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Georgetown's picturesque Victorian streetscapes make it D.C.'s most famous neighborhood, with five-star restaurants in historic row houses and casual cafés sandwiched between large national chain stores.
At its beginnings in the mid-1700s, Georgetown was a Maryland tobacco port. Today, the neighborhood is one of D.C.'s premier shopping districts, as well as a tourist and architectural attraction. And while recent additions to the neighborhood seem more apt to be chains, there are some standout local restaurants that cater to the budgets of college students, middle-income travelers, and D.C.'s well-heeled elite.
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.
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.
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.
In a city full of steak houses catering to business travelers on expense accounts, Bourbon Steak, located at the Four Seasons Hotel, has made a name for itself as one of the best. The menu offers an array of steaks, from curated cuts of Waygu imported from Japan to grass-fed bone-in rib eyes from nearby farms in Maryland and Virginia. Not a steak lover? Bourbon also offers decadent seafood towers and hearty cuts of fish prepared on a wood-fired grill. As the name implies, Bourbon Steak also has an extensive whiskey list. The oenophiles can also rejoice with a comprehensive wine list.
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.
Eat tasty pastries and sandwiches with a purpose—the sales of this bakery support veteran and military spouses' entrepreneurship programs. This quaint bakery offers a variety of sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches, and coffee.
The harborside setting for Fabio Trabocchi's ode to Italian-style seafood is one of the most sought-after spots in town. Dine alfresco, watch the water taxis float by, or sip an Aperol spritz on a banquette by the open kitchen and raw bar. Although the menu focuses on fresh cuts of seafood, you can also indulge in pasta made in-house, such as the lobster ravioli, a favorite among regulars.
Craving Tex-Mex cuisine and a view? Guapo's, a locally owned Mexican restaurant with various locations throughout the Washington, D.C., area, has one of its outposts in the heart of the Washington Harbor. Sip frozen strawberry margaritas on their patio with a view of the Potomac. The menu includes classic Tex-Mex fare like tacos, enchiladas, and burritos, but you can also find ceviches and moles.
This casual spot with Persian fare and a focus on high-quality ingredients will steal your heart. Whether you're craving kebabs, falafel, baklava, or gyros, you cannot go wrong (although we do strongly recommend the baklava and the salmon kebabs). The freshly baked pita served with every order is a great touch.
A delicious meal in a picture-ready place for under $20 is hard to come by in Washington, D.C., especially in Georgetown. Nevertheless, these gems still exist, like Oki Bowl, a lively ramen bar on Wisconsin Avenue. Colorful lamps and hanging flowers decorate the eclectic dining room, making it social media–ready. Beyond the unique styles of ramen like curry, kimchi, and tom-yum, you can also order rice bowls with veggies or Japanese fried chicken.
