Restaurants in Washington D.C.
Washington's restaurant scene has grown increasingly diverse and creative in the past few years. Penn Quarter and neighbouring Chinatown feature creative newcomers Rasika and Proof. Authentic Ethiopian cuisine - a favourite among Washingtonians - can be found in U Street. Historic Georgetown is home to traditional classics like Martin's Tavern. Check opening hours in advance - many offer lunch menus on weekdays. Reservations are mandatory. Tipping is recommended at 15% to 20%.
Top-end
Expand all1. Palm Restaurant - Legendary steakhouse
Show moreFamily-run Palm Restaurant in Dupont Circle is the place to see and be seen. Visited by every US president since opening in 1972, it boasts attentive, friendly service. Expect top-quality steaks, enormous Nova Scotia lobsters and Italian entrees. The walls of the newly-renovated dining room feature caricatures of regular famous customers, including celebrities and politicians.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 11.45am-10pm; Sat 5.30pm-10pm; Sun 5.30pm-9.30pm
Address
1225 19th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20036
Telephone
+1 202 293 9091
2. Blue Duck Tavern - Contemporary American
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Honey-coloured wood, blue burlap cloth and an open kitchen with wood burning oven lend an inviting feel to Blue Duck Tavern in Foggy Bottom. Glass partitions allow intimate conversation while maintaining the open feel. The contemporary American cuisine features predominantly home-grown ingredients. Favourites include duck fat fries, brulée of foie gras and homemade ice cream.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 6.30am-10.30am, 11.30am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-10.30pm
Address
24th & M Streets NW, Washington D.C. 20037
Telephone
+1 202 419 6755
3. Acadiana - New Orleans Cajun
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Contemporary New Orleans is the overriding theme at Acadiana in Penn Quarter. Light floral fabrics, French-influenced furnishings, crystalline chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows create a bright, cheerful feel with great street views. Expect Cajun favourites on the menu, including gumbo stew, turtle soup, New Orleans muffaletta sandwiches, po boy baguettes and lots of fresh seafood.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm; Mon-Thu also 5.30pm-10.30pm (Fri & Sat until 11pm); Sun 11am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-9.30pm
Address
901 New York Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20001
Telephone
+1 202 408 8848
4. Ten Penh - South East Asian flavours
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Located in Penn Quarter, Ten Penh combines an open kitchen with South East Asian style elements including silk fabrics from Bangkok and a gold leaf bar, shaped like a traditional Asian gate. Flavours from all over this exotic continent compliment the design elements. Favourites include red Thai curry shrimp and Asian tabbouleh lamb chops.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm; Mon-Thu 5.30pm-10.30pm (Fri & Sat until 11pm)
Address
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20004
Telephone
+1 202 393 4500
5. Rasika - Contemporary Indian
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Rasika in Chinatown takes its flavours from traditional Indian cuisine, updating dishes for modern diners. Favourites include palak chaat, flash-fried spinach leaves served with date chutney, and black cod with star anise and red wine vinegar. Feast in an elegant dining room with a contemporary decor of plush fabrics, silk panels and rich spice colours.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm; Mon-Thu also 5.30pm-10:30pm (Fri & Sat until 11pm)
Address
633 D Street NW, Washington D.C. 20004
Telephone
+1 202 637 1222
Mid-range
Expand all6. Zed's Ethiopian Cuisine - Traditional African flavours
Show more
Zed's Ethiopian Cuisine, run by Ethiopian-born Zed Wondemu, is one of the most popular spots serving authentic African dishes in Washington. The historic building in Georgetown features burgundy and white linens, crystal and mirrors. Try chicken doro watt, with hard boiled egg and red pepper sauce, or beef segana gomen, with spices and collard greens.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 11am-11pm
Address
1201 28th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20007
Telephone
+1 202 333 4710
7. Zaytinya - Authentic Middle Eastern dishes
Show more Serving up authentic Greek, Lebanese and Turkish entrées alongside Mediterranean wines, beers and spirits, Zaytinya is located in the Penn Quarter. Having established itself as a favourite dining spot, particularly among vegetarians, it serves small mezze dishes which encourage experimentation and sharing. Try the sarikopite, butternut squash pie with yogurt, rocket leaves and honey.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Sun & Mon 11.30am-10pm (Tue-Thu until 11.30pm; Fri & Sat until 12am)
