Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Bar Japonais

    4.1 (80 reviews)

    Order Bar Japonais Takeout or Delivery

    Bar Japonais Japanese Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    BAR JAPONAIS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Bar Japonais

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Japonais Sushi Roll
    Kyle W.

    Beautiful restaurant! The decor, the bar, table set up, lighting...everything is aesthetically pleasing. If you aim to impress, this is the place to go for a date night, business meeting, celebration, etc. The server was very pleasant and helpful with all questions about the menu. Which is a huge plus for me because if you've ever been out with me, I have questions :) The drinks: I tried both the okinawan old fashioned and the Japanese melon highball. They were decent, but not a heavy enough pour/a large enough cup. The new standard for the typical $15+ price tag in DC for cocktails. They had Mars Iwai, so I ordered that neat. The food: the steak skewer was delicious! Just wish there was more. The sunomono salad was great! Just wish there was more. The miso soup was tasty! Just wish there was more...you see the theme. My usual griff with fancier feeling restaurants, you just don't get enough food for the price you're paying. I also ordered the Japonais sushi roll, it was delicious; but again, the $17 price tag was not justified, as I've had better/equivalent/more filling rolls that fell in the $12-15 range. The tuna rose is a culinary masterpiece. Very unique and beautiful arrangement. Taste wise it is not something I would order again, but I believe that is just my preference. Nevertheless, it was impressive. Overall, I wouldn't be in a hurry to, but I believe I would go back. I would just be extremely calculated with the occasion, with what I choose to order, and I would not go with a heavy appetite.

    Black manhattan
    Victoria M.

    This is a pretty cute little cocktail bar. While they also serve food, in the evening they solely serve cocktails. The service is pretty great, and they're really quick to make sure that you have a drink in your hand as soon as you walk in. They are also consistently following up to make sure that you have an exceptional time. Overall, I had a good experience here. My one qualm is the bar chairs are really awkward and uncomfortable.

    Jasmin B.

    The perfect dining space for japanese cuisine is here at Bar Japonais in Washington, DC! I love a good Salmon Ponzu! Amazing happy hour specials and atmosphere! I feel like I am dining in Manhattan!

    The bar
    Joel S.

    Nice happy hour and still an excellent vibe (as with the previous inhabitants of the space). Food was delicious, as well as the drinks, with attentive service. We'll be back.

    Kenneth K.

    Great spot for happy hour. The food and drinks me and my wife shared was amazing and very reasonably priced for a more upscale place and neighborhood. We shared the three cocktails on happy hour which were the Japanese Melon Highball, the Anjin Margarita, and the Kyushu Daquiri along with a Spicy Salmon Handroll, and a Yellowtail Poke. The service was great, friendly, and fast given it was quite busy. I got a seat at the bar since the restaurant was booked on a Friday night and there was a seat next to me for my wife but she ended up standing in the crowded bar, which was no problem given the fast service.

    Kyushu daiquiri
    Alesia S.

    Stopped by for happy hour since I was in the area. Grabbed the last available seat at the bar. It was packed. I ended up grabbing some bites and a couple drinks. I had the aonori fries, chicken skewers, the anjin margarita, and the Kyushu daiquiri. Everything was good. The service was welcoming and quick. I would definitely return to try out their dinner menu when in the area.

    Japonais maki roll
    Amy N.

    Japonais is a fun spot on 14th for sushi, sashimi, small plates or an entree to share that feels elevated but isn't gonna set you back as seriously as some other spots along the same stretch. Vibe is friends meeting, dates, and group dinners alike. Had prompt service both visits, which is not always the norm in the DMV for sure. This is on our go-to list now for a casual date night.

    Steak Skewer
    Dejza B.

