Welcome to Pappe, where we bring authentic dishes from our homeland to the heart of Washington DC. Indian cuisine is all about soul, and we are happy to share a bit of ours with the neighborhood. Our menu is focused primarily on north Indian cuisine with a few dishes from southern India such as mussels malabar, allepey fish curry and lamb vindaloo. Our executive chef Sanjay Mandhaiya, takes great pride in his cuisine. We use locally sourced produce, fresh meats and poultry, our menu is always evolving based on the season. We look forward to having you dine with us.
Cozy, colorful Indian eatery featuring samosas, curry & veggie dishes plus cocktails & wine.
Atif Munir
Great upscale Indian fusion restaurant! We went there for lunch and had a wonderful experience. The manager, Kate, greeted us with such warmth and made us feel truly welcome. Our server, Josh, was amazing—attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout our meal.
The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully plated. You can really tell that a lot of care goes into both the flavors and presentation. I also appreciate that they offer great vegan and vegetarian options, which makes it easy for everyone to enjoy the menu.
There are so many reasons to love this place—the atmosphere, the service, and the incredible food. Highly recommend!
… moreBrittany Nelson
Everything was absolutely amazing!!! My fiancé and I came here for our anniversary and it was by far the best experience we have ever had. We went for brunch last Saturday, everything from the food, to the service to the ambiance was perfect. To start, our waiter was incredibly kind and friendly. I picked a bottle of Riesling. His bottle service was absolutely perfect. I didn’t have to pick up the bottle to refill our glasses even once. He gave the best recommendations for appetizers and entrees based on the wine we chose as well as what would complement the other items we had ordered. He was always right there when we needed something but never hovered. Now on to the food. It was by far the best Indian food we have ever had. And I used to be a manager at an Indian restaurant owed by a guy from Goa. Everything was so flavorful, perfectly cooked meat. We had a duck curry that was by far the best thing we have ever tried. The desserts were amazing. The chutney was absolutely perfect. The wine list was amazing, excellent choices for Indian food from a pairing standpoint. I’m a sommelier so l do feel pretty confident talking on it. Now onto the ambiance. The lighting is perfect. Each table has a small light on it, doesn’t block the view of the table at all but pertectly lights it up. The color of the walls is beautiful and matches the vibe. I loved all the decorations. And I absolutely loved the layout of the bar. Overall this gets a perfect 10/10. It was also excellently priced for the amount of food and the quality. The thali is part of their brunch menu and is only $30 for a fast assortment of dishes
… moreHaven Hall
Phenomenal food— super yummy and I love their happy hour deal. Butter chicken, naan, and a beer/wine for $24!
Service was almost too attentive haha. There wasn’t a ton of people there and three people asked “are you done?” in the span of thirty seconds when were trying to clean the plate better that than not being able to get a hold of the server.
Cozy place. Great for winter.
… moreVishal K
4.5 star
The cocktails didn’t suit our palette but the entree (bass) and the dessert (tres leches rabdi) were great. Happy hour is definitely worth it too.
… moreGabrielle Richardson
We came here last night for restaurant week and the food was incredible. We each got different items and enjoyed everything from the appetizer to the dessert. I can’t wait to come back again!
… moreAjimon Thomas
I had lunch here on a weekend. Lovely ambience and decor, yummy food and great service. I had the vegetable samosas as appetizer. For entree, i had the Naan basket and lamb curry. Super happy with everything. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a good Indian restaurant.
… moreSon Thach
Pappe delivers some of the best Indian food in D.C. The flavors are rich and authentic, and you can tell it’s the real deal when you see how many Indian diners choose to eat here. The atmosphere is warm and modern—perfect for bringing guests or enjoying a nice night out. I’ve been to Rasika several times, but honestly, Pappe is better in both taste and overall experience. Highly recommended!
… moreBRENT DUNCAN
Pappe on 14th Street is hands down one of the best Indian spots in DC. The place has a fun, vibrant vibe with colorful fabrics and exposed brick, and the food really delivers.
The vegetable samosas and tandoori cauliflower are perfect starters, and the spicy chicken tikka is smoky, bold, and full of flavor. For mains, the butter chicken is rich and comforting, while the shrimp coconut curry is creamy and unforgettable. Don’t skip the naan—especially the green chili version—and definitely save room for dessert, like the chai crème brûlée or cardamom ice cream.
The cocktails are just as creative as the food, and the whole experience feels lively without being pretentious. If you’re into bold flavors and great atmosphere, Pappe should be on your list.
… moreNeil Vora
Pappe Indian Cuisine in DC was just okay for a quick appetizer stop around dinner time. The place was fairly busy, but we snagged a table without much wait. The modern decor is clean and inoffensive, though it doesn’t exactly scream “Indian restaurant.”
Service was mediocre—our server was polite enough but slow to check in, and we had to flag someone down for water. The coffee I ordered with the apps was very average: weak, barely warm, and instantly forgettable.
The appetizers were the real letdown. Everything lacked flavor—the samosas were bland and dough-heavy, the chili chicken was greasy without any real spice kick, and even the chutneys felt flat. Nothing made us want to come back for a full meal.
It’s fine if you’re nearby and hungry, but Pappe didn’t impress. Plenty of better Indian options in the city. ⭐⭐½
… moreJen
Pappe in Washington DC offers a delightful dining experience with a vibrant and inviting atmosphere. I ordered the chicken pesto korma, which had a wonderful flavor profile, but it was just a little too salty for my taste. The garlic naan was decent, though it didn’t stand out as much as I had hoped. Despite these minor issues, the overall quality of the food was impressive, and the service was excellent. The staff was attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed. I would definitely recommend Pappe for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine in a charming setting.
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