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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.
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.
With almost 40 years in operation, El Tamarindo, an El Salvadorean and Mexican restaurant, has weathered the neighborhood's many changes. Guests come for their savory pupusas (a thick corn tortilla) with various fillings to satisfy every taste from a vegan to a carnivore. Their late-night menu is popular with the nightlife set, and their lively brunch satisfies those who prefer daytime drinking.
The spongy rolls of sourdough injera bread (ubiquitous on Ethiopian plates) used in place of utensils can make traditional Ethiopian feel decidedly indelicate, but the bright surroundings and friendly service here make for a downright romantic experience. Venture off the well-beaten path of tender curry lamb to try the spicy chickpea dumplings or fragrant simmered split peas, laden with garlic and served in a clay pot. For devoted meat lovers, the cured beef tibs (a type of hearty steak cut) in spicy berbere sauce and the fried croaker fish marinated with fresh herbs and spices will crown a memorable, affordable meal. The full bar also serves potent Ethiopian beers.
For those looking for an upscale Italian dining experience, Fiola is an option for you. Its dapper servers know their menu inside and out, and there's a sommelier to help with the wine choices. This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a series of decadent tasting menus oozing with truffles handpicked from Alba. For those looking for a scaled luxury experience, Fiola also offers items à la carte.
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.
Yummy, made-from-scratch vegetarian, vegan, and paleo bowls, salads, and wraps are served in a cheery space.
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.
The selection of authentic Chinese restaurants continues to dwindle in the neighborhood, but Full Kee remains a local's favorite. Overlook its unassuming exterior and interior and sample its addictive shrimp or scallops in garlic sauce or try the wide assortment of Cantonese-style roasted meats. Tried-and-true dishes include dumplings, crispy duck, eggplant with garlic sauce, and gingery steamed lobster.
After marveling at the masterpieces in the National Gallery West Building, sit down in a lovely open courtyard, complete with a fountain. The Garden Café features a selection of sandwiches, pastries, and snacks, and it is also an excellent spot for a coffee with its perfectly crafted lattes.
This Belgian beer hall with a gourmet soul is worth a visit for both its intense beer list and mussels and frites, plus a few other unique salads, burgers, and soups. Snag a seat at the bar or at one of the cozy tables, and linger over unfiltered brews that range from Chimay to obscure options from the reserve and limited-stock beer selection. The food is terrific, specifically the pots of steamed mussels and the crunchy, twice-fried frites paired with homemade dipping sauces. The Flemish dip and rotating cast of starters, especially the gnocchi mac & cheese, are indulgent without crossing the line into predictable pub grub.
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.
It’s not the dark labyrinth of fireplace-warmed warrens it once was, but this glistening, industrial-wood tavern still is the place to talk politics and mingle with Hill residents—everyone from dark-suited lobbyists to locals who have lived here for decades (and probably will admit they don’t like the newer look). It serves a decent upscale menu ranging from game day food (corn dogs, beef sliders) to Neapolitan-style pizzas to kale-and-roasted-sweet-potato salad and chicken potpie. A large bar faces TVs showcasing the sports du jour.
Few who stop by this bustling hive of smoky brisket and gooey ribs can deny it does Texas meat right. This is evident in the pay-by-the-pound ethos that lets you sample one slice of lean beef and one scoop of gooey white shoepeg corn pudding alongside a succulent turkey breast. But this family-friendly retreat becomes a social destination come happy hour and beyond, when margarita pitchers reel in the twentysomethings, and Wednesday becomes a rollicking country western love music night.
Crispy Chick’n, juicy burgers, creamy shakes, and legendary sweet potato fries—HipCityVeg makes it easy for people to eat plant-based by presenting it in a way they already know and love. Created by Latina plant-based powerhouse Nicole Marquis, HipCityVeg is a 100% plant-based, fast-casual restaurant serving American Classics. Don't be intimidated by the line, it moves pretty fast. Make sure to order one of their decadent milkshakes. You will forget they're vegan!
