It’s been a long day of seeing the sights and taking in the incredible culture of the nation’s capital – and you’ve worked up quite an appetite! Lucky for you, Washington, DC is home to one of the country’s most delicious and diverse restaurant scenes. In fact, it can be overwhelming trying to pick from the dozens of quality options across the city. So we’re here to help with our list of Washington DC’s best restaurants.
How We Made Our Picks
What makes a great restaurant? Especially with something as personal as food, it may be in the eye of the beholder. Still, we looked at several factors in picking our list of Washington DC’s best restaurants. Restaurants got credit for the quality of their food, uniqueness, history, role in the community, and other factors. But there’s something for everyone on the list, from casual to high-end and from many different cuisines.
Washington DC’s Best Restaurants – Our Top Ten
With all this in mind, we’ve sized up, scoped out, and taste-tested DC’s best places to eat. Here are our picks for the ten best.
Ben’s Chili Bowl (U Street/Shaw)
Don’t expect fine dining at this DC institution. But DO expect some of the most authentic DC flavors served up with a side of history. Ben’s has been a pillar of the U Street community for more than 60 years, dishing out its trademark chili half-smokes. The half-smoke (a true DC area original) is similar to a sausage but with something distinctive that keeps patrons coming back generation after generation. There are other items on the menu, but the half-smoke remains the star of the show. So grab a half-smoke or two, some cheese fries, and settle into a booth in the humble dining room. You’ll enjoy some incredible people-watching – especially if you visit late on a weekend night.
Filomena (Georgetown)
Lovers of high-end Italian food have been flocking to this richly decorated Georgetown establishment since 1983. This isn’t any old Italian restaurant. You’ll enjoy authentic antipasti like arancini rice balls and fresh-made burrata, housemade pasta, and sumptuous meat dishes like Ossobucco Alla Milanese and Chicken Parmesan. Diners can order from an extensive list of fine wines – and make sure to leave room for dessert, which includes Italian pastries and other sweet treats like tiramisu and dark chocolate mousse. Located between the charming M Street and the neighborhood’s gorgeous waterfront, it’s also a great area to take an after-dinner stroll to walk off that meal!
Le Diplomate (U Street/Shaw)
Le Diplomate is known across the DC region not just for its mouth-watering French cooking but also as one of the trendiest spots to catch a glimpse of some of DC’s elite. Over the past decade and a half, this Parisian-style brasserie helped cement DC’s 14th Street corridor as one of the city’s new dining hubs. All of the classics of French cuisine are there, from escargot to Beef Bourguignon to Duck Confit. Even the less adventurous will fall in love with the steak frites and roast chicken. Keep an eye on the other tables – you might catch a glimpse of politicians or other well-known Washington figures chowing down right next to you!
Founding Farmers (Foggy Bottom)
Founding Farmers took the concept of farm to table and expanded it into an entire ethos, underpinning a thoughtfully sourced menu and commitments to green operations and nonprofit work in the community. The so-called “food with a conscience” even includes running their own 18-wheeler across much of the country to pick up supplies for their comfort food with flair. This is a great spot to stop for a relaxing brunch, a favorite of locals and tourists alike for their famous waffles, benedicts, and brunch cocktails. Lunch and dinner menus include a huge variety of salads, sandwiches, entrees, and other signature dishes. There’s truly something for everyone at this family-friendly establishment.
Rose’s Luxury (Barracks Row)
This Michelin-starred spot near Capitol Hill sparked a sensation in DC’s dining scene when it opened in the m d-2010s. The small-plates restaurant remains one of the city’s top dining spots. Each diner selects two dishes from a constantly updated menu, which are shared family-style. Prepare for dishes and flavors unlike anything you’ve likely had before, like the popular pork and lychee salad or kabocha squash. Your dinner even does good for others, with the restaurant donating one meal for every one purchased. For some of DC’s most inventive cuisine, it’s hard to beat Rose’s.
Zenebech (Adams Morgan)
Many visitors to DC have never tried Ethiopian food before. But after visiting a city with one of the largest Ethiopian populations outside the nation itself, most find themselves delighted by the unique dining experience. Zenebech has been a part of DC’s Ethiopian food community for decades, most recently in the vibrant and diverse Adams Morgan neighborhood. Ethiopian dining is centered around a type of bread known as injera. Meats and vegetables are served on top of a large communal piece of injera, and diners use their own pieces of the bread to scoop up bites of food. With a one-of-a-kind blend of spices and flavors and a memorable dining experience, those looking to expand their culinary horizons should be sure to make a stop here during their trip to DC.
Hank’s Oyster Bar (Multiple Locations)
DC is located just a stone’s throw from the Chesapeake Bay, home to some of the nation’s b st oysters. And there are few better places to slurp down a few while enjoying a cocktail than Hank’s Oyster Bar. If you can, check out the original Dupont Circle location, though the food is just as good at the newer Wharf or Old Town Alexandria versions. All serve some of the region’s freshest seafood, with a full raw bar as well as sandwiches and other hot meals, including s me options for non-seafood eaters. Wash it all down with some quality craft cocktails or a beer from one of several local breweries.
Rasika (Penn Quarter/West End)
O e of DC’s most awarded and well-reviewed restaurants, Rasika’s Penn Quarter and West End locations show off high-end Indian cuisine from Chef Vikram Sunderam. It was even named one of the top 100 restaurants in the United States by OpenTable diners. The menu ranges from familiar favorites like Chicken Tikka Masala to more adventurous chutneys and curries, as well as Indian takes on more familiar western recipes. All showcase the essential Indian cooking techniques of Tawa (Griddle), Sigri (open Barbeque), and Tandoori. It’s even a favorite of some of DC’s most prominent celebrities – the Obamas!
Old Ebbitt Grill (Downtown)
Want to dine with DC power brokers just steps from the Wh te House? The Old Ebbitt Grill is just what you’re looking for. Known as Washington’s oldest saloon, visitors have been quenching their thirst and cleaning their plates here since 1856. The menu runs from humble hamburgers and re bens to filet mignon and caviar, meaning there’s something for every taste and budget. This is also a great spot to grab some raw oysters from both local waters and around the country. Located in the heart of downtown DC, you never know who you might run into inside or on the streets nearby.
Capital Grille (Penn Quarter)
High-end everything is the idea at the Capital Grille, another of DC’s luxury dining spots. Located along famous Pennsylvania Avenue with views of the Capitol building, this warm, inviting steakhouse serves some of the best dry-aged steaks in the DC area. Explore new cuts and pairings from this historic establishment’s fine chefs, including seafood and lamb. Add in an extensive wine and cocktail selection, and it’s easy to see why this is one of the favorite spots of DC’s high-end diners.
Washington DC’s Best Restaurants – District of Cuisine For Everyone!
Whether you’re in the mood for a quick and casual half-smoke or a high-end evening of oysters and steaks, DC’s vibrant dining scene has what you’re looking for. These ten restaurants represent this fantastic diversity and should provide visitors with a food experience they’ll remember for years to come. Ask your tour guide to learn more about DC’s ever-changing restaurant scene!
