The Best Restaurants in Washington, DC

Having trouble figuring out which restaurant to go to in DC? Craving a particular food or drink? This list should help sort things out. I’ve listed some of the best restaurants in various categories and provided links where available. Otherwise, if you want to learn more about a restaurant, look it up in the Washington Post Food and Dining Section. Washington Post Food Critic Tom Sietsema also compiles an annual Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of the best of the best.

Happy Dinning!

Pizza

  • Luigiâ??s – Really good pizza. Red checkered tablecloths and all!
  • Matchbox – Really good, if you can get in. They don’t take reservations, and the wait for a table is usually about an hour no matter when you go.
  • 2 Amyâ??s – Amazing crust, Neapolitan-style. Start with the baked olives.
  • Pizzeria Paradiso – Two locations: One in Dupont and one in Georgetown. I’m partial to the one in Georgetown because of the secret Belgium beer bar downstairs.
  • Red Rocks – The mushroom pizza is amazing.
  • Vace – An Italian store in Cleveland Park. My favorite is the White Onion.
  • Alberto’s – Classier alternative than Jumbo Slice for a quick slice in Adams Morgan. Great for take out.
  • Jumbo Slice – Probably the worst pizza on my list….but the best pizza when it’s 2 or 3 in the morning.

Wine and Cheese

  • Bardeo – Wine bar, cheese and small plates. Sit at the bar and talk to the bartender.
  • Grapeseed – Bethesda, but worth the trip.
  • Palena
  • Bistrot Lipec
  • Veritas – Wine and cheese flight pairings.
  • Proof – A good choice for after work, since it’s right downtown.
  • Mio – Although it’s right downtown, it’s kind of off the beaten path. Huge wine list and good cocktails.
  • Cork – Also has really delicious small plates.

Seafood/Oyster Bar

  • Oceanaire – Oysters and simply grilled fish. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Cosmos and Key Lime Pie.
  • Old Ebbitt Grill – Oyster happy hour.
  • DC Coast
  • Johnnyâ??s Half Shell – Lobster roll.
  • Blackâ??s – Bethesda. Also, great calamari.
  • Hook – Haven’t actually been there yet, but it’s supposed to be great.
  • Hank’s Oyster Bar – The only place in DC that I’ve encountered that has fried clams with the belly. Anyone from New England knows that that is the only way to eat fried clams.

Sushi

Burgers

  • Five Guys – Each patty is made fresh, never frozen. Comparable to In&Out Burger on the West coast.
  • Matchbox â?? Mini Burgers (The first place to offer them in town.)
  • Porter’s – Mini Burgers
  • Mackeyâ??s – Good happy hour, and good burgers.
  • Palena – A “fancy” restaurant known for its burgers (and hot dogs)? It’s true!

Dessert

  • Oceanaire – Key Lime Pie.
  • Melting Pot – Melted chocolate, fun things to dip.
  • Cosi â?? It’s a chain, but it’s the only place I know of in DC where you can get smore’s.
  • Ceiba â?? Churros.
  • Dolceza – Argentinian ice creamery.
  • Georgetown Cupcake – Cupcakes. There are actually a lot of cupcake places in DC.
  • Co Co. Sala – New dessert place. Chocolate!

Most Romantic/Date

  • Little Fountain Café – Very cozy and intimate.
  • Melting Pot – Nothing says date night like melted cheese and chocolate.
  • The Tabard Inn – Very intimate restaurant and charming hotel.
  • Local 16 – Kind of a sexy scene.
  • Bardeo – Wine bar, cheese and small plates. Sit at the bar and talk to the bartender.
  • Grapeseed – Bethesda, but worth the trip.
  • Café La Ruche – Can’t beat the outdoor garden-like patio.
  • Firefly – I like the lights and the cozy atmosphere.

Lunch

  • Tombs – Georgetown college bar, but don’t let that scare you…good food, fun atmosphere, cheap beer.
  • La Madeline – French a la carte bistro….good French Onion Soup and quiche.
  • Old Ebbitt Grill – A Washington, DC establishment. The restaurant is great, as is the secret take out place in the atrium.
  • Bourbon – The best thing about Bourbon is that you can order any kind of fry that you want…curly, shoestring, waffle, sweet potato and I don’t even know what else. They also have a grilled cheese and tomato soup combo…and they cut the grilled cheese in strips so that it’s perfect for dipping!
  • Le Pain Quotidien – Great for lunch or brunch. All the desserts look amazing!
  • Bread Line – Great sandwiches!
  • Cowgirl Creamery – It’s a cheese shop, but every day they offer a veggie and meat sandwich. The prosciutto sandwich is to die for!

Comfort Food/Casual

  • Tonic – Tater tots.
  • The Diner – I’ll never understand the huge wait for a table for brunch on the weekends. I mean, come on…they don’t even have chocolate chip pancakes on the menu! But the food is good. And they are open 24 hours!
  • Cactus Cantina – I like to describe this place as the happiest place on Earth. It’s especially great on a cold winter night…all the multicolored lights make it very festive, fun and cozy. There is also a great patio for nice weather.
  • Bourbon – The best thing about Bourbon is that you can order any kind of fry that you want…curly, shoestring, waffle, sweet potato and I don’t even know what else. They also have a grilled cheese and tomato soup combo…and they cut the grilled cheese in strips so that it’s perfect for dipping!

