Review Rakuya - Washington DC

Silent Swipe

Having just recently visited the US I had never been here and more importantly never tried sushi before. Not knowing the country I didn’t know whether or not to try some. I came across this restaurant from their top reviews and menu and rest assured I was not disappointed. I opted for a sashimi plate and the presentation was just wonderful with the taste being even more spectacular.I had a table outside and was very pleased at the exterior of the restaurant and how well they had decorated it. The staff were very friendly and my waiter was very kind and friendly and immensely helped when choosing a safe option for my friend to eat as they had an allergy. If your looking to eat a Japanese with a bit of fusion or just looking for a sushi and you’re in the area, I highly recommend Rakuya.

Hong Bui

Had such a great experience here! We made a reservation during a weekday happy hour. The waitress made sure to circle back to us before happy hour ended to see if we needed anything else. We loved everything we got (calamari, chicken karaage, kbbq ssam, yellowtail nigiri, the golden dragon, spicy tuna, and veggie futomaki)!

Victoria Barker

We dined outside, so I never went inside the restaurant. Our waiter did a good job for a party of 13. Our meals came out at different times. From the first entree delivered to the last probably took about 7-10 minutes. My dish was the Chicken Tokyo Dashi with egg noodle. It was good. It wasn't spicy. I think it would have been better with some Sriracha. We also got the butterfly shrimp as an appetizer. I do recommend those! They were crunchy and the sauce was flavorful.

Liezel Barraca

Lovely sushi spot with a surprisingly large patio. Quite busy at happy hour, but we were quickly seated outside. Highly recommend the rose sangria. Had rolls - they were fresh and absolutely delicious, and our server was attentive and thoughtful despite the very busy crowd. I knocked a star down on atmosphere only because I can’t speak to the inside of the restaurant, only the outside; but I can say the inside was clean, well-lit, and bright, with lots of light-colored wood. Outside was cozy under the heaters, and tables were covered by awnings and umbrellas to keep the elements off. Check it out! And happy hour is totally worth it!

Chelsea Hyers

I called ahead to ask if we should make a reservation—I was told no. Then, when we arrived as a walk-in the hostess was caught off guard. 🥴 However, they did accommodate us with an outdoor table. We had a cute lil date night. The sushi was 10/10. 🤌🏼

Eduardo

I had the tako wasabi and crazy Philly. Both were nice. Service was a bit slow and the waiters and staff were teens and young folks and it was hard to get their attention at times. That said, it wasn’t the best sushi I’ve had but it wasn’t the worst and hit the spot.

Hilda Kroll

I got the Deluxe Tokyo Dashi ($19) with Shrimp Tempura, Chicken and Beef inwith Udon Noodles. The beef was tough and the tempura got soggy, so I would go for just the chicken next time. Good, strong Vietnamese Iced Coffee ($4). Located close to the Dupont Circle Metro.

M Whittaker

Yummy food! Nice wine list. If you eat outside, remember to bring a sweater or you'll be chilly! Loved tge appetizer dumplings. Very good sushi and Ramen bowls!

Magdaléna Čisárová

Today, we went to have lunch there and it was excellent, so much so that we ordered a second time. We had maki and Japanese beer. The prices are very good in the US, especially in terms of the price-to-quality ratio. The staff is very nice and provides good service. We didn't have a reservation, but we only had to wait for 10 minutes until a table became available. If you are in Washington and enjoy Japanese food, I definitely recommend going there for a meal.

Julie H

Big menu. Great happy hour. Nice interior and ambiance in general. Favorites include the mussels, age dashi, kara age, salmon apple crudo, white tiger roll, sake don buri... never really miss here. REALLY must try some of the ramen, nearly mugged the guy next to me for a taste of his...

