My Friends and I had a really great meal at Nara-Ya this weekend. The atmosphere and views are amazing. We ordered 3 different rolls, the duck, and soft blue crab; all pictured below. Everything came out very fast, although we started dinner at 5:30, which is rather early. I'm taking off 1 star for two reasons. 1st is the price of the cocktails. They were good but they were all $18-20 for a single drink. You can knock a few bucks off the price and still make a crazy margin. Maybe I would have even ordered a second if they were slightly less expensive. The second reason is the automatic 22% charge added to your bill, 2% for COVID sanitation(as if that $20 cocktail doesn't pay for a clean table), and 20% automatic tip. Our service was great and having worked as a waitress for 6 years, I always tip well for great service but I like to decide if the service was great or not great and deserves 15-18%. All around, the experience was great. Looking ahead at the menu, we expected a pricey meal but worth it! read more

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I happen to stumble upon this place looking for happy hour. As soon as you walk in it's eye catching! The decor is absolutely amazing! I arrived around 6 on a Wednesday evening and asked to be seated at the bar. They have Happy Hour daily. When I say gorgeous, this place is stunning inside. I tried the happy hour drink (the drinks rotate daily), Rhythm of the River, it was so pretty I didn't want to drink it, get this it tasted better than it looked. It was so good I ended up having 3, thankfully I was walking home. I was the only one sitting at the bar and I received excellent, excellent service, I had the best bartender ever! I tried the Gyoza (excellent) and the Salmon Crispy Rice. What I was served and what I thought I was getting for Salmon Crispy Rice didn't match up, I'd pass on that next time. But I'm definitely looking forward to coming back for dinner. Heck, I would come back just for the drinks! read more

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Went here for dinner for girls night. Overall we had a wonderful experience and delicious food. Beautiful plating and presentation, along with a beautifully decorated restaurant. It was very Instagram worthy! Our server Kim was truly fantastic and went above and beyond to make our meal great. Will definitely be requesting her for our next visit. We ordered a few different cocktails and all were wonderful. Both the Rhythm of the River and Blossom 75 were great and on the sweeter side (which I enjoy in a cocktail). The Why is it Floor 3.1 was had a little spice kick to which my friend really enjoyed. Food wise we ordered a bunch of different things and shared. The short rib, sushi, and smoked zuke tuna were the highlights. Overall we enjoyed everything we ordered. We ordered the seaweed salad, crispy cauliflower, edamame hummus, district spice roll, and tempura crunch roll. For dessert we had the cherry blossom dessert. You must get the smoked zuke tuna! It was truly the highlight of our meal and just had incredible smoke flavor. Overall a great dinner and we'll definitely be back to try more things! read more

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The reason I gave this place two stars was because of the terrible atmosphere and dinning experience I encountered when I was at the restaurant. The service was great and the staff was wonderful, however the problem started when their fire alarm system started going off and wasn't shut off for about 30 minutes. No one came up to us to reassure us that everything was OK until about 20 minutes later. The manager let us know that this happens quite often because the restaurant is located in a building with residential apartments and their candles sometimes set the alarm off. I have to say that this completely ruined my dining experience, and I was let down because I anticipated that this was a more upscale restaurant. The food was mediocre at best, the best thing this restaurant had going for them was the view, however you had to specifically reserve those special seats. read more

Nara-Ya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Very cool artwork and decor when you walk in and all over the restaurant. The drinks were good the views were great and the food was delicious. Great new spot at the wharf! The district roll, fried cauliflower and banana tart were must haves! read more

Nara-Ya - Nara-ya roll and district spice - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Family celebrated our daughters birthday at Nara-Ya on May 26th. The appointment was at 8:30pm. We go there by 8:20, checked in and ordered our drinks at 8:34pm. That's just a background. Food was great, the cocktails were awesome and our waiter Denis was exceptional. He presented my daughter a birthday special desert as well. All is good. The next day, I see a change of $30 per person no show fee on my credit card. Called the restaurant, spoke to Jackie the same evening but she insisted that we were a no-show. I mentioned to her about the time we ordered food and we were told that a manger will will back. After not hearing from anyone, I disputed the no show charges. Brave enough folks, the restaurant is disputing and insists that we were a no show. I might legally request the surveillance tapes to prove the timings but I will not step in to the predatory business again. Not a good experience. read more

