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Kaliwa, Washington, DC

Kaliwa

3.8
3.8
353 Reviews
$30 and under
Asian
Award-Winning, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022 Recepient! Created by Celebrated Chef and Resterantuer Cathal Armstrong, 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.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 58 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Asian, Korean, Thai

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Wed, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (202) 516-4739

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Cathal Armstrong

  • 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, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 353 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

3.8
3.8 based on recent ratings
  • 3.9Food
  • 3.6Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 3.4Value

NoiseModerate

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  1. BonnieL

    Washington DC

    30 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    30 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    1st time & had the tasting menu…food is fabulous! Staff was helpful and service was excellent. The menu had splattered food on it and the silverware wasn’t clean - only disconnect:(. We’ll be back!!
  2. Peggy

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Date night. As usual, service was excellent and the food was amazing!
  3. OpenTable Diner

    Baja California

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Had reservations and still wait for 10min. Then still waited 10 or 15 min more just for server to tell us they only had 5 things in the menu. We then decide to leave like everyone else. Not sure if it had to do with the cherry blossom festival that they ran out of food but I just had to express my feelings of discontent.
  4. WilliamP

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    There is an interesting mix of Phillipino, Korean and Thai food. Most of it was outstanding, especially the Red Curry with crab meat. It was very crowded and they were unfortunately out of 3 of the dishes that we would have ordered. Their sharing menu is well worth it.
  5. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food2service1ambience3
    Extremely disappointed and will not be back. Food took 1.5 hours to come out. Silverware longer.
  6. Langacre

    Washington DC

    41 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    41 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food2service1ambience3
    Staff was overwhelmed. We went during the weekend when cherry blossoms were at their peak. All of the restaurants at The Wharf were busy, but we managed to get a table at Kaliwa. The food was passable, if overpriced, but the front of the house was a disaster. With a long line of people waiting to talk to him, the maitre d’ kept disappearing: he and a second host wandered about aimlessly looking for tables. After being seated, it took 15 minutes before we saw a waiter. A salad came before any cutlery, and the drinks came after most of the food. Long after we’d finished the salad, a second salad came unordered. Several different servers brought food, and each delivery began with an apology. It was chaotic. The restaurant was understaffed and what staff there were seemed inexperienced, stressed, and overwhelmed.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall3food4service1ambience4
    We went during the peak of the Cherry Blossom and I think there were more people than the restaurant expected or they are also short staffed. We ordered the drinks - the bartender made ChiChi is perfectly (just like how I got them in Hawaii). For appetizers, we ordered the lumpia and the BBQ pork and they were awesome. The BBQ pork was tender and perfectly seasoned. The sauce for the lumpia is also very good.
  8. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall3food5service2ambience4
    Disappointed with the service - last dish served over an hour and a half after it was first ordered along with the rest of the servings, and had to ask for it three times starting over 30 minutes after first dish appeared in, did not receive silverware and napkins until after third dish served, and had to ask twice to get them for everyone, individual plates were never provided for anyone and only knew they were available by seeing them provided to customers at surrounding tables who ordered similar items as us, water and drink service slow, water glasses refilled once in over 2 hours and we were able to order additional drinks an hour in but that was it - otherwise we would have ordered more. Food was terrific as was the ambiance - were you understaffed because you didn’t expect such a crowd on a nice sunny day? I had heard great things so we were all surprised by the service.
  9. KLoDaGreat

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food3service1ambience3
    Terrible service and waste of time and MONEY. Purchased the tasting menu and they did not bring our final course. We had to get our own Napkins and Silverware. Service was non-existent.
  10. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food5service1ambience3
    Food and drinks were delicious. Service was really bad. Our server was fine in terms of his bedside manner but he didn’t check on us enough and the food took waaayyyy too long to come out. I also had to stop a manager to get our check because our server was too busy. Overall it was a decent experience at best and would’ve been a lot worse if the food and drinks weren’t so good
  11. JagannathanN

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    Very bad service start to finish! I had high expectations, but nothing felt great about the restaurant for the price they charge!
  12. MarchK

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    We had a fabulous time. The special cocktails and sharing menu were perfect for our group.
  13. CarolinaG

