Raku - Bethesda Row

7240 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda MD 20814
$$$ Asian

Reservations

Business Info

  • Address: 7240 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda MD 20814
  • Cross Street: On Woodmont Ave, between Bethesda Ave & Elm S
  • Cuisine: Asian | Japanese | Seafood | Sushi |
  • Cost: | Moderate
  • Category: Upscale Casual
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
  • Parking: Street | Parking Garage |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Cash |
  • Corkage Fee: N/A
  • Phone: 3017188680
  • Features: Full Bar, Catering Services, Takeout Available, Happy Hours, Healthy Options, Free Wi-Fi,
  • Occasion: Child Friendly, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Special Occasion, Date Night,

Photos

Raku - Bethesda Row - Raku

Business Hours

Reservations Available
Monday
Dinner-Dine in 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
LUNCH-DINING ROOM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
Dinner-Dine in 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
LUNCH-DINING ROOM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
Dinner-Dine in 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
LUNCH-DINING ROOM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
Dinner-Dine in 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
LUNCH-DINING ROOM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
Dinner-Dine in 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM
LUNCH-DINING ROOM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
Dinner-Dine in 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM
LUNCH-DINING ROOM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
Dinner-Dine in 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
LUNCH-DINING ROOM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
False

Customer Reviews & Ratings

4.7 out of 5 stars based on 1999 votes

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 10, 2025
Allan S.
Always/consistently a delicious experience!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 01, 2025
Jennifer B.
Loved the lychee saketini

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 14, 2025
Charles C.
Great sushi.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 29, 2025
Judith R.
Dishes were all excellent. The unfamiliar ingredients on the menu were a bit difficult to decipher but our server explained as best she could. The table for 2 was a small for the variety of dishes as well as our individual plates. As many Asian dishes have high sodium levels, if there were any "lower sodium" dishes on the menu, identifying them would have been helpful.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 15, 2025
Maggie S.
Our waiter was fabulous and the food delicious!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 07, 2025
Barbara J.
Excellent food and service!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 05, 2025
Vanessa R.
Excellent service, superior Sushi, but pricey- to be expected for the quality! been going there for years they just keep getting better and better. they’ve done a beautiful remodel of the restaurant in Bethesda Row.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 28, 2024
Beth D.
Great sushi!!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 06, 2024
Lila M.
Excellent service. The food was great!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Oct 24, 2024
Thomas M.
Great food and excellent service.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 18, 2024
Julee A.
All around great! I have known Raku for about 10 years and it is consistently delicious.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 16, 2024
Rick B.
The dining room remains the same as before refreshing this summer. It is cheerful, well appointed, with extremely gentle and attentive service. The food is the best I’ve experienced in Japanese dining, perhaps in any cuisine, ever. The lunch specials are that, special. The butterflied shrimp on a bed of rice was particularly delightful and delicious. The shrimp had a slight taste of the sea and was so fresh, I had to consider my next taste. This doesn’t happen every dining out experience.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Oct 13, 2024
Geoffray G.
Very fresh and tasty food on the sashimi bento for lunch.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 12, 2024
Marla M.
Raku never disappoints. The food, service was excellent. This was the third time in just few weeks that we’ve been. Can’t wait to go back!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 10, 2024
Maria G.
Perfect. Every time.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 01, 2024
Rita D.
The food was delicious and the service was fast, even on a busy night.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2024
Mary Lee C.
Food was outstanding. Wonderful hospitality.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 17, 2024
Sandra Z.
The food is great. The tables are too close together though.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 06, 2024
Norm O.
Very good in every way and very popular.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 05, 2024
Jane L.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the things you have done to make the room quieter. I even wrote a note to Tom Sietsema's chat, singing your praises. He posted it yesterday. We'll be back. Jane

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 01, 2024
mary ellen s.
It was closed for renovations.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 16, 2024
Nicole I.
They were so helpful when we called an hour before our reservation to change a table of 5 to 8! We appreciated it so much! Food has always been great every time we go! Thank you

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 16, 2023
Maurizia T.
I love the food and the decor. Too loud at first but by 8 pm it got quiet enough to actually have a normal conversation

