Rasika has the best Indian food in the area (in my humble opinion). This restaurant in Penn Quarter seems like a hopping spot for dinner-after-work vibes, so is consistently crowded, but with a more formal element to it.

Their crispy spinach is their signature dish, and my family orders two of them when we go. I’d also recommend getting the dip sampler and a couple types of naan- great for snacking as an app, but also for soaking up the sauce in the rest of your dishes. Rasika isn’t technically a small plate restaurant, but I’d definitely recommend ordering a few things and sharing amongst the table. And you can order a little extra because the dessert can be skipped!