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I walked in - literally, as all the roads were blocked from the Grand Prix - and loved the decor and the vibe. I wasn't sure what to expect as I love Indian food but don't associate it with fancy. I was wrong. The food was gorgeous and flavorful. The service was matter of fact - maybe a bit abrupt at points - but efficient. We didn't do the chefs tasting - thank goodness! We were stuffed with the 4 courses. My favorite was honestly the amuse bouche fritter with some sort of chutney and roe and the sides that came with our main. The basmati rice was so flavorful and we loved the crispy breads. Delicious!
My bestie treated me to a beautiful four-course dinner service here for my birthday. The first thing that hit us about our experience was the impeccable service. Every staff member greeted us kindly and the manager who led our service made sure we felt at home. The interior was beautiful as well - ornate without being overwhelming. We got settled in and ordered cocktails, which as another reviewer said were experiences in and of themselves! We moved on to selecting our dinner options. For our first courses we had to try to gobhi Manchurian, and the murruku chat. For the second we tried the lamb cheela, delicious and served in a crepe, and tried the Chana masala panisse, a French take (I think) on a traditional dish. For mains we couldn't pass up the house-made paneer, and the beef short rib. For dessert we were lucky enough to taste all of them as my birthday gift. I loved our time at Rania and am looking forward to another occasion to go and try more dishes. The food is really lovely, with plenty of dishes I think many are familiar with though they are doing elevated takes and incorporating some other (French?) culinary influences.
Food was pretty good but it didn't have the authentic Indian flavoring that we had expected. The food was all served at the appropriate temperatures and we enjoyed everything that we ate. At the 3rd course, all meals come with rice and naan. Service was good although i felt like the servers really pushed for you to buy the expensive items on the menu instead of how the items tasted. I was thoroughly impressed with the presentation of everything. The ambiance was very elegant and romantic. Although the bathrooms were dirty and needed cleaned and updated. The one bathroom had waterlines exposed. Both were out of paper towels.
We did the 7 course chefs tasting menu with wine pairing. What a fantastic time! Food was great! Edwin our server was amazing!
This Michelin star indian restaurant has been on my bucket list for so long!! Getting reservations was easy, we tried a week ahead of time and there were many spots for a Saturday night. We opted for the 4 course menu ($90) or you can do the chefs tasting menu ($175) Each course had a vegetarian option which I loved. We were started off with Amouse bouche, sabudana vada which was mind blowing! Some of our favorite dishes were Gobhi Manchurian, shrimp Koliwada, Chana masala panisse, beef short rib with saffron nihari. For Dessert we had kesari mango and chocolate tart with masala chai ice cream, both were great. My only concern is that the staff needs to be trained in explaining the dish when it is brought to us. There seemed a language barrier, they explained very quickly and left before we could ask any questions. Our main server just took the order and got my wine. He never came to explain any food. We ordered masala chai, but it never came despite reminders. Parking can be hard, there are 2 garages, one closes at 10 pm. The other one is open until later but it's quite a walk and we paid $25 to park for 2 hours.
Stopped in for their restaurant week brunch special with a group of friends and had a mostly delightful experience. A few things we enjoyed; - the decor and ambiance is really lovely! - our server was great! Made sure those doing the bottomless mimosa option were never without. Also offered great recommendations. - most of the dishes on the brunch restaurant week menu were GREAT! The Daal stole the show! The shrimp Koliwada was our 2nd favorite and the lamb dish was the third. A few duds, but overall, food was a solid 4. Reason for 4 and not 5: wasn't in love with everything, a few dishes fell flat. Toward the end of our meal...JUST after we finished our dessert, we were told they needed the table despite there being MULTIPLE open 4 tops in the restaurant. Overall, I'm looking forward to returning to try more of the menu!
