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Perry's
Japanese · Kalorama Triangle, Washington DC
Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
The Read
James Beard–Recognised Japanese Counter
Chef
Masako Morishita
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Perry's in Adams Morgan is Washington D.C.'s most credentialed casual Japanese room right now, with a 2024 James Beard Emerging Chef award for Masako Morishita and a 2025 OAD Casual North America listing to back it up. Book 3-4 weeks out minimum confirms consistency, not just critical buzz.
About Perry's
Should You Book Perry's?
If you're weighing Perry's against Washington D.C.'s more visible Japanese destinations, here's the short answer: Perry's, led by James Beard Award-winning Emerging Chef Masako Morishita, is the more credentialed choice in its category right now. The 2024 James Beard Emerging Chef recognition and a 2025 Opinionated About Dining Casual North America listing put it in a different tier from most Adams Morgan dining options. The question isn't whether the cooking is serious — it is — it's whether the experience matches what you're looking for on the night.
The Venue
Perry's sits at 1811 Columbia Rd NW in Adams Morgan, one of D.C.'s more densely social neighbourhoods. The address puts it squarely in a walkable, restaurant-dense corridor, the kind of room that works for a serious dinner without requiring the formality of Penn Quarter or Georgetown. The physical space at Perry's has a spatial quality that reads more relaxed than the award pedigree might suggest: this is casual fine dining in the OAD sense, meaning the cooking is precise but the room doesn't make you feel like you're on trial. That positioning is deliberate. If you want a quieter, more intimate Japanese experience, D.C.'s Kappo or Shōtō offer more enclosed, counter-focused formats. Perry's trades some of that intimacy for a broader dining room energy. For omakase specifically, Omakase at Barracks Row is worth considering as a direct alternative.
Chef and Recognition
Masako Morishita's 2024 James Beard Emerging Chef award is one of the more meaningful trust signals in American dining, the category specifically recognises chefs whose leading work is still ahead of them, which means Perry's trajectory matters as much as its current form. The OAD Casual North America listing in 2025 reinforces that the cooking holds up outside award cycles. For context on what James Beard recognition at this level means nationally, compare the career arcs visible at venues like Smyth in Chicago or Lazy Bear in San Francisco, both carried similar early-career credentials before becoming significantly harder to book.
Wine Program Note
Specific wine list data for Perry's is not available in our current record. What the OAD Casual listing does signal is that the room is designed for complete meals rather than quick visits, casual OAD venues typically build wine programs that complement the food direction rather than functioning as afterthoughts. Given the Japanese cuisine focus under a chef with national recognition, expect the list to lean toward selections that work with umami-forward cooking: lighter reds, textured whites, and likely some sake or Japanese whisky options. Until we have confirmed list data, treat the wine program as a positive unknown rather than a known strength, if the drinks program matters most to you, call ahead or check their current menu directly.
Booking Perry's
Booking difficulty is rated Hard. A James Beard Emerging Chef winner with strong OAD visibility in a neighbourhood dining room format is exactly the profile that books out weeks in advance. Plan for a minimum 3-4 week lead time, more if you're targeting a Friday or Saturday. Price range data is not confirmed in our current record, check the reservation platform directly for current pricing before you plan your budget.
Practical Comparison
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Booking Difficulty | Leading For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry's | Japanese | TBC | Hard | Award-led casual Japanese, special occasions |
| Oyster Oyster | New American / Vegetarian | $$$ | Hard | Sustainable tasting menu, plant-forward |
| Albi | Middle Eastern | $$$$ | Hard | Fire-driven Middle Eastern, date nights |
| Causa | Peruvian | $$$$ | Hard | Peruvian tasting menu, adventurous eaters |
| Rooster & Owl | Contemporary | $$$ | Moderate | Flexible prix-fixe, groups |
| Rose's Luxury | New American | $$$$ | Hard | Neighbourhood celebration, no-reservations bar |
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Japanese Dining Further Afield
If you're building a broader Japanese dining itinerary, Myojaku in Tokyo and Azabu Kadowaki in Tokyo represent the reference-point end of the spectrum. Closer to home, Beloved BBQ at Love, Makoto in D.C. offers a different Japanese-influenced format worth considering alongside Perry's.
The takePerry's is best experienced in the evening, when Columbia Road's early-evening energy fills the dining room and the counter comes alive. It suits date nights and small celebrations where careful technique and a lively room matter as much as the food, and it also works well for groups who want a neighborhood meal with considered cooking rather than a destination tasting. The James Beard recognition for the chef underscores its culinary credibility, while the restaurant's neighborhood orientation makes it comfortable for after-work visits and casual gatherings that still expect a high level of craft.
Venue detailsStreet Scene
Know before you goBefore you book
Recognition and awards4 sources
Also considerAlternatives
Planning details
- Location
- 1811 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- perrysam.com
- Phone
- (202) 234-6218
Restaurant contextWashington DC, United States
Explore Washington DCNearby
Around this placeMore Pearl picks
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Perry's reads like a modern, neighborhood Japanese counter that balances technical rigor with a relaxed local energy. The room leans contemporary and sophisticated rather than ornate, pairing disciplined technique with the convivial hum of Adams Morgan in the early evening. It occupies a middle ground between an elevated omakase and an accessible izakaya, so the atmosphere never feels like a formal tasting chamber; instead it favors a composed, lively dining experience rooted in neighborhood life. The result is an approachable spot with a quietly refined sensibility that rewards both attentive diners and those drawn to the district's evening momentum.
