DC Dosa

Indian restaurant · Capital City Market

DC Dosa

Indian restaurant · Capital City Market

3

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

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Highlights

Vegan, gluten-free Indian dosas with creative fillings & flavorful chutneys  

Featured in Eater
Featured in Afar

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 Get directions

dcdosa.com
@dcdosa

$10–20 · Menu

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1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 Get directions

dcdosa.com
@dcdosa

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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@eater

16 Best Vegan Meals Around D.C. | Eater DC

"Lentil and fermented sourdough dosas make up the simple, protein-packed menu at these stalls in Union Market, The Heights food hall in Bethesda, and at National Landing Water Park. Filled with flavorful masala potatoes with ginger, roasted eggplant and sweet potatoes with tamarind, or a combination of crispy cauliflower, carrots, and cabbage, these light wraps are completely customizable when it comes to dosa flavors and chutney toppings." - Tierney Plumb

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-vegan-restaurants-dc
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@afar

What to Eat at Union Market in Washington, D.C. - AFAR

"A South Indian counter founded by a Bombay native that makes dosas and chutneys from family recipes, letting customers choose dosa batters (for example, hearty mung lentil or milder petite yellow lentil) and fillings like curry potatoes, eggplant, or crispy cauliflower, finished with chutneys such as cilantro-sesame, mango-habanero, or tomato-peanut. Meals can be rounded out with traditional sambar lentil soup or lassi drinks in flavors like mango-ginger, avocado-lime, cardamom-almond, and sweet basil for an authentic, crêpe-like South Indian experience." - Natalie Beauregard

https://www.afar.com/magazine/what-to-eat-at-union-market-in-washington-d-c
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@eater

10 Must-Order Foods and Drinks at Union Market - Eater DC

"DC Dosa: South Indian street food thrives at this stall, where signature dosas are made from different lentils, filled with vegetables, and topped with chutneys. Other perks: they’re gluten-free and plant based." - Tierney Plumb

https://dc.eater.com/2018/3/20/17140406/union-market-must-try-dishes-2018
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Jainif Marediya

Google
Decent dosa. The portion of sauces were small compared to the size of the dosa. Pricey for a dosa but did the job if you have a craving for one. White lentil base with masala potato filling and coconut and tamarind chutney and gunpowder

Anika Agarwal

Google
This food was amazing. I have never tasted something like it. The vegetables within the dosa were sweet and aromatic—almost as if they had been pickled and coated in flavor. It wasn’t spicy in the slightest, but yet so incredibly rich and flavorful. The eggplant was soft and the sweet potatoes were too. The cauliflower and cabbage was crunchy, and each flavor worked in harmony. I have never ever tasted Indian food that is so delicious. The dosa bread itself was unremarkable, but it was soft and worked well to scoop the vegetables, a difference from the usual crispy and thin dosas served in other restaurants. The coconut chutney was also incredible. The mango chutney was not my favorite.

C Aytch

Google
Had Dosa with yellow lentils, mixed vegetables and potatoes. Rating 3. Tamarind sauce was not good imho. It didn’t taste like tamarind.

Anela Patroni

Google
First time having a dosa but it won't be the last! I had heard so many good things about this place and let me say the food was wonderful. I had the traditional Masala Dosa with the coconut and cilantro chutneys with a side Sambar. All were fresh and delicious and the dosa is expertly made in front of you. Also had a mango lassi with fresh ginger in it which was a welcome change and not too sweet. The ladies working there were super busy with the line but they took the time to explain the menu to me and were very sweet. Definitely heading back for several more visits!

Ly Hoang (NYONPYON)

Google
First time trying this, if you've never had a dosa the best way I can describe it is that it's a crepe like pancake but instead of sweet its like Mediterranean flavors. Interesting that it was Veggie but flavorful. I was wishing there was meat to it but I'm not sure if this kind of food usually has strong meat flavors. But overall decent, huge portion and had taken it to go. Also I had gone in April, so I'm going based on memory.