We've come to Rania probably half a dozen times since it opened, but last night was the first time we tried the full chef's tasting menu. Holy. Smokes. Certainly the best meal I've had in DC in years, which includes meals at Jont and P&P in the past several months. Unquestionably the best Indian meal I've had on Earth. The parade of dishes does not have a low point, which is incredible given the range of "mains" from chicken, to sable fish, to lamb taco, to pork cheek. Each dish shows clear French influence - we had most of the five sauces at least once - but with clear, vibrant warmth from Indian spices. Even at places like Eleven Madison and Le Bernardin, there's usually a miss or two. Not last night. Which brings me to the question: why not two Stars? Three? I think some of the answer comes back to ambiance and service. The chef's tasting does not have a dedicated space, flow, or timing. The rhythm of it can be somewhat offbeat with the constant arrival of over-the-top cocktails at the tables around you. And also, it has honestly felt like many of the waitstaff were "in training" on each of our recent visits. I know staff turnover is real and constant, and the staff last night were all perfectly kind, but I think there's a level of consistent experience - "worth a detour" - that has to elevate even perfect food beyond itself to garner the higher levels. Anyway, never mind that. And don't change a thing about the food or presentations. World class.
Two of us went for dinner on a Tuesday night a couple weeks before Christmas. Could have made a reservation but we weren't sure if we wanted to do the set menu or order a la carte (the latter only being served at the bar) so we wanted the option. After looking at the menus we decided on eating at the bar. Food was great -interesting ingredients and combinations, flavors were amazing. I especially enjoyed the fried rice and the lamb shank which was easily enjoyed with a fork (no knife needed!). The Michelin star seems well deserved!
Rania is a Michelin Star Indian restaurant and my experience here lets me know that it was well deserved. We came here for our anniversary and booked the Chef's Menu dinner experience. Our server was exceptionally nice & patient with us as this was our first time there. They do as for any food accommodations, which is nice. I'm not sure if they can adjust menu items completely (non veg to veg). We opted out of the wine pairing and ordered cocktails- highly recommend as their drinks are curated beautifully and tastefully. The food portions are perfect! They kept you content until the next item. We absolutely loved each plate and the Chef's play with known Indian spices and styles of cooking and making it modern. The ambiance is very stylishly done. There's a bar with bar seating, a private dining area/space that can be booked. Towards the back the restaurant opens up to a cozy dining area with lots of seating. If you're wondering if the Chef's Menu is worth it, I'm here to tell you it is. The dishes are carefully made to be packed with different levels of intensity and flavor, they pair well with one another and you leave feeling quite full. We were told that this menu was the icing on the cake for obtaining their star.
Easy to get reservations online. The interior ambiance is high end, super beautiful clean with the stone decorations on the walls, the marble like tables. There's areas for small groups and large groups and private rooms if needed The most affordable One Star Michelin Experience I've ever had. There the 4 course pre-fix meal at $90 per person. This is way cheaper than any other one Star Michelin Experience. The service was top notch. Drinks and cocktails were so good. Probably some of the best I've ever had. Exceptional food presentation. Curry kick $12- fresh tangerine juice with club soda. Super super good, refreshing. Sweet with hint of tart. Kharbooza $12- honeydew juice with wasabi foam- you don't taste the wasabi I think it helps give the color. This super good. Sea pear serpent $20- excellent presentation, it comes out with dry ice and incense. The drink is very subtle with the gin, not too sweet. Golden mantra $25- whisky but has karat gold flakes. Make me famous- angel envy whiskey. Comes with this cool incense smoke. Prince Edward Island Oysters- 6 oysters with hollandaise sauce. A little salty, cooked oysters. Nargisi kafta, quail egg, truffle cream- the cream sauce was good. The kafta and quail egg was a good combination. Lamb cheela- very interesting concept, light, multilayer flavors. The meat flavor was good. Diver scallops with curry- scallops cooked perfectly. The curry super good The naan- acceptable. I like that they were thin. The rice and lentil side dish- this was the best dish. The lentil side dish was super super good, it was creamy, tomatoes like flavor with some sour cream. I would get this again. Beef short rib- average short rib. Meat was t that soft. I wish it was more soft. The sauce was okay.. Lamb shank- the meat was super soft and cooked well. The sauce was odd a little bitter for my taste. I didn't like this dish. Kesari mangle with the brittle was super good- multiple textures. Mango was tart. Shirkhand mousse- a little sweet. There's a layer of sugar you can break. Very unique. I would get this again.
Innovative cocktails that come out with a show, delicious prefixe four course meal, thoughtful wine pairings for a reasonable price given the caliber of service and food quality! Oh and did I mention this is Indian cuisine? A 10/10 experience for a special night out. Highly recommend.