Vegans and carnivores alike will rejoice over HipCityVeg's creative, plant-based, fast-casual menu. The Philadelphia-born company serves a popular vegan cheesesteak, accompanied by sweet potato fries, of course.
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.
In the former carriageway and stable house of a Dupont Circle town house, Iron Gate's romantic setting complements its upscale Mediterranean fare, served either à la carte or via a tasting menu with optional wine pairings. The menu changes but always includes a seasonal variation on the house focaccia, buratta and feta dip, and staples like the mixed grill and whole fish for two. If you are visiting in warmer months, make sure to dine on the cozy patio, which is draped with wisteria vines.
Make a meal of the long list of tapas at celebrity chef José Andrés's lively Spanish bistro, although the five types of handcrafted paella are the stars of the ample entrée menu. Tapas highlights include the gambas al ajillo (sautéed garlic shrimp), tender piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese, and the grilled homemade chorizo, which also comes draped in creamy mashed potatoes. Cocktail specialties range from sweet and fruity sangria to a half-dozen herbal riffs on the gin and tonic.
The eponymous Jeni first opened a D.C. ice-cream shop in 2017, with branches proliferating since then and quickly gaining devoted fans. And for good reason! The smooth and sumptuous ice cream is all natural and comes in flavors like frosé, brambleberry crisp, and brown butter almond brittle, with some dairy-free options, too. You can treat yourself to a late-night ice cream on the weekends and on Nationals home game days, where the shop is open till 11 pm.
Known for its boisterous owner and throngs of talkative regulars, this family-owned D.C. institution is tucked into the first floor of an old row house only five blocks from the Capitol. Enjoy favorites like light-and-fluffy waffles served with a solid slice of bacon and an egg. Expect the unexpected in terms of clientele, and don't forget to play by the rules (that is, no substitutions, cash only, and as few questions for the staff as possible).
Just a couple of blocks from the White House, this enormous space (a century-old bank building), with a towering second-floor terrace, centers on a vast black-granite bar adorned with marble columns and leather stools. Affiliated with the legendary Joe's Stone Crab in Miami, the D.C. Joe's distinguishes itself with steaks. Sure they have seafood, but this is a steak house. A 30-ounce porterhouse tops the price list, at about $95. Everything is big here—the place, the portions, the prices—but you get the upscale feel with the beautifully appointed room, waiters in tuxedos, and impeccable service. The restaurant seats more than 450, and there are also large rooms for private parties.
One of the more unique culinary experiences at The Wharf, Kaliwa offers an Asian-fusion style incorporating tastes from the Philippines, Korea, and Thailand, all cooked in an open kitchen that may make you feel like you’re in an Asian street market. The menu includes everything from cold, sushi-type small plates to full-on spicy Thai-style curries. everything on the menu is a bit of a kaliwa (twist) on an old favorite. The crispy shrimp and pork fried rolls with hand-cut pork are like delicious Filipino spring rolls, and the green curry is a tasty vegan choice. If you don’t have time to sit, you can grab a takeout bag.
A mix of old and new, Karma Modern Indian offers a fresh perspective on Indian cuisine. The dining room is bright, stylish, and colorful, which pairs well with its beautifully plated dishes and cocktails. Executive chef Ajay Kumar combines traditional Indian spices with nontraditional ingredients such as octopus, lobster, and quinoa for a fresh take on the long-established perception of Indian cuisine.
Traditional Japanese cooking is combined with often inspired improvisations ("freestyle Japanese cuisine," in the words of chef-owner Kaz Okochi) at this serene location. For a first-rate experience, sit at the sushi bar and ask for whatever is best—you're in good hands. But the unique arrangements on the regular menu, from tuna with roasted almonds to salmon with mango puree, are just as memorable. It's not all raw here; the cast of small plates served warm might include local puffer fish with baby bok choy or grilled avocado.
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