Karthikeyan Rajaram

Google
Stopped by Union Market to meet few of our folks while visiting DC and was recommended to try this Americanized South Indian specialty - Dosa! The Union Market is one super busy joint that includes multiple restaurants and eateries and DC Dosa is one among them. People start working on your dosa right after you pick your combination of items that needs to go into your dosa, just like what people do at the Chipotles or the Subways. The dosa making process is not new to south Indians, but looking at it in an American restaurant was enchanting. We ordered the Mung lentil dosa with roasted seasonal vegetables and the cilantro sesame chutney. The dosa is good enough for two people to share as there is so much of filling that goes into the dosa that makes one person feel full easily. The dosa was delicious but I rate this place a star less for the huge filling that’s atypical for the “Masala dosas” that you find in an Indian household or a restaurant and for being higher on the pricey side.

A F

Google
I'm not picky about Indian food. But this dosa was 100% WOW 😍 The filling, the chutney, beautiful ✨ It's definitely not traditional, which might explain the reviews? I'm from Chicago and Indian restaurants never disappoint nor wow me, so I wasn't expecting much. And I ate it 30 min later, as take-out! I'm glad I didn't read reviews before ordering. Yes, the dosa isn't paper-thin crispy. It's thicker and soft, like a crepe. But dang delicious and a huge portion for $14. You can choose the batter, filling, AND chutney 😲 🥔Potato filling: nicely textured and seasoned with firm lentils and skin-on potatoes 🥥Chutney: the staff recommended the coconut and onion, and they were both out of this world. The coconut was dark colored, roasted and nutty, very flavorful. Thick like a dressing, not watery and white like coconut chutney I'm used to. Service was quick, staff friendly. I'm very tempted to eat here again before I leave DC

Saddmun Ahsan

Google
Underwhelming unfortunately. The shop opens up later than the other shops in Union Market and on top of that the food was average at best. Compared to dosas I've had elsewhere I thought that the filling was a bit much. You get a choice of 2 fillings. I chose the vegetables and the potatoes. First off, the potatoes were in large chunks which made the dosa rather unpleasant to eat. Second, the vegetables were a bit bland (and mostly cabbage) so it didn't add much to the flavor. Overall, out of all the food stalls in Union Market a bit unfortunate that I picked this one... I'd try another one if you're exploring the Market!
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Hannah-Grace H.

Yelp
This is consistently one of my favorite stalls in Union Market because it's delicious of course, and man do they give you a ton of food for what you pay. I got a yellow lentil dosa filled with masala potatoes, eggplant and sweet potatoes and it was scrumptious. Truly, I couldn't even finish it, I had to give the rest to my friend because they were so generous with the filling. Always a pleasure to visit!
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Jackie X.

Yelp
My friends and I arrived at Union Market District around 1:30 pm. We walked around the stalls and all decided on different things to order. While I was waiting in line for DC Dosa, I overheard a group talking about how this may be the only Dosa spot in DC. My order was taken quickly and it wasn't long before it was ready. The employees working seemed friendly and quick. I decided to get the yellow lentil because I asked the woman taking my order which base was her favorite. I chose curry potatoes and the eggplant & sweet potato fillings with their coconut chutney and mango habanero chutney. I opted to include the sambar soup for an additional $3. The sambar soup was delicious. Very savory and hearty with an excellent blend of spices. I would definitely get this again. As for the dosa, I probably wouldn't get the eggplant & sweet potatoes again. I wasn't a huge fan of the eggplant texture because it was a bit too soft for me. I also shouldn't have doubled up on so much potato! The sweet potato was good but the flavor of the curry potatoes suited me more. I would like to try the roasted seasonal vegetables with the curry potatoes instead. The real stars of the dosa were the chutneys. I wish they gave you bigger containers of them because they added so much flavor! I could have also maybe ate the dosa with the sambar for more flavor. Overall a decent dosa especially with limited options in the city. Would eat again but maybe not the very next time I'm in Union market district, definitely want to try other things.
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Heather R.

Yelp
Reliable vegetarian dosas in the Union Market. Like most of the food stands, they specialize in one item, but it's good stuff! Pick your filling and chutneys, yum!
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Matthew H.

Yelp
It can be difficult to find Dosa's in the Washington DC area. While this place offers several dosa options, I found the price to be a little steep. The portion size is decent, however, $15+ tax for a dosa is expensive. I would still recommend trying this place out as the food is good.
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Sonya L.