My husband and I have come here for brunch a few times. The food is amazing and the service is also excellent. Their mimosas are also delicious. The ambience is pleasant and trendy. We will definitely be back. read more

Staff was warm and helpful in choosing options. I think the portions sizes could be a little better considering the price. Cocktails were delicious and view is nice. Beautiful design and aesthetic. Nice date spot or girls night out, but more for the cocktails and view, rather than food. read more

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Went here for dinner with my sister. The place is a vibe, that is for sure! We sat down and ordered a bottle of wine and gyoza as an appetizer. The gyoza was really good but also different, it had like a lemon hint to it which made it unique. We then ordered the tempura crunch roll and the smoke break, both had amazing flavors but a bit too spicy. Wish they had a spice level sign to each sushi roll, this would make it easier for some people. Rated it lower because of the automatic 20% service fee +5% surcharge. I feel like tipping should be based on the actual service not just assumed, maybe pay your servers better ‍Overall, loved the spot and delicious food! read more

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The sushi is super mediocre, and over priced and they added a 20% service charge/gratuity on a party of one. I paid $75 for 2 rolls and a coke lol Only thing this place has going for it is the view and even then the window design takes away from the water view. read more

Absolutely beautiful restaurant. Great ambience. There are seats with views of the wharf. The service was good. The food... I really, really enjoyed the sushi. I loved that they had okonomiyaki on the menu. The flavor was fantastic but... it was a bit undercooked... like raw dough undercooked. It was slightly charred on the outside so if they had cooked it through it would have been completely burned. For this reason, I can't give it five stars but it was a very nice experience and I'd go there again. read more

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This review is for yatai by Nara-Ya. I had a crispy cauliflower bao bun and it was pretty good. Though I was expecting the cauliflower to actually be crispy but since everything was already cooked from Nara-Ya kitchen, it was not crispy. Nonetheless, it was very flavorful and delicious. I think I liked it more than regular protein options. read more

Nara-Ya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is an extremely mediocre restaurant which serves sushi but is not a sushi bar. There is no sashimi or nigiri selection. They do have special rolls that are made up and state good. The restaurant is extremely overpriced for what it is but hey this is the case with all Wharf restaurants. read more

Nara-Ya - District Spice Roll, NaRa-Ya Roll, Shrimp Tempura - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

If you're every in DC I suggest making a reservation and visiting Nara-Ya. The food was good if you are a lover of sushi and sashimi. It is a must try spot. Located in the wharf with other restaurants and hotels in close proximity. While dining, you have a great view of the water. The staff was very nice and explained all of the dishes presented. We opted for the tasting menu since it was our first time here. At the end they gave us a champagne toast. A wonderful experience. Check Nara-Ya out! read more

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I have to agree with the other reviewer who said people only come here to instagram their outing. The reason I came here is because I saw two friends take pictures in front of nara-ya's interesting decor. The decor is gorgeous! The ambiance is chefs kiss. Even the bathrooms are beautifully decorated. I think it would be helpful they put on their website exactly where they are located because the address isn't helpful. A note saying they are on top of Mi Vida with a side door entrance would make it easier to find. You have to leave your credit card number to make a reservation. Cocktails are $17-20. And tip is already included in your bill which you might not notice as there is still a tip line on your bill. The waitstaff was all very friendly. The Sour Dojo cocktail is delicious! As a vegetarian I always look at all the food pictures posted on yelp before deciding on what to order. I saw the dish called a Tofu Platter which looks like plain silken tofu with a garnish put on top. Yeah no thanks. The Matcha Tiramisu was delicious!!! read more

$$$ If we're being realistic on the pricing. Beautiful presentation, excellent sushi! Weird entrance through an elevator. Kamikaze roll was *chefs kiss*. Enjoy! read more

