Washington restaurants you'll love
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Top restaurants in Washington, D.C.
When dining out in DC, you’re sure to find an impressive array of culinary delights. Long gone are the days of an ultra-formal dining scene, although you can certainly find fine dining here if you seek it. With a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, it’s easy to dazzle your taste buds in the country’s capital.
People flock to DC from all corners of the globe. As a result, you’ll find everything here from Peruvian food to Iranian kitchens, French cuisine, Asian fusion, and much more. Because DC sits between America’s Northeast and its South, you can also find some of America’s best signature dishes here. This includes fresh oysters and crab trucked in daily from the Chesapeake Bay, and deep soul foods like catfish, fried chicken, and grits. Let the feast dominate your plate.
For authentic Chinese cuisine, head just east of downtown following H and I streets between 5th street and 8th street in Ward 2. For its famous half-smoke, look for DC's best delis, sports bars, and eateries. A half-smoke is like a hot dog only bigger, spicier, and as the locals would say, better. Grab the mustard and onions, and pass the chili sauce. You’re gonna love it.
Washington's top cuisines
Must-try Washington restaurants
ilili DC
100 District Square, S.W., Washington DC
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Kafta | $30.00 |
spiced ground beef & lamb / sumac toum / seasonal grilled vegetables | |
| Chankleesh | $16.00 |
feta cheese / onions / tomato / zaatar | |
| Fattoush | $19.00 |
lebanese garden salad / toasted pita / sumac lemon vinaigrette |
Lost Generation Salon Society - 327 S St NE
327 S St NE, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Salon Society Platinum (Jan 2023 - Dec 2023) | $500.00 |
What it includes: - All Basic & Plus Membership Benefits - Exclusive Salon Society hoodie - Invitation to a special Brewday & Beers with the Head Brewer where you and one guest will have the opportunity to join in on the actual beer making. **IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO ACTIVATE MEMBERSHIP: A LINK TO SUBMIT INFORMATION WILL BE PRINTED ON YOUR EMAILED E-RECEIPT. PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLICK ON THE LINK AND COMPLETE THE FORM TO ACTIVATE MEMBERSHIP | |
| Salon Society Starter (Jan 2023 - Dec 2023) | $150.00 |
What it includes: - Lost Generation logoed glass - All taproom pours served in a speciality Members-only 20oz mug for the same price as a regular full pour* (this results in an additional 5-7 ounces per pour). - 10% off all merchandise - First access to special events and next year's memberships **IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO ACTIVATE MEMBERSHIP: A LINK TO SUBMIT INFORMATION WILL BE PRINTED ON YOUR EMAILED E-RECEIPT. PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLICK ON THE LINK AND COMPLETE THE FORM TO ACTIVATE MEMBERSHIP *Excludes aged, specialty, and 9+% ABV beers. | |
| Salon Society Plus (Jan 2023 - Dec 2023) | $250.00 |
What it includes: - All Basic Membership benefits - 10% off cans and crowlers to go - Special bottle or can release every year - Ability to pre-order new can releases **IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO ACTIVATE MEMBERSHIP: A LINK TO SUBMIT INFORMATION WILL BE PRINTED ON YOUR EMAILED E-RECEIPT. PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLICK ON THE LINK AND COMPLETE THE FORM TO ACTIVATE MEMBERSHIP |
Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen
3126 12th Street Northeast, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Soup of the Day | $8.00 |
Chicken chipotle | |
| Colonel Burger | $16.50 |
| Southern Style Chicken Club | $16.00 |
Paul French Bakery & Cafe
2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Mini Gourmandise | $1.49 |
Buttery pastry filled with vanilla custard cream and dark chocolate drops. | |
| Raisin Danish | $4.79 |
This delicious raisin pastry is a variation on a croissant dough, spread with vanilla custard and plump raisins, sliced, proved, and baked. | |
| Mini Raisin Danish | $1.49 |
This delicious raisin pastry is a variation on a croissant dough, spread with vanilla custard and plump raisins, sliced, proved, and baked. |
PIZZA • SMOKED SALMON • SALADS • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Station 4
1101 4th Street Southwest, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Station 4 Wings | $22.00 |
Phoenix Rub or Buffalo Sauce | |
| Crab & Artichoke Dip | $22.00 |
Artichoke Hearts, Parmesan-Swiss Cheese Blend, Grilled Bread | |
