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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.
If you need to take a break from a museum without straying too far, check out Rice Bar, a fast-casual Korean restaurant located a block away from the Air and Space museum. The restaurant specializes in bibimbap, a Korean rice bowl dish usually topped with savory marinated beef, gochujang (chili pepper paste), and sautéed vegetables. The eatery allows customization of the bowls and offers vegetarian and vegan options like tofu and egg protein choices. Aside from the rice bowls, they offer a wide selection of soups with classic Korean flavors like kimchi, spicy kalbi, and tofu.
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 original branch of the popular local barbecue chain now has a dining room, so you can sit and enjoy the baby back ribs and tender smoked chicken. Additional locations can be found in Arlington and Alexandria, as well as inside the Capital One Arena.
The cavernous space that once hosted one of the capital's most notoriously crazy bars is now a symbol of the area's maturation, thanks to a slick makeover and classy comfort-food lineup. The hearty but well-designed fare includes a fried-chicken sandwich redolent of sriracha sauce that will rock a spice-lover's world. If the food ever feels a touch too pub-grubby, look to the airy interiors and funky design—anchored by a splendid rooftop deck—and cultured cocktail menu for a taste of how highbrow a former college haunt can be.
This cozy gem strikes the perfect balance between keep-it-simple affordability and adventurous flair. Beyond the ramen bowls, other memorable fuel for a night on the town or a long winter's walk includes juicy marinated bulgogi beef buns and gyoza, crispy fresh Japanese dumplings.
Breezy charm and a casual ambience helped to vault this pizzeria to the top of the list of D.C.'s best. Each pie is named for a nearby neighborhood—the zesty mating of basil and anchovies on the "Southwest Waterfront" is matched only by the creamy goat cheese of the "Eastern Market." Pizzas pair well with the small lineup of bottled beers. Make sure to save room for the decadent Nutella dessert calzone.
This chic, multilevel wine bar has pours aplenty (in both tasting portions and full glasses) along with well-thought-out charcuterie boards piled with prosciutto and fluffy, grill-charred focaccia. There's more-filling fare, too, like braised bone-in oxtail. By day, the crowd skews to congressional staffers and lobbyists cutting deals over thin-crust pizza, but by night, the place becomes a hipster hub in the bar on the second level—think low tables and sofas—while a youngish crowd shares cheese plates and sips wine in the crowded street-level dining room.
Grilled meats are the specialty of this neighborhood Union Market tavern, with creative dishes including lamb leg steak and bone-in skate wing, along with the more traditional butcher’s steak. Don’t bypass the sides, including potato salad and broccoli—grilled, of course.
For those craving authentic Italian pizza, head to Stellina Pizzeria. The latest outpost of this locally owned company is the work of native Italians Antonio Matarazzo and chef Matteo Venini. Start your meal with Italian starters like arancini (fried rice balls) and fried artichokes. The pizzas based on Italian classics such as cacio e pepe and amatriciana are always in demand. Try to grab a seat at the lively bar for more intimate service and a closer look at the bar and kitchen.
Some of the city’s best sushi is found at this unassuming Pan-Asian restaurant with a sense of humor on H Street. Innovative favorites include 2000 Leagues (tempura octopus with eel sauce) and Godzirra roll (crunchy prawns with spicy sauce). The Mongolian beef noodles (with your choice of noodles), teriyaki-glazed Tokyo burger, and poke with sesame-flavored tuna highlight the simple but delicious menu. Be sure to check out the events page—everything from karaoke to DJ dance parties.
At the city's self-touted first raw-fish restaurant, the cuts are always ocean fresh, the cocktails fruity, and the presentations classic. Think blue crab topped with avocado and tuna crowned by jalapeño, while hot delicacies like melt-on-the-tongue fried tempura are always reliable. Dessert is not an afterthought, as it is in so many Japanese restaurants.
The inn is historical, with its fireplaces and antique furnishings, but the restaurant's culinary sensibilities are thoroughly modern. The menu changes seasonally but consistently offers excellent seafood and vegetarian options. If you come for brunch, you can dine in the ivy-draped patio surrounded by eclectic sculptures. If you come for dinner, make time for a nightcap—perhaps a craft cocktail or a straightforward glass of whiskey—in the intimate lounge.
One of the newest additions to the trendy brunch scene beloved especially of young professionals in D.C., Tatte in Dupont Circle sits in the triangular point of a building, with windows on both sides—ideal for letting in the right light for the Instagram pictures you'll be inspired to take in this aesthetically pleasing café. From biscuit-and-egg sandwiches to quiche to the North African poached-egg dish, shakshuka, there's something here for every palate.
The imposing exterior belies the spare yet serene two-story space offering breakfast specialties, healthy Japanese and Thai-style entrées that make for great comfort food and desserts. Don't sleep on the homemade cookies! There's a lovely street view from the second level.
