Mazi
Downtown, Washington DC
Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$50–100per person
Dress
Business Casual
Why go
Mazi is a practical downtown Washington, D.C. choice when convenience near K Street matters more than a clearly defined culinary identity. Use it for an easy central meal or small-group plan, but cross-shop Shōtō, Grazie Nonna, Isla, or Goodlove if cuisine, price tier, or occasion fit needs to be clearer before you commit.
About Mazi
Mazi in Washington, D.C. is best approached with a practical mindset. It is open Monday through Saturday from 12–10 PM, closed Sunday, and lists a smart casual dress code. Use Mazi when the schedule and location in Washington, D.C. work for your plans, rather than treating it as a destination meal built around a specific cuisine, menu format, chef, price tier, awards, or beverage program.
The strongest case for Mazi is convenience. Its Monday-to-Saturday noon-to-evening hours can be useful for diners planning around meetings, hotels, daytime schedules, or evening plans. Choose it for timing and access rather than ingredient provenance or a specific culinary style. If those details are deciding factors, compare Mazi with another venue whose format is more clearly documented before committing.
Use it for convenience, not a high-certainty splurge
Mazi makes the most sense when you need a Washington, D.C. restaurant with direct hours and a smart casual dress code. It is less compelling for diners trying to optimize for a particular cuisine, counter format, tasting menu, wine program, or award-backed meal. Nearby planning should start with the wider city context: Our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide is the better route if the meal is the anchor of the night, while Our full Washington, D.C. bars guide helps if the plan needs an after-dinner stop.
For visitors building a full itinerary, Mazi works well as one practical stop in Washington, D.C. rather than as the centerpiece of the schedule. Pair the dining search with Our full Washington, D.C. hotels guide if staying in the city, or use broader Washington, D.C. planning resources when the meal is one stop in a larger schedule. Other dining rooms to compare by occasion include Alhambra, Goodlove, Grazie Nonna, Isla, and Shōtō.
Who should choose something else
Skip this as the primary plan if the occasion requires a clearly published price tier, named culinary point of view, fixed format, or third-party recognition. Diners who want a more specific experience should compare Mazi with Shōtō, Grazie Nonna, Isla, Goodlove, or Alhambra, depending on the kind of night they are planning. Mazi is the more practical pick when its hours and smart casual dress code fit the schedule; other venues may give clearer reasons to plan a meal around them.
Planning details
- Location
- 1518 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- mazidc.com
- Phone
- +12029692858
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Mazi presents an urbane, contemporary dining room that leans on controlled design rather than overt atmosphere. Situated on K Street’s corridor of glass and concrete, the room favors a polished, modern approach that supports conversation and focus, not theatrics. Service and layout are calibrated to keep noise in check and let the table take center stage—an environment that feels restrained and intentional, ideal for diners who want an elevated meal without the formality of a tasting-menu theater. The result is a composed, modern spot that reads as quietly refined and attentive to occasion.
Best For
Mazi is best for occasions that sit between everyday dinners and full tasting commitments—think business meals, milestone celebrations and date nights in the Capitol’s professional core. The restaurant occupies a gap on K Street where offices and evening reservations meet, so it works equally well for power lunches and evening celebrations like promotions, farewells or anniversaries. Parties that need a room that supports conversation rather than overwhelms it will find this a dependable choice. Given its downtown address, reservations for notable dates are often made well in advance.
Ordering Tips
Lean on the menu’s signature items when building a meal at Mazi. The Braised Lamb is a clear house highlight and the Seafood Pasta and Honey Feta Cheese are repeatedly noted as standout preparations—good anchors for a dinner focused on bold, Mediterranean-flavored dishes. Because the restaurant functions as an occasion spot in a busy part of town, book ahead for evenings and expect the team to seat large celebrations with purpose. If you’re coming for a business lunch or celebratory dinner, plan your timing and reservations accordingly.
Venue details
Ambiance
An intimate, relaxed, elegant yet warm dining room described as charming and suitable for business meals.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Business Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
- Kitchen
- Seasonal
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Wine Program
- Curated
- Drinks Focus
- Hand-crafted cocktails, Local brews, Wine
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
Signature Dishes
- Braised Lamb
- Honey Feta Cheese
- Seafood Pasta
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1518 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Shōtō, Japanese, $$$
- Isla, Island / Caribbean-influenced, Island / Caribbean-influenced
- Goodlove, Bar / small bites (late-night), Bar / small bites (late-night)
- Grazie Nonna, Italian-American, $$$
- Alhambra, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Mazi compares in Washington, D.C.
Mazi is the lower-commitment choice in this set: useful for a central K Street meal when ease matters, but weaker than Shōtō if the night needs a defined Japanese format and a clearer $$$ signal. Choose Shōtō when the meal is the occasion; choose Mazi when the address and booking ease are the main reasons to go.
Grazie Nonna is the safer pick for Italian-American comfort with a stated $$$ tier, while Isla gives diners a more specific island and Caribbean-influenced direction. Mazi is less specific, which can be an advantage for mixed groups, but it gives fewer clues for diners who want to know exactly what kind of meal they are buying into.
If the plan is more about drinks, late timing, or a casual second stop, Goodlove is the cleaner fit because its bar and small-bites identity is explicit. Alhambra is worth comparing when ambience is a bigger part of the decision, but for a simple downtown meal with easier logistics, Mazi remains the functional option.
Explore Washington DC
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Mazi guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Mazi
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazi | Washington, D.C. | , | , | No published awards |
| Shōtō | Washington, D.C. | Japanese | $$$ | 2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Isla | Washington, D.C. | Island / Caribbean-influenced | , | No published awards |
| Goodlove | Washington, D.C. | Bar / small bites (late-night) | , | No published awards |
| Grazie Nonna | Washington, D.C. | Italian-American | $$$ | 2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Alhambra | Washington, D.C. | , | , | Guía Repsol Soles 20262026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
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How Mazi Washington, D.C. compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at Mazi?
For a planned meal, ask Mazi about bar seating before you go. The hours are Monday through Saturday from 12–10 PM, with Sunday closed.
What are alternatives to Mazi in Washington, D.C.?
Other venues to compare include Shōtō, Isla, Goodlove, Grazie Nonna, and Alhambra. Use them as planning references if you want to compare Mazi with other dining options before choosing a reservation.
Is Mazi good for a special occasion?
It can work for a low-friction occasion if Mazi's Washington, D.C. location, Monday-to-Saturday hours, and smart casual dress code fit your plans. For a high-stakes celebration, compare it with venues that have more clearly stated details about menu format, price, or recognition.
Can Mazi accommodate groups?
If you are planning for more than a small party, contact Mazi directly and confirm availability, seating, and timing before booking.
Is lunch or dinner better at Mazi?
Mazi is open from 12–10 PM Monday through Saturday, so both midday and evening visits may fit the posted hours. Choose the timing that works best for your schedule, and confirm current availability before going.
What should I order at Mazi?
Use the current menu as the guide when you arrive, and order based on your table size and preferences.
What should I wear to Mazi?
Mazi lists a smart casual dress code. Aim for neat, city-appropriate clothing rather than anything overly formal.
