9 Best Restaurants in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

Rasika, an award-winning restaurant in West End, is one of the pioneers in Indian fine dining in Washington, D.C. With its sleek bar and modern dining room, Rasika is always buzzing with patrons. From popular dishes like chicken tikka masala to creative inspirations like silky glazed cod and truffled minced-lamb kebabs, chef Vikram Sunderam knows how to take diners on a virtual trip to India. A popular spot amongst the D.C. elite, don't be surprised if you run into a famous politician or journalist. 

For a taste of Indian street food, head to Bindaas, a casual restaurant near George Washington University. Owned by the same restaurant group as Rasika, you will find high-quality Indian food in a more relaxed setting. Fans of Bindaas go for kathi rolls, made with a thin crepe-like shell and filled with classics such as chicken tikka masala and paneer (spinach and cheese stew). You can also find a wide selection of chaat (savory snacks) and pao buns with stew fillings. 

With an open kitchen firmly committed to artistically crafted American cuisine, this high-end neighborhood tavern in the Park Hyatt Washington D.C. hotel uses the region's freshest seasonal ingredients to create rustic dishes such as wood oven–roasted bone marrow and roasted Rohan duck breast. The apple pie is probably the most iconic dish of this popular restaurant, so make sure to save room for dessert if it's on the menu.

An ultramodern take on the old-school farmhouse, Founding Farmers has been a popular choice for both tourists and locals. The restaurant is known for its sustainable and local sourcing. The wide-ranging menu includes everything from handmade pasta to burgers oozing with a variety of toppings. Farms from all over the country provide most of the fresh vegetables, beef, poultry, and fish. Bonus: it's one of the few standalone restaurants in the city offering breakfast from Monday to Friday. 

A global menu representing the different flavors brought to D.C. by immigrants is the theme behind this casual eatery near the White House. The menu takes you on a virtual trip around the world, serving dishes like West African gumbo bowl and Vietnamese Banh Mi with Caribbean spices. Don't miss out on brunch serving global-inspired creations like shrimp arepas and shakshuka. The restaurant is also a hub for immigrant rights programming, headed by Venezuelan star chef Enrique Limardo, a staunch supporter of the cause. 

Although Imperfecto means imperfect in Spanish, there's nothing flawed about this Michelin-starred restaurant. The menu brings together Mediterranean and Latin American cultures with dishes such as moussaka and suckling pig with horchata (a popular Latin American rice-based drink). Imperfecto, owned by acclaimed Venezuelan chef Enrique Limardo, has a bold approach to his menus. Guests can choose from a chef's menu where the chef will take them on a culinary trip around Europe and Latin America, or you can opt for a la carte.

Served in a warmly lit, elegant setting, the award-winning Belgian menu at Marcel's—the flagship restaurant of acclaimed chef Robert Wiedmaier—often includes multiple seafood choices (like perfectly seared diver scallops and Blue Bay mussels), succulent duck breast, and a selection of foie gras. Order the mixed-melon minestrone with yogurt sorbet and cream for dessert. If you're craving fine dining but are short on time, check out the happy hour menu, which offers small dishes like duck liver mousse and escargot for $12 a plate. 

The brainchild of veteran chef Ris Lacoste, RIS serves elevated but comforting seasonal New American fare in an earthy-chic, light-filled space—the sort of place you'll find locals, the after-work crowd, and even a celebrity or two. You should definitely try the daily and seasonal specials, but you can always count on the mainstays, including onion soup, mussels, and RIS's "famous meatloaf."

The culinary team focuses on Americanized versions of bistro classics created from regional ingredients in this modern-style West End restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C. In warmer months, the patio is popular with guests and locals alike, and innovative cocktails please the happy hour crowd.