Destination
Type of Restaurant
Type of Meal
Editors Pick
Read More1789
This Washington classic has been serving loyal patrons for over fifty years. Stepping inside the Georgetown institution, with its early-American art and grand fireplace, will transport you in time. The old world feel is complimented by the rich American fare,...
Read More2Amys
It’s cacophonous, packed with kids and usually involves a wait, but for pizza aficionados, the pies at 2Amys are worth it. The restaurant, located in Cleveland Park, has received D.O.C. accreditation for its authentic Neapolitan pizza, which is made in...
Read MoreBaked & Wired
This neighborhood bakery, which sits on a quiet Georgetown side street, is beloved by locals for its cupcakes (don’t miss the German Chocolate Cake version) and caffeinated beverages (the dirty chai latte is a favorite).
Read MoreBlack Market Bistro
You’ll have to venture about thirty minutes north of the capital to experience Black Market Bistro but this gem, located in a former post office, is worth the trek. In the summer, the creaky wooden porch is the perfect place...
Read MoreBlue Duck Tavern
A favorite of Washingtonians for a sophisticated dinner, Blue Duck Tavern turns out inventive farm-to-table American fare at the Park Hyatt. Dishes such as the porchetta and braised beef are consistently flavorful and creative. The interiors are rustic and chic...
Bluejacket's indoor restaurant space, with views of the brewery. Courtesy Rose Collins.Read MoreBluejacket Brewery
Located in the up-and-coming Navy Yard neighborhood, Bluejacket is a seriously cool brewery and restaurant that beer lovers should not miss. Housed in a cavernous industrial building that dates back to 1919, the space has a relaxed yet modern atmosphere...
Read MoreBrasserie Beck
Owned by Robert Wiedmaier, the proprietor of the grand Marcel’s, Beck is a hopping Belgian brasserie with such hearty fare as braised pork belly and lamb sausage with lentils. It’s loud, crowded and tons of fun. It's located in McPherson...
Read MoreCentral Michel Richard
Downtown's Central, which won the 2008 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in the country, is part of a continuing trend in D.C.: top toques—in this case Michel Richard, of now-shuttered Citronelle fame—creating more accessible fare, in terms of...
Read MoreChez Billy Sud
Warm, inviting and intimate, Chez Billy Sud is a place to get lost in both atmosphere and food. The Southern French cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails and mostly-French wine list make this Georgetown bistro a cozy and romantic spot to order classic...
Read MoreCompass Rose
Owner Rose Previte spent three years traveling across the globe, picking up favorite dishes along the way. At this neighborhood joint in the hot 14th and U Streets area, she serves bites from Greece (grilled calamari with quinoa, toasted pistachio...
Read MoreCork Restaurant & Wine Bar
Locals are willing to put up with long waits for drinks at this buzzy Logan Circle wine bar. It has a neighborhoody vibe and hosts frequent wine tastings; check the website for upcoming ones. While the wine list is fun...
Read MoreDoi Moi
This lively Southeast Asian restaurant on 14th St. boasts an open kitchen that allows diners to see and smell the incredible cooking being turned out. Vietnamese and Thai dishes showcase the techniques and flavors of their regions and the extensive...
Read MoreEquinox
Run by chef Todd Gray and his wife, Ellen, Equinox is deeply beloved by D.C. foodies—and for good reason. The Grays are firm supporters of local farmers and change their menus frequently to reflect the freshest ingredients. On a recent...
Read MoreFilomena Ristorante
Filomena is a classic DC institution that serves generous portions of pastas and other classic Italian specialties. Through the restaurant’s street-facing window, you'll see ladies making the pasta by hand, setting the tone for a fresh, authentic meal. The downstairs...
Read MoreFiola
It’s taken some time, but renowned Chef Fabio Trabocchi has finally perfected his take on modern Italian cuisine with this Penn Quarter eatery. The rustic but elegant atmosphere serves as the perfect backdrop for the contemporary Italian fare such as...
Read MoreFiola Mare
The stylish younger sister of the famed Fiola restaurant, Fiola Mare fronts the lively Georgetown waterfront and features sophisticated Italian cuisine. The menu focuses on fresh seafood dishes, which are complemented by an extensive wine list. Interiors are elegant and...
Read MoreGeorgia Brown’s
Located across from a park-like square, Georgia Brown’s is well recognized for its upscale Southern cooking. The butter-yellow interiors are comfortable and warmly lit, which matches the homestyle, yet sophisticated cuisine. Beginning with a basket of fresh biscuits and cornbread,...
Read MoreGhibellina
This Italian gastro-pub located on the lively 14th St. corridor serves authentic Tuscan fare inspired by the owners’ days spent living in Florence. Decked out in old wood and brick, the dining room provides a cozy environment for guests as...
Read MoreI Ricchi
I Ricchi, a well-known Italian restaurant for DC politicos and celebrities, is a sophisticated spot for authentic Tuscan cuisine. The freshly made pastas and perfectly seasoned fish and meat dishes have continued to draw a loyal following to the Tuscan...
Read MoreJaleo
At Jaleo (the name is Spanish for “merrymaking”), plates are small and flavors are big, bold and altogether mouthwatering. The menu contains more than sixty dishes, including both traditional Spanish tapas such as gambas al ajillo (shrimp sautéed with garlic...
