Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Tapori

    4.6 (69 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Tapori Takeout or Delivery

    Tapori Photos

    Business Info

    TAPORI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Tapori

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    ida s.

    Food was delicious as were the drinks. Interesting flavors and different. All dishes were good! Cocktails are balanced, not too sweet. They also felt lighter abv so you can have two and not feel totally sloshed. Place was busy. Service was good too.

    Butter Chicken
    Rachel B.

    Tapori exceeded expectations! We walked in on a Sunday night without a reservation as a party of two, and I think we were lucky to get seated because it was busy! The restaurant is beautifully decorated with artwork and dim lighting. We had a little secluded booth with beads draping around our table. We tried the ragda pattice, tapori naan, butter chicken and dum biryani. Everything was delicious. They did a table side torching of the butter onto the butter chicken dish. It was flavorful and filling! We had a great experience and will definitely recommend Tapori.

    Macchi Kebab ($28)
    Ameya B.

    Made reservations and were given a comfortable booth seating closer to their kitchen which was busy throughout the night! Our server, Nishita, who also happened to be from Bombay, was full of energy and enthusiasm, and it was a no-brainer for us to stick with Nishi's recommendations for our order. Our order consisted of Lotus Root Chaat ($14) which is something that we'd highly recommend, Spicy Seekh Kebab, Podi Masala Dosa ($22), Achari Macchi Kebab ($28), and Dum Biryani ($34). The Macchi Kebab is made with Salmon - and in my opinion, even Indian spices fall short of making salmon drop its rather fishy and strong taste - a wonderful dish though! The Dum Biryani is tasty, although does lack enough meat pieces. Packed with flavor though. For dessert we got the Rasmalai Cheesecake ($12) and Nishi was kind enough and very friendly towards our little one, and got him a Gulab Jamun ($12) on the house. The Cheesecake might be enjoyable for those who like a cheesecake and were curious to see an Indian take on it. Food overall matched our expectations, was flavorful, and we had a fantastic experience. Food arrived within 20 mins of ordering and as it was ready. Specific shout out to Nishita for excellent service! We will definitely recommend this place to our friends and family and will visit again whenever we are in DC!

    Friends
    Rumesh V.

    This is my favorite Indian restaurant in DC. I like other Indian restaurants in DC, they have great selection of food from various parts of India. We were here to celebrate our friend's 40th birthday party. Most of us in the group were here for the first time. We ordered almost everything on their menu to share and taste everything. Podi masala dosa and cauliflower 65 are my favorites. I liked it so much that I came here the next day during their happy hours. For entrees, definitely recommend the whole tandoori chicken and shrimp kitchdi. Kitchdi is Indian style porridge. It's very delicious as it's made with rice and lentils. I was so full for desserts. I tried a little of kulfi. It was alright. Highly recommend this place. The service was phenomenal. I don't remember the name of our server, but she was so energetic and matched our vibes. Great recommendation for cocktails and food.

    Loved this!
    Tamara M.

    The spread was amazing. The service was great. It had a bustling atmosphere, family style seats in the middle and the bar was packed with people there.

    Masala broccoli
    Kelly M.

    Another awesome visit to Tapori. It was a friend's birthday and they kindly brought us a comped dessert with a candle. Service was excellent overall, and we enjoyed all the food. Food: Some veggie patty with dal, don't remember what it was called but it was delicious Dosa: didn't taste but looked good Veggie kulcha: amazing Butter chicken: reported to be amazing Paneer chop: huuuge piece of cheese. Sooo tasty but prob better for sharing! Squash: really unique dish! Delicious! Loved the pumpkin sauce Kulfi dessert: such an unusual thing for me, tasted incredible Galub jamun: small but really delicious Small place, better for small parties and make sure to get a reservation. It was COMPLETELY full.

    Mumbai Vadapav  ... yumm spicy,
    Neha F.

    Tapori absolutely nailed it! The modern Indian small plates concept is executed beautifully -- every dish was bursting with bold, vibrant flavors and creative twists. We were celebrating a double birthday, and the experience felt extra special thanks to Nishita. She was energetic, genuinely engaged, and incredibly attentive all evening & catered impeccably to our gluten free request . The sweetest surprise? Desserts and pani puri on the house -- such a thoughtful touch that made our celebration unforgettable. She even got the head chef Baburam to meet us so we could give our candid feedback Amazing food, impeccable service, and the perfect celebratory vibe -- Tapori is officially a favorite!

