Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Sura

    4.3 (155 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Sura Photos

    Business Info

    SURA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Sura

    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

    Essan Skewers
    Ying X.

    The No.1 restaurant of "Top DC Thai" on the Beli App. Claiming to be a Thai izakaya inspired by Bangkok's Chinatown, the regional characters are somehow confusing, and the food did indeed resemble Asian fusion. Salmon Crudo: Best dish of the meal, 5 stars. The salmon was fresh and high-quality, with a rich fatty aroma. The fresh chili, garlic slices, cilantro, and lime were the ingredients for authentic Thai seafood dip, and it was emulsified into a smoother, richer sauce that coats the salmon perfectly. Essan Skewers: The beef was grilled to tenderness. The dipping sauce and marinade were both tamarind-based, offering a refreshing sweet and sour flavor. The menu mentions roasted rice, but I didn't taste it. Beef Horapa: A "must-try" dish on the menu. Honestly, it's not bad. The Thai basil was fragrant, and the beef shank was tender and flavorful. However, the seasoning was like kra pow but without spiciness, and the braising before stir-frying resulted in insufficient wok hei鑊氣 (wok aroma), significantly diminishing the flavor. The entire combination felt like eating a simple entree with rice at a Caa Caan Teng茶餐廳 (Hong Kong-style cafe), clashing with the restaurant's style. Fresh Grapefruit Brûlée: I was really looking forward to the combination of grapefruit and crème brûlée, but it turned out to be just grapefruit sliced ​​open and coated with caramel... I don't need to elaborate on the taste; it didn't even have the pulp pre-separated from the skin, making it very difficult to scoop out. So frustrating. I don't remember the exact name of the cocktail, but it was mango sticky rice and pandan flavor. The mango aroma was mellow and rich, very tasty. To be honest, I don't like such a dark environment. I can't see anything clearly, and it's not convenient to take pictures.

    Eisha K.

    I had the beef horapa, lychee drink (NA) and 2 deserts. The main was okay but nothing spectacular, the lychee dessert and drink were both great! The service and ambiance were both good

    Milk punch
    Khanh-Chau M.

    This was a great Thai place! I was under the impression that I would have to make a reservation to dine in, but they do take walk-ins too. They were able to refund my reservation deposit once they brought me to my seat. I like the aesthetics here once you go down the stairs! I enjoyed my mango sticky rice milk punch, although I wish there was more of the drink for the price point. The entrees I got were great! Perfect levels of flavour, spice, and heat. Even the veggies in my dishes were seasoned greatly to make every part of the dish savory alongside the meat. Their calamari was great too with the sweet and sour sauce. Dessert was solid too, but I wish I was able to try their lychee creme brulee, which they ran out of. Staff were pretty attentive and nice to us! Would recommend for Thai food in the DuPont area.

    Lychee brulee - nice crispy caramelized crunch, and you can definitely taste the lychee
    Sophia H.

    What a unique Thai fusion restaurant! I'm used to more traditional Thai cuisine, such as pad thai, pad see ew, panang curry, and so on. This place gives a unique twist to Thai dishes with creative combinations that I have not seen before: - Essan skewers - beef meat was good and chewy. The tamarind coating was really unique, adding a sweet, sour, and tangy flavor. The dip is great but spicy, just so you're aware! - Grilled shrimps kari rice - good and very filling dish. The shrimp was absolutely perfectly cooked, not dry at all, and well-charred on the outside. - Lychee brulee - nice crunch, and you can definitely taste the lychee! There are also a few pieces of the lychee fruit inside. This dessert comes with 3 koala bear crackers, and that instantly brought me back to my fond childhood days munching on these Asian snacks. The restaurant is located in a basement, but there are colorful lights and decorations that brighten the interior. It feels like a cozy insulated environment. Service was sweet and super quick.

    Sophia C.

