Rice
Logan Circle, Washington DC
Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$20–30per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Rice is a practical 14th Street pick when convenience matters more than ceremony. It fits casual dates, simple group meals, or a flexible Washington, D.C. night out, but it is not the strongest choice for a high-polish celebration or business dinner.
About Rice
In Washington, D.C. Rice can be considered alongside other casual options such as Barcelona Wine Bar 14th Street DC or Etto. Rice is in Washington, D.C., keeps daily hours, and has a casual dress code. It is best thought of as a casual option rather than a venue to choose for a formal service profile.
The main reason to consider Rice is its broad schedule. It opens at 11:30 AM daily, closes at 10 PM Sunday through Thursday, and stays open until 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. For diners comparing options in Washington, D.C. that makes it useful to check when timing and casual dress matter more than a highly defined occasion setting.
Choose Rice when ease matters more than ceremony
Rice is a Washington, D.C. spot with daily hours and a casual dress code. There is no award, chef credential, seating count, price tier, beverage program, or specific menu format listed here, so it should not be framed as a splurge or a destination booking on those grounds.
For a guest lens, Rice is best evaluated as a casual Washington, D.C. choice. If the goal is a more clearly defined comparison, MXDC, Sette Osteria, Etto, Barcelona Wine Bar 14th Street DC, or Bluestone Lane may be worth comparing by mood, schedule, and fit for the group.
How to use it on a D.C. night out
Use the basics to plan: Rice is open daily from 11:30 AM, with closing at 10 PM most nights and 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. The dress code is casual, so it fits a relaxed plan rather than one built around formal attire.
For broader planning, start with Our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide. You can also compare Rice with other options, including Barcelona Wine Bar 14th Street DC, Bluestone Lane, Etto, MXDC, and Sette Osteria.
Planning details
- Location
- 1608 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- ricerestaurant.com
- Phone
- +12022342400
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Rice presents as a focused, neighborhood-minded Thai that treats the dining room itself as the organizing principle. The write-up foregrounds coherence — the way kitchen, drinks program and front-of-house operate from a shared vocabulary — and frames Rice as part of a 14th Street corridor that rewards clarity of purpose. That emphasis positions the restaurant as quietly sophisticated: it relies less on theatrical gimmicks than on consistent execution and service that supports repeat local visits. Expect a measured, deliberate experience where the room and the menu are designed to reinforce one another rather than compete for attention.
Best For
Rice suits diners who value a dependable, thoughtfully run neighborhood restaurant. The piece repeatedly notes local, repeat-visiting clientele and a scale and price point that invite frequent returns, making it a natural choice for date nights and after-work meals with friends. Its focus on coherence between food, drinks and service also makes it appealing when you want an evening that feels considered rather than flashy. If you prioritize a dining room where the whole operation is aligned — from explanations at the table to what lands on the plate — Rice fits that bill.
Ordering Tips
The description lists Panang Curry, Drunken Noodles and Pad Thai as signature dishes, so start with those to get a clear sense of the kitchen’s point of view. Because the venue emphasizes the relationship between what arrives on the plate and how it is explained, take advantage of front-of-house guidance when choosing dishes or drinks. The room’s strength is its coherence, so lean on staff recommendations to assemble a balanced meal that reflects the kitchen and drinks program working in tandem.
Venue details
Ambiance
Minimalist urban chic Asian-style decor with a trendy, welcoming atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Modern
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Wine Program
- Curated
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Panang Curry
- Drunken Noodles
- Pad Thai
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1608 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if Rice is not the right fit
Choose Etto if dinner needs a stronger food focus and a more intentional feel. Choose Barcelona Wine Bar 14th Street DC if the group wants more energy, easier sharing, and a livelier room.
Restaurant context
How Rice compares on 14th Street
Rice is the easier, lower-pressure choice when the goal is a convenient meal in Washington, D.C. rather than a statement reservation. Barcelona Wine Bar 14th Street DC is the better fit for a lively group, while Etto makes more sense for a food-focused dinner with a clearer point of view.
For value, Rice works when flexibility is the main value driver: easy timing, central location, and less pressure around the booking. MXDC and Sette Osteria are better cross-shops when the group wants a more defined dining mood, while Bluestone Lane is the practical daytime alternative rather than a direct dinner replacement.
For a special occasion, Rice is safest when the occasion is casual and the rest of the night carries some of the experience. If the meal itself needs to do more work, start with Etto for dinner focus or Barcelona Wine Bar 14th Street DC for energy and group momentum.
Explore Washington DC
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Rice guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Rice
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| MXDC | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| Barcelona Wine Bar 14th Street DC | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| Etto | Washington, D.C. | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #1Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 Michelin Plate |
| Bluestone Lane | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| Sette Osteria | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
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How Rice Washington, D.C. compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at Rice?
Bar seating is not listed. Plan based on the venue's current guidance rather than assuming a bar-service setup.
What should a first-timer know about Rice?
Rice is in Washington, D.C. and has daily hours from 11:30 AM. It closes at 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. The dress code is casual.
Is Rice better earlier or later in the day?
That depends on your schedule. Rice opens at 11:30 AM daily, closes at 10 PM Sunday through Thursday, and closes at 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
What should I wear to Rice?
Rice has a casual dress code, so relaxed attire is appropriate.
Can Rice accommodate groups?
Group capacity or seating details are not included. For a group meal, check directly with the venue; you can also compare other options such as Barcelona Wine Bar 14th Street DC or Sette Osteria.
