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Chic hub with a patio & a neighborhood vibe dishing up creative Indian curry dishes, plus cocktails.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1451 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 388-1848
Website: https://www.darudc.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
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Daru
Hours: Monday – Sunday 5PM – 10PM. Phone: 202-388-1848. Address: 1451 Maryland Ave. NE. Washington DC. Reservations · Order Pick Up.
Daru.DC – Instagram
… Washington, DC 20002 #dmv #dc #indianfood #daru #supportlocal. Photo by Daru on March 09, 2026. May be an image of biryani and. Happy Hour All Night Bar and …
Daru – Washington – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
Daru. 1451 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, DC, 20002, USA. $$ · Indian, Regional Cuisine.
Reviews
A. Ramani
Our order:
Dahi puri
Ragda pattice
Reshmi chicken
Palak paneer lasagna
Branzino
Dal makhni burrata
Fried cabbage
Carrot halwa
Gulab jamun
Cocktail: Colaba Colada
Food was hit or miss. Less than half of the above items were good. None of the food was worth the price, purely based on taste. Fried cabbage was really bad. Cocktail was pretty bad too. Lasagna used paneer which was tough to cut. Paneer is supposed to be soft and creamy. The “burrata” in dal makhni was a ball of mozzarella, it’s not burrata. The dal makhni was pretty good by itself, didn’t need the added cheese. Dahi puri and ragda pattice were desperately missing a sweet tamarind chutney. Carrot halwa was really good. There was ONE gulab jamun in one serving with a side of cardamom ice cream.
Decor seems like a last minute thought. The owner was probably moving and put up the items they were considering throwing out. The layout of the place also seemed odd. None of the staff seemed dressed to be in a $100+ restaurant. I would not go back
… moreDahi puri
Ragda pattice
Reshmi chicken
Palak paneer lasagna
Branzino
Dal makhni burrata
Fried cabbage
Carrot halwa
Gulab jamun
Cocktail: Colaba Colada
Food was hit or miss. Less than half of the above items were good. None of the food was worth the price, purely based on taste. Fried cabbage was really bad. Cocktail was pretty bad too. Lasagna used paneer which was tough to cut. Paneer is supposed to be soft and creamy. The “burrata” in dal makhni was a ball of mozzarella, it’s not burrata. The dal makhni was pretty good by itself, didn’t need the added cheese. Dahi puri and ragda pattice were desperately missing a sweet tamarind chutney. Carrot halwa was really good. There was ONE gulab jamun in one serving with a side of cardamom ice cream.
Decor seems like a last minute thought. The owner was probably moving and put up the items they were considering throwing out. The layout of the place also seemed odd. None of the staff seemed dressed to be in a $100+ restaurant. I would not go back
Christina Motilall
We came for restaurant week and left with happy palettes and lots of food to go. Everything was so delicious and the portions are generous. The duck kebab is literally spiced perfectly and the lamb fell off the bone into a gorgeous sauce. The server and manager were kind and provided excellent recommendations. I cannot wait to come back!
… morekeerti vyas
We visited Daru and had a decent experience overall. The starters — especially the dahi puri and ragda patties — were excellent and full of flavor. In the mains, the dal burrata was very good, but the baingan bharta and mushroom biryani were average. The breads could have been better. Great appetizers, mixed experience with the main course.
… moreReyna
fantastic food and the sides are well portioned and priced!! service was good – though they did forget one of our dishes?? didn’t show up on the receipt so whatever. the drinks were okay, but the food and the fact that the staff removed a drink i disliked and didn’t drink really made up for it. the lamb was AMAZING as was the dahi puri. paneer lasagna actually worked. daal was yum but the burrata concept sounded cooler than it ended up being. overall would definitely go again!
