74 Best Restaurants in Washington, D.C., USA

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. 

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.

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.

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.

At this chic take on the shellfish shacks of New England, daily offerings include a half-dozen varieties of oysters on the half shell and lobster rolls, fried shrimp, oyster po’boys, and other fish dishes. For those who prefer turf to surf, the molasses-braised beef short ribs and roasted chicken entrées are excellent choices. There are no desserts, so don't be afraid to have your fill of the classy entrées!

With an extensive collection of whiskey bottles on the wall including vintage spirits, the food sometimes gets overshadowed here. But Southern-inspired dishes like smoked whiskey wings, lump crab cakes, pickled-corn hush puppies, and buttermilk biscuits make the menu much more than just something to accompany all the booze. A late-night selection of bites and supper plates makes it a good spot for a nightcap, too. The rooftop terrace facing 18th Street makes it the perfect place to people-watch in Adams Morgan.

A slice of Europe in Georgetown, Kafe Leopold has an all-day coffee-and-drinks bar, olive-and-onion tarts, crispy schnitzel paired with arugula, and a decadent assortment of pastries. Tucked away in Cady's Alley, the restaurant sits on a quiet side street with design shops and restaurants. The setting is an architecturally hip dining space, with roll-up window walls and a patio complete with a fountain, perfect for sitting with a glass of Grüner Veltliner and taking in the views. 

L’Ardente serves traditional Italian flavors in a glamorous setting (think Missoni curtains) in the heart of the city. The buzzy restaurant, known for its 40-layer lasagna and tiramisu flambé, is a place to be seen by politicians and celebrities, including former president Barack Obama. The best seats in the house are at the chef's counter, where you can see the team assembling pizzas and crafting their indulgent pasta dishes.

The modern Afghan cuisine shines at this chic yet comfortable—and well-priced—Adams Morgan spot which also caters well to vegetarians and those on a gluten-free diet. Seven different varieties of kebabs (prepared via a secret recipe "known only to our mom and the NSA") are the stars of the menu, but you'll also want to try the dumplings. The cocktail menu merges Afghan spices such as cardamom with bourbon.

This unpretentious but intimate and stylish bistro recalls a Parisian café, with dark woods, white tablecloths, and cozy tables—not to mention the owner himself is from Paris. The main floor has two dining rooms, one of which has floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the street when weather permits. The menu is traditional French, with staples like steak frites, escargots, bouillabaisse, and crepes.

In this faithful re-creation of a convivial Parisian bistro, the attention to detail makes a night here into more than just a meal. This excellent spot prizes quality above all, from graceful martinis and hand-stuffed ricotta ravioli to succulent, textbook-worthy steak frites and roasted chicken. Perfectly spreadable butter is placed atop loaves cut in the kitchen, and the fresh-bread aroma tantalizes customers half a football field away in the dining room. It's also one of the city's most popular brunch spots.

One of the best places for sushi in D.C., this upscale restaurant also has plenty to delight those who prefer other types of Japanese and Japanese-inspired food. The seaweed salad is delicious, as are the gyoza and hoisin buns. The rooftop bar is a very pleasant place to spend an evening, with great views over Adams Morgan and beyond—and the Happy Hour is excellent value. On Sundays, the big draw is drag brunch. It's served in two sittings, and often sells out; be sure to book at least a week in advance.

Visit South America without leaving the Golden Triangle at Pisco y Nazca, a modern Peruvian restaurant known for its authentic food. Start with a pisco sour—the bar makes the traditional version of Peru's national cocktail as well as creative, tropically flavored varieties—and then choose from dishes that include colorful ceviche plates and lomo saltado (stir-fried beef). The happy hour, known as "la hora loca," is popular with young professionals who work in the neighborhood and who appreciate the $6 glasses of wine, a steal in Washington, D.C.

You're invited to the coolest house party in the city, where deft hands in a tiny kitchen turn out urbane plates that go down like a designer outfit hidden on the sale rack. From the roasted mushroom risotto at dinner to the perfectly assembled breakfast sandwich on a biscuit for brunch, this small wonder has a dish for every mood. The indoor space is, indeed, small, lined in bistro tile and tailor-made for knocking knees on date night, but the patio is ample and has outdoor heating in winter. Save room for the baked wonders of local pastry consortium Paisley Fig and a cocktail or two.

This sophisticated urban dining room with soaring ceilings is a local favorite for meeting friends or dining with a group (and popular enough that reservations can still be difficult to get). Here chef José Andrés devotes practically the entire menu to Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese small plates, known as meze. To get the full experience, make a meal of three or four small plates, perhaps the spicy lamb bahar served with tabbouleh and tahini or the hearty fattoush shepherd's salad in a bright pomegranate dressing. Finishing the shareable roasted lamb shoulder is a worthy quest for diners with big appetites. So many options make this an excellent choice for both vegetarians and meat lovers. Reservations get snapped up quickly here, but you can snag a meal when a roomy bar table opens up. Eating at the bar itself is fun since the bartenders are attentive and friendly.

Ambar, a handsome, noisy, two-story restaurant–bar at the heart of Barracks Row, is your spot for Balkan comfort food. The Belgrade-inspired menu is full of hearty novelties like lamb lasagna, almond-crusted chicken with apple-wasabi slaw, drunken mussels with capers and lemon, savory pies, a host of rich sausages, and all flavor of kebabs. Can’t decide? Don’t worry: the main attraction here is the all-you-can-eat “Ambar experience” (though everyone in your group must also partake). Cocktails, like the Ambar old-fashioned, are also unique. It gets busy, so reservations are recommended.