Read MoreKomi
Dinner at Komi, which is a set-menu, hours-long affair, is more of a culinary experience than a meal. The many Greek/Mediterranean dishes could include fried octopus with olives and raisins; slow roasted lamb neck with homemade pita; and Greek doughnuts...
Read MoreL’Auberge Chez Francois
A favorite restaurant for a special occasion, L’Auberge is set in a French country home in bucolic Virginia with traditional, elegant interiors of wood beams, antiques and chandeliers. The extensive menu is set up prix-fixe style, with classic French specialties...
Read MoreLa Piquette
Le Piquette is a cozy and convivial neighborhood bistro, named for the French word for cork, that serves excellent savoir fare. Begin with Gallic classics like the beef tartar or escargot or lighter options such as the salad maison and...
Courtesy Jason Varney, Starr RestaurantsRead MoreLe Diplomate
Since this French bistro opened in 2013, it has been so popular that it is almost impossible to get a reservation. Locals and visitors alike continue to flock to Le Diplomate for classic French bistro fare like escargot and steak...
Read MoreLeopold’s Kafe & Konditorei
From your morning muesli to your afternoon Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), this Georgetown café will satisfy your cravings. The menu is heavily Austrian—cured meats, smoked fish, spaeztle, bratwurst, plus a wide assortment of pastries. Naturally, there’s a mean Sacher torte, that...
Courtesy Dakota Fine for Brightest Young ThingsRead MoreLittle Serow
In 2012, Johnny Monis, the young chef behind renowned D.C hotspot Komi, finally opened his much-anticipated following act, Little Serow (rhymes with “narrow”). The minimalist twenty-eight-seat Thai restaurant, in Dupont Circle, doesn’t take reservations, doesn’t allow substitutions, doesn’t have a...
Read MoreMatchbox
The fun, relaxed vibe at Matchbox (one of three D.C. locations) combined with the great tasting food and even greater value makes this a fantastic spot for a meal with kids. Classic American dishes are featured including mini burgers, roast...
Courtesy Len DePasRead MoreMedium Rare
In 2011, the owners of Medium Rare introduced a unique concept to DC’s culinary scene—a restaurant serving only one entrée—and truly succeeded. The reasonably priced prix-fixe menu, which includes a green salad starter and two servings of excellent steak frites,...
Read MoreMillie’s
The second outpost of the popular Nantucket restaurant, Millie’s has quickly become a DC institution. The casual, nautical eatery is decorated with accents like full-scale canoes hanging from the ceiling, painted oars on the walls and black-and-white surf photographs. During...
Read MoreMinibar by José Andrés
Minibar was formerly upstairs at the shuttered Café Atlantico, and now lives in a new location adjacent to the International Spy Museum, where chef José Andrés tests every new culinary concept for his expanding empire. But Minibar’s exclusive erstwhile essence...
Read MoreOld Ebbitt Grill
It’s a neighborhood joint all right—but what a neighborhood! Situated behind a Beaux-Arts façade right across the street from the Treasury, this saloon has catered to presidents and their posses since it opened its doors, in 1856. You won’t find...
Read MoreOyamel
If the tin butterflies hanging from the ceiling of this Mexican cocina don’t put you in a good mood, the signature margaritas are sure to. Run by star chef José Andrés (of Jaleo and Minibar), Oyamel is known for its...
Read MorePâtisserie Poupon
This cute little French patisserie, located in Georgetown, serves excellent coffee, macaroons and other homemade goodies.
Read MorePlume
The renovated Jefferson Hotel has a lot to be proud of, including a successful 2009 restoration that merges past and future. Today, Washington gourmands have embraced the property’s Plume restaurant as the place for special-occasion meals. The dining room is...
Read MoreRasika Penn Quarter
Run by chef Vikram Sunderam, Rasika is beloved for its modern Indian fare: lamb kebabs with garam masala and mint chutney, chili garlic calamari, tandoori trout with Kaffir-lime leaves, and garlic naan. Dim lighting and cozy banquettes contribute to the...
Read MoreRose’s Luxury
The hottest seat in town is at Rose’s Luxury, the foodie favorite spot in DC that everyone is raving about. Owner Aaron Silverman boasts quite the resume, having worked for some big culinary names, among them Sean Brock (of Charleston’s...
Read MoreSfoglina Van Ness
Fabio Trabocchi, known for Michelin-starred Fiola and Fiola Mare, has opened Sfoglina, a chic trattoria focused on pastas. The stylish and airy interiors evoke the Italian coast in summer with red-and-white striped upholstered banquettes, colorful ceramic plates and framed Italian...
Read MoreTeaism
There are three of these delightful tea shops in D.C., and many insiders claim them as favorite places for a quick stop. Step up to the counter to order from its diverse menu, which encompasses small plates (flatbreads, shrimp rolls),...
Read MoreThe Majestic
The Majestic first opened its doors in Old Town, Alexandria in 1932 and has remained a popular D.C haunt ever since (and it is now owned and operated by the proprietors of Restaurant Eve). Throwback dishes such as homemade meatloaf,...
Read MoreZaytinya
This ever-popular José Andres restaurant is one of DC’s best Mediterranean eateries, great for a sophisticated dinner or bountiful brunch. The soaring, all-white interiors with floor-to-ceiling windows create an airy and chic atmosphere that compliments the fresh seafood and vegetable-centric...