| Roasted Half Chicken | $35.00 |
Served with Mashed Potatoes, Grilled broccolini , Jus |
Pearl's Bagels
1017 7th St., NW., Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| The Frenchie | $10.25 |
Ham, cage-free eggs and gruyere cheese with Grey Poupon dijon mustard. | |
| Egg and Cheese | $7.25 |
Cage-free eggs and Tillamook sharp yellow cheddar. | |
| Hot Coffee | $3.00 |
12 oz cup of Princeton, NJ's Small World Coffee "Home Brew" **DELIVERY CUSTOMERS: we do not recommend ordering hot coffee for delivery** |
Booeymonger - Friendship Heights
5252 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Scheherazade | $10.50 |
Turkey breast, swiss cheese, lettuce, mayo on baguette | |
| Steak Special | $10.99 |
Philly steak, grilled onions, green peppers, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato mayo on baguette | |
| The Manhattan | $11.99 |
Grilled roast beef , spinach,bacon, melted cheddar, house dressing on baguette |
Republic Cantina
43 N Street NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Brisket & Egg Taco | $5.00 |
w/ fried onion, potato, avo salsa, served on housemade flour tortilla w/ a side of salsa roja | |
| Carne Guisada Taco | $5.00 |
braised beef in chili gravy w/ scrambled egg, cheddar, scallions & tortilla crisps. Served on housemade flour tortilla w/ a side of salsa roja | |
| Guacamole | $9.00 |
simple and classic: avo, lime, cilantro, jalapeño. Served with chips |
BURRITOS • TACOS • QUESADILLAS
Bandit Taco Tenleytown - 4629 41st NW
4629 41st St NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Al Pastor Taco | $4.50 |
Scallions. cilantro and pineapple on corn tortilla. | |
| Adobo Chicken Taco | $3.75 |
Onions, scallions, cilantro and radishes on corn tortilla. | |
| Crispy Shrimp Taco | $4.50 |
Cabbage, scallions, cilantro, salsa verde, lemon sake, on flour tortilla. |
Great Wall Szechuan House
1527 14th St NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian Spring Roll (1) | $2.25 |
| Ma Po Tofu | $13.95 |
| Spring Roll (1) | $2.25 |
Makan
3400 11th St NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Beef Rendang | $28.00 |
The classic dry beef curry with coconut, lemongrass, nutmeg and lime leaf | |
| Nasi Goreng | $16.00 |
Fried rice with Chinese sausage, shrimp, chilis, peas, topped with anchovy and cucumber Food is cooked in the same wok as dishes containing shellfish & gluten. Can not accommadate severe shellfish allergy. | |
| Chicken Sate | $15.00 |
Chicken skewers, marinated in spices, aromatics, and coconut milk, grilled, and served with peanut sauce, rice, cucumber, & shallots |
La Collina
747 C Street Southeast, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Garlicky Bread | $6.00 |
Roasted garlic, parmesan & pecorino cheese, parsley, & buffalo butter on rustic bread. 4 pieces. | |
| Kids Pasta | $8.00 |
plain fusili with choice of butter, olive oil, or tomato sauce. | |
| Bucatini & Meatballs | $22.00 |
Meatballs contain gluten, dairy, & soy. |
Timber Pizza Co. - 809 Upshur St NW
809 Upshur St NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Pretty in Pepperoni | $15.00 |
Tomato Sauce, Provolone and Mozzerella Blend, Fresh Mozzarella, Pepperoni, Basil | |
| Margherita | $12.50 |
Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil | |
| The Bentley | $17.50 |
Tomato Sauce, Provolone and Mozzarella Blend, Cured Chorizo, Soppressata, Peruvian Sweet Peppers, Spicy Honey (made with Little Red Foxes Hot Sauce) |
SANDWICHES • CHICKEN
Chicken + Whiskey - 14th Catering
1738 14th St NW, Washington, DC
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Arroz Blanco | $2.00 |
Steamed basmati rice | |
| White Meat | $6.50 |
South American rotisserie chicken, brined for 12 hours + slow cooked over wood charcoal. Served with house made inti picante and ají amarillo sauce | |
| Sweet Plantains | $3.00 |
Deep fried, served with Chancaca (raw sugar cane syrup) |
SEAFOOD • SALADS • GRILL
Po Boy Jim - H Street
709 H St NE, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Beignets | $6.00 |
Light and airy, these powdered pillow pastries are so good you can’t stop after the first bite. | |
| Chicken Fettuccini | $19.00 |
Fettuccini pasta cooked in a classic cream sauce with a Cajun twist. Served with a protein of your choice. Choose from: Cajun Chicken / Shrimp / Salmon / Crawfish / Crab / Lobster. | |
| Crawfish Spring Rolls🈶 | $13.00 |
A light and easy to eat appetizer that is still bursting with crawfish flavor in each bite. |
SANDWICHES • CHICKEN WINGS • FRENCH FRIES
Boxcar Tavern - 224 7th Street SE Washington DC 20003 - www.boxcardc.com
224 7th St SE, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Striped Bass | $24.00 |