Yelp
Visited this location in union market. Never had a dosa before, it was interesting and different. The lady working was helpful and nice. We built our own dosa with yellow lentil base, curried potatoes and cilantro sesame chutney. Only one person was working at that time so there was wait after you ordered your food. The dosa was pretty good. Curried potatoes was good and the chutney was tasty with it. Not bad for no meat options. Would try different mix next time!
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Shama S.

Yelp
I really wanted to like it. I wasn't even expecting authentic dosa. I got the roasted vegetables but it ended up being mostly cabbage, and very undercooked and the stalk/crunchy portion. With dosa the veggies need to be cooked well and softer. Way too crunchy. Maybe the curry potatoes option would've been better.
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Saddmun A.

Yelp
Underwhelming unfortunately. The shop opens up later than the other shops in Union Market and on top of that the food was average at best. Compared to dosas I've had elsewhere I thought that the filling was a bit much. You get a choice of 2 fillings. I chose the vegetables and the potatoes. First off, the potatoes were in large chunks which made the dosa rather unpleasant to eat. Second, the vegetables were a bit bland (and mostly cabbage) so it didn't add much to the flavor. Overall, out of all the food stalls in Union Market a bit unfortunate that I picked this one... I'd try another one if you're exploring the Market!
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Anmol R.

Yelp
Not so authentic dosas. Also, the dosa options are limited. But they maintain a very good hygiene and the customer service was top notch. Would love to see some more options on the menu.
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Rohan N.

Yelp
Went to DC Dosa and had a great experience! I am always hesitant to try dosas at restaurants because they are often soggy or poorly executed so am glad to say that DC Dosa did a good job with their dosa! I ordered the green lentil/mung bean dosa, which I'm more familiar with as pesarattu, during the Holi event held at Union Market. Luckily, I avoided the huge wait time and the crowd of people ordering dosas because I ordered before the dinner rush; on a regular day though, the wait is not long and it's a pleasure to watch the staff make the dosa in front of you. When you order, DC Dosa asks you to pick two sides and two chutneys, which I appreciate a lot because many places would allow for one of each. I picked the tamarind chutney and the cilantro chutney along with the eggplant/sweet potato side and regular potato side. I'm glad to say that each component tasted great. The sweet potato and eggplant was especially good and the seasoning tasted very authentic. Both chutneys were fresh tasting and complemented the dosa really well. This type of dosa is not really crisp by nature owing to the mung bean batter but this was actually slightly crispy and very impressive. This is not a dish I've seen on any restaurant menus in the DMV or in most restaurants, even in India, so this was a really great experience. I ate every bite, and I can guarantee that you will too.
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Una D.

Yelp
Horrible. I have a very high standard for Indian food, hey I'm Indian! This is a South Indian restaurant which typically is vegetarian. I like a good dosa but This one was very mediocre. I really wanted to check out Union market so that was the added bonus which is where this place is located inside of. The spicy soup that comes with it, sambar was quite terrible. The crepe that with those of us served in was also terrible and soggy. He specifically asked for no cilantro and despite this they made it with cilantro so they had to make it again which they did be grudgingly. I would say that there are other better places to try in the market so I would avoid this one. Also the price is quite exorbitant given the quality and quantity of food. There is plenty of free parking associated with the market so that is the only plus side I can think of to coming here. If you are in the mood for those that I would recommend trying amma vegetarian kitchen in Arlington
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Kevin S.

Yelp
A very healthy flavorful option to Indian cuisine. Food is very fresh. Definitely check out if Indian home style food is what you want.
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David T.

Yelp
We came here to eat after a long day of walking and scooting. When you walk into the union market, it's like walking into a United Nations of food. We found this place. I didn't read the reviews before getting food here to be honest. We ordered the Punjabi. It looked like a giant crepe with potatoes and carrots. We bit into it. It was a tad spicy for my liking. My wife and I split it. It was enough for 2 people for 13 dollars. They also gave us all 3 chutneys. A green mint one, red tomato one and a brown one. All 3 were good. I can't give it 5 stars as it didn't knock my socks off but it was good and filling.
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Bailey P.