    I love a happy hour that's ACTUALLY a happy hour. Went here for light bites as the first stop of our anniversary date night--great deals, the food and drinks were good. Drinks: We were greeted at the table with bubbly for an anniversary toast (very nice touch). We then ordered the sake, the melon high ball, and the margarita throughout the evening. All the drinks were tasty and well balanced. Food: We had the Spicy Salmon Hand Roll, Yellowtail Poke, Aonori fries, steak skewers, and the noodles japonais with shrimp. The food was good overall--some items were hits and others were just good. The fries were just fries, nothing super exciting but came out hot, fresh, and crispy. The hand roll was good-- again, nothing particularly exciting from a flavor standpoint. Steak skewers had great flavor but were a little on the tough side. Now the yellowtail poke was fantastic. Only drawback is that it's a small portion (maybe this was just a happy hour size). I wanted more (yum). The noodles were also super flavorful! They were sweet noodles, and the shrimp brought the savory. We finished with the matcha crème brûlée (so good). We'll definitely be back to try the omakase.

    Crepes (super dry, no flavor)
    Kristina R.

    Service was exceptional. Ambiance could maybe use a little work to even out the lighting. All the staff were very pleasant. The Japanese Melon Baller was perfect, sweet and sour. The spicy edamame was basic- really just drowned in oil and red pepper flakes. Huge mess. The Japonais maki roll was basically a California roll, except extra small and cost $17 before tax. The crepes had caramel sauce on top but otherwise were dry and flavorless. The service was nice but the food (and cost) were big misses. Would not return unless it was only for a drink.

    Jonathan X.

    It's kind of a Japanese fusion place... The menu is kind of hard to read, a lot of fancy words. I had the chicken curry but the carrots were not cooked, and that kind of ruined it. I had to take those out. Don't fall into the happy hour trap, happy hour is only available at the bar not the tables. The margarita just didn't have any alcohol in it and got a weird vibe from the bartenders..like drink more or go. Not a place for a date. Overall .. it was just a strange place. I didn't find anything compelling about it.

    Afra M.

    Bar Japonais is great for late-night sushi. In 2026, it will become a cute lounge dinner spot w/ a DJ. Be on the lookout for the rebrand.

    Tuna roll
    Nicole O.

    Decided to check this place out on my way back from an event - it's easy to find and centrally located on the 14th street corridor. The inside has a huge bar, a few high tops and plenty of tables. The music is kind of loud, but it does see the vibe. My waiter was super friendly, and by the end of the night, I realized that everyone bringing my drink or food items knew my name. That was a nice touch. I ordered the waygu steak skewer, salmon sashimi, and tuna hand roll. Everything was delicious, but the portions are SMALL compared to the price. I could tell all of the food items were fresh however, which is nice. I also had the Japanese old fashioned. It was nice and strong, but I'll probably try something else if/when I return. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience and I would recommend.

    Victoria P.

    TWENTY-FOURTH BIRTHDAY DINNER at @barjaponaisdc fourteenth street for some Japanese dishes with a French flare to celebrate starting off with cocktails: anjin margarita and ariinishi a variety of skewers, salmon and hamachi sashimi, a variety of handrolls, edamame and shishito to feast while all the plates were tasty, it took SO long for a few to come out -- which took away from the overall experience -- not to mention a little pricey given the small portion sizes :/

    Cocktail Menu

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan S.
    191
    194
    1501

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Afra M.
    209
    16
    72

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dee D.
    446
    175
    13

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Bar Japonais Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bar Japonais

    Vegan food on happy hour?

    I believe the current vegan options on the hour happy menu are the Seaweed Salad, Sunomono Salad, Edamame, and Aonori Fries.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Free State - Hazy IPA

    Free State

    4.3(149 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Not to be confused with Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro (though many also call it Arthur…read moreWheeler Spirits haha), this place is located just off of the main street in chinatown, and it's surprisingly lowkey. It's a basement bar with a bit of a dive vibe, but it's hard to ignore the nautical, blue crab theme throughout. Turns out that one of the owners is a Marylander, which is cool to see reflected in the decor in a place in dc, even though it is next door. They have a happy hour and they have a great variety of drinks in general. It's bring-your-own-food (BYOF) and there are a bunch of delicious looking Asian spots nearby, including upstairs. It didn't start getting crowded until closer to 10, which, as I said, is surprising for this part of town to me. Everywhere in Chinatown is not going to be packed and busy, and this place is here to remind you of that. Stop by if you're looking for a more chill vibe. Staff are pretty cool.