    The waitstaff here is awesome - they're really friendly and quick without being overbearing. We got the calamari, Brussels sprouts, beef horapa and the spicy belly bow. Everything was a flavor bomb and amazing - calamari was perfectly crispy with a zing of taste. The brussel sprouts were crispy and full of flavor with a kick of spice. The star for me for the night was the spicy belly bowl- it had so much flavor and if you mix it the rice gets mixed in with the sauce. If you're a fan of spicy food this is definitely the dish to get. The horapa was good but it wasn't anything to hype over. I also got the mango sticky rice cocktail which was one of the best drinks i've had in DC, but I'm also a huge pandan fan and the pandan flavor really came through. The prices are super reasonable for the amount of food- overall highly recommend if you want truly authentic Thai food!

    Samantha V.

    What an absolute gem! My friend and I popped in for a weeknight dinner and were so pleasantly surprised at how incredible the food and drink were! We had a little bit of everything, but our desserts were the highlight! The staff were so nice and quick while the ambiance was very relaxed.

    Boneless Duck Laab
    Roger P.

    ~Food/Drinks~ Boneless Duck Laab: The duck pieces were a little dry but since it was cut into tiny pieces, it wasn't too bad. I guess I'm just used to the fatty pieces of Peking duck. But the flavor was very refreshing with the red onions, tomatoes, green onions, and other leafy green herbs. I thought it would be spicy but it wasn't at all. Thai Yakitori: Comes with 3 skewers. The meat was so tender and juicy and had a delicious, sweet sticky glaze. On top of that, it comes with tom yum seasoning powder on the side, which adds this tart and extra umami flavor. Beef Horapa: Comes with a scoop of rice and fried egg. The thick slices of beef shank reminds me of Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Very tender and well marinated. There's also a lot of vegan options too! ~Logistics~ The place is kind of small so I would make a reservation just to be safe. There is a $30 deposit that is refunded at the end of your meal. Located downstairs in a basement, the restaurant has poor phone service. And I'm not sure if there's an elevator for accessibility so if you need one, call ahead to confirm before making the reservation. ~Conclusion~ Overall, I had a great meal and would love to come back to try everything else!

    Alyssa C.

    Picked this spot after a long work day. My coworkers and I were tired and hungry. We found this intimate spot in DC and were ready to chow down on Thai food. I ordered chicken satay and paired it with a mushroom plate. Both were savory and full of flavor. Although the staff was busy they were super helpful and friendly. I also ordered a lychee drink that was served chilled and I really enjoyed it! My coworkers were not a fan of how loud it was inside the restaurant but it was to be expected during rush hour.

    katherine t.

    Thai/Chinese fusion is right up my alley so I was super pumped to try this restaurant. Located in cozy basement in DuPont circle, this spot is super accessible via metro and in a great location in the city. The vibes were bustling and reminiscent of a NYC restaurant - loud, packed, with tables close together. I'd almost say it was too loud, I struggled to hear my friend across the table at times. The decorations were eccentric and weird, I kind of loved it. The food was generally amazing - the Brussels and spicy pork/rice bowl (add an egg!) were amazing. My friend didn't love the dumplings, and I thought they were just good. The cocktails were fun, but nothing super memorable. Great service, no complaints there. Overall a really solid spot to visit with friends, but don't recommend for an intimate date night. Also, be prepared for a long wait on the weekend!

    Salt and pepper tofu
    Anushka M.

    Everything was delicious! Very unique items that I usually haven't seen in many Thai restaurants. The salt and pepper tofu, chilled mushrooms and shrimp Kari rice were my favorites. We were a group of 3 and shared everything family style. We ordered 2 appetizers and 3 mains to share and felt it was the perfect amount. Our waiter was very friendly and helped suggest some items as well.

    Jek Pa's Dumplings
    Erin M.

    This was my second visit to Sura and the food was just as fabulous as I remembered. We sat at the bar for happy hour before a comedy show and enjoyed every moment. The bartender was super helpful and attentive and the owner actually helped get our check when we had to leave while the bartender made several drinks. It is a family run Thai restaurant with not so traditional options that hit the tastebuds so unexpectedly. The chili noodles with tomatoes, bacon, mushrooms, and parmesan is out of this world! Sura is a basement spot with a cozy vibe and disco lights that is very inviting. I need to come back and try their dessert. Come hungry and leave oh so happy!

    Brandon M.