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a lively place to experience. The food and service were top notch. There was a little wait for my reservation, but it wasn’t a bother.
  14. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food3service1ambience3
    We were confused by the tasting menu and how it worked with a table of 4. We were told that all of us would get charged the $50 and that they just change the sizes of the plates that come out. I don’t know if I believe that as we all left not that full after each spending $50 on the tasting menu. The food was fine but the service was incredibly slow. Table wasn’t set properly and we had to ask multiple times to get additional silverware and plates. The server was kind but hardly came to the table and took forever to order and pay. It was an ok meal but we won’t be returning.
  15. JessicaB

    Baltimore

    21 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    Delicious and great vibe for a pre-concert dinner! Our waitress was so nice but clearly had too many tables, which is not her fault, so attention was lacking. There were 4 men in suits - who appeared to be managers or hosts - just hanging out up front doing nothing while staff was busting their butts which was not a good look.
  16. Michiganders

    Detroit

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    We enjoyed the Chef’s tasting menu and the results were mixed. Thai basil beef was tasteless. The lemongrass chicken was amazing. Service was lacking - wrong wine brought to table; needed to ask for small plates, wrong information regarding whether rice was included in a dish from the server; needed to snag chopsticks from another table. We are glad we tried this restaurant, however, I am not certain there is any reason to return.
  17. MeganM

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great experience doing the chef's tasting menu - portions were big and food was delish! Our amazing server Ashley held our leftovers in a fridge in the back while we went to a concert so we could pick it up after and take it home. She was LOVELY.
  18. Joss

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Overall, I won’t back to this restaurant. The food is not so good and the prices are elevated for that quality. The service is goof though.
  19. SKoobi

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall3food4service4ambience3
    Overall a very satisfying meal💜 The Filipino Barbecue didn’t seem appetizing at all so I was pleasantly surprised at how tender and flavorful it was. Wasn’t a big fan of the lumpia (it was oddly sour). I cannot comment on the satay because I really don’t care for it so I didn’t bother trying it. It was my first time trying Bicol Express (didn’t realize it looked and tasted that way) and it was darn good. The Kare Kare had a unique taste to it (unique good). We did stay away from the Inasal (thank you @citizenjudie 😁). The strawberry tayo wasn’t at all what I expected. The tapioca had an unusually texture but it was bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. Don’t think I should be commenting about the ube because I’m biased to (yes the color 💜) but also anything with a crunch will always sit well with my palette (but yes I L💜VED it 😉). The flan was disappointing. It looked like those weird pieces of bread you get from the Panaderia so I did give it the benefit of the doubt but it was a bo for me. Price-wise it was alright as it is a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand resto. Will be back for the adobo (which seems to be popular because I heard it being ordered over and over by the tables close us. Oh and one thing you can work on is the cleanliness of your bathrooms. I’ve seen fast food chains with cleaner restrooms. It was FILTHY
  20. Guest

    Washington DC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Really disappointing. Lacking cultural flavors and spices we expected. Fairly bland and inauthentic. Expected more.
  21. ChicoGordoLeEncantaComer

    Washington DC

    90 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    90 reviews

    Dined on March 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Mia was professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. The food options were amazing and the wine selection was fantastic.
  22. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Thank you Bless for taking such good care of all of us!
  23. SherryP

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience2
    I had made reservations via Open Table on March 13 for a party of 12 to celebrate my birthday on Sat., March 18 at 8:30pm. Two days later I rec’d a call from the restaurant saying they needed a credit card to hold the reservation since it was a larger party. I gave them a credit card to hold it. I was told that I could make changes to the reservation up until 3 hours before the reservation time, otherwise we would be charged $25 a person. I did learn the day of that two people weren’t going to be able to make it. I tried calling the restaurant and for an hour, it was busy. I finally found an email for someone on their website and requested the change via email. An operating manager emailed me back a few minutes later and changed my number from 12 to 10. Then I learned that the comedy show were were going to at Union Stage was going to be over at 8:45, not 8:30pm. So, I emailed the operating manager again and he said no problem. My party and I go to check in at the restaurant at 8:45pm and the person working the podium says they have no record of my reservation. I actually thought he was joking. I showed him my phone with the Open Table reservation and the emails B&f with the operating manager just a couple hours before. They asked my party to move to the side and wait. About 5 min later, we did get seated upstairs. Then we were told conflicting stories: that we had to order as a group (decide on 3 entrees and 2 starters), and then another person in my party was told that we could order whatever we wanted, and that I the bday girl could order the unlimited drink special. But after we ordered individual entrees, I was then told that no I couldn’t get the drink package. It’s like the rules changed every minute. We hardly got any service at all. Everyone got their food at different times. I didn’t get my food for an hour and one of my guests didn’t get his entree at all. We actually had bday cake before I got my meal. Staff sang HBD to other tables but ignored us. Lame
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    28 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience3
    Service was not good here. I had to ask like 4 times if my lunch was ready yet and this was at least 10 mins after all my friends received their food. Food and drinks were mediocre and over priced to be honest.
  25. MarcusA

