good!!! Idk how they get their spinach so crispy like that, but it was one of the best chaats I've ever had. Would devour a bowl of this. They gave a good amount for the tasting menu tbh. Next was the chili sea bass in the bamboo leaf. It had caramelized cardamom spices, which worked so well with the lemon squeezed on top. And the little side salad was a perfect palate cleanser. The wine paired with this course was probably my favorite - so light and easy to drink. Next was the reshmi chicken kabab - this is basically a chicken seekh kabab. It was juicy and light and flavorful without being overpowering. The mint chutney it came with was spicy and a perfect matchup. Next was the entree - saffron basmati rice with 4 curries and a mint paratha and naan. Delicious! My favorite curries were the chicken Tikka masala, lamb kadhai, and the dal dungharee. The okra + potatoes were good but nothing crazy special. I just wish the mint paratha had more of a mint flavor. At this point we were stuffed, but needed to save some room for the dessert course - which was a date pudding cake thing, black rice kheer topped with flaky coconut, gulab jamun, and cardamom ice cream. I really appreciated that you get to try all these desserts. Each one hit in a different way! Some weren't too sweet, but the others we're just as sweet as they were meant to be. The dessert wine was a perfect end to this. My boyfriend got the Rasika cocktail which was like a passion fruit puree mimosa. Super tasty and light. Service was freaking amazing. Invisible hands taking empty cups and plates. Our server made sure to explain every course, and took care of us without being overbearing. He even covered the Rasika cocktail on the house for us. What a sweetie. Ambiance here can be both intimate for a couple, or casual for a friend or family gathering. We will absolutely be back to try more things from the menu!! read more

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The restaurant was super busy when we went on a Wednesday night so we had to wait a bit to get seated despite having a reservation. The food is great but as a south Asian, it's a lot of interesting fusion combinations that I didn't care for. For instance, my rasmalai (pictured) was so different from what I'm used to taste wise. The biryani and lamb chops were delicious though and I'd go back just for that. The ambiance was loud and people were seen celebrating special occasions read more

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As soon as we finished checking into our hotel we took a Lyft across town for a 10 p.m. dinner at Rasika. It was featured in an episode of "Somebody Feed Phil" and that show has never done us wrong. We followed Phil's advice and got their famous crispy spinach salad (palak patta chaat). I get chaat often but had never had this particular dish before. It was the daughter's favorite and she usually doesn't do Indian food or spinach. (I should mention that she can't handle food that's too spicy and also has a cashew allergy so that's why Indian food is usually out. One nice thing about Rasika is that they are very clear about their allergens so we felt safe having her eat here.) Anyway, crispy spinach salad is now something I like to order at my local chaat house, though Rasika's is better. We also had sweet potato samosas. Three came to an order and I wish they had offered us four for a little extra. The daughter liked the sev puri, too. Compared to other places we go the sev puri portion was small for the price. I'm still trying to decide my feelings on the tawa cauliflower. I've had better chicken tikka masala, but still it was good and a decent-sized portion unlike at other restaurants. We had plain and garlic naan and both were fine. We ordered chaat and other items that weren't entrees to keep costs down, but also because those sounded best. Our meal for four came to $120 after a 20% tip. We appreciated the service and enjoyed trying new stuff, but was it really better than Chaat Bhavan back home in the Bay Area? read more

This restaurant is only two blocks from my office and as a result, we go there often. I have never been disappointed at this location for the downtown location in DC. I always start off with Palat Chaat I have ordered that's about every dish that has chicken, vegetables, and or fish. I highly recommend. read more

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I love the food here and somehow every time I'm in DC we end up going back. The spinach chat is the best. We love the chicken tikka masala. This time we tried the bindhi and kofta which were delicious too. The paneer tikka is a great alternative for vegetarians. Our server was super helpful and took pictures for us when we were trying to get a selfie. The restaurant is beautiful inside and the tables are well spaced. read more

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Food was ok I as surprised After reading reviews I m Not impressed at all Too spicy and u can't adjust the spice levels and the fact the expensive Indian restaurant Use canola oils !!! In all the dishes is so upsetting It should of been ghee Just like it's suppose to be in authentic Indian cooking Where can you go to get genuine Indian food this days?!! I read more

Rasika West End - Chicken tandoori extremely spicy - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a feast. Had dinner with my old college roommate, and Rasika came highly recommended - now I know why! I was seated promptly after arriving a smidge early through torrential rain for a 7:15pm reservation. Beer list was good, and I enjoyed the specialty craft beer they have brewed exclusively. The menu was extensive and unique, and everything we ordered was fantastic. The keema-stuffed naan was a particular favorite, as was the creamy and delicious mango lassi. This was a GREAT meal - one of the best I've had in a long time, and I will for sure be back next time I am fortunate enough to be in our nations capital. read more

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The food here is always amazing! I haven't had one thing that wasn't good. Everything is super flavorful. The service is excellent and the ambiance is so pretty. read more

Food was delicious. I had the fish (sea bass) chili garlic that was MOUTHWATERING, palak chat (crispy spinach) was a bit greasy and too sweet after a few bites, bhindi aloo (okra & potatoes) were DELICIOUS, and garlic naan was yummy. Service was great, at the bar area. Ambiance (at the bar) was a mix of happy hour and folks who just wanted some delicious Indian food. Totally hit the spot and would definitely come back to try the other menu items! read more

