9 Great Restaurants in Washington DC
Where to Eat in Washington DC and What to Try?
This list of great restaurants in Washington DC includes top spots in the US capital that serve anything from traditional comfort food to elevated culinary masterpieces. Within the city, the amazing variety allows you to taste the past, present, and future of American cuisine.
Many of Washington DC’s most beloved dishes are served in homestyle restaurants and rollicking taverns. You’ll experience the liveliness of the nation’s capital along with a great meal at a reasonable price. From steak to seafood, and bistros to brunches, you’re guaranteed to leave DC with a memorable taste of America.
1. Old Ebbitt Grill
Oysters and old-timey American flair
Good for: Food, Luxury
You can’t miss Old Ebbitt Grill on a visit to Washington DC as it’s located just across the street from The White House. If you’re feeling patriotic, stop in to get your fill of old-time American regalia, along with a hearty meal and flagon of ale.
Ebbitt is famous for its oysters, which are always brimming from the shell and served with horseradish and cocktail sauce, the American way. Or, tuck into comfort food from all over the States. These dishes range from BBQ ribs, chicken, and waffles, to a mouthwatering bacon-glazed meatloaf.
Location: 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 8 am to 2 am, Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 1 am
Phone: +1 202-347-4800
Old Ebbitt Grill
2. Founding Farmers DC
American comfort food, from farm to table
Good for: Food, Nightlife
Founding Farmers DC is an American diner that promotes market-driven, farm-to-table cuisine. It challenges the assumption that American comfort food comes from processed boxed and canned goods. Rather, it serves up heartland favorites like chicken pot pie, whipped mashed potatoes, and stacked sandwiches with locally-grown and raised ingredients.
If you want a real treat, stop in for brunch or breakfast. Enjoy locally smoked bacon, fluffy eggs, and hash browns. Or, try a “hipper” breakfast like an avocado egg sandwich. Not an early riser? Founding Farmers DC is also known for its craft cocktails. It’s the perfect place to have a drink and a snack before exploring the DC nightlife.
Location: 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW #3607, Washington, DC 20006, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 7 am to 10 pm, Friday 7 am to 11 pm, Saturday 8.30 am to 11 pm, Sunday 8.30 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +1 202-822-8783
Founding Farmers DC
3. Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers
Classic American food with historic harbor views
Good for: Families, Food
Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers is located in the center of the historic Washington Harbor, a spot you don’t want to miss on your DC itinerary. Get a bird’s-eye view of the hustle and bustle, as well as the beautiful harbor fountain, while munching American classics from your table on the patio.
Dishes here are as American as they get, burgers on Texas toast, hand-dipped onion rings, and creamy cheesecake. This isn’t fast food by any means. Everything is made from scratch in-house using fresh ingredients from local farmers, fishers, and other suppliers.
Location: The Washington, Harbor at The Georgetown Waterfront, 3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Open: Monday from 8 am to 9 pm, Tuesday–Thursday 8 am to 10 pm, Friday 8 am to 11 pm, Saturday 9 am to 11 pm, Sunday 9 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 202-298-8783
Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers
4. Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
A large and popular DC surf ‘n’ turf joint
Good for: Food, Luxury
Eating at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is an experience, and not just a culinary one. The swanky interior evokes a 1980s business-casual nostalgia that makes you want to wear a suit. You don’t have to, however.
Joe’s is not the place to get a salad, aside from your starter. Seafood reigns supreme here, and choices of dishes like fresh lobster, crab-stuffed prawns, and oysters are seemingly never-ending. The steaks are also unmissable, making this one of the most popular surf ’n’ turf restaurants around. For a hearty meal, go for a lobster tail and a tenderloin, or skewered shrimp and sirloin.
Location: 750 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 10 pm, Sunday from 11.30 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 202-489-0140
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
5. Ted’s Bulletin
A true American diner and milkshake counter
Good for: Families, Food
Ted’s Bulletin in DC represents the best of an American tradition that can’t be missed: the diner and the soda fountain. Enjoy frothy milkshakes straight out of classic Americana and eat your breakfast cooked fresh on the griddle, no matter the time of day.
At Ted’s, you’ll be greeted by worn wooden booths, cold beers, and heaped portions. If you only go once, get an all-day breakfast of eggs, hash browns, bacon, and toast. If you’re not in a breakfast mood, try a classic diner meal like pot roast, country fried steak, or a diner burger. Leave room for dessert, though. A serving of their famous “cinnamon roll as big as your head” is a must.
Location: 1818 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 7 am to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 7 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 202-265-8337
Ted's Bulletin
6. The Smith
An American broil and raw bar near Federal Triangle
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
The Smith is one of the best raw bars in Washington DC and the place to go for upmarket food and decadent cocktails. Order up platters of fresh oysters, clams, prawns, and more, the perfect little feast to share after visiting the nearby Lafayette Square.
Their menu of homemade dishes is remarkable. You’ll find a mix of American pasta, massive burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and salads. To wash them down, choose from the varied beverages menu that features plenty of craft cocktails and local draft beers.
Location: 901 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
Open: Monday–Tuesday from 8.30 am to 10 pm, Wednesday–Friday from 8.30 am to 11 pm, Saturday 9.30 am to 11 pm, Sunday 9.30 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 202-868-4900
The Smith
7. The Capital Grille
Upscale American dining on Pennsylvania Avenue
Good for: Food, Luxury
The Capital Grille is a fine-dining restaurant within a stone’s throw of the US Capitol Building, and which shares a street with The White House. This upmarket restaurant will have you rubbing shoulders with politicians and the DC elite in the thick of the American political machine.
You’ll likely forget all about politics as soon as you tuck into your meal. Steaks are the top pick here, the Grille serves up dry-aged meats that melt in your mouth. Don’t miss out on another decadent favorite, either: the lobster mac and cheese. Choose a bottle of wine from the curated selection and make an evening of your time here.
Location: 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 9 pm, Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +1 202-737-6200
The Capital Grille
8. Unconventional Diner
A classic diner and urban popup
Good for: Food, Unusual
Unconventional Diner is a must-stop for foodies in Washington DC. The name of this restaurant says it all. The chef takes American classics and twists them up into totally new yet comfortingly recognizable dishes. Examples include kale nachos, French dip pasta and crab hush puppies.
The unconventional brunch is just as exciting. Dig into the unforgettable bourbon-caramel French toast, or try a global twist on local favorites like Morrocan grits or falafel salad. If you’re not that into unconventional flavors, Unconventional Diner makes fantastic double cheeseburgers, too.
Location: 1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 202-847-0122
Unconventional Diner
9. Blue Duck Tavern
Rustic tavern vibes with Michelin-starred service
Good for: Food, Luxury
The Blue Duck Tavern is a DC eatery you’ll want to book in advance. It was awarded a Michelin star for its take on American cuisine. Known for their elevated tavern food, the Blue Duck Tavern successfully combines rustic American pub dining with world-class service.
Blue Duck’s menu doesn’t stick out at first glance. You’ll find fries, southern biscuits, and open-faced sandwiches. But ingredients like truffle, pecorino, and homemade compotes take each dish to another level of flavor. The chef’s menu changes often, so no experience is the same as the last. The Blue Duck Tavern is part of the Park Hyatt Washington DC.
Location: 1201 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Open: Daily from 6.30 am to 10.30 am, 11.30 am to 2 pm, and 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm
Phone: +1 202-789-1234
Blue Duck Tavern
10. Logan Tavern
Modern American fare and happy hours in the theater district
Good for: Food
Logan Tavern is a sprawling American pub in DC with high ceilings, wooden booths, and a comprehensive menu. We’re talking thick steaks, huge burgers, salads, breakfasts and mouthwatering daily specials. And of course, cocktails are mixed and poured constantly from open to close.
Elegant yet casual for a pre-theatre dining experience, Logan Tavern is perhaps best known for its happy hours. From 3 pm to 6 pm, it’s the time of day when you can experience a truly American tradition – sipping discounted beverages after work and snacking on half-off appetizers.
Location: The Hudson, 1423 P St NW, Washington DC 20005, USA
Open: Monday from 11.30 am to 9 pm, Tuesday–Thursday from 11.30 am to 10 pm, Friday from 11.30 am to 11 pm, Saturday from 10.30 pm to 11 pm, Sunday from 10.30 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +1 202-332-3710
Logan Tavern
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