This informal teahouse stocks more than 50 imported teas (black, white, and green) and also serves light and delicious Japanese, Indian, and Thai food. You can mix small dishes—like udon noodle salad and grilled avocado—to create meals or snacks. There's also a Korean brisket sandwich or the winter-beating ochazuke, hot green tea poured over seasoned rice with a protein. Save room for tea-friendly sweets like the locally famous chocolate salty oat cookies. The smaller Connecticut Avenue branch, tucked neatly on a corner adjacent to Lafayette Park and the White House, is a perfect spot to grab lunch after touring the nation's power center. Another outpost, in Dupont Circle, caters to locals looking for a quick bite.
One bite of the grilled cheese with tomato soup or the all-American burger will convince you that the kitchen's skills are no joke. There are plenty of other options at this popular neighborhood eatery, too, including creative salads, entrées such as filet mignon and salmon, crab cakes—and all-day breakfasts. Kids will love the 12 clever milk-shake flavors, and their parents will love the ten adult shakes that come with a kick of liquor added. (The "Nutty Professor," made with hazelnut liqueur, is worth writing home about, as are the homemade Pop-Tarts.)
This inviting, all-American bar and restaurant is right near the D.C./Maryland border; brick and wood make the space feel cozy and warm. Seafood, sandwiches, and hefty salads highlight the menu. The Avenue is three floors; the top floor is used for banquets and the lower floor broadcasts sports games on TV. The restaurant also operates the Capitol Crab food truck and catering company, serving seafood delicacies that often make it onto The Avenue menu.
The Commodore is burger central, offering two-patty favorites such as the Squirrel Kicker (with smoked Gouda, onion jam, and bourbon mayo) and the Neon Smash (with cheddar, bacon, pickled onions, and bread-and-butter pickles). The casual, pub-style kitchen also has great salads and sides, as well as all the draft or canned beers you could wish for. Make sure to stop by for the great happy hour from 5 to 8 on weekdays or the all-day happy hour on Thursday, when you can grab a $5 draft, rail drink, or house white or red wine. Monday food deals go until 10.
Formerly a Borders bookstore, the Hamilton (no relation to the hit musical) is now an enormous multiroom restaurant (38,000 sq feet) that includes a subterranean live-music hall capable of accommodating almost 1,000 people. The menu is just as ambitious as the venue, offering burgers, sushi, pasta, steaks, salads, seafood, and one solitary vegetarian entrée. All can be washed down with cocktails, beer, wine, or milk shakes. While typically a kitchen with so many offerings excels at none of them, the crowds—especially around happy hour—show that's not the case here.
This design-forward restaurant has a stunning, two-tier, see-and-be-seen rooftop, as well as plenty of other Instagrammable spots. It also offers colorful cocktails and an eclectic menu of Mid-Atlantic staples such as crab cakes and Virginia oysters—not to mention decadent seafood towers (and towering burgers) that are in keeping with its name. It was awarded the Michelin Plate symbol in both 2021 and 2022, so you're in good culinary hands here.
Digging into a hefty pile of pancakes from this casual counter in Eastern Market makes for the perfect end to a stroll around the Capitol. Morning favorites include not only pancakes but also shrimp and grits; crab cakes, fried oysters, and fresh fish are popular at lunch. Plan to be in line by noon on Saturday to ensure the availability of every dish, and prepare to pay extra for real maple syrup.
Follow convention and order quickly, eat, and give up your seat for the next customer.
The Pembroke at the Dupont Circle Hotel is one of the most beautifully designed D.C. hotel restaurants, and it's not unusual to see an influencer posing in the newly renovated space. A wraparound porch allows for tons of natural light, and a coral leather booth is the perfect place to be seen while eating a colorful salad, hearty steak, or delicate seafood dish from the American-focused menu.
The Royal is both a Michelin-recognized Bib Gourmand restaurant and a well-priced, local favorite for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just for a matcha latte while working on your laptop at the bar. The second concept by owner Paul Carlson is a celebration of his family’s international roots, with a strong emphasis on vegetarian and gluten-free options. Stepping inside is like walking into a Colombian coffee shop or full restaurant, depending on the time of day. In the morning, grab a homemade fried-chicken biscuit with your cold brew; for lunch or dinner, enjoy the famous grilled avocado or a Bird Dog (chicken and poblano sausage). If you’re looking for something stronger than coffee, have a classic Aperol spritz or a house cocktail with fun, unusual Latin flavors.
Bright, loud, raucous, and fun, with a brightly lit bar and long, communal tables, this branch of the New York City original makes it hard not to meet people. An "American" brasserie, it's an ample space with an even bigger menu. Bright hanging chandeliers and smoked mirrors accent the dining room. High ceilings and tile everywhere raise the decibel level, but this is not the spot you come to for a quiet, intimate conversation. The dinner menu is ravenously eclectic, offering everything from a skirt steak to pastas to Korean bibimbap to a lobster roll. It's also open for breakfast at 8 am daily.
Chef-owner Seng Luangrath learned to cook as a young girl in a refugee camp and later brought the cuisine of Laos and Thailand to northern Virginia and then D.C. The atmosphere at her Columbia Heights outpost might be casual, but the flavors of its food are complex. Order fist-size helpings of sticky rice served in wicker baskets (which give the restaurant its name) to dip in spicy sauce alongside the addictive minced-meat salads known as laab. The drink list is short, but its options (bourbon and ginger cider) are impeccable matches for the spicy menu items.
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