The deft cocktailist leans over, as I sip my superbly savory umami martini she crafted, and recommends one of the best dishes I've had all year: The Beef Tataki (only $14!), a thinly sliced medium rare seared short rib, that you carefully top with some spicy radish, warmed scallions, and dip lightly in the ponzu to finish, and follow with arugula - was incredible. read more

If you're looking for a sushi spot in DC that balances quality, vibes, and presentation -- Zeppelin delivers. We went the omakase route and let the chef take control. Each piece came out thoughtfully paced, properly seasoned, and beautifully plated. The rice was warm and balanced, the fish was clean and fresh, and the cuts were generous without being over the top. Highlights included buttery toro and delicately torched selections that melted instantly. Of course, we added extra nigiri because restraint is overrated. Zero regrets. Cocktails were solid -- well balanced and not overly sweet -- which paired nicely with the progression of the omakase. The space itself has a sleek, modern feel with an energetic but not chaotic atmosphere. Great for a date night or a small group. Service is a tad slow but that because this place was completely full. read more

Got some special rolls that were pretty fishy tasting, and they definitely use sesame oil in the rice, which is not how it should taste! Drinks were strong and good, but wouldn't come back for the food. read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped in late on a weekday night for some cocktails. We were the only people in the bar so service was good. They had booths, high tops, and bar seating. We had 4 different cocktails and they were all delicious but the Dragon Palace stood out the most. Highly recommend! I will be back to try the food as well. read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Excellent service, sushi, and drinks! Went here on a busy Thursday night and while there was noticable noise I had no issue hearing everyone at my table. I really liked the cocktails I got and I thought they were very reasonably priced for not being a happy hour. I definitely enjoyed the sushi but it wasn't so amazing that I feel like I need to come back for it--although I usually get takeout sushi from small businesses (not full blown restaurants). Overall I thought this was a chill spot for drinks and light bites. A bit expensive (not overpriced for what you get) fora full dinner, so I will most likely be back for happy hour. read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A very chill, everyday kind of sushi vibe. On Tuesday the Sake is half price by the bottle, and you should certainly go. Zeppelin is not a fancy sushi place, though they will do an omakase for $125, but a place with fast efficient service, decent sushi, and good prices. We made our own order and got a nice bottle of sake and had a great time for under $100 a person. We certainly left full and happy, and we were able to come in for a late dinner! Not a bad spot. read more

Zeppelin - sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My date and I had an absolutely wonderful time when we stopped by for an impromptu date night. The food was so fast but fresh and delicious - we were so impressed! The drinks were strong and the patio is super dog friendly! Our waitress was the sweetest and made sure they knew about allergies. read more

Zeppelin - Dog friendly patio - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

5/5 experience. From the service to the food to the ambiance of the place. We sat at the bar were immediately greeted and given waters. Drinks and apps were delish. And the sushi omg the sushi so yummy and fresh! And good sized with lots of options. Dessert was also amazing. Overall a wonderful experience. Deff recommend. read more

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The fish here is very high quality. Every roll I tried was excellent. I recently went back and got the udon soup and it was delish tho I wish it was a bit bigger. More of an appetizer dish. read more

Zeppelin - Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I went to Zeppelin's with two girlfriends to catch up, when we arrived we had to wait a little to be seated. The person seating us seemed to be the manager who was running around a lot (didn't mind waiting). It took us a few minutes to get seated but when we did we were seen immediately. The aesthetic in the restaurant was beautiful, decorated for the holidays, good vibes. We ordered the edamame to start, which was good. We were starved so we did end up getting a second round. My only critique would be that the first round did not have as much salt as I would've liked so we asked for extra the second time. My friend ordered the miso soup which is pictured, she had to step out and I was impressed at how hot the soup was when it arrived. The Chaplin roll was good, a great combination of fish and well-balanced with the sauces added. The cucumber roll was alright but overall I felt the freshness of the cucumbers and the fish was not the best. I have had better sushi elsewhere in the city. The meal overall was good but not great. read more