    Dum Biryani
    Babafemi B.

    FABULOUS. What really blew us away was the dosa AND the galub jalum. The dosa was thin and crispy and its paired with an assortment of rich sauces on the side. I could not tell you what those sauces were, but they were gone in less than 5 minutes that's how delicious they were. The cool lemongrass icecream drizzled with chocolate on top of the rose water soaked cake paired with the crunch of whatever was underneath was something special. Lovely ambiance, incredible service, easy reservations. Honestly an all around great experience.

    Gorgeous and warm!
    Desiree A.

    Superbly crafted food in a warm and inviting environment. We particularly loved the wagyu beef dumplings, lamp chops, and goat biryani. The service was impeccable--swift, friendly, attentive, and informed.

    V K.

    Tapori was our fifth indian dining spot during our trip but arguably should have been number one! The menu is progressive and within budget, the food and drinks are works of art, and the ambience is inviting. Don't mistake this place for a street food kinda spot - it has an eclectic vibe with top notch food options and craft cocktails that'd make your day. Shoutout to EJ at the bar & the chefs - true food artists making this a must stop for desi food done right!

    Dosa
    Manasa P.

    As a South Indian, I adore this restaurant. It mixes all of the flavors well. The service is great and creates a very welcoming environment. I have gone alone multiple times for a solo happy hour, a girls night and small group dinner and I'm satisfied every time.

    Surge C.

    A delicious dinner and cocktail spot on H St. my friends and I came here as a walk-in and lucked out with bar seating. We shared the pani puri, chapli kebab, jhol momos, and achari macchi kebab. The pani puri was very flavorful and perfect snack to share. The jhol momos had a delicious broth chili and the wagyu was very well seasoned. If you're a lamb fan, you definitely need to get the chapli kebab which comes on top of saffron naan. My favorite dish was the achari maachi kebab. The salmon was perfectly cooked and the skin was delightfully crispy. It came with pickled vegetables and quinoa (not your average quinoa), which paired so well with the salmon. So glad this new concept from the owners of Daru opened up.

    Cheese kulcha
    Lauren F.

    The happy hour here was absolutely wonderful! I loved the cauliflower in particular - such a great spice level and so crispy! The dosa was delicious and again had that great crispy/soft contrast. We loved the butter chicken and naan, and we dipped the cheesy kulcha in it as well, which was a winning move. I'm so glad I ordered the ragda pattice. The texture of the patty was so good and the lentils were super filling. The vada pav was good but I just wish it came with a sauce (onions were great though). The kebab was the only item we didn't love taste-wise, but the rest were a home run and we'll be back for sure! I left absolutely stuffed and I thought the prices were more than reasonable for the amount of food I ate (I could have easily brought soke home but I liked it too much). Service was a little slow but everyone was super nice. The decor is gorgeous and I like the dim, cozy vibe. I'm curious about some of the mains but honestly I would come back just for the happy hour!

    Bar patrons

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike W.
    60
    706
    9

    11 days ago

    Great happy hour situation. Yummy food and very friendly staff. We've been several times.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan M.
    654
    1222
    128

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of V K.
    5
    80
    1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daniel Y.
    80
    57
    77

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maria N.
    5
    105
    62

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jack G.
    2
    44
    54

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Tapori Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tapori

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Indian 13,362 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Chai Pani - Paneer tikka and disco bhel

    Chai Pani

    4.3(158 reviews)
    0.6 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!

    The beauty of all the decorations are captivating and then you walk in and see not only more…read moredesigns but you smell the food!!! Came in without a reservation and luckily it wasn't too busy and we were able to get a seat at the bar. Ordered several vegetarian options and when they came out I was not disappointed. If you are not into spicy foods, make sure to let them know for every dish you need if down a notch or just inquiry ask, some of the dishes are spicy. The spicy ketchup they have can also be spicy to some. Remember they also have hours that they close after a portion of linch time, and reopen around dinner time. All in all, I will be back again!!

