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12 Washington, DC restaurants that our local editor loves

A photo of Red logo
by Christabel Lobo
Updated April 30, 2024

In my years of tasting and writing for Insider, Lonely Planet, and, now, OpenTable, I’ve discovered that eating out in Washington, DC is like taking in a tapestry of cultures. There’s Sapporo-style ramen good enough to rival Japan’s best noodle houses; berbere-spiced lentils that pay homage to the District’s large Ethiopian community; and top-notch ceviche inspired by Peru.

My restaurant hit list isn’t just a food-lover’s tour of the capital—it’s a delicious global adventure. Read on for a guide to 12 DC restaurants that serve full-on experiences alongside epic international meals.

A photo of Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar - Washington D.C. restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2708)
$30 and under
Peruvian
Downtown
About the restaurant

A hard-to-find Nikkei and Chifa menu, inspired by Peru’s Japanese and Chinese communities, makes this multicultural downtown restaurant especially transportive. Kick off with the ceviche sampler before moving on to pork char siu with fried rice and honey sauce. Don’t skip the pisco sours—my favorite is a refreshing South American twist on the Aperol spritz.


Top review
Erika
Dined 5 days ago
So glad we decided to dine here while in town. Phenomenal. Will definitely come here again next time we’re in DC.
A photo of La Tomate restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1389)
$31 to $50
Italian
Dupont Circle
About the restaurant

Freshly baked bread and hand-rolled pasta have given La Tomate its neighborhood cred for more than three decades. It’s a charming slice of Italy in DC and an ideal spot for group get-togethers thanks to shareable plates of squid ink-infused linguine with orange zest and spaghetti with whole lobster meat. Ordering dessert is non-negotiable—everything from the tiramisu to the creamy gelato is made from scratch here.


Top review
LanieVIP
Dined 2 days ago
It’s always excellent! Never had a bad or even mediocre meal here.
A photo of Haikan restaurant
4.6
4.6 (654)
$30 and under
Ramen
Shaw
About the restaurant

Haikan is where I go for my ramen fix—more specifically, shio (salt) ramen with umami-rich Hokkaido scallops. Not in the mood for noods? Much like its sibling spot, Daikaya, this restaurant also serves excellent drinks-friendly small plates like beef tongue tacos slow-cooked in dashi or crab rangoons with a side of sweet jalapeño jelly. A killer Japanese sake selection rounds out the meal.


Top review
Qiaoshi
Dined on Dec 5, 2024
It was our second visit! The experience was fantastic just like the first time. Ramen was yummy! And we were lucky to sit by the countertop to witness all the excitements and the heat was real! Highly recommended
A photo of Clyde's of Chevy Chase restaurant
4.6
4.6 (4982)
$30 and under
American
Friendship Heights
About the restaurant

Whether you’re here to unwind after a long work day or to enjoy the camaraderie of game night with friends, this long-standing DMV chain is all about all-American classics and friendly service. While you can’t go wrong with a classic burger or crab-cake platter, it’s the twice-daily oyster happy hour that draws crowds—I first started coming as a budget-conscious intern—to this nearly 30-year-old neighborhood staple with several locations across the DMV area.


Top review
philipVIP
Dined 1 day ago
The dining experience at Clyde's was as good as usual but the room was too cold to really be comfortable.
A photo of Era Wine Bar restaurant
4.6
4.6 (170)
$31 to $50
Wine Bar
Mount Rainier
About the restaurant

Wife-and-husband duo Michelle and Ka-ton Grant are the brains behind this charming wine bar just across the Maryland-DC border. Expect a crash course on underrepresented wine regions, women-owned wineries, and biodynamic producers. Era is where I go to explore unique vintages and small-batch wonders in a refreshingly unpretentious setting. The accompanying food, like tandoori wings and crostini flights, is inspired by the owners’ travels and family recipes.


Top review
Omar
Dined on Nov 2, 2024
It was the kind of place you’d like to go and get what you paid for. I loved it and my wife loved it. We are thankful for such a great service. Definitely a place to go back.
A photo of Filomena Ristorante restaurant
4.8
4.8 (17155)
$31 to $50
Italian
Georgetown
About the restaurant

In a city with endless Italian options, Filomena’s inspiring backstory gives it an edge: Owner JoAnna Filomena Chiacchieri opened the beloved Georgetown institution in 1983 when it was rare for women to do so independently. The kitschy and colorful dining room will make you feel like you’re being wrapped in a hug. But most importantly, the generous portion sizes haven’t changed in 40 years. And trust me, six-layer-deep lasagna alla Bolognese makes for the world’s best leftovers.


