Pacific Indian Cuisine

One of the best restaurants in DC. Absolutely exceptional food. They also have us a free dessert and drink for Valentine’s Day. The cauliflower bites were the best we’ve ever had. Really great options on the menu.

This place is wonderful! The food wasn’t what I’m used from Indian restaurants, but it was so delicious. The dining area is beautiful, food presentation was immaculate, the service was friendly and quick. It was also so well priced, 2 non alcoholic drinks, 2 apps, 2 entrees for $56. Can’t beat that for the food quality!! I can’t wait to come back to the area to have it again. Must go!

Absolutely lovely! Spent my fifteenth birthday here and the service was absolutely incredible, food was DELICIOUS YUMMM! They even gave me a little Kulfi that said "Happy 15th Birthday!" Altogether a marvelous experience and I was very happy to eat there!

Second time visiting Tikka, and I’m so glad to have this in the neighborhood. The food is very tasty, reasonably priced, and comes beautifully prepared. Both times we’ve come during happy hour, and found ourselves staying well after. The vibe is relaxed, classy, and perfect for any occasion. Staff always makes you feel welcome, and like you’ve shown up exactly when you were meant to be. We very much enjoy this tasty spot! So far- we’ve enjoyed the chicken korma, honey garlic shrimp, chicken coconut curry, chicken wings, chicken momo with the chili (highly recommend!), spicy meatballs, and the fruit naan (also highly recommend for a sweet take on a savory bread).

I saw a sign that said opening today and decided to check it out. I had an incredible dining experience here! Every dish was packed with flavor and perfectly cooked. The cod was fresh, tender, and beautifully seasoned—easily one of the best I’ve had. The tikka platter was a standout, with smoky, juicy pieces full of bold spices. My wife absolutely loved the shrimp and paneer tikka —both dishes were rich, well-balanced, and full of authentic flavors. The quality of the ingredients and the attention to detail in every dish really stood out. If you’re looking for a place that delivers amazing food with every bite, this is it. Can’t wait to come back and try more!

I have nothing but excellent things to say about Tikka!! The service was incredible, such a friendly staff. The food was outrageously delicious, everything we had was a standout. The portions were generous and everything was very reasonably priced for the high quality. The atmosphere is really warm and well done too, I definitely recommend eating in. :)

I grew up eating Southeast Asian food my whole life, and this is the best Indian food I’ve ever had. Wow—they made everything authentic with a twist! I highly recommend the spinach mango chaat, butter chicken, and mango lassi. I’m still thinking about their food and craving it afterward. Grateful we live close by and can come again! I’ll be telling all my family and friends about this place.

The thali at Tikka was incredible. It felt like the food was authentic Indian and reminded me of my mother- in-laws cooking. The variety on the plate made it a wholesome and satisfying meal, and I truly appreciated the depth of flavors in each dish. It felt like a warm, comforting home-cooked meal, something that’s hard to find in a restaurant now a days when all Indian food is fusion. I will definitely be back with my wife.

There's a dearth of decent Indian restaurants in DC so I was delighted to discover Tikka. Been there twice now and both times the food was excellent -- curries were fresh, fragrant and not oily / overly creamy. Friendly staff and lovely cocktails - I had the smoked jaggery and clove Manhattan. Great mango palak chaat and a nice variety of different styles and flavours of main courses and appetisers, plus the naans seemed freshly made. If you are hankering after a proper curry or love Indian food, I definitely recommend this place.

My friend invited me for lunch and I had a vegetarian plate. It has so much food-I mean several kinds of curry, veggies and rice a nang. I felt rice was bit small in size compare to all the food it came with. Overall it was lovely and I am excited to go back and check other menus.

Fantastic lunch special. You get to taste a good amount of their menu. The Buttered Chicken is divine. I even liked the curried goat, which I usually don't try.

This Indian restaurant is clean, cozy, and modern, creating a very welcoming atmosphere. The food is incredibly delicious, full of rich flavors, and beautifully prepared. The staff is also very friendly and attentive, which makes the dining experience even better. Highly recommend!

Such a beautiful spot. Service was top notch, food was delicious and our server gifted us with a free smoothie drink. We'll definitely be coming back!