    Photos
    Chai Pani - Merchandise for sale

    Merchandise for sale

    Chai Pani - Lamb Kala Masala

    Lamb Kala Masala

    Chai Pani - Ribs

    See all

    Ribs

    Rasika - Garlic Naan

    Rasika

    4.2(4.1k reviews)
    1.4 miPenn Quarter
    $$

    Dimily-lit Michelin recommended Indian restaurant with both phenomenal food and service…read more 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

    Rasika is a restaurant I really wanted to love, especially given its reputation, and the food…read moredefinitely 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.

    Photos
    Rasika
    Rasika - Mango shrimp

    Mango shrimp

    Rasika - Dal Makhni

    See all

    Dal Makhni

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

    G.O.A.T. Room

    4.5(235 reviews)
    1.6 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.

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

    Aloo Tikki w/ tamarind sauce

    G.O.A.T. Room - Plate from the G.O.A.T. Room special

    See all

    Plate from the G.O.A.T. Room special

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Goat Sekuwa

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar

    4.8(37 reviews)
    0.5 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!

    Photos
    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Inside

    Inside

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Garlic Naan with Herbs

    Garlic Naan with Herbs

    Nanglo Restaurant & Bar - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Bombay Street Food - Bahel

    Bombay Street Food

    4.3(637 reviews)
    2.9 miColumbia Heights
    $$

    i have dined in and ordered carry out from here and both are always great! the owner is always very…read morekind and staff is attentive. they are happy to accommodate vegans and adjust spice level if you need it. if you have not tried indian street food outside of samosas i highly recommend trying something from their appetizer menu! my go-to's are vada pav (fried potato mixture in a fluffy bun with crispy toppings and chutney) and bhel puri (a mixture of puffed rice, puris, peanuts, fresh toppings like cilantro, onions, and tomato, indian spices, with a tamarind chutney and green chutney drizzled overtop). the combination of soft, crispy, spicy, tangy, sweet, and fresh seriously shines in indian street food. there is a mural of anthony bourdain holding 2 vada pav's on the wall which is cute. the gulab jamun dessert is a perfect warm, comforting, and not too sweet bite after dinner. love em!

    I'm pretty much in a constant state of craving paneer so decided to stop in and try Bombay Street…read moreFood! I was able to be seated right away on a Thursday night and service was great and attentive. I started with the palak chat which is a crispy fried spinach topped with yogurt and chutney. This was so good and it's such a light app even though the portion is huge! I had the paneer tikka masala with garlic naan and it definitely satisfied my craving! The paneer is in bigger slices than a typical cube which was a little odd but actually I think the portion was generous! I had two meals between my paneer/rice (which was included yay) and naan. Prices were a little high, I paid $44 with tip so maybe not a go to takeout place. I enjoyed the ambiance inside with all the murals and art!

    Photos
    Bombay Street Food - Drink selection

    Drink selection

    Bombay Street Food - Keema Pav

    Keema Pav

    Bombay Street Food - Keema Pav

    See all

    Keema Pav

    Pappe - Fish Chittnad

    Pappe

    4.0(586 reviews)
    1.9 miLogan Circle, Downtown
    $$$

    I went to Pappe in DC for happy hour with a friend and had such a great time. I originally wanted…read moreto go because I saw they had a $24 butter chicken meal deal that comes with a glass of wine or beer, and it definitely did not disappoint from 5-7. The butter chicken was AMAZING -- super flavorful, rich, and honestly a really generous portion. It was easily enough to have leftovers for lunch the next day, which made the deal even better. During happy hour they also have $3, $8, and $10 bites, and $10 margaritas, which is such a great value. I tried one of the $3 bites and it was so flavorful and well done. Honestly sooooo good! It was the vegetable Samosa and it's soooo good! The whole experience was great and the food had so much flavor. This was my first time coming here, but it definitely won't be my last. It honestly feels like a bit of a hidden gem for happy hour in DC.

