Photo: John Brighenti from Rockville, MD, United States / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Where to Eat in Washington, DC: 61 Restaurants Worth the Trip
DC's tables run on power lunches and late-night diplomacy: 1856 saloons, Michelin small plates, and food trucks on the Mall. This guide maps 61 essentials — from Georgetown to Old Town — with what to order at each.
The must-go list
If you eat at nowhere else in Washington DC, eat here — ranked, best first.
Rose's Luxury
Michelin-starred, famously hard-to-book small plates on Barracks Row — the DC splurge dinner. Reservations release in advance and go fast; the whole menu is designed for sharing.
Tip: Reservations release in advance and go fast — the menu is for sharing.
Old Ebbitt Grill
DC's oldest saloon (1856) by the White House — oysters, burgers, and steaks in landmark Victorian rooms. Open daily; very busy, reserve or expect a wait at peak times.
Tip: DC's oldest saloon (1856) — reserve or expect a wait.
Rasika Penn Quarter
Modern Indian famous for palak chaat — the Obama-era favorite still draws crowds. Open for lunch and dinner; book ahead for weekend dinners.
Tip: Famous for palak chaat — book ahead for weekend dinners.
Zaytinya
Jose Andres's celebrated Turkish-Greek-Lebanese mezze in a sleek Penn Quarter room. Open for lunch and dinner; reservations recommended, especially weekends.
Tip: Reservations recommended, especially weekends.
Le Diplomate
Bustling French brasserie on 14th Street — steak frites and the see-and-be-seen room. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch; reservations recommended.
Tip: Reservations recommended — steak frites on 14th Street.
Maydan
Middle Eastern live-fire cooking in a dramatic room — a foodie destination dinner. Dinner only; the whole menu is built around the open hearth.
Tip: Dinner only — built around the open hearth.
Martin's Tavern
1933 institution where JFK proposed to Jackie — burgers and she-crab soup in wood-paneled rooms. Open daily; the upstairs keeps the old-Georgetown feel.
Tip: 1933 institution where JFK proposed to Jackie.
Tail Up Goat
Michelin-starred Mediterranean small plates in Adams Morgan — the insider splurge. Dinner only; reservations essential.
Tip: Michelin-starred — reservations essential.
Occidental
Historic 1906 Pennsylvania Avenue dining room steps from the White House — refined American classics in a portrait-lined clubroom. Crab-stuffed avocado, steak, and baked Alaska are signatures.
Tip: Crab-stuffed avocado and baked Alaska — the 1906 clubroom.
VUE Rooftop
Rooftop cocktail bar atop Hotel Washington with sweeping White House and Washington Monument views. Open Mon–Thu 4–midnight, Fri–Sat to 1 AM.
Tip: Views of the White House and Washington Monument.
Blues Alley
Historic jazz supper club in an alley off Wisconsin Ave — dinner with live music. Shows nightly; dinner packages available; book ahead.
Tip: Shows nightly — book ahead for dinner packages.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Bookstore cafe open late with all-day brunch and burgers — a Dupont institution. Browse the bookstore before or after your meal.
Tip: Open late — browse the bookstore before or after.
Food trucks on the National Mall
Lines of food trucks along Madison and Jefferson Drives — the practical way to eat cheaply on the Mall. Trucks cluster near the museums around midday; bring cash as a backup.
Tip: Trucks cluster around midday — bring cash as a backup.
Baked & Wired
Cult Georgetown bakery with cupcakes and strong coffee — the local alternative to the cupcake line. The German chocolate cupcake is the signature.
Tip: The German chocolate cupcake is the signature.
Kaz Sushi Bistro
Beloved Foggy Bottom sushi bistro known for creative nigiri like salmon with mango and tuna with kalamata olive. Dinner reservations recommended.
Tip: Salmon with mango, tuna with kalamata olive — the creative nigiri.
Browse every spot
Numbers match the map — tap a pin to jump to its card, or a number to find it on the map.
61 of 61 places
Rose's Luxury
Michelin-starred, famously hard-to-book small plates on Barracks Row — the DC splurge dinner. Reservations release in advance and go fast; the whole menu is designed for sharing.
Old Ebbitt Grill
DC's oldest saloon (1856) by the White House — oysters, burgers, and steaks in landmark Victorian rooms. Open daily; very busy, reserve or expect a wait at peak times.
Rasika Penn Quarter
Modern Indian famous for palak chaat — the Obama-era favorite still draws crowds. Open for lunch and dinner; book ahead for weekend dinners.
