Washington, D.C. Restaurants

Washington has long benefited from a constant infusion of different cultures, making it a stellar culinary host for visitors and transplants from around the world. But recent years have made the fifth or sixth banana of American haute cuisine into a foodie town in its own right. You can find almost any cuisine here, from Salvadoran to Ethiopian, despite the lack of true ethnic neighborhoods in the city. You can now also sample cooking from some of the country’s hottest new chefs, find already established celebrity chefs who have just made their D.C debuts, and sip craft cocktails on par with some of the world's best.

Although most neighborhoods lack a unified culinary flavor, make no mistake: D.C. is a city of distinctive areas, each with its own style. Chinatown, for example, is known for chic small plates of various origins. You'll find Japanese noodle shops next to Mexican taquerias and Indian bistros. These spots wax and wane on the popularity scale with each passing season; it's worth taking a stroll down the street to see what's new. Downtown, you'll find many of the city's blue-chip law firms and deluxe, expense-account restaurants, as well as stylish lounges, brewpubs, and upscale eateries that have sprung up to serve the crowds that attend games at the Verizon Center.

Wherever you venture forth in the city, there are a few trends worth noting: artisanal cocktails, charcuterie-and-cheese plates, and back-to-basics new American cuisine are in vogue. You'll find tapas-style portions pervasive, whether you're at a Greek, Asian, or American restaurant. High-end restaurants in town also have begun to add bar menus with smaller plates that are much less expensive than their entrées, but created with the same finesse.

Though Italian, French, and fusion spots continue to open at a ferocious pace, Washingtonians are always hungry to try something new, whether it's Chinese smoked lobster, fiery Indian curry, or crunchy and addictive Vietnamese spring rolls.

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  • 1. 2 Amys

    $$ | Upper Northwest

    Call it the Brando of D.C. pizzerias, because this Neapolitan sensation has played godfather to a number of throne-stealing wood ovens elsewhere in town since it opened more than a decade ago. Simple recipes allow the ingredients to shine through and make the "wine bar" menu of small Italian plates as exemplary as the pies. You may be tempted to go for the D.O.C. pizza (it has Denominazione di Origine Controllata approval for Neapolitan authenticity), but don't hesitate to try the meatballs, salt cod croquettes, deviled eggs, or really any of the little things. At busy times, there can be a wait for a table, and the noisy din of a packed house may discourage some diners.

    3715 Macomb St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20016, USA
    202-885–5700

    Known For

    • Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza with a chewy crust
    • Homemade charcuterie at the wine bar
    • Family-friendly (read: noisy) atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Fri., Reservations not accepted
  • 2. Anafre

    $$ | Columbia Heights

    At this celebrated restaurant, whose name means "clay oven, chef Antonio Solis infuses his creative dishes with the regional flavors of his native Mexico. The queso fundido (savory melted cheese) served in a banana leaf is one of the most requested starters. The platos fuertes (entrées) include a whole red snapper made Veracruz style with shirmp and sofrito sauce. There's also a wide variety of tacos, from oyster to chicken mole poblano. Wash down your meal with a selection from the extensive cocktail list, which puts mezcal and tequila front and center.

    3704 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20010, USA
    202-758–2127

    Known For

    • Authentic Mexican food
    • Lively space
    • Extensive cocktail list
  • 3. Baked & Wired

    $ | Georgetown

    Skip the chain bakeries and head to Baked & Wired for their legendary cupcakes (the red velvet is a must), savory scones, and chocolate chip cookies. Any D.C. native will tell you this is one of their favorite spots! Also, coffee lovers will be pleased with all the options on the menu. 

    1052 Thomas Jefferson St., Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA
    703-663–8727

    Known For

    • Chocolate chip cookies
    • Coffee list
    • Red velvet cupcakes
  • 4. Bantam King

    $ | Penn Quarter

    From the owners of Daikaya, Bantam King is another fun option for ramen in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. Chicken broth serves as the base of their flavorful ramen with noodles sourced from Sapporo, Japan. There's also a vegetarian option on the menu. In addition to ramen, Bantam King offers crispy Nashville hot fried chicken, a favorite among regulars. 

    501 G St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-733–2612

    Known For

    • Rich ramen bowls
    • Lively dining room
    • Fried chicken

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Walk-in only
  • 5. Ben's Chili Bowl

    $ | U Street

    A U Street fixture for decades, Ben's serves chili—on hot dogs, on Polish-style sausages, on burgers, and on its own—to Washingtonians and visitors alike. The shiny, red-vinyl stools give the impression that little has changed since the 1950s (the original location still doesn't accept credit cards), but don't be fooled: this favorite of former President Barack Obama has rocketed into the 21st century with an iPhone app, an upscale Southern cuisine restaurant next door, and menu additions like turkey burgers and meatless chili that nod to modern times. Add cheese fries and a milkshake to your order if you dare. Southern-style breakfast is served from 6 to 10:45 on weekdays and from 7 to 10:45 on Saturday. Ben's has added spots on H Street NE and in Arlington and at Reagan Airport, too.