Nara-Ya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've been doing my fair share to stimulate the restaurant industry during the pandemic. I've noticed a lot of 'Instagram' restaurants opening. Places where the focus seems to be on the decor and aesthetic, but the food is meh. Nara-Ya is NOT that. It's a beautiful restaurant, with great views, and good food! Our server was really nice. The menu is pretty simple. Shareables, entrees, sushi rolls. Boom. Not overly complicated. Cocktails. We got the Sour Dojo and the Ballad of Yasuke. Both were really good. I'm on an egg white kick so I was happy to see that they use it (for the sour dojo). The Ballad of Yasuke uses Uncle Nearest which I think is very cool. Apparently there's a Netflix doc about Yasuke as well, so check that out. Food. Let's break it down - Edamame Hummus. What?? I was not looking forward to this but my friend wanted it. When I tell you it was SO GOOD. - Seaweed Salad. Ehhh. It was fine. If it weren't for the Yuzu-sesame dressing, this dish would be nothing. But the dressing is really good lol NARA-YA, ELECTRIC EEL, LOBSTER, DISTRICT SPICE. So i liked ALL these rolls. Electric Eel and the Lobster ones were my least fave. Mostly because I don't love tempura. As a matter of fact, I'd skip the lobster roll. The miso butter soy was good. Maybe ask for that...but don't get the roll. But overall, go here! I'll definitely be back. read more

Forgot to make a post back in May. I flew out for my graduation ceremony and my friend took me out to celebrate! I forgot the name of the server I believe his name was Angel. He was very sweet and comped us champagne to commemorate my graduation. We ordered some wine and he also come back with some surprise cocktails. We selected a variety of rolls and nigiri, and caviar, which all were fresh. The two desserts were so delicate and beautiful. Matcha is one of my favorite flavors so trying a matcha tiramisu was great. I loved the different textures and softness to them too. Also, the interior design is so intricate and embellished especially in the women's restroom. Additionally, we really enjoyed our evening while looking out at the river view! Had a lovely experience as it was my first time. If and when I return to the DMV area I'd love to dine here again. read more

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Great service and sushi options. Place is nice and service was prompt and pleasant. Place is more upscale with some fusion food options. Highly recommend for sushi lovers read more

I recently went for their new $45 Bottomless weekend brunch (you can add on bottomless mimosas for $25 as well). Everything I tried was delicious. The service was great. The ambiance is lovely, so much great art and decor. Awesome view of the wharf and water. You do have a 2 hour limit and can't take any leftovers with you so definitely plan to be early to get parking so that you can fully enjoy your experience. I will definitely return again. read more

Everything at Nara-Ya was delicious. I don't think it was one thing I didn't like. Our server definitely kept our glasses filled for the bottomless mimosas. The food also came out really fast. The atmosphere was a vibe, the music wasn't too loud where you couldn't hear the other person. I had a wonderful time and will be sure to go back read more

Nara-Ya was delicious and such a fun, chic dining experience. We had amazing views of the wharf and water the whole time while enjoying our food. The cocktails were pretty good, with fun names. The food was amazing. I loved the sushi rolls - the Nara Ya roll and the A5 Roll- both were so worth it and delicious!!! The A5 Roll was my favorite because the different flavors were sooo good paired with the wagyu steak on the top. We also got the Toro tuna special (using the fatty belly part of the tuna) which included amazing sashimi and rolls made up of the toro tuna. However, I didn't like how the server offered it to us but didn't mention the price so we were blown away by the $50 charge! (I also didn't like how when I asked how much the additional truffle to the sushi roll would be, and declined when it was $30, he gave us a weird look as if deciding based on price is looked down upon - but this was the only unfriendly encounter.) We also ordered the green tea soba noodles and the prawn okonomiyaki. The okonomiyaki was definitely my favorite. The huge prawn on the side was alright and honestly could have been seasoned better but that Japanese pancake was something else! The green tea soba noodles were pretty good as well, with some tasty, fresh ingredients. I was glad we got the sushi first because by then we had something in our stomachs. Both those dishes were on the smaller side, so you can have those as individual or sharing. Really cool vibes indoors with great views along the wharf. A recommended place for a date night and treating yourself to a great dinner and dining experience! read more

