Michelin Bib Gourmand · Indian-ish Cocktail Bar and Kitchen · Near H Street NE
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
Daru means liquor in Hindi and Urdu, and the name tells you the bar matters here. But this corner spot on Maryland Avenue NE, a short walk from H Street, is no ordinary watering hole. Since 2021, it has been one of Washington's most inventive Indian kitchens, and the Michelin Guide has rewarded it with a Bib Gourmand.
The people
Daru is the work of two Rasika alums: Dante Datta, who runs the drinks, and chef Suresh Sundas, who grew up in Nepal and cooks with a playful streak. The New York Times put Daru on its list of America's best new restaurants in 2022, and the same pair later opened Tapori on H Street.
The vibe
The restaurant fills a former neighborhood grocery, with big windows, a buzzing bar counter, music that's actually worth hearing and a sidewalk patio when the weather cooperates. It feels like a local hangout that just happens to serve some of the city's best Indian food.
What to eat
The kitchen describes its cooking as Indian-ish, and that's the fun. The blue cheese reshmi kebab folds tangy cheese into silky tandoori chicken and somehow makes perfect sense. Momos come two ways, with minced bison or with Maryland blue crab, a nod to Sundas's Himalayan roots and to the Chesapeake. Keema pao, spiced minced meat with soft buns, is pure Mumbai comfort, and the scallops moilee bathe in a gentle Kerala coconut sauce.
For something bigger, the wild mushroom biriyani is fragrant and earthy, and the nariyal lamb shank, braised in coconut, is built for sharing. Murgh makhani keeps the butter chicken fans happy, and pani puri makes an easy opener for the table.
The bar
Datta's cocktails borrow from the Indian pantry without turning into gimmicks. The Colaba Cabana, Bandit Queen, Mountain of the Moon and a chai-tea-ni have all lived on the list, along with a pomegranate pisco sour. Not drinking? There's masala chai, mango lassi, a fizzy tamarind soda and, for nostalgia, Thums Up and Limca.
Before you go
Daru opens every evening at 5, with happy hour until 6:30. Reservations help on weekends, but the bar is good for walk-ins.
Why it matters
Daru showed Washington that an Indian restaurant could be a neighborhood bar, a date spot and a serious kitchen all at once. Plenty of places have copied the formula since. Few do it with this much personality.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Blue cheese reshmi kebab; bison momo; Maryland blue crab momo; scallops moilee; keema pao; wild mushroom biriyani; nariyal lamb shank; a Colaba Cabana or Bandit Queen
Pricing: Mid-range. Small plates add up, but happy hour softens the blow.
Best for: Date nights, cocktail lovers, small groups, happy hour and anyone who likes their Indian food with a wink
How it compares: DC's best Indian cocktail bar; more relaxed and more inventive than Rasika, where the founders cut their teeth; its sibling Tapori is louder and more street-food driven
See where Daru ranks: The Best Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Restaurants in Washington D.C.: Our Top 10 for 2026
The food was always this good. We're just paying attention.