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If I had a million dollars I'd spend every last cent on sushi - I went to a sushi restaurant and am coming away raving about a spring roll. the beef spring rolls were filled with the juiciest, warmest, most flavorful meat in a thin layer of crisp - the drink menu was a bit overwhelming and the drink categories did not seem to have any theme, but my gin cocktails as fruity and delicious! i love a light citrus drink with rice meals to kinda counteract the denser flavors - the wasabi soy edamame was delicious. coated in wasabi specks to provide the key aspect of spice to interact with the salt - the menu was expensive with pages of booze and sashimi, but the handroll options were limited. we tried to rainbow roll, the zeppelin roll, the spicy tuna roll, and the crunchy spicy scallop roll. - the spicy tuna was a simple testimony to the quality of the fish. the rainbow roll was a more enhanced version with thick melting cuts of fish on the top. this was quality fish. - the crunchy spicy scallop was the perfect combination of textures. the scallops legit melted on my tongue while the tempura flakes added a crunch. the rice on each roll was perfectly cooked and not too heavy to pull away from the more mild understated crab or yellowtail flavors. - the Zeppelin roll was amazing. get it. DO IT. maybe it's the eel sauce and spicy mayo but I just loved every second of this spicy, sweet, jalapeño flavor - we got a complimentary chocolate mousse that was quite rich and decorated with gold flakes. I was very pleased with this! our waitress was attentive and we were seated on the outdoor patio with tons of nice clean patio tables. The inside is pretty small but the place was packed. lots of waitstaff, not too personal or chatty, but a well run spot! read more

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Jake at the bar was a phenomenal server! He was honest in what to order in which I appreciate because most people are general in their recommendations. The Madai, Chu Toro, and King Salmon Nigiri are all a 10/10! Buttery, firm, and melt in your mouth delicious! He whipped up a mocktail that had passionfruit in it and I had to order 2 it was THAT good. Def my new spot for great and fresh sushi. read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I came here for a work dinner with my team. Zeppelins was super trendy and loved the moody vibes and decor inside. We visited during DC restaurant week so we were able to order a sampler special. The special came with an appetizer, the hamachi carpaccio which was so beautifully sliced and delicious. For my main, I had an assortment of maki rolls and nigiri. I loved trying all the different fish. For dessert, I had an assortment of mochi which were refreshing and sweet. Overall, great value for these special menus and thanks to Zeppelin for accomodating our large group! read more

Zeppelin - Mochi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Amazing place.. happy hour menu and a good service.. pretty quiet Monday.. was walking by and the patio get me in :) read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Salmon avocado roll, avocado roll, spicy tuna hand roll and the hamachi carpaccio were all delicious. Quaint place. I came to pick up my order - will dine in next time I'm in town. I went in a Monday night and it was quiet. The only thing missing from my order were napkins. read more

Zeppelin - Hamachi carpaccio, spicy tuna hand roll, avocado roll, salmon avocado roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had dinner here on a weeknight without a reservation and there were plenty of open tables both inside and outside. The restaurant is spacious and ambient, with a charming upstairs dining room. The outdoor space is also nice, offering a pleasant setting for dining al fresco. The cocktails are fun, and I'd definitely return for the drinks. It's a great spot for a date night, combining a relaxed and fun atmosphere with a touch of elegance. Must-Get (5/5): Crunchy Spicy Scallop Roll, Hamachi Carpaccio Still Good (4/5): Bacon Okonomiyaki, Chaplin Roll, Rainbow Roll, Salmon Avocado Roll - all enjoyable, but not particularly special compared to what you can find at other Japanese and sushi restaurants in the area. Pass (3/5): Mango Crepe Cake - it was dry, not fresh, and the whipped cream was excessive. read more

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Beautiful hip place with really good food. Where things fell through were the service. Slow, and they ask for a minimum 20% tip as they awkward hold the machine in front of you and try not to look. I miss paper checks. Other than the service the food was really wonderful. read more

