


Love, Makoto is a culinary love letter from internationally renowned Japanese chef-restaurateur Makoto Okuwa featuring three full-service options: Dear Sushi, an omakase and a la carte menu that shares the best of Japanese sushi traditions plus some of the fun tricks Chef Makoto and his team have learned along the way; Beloved BBQ, a Japanese steakhouse where diners can grill their own American-raised beef or Japanese Wagyu; and Hiya Izakaya, a sleek and modern bar that pays homage to Japan’s storied nightlife, complete with whisky highballs and savory skewers. A fast-casual concept, Love on the Run, offers sushi, noodles, fried chicken sandwiches, donuts, coffee, soft serve and salads for dine-in, take-out and delivery.
Hours
| Saturday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 200 Massachusetts Ave NW Suite 150, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 992-7730
Website: https://www.lovemakoto.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: lovemakoto.com
Order: Order online
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Reviews
Service was excellent: attentive and smooth without being overbearing. One heads-up—the restaurant opens at 5pm. I couldn’t find the hours online and ended up waiting a full hour, but once the food hit the table, all was forgiven.
Final verdict: five stars. Worth the wait and absolutely worth the omakase.
I came in for lunch today, my first time experiencing Love Makado, and the food did not disappoint! Everything was spectacular; the sushi was so vibrant and fresh… the rolls melted in my mouth. This was exceptionally some of the best sushi I’ve had in DC. I came for the restaurant week menu, but will definitely come back for dinner. Many thanks to Robin and Isabelle for being so welcoming and their warm hospitality.
Love,
A new fan!
The food was absolutely delicious. The miso soup immediately stood out—it was much richer and deeper in flavor than the miso soups I’m used to. Instead of the usual lighter color and taste, this one reminded me more of a Korean soybean soup, in the best way possible. Deep, savory, and comforting.
We ordered the hamachi with serrano chili, which was perfect—clean, balanced, and flavorful. The rock shrimp tempura with chili mayo was good, though I felt the shrimp itself could have used a bit more seasoning. Still enjoyable, just not as standout as some of the other dishes.
The tuna tartare with miso dust was excellent, and I really appreciated the very generous portion size. I also had two spicy yellowtail hand rolls, which were both excellent. The otoro was good—high quality—but not particularly memorable compared to the rest of the meal.
One unexpected highlight was the chicken katsu. This ended up being one of the best non-sushi items of the night. The breading was perfectly crispy, the flaky salt on top was a great touch, and the cabbage slaw and sauce tied everything together beautifully.
For dessert, we had the peach Basque cheesecake. Overall, it was very good, but I think it would have been even better served warmer or at least at room temperature. It was quite cold, and I also wished it used fresh peaches rather than what tasted like canned peaches. That said, it was still an enjoyable way to end the meal.
The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the service was great. I had requested a booth, and our server kindly seated us in a lovely corner booth with lots of privacy, which I really appreciated. It’s definitely an expensive meal, and I wasn’t a fan of the automatic 20% gratuity, but the service quality was solid.
Overall, this was an excellent dining experience, especially if you’re a sushi lover. I’d absolutely come back and would happily recommend the sushi section at Love, Makoto.
On my first visit, I went straight for the hand rolls and nigiri — simple, clean choices. The tuna nigiri had a nice texture, nothing mushy or overly cold, and the seaweed on the rolls actually had some crunch left to it (a small thing, but sushi people know how rare that is). Even the soy sauce heart was a cute touch without feeling gimmicky.
This most recent visit, I kept it light: yellowtail, a lychee martini, and the crab meat roll. The yellowtail was the standout — fresh, thinly sliced, and the jalapeño/ginger combo gave it just enough nudge without masking the fish. The lychee martini was balanced and easy to sip, not one of those overly sweet versions. The crab roll was solid and didn’t rely on heavy mayo, which I appreciate.
The vibe at the bar is relaxed, the service is steady, and the space feels open without being loud. It’s a good spot for a solo meal, a lunch break reset, or easing into the evening.
Next time, I’m finally doing the omakase lunch. If the regular menu is already this reliable, I’m curious to see what they do when they’re leading the experience start to finish.
Would definitely keep this in my rotation.
An Unforgettable Experience at Love, Makoto
I first visited Love, Makoto to celebrate my birthday in December 2025, and the experience was so exceptional that I knew I had to return. This time, I came back for the all-you-can-eat sushi brunch—and nothing could have prepared me for just how incredible it was.
As a true sushi lover, I’m very selective, so my expectations were already high. I figured that if the brunch matched the quality of the food I enjoyed during my birthday dinner, I’d be more than satisfied. Instead, I was completely blown away. The sushi was outstanding—fresh, thoughtfully prepared, and far exceeded anything I anticipated. Every bite reinforced why Love, Makoto stands out.
The atmosphere was vibrant yet refined, and the service matched the energy of the space perfectly. Our server, Remy, was attentive and welcoming, and we had the privilege of being assisted by Ms. Robin, who went above and beyond in every sense. Her level of care, warmth, and attention to detail truly elevated the entire experience and made us feel genuinely valued as guests.
What impressed me even more was the leadership presence. The floor manager, Jocelyn, personally checked in with patrons to ensure everyone was having a great experience. That level of hands-on hospitality speaks volumes about the culture here.
Honestly, the customer service alone makes me want to return—the exceptional food is just an added bonus. Love, Makoto offers multiple dining experiences, including Beloved BBQ, Dear Sushi, Hiya Izakaya, and Love on the Run, and after this visit, I have no doubt each one will be just as memorable. The only thing left to desire is a larger dining space only because I could imagine more people wanting to experience this. The demand is certainly going to outpace the ability to accommodate everyone, but in business, that can be a good thing.
I don’t write reviews unless they’re truly deserved, and this one absolutely is. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
—Highly recommended. You’ll thank me later. Michael W.
I would definitely come back for the full experience at night. Well done!
Her attention to detail, warmth, and professionalism truly elevates the entire experience. She managed the dining room effortlessly while still making every guest feel seen and valued — something that’s rare to find even at great restaurants. She anticipated needs before we even had to ask and ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
It’s clear that Robin takes real pride in creating an exceptional guest experience, and it absolutely shows. Outstanding service like this is what makes people want to come back again and again. Thank you Love Makoto and your entire team!
Thank you, Robin, for making our visit so special — we’ll definitely be returning!