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$ | Capitol Hill |
Fans of Bravo's Top Chef will first visit this brightly colored burgers-and-shakes joint hoping to spy charismatic celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn, but they will return for the comfort-food favorites (and learn it's a family effort). The lines can be long, as it's a favorite lunch spot of congressional aides, but the Mendelsohns’ inventive burgers are worth the wait (there also are creative salads and Southern-fried chicken sandwiches). After placing your order cafeteria-style, grab several of the fresh dipping sauces for the tasty thyme-and-rosemary-seasoned hand-cut skinny fries or Vidalia onion petals. Just as important, leave room for a toasted marshmallow or Milky Way malted shake that's as thick as the ones you remember from childhood.
303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20003, USA
Known For
- Fun burgers like the "Prez" (with bacon, onion marmalade, and Roquefort cheese)
- Thick malted milkshakes
- Variety of dipping sauces for hand-cut skinny fries
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$$$ | Dupont Circle |
At this chic take on the shellfish shacks of New England, daily offerings include a half-dozen varieties of oysters on the half shell and lobster rolls, fried shrimp, oyster po’boys, and other fish dishes. For those who prefer turf to surf, the molasses-braised beef short ribs and roasted chicken entrées are excellent choices. There are no desserts, so don't be afraid to have your fill of the classy entrées!
1624 Q St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- A bittersweet chocolate chunk at the end of the meal
- Half-price oyster bar happy hours
- Great cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Dinner and weekend brunch only; closed Mon.
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$$$ | Adams Morgan |
With an extensive collection of whiskey bottles on the wall including vintage spirits, the food sometimes gets overshadowed here. But Southern-inspired dishes like smoked whiskey wings, lump crab cakes, pickled-corn hush puppies, and buttermilk biscuits make the menu much more than just something to accompany all the booze. A late-night selection of bites and supper plates makes it a good spot for a nightcap, too. The rooftop terrace facing 18th Street makes it the perfect place to people-watch in Adams Morgan.
2007 18th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Small plates of modern Southern cuisine
- Fun rooftop tiki bar
- Immense selection of whiskeys
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$$ | Georgetown |
A slice of Europe in Georgetown, Kafe Leopold has an all-day coffee-and-drinks bar, olive-and-onion tarts, crispy schnitzel paired with arugula, and a decadent assortment of pastries. Tucked away in Cady's Alley, the restaurant sits on a quiet side street with design shops and restaurants. The setting is an architecturally hip dining space, with roll-up window walls and a patio complete with a fountain, perfect for sitting with a glass of Grüner Veltliner and taking in the views.
3315 Cady's Alley NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA
Known For
- Hearty Austrian fare
- Arty crowd great for people-watching
- Great weekend brunch and daily breakfast served until 4 pm
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations are recommended
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$$$$ | Dupont Circle |
Young, energetic chef-owner Johnny Monis offers one of the city's most adventurous dining experiences in this tiny space. The multicourse, prix-fixe menu, which changes daily, showcases contemporary fare with distinct Mediterranean influences. Buzzed-about plates have included mascarpone-filled dates with sea salt and succulent spit-roasted goat with pita bread. Reservations open 30 days in advance, with phones open from 2 pm to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday.
1509 17th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20036, USA
Known For
- Intimate ambience
- Impressive wine list (but no cocktails)
- Reservations that book up very quickly
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$$ | Downtown |
L’Ardente serves traditional Italian flavors in a glamorous setting (think Missoni curtains) in the heart of the city. The buzzy restaurant, known for its 40-layer lasagna and tiramisu flambé, is a place to be seen by politicians and celebrities, including former president Barack Obama. The best seats in the house are at the chef's counter, where you can see the team assembling pizzas and crafting their indulgent pasta dishes.
200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Elaborate cocktails
- Lively dining room
- 40-layer lasagna
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations recommended
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$$ | Adams Morgan |
The modern Afghan cuisine shines at this chic yet comfortable—and well-priced—Adams Morgan spot which also caters well to vegetarians and those on a gluten-free diet. Seven different varieties of kebabs (prepared via a secret recipe "known only to our mom and the NSA") are the stars of the menu, but you'll also want to try the dumplings. The cocktail menu merges Afghan spices such as cardamom with bourbon.
