Must-see restaurants in Washington, DC

  • Fiola

    Washington, DC

    Dine among senators and lobbyists at this elegant, upscale trattoria off Pennsylvania Avenue, recipient of an annual Michelin star. Italian chef Fabio…

  • Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe

    Washington, DC

    Certainly the most unique food on the Mall, Mitsitam introduces visitors to the Native American cuisine of five different regions, including the Northwest…

  • Bibiana

    Washington, DC

    Chihuly-esque glass lights dangle over a sleek dining room dotted by dark oak tables and turquoise chairs, and photo art of Vespas, the Trevi Fountain,…

  • Momofuku CC/DC & Milk Bar

    Washington, DC

    David Chang’s famous global noodle restaurant has joined forces with Christina Tosi’s popular bakery chain in DC’s CityCenter. A menu reset has virtually…

  • Hank’s Oyster Bar

    Washington, DC

    DC has several oyster bars, but mini-chain Hank's is our favorite, mixing power-player muscle with a casual, beachy ambience. As you'd expect, the oyster…

  • Obelisk

    Washington, DC

    Obelisk's small and narrow dining room feels almost like eating at someone’s kitchen table. The set-course Italian feasts are prepared with first-rate…

  • Beuchert's Saloon

    Washington, DC

    Beuchert's has an old-timey, hipster vibe with antique wallpaper and sweet cocktails. It takes the locally sourced concept seriously, and everyone who…

  • BUL

    Washington, DC

    BUL is DC's first pojangmacha ('covered wagon'; Korean street-food eatery). Trendy locals love it, gobbling up grilled skewers of meat and vegetables,…

  • St Arnold's Mussel Bar

    Washington, DC

    Mussels and frites (fries) hit the tables in innumerable varieties: in Thai curry sauce, bleu cheese and bacon sauce, and the house specialty beer sauce…

  • Good Stuff Eatery

    Washington, DC

    Spike Mendelsohn (of Top Chef TV fame) is the cook behind Good Stuff, a popular burgers-shakes-and-fries spot. You can top off fries at the ‘dipping bar’…

  • Seventh Hill Pizza

    Washington, DC

    It's just blistered, thin-crust pizza, but it's soooo addictive. Each pie is named for a local street or park, like the 'Potomac Ave,' topped with Felino…

  • Tryst

    Washington, DC

    The couches, armchairs and bookshelves, and the light flooding through streetside windows, lure patrons so faithful they probably should pay rent at Tryst…

  • Dangerously Delicious Pies

    Washington, DC

    The eponymous wares come in both sweet and savory varieties, which means you can – without shame – make a meal of pie. Pull up a chair in the red-walled,…

  • Woodward Table

    Washington, DC

    A classic French-brasserie ambience characterizes this welcoming restaurant next to the excellent Woodward Takeout Food. The menu is comprehensive –…

  • Tabard Inn Restaurant

    Washington, DC

    Dinners are seasonal twists on classic fare – scallops with parsnip puree, veal with sugarsnap peas – but it’s the deceptively normal weekend brunch menu…

  • Cafe Mozart

    Washington, DC

    This German grocery store/deli-bakery has a cute restaurant hiding out back that serves great sauerkraut, spaetzle and schnitzel. Best of all, it hosts…

  • Market Lunch

    Washington, DC

    The popular food counter has sat inside historic Eastern Market since 1978. The ingredients are local and fresh, plucked from surrounding vendors. The…

  • Sweet Home Café

    Washington, DC

    The well-regarded cafeteria at the National Museum of African American History & Culture is divided into four stations based on the compass. Think…

  • Diner

    Washington, DC

    The Diner serves hearty comfort food, any time of the day or night. It's ideal for wee-hour breakfast scarf-downs, weekend Bloody Mary brunches (if you…

  • Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro

    Washington, DC

    The pizza here has a devout following of gastronomes and the restaurant's warm, exposed-brick interior is typically packed. What’s so good about it? Fresh…