Dinner at Rania was such a unique experience that allows you to experience Indian cuisine in a different way than the classic dishes that are typically served. My friend and I came here on a Saturday night and started with a cocktail. When I tell you we were UNPREPARED for the drink delivery I am not exaggerating. It was such an unexpected bit of whimsy and we loved it! The entire tasting menu was so exquisitely done and delicious. I don't think there was a single item that we didn't like. Unexpectedly, the Duck was one of our favorite dishes of the night, which we almost didn't even order! My one down side was at the time of our visit, the sommelier had recently left so they had no one on staff to discuss wines. Typically this is fine - we'd make due.. but our waiter was very insistent and overly confident about what we'd like can kept opening bottles telling us this is what we wanted. He was very wrong multiple times and eventually we just had to ask him to stop to google the wine list ourselves. Overall this was still an amazing dinner and we'll 100% come back.
Rania was a delightful experience. The well-thought out flavors was an elevated twist to the typical Indian dishes and a experience for my taste buds. The service was quick, and the ambiance very romantic with intimate candlelight.
1 year ago
There are not enough words to describe this experience! This was our second Michelin experience and it was amazing! We did the 7 course meal, which was a lot of food and we were stuffed by the 5th lol but I thought the unique presentations and authentic taste was worth it! This was a fun time to just be out in the city and explore a familiar taste in different methods. My phone died half way thru unfortunately , but trust me when I say the foods were presented in a cool and interesting way! read more
Overall Rating:10/10 Rania introduced me to Indian fine dining, and I'm spoiled! As someone from a culture influenced by Indian cuisine, I was hesitant to try it at a restaurant. But Rania showed me I'd been missing out on one of the best meals of my life. Food: 5/5I'm officially a fan of Indian fine dining! The flavors were bold yet refined. 1st Course: * Amuse Bouche: A simple start to an unforgettable meal. * Chicken Kofta: Flavor-packed chicken meatballs in a magical sauce. * Shrimp Koliwada: Spicy, crispy, and fresh--I even asked for more! 2nd Course: * Chana Masala Panisse: As a Trini, I loved this flavorful vegetarian dish. * Lamb Cheela: Perfectly cooked lamb with a buttermilk mousse that tied it all together. * Crab Dumplings: Tonight's special, loaded with crab--delicious! 3rd Course: * Lamb Shoulder Rogan Josh: I need more!Sides: * Smoked Black Dal: Not my favorite, but didn't take away from the meal. * Garlic Naan: Classic, reliable naan. Dessert: * Shrikhand Mousse: A sweet and satisfying finish. * Chocolate Tart: I don't eat chocolate, but I was told it was spot-on. Service + Decor: 5/5 The restaurant is stunning, with attention to detail in everything--from decor to service to cocktails, all executed with handcrafted excellence. Full Review on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_xxqYGxdz1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. Please try these restaurants and form your own judgments--it's what I would do. read more
1 year ago
Came here for late night drinks. The ambiance inside is absolutely beautiful and does such a wonderful job highlighting the Indian culture. Our bartender was quick and attentive. I also appreciate that he went above and beyond to tell me in advance about the "experience" I'd be getting with my drink! Would absolutely come back. read more
All around amazing experience, I do recommend the Chefs tasting menu and a few cocktails! One of my favorite michelin experiences so far! They were able to accommodate my fiancé's vegetarian preference, and every dish was phenomenal, each dish was uniquely full of flavor and an experience within themselves. The cocktails are all pretty elaborate for the most part, arriving at your table in some special way. The restaurant has a nice relaxing atmosphere, and the service was impeccable. read more
8 months ago
Came here with family for a special night out, and everyone was blown away by both the food and the ambiance! My family is Indian but we had never had dishes like this before- everything was so unique. I loved the chaat, chickpeas and the cabbage and my mom loved the smokey daal and naan as well. My favorite part was the gorgeous way the cocktails were presented, along side cute props and trinkets! My only suggestions would be to pair the mocktails with an elaborate display as well, and to flag things that are vegan on their menu- I suspect several dishes either are or easily could be made vegan. read more
1 year ago
I visited Rania for their Sensory Soirée and absolutely loved it. This happens Tuesday - Friday from 5-8 pm and each handcrafted cocktail can be paired with a small bite. All the cocktails come with an elaborate display. It's a fun experience and a great way to start your night. We sat at the bar and the service was amazing. Everyone was extremely friendly, attentive and helpful when selecting menu options. The restaurant itself is decorated beautifully. It's dimly lit and perfect for a date night or quiet dinner. read more