"Wow, just wow! I had the most incredible dining experience at Tikka Restaurant. The moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and a cozy atmosphere that immediately made us feel at home. The service was top-notch - our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. Now, onto the food... OH. MY. GOD. We ordered the momos (Nepali dumplings) as an appetizer, and they were hands down the best I've ever had - tender, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. For our main courses, we tried Goat Curry and chicken curry, both of which were cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The basmati rice and naan bread were also perfectly cooked and complemented the dishes beautifully. We finished off the meal with a delicious complimentary dessert, which was sweet, creamy, and utterly divine. Overall, I'm so impressed with Tikka Restaurant and can't wait to go back and try more of their delicious dishes! If you're a fan of Indian or Nepali cuisine, or just looking for a fantastic dining experience, look no further - this place is a MUST-VISIT! Rating: 5/5 stars Price: Very reasonable Service: Exceptional Food: Outstanding Ambiance: Cozy and inviting Will I return? Absolutely!"

Ordered via Uber Eats and was pleasantly surprised. When the Raita is high quality you know the rest is as well. Breads were freshly and super soft. One of the best cheese naans I ever found in the DMV area.

Excellent food, service, and ambiance. Had the lamb Thali and everything was exquisite – look forward to coming back soon!

Reasonable prices for outstanding food and service. Everything we ordered had such beautifully complementary textures and complex, rich flavors. Beautiful dishes and modern but cozy atmosphere. Service was very quick and our waitress had great recommendations and comments about different menu items. Will definitely return!

Absolutely delicious. This place is a must visit. We asked our server for recommendations as we were not familiar with many of the dishes- everything was outstanding. Highly recommend the momo’s, mango palak chaat, any of the naan’s, and do not sleep on the beetroot dessert. Friendly, attentive staff and excellent cocktails made for a truly excellent experience.

As an Indian American, it’s often hard to find truly authentic Indian food in DC at a good price. Tikka delivered in exceptional taste for each dish I ordered, kind and warm service, and great price. I will be coming here more often! 10/10 would recommend.

During our visit to Washington DC we searched for Indian restaurant and found TIKKA. Fantastic dining experience. Food was absolutely amazing and so was the service. We ordered veg and Non veg both dishes and all of them were mouthwatering. Ambience also good. Highly recommended for Indian food lovers.

From the moment we walked in for dinner, the staff was incredibly friendly, attentive, and welcoming. It was clear that everyone — from the manager to the servers — works as a team, which made the atmosphere even better. The food was delicious, and we genuinely enjoyed the experience. I’ll absolutely be back, to try their lunch menu next time.

Was in the neighborhood around happy hour time and stopped in. What a lovely place with great service and good food. I had the wings and the bison momo, chili style. It was excellent, if I wasn't full, I would have definitely ordered another set of the momo. Also had a nice malbec. I can't wait to go back!

I must say, from the moment I stepped inside, I was warmly welcomed. The ambience and vibe is sophisticated yet welcoming. Each dish was nothing short of a masterpiece and artful, and the flavors were vibrant and rich with special Indian spices. What stood out most to me was the perfect balance in spice levels – just enough heat to capture the authentic Indian taste, but not overwhelming. It was the ideal level of spice that truly enhanced the dishes without overpowering them. This restaurant has truly mastered combining elegance with authenticity, and I can’t wait to return for another incredible meal.

My friend and I were craving Indian food, and most locations were not open until later in the evening. We were lucky to come across. Tikka. The ambience and general atmosphere of the restaurant was warm and welcoming, even as we were the only customers in at the time. They had an excellent happy hour and appetizer deals around the 4 PM to 5 PM hour. We ordered a bunch of these to split between the two of us and were overall very happy with the menu. They are new restaurant and I highly recommend local check them out

We went earlier this month for an awesome dinner experience. This is probably the best quality and most affordable meal I’ve gotten in DC in a long time. The restaurant itself is stunning perfect for a date night or time with friends. The food was delicious!!!! Get the momos!