1847 Columbia Rd. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Different types of kebabs prepared with top-secret family recipe
- Carefully crafted cocktails
- Excellent bottomless brunch
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$$$ | Tenleytown |
This unpretentious but intimate and stylish bistro recalls a Parisian café, with dark woods, white tablecloths, and cozy tables—not to mention the owner himself is from Paris. The main floor has two dining rooms, one of which has floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the street when weather permits. The menu is traditional French, with staples like steak frites, escargots, bouillabaisse, and crepes.
4907 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, District of Columbia, 20016, USA
Known For
- Classic French bistro
- Great date spot
- Alfresco dining feel
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$$$ | U Street |
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.
1610 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Parisian-bistro vibe
- Juicy steak frites
- Popular brunch menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Downtown |
Located in the Eaton DC hotel, Michele’s is home to a gorgeous bar and lounge producing exceptional craft cocktails and a chef's counter where guests can experience a unique raw bar tasting menu. Created by Michelin-starred chef Matt Baker, Michele's is named after his mother and draws inspiration from the American South, especially New Orleans and Texas, where the chef spent most of his formative years. Try dishes like grilled quail, roasted quail, and caviar from the raw bar.
1201 K St., Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, USA
Known For
- Decadent raw bar
- Elevated Southern cuisine
- Prix-fixe menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservation recommended, Prix-fixe menu for dinner only
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$$$$ | Penn Quarter |
For those looking for a high-end gastronomic experience, head to minibar, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant owned by Spanish chef José Andrés. Here, his team showcases his molecular-gastronomy techniques with the 20 or so courses on the tasting menu that vary regularly (no à la carte orders allowed). The small plates have included beef-tendon churros, corn on the cob served on a spoon, and chocolate-coated foie gras. Four seatings a night of six guests each means reservations are required.
855 E St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20004, USA
Known For
- Hard-to-get reservations required
- Chocolate-covered foie gras
- Experimental cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations required
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$$ | The Mall |
The food stations here offer both traditional and contemporary Native American dishes from throughout the western hemisphere. The culinary team offers seasonal menus from five regional cuisines, expanding the museum experience with insight into indigenous culinary history, cooking techniques, ingredients, and flavors. Try an Indian taco from the Great Plains, green chile chicken posole from Mesoamerica, soup from the northern woodlands, salmon from the Northwest coast, or cazuela de cordero from South America. Burger lovers will love the bison burger, a favorite among frequent diners. Don't miss the fry bread and wild rice salad, and little ones will enjoy the bison chili and corn totopos.
4th St. SW and Independence Ave. SW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Seasonal cuisine from different indigenous cultures
- Fry bread and corn totopos
- Bison burger
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$$ | |
Modena, the Italian restaurant by DC restaurateur Ashok Bajaj, takes power dining to the next level with deliciously beautiful dishes inspired by the Italian region and beyond. Start your meal with a perfectly executed negroni and a starter from the antipasti trolley that stops at each table so diners can choose their favorite starters, from braised artichokes to panzanella salad. Main dishes include handmade pasta and proteins like branzino and pork collar cooked on a charcoal grill.
1100 New York Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, USA
Known For
- Local ingredients
- Sidewalk patio for alfresco dining
- Wood-fired pizza
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$$ | Columbia Heights |
Located on a residential street, this restaurant offers an authentic Italian dining experience. Chef and owner Antonio Ferraro brings the flavors of his native Napoli to Washington, D.C., with fresh, house-made pasta dishes, such as fusilli with crab meat or decadent gnocchi, served on colorful, hand-painted plates. Start your meal with a Negroni or a glass of prosecco, and ask to be seated at the very photogenic Vespa table. If weather permits, dine on the cozy patio.
