Daisuke Nakazawa is a renowned sushi chef best known for his eponymous restaurant, Sushi Nakazawa. He gained significant recognition for his rigorous apprenticeship under the legendary Jiro Ono at Sukiyabashi Jiro in...
Sushi Nakazawa in Washington D.C. offers a refined and traditional omakase experience, showcasing the culinary vision of Chef Daisuke Nakazawa. Located at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, the restaurant is celebrated for its exceptionally fresh, high-quality fish and a meticulously crafted multi-course meal. It provides both an intimate sushi bar setting and table seating, complemented by an extensive wine list.
Customer perception is generally high, with many praising the exceptional quality and freshness of the fish, often comparing it favorably to sushi experiences in Japan. The omakase is considered a premier dining experience in D.C. However, feedback on service is mixed; some reviewers highlight attentive, knowledgeable staff and personalized touches, while others have found the front desk unwelcoming and the chefs at the sushi bar distant, leading to a less interactive experience than expected for the price point. While the traditional approach is appreciated by many, some diners seeking more creative or contemporary sushi might find the nigiri less innovative.
Additional Details
Sushi Nakazawa offers a 20-course omakase meal, with prices around $150 per person for the standard offering, with expanded options available. The restaurant boasts an extensive wine list, reportedly over forty pages long. Ingredients like rice are imported from Japan and milled daily to ensure authenticity and quality.
The restaurant is open for lunch from 11:45 am to 2:00 pm and for dinner from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm (until 10:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays). Dinner is likely the peak time for the full omakase experience.
Awards & Recognition
Michelin Star
3
I was so excited to try Sushi Nakazawa because of its Michelin star and raving reviews, but I was thoroughly disappointed, to say the least. Out of all the omakases I’ve tried, this was pretty a pretty subpar experience.
While the fish was extremely fresh and high quality, and every bite was truly delicious, the positives end there. Once you get to this price point, you’re not just paying for the food anymore, you’re paying for the experience. And spoiler alert, you won’t get that here.
The service was extremely lackluster, especially from the moment you walk in. They seriously need to reconsider whoever they have working the front desk. She was extremely unwelcoming and frankly, just outright rude. We walked in and were not even greeted before we received a cold “do you want me to take your jacket.” Really? Our waiter on the other hand was very friendly and helpful with drink selections.
Also, the chefs were extremely distant, if that makes sense. For every bite, they would serve you the piece and then mutter the name quietly, leaving you to wonder what exactly you were eating. I paid extra for the sushi bar to get a personal “experience” with the chefs, but honestly I would’ve had the same experience at a table with how impersonal it felt. I’ve had a much more intimate and interactive omakase at places that cost half the price here. And considering it has a Michelin, I think it’s completely unacceptable and undeserved. You leave not learning a single thing about any piece you’ve eaten, not their names, ingredients, or origin. You might get the fish name, if you can hear the chef.
One other qualm I have is that, while delicious, I feel like the nigiri here is quite boring. There was nothing truly “extraordinary” or “creative” about the dishes served here. Every piece eventually just tasted the same. Same rice, same sauce, just a different type of fish for every bite. However, I’m aware this may just be more of a “traditional” type of omakase, so I’m not deducting any stars for this reason. Just something to keep in mind. If you’re looking for a contemporary take on sushi or just more creative innovations, look elsewhere, because you won’t find it here.
Incredible experience and memory that will change the way you think about omakase. We had the new years omakase special at the sushi bar, and what an unforgettable meal it was. Level of service and attention to detail were above and beyond. Chef Lin also explained to us the origin and history of each fish and answered all of our questions. We loved learning about the sourcing and unique elements of each dish, from the crown melons that only grow one fruit for each plant, to the rice that they import from Japan and mill each day. The table service was also insanely good - immediately noticing that I was left handed and placing each piece for me, and the friendly banter, everything was just perfect.
Had a great dinner here. Premier omakase place in DC, nice to have table seating option though I would recommend the sushi bar for tighter pacing. At table sushi organized by what I would consider "flights" based on type of fish/fattyness. I had the expanded Omakase, which included the sashimi starter, waygu and uni options. Great meal and definitely would go back/recommend.
I mean, wow. Just wow. The experience here was unrivaled from any sushi place I’ve ever been to. From the very beginning, I had let them know that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary, and they had a special card printed for us to wish us a happy anniversary and a thank you for spending it with them. The waiter who took care of us was extremely knowledgeable about all of the pieces we were being given, and all of the items had just the most amazing taste of any nigiri that we’ve ever had. The wine list is over forty pages long! Everything about this place is fine tuned for a beautiful and amazing experience, and if you’re looking for an elegant and tasty night out, this is the choice that you should make.