Amazing Michelin starred Indian cuisine! The portion size was a little on the smaller side, so keep that in mind. Service is great and was very reassuring that their curries were nut free. The restaurant is nicely decorated with the food also being picture worthy as well as tasty. Would definitely come back again! read more
2 years ago
Ragz and I did a special date night here and I have nothing but good things to say, honestly. We were a little surprised that the place was sort of empty-ish on a Friday night when I expected to be super busy. Ragz had reservations, but it made me a little nervous about what to expect, especially knowing we'd be dropping a pretty penny on our meal. I started with their "This is not Lassi", while Ragz stuck to his usual McCallan 18 for drinks. I really enjoyed the drink and the mug it was served in. I also tried the Lavender Fizz but didn't enjoy as much. For starters, we shared the aloo chaat and the shrimp dish - both phenomenal. I highly recommend these. For the second course, we opted for the beetroot dish and the lamb cheela. I wasn't sure how goat cheese would go with an Indian flavor profile, but it honestly was delicious. Hubby loved his lamb cheela too. For the third course, I asked for the salmon but realized quickly that the dish was way too fishy with me. Our server was nice enough to quickly replace it with the paneer dish. It was an amazing dish and I am so glad I asked to change it. It was the softest paneer I have ever had, and this dish alone made me want to give the place 5-stars! Ragz had the lamb shoulder and loved it too. For dessert, we had the chocolate tart and the shrikhand mousse - both excellent dishes with the perfect balances of indian and western flavors. Kudos to their pastry chef for these amazing desserts. Overall, the experience was great for our food and drinks. Ambiance was okay - I had sort of expected something a little more intimate. The service was good, not outstanding. All that being said, the food alone deserves those 5 stars! Highly recommend for date night! read more
I will preface this review in saying that the 4/5 stars is primarily due to the service not the food! A Saturday evening dinner at this hot spot was highly anticipated, and we were whisked into an intimate, cozy side dining room upon arrival. While the front of house staff couldn't have been more welcoming, our service went downhill after that. Servers were friendly and personable at the table but it was the wait time that was particularly noticeable. Our courses were painfully slow to arrive, to the point of having to request our main and dessert nearly back to back as we crested the 2 hour dining mark. Not sure if it was just a particularly busy night but I was quite surprised by how slow things were considering the caliber of restaurant. That being said, the food was phenomenal. Gorgeous, artistic plating, bold and innovative flavor, textural diversity with each bite, and ample options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. The cocktails are theatrical show stoppers. Overall, service aside, Rania lives up to its Michelin star reputation! read more
7 months ago
Great customer service, beautiful atmosphere, and an amazing menu. I enjoyed their four course tasting menu and wine pairing. Definitely worth the visit. read more
1 year ago
What an incredible Michelin experience! My colleague and I selected the $90 four course menu and loved every dish! The lamb, paneer, and stuffed morel mushrooms were the heavenly. An optional wine pairing is also available for an additional $65. Service was exceptional throughout. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and offered recommendations that catered to our needs and elevated the experience. Rania exceeded our expectations and delivered a memorable evening. Absolutely worth the price and I''ll definitely be back! read more
Went for brunch just to switch things up and was impressed with the quality of food, taste and value. The prefixe menu offers a variety of options to accommodate all dietary preferences. My favorite had to be the shrimp and lentils dishes. The Dosa was interesting as well, much thicker and dense than anticipated and had an almost pancake like texture. I added bottomless mimosa options which was fantastic. There is a time limit though so just be mindful of that. Service was spot on as the staff answered all our questions and helped us with recommendations. The restaurant itself is elevated dining and spacious so good for groups. Hoping to go back for dinner sometime. read more