    Excellent food, ambiance, and service. I really enjoyed the inventive menu and the cocktail program is top-notch. It's the perfect place for a high-energy dinner or a stylish night out. I'll definitely be coming back soon!

    "crispy" pork belly  @davideatsdc
    David H.

    have to write an update after the most recent experience - quality has gone way downhill. there wasn't a dish we wanted to finish. just lacking flavor and execution all around, drinks included. service is very quick and we were able to walk in on a weekend which was nice the crispy pork belly had maybe the worst texture of a pork belly dish I've had - it was rubbery, hard chewy, with no good flavor to help it out. half of it was inedible. the must order beef horapa was flavorless, and the whites of the fried egg weren't cooked (this is more personal preference). the chicken himapan which we've loved in the past, was not crispy, and very one dimensional - salt and nothing more. the chilled mushrooms and chili noodle were passable but not enough to redeem this meal. and could barely finish the two cocktails we had which were unbalanced

    Beef Horapa

    See all

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 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

    4 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ron C.
    1538
    1211
    688

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Joe C.
    0
    11
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    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

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 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

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jon E.
    204
    8
    16

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Bangin food. Extremely good service. Food comes out very quickly. Great vibe. Lucky to have it in the neighborhood.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 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

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 4

    Sura Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sura

    Where/how does one make a reservation?

    Does the $10 reservation fee count towards the bill or is it in addition to the bill?

    The $10/person reservation fee is refunded when you arrive and cannot be used toward the bill.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Thai 24,213 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Sky Lounge

    Sky Lounge

    3.7(3 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    The Sky Lounge is a nice hookah lounge. Ambiance is great, and there is a lot of seating…read more Our hostess, Sara was wonderful and very insightful. They are fairly new so there was not a real food menu, however the Baklava and ice cream was wonderful. We've been assured of a new food menu next month!! Baba, the owner, really sweet! Looking forward to coming back!!

    Wow... where to begin... this was disappointing to say the least. We stood at the door and the…read morehostess came from behind us in the door and then told to sit anywhere we'd like and i'd understand if they were just opening but at this point when we visited they had already been open for hours so not quite sure why she walked in behind us. The actual hookah was mid at best for D.C I was expecting a lot better. Then when it came to the bill we were charged $4 for each bottle (of which we were not even told there was a charge at all for water, and no we did not specifically ask for a sealed bottle all we asked for was water the sever never said tap or bottled, she just automatically brought us sealed) when on the menu they were priced at $3.50 sure it's .50 but when there was five that .50 extra could have almost bought another bottle. Also when she brought the bill she did not even show the itemized bill at first all she showed was the tip screen which upon doing the math from what we ordered vs paid we realized the amount was way higher than what we got and so we asked for the copy of the receipt only to find out there was ALREADY a service charge on there of which was NOT a credit card charge because we paid in cash and when asked what the cash total was she told us $60.31 yet the copy showed the cash price was $57.91 also they charge for charcoal, what am i suppose to do bring my own charcoal? i've never had to pay extra for charcoal they just include it with hookah price, absolutely ridiculous. Not to mention the vibes in this place is like an absolute funeral, all the pictures made this place look so fun and great, but no it was worse than funeral. I felt even more so like i was at a funeral after I realized how badly my wallet was robbed. I will never come back here.

    Photos
    Sky Lounge
    Sky Lounge
    Sky Lounge

    See all

    1831 Bar & Lounge

    1831 Bar & Lounge

    3.9(251 reviews)
    0.3 miDowntown
    $$

    One of my new go-to spots in DC. 1831 bar is a hidden gem tucked away on the streets near Dupont…read morecircle. If you're walking past, there's a chance that you might miss it. I stumbled across the Yelp page and wanted to check it out. I was surprised by the food and drink options as they had interesting varieties. The chili momo and mango habanero wings were to die for, I would want to stop by just for dinner! I also enjoyed the Moscow mule, I believe I overheard the bartender saying they make their ginger beer in-house. They also have DJs that come through around 9pm on weekends and some weekdays. This is a fun place to hangout and enjoy the company of amazing servers, bartenders, and other people - I've never had anything but a great experience here!

