Where to eat in Washington, D.C.

Where to eat in Washington, D.C.

1. 
   EatShaw

   Ben's Chili Bowl

   A mainstay since 1958 and one of the few businesses in the area to survive the 1968 riots, this restaurant is a city landmark. It's been patronized by President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Bill Cosby, and every recent city mayor. In fact, you might find future mayoral candidates bivouacked here, in hopes of showing that they are "of the people." It's a down-home, low-maintenance, diner-style restaurant known for serving D.C.'s best half-smokes and for its friendly staff. Take a peek inside so that you can say you've been here, but if want something fancier, look next door for Ben's Next Door, which is a nice bar/restaurant opened in 2008 by the same owners to capitalize on their fame. The restaurant displays a sign in front saying Barack Obama and his family can eat for free.

   Mon-Thu 11AM-2AM, Fri Sat 11AM-4AM, Sun noon-8PM·$3.50-7
2. 
   EatRestaurantCapitol Hill

   Rose's Luxury

   Tasting menu: $135. Rated as one of the best restaurants in the city. In a converted townhouse. Portions are generally shared among your party, "family style". Roof garden available for large groups.

   Closed · opens 5 pm·Tasting menu: $135 · Limited wheelchair access
3. 
   EatLatin american restaurantWest End

   Imperfecto

   The West End outpost of Chef Enrique Limardo, one of D.C.'s most notable chefs. Ultra chic and luxe for the relatively low key West End. Michelin-starred Mediterranean cooking in a postmodern apartment building. Weekend brunches are a much more affordable alternative to the expensive dinner menu. Reservations necessary.

   Mon-Thu 5PM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-11PM·$35-$100
4. EatRestaurantEast End

   Central Michel Richard

   Central is the showpiece restaurant of the city's great chef, Michel Richard. In this restaurant, he celebrates his love for American cuisine, serving haute and somewhat Gallicized versions of dishes as simple as burgers and fried chicken. The fried chicken is the best in the city.

   Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: Mon-Thu 5-10:30PM, Fri Sat 5-11PM·$30-60 · Wi-Fi · Takeaway · Outdoor seating

5. EatEast End

   Pearl's Bagels

   Tiny bagel shop serving some of the best bagels in downtown D.C. Limited seating.

   Daily 8AM-2PM·Vegan options · Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating

6. EatPizza restaurantUpper Northwest

   2 Amys

   A gourmet Italian restaurant with a big focus on Neapolitan style pizza. With popular food and top-notch service, the waits can be long, but make no mistake, this is D.C.'s most popular pizzeria for a reason. If the noise bothers you, request a table in the upstairs dining room.

   Mon 5PM-10PM, Tue-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun noon-10PM·$11-18 · Takeaway · Outdoor seating

7. EatBelgian restaurantCapitol Hill

   Belga Cafe

   One of the neighborhood's longest running favorites on Barracks Row serves perfectly fine Belgian cuisine, and has at all times at least five fine Belgian beers on tap (and a host more besides). Reliable food, best for dinner, and pricey.

   Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 9AM-11PM, Sun 9AM-9:30PM·$20-50 · Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating

8. 
   EatFrench restaurantDupont Circle

   Bistrot du Coin

   Usually crowded and noisy, but the French/Belgian bistro cooking is great, and the atmosphere is lively and happy. They do a mean mussels with pommes frites. Also try the monkfish.

   Sun-Wed 11:30AM-11PM, Thu-Sat 11:30AM-1AM·$14-27 · Takeaway · Wheelchair accessible
9. EatGerman restaurantCapitol Hill

   Cafe Berlin

   Dinner is overpriced and not in the same league as other options on the Hill. Lunch (before 4PM), on the other hand, is a steal. And the back patio is a wonderful place to drink a few draught German beers on a warm day.

   Mon-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 10AM-10PM·$8-30 · Outdoor seating · Vegetarian options

10. 
    EatUpper Northwest

    Comet Ping Pong

    Comet is another great pizza place in D.C. However, this is not your average restaurant. There are ping-pong tables in the back, clam pizzas, and concerts on Saturday nights. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Guy Fieri called it some of the best pizza he'd ever eaten. A local favorite! Try the wings! Also serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Definitely kid-friendly.

