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. 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 all-
1. Rasika - Top-end: (More than US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show more
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
-
2. Blue Duck Tavern - Top-end: (More than US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show more
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 - Top-end: (More than US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show more
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. Palm Restaurant - Top-end: (More than US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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
-
5. CityZen - Top-end
Show moreThe dining room of Washington DC's CityZen is temple-like: cathedral ceiling, dimly lit, with waiters flitting back and forth between tables and kitchen. The entire menu changes monthly, but expect heavenly tastes, such as an amuse-bouche of fried mushroom with truffle butter, cream of artichoke soup, or grilled pork jowl with marinated French green lentils.
Show this on mapE-mail this itemCost
Prix fixe $80 for 3-course menu; 6-course tasting menus $95 (vegetarian) and $115
Opening hours
Tues-Sat 6-9:30pm
Address
1330 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, D.C., USA
Telephone
202/787-6140
Website
Mid-range
Expand all-
6. Oyamel - Mid-range
Show moreJosé Andrés, the 40-ish Spaniard who has wowed us repeatedly as chef at Jaleo, Café Atlantico, Zaytinya, and Minibar, does it again at Oyamel. With its limited reservations policy meant to encourage spontaneous walk-ins, open-all-day hours, menu of antojitos priced below $12 each (the menu also lists some entrees), hearty cocktails, and exuberant atmosphere, Oyamel serves as the ultimate chill pill for the capital's hungry and stressed-out wonks.
Show this on mapE-mail this itemCost
Small plates and tacos $3-$12; lunch and dinner entrees $9-$19; brunch entrees $6-$12
Opening hours
Sun-Mon 11:30am-10pm; Tues-Thurs 11:30am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-midnight
Address
401 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C., USA
Telephone
202/628-1005
Website
-
7. Zaytinya - Mid-range: (US$31-US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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. Martin's Tavern - Mid-range: (US$31-US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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
-
9. Old Ebbitt Grill - Mid-range: (US$31-US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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
-
10. Proof - Mid-range: (US$31-US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show more
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
-
11. Clyde's of Georgetown - Mid-range: (US$31-US$50 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show more
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
Budget
Expand all-
12. Sticky Fingers - Budget: (Less than US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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
-
13. Ben's Chili Bowl - Budget: (Less than US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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
-
14. Teaism - Budget: (Less than US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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
-
15. Café - Budget: (Less than US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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