I recently visited Rania to celebrate my husband's birthday and to check off another 1-star Michelin restaurant from our list that was not Japanese cuisine. I love seeing restaurants from different cultures receiving appreciation and Rania serves delicious Indian cuisine. Overall, we had a fantastic time and would highly recommend this place! The decor was chic and modern, with a warm and inviting feel. Perfect for a special celebration like a birthday dinner . The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, making us feel valued from the moment we walked in. We enjoyed our interactions with them throughout the evening . We opted for the tasting menu, and it was really great! We liked almost all the dishes we had, and they paired really well with the wine pairings. Each course was beautifully presented and delicious . For the portion sizes and quality, the prices were very reasonable. Definitely worth for a Michelin-starred experience . One of the highlights was how well the wine pairings complemented the tasting menu. It really elevated the overall experience . The only part that wasn't great was at the beginning of our visit. When we booked, we reserved two tastings and two wine pairings, but it seemed like the staff weren't aware of this. I had to remind them about the two wine pairings. For a restaurant of this level, I believe they should be aware of such details as it was in the reservation . Tips were not included in the check and pre-calculated tip amount based on pre-tax total which is the right way to do that. I see many places these days suggest tip amount including tax. And not sure if their payment terminals have not been updated but the charge came from Punjabi Grill and not Rania. I highly recommend Rania for anyone looking for a great dining experience for a date or an intimate dining. read more
Such good food and such a great price for what you get! We parked in a garage nearby but there is street parking around. Dim lighting and soothing music, we definitely enjoyed our experience here. I ordered the Anaritha cocktail and my brother ordered The Crimson Kiss formula. I liked both but preferred the Crimson cocktail. We each chose one item from each of the courses (definitely recommend coming here with 3 or 4 people and trying everything). For our first course, we ordered the Laccha Aloo Chaat, the Stuffed Morels and the Shrimp Koliwada. I personally loved the stuffed morels and the shrimp. The Shrimp was crispy and the sauce was good but just a bit too spicy but good nonetheless. For our second course, we opted for the Lamb Cheela, the Prince Edward Island Oysters and the White Asparagus with Scallops. I definitely recommend the Lamb and the Scallops. I didn't mind the oysters but the sauce didn't pair well in my opinion. Similarly cooked to an Oyster Rockefeller, slightly cooked. For our third course, we chose the Beef Short ribs, thr Lamb Shoulder Rogan Josh and the Hay-aged Pork Loin Vindaloo. We absolutely loved everything and definitely recommend all three of these. This main course did come with rice and Naan and lentils, all which were terrific pairings for the Saucy dishes. We did also opt for the special Dungeness crab dumplings which were a great addition. For our dessert, we picked one of each but if there's any that is a must try, it's definitely the Shrikhand Mousse. Best dessert hands down. We didn't mind the other two but this was super refreshing and delicious. Service was nice and consistent overall. Would definitely recommend coming here and I will definitely be coming back! read more
5 stars for an excellent Michelin star Indian restaurant. Whenever I have friends visiting town who want to go to a Michelin star restaurant without spending Michelin star money, I take them to Rania. Located on 11th Street in Chinatown (near Latham & Watkins for my fellow attorneys), I have booked several dinners at this spot same day, but there have been occasions where getting a seat can be tough. Fortunately, on those few times, the bar at Rania is absolutely stunning with tons of seating, a real sleek look, and really friendly bartenders. Even if I have a reservation, I'll often start off my night with a drink from this bar. When my reservation is ready, I head on back to the dining area which has a cool New York classy type of look. We then grab a seat and get presented with the tasting menu. The way it works is you get four courses for $90. I usually get the shrimp appetizer (a little spicy, but manageable), whatever the waiter recommends as my two entrees (the lamb and oyster dishes have been great for the first entree, while the short rib and other lamb are good for the second entree), and then a chocolate tart for dessert. The food doesn't always come out super fast (so be aware if you need to catch a movie/play), but the pacing is generally pretty good. Overall, Rania provides an outstanding Michelin star-level Indian experience. The cool venue and tasty/well-priced menu makes for an excellent night on the town. read more