Breakfast/Brunch

  • Sign of the Whale â?? Make your own Bloody Mary bar.
  • Georgia Brownâ??s – Sunday brunch with live jazz music. There is a breakfast buffet with everything and then you get to order lunch from the menu. They tell you straight up that most people order lunch to go. There is also a dessert bar.
  • The Diner – I’ll never understand the huge wait for a table for brunch on the weekends. I mean, come on…they don’t even have chocolate chip pancakes on the menu! But the food is good. They are open 24 hours and serve breakfast all day!
  • Chadwicks â?? Unlimited champagne brunch. Perfect for a Sunday Fun Day.
  • Café La Ruche – Great patio and quiche.
  • Café Atlantico â?? Latin American Dim Sum.
  • Open City – There is usually a wait at this restaurant as well, but I think the food is better than The Diner. It’s a little nicer of a place as well, and there is outdoor seating.
  • The Tabard Inn – Delicious. You have to try the donuts to start.

Places to Bring Mom & Dad

Go With a Group

  • Melting Pot – Melted cheese and chocolate is fun to share.
  • Buca di Peppo – Try to get the Pope Table.
  • Bistrot du Coin – Classic French bistro. It can get a little rowdy late at night – in a fun, French sort of way. Great for celebrating a birthday. I love the mussels, French Onion Soup, steak and frites.
  • Jaleo – Spanish tapas and paella to share. Delicious sangria.
  • Zaytinya – Mediterranean/Greek tapas to share.
  • Café Japone – Eat sushi and then do karaoke.
  • Cactus Cantina or Lauriol Plaza – Same owners. Margaritas can’t be drunk alone.
  • Marrakesh – Great for a celebration. Yes, you have to eat with your hands, but the food is sooo flavorful!

See and Be Seen

  • Sequoia – Georgetown waterfront.
  • Lauriol Plaza – A warm weather favorite.
  • 18th Street Lounge – Good music and dancing. There’s no sign over the door…you just have to know.
  • Marvin – U Street restaurant/bar. Great roof deck.
  • Local 16 – U Street restaurant/bar. Great roof deck.

Outdoors

Best Happy Hours

  • Chef Geoff’s – Happy hour from 3 pm to closing on Monday and Tuesday. $8 super mugs.
  • Ceiba – Happy hour from 2-10 pm. Different $5 cocktail every day.
  • Fox and Hounds – A glass of your favorite alcohol and a mini bottle of your favorite mixer. You do the mixing.
  • Mio – $5 cocktails and yummy food.
  • PS 7 – $7 cocktails and $7 appetizers.

Best Happy Hours with Food

Dive Bars

  • Atomic Billiards – Board games, pool, darts and Atari! No food service, buy you can bring in your own food.
  • Bedrock Billards – Same owners as Atomic. No food service, but you can bring in your own food. Pool, darts and Wii!
  • Fox and Hound – A glass of your favorite alcohol and a mini bottle of favorite mixer. You do the mixing.
  • Toledo Lounge
  • Tune Inn

Most Unique Dining Experience

  • Mini Bar at Cafe Atlantico – Six seats, personal chef. About 20 different bites…unique takes on traditional dishes. Expensive, but worth it.

Prix-Fixe/Tasting Menu

  • Komi â?? Award-winning chef who grew up in Arlington, VA.
  • Mini Bar at Cafe Atlantico – Six seats, personal chef. About 20 different bites…unique takes on traditional dishes. Expensive, but worth it.
  • CityZen – For a VERY special occasion.
  • Restaurant Eve – For a VERY special occasion.
  • Palena – The back room offers a tasting menu. All items are also available a la carte in the front dining area.

Award-Winning Chefs

Asian

Belgian/French

  • Bistrot Lepic
  • Bistrot du Coin – Classic French bistro. It can get a little rowdy late at night – in a fun, French sort of way. Great for celebrating a birthday. I love the mussels, French Onion Soup, steak and frites.
  • La Chaumiere – Rustic French. The big fireplace adds a little romance.
  • Lavandou
  • 1789 – A Washington, DC establishment.
  • Le Pain Quotidien – Great for lunch. All the desserts look amazing!
  • Brasserie Beck – Lots of Belgium beers on tap, great food!
  • Belga Cafe – Lots of Belgium beers on tap, great food.
  • Montmartre – Often overlooked, but a great deal on really good steaks.

Indian

  • Indique
  • Rasika – The crispy spinach is a great appetizer. Unfortunately, I’ve always been too full to try the chocolate samosa for dessert, but it looks amazing!

Italian

  • Pasta Mia – Delicious homemade pasta! Get there early though, there is usually a line outside the door before it even opens. I’m a big fan of the pesto.
  • Dino – Rustic Italian. Amazing.
  • Posto – From the people that brought us Tosca, this is a more casual Italian restaurant, with really delicious food, including great pizza, and a beautiful interior.
  • Café Milano
  • Groovy Italian – I actually don’t think this place has a name. Maybe it’s just Italian Kitchen or something like that. Regardless, it’s a small place with only about 10 tables…it’s like eating in your grandmother’s living room (from the 70s). Try the garlic bread with cheese and the meatballs!
  • Sette Osteria – May be a little touristy because of its location in Dupont Circle, but the food is pretty good.
  • Filomena

Latin American/Mexican/Spanish

  • Cactus Cantina – I like to describe this place as the happiest place on Earth. It’s especially great on a cold winter night…all the multicolored lights make it very festive, fun and cozy. There is also a great patio for nice weather.
  • Café Atlantico – Table-side guac, authentic mojitos.
  • Cieba
  • Lauriol Plaza – A warm weather favorite.
  • Oyamel – So many choices, so little time!
  • Jaleo – Spanish tapas and paella to share. Delicious sangria.

Middle Eastern

Southern/Soul

Food/Drink Craving???