Zaytinya
Jose Andres's celebrated Turkish-Greek-Lebanese mezze in a sleek Penn Quarter room. Open for lunch and dinner; reservations recommended, especially weekends.
Le Diplomate
Bustling French brasserie on 14th Street — steak frites and the see-and-be-seen room. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch; reservations recommended.
Maydan
Middle Eastern live-fire cooking in a dramatic room — a foodie destination dinner. Dinner only; the whole menu is built around the open hearth.
Martin's Tavern
1933 institution where JFK proposed to Jackie — burgers and she-crab soup in wood-paneled rooms. Open daily; the upstairs keeps the old-Georgetown feel.
Tail Up Goat
Michelin-starred Mediterranean small plates in Adams Morgan — the insider splurge. Dinner only; reservations essential.
Occidental
Historic 1906 Pennsylvania Avenue dining room steps from the White House — refined American classics in a portrait-lined clubroom. Crab-stuffed avocado, steak, and baked Alaska are signatures.
VUE Rooftop
Rooftop cocktail bar atop Hotel Washington with sweeping White House and Washington Monument views. Open Mon–Thu 4–midnight, Fri–Sat to 1 AM.
Blues Alley
Historic jazz supper club in an alley off Wisconsin Ave — dinner with live music. Shows nightly; dinner packages available; book ahead.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Bookstore cafe open late with all-day brunch and burgers — a Dupont institution. Browse the bookstore before or after your meal.
Food trucks on the National Mall
Lines of food trucks along Madison and Jefferson Drives — the practical way to eat cheaply on the Mall. Trucks cluster near the museums around midday; bring cash as a backup.
Baked & Wired
Cult Georgetown bakery with cupcakes and strong coffee — the local alternative to the cupcake line. The German chocolate cupcake is the signature.
Kaz Sushi Bistro
Beloved Foggy Bottom sushi bistro known for creative nigiri like salmon with mango and tuna with kalamata olive. Dinner reservations recommended.
&pizza
DC-born fast-casual pizza chain — custom pies in minutes a short walk from the Mall. Open daily late; the Penn Quarter location is the closest to the Mall.
1789 Restaurant
Old-school fine dining in a Federal townhouse — classic romantic dinner. Jackets recommended; open for dinner.
Anju
Modern Korean from the Mandu family — standout for adventurous eaters. Dinner only; book ahead.
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Downtown counter pairing creative doughnuts (creme brulee, PB&J) with crispy fried chicken sandwiches. Tiny counter, takeout-friendly.
Bar Americano
Coffee and wine bar off the Mall — a rare quality bite-and-drink stop near the monuments. Open mornings through evening.
Bastille
Belgian-French bistro with mussels and frites — cozy dinner off King Street. The mussels menu is the draw.
Bombay Club
Elegant old-club Indian fine dining with live piano — tandoori classics and a deep wine list near the White House. Live piano nightly from 6:45 PM.
Captain Cookie and the Milkman
Superhero-themed dessert shop born as a GW food truck — build-your-own ice cream sandwiches with fresh-baked cookies. Open until midnight Fri–Sat.
Chaia Georgetown
DC-born vegetarian taco shop with farm-fresh seasonal tacos, handmade corn tortillas, and courtyard seating. Open daily 11–9; creamy kale and potato tacos are standouts.
Chez Billy Sud
French bistro on the canal with a lovely garden patio — romantic without the splurge. Patio seating is first-come.
CIRCA at Foggy Bottom
Bustling American bistro with a dog-friendly patio — small plates, burgers, and flatbreads steps from the Foggy Bottom Metro. Open daily from 11 AM.
Clyde's of Georgetown
Long-running Georgetown tavern with American classics and a saloon bar — reliable lunch or dinner. Open daily.
Columbia Firehouse
Burgers and American classics in a restored 1871 firehouse on King Street. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
DC Food Wagon
Food truck near the National Mall serving smash burgers, lamb shawarma, quesadillas and Philly chicken sandwiches. Open daily 10–6.
Dolcezza
Local artisan gelato shop on Connecticut Ave with small-batch seasonal flavors and a serious coffee program. Open daily until 11 PM (midnight Fri–Sat).
Elephant & Castle
British pub two blocks from the National Mall — fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and the largest patio in downtown DC. Open daily 11–11; dog-friendly patio.
Fiola Mare
Upscale Italian seafood on the Georgetown waterfront — the special-occasion dinner. Waterfront tables book out; reserve ahead.