Decided to finally hit Rania on a Friday night with some friends. We did the 4 course tasting but didn't do the wine pairing as we wanted to try the cocktails. The place was surprisingly not as crowded as we expected but there were a good number of patrons seated. If you want traditional Indian, don't come to Rania. If you want updated upper scale Indian then definitely come to Rania. You'll still get some of the familiar flavors and spices you'd get at a traditional Indian restaurant but presentation and flavor are elevated dramatically. Food was amazing, service was great and definitely deserves a return visit. read more
came with my family for dinner on friday since everyone was in town the amuse bouche starter was savory and delicious start- reminded me of lotus chips with masala seasoning i started with the gobi manchurian which was a favorite of the table, it was perfectly crunchy and the spice levels were incredible. def would order this if i come back next i got the oysters - they were warm with a zesty with the unique lemon masala zest on top. the sauce ontop was a but much in my opinion. my main course was the pork chop, it was well cooked but it was not made as an indian dish so i would say the flavors were lacking. i got the kesari mango for dessert and this dish was absolutely stunning in presentation and in taste. overally i recommend this restaurant if you enjoy indian fusion but it is not a place i would go to twice. read more
2 years ago
Rania - an incredible restaurant in Penn Quarter and one of three Indian food starred Michelins in the United States. They live up to the hype! We joined for lunch during restaurant week, where Rania featured gorgeous dishes, eclectic spices, and wonderful service. Our server was extremely hospitable and the rest of the staff were equally welcoming. We loved the crispy pork belly & caramelized pineapple. Although the presentation was whimsical, I don't think the cocktails were that special. But, to be clear, they were still tasty. Overall, we had an incredible experience and look forward to coming back for the full tasting menu experience. read more
6 months ago
Rania absolutely blew me away. The flavors reminded me of Bukhara (in Delhi), but executed with Michelin-level precision. The kali dal was extraordinary, the rogan josh and gobi Manchurian were superb, and even the vada, rice and other accompaniments were incredible. Finished with mango ice cream and sesame. Easily one of the best Indian meals I've ever had. The service was top notch as well. read more
7 months ago
The happy hour is so slept on you can get a small plate and a drink for the price of one... perfect for people like me who don't like to eat a bunch when drinking. The bar tender was so polite and informative all of the servers here were so nice def will be stopping by next time I'm in dc!!!! read more
7 months ago
Food and service was excellant. Felt well taken care of. Had the Chef's menu with wine parings. Lovely restaurant, full but not overly loud. read more
For the second year in a row I brought friends for a holiday dinner to Rania and had an incredible experience! We selected the $90 four course menu and each loved all of our dishes! The standouts were definitely anything with lamb. There were lots of options for pescatarians and vegetarians. Don't skip on their cocktails if you're drinking! They all come out in fun, theatrical ways with big flavors and textures to match. If I worked downtown I'd bring clients here all of the time! read more
Rania is lovely. We came here to celebrate a birthday and the restaurant did a lot of special things to accommodate that including a special dessert, a handwritten card from the team, and a sign saying "happy birthday". The food was delicious and the drinks are definitely a crowed pleaser. Courses are staggered and they give sufficient breaks in between to enjoy the food. highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
(4.35) ~ Very Good Overall Food & Service for this Michelin Star Restaurant DRINK: ** "This is Not Lassi" (mocktail) = (4.5) Very Good! (see photo) ** Water (tap) = (4.25) Very good, must be filtered;) ** Double Espresso = (4.25) Very nice FOOD: ** Amuse Bouse = (4.35) Very Good ** Shrimp Koliwada = (4.35) Very tasty w. a kick;) ** Shrikhand Mousse = (4.35) Very creative ** Beetroot & Coconut Chop = (4.25) Very good ** Hay Aged Pork Loin Vindalo = (4.25) Very good, although I like mine spicier;) ** Garlic & Regular Naan = (4.25) Very good & Shareable *** Anar & Avocado Raita = Next Time... read more
3 years ago
Decided to check this spot out for restaurant week with a couple of wonderful Yelpers! I highkey recommend this restaurant. Awesome service from start to end. I loved how they cleaned the table after each dish. Our server was fantastic and gave great recommendations. We were able to try many of the items on the items on the menu. I would say the lamb was the best. It was flavorful, juicy and very savory. The dessert was a highlight too. The chocolate tart was *chefs kiss*. I am now wishing I had some. I loved the decor and design of the restaurant. I couldn't upload all photos but know it's very beautiful. Very spacious and they even have a place for you to sit your purse next to you. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