    Washington DC

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Great ambience and service at this Asian Fusion gem in the popular Wharf district of Washington D.C. The Spring Rolls, Pad Thai w Shrimp and Stir Fried Rice w Chicken were all delicious. Bottomless drinks for 90 minutes was a good value for my friend who was guzzling Sapporo Beers. All and all, a wonderful evening at Kaliwa!
  26. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    With the both of us being from the Philippines we wanted to have some Filipino food with our 1st night in D.C. This restaurant Kaliwa did not disappoint!! We left more than full and satisfied! From the ambiance, friendly staff, how quick the food came out and how attentive the staff is everything was superb! The food was VERY DELICIOUSSSSS!!! Great way to start our vacation!! Also, Make sure to make reservations!! We did through OpenTable. Very smooth and enjoyable night! We will always make sure to visit when in town!
  27. kelsi

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    food is incredible!!! and they make a great cocktail. loved the experience from start to finish
  28. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience4
    Some sort of computer issue caused utter chaos. Unable to get our bill for almost an hour. Very good food, but they couldn’t remember what we ordered and the back room chaos left us without drinks for a good part of the meal…and then the lengthy wait for a bill…tough night for the staff.
  29. AmandaJ

    Washington DC

    15 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience2
    I would rate this lower if possible. The service was horrible. Instead of informing me that there credit card system was down, and they would have to manually input my card details, they pretended they couldn’t take a card. the server asked me for cash or to Zelle her. I asked to speak to a manager regarding payment several times but one never came. Very disappointing meal with my family.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience3
    The food was mediocre, but the service and ambiance were pleasant. It was in the right location for a friend’s hotel, but otherwise would not recommend.
  31. Broderick

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really enjoyed the family style eating. It allowed for us to try a good amount of their delicious foods. The beef and the street tacos were especially fantastic. Allen, our server, is a stand up guy and was amazing.
  32. andrewk

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience2
    Th food here is terrible went with 5 friends and we all ordered different food. The food was extremely salty and oily.
  33. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    The food was not great. Nothing was spectacular or worth giving a shout out. Definitely not worth the price. Would not recommend.
  34. HamedN

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Service, Great Food. A little pricy for the serving size and food options. However it was delicious. But it will be a slight splurge.
  35. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our Fridays dates night. Everything was excellent!’
  36. TaWanna

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall3food2service1ambience5
    The food and service were just ok. I liked the ambiance & food presentation.
  37. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience2
    The restaurant had run out of draft beer again and the waiter couldn’t be bothered to split the bill for 4 of us.
  38. glover

    Washington DC

    100 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    100 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    We two shared the bimbampop app and each had one of the pork belly entrees. It was all good, but not wow. Greeters and server were great. Atmosphere is warehouse. Glad to have tried it, but probably won’t return. Wharf restaurant prices appear higher than elsewhere. Cheapest glass of wine $15 .
  39. JessecaC

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful Environment drinks were delicious!
  40. RonB

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall2food1service1ambience2
    Our 3 entries came out at 3 different times. The Korean short ribs were so fatty. The baked chicken had no flavor.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Distancing maintained in common areas
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

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

Kaliwa is rated 3.8 stars by 353 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 58 times today
Google Map for Kaliwa

751 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024-3433

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Southwest Waterfront

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Wed, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm

  • 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, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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