Address
701 9th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20004
Telephone
+1 202 638 0800
8. Proof - Wine-centred dining
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Just steps from Chinatown, Proof boasts a specialist range of wines, with glistening bottles decorating nearly every wall of the dining room. A hip, professional crowd gathers here to enjoy fine wines and an eclectic menu, including everything from charcuterie and cheese boards to sushi-style beef sashimi, Hawaiian prawns, gnocchi and Alaskan halibut.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 5.30pm-10pm (Thu until 11pm, Fri & Sat until 12am); Mon-Fri also 11.30am-2pm
Address
775 G Street NW, Washington D.C. 20001
Telephone
+1 202 737 7663
9. Clyde's of Georgetown - Favourite for classic dishes
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Clyde's is a Washington DC favourite, with 13 restaurants across town. Georgetown is where it all began with Clyde's of Georgetown still the most popular restaurant, serving staple food in a sophisticated way. Families, friends and businessmen enjoy burgers, salads, omelettes, pasta and seafood in a sprawling historic building. Clyde's crab cakes are famously delicious.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 11.30am-10.30pm (Fri until 11pm); Sat 4.30pm-11pm; Sun 9am-10.30pm
Address
3236 M Street NW, Washington D.C. 20007
Telephone
+1 202 333 9180
10. Old Ebbitt Grill - Presidential Victorian diner
Show morePopular with politicians, Old Ebbitt Grill, located steps away from the White House in the Penn Quarter, was established in 1856. A long-standing favourite among US presidents, it has a Victorian interior featuring mahogany and velvet booths and antique beer steins. Expect pasta, steaks and arguably the best oyster and raw bar in the city.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 7.30am-12am; Sat & Sun 8.30am-12am
Address
675 15th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20005
Telephone
+1 202 347 4800
11. Martin's Tavern - Celebrity spotting in Georgetown
Show moreMeeting place for Washington and Hollywood celebrities since 1933, Martin's Tavern, at the heart of historic Georgetown, is where JFK proposed to Jackie Kennedy. Its cosy yet smart interior resembles an English pub, with a friendly bar perfect for a beer and menu offering colonial Brunswich Stew, Welsh Rarebit, pasta, steaks and locally-caught seafood.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 10am-1.30am (Fri until 2.30am); Sat 8am-2.30am; Sun 8am-1.30am
Address
1264 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20007
Telephone
+1 202 333 7370
Budget
Expand all12. Ben's Chili Bowl - Famous chilli hotdogs
Show more
Ben's Chili Bowl, located in U Street, is famous for its delicious chilli hotdogs. Loud R&B music fills this friendly, unpretentious diner, which attracts people from all walks of life, looking for simple, great-tasting food. Try the Chili Half-Smoke (Bill Cosby's favourite), a grilled smoked sausage served on a bun with chilli, mustard and onions.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 11am-2am (Fri & Sat until 4am); Sun 12pm-8pm
Address
1213 U Street NW, Washington D.C. 20009
Telephone
+1 202 667 0909
13. Teaism - Historical teahouse dining
Show moreWashington DC's oldest teahouse, Teaism in Dupont Circle serves 50 kinds of tea in a building filled with tea accessories and local artwork. The restaurant also offers a good selection of hearty breakfast items as well as lunch and dinner entrées baked in a tandoor oven: kebabs, Japanese bento selection boxes and Thai curry dishes.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 8am-10pm (Fri until 11pm); Sat 9am-11pm (Sun until 10pm)
Address
2009 R Street NW, Washington D.C. 20009
Telephone
+1 202 667 3827
14. Sticky Fingers - Vegan sweet treats
Show moreSticky Fingers in Columbia Heights has made a name for itself as a vegan bakery making sweet treats for allergy sufferers and those with special diets. Their cookies, cakes and sweet breads are entirely free of animal products and cholesterol. Take a seat inside to enjoy one of their famous walnut cinnamon buns.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 7am-7pm (Fri until 9pm); Sat 8am-9pm; Sun 9am-6pm
Address
1370 Park Road NW, Washington D.C. 20010
Telephone
+1 202 299 9700
15. Café des Artistes - Elegant setting for snacks
Show moreLocated in the elegant atrium of downtown Corcoran Gallery, Café des Artistes serves sandwiches, salads and hot and cold entrées. Enjoy a lunchtime snack sat at contemporary white tables and chairs, surrounded by gleaming white Beaux Arts style columns. The Pizza Nouveau, with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, chopped olives and spinach, is a favourite.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon, Wed & Fri-Sun 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-9pm
Address
Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20006
Telephone
+1 202 639 1786