    Free State is perfect for a chill bar in the Downtown area. It's exactly the kind of place you want…read moreto share a few drinks and be able to hear the person in front of you. I had a delicious orange crush drink and my friend had a sangria. The bartenders are extremely chill and nice; they only come up when you need it which is nice for good conversation. I'll easily be back when I want to catch up with friends without a speaker blaring in our ears. Great place to introduce to more people!

    Photos
    Free State - Spiked chocolate

    Spiked chocolate

    Free State - Bar

    Bar

    Free State - Small glasses

    See all

    Small glasses

    Chadol Korean BBQ

    Chadol Korean BBQ

    4.5(133 reviews)
    1.4 miNoMa
    $$$
    All you can eat
    Full bar

    Chadol Korean BBQ was such a fun pick for our monthly dinner series! My friends and I had a great…read moretime and honestly left fullllll. For $45 per person, the all-you-can-eat experience feels like a really solid deal considering how many protein options and side dishes you get. They start you off with a variety of banchan (side dishes), including a salad with this super tasty dressing that had the perfect little spicy kick. For the BBQ, we kicked things off with the spicy bulgogi and butter garlic shrimp, while the others tried the pork belly (I don't eat pork). Later we ordered the steak, spicy brisket, and grilled squid, which were all delicious. The spicy brisket especially was a standout for me. The guys also ordered two rounds of fried dumplings that looked amazing, but since they contain pork, I had to sit those out. I'd love to see Chadol add a veggie dumpling option to the menu! As for the sides, the kimchi and cold glass noodles were both hits at our table, and of course we all added white rice. The "mashed potatoes" though? Definitely more like potato salad and unfortunately very bland. On the other hand, the cheese corn costs extra but is 1000% worth adding. For drinks, the guys enjoyed the Woody Old Fashioned while I had a mezcal margarita-style cocktail that was smoky and refreshing. We also ordered one of the chicken options but never received it and eventually just gave up on it. One of the coolest parts of the experience is the ordering system. Most meats are ordered directly from a machine at your table, and the food comes out quickly on this conveyor belt-style setup which was honestly so fun. Drinks and side dishes are ordered through the servers. The atmosphere was lively and energetic without feeling overwhelming. The restaurant is actually much larger inside than I expected, with a modern setup that works well for smaller groups. That said, I didn't really notice tables for larger parties, so I'm not sure how they accommodate groups bigger than 6 people. Service started off a little rough because our server wasn't very attentive, but after I called it out, he definitely stepped it up and things improved. Overall, Chadol was a really good experience and absolutely worth the price. The 1.5-hour seating limit makes sense too, both to keep things moving and give others a chance to enjoy the experience. I'd definitely go back!

    I ate here around a year ago and reviewed them on google. The food is not good, service is slow,…read morefor some reason you can't order certain things with the tablet, and it's really easy to miss the little automated train thing that brings out your food. This place has negative reviews deleted on Google. Spend your money elsewhere, there's better Korean food in DC.

    Photos
    Chadol Korean BBQ
    Chadol Korean BBQ
    Chadol Korean BBQ

    See all

    Ciel Capitol Hill

    Ciel Capitol Hill

    4.2(10 reviews)
    1.5 miNoMa

    Omg!! The food was delicious. This was my first time patronizing this restaurant and I was blown…read moreaway. Interestingly enough they have two locations which I did not know. The food at this location was great. The red snapper with the rice and tomatoes was very flavorful. The red snapper could have been cooked a little harder. However, other than that it was great. My friend order the same dish except with salmon. She enjoyed the dish as well but also mentioned that the fish could be cooked harder. We sat at the bar so we didn't get service from the waiter. However, the service from the bartender as great. He was very knowledgeable on the drinks and the food. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the drinks. But I ordered a smoked margarita which had a great taste. The ambiance was wonderful. It was very aesthetically please. From the flowers on the ceiling to the rooftop overlooking the Capitol it was great. The roof top provided a chill vibe with low music. It could be a great place for a date night or just a place to go to meet up with friends. I 100% recommend.