4 stars for the bar service! There is a short bartender who does a lot of tricks when making your drink. He's AWESOME. He gives you great conversation and checks on you, 10/10? The aesthetic is cute, definitely instagram worthy. I ordered a mocktail, it was too sour. It kinds of sucks not being able to have alcohol because I'm sure that would have made the drink taste good. On to the food, the fried calamari was overcooked and salty. Some of the worst fried calamari I ever had. I expected more from them. The sushi I ordered had a lot of flavor and it was delicious. You don't need any soy sauce for it because it is packed with flavor from the lobster dynamite on top. I ordered a seafood pancake and although the presentation was nice, I expected more seafood. It was mostly dough and vegetables, hardly any seafood in it so that was disappointing but my friend had the sea bass and she loved it. I do want to come back and try their scallops. read more

This restaurant had an amazing atmosphere as well as some very helpful waitstaff! The food was delicious! My favorite was the A5 Roll! Also, they have a great view! read more

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Our server was pushy for us to order more and half hearted check on how we are doing with the food. The food sucks. Tuna belly is more like tuna jelly, they know the food isn't the reason people come here so they fancy it up with smokes and flowers. Matcha tiramisu was the worst, it's one thin layer of bland matcha powder, thick layer of overly sweet cheap cream and one dry cake. Mandatory 20% tip. If you have to come here. Order rolls. That's the only cooking these type of asian fusion restaurants can manage. read more

Went here on a last minute high-top reservation. My girlfriend and I enjoyed views of the storm that rolled in eventually revealing a rainbow over the river. We started with Edamame, Crispy Cauliflower, and chicken Gyoza. The cauliflower was great, the gyoza as expected, however the edamame was slightly overdone (giving it a mushy texture). For our main courses we enjoyed the Yuzu Kosho Chicken and Tempura Crunch roll. The chicken dish was a large serving of fried chicken and the roll came with 8 pieces satisfying our hunger. read more

Nara-Ya - Tempura Crunch Roll & Crispy Cauliflower - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It smelled really bad inside where the pretty aesthetic wall is. The sushi was amazing. The server was nice. He also handled some of my items without any gloves and made me uncomfortable. The restaurant seemed a wannabe upscale restaurant. It was just pretty. read more

Nara-Ya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Was there on Valentines day for Valentine's special! Food and view was amazing. We got there early and there was so many empty table. The host made us sit in the super tiny table but The server was nice and allowed us to move to bigger one. Overall, I would go back for special day for sure. read more

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Great happy hour deal, almost half price. But the regular menu pricing doesn't seem to match up with the value of what you get. The food is really good and tastes delicious, but it's not much and it feels inflated purely because of the Wharf "date night" vibe. The inside looks very Instagram/TikTok worthy, but it's not somewhere I would be dying to go back to. Does have a vegetarian and vegan options and the cocktails are very delicious. read more

Many of you will come here because of TikTok, but if you are looking to leave with a full stomach and pockets this is not the place for you. Overall I feel like the amount of money spent and the flavors of the food don't compute. The service was just okay. I spent well over $100 and still went to get food and drinks afterwards because I was left unsatisfied. Overall the food was okay, but definitely not worth the money. read more

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One of the best sushi and dining experience. It's my second time dining here and I like it so much the first time I had to take my bf here for a first class dining experience. I got the "rhythm of the river" for my cocktail, it's so pretty and it taste like juice (which I like). We both got the omakase which was 5 courses plus a dessert and we got to choose our main course. Every course was truly delicious, the fish that they use for the sashimi and rolls are so fresh and worth the price! I got the short ribs as my main course and it was the best short rib ever, very tender, my boyfriend got the rockfish and he really loved it too. For dessert we got the matcha tiramisu and a cherry dessert. While they were both good, we just enjoyed the matcha dessert more. The service was great too, they explained every meal that came out. read more

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Such a beautiful venue. Angel was our server tonight and his recommendations were on point. Our first time here and definitely not our last. Cheers Nara-ya! read more

