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Nara-Ya, Washington, DC

Nara-Ya

4.5
4.5
1265 Reviews
$31 to $50
Japanese (Izakaya)
  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
Nestled in the vibrant District Wharf, NaRa-Ya offers a unique blend of traditional Japanese flavors with a contemporary twist. As an izakaya, our menu features a variety of flavorful small plates, hearty mains, and expertly crafted sushi, all designed with a focus on authenticity and creativity.

We take pride in our commitment to culinary excellence and environmental responsibility, sourcing local ingredients and offering sustainable, farm-raised, and wild-caught seafood. Our extensive selection of sake and Japanese whisky includes rare and exceptional choices, many of which are seldom found outside Japan. With most seating offering stunning views of the marina, the Potomac River, the Jefferson Memorial, and planes landing in the distance at Ronald Reagan International Airport, NaRa-Ya promises a memorable dining experience in a welcoming atmosphere.

Please allow extra time for parking when planning your visit. For more information, please visit our website.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Japanese (Izakaya), Japanese, Sushi
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 301-8145
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Satha Boyd
  • Private party facilities
    Nara-Ya is delighted to host your private event or corporate function. Please inquire at info@nara-ya.com.
  • Neighbourhood
    Southwest Waterfront
  • Cross Street
    9th and Maine
  • Parking details
    While visiting Nara-Ya, located at 88 District Square, Washington D.C. 20024, it is strongly recommended to utilize Uber/Lyft. Parking is extremely limited on the street and in the garage.
  • Public transit
    Near: DC circulator, 54 Bus line; L'Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian Metro stopsRide share available through rideshare apps.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,265 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5
4.5 based on all time ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Nara-Ya offers a "superb brunch" with standout items like Steak & Eggs and Octopus Takoyaki. The "beautiful decor" and "great views of the Wharf" enhance the dining experience. While some find the food pricing high, the "exceptional sushi" and creative cocktails are worth it. Service varies, but highlights include attentive staff like David.

1,265 Reviews
  1. Denise

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Considering there is a 2 hr limit, our server was quite slow. We had long waits for refills. However other tables had faster service from the same server. However, the food was fantastic! My brunch guest is a chef and really enjoyed our meal. We will be back!

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  2. Davell

    VIP

    Baltimore

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic rolls and the yuzu cheesecake was a favorite
    Nara-YaResponded on September 14, 2024
    Thank you, Davell, for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the fantastic rolls and that the yuzu cheesecake was a favorite. It’s great to know that the food, service, and ambiance made for a fantastic dining experience. We can’t wait to welcome you back soon!

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  3. TeriF

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Considering you have limited time, this would be 5 stars if the bottomless places came more consistently.

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  4. EYoung

    VIP

    Washington DC

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on August 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    David was our server & he is wonderful- he was very attentive & kept checking on us in case we need anything. The ambience is awesome and the entrance to the restaurant was well thought of. The food was also great- pricey but perfect for dates & special occasion.
    Nara-YaResponded on August 13, 2024
    Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that David provided excellent service and that you enjoyed the ambience and food. We’re always striving to make special occasions memorable, and it’s great to know we hit the mark for you. We understand that our pricing might be on the higher side, but we believe the quality and experience we offer are worth it. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

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  5. Enrique

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 6, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was great! The drinks were even better. Price was too high on the food and desserts but I can understand the pricing on drinks. Food was not worth it all. We've never had chicken that dry in our life, it was borderline inedible.
    Nara-YaResponded on August 15, 2024
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed the service and our cocktails, as we take pride in providing both. However, we’re sorry to hear that the food did not meet your expectations. We understand that it can be challenging to judge an entire menu based on a few items, but we take your feedback seriously, regarding the chicken. We strive to ensure every dish meets our high standards, and we’re disappointed that this wasn’t the case during your visit. We would have loved to address the issue while you were dining with us. If there was a concern with your meal, our team is always ready to make it right on the spot, whether by remaking a dish or offering alternatives. Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to welcome you back soon.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    It took us almost 20 minutes for a greet and the whole experience was rushed because of that, ive been here twice before with great experiences and the waiter was nowhere to be found this time. We ordered bottomless mimosas and they weren’t getting filled within a timely manner. The food and drinks were amazing per usual.
    Nara-YaResponded on July 27, 2024
    Thank you for sharing your feedback and for your continued support. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the food and drinks during your visit. However, we’re truly sorry to learn that your experience with our service did not meet the high standards we aim to provide. On the day of your visit, we were unfortunately understaffed, which made it a particularly challenging day for our team. This led to longer wait times and a less than ideal service experience, which we deeply regret. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we hope you will consider giving us another chance to deliver the exceptional service you’ve experienced with us before. We’re confident that with our team back at full strength, your next visit will be much more enjoyable. Thank you once again for your feedback.

