23 Best Restaurants in Washington, D.C., USA

This modern mecca for mezes (small plates for sharing) delivers delicious, chic Mediterranean cuisine without the whiz-bang conceits of its pricier cousins. There are few surprises on the menu, save for the feta hush puppies, but the wood-and-brick interior and gallant service make the traditional dishes feel new again. Delicious Greek dishes are available, from fluffy taramosalata (salmon roe dip) with a touch of citrus to mini-gyros that are big on flavor. Fast-casual Cava Grill is a spin-off of this place and serves the menu's greatest hits at more than 15 (and counting) D.C.-area spots.

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.

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.

A darling of both diners and the media, Rose's Luxury lives up to the hype as one of the city's most welcoming and groundbreaking dining destinations. The dishes are as delightful as they are shocking, and cause visitors to wait in line for hours to visit the supremely stylish re-creation of a hipster's dream dinner party. Reservations are available only for groups of six to eight, so smaller parties should arrive early to get their names on the list or plan to eat at the upstairs bar.

Ambar, a handsome, noisy, two-story restaurant–bar at the heart of Barracks Row, is your spot for Balkan comfort food. The Belgrade-inspired menu is full of hearty novelties like lamb lasagna, almond-crusted chicken with apple-wasabi slaw, drunken mussels with capers and lemon, savory pies, a host of rich sausages, and all flavor of kebabs. Can’t decide? Don’t worry: the main attraction here is the all-you-can-eat “Ambar experience” (though everyone in your group must also partake). Cocktails, like the Ambar old-fashioned, are also unique. It gets busy, so reservations are recommended.

The decor may be somewhat generic, but the food is anything but. Located within the Yotel near the Capitol, Art and Soul serves up simple, honest dishes using the freshest local ingredients—with flavorful and artsy twists. The menu changes, but you are in good hands with dishes like braised rabbit with spaghetti and ramp pesto, and the BLT containing homemade bacon, tomato marmalade, heirloom tomatoes, and sourdough bread. The expansive front patio welcomes dogs (with their own menu).

Belgium culture aficionados can go traditional with mussels and the crispiest of French fries or dabble in what the chef calls Eurofusion at this sleek café done up with dark wood and exposed brick. Classic dishes such as mussels marinières with white wine, shallots, and garlic help capture that Belgian charm. Given that heritage, it's no surprise the waffle-centric brunch menu draws a crowd (try the beer-braised pulled pork and waffle).

The zinc bar, cherrywood interior, and white tablecloths create great expectations at Bistro Bis, where the seasonal menu offers modern takes on French bistro fare. Thanks to its prime location, acclaimed menu, deep wine list, and classic cocktails, it's a popular spot for Washington power brokers and insiders. For a first course, be sure to try the steak tartare, served with a porcini mushroom aioli. Main course hits include classic steak frites, wild mushroom risotto, and beef bourguignon.

French and romantic, adorned with velvet curtained walls in a 19th-century bordello sort of way, Bistro Cacao is the place to go for a special meal. An extensive menu has a modern innovative flair—think grilled Mediterranean sea bass with leek confit and filet mignon with red pearl onion sauce. The trio crème brulée is the perfect end to the culinary experience. The patio is charming.

Occupying the ground level of three town houses, Café Berlin has been serving authentic German fare since 1985—traditional dishes like Wiener schnitzel and sauerbraten, but also seasonal dishes including fresh asparagus in spring and wild game in winter. The outdoor beer garden in the front yard whisks you away to a German biergarten, oblivious of the Massachusetts Avenue traffic rushing past.

It's hard not to feel like a master of the universe when ensconced in this coolly elegant dining room in the imposing shadow of the Capitol. A dramatic glass-enclosed wine cellar and quasi-Danish modern furniture form a backdrop to the contemporary cuisine. Dry-aged porterhouse, marinated hanger steak, and center-cut filet mignon are the meaty choices. But regional seafood makes appearances as well, including Chesapeake Bay oysters and soft-shell crab fritto misto. The crème brûlée trio finishes things off nicely. The rooftop terrace offers some of the city’s most impressive views of the Capitol.

The spongy rolls of sourdough injera bread (ubiquitous on Ethiopian plates) used in place of utensils can make traditional Ethiopian feel decidedly indelicate, but the bright surroundings and friendly service here make for a downright romantic experience. Venture off the well-beaten path of tender curry lamb to try the spicy chickpea dumplings or fragrant simmered split peas, laden with garlic and served in a clay pot. For devoted meat lovers, the cured beef tibs (a type of hearty steak cut) in spicy berbere sauce and the fried croaker fish marinated with fresh herbs and spices will crown a memorable, affordable meal. The full bar also serves potent Ethiopian beers.