Yelp
I had higher hopes for dosa. I had walked around the market and saw them making these huge "crepes" and decided to try it myself. They had a few different bases, fillings and toppings to chose from but I told the cashier to make whatever is most popular. I ended up with a spinach and garlic (the special) with curry potato filling and the cilantro sesame sauce. The dosa was the best part. It was so warm and fresh. The potatoes were alright. The chunks were pretty large which made it difficult to eat. In hindsight I wish there was an option with a bit more protein since afterwards I felt like I hit a carb overload. The sauce ended up being WAY too spicy for me so I didn't end up having it. I am glad I tried it but probably won't be back again.
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Sanah B.

Yelp
If you've never had an authentic dosa before, you might like this place. If you have, you will be sorely disappointed. In full disclosure, I've eaten here several times over the years. Sadly, over the last 2-3 years the quality has really dropped. I went a few days ago and had my first dosa here since before the pandemic and was shocked by the huge drop in quality and increase in price. In top of the lackluster flavors I was disappointed (frankly, offended) to see that they no longer include sambar (the standard lentil soup dip goodness) with their dosas. This is a crime and because of that, +the 15 min wait time during a slow afternoon and the price gouging, I won't be forking over my hard earned cash for this mediocre, soggy, hard-potato monstrosity ever again. I'm actually eating a dosa from a real Indian restaurant many states away as I type this and getting incensed that so many curious eaters will only experience dosas from this place. Please know there are so many better dosa options out there in DC - like VEGZ! Within the market, no shortage of tasty, quality options either - skip this one.
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Karthikeyan R.

Yelp
Stopped by Union Market to meet few of our folks while visiting DC and was recommended to try this Americanized South Indian specialty - Dosa! The Union Market is one super busy joint that includes multiple restaurants and eateries and DC Dosa is one among them. People start working on your dosa right after you pick your combination of items that needs to go into your dosa, just like what people do at the Chipotles or the Subways. The dosa making process is not new to south Indians, but looking at it in an American restaurant was enchanting. We ordered the Mung lentil dosa with roasted seasonal vegetables and the cilantro sesame chutney. The dosa is good enough for two people to share as there is so much of filling that goes into the dosa that makes one person feel full easily. The dosa was delicious but I rate this place a star less for the huge filling that's atypical for the "Masala dosas" that you find in an Indian household or a restaurant and for being higher on the pricey side.

Anela P.

Yelp
I've had a few dosas here and there and also when we were in South India but this is hands down the best dosa ever. We got the Masala Potato Uttapam and the Mung lentil dosa with the eggplant and sweet potatoes. We tried all 4 chutneys and were blown away by the flavors and freshness. Everything we ordered had its own unique flavor and it was all so balanced and nuanced. The Mango LassI with a hint of ginger was terrific! We've been wanting to go for a while but they always had long lines. Now we know why!
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Annie R.

Yelp
I ordered the potatoes dosa and added a few more sauces to it. Watching them make the dosa was pretty cool and fresh. I enjoyed it overall but the potatoes lacked a bit of flavor for me. They do make a large portion. Big enough to share!
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Mahathi T.

Yelp
Was walking through union market, trying to find some Mango juice when I stumbled upon Dc Dosa! Naturally, being of Indian descent, I had to check it out. While they didn't have mango juice, they did have mango lassi - a drink made out of mangoes, mango pulp, and yogurt. For only 4 dollars, you can treat yourself to a delightful taste of India. It was not very sweet and also had an addition of ginger, which personally, I loved. Will go back to try the dosa soon!
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Lora K.

Yelp
I love DC Dosa! One of my favorite things to get an union market. I love the fermented rice, lentil dosa. My favorite chutneys are the cilantro sesame and the mango! I love that the vegetables aren't too greasy and they're packed with flavor. Love the crispy sides! I also love the mango lassi, it isn't overly sweet and it tastes like they use actual mango. The lady that works there is also very nice! Will continue to come here for lunch.
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Kristine L.

