44 Best Restaurants in U Street Corridor and Shaw, Washington, D.C.

A U Street fixture for decades, Ben's serves chili—on hot dogs, on Polish-style sausages, on burgers, and on its own—to Washingtonians and visitors alike. The shiny, red-vinyl stools give the impression that little has changed since the 1950s (the original location still doesn't accept credit cards), but don't be fooled: this favorite of former President Barack Obama has rocketed into the 21st century with an iPhone app, an upscale Southern cuisine restaurant next door, and menu additions like turkey burgers and meatless chili that nod to modern times. Add cheese fries and a milkshake to your order if you dare. Southern-style breakfast is served from 6 to 10:45 on weekdays and from 7 to 10:45 on Saturday. Ben's has added spots on H Street NE and in Arlington and at Reagan Airport, too.

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.

For more than 20 years, Dukem has been a favorite of those seeking authentic Ethiopian food. Guests come for the injera, a spongy flatbread topped with tibs, a dish with cubed tender lamb or beef fried with onion, rosemary, jalapeño pepper served with injera, and salad and spicy awazie sauce. Dukem also has vegan and vegetarian-friendly combinations with spicy split lentils, yellow peas, greens, cabbage, potatoes in spicy sauce, and also shiro. Order tej (Ethiopian honey wine) for the full Ethiopian dining experience. On the weekends, you may catch live music from local Ethiopian performers.

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.

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.

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.

At Seven Reasons, one of D.C.'s most talked-about restaurants in the past two years, chef Enrique Limardo honors his native Venezuela with creative versions of arepas (stuffed cornmeal cakes) and arroz bomba (rice with seafood). The restaurant also takes you on a Latin American tour with offerings such as Argentinean-style steak or Peruvian-style ceviche. The dining room is tropical and sexy, featuring an open kitchen where you can see the culinary team in action. The rooftop patio, which has a mural painted by the chef himself, is perfect for predinner cocktails or dinner alfresco.

Skip the chains and head to this beloved local coffee shop and whole-grain bakery offering fresh sourdough creations, whole wheat almond croissants, and seasonal veggie frittatas. Grab a specialty coffee, a yerba-maté or nettle tea, and a 100% whole-wheat chocolate croissant or buckwheat muffin on your way to tour the city. Look out for the afternoon’s pastries, including the wheat-free sorghum brownies.

The cozy farmhouse-like setting helped make the Red Hen a must-try for Italian-influenced takes on American dishes. If the name and giant hen on the facade have you thinking poultry, you'd be right to follow your instincts and order the pan-roasted half chicken. The kitchen also excels at pasta, served with traditional ragù, cream, and even squid-ink sauces. And while you'll find longer wine lists at other restaurants, you'll be hard-pressed to find a smarter one.

You can get nearly any pizza you might want, from a classic Margherita style with the standard mozzarella, tomato, and oregano toppings to more elaborate pizzas like Enzo the Baker with smoked bacon, Calabrian chilis, and red onion. For lighter fare, try some of the hand-selected meats off the salumi menu or one of the spuntini (“little snacks") that include braised octopus and squash "hummus." There are no shortages of antipasti and salad offerings, either. Come by for happy hour, or "spritz hour," from 5:30 to 7 at the bar, and enjoy desserts from the Buttercream Bakeshop next door.

A Black-owned establishment that brings you delicious food and even better drinks. Its location being so close to Maryland, some dishes are Maryland inspired and to die for. They are known for happy hour themes everyday of the week and their famous brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

This award-winning teahouse, named Yelp’s “Most Loved Business in D.C.” in 2019, features more than 80 teas, tonics, and body products based on founder Dr. Sunyatta Amen’s Jamaican Maroon and Native American great-grandmothers’ time-tested formulas. After you're greeted at the counter, one of Calabash’s skilled staff will craft a concoction based on your needs or desires. Every interaction is personal. Calabash also offers healing via direct-trade, pour-over coffees and vegan vittles, including Jamaican patties, pies, and soups. At Calabash, you enter as a customer and then become a part of the community.

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.

In Shaw, a neighborhood known for its traditional Ethiopian food, this celebrated spot offers both authentic flavor and great prices. Named for the West Hararghe zone of Ethiopia, the restaurant celebrates the traditional cuisine that is eaten mostly utensil-free, using a special spongy bread, injera, to scoop up food that's laid out on a large platter. There are also great vegan options here for those that don’t want the traditional Ethiopian sirloin or chicken stew. And you'd be hard-pressed to find most of the choices from a great list of African beers elsewhere in the District.

Take a trip around the world at Compass Rose, a restaurant celebrating global cuisine. Inspired by her travels, owner Rose Previte features many of her favorite dishes, from ceviches to kebabs to the signature khachapuri (Georgian cheese-filled bread). Unique wines from countries such as Lebanon and Georgia pair well with the eclectic menu.

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.

DCity Smokehouse continues to be a beloved neighborhood barbecue spot. Located in residential Bloomingdale, the restaurant serves a variety of meats smoked in-house. Carnivores come for slices of savory brisket, decadent smoked chicken wings, and of course, a classic D.C. half-smoke sausage with chili. On a nice day, have your meal at their picnic benches, order a beer, and people-watch.

The rise of foodie culture can leave adventurous diners feeling like they've turned over every culinary stone, but this pilgrimage into the Southeast Asian unknown will wow even the most jaded eater. Doi Moi (Vietnamese for "new changes") puts a new spin on several traditional Southeast Asian cuisines: fried beef jerky with shark sriracha, wok-tossed mussels, and crispy fried snapper are leading lights. With so many unexpected delights on offer, it's easy to look past the predictable joys of spicy fried cashews and grilled chicken skewers, so ask your server for suggestions. Try the special cocktails or a sweet German wine to offset the spiciness of some of the dishes. Vegetarians and the gluten-free will be pleased to see their own full special menus here. And don't be afraid to share, make a mess, and order more than you can eat—it's all part of the experience.

A trip to D.C. is not complete without tasting pupusas, the El Salvadoran tortillas filled with chorizo, cheese, and chicharrón. El Rinconcito Cafe, a fixture in Shaw for El Salvadoran and Mexican cuisine, specializes in pupusas and also serves quesadillas, tacos, and enchiladas—all at affordable prices.

The owners of Los Hermanos (meaning "brothers" in Spanish), which was initially a bodega, began offering home cooked–style Dominican food after customers began asking about the smells that were coming from the back of the store. A must-order is mangú, the national dish of the Dominican Republic made with mashed plantains and accompanied by salami, fried cheese, and egg. Save room for a batido (milk shake) made with papaya, soursop, or mango.

Michelin-starred Maydan is an idyllic culinary journey to the Middle East with an intricate entrance, wood fire taking center stage, and a colorful bar. Maydan transformed their outdoor seating into a Middle-Eastern dining experience called “Tawle.” Guests must order from the prix-fixe menu, which includes a variety of family-style dishes inspired by the Middle East, Northern Africa, and the Caucuses. Order grilled lamb, homemade breads, and hummus served family-style.