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Dec 09, 2023
Ann Marie F.
Everything at Raku is always so fresh and delicious. I highly recommend their sushi. Pick anything from the specials and you will not be disappointed.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 06, 2023
Carol L.
excellent experience at Raku last night. Patient waiter, delicious food well prepared and served.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 01, 2023
Debra S.
Great!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2023
Alex O.
I had an exceptional lunch at Raku. It was my first time eating at this restaurant. The food was excellent and the service was fantastic!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 4/10
Value: 8/10
Sep 25, 2023
Debbie P.
The restaurant is looking dated. And looks messy and cluttered when you walk in.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 2/10
Value: 6/10
Sep 21, 2023
Vanessa M.
Food and service are great. The indoor dining room is super noisy; I came out with a headache and that felt like a slow-building torture. I’ve sat at the bar before and did not have that problem. Management may want to consider some noise reduction apparatus. I won’t be back in the dining room and that is the only reason.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 01, 2023
Cathy B.
Great food. Attentive staff.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 11, 2023
Mr. Syed A.
Great restaurant, food, service, and experience. I look forward to returning!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Jul 13, 2023
Barbara W.
Consistency in food and service.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 29, 2023
Ann Marie F.
The food at Raku is always delicious. We love everything we have ordered. They have a wide variety of fresh sushi as well as other tasty offerings. Their dashi broth is the best! Mo matter what you order you will love it! I highly recommend.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 05, 2023
Joan B.
I went to Raku for lunch with a friend, who had never been there. My friend is vegetarian and enjoyed a delicious vegetarian dish. I always enjoy going to have a healthy, delicious meal! The waitress was attentive, helpful and skilled!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 20, 2023
Peg O.
I love Raku! Food is absolutely delicious!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 13, 2023
Zaida A.
Great food !

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Apr 12, 2023
Nancy A.
We’ve been coming here since it opened. The food cannot be beat, absolutely our favorite restaurant. But it is time to do some repairs to the decor. Just want to give some constructive criticism. We are moving out of state and will sorely miss Raku!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Apr 02, 2023
Barbara B.
Very noisy, but great food and wonderful service.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 10, 2023
mary ellen s.
I’m a regular customer and always enjoy the entire experience.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 06, 2023
James O.
Best food in Bethesda

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 04, 2023
Amy L.
Food is great for a reasonable price.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Jan 18, 2023
Heidi D.
Excellent long time staff who are patient with complicated orders and very flexible on aiding customers Food is superb on a consistent basis It’s the go to place for great food in Bethesda! Always feel haooy when going there

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 18, 2022
Barbara W.
Wonderful food and gracious staff.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 13, 2022
Linda E.
this was my son's choice for first meal back from college. Always love Raku!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 12, 2022
Dana C.
Food is excellent as always, service is quick and staff is friendly, courteous. Great restaurant for a celebration.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 12, 2022
Edward L.
Had an excellent bento box for lunch. Every element was delicious. Salads were well prepared with interesting flavors.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 04, 2022
Sabrina C.
Delicious

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 20, 2022
Jennifer R.
What a gem. Great food - cozy and very intimate - very busy - the word is out the food is fabulous!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 12, 2022
Lisa R.
Thank you for the amazing food as well as service. Very friendly, courteous and even had a surprise for our wedding anniversary! We love going to Raku and will continue to support this. Did I say the food is tremendous??

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 05, 2022
Marsha M.
I always get a great meal at Raku.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 25, 2022
Carl E.
Good excellent as always. Was very busy and not quite enough servers.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 20, 2022
Sharon H.
Everything was perfect!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 17, 2022
John S.
Great variety of good. Very good quality

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Jun 13, 2022
Barbi W.
Great food & great service!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 10, 2022
Dodnna S.
The inside is looking tired and not so clean. the bathroom needs attention.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 27, 2022
Joan A.
We have eaten here for many, many years. Nothing has gone down hill. Still a great place to eat.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 07, 2022
Maggie S.
Awesome as always!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Apr 03, 2022
Kathy G.
The sushi was excellent and fresh. The pork bun appetizer was spectacular. Didn't care for the summer rolls, a bit bland. Our waitress was very attentive and outstanding. She had a lot of tables to attend to and did so very well, never missing a request. The interior dining was just too crowded for my comfort, so we enjoyed dining outside (but that's why I'm not giving a higher rating for ambience).