Yelp
Came on a Sunday night right before Union Market closed. I was very surprised by the dosas. They're MASSIVE. I ordered the Mung Bean dosa with eggplant/sweet potatoes and veggie fillings. I also got a Mango Ginger Lasi for free because they were closing soon. Service was quick and comforting. I've never had a dosa before, but I was willing to try! Mung Bean Dosa w/ eggplant/sweet potatoes and veggie fillings: I was a little disappointed with this dish. The Mung Bean Dosa lacked in flavor and was very heavy. Eggplant/sweet potatoes and Veggie had alot of flavor, but didn't fill me up as much. However, the green cilantro sauce is AMAZING! Mango Ginger Lasi: Very thick and creamy. You can really taste the ginger as well. I just wish it was more cold. Overall, DC Dosa was alright. It wasn't my favorite dish, but i'm willing to try other options.

Anant P.

Yelp
Re the food: you cannot put dosa in a closed container. Needs to come out hot on a metal plate. They serve not a dosa, but a wet crepe. Would pass. Ambiance of overall market is nice tho
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Jarret S.

Yelp
Very good, though very big. Multiple people can share.
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reuben j.

Yelp
Good food, but the woman at the station made no eye contact and spoke little English.
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Madison W.

Yelp
had the sweet potato dosa. The filling wasn't very tasty - very heavy and flavorless. The actual dosa piece was really heavy and not at all light and crispy. This was more of a crepe than dosa. Good dosa usually is light, thin and crispy - and a little sour from the fermented rice/lentil. The filing was too much and not worth taking home. skip.
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Kathryn L.

Yelp
One of many eateries located inside Union Market, offering Vegan & Gluten Free crepes Indian style. Although my new experience was good taste wise, the customer service was so unpleasant & echoed by other customers waiting for their food. One of the two employees working only spoke to let us know the Dosa preparer would take our order. She literally walked away from a customer who was trying to ask a question. The Dosa preparer was no better, as she did not speak to anyone & barely gave eye contact...at least she wore gloves. All crepes are Rice & Lentil based - Mung, Yellow or Flour. Out of the three fillings Curry Potatoes, Eggplant/Sweet Potatoes or Roasted Vegetables (Cabbage, Cauliflower, Onions & Peas) you get to choose two. The three Chutneys available were Green Habanero, Cilantro Sesame & Tomato Peanut, I opted to try both the Habanero & Cilantro, the latter tasted better. The crepes are pretty filling nicely spiced & full of favor. My Dosa cost $11.00. Unfortunately, I will not return to DC Dosa.

Anda R.

Yelp
Terrible. Waited 1 hour for dosa it was not even cooked well and was not crispy. Overpriced too. I won't be going back.
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Judy N.

Yelp
I first had dosa, which is a fermented batter made with rice and black gram and resembles a crepe, in San Francisco. Our friends said it's associated with southern India cuisine. I loved these crepe-like deliciousness so much that I was excited to discover DC Dosa at Union Market! I ordered the Punjab dosa which was filled with curry potatoes and roasted vegetables. The dosa itself was thin and light. The filling was flavorful and the curry wasn't overpowering. The dosa was good itself without the sauces. But the zesty green sauce and mild brown sauce does add nice touches to each bite!

William E.

Yelp
We placed our order in the mid afternoon and shortly before it was to be delivered for dinner I received a message that our order had been canceled by the restaurant but no reason was given, and there is no phone number to contact them. Don't count on getting an order from them.
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Sophia H.

Yelp
Spinach dosa (special of the day) was delicious and HUGE! Definitely more than enough to feed two people. The dosa was yellow lentil, and the fillings were curry potatoes and roasted vegetables. For chutney sauces, I tried cilantro sesame and onion tamarind. Everything was good, fresh, and incrediblyyyy filling.
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Simon W.

Yelp
Magic in your mouth. Vegetarian spicy parade of quality flavor at Union Market. Spicy south India dosas are huge crepes with actual flavor. Potato or lentil filling. Both are good. There is a line for a reason. We are coming back and suggest you add it to your must visit list.
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Amanda W.

Yelp
Freaking loved this place!! First of all, the dosas are huge. Perfect for sharing if you want to try other food at the market. We got the white lentil dosa filled with curry potatoes and seasonal vegetables. It definitely hit the spot. The sauces were also amazingly flavorful and spicy. You can see them making the dosas right there, so you know they're fresh. The cashier was friendly and the woman who served my food was happy to give me a cup of water (my friend got sassed & told to go to the drinking fountain for asking for water at a different place). My mouth is watering just thinking about this place. I will definitely be back.
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Andrew G.

