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$$ | Columbia Heights |
At this celebrated restaurant, whose name means "clay oven, chef Antonio Solis infuses his creative dishes with the regional flavors of his native Mexico. The queso fundido (savory melted cheese) served in a banana leaf is one of the most requested starters. The platos fuertes (entrées) include a whole red snapper made Veracruz style with shirmp and sofrito sauce. There's also a wide variety of tacos, from oyster to chicken mole poblano. Wash down your meal with a selection from the extensive cocktail list, which puts mezcal and tequila front and center.
3704 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20010, USA
Known For
- Authentic Mexican food
- Lively space
- Extensive cocktail list
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$$$ | 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
Known For
- Chicken liver mousse appetizer
- Elegant atmosphere
- Fine selection of French wines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations Recommended
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$$ | Penn Quarter |
This upscale gastropub chain just a block from the convention center offers more than 40 beers on tap and loads of bottles. The high ceilings, reclaimed wood walls, and copper bar give the large spot a warm, rustic feel. Expect standard American pub comfort food with a few upscale plates like grilled ahi tuna and miso-glazed salmon. There's also a solid brick-oven-pizza selection. It gets a nice crowd, but you never feel crowded in the spacious bar–dining room. The jumping happy hour offers great prices.
901 9th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Standard American pub fare
- Great selection of beers
- Communal tables and big-screen TVs
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$$ | 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
Known For
- More than 50 wines by the glass
- Relaxing patio
- Favorite small plates to share
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Logan Circle |
The name of this polished palace means "stadium," and its gorgeously baroque interior, which surrounds a high-wire open kitchen, makes a perfect stage for energetic and flavorful uses of top-notch ingredients. The menu, developed during research jaunts throughout Spain, is a master class in tapas, with smoky grilled scallions punched up by garlicky romesco sauce and tortilla española smoother than any served in Barcelona. The bar menu is equally inventive. Try a slushito to get a delightful alcoholic twist on the beloved slushie. For dessert, don't miss the sweet-and-salty manchego cheesecake with pistachio granola.
1520 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, USA
Known For
- Classic Spanish tapas with new flavors
- Boozy slushies
- Beautiful dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch Mon.–Thurs., Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | 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
Known For
- Weekend brunch buffet
- Fried-chicken jambalaya
- Extensive menu that satisfies even picky eaters
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$$$ | Dupont Circle |
At this chic take on the shellfish shacks of New England, daily offerings include a half-dozen varieties of oysters on the half shell and lobster rolls, fried shrimp, oyster po’boys, and other fish dishes. For those who prefer turf to surf, the molasses-braised beef short ribs and roasted chicken entrées are excellent choices. There are no desserts, so don't be afraid to have your fill of the classy entrées!
1624 Q St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- A bittersweet chocolate chunk at the end of the meal
- Half-price oyster bar happy hours
- Great cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Dinner and weekend brunch only; closed Mon.
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$$$ | Adams Morgan |
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.
2007 18th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Small plates of modern Southern cuisine
- Fun rooftop tiki bar
- Immense selection of whiskeys
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$$ | Georgetown |
A slice of Europe in Georgetown, Kafe Leopold has an all-day coffee-and-drinks bar, olive-and-onion tarts, crispy schnitzel paired with arugula, and a decadent assortment of pastries. Tucked away in Cady's Alley, the restaurant sits on a quiet side street with design shops and restaurants. The setting is an architecturally hip dining space, with roll-up window walls and a patio complete with a fountain, perfect for sitting with a glass of Grüner Veltliner and taking in the views.
3315 Cady's Alley NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA
Known For
- Hearty Austrian fare
- Arty crowd great for people-watching
- Great weekend brunch and daily breakfast served until 4 pm
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations are recommended
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$$$$ | Downtown |
L’Ardente serves traditional Italian flavors in a glamorous setting (think Missoni curtains) in the heart of the city. The buzzy restaurant, known for its 40-layer lasagna and tiramisu flambé, is a place to be seen by politicians and celebrities, including former president Barack Obama. The best seats in the house are at the chef's counter, where you can see the team assembling pizzas and crafting their indulgent pasta dishes.
