Frequently Asked Questions
Reservation
Reservations can only be made through OpenTable . We do not accept reservation requests through email, social media, or phone. If you do not see any availability, please try again another date.
As a 22-seat restaurant, our availability is limited, and we receive a high volume of reservation requests each day. SHIA is open only for dinners from Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. We are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays.
As a 22-seat restaurant, our availability is limited, and we receive a high volume of reservation requests each day. SHIA is open only for dinners from Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. We are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays.
Reservations are released via OpenTable 30 days in advance at 5:00 PM EST.
For example, this means that on January 23, 2025, at 5 pm, we will release availability for our reservation on Saturday, February 22, 2025. On January 24 and 25, we will not release any new reservations because 30 days from those days are Sunday, February 23, and Monday, February 24, the days SHIA is not open. The following new availabilities will be released on January 26, 2025, at 5:00 pm for February 26, 2025.
For example, this means that on January 23, 2025, at 5 pm, we will release availability for our reservation on Saturday, February 22, 2025. On January 24 and 25, we will not release any new reservations because 30 days from those days are Sunday, February 23, and Monday, February 24, the days SHIA is not open. The following new availabilities will be released on January 26, 2025, at 5:00 pm for February 26, 2025.
We may be fully booked if you do not see any availabilities on OpenTable. Be sure to take advantage of OpenTable’s “Notify Me” option, which will allow you to receive notification the second a new reservation becomes available.
We also may release a small number of same-day reservations if they become available. Those reservations will be released before 2:00 pm, and we will contact you via phone to obtain any dietary restrictions or occasion information. Please make sure to have your OpenTable account updated with the most recent information so we can get in touch!
We also may release a small number of same-day reservations if they become available. Those reservations will be released before 2:00 pm, and we will contact you via phone to obtain any dietary restrictions or occasion information. Please make sure to have your OpenTable account updated with the most recent information so we can get in touch!
We accept walk-ins at our bar/lounge area for cocktail service. However, reservations are required for all dining-related services to align with our sustainability practices. The best time to arrive is between 6:30 - 7:30 pm or 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
We ask 48 hours notice for cancellations or reservation rescheduling. Cancellations/reschedules made within 48 hours of your reservation date will incur a charge of the full price of dinner per person + tax and 20% gratuity. This helps align with our sustainability mission, as we prepare specific portions of meal each day for our guests.
We accept limited single diners for our 5-course menu at the bar, as well as for our Bar A La Carte program via OpenTable. These reservations are available on OpenTable for the 6:00pm and 6:15pm seating times for the five course, and 8:30pm to 9:45pm for our a la carte program. If you do not see any availabilities via OpenTable it means we are fully booked at this time.
At this time we are not accepting large party reservations at SHIA. We thank you for your interest and look forward to serving you for a party of 1-4. Thank you.
Please correspond with us via OpenTable messenger regarding any updates, changes or cancellation related to your reservation to ensure timely communication. We do not want to miss your message and we ask you reach out to us via OpenTable messenger and not email for timely response.
Food
We are happy to accommodate all dietary needs as best we can. Please note all details on OpenTable when making your reservation. We ask all dietary-related needs be relayed to our team 48 hours prior to your reservation (don’t worry, we’ll reach out!), permitting the kitchen to customize the menu to your needs. Given our sustainability practices and tasting menu format, we may omit an ingredient instead of substituting it to accommodate your needs. For any needs we receive less than 48 hours before your reservation, please note that we may not be able to adapt our menu adequately, as we prepare only food for the evening to reduce food waste.
At SHIA, we are dedicated to providing an immersive and refined dining experience. To preserve this unique ambiance and ensure that every guest can fully savor their time with us, we kindly request that only adults join us for their reservation. Older children are welcome to accompany adults and will be served our full 7-course tasting menu at $185. There is no separate kid’s menu or a la carte option in the dining room. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in maintaining the atmosphere we strive to create.
The menu changes seasonally, based on the availability of ingredients and at the discretion of Chef Edward Lee.
We provide three different experiences at SHIA.
• The 7-course tasting menu in the dining room at $185 per person
• The 5-course tasting menu in the bar/lounge area at $90 per person
• Our Bar à la Carte at SHIA menu in the bar/lounge
Our menus change seasonally. Please find our latest menu and information on our new dishes on our website (Menu) and our Instagram page (@shia_dc).
Our Bar à la Carte at SHIA is available beginning February 1, 2025, so our bar guests can enjoy drinks and bites at our bar/lounge area. Reservations for our Bar à la Carte at SHIA were released via OpenTable on January 22, 2025 and follow the same reservation cadence as all other reservation types.
• The 7-course tasting menu in the dining room at $185 per person
• The 5-course tasting menu in the bar/lounge area at $90 per person
• Our Bar à la Carte at SHIA menu in the bar/lounge
Our menus change seasonally. Please find our latest menu and information on our new dishes on our website (Menu) and our Instagram page (@shia_dc).
Our Bar à la Carte at SHIA is available beginning February 1, 2025, so our bar guests can enjoy drinks and bites at our bar/lounge area. Reservations for our Bar à la Carte at SHIA were released via OpenTable on January 22, 2025 and follow the same reservation cadence as all other reservation types.
Experience
Our 5-course meals in the bar/lounge typically take 70 to 90 minutes, while our 7-course meals in the dining room can last 90 to 120 minutes.
Smart business attire is appreciated. Please refrain from wearing athletic wear, casual shorts, or flip-flops. We do ask that our guests refrain from strongly scented perfumes and cologne.
SHIA is located at 1252 4th Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. Our entrance will have a door with the sign SHIA, and it is located next to a coffee shop. If you have any questions, call us at 202-802-5166.
We do not have valet parking. Street parking is available throughout the neighborhood across the Florida Avenue NE heading south. Public parking garages are available nearby. The closest metro stop is NoMa-Gallaudet U New York Ave. We encourage our guests to arrange transportation that fits for their arrival.
Yes, SHIA is fully ADA accessible. Our restaurant is designed to accommodate guests with mobility aids, and we are committed to making your experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. If you require specific accommodations or seating arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact us in advance. This allows us to ensure you’re seated at the best table to fit your needs. We’re here to help make your visit seamless and memorable.
For more information or to notify us of your requirements, please call us at 202-802-5166 or email info@shiarestaurant.org.
Although we can't predict when Chef Edward Lee will be available due to his busy schedule with multiple restaurants and projects, we always appreciate his surprise appearances. With or without Chef Lee's presence, SHIA remains committed to providing all guests with the best possible experience. We're confident that you'll enjoy the exceptional cuisine and meticulous details that Chef Lee has crafted for you, regardless of whether he is present.
Other Questions
For press and media inquiries, please email us at info@shiarestaurant.org.
For partnership and collaboration inquiries, please email Monica at monica@shiarestaurant.org. We thank you for your interest in and support of SHIA’s mission of rethinking sustainability.
To learn more about the educational mentorship programs by SHIA and Lee Initiative, please email Monica at monica@shiarestaurant.org.
We are always grateful for the interest in joining our SHIA team. We welcome applications from passionate and dedicated individuals who share our commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences. To express your interest, please email your resume and cover letter to info@shiarestaurant.org. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to every submission. We will contact candidates whose qualifications and experience align with our current needs. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your interest in SHIA.
Please email us at info@shiarestaurant.org. We look forward to hearing from you.