Yelp
I'm a fan of this. Vegetarian, very tasty and filling. One of the more affordable options for Indian in the area.
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Bonnie P.

Yelp
Visiting DC for the weekend from New Jersey was so happy to stumble upon this little gem!! It is inside the bustling Union Market that offers literally a variety of options for dining. Granted I walked around a few times before I finally settled on this restaurant and it was only because for the price and the amount of food this was absolutely worthwhile! So I ordered the special dosa, the spinach, and garlic spread for my build my own dosa option. The filling I chose two, the eggplant and sweet potatoes with curried potatoes, alongside the mint and mango chutneys and a cup of Sambal. All of this came to about $14 bucks and WOW it was a ton of food. The DOSA with all of the filing had to weigh about 2 lbs! it was so much food. The dosa was airy and delicious and quite flavorful. The fillings were both delicious but definitely next time I plan of diversifying my options so that I don't end up with double starch filings and it was just way too much starch. Next time I would get the cauliflower blend with either of the options I had this past time. So both were honestly super flavorful and delicious and I don't have any regrets just that it was very filling. The mint chutney has a great kick with it and was fantastic. Sambal had a great kick as well and honestly. I just started to mishmash everything and cross dip and WOW it is so good. I'm from NJ and there are tons of DOSA options and trust me this is definitely one of the better ones. Definitely recommend and would return!

Brinda P.

Yelp
DC dosa is a great South Indian option in DC, especially since there aren't many. While the dosas aren't the way I like to eat them at home, they're pretty great. I love the chutneys provided, the portions are huge, and even beyond dosa you can order classic dishes like uttapam, pesaruttu, etc. The staff is friendly as well.
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Prairie S.

Yelp
As if to blow my skeptical would-be snark to smithereens, the crispy traditional dosa here tasted pure, simple, and good in the best home-made style. The traditional is made with white/'urad' lentils rather than the yellow mung lentils. We got the dosa made with a smattering of fresh jalapeno/onion/cilantro cooked into the batter while on the griddle. That adds a fresh bite in the mouth (it's subtle). The dosa was filled with the straightforward traditional masala potatoes. The dosa tasted as it does when made at home in a home kitchen, rather than the restaurant-style dosas which jack up fluffiness with soda bicarbonate. (I couldn't deal with the more exotic/nouvel fillings of the "Jaipur" and "Malabar" concoctions, because I'm old school and I can't deal with something as Thanksgiving-sounding as "roasted vegetables" in a dosa...I will probably try it at some point though...). My only critique of the stuffing is that it could have cooked the potatoes to even softer consistency...not mashed potatoes, but it could stand to be cooked about five minutes more. The acoutrements were rather too small: mint chutney and some variation of a tamarind chutney. I would really like to see them serve some great coconut chutney and great sambar -- the traditional accompaniments, in larger sized takeaway containers. My dad, who is a very discerning and persnickety Indian food eater really liked the food. He also thought their mango-ginger lassi was delicious. I tasted their basil lassi and thought that it was very clever (but I'm not enough of a lassi lover to drink a whole glass of it!)
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Aarti B.

Yelp
LOVE DC DOSA!! My favorite stall at Union Market! All the dosas are good - my favorites are Mung dosa, Sada dosa, and Uttapam, the Samber and Chat are delicious as well! I recommend mixing and matching the stuffings (get up to 2, 3 becomes too much). For the Sada Dosa, I get Aloo potato stuffing with green chutney and the brown sauce. For the Uttapam, you can choose between a stuffing or Samber. I recommend keeping the Uttapam simple with tomatoes and onion and getting the Samber without any extra cost (otherwise it's $2).You can get chutney as well. I got the yellow and brown chutneys. For the Mung Dosa, I got eggplant and sweet potato as well as the cauliflower and veggies with the yellow mango and brown chutneys.
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Morgan H.

Yelp
Located inside Union Market, DC Dosa did not disappoint! Each Dosa is made to order with a few different combinations. I never had a dosa before so I did not know what to expect. I ended up trying the Mung Bean dosa with the eggplant/sweet potato and vegetable fillings. I also had the green cilantro sauce and sweet onion sauce as an accompaniment. The savory outer shell, which was crisp, flavorful and light, was a perfect complement to the eggplant and curried cauliflower. All the ingredients were fresh, flavorful and not greasy or overly salty. I really liked the green cilantro sauce which was refreshing, tangy, and spicy. Overall, this was a fabulous deal as I had leftovers for lunch the next day. I was really pleased at the speed of service; the whole transaction took less than five minutes. I will definitely be back!
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Amelia D.