Service was really great for a Friday night! The music did get a bit loud come 7:45 PM however so just note that if you're trying to have intimate conversations. The rolls were really good other than I wasn't a fan of the Chesapeake roll - it had a bit too much old bay and mayo as a crab salad on top. Otherwise delicious! read more

Zeppelin - Chaplin roll, Philly roll, Chesapeake roll, Rainbow roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food was delicious. We had an assortment of dishes including dumplings, sushi and a larger plate. Would happily order it all again but would also be excited to try other things from the menu as so many dishes sounded delicious. We sat in the upstairs area which wasn't super loud. Looking forward to going back! read more

HUGE fan of their sushi, you can tell they purchase quality fish. Stayed for karaoke and was a bit disappointed with their system (outdated and the mics were very low). Would come back for the sushi alone. read more

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We went here for a friend's birthday and really enjoyed our time! The sushi was great quality and we really liked the alcoholic drinks that we got. Karaoke was fun too. The microphones didn't work very well and the service was slow at times, but overall it was a good experience! read more

Zeppelin - Top to bottom: Godzilla roll, Zepplin roll, and O'O toro nigiri - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Cute restaurant with a large selection of Japanese dishes. Their signature "Zeppelin" roll was my favorite! Their sushi portions are a bit small but the sushi tastes fresh. There are a variety of non-sushi options as well read more

Zeppelin - Spicy Yellowtail and Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What is a post-event ritual if it doesn't involve sushi? We were in the area, and we stopped by here for dinner. We popped in on a Monday night, and sat at the bar. We ordered quite a lot which looked like: +Shishito Peppers +Beef Harumaki - which were a delicious beef spring rolls +Negitoro Roll: fatty tuna roll +Chaplin Roll: shrimp tempura, cucumber, spicy tuna, avocado, eel sauce, spicy mayo, red tobiko +Zepplin Roll: shrimp tempura, avocado, spicy salmon, jalapeno, eel sauce, spicy mayo, black tobiko +Chesapeake Roll: fresh crab with Old Bay, avocado, cucumber, masago, tempura flakes, spicy mayo, scallions I know we got two other rolls and I cannot remember, however the Chesapeake roll and Chaplin roll, and Zepplin roll were the stands out. If I lived in the area I would totally go back - it was good quality and great prices. read more

Zeppelin - An assortment of sushi from left to right: Chaplin Roll (our fave), Negitoro roll, Hamachi Roll, and Chesapeake Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Finally was able to stop by with some coworkers for a late dinner. We were originally sat at this very awkwardly small table in the bar area, but decided to move to the bar proper instead, which was much more comfortable for a group of 3. We started with the Blistered Shishito Peppers which were very tasty. Next up, the Beef Harumaki were addictingly good. The bartender recommended these and I'm so glad he did! For sushi, we split a bunch of rolls, but the Zeppelin Roll and the Chesapeake Roll were definitely my favorites. The Chaplin Roll and Philly Roll were also solid options. I also got a cocktail, the KABUKI SPRINGS with grapefruit and gin, and it was very refreshing. Definitely want to come back for Happy Hour and Karaoke! read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I can't say enough good things about Zeppelin. I was with a large group and they were able to squeeze us in. What I am most impressed with was our waiter managing our entire party like a rockstar. All of us had drinks and food so quickly! The sushi was divine. My favorite was the spicy tuna. read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Me, my mom, and her friend decided to settle on Zeppelin as a nice and cozy dinner spot for a rainy evening. Right away as we entered, I could tell this restaurant was legit--not that I was surprised. We were seated quickly by our friendly host, Somei, who was warm and welcoming from the start. He took the time to introduce us to the menu and the overall vibe of the restaurant, setting a relaxed tone for the night. I ordered the steak ribeye kushiyaki, while my mom and her friend opted for the 8-course Omakase. From the very beginning, our server Izzie made the evening memorable. She was incredibly attentive without ever feeling overbearing, offering thoughtful recommendations for drinks and small plates that complemented our choices perfectly. What really stood out about Izzie was how genuine she was--every interaction felt personal. She had a great sense of when to chat and when to give us space, and throughout the evening, she struck up some of the most interesting conversations. Somei also brought such a fun energy to the night. He had this effortless humor that really clicked with us--cracking just the right jokes and keeping the mood light and fun. My mom and her friend were laughing the whole time, and you could tell they were really enjoying themselves. He made the whole dining experience feel even more welcoming, like we were being hosted by friends rather than just staff. Izzy's knowledge about the dishes really elevated the whole experience--every course felt more special with the little details she pointed out. Even when the night grew late, she remained so attentive, checking in on us just enough to make sure everything was perfect. Izzie really made us feel like valued guests rather than just another table. By the end of the evening, it honestly felt like we'd just enjoyed a great meal with a friend who happened to know everything there is to know about the food we were eating. Overall I give this restaurant the highest rating I can give. If you're looking for a peaceful but lighthearted night out, or a boisterous and lively time with friends, Zeppelin and its staff are the perfect place for you to spend your meal at. read more

