Grace's Mandarin

This was our first dining experience here & it was BEYOND DELICIOUS!! We WILL be eating here EVERY TIME we come. Our server was Entirely knowledgeable about the menu & details of the food in how it was prepared, tasted, portions etc. He also ensured my food was prepared separately due to my Shellfish allergy. My spouse ordered the Rockfish which he said was so delicious & he appreciated the fileted cut in where they removed the rib bones leaving only the fin bones, he loved the mango curry sauce that came with it. I ordered rack of lamb chops that were delicious & came with a house made goat cheese sauce that was also delicious. I had fried rice with egg & ordered the mango curry sauce to go over it which was dreamy delicious. We both had miso soup & it was the most flavorful, delicious miso soup we've ever had and we've had lots from many various places from east to west coast, north & south. The water comes in a glass bottle marinated with slice of orange, lime, lemon & mint leaves which was refreshing & hydrating. My spouse also had a shrimp tempura sushi roll that he said was good. The portions of meals were plentiful. The ambiance of the place was romantic & gorgeous. Bathrooms were equally gorgeous & clean with quality soap, towelettes & lotion. Decor was just as amazing. Loved the huge Buddha & waterfall wall. All staff were welcoming, friendly & spoke greeting us & Thanking us for coming. This is one of the greatest places to dine at & we can't wait to return! We ate on the 2nd level & they're was also a bar area.

My partner and I decided here for our date and I'm so glad we did. The most notable thing was the beautiful decor, the layout of tables and the harbor view on the second floor. From the food and the service, everything was immaculate and eye catching. Food was so tasty we cant wait to come back soon!

This was my first time at this restaurant and it did not disappoint! The service was great and the food was amazing! Will be going back and trying all the other great looking food I saw passing by my table!

The decor is stunning! There is so much to look at and everything is well placed and thought out. Their food was really great too. They also give you infused water, which is cold and refreshing, it had citrus and I think mint. Our server Chris did a great job; we told him it was our first time, and I asked if he could pick out my dish, which he did (Singapore noodles). I know that’s a lot of pressure lol my dish was delicious! Definitely come here the next time you’re in town!

Grace’s Mandarin is a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary Asian cuisine. Each table had a pitcher of fresh water with mint, lemon, and limes and was a refreshing start to cleanse the palate. After seating, the server provided the table with hot towels to cleanse our hands before we started our meal (see video). My favorite appetizer was the crab rangoon though it does not come with a dipping sauce while the other small plates we ordered did. The fish nuggets were also good, but the cocktail type sauce they were served with didn’t pair well. I wish I had a bottle of hot sauce in my purse. The calamari was just ok; I’ve had much better in other not so great places. Finally, the X.O cognac sauce (Remy Martin) added to rice was subtle, but a pleasant twist. Overall, the ambiance was nice, service was timely, and the food was served steaming hot and full of flavor. I’d definitely go back for another round … or two. Small Plate (Appetizers) - Crab Rangoon: 5/5 - Fish Nuggets: 4/5 - Pan Fried Calamari: 3/5 Noodles & Rice (Entree) - Drunken Udon Noodles (w/Shrimp): 5/5 - National Harbor Fried Rice (no pork): 5/5 Beverage (Alcoholic) - The Woo-Tang: 4/5 - Grand Pineapple Mint Margarita: 3/5 Additional Notes: - Advance reservations requires a $10 deposit that’s added towards the check. - Metered street parking is available and the parking garage is around the corner from the restaurant. Parking garage fee is $20. - 18% gratuity is automatically included on the check.

The food was quite good and the atmosphere wonderful. Prices were about as expected. Oddly the music bring piped in did not match though. Classy place.

This was a great experience I had a great time celebrating my birthday. They gave me chopsticks and tea it was awesome, but a little pricey

The atmosphere and the service were both excellent. I enjoyed seeing all of the artwork and decor throughout the restaurant. The staff was attentive, without being over the top. The menu has some nice variety of American Chinese food as well as other Asian fusion fare. The portion sizes are decent for the price. There was also a nice selection of vegetarian and dairy free options. The drink menu is interesting and also includes alcohol free options. They don't seem to take reservations, but we never had a problem getting seats. The place is vast.