Delightful new Indian place in Van Ness. Lived in India for a couple years and love Indian food. This place has a nice variety of classic dishes and more modern ones, too, including a rotating Specials list - we enjoyed being able to get a mix of things. Loved the paneer kofta, shrimp, naan (real naan YUMMMMM) and raita as well as the momos for appetizer. Interior is really nicely done, cozy seating, very clean, candles lit for dinner - appropriate for a date among other gatherings. Bar area is beautiful - no drinks while we were there as liquor license expected in the next few days apparently. They’ll have cocktails and other full bar. Service was friendly, and prices are reasonable making it possible to sample some different dishes. Options available for gluten free and halal among other restrictions. They’ve just opened - look forward to coming back!

We enjoyed friendly service and a scrumptious dinner at Tikka, savouring every last morsel. The parking nextdoor was most unusual, we should have just parked on the side street.

I often eat outside, and hands down they have one of the best thaalis in the DMV area. I had a vegetarian thaali. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

First time here, I ordered the lunch meat sampler. Chicken/lamb. I arrived at the opening, 11:30am. Courteous service without competition. The staff was still prepping for the lunch rush. Typical eating would be clockwise around the platter, but I used the rice as a base. The salad was a nice mix of greens with a good dressing. The samosas were pea heavy (from looking) but I didn't taste them, just the sugary starches. The palak paneer was delicious, as was the butter chicken, both eaten over a fluffy rice. The lamb itself was a bit dry, but not noticable in the sauce unless dissected. The chana masala (garbanzo) was also very nice, but I personally prefer other foods over beans. The rice pudding was a subtle sweetness, not heavy, and very good. I usually avoid bread, but tried the naan which had a thin crispiness to the bottom and was very nice. So far, my first food run here was very good, and I look forward to another trip and getting more into the menu. It was dine in, without take out. Based on the photo, you might see the container cost might parallel the meal cost. A restroom trip revealed 2 gender neutral single occupancy restrooms for use in clean shape... Down the hall. For whiskey/bourbon drinkers, there's a small but nice selection of rares available. I remember Macallan. I say it's worth checking out if you like the cuisine. On the sampler, it's 3-4 pieces of protein per, so maybe 5-6 oz protein with the paneer/panir. My only concern was One staff member who was away from the customers and the food prep was congested. In my book they should go home for the day or wear a mask. I plan to share my feelings with the restaurant and I encourage everyone to do the same thing no matter what restaurant they're at. Subject to change on the next visit.

This used to be a Nepali restaurant, which has since been transformed into Tikka with a new owner & chef. From the outside, it looks modest, but once you step inside, you’re immediately impressed by the transformation. The brightly colored yet elegantly designed interiors, along with a beautiful cocktail bar and high chairs, create a welcoming atmosphere. We decided to try the high chairs and started off with their happy hour cocktails, which were reasonably discounted. I went for the Mystic Paan, and my husband ordered the Masala Mojito. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Mystic Paan, which was bursting with flavors without being overpowering. The Mojito was equally impressive and is definitely a must-try. We followed these with a few more cocktails and appetizers. I particularly loved the spinach balls, tossed in a sweet and spicy Manchurian sauce – the combination really worked. We also ordered the Achaari Paneer, which was excellent. For entrees, we ordered from the chef’s special menu, and I would highly recommend starting here if it’s your first time. We chose the Kashmiri Dhum Aloo, which was served with a creamy sauce and was absolutely amazing. The highlight of the meal, and something I saved for last, was the Jackfruit Biryani (we are vegetarian and have had this dish many times). This was one of the best Jackfruit Biryanis we’ve ever had. I’m not sure how the chef prepared the jackfruit, but it was incredibly moist and tender, literally melting in my mouth. A must-try on the menu. Lastly, we ended our meal with a crème brûlée malai kulfi, which was the perfect finishing touch to an already well-rounded meal.

Emily Markoja

Absolutely delicious. This place is a must visit. We asked our server for recommendations as we were not familiar with many of the dishes- everything was outstanding. Highly recommend the momo’s, mango palak chaat, any of the naan’s, and do not sleep on the beetroot dessert. Friendly, attentive staff and excellent cocktails made for a truly excellent experience.