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Excellent food, loved our server and cute ambiance. I really would have given this place a 5 but there were two things that caused me to give it a 4. The first was the hostess and the second was their drinks. We were running late and so I called two hours in advance to ask for an extension on our reservation they said there is only a grace period of 15 mins. Our reservation was for 7:15pm i said on that 15 min should help. We ended up arriving at 7:35pm. They host made such a big stink (In HS I worked at a insanely business expensive resturant as a host, I understand when reservations run late it messes the entire flow up but I also understood that as the front line I'm the first person they see I somewhat set the tone of their evening!). Upon arrival they gave us attitude and made it a point to tell us twice how late we were. The was a beautiful entertainer way so we were taking picture and the girl very rudely agin and said you're late take photos later. This could have been said a little more appropriately by letting us know the second set of hostess we're waiting for us upstairs. Upon getting to the second level they tried to seat us at the worse table almost to teach us a lesson. Very poor first impression. The second issue I had was the drink were expensive (everything was expensive but I'm used to pricey place so that wasn't my issues) my issue with drink prices was the amount of alcohol did nothing. I am extremely lightweight and so two drinks is always more than enough for me. I had 4 drinks and felt nothing (delicious drinks but the joke was the alcohol must have been replaced with water since I had 4 and no giggles). Everyone else had maybe 5-6 drinks and also didn't feel anything. There were 4 of us so let's just say about 20 drinks at $20/ drink ("why is the floor" 3.1 drink) We spend $400 just on drinks to feel nothing. A big shocking when you actually calculate out. My advice would be be on time, if you're late don't let the hostess ruin your night, have drinks at home so that you only grab 1-2 cocktails to experience it. read more

Nara-Ya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Trendy restaurant that recently opened up in the wharf. It fits the current social media vibe with plenty of picturesque spots inside the restaurant and the views of the water are excellent. We started off with the 3.1 cocktail which was great. A spicy mezcal drink to kick things off. We then had the cauliflower and the Nara-ya sushi roll as appetizers. The cauliflower was average but the sushi roll was actually really great. Next on to the appetizers. We tried the scallops and the braised short rib. The portions are very small. They give you two scallops for one portion. I would say the flavors are pretty good, but nothing to die for. The short rib had an overwhelming horseradish sauce, but was still pretty tasty. Overall the vibe is right but a bit pricey for the food that you receive. read more

This place is truly beautiful, with a great view and a very fancy menu. The food is delicious but it is definitely not a place to go if you are really hungry, the portions are more for a tasting than actual entree sizes. We ordered the vegan chef tasting ($85) and the second regular tasting ($95) and the first "course" for both is literally the size of a ritz cracker. It was delicious, don't get me wrong, but I could have eaten at least ten of those. The food is delicious and the drinks are very creative. It is a great spot to check out by the water, definitely a nice experience but I don't need to go back. If you love to take pics of your food and drinks and post them on Instagram, this place is for you. The service was also very good. Other than the plates being tiny this is a cool spot. read more

Nada-ya definitely is a 10/10 for me. I went in for the Sunday brunch and every dish was delicious our server Marco was on point with service! The lady who sat us down was very friendly and found a great spot to accommodate our baby stroller. We're definitely going back for the brunch menu. read more

Overpriced and lackluster food. The sushi 12 pc "omakase" was 6 fish pieces, doubled. Not a lot of variety and the quality of fish wasn't particularly notable. Definitely not worth the $84 price tag. We asked for different mocktails and they were all the same and very plain. Service was also very spotty. Our waiter needed to be flagged down each time to have him take our order and he made us wait for him for a long time. The duck was apparently good, but I would not return for the pricetag and bad service. read more

Nara-Ya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The sushi was really good!!! And very fulfilling!! I wanted to try the lamb chops but I was so full from the sushi!! The menu is very selective and the drink prices are a bit pricy we just got a bottle of Prosecco and it made more sense, definitely will be going back read more

I never write reviews, but this one was warranted. Amazing art, food, & service. Highly recommend the edamame hummus. Thanks for the amazing service, Jose! read more

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First off, the service was impeccable. The waiters catered to your every need right away. The food was beautifully presented and delicious. Overall, it was a great experience, and very close to our hotel on the wharf. read more

Nara-Ya - This dish was served under a bell jar full of smoke - I didn't get the photo until after it had been removed. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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