I would have to say this has been one of the best restaurants I have been too very respectful pleasant the food so pure and fresh I highly give it a 100 out of 10 the best

Delicious sushi! From the infused water and jasmine tea to the fried gyoza and sushi rolls, I was extremely pleased with lunch. The soy sauce was extremely watery and lacked any flavor—normally I wouldn’t care, but when a 5 piece sushi roll is $20 (not a specialty roll either), it matters a little bit more lol! I wouldn’t care definitely go again and it’s conveniently located right next to the Gaylord.

We checked this place out on a Saturday for lunch. Overall it was a really good experience. We did not have a reservation and had to wait maybe 10 minutes for a table. The atmosphere is really cool in there. The food was fantastic - pineapple chicken and the crunchy beef were highlights. Fried chicken was also really good and spring rolls solid. We will be back for sure.

An upscale Asian fusion restaurant in the national harbour area. Definitely one of the best. The internal decor was amazing with bold oriental influence. Staff was great and attentive. They were accommodating as well when we asked for some fresh cut chilli. The atmosphere was lively and we saw families dining out over Sunday dinner, birthday celebrations and gathering happening. If you are in the area, it's definitely a place to go to.

Grace’s Mandarin did not disappoint. The Asian decor in this restaurant is stunning. Impressive and fancy date spot for Asian cuisine. It is quite expensive for the portions you get. Granted it is on the waterfront. There is a time limit for dining and 18% added gratuity. Service was slow for lunch. But it was on the weekend. Volcano roll had better quality than expected. Salt and pepper chicken wings were crispy. Beef Thai street noodles had great flavor. Infused water is a nice touch. Nice presentation. Would likely come back but probably only for a special occasion not for an 83$ lunch without any drinks.

Upscale Asian cuisine restaurant with three levels offering stunning harbor views. The service was attentive and professional, and every dish was flavorful and beautifully presented.

We had a wonderful dining experience at this well-known Chinese restaurant in National Harbor some time ago. The restaurant had beautiful decorations with lots of flowers and traditional Chinese objects, as well as a gigantic Buddha statue at the entrance that was impossible to miss. The food was excellent, and we even enjoyed our desserts. The service was decent during our visit to the restaurant on a busy weekend evening. Overall, it was a great dining experience.

Grace’s Mandarin is a true gem at National Harbor, offering an unforgettable dining experience that perfectly blends ambiance, flavor, and service. From the moment you step inside, you’re transported into an atmosphere of elegance—think dim lighting, sleek decor, and a stunning multi-story Buddha statue that adds to the restaurant’s sophisticated yet calming vibe. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide breathtaking waterfront views, making it an ideal spot for both romantic dinners and special gatherings. Highly recommended!

Post Christmas family celebration and Graces added just the perfect touch. The environment was warm welcoming and intimate as soon as we entered. Service was attentive and friendly friendly from seating though the meal. Finally the food was flavorful and delicious. My curry was extra spicy as requested and had a wonderful heat. Appetizers were served quickly and wonderful. All around high marks for an excellent dinner!

We visited on our last day of the Katsucon Anime Convention. This place is pretty cool. It has great decor and and the food is just outstanding. It does seem to be a bit overpriced but the service was good. We'll be back next time the anime convention comes around.

The prices are on the higher end but all worth it because the food was delicious! High quality and great portions with generous protein. For entrees, if you’re absolutely starving, one per person. But if you just want to be reasonably full and not overeat, I think 2 people could share an entree and just add another side of rice. I had to take a star off though because the service left a bit to be desired, especially considering the prices and the luxurious ambiance and decor of the place. It took a while to get our orders in but at least the food didn’t take too long to come out. The restaurant was pretty full so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. I would still come back though given it’s one of the few Asian dining options at National Harbor and the food was delicious.