Top review
MarkVIP
Dined 1 day ago
As always Dino and the rest of the staff provide a fantastic dining experience. Can’t thank them enough for the special plate of food for our vegan eater. Filomena’s is the best restaurant in the area.
A photo of Dauphine’s restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1392)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown
About the restaurant

If this sprawling NOLA-inspired restaurant had a slogan, it would definitely be “laissez les bons temps rouler.” And boy, do the good times roll, whether you’re perched at the handsome marble-topped bar or the palm-lined mezzanine level. James Beard Award-nominated chef Kristen Essig serves exquisite Southern food like oysters char-grilled to perfection with spinach and horseradish. And yes, there are beignets.


Top review
BeaVIP
Dined on Dec 10, 2024
We dined at Dauphines last night. It was very good. We got there during happy hour and had drinks at the bar. It was super crowded. Then had dinner. The food was excellent as was the service. Enjoyed the small plates and the entrees. The oyster pasta was excellent as was the stuffed chicken breast. Dessert was good also. My only complaint was the noise level. Would recommend it for a night out.
A photo of Pearl Dive Oyster Palace restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1558)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Logan Circle
About the restaurant

Since its 2009 debut, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace has anchored itself as Logan Circle’s go-to spot for bivalve lovers. The weekday happy hour is seriously hard to beat with half-price locally sourced oysters and steaming plates of lemon-butter-garlic mussels. But the restaurant shines brightest during bottomless brunch, when the lively ambiance is matched by flavorful Southern-inspired dishes like a catfish po’boy and bananas foster French toast.


Top review
Jalen
Dined on Dec 14, 2024
Brianna was so sweet. She was very nice. Great food as well.
A photo of Bistro Aracosia restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2696)
$30 and under
Afghan
Palisades Northwest
About the restaurant

One meal is all it takes to understand why this family-owned gem consistently lands on the city’s best-of-dining lists year after year. From savory layers of Kabuli rice pilaf to richly flavored creamy chicken qorma and braised lamb shank stew, each dish at Bistro Aracosia celebrates the owners’ Afghani heritage. A massive menu means you’re truly spoiled for choice—yet another reason to come back.


Top review
Giselle
Dined 4 days ago
I’ve eaten at Bistro Aracosia many times since it opened, and love bringing friends for their first experience with Afghan-influenced food and tastes. I keep coming even after moving to Takoma Park, and am always glad to return!
A photo of Chercher Ethiopian Cuisine restaurant
4.7
4.7 (120)
$30 and under
Ethiopian
Bethesda
About the restaurant

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that great Ethiopian food is easy to find in the nation’s capital; after all, the District is home to the country’s largest Ethiopian community. When the injera cravings hit, bring a group to this easygoing but acclaimed restaurant. The spicy beef kitfo is a winner, and so are the hearty vegetarian platters with shiro wat (berbere-spiced chickpea stew) and gomen (steamed collard greens).


Top review
Carter
Dined on Dec 14, 2024
Great Ethiopian food. What more is there to be said?
A photo of Bar Chinois restaurant
4.7
4.7 (602)
$30 and under
Chinese
Shaw
About the restaurant

Moody, neon-lit interiors make this industrial-chic Shaw hotspot one of my favorite neighborhood bars for catching up with friends. Inventive drinks include cocktails that taste exactly like a slice of peach cobbler or a zingy riff on the Moscow mule—spicy ginger beer is the key ingredient. For a meal and a show, come on Sundays when Bar Chinois hosts a top-tier drag brunch.


Top review
Lucia Victoria
Dined 5 days ago
Beautiful restaurant, great food, lovely ambiance.
A photo of BlackSalt restaurant
4.8
4.8 (6721)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Palisades Northwest
About the restaurant

This seafood-centric Palisades tavern doesn’t just serve meals—part of it also functions as a sustainable fish market. My dinnertime go-tos are the signature seafood towers, piled high with oysters, shrimp cocktail, steamed mussels and Chesapeake crab. And the dessert menu is anything but an afterthought—end your feast with key lime pie, blueberry compote, passion fruit caramel, and whipped cream.


Top review
BonnieVIP
Dined 2 days ago
We had a 6PM reservation and were initially one of the few tables, however, the restaurant did fill up while we were there. Nice atmosphere. Food is good, although tuna entree portion was small and Bronzino dish has a lot of food. We ordered our meal probably around 6:30 and got salad appetizers fairly quickly. Dinner did not arrive until 7:45 (!) and I noticed other tables were getting dessert and they arrived after us!! We were enjoying ourselves so didn’t complain, but obviously there was a glitch somewhere. I have to add that it is VERY expensive, and they automatically add a”non cash” service charge to the bill (I didn’t calculate the percentage). I find that deplorable, given their pricing. And one could miss it if they don’t closely review the book and end up tipping on that too. Overall, good food, small intimate restaurant. Very nice server (Erica). Will I go back? Probably not.
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