Washingtonian 100 Very Best · Indian and Nepali Street Food · H Street NE
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
In Mumbai slang, a tapori is a lovable rogue, the swaggering, wisecracking street hero of 1990s Bollywood films. It's a fitting name for this H Street restaurant, the second act from the team behind Daru, which opened in March 2025 and quickly became one of the city's hottest tables.
The people
Dante Datta, who runs the drinks, and chef Suresh Sundas, both Rasika alums, built Tapori around the street food of India and Nepal, where Sundas grew up. They brought in Nepal-born chef Baburam Sharma to help lead the kitchen. The Washington Post named it DC's best new South Asian restaurant, and it landed on Washingtonian's 100 Very Best list for 2026.
The room
Tapori is bigger and brighter than Daru, with about 80 seats, retro booths, a communal table and a long bar lined with patchwork vintage tiles. Hand-painted murals by bartender-artist Patrick Owens cover the walls, including a scene from the film Rangeela, and two seven-foot fish lamps float overhead. It's a party, and it knows it.
What to eat
The lotus root chaat is the dish everyone talks about: crunchy, tangy and impossible to stop eating. Vada pav, Mumbai's spiced potato fritter in a soft bun, is done right, and the podi masala dosa brings South Indian gunpowder spice to a crisp crepe. Wagyu momos, tucked into buckwheat wrappers with a sesame chutney, nod to Sundas's Nepali roots.
The achari macchi kebab, wild halibut marinated in pickling spices, is the sleeper hit. For a bigger plate, the kathal biryani, made with jackfruit and sealed under a bread lid that's cut at the table, is great for sharing, and the butter chicken gets an upgrade with black garlic melted in tableside.
The bar
Datta's cocktails are as loud as the room. The Tapori, made with Indian single malt, tamarind, banana liqueur and chai spices, is the house signature, and the Achar Martini, built on pickle flavors, is the crowd favorite. There's even a frozen jackfruit jungle bird.
Before you go
Tapori is at 600 H Street NE and opens for dinner most nights, with a late bar. Book ahead on weekends, or grab a seat at the bar.
Why it matters
Tapori shows how much fun Indian and Nepali street food can be when a talented team gives it room to play. It's bold and generous, and it already feels like a DC institution.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Lotus root chaat; vada pav; podi masala dosa; achari macchi kebab; wagyu momo; kathal biryani; butter chicken with black garlic; a Tapori cocktail or the Achar Martini
Pricing: Mid-to-upscale. Small plates are friendly; a full spread adds up.
Best for: Groups, late dinners, cocktail lovers, birthday nights and anyone who wants Indian street food with attitude
How it compares: Louder and more street-food driven than its sibling Daru; more of a party than Chai Pani; the best place in DC for momos and a cocktail
See where Tapori 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.