Graces is an amazing restaurant to dine at if you like Asian Cuisine. They have noodles, rice, sushi and great apps. Drink Menu is nice and has something for every budget. Staff is very friendly. Food was fresh and tasty and came out fast. Would give 5 stars but all dishes came without dipping sauce and soy sauce was not readily on the table. Average meal cost is $30. Add a drink and it will be $50. Also, 18% gratuity is automatic. My party was only 2 and they still charged it.

There was no wait even with a convention releasing at the Gaylord. The staff were attentive and polite. The food service was rapid and displayed aesthetically.

The food is great. Definitely a bit on the overpriced for the portion. Don't expect to get big portions. Taste is great, the restaurant was clean. Our server could have been a bit more nicer and bring us water when we needed it not after we were done with our meals. Also, I didn't appreciate that gratuity was included for a party of 4 when the service wasn't excellent. Perhaps it wasn't a great night. I'll definitely give it the benefit of the doubt and come again.

This restaurant was conveniently located near our hotel, so we decided to give it a try. It’s an Asian fusion spot, and I ordered the orange chicken. I was really hungry and ended up devouring everything—it was delicious! However, my friend wasn’t as impressed with his curry; he mentioned it was too watery for his liking. On the bright side, the drinks we ordered were really good. The atmosphere was a bit dim—it could definitely use more lighting—and while the staff wasn’t particularly welcoming overall, our server was kind and attentive. The place was packed, and the space felt tight, with tables placed very close together. It got pretty loud, which made it hard to hear at times. I felt a little bad because our group was catching up and got a bit noisy, and it seemed like the mix of customers around us ranged from those wanting a quiet evening to others who were just as loud. At one point, it felt like another table was getting irritated with the noise. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and drinks, but my friend left disappointed. It’s a decent spot if you’re in the area, but it might not be for everyone.

The restaurant has a well received atmosphere. I was pleased with the taste of the food for the most part. The waiter, who was not as attentive as I would've suspected for automatic 18% gratuity, suggested the wings. They tasted very good. I just didn't think the portion size related to the cost. You get about 6 on the plate. I had Singapore noodles with chicken and shrimp. It was just me and my wife and we had the same thing. But she wanted it without as much spice. The waiter said they could do that which they did. The issue I had was that both meals was the same. I asked the waiter what happened to my food and he explained that Singapore noodles is not usually spicy. That was news to me. He did bring me some spicy sauce to add to it. But that was halfway through my meal. I will say you are charged mostly for the atmosphere and not portion size. So keep that in mind when going. The one major issue I found with going was it is very cramped. I assume location has something to do with that being that it's by the harbor and they are trying to fit as many people as possible and seat you pretty fast. Overall the food was still tasty and well received.

Had a great experience, the service was amazing, the man who served us did a great job. They had these hot hand towels they gave to you to use before you ordered food which I thought was nice, also they have their own water mix that tasted really good, I wasn’t really playing attention of what he said was in it, but it was delicious. Now only have two complaints which the first one would be that the chicken in basic chicken fried rice, was really dry, everything else about it was great but the chicken was definitely over cooked so it made it unenjoyable. The other food we had was great as well, but the only other complaint I’d have is the drink I order wasn’t the best either, I ordered their Strawberry Mule and it just tasted like straight Strawberry Rum and sour, couldn’t taste the ginger beer at all and didn’t have any carbonation in it. Other than those things the place was good, the views were lovely and I enjoyed the interior and the set of up the place. I’d recommend you guys give it a try for the experience and maybe the food will be different. Still a great place.

An enjoyable meal. Sushi was well rolled good portion especially at the happy hour pricing. Meals ordered were drunken noodles with chicken and shrimp, and sweet and sour chicken. Chicken pieces were generous and meaty. Not quite enough sauce for my liking but they brought extra right away. Drunken noodles were tasty too. Prices reasonable, probably slightly more than your local Chinese but not excessive.