Yelp
I tried DC Dosa for the first time on a recent jaunt up to Union Market - I really had no idea what I was about to try, but it was a great choice! On the cashier's recommendation, I got the yellow lentil dosa and filled it with the curry potatoes and eggplant/sweet potatoes (you get a choice of 2 fillings). You also get two chutneys on the side, so I ordered the cilantro sesame and onion tamarind. The food preparation was very quick, and the portion was very generous, which was an unexpected perk since I was quite hungry. I didn't know the dosa would come stuffed (like a crepe), so I was glad I grabbed silverware, since there would be almost no good way to eat it with your hands (not like an Ethiopian tear-and-scoop idea). The flavors were amazing and the texture of the fillings was very pleasant. I am the first to admit my spice tolerance isn't the best, so I found the cilantro sesame chutney a bit beyond my spice enjoyment, but the onion tamarind one was delightful (definitely hot, but not overpowering to the dosa). So if you're also stereotypically white in your spice tolerance, maybe steer clear of the cilantro one (or at least taste it before pouring it onto anything)!
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Sara L.

Yelp
Pros: the food - my soup and dosa were spot on. It's a ton of food and hit the spot. I just finished my leftovers for dinner. Con: THE WAIT. Dear lord the wait was long. Granted it was lunch time on a Sunday at Union Market, but let's put it this way: My friends went elsewhere in the market, ordered their food, got their food, and met back up with me here before I even had a chance to order. There were maybe 3 people ahead of me when I got in line, and once I got to the counter I had to wait a good 15-20 minutes to just order. The food came quickly after I ordered, but the people working here NEED HELP. They need additional people working (there were 3 of them) and at least one more surface to make dosas on.
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Aves T.

Yelp
The Dosa itself isn't very good. I prefer thin, crisp dosa that are like a savory crepe. Now, granted there are some versions of dosa that are closer to hicker pancakes, but these are described in the menu by DC Dosa as "Paper thin and crispy" (Sada Dosa) or "Peppery and crispy" (Addai) or "Mild and crispy" (Chillah). I wanted the crispiest, thinnest version DC Dosa makes, so I ordered the White Lentil dosa (Sada Dosa). What I received was floppy, limp, chewy, with no snap or crispy parts. It could've been rolled into a dough ball. I didn't like the mushy texture, so I ate the insides out with a fork. On the other hand, I must give credit where credit is due. DC Dosa makes some really good fillings. Eggplant & Sweet-potatoes: So good. I could've ordered just these and been happier. The tamarind, coriander seeds, and chilies add the right blend of spices to accompany an already delicious pair. They're cooked until tender and wonderful. Roasted Vegetables: Crispy cauliflower, carrots, beans, cabbage, ginger & onions. While again I'm not sure we agree on what the word "crispy" means since I found nothing crispy in this vegetable blend, these were hearty and tasty. Again, I would love a side of this, without the dosa. Curry Potatoes: These I didn't try. The potatoes looked undercooked. They appeared like they needed another 15-20 minutes in the oven. Based upon the underdone dosas, I'm positive my suspicions are accurate about the potatoes. Of the chutneys, my favorites were the Mango Habanero and the Onion Tamarind. I used the entire cups up and would've purchased a bottle if they sold them separately. 3 out of 5, since the very product in their name, Dosa, isn't good. But lots of respect for doing everything else right. I wish you could cook the dosas more like you advertise! They'd be so, so much better.
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Summer M.

Yelp
I could eat here everyday. DC Dosa specializes in lentil crepes better known as dosas in India and these dosas are some of the best in DC, especially coming from a vendor stand at a market. The crepes are thin, crispy, flavorful and large. I enjoy the mung lentil dosa. You can choice two out of three available fillings, and I always go for the eggplant & sweet potatoes and the roasted veggies (the other option is curry potatoes). The vegetables taste fresh and have robust flavors and not oily. My favorite are DC Dosa's chutneys - so so so good. The best chutney is the cilantro sesame (I could literally drink the sauce). I also enjoy seeing the theatrics of seeing the dosas being made. The works putting the lentil base on the round griddle and the steps it takes to the end product. I am giving DC Dosa 4 stars and not 5 because even though the dosas are large, I think $11 is too expensive.
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Lydia A.