Abhinav Joshi

Rakuya is an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING part izakaya, part resto style experience. THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS and adequately priced. On top of that, servers are really nice and the service is really fast. An absolute must try resto if you are in DC. This resto is also a few steps away from the Dupont circle metro station exit so a car is also not necessary to get to it. Finally, make sure you make a reservation before you go in as it's absolutely packed with people in the evening and tables will be extremely difficult to get on the weekends. This is basically a right hand thunb rule in DC. Make a reservation if you plan on going to the nice places. For all my Japanese friends out their looking for some taste that reminds you of home, come to Rakuya! Absolute must try - 1. Chicken Karaage 2. Shishito peppers 3. Their Ramen. Any Ramen. Period. 4. Sushi platters 5. Tempura

Bria Nicole

So there were mixed reviews on this place. I went on Monday, Labor Day weekend, right before happy hour ended. This wasn’t an intention to go here. They asked if I had a reservation, I said no. I was still accommodated, there were 2 of us. We were sat immediately and handed 4 menus. I felt like this was overwhelming. I ordered shrimp tempura and chicken yakitori. I liked the shrimp tempura. I really enjoyed the chicken. There were 3 grilled skewers with a teriyaki sauce. I asked the waitress which rolls were cooked & uncooked. She said shrimp tempura & one other were cooked. I was honestly confused because you can’t eat eel raw. For entree I ordered Tokyo dashi with chicken & egg noodle. This was the first time I ever tried it. I would say it’s a cross between pho and ramen. A good broth with cabbage & carrots. I wouldn’t get chicken, probably opt for shrimp. I felt like I had too much chicken & it was bland, like Pho. I enjoyed everything else. I didn’t receive bad service like other posters stated. I would go back. I enjoyed everything.

G Monet

SLAPS! The tuna tartar is out of this world. I mean soooooo good. I am a baltimore native but would go to dc weekly if i could for that alone. So fresh and flavors ON POINT. The ramen was really good too. Loved the fast and nice servers.

Noemy Diaz-Ramos

Great experience, service is very good, food over the top, affordable prices, well located if you are in the vicinity, clean and menu has plenty of choices.

Natalie Brown

I’ve always walked by, but ate here for the first time today. It was great! I had the rolls+sashimi combo and it was a perfect amount of food for a good price. Service was good, prices were fair, and it was a nice, casual experience. My friend tried three rolls and loved them all. I’d come back!

Saminda Wijegunawardena

Justin Parke

Perfect place for lunch with sushi special + miso soup. Attentive & enthusiast service. Great Dupont location. Has the “lived in” local vibe of a well established favorite. If you want a fancier Japanese meal, Sushi Taro is the best place in DC. This Rakuya is unique with a lovely & distinct vibe that is more accessible & closer to metro.

Tonja Alicia Zekee

This place is comfortable. Our server was very friendly and gave us Great service and food was awesome.

Darren Catron

Customer service was really good. She was very attentive and even explaining of every thing that was on our dish and very friendly.... We completely ENJOY our night there. Will come again and tell our friends.

Scott Hunt

Had a fantastic lunch this past weekend; friend in wheel chair and the staff was very accommodating; very friendly.

Melanie Matt

I eat here whenever I'm in DC. The food is always perfect and they are willing to work with me to be sure my food is gluten free.

Alec F Rivera

Went for the first time since the remodel/rebrand for date night with my fiancé. We were floored with the amazing quality, delicous selection, and some favorites from when this was still Raku. Definitely one of our favorites in DC. I highly recommend any of the fatty tuna options (blue fun was my favorite), as well as the sake. We'll be back soon.

Justin Moore

The food was excellent ....one of my new favorite sushi spots

Guido Seoanes Perla

Great Place! Love the Tokyo Dashi, the Whisky, the service!

Ruben Dario Portocarrero

Buena atención y riquísima sopa de carne del mismo modo se notó la frescura del sushi

Jeff Trout

Swing, and a miss. The sushi was good . . but the noodle were wierd.

Tanya Noack

Had a fabulous Bento box 🍱! Everything was fresh and tasty.... service was amazing! Great location and nice open air atmosphere!

Paloma Yazmina Garçon

Yummy every little delightful Sampel was having a fesita in my mouth �� thank you for the lovely evening and mrs VERONICA was the amazing lady who waited on us and she was ever so hospitable and wonderful thank you ��we will be back soon

Scott Hartnett

Great food great service . Can't wait to go again

Varun Bajaj

Good Selection, Excellent Food; well priced too.

Thomas Robert Whitfield

One of my favorite places in DC. Great staff and amazing food!!!

Renee Berry

This is one of my favorite places to eat in DC!

Zerihun Girma

Best asian food

Ace Romano Rodriguez

Excellent pad thai!