Inventive cuisine bringing together great technique, beautiful ingredients, and Filipino flavors to curate a perfect tasting menu from start to finish. Hiraya is a must-eat tasting menu and Paolo Dungca is a chef to follow in whatever he does.
I was ABSOLUTELY blown away by the beautiful presentation of all the dishes. The menu was work of art from start to finish. The service was amazing, with such warm and welcoming servers constantly checking in on us. They were well-versed in the Filipino inspired dishes and educated us on what was what. The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting and elevated. Hiraya - a fine dining restaurant located inside The Block DC foodhall, upstairs in its own little private section - exceeded my expectations and has me dying to come back next month to try out the new menu. Chef Paolo, you are amazing.
Got to try Filipino chefs table for the first time on Saturday night at Hiraya. Let me tell you guys, Chef Paolo did not disappoint. Everything was BOMB! All the dishes were well thought out, so flavorful and fresh. The only thing was there was an event at the block and the music was a little loud. But the food made up for it. 10/10 would recommend and we'll be back!
Great job by Chef Paolo and his team for presenting familiar flavors in a completely new and intricate manner. There was definitely a lot of hype about Chef’s next culinary endeavor and he 100% delivered on what he sought out to do with Hiraya. Mabuhay Chef and Hiraya!!! Awesome cutlery BTW!!!
Elevated Filipino Food for the win! Went here last Sunday and I really wish to have a bigger stomach because the food is so delicious, well-crafted, just so tasty and with the portions of the 8-course meal — so generous!!!! to start the ambiance is just amazing. the staff and the service was superb! (s/o to the Chef Paolo Dungca’s wife, Kat and Jess , they’re so attentive and welcoming!) I’ve attached some of the photos the food that they had served last Sunday, and it doesn’t give enough justice because the dishes presentation, the quality and the taste- just on point!!! Can’t recommend them enough so check them out, you won’t be disappointed!!!Check out their Instagram account @hirayadc for more info!! And just a plus: It is located at the BLOCK food hall in DC and chef paolo has 2 other Filipino restaurants PogiBoy and Piccoletto! If you’re a food lover and want to venture, might as well give them a try! You’ll be coming back for more!!
Such a wonderful experience!! The tasting menu was amazing. It was possibly the best dumpling ive ever had. It felt so fresh and rich with crabfat. Such delicious bites of elevated Filipino food. The service is amazing and we both left full. Drinks were super creative and gorgeous to the eye. Salamat!!
What an experience! Each course was amazing and the story behind each dish was truly evident from the taste and presentation. The service and ambience was top-notch. Chef Paolo and his team have definitely outdone themselves and I can’t wait to go back again.
The food was very good!! If you’ve had Filipino food you know how home-y it can make you feel - like big family gathering home-y. This place elevated the Filipino food, but still had that comfort vibe
Amazing! Filipino cuisine turned upside down and inside out taking you in a gastronomic whirlwind one should not miss. The typical play of salty and sweet found in pinoy kitchens reinvented with playful umami or gamey tones are showcased in their cassava cake with crab cake and ikura, and the hamachi kinilaw. The melt-in-your-mouth bibingka basque style does not only kick the traditional bibingka to another level but an evolution from the post misa de gallo reward. Hiraya welcomes everyone with authentic Filipino hospitality. Kain na (let’s eat!)
We loved walking into The Block to find what felt like an exclusive entrance to Hiraya up the staircase and into a beautiful 24 seat restaurant. A fine dining option within the food stalls of The Block. Very elegant space with well thought out decor, ambiance and table setting. Loved the use of multiple different plate styles and designs. The 8 course tasting menu was complimented perfectly with the selected wine pairings.The Front of house staff had knowledge of the menu and an excitement to tell the story of their heritage. They were able to answer questions for us and were very attentive.A delicious journey through Filipino cuisine awaits at Hiraya. Our experience was fun and unique among the DC dining scene. I can’t wait to go back and see what kind of innovative ideas Chef Paolo will have next time!