50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Washington

“Amazing! The sushi tasting menu was exceptional and filling! Delicious and whimsical cocktails. Bar in the back, very hip and chic workout being pretentious. Wagyu beef skewers from the bar was one of the best things I’ve ever had. All the skewers were amazing and the fried chicken and other bar snacks are classic bar foods, but way elevated- can not wait for the rest of the space to open!“

“Best Ramen I've ever eaten“

“I visited this Japanese restaurant with friends and we all had a fantastic experience. The menu offered a wide variety of authentic dishes, and every item we ordered exceeded expectations. The hibachi dishes were cooked perfectly, and the sushi rolls were fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was lively yet relaxing, making it a perfect place for both casual dinners and celebrations.“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“Stopped by this restaurant for lunch randomly last Friday and I was so impressed!! I got the sushi and nigiri lunch special and my partner got the two traditional rolls and 1 special roll. It was such a great deal and amazing quality. The fish tasted very fresh. The service was also very good. We will definitely start coming here regularly! Loved my experience.“

“❤️ Oku. hits everytime. every 🍾 celebration we (my fam) head straightforward there.“

“I recently visited this Japanese restaurant and had an absolutely amazing dining experience. The sushi was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and full of authentic flavor. I also tried the ramen and tempura, and both dishes were prepared perfectly with high-quality ingredients. The atmosphere was calm, elegant, and welcoming, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff members were attentive, polite, and provided excellent customer service throughout the visit.“

“Had a Great time celebrating a friend’s birthday! Food is amazing, sushi is fresh! Good atmosphere! Owners are Super cool and really knows how to make their guests feel special. Kudos to the entire staff for the Great service. Highly recommend!“

“I stopped in with friends before a event Sunday evening. The staff was warm and welcoming. I had the lentil sambusas and a peanut-infused coffee at the staff’s recommendation. The food was fast and delicious- the sambusas were warm and spicy, and the peanut coffee was delicious! In a kind gesture, the chef sent over a sampling of sushi to our table. Fresh and refreshing, the sushi was a nice complement to my sambusas and hot beverage. I’m not on this side of town often, but now I have a reason to come back.“

“Kappo was such a great experience. You can tell a lot of care goes into each course. The wagyu was incredible, and the pacing of the meal made it easy to just relax and enjoy it. It’s an intimate space, but doesn’t feel too loud or crowded. Definitely a spot I’d go back to for a special night out.“

“Cute little Japanese spot in Georgetown, it is quite original, serving Japanese home style cooking. The wine selection was amazing; we did the wine pairing and the combination of flavors was incredible. Each course and wine was preceded by a very interesting exposition from the Chef and the Sommelier. Will have to come back to try the sushi menu on weekdays!“

“We had an absolutely outstanding experience! Our very kind server Randy was attentive, knowledgeable and gave great reccomendations on dishes to eat & cocktails. Food was very flavorful! Atmosphere lovely! Highly reccomend. Really a great kick-off to our families weekend away 🎄“

“I was a bit disappointed with how the kamameshi was prepared. I ordered the pork kamameshi expecting it to be smoked or braised with soy sauce, but instead it came with a very plain layer of ground pork over the rice. That said, the sashimi was spot on.“

“A small sushi & Reman shop, clean and fresh, only one person cook and serve. I tried the poke with tuna, Not only I tasted the freshness and abundance nutrition to the body but also was touched by the sincerity and dedication to the food from the owner! He must made tremendous efforts to prepare such healthy food with fresh ingredients at very affordable price! In such a profit driven business environment, it is so precious to have such a germ shop to make you feel happy and surprise in life! Thanks for the great food! Appreciated and Strong recommendation!

One thing I’d like to point out is that the ordering machine does not provide picture nor the detail ingredients of the dishes (I understand that it is only one man in charge of everything it would be great to have the ingredients shows in the ordering menu) but you can easily refer to the menu from google map it provides clear information.“

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“Oh my gosh!! Seriously SO GOOD! I came on a Friday lunch and the food was tasty, fresh, and beautifully prepared. The Japanese skewers were mouthwatering and the sushi is of course incredible. The miso soup even tasted fresh and well prepared. The ambiance is amazing. The staff wonderful and kind. 100/10 experience for my first time here. Thank you!“

“My girlfriend and I went for her birthday and they already had a card prepared for her when we got there because I selected birthday under the event tab in our reservation. We both decided it was the best place either of us had been. I do not write reviews for restaurants but this one deserves it. All of the food was delicious and we couldn't have asked for better customer service. We can't wait to go back.“

