2,924 reviews
#28 of 1,510 Restaurants in Washington DC$$$$, Indian, Contemporary, Vegetarian Friendly+1 202-637-1222+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Mon
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Tue
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wed
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thu
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Sat
5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
MICHELIN
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travelers' Choice 2023
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN GuideRATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Indian, Contemporary, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Special occasions, Romantic, Large groups, Business meetings
MICHELIN Guide's Point of View
With easy access to the Metro, Rasika is a good-looking, loud, and lively spot that lures all types of diners. Everyone is here for their kitsch-free I...
Read more on MICHELIN GuideDoes this restaurant primarily serve Healthy cuisine?
Details
PRICE RANGE
$31.00 – $50.00
CUISINES
Indian, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Valet Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
2,924 reviews
Excellent
2,046
Very good
574
Average
186
Poor
69
Terrible
49
Linda Thrasher
Washington DC55 contributions
Apr 2019 • none
Rasika is one of the most consistently reliable restaurants in Washington, DC and deserves kudos for its absolutely authentic and beautifully prepared food. It’s right downtown so whether you’re a local or a visitor it’s easily accessible from many directions. The décor is modern, no kitsch or waitresses in saris, the staff is especially accommodating, and the menu is easy to navigate even if you’re new to the cuisine. Everything that arrives from kitchen to table is first rate. Great ingredients and just enough variety to choose from. Intimidation is not on the menu. Just dive in. The authenticity of the food is important, it’s not a restaurant that overwhelms your palate with too much spice or heat. It knows how to balance those things depending on the recipe. The flavor of the food itself is what makes it divine and keeps you coming back. The brunch at Rasika is amazing. It's a good way to experience the food if you're a newbie. The clientele is varied, the atmosphere is cheerful but not rushed, and everyone seems to enjoy being there. Nothing disappoints at Rasika.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2017summer87
Arlington20 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
I've wanted to try this restaurant "forever" and finally got there. My husband & I met an out-of-town friend there Monday night for dinner. It's a very pretty restaurant; tables not too close to each other. While our water glasses were filled quickly after being seated it seemed to take a little while to order and receive drinks. The rest of the service was fine and the waiter made good suggestions. The menu is different from other Indian restaurants we've eaten in. There was only one lamb dish (that wasn't minced lamb) and two of the lamb dishes listed on the menu on their website weren't on the menu. Anyway, it was good. Everyone loved the crispy spinach appetizer - lightly battered spinach leaves flash fried. We also like the potato and chick pea appetizer. Our friend really like the chicken green masala. The portions are not overly large but the basket of nan only had 2 pieces.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigTA
Arlington144 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Always love this place. Made the reservation a few weeks in advance for a Friday evening. Went with another couple. We got our table ten minutes or so after our reservation time, so they gave us a free appetizer.
Winners this time: palak chaat, all the chutneys, chicken tikka masala, Tandoori mixed grill, black cod, butter chicken. Everything we had was great. Service was attentive.
Also, a really great value for the money in DC. Will be back as often as we can get here.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
klmaestra
Silver Spring1032 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I have visited Rasika a number of times over the years and last reviewed the restaurant four years ago. After visiting a week ago, I feel i need to take time out again to praise the restaurant for wonderful food and this visit especially great (and appreciated) service. We chose the four course tasting menu this time based on the detailed, mouthwatering description by Gustavo, our waiter. We loved everything including the fish course that took us both a bit out of our eating comfort zone. It was great to have the palak chaat, our favorite dish at Rasika but additionally the four course menu gave us the chance to try new and delicious plates. Kudos again to Gustavo, our waiter! Let's hope he waits on us again on our next visit.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John C
2 contributions
Apr 2020 • none
I've always been a fan of this place, but was hesitant to order delivery due to worries about the food transporting well. My worries were entirely misplaced--everything was just as delicious as it normally is. Even the palak chaat arrived perfectly crispy since they package the sauces separately for you to pour them over the spinach at home. It's an excellent delivery option that I will certainly be taking advantage of again.
Written April 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rem
Washington DC7 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
Since I moved to DC I've been pointed to Rasika and it seems to be a consistent recommendation from both locals and those who have visited. I had the opportunity to dine there tonight.
When I arrived I was met by a short line at the host stand. It was the beginning of their dinner rush and took them a few minutes to attend to me, but nothing out of the ordinary. I was seated fairly shortly.
The table I was seated at wobbled quite severely and wasn't well planted on the ground. Unfortunately, as I was sliding into my booth seat, my foot caught the foot of the table, which spun and sent the place setting to the floor. Nothing there that was blatantly anyone's fault, but it was embarrassing and I would recommend that management review their front of house fixtures to avoid this in the future.
My waiter arrived and immediately asked if I had any questions or was ready to order. He answered my questions knowledgeably and advised my order well, but I had the distinct impression that he was in a hurry to get me out of there. He did not inquire about a drink order first and turned away to leave before I stopped him to ask about cocktails and put my order in.