    A true gem on 14th street!…read more My dining experience here was nothing short of magical. There is something special about a restaurant whose decor tells a story of culture and beauty. This place brings South Asian culture to DC and the evidence of that is the beautiful black and white portrait collections with DC sprinkled throughout it. See if you can spot it in the image I posted! I loved it Next, their hospitality was excellent!!!!!! From the time that you walked through the doors, you're immediately greeted. Then, as soon as you sit at the table, the wait staff is attentive to your needs and uses such care to keep your water glass refilled and your table cleared between meals. Thank you! Drinks: we were there for the happy hour so we both wanted to try something special. I ordered the Chai espresso martini and my boyfriend ordered the Pili margarita. The Chai espresso martini was GOLDEN! If this drink were to go up for cocktail of the year, it would come out on top. Might I say that chai is something that you can mess up and I've had encounters where it was watered down, not the case here. I tasted the fresh and real chai and the richly brewed espresso. This drink wasn't just a martini, it warranted deep conversation with each sip. My boyfriend raved about his Pili margarita and talked about how excellent it was to taste fresh mangoes, a burst of citrus, and spiciness. A beautiful culinary combination Safe to say that both drinks were our favs!!! I also had a glass of their white wine and it was dry and refreshing. Well done! Food: we ordered several dishes from the happy hour menu. Please note that they aren't shy of providing excellent portions. Manchurian wings: a star dish! The fry on the wings were perfect but the seasoning puts this dish over the top. Highly recommended! Vegetable samosa: flaky dough with the most delectable sautéed vegetables. You'd definitely want to try a few of these! Gobi manchurian: a beautiful dish for non-meat eaters and meat eaters. Similarly to the wings, these cauliflowers were perfectly fried and seasoned to perfection. Actually, at one point, I thought that I was eating a meat dish because it was so tender and juicy inside. Please don't miss ordering these! Spicy chicken tikka: the dish that makes you ask "what spices are in this? They're EXCELLENT!" Such a juicy and tender cut with the perfect blend of flavors. Order, order, order! I think it's safe to say that we enjoyed ALL of our selections and appreciated the modern twist on Indian food classics. They didn't stray too far from the beauty of these dishes but added just enough personality to win you over. Lastly, we ordered dessert! We originally went with their bread pudding which came with cardamom ice cream but the amazing host, Dave, surprised us with their special Gulab jamun. The cardamom ice cream was AHHH-MAY-ZIN (spelled how I need you to say it!) it was amazing! But let's get into this bread pudding. I have so many questions: who is the pastry chef? How did they master such perfect bread pudding? Also, why is this dessert SO GOOD?! Best bread pudding and ice cream EVER! And I don't say that often about much bread puddings. The Gulab jamun was also my favorite because it wasn't sweet as the others and I felt so satisfied taking bites of this with the beautiful ice cream they placed on top. It's a no brainer that I'm coming back soon and that I'm going to try their dinner menu next. Please make the reservations and go support this spot, you won't regret it!

    Photos
    Pappe - Pappe Ambiance

    Pappe Ambiance

    Pappe - Mussels Malabar

    Mussels Malabar

    Pappe - Lamb Taar Gosht

    See all

    Lamb Taar Gosht

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Palak chat ($10)

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen

    4.4(83 reviews)
    1.3 miCapitol Hill
    $$

    Jab We Met remains a must try in DC Indian cuisine!…read more If you're on date night, catching up with friends, in a group or just looking for tasty take out, Jab We Met checks all the boxes. Lively atmosphere, with modern decor and great music at all times. Best of all the food is ever evolving with Indian favorites and inventive new plates!

    This place is a solid high 3*, but I bumped it up to 4* because they have good customer service,…read moreoffer a lunch special, happy hour, and discounts on dinner during the week and takeout. Considering there is a 5* Indian restaurant across the street, it is difficult to not compare this restaurant to it. Jab We Met has your customary authentic Indian cuisine, however, in typical American fashion some of the flavor and heat is dialed down or inconsistent. The first time I visited, I was left wanting more in the flavor department. I asked for spicy, and although what I received would be considered spicy to some, it wasn't nearly as spicy as I expected for Indian cuisine. The depth of flavor can be inconsistent, although for American standards it is perfect. What I've experienced with some Indian restaurants is the flavor level depends on how close the batch is to almost empty. I've experienced some restaurants stretch their gravies by adding stock/water. Jab We Met seems to take pride in serving consistent gravy texture and consistency. The customer service is always good. The inside has an upscale decor, fitting for Capitol Hill and not your traditional Indian restaurant. There is a full size bar and window seating.The lunch special is perhaps the best value here. I'll continue to visit.

