Washington, DC
The tapas thing has been done to death, but star chef José Andrés helped start the trend in DC, and still serves some of the best Spanish cuisine in town…
Washington, DC
The tapas thing has been done to death, but star chef José Andrés helped start the trend in DC, and still serves some of the best Spanish cuisine in town…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
When Dominican baseball players come to town to play the Nats, this is where they get their food fix from the homeland. It's cafeteria-style service, so…
Washington, DC
You can munch sushi at Perry's, but it's the creative fusion fare that really deserves your tongue's attention. Eat in the attractive lounge or under the…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The tempeh bacon, gluten-free pancakes and tofu scramble are but foreplay to the (vegan) peanut butter fudge and raspberry cream cupcakes. Sticky Fingers…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The sprawling Smokehouse is an exemplar of the Ivy City scene: gritty, hip and set in an old warehouse. It's part restaurant with rooftop patio, part live…
Washington, DC
Pleasant Pops cafe is definitely pleasant, with big windows that let in plenty of natural light. The 'pops' are popsicles, or Mexican paletas to be exact,…
White House Area & Foggy Bottom
Washington Circle's best-known tavern/bistro has sleek surrounds, friendly but harried staff and extensive food and drink menus. The main drawcard is the…
Washington, DC
This is rich, regional Louisiana cookin', so come prepared for duck glazed in pepper jelly, fried oyster po'boy sandwiches, and veal dunked in mushroom…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The sun-splashed, tiled cafe is known for its thin-crust pizzas, salamis, anchovies and cheeses – all of which go smashingly with a nice glass of wine…
Washington, DC
The NYC chain has come to DC. The self-proclaimed 'modern roadside burger stand' is beloved for its well-griddled patties under a sweet-and-tangy Shack…
White House Area & Foggy Bottom
This très élégant modern brasserie is a particularly good choice at lunch, when the outdoor terrace and airy dining room are lovely spaces in which to…
White House Area & Foggy Bottom
Here, chef Kaz Okochi and his three sushi chefs offer a large choice of nigiri sushi, sashimi, hand rolls and seafood-dominated small plates. The food is…
Washington, DC
Jimmy’s is a neighborhood joint of the old school, where folks come in with their dogs, cram in to read the Post, have a burger or a coffee or an omelet …
Washington, DC
A pocket of Paris secreted on the edge of the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden, this cafeteria is housed in a glass pavilion whose design was…
Washington, DC
This small teahouse is unique in the area for its affordable lunch options – hot noodle dishes and fresh bento boxes – and its pleasantly relaxing…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
Cozy Bistro Bohem is a community favorite for its rib-sticking Czech schnitzels, goulash and pilsners, served with a side of local art on the walls and…
Washington, DC
This romantic French bistro, set in an exposed-brick row house and spread over two floors, checks all the boxes: buttery escargot, rich cheese plates,…
Washington, DC
Generous portions of moussaka and souvlaki, as well as pitchers of Rolling Rock beer, make family-run Zorba's Cafe one of DC’s best bargain haunts. On…
Georgetown
Georgetown's two-story branch of the uberhealthy salad and frozen-yogurt maker is the chain's largest. Order your whopping bowl of curry-yogurt-sauced…
Georgetown
Milano has been reeling in the political glitterati and besotted Georgetown couples for years with its executions of northern Italian favorites. Be…
Washington, DC
Regulars can't get enough of the culinary snapshots of global street food offered at G Street. Sandwiches are the main focus, and range from banh mi to…
Georgetown
The society ladies know where to replenish mid–shopping spree: Patisserie Poupon. Join them in nibbling almond croissants, macarons or a niçoise salad at…
Washington, DC
Ogle the glass cases bursting with creamy-frosted cakes and pies. The banoffee pie (a sublime banana-toffee mix) and carrot cupcake are the sweets to beat…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The Grill is one of DC’s quintessential diners. Be they president, Harlem Globetrotter or college student, they’ve all come here for more than 70 years to…
Washington, DC
The DC mini-chain scoops terrific all-natural gelato, but the sorbet is the standout. Fruity flavors made from Haitian mangoes, white grapefruits and Bosc…
Washington, DC
Dupont Circle’s branch of the healthful salad purveyor often has a line out the door. Order your huge bowl of roast chicken and kale or spicy shrimp and…
Upper Northwest DC
We say Southern, but really, it’s just about the barbecue here: slow smoked, red oak and hickory, no electricity, no gas, Texas-style and pretty good for…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
There’s a Day of the Dead–inspired interior, margaritas on tap, excellent elote (corn) smothered in white cheese and spices, and fresh guacamole. It's…
Washington, DC
A frequent winner in DC's 'best late-night eats' polls, Julia's stuffs its dough bombs with chorizo, Jamaican beef curry, spinach and more. Flavors peak…
Upper Northwest DC
If you’re going on a picnic in Rock Creek Park, you can source salumi, cheese, bread, olives and wine from Vace, perhaps the best-loved Italian deli in DC…
Washington, DC
This kitschy little red-and-yellow restaurant has been serving up hamburgers and fries – flavored with 26 spices and herbs – since 1989. You’ll find…
Washington, DC
Located at the juncture of the National Gallery's two wings, the Cascade offers views of just that: a shimmering, IM Pei–designed artificial waterfall…
Washington, DC
The Monocle’s food – very American, surf-and-turf-type stuff – is generally good, occasionally great, sometimes disappointing. But people don’t come here…
Washington, DC
Heavenly, handmade gelato, using the freshest local ingredients, is served up at nine outlets across the DC region, including this one at CityCenter DC…
Washington, DC
The decor is sleek-chic but warm, like a fireplace den decorated by a Scandinavian couture designer’s grandmother. The food is dandy, a nice sampling of…
White House Area & Foggy Bottom
The philosophy here is laudable: majority owned by farmers, this attractive restaurant in the IMF building aspires to serve contemporary American fare…
Washington, DC
The two prime times to visit La Plaza are at lunch, when it’s occupied by Hill types seeking cheap Tex-Mex and Salvadoran fare, and at night, when they…
Washington, DC
The warren-roomed Hawk ‘n’ Dove opened in 1967 and served Senators and construction workers alike in humble, old-school environs for decades. These days…
Upper Northwest DC
This lively open-air spot in Cleveland Park makes a fine destination when you want to combine a bit of eating and drinking. Mussel lovers will appreciate…
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The usual U St–Columbia Heights crew of hipsters, policy wonks, and policy wonks who kind of look like hipsters packs the cluttered interior and much…