Rasika West End - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

First night on our DC family vacation. The quality of food and service were exceptional. Thank you! read more

Food was amazing but the service was even better. My wife had her bday the next day and they still gave us a dessert. Super classy experience from a well run, fun place. read more

Been meaning to try Rasika for years, and we finally made an event of it. Decided to order the Tasting Menu with wine pairing before heading to a holiday show. First of all, the decor is so well done. Lovely mix of fresh and interesting design esthetic, with an elegant architectural feel mixed with cosy elements. Really loved how the whole place flowed together. Also, the service was super attentive, personable and present without being overbearing. Super friendly, and enjoyable to talk with about the various dishes and wines. The Tasting Menu was well worth doing (and was very filling), but I admit to having favorite dishes. - The broth / tea at the start was warm, tasty, and filling. Beautiful way to kick off the meal - The palaak chat was so tasty. A mixed of fresh and bright flavors with crunch and texture. My only criticism is the bowl offered was perhaps too generous for a tasting menu, because I had no room for the last few courses - The sea bass wrapped in banana leaf was my actual favorite. So many flavors all at once. It just made you want to close your eyes and savor - And finally, I adored the cardamom ice cream. I only wish I could keep some in my freezer, as it sated something deep inside. read more

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I am not a very experienced diner of Indian food, so I was glad to be with people who knew a lot more than I did. We started our meal with the mango shrimp and sweet potato samosas - they were both very good! We picked a variety of options to share for our main course. We selected the chicken tikka masala, lamb biryani, chicken kolhapuri and zucchini corn kadi. Everything was delicious! I expected the lamb biryani to be my favorite, but the flavor was so powerful on everything else that they surpassed all expectations! I wasn't sure to expect from dessert, but the chocolate samosa was outstanding and the ice cream that came with it was even better! read more

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We came here for a group dinner. We decided to have things family style and ordered many options to try. I particularly liked the eggplant dish, but most people in our group appeared to enjoy other dishes as well like the lentils and chicken. It is a pit pricey considering the other places in the DMV area that are just not good if not better for much cheaper prices. read more

Came here for dinner and I thought it was pretty good!! We got the lamb kabob for appetizer and it was so flavorful and delicious!! We inhaled it!! Next we got the red snapper and the duck vindaloo and the red snapper was out of this world so delicious!!! The duck vindaloo was not good to be honest, it was sour and the duck meat was very tough and not tender at all read more

Rasika West End - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

9 Dec. 2025 We keep giving Rasika (West End) a third and fourth chance, only to be disappointed. Ordered takeout (for 2 minute walk away). The naan they served us would shame any Indian mother. Completely unacceptable. Doughy. Half cooked. Half the dishes we ordered were cold, including the seekh kebab and the palak chaat (which should have been room temperature to warm). (We understand that things like Kebabs are potentially pre-made and then finished on a grill before plating - but it is not too much to ask that they are hot.) The lamb biryani was barely warm, insipid, and inedible. The chunks of lamb were as tough as shoe leather. The rice mixture was under-spiced and blah, missing all of the sophistication of a good biryani. If this is the best Rasika can do, they should take this dish off the menu. The fish chilli garlic in banana leaf and the chicken tikka masala were reliably good. On average, the meal was made up of more "failed to meet expectations" than "met expectations," which at this price point and with Rasika's reputation is just unacceptable. Nothing exceeded expectations. Not sure what is going on in Rasika's kitchen, but they should be able to reliably deliver well-prepared naan and warm food. A famed Indian restaurant that cannot produce a good naan is like a French boulangerie that cannot produce a good baguette. read more

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The only good Indian food in DC!! I love the shrimp with the mango sauce. The interior is beautiful and the service is good. read more

Rasika West End - Indian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place never disappoints. After years of coming here for dinner, I finally attended for lunch. It was a different but still interesting and excellent menu. The scallops and sweet potato samosas were fabulous. The service was great as usual. Always nice when an old favorite continues to deliver in DC. read more

Rasika West End came HIGHLY recommended to me as one of the best Indian restaurants in DC -- and it was conveniently located in front of the hotel I was staying in. We walked in on a weekday without a reservation and were told that it'd be at least an hour wait unless we sat in the corner where the A/C was broken. Hungry and looking forward to trying the food, we agreed. Our party of 3 all opted for the tasting menu. Could I tell you the name of all the dishes we tried? No, but i can tell you that it is VERY filling even if you don't finish each plate. I was an especially big fan of dessert and the dessert wine it was paired with. It was SO incredibly tasty. We probably stayed longer than we should have (chatting and feasting), but the staff were incredibly kind, patient, and attentive. Note: if you don't like cilantro, a lot of the dishes here might not be for you! read more

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This place is amazing. We got the Duck and Chicken Tika both were excellent. Perfect service and great atmosphere. Will be back again.

Came in a Wednesday night about 1/2 hour before closing and sat at the bar. Was pretty much ignored a bit. We reached over and got our own menus Then Farouk took care of us. Lamb shank, dal dhungaree,Banian bharta, Hindi aloo. Omg all the food was amazing. Wine and port later were awesome. read more

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