2737 Sherman Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Vespa table
- House-made pasta
- Italian wine list
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$$ | Upper Northwest |
You can never have enough Greek restaurants, and Parthenon is among the best in town. This is traditional Greek food, including great moussaka, pastitsio, salads, and grilled fish. Try to start your meal with the saganaki, where the cheese is flamed right at your table. The interior screams Greece, with pictures of the Parthenon and islands. A large outdoor patio adjoins the restaurant, which is also connected to the Chevy Chase Lounge, a legendary local watering hole.
5510 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20015, USA
Known For
- Traditional Greek cooking in a taverna setting
- Large portions
- Attached to Chevy Chase Lounge
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$ | The Mall |
At the edge of the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden, you can sidle up to the counter and feast your eyes on the menu items before deciding what you'll order at this casual, sit-down eatery. From pastries to anything-but-ordinary salads to hot and cold sandwiches with Southwestern or East Asian flavors, you'll have an array of choices. Salads topped with plenty of seasonal fruit, vegetables, and style. Sandwiches typically offer a twist, such as Montréal beef on whole-grain ciabatta or lemon-tarragon chicken salad on a whole-grain croissant. Enjoy your meal inside with full windows or outside in either the sun or the shade—or take it with you to sit by the fountains surrounding a pond, making something of a soothing oasis as they drown out the traffic noise. In summer, you can order carafes of sangria to take in the sounds of the popular Jazz in the Garden series. During the winter, you can enjoy some boozy hot chocolate and cider while walking around the garden's seasonal ice-skating rink. Hours change seasonally.
Constitution Ave. NW and 7th St., Washington, District of Columbia, 20408, USA
Known For
- Summer barbecue during Jazz in the Garden
- Boozy beverages during winter
- Pastries made fresh in-house
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Adams Morgan |
One of the best places for sushi in D.C., this upscale restaurant also has plenty to delight those who prefer other types of Japanese and Japanese-inspired food. The seaweed salad is delicious, as are the gyoza and hoisin buns. The rooftop bar is a very pleasant place to spend an evening, with great views over Adams Morgan and beyond—and the Happy Hour is excellent value. On Sundays, the big draw is drag brunch. It's served in two sittings, and often sells out; be sure to book at least a week in advance.
1811 Columbia Road NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Excellent-value happy hour
- All-you-can-eat drag brunch
- Great rooftop with lovely sunset views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
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$ | Friendship Heights |
Pete's is a locally owned, Friendship Heights landmark, serving "New Haven-style" (thin-crust, coal-fired) pizzas and offering an extensive toppings list. The spacious patio gives you enough room to spread out.
4940 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, District of Columbia, 20016, USA
Known For
- White-clam pizza
- Chef-driven
- Locally owned
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$$$$ | Eastern Market |
For his follow-up to the smash hit Rose's Luxury, chef Aaron Silverman opened this reservation-only dining room next door that offered only an expensive 12-course (give or take) tasting. But since Covid, he reimagined the whole thing, creating a festive, whimsical space offering four hefty courses (with two choices for each course). The menu constantly changes, but example dishes include brined squab glazed with Guinness and cocoa; Mont Blanc pasta with chestnut-oat stuffing and sage-scented pesto; and grilled lobster spiced with star anise. Desserts are works of art, though don’t bypass the invitation to help yourself to a swirl of ice cream from the soft-serve machine, enhanced with a topper of Amaretto. If you’re not that hungry, head to the bar for small bites and a drink.
715 8th St. SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20003, USA
Known For
- Intense reservation process
- Whimsical and fun but delicious dishes
- Expensive four-course menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
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$$ | Dupont Circle |
Visit South America without leaving the Golden Triangle at Pisco y Nazca, a modern Peruvian restaurant known for its authentic food. Start with a pisco sour—the bar makes the traditional version of Peru's national cocktail as well as creative, tropically flavored varieties—and then choose from dishes that include colorful ceviche plates and lomo saltado (stir-fried beef). The happy hour, known as "la hora loca," is popular with young professionals who work in the neighborhood and who appreciate the $6 glasses of wine, a steal in Washington, D.C.
1823 L St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20036, USA
Known For
- Fun and affordable happy hour
- Traditional pisco sour and other cocktails
- Authentic Peruvian cuisine