Stopped by for Restaurant Week yesterday for an early dinner. If you have time before it ends this weekend, definitely check them out! Soo worth it!! Service was excellent. Thank you Edgar - he did a great job explaining the menu and offering suggestions. I enjoyed the mezcal cocktail. It's a whole presentation when it comes out! I posted a video. The food was great. I requested mine to be turned up a notch on the spice level, and they delivered. Yummy! I highly recommend the lamb. We got a few sides with our meals. Everything was delicious and filling. The mango dessert was really good. The decor is nice. It's such a grown and sexy vibe in here. I'll be back sooner than later! read more
We went here last night with friends from out of state. $90 per person for 4 course meal. Truly I would give it a 3.5 star if comparing only to other Michelin stars in the area. The ambience was nice, but it definitely was a little dark in there. The service was good, but not as good as I've had at other Michelin star restaurants. The food was yummy and had good spice and flavor. If you don't like any spicy food, this isn't the spot for you. I was a little disappointed with the lamb, Rogan Josh - it was a pretty small portion. I understand tasting menus tend to be smaller portions, but I was expecting a little more. The amuse bouche to start was unexpected. The accompaniments with the main course included two small pieces of garlic naan, and two pieces of roti, two bowls of saffron rice, and two small bowls of lentils. I wish there had been more naan. The portion of that was really small for four people. The roti really wasn't that good I would've rather had more of the naan. One of our friends requested the cheapest full bottle of red wine (they sell half bottles for some reason and it's not worth it $ wise). We had a hard time understanding some of the servers and when he brought over a wine it ended up being a more expensive bottle. None of us were aware until after we left and were talking about the bill total. The metro delayed for 30-40 mins while on our way in which resulted in us being late for our reservation. I called them twice to update them on the situation and they were very reassuring that it was OK. We did end up in the bar area as opposed to the dining room, which is what our reservation had us at. I suppose this change could be due to us being almost an hour late, but a little heads up that that would happen would've been nice. We listed a birthday on the reservation and nothing was done by the restaurant to celebrate that. Most restaurants, even non-Michelin star ones, but especially the Michelin ones tend to do something special for special occasions. All in all it was fine but not some place I need to go back to. read more
9 months ago
I don't eat at a lot of Indian restaurants but I have my merit badge. So when I say "this is not your traditional Indian food place" I have context. Rania serves Indian cuisine from a different region so there was no butter chicken on the menu. The spices with all the dishes were layered and not burn your mouth drink beer levels. The salted margarita and lamb and shrimp tacos for happy hour were all worthy repeats. The lamb shank was cooked and served perfectly. The chicken korma had a rich sauce that I wish we had gotten the naan earlier for mopping purposes. It was a 3 course tasting menu so I got the chocolate tart and it was excellent. I will bring my family here next time we are in town. read more
2 years ago
This is Michelin star stop #60 for me, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Just a forewarning, parking in this area is difficult and we opted for the garage parking across the street as we were a bit rushed to head to the reservation. We opted for the tasting menu which featured the following items: chala masala panisse, coconut murruku, shiso chaat, Prince Edward Island Oysters, nargisi kofta, lobster momo w/ caviar, lamb belly kabob, fennel granita, hay aged duck, apple tart, chocolate tart, shrikhand mousse, and the keasari mango dessert. I was impressed as Rania provides a nouveau interpretation to Indian cuisine, as opposed to the heavy curries and meats that you normally find in Indian restaurants. The textural components of each dish offered light, airy, crispy, crunchy, and tender notes throughout the duration of the tasting menu. The two main proteins served (lamb belly and hay aged duck) were perfectly executed, moist, and succulent. The duck was accompanied by naan, rice, and another curry-like accoutrement. The service was also excellent, with a constant stream of new plates, silverware, and table cleanings. Finally, the desserts were all excellent and not overly sweet, which is seen in traditional desserts like gulab jamun. I particularly enjoyed the textural contrasts in both the mousse and mango desserts. The apple and chocolate tarts were also executed very well and enjoyable. If you are looking for a nouveau Indian dining concept with a nice touch of refinement, definitely head to Rania. Solid establishment. read more