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 11, 2022
Theresa P.
Terrific meal, well organized service and great evening. Highly recommend red curry with seafood. Marvelous but a bit messy to eat due to soupy texture. Delicious.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 12, 2022
Katherine W.
We loved it and will definitely be back! I had been craving Sushi and my dining partner does not eat seafood. There were plenty of options for her as well. A delightful dining experience.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 12, 2022
Amy K.
Always great! A family favorite.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 06, 2022
Ann E.
Fabulous all the way around. All 5 of us loved our food and the experience. A couple were first timers and said they will return soon.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 05, 2021
Holly H.
I forgot how great this place is. It has a fun, lively vibe, and the food is delicious!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 03, 2021
Dede F.
Everything was terrific except when one gets a three course meal it would be better if the courses were served separately and not al at the same time.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 23, 2021
Suzy Y.
Excellent food, wonderful service. Always reliably excellent. Thank you!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 16, 2021
Gail W.
Excellent food. Good service.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 29, 2021
Leslie F.
Great weather food and delicious fun night

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 18, 2021
Minh L.
I had a nice time at Raku. Our server was efficient. The bento boxes are delicious and of good value.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 15, 2021
Nina P.
Perfect!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Sep 14, 2021
Barbara L.
No suggestions for improvements. I always enjoy Raku.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 12, 2021
Marian Y.
Great food

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 09, 2021
Victoria C.
Absolutely amazing. The staff is extremely kind, accommodating and personable. The food was excellent, not one bad thing. Perfection

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 31, 2021
sondra s.
wonderful evening

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 25, 2021
Helene T.
As always, the food was delicious!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 06, 2021
Kimberly R.
Always an enjoyable experience! The best food and service in Bethesda!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 11, 2021
Theresa M.
Our waitress was very considerate, accommodating our request to sit outside and to have individual checks. Will definitely go again!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 11, 2021
Lee B.
It was excellent!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 10, 2021
Evelyn S.
Delicious food. We both had the bento. Very pleasant and great friendly service. So nice to enjoy again.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 27, 2021
Chris Y.
Loved being outside on a beautiful afternoon. Tables were well-spaced, wait staff was attentive, but not hovering around. Food was excellent. We will be back!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 21, 2021
Katharina v.
One of my favorite go-to restaurants

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 19, 2021
Helen D.
The salmon sashimi with green apple was awesome! My sister and I love Raku and we are glad to get back to dining there again.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 04, 2021
beth d.
Raku is always good - we love meeting their for lunch and dinner. The staff there are very nice.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 02, 2021
Marian Y.
Great service and spectacular food

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 30, 2021
Debby T.
Loved being outside but NOT in a tent. Table very distant. Only problem was someone NOT dining was sitting at a bench close by smoking. I think the whole area should be designated non smoking.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 10, 2021
Judy E.
Our first experience for outdoor dining in 13 months was wonderful. Raku has been a favorite of ours for several years and we were not disappointed with our lunch in a "tiny house". The food was first rate as was the service.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Mar 26, 2021
Carol G.
It was great to have an outdoor private enclosed table, and the food was fantastic. Loved the salmon bento box!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 13, 2021
Jonah N.
Highly recommend. Food was very good. Great service.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 12, 2021
Dale B.
Raku never disappoints. The food is always well-prepared, using the finest ingredients.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 11, 2021
Nancy M.
Food was great. Ditto service. Lovely outside dining. I recommend!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 18, 2020
Lisa B.
Perfect

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 17, 2020
Krista W.
I was truly impressed with Raku, especially in light of the pandemic. My friend and I went for lunch and sat outside on the street. There are heat lamps spaced out in between the tables, which was really nice. Upon sitting, the server asked for our name and cell # for contact tracing and all of the servers were wearing masks and shields. The food was delicious and the server was very attentive. We had a great experience and will definitely go back.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 11, 2020
Nina G.
Excellent service. We will be back!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 09, 2020
Phyliss J.
Delicious as always!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Nov 08, 2020
Beth D.
Raku is always good. During Covid-19 they handled the service very well.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 24, 2020
Dale B.
Raku never disappoints. Their preparation of small plates and entrees is consistently excellent. My favorite restaurant in Bethesda.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 22, 2020
Sheila M.
lovely lunch

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 18, 2020
Marlene B.
Enjoyed our lunch outside at a table in the sun!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 17, 2020
Marlene S.
Great! Enjoyed the fall weather with good good and friends .

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 13, 2020
Elizabeth P.
They always have great fresh food and nice service

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 29, 2020
Matthew Y.
everything was great!!