Best For
Perry's is best experienced in the evening, when Columbia Road's early-evening energy fills the dining room and the counter comes alive. It suits date nights and small celebrations where careful technique and a lively room matter as much as the food, and it also works well for groups who want a neighborhood meal with considered cooking rather than a destination tasting. The James Beard recognition for the chef underscores its culinary credibility, while the restaurant's neighborhood orientation makes it comfortable for after-work visits and casual gatherings that still expect a high level of craft.
Ordering Tips
If you want the most interactive experience, aim for counter seating to watch the service rhythm and technique; the write-up centers the venue as a Japanese counter that shares the room with dining-table service. Expect a menu that emphasizes precision and shared plates rather than a multi-course omakase-only format; choose a mix of counter-focused tastes and a few table plates so the party samples a range of the chef's technique. Because the piece highlights the spot's early-evening energy and full-capacity sound, consider booking in advance for busy nights or opting for an early table.
Venue details
Ambiance
Hip and lively atmosphere with a spacious yet intimate multilevel dining room, energetic rooftop bar, and fun, convivial street scene views.
Tags
Vibe
LivelyTrendyIntimate
Best For
Date NightGroup DiningBrunch
Experience
RooftopOpen Kitchen
View
Street Scene
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1811 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Oyster Oyster, New American, Vegetarian, Vegetarian (Sustainable), $$$
- Albi, United States, Middle Eastern, $$$$
- Causa, Peruvian, $$$$
- Rooster & Owl, Contemporary, $$$
- Rose’s Luxury, New American, Contemporary, $$$$
Restaurant context
Among D.C.'s competitive serious-dining options, Perry's occupies a specific position: award-validated Japanese cooking in a casual-format room at a price point that hasn't been confirmed publicly. If your priority is the most credentialled kitchen in the city right now, Perry's is the answer. If you want a confirmed $$$$-tier experience with a known price ceiling, Albi (Middle Eastern, $$$$) or Causa (Peruvian, $$$$) are easier to plan around financially, even if neither matches Perry's specific Japanese focus.
For the $$$-tier, Oyster Oyster and Rooster & Owl both deliver strong cooking with clearer booking and pricing frameworks. Rooster & Owl is notably the easiest to book of the peer group, making it a practical fallback if Perry's isn't available. Oyster Oyster is the better pick if a plant-forward, sustainability-focused tasting menu is what you're after. Neither competes with Perry's on Japanese cuisine depth or Morishita's specific credential set.
Rose's Luxury ($$$$) is the obvious peer for special-occasion energy in a neighbourhood-restaurant format, warm room, high-touch service, loyal following. But it's New American rather than Japanese, so the comparison is more about occasion type than cuisine. If the James Beard pedigree and Japanese cooking direction are what's drawing you to Perry's, no other venue on this list replicates that combination. Book Perry's; use Rose's Luxury as your backup if timing doesn't work out.
Explore Washington DC
Around this place
Read more on Pearl
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Perry's guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Perry's
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry's | Japanese | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #68RAMMYS 2026 Winners - Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year2025 OAD Casual in North America2024 James Beard Awards | Hard |
| Oyster Oyster | New American, Vegetarian, Vegetarian (Sustainable) | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #622026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended2025 Food & Wine Global Tastemakers Top Restaurants · #152025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #251We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #203 | Unknown |
| Albi | United States, Middle Eastern | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #12026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #6RAMMYS 2026 Winners - Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #342025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #892025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1302025 Michelin 1 Star2024 James Beard Awards · #12024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #109 | Unknown |
| Causa | Peruvian | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #162025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2752025 James Beard Awards2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2252024 Michelin 1 Star | Unknown |
| Rooster & Owl | Contemporary | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #652026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7532025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star | Unknown |
| Rose’s Luxury | New American, Contemporary | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #232026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #682025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #572025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #562024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #12023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #74Pearl Recommended Restaurants | Unknown |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Perry's?
Specific menu details are not in our current record. What the venue signals clearly is Japanese cuisine under Masako Morishita, a 2024 James Beard Emerging Chef winner — the category recognises chefs at an early, formative stage, so the cooking is likely more exploratory than a polished omakase format. Follow Morishita's lead rather than arriving with a fixed order in mind.
What are alternatives to Perry's in Washington, D.C.?
Causa in D.C. offers a different angle on chef-driven cooking if Japanese cuisine is not a fixed requirement. For a comparable neighbourhood-scale experience with serious culinary credentials, Rose's Luxury and Albi are both worth considering. Perry's is the only D.C. option on this list with a 2024 James Beard Emerging Chef award attached to it.
Is Perry's good for a special occasion?
Yes, provided you secure a reservation. A James Beard Emerging Chef award and OAD Casual recognition in 2025 give Perry's the credentials to anchor a special dinner without the formality or price point of D.C.'s tasting-menu rooms. The Adams Morgan setting is convivial rather than ceremonial, so it suits occasions where the food is the event but the atmosphere is relaxed.
How far ahead should I book Perry's?
Book at least three to four weeks out. Perry's carries a hard booking difficulty rating, and Masako Morishita's 2024 James Beard Emerging Chef win will have increased demand meaningfully. Smaller neighbourhood rooms at this recognition level fill quickly, and same-week availability is unlikely.
What should a first-timer know about Perry's?
Perry's is a neighbourhood Japanese restaurant in Adams Morgan led by James Beard Emerging Chef winner Masako Morishita — that combination means serious cooking in an informal setting, not a grand tasting-menu production. Reservations are hard to get, so plan ahead. Price range data is not in our current record, but OAD Casual listings typically sit below D.C.'s top-end omakase price points.