Anju, the reinvention of chef Danny Lee's Mandu, serves unique takes on Korean classics with mainstays such as succulent seared galbi (short rib) with Bibb lettuce and perilla leaves, as well as—in an homage to its old name—mandu (dumplings). Many of Anju's recipes come from Lee's mom, chef Yesoon Lee, who you can sometimes spot on-site, and, since opening in 2019, it has dominated the best restaurant lists of local publications and bloggers.

One of the latest additions to the busy Washington, D.C. dining scene is Apéro. Named after the European tradition of having a cocktail or glass of wine with snacks before a meal, Apéro provides a sizable wine list (owner Elli Benchimol is a sommelier), cocktails, and a never-ending supply of champagne. Its menu focuses on French cuisine with small bites like caviar, black truffle gougères, and escargot. Large plates are also available—try the ratatouille or duck confit. 

The decor may be somewhat generic, but the food is anything but. Located within the Yotel near the Capitol, Art and Soul serves up simple, honest dishes using the freshest local ingredients—with flavorful and artsy twists. The menu changes, but you are in good hands with dishes like braised rabbit with spaghetti and ramp pesto, and the BLT containing homemade bacon, tomato marmalade, heirloom tomatoes, and sourdough bread. The expansive front patio welcomes dogs (with their own menu).

Belgium culture aficionados can go traditional with mussels and the crispiest of French fries or dabble in what the chef calls Eurofusion at this sleek café done up with dark wood and exposed brick. Classic dishes such as mussels marinières with white wine, shallots, and garlic help capture that Belgian charm. Given that heritage, it's no surprise the waffle-centric brunch menu draws a crowd (try the beer-braised pulled pork and waffle).

The zinc bar, cherrywood interior, and white tablecloths create great expectations at Bistro Bis, where the seasonal menu offers modern takes on French bistro fare. Thanks to its prime location, acclaimed menu, deep wine list, and classic cocktails, it's a popular spot for Washington power brokers and insiders. For a first course, be sure to try the steak tartare, served with a porcini mushroom aioli. Main course hits include classic steak frites, wild mushroom risotto, and beef bourguignon.

A well-established local favorite, this cozy bistro has a monumental zinc bar and a menu of moderately priced French classics, including onion soup, duck breast, cassoulet, and steaks garnished with a pile of crisp fries. Enjoy your meal with a glass of the house Beaujolais, a Côtes du Rhône, or an Alsatian white. If you're in town for Bastille Day (July 14th), don't miss the restaurant's lively French National Day celebration.

Relaxed and upbeat, this neighborhood bistro serves twists on old classics such as potato-crusted salmon served with cherry and Pernod sauce, but some standards, including braised veal cheeks, remain. The wine is all French, with many available by the glass. The wine bar on the second floor has a menu of small plates, and seating is first come, first served.

Just beyond Georgetown in the residential neighborhood of Palisades, BlackSalt is part fish market, part gossipy neighborhood hangout, part swanky restaurant. Fish offerings dominate, and vary from classics like New England clam chowder and fried Ipswich clams to more-offbeat fixings like Japanese-style seafood stew and chocolate peanut butter torte for dessert. The place can get crowded and loud, and reservations are often de rigueur for weekends. Regulars consider a meal at the bar a good fallback.

Give in to sensory overload at this homage to the railway dining rooms that catered to the prewar European elite. The food is just as rich as you'd expect: entrée-size salads with Belgian frites, fruits de mer platters with enough shellfish for a small army, and a dizzying lineup of artisanal beers. Every detail of Beck's interior exudes luxury, from the vintage-accented clocks that stand above mahogany booths to the exposed stainless-steel kitchen. The production is impressive, and you'll remember the food fondly after returning home—but you might consider a fast the next day.

With 30 years in service, Cafe Milano continues to be a buzzed-about place in many Washington, D.C. political and celebrity circles. Don't be surprised if you bump into a politician or a waiter who later becomes famous (Bradley Cooper waited tables there during his time as a Georgetown University student). Specialties are butter lettuce salad with lemon vinaigrette and crostini, thin-crust pizzas anchored by Naples-controlled San Marzano tomato sauce, and sumptuous pasta dishes in pesto or fresh vegetable sauces. Cafe Milano is particularly popular in the summertime when its front-facing, floor-to-ceiling walls retract to include a chic outdoor dining space.

Inspired by the 1930s star Charlie Chaplin, this is the first ramen house–cocktail bar in Shaw. Burmese chef Myo Htun transports you with his take on traditional gyoza (wonton wrappers stuffed with pork and cabbage), shumai (small stuffed dumplings), and any number of ramen combinations, while Ari and Micah Wilder offer carefully curated cocktails. Enjoy the film posters and decor as you slosh yourself with ramen, or grab a drink at the Opium Den bar upstairs. From weekend brunch to the late-night Encore menu, there is always an opportunity to try something new. The Wilder brothers have created fan favorites that incorporate a variety of liquors, homemade mixers, and fresh fruit. Be sure to check out Chaplin’s happy hour, one of the best in the neighborhood, with half off all Drafty Spirits cocktails, draft beers, and by-the-glass wine until 7 pm on weeknights.