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  7. Nadia

    Baltimore

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I really enjoyed my dining experience here. Food was really good, drinks were nice and the overall service was great. I will be returning soon!
    Nara-YaResponded on August 22, 2024
    Thank you so much for your 5-star review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable dining experience at Nara-Ya. It’s great to know that you appreciated the food, drinks, and overall service. We’re thrilled to hear that you plan on returning soon, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another wonderful evening!

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    VIP

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I took my daughter there for brunch and it was such an amazing experience that we can’t wait to be back there. The bottomless brunch is definitely the way to go and the food was so good. We loved the steak and eggs so much we had it twice
    Nara-YaResponded on July 15, 2024
    Thank you so much for dining with us at Nara Ya and for your glowing 5-star rating! We're thrilled to hear that you and your daughter had such an amazing time during brunch. Your kind words about our bottomless brunch and the delicious food, especially the steak and eggs, mean a lot to us. We're delighted that you enjoyed your visit and that you're already looking forward to coming back. We can't wait to welcome you both again soon for another fantastic dining experience at Nara Ya!

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  9. Christyne

    VIP

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    It was extremely busy. They forgot some of our food, then kept trying to bring us someone else's food. It was loud, a party behind us was extremely loud which we know you cannot help but just letting you know. I've been there once before and it wasn't that loud. The food was good. It is a bit pricey but the view and ambiance is great!
    Nara-YaResponded on July 14, 2024
    Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your perspective on the value of our 2-hour unlimited dining experience priced at $45. At Nara Ya, we strive to offer a dining experience that combines quality, freshness, and value. We understand your concerns about pricing, and we continuously evaluate our offerings to ensure they meet our guests' expectations. Our goal is to provide a memorable dining experience with dishes that highlight our commitment to quality ingredients and preparation. We value your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Nara Ya soon. If there’s anything more we can do to enhance your experience or if you have any further comments, please feel free to contact us directly. Thank you once again for your feedback and for choosing Nara Ya.

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  10. BinDC

    VIP

    Washington DC

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on July 5, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding dining experience with great views of the Wharf. This is our second time dining here, and when we brought our friends along they were equally impressed. The attention to detail from the beautiful ambiance to the food taste and presentation is absolutely outstanding. Highly recommend the edamame hummus, gyoza dumplings, and lobster fried rice. Can't go wrong with any of the signature sushi rolls either! The cocktails are delicious mixologist creations. Our waiter, José was amazing, sharp, and professional. We had a great time and we'll certainly be back again!
    Nara-YaResponded on July 6, 2024
    Thank you so much for your glowing review and for choosing to dine at Nara Ya! We're delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic experience with us, and we truly appreciate your kind words about our food, service, ambience, value, and drinks. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed our edamame hummus, gyoza dumplings, lobster fried rice, and signature sushi rolls. Our mixologists take pride in crafting delicious cocktails that perfectly complement our dishes, and we're thrilled that you found them to your liking. We'll be sure to share your compliments with José and the rest of our team. We can't wait to welcome you and your friends back soon for another enjoyable dining experience!

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FAQs

Nara-Ya offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 301-8145.

Nara-Ya is rated 4.5 stars by 1265 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Nara-Ya

88 District Sq SW, Fl 3, Washington, DC 20024-2491

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    9th and Maine
  • Neighbourhood
    Southwest Waterfront
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Japanese (Izakaya), Japanese, Sushi
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    While visiting Nara-Ya, located at 88 District Square, Washington D.C. 20024, it is strongly recommended to utilize Uber/Lyft. Parking is extremely limited on the street and in the garage.
  • Public transit
    Near: DC circulator, 54 Bus line; L'Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian Metro stopsRide share available through rideshare apps.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Satha Boyd
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (202) 301-8145
  • Private party facilities
    Nara-Ya is delighted to host your private event or corporate function. Please inquire at info@nara-ya.com.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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