Pan Seared , Lemon zest caper Butter, Coconut Basmati Rice | |
| CLASSIC BURGER | $14.00 |
Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Choice of Blue Cheese, Swiss or Cheddar, with Fresh Cut Potato Chips add Fries or Salad $3 Add Bacon $2 | |
| Big Ole Fish - Grilled or Fried | $14.00 |
Chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, onions on potato bun, with Fresh Cut Potato Chips add Fries or Salad $3 |
SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS
Lucky Buns - Union Market - 1309 5th St NE
1309 5th St NE, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| MUMBO BUN | $13.00 |
FRIED BUTTERMILK CHICKEN THIGH/THAI CHILI MUMBO SAUCE/BUTTERMILK RANCH/CURTIDO SLAW/GORDY'S PICKLES | |
| REG CHEESY FRIES | $8.00 |
HOUSE-CUT FRIES/QUESO SAUCE/GREEN CHILE RELISH/SWEET PEPPERS/COTIJA | |
| BELLY BUN | $16.00 |
DOUBLE CREEKSTONE BEEF PATTIES/GOUDA/LUCKY SAUCE/SMOKED BACON/ARUGULA/GRILLED ONION/GORDY'S PICKLES |
CHEESE
La Jambe Union Market - Union Market
1309 5th St NE, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Customizable Gift Basket | $37.00 |
Customizable gift basket. Base price includes a woven basket with 3 cheeses, wrapping paper and ribbon. Customize your basket by adding goodies listed below | |
| Rosette de Lyon | $29.00 |
A country-style salami named for its rose-colored appearance. Made with select cuts of pork—coarsely chopped—then fresh garlic and white peppercorns are added, and slow-aged 25 days for a sweet, mellow flavor. | |
| Comte | $0.00 |
The cattle in this steep region between the Vosges and Jura mountains get fat from lush green pastures. Sweet, nutty, and superior melting capabilities make this cheese chef-friendly. |
Piccolina da Centrolina
963 Palmer Alley NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Porchetta Panuzzo | $18.00 |
roasted and shaved suckling pig, mustard greens, grilled onion, salsa verde, provolone, on wood-fired flatbread | |
| Polletto | $18.00 |
charred chicken & escarole salad, parmigiano, lemon & olive oil | |
| Giardino Panuzzo | $17.00 |
wood roasted zucchini, tomato, grilled onion, arugula, pesto, provolone, on wood-fired flatbread |
dLeña
476 K Street, NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Casa Margarita | $12.00 |
blanco tequila / agave / lime | |
| CORN EMPANADAS | $15.00 |
yellow sweet corn / ají amarillo / manchego cheese / chimichurri (vegetarian, contains dairy) | |
| BROCCOLINI | $10.00 |
grilled / smoked chili / olive oil / sea salt (vegan, vegetarian, gluten free) |
SALADS • SANDWICHES
Tatte Bakery - Dupont
1301 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Iced Latte | $0.00 |
Contains: Dairy | |
| Cold Brew | $0.00 |
18-22 hour slow steeped coffee resulting in a smooth full-bodied brew with a higher level of caffeine and a bright refreshing taste | |
| Breakfast Sandwich | $9.85 |
Eggs your style, Vermont cheddar, and applewood smoked bacon on housemade sourdough. Contains: Wheat, Dairy, Egg |
SALADS • SANDWICHES
Osteria Morini - DC
301 Water St SE, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Crostini | $2.00 |
grilled bread, roasted garlic oil | |
| Cappelletti | $27.00 |
truffled ricotta ravioli, melted butter, prosciutto | |
| Insalata Romana | $16.00 |
romaine lettuce, anchovy vinaigrette, parmigiano, garlic bread crumbs |
SALADS • SANDWICHES • GRILL • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Madhatter
1319 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Hatter's Burger | $13.00 |
8 oz burger, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion. Comes with fries, upgrade to onion rings or salad $1! | |
| Steak & Cheese | $14.00 |
Strip steak thinly sliced with chopped mushrooms, onions, provolone and Philly style Wiz; served with fries. Upgrade to onion rings or salad $1 | |
| Shrimp Alfredo Linguini | $20.00 |
Linguini, shrimp, mushroom, and broccoli in a creamy alfredo sauce |
Chicken + Whiskey - C+W - Ballpark
70 N Street SE, STE119, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| 1/4 Chicken White | $11.99 |
South American rotisserie chicken brined for 12 hours and slow cooked over wood charcoal to 185 degrees. Served with housemade inti picante and aji amarillo sauce and choice of 2 sides. Gluten friendly. | |
| Borracho Wrap | $12.49 |
Pulled rotisserie chicken, flour tortilla, guasacaca, arroz chaufa, Pepper Jack cheese, ají amarillo mayonnaise, salsa criolla, Iceberg lettuce, sweet corn, and yucca fries. | |
| Yes, I need cutlery and napkins! | $0.00 |
Paraiso Taqueria Mexican Restaurant
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Guacamole | $14.00 |
avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, lime served with tostadas | |
| Mexican Bowl | $22.00 |
Rice or Kale salad, pico de gallo, corn, black beans, crema fresca | |
| El Gallo Pibil | Chicken Burrito | $14.00 |
Grilled chicken pibil, mexican rice, pico de gallo, shedded lettuce, chihuahua sauce. Served with heirloom corn tortilla chips and salsa. |
PASTA • TAPAS
Reveler's Hour
1775 Columbia Road Northwest, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Zinfandel, "Stampede," Maitre de Chai, 2018 | $0.00 |
"Established in 2012, Maître de Chai is the personal project of Marty Winters and Alex Pitts . . . We source grapes from unique and distinct single vineyards that are impeccably farmed here in California. As our name implies, we care for the wines in the cellar. We defer to nature, limiting our intervention. We taste and we wait, allowing the wines to develop and speak for the places in which they are rooted." - Uncle Bill's Take: There are no bells or whistles here, just great wine from impeccably sourced and lovingly farmed vineyards. This is the kind of timeless classic that never goes out of style, plush enough for the "go big or go home" set but none the less elegant and sophisticated for it. As for tasting notes: "Loads and loads of acidity and fruit, this is brambly and salty with a grippy and savory edge. What begins on the palate as almost clairet like becomes fuller and really unique with a snappy and firm." | |
| Touriga Nacional Blend, "Assobio," Quinta dos Murcas, 2017 | $52.00 |
- Grapes: This is a blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz, and 30% Touriga Franca. Tinta Roriz is better known as Tempranillo, while the Tourigas are something like the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc of Portugal respectively. - Uncle Bill’s Take: As with many Portuguese reds, this is rich and densely extracted, perfect for a fan of New World wines. But the vineyard’s situation high above the river gives the wines a freshness that many of its compatriots are lacking. This is absolutely gorgeous stuff, a remarkable value that would cost significantly more were it French or Italian. | |
| Ep 1: El Bandarra Vermouth Rosso 1L | $23.00 |
Mathew's pick is El Bandarra's red vermouth, a highly aromatic offering from Penedès just west of Barcelona. The brand was launched by the Virgili brothers out of their family winery in 2014 as "an homage to the nostalgic golden age of vermouth. A time when the bars of Barcelona hand painted the tapas they offered on their windows with colourful lettering to attract passers-by." The base wine is locally sourced, featuring a blend of Macabeo and Xarel·lo grapes from vineyards in the Alt Penedès. The vermouth features over 50 extracts of herbs, flowers and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, liquorice, aniseed, chamomile, rosemary, bay leaf, hops, and bitter orange. Mathew enjoys it unadulterated on the rocks with a green olives and orange twist. |
Little Food Studio
849 Upshur Street NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Palmier | $1.00 |
Puff Pastry Cookie with Brown Sugar & Cinnamon or House Berry Jam | |
| Ellen Sandwich | $13.75 |
Turkey Breast, Prosciutto, Pesto, Tomato, Arugula | |
| Bianca Sandwich | $13.50 |
Hot Ham, Mozzarella, Pecorino Cream, Tomato |
SALADS
Beefsteak - GW University
800 22nd Street NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Avo-Toasty | $9.75 |
Leafy Greens, Avocado, Pickled Red Onion, Chilled Green Beans, Toasted Brioche, Poached Egg, Sherry Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper, Sea Salt, Corn Nuts | |
| Eden | $9.50 |
Quinoa, Green Beans, Broccoli, Cilantro Sauce, Bok Choy, Roasted Garlic Yogurt Sauce, Edamame, Sliced Cucumber, Pea Shoots, Scallions, Lemon Honey Dressing, Toasted Sesame Seeds | |
| Chef's Bowl- Tofu | $9.75 |
White Rice, Kale, Black Bean Sauce, Spicy Tomato Sauce, Chipotle Mayo, Crispy Fried Tofu, Scallions, Edamame, Cherry Tomatoes, Pickled Onions, Crispy Onions |
London Curry House - DC
1301 U Street NW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Veg Trio Curry Platter | $22.00 |
(Saag Panir, mix vegetable, Chana Masala) | |
| Saag Panir | $16.00 |
| Basmati rice | $3.00 |
STEAKS
The Grill
99 Market Square SW, Washington
| Popular items | |
|---|---|
| Caesar Salad | $16.00 |
parmesan / anchovies / big crumbs / garlic dressing | |
| Grilled Sweet Potato | |
pistachios / orange & cumin reduction | |
| Club Salad | $19.00 |
grilled chicken / bacon / egg / dates / avocado big crumbs / lemon vinaigrette / blue cheese dressing |
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