This is truly a gem for our family. The ambiance is aesthetically pleasing and we’re always seated immediately. Most importantly, there is something on the menu for all to enjoy. Generally we begin with shrimp tempura and the Shanghai sweet spicy wings. For my primary meal the Herb Garlic Grilled Rack of Lamb is a must. At medium well, it’s juicy and packed with flavor. To top the evening off, I always order the Crème Brulee. Was a little disappointed that I had to ask for refills and the warm towel to wipe my hands. This establishment is definitely noteworthy!

Beautiful 2 story waterfall. Giant Buddha decor. Great food, service but pricey for 2 people. Also the restaurant is upstairs. I didn't see an elevator so you must walk up a flight of stairs.

I recently visited this Mandarin restaurant and had a pleasant overall experience. The atmosphere was absolutely lovely — cozy, vibrant, and perfect for a relaxed meal. The service was also impressive; the staff were attentive, friendly, and quick to respond. As for the food, it was average — some dishes were flavorful, while others could have been more balanced in taste. Overall, it’s a great place for the ambiance and service, but the food could be improved a little.

Okay so this was my first time at Grace’s during lunch. It wasn’t packed, but it was far from empty. The food came out fast however, I was not impressed by the seasoning. I ordered Singapore noodles with curry and the curry was very faint. My friends ordered other things that were also dull to taste. Once I added soy sauce, it was better. I have been to Grace’s for dinner and had a complete different experience when it came down to the taste of the food. Maybe it was not a good day.

2025 Review: I’m adjusting my review down from 4 stars to 3. While the service has improved, unfortunately the food has declined. The fried rice was overcooked with a burned flavor. The sweet and sour chicken was tough and chewy. The prices have gone up and it’s not a good value for the poor quality of the food. 2023 Review: They’ve improved and I’ve adjusted my rating up to 4 stars. Service is less aggressive now and has improved, which was nice - still multiple servers but they seem to be better organized now. The Hawaiian Chicken was absolutely delicious and the presentation (in a pineapple bowl) was amazing. The shrimp tempura roll was much better than last time. The crème brûlée was fantastic. The Manhattan was also very good. Still not enough rice, in my opinion. Glad to see improvement and look forward to coming back again. Original review from 2022: More style than substance, a real miss for me. The place looks amazing outside and in. I was hoping the food would match, but it didn't. The shrimp tempura roll was underwhelming - it was cleanly made but they insisted on covering it in what can only be described as tempura dust. Strange texture with little flavor. And the drop of sauce on each piece did not taste good. The Chicken with Cashews was slightly burned, as if the oil they used was either too hot or had been used too many times. And the amount of rice provided is way too small. The tempura sampler was good - looked and tasted good - though it had a strange ratio or items. Much more okra than anything else, which is not even really a traditional tempura ingredient, with only one shrimp, sweet potato, onion, etc. Service is a bit disjointed and aggressive. There are multiple servers working each table so you end up answering the same questions multiple times or telling them someone else already took care of it.

Bottom line - I was expecting a more elevated experience. Given the price point, the food should be out of this world. Unfortunately for me, they missed the mark. The atmosphere is amazing. With the price point I would expect close to perfection for the food but they were not there. I enjoyed my dinner but it was not a 5 star meal. First up was the seaweed salad - this was a delight, but I don’t know how it was elevated above any other seaweed salad I’ve had before. Then, hot and sour soup - it was flavorful but it was touted as wild mushroom hot and sour. I thought mushrooms would be the star, sadly there were a few small pieces floating on top. Again, not elevated. Lastly, I had the sexy salmon roll. Nothing sexy here again. I thought at $20 it would be mind blowing. Yet the tempura crunch was what stood out, not the salmon. Unfortunately the roll was not even perfect - paper thin salmon on top and also lacking consistency. This definitely was not elevated and I could’ve got a similar roll from door dash for $12. I wanted to love it but they let me down.