    1213 U St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-667–0058

    Known For

    • Legendary half-smoke chili bowls
    • Southern-style breakfast
    • Cheese fries and milkshakes
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  • 6. Café Riggs

    $$ | Penn Quarter

    This spacious restaurant is on the ground floor of the 130-year-old Riggs Bank Building, now known as the Riggs Hotel. The café boasts large Corinthian columns, original stone floors, a sky-high ceiling, and Palladian windows. The menu is as luxurious as its surroundings: an ample raw bar featuring caviar, oysters, and crab. If seafood is not your thing, there are plenty of other choices, like steak frites and duck breast. 

    900 F St., Washington, District of Columbia, 20004, USA
    202-788–2800

    Known For

    • Raw bar
    • Picturesque bar
    • Luxury feel

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations recommended
  • 7. Call Your Mother Deli

    $ | Foggy Bottom

    Craving bagels? One of the most popular bagel shops in D.C., Call Your Mother Deli, recently expanded to the West End neighborhood. A modern take on a Jewish deli, their specialty is bagels, ranging from the classic everything bagel to more unique flavors like blueberry muffin. Located in the lobby of Yours Truly DC hotel, you can find a steady line for breakfast and lunch from locals who love their bagels and creative toppings. Aside from the bagel sandwiches and flavored cream cheeses, you can also order donuts, muffins, and cookies. 

    1143 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20037, USA
    202-773--0871

    Known For

    • Bright and colorful design
    • Strong coffee
    • Loaded bagels
  • 8. Cava

    $ | Chinatown

    For those looking for a quick Mediterranean-inspired bite, Cava is a great option. Start with a base of grains, salads, or pita and top with a selection of proteins and savory dips and spreads such as hummus, tzatziki, spicy feta, and harissa. Don't be intimated by the long line—it moves pretty fast.

    707 H St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA

    Known For

    • Crazy feta sauce
    • Affordable Mediterranean dishes
    • Lunch on the go
  • 9. Cava Mezze

    $$ | Eastern Market

    This modern mecca for mezes (small plates for sharing) delivers delicious, chic Mediterranean cuisine without the whiz-bang conceits of its pricier cousins. There are few surprises on the menu, save for the feta hush puppies, but the wood-and-brick interior and gallant service make the traditional dishes feel new again. Delicious Greek dishes are available, from fluffy taramosalata (salmon roe dip) with a touch of citrus to mini-gyros that are big on flavor. Fast-casual Cava Grill is a spin-off of this place and serves the menu's greatest hits at more than 15 (and counting) D.C.-area spots.

    527 8th St. SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20003, USA
    202-543–9090

    Known For

    • Crazy feta hush puppies and spicy lamb sliders
    • Lots of vegan and gluten-free options
    • All-you-can-eat brunch with 25¢ mimosas

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.
  • 10. Chaia

    $ | Chinatown

    Chaia started its vegetarian taco fast-casual restaurant in Georgetown and has expanded its popular concept to Downtown D.C. Guests can choose from veggie tacos featuring braised mushrooms, kale and potato, roasted eggplant, and sweet potato hash. The menu also includes enchiladas, quesadillas, and sides like rice and beans. Although the selections feature cheese, they are easily customizable to vegan. 

    615 I St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-290--1019

    Known For

    • Vegetarian tacos
    • Vegan options
    • Nice decor

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 11. Chez Billy Sud

    $$$ | Georgetown

    A favorite for an elegant working lunch, this cozy gem spotlights southern French cooking and serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. On the menu, you will find classic French fare such as duck confit, steak and fries, and mussels. The dining space consists of three distinct spaces: a quaint indoor dining room with vintage French art, a picturesque patio surrounded by greenery, and a third dining room with an active fireplace in the winter for a cozy, romantic vibe. 

    1039 31st St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA
    202-965–2606

    Known For

    • Chicken liver mousse appetizer
    • Elegant atmosphere
    • Fine selection of French wines

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations Recommended
  • 12. City Tap House

    $$ | Penn Quarter

    This upscale gastropub chain just a block from the convention center offers more than 40 beers on tap and loads of bottles. The high ceilings, reclaimed wood walls, and copper bar give the large spot a warm, rustic feel. Expect standard American pub comfort food with a few upscale plates like grilled ahi tuna and miso-glazed salmon. There's also a solid brick-oven-pizza selection. It gets a nice crowd, but you never feel crowded in the spacious bar–dining room. The jumping happy hour offers great prices.

    901 9th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-733–5333

    Known For

    • Standard American pub fare
    • Great selection of beers
    • Communal tables and big-screen TVs
  • 13. Colada Shop

    $ | U Street

    Escape to Cuba via a cafesito at this spot, which has a two-floor patio and is situated just off lively 14th Street. If you'd like something more potent than a coffee, there are plenty of cocktails, from piña coladas to guava frosé. For breakfast, the guava paselitos are must tries, as are the lunch menu's Cubano sandwiches, made with fresh Cuban-style bread and savory strips of roasted pork.