Yelp
Hm don't understand the 3.5 average stars. Maybe it's the price? But this is probably one of my favorite places at union market. It is SO filling and super healthy - all vegan and gluten free. It's about 11 bucks a dosa and the portion sizes are huge! I got the yellow lentil dosa with eggplant/sweet potatoes and veggies on the inside with all three sauces on the side. My favorite is the onion tamarind - it's a bit sweet and tangy. The cilantro one is VERY spicy so I can only eat a bit. The mango habanero is okay but a bit too sweet for me. I've also tried the white lentil and I think I may like that one more bc it's lighter and crispier. I would come here all the time if I wasn't so poor!!!
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Cryetti C.

Yelp
Sooooo flipping delicious! Was in DC for a quick trip and I know I wanted to visit this market. Eyeing all the various food stalls, DC Dosa caught my eyes and nose. Freshly made to order and fully customizable. Flavor and service was on point. I can't wait to come back!
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Juliya G.

Yelp
I spent all week eating at new places around D.C. and this $9 dosa made the top of my list! I got whatever lentil base made my dosa green (it was supposed to be spicy but it was pretty mild). For my filling I did both eggplant/sweet potato & the roasted vegetables. Then, of course, I got all of the Chutneys. Just delicious and packed with flavor and spices! Definitely recommend.
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John B.

Yelp
Okay, they've been through some shifts (and Yelp has apparently moved around the reviews), but I remain a fan of DC dosa. Their mung bean dosa is hearty (and green), and they've added options. Now you can get jalapeños and/or onions cooked directly into the thing, and you can get sambar on the side. The sambar is quite good as these things go: thick, where many are watery, and spicy and tasty. They're also selling appealing looking chickpea and rice bowls to go, and lassis. Honestly, the biggest problem I have is that between the filling, the chutneys on the side, and the sambar, there are too many good things to dip the dosa in. And it's not like it's a small dosa.
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Carlo F.

Yelp
Delicious south Indian food that had a lot of flavor. Loved the sauce on the side, and it's a great vegetarian option that's filling and savory!
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Bill P.

Yelp
DC Dosa is one of the eateries in Union Market. As their name suggests they specialize in dosas. A dosa is an Indian crepe with filling. My dosa had a spicy, roasted vegetable filling. It came with their cilantro sesame and mango habanero chutneys. Both chutneys were spicy to my liking. I enjoyed the dosa. I also had a bowl of their lentil soup, sambar. It was thick and spicy and delicious. I was there later on a Friday evening when the eateries begin to wind down prior to their 8PM closing. Although I liked the meal, the location is not particularly accessible from the Metro and the likelihood of my returning very often is remote.
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Jenny O.

Yelp
My first dosa experience quickly dispelled the belief that traditional crepes were in perfect, invariable form. High in carbs and protein, with no sugar or saturated fats, the dosa is actually a perfect runner's food. The "crepe" is made of rice batter and lentils and creates this crispy texture that just begs you to tear off and dip in the house-chutneys. The staff sprinkled onion, cilantro, and jalapeno into the mixture, which gave me a pleasant jolt on a Sunday morning. You basically have 3 types of the crepe to choose from, 3 types of filling, and 3 types of chutney. Apparently, you can ask for all three fillings, which I almost regret not getting. Fortunately, my eggplant and sweet potato filling was so hearty that my envy of my friend's buffet didn't last long. My order with just the dosa came to $9, but kept me full until 3 pm.

Pippi L.

Yelp
Visited Union Market on my last day in DC, and decided to come here for a nice last breakfast. Of note, some restaurants inside Union Market have reserved seating, but DC Dosa does not, so we sat outside. We ordered the Mung Lentil dosa as they were out of the Sada Dosa at 11am; it was actually pretty good and filling. We also got the basic mango lassis as they were out of the sweet basil lassis. I would come here again if in the area.