Eunoia

Eunoia not only had top tier food but also incredible service. Senaya (sp?) was a fabulous server and had incredible recommendations. The hostess and food runners were also extremely knowledgeable about the concept and special fusion. From the drinks to the before and post dinner palate cleansers, everything was a beautifully curated experience. One of the best restaurants in DC. We will definitely be back soon! :)

A Union Market standout, Eunoia is already one of DC’s best. Eunoia is the kind of restaurant that makes you stop mid-bite, look at your dining partner, and just nod because words feel inadequate. Chef Josa Maldonado, trained at The French Laundry (3 Michelin stars), Pujol (2 stars) and Jatak (1 star), is crafting something truly special here. His fusion of Mexican, Bulgarian and Japanese influences with nods to the Mid-Atlantic is not just clever, it is soulful, bold and deeply thought-out. Each dish feels like a conversation between cultures, elevated by seasonal ingredients and an evolving menu that always promises something new. From the very first amuse bouche to the unexpected gifts from the kitchen throughout the night, it is clear this team loves hospitality and understands the magic of surprise and delight. The beverage program is just as impressive. Beverage Manager Alexa has curated an incredible wine list that perfectly matches the menu’s creativity and nuance. Bar Manager Chris built an incredible cocktail menu with precision and personality, delivering drinks that are as beautifully balanced as they are inventive. The other bartenders Enzo and Jose could not be more friendly and inviting. Service is warm, attentive and genuinely excited about the food they are presenting, which makes the experience feel even more special. Union Market has no shortage of great dining spots, but Eunoia is operating on another level. If you love culinary storytelling, impeccable execution and a dining experience that feels both world-class and personal, this is a must-visit. Highly recommended, and already a contender for one of DC’s most exciting new restaurants.

Had a very enjoyable meal at Eunoia! An excellent addition to the DC dining scene. Nice vibe, minimal but warm interior. Intimate dining room still nice bustling energy. We enjoyed several dishes, the seaweed mole, mussels, short rib were very creative and well executed. The menu changes with the seasons, we look forward to visiting again soon! The Azelia is a must for wine lovers.

Out of this world experience. We came in on a Sunday night and started off strong with some wonderful cocktails. The Fig and Dill cocktail and Sangria are both incredibly tasty. First served a rice cracker amuse bouche, we could tell we were in for something special. Out came our orders — the seaweed mole that left us wanting more; the stone soup that was equally earthy and rich but also refreshing; the barbella eggplant dish that made us feel like we haven’t had eggplant cooked correctly before; and the Denver steak and savory au jus that had us wanting to lick the plate clean—not a bad dish in the bunch at all! Followed with dessert — a palate cleanse of chipotle ice cream in two miniature cones, propped up in corn kernels and then a chocolate bonbon with hazelnut miso and some additional raspberry ice cream — it was the perfect amount. Coupled with great, friendly service at a perfect pace — this is the kind of place you shouldn’t hesitate to try. Bring your family, friends, and anyone else who appreciates great flavors. We certainly will be back to enjoy other seasonal menus and the happy hour too! You won’t regret it.

Had a fantastic meal at Eunoia in DC. The braised rib special was incredibly tender and flavorful, and the spicy mushroom soup was rich and comforting with a nice kick. The cocktails were creative and beautifully presented, and the service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Overall, a lovely spot with great food and a relaxed, elegant vibe…can’t wait to go back!

Eunoia blends Mexican, Bulgarian, and Japanese influences—with a subtle Mid-Atlantic touch—into a menu that’s inventive, balanced, and full of character. Each dish feels intentional, with flavors that play beautifully together and should evolve with the seasons. The beverage program holds its own—the wine list is well-curated, and the cocktails are crafted with precision and personality. Service is warm, attentive, and clearly proud of what’s coming out of the kitchen. Huge kudos to the chef and team for creating such a creative, dynamic, and genuinely enjoyable dining experience. Already looking forward to the next visit.

Newly opened, the standout was the Chesapeake crab croquettes. Highly recommend. Skip the phyllo dough, a little tart/sour. The scallops were ceviche like but not super sour. The kakigori was also fantastic!! Unique. Recommend!

Went for dinner and had a lovely time. The mix of cuisines offer a surprise in every bite. The mussels were a surprising favorite. Come hungry if you’re ordering the short rib, you won’t regret it! Don’t sleep on the cocktails and desserts. Loved the Fig n dill, well balanced and tart. There’s also a cocktail that tastes like a boozy chai latte that’s a decadent finish to the meal. Great cozy drink for the fall/winter. We were stuffed but decided to try the yuzu yogurt shortbread and sorbet. Such light, delicate flavors you don’t feel heavy after eating it but acts like a palate cleanser. Best of all, the service was warm and efficient. Wish we lived in the neighborhood, would come often if we could!

A Union Market standout, Eunoia is already one of DC's best. Eunoia is the kind of restaurant that makes you stop mid-bite, look at your dining partner, and just nod because words feel inadequate. Chef Josa Maldonado, trained at The French Laundry (3 Michelin stars), Pujol (2 stars) and Jatak (1 star), is crafting something truly special here. His fusion of Mexican, Bulgarian and Japanese influences with nods to the Mid-Atlantic is not just clever, it is soulful, bold and deeply thought-out. Each dish feels like a conversation between cultures, elevated by seasonal ingredients and an evolving menu that always promises something new. From the very first amuse bouche to the unexpected gifts from the kitchen throughout the night, it is clear this team loves hospitality and understands the magic of surprise and delight. The beverage program is just as impressive. Beverage Manager Alexa has curated an incredible wine list that perfectly matches the menu's creativity and nuance. Bartenders Chris, Enzo and Jose built an incredible cocktail menu with precision and personality, delivering drinks that are as beautifully balanced as they are inventive. Service is warm, attentive and genuinely excited about the food they are presenting, which makes the experience feel even more special. Union Market has no shortage of great dining spots, but Eunoia is operating on another level. If you love culinary storytelling, impeccable execution and a dining experience that feels both world-class and personal, this is a must-visit. Highly recommended, and already a contender for one of DC's most exciting new restaurants.

