There are lots of things to be proud of in our nation’s capital: the rich sense of history, the architecture, the countless landmarks and monuments—and now, even more so than ever before, the food. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. You’ll find everything from neighborhood gems to sprawling French bistros, legendary Indian spots to not-so-classic diners—all vetted by the types of tastemakers who know the best spots around the city. You'll want to follow their lead.
| Restaurants: | Le Diplomate, Zaytinya, Oyamel… |
|---|---|
| Price Range: | $$ - $$$ |
| Cuisines: | French, Mediterranean, Mexican… |
| Neighborhoods: | Logan Circle, Penn Quarter… |
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 ...
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 ...
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 dis...
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...
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 permeat...
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 s...
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. Th...
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 p...
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 lobste...
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 c...
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...