Natasha

As an Indian American, it’s often hard to find truly authentic Indian food in DC at a good price. Tikka delivered in exceptional taste for each dish I ordered, kind and warm service, and great price. I will be coming here more often! 10/10 would recommend.

Aakash Bhatia

During our visit to Washington DC we searched for Indian restaurant and found TIKKA. Fantastic dining experience. Food was absolutely amazing and so was the service. We ordered veg and Non veg both dishes and all of them were mouthwatering. Ambience also good. Highly recommended for Indian food lovers.

Christina Motilall

Was in the neighborhood around happy hour time and stopped in. What a lovely place with great service and good food. I had the wings and the bison momo, chili style. It was excellent, if I wasn't full, I would have definitely ordered another set of the momo. Also had a nice malbec. I can't wait to go back!

Farogat A

I must say, from the moment I stepped inside, I was warmly welcomed. The ambience and vibe is sophisticated yet welcoming. Each dish was nothing short of a masterpiece and artful, and the flavors were vibrant and rich with special Indian spices. What stood out most to me was the perfect balance in spice levels – just enough heat to capture the authentic Indian taste, but not overwhelming. It was the ideal level of spice that truly enhanced the dishes without overpowering them. This restaurant has truly mastered combining elegance with authenticity, and I can’t wait to return for another incredible meal.

Ingela Rundquist

My friend and I were craving Indian food, and most locations were not open until later in the evening. We were lucky to come across. Tikka. The ambience and general atmosphere of the restaurant was warm and welcoming, even as we were the only customers in at the time. They had an excellent happy hour and appetizer deals around the 4 PM to 5 PM hour. We ordered a bunch of these to split between the two of us and were overall very happy with the menu. They are new restaurant and I highly recommend local check them out

Charles Robinson

First time here, I ordered the lunch meat sampler. Chicken/lamb. I arrived at the opening, 11:30am. Courteous service without competition. The staff was still prepping for the lunch rush. Typical eating would be clockwise around the platter, but I used the rice as a base. The salad was a nice mix of greens with a good dressing. The samosas were pea heavy (from looking) but I didn't taste them, just the sugary starches. The palak paneer was delicious, as was the butter chicken, both eaten over a fluffy rice. The lamb itself was a bit dry, but not noticable in the sauce unless dissected. The chana masala (garbanzo) was also very nice, but I personally prefer other foods over beans. The rice pudding was a subtle sweetness, not heavy, and very good. I usually avoid bread, but tried the naan which had a thin crispiness to the bottom and was very nice. So far, my first food run here was very good, and I look forward to another trip and getting more into the menu. It was dine in, without take out. Based on the photo, you might see the container cost might parallel the meal cost. A restroom trip revealed 2 gender neutral single occupancy restrooms for use in clean shape... Down the hall. For whiskey/bourbon drinkers, there's a small but nice selection of rares available. I remember Macallan. I say it's worth checking out if you like the cuisine. On the sampler, it's 3-4 pieces of protein per, so maybe 5-6 oz protein with the paneer/panir. My only concern was One staff member who was away from the customers and the food prep was congested. In my book they should go home for the day or wear a mask. I plan to share my feelings with the restaurant and I encourage everyone to do the same thing no matter what restaurant they're at. Subject to change on the next visit.

Kennedy Andara

We went earlier this month for an awesome dinner experience. This is probably the best quality and most affordable meal I’ve gotten in DC in a long time. The restaurant itself is stunning perfect for a date night or time with friends. The food was delicious!!!! Get the momos!

Kaitlin Markoja

Delightful new Indian place in Van Ness. Lived in India for a couple years and love Indian food. This place has a nice variety of classic dishes and more modern ones, too, including a rotating Specials list - we enjoyed being able to get a mix of things. Loved the paneer kofta, shrimp, naan (real naan YUMMMMM) and raita as well as the momos for appetizer. Interior is really nicely done, cozy seating, very clean, candles lit for dinner - appropriate for a date among other gatherings. Bar area is beautiful - no drinks while we were there as liquor license expected in the next few days apparently. They’ll have cocktails and other full bar. Service was friendly, and prices are reasonable making it possible to sample some different dishes. Options available for gluten free and halal among other restrictions. They’ve just opened - look forward to coming back!

