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Rasika

Indian Restaurant and Bar$$$$

Penn Quarter, Washington

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Rasika

9.1^/10

680

ratings

Ranked #3 for Indian restaurants in Washington
The folks at Bon Appetit Magazine and Eater like this place. Would you agree?
"The Palak chaat is super awesome..do not miss out on this one...!!!"(36 Tips)
"Must try Ginger limenade & crispy spinach appetizer."(23 Tips)
"Must order : palak chat, black cod, & chicken tikka!"(14 Tips)
"Hip space, the very best Indian food in DC."(6 Tips)

186 Tips and reviews

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Indian food
palak chaat
crispy spinach
good for dates
trendy
tasting menu
toffee pudding
curry
bar
spicy food
great value
desserts
paneer
yogurt
dinner
good for special occasions
crowded
salads
coconut
appetizers
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Varun ShettyMay 15, 2014
Wow. Everything here is delicious. Standouts include the palak chaat (it's a spinach dish), raghda patties (potato), and lamb curry. Odd but delicious: goat cheese kulcha.
Sari GordonMarch 1, 2015
I've never had Indian food before and I never had the urge til now. Rasika is where it's at. Great ambiance, food and service. It's all about the crispy spinach and garlic naan. Amazing.
EaterJanuary 17, 2017
Chef Vikram Sunderam mans the kitchen at the Penn Quarter restaurant, where he takes a modern look at traditional Indian fare with favorites like the crispy palak chaat, flavorful curries and more. Read more
Jeff Borrero RuizSeptember 10, 2019
Very fancy. Most people go in dress or suits. It is quite pricey. Went on a Monday evening & had a 2 hour wait. Tried the butter chicken “Makhani” (8/10) & Garlic Naan (8/10). Spent $25 for this.
Roberto Bruder AguiarJune 25, 2018
Awesome food! This signature salad is great! I had also the Green Chicken Masala and it was pretty good!
Zac McCormickOctober 27, 2015
Some of the most amazing flavors I've ever had. The chef's tasting menu was a great choice. If you have 2 people, get both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian.
Justin MayfieldJune 2, 2017
We were new to Indian food. Our waiter took time to explain the menu and suggest some great dishes. Palak Chaat for the starter was perfect. Chicken Tikka Masala and Halibut Curry as well.
Paula BuzzoMarch 10, 2023
Food is delicious, and service was impeccable. Start with Paneer Shashlik, as main, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Lamb Coconut Fry. To drink, Adraki Bellini.
Parvathy NairJanuary 12, 2015
The Palak Chat like everyone says is heaven on your pallette. The entrée selection is limited but precisely made to perfection. We tried Chicken Tikka Masala and it was possibly the best we ever had.
Lola YorkApril 7, 2015
Delicious place! Truffle nan! Yumm! Lemon cashew rice and my lamb dish was amazing! A nice twist to the common Indian menu!! Love it! I live in NY and would love to go back!!
AmbMay 6, 2018
Incredible food with impeccable seasoning. Try the Goat Biryani, Malai Palak, Sali Boti, Bhindi Amchoor, and definitely get a side of naan. The Nectar of Soma cocktail was incredible, too.
Ashish AryaAugust 18, 2013
Wow. Great restaurant and great service. The crispy spinach is flaky and melts in your mouth (I don't even like spinach). Entrees: lamb chops are tender, black cod melts and chicken tikka masala yum.
Bon Appetit MagazineOctober 18, 2016
Yes, the palak chaat really is that good. Good enough that the crispy spinach-yogurt-chutney combo not only meets the hype but actually exceeds it. Read more
Pamela ValoreJune 17, 2014
never liked Indian food, but this place has become one of my fav DC places after just one visit. cod & chicken tikka rocked my world. hands down "can't live workout dish": palak chaat! just do it.
Cindy ChunApril 1, 2013
If you like Indian cuisine and happen to be in the DC area, COME HERE. The palak chaat (fried spinach) dish is heavenly and the rest of the food is delish!
LoriPASeptember 18, 2013
If you don't have a reservation, arrive before 6pm & try to sit at the chef's table or, failing that, the lounge. The pre-theatre dinner has many of the favorites, including palak chaat & is a steal.
TripExpertMay 21, 2015
Chic, warm atmosphere and masterful dishes. "Rasika (‘flavors,’ in Sanskrit) is incredible, and likely the best Indian food in town." -Lonely Planet on TripExpert Read more
Chris BellApril 27, 2014
For the perfect meal for 2; order a chaat to start, 3 vegetable side dishes, rice and a roti. The dal is highly recommended.
Travel + LeisureJanuary 4, 2013
D.C.’s elite, from CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to Virginia Senator Mark Warner, flock to this classic Indian restaurant for authentic northern Indian cuisine. Ask the server for guidance, and share everything.
Michael CoxJune 1, 2015
Ok so I have been complaining about lack of good Indian in DC. This plays blows away all the competition. The black cod is a delicious secret, as is Jan - best server ever!