    Photos
    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Great interior

    Great interior

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen - Basmati rice i believe

    Basmati rice i believe

    Jab We Met Indian Kitchen

    See all

    Daru - Chicken Tikka Masala

    Daru

    4.4(306 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    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!

    July 2026: My wife and I recently ordered takeout from Daru after not having been in a few years…read moreand were pleased to find that it was just as outstanding at it was three years ago. We shared the malai paneer lasagna, which was rich, creamy, and flavorful. I got the murgh makhani as my main dish and it was fantastic-perfectly cooked, great flavor, amazing portion size, and creamy. I highly recommend Daru and look forward to returning! February 2023: An absolutely outstanding experience from start to finish in every way. Daru is the rare restaurant to exceed the tremendous hype it has. My friend and my amazing experience started the day before, when Daru asked us if anyone in our party had any food restrictions, which my friend did. When we arrived for our weeknight reservation, we were seated immediately. What distinguishes Daru from almost anywhere I've been is that our server gave us a paper menu with the dishes my friend could eat based on the listed dietary restrictions starred-above and beyond service. The rest of our service was similarly excellent, with our server making some excellent recommendations that allowed us to try the dishes we wanted and additional dishes in the most cost-efficient way. Our dishes were delivered in a timely manner and the meal itself was extremely affordable. Daru adds an automatic 20% charge to all checks and tells you on the menu; our experience was worth all of that gratuity. The food itself was incredible-a modernist take on Indian cuisine. Everything my friend and I had was good and ranged from fine to incredible. I recommend sharing 4-5 small and large plates per two people like my friend and I did to enjoy as many dishes as possible. Black Dal Burrata-my least favorite dish of the evening, but still fine. The lentils could have had a bit more flavor and the dish needed a side of rice, but the burrata was rich and creamy. Bread basket: The za'atar naan was fine but no need to order it, as the garlic naan was outstanding. The parota was good but needed more butter or oil. Chutneys and sauces: My favorites were the sour cherry chutney, the chimichurri, and tomato-szechuan. I love spicy food but the habenero-kashimir chili overwhelmed overwhelmed any other flavors. Blue Cheese Reshmi Kebab-One of Daru's most recommended and unique dishes, it lives up to the hype. The chicken was well-cooked, the cashew provides crunch, the cheese umami, and the sour cherry sauce complemented everything perfectly. Striped Bass Paturi: Simply outstanding. Perfectly cooked fish with good spice, greens, and creaminess. Some of the best bass I've ever had. I highly recommend Daru for your next special occasion and make sure to book well in advance if you want a reservation between 6-9 PM-there are many reasons Daru is this popular! Things to note: 1. Daru is small and it can be hard to hear at times. 2. The surrounding neighborhood isn't the safest-I would recommend not coming alone at night and taking a rideshare after dark if possible (avoid public transit and parking nearby) 3. The lot next to Daru is currently a construction zone, so you may see a rat or two if you are at Daru after dark and sitting by the window. This is beyond Daru's control; something to note for the next few months if you go there.

    Photos
    Daru - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    Daru - Carrot halwah

    Carrot halwah

    Daru - Bandit Queen

    See all

    Bandit Queen

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

    Rania

    4.4(267 reviews)
    1.6 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!

    Went to Rania for my husbands birthday. He loves Indian food so I felt an upscale Indian experience…read morewould be fun. We did the chefs tasting course with the wine pairing. Every course was very well cooked and a wide variety of flavors, etc. However we were a bit perplexed by some of the courses feeling non Indian (tuna tartare for example) and hoped for more elevated classics from Indian cuisine. Overall the food was good! Unfortunately we were disappointed by the service. There were no aspects of it that represented a Michelin star level dining experience. After sitting it took a while to first be approached by our server, we were given incorrect food at one point, slow to clear our table and glassware (empty glasses and plates sat for longer than normal), table not wiped in between courses when crumbs, etc appeared. Some of things would be fine on a regular night, at a standard restaurant. But not acceptable for a Michelin rated restaurant and for the prices that we paid.

    Photos
    Rania - Table decor

    Table decor

    Rania - Gobhi Manchurian Tomato

    Gobhi Manchurian Tomato

    Rania - This is not lassi

    See all

    This is not lassi

    Tapori - indpak - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...