This Belgian beer hall with a gourmet soul is worth a visit for both its intense beer list and mussels and frites, plus a few other unique salads, burgers, and soups. Snag a seat at the bar or at one of the cozy tables, and linger over unfiltered brews that range from Chimay to obscure options from the reserve and limited-stock beer selection. The food is terrific, specifically the pots of steamed mussels and the crunchy, twice-fried frites paired with homemade dipping sauces. The Flemish dip and rotating cast of starters, especially the gnocchi mac & cheese, are indulgent without crossing the line into predictable pub grub.

It’s not the dark labyrinth of fireplace-warmed warrens it once was, but this glistening, industrial-wood tavern still is the place to talk politics and mingle with Hill residents—everyone from dark-suited lobbyists to locals who have lived here for decades (and probably will admit they don’t like the newer look). It serves a decent upscale menu ranging from game day food (corn dogs, beef sliders) to Neapolitan-style pizzas to kale-and-roasted-sweet-potato salad and chicken potpie. A large bar faces TVs showcasing the sports du jour. 

Known for its boisterous owner and throngs of talkative regulars, this family-owned D.C. institution is tucked into the first floor of an old row house only five blocks from the Capitol. Enjoy favorites like light-and-fluffy waffles served with a solid slice of bacon and an egg. Expect the unexpected in terms of clientele, and don't forget to play by the rules (that is, no substitutions, cash only, and as few questions for the staff as possible).

Breezy charm and a casual ambience helped to vault this pizzeria to the top of the list of D.C.'s best. Each pie is named for a nearby neighborhood—the zesty mating of basil and anchovies on the "Southwest Waterfront" is matched only by the creamy goat cheese of the "Eastern Market." Pizzas pair well with the small lineup of bottled beers. Make sure to save room for the decadent Nutella dessert calzone.

This chic, multilevel wine bar has pours aplenty (in both tasting portions and full glasses) along with well-thought-out charcuterie boards piled with prosciutto and fluffy, grill-charred focaccia. There's more-filling fare, too, like braised bone-in oxtail. By day, the crowd skews to congressional staffers and lobbyists cutting deals over thin-crust pizza, but by night, the place becomes a hipster hub in the bar on the second level—think low tables and sofas—while a youngish crowd shares cheese plates and sips wine in the crowded street-level dining room.

Grilled meats are the specialty of this neighborhood Union Market tavern, with creative dishes including lamb leg steak and bone-in skate wing, along with the more traditional butcher’s steak. Don’t bypass the sides, including potato salad and broccoli—grilled, of course.

Some of the city’s best sushi is found at this unassuming Pan-Asian restaurant with a sense of humor on H Street. Innovative favorites include 2000 Leagues (tempura octopus with eel sauce) and Godzirra roll (crunchy prawns with spicy sauce). The Mongolian beef noodles (with your choice of noodles), teriyaki-glazed Tokyo burger, and poke with sesame-flavored tuna highlight the simple but delicious menu. Be sure to check out the events page—everything from karaoke to DJ dance parties.

One bite of the grilled cheese with tomato soup or the all-American burger will convince you that the kitchen's skills are no joke. There are plenty of other options at this popular neighborhood eatery, too, including creative salads, entrées such as filet mignon and salmon, crab cakes—and all-day breakfasts. Kids will love the 12 clever milk-shake flavors, and their parents will love the ten adult shakes that come with a kick of liquor added. (The "Nutty Professor," made with hazelnut liqueur, is worth writing home about, as are the homemade Pop-Tarts.) 

Digging into a hefty pile of pancakes from this casual counter in Eastern Market makes for the perfect end to a stroll around the Capitol. Morning favorites include not only pancakes but also shrimp and grits; crab cakes, fried oysters, and fresh fish are popular at lunch. Plan to be in line by noon on Saturday to ensure the availability of every dish, and prepare to pay extra for real maple syrup.

Follow convention and order quickly, eat, and give up your seat for the next customer.

Part bar, part diner, part happy-hour haunt for Hill staffers, this Capitol Hill tradition is one of the neighborhood's last great dives. Opened in 1947, and still run by the same family, the space was upgraded after a fire in 2011 but retains its lodge-like decor, including a healthy display of taxidermied animals staring down from the walls. Pony up to the bar, which boasts the second-oldest liquor license in D.C., beside a loyal cast of regulars, to catch a Commanders game over a beer and a plate of greasy-spoon favorites like chicken fingers and jalapeño poppers. Or amble to the booths in the back for its most famous burger—beer-battered and deep-fried.