… moreM G
The reason that prompted me to book this place is because of it’s Michelin Bib gourmand recognition. My experience however wasn’t as awe inspiring. From one of the other reviews, it is indeed located in a sketchy neighbourhood, still I won’t let it influence the rating…just made me a bit wary while getting here. Started off with the Masala chai which was really comforting on a cold evening, it totally set the mood for the upcoming dinner. For appetizers I got the Spicy duck kebabs, and they were indeed really spicy. The only problem with intense heat is it’s proneness to overpowering all the other subtle flavours, and that’s what happened. Loved the heat, and I could also taste the other sauces and veggies, still it lacked the balance I was hoping to experience.
For the main, I decided to get the Lamb chops based on the server’s recommendation. It is known to be the best on the menu, yet for me it was the usual. I’ve had similar flavours and the side potatoes also seemed the usual, so nothing much to add here. I also got the side spinach khichdi and being the classic Indian comfort food, it reminded me of home. This was the only stand out dish of the evening.
The dessert – Carrot Halwa, alas, was a huge disappointment! It was under-seasoned i.e., it lacked the sweetness/needed more sugar. The accompanying fruits, flowers etc, did absolutely nothing and seemed unnecessary. This was a huge let down since Gajar halwa is one of my favourite Indian desserts. Also, the 20% pre-included tip seemed a bit too much, having travelled to so many countries the maximum I’ve been charged by default is 15%.
I’ll still rate the dinner a three given the effort that went into the overall meal preparation.
… moreFor the main, I decided to get the Lamb chops based on the server’s recommendation. It is known to be the best on the menu, yet for me it was the usual. I’ve had similar flavours and the side potatoes also seemed the usual, so nothing much to add here. I also got the side spinach khichdi and being the classic Indian comfort food, it reminded me of home. This was the only stand out dish of the evening.
The dessert – Carrot Halwa, alas, was a huge disappointment! It was under-seasoned i.e., it lacked the sweetness/needed more sugar. The accompanying fruits, flowers etc, did absolutely nothing and seemed unnecessary. This was a huge let down since Gajar halwa is one of my favourite Indian desserts. Also, the 20% pre-included tip seemed a bit too much, having travelled to so many countries the maximum I’ve been charged by default is 15%.
I’ll still rate the dinner a three given the effort that went into the overall meal preparation.
Michelle Ballard
Cute little Indian spot at the edge of H Street that is quickly becoming an affordable favorite with me! The dishes are all moderately priced for the area and served with generous portions. We ordered a side of cabbage and it was so flavorful and crispy! The chicken tiki masala and mushroom biriyani are favorites I always get again and again. The chicken is tender and the biriyani is delightful served with a little bread topper that the server cuts open for you. My meal always ends with the masala chai and the beautiful tea cups the drink is served in is always a fantastic way to end the night.
Service is wonderful and the restaurant decor is cozy and elegant. Decibel noise is low.
… moreService is wonderful and the restaurant decor is cozy and elegant. Decibel noise is low.
Samadrita Choudhary
We visited this Michelin-star restaurant for dinner on a warm evening and, unfortunately, the outdoor patio experience was disappointing. The weather was quite hot, and the seating setup didn’t help — small tables, uncomfortable chairs, and we were placed right beside what seemed to be the back of a fan or cooler, which was unpleasant to look at. The food ranged from moderate to good, but overall, the dining experience didn’t quite live up to the restaurant’s reputation. Perhaps the indoor seating offers a better experience.
… moreSusan Mehrotra
We finally made it to Daru. Honestly, what had drawn us to this place was their Dal Burrata. However, lot of other dishes impressed us much more than the Dal Burrata. The Dal by itself was excellent ! Personally, we didn’t see what the Burrata added to the dal..but again its a matter of choice. The Herb laccha paranatha complimented the dal very well. The other dishes that we really enjoyed were the Fish Paturi( fish cooked wrapped in a banana leaf), the blue cheese chicken Resmi kabob and the scallop moillee. The fish comes with a side of Kale khichdi ans what a khichdi. I would go there to just eat a big bowl of that khichdi on a cold and rainy day.
