Destination Guidebook for Washington, District of Columbia
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| Dining Overview | Top  |
There is an abundance of quality restaurants in Washington. Many of them are sites of the "power lunch" convened by lobbyists and other movers and shakers in business suits. D.C. has always been known as a culinary city, and the recent arrival of famed chefs such as Michel Richard and Jose Andres has only added icing to the cake, so to speak.
Recent waves of immigration have brought an immense diversity of cuisines. The ethnically rich Adams Morgan neighborhood, especially along 18th Street just south of Columbia Road Northwest, is wall-to-wall with restaurants, some both inexpensive and good.
Washington is a town that rises early, with many people at their desks before 8 am. But many also leave work at 4 pm, so dining hours can be as early as 5-6 pm. Most restaurants serve until at least 9:30 pm.
All of Washington, D.C.'s eating establishments are smoke-free. Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one, excluding drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than US$20; $$ = US$20-$35; $$$ = US$36-$50; $$$$ = more than US$50. | Local & Regional | Top |
This stylish restaurant occupies the historic waiting room at Union Station, East Hall. Southern staples such as barbecue, fried catfish and mashed potatoes are popular, as is the red beans and rice. Save room for the luscious sweet potato pie. Live jazz on weekends. Daily for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday brunch. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 50 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. (Metro: Union Station), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-289-6188. http://www.bsmith.com/restaurant_dc.php. Washingtonians are keen on their seafood, especially crab. This casual place on Capitol Hill has an avid following and is often packed. Crab cakes and fried oysters are always popular (the local Maryland species is only available June-September). New Orleans gumbo and traditional shrimp and grits are also excellent. Open Monday-Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. $$$. Most major credit cards. 400 N. Capitol St. N.W. (Metro: Union Station), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-737-0400. http://www.johnnyshalfshell.net. An elegant dining room in a romantic inn, this downtown restaurant emphasizes southern cuisine. Try the oyster stew and crab cakes with lemon-chive risotto. Open Monday for breakfast, Tuesday-Saturday for breakfast and dinner, Sunday for brunch. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1015 L St. N.W. (Metro: Metro Center), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-898-1200. http://morrisonclark.com/morrison_clark_restaurant. This retreat near Dupont Circle has a wood-paneled library with a fireplace for predinner cocktails, parlor-sized dining rooms and a brick terrace for outdoor dining. House specialties include oysters and seafood gumbo. Open daily for breakfast and dinner, Monday-Friday for lunch, Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1739 N St. N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle, South Exit), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-331-8528. http://www.tabardinn.com. Perhaps the most romantic restaurant in D.C., this beautifully furnished dining room in a Federal town house boasts fireplaces, antiques, and hunting and landscape paintings. The fare is outstanding. The menu changes with the seasons. Daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. Jacket required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 1226 36th St. N.W., Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Phone 202-965-1789. http://www.1789restaurant.com. This popular restaurant in Cleveland Park serves new-American cuisine with a twist. Try the crab salad appetizer or the scallops with capers and hazelnuts. For dessert, the chocolate peanut butter bombe is decadent. Daily for dinner, brunch on Sunday. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 3311 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Cleveland Park), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-244-6750. http://www.ardeorestaurant.com. Since 1958, this Washington landmark has fed Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Cosby, Duke Ellington and almost all of Washington. Legendary for its hearty chili, the restaurant has remained a constant through the heyday of the U Street corridor and the riots in the area following King's assassination, and it is still the heart of a rapidly changing neighborhood. Monday-Friday for breakfast; daily for lunch, dinner and late night. $. Most major credit cards. 1213 U St. N.W. (Metro: U Street/Cardozo), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-667-0909. http://www.benschilibowl.com. The decor is attractive and the service is excellent, but locals go there for the food. The kitchen serves an eclectic mix of adventuresome and refined offerings, with the menu changing daily. Only the freshest ingredients are used in the truly innovative modern-American cuisine. Open daily except Monday for dinner, Sunday for brunch. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1819 Columbia Road N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-797-1819. http://www.cashionseatplace.com. Chef and owner Todd Gray provides his own spin on contemporary American cooking, emphasizing flavor over presentation. Local meats, produce and seafood are used in season in most of his delicious entrees. Three-, four- and six-course tasting menus are offered most evenings. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Reservations required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 818 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Farragut West or North), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-331-8118. http://www.equinoxrestaurant.com. Politicians and their staffers liked this historic establishment so much they made a developer crate it up and move it around the corner when he demolished the original 19th-century home. The restaurant offers classic American cuisine and the best oyster bar in town. The bar often gets very crowded on Friday night. Open Monday-Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner. Late night to 1 am. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 675 15th St. N.W. (Metro: McPherson Square), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-347-4800. http://www.ebbitt.com. There's something for everyone at Perrys: It's an American bistro that has an excellent sushi bar and a rooftop deck that's open evenings in the summer. On Sunday throughout the year, there's a drag-queen brunch where the waiters—er, waitresses—put on a show every 20 minutes. Good times. Open daily for dinner, Sunday for brunch. Reservations not accepted in spring and summer. $$-$$$. In Adams Morgan, 1811 Columbia Road N.W. (Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-234-6218. http://www.perrysadamsmorgan.com. This new-American restaurant has won the attention of many Washington notables. It's famous for its creative, health-conscious cuisine and for being the first U.S. restaurant to receive organic certification. A tasting menu features four courses with a vegetarian option for each. Open Monday-Saturday for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 2132 Florida Ave. N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-462-5143. http://www.noras.com. Named for French aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupery, this cafe on the trendy and rapidly developing 14th Street corridor attracts a diverse crowd. Fans of the local music scene gather downstairs at Gate 54 to listen to the DJ, and casual diners upstairs enjoy one of Washington's most pleasant outdoor seating areas. Cuisine is eclectic, with daily specials and good standbys. Popular weekend brunch. Daily for dinner and late night, Tuesday-Friday for lunch, Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Reservations not accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. 1847 14th St. N.W. (Metro: U Street), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-265-7839. http://www.saint-ex.com. Serving traditional diner fare and some more trendy dishes, this lively eatery is both cheap and delicious. Located in the heart of Adams Morgan, the bright art-nouveau-themed establishment is especially popular among students and young families. Try the ginger-glazed swordfish or homestyle French toast. Open daily 24 hours. $. Most major credit cards. 2453 18th St. N.W. (Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-232-8800. http://www.trystdc.com/diner. With its exemplary southern cuisine, Vidalia provides classics such as fois gras, beef and seafood dishes. No southern meal would be complete without dessert, and Vidalia's pecan tart is the perfect ending. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 1990 M St. N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-659-1990. http://www.vidaliadc.com. This Georgetown restaurant serves up wonderfully authentic Indian cuisine at extremely reasonable prices. Next door, its sister restaurant, Amma's Vegetarian Kitchen, offers south Indian regional dishes. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 3299 M St. N.W. (Metro: Rosslyn, a 20-minute walk), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-625-6825. This place offers a wide range of Asian cuisines, including Indonesian, Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean specialties. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 1720 I St. N.W. (Metro: Farragut West), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-659-2696. http://www.cafeasia.com. This restaurant is popular with locals. It has a broad Chinese menu, including Peking duck, stir-fried spinach and garlicky salt-baked shrimp. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 1731 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-265-6688. http://www.citylightsofchina.com. This tiny storefront cafe in Washington's Chinatown is rather plain. But the food's very good, and the place gets packed at lunchtime and during game nights at the nearby Verizon Center. Ask the gruff but knowledgeable servers for the daily special, or try the scallop-stuffed shrimp balls. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. No credit cards. 509 H St. (Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-371-2233. http://fullkeedc.com. In a city where excellent Asian food abounds, it's hard to imagine that an Indian restaurant can make headlines. But this Cleveland Park restaurant has taken traditional Indian cuisine to a new level—adding several more appetizers and diverse entrees from all regions of India. Tandoori-baked salmon cakes and calamari with a spicy tomato sauce are great starters. Main courses include several vegetarian dishes, meats from the tandoor and savory curries. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 3512-14 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Cleveland Park), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-244-6600. http://indique.com. Washington has many Vietnamese restaurants, but this storefront eatery is certainly one of the best. Across from the Uptown Theatre, it's a great place for a meal before or after a movie. The pungently spiced curries are mellowed with creamy coconut milk, and the Hanoi pork is sweet and tender. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 3419 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Cleveland Park), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-237-1015. http://www.namviet1.com. Quickly becoming a Washington favorite, this Thai restaurant's specialty is—you guessed it—rice. Sticky rice, dessert rice, scented and flavored rice—you can find it all in this place. Of course, that's only one of the many tasty delights; highlights of the full-range menu include shrimp and papaya salad with green curry. Daily for lunch and dinner. $. Most major credit cards. 