Really cute space and lots of seating areas upstairs and downstairs! The drinks are strong during hh and the service was fast for sure. I loved the beef skewers although they get cold fast. I tried two simple maki rolls and both were delicious - salmon and hamachi. The fish was buttery and fresh. The only dish I didn't love was the vegetarian noodles. It came in more of a brothy dish and while the tofu was sweeter and a good flavor the rest of this dish was a bit bland. Loved the matcha tiramisu dessert - so delicious and a great matcha flavor if you like that! I would come back and try more sushi. read more

A great late night sushi spot -- our server was super nice and personable. The cocktails were great and the sushi was pretty good! Recommend if you need a late night drink with some solid sushi. read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I went to Zeppelin during the week in the evening time. It was during the holiday season so it wasn't crowded at all. The ambiance was perfect. It was dimly lit and the music wasn't overpowering. The restaurant has a huge bar area which is nice for individuals dining alone. The food was great. Coming from LA, it's been hard finding great sushi in DC. The sushi at Zeppelin was very fresh and priced fairly. The service was phenomenal. The waiter was so friendly, attentive, and was so happy to answer all of my questions. He checked on me frequently and ensured I enjoyed my meal. read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Special - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Fresh tasty sushi. Went for restaurant week and they had a price fix menu of salmon carpaccio , and array of sashimi and sushi. It was all delicious the wait staff was very attentive .ran into someone who high recommends this place . The downstairs is beautiful and the upstairs is good for large groups. read more

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We were in DC for a few days and this place didn't disappoint. It's very quaint but I wish the tables weren't so close together that you have no choice but to participate in others' conversations. We had the Zeppelin and the Chaplin sushi. They were both so delicious that we ordered another Chaplin. The drinks were also very well crafted. Our server was prompt and the sushi came out so quickly. The bar is downstairs, so I attribute the longer than normal wait for the drinks. But I'll definitely revisit when in DC again. (We were starving. Didn't give the food a chance to pose for pix) read more

I would give this a higher rating if we didn't experience poor service. I hope it's not like that regularly but it took over an hour to get our appetizers. We did order some O'o Toro and was amazing - such a delicious cut of fish. The zeppelin roll was good too. I really liked their cocktail menu - they did a lot of mezcal drinks really well. read more

Awesome date night spot. I wouldn't come here with a party larger than 4. And portion sizes are not a place you come to conquer your hunger. But if casual conversation in an intimate atmosphere is what you are looking for, this is your place. You really can't go wrong with any of the drinks or food on the menu. And if you are sitting at the bar, the bar tenders will have some nice conversation with you if they aren't too busy. I really enjoyed this place and hope to be back soon read more