Washingtonian MagazineJanuary 9, 2012
Easily the area’s best Indian restaurant and unlike any other in the crowded field. What to get: Ragda patties, potato cakes with tamarind-date-and-mint chutney; avocado and banana with date chutney.
Carlos Rodriguez-DiazFebruary 17, 2015
Great restaurant, best Indian food in the DC area. Try the anything. You won't be disappointed. Personal fav: Avocado banana chaat and Palak chaat.
M Squared Real EstateAugust 15, 2011
Hip space, the very best Indian food in DC. The Palak Chaat is a must, but really can't go wrong with any dish. Plan ahead, reservations are difficult to get. Or show up with your fingers crossed.
Angie HarmonMarch 28, 2016
Been here 5+ times
Chicken tikka masala is great. Green tikka masala isn't awesome. Really overwhelming coriander flavor. Dal makhani is always the best side.
Washington PostMarch 14, 2013
Rasika's sev batata puri is the real deal. The crispy little rounds of bread are topped with potato, sour raw mango and crunchy threads of fried chickpea batter. Read more
Pulkit GuglaniJune 19, 2015
Of course palak chat, that's must have here. Minced lamb with saffron gigner and Indian spices. I heard it was even clinton'n (ex president) favorite.
Katurah ToppsApril 5, 2014
The sea bass is crap! And te scallops are amazing there is also sole sort of parsley salad I think pahna but it's their signature app- AMAZING!
pipituDecember 29, 2014
Crispy spinach and lamb kathi roll as appetizers, black cod as entrée, toffee pudding as desert, laccha as bread. Great service and GORGEOUS food.
Varun ShettyMay 15, 2014
Wouldn't normally think about dessert at an Indian place. But finish your excellent meal with the date toffee cake, gulab jamun, and kulfi.
Caitlin IrwinApril 25, 2019
The Lamb kathi roll, the chicken tikka, and the Dahl are all amazing
Michael GoiteinJanuary 13, 2017
The Four-Course Tasting Menu with wine pairings is great, but come hungry! Or prepare to leave with a doggie-bag...
Kelsey HayesSeptember 8, 2012
Try the palak chaat (crispy spinach) as a starter. It is phenomenal. You really can't go wrong with anything. Fantastic experience and impeccable service.
Sabarisha KolliJanuary 10, 2020
Love the food and service.A must visit if you are an Indian food lover.My favorite is the palak chaat and lamb korma.
NajlaMay 30, 2019
Make sure to order the palak chaat (baby spinach salad). It’s so good I wouldn’t want to miss it!
RonDecember 6, 2016
Excellent Indian food in a nice setting with helpful staff. The palak chaat is as good as everyone says it is.
FiOS 50November 23, 2011
There is a reason why Washingtonians talk so highly of the palak chaat — flash-fried spinach — the standout appetizer at this much-beloved Indian restaurant. Try it. You'll thank us.
VinayakJuly 13, 2013
Best Indian food in DC! Palaak chaat, Shrimp Uttapam and Chicken Green masala are must tries. Any dish here is outstanding
Mary W.February 18, 2016
Palak chaat, chicken tikka masala, ragwa patties. Great service! And the Naan bread is what heaven tastes like
Washington PostOctober 16, 2013
Rasika in Penn Quarter could easily rest on its considerable laurels, but instead improves on what it does by every year adding fresh reasons to drop in.
Emmanuel GalvanJanuary 23, 2016
Kind of pricy but really good food and service. The place is very classy - ideal for a romantic date!
GourmetLiveJuly 6, 2011
Food blogger The Not-Ever-Still Life recommends the baingan mattar bharta (smoked eggplant entreé) or the vegetable curry and the ragda (spiced potato–and–chickpea fritters).
Mai-TaiOctober 30, 2014
Must try Ginger limenade & crispy spinach appetizer. Great presentation on tasteful chicken biryani.
EpicuriousAugust 25, 2010
Bill Clinton and Maureen Dowd are frequent patrons of the best Indian restaurant in the city. The mango shrimp or duck treated to a luscious sauce of cashew paste, saffron, and mace is your best bet.
CharOctober 23, 2020
Been here 5+ times
Probably the best waitstaff in all of DC. Outstanding food and love the sauces!
Hannah AlkadiApril 21, 2019
Phenomenal. Palak chaat and baingan bharta were incredible.
Elizabeth Mathew StevkoJanuary 12, 2016
Amazing Indian food, very highly reccommend!!! Very delicately and beautifully prepared with balanced taste
Bader 😎December 14, 2014
Very good indian food.. i liked the spanich starter but forgot the name:( somethink like chat palak or so
April From DCJuly 27, 2010
Been here 5+ times
As others have said, the Palak Chaat is no joke. The Raan-E_Rasika was delicious: very tender, lots of meat, and the sauce you wanted to sop up with the naan. Another delicious dining experience Read more
Travis WessonAugust 8, 2010
I've had a lot of chicken tikka masala at a lot of different places, in a lot of different countries. This is the best. By far. The avocado and banana chaat is fantastic as well.
Felix LDecember 31, 2023
Everything on the menu is great - make sure you get the spinach appetizer

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