Just one Alexandria restaurant caught the spotlight in Washingtonian magazine’s new “100 Very Best Restaurants” list for 2026.
For at least the fourth year in a row, Nasime, a popular Japanese restaurant located at 1209 King Street in Old Town, has been featured on the magazine’s list of its favorite eateries across the D.C. area, released today (Tuesday). This year, the spot ranked No. 12 out of 100.
Reviewers raved over Chef Yuh Shimomura’s seared Japanese wagyu, charbroiled lamb and other delicacies featured in the restaurant’s $115, seven-course tasting menu.
“Ginza-trained Yuh Shimomura turns out one memorable bite after another at this Japanese gem in Old Town,” Washingtonian wrote. “Seasonal highlights of the set menu might include seared Japanese Wagyu with truffled shoyu; charbroiled lamb chops in a decadent foie gras/miso sauce; or lightly fried, tender Spanish octopus in rich dashi broth with lotus root and slippery nameko mushrooms.”
It also earned praise for its staples, including a “beautiful assortment of sashimi (served with tongue-tingling buzz-button flower) and a bubbling noodle soup, recently bolstered with duck and matsutake mushrooms.”
Nasime first opened in 2016 and has garnered an average review of 4.8 stars on Google from nearly 400 customers over the years.
The Old Town restaurant has been featured on the list each year since at least 2023.
Last year, it was joined by Thompson Italian, which has locations in Old Town and Falls Church. In 2024, it was highlighted alongside the now-closed wine bar, Virginia’s Darling.
Photo via Nasime Japanese Restaurant/Facebook.