Leena Sampemane

We enjoyed friendly service and a scrumptious dinner at Tikka, savouring every last morsel. The parking nextdoor was most unusual, we should have just parked on the side street.

Utsav Shah

I often eat outside, and hands down they have one of the best thaalis in the DMV area. I had a vegetarian thaali. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Sridevi B

This used to be a Nepali restaurant, which has since been transformed into Tikka with a new owner & chef. From the outside, it looks modest, but once you step inside, you’re immediately impressed by the transformation. The brightly colored yet elegantly designed interiors, along with a beautiful cocktail bar and high chairs, create a welcoming atmosphere. We decided to try the high chairs and started off with their happy hour cocktails, which were reasonably discounted. I went for the Mystic Paan, and my husband ordered the Masala Mojito. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Mystic Paan, which was bursting with flavors without being overpowering. The Mojito was equally impressive and is definitely a must-try. We followed these with a few more cocktails and appetizers. I particularly loved the spinach balls, tossed in a sweet and spicy Manchurian sauce – the combination really worked. We also ordered the Achaari Paneer, which was excellent. For entrees, we ordered from the chef’s special menu, and I would highly recommend starting here if it’s your first time. We chose the Kashmiri Dhum Aloo, which was served with a creamy sauce and was absolutely amazing. The highlight of the meal, and something I saved for last, was the Jackfruit Biryani (we are vegetarian and have had this dish many times). This was one of the best Jackfruit Biryanis we’ve ever had. I’m not sure how the chef prepared the jackfruit, but it was incredibly moist and tender, literally melting in my mouth. A must-try on the menu. Lastly, we ended our meal with a crème brûlée malai kulfi, which was the perfect finishing touch to an already well-rounded meal.

Taylor Capriotti

This place is wonderful! The food wasn’t what I’m used from Indian restaurants, but it was so delicious. The dining area is beautiful, food presentation was immaculate, the service was friendly and quick. It was also so well priced, 2 non alcoholic drinks, 2 apps, 2 entrees for $56. Can’t beat that for the food quality!! I can’t wait to come back to the area to have it again. Must go!

My husband and I are from out of town. We were looking for some comfort food, as it is 20 degrees outside. We’re big fans of Indian food. The service was quick and everyone was friendly. The drinks were good and the food was phenomenal. Atmosphere is cozy and well designed. If we ever come back to part of town, we will absolutely return. 10/10.

Saw the good reviews, came and got the lunch vegetarian thali. It was indeed abundant with a lot of food. The dal makhani was great. Atmosphere is very nice and service is excellent. A little bit less salt that I would like, but that's a me problem because I love salt, for the average person I think it would be just right.

I can't say enough good things about this place. Absolutely wonderful food and wonderful service. Definitely will be coming back again. I got the cheese naan and butter chicken, both were great tasting. Gulab Jamun was sweet. The prices also seemed more fair than other places. Very simple menu.

M. John

I can't say enough good things about this place. Absolutely wonderful food and wonderful service. Definitely will be coming back again. I got the cheese naan and butter chicken, both were great tasting. Gulab Jamun was sweet. The prices also seemed more fair than other places. Very simple menu.

Crystal Yeh

Saw the good reviews, came and got the lunch vegetarian thali. It was indeed abundant with a lot of food. The dal makhani was great. Atmosphere is very nice and service is excellent. A little bit less salt that I would like, but that's a me problem because I love salt, for the average person I think it would be just right.

Dominic

Absolutely lovely! Spent my fifteenth birthday here and the service was absolutely incredible, food was DELICIOUS YUMMM! They even gave me a little Kulfi that said "Happy 15th Birthday!" Altogether a marvelous experience and I was very happy to eat there!

aileen mangan

I have nothing but excellent things to say about Tikka!! The service was incredible, such a friendly staff. The food was outrageously delicious, everything we had was a standout. The portions were generous and everything was very reasonably priced for the high quality. The atmosphere is really warm and well done too, I definitely recommend eating in. :)

Thomas Watkins

There's a dearth of decent Indian restaurants in DC so I was delighted to discover Tikka. Been there twice now and both times the food was excellent -- curries were fresh, fragrant and not oily / overly creamy. Friendly staff and lovely cocktails - I had the smoked jaggery and clove Manhattan. Great mango palak chaat and a nice variety of different styles and flavours of main courses and appetisers, plus the naans seemed freshly made. If you are hankering after a proper curry or love Indian food, I definitely recommend this place.