1608 14th St. N.W. (Metro: U Street), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-234-2400. http://www.ricerestaurant.com. This pan-Asian restaurant is perfect for sampling dishes from all around the continent. Start with something from the sushi bar or spicy dragon dumplings. Main courses include tangerine beef and ginger chicken. The suicide curry is wonderful—if you can take the heat. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch, nightly for dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 3333-A Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Cleveland Park), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-686-3833. http://www.spicesdc.com. This Asian-inspired restaurant takes great care with details—the soft lighting, the servers' silk jackets and wet hand towels are nice touches. Appetizers include Filipino spring rolls and steamed dumplings. Several entrees feature fresh fish, and the house specialty is smoked lobster. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. (Metro: Federal Triangle or Metro Center), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-393-4500. http://www.tenpenh.com. With a homey French feeling, this Capitol Hill restaurant serves delicious traditional French food including steamed mussels, braised lamb and steak frites. Monday-Friday for breakfast and lunch, Saturday and Sunday for brunch, daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 15 E. St. N.W. (Metro: Union Station), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-661-2700. http://www.bistrobis.com. Who said French food has to be stuffy? This small but cheery French bistro in upper Georgetown serves great food at affordable prices. Try the grilled trout or the mussel soup. The wine bar upstairs offers a cheese menu to complement the wines, as well as other cocktails. Open daily for lunch and dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1736 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. Phone 202-333-0111. http://bistrotlepic.com. James Beard award-winning chef Michel Richard has taken classic French cooking techniques to new heights in this signature restaurant in the Latham Hotel in Georgetown. His seasonal menu features fresh ingredients artfully prepared to please not only the palate but the eye, as well. If you like entertainment with your dinner, book a table close to the floor-to-ceiling windows of the kitchen, where you can watch the brigade of chefs at work. Open nightly for dinner. Jacket required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 3000 M St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Phone 202-625-2150. http://www.citronelledc.com. Just down the street from the Eastern Market, this unpretentious neighborhood bistro serves excellent French food in a cozy setting. The signature braised rabbit served over creamy pasta is fabulous, and the monkfish with smoked bacon and sauerkraut is not to be overlooked. Open daily except Monday for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. 327 Seventh St. S.E. (Metro: Eastern Market), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-544-1244. This restaurant serves mezes from all over the eastern Mediterranean. The sunny decor transports diners to a hillside in Greece while they savor dishes such as hummus, grilled seafood, crisp vegetable fritters and roasted eggplant. At night, candles light the restaurant—even on the stairs. Daily for lunch and dinner, brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday. $$. Most major credit cards. 701 Ninth St. N.W. (Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-638-0800. http://www.zaytinya.com. This Neapolitan pizzeria is always packed, and with good reason. As fun as the atmosphere may be, the food is what brings people back. Baked in a wood-fired oven, the pizza is top-notch. Try the pizza D.O.C., which follows strict ingredient requirements devised by the Italian government. Daily for dinner, daily except Monday for lunch. Reservations not accepted. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 3715 Macomb St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Phone 202-885-5700. http://www.2amyspizza.com. This Georgetown hideaway is a must for the see-and-be-seen crowd. From the classic beef carpaccio to fresh-made pasta dishes, Cafe Milano serves up excellent Italian cuisine. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 3251 Prospect St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Phone 202-333-6183. http://www.cafemilano.net. The constant, winding line outside this Adams Morgan pasta joint doesn't deceive; Pasta Mia's fresh and inexpensive pastas are some of the best around. Always packed and well worth the wait, this simple restaurant is a perennial favorite and a D.C. standby. Open Monday-Saturday for dinner. Reservations not accepted. $. No credit cards. 1790 Columbia Road N.W., Washington, D.C. Phone 202-328-9114. | Latin American | Top  |
This casual Mexican restaurant is popular with the locals. With its sizzling fajitas, mega margaritas and tequila shrimp, it's easy to see why. The service is quick, and the waitstaff is super friendly. Addtional locations in Cleveland Park and the Shaw District. Open daily for late lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 1724 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-234-8100. http://www.alerorestaurant.com. Frosty margaritas, smoky grilled meats and spicy tamales make this place worth the wait for a table. The menu features specialties from throughout Latin America, including fajitas, Cuban pork and Peruvian beef. Outdoor dining is available in nice weather on the street-level patio and on the rooftop. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 1835 18th St. N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-387-0035. http://www.lauriolplaza.com. The lively atmosphere and fabulous food have made this a very popular nightspot. Order a pitcher of sangria while you peruse the extensive menu, featuring a wide selection of cold and hot tapas. Garlic shrimp is a classic, and the apple and manchego cheese salad is divine. Check the daily and seasonal specials, as well. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 480 Seventh St. N.W. (Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-628-7949. http://www.jaleo.com. | Cafes & Tearooms | Top |