We had heard a lot about this place and wanted to try it. This location used to be Punjab Grill, which we used to loved. The ambience is still the same as the old restaurant, but the menu and food is totally different. On the weekends, this is a preset menu. Either you pick the 3-course or 4-course menu. We chose the 4-course that includes dessert. My husband chose the non-vegetarian options, and I chose the vegetarian ones. Here is what I got: - Shiso leaf chaat : this was so so good. The flavors were just great. I wiped it off. - Channa Masala Panisse : delicious. Loved how the various ingredients and peppers added flavor here. - The Daal Fry and Black Daal (come as sides) were both delicious. This is a small portion and included with the course. - For the entree, I had some vegetarian curry. It was very different and I don't see in the menu anymore. It was quite good, but not as good as the first two dishes. - For dessert, my husband and I tried different things. He had the Mango Sorbet, which he loved. I had a traditional Bengali dessert, which I don't see in the menu anymore. It was yoghurt based, and decent. The service was incredible here. They did start us off with some complimentary appetizers, which were amazing. The drinks were great too. If you want to try the ala-carte menu, then go during the weekdays or after 9 PM on the weekends. I wouldn't take the kids for the preset menu, as there isn't much for kids there. And I believe they don't allow kids 9 or younger on the weekends, so just make sure. We loved the food, ambiance, and service. Cannot wait to go back. read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
The food was outstanding! We loved every single course but special shoutout to the lamb main and the black Dahl side. They have a lot of really fun cocktails too. The service was outstanding as well. I would definitely come back here the next time that I'm in DC. read more
1 year ago
I went to Rania a few weeks ago and was blown away. A lot of Indian restaurants that market themselves as upscale often sacrifice flavor and spice to appeal to a wider palette but Rania did not. We went for a special occasion and they gave us a handwritten note and a special message on our desert. To start we got an amuse bouche, which was a rice flower crisp in the shape of a flower, with tamarind chutney, and avocado puree. The tamarind and avocado paired nicely and was a great way to stay the meal. Next I ordered the Shrimp Koliwada which was fried shrimp with a sweet pepper chutney. The shrimp was perfectly fried without being greasy and the chutney had a nice spice and texture that paired perfectly with the shrimp. For my next course I got the Prince Edward Oysters. These were oysters that are cooked with a hollandaise sauce and served inside the shell. They were one of my favorite parts of the meal. For my entree I got the lamb shoulder which was tender and served with a side of rice. For desert we received the Shrikhand Mousse. I liked the sugar topping that you broke into the dessert and like tapioca added a nice acidity to an otherwise sweet desert. Overall I'll be back to Rania! read more
Fine dining of the Michelin star kind is always a challenge with a vegetarian: is it worth getting a Chef's menu if the chef's original intent was for every dish to "meat focused?" Enter Rania: DC's only Michelin starred Indian restaurant. We celebrated a special occasion by booking the Chef's special Tasting Menu. What an EVENT! Staff were incredible in their service and attentiveness, but the star of the show was the food and its presentation: gorgeous and manicured in each dish, you simply didn't want to eat anything because the aesthetic was so pleasing. Of course, hunger steps in and thankfully: each dish gracefully acknowledges it humble roots while also allowing for the creativity and expression of the chef to expand its impact. I was speechless at how familiar each dish felt to what my mom used to make, but presented with maybe one or two new ingredients (duck, for example) that changed the entirety of the experience. My wife equally enjoyed her selection, as Indian food is generally meant to be vegetarian. This didn't mean it lacked flavor; quite the contrary: bursting with color, texture, and flavor, each of her dishes were equally impressive and enjoyable. I'm not sure if eating at Michelin-starred restaurants will ever become a "regular thing" for us. On special occasions, though, we know we have choices for both of us at Rania. read more
More info about Rania
427 11th St NW
Washington, DC 20004
Directions
(202) 804-6434
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Visit Website
http://www.raniadc.com
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Ask the Community - Rania
Based on the pics it looks like another Indian "fine dining" place with overpriced dishes and tiny helpings. Is it so?
Definitely a big ole' yes on the tiny helpings however definitely one of the cheaper fine dining meals I've seen.
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Rania - wine_bars - Updated August 2026
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