Pretty decent place, the decoration and ambiance is actually nice and peaceful. I ordered the tikka salmon that comes with a salad, chickpeas, and rice (very good deal for $20). Everything was tasty, the only thing I didn’t enjoy much was that the salmon was a little bit overcooked. I also got their chai tea which was very yummy 😋. Sorry for my pictures but I guess the food was good that I even forgot to take pictures at the beginning of the meal 😂 🙈

A good indian restaurant which is cheaper in comparison to other indian restaurants in DC. Menu is limited but tatse is amazing. One of my friend is vegan but tlhe had enough options.

I highly the Paneer Tikka Masala. I ordered a Mango Lassi, Chana Masala, Garlic Naan, and Paneer Tikka Masala, which came with basmati rice. The Mango Lassi and the Channa Masala were okay. My favorites were the Paneer Tikka Masala and the Garlic Naan, which I would come back and purchase again. Indian dishes are known for the layers of flavor that come from the intricacies of the spices used, and Tikka delivers on that. The atmosphere was clean and welcoming and the staff were attentive and friendly. I also liked that check out was simple with a QR code option. While I didn't try it this time, I did see that they have a lunch menu, which I also hope to try. I recommend this restaurant and will be back soon!

Liz Akinbiyi

I highly the Paneer Tikka Masala. I ordered a Mango Lassi, Chana Masala, Garlic Naan, and Paneer Tikka Masala, which came with basmati rice. The Mango Lassi and the Channa Masala were okay. My favorites were the Paneer Tikka Masala and the Garlic Naan, which I would come back and purchase again. Indian dishes are known for the layers of flavor that come from the intricacies of the spices used, and Tikka delivers on that. The atmosphere was clean and welcoming and the staff were attentive and friendly. I also liked that check out was simple with a QR code option. While I didn't try it this time, I did see that they have a lunch menu, which I also hope to try. I recommend this restaurant and will be back soon!

Our feelings are a bit mixed about this restaurant. On the plus side, the crab appetizer and the baby eggplant dish were fantastic and unique. The service was friendly and attentive. The ingredients in all the dishes seemed very fresh (we did have a long wait between appetizer and main meal, which we think meant one dish at least was freshly made as the restaurant was not too busy). On the less positive side, the lamb vindaloo was good but not superb, as was the bhindi, and the raita was bland. The cocktails, quite watery, were disappointing. We will come another day for the lunch thalis.

Decent food, terrible prices. $4 for one piece of naan. $10 for four wings. The $20 “big plates” only have enough food to serve one person. If this was a gourmet restaurant, maybe it could be justified, but it’s just average takeout quality.

The food was okay, but it was a total rip-off. The rack of lamb was an absolute joke, 3 small cuts for $30…over-cooked. The pricing on the bill was also not consistent with the menu. The lamb ended up being $32 on the bill, we pointed out this discrepancy. It was an already overpriced dish, I wasnt going to pay another $2 on principle. The curry was also pretty mid for $24. The small plates were decently priced, so maybe just stick with that.

J C

The food was okay, but it was a total rip-off. The rack of lamb was an absolute joke, 3 small cuts for $30…over-cooked. The pricing on the bill was also not consistent with the menu. The lamb ended up being $32 on the bill, we pointed out this discrepancy. It was an already overpriced dish, I wasnt going to pay another $2 on principle. The curry was also pretty mid for $24. The small plates were decently priced, so maybe just stick with that.

I visited this restaurant recently and was disappointed by a billing issue that felt misleading. I ordered the Dal Tadka, which was listed at $8 on the menu. However, I was charged $16 on the final bill. There was no mention of portion-based pricing or any indication that the price could vary. When I asked about the discrepancy, the staff didn’t offer a clear explanation. I strongly recommend double-checking your bill before paying. Transparency in pricing is essential, and I hope the restaurant updates their menu to reflect actual charges more accurately.