    1405 T St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-931–4947

    Known For

    • Cuban-style coffee
    • Stylish decor
    • Latin pastries
  • 14. Cork Wine Bar & Market

    $$ | U Street

    This rustic, dimly lit wine bar brings chic cuisine to the city's hippest neighborhood. The wine list features rare varietals—with a dozen still under $11 per glass—but even teetotalers will be enchanted by the menu's classic dishes. The duck confit, avocado bruschetta, and grilled hanger steak are standouts, while the ginger-caramel pot de crème is a favorite for dessert.

    1805 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-265–2675

    Known For

    • More than 50 wines by the glass
    • Relaxing patio
    • Favorite small plates to share

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations essential
  • 15. Crimson Diner + Whiskey Bar

    $ | Chinatown

    An upscale, Southern-influenced diner with an open kitchen and lively bar, Crimson offers seating in booths to convey that diner feel. A huge breakfast menu is available all day, and dinner plates include shrimp and grits, rainbow trout, and, yes, meat loaf. The diner itself is bright and airy, with huge windows facing out to busy 7th Street. Downstairs in the basement is the large, beautifully appointed Whiskey Bar, featuring more than 200 spirits and seating more than 300, a modern take on the old speakeasy. All the way upstairs on the top floor is the Crimson View, a standalone bar–café with expansive views of the city that seems to have something for everyone.

    627 H St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-847–4459

    Known For

    • Southern cooking
    • Fine whiskey
    • Great views
  • 16. Das Ethiopian Cuisine

    $$ | Georgetown

    The highest concentration of the Ethiopian diaspora lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area, which means there is no shortage of Ethiopian restaurants. DAS, a long-standing restaurant on M Street, provides an upscale dining experience with one of the District's most popular global cuisines. You'll find all the Ethiopian classics, such as the chicken doro wat (chicken with a spicy pepper sauce). Vegetarians and vegans will enjoy the many plant-based options. Skip the fork and use injera, a spongy flatbread, to scoop up the hearty stews and sauces served.

    1201 28th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA
    202-333–4710

    Known For

    • Ethiopian fine dining
    • Spicy sauces
    • Patio dining in nice weather

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Tues. and Wed.
  • 17. Dolcezza at the Hirshhorn

    $ | The Mall

    Popular D.C. coffee and gelato chain Dolcezza set up shop at the Hirshhorn Museum a few years ago, making it the only locally owned café in a Smithsonian museum. On a hot summer day, cool down with a heaping cone of their beloved pistachio gelato or recharge with a strong espresso. Located in the futuristic-looking lobby designed by the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, it has stunning tables made in the shape of the roots of a medieval Japanese nutmeg tree. The café also offers freshly made sweet and savory pastries to appeal to the diverse taste of its guests.

    Independence Ave. SW and 7th St. SW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20560, USA
    202-333--4646

    Known For

    • Small-batch gelatos
    • Stunning design
    • Specialty coffees
  • 18. Dukem

    $$ | U Street

    For more than 20 years, Dukem has been a favorite of those seeking authentic Ethiopian food. Guests come for the injera, a spongy flatbread topped with tibs, a dish with cubed tender lamb or beef fried with onion, rosemary, jalapeño pepper served with injera, and salad and spicy awazie sauce. Dukem also has vegan and vegetarian-friendly combinations with spicy split lentils, yellow peas, greens, cabbage, potatoes in spicy sauce, and also shiro. Order tej (Ethiopian honey wine) for the full Ethiopian dining experience. On the weekends, you may catch live music from local Ethiopian performers.

    1114--1118 U St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-667–8735

    Known For

    • Well-established restaurant
    • Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly options
    • Occasional live Ethiopian music on weekends
  • 19. Estadio

    $$$ | Logan Circle

    The name of this polished palace means "stadium," and its gorgeously baroque interior, which surrounds a high-wire open kitchen, makes a perfect stage for energetic and flavorful uses of top-notch ingredients. The menu, developed during research jaunts throughout Spain, is a master class in tapas, with smoky grilled scallions punched up by garlicky romesco sauce and tortilla española smoother than any served in Barcelona. The bar menu is equally inventive. Try a slushito to get a delightful alcoholic twist on the beloved slushie. For dessert, don't miss the sweet-and-salty manchego cheesecake with pistachio granola.

    1520 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, USA
    202-319–1404

    Known For

    • Classic Spanish tapas with new flavors
    • Boozy slushies
    • Beautiful dining room

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch Mon.–Thurs., Reservations essential
  • 20. Farmers Fishers Bakers

    $$ | Georgetown

    This restaurant near the Washington Harbour, on the banks of the Potomac River, is owned by a collective of farmers and emphasizes sustainable ingredients. The menu runs the gamut—from fresh-baked bread (there's an on-site bakery) to sushi rolls, burgers to pizza, vegetarian options and wild-caught salmon to locally raised chicken and beef—and mixologists shake up tasty tiki drinks.

    3000 K St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA
    202-298–8783

    Known For

    • Weekend brunch buffet
    • Fried-chicken jambalaya
    • Extensive menu that satisfies even picky eaters

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