All of the decors around this restaurant are authentic Chinese. Loved it! The dishes were basically Americanized. We liked the eggplant a lot. Our waitress seemed to have had a bad day- no smile throughout our meal and often frowned. I didn’t like that we were charged a 18% gratuity when the bill was presented to us- we are not a six-people party. Overall this place is overpriced, but everything around the national harbor area is overpriced.

I took my daughter for dinner at this restaurant. Our rib appetizer was decent but Sysco assisted. Our our spring roll appetizer was decent. Our sushi was one step above grocery store sushi and that is being generous. We got $32 fried rice that had some frozen seafood, tiny strips of pork?, low quality rice and frozen peas and carrots. They serve the sushi with some sort of sauce that tasted like miso soup instead of soy sauce. The wasabi probably came out of a tube. When my $133 bill came I was not shocked as everything is way overpriced listed on the menu. I was shocked that I had an 18% gratuity added to my bill for a two top table. I could have ordered food for a family of eight for Chinese delivery that would have tasted better. I would say this was lackluster at best. I guess your bill is helping to pay for the ostentatiously ugly Asian decor and giant statues outside the door. Maybe they should put more money back into their food. I will not be dining there again. Asian fusion= nothing good.

This was our second visit to Grace’s. I love the decor and the atmosphere. The service needs to be revamped. There are multiple people waiting on you and the tip is already factored in the bill so service is lacking. I would have liked crackers with my soup and an extra plate with my meal. I paid for elegant dining and got fast food service.

My wife and I are gluten free and we had high hopes after reading reviews. I wanted to like this place but honestly it was no better for me than going to PF Chang's for the food quality. My wife on the other hand got Land Sky Sea delight her meal was excellent and tasted amazing. I ordered the chicken and broccoli with brown sauce at no point was I told by the waiter that the brown sauce had gluten they just brought me out a bland dry "white" sauce that was not even edible. I realize that traditionally this sauce is not gluten free but I just assumed coconut aminos or something else would be used as it was marked Gluten Free on the menu. The waiter was apologetic and perhaps a manager came to the table to apologize and ask what sause I'd like. They remade the dish with a different white sauce and it was better not great though and at this point my wife was half done and I was hungry. I also received about 1/4 less quantity than the last dish they brought out for me. However overall not a massive deal as I generally don't eat that much food to begin with but I did feel cheated a bit. At the prices here $32 for my basic dish and $39 for the other I expect the food to be more flavorful and communication to be better. A 18% gratuity was added automatically to the bill for a party of 2 this is odd and usually is reserved for larger parties. The atmosphere is beautiful and pleasant the bathroom was relatively clean for a days worth of use. Overall not a great experience wait staff was excellent and attentive I have no complaints there. Maybe it was just an off night or something but I would have definitely not got the chicken and broccoli dish had that been communicated to me properly.

I had high hopes for Grace’s Mandarin at the new Gaylord Convention, but unfortunately, the experience fell far short of expectations. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, with an ambiance that perfectly matches the Asian fusion theme. However, beyond aesthetics, the dining experience was a major letdown. As a vegetarian, I understand that sushi restaurants can sometimes have limited options, but I expected at least the basics to be executed well. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The *General Cauliflower*, their take on cauliflower wings, was the worst I’ve had—massive pieces that completely lost any seasoning or flavor. It felt more like eating plain fried cauliflower than a thoughtfully prepared dish. The veggie sushi rolls were equally disappointing. I tried the *Avocado Crunch* and *The Garden*, but neither delivered. The rice texture was off, lacking the proper balance and quality you’d expect from a sushi restaurant. It was clear that little attention was given to the details that make sushi enjoyable. To top it all off, I was surprised to find that gratuity was automatically included—even for a party of one. While I normally don’t mind tipping for good service, having it added by default, especially as a solo diner, felt odd and unnecessary. With so many dining options in the area, I wouldn’t recommend this place, especially for vegetarians. There are far better spots that cater to a wider range of dietary needs while maintaining high-quality execution. Grace’s Mandarin may look the part, but it doesn’t deliver where it truly matters—the food.

