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Kaliwa, Washington, DC
Award-winning

Kaliwa

3.5
3.5
819 Reviews
$30 and under
Asian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today
  • Lively
  • Good for groups
  • Great for outdoor dining


Award-Winning, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024 Recipient! Kaliwa presents upscale, South East Asian fare accompanied by vibrant cocktails in classy, waterfront digs. Enjoy interpretations of Thai, Filipino and Korean dishes under a sky of eclectic chandeliers, or dine Al Fresca on the patio overlooking the bustling waterfront.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Korean, Thai
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Wed, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Tue 5:00 am–10:00 pm Thu 11:30 am–1:00 am Fri, Sat 11:30 am–2:00 am
  • Phone number
    (202) 516-4739
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Cathal Armstrong
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Southwest Waterfront
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 819 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.5
3.5 based on recent ratings
  • 3.6Food
  • 3.4Service
  • 4Ambience
  • 3.1Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Kaliwa offers a unique dining experience at the Wharf with a modern ambiance and a creative Asian fusion menu. Guests appreciate the "amazing service" and "flavorful food," with standout dishes like the crab and shrimp curry. The terrace is a delightful spot for enjoying the scenery. However, some diners note service delays and portion sizes.

819 Reviews
  1. Lillian

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Went to Kaliwa on 12/19 for lunch. Service was mediocre. I asked the waiter to fix our table because it was rocking pretty badly. Had to remind him to do so; he finally brought a door stop. Ordered the TOFU pad Thai-waiter brought shrimp pad Thai. I am allergic to shrimp, so that was a big No-no. Waiter then proceeded to argue with me, that he heard me order shrimp. I explained that I would never order shrimp, because of my allergy. He then huffed at me, took my plate away, and brought me the tofu pad Thai. It was mediocre. Hardly any flavor or sauce and the noodles were not cooked through. We have been to Kaliwa when they first opened, and it was mediocre. Seems not to have improved.

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  2. Diane

    VIP

    Philippines

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful lunch at Kaliwa. Our server Brenda was great! We loved the chicken and pork belly in skewers, the fried snapper and the chocolate dessert.

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  3. Debbie

    VIP

    Coastal Georgia

    21 reviews

    3.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was excellent. Unfortunately the service was very average at best.

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  4. Sunny

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 8, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Af first the hostess told us they were booked for entire evening. So we left and started walking around, then I thought to hi on open table to look for Reservations . There were several available to choose from starting at 8:15. So I’m glad we looked and were able to have the experience as the rest of the evening at the restaurants was wonderful!

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  5. Lara

    Caribbean

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We recently dined at Kaliwa, and overall, it was an outstanding experience! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the staff was incredibly attentive, and the food was nothing short of amazing. Each dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavor—clearly crafted with care and fresh ingredients. The only downside is that it’s a bit on the pricey side. While the quality certainly justifies the cost, it might not be a place you’d visit regularly if you’re on a budget. That said, for a special occasion or a treat-yourself moment, it’s absolutely worth it. Highly recommended!

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  6. Carrie

    Washington DC

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wow! Fabulous meal. The bok choy was very good. Salmon was awesome, we added white rice. Chicken satay was delicious. We even had some live music, it created a great atmosphere.

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  7. Diane

    Washington DC

    63 reviews

    4.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Started with the Brussel sprouts small plate, which was a generous portion for two people. I had the Pad Ew with chicken which was very tasty. My friend took the waiter's recommendation and got the salad special, burrata with roasted peaches and watercress. She liked it, but in listing the ingredients the waiter forgot to mention it contained cilantro, which she dislikes and had to pick out. The place was crowded and the live music was very loud, making conversation difficult.

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  8. Teri

    VIP

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Our server did not disclose the 20% service fee, and we didn’t see the receipt before adding 22% more to the bill with the machine, and only realized belatedly we left a 42% gratuity, which felt bad. It should really be disclosed if you’re checking out people quickly like we needed to, to get to a show.

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  9. Debra

    VIP

    Washington DC

    32 reviews

    3.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service and decor are very good. We found the food to be mediocre.

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  10. Chuck

    VIP

    Washington DC

    29 reviews

    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was very good with an interesting array of flavors. Service was okay, but live music was too loud for pleasant conversation at the table.

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FAQs

Kaliwa offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 516-4739.

Kaliwa is rated 3.5 stars by 819 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Kaliwa

751 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024-3433

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Southwest Waterfront
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Wed, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Tue 5:00 am–10:00 pm Thu 11:30 am–1:00 am Fri, Sat 11:30 am–2:00 am
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Korean, Thai
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Cathal Armstrong
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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