Eunoia blends Mexican, Bulgarian, and Japanese influences--with a subtle Mid-Atlantic touch--into a menu that's inventive, balanced, and full of character. Each dish feels intentional, with flavors that play beautifully together and should evolve with the seasons. The beverage program holds its own--the wine list is well-curated, and the cocktails are crafted with precision and personality. Service is warm, attentive, and clearly proud of what's coming out of the kitchen. Huge kudos to the chef and team for creating such a creative, dynamic, and genuinely enjoyable dining experience. Already looking forward to the next visit.

I'm Bulgarian and when I heard there was a Bulgarian - Mexican - Japanese fusion place opening right down the street from me, I had to check it out. Growing up I had never seen a Bulgarian restaurant in the US, so this was worth it even for the novelty. We had the banitsa pastry, grilled black bass fish, and pork shoulder. The banitsa is a ubiquitous Bulgarian street food, and the flavors were just right, though the presentation was unlike anything I've seen, extremely thin and with an exaggerated filo dough crown. I thought it was an interesting attempt to turn it into haute cuisine, but I'd prefer my mom's for next time. The grilled bass was tasty, with a slightly chewy skin and stuffed with vegetables and perhaps some minced fish inside. The tarator spread was again an interesting take on the classic cold soup, but it didn't exactly bring me back to having a fish on the Black Sea coast. Also, what do I do with the tortillas? The pork shoulder on the other hand was extremely tender and juicy. Overall the ambience was very pleasant and I loved the jazz music and urban views out the windows. The service was also very friendly and prompt, and they're just getting going after their first week opening. I would come back again, especially to try the vegetable dishes. I wouldn't say any of the flavors brought me back to childhood trips to Bulgaria, but I appreciate what the chef is trying to do with the cuisine. I'm only a bit concerned they may not appreciate the Bulgarian flavor profiles the owners are insisting on while clearly very comfortable with the Mexican ones. In fact there is a lot in common, with both cultures centering on fresh vegetables, and especially roasted peppers, in meals. I'm curious what they'll do in the next season, when I hope to be back again.

The team's hospitality was so accommodating. They were kind enough to let us dine even though it was the end of the evening. They made sure to come by to answer all questions, they were kind, patient and didn't seem to rush us. Each course came out in waves, and the team cleared the table completely, brought new silverware in between courses. The food was so flavorful and light. The mushroom soup was reminiscent of a miso soup. The grilled bass was also delicious, the only thing it was difficult to eat around the bones. However, the experience was so great I'd definitely come back!

I'm convinced Eunoia will be one of DC's most exceptional spots, and Chef Josa deserves serious attention for the caliber of this rotating menu: which showcases both his creativity and skill. The space is trendy and chic, without compromising on feeling intimate and warm. The menu is honestly artful and much more nuanced than often found at such an accessible price point. Both when I came by for a solo meal and when I hosted a large group event upstairs in the loft, I was completely struck by the quality of the ingredients and curation of the dishes. Guests remarked that even the salad left them speechless, and the eggplant dish was easily among the most distinctive and satisfying dishes I've ever had. For the large group event, Cynia and the rest of the team did an incredible job of working with me to curate the event and incorporate special touches: adding beautiful touches like fresh flowers, candle lighting, and a specialty menu. Even at the discounted prices, the small plates were generously portioned and included gluten free and vegan options for our group. Having heard Chef Josa's story of integrating influences from different countries, and having experienced both the food and the setting, several of us agreed this restaurant is worthy of serious recognition. We were grateful to be among the early customers, and we look forward to hosting again for a special occasion in the unique event space!

Give em a star already!! My Lord I am spoiled to welcome Eunoia to my neighborhood! Picture this - Pujol meets French Laundry sprinkled in with some fun twists and spins to create the fusion bomb that shows up in their drinks and food. Let's start with the mole - don't skip on this, it changed my life and definitely don't sleep on the side dishes. I'd recommend each one! Lastly, the most beautiful surprise was the wine program and how intentional they are in sourcing wines that sing alongside their dishes. Big bonus - they do happy hour at their bar area! Also rumored that lunch service will start soon...so yeah, they're giving me any reason to pop in throughout the day. Gracias Eunoia!

Second night open, love it. Would definitely return if we weren't about to move away. But you can! If you feel like restaurant food is all tasting about the same, try some interesting flavor combinations in a beautiful welcoming space! Our server (I'm sorry I do not recall her name) noticed details without being at all intrusive and gave just the right amount of information about the dishes.

Great vibes and food. I tried the barbarella eggplant and the anato pork shoulder with tortillas, both excellent. The happy hour deals looked excellent, need to come back for snacks.

New restaurant but it already has a buzz going. This was amazing, one of the best meals I've had in DC. The menu is inventive and delicious. I started with a cocktail that was novel, and delicious, and the bartender was friendly. We had a marvelous dinner. The most amazing dish was a seaweed mousse with chicken skins! I should also mention that the chef owner came out to talk; he is uninterested in both the food itself and the atmosphere. Try it!

The pork shoulder, eggplant and harissa sweet potato fries were all fantastic-knocked out of the park. Great seasoning on all. My girlfriend doesn't usually like sweet potato fries and would have probably liked a second order. Really nice quiet ambience and great service.

The food was delicious! So many unique flavors. Never had anything like it. The eggplant and the pork shoulder were highlights!

Every dish was creative and delicious. Service was excellent. Can't wait to come back.