May 2025 I hate to have to update my review on a restaurant thatIhave enjoyed SOOO many times in the DMV, but I feel like I must. Positives - ambience is still beautiful, great friendly service. Our food today was ok, a few errors with the order but not a big deal. The baffling and unsettling part of the experience was the bill. Not only were we charged an 18% gratuity for a party of 3 (which i am totally okay with - many people dont tip and servers MUST make a living) BUT...I was also charged a 22% service fee - INSANE. 40% in fees alone for an 88.00 meal - i paid almost 130 dollars...(photo of my receipt is included) For 1 adult and 2 kids !! Please see reciept...i feel like the restaurant Is straight ROBBING people...and that is just not right... AND has the audacity to have a line on the receipt for "additional tip" I dont think I will be coming back or in good faith reccomend this restaurant to my network. Really sad as this used to be a great place to go. Their financial practices are just WRONG. Previous visit ****************** Enjoyed our time at Grace's Mandarin today! Food was delicious. View was amazing. I had the Korean soup and it was absolutely so so yummy! Service was our only concern. It was not that busy and our server kind-of disappeared for more than 20 minutes. So bizarre.

I took my family to Grace's Mandarin on Friday, February 28th to celebrate my son's 16th birthday. It was his choice, and he had been looking forward to the experience for quite a while. Unfortunately, my own excitement quickly turned to frustration. The first issue was the lack of reservations on weekends, which I found strange, especially when we arrived to find ourselves seated near a large, loud party. This group, with balloons and cake, was already pre-set at their table. I couldn’t help but wonder: were they walk-ins? Their noise level was disruptive enough that we could barely hear each other talk. The surrounding tables were clearly irritated by the commotion too. While we waited to be greeted at our table, we noticed that the service was slower than expected. We were first greeted by a trainee who took our drink order, but then there was quite a delay before we saw our actual waiter. When he did arrive, he wasn’t very friendly—no smile or introduction—just a rushed and hurried greeting. When we weren’t ready to order, he quickly left and took his time returning, which only added to the frustration. We decided to order an appetizer, and it came out swiftly—but it was small, and definitely not enough for a party of five. For a restaurant of this caliber, I would have expected the waiter to suggest ordering more or inform us about portion sizes. This was especially frustrating since we had specifically asked him about portion sizes before ordering. When our dinner finally arrived, it came out in bits and pieces, and the food was just okay. Unfortunately, the meal left me feeling unwell later that evening and into the morning. While I don't have any food allergies, and regularly enjoy Asian cuisine, I couldn’t help but feel that something was off. I'll spare the graphic details - Imodium was my cure. The most disappointing aspect was that my son didn’t get the special treatment I expected for his birthday. I had mentioned it to the waiter, hoping he’d receive a complimentary dessert, but all he got was the tiny dessert we had paid for—complete with a single candle. For a 16th birthday celebration, I had hoped for something more memorable, especially considering the high price point. My son enjoyed his meal and the atmosphere, but as a parent, it felt like a missed opportunity to make this milestone birthday extra special. Overall, this was not the upscale experience I had hoped for, and I deeply regret letting my son choose this restaurant. For the price, I expected a much higher level of service and quality. Sadly, my husband and I are not planning to return, and I would recommend anyone looking for a true upscale dining experience to look elsewhere. **Another thing to note, this restaurant is NOT kid-friendly. So, if you have children under 10 in your party who may prefer the typical chicken fingers, burgers, pizza options, the kid will be sadly disappointed as well.**

The food used to be the best. The shrimp fried rice was very greasy and had a burned taste to it. The bottom of the bowl was filled with grease and the rice itself was dry. I was sick afterwards. I asked them to make it spicy. They cooked the chilli red peppers, which killed the spice. They only gave me two and they were burned. They automatically take their tip through gratuity. When I went home and woke up the next morning, my transaction was updated and they charged my card an extra $10. I called the restaurant and of course, no one reached out