Rania — Restaurant in Washington

Rania DC: A New Gold Standard in Fine Indian Dining

We’ve dined at some of DC’s finest Indian-inspired restaurants, including Rasika, but Rania has truly set a new standard. Celebrating our wedding anniversary here was an extraordinary experience filled with elegance, remarkable flavors, and impeccable service that exceeded every expectation, making Rania our new favorite.

The evening began with an amuse-bouche that was nothing short of perfection: a Kerala-style achappam topped with chaat masala, tamarind, and caviar. This fusion of flavors was out of this world, setting the tone for an unforgettable meal. The achappam was crispy and light, with the chaat masala adding just the right amount of spice, while the tamarind and caviar brought a burst of tang and luxurious texture. It was a stunning introduction that left us eager for more.

Our four-course tasting menu began with the Shrimp Koliwadi and Gobi Manchurian. The shrimp, paired with a sweet pepper chutney, was tender and flavorful, while the Gobi Manchurian had a delightful tang with shishito peppers, complemented perfectly by a robust red wine. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable, guiding us through each dish and wine pairing with expertise, adding depth to the experience. He was also attentive to my wife’s tree nut allergy, ensuring a stress-free evening.

For the second course, we had the Lamb Cheela and Diver Scallop. The Lamb Cheela, with its rich flavors, was paired with a deep red wine that enhanced its depth, while the Diver Scallop with white asparagus and Mangalorean-style sauce was delicate and beautifully balanced with a crisp white.

The main courses were truly showstoppers. The Ghee Poached Salmon Moilee in a coconut broth was buttery and aromatic, paired with a tropical white wine that highlighted the dish’s lush flavors. The Hay-Aged Pork Loin Vindaloo with crispy pork belly and charred leek was equally impressive. The hay-aging gave the pork an earthy complexity, while the spicy vindaloo sauce, balanced with a bold red wine, was nothing short of spectacular.

To end, we enjoyed the Shrikhand Mousse and Kesari Mango. The Shrikhand, with notes of strawberry and rhubarb, was light and refreshing, while the Kesari Mango with coconut mousse and sesame brittle offered a tropical sweetness, elevated by a fruity wine pairing.

Rania surpassed all expectations, from the unique amuse-bouche to the impeccable service and unforgettable flavors. If you’ve enjoyed Rasika, Rania will take you to new heights of Indian-inspired fine dining. This was an anniversary to remember, and Rania has redefined elegance and creativity in DC’s dining scene. Highly...

My husband and I decided to celebrate his birthday early at this Michelin star restaurant, and we had an amazing time! First things first, this place is extremely pricey, so you need to be prepared to spend over 100 dollars a person, even if you do not deviate from the prix-fixe menu and do not order drinks! We did a bit of both, so it came closer to 150 per head.

The slippery sip beverage is delicious and tastes like melted banana kulfi ❤️ The sabutdana amuse bouche was a happy, tasty surprise offering!

Another reviewer had mentioned that their lamb dishes are delicious and they really are! The nargis kofta melted in our mouth and gobi manchurian was also very good (pretty big too)!

For the second course, we ordered lamb cheela and a dish with chickpeas - both were superb though I think the chana masala dish was very unique so it marginally wins!

The parsi chicken and roghan josh were both phenomenal, though we were getting pretty full by this time! The main course also comes with jeera rice, a bread basket, and dal so there is a TON of food. Honestly, I'm not sure how folks get through the 7-course menu because after the dessert, we were wondering how we'd even move from here 😅

The service is very good, and they even had a small hamdwritten birthday card at the table for my husband and for dessert, we didn't have to choose one dessert each because they brought us one of each kind as a celebration of his birthday! We loved the chocolate and Mango dessert, the third one was just okay and the only thing I didn't like on their menu (of what we tasted).

Overall, it was a great way to celebrate a special occasion and convinced me to save up and try some more Michelin star restaurants or alternately find some budget-friendly Michelin-star restaurants (if they exist)😂

P.S. I like truffles a lot but I don't think the Nargisi kofta needed them (I added them and I thought it didn't add to the dish) and also, we sadly learned that still water from Tuscany doesn't taste different (just imagine 🤔) but it sure as heck costs a lot more (like 10 dollars 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...