“Don't let the exterior of the building fool you. Closed on Sundays. Visited on a Monday at 3pm and the door was locked, but opened very fast (they were on lunch break!). Let me tell you, the couple that own and operate this restaurant are the kindest, most amazing people. The husband took out order and served us while his wife prepared the sushi. Oh, and the SUSHI!!! Expectations exceeded, by far! Ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Box, A roll of Spicy Salmon Sushi and a roll of Shrimp Tempura Sushi (shared by 2 people). The Teriyaki Box was good but the Sushi Rolls were outstanding!!! Whole meal with 2 non alcoholic drinks came to about $65 without tip, which was WELL worth it! I will be returning, most definitely!!!“

“Lunch: Order from a kiosk and they will give it to go, or you can go upstairs to their seating area.

The hand rolls were excellent. The bowl, very good. The only knock here is they are understaffed. They had a major line but only two people working? The order took 30+ minutes and there were only four groups ahead. Can't imaging the wait for when the line really hit. Just an FYI, you'll likely need patience at prime time lunch.“

“I chose Akeno Sushi to celebrate my bachelorette weekend, and I couldn’t have made a better choice! It’s my absolute favorite restaurant in DC, and this experience just confirmed why it’s one of my top spots. From start to finish, the staff was incredibly warm, accommodating, and genuinely thrilled to help us celebrate. Nadia, in particular, was a joy to work with and supported me every step of the way in planning. The food was phenomenal, with each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The drinks were equally impressive, featuring thoughtful details like fresh flowers that added a special touch to the celebration. The ambiance was perfect, with lovely decorations that made the night feel even more festive. Whether you’re planning a special event, a casual dinner, or a date night, Akeno Sushi is versatile, delicious, and always delivers a memorable experience. I highly recommend it!“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

“Hands-down best ramen I have ever had.“

“Very Nice atmosphere customer service was great and the food was superb“

“Great food and excellent service.“

“Great food and fresh ingredients“

“This place was amazing on all levels! We walked in and it was a fantastic vibe. The service was the best I ever had, I don't think we had a dirty plate sit for longer than 30 seconds. I started with a cocktail - Where did all the rum go. If you like Tiki style drinks it's a must try. We had the Bulgarian Banista, Maine Scallop Crudo and Squash Quesadilla to start. They were all delish, but the Squash Quesadilla was my favorite. I had the Sea Bass for my entrée, the fish was amazing and the sauce - soooooo good! Ended with the Creme Brulee, which was perfect. The sugar topping was that glass like texture that is so fun to crack. If you are in DC you have to check this place out.“

“Legit Japanese food. I’ve visited 6 cities in Japan and this is exactly the type of food I’ve had there. 🍱 🍜 🍣“

“So I'll preface this with having grown up in Los Angeles, ate at amazing sushi spots in San Francisco and San Diego, and top it off with Hawaii for a week. This is hands down the best Japanese food I have ever had. I was confused as I went to it and the door said it was a phsycic reader. I called and a woman came to the upstairs window ushering me upstairs through the door.

I ordered fried oysters, chicken teriyaki lunch with rice and soup, and a tuna and mackerel nigiri. Half way through I was confused as to what I was eating and realized it was the mackerel with a very submissive non-gamey flavor. The chicken teriyaki wasn't much to fuss about, wish it was grilled. The salad was the best I have ever had, not sure how to describe other then it was original. I told the manager all of this and she was thrilled, and they got a deserved big tip. Y'all in Washington DC are lucky 😆“

“One of the best sushi experiences we’ve had on the East Coast. The Omakase was exceptional and absolutely worth every penny. A must‑try is The Heaven sake — incredibly smooth, crisp, and perfectly paired with the meal.

We celebrated my brother’s birthday here, and the entire family is still talking about how amazing everything was. Highly recommend!“

“I love this place, been here since I was a small child! There food is absolutely amazing! The owner is so nice and friendly along with the waiters and sushi chefs! Other places can’t compare to this place!“

“Enjoyed delicious sushi and curry coconut udon! The service was great and the atmosphere perfect!“

“Absolutely a vibe, you pay a premium for the beautiful surroundings and being at the waterfront, very cozy and small tables as a 6 foot one adult it felt a bit tight and restricted, but I think that's what they're going forward to give it a trendy or more chic feel either“

“Press Club (1506 19th Street)**

From the moment you walk into Press Club, you’re greeted by a super stylish vibe. The decor is sleek with neutral, natural woods that give off a warm yet modern feel—so inviting and perfect for hanging out.