    Mon 5-9PM, Tue-Thu 5-9:30PM, Fri 5-10:30PM, Sat 11:30AM-10:30PM, 11:30AM-9PM·$6-20
11. EatEthiopian restaurantNear Northeast

    Ethiopic

    Trying Ethiopian food is a must in D.C. and this is as good of a place to do it as any! If you don't mind raw meat, try the raw kitfo - with a little extra spicy red powder on the side.

    Tue-Thu 5-10PM, Fri-Sun noon-10PM·$14-22 · Wheelchair accessible · Vegan options

12. EatLatin american restaurantCapitol Hill

    Las Placitas

    Well above par Salvadoran and Mexican cooking, with very fresh ingredients. On weekends, it gets very crowded, but if you can get a table, it remains a fun spot for a meal.

    Mon-Thu 11:30AM-10:30PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 11:30AM-10PM·$10-20 · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

13. EatBurger restaurantAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Lucky Buns

    Specialty burgers. The popular Aussie inspired Bogan burger comes with gouda and bacon jam, and the El Jefe has hatch green chili relish and queso fresco. Sides include thick cut British style fries with ketchup, mayo or curry. Also features a Tropical-esque cocktail program inline with the nightlife in AdMo.

    5PM-midnight·$10-35 · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

14. EatMediterranean restaurantAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Meze

    A Turkish restaurant with an extensive offering of fresh mojitos. Open since 2001.

    Mon-Thu 4:30PM-1:30AM, Fri 4:30AM-2:30AM, Sat 10:30AM-2:30AM, Sun 10:30AM-1:30AM·Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating

15. EatGerman restaurantUpper Northwest

    Old Europe

    A traditional German restaurant not far from the Embassy, serving the best German food you will find in the D.C. metro area. Schnitzel is the specialty!

    Tue-Thu 11:30AM-3PM, 5-9PM; Fri Sat 11:30AM-3PM, 5-10PM; Sun 1-3:30PM, 4-8PM·$10-25 · Takeaway · Built 1948

16. EatBrazilian restaurantAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    The Grill from Ipanema

    This is no gimmicky downtown place—this is a real taste of Brazil in D.C. Brazilian food is meat heavy, and the steaks here are excellent. If steak is too one-dimensional, try the feijoada, a stew of various smoked meats, southern greens, fruit, and black beans. Too much meat? Try one of the seafood moquecas. And the potent caipirinhas are among the neighborhood's favorite cocktails. It is a little overpriced, but if you don't mind the extra $5-10, this makes for a great dinner date.

    Mon-Thu 4:30PM-11PM, Fri 4:30PM-11:30PM, Sat noon-11:30PM, Sun noon-10PM·$20-35 · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

17. EatTurkish restaurantCapitol Hill

    Cafe 8

    Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. The mezzes oddly enough are overshadowed by the great kabobs (especially the Iskender, and good Iskender is hard to find outside of Turkey). The Turkish very thin take on pizza—pides, are also a hit, and a cheaper option.

    Sun-Thu 11AM-10:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM·$9-20 · Outdoor seating

18. EatTurkish restaurantGeorgetown

    Cafe Divan

    The standard advice for Turkish dining is to order a bunch of mezes and skip the boring kebabs altogether. This small triangular-shaped restaurant puts this advice on its head—the kebabs are fantastic, with an especial nod to the iskender and the yogurtlu kebabs, while the mezes are almost uniformly a disappointment. If you do want an appetizer regardless, get something that will go well with the great hot bread, like the taramasolata. Serves a fine cup of Turkish coffee and some great desserts.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-10:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-10PM·$12-25 · Vegetarian options

19. EatMexican restaurantAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Don Juan Restaurant

    Don Juan is less accessible to non-Spanish speakers, but the pupusas are some of the best in the city. The atmosphere is a little weird, with a big disco ball complementing the big flat-screen TV, some deer heads on the walls, and the requisite thumping polka on the jukebox, but that can heighten the experience with the right attitude. Separate take-out entrance is in the back.

    11AM-2AM daily·$1.50-15 · Outdoor seating

20. EatIndian restaurantNear Northeast

    Indigo

    A great Indian restaurant where you are encouraged to write on the wall!

