Amsterdam Falafel
$ | Adams Morgan
Here you can garnish your authentic falafel balls with a choice of 21 toppings.
5 Best Restaurants in Washington, D.C., USA
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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.
Daikaya
$$ | Chinatown
This quirky, gorgeously decorated split-level party for gourmands is "Lost in Translation" in restaurant form, a sexy-quirky tour of modern Japanese flavors that serves fresh ramen on the ground floor and small plates one flight above that would be right at home in New York City's world-famous Momofuku. Smoked Gouda cheese adds heft and bite to broccoli rabe, while pork-and-Brussels-sprout skewers run the texture and taste gamut thanks to crunchy bonito flakes and lush, creamy sauce. Bet you can't eat just one—or resist coming back to try both floors' menus, not to mention the marvelous, affordable brunch and lunch options.
Minibar
$$$$ | Chinatown
Once a legendarily hard-to-reserve spinoff in the back of a bigger sibling, this critically beloved experimental laboratory of super-chef José Andrés now has about a half-dozen more seats in its new location. Yet Andrés remains as committed to pushing limits, as he puts it, using the magic of molecular gastronomy. Expect to pay more than you can imagine but leave amazed. Previous hits have included a foie-gras "lollipop" coated with cotton candy. For those not lucky enough to snag a table, try reserving online for a spot at barmini next door—the entrance is on 9th Street, north of E Street—where top-secret, creative, and already beloved cocktails are served. Demand there is so high that seatings are capped to two hours.
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Proof
$$$ | Chinatown
Chef Haidar Karoum grew up traveling throughout Europe, acquiring a Continental polyglot's sensibility that serves him perfectly wearing the toque at Proof. Like a wine lover's tour of the Mediterranean, diners can stop by France for the grilled flat-iron steak with sautéed spinach and bacon, or try the Turkish foray that is lamb chops with pistachio, apricot, and sumac. This is the rare restaurant and wine bar that plays both roles to the hilt, with an expertly curated cheese and charcuterie list as well as an array of small pickled plates that pair with Pinots or a craft cocktail such as the unique gin-and-lime "Dunning." The decor is soothing and chic, perfect for a postmuseum retreat.
Tico
$$ | U Street
One of Boston's celebrity chefs, Michael Schlow, scored prime real estate when it came to finding a spot in which to serve his fast-paced parade of small American plates—all infused with big personality and given Latin American twists. The half-dozen ceviches are witty and inventive; the tacos thrill with creative ingredients on top of shrimp, chicken, and fish; and the vegetables are anything but boring thanks to crispy meat and citrus garnishes. Flavors are bold enough and libations (like the hibiscus margarita) are punchy enough that you probably won't mind that the tiny portions require ordering several dishes to make a meal. And if you can't decide what to eat, consider one of the prix-fixe, multidish options, or let your waiter choose for you.