Their cocktails? Absolutely on point—beautifully crafted and totally delicious—plus the small bites are such savory surprises, fresh yummy. .

The music? Eclectic and cool—something for everyone and keeps the vibe lively. The crowd is diverse and friendly .

And I have to say—**Will, the bartender, is too gorgeous for words**—he makes every drink look as good as it tastes. The staff are quick and super friendly, always making you feel at home.

Bravo !
Elizabeth Faiella. Winter Park Florida“

“Great service, good sushi, delicious mochi, and great location.“

“I have eaten sushi here many times and enjoy it every time! The fish is very fresh since they get if from the fish market next door, I especially enjoyed the king roll and a custom one I had them make as they also do custom rolls! Will definitely come again!“

“I visited Onkei recently for lunch and was very pleased with my meal. I had the chicken gyudon and it was very tasty. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the portion was generous. It came with a side of miso soup. In addition, the service was quick and I received my order promptly.

I was even lucky enough to meet the owner that day, who happened to be there during my visit. He was very nice and friendly.

I highly recommend Onkei for a delicious and quick Japanese meal.“

“I had stopped by Sushi Snob a few times for lunch and was impressed by the quality. However it wasn’t until I booked the omakase experience for an anniversary and was completely blown away. The chefs were very friendly and accommodated food restrictions gracefully. My partner and I were agog at the chefs’ talents and pairings and will be back soon. Definitely some of the best sushi in the DMV area“

“I frequently visit this location, in fact this is the only location I come to here in Dc to have Quickway. The staff are really nice, I never have problems with them, they are very accommodating, and the food is always great. The best part about coming here is, the staff have my order memorized and all I have to do is come in and pay for my food.“

“It was a great experience.. food was good and customer service was even better and fast.“

“The food is always excellent“

“My wife and I had a great experience at Khin's. Amazing staff, delicious food, not expensive whatsoever. If we lived in the area, this would be a regular spot indeed. Just give 'em a try, c'mon. They're awesome. Oh what did I order? Well you see, I had a caterpillar roll and one of those fancy volcano dishes, and my wife had a philly roll with some other roll that had salmon on top. Good quality. Ten out of ten, five out of five, same same.“

“Solid pho, plus it came out extremely fast and the place seems clean. Would happily try other things there. The worst part was the noodles: not great but ok given that it’s a casual and fast spot; the noodles were almost exclusively short and there were few long ones, perhaps overcooked and they fell apart.“

“EXCELLENCE“

“Sushi Hachi is the best sushi restaurant I have ever been to; it was so good that my boyfriend and I went back two nights in a row. Their cocktails are great, and my personal favourite was the 8th street specialty sushi. The atmosphere and mood is calm and pleasant, and the staff and service is top notch. I have to mention our waitress too from the second time, Soko. She remembered us from the previous night, she even remembered which drink she had made me! And she took the time to make some recommendations for us, and brought us some miso on the house and was just the most pleasant and friendly waitress I have had in a while. Thank you!!! We will definitely be back again for as long as we are in/near DC.“

“We have enjoyed several lunches here and have always felt satisfied. The quality is top-tier and great service.“

“New favorite sushi restaurant in the neighborhood! The crabmeat rangoon and red roof roll were delicious, flavorful and very fresh. Sometimes this restaurant runs BOGO deals on Uber Eats (and maybe other food delivery platforms) so definitely take advantage of that!“

“The best sushi (to go) I’ve ever eaten...and I’ve eaten a lot of sushi 😅“

“Yes, this restaurant is highly recommended for a casual dining experience.“

“Great friendly welcoming service and the food was delicious- I would HIGHLY recommend 🤩“

“(This review is for a delivery order, so it's only about the food, not the service or ambiance).

Solid takeout sushi. I was desperately craving sushi on evening and, after perusing Uber Eats for a bit, settled on Toku after receiving a recommendation from a friend. I got their sushi combo, which came with ten assorted pieces of nigiri and a California roll, as well as my choice of miso soup or salad. The sushi was super fresh, and I appreciated the variety of fish chosen for the nigiri; I didn't care much for the California roll and would have loved the option to switch it out with a different roll, but it's perfectly reasonable for them to not allow those types of swaps. It was a solid meal and absolutely satisfied by sushi craving.“