    My first visit to Ciel Social Club was such a good experience! I went during happy hour with…read morefriends and the entire vibe of the rooftop was amazing from start to finish. The views alone make you want to stay all night, especially as the sun starts to set over the city. We also got to enjoy live music from the band, which made the atmosphere feel even more fun and elevated. It was the perfect mix of great energy, good music, and a beautiful rooftop setting. For drinks, we tried the Blushing Orchard Martini, Capitol Blossom Fizz, and the Lavender Ginger Bloom -- all refreshing and well-crafted. For food, we ordered the East Coast Oysters on the Half Shell, Beef Sliders, and Mediterranean Tacos. Everything came out fresh and flavorful.

    Photos
    Ciel Capitol Hill
    Ciel Capitol Hill
    Ciel Capitol Hill

    See all

    Bar Betsie - Back area

    Bar Betsie

    4.3(67 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    A trendy, NYC like vibe this spot was a lot smaller than I expected so I see why they often have a…read morewait. On a nice day, they do have a small outdoor patio as well. I think they take reservations but we were able to grab a bar spot. Are drinks pricey? What do you think? It's a cocktail bar in DC. The drinks we tried were pretty tasty, even the mezcal one which I thought was a refreshing take. The wall shows some of the drinks on the menu and the ingredients/glass it comes in which I thought was a nice touch. Bartenders were friendly but not too chatty as they were super busy but you never waited long for a drink. The bourbon drink with the whipped honey was our favorite but the gin drink that was pink was also fantastic. For food I did try the buffalo chicken dip, pretty large and tasty (not too spicy) and loved the super crisp celery and the fritos. Clean, trendy bathrooms, nice vibes throughout the whole spot for pictures, great for a night cap or pre-dinner drink.

    What a fun cocktail bar. My friend and I popped in for happy hour and it was a cool vibe from the…read morestart. I encourage you to get there early if you plan to go after work. They don't take revelations and the place fills up fast. It's a very cute spot and feels so comfortable and fun. Our bartender was Gaylan and he was great--had great reccs, laughed with us a bit, all around great guy. The 'let me just say this' was so soo good! It tasted like a rainbow--just bright and with a really delicious after taste. I should have stopped at the rose but after my trying my friend's, i had to have one! We initially came for happy hour, but moved to the cocktail menu. The hh was a bit limited, but the drinks were priced overall pretty reasonably for the area. My one complaint is the wine glasses were so teeny. Overall though, I would recommend this bar. Bonus: cheese balls when you sit down! I believe there is also a limited food menu (think nachos) for the after work or late night crowd.

    Photos
    Bar Betsie - Quick view of options

    Quick view of options

    Bar Betsie - Frozen hibiscus pina colada

    Frozen hibiscus pina colada

    Bar Betsie - A well balanced Old Fashioned

    See all

    A well balanced Old Fashioned

    Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

    Death & Co DC

    4.2(113 reviews)
    0.5 miShaw, Downtown
    $$$

    I've been eyeing this bar for several weeks now, and the other day, I finally decided it was time…read moreto give them a try. I know reservations are probably highly recommended, but we were fortunate to walk in at just the right moment and snag a seat. The seating is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening. The atmosphere is just my style, an elegant, dark, grown and sexy vibe that really sets the mood. The decor is striking, with thoughtful touches that create an inviting space to unwind. While it leans a bit on the pricier side, the exceptional service more than justifies the cost. Jordan and the team were incredibly knowledgeable about both the drinks and food menu, offering suggestions that perfectly matched our tastes. We tried two standout drinks that I can't recommend enough: the Attractive Nuisance and El Tiburon, (which is an Old Fashioned made with gin). The bartenders here clearly know what they're doing, each drink was crafted with care and precision. The good music in the background added to the overall ambiance, making it a delightful spot to spend an evening.

    We were here to get drinks and apps to kickstart our friend's birthday celebration. Unfortunately,…read morewe didn't have a reservation for that evening. Because the last time we were here, we could find a seat easily. So never thought about making a reservation. As we walked in, the place was packed. Lucky we got a table in the corner for an hour. One of us had to stand unfortunately. Drinks were great but felt overpriced. Food was delicious too. Fried potatoes and tartar is a must have. The service was great. Ambiance is amazing as well. Slightly on the darker side in the inside. They also have outdoor seating.

    Photos
    Death & Co DC - Please and Thank You

    Please and Thank You

    Death & Co DC - Mutineer

    Mutineer

    Death & Co DC

    See all

    Bar Japonais - japanese - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...