    Perfect low key bar for an after work happy hour drink. Exactly what I wanted in a place to just…read morepop in, sit at the bar, have a cheap drink, and not feel surrounded by pretentious DC types. This was great. Happy hour (3-7) offers beers ranging $1-3, wine $4-6, $7 margs, and I think a few other drink specials, but those options were good enough for me and I went with the wine. Service was a little slow at first, but the one bartender working was friendly and cheerful and doing her best to keep up with everyone until another two eventually showed up or came back from break. Atmosphere was really chill. I liked the dim lighting, everyone was casual and relaxed with a dj setting up in the corner, some hip hop and classic 00s rap bumping, and a steady flow of young-ish friend groups coming in for cheap beer around 5pm. I tried not to evesdrop on the couple next to me at the bar arguing, but their fight sort of added to the entertainment and general vibe. On the other side of me was an adorable couple unsuspectedly ordering fruity drinks and laughing. Totally will be back whenever the end of my work day brings me to this area.

    Photos
    1831 Bar & Lounge
    1831 Bar & Lounge
    1831 Bar & Lounge

    See all

    Thurst Lounge - Martini Espresso

    Thurst Lounge

    4.2(18 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    My first night in DC and this is exactly how you're supposed to start it…read more A friend brought me to Thurst for birthday weekend vibes, and from the moment I walked in, the energy felt intentional and warm. The purple neon lighting creates this sultry, intimate atmosphere without being overwhelming. It's the kind of place where you can actually connect, laugh, and still feel like you're outside living. The music was a vibe. Smooth R&B blended with some Jamaican flavor and nostalgic cuts that made the room feel alive. It wasn't chaotic; it was curated. The sound set the tone without overpowering the experience. What stood out most was how comfortable the space felt. Beautiful crowd, welcoming energy, and that perfect balance between lounge and nightlife. It's not just somewhere you go to be seen; it's somewhere you go to feel good. Perfect first stop for my DC weekend. I'd absolutely return.

    When i say, a time was hadddddd... a time was haddddd!! There is nothing like partying at a gay…read morebar, especially during pride month. We were welcomed and didn't feel like we didn't belong. It's probably the best place for women to party and just be. The drinks were amazing! Strong and sweet. The vibes were there all night long. Strong drinks and the prices are right! I highly recommend if you're just looking to have a good time, hear some great music and enjoy yourself. It's definitely a spot to try out.

    Photos
    Thurst Lounge
    Thurst Lounge
    Thurst Lounge - Special drinkkkkk. Happy Pride!

    See all

    Special drinkkkkk. Happy Pride!

    The Penthouse at La Vie - My favorite igloo!

    The Penthouse at La Vie

    3.6(25 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    I was visiting some friends in DC and made reservations at the Penthouse with the purpose of eating…read moreoutside in their "igloos". It ended up being too hot for us to enjoy outside but the server was nice enough to move our large party indoors without a wait. I ordered the sangria and it was so fruity and refreshing. Where this place falls flat for me is the food. We went for brunch so I'm not sure what their lunch and dinner menu looked like but I had their chicken and waffles. Typically, I'm used to having this dish with just chicken on top of a waffle with a side of syrup that you can pour over. This dish was drenched with a sauce that wasn't syrup but still sort of sweet? It wasn't necessarily *bad*, it's just that I wasn't expecting it. I didn't end up finishing it and my friends weren't impressed with some of the other dishes. I will say though...that Harissa Shrimp? Give me 14 of them.

    Another spot for pictures and aesthetics with bad service and mediocre food…read more On a busy night at the wharf, this was one of the few places I could drop in and sit at the bar. It took 10 minutes for the bartender to hand me a water and ask what I wanted (though he never gave me a menu). After ordering, no one checked on me until my plates were empty and drink was dry. I ordered the beet salad and truffle fries. The food was good but certainly not worth the price. I'm happy to pay good money but seeing the well done lamb chops beside me, I decided to go with a safe Girl Dinner. I won't be back, even if I need a cute spot for pictures with the girls. This spot isn't worth it, there are too many great places to eat in DC to settle

    Photos
    The Penthouse at La Vie - Espresso

    Espresso

    The Penthouse at La Vie - Bronzino with Greek salad

    Bronzino with Greek salad

    The Penthouse at La Vie - Shrimp Caesar souvlaki

    See all

    Shrimp Caesar souvlaki

    THROW Social - Try out a tropical drink! we have a full menu of specialty cocktails at our full bar- don't forget about happy hour!