Five Guys Old Town
Old Town outpost of the Virginia-born burger chain — burgers, peanut-oil fries, and free peanuts, right off King Street. Open daily 11–10.
Founding Farmers
Farm-to-table American comfort food — famous chicken-and-waffles brunch. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; brunch weekends draw lines.
Georgetown Cupcake
The famous cupcake shop that started the craze — expect a line on weekends. Open daily; lines move fast.
Good Stuff Eatery
Chef Spike Mendelsohn's Capitol Hill burger and shake shop — cheap, quick, and kid-approved. Open daily; takeout and dine-in.
Hank's Oyster Bar Alexandria
Cozy Old Town oyster bar with a rooftop dining room — raw bar, crab cakes, and lobster rolls a short walk from King Street. Open daily from 11 AM; rooftop is the light, spacious pick.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Lavish steak-and-seafood house steps from the White House — Florida stone crab, dry-aged steaks, and famous key lime pie. Open daily from 11:30 AM.
Joselito Casa de Comidas
Cozy Spanish tapas and sherry on Capitol Hill — good date-night pick. Open for dinner Tue–Sun.
La Bonne Vache
Walk-in French bistro in the old Booeymonger space — French-inspired burgers, steak frites, and escargot. Open Wed–Sun 11–9; walk-in only.
Lincoln's Waffle Shop
No-frills waffle and breakfast-sandwich counter a block from the museums — cheap fuel. Open mornings and early afternoons; cash-friendly counter service.
Matchbox Capitol Hill
Wood-fired pizzas and mini burgers on Barracks Row — the near-the-Hill lunch standby. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Mia's Italian Kitchen
Lively Italian red-sauce spot on King Street — family-friendly dinner. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Misha's Coffee
Old Town's beloved independent coffee roaster on King Street — beans roasted in-house. Open daily.
Murphy's Grand Irish Pub
Iconic Irish pub since 1978 — live music, hearty fare, and late-night hours on King St. Open Mon–Sat 11–1, Sun 10–2.
Peacock Alley
The Waldorf Astoria's signature atrium bar and dining room — all-day American menu under the historic Old Post Office skylight, plus afternoon tea.
Peregrine Espresso
Serious coffee bar on Capitol Hill — morning fuel before the museums. Open mornings and afternoons.
Pitango Gelato
Organic gelato near Eastern Market — the afternoon-bite stop on a Capitol Hill day. Open daily; flavors rotate seasonally.
Pizzeria Paradiso Georgetown
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and a deep beer list — casual dinner. The Georgetown location is on P Street; also in Dupont and Capitol Hill.
Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream
Small-batch ice cream on King Street — the classic post-dinner stroll stop. Open daily; seasonal flavors.
Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe
Cafe in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden with salads and sandwiches by the fountain — pleasant terrace seating in good weather.
Sixty Vines
Wine-country restaurant on Washington Circle with 60 wines on tap and a seasonal sharing menu. Rated 4.7 from ~600 OpenTable reviews.
Teaism Dupont
Japanese teahouse with bento boxes, noodle soups, and an obsessive tea list — open daily; the Dupont location has a calm upstairs tea room.
Ted's Bulletin
Retro diner on Barracks Row with house-made pop-tarts and all-day breakfast. Open daily; popular for weekend brunch — expect a wait.
The Corn Factory
Venezuelan and Mexican food truck with arepas, cachapas and plantains — 100% gluten-free menu. Open weekdays 10:30–2.
The Hamilton
Lively downtown American restaurant with a live-music venue downstairs — broad menu from sushi to steaks. Open daily; live music most nights in the Loft.
The Majestic Alexandria
Chef-driven New American with Mediterranean undertones in the heart of Old Town. Open Mon–Fri 11:30–11, Sat–Sun from 10 AM.
Tonic at Quigley's
Foggy Bottom bar and restaurant serving Southern-twist American comfort food — signature tater tots with homemade dipping sauces, 12 beers on tap. A few blocks from the Kennedy Center.
Vermilion
Seasonal New American in a historic King Street building — Old Town's date-night dinner. Dinner only; reserve ahead for weekends.
Virtue Feed & Grain
Tavern fare in a converted 1891 feed house on the Alexandria waterfront — the upstairs Grain bar has river views.
Vola's Dockside Grill
Seafood and raw bar on the marina — sunset dinner with Potomac views. Open for lunch and dinner; outdoor deck in season.