Daru

Daru is an acclaimed "Indian-ish" restaurant located just off the H Street Corridor at 1451 Maryland Ave NE, opened in August 2021 by chef Suresh Sundas and beverage director Dante Datta in a former neighborhood grocery space. Sundas practices a border-defying Indian fusion that pulls off unusual pairings like reshmi chicken kebab with blue cheese, a creamy spinach lasagna made with paneer, and smoky black dal with a dollop of burrata. Datta runs an inventive bar program where "the inspiration for the food and the drinks are taken from all over the place" while staying rooted in South Asian techniques and ingredients. Beyond its full cocktail list, Daru maintains a robust selection of zero-proof drinks worth repeat visits, drawing on Indian-style sodas and seasonal lassis. Confirmed non-alcoholic options include a pearl and cinnamon lassi, a fizzy tamarind soda that blends tamarind tea and lime soda, and the sweet-and-slightly-salty Mango Daisy, described as the most popular non-alcoholic drink on the menu. The intimate room seats about 40 indoors with additional patio seating. Daru was named to Washingtonian's "100 Very Best Restaurants 2026" list, ranked #57.