    Open now · closes 9 pm·Outdoor seating

21. EatAmerican restaurantUpper Northwest

    New Heights

    New Heights is a great place for a night of complex, inventive American cuisine. Don't skip dessert. The bar has an excellent selection of gins, which is refreshing, given the number of establishments around the city with great menus of cocktails or whiskies.

    Mon-Fri 5:30-10PM, Fri Sat 5:30-10:30PM·$25-50, three-course prix-fixe: $35 · Outdoor seating

22. EatThai restaurantDupont Circle

    Regent Thai

    Thai in the U.S. (and certainly in D.C.) is often nice for a cheap meal with just a little bit of flair, and not much beyond that. But this is one of the best Thai places in the city, and serves up less greasy, more authentic dishes, in an attractive space (and it's not quite as cheap). Strangely, they serve free sodas—not just free refills—which makes this a good bet if you're thirsty. The spice levels, which you can control per request, are higher here than you'd find elsewhere, so those extra drinks are extra useful.

    Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-3PM, Sat noon-3PM; dinner: Sun-Thu 5PM-10PM, Fri Sat 5-11PM·$15-30 · Wheelchair accessible

23. EatSeafood restaurantDupont Circle

    Hank's Oyster Bar

    Small, cozy restaurant, with a popular oyster bar, along with fried clams, lobster rolls, and other seafood. This is also a good place to enjoy a beer and martinis.

    Sun-Tue 5:30-10PM, Wed-Sat 5:30-11PM, Sat Sun 11AM-3PM·$12-25 · Outdoor seating

24. EatRestaurantUpper Northwest

    Petit Monde Cafe

    A French-American bistro in a city short on bistro cuisine is a nice find. The service is incredibly friendly, and the familiar bistro favorites are quite good, from the french onion soup to Boeuf Bourguignon, braised veal, pastas, and salads. In a pretty old townhouse, it's equally amenable to a romantic dinner or a casual lunch.

    Open now · closes 5 pm·Outdoor seating

25. EatItalian restaurantDupont Circle

    Al Tiramisu

    Very tasty Italian cuisine with a nice wine list served in this small restaurant. The one stumble is the noise level, but the restaurant remains quite the good deal. Reservations required for dinner. Guess which one of the desserts is especially popular.

    Mon-Fri noon-2:30PM, 5:30-10:30PM; Sat 5:30-10:30PM; Sun 5-9:30PM·$25-50

26. EatAmerican restaurantWaterfront

    Cafe Twelve

    This is yet another one of the many sandwich shops just south of the Mall, but Twelve stands out for its fresh, cut-to-order deli meats. A good place to grab a small sandwich.

    Closed · opens 6:30 am tomorrow

27. EatJapanese restaurantShaw

    Chaplins' Restaurant & Bar

    A 1920s-themed Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar famous for ramen noodles.

    Closed · opens 4 pm

28. EatFrench restaurantGeorgetown

    Chez Billy Sud

    Palatable French food at a great price. Terrace seating when the weather permits is something hard to find in Georgetown at any price. Try the Torte aux Courgettes, a flaky zucchini pie, a traditional quiche, salad, or sandwich. Brunch on the weekends includes an entree, mimosa or OJ, and fresh French pastry for dessert. Great coffee any time, and a more laid back wine bar next door.

    Mon-Thu 11:30AM-midnight, Fri 11:30AM-1AM, Sat 10AM-1AM, Sun 10AM-midnight·$20-50

29. EatBakeryGeorgetown

    Dog Tag Bakery

    This establishment makes a point of hiring and supporting veterans. The ambiance is patriotic and welcoming.

    Closed · opens 8 am tomorrow

30. EatSalvadoran restaurantAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Ercilia's Restaurant

    Mount Pleasant's nomination for friendliest Pupusería in town. It's not just a take-out; there is a nice little restaurant inside, so you can sit back, linger over tasty soups or snack on yuca frita.

    Mon-Wed 8AM-10PM, Thu-Sat 8AM-11PM·$1.50-9

31. EatJapanese restaurantWest End

    Kaz Sushi Bistro

    The decor is a little uninspired, but the sushi and especially the other Japanese cuisine here is exceptional and creative (great chef!).

    Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2PM; dinner: Mon-Sat 5:30-10PM·$16-30; individual sushi or rolls: $4-7

32. EatRestaurantEast End

    Minibar by José Andrés

    Mr. Andrés' wild culinary ride through molecular-gastronomy. One of DC's two Michelin star restaurants. This six-customer, two-chef restaurant, serves a 30-course meal of everything from cotton candy foie gras to lobster injection to beet tumbleweed. Reservations open online for the following month, and seats fill up quickly.

    Seating times Tue-Sat 6PM and 8:30PM, Sun 5PM and 7:30PM·$350 + drinks + 22% service charge

33. EatItalian restaurantDupont Circle

    Obelisk

    Very, very classy, and very, very tasty Tuscan cuisine. Obelisk's five course pri-fixe menu changes daily, so everything is always fresh and seasonal. It is reputed to be both one of the city's best dining experiences and one of its best deals. It is, however, small and therefore quite hard to get reservations. Plan well in advance.

    Tue-Sat 6-10PM·5-course dinner menu: $78, $88 on F Sa Wine pairings cost an additional $53-58

34. 
    EatAmerican restaurantWest End

    Old Ebbitt Grill

    The venerable Old Ebbitt Grill. You don't come for the food (which is just fine, American cuisine), you come here for the tradition and the history. This Victorian restaurant and bar a couple blocks from the White House was a personal favorite with steak-eating Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding and Theodore Roosevelt back in the nineteenth century. It remains a symbol of the classic Washingtonian experience, and will probably always attract power diners. The one selection on the menu that really is excellent is the rightly famous oyster menu. You will need reservations.

    Mon-Fri 7:30AM-midnight, Sat Sun 8:30AM-midnight·$18-35 · Takeaway
35. EatMexican restaurantEast End

    Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

    José Andres's take on Mexican antojitos, the Mexican word for snacks (literally, "little cravings"). The mole here is outstanding and the grasshopper tacos are... interesting. Su-F 4:30-6:30PM has great happy hour deals at the bar.

    Sun Mon 11:30AM-10PM, Tue-Thu 11:30AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-midnight·$30-60

36. EatBakeryGeorgetown

    Patisserie Poupon

    Pleasant outdoor seating on a relaxed section Wisconsin Ave, low prices, delicious croissants, quiche, and panini. This is a regular stop for just about everyone in Georgetown who knows the place.

    Tue-Fri 8AM-6:30PM, Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 8AM-4PM·$2-10

37. EatPie restaurantNear Northeast

    Pie Shop

    A slice of one of their savory pies (like the wonderful steak, mushroom, and gruyère) can be enough for dinner, really, so this qualifies as a prime cheap eats spot on H St (or an inebriated after-bar indulgence). Among the dessert pies, it would be a shame not to try the strawberry rhubarb! An import from Baltimore, Dangerously Delicious has flourished here, and is probably the best bakery for pies in the immediate D.C. metro area. Look for pies by the slice out of their food truck downtown, too.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-midnight, Fri 11AM-3:30AM, Sat 9AM-3:30AM, Sun 9AM-10PM·By the slice: $4.50-6, whole pies: $30-35

38. EatJapanese restaurantAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Sakuramen

    A hole-in-the-wall ramen shop in the basement of a row house, featuring Japanese ramen with a Korean twist. Among the menu options is a "fireball" ramen (featuring a ball of spices that pops in the broth for a nice kick), a kimchi ramen, and a number of broths featuring Berkshire pork belly. The saku-ramen dish on the menu is actually a vegetarian ramen that is widely acclaimed.

    Mon closed, Tue-Thu 6PM-10:30PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 11:30AM-10PM·$10-15

39. EatMexican restaurantBrookland-Petworth-Takoma

    San Antonio Grill

    A nice Tex-Mex restaurant near Catholic University, with Mexican food far above the local average, as well as a few Salvadoran and Cuban entries (try the Cuban masitas de puerco). The margaritas have quickly become famous, not just for being tasty, but also for being extremely large.

    Sun-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM·$8-25

40. EatAsian restaurantNear Northeast

    Toki Underground

    A popular Taiwanese-style ramen house (think noodles with eggs) run by culinary ninja Erik Bruner-Yang. Try the buttermilk cookies that come with a shot of milk or any one of the 5 eclectic cocktails on the menu.

    Mon-Wed Sun 5PM-10PM, Thu 5PM-midnight, Fri Sat 5PM-2AM·$10-22

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Washington, D.C. (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.