This White House-area, bakery-style cafe is a perennial Washington favorite for lunch, and it has the best bread in town. Ordering can be confusing, and chaos is the special of the day, but the homemade soup, salads and enormous sandwiches are well worth the hassle. It even serves homemade ketchup. Open Monday-Friday for breakfast and lunch. $. Most major credit cards. 1751 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. (Metro: Farragut West), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-822-8900. Formerly a lawyer, Warren Brown traded his briefcase for a rolling pin in 2002, and Cakelove was born. The bakery and cafe consistently rank among D.C.'s top sweet shops. The New German Chocolate cake is made with cream instead of butter, and the result is heavenly. Brown uses only natural products in his baked goods. Love Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dessert (of course). Pick your own toppings at the Cupcake Bar. Both shops are located in the heart of the thriving U Street district. Monday-Thursday 9 am-10 pm, Friday 9 am-11 pm, Saturday 9 am-midnight, Sunday 10 am-10 pm. $. Love Cafe is at 1501 U St. N.W. (Metro: U Street/Cardozo; Cakelove is directly across the street), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-265-9800. http://lovecafe.cakelove.com. | Coffeehouses | Top |
Located in the heart of Adams Morgan, this independently owned coffee shop prides itself on its "secret blend" of java. Big windows and comfy chairs make the perfect spot to read the morning paper. Or you can strike up a conversation at one of the long tables. Coffee, tea, espresso, sandwiches and light fare; the bar serves coffee cocktails. Monday-Thursday 6:30 am-2 am, Friday and Saturday 6:30 am-3 am, Sunday 7 am-2 am. $. 2459 18th St. N.W. (Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, a 10-minute walk), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-232-5500. http://www.trystdc.com. Known as the best place in D.C. to meet someone (gay or straight), Kramerbooks is a bookstore and cafe serving breakfast, lunch and dinner: Enjoy breakfast sandwiches, pastas and salads as you read the paper or discuss the Great American novel. Coffee drinks and a full bar complement the food. Open Sunday-Thursday 7:30 am-1 am, Friday and Saturday 24 hours. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 1517 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-387-1462. http://www.kramers.com. This coffeehouse has the latest hours in the capital city. Stop by on Monday night for open-mike comedy or any night for a cup of coffee and alternative music. Daily 7:30 am-2 am (until 4 am Friday and Saturday). $. No credit cards. 2150 P St. N.W. (Metro: Dupont Circle), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-463-7646. This fish market and restaurant focuses on simply prepared fresh seafood. Start with Chesapeake oysters or Thai steamed mussels and follow with a saffron-perfumed Portuguese fish stew. Save room for the butterscotch pots de creme for dessert. Daily for dinner; Monday-Saturday for lunch; Sunday for brunch. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 4883 MacArthur Blvd., Washington, D.C. Phone 202-342-9101. http://www.blacksaltrestaurant.com. Chef Jeff Tunk's creative menu, representing the three coastlines of America (Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf), has become a popular place to enjoy fresh seafood in a lively atmosphere. Try the New Orleans gumbo or the mushroom-crusted Pacific halibut. Save room for the coconut cake. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 1401 K St. N.W. (Metro: McPherson Square), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-216-5988. http://www.dccoast.com. New-American seafood is served in a simple and spacious setting. The menu changes daily, but fresh fish and seafood are always available. Try the pan-roasted sea scallops with pumpkin cream or the walnut and horseradish crusted skate. The raw bar serves fresh shellfish. Open Sunday-Friday for lunch, daily for dinner and the raw bar. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. (Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-296-7700. http://www.kinkead.com. | Other Options | Top |
This Mediterranean restaurant in the Tenleytown neighborhood serves small dishes, called mezze. This casual style of dining has become very popular, and Cafe Ole delivers a wide array of choices from this region. Try the swordfish kebabs, grilled portobello with goat cheese or the lamb shawarma. Familiar dishes such as hummus and grape leaves round out the extensive menu. The outdoor patio is wonderful when the weather permits, and it can be enclosed. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch. $-$$. 4000 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. Phone 202-244-1330. http://www.cafeoledc.com. This tiny place in the up and coming U Street corridor features the unique cuisine of Ethiopia. Spicy meat stews, salads and lentils, all meant to be scooped up with pieces of spongy injera bread, are served family-style on large platters. A cold Ethiopian beer rounds out the meal. Open daily for dinner. $$. 1942 Ninth St. N.W. (Metro: Shaw), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-232-7600. http://www.eteterestaurant.com.
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Editor's Choice of Luxury, Deluxe, and Value priced hotels in Washington, District of Columbia:
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