Washington, DC Restaurants

  1. 100 King Restaurant

    Washingtonians are trekking to the 'burbs to dine at Alexandria's hippest taverna. The restaurant specializes in small plates from the Middle East and Mediterranean with mostly favorable results. Hit the happening bar before and after dinner.

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  2. 1789

    Set in a welcoming Federal row house, 1789 is well known to Georgetown students as the place to take your visiting parents (or rather, have them take you). Chef Ris Lacoste uses local, seasonal produce and game to create new twists on American classics, such as rabbit and sweetbreads and soft-shell crabs with corn pudding. You won't pass up dessert if you catch a glimpse of the pastry chefs working in the front window next door. Upstairs you will find the students' favorite drinking spot, Tombs.

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  3. 2 Quail

    Tucked away in an unassuming brick row house, this gem of a restaurant is truly a Washington landmark. Frilly, romantic and cluttered with chintz and velvet, it looks like a cross between grandma's attic and an elegant parlor and makes all the romantic-dining shortlists. The food seems to take a back seat to the fancy decor, but nobody is complaining about the fine mains, such as roasted duck, seafood pasta or the signature quail.

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  4. 2amys

    This neighborhood pizzeria is a little out of the way, but worth the trek if you're in the mood for some of the best gourmet pizza in the city. The margarita pizza is truly an orgasm for the senses, made with freshly ripped basil, sweet tomatoes, smoky mozzarella and high-quality sea-salt and olive oil. Not in the mood for pizza? 2Amys offers delicious small plates and creamy desserts.

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  5. A La Lucia

    Dishing up a winning concoction of uncomplicated Italian at affordable prices inside a vibrant dining hall, this newbie restaurant has already made a name for itself. Plates are of the generous grandma's kitchen variety - heaping portions of spaghetti bolognaise, rich lasagna, and veal masala. The ambiance is refined in the back, all white table clothes and low lighting and a stunning wine bar. In the front room it's all about color; walls are bright and decked with original pieces.

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  6. Afterwords Café & Kramerbooks

    To some locals, this independent bookstore with café attached is the center of the DC universe. The café changes its moods throughout the day: In the morning, people schmooze over lazy cups of coffee and muffins; in the afternoon and early evening, readers dally over newspapers and new-bought novels; at night, it's a bar scene with live music. The food is good, if slightly overpriced. But the real treat here is to see and be seen.

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  7. Al Crostino

    This isn't the best food in the city but, at these prices, it's pretty damn tasty. Simple, hearty food is served in reasonable portions. The pastas are probably your best bet, although the steaks can be an equally good choice. In summary, Al Crostino is a welcoming trattoria, where the chef is known to check on patrons and the service is refreshingly attentive.

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  8. America

    Claiming to be DC's 'only 50-star restaurant,' this place takes the theme as far as it goes, with menus shaped like maps and mains from every state in the Union (from New York steak to grilled Mahi-Mahi, and don't forget Boston cream pie for dessert). The varied menu draws Hill-rats during the week and tourists on weekends. It's a good place to bring the family; couples might find the mall atmosphere un-romantic.

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  9. Andale

    The executive chef spent the summer in Mexico and was so inspired that she revamped her restaurant - formerly the Mark - into this innovative, contemporary, south-of-the-border gem. It's been more than five years now, but Andale is still a local favorite serving a solid lineup of complex Mexican dishes. It's all good, from the original artwork and Mexican lanterns adorning the dining room to the caldo de mariscos (spicy seafood stew).

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  10. Annie's Paramount Steakhouse

    This neighborhood steakhouse attracts a predominately gay clientele, which says more about its location than anything else. After hours on weekends the place is at its best, hopping with clubbers grabbing a burger or breakfast on their way home. Waitstaff are friendly, making this one of the best places to meet and greet the gay community.

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  11. Anzu

    The best thing about this sophisticated wine bar is nothing on the menu costs more than around US$11 . Plus the modern European fare - thin-crust pizzas, homemade raviolis, seared seafood and seasonal veggie tapas - is far from shabby. Order several items and pass them around the table.

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  12. Aqua Ardiente

    Sshhh, don't tell anyone, Washingtonian's would rather keep this neighborhood Spanish place a secret. The vibe is tribal trendy meets spiritual, with a Madonna shrine, Indian masks and silky rouge curtains. The menu is billed as Nouveau Latino, and offers a slew of ceviches and an extensive wine list.

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  13. Ardeo's

    Prices at this slick joint are quite reasonable, considering the posh decor and the sophisticated menu. The latter features a few rich pastas, lots of fresh fish and juicy meat selections, plus a few salads and sandwiches. Try a local specialty like succulent, pan-roasted rockfish served with a ragout of prosciutto, sweet corn and plantains. There's also a giant wine list. For a sample, check out three tasters of new stock for around US$14 ; the wines change seasonally.

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  14. B Smith's

    With its spectacular vaulted ceilings, marble floors and Ionic columns, you can't beat B Smith's location in the former Presidential Waiting Hall at Union Station. It's a remarkable contrast to the down-home Southern fare served here by former model Barbara Smith (who once graced Oil of Olay ads). She upgrades Southern classics like fried chicken and blackened shrimp to sophisticated oeuvres.

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  15. Bangkok 54 Restaurant & Bar

    From generic to exotic, this award-winning restaurant serves up Thai cuisine that's often fiery and always flavorful. And you don't have to compromise aesthetics for good food, Bangkok 54 looks as good as it tastes. The modern decor mixes granite with bright reds for a sleek finish.

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  16. Bangkok Bistro

    Locals love this joint on their birthdays - the birthday person eats free. Actually this modern Thai restaurant with a lively sidewalk café does a fast trade most nights of the week. Serving a long line-up of Thai favorites, it doesn't try anything too adventurous (true lovers of Thai cuisine might argue it's too Americanized) with its cooking, but dishes are consistently good and can be spiced accordingly. We always like the drunken noodles and green curry mains.

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  17. Ben's Chili Bowl

    Newlyweds Ben and Virginia Ali launched this neighborhood institution in 1958. It became a lunch staple for all the locals, including the stars playing at the neighborhood clubs. Everyone from Redd Foxx to Duke Ellington to Bill Cosby has eaten at Ben's. Despite radical changes in the neighborhood, Ben's Formica counters and bright booths still look pretty much the same. And the spicy dogs ('Our chili will make a hot dog bark!') are always drawing crowds at lunchtime.

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  18. Bistro Bis

    La favorite among DC's real and wannabe power brokers, this oh-so-chic bistro inside the Hotel George features nouveau versions of French classics: succulent duck confit with garlic and thyme; seared sea scallops served with roasted eggplant; steak frite with tarragon hollandaise (but with the mandatory pommes frites).

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  19. Bistrot Du Coin

    Ou est Phillipe? At this happening bistro, no doubt. This raucous room looks like the real thing, the waiters gargle their Rs and the food on the plate smells and tastes just as it should. The dishes are heavy on rich sauces, with perfect frites and greens on the side.

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  20. Bombay Club

    Lauded as one of DC's top Indian restaurants, this place is popular with movies stars such as Harrison Ford and Bruce Willis. It features cuisine inspired by the subcontinent's diverse cultures and an award-winning wine list. House specialties draw on the best of these, adding the chef's modern touch: spicy seafood curry, succulent chicken tikka masala and hot, hot, hot green chili chicken. The Bombay Club's elegant setting and indulging service allow guests to experience the life of a maharaja, if only for a few hours.

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  21. Booeymonger

    Create your own sandwich or choose one from the big board. Ingredients are fresh and service is quick, which explains why this local institution is often packed at lunchtime.

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  22. Breadline

    'Food is ammunition - don't waste it!' commands a WWII-era poster on the wall of this polished bakery and sandwich shop. Chef and local food celebrity Mark Furstenberg uses his ammunition to create fresh and filling sandwiches and to-die-for sweet treats.

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  23. Bricks Tavern

    'Bricks' means the ovens in which the gourmet pizzas are baked and topped with the freshest of toppings: grilled chicken with sun-dried tomato and lemon-dressed arugula; roasted eggplant with sweet peppers and goat cheese; and classics like tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella. Salads, sandwiches and pastas round out the menu beautifully. You can enjoy your meal at the long, friendly bar or alternatively upstairs on the rooftop.

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  24. Buck's Fishing & Camping

    Set up like some sort of lakeside fishing camp complete with canoes, this place has become a neighborhood haunt that has pundits and politicos making the trek to the 'hood to see what all the fuss is about. The food is American comfort cooking at its best, and the restaurant does everything from chicken livers on toast to lobster and sirloin. The no-reservations policy means you'll be waiting ages for a seat on weekend evenings, but when you do score one of the chairs at the communal tables you could be sharing it with your state's senator and the guy selling books at the coffee shop across the street.

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  25. Café La Ruche

    Set on a quiet lane away from the crowds and near the canal, La Ruche bills itself as Georgetown's oldest French bistro. This quintessential café has a dining room packed with tiled tables and a garden draped in vines, making it an appealing date spot. The menu is straightforward, featuring classic items like steamy, spicy, garlic moules (mussels) or fresh, tangy salad Niçoise. On weekends, come for brunch and a complimentary mimosa.

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