The Palak Chat was fantastic, and is a must try. Likewise, the seasonal cocktail I tried was excellent. At this point, I left to use the restroom. I typically wouldn't mention this, but when I returned, my waiter appeared to be questioning the table next to me on my whereabouts, so much so that the table next to me remarked and gestured "There he is!" to my waiter when I walked back up behind him (perhaps concerned that I had left without paying my tab).
I typically try to give the benefit of the doubt in these situations, but I struggle to guess what else the situation could have been in this circumstance. Again, room for interpretation, but quite embarrassing.
The rest of the meal was excellent and I received excellent service from that point onward. The chicken tikka masala and chocolate samosas are highly recommended.
I'd recommend the food here, but the vibe / service and setting were distinctly lacking. At a restaurant in this range, I'm paying for the service and ambiance, not the ingredients. Perhaps give the West End location a try if you're looking to visit.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gayle S
Mailhac31 contributions
Dec 2019 • family
The best Indian food ever! While home from France, my family visited Rasika for lunch and enjoyed the atmosphere, the food and drinks, as well as the friendliness of the bar tender and wait staff. We will definitely return. We just walked in and got seats at the bar, but I think we were lucky. I would suggest making a reservation if you want to be sure of getting a table.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FeliciaBest
Myrtle Beach37 contributions
Sep 2020 • couples
We were visiting the area and found this lovely restaurant in walking distance. The atmosphere is very nice. The servers were very knowledgeable about the dishes offered and delighted to provide suggestions. Everything was delicious! Our only disappointment was we didn’t save room for dessert!
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltheworld
Philippines99 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
We chose this based on the reviews, and it did not disappoint! If anything it exceeded our expectation because two other restaurants were a let down. This restaurant reminded us of our time in Bali were in the attention to service was just top notch! The food was excellent, all that we ordered we finished and we were amazed by the fusion of the taste in our palate, but what makes this numero uno in our opinion is the bang up job of the servers and the workers, water were refilled without having to ask, empty plates were removed without prompting, the only thing we had a bit of an issue with was the lighting, too dark to see the food lol, but all we did was asked for more candles and voila! all was well. I would go back here again and again, that is how good it was.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JxS
Clarksville11 contributions
Dec 2019 • family
Went for dinner with the family. We all decided to try the 6 course tasting menu. The food was unique while still maintaining the essential Indian-ness. The service was attentive without being intrusive. Our server gets very high marks (I think his name is Ahmed). Fantastic overall experience. Can’t wait to go back.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aj192018
Arlington189 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
We've been hearing such good things about this place and when we finally got around to trying it, we were disappointed. We got take-out so we did not experience the excellent service that everyone is raving about. We ordered on their website, it said the order was confirmed, and proceeded to drive from Arlington to pick it up...where we were told the website was down and they never received our order. Now, this is a bit crazy as I have to imagine we were not the only people showing up for food that wasn't ready. They were very efficient at getting the food ordered for us but it was still frustrating. The portion sizes are rather small which we weren't shocked about. We ordered extra, assuming we would enjoy having some leftovers. Unfortunately, we didn't particularly love the food and neither one of us has been keen to eat the leftovers.
Written November 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PapaAmericano
Phoenix12 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
I would love to be able to review the food at this restaurant; however, the experience my wife and I had was so bad that we left without eating. We had a reservation for 7:30 at an outdoor table. When we arrived a few minutes early, we asked if it was possible to move indoors due to the muggy DC weather and the possibility of rain. The hostess avoided eye contact and dismissively said that was not possible. As she sped ahead of us to the table, another group of patrons passed between us so that as we were arriving at the table, she was already heading back into the restaurant. I should note that there were no other patrons waiting at the hostess station during this time. A busser filled our water glasses and we settled in to wait. I would also note that this was a Monday evening, and the restaurant was nowhere near capacity. After waiting for approximately 15 minutes with no contact whatsoever from anyone else on the waitstaff, we stood up and left. This restaurant’s website indicates a bit of a dress code and generally gives the impression that it is supposed to be a place of quality. The poor service we experienced certainly showed otherwise. The only person who demonstrated any hospitality skill was the guy that filled the water glasses.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WCoats
Washington DC21 contributions
Oct 2019 • none
The atmosphere is pleasant and the service is good, but the reason for coming is to enjoy some very unusually and tasty dishes. The Palak Chaat is a favorite and not to be missed. It is also near the Shakespeare Theater and a great choice for pre or post theater meal.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jmgrier
Marlborough110 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
We did the 4 course tasting menu with wine pairing and had plenty to eat. The service was perfect, and the food delicious - we especially loved the flounder wrapped in a banana leaf (paired with an Alsatian Riesling), as well as the lentils. We will definitely be back.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
worktotravel14
Trenton3701 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
I am surrounded by good Indian in New Jersey, which is the best outside of India. And yet, Rasika is the food that stirs my soul. I do hope that they are able to maintain steady business post COVID. They have very nice outside tented seated for those of us who are still weary to spend our time inside. Everything that we had was beyond delicious from starters to delectable desserts. I have always been so reluctant to indulge in fish curries and the snapper pollichattu was probably the best fish dish that I've had all year in any circumstances. The cocktails and mocktails were cool and refreshing, not too sweet. The wine list perfectly matched to the food. I only wish I could have eaten more.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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