    THROW Social

    3.8(373 reviews)
    3.3 miIvy City
    $$

    Came to check out brunch here. Online, it shows a la carte options - when we walked in, we were…read moretold it was a Buffet Brunch only, $30 per person. We decided to stay and check it out, @1pm on a Sunday. Brunch is from 11a-4pm. There was only 1 other person for brunch, when we arrived. There was a DJ was that playing super loud music. Mostly rap music. The food was good. Fresh salad, fruit, meats etc. Unlimited mimosas was $25 per person. We could only order 1 flavor at a time, which there was about 8 flavors. They were good By 3pm, the place was more so filling up. What was crazy was at 4pm, the workers started breaking down the buffet-- quickly!! A group that had arrived @ 3 were caught off guard that brunch was ending. The workers did provide everyone with TAKE HOME Boxes, so we filled our boxes as fast as they were breaking it down lol Hookah guy arrived, think it was a total of $68. The hookah was good Gratuity is automatically included. Our waitress was GREAT! Only thing I didn't like, the place had her walking around in a tight leopard body suit, with her arms out, like this was the Playboy mansion. It was cold in there. I would come back for brunch - just know, there was not a mention of a Buffet brunch online

    Now I'm only giving them this low score is because of the situation me and my partner ran into on…read morethis past Sunday (July 10th). Online the place looks great and interesting so we decided to hit it up around 9pm because it doesn't close until 2am. So when we walked in the place was pitch black and the vibe was really off. We had to pay $20 a person to enter which at first I was confused because I thought this place was games, bars, music, and vibes...not at all. So we were walking around and the crowd I'll just say wasn't the type I wanted to be around. Only one bar was open and the music was weird. So we decided to leave and when I asked the person who was taking the money what was going on tonight they said an event. Now, this event was not posted anywhere on their website or social media. So I would caution going at night or call beforehand because I don't think I would want to come back because it was nothing like it is portrayed online.

    Photos
    THROW Social - Tres chic!

    Tres chic!

    THROW Social - The Liquid Lullaby

    The Liquid Lullaby

    THROW Social - The Pain Killer does just that!

    See all

    The Pain Killer does just that!

    VUE Rooftop

    VUE Rooftop

    3.6(349 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    It was the best experience in a long time!…read more 1. Reservation is necessary or else you won't get any seat. We had the one and only best seat in the house with the unobstructed view of the George Washington monument, Jefferson memorial, even the national harbor ferris wheel! There is literally only 1 table with this view. 2. Food: 4 stars Portion is small and it wasn't as good for a $70 ribeye. But I still had a great time. - burger was delicious - lamb chops had way too much fat, they should have trimmed it beforehand - branzino was great - tartare was amazing - ceviche was just okay 3. Drinks: 4 stars Delicious, good looking but for the price it could have been better. 4. Service: 5 stars This is where they truly shine! Excellent service! 5. The view: 5 stars (only because we had the best table in the giant establishment) 6. Parking: hard! Valet available and some limited street and nearby garage parking.

    Washington D.C.rooftop bar with iconic views. Pricey but worth a visit for that reason…read more We heard about potential lines for the elevator but were easily able to get to the rooftop. Reservations aren't needed for the bar so we found seats facing the Treasury Building and White House, a view like no other. We ordered cocktails from the bar (the only option if you don't have a table reservation) and they were served quickly. The bartender reminded us that a 20% service charge is automatically included. Drinks were pricey and the time needed to consume one was enough to savor the experience. The views are like no other and that's what's included in the price. It was worth the visit.

    Photos
    VUE Rooftop - Vue: inside

    Vue: inside

    VUE Rooftop
    VUE Rooftop - View at the Vue

    See all

    View at the Vue

    Sura - thai - Updated September 2026

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