  • Brasserie Beck

    Washington, DC

    The chef cooks the foods of his family's Belgian homeland at boisterous Beck. It's a meaty affair, with beef braised in dark beer and duck-leg confit…

  • Salt Line

    Washington, DC

    With lovely river views and a buzzy crowd, Salt Line is a Navy Yard hot spot, especially during Nats games. Take a seat inside amid modern nautical decor,…

  • Montmartre

    Washington, DC

    Montmartre is the place French expats take their friends to give them a taste of home. Great wines, very fine steak, silky homemade pâté and delightful…

  • El Sol

    Washington, DC

    Locals love this sunny little taqueria. They fill the close-set tables at all hours to gobble tacos, tortas and other street foods made using the chef's…

  • Daikaya

    Washington, DC

    Daikaya offers two options. Our favorite is downstairs, which is a casual ramen-noodle shop, where locals swarm in and slurp with friends in the slick…

  • Jaleo

    Washington, DC

    The tapas thing has been done to death, but star chef José Andrés helped start the trend in DC, and still serves some of the best Spanish cuisine in town…

  • Perry's

    Washington, DC

    You can munch sushi at Perry's, but it's the creative fusion fare that really deserves your tongue's attention. Eat in the attractive lounge or under the…

  • Pleasant Pops

    Washington, DC

    Pleasant Pops cafe is definitely pleasant, with big windows that let in plenty of natural light. The 'pops' are popsicles, or Mexican paletas to be exact,…

  • Acadiana

    Washington, DC

    This is rich, regional Louisiana cookin', so come prepared for duck glazed in pepper jelly, fried oyster po'boy sandwiches, and veal dunked in mushroom…

  • Shake Shack

    Washington, DC

    The NYC chain has come to DC. The self-proclaimed 'modern roadside burger stand' is beloved for its well-griddled patties under a sweet-and-tangy Shack…

  • Jimmy T’s

    Washington, DC

    Jimmy’s is a neighborhood joint of the old school, where folks come in with their dogs, cram in to read the Post, have a burger or a coffee or an omelet …

  • Teaism

    Washington, DC

    This small teahouse is unique in the area for its affordable lunch options – hot noodle dishes and fresh bento boxes – and its pleasantly relaxing…

  • Pavilion Cafe

    Washington, DC

    A pocket of Paris secreted on the edge of the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden, this cafeteria is housed in a glass pavilion whose design was…

  • Le Grenier

    Washington, DC

    This romantic French bistro, set in an exposed-brick row house and spread over two floors, checks all the boxes: buttery escargot, rich cheese plates,…

  • Zorba’s Cafe

    Washington, DC

    Generous portions of moussaka and souvlaki, as well as pitchers of Rolling Rock beer, make family-run Zorba's Cafe one of DC’s best bargain haunts. On…

  • G Street Food

    Washington, DC

    Regulars can't get enough of the culinary snapshots of global street food offered at G Street. Sandwiches are the main focus, and range from banh mi to…

  • CakeRoom

    Washington, DC

    Ogle the glass cases bursting with creamy-frosted cakes and pies. The banoffee pie (a sublime banana-toffee mix) and carrot cupcake are the sweets to beat…

  • Pitango Gelato

    Washington, DC

    The DC mini-chain scoops terrific all-natural gelato, but the sorbet is the standout. Fruity flavors made from Haitian mangoes, white grapefruits and Bosc…

  • Sweetgreen

    Washington, DC

    Dupont Circle’s branch of the healthful salad purveyor often has a line out the door. Order your huge bowl of roast chicken and kale or spicy shrimp and…

  • Julia's Empanadas

    Washington, DC

    A frequent winner in DC's 'best late-night eats' polls, Julia's stuffs its dough bombs with chorizo, Jamaican beef curry, spinach and more. Flavors peak…

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