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So I was in the mood for guess what?? SUSHI!! Yep, I indulge occasionally. So this spot came highly recommended. Nuff said...LET'S GO!! . Where I am: @zepplindc . Location Reviewed: 1544 9th St., N.W. Washington D.C. . Menu Includes: Various Sushi Rolls, Salad, Soups, Rice, Edamame, Sashimi, Tempura, Maki Rolls, Beer, Wine, Cocktails, & MORE!! . Items Reviewed: Their Mocktails Their Passionfruit Tamarind Sour (with Baller Bubbles-carbonated-$5.50). STAMP!! Bubbly, sweet, & sour!! Their Housemade Lemonada ($5.50). DECENT. A tad bit too sour. Their Wasabi Garlic Edamame (Boiled soybeans in their pod $5.75). DECENT. Good. Most maybe STAMP this. I just needed more flavor. Their Miso Soup (with kombu dashi, tofu, & wakame $5.50). LIKE THAT!! Hot with a lite saltiness, & hearty!! Their Shrimp Tempura (with Tiger shrimp, tempura jalapeños , tempura onion rings, & tempura sauce $16). STAMP!! All of it!! Lite, crispy, with thick shrimp!! Their Beef Harumaki (Japanese spring rolls, beef brisket, with oyster sauce $11.50). LIKE THAT!! Meaty, crisp, with a tasty sauce!! The Sushi: Their California Rolls (imitation crab, cucumber and avocado $9.50). LIKE THAT!! Fresh, lite, & meaty!! Their Philly Roll (with smoked salmon, cream cheese & avocado $10.50). LIKE THAT!! Smoky, creamy, truly tasty!! Their Zeppelin Roll (with shrimp tempura, avocado, spicy salmon, jalapeño, eel sauce, spicy mayo, & black tobiko-fish eggs $17.50). STAMP!! Well blended, superbly flavored, spicy DELICIOUSNESS!! Their Dragon Roll (with shrimp tempura, eel, avocado, & eel sauce $15.50). DELICIOUS!! The eel is an acquired taste for ME...but these were good. Their Shrimp Tempura Roll (with shrimp tempura, lettuce, & mayo $10.50). STAMP!! Fulfilling, tasty, crisp...GET THESE!! . Customer Service: On Point . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: ROUGH . Recommendations: Everything STAMPED!! . Music:YouTube-What Band Socket 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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Really like the co-owners of this restaurant (they own Sushi Ogawa and Chaplin separately). But I think they missed the mark on this one. I think they tried to do casual fun hangout with decent priced Japanese food.... the food is disappointing, from the undercharred (is it even charred with charcoal grill?) shishito peppers to the overcooked pork belly skewers. The miso fish was good. The rice ball was wayyy too much rice and too little salted fish. They brought the wrong liquor to my partner 2 different times (1 drink, was corrected, brought the wrong one again). The karaoke was fun and supportive but there honestly weren't that many people for a Friday night and the queued up songs were drying up. The karaoke itself there is no background so you have to know how to sing the whole thing or you're faced with mumbling in front of the entire second floor of patrons. I might come back with a big big group for karaoke, but not for food on its own. read more

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Zeppelin's really is our go to sushi date night. We are never disappointed in the drinks food or service. read more

Zeppelin - Chirashi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went on Wednesday night with my Fiance and the place wasn't too crowded. The servers acknowledged us right away and placed us at a round table for two on the second floor. Our waitress recommended the night special, hamachi, which was absolutely delicious! read more

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Super cute restaurant in Shaw. The sushi was great and my dining companions really enjoyed their udon and tempura. They have seating inside as well as a decent sized patio. The service was prompt and overall we had a great experience. Highly recommend Zeppelin for date night! read more

Zeppelin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The restaurant is nice but the food is mediocre at best. The service was slow, the food had no taste. The carpaccio was two thumbs down. Just not worth it. read more

Sushi and appetizers were good. Waiting time was decent and food was brought out in a decent time despite it being busy. My biggest issue was the lack of service after being seated. The only interaction I had with anyone was the menu brought, food dropped off and the bill. Not once did they come by or even refill the water once. It was like I was a bother and just wanted me to leave. I told the manager and they said they would correct the issue but nothing was done. The place was quite nice and I wanted to know about the place upstairs but I have the impression they didn't want me to return. Sad because the food was good. I had to drop another star because despite the food quality it is hard to want to return when you feel not wanted. read more