Each of these dishes were well done and left a perfect taste in the mouth.
Daru has successfully brought together some of the very best dishes from different regions of India with small variations.
The cocktails are pretty darn good too. Great Service keeps up with the excellent food.
We had a most wonderful dinner experience.
… moreEach of these dishes were well done and left a perfect taste in the mouth.
Daru has successfully brought together some of the very best dishes from different regions of India with small variations.
The cocktails are pretty darn good too. Great Service keeps up with the excellent food.
We had a most wonderful dinner experience.
Rachel Barker
Daru, a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, absolutely lived up to its reputation with a dining experience that was both innovative and deeply satisfying. We opted for the Restaurant Week menu, which was exceptionally well-designed, offering a fantastic variety of creative and traditional dishes at a reasonable price.
The presentation was a feast for the eyes
—every plate was colorful and beautifully arranged. The flavors were even more impressive, delivering delicious surprise after surprise.
Standout Dishes:
• Pani Puri (5/5): A perfect start. Crispy puri with avocado filling. Delicious with or without the accompanying green spicy sauce.
• Bison Momo (5/5): Incredibly flavorful dumplings with a rich, savory filling.
• Duck Kebab (5/5): Exceptionally tender and packed with complex, aromatic spices.
• Nimbu Macchi w/ Kale Khichdi (5/5):
Salmon was perfectly cooked with Makrut Lime, Hung Yogurt, Turmeric, and Red Chili! Absolutely fantastic- a must try.
• Beetroot Halwa (5/5): A creative and delicious twist on the classic dessert—a
must-try.
Other Notes:
• Lamb Shank (4/5): The meat was good and the sauce had a nice spicy kick, though the lamb itself could have been more tender.
• Gulab Jamun (4/5): Perfectly fine, but didn’t stand out among the other dishes.
• Side Daal (3/5): Standard and unremarkable.
We complemented our meal with their fresh, warm Plain Naan and Garlic Naan, along with a surprisingly excellent Side Cabbage (5/5) that was crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor.
A quick note for diners: a 20% service charge is automatically added to the bill.
Overall, Daru provided a memorable culinary adventure that expertly blends modern creativity with traditional Indian roots.
… moreThe presentation was a feast for the eyes
—every plate was colorful and beautifully arranged. The flavors were even more impressive, delivering delicious surprise after surprise.
Standout Dishes:
• Pani Puri (5/5): A perfect start. Crispy puri with avocado filling. Delicious with or without the accompanying green spicy sauce.
• Bison Momo (5/5): Incredibly flavorful dumplings with a rich, savory filling.
• Duck Kebab (5/5): Exceptionally tender and packed with complex, aromatic spices.
• Nimbu Macchi w/ Kale Khichdi (5/5):
Salmon was perfectly cooked with Makrut Lime, Hung Yogurt, Turmeric, and Red Chili! Absolutely fantastic- a must try.
• Beetroot Halwa (5/5): A creative and delicious twist on the classic dessert—a
must-try.
Other Notes:
• Lamb Shank (4/5): The meat was good and the sauce had a nice spicy kick, though the lamb itself could have been more tender.
• Gulab Jamun (4/5): Perfectly fine, but didn’t stand out among the other dishes.
• Side Daal (3/5): Standard and unremarkable.
We complemented our meal with their fresh, warm Plain Naan and Garlic Naan, along with a surprisingly excellent Side Cabbage (5/5) that was crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor.
A quick note for diners: a 20% service charge is automatically added to the bill.
Overall, Daru provided a memorable culinary adventure that expertly blends modern creativity with traditional Indian roots.
Claire Dennis
The best Indian food in DC. Seriously so good and reasonably priced, this place has so much charm and is perfect for friends visiting or date night. Great flavors, portions, and service! Incredible mocktails which are honestly hit or miss in this city… Will definitely bring people back here.
… more