50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Hillcrest Heights

“When I Tell You That This Is Life I'm So Glad They Open And It Was Jumping Nice Fresh And Hot Food Yesssssss Keep Up The Great Work Yalll“

“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“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“2026年 Osechi bento review:
Excellent traditional bento, beautifully prepared with high quality ingredients. 100% worth the price. You can tell a lot of time and effort was spent preparing this bento. I was very very impressed. I will be ordering this every year. どもありがとうございます！“

“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.“

“Lovely sashimi! Authentic Japanese dishes.“

“Took my husband here for his birthday and he loved it! We chose from the a la carte menu and every bite was phenomenal. Service was impeccable, elite fine dining kind of Service. The atmosphere really tied everything together. From the decor and low lighting to the excellent selection of music, we were really blown away. Highly recommend this spoy“

“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.“

“Great sushi place to try!“

“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 🎄“

“just want to tell you...the best in DMV 5☆“

“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 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.“

“Delicious spicy beef noodle soup“

“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.“

“Genuinely the best hibachi place I’ve had, better than other places similar AND even places where you sit down. The chili teriyaki is an amazing choice as well but gives a good kick! 1000% coming back (not paid or anything for this review, genuine person who saw them on Instagram and got curious/hungry!)“

“This is my favorite sushi place! I always recommend it to all my friends! It's a great Hidden Gem! The quality is always fantastic and so is the amount of fish you get! Lunch special is very solid. I try to come two times a week! Best quality in the area“

“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!“

“Fresh and interesting sushi items. Extensive menu. Good service. I like what I’m eating :)“

“Absolutely LOVED this restaurant. The place was nice and homey with attentive service. The couple who run the place were very kind and ensured we were comfortable. The ramen and the sushi we ordered were very tasty. The food felt homemade, which was great for people who love eating ramen at home. The location was great. We had a 15-minute walk back to the hotel, and we got to take some great pictures of the capitol building, which was right around the corner from the restaurant.“

“The food was amazing , I would recommend it 💯. The staff/team members are polite and very friendly. The store is vary clean. I had the Pho soup “pick 2” I would highly recommend it . The salmon taste so delicious . It was my first time eating from Sakura and the young lady named “keren” was really helpful explaining the menu to me . Also if you get a bowl the crab meat and shrimp is so delicious. Every thing was fresh .“

“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!“

“The food is delicious, and the staff is incredibly attentive and sweet. The owner is so welcoming and clearly takes great pride in creating a wonderful experience for everyone. We came in during the storm and were met with so much warmth. All the props to the staff for working through that time, thank you!“

“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.“

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

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

“This is a cozy spot with about 10 tables, so it feels intimate and welcoming. Even though it's small, the service is absolutely excellent; the staff is attentive and friendly. The food is delicious, and the bowl portions are very generous and satisfying. The prices are also very fair. I noticed that many customers choose to order for takeout, which seems to be a very popular option. What I loved most was the outstanding service from the staff. Highly recommended!“

“i had the best experience here, its my second time & this time i dined in rather than the bar. i had the best and sweetest experience with my server, Ina. She gave the best service and had the best personality. 10/10!!!!“

“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.“

“Great food and fresh ingredients“

“Great food and excellent service.“

“on point!! don't shy away from the menu, everything we had was delicious.“

“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!“

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

“Went last night for the soft opening and was very impressed from start to finish. The bartender, Chi, was personable and very attentive and we enjoyed various foods that were all top notch and some nice wine. Other staff who are coming and going were also very nice and you would never have known it was their first night. I worked in various aspects of the restaurant business for 15 years and have been to various soft openings, and these guys did a fantastic job. The owner Jay came by and chatted with us to make sure everything was going well and you can tell he really cares about everything. Pak Soii is a very welcome addition to Del Ray Alexandria and I can't wait to go back.“

“Great service and great food. Place always is clean. Good portions of food.“

“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.“

“Nothing less than phenomenal. Everything was hot, everything was fresh, and everything tasted amazing. Will definitely be coming back whenever in the area. Fairly priced as well...can't beat that.“

“First of all - I absolutely love the sushi here. It’s one of the best spots in Old Town. Super fresh fish and creative rolls. The miso soup and salad are always great too. And don’t skip on the appetizers - gyoza, shumai and hamachi Kama are so so good. However, the service is always a little slow and the vibe/decor is just kinda eh and just a little…cold? Not very warm/welcoming. I stick to takeout usually and again, the sushi is top notch.“

“I love this place! It’s such a hidden gem. I came yesterday and I’m from Virginia but I will definitely have to come back for more! I created my own bowl of Ramen, which came out perfect I also got a side of kimchi, which honestly is the best kimchi I’ve had. And I also got the ginger pear, juice, top-tier thank you so so much please open a spot in Woodbridge!“

“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 😆“

“Excellent foods, good vibes, great services!“

“it was great especially the music, if like Anime.“

“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“

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