Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

5.0

5 (1691)

$50 and over

American

Lovettsville

About the restaurant

Voted 2024 #1 Northern VA Magazine - "Michelin inspectors, take note."

Sourcing food and supporting local artisan growers and producers and utilizing our farm as the chefs pantry gives us the opportunity to create an evolving menu that draws its inspiration from the seasons and in harmony with the earth. The venue has a breathtaking view and natural setting overlooking the Potomac River.

We offer a tasting menu Thursday through Sunday evenings. Please visit our website at www.patowmackfarm.com for the menu.

Weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate or special events – we strive to exceed your dreams. Innovative and skillfully executed dishes follow the lead of nature, being mindful of the environment.

Due to the style of menu on special events and holidays and the complexities involved with individual and specific food allergies, we are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions on those days. We make every effort to provide vegetarian and accommodate gluten sensitivities.

Top review

Kirsten

Dined 6 days ago

Everything about this restaurant is amazing from the service to the food to the ambiance.

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Experience

Pancake Breakfast Chefscycle Fundraiser, 4/27/2025

My Little Chamomile

5.0

5 (26)

$50 and over

Turkish

Georgetown

About the restaurant

My Little Chamomile, a full sit down restaurant from Chef Çağla Önal of Green Almond Pantry. My Little Chamomile will be the manifestation Çağla’s vision--to bring her world of Turkish food to her home here in Washington DC. At the first Green Almond Pantry location, diners got a small taste of what it would be like to enjoy the full breadth of Chef Çağla‘s seasonal menu.

Top review

Sarah Jane

Dined on Apr 10, 2025

It was an absolutely wonderful meal. Everything tasted incredible, the wine was fantastic, and the meal was so memorable and beautifully prepared. Looking forward to going back to share this wonderful restaurant with more people. Do not skip dessert. :)

Chercher Ethiopian Cuisine

4.7

4.7 (130)

$30 and under

Ethiopian

Bethesda

About the restaurant

Chercher Ethiopian Cuisine is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the heart of Washington DC offering a fun-filled, casual dining experience! Cherecher strives to always serve you fresh and affordable Ethiopian cuisine. This is what our customers say about us.

Top review

Christine

Dined 6 days ago

We love this place. The food is outstanding and the waitstaff is amazing. Highly recommend for anyone who loves Ethiopian food!

Afghan Bistro

5.0

5 (1401)

$30 and under

Afghan

Springfield

About the restaurant

Afghan Bistro, located in Springfield, VA provides guests an authentic Afghan cuisine with a modern flair.

Top review

frankVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Once again it was great. Amazing food, always tasty. Wait staff is attentive w/o being intrusive and can answer any questions about the food Something for everyone; lots of lamb options (all amazing), with a ton of veggie options as well We try to get there every few months and have never been disappointed Its small - reservations are a must; less crowded early

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Jacques' Brasserie at L'Auberge Chez Francois

4.9

4.9 (2525)

$31 to $50

French

Great Falls

About the restaurant

Restaurants in Alsace traditionally have a formal main dining room as well as a casual dining room known locally as a weinstube or brasserie. At the brasserie, diners may enjoy traditional, hearty Alsatian dishes in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. These friendly establishments are immensely popular with Alsatians and visiting them is always the best part of my trips back to Alsace. I opened Jacques' Brasserie at L'Auberge Chez François to bring the tastes and comforts of the Alsatian brasserie to Great Falls.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Terrific birthday dinner! Many thanks to Danny and team in the Bistro!

Elizabeth's

4.9

4.9 (1319)

$50 and over

Vegan

Downtown

About the restaurant

Elizabeth's offers an extraordinary dining experience every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. We merge our gorgeous venue with a prix fixe Vegan Tasting Menu at $110 per person. Elizabeth's is a destination for special occasions and adventurous cuisine.

Our sommelier curates a pairing of wines and beverages sourced from around the world at an additional $85 per person. We also offer a non-alcoholic beverage pairing comprised of non-alcoholic wines, mocktails, and infusions for $65 per person.

Fully raw menus are not available. Please call the restaurant (202-347-8349) in reference to any allergies prior to making your reservation. Regarding reservations of 5 or more, please call the restaurant directly. Reservations of more than 8 require a $150 minimum spend per person and a 50% up front deposit.

Top review

Curt

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent service, and attention to detail. Fabulous tasting experience-we will be back!!

Manalu Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1302)

$30 and under

Italian

Frederick

About the restaurant

Manalu is a new authentic Italian restaurant by Chef/Owner Marco Pontecorvo. The name was to combine all three of his family members names. MA for Marco, NA for Naomi, his daughter, and LU for Lucia, his wife. Manalu's goal is to bring a taste of Italy and a touch of Naples in the town, by serving authentic Italian cuisine and the original pizza Napoletana cooked in a brick oven. The atmosphere is very cozy and warm, perfect for family and friends. Manalu` also has a full bar and happy hour Mon-Fri from 4pm to 7pm. Happy hour also includes a food menu with delicious appetizers.

Top review

Christopher

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic Italian food and superior service--this place never disappoints!

Jônt

4.9

4.9 (162)

$50 and over

French / Japanese

U Street Corridor

About the restaurant

At Jônt, we are a team of young and inspired chefs taking down the walls between kitchen and guests and taking you on a culinary adventure. Immerse yourself in a progressive tasting menu focusing on the simple, yet luxurious, ingredients around the world with deep inspiration from Japanese cuisine.

We challenge the seasons, navigate beyond the limits of time and break with tradition— getting playful with process and tricky with techniques at the intersection of place and possibility.

Jônt has been recognized with two Michelin stars since 2021.

Top review

VeronicaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

What a wonderful experience! The food was amazing, well paced and the service impeccable. Attention to detail with plates of design and perfection. Flavor well balanced with every bite. We added the “what the f***” wine paring which added to the meal. After dinner, dessert was offered at the dessert bar and was served by the pastry chefs. A magical evening.

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La Vela Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (587)

$31 to $50

Italian

Solomons

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Nancy

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

A local restaurant that we it at often. Food, service and drinks are good. Recommend making reservations if possible.

L'Auberge Chez Francois

4.9

4.9 (9433)

$50 and over

French

Great Falls

About the restaurant

Welcome to L'Auberge Chez François, our French country inn a short distance from the nation's capital that has captivated visitors for over 66 years. L'Auberge Chez François is the ideal spot to celebrate special moments, private parties, luncheons, weddings, and cooking demonstrations. Our menu is extensive and full of the flavors of Alsace and traditional French cuisine. Excellent food and service, attention to detail, and a casually elegant atmosphere are hallmarks that have made L'Auberge Chez François a Washington favorite! We hope that you will enjoy your visit with us. Should you not see your preferred time to dine with us, please call us at 703-759-3800.

Top review

Carrie

Dined 1 day ago

We've been coming for 40 years. It's the restaurant by which we judge all others. For the service and hospitality, for the outstanding food, for the magical, intimate beauty.

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