Favorite Local Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Le Diplomate, a pitch-perfect French bistro in Logan Circle, is undoubtedly one of the greatest spots to brunch in the city. (Ask anyone from DC and they’ll agree.) You can’t go wrong with any of the egg dishes, and make sure to eat as much bread as you possibly can—you won’t regret it.

Chef Jose Andres is a DC legend, with restaurants of all types delighting diners around the city. Zaytinya is his Middle Eastern spot, with a myriad of dips and salads and meats and vegetables served family-style in a bright, clean, airy space. We love it as much for brunch as we do for dinner.

Oyamel is one of those restaurants that manages to be elegant, refined, and a whole lot of fun. You’re here for upscale versions of Mexican street food—think tacos, ceviches, and tons of vegetable dishes—all served in a laid-back atmosphere, with plenty of margaritas to go around.

Since it opened 10 years ago, Central Michel Richard has been serving French-American food that is both elegant and low-key, winning accolades from all over the country. We particularly love the steak au poivre, rotisserie chicken, and French onion soup.

China Chilcano is a Jose Andres restaurant specializing in the food of Peru—specifically chifa, the Chinese-influenced Peruvian cuisine, and nikkei, the Japanese-influenced tradition that also permeates the country. What this results in is a menu that’s as informative as it is thrilling, with dishes like ceviches, sashimi, sushi rolls, and dim sum all making starring appearances.

The Smith in Penn Quarter is the first DC outpost of the Manhattan group of restaurants, serving classic, crowd-pleasing American food in a fun, lively atmosphere. The food is simple, but tasty; the staff is friendly and attentive; and there will be something on the menu to make everyone happy.

Farmers & Distillers is a restaurant owned by farmers themselves; it’s a collaboration between restaurateurs Mike Vucurevich and Dan Simons and the 47,000 farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union. That alone makes for a unique restaurant, but the concept—which is situated around “What would George Washington do?”—makes for a diverse, rollicking menu.

From the same farmer-owned group behind Farmers & Distillers is Founding Farmers, a—you guessed it—farm-to-table restaurant in downtown DC. Expect crowd-pleasing dishes like pastas, burgers, chicken pot pie, and other American classics.

On the waterfront near the Navy Yard you’ll find The Salt Line, a seafood restaurant that celebrates the cooking traditions of New England and the Chesapeake Bay. This means there are excellent lobster rolls to be had, as well as clam chowder, fried clam bellies, stuffed lobster, and, of course, lots and lots of fresh oysters.

Succotash is a breathtaking restaurant in every which way: the 9,000-square-foot-space is marbled and gilded in every which way, the bronze-plated glass atrium sparkles, and the food—which showcases chef Ed Lee’s take on Southern food—is excellent. We especially love the Nashville hot–style oysters and pimento cheese burger.

Iron Gate, a cozy, romantic restaurant in Dupont Circle, has a lot going for it: the wood-fired hearth and rotisserie, the red leather banquettes, the wisteria-lined patio. Tuck into a platter of lamb meatballs or roasted manicotti, and you’re in for quite an evening.