200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Elaborate cocktails
- Lively dining room
- 40-layer lasagna
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations recommended
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$$ | Adams Morgan |
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.
1847 Columbia Rd. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Different types of kebabs prepared with top-secret family recipe
- Carefully crafted cocktails
- Excellent bottomless brunch
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$$$ | Tenleytown |
This unpretentious but intimate and stylish bistro recalls a Parisian café, with dark woods, white tablecloths, and cozy tables—not to mention the owner himself is from Paris. The main floor has two dining rooms, one of which has floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the street when weather permits. The menu is traditional French, with staples like steak frites, escargots, bouillabaisse, and crepes.
4907 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, District of Columbia, 20016, USA
Known For
- Classic French bistro
- Great date spot
- Alfresco dining feel
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$$$ | U Street |
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.
1610 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Parisian-bistro vibe
- Juicy steak frites
- Popular brunch menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Columbia Heights |
Located on a residential street, this restaurant offers an authentic Italian dining experience. Chef and owner Antonio Ferraro brings the flavors of his native Napoli to Washington, D.C., with fresh, house-made pasta dishes, such as fusilli with crab meat or decadent gnocchi, served on colorful, hand-painted plates. Start your meal with a Negroni or a glass of prosecco, and ask to be seated at the very photogenic Vespa table. If weather permits, dine on the cozy patio.
2737 Sherman Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Vespa table
- House-made pasta
- Italian wine list
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$ | Adams Morgan |
One of the best places for sushi in D.C., this upscale restaurant also has plenty to delight those who prefer other types of Japanese and Japanese-inspired food. The seaweed salad is delicious, as are the gyoza and hoisin buns. The rooftop bar is a very pleasant place to spend an evening, with great views over Adams Morgan and beyond—and the Happy Hour is excellent value. On Sundays, the big draw is drag brunch. It's served in two sittings, and often sells out; be sure to book at least a week in advance.
1811 Columbia Road NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Excellent-value happy hour
- All-you-can-eat drag brunch
- Great rooftop with lovely sunset views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
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$$ | Dupont Circle |
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 $6 glasses of wine, a steal in Washington, D.C.
1823 L St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20036, USA
Known For
- Fun and affordable happy hour
- Traditional pisco sour and other cocktails
- Authentic Peruvian cuisine
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$ | U Street |
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.
3234 11th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20010, USA
Known For
- Intimate (read: tiny) hip space
- Brunch-time biscuit sandwich
- Outdoor patio with heating lamps in winter
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$$ | Penn Quarter |
This sophisticated urban dining room with soaring ceilings is a local favorite for meeting friends or dining with a group (and popular enough that reservations can still be difficult to get). Here chef José Andrés devotes practically the entire menu to Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese small plates, known as meze. To get the full experience, make a meal of three or four small plates, perhaps the spicy lamb bahar served with tabbouleh and tahini or the hearty fattoush shepherd's salad in a bright pomegranate dressing. Finishing the shareable roasted lamb shoulder is a worthy quest for diners with big appetites. So many options make this an excellent choice for both vegetarians and meat lovers. Reservations get snapped up quickly here, but you can snag a meal when a roomy bar table opens up. Eating at the bar itself is fun since the bartenders are attentive and friendly.
701 9th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Variety of meze
- Roasted lamb shoulder to share
- Vegetarian-friendly options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$ | Eastern Market |
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.
523 8th St. SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20003, USA
Known For
- Reservations highly recommended
- All-you-can-eat small plates
- Attentive and enthusiastic servers
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$$$ | Dupont Circle |
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.
1805 18th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Modern Korean food
- Creative tasting menu
- Creative cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays