Washington, DC
Plop into a booth in the art-deco-meets-diner ambience, and loosen the belt. Nana's biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast, meatloaf with ketchup glaze…
Must-see restaurants in Washington, DC
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
Estadio buzzes with a low-lit, date-night vibe. The tapas menu is as deep as an ocean trench. There are four variations of ibérico ham and a delicious…
Washington, DC
The smell of rich coffee envelops you when you enter this little bakery, where a couple of French expats bake merveilleux, their signature pastry plumped…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
This charming French bistro is one of the hottest tables in town. DC celebrities galore cozy up in the leather banquettes and at the sidewalk tables. They…
Washington, DC
Busboys & Poets is a local minichain of cool cafes. Each has a multicultural, opinionated, creative vibe, along with a lengthy menu of well-priced…
Washington, DC
The local mini-chain Dolcezza whips up the District's best gelati. Some flavors are unusual, such as blueberry lavender and Thai coconut milk, and change…
Washington, DC
In a city with no shortage of Ethiopian joints, Ethiopic stands above the rest thanks to its warm, stylish ambience. Top marks go to the various wats …
Georgetown
Real-deal Neapolitan pizza emerges from the real-deal, Italian wood-fired oven in Il Canale's bouncy town-house digs. It's casual and low-cost for…
Washington, DC
One of the culinary crown jewels of chef José Andrés, ever-popular Zaytinya serves superb Greek, Turkish and Lebanese meze in a long, noisy dining room…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
At this casual but trendy Laotian restaurant, chef-owner Seng Luangrath offers fabulously spicy, tart and pungent dishes from her homeland. Named for the…
Georgetown
John F Kennedy proposed to Jackie in booth three at Georgetown’s oldest saloon, and if you’re thinking of popping the question there today, the attentive…
Washington, DC
Local celeb chef Aaron Silverman operates this kicky restaurant that has a pair of Michelin stars and features a 12-course tasting menu of wild takes on…
Upper Northwest DC
Macon, Georgia, meets Mâcon, France, in this wild mash-up of delectable Southern cooking with classic French cuisine. Regulars head here to feast on…
Upper Northwest DC
A stone’s throw from Washington National Cathedral, 2 Amys serves Neapolitan-style pizzas and calzones to a devoted crowd of regulars. It's particularly…
White House Area & Foggy Bottom
Many DC restaurants serve up fussy and faddish fare. Not the Prime Rib. Excuse a bit of stereotyping, but power is still best exemplified by sitting in a…
Washington, DC
This open-air fish market has long been adored for its no-nonsense vendors selling fish, crabs, oysters and other seafood so fresh it's still flopping…
Washington, DC
Red Apron makes a helluva breakfast sandwich. Plop into one of the comfy booths and wrap your lips around the ricotta, honey and pine-nut 'aristocrat' or…
Washington, DC
Hill Country is an anomaly for DC: a Texas-themed, cowboy-hat-filled joint, which doesn't feel corny; a barbecue spot that serves good smoked meat; and a…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
&pizza outlets are popping up all over DC, and no wonder: this is high-quality fast food. Create your own pie (enough for two meals) using housemade…
Georgetown
There are many who claim BlackSalt – located in the rich, residential Palisades neighborhood – serves the best seafood in the city. The chef always seems…
Georgetown
Here’s what’s going to happen: you’ll be walking down M St and will see a gigantic line spilling out of a small shop: moms with kids, preppy students and…
Georgetown
There are artists and there are craftspeople, and La Chaumière’s kitchen seems to fall into the second category. This isn’t a bad thing; there’s no…
Washington, DC
Many locals say this spare, earth-toned Japanese place serves the best sushi in town – and they were proven right when the restaurant earned a Michelin…
Georgetown
This place was one of the first high-end purveyors of ‘rustic New American’ fare, so if you’re going to try local ingredients sexed up with provincial…
Washington, DC
Who doesn't adore soft pretzels warm from the oven? Get a mustard or gooey cheese dip to enhance the experience, along with coffee, beer or basil lemonade…
Upper Northwest DC
Open City is a bedrock breakfast and brunch spot in Woodley Park, drawing a mix of diners including young families and old-time regulars. You'll find the…
Georgetown
Casual Paradiso serves wood-oven Neapolitan-style pizzas with scrumptious toppings to crowds of hungry patrons. The pizza crust is perfect: light, crisp…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
Flashy Pearl Dive serves exceptional, sustainable oysters from both coasts, along with braised duck and oyster gumbo, crawfish fritters and insanely rich…
Washington, DC
Cheap and cheerful, fast and delicious, the Falafelshop rocks the world of vegetarians and those questing for late-night munchies. Bowl up to the counter,…
Georgetown
Kotobuki is one of DC's better spots for sushi, thanks to its excellent platters (at around $16 for a lunch and $26 for a dinner platter); its tucked-away…
Washington, DC
Attached to Kramerbooks, this buzzing spot is not your average bookstore cafe. The packed indoor tables, wee bar and outdoor patio overflow with good…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
Unlike some of its 14th St neighbors, nothing particularly wild or trendy is going on at this airy restaurant. Instead you'll find solid, well-spiced…
Washington, DC
A boisterous date-night place with a zingy interior full of lantern lights and bamboo, Tiger Fork serves Hong Kong–style snacks and noodle dishes, such as…
Washington, DC
A humble, shack-like spot with a handful of tables, Federalist Pig barbecues renowned ribs and pork shoulder. View the menu on the tack-up board, place…
Washington, DC
South African chain Nando’s is about hot-spiced, flame-grilled chicken. Peri-peri, for the uninitiated, is a vinegary, chili-laden sauce in which they…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The menu of modern comfort foods focuses on fresh pastas, flatbreads and mains like short rib with mashed potatoes, all of which pairs with the enormous…
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Washington, DC
Unique doughnut flavors and fried wings – what more do you need? The chicken is the winner, cooked crisp with buttermilk or hot sriracha, though the crème…
Upper Northwest DC
The aisles of this designer grocery store showcase plenty of specialty products, many of which feature in the excellent dishes produced in its huge deli…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The Drifters and jazz float in the air in this diner so neighborly it should wear a cardigan and loafers. The exterior looks like a house, while inside…
Washington, DC
Dine among senators and lobbyists at this elegant, upscale trattoria off Pennsylvania Avenue, recipient of an annual Michelin star. Italian chef Fabio…
