Best Restaurants in Washington

At Karma Modern Indian, you will find traditional Indian cooking techniques, unexpected ingredient combinations, forward-thinking flavour profiles, contemporary plating, and impressive table service. While dining at Karma Modern Indian, you experience a contemporary take on Indian Cuisine. We blend traditional and new flavours for a novel approach to Indian cooking. We must preserve time-honoured cooking techniques while surprising our guests with unique dishes and menus.

Located in the brand new Cathedral Commons Community in Washington, Raku offers Contemporary Asian Cuisine & Sushi.

Guests of The Darcy are in luck — one of the finest restaurants in Washington, D.C., is located inside the hotel. Gerrard Street Kitchen prides itself on eclectic, globally inspired cuisine and dedication to artful mixology. Led by Executive Chef Bader Ali, the restaurant features sophisticated design, intimate spaces, and an exquisite dinner menu, where the complex flavours of Japan, Morocco, and Korea sit side-by-side with British, Italian, and Indian classics. Popular favourites include Paratha Tacos and Korean Crispy Chicken Wings, which can be paired with signature cocktails such as the gin-based Ten Thyme smash or the fragrant Lavender Lemonade mocktail. Join us for dinner, happy hour, or weekend brunch and explore a world of fascinating flavours.

A uniquely eclectic experience steps from the White House, The Hamilton has quickly become Washington, DC’s favourite gathering place for music, art, entertainment and inventive dining. The Hamilton is designed to welcome any crowd or party seeking an exceptional way to celebrate. We use local, fresh, and sustainable foods across our menus. Long ago, Clyde’s Restaurant Group chose to bypass traditional commercial produce routes and opt for locally-raised, farm-grown vegetables and fruits.

Located steps from the White House, at the corner of 14th and G Street, in Washington, D.C.’s historic Colorado Building, Ocean Prime is an ideal place to socialize, talk business, celebrate and indulge. From our main dining room to our lounge and four stunning private dining rooms, guests can enjoy downtown Washington, D.C.'s vibrant energy from any area of our restaurant.

The Jaleo that started it all. It’s where José began his long legacy as a devoted Washington chef, and since its opening in 1993, it has transformed DC’s Penn Quarter into the bustling neighbourhood it is today. DC’s striking design blends the festive spirit of Spain with the unique personality and style of José. Its location makes it perfect for stopping in after a day of sightseeing on the National Mall or before a performance or game at the Capital One Arena. At Jaleo, we’re always in the spirit of celebrating, and we offer special menus and private party spaces of any size and style to suit your and your guests' needs. No matter the occasion, our talented staff at each location will help you create a unique and unforgettable event.

At Oyamel, José Andrés and his team combine Mexico’s rich regional diversity with the vibrant urban atmosphere of Mexico City. The liveliness of the dining room is matched by the creativity of the menu and cocktail list, featuring antojitos—Mexican small plates—ceviches and tacos, plus unique margaritas, and an impressive array of wine, tequila and mezcal.

Chef Richard Sandoval presents a modern approach to classic Mexican fare. The concept celebrates “leña,” or firewood, and the nuanced flavours smoke can impart on its wood-fired food and smokey mezcal and tequila-centric menus. From our private dining room, lush outdoor patio or expansive dining room, dLeña offers a diverse space that can be customized to meet your every need.

Just steps from The White House in Washington, this piece of Spain will transport you to an elegant and royal atmosphere surrounded by friendly faces, an engaging menu, and world-renowned wines. Taberna Del Alabardero opened its doors in 1989, becoming one of the first Spanish restaurants in DC, and celebrated its 30 Anniversary with the 2019 Honorary RAMMY award. Spanish Chef Oscar Ordoñez brings back authentic Spanish Cuisine and introduces new dishes with traditional ingredients. Taberna’s seasonal menu features classic tapas, luscious paellas, refreshing sangria, delicious desserts, and vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Bindaas means independent, calm, and carefree, just as we intend our restaurant to be. Located in the Cleveland Park neighbourhood of Washington, DC, James Beard award-winning Chef Vikram Sundaram wishes to create food often unavailable here in the USA and cherished in India. Street food is of great cultural importance in India, where for many years, the colonization by the British Empire compromised traditional Indian life and culture. Street food is still essential in India, helping express the country's cultural diversity. We invite you to come and experience India's vibrant smells and tastes.

Perry's Restaurant is located in the heart of Washington, not far from the National Washington Cathedral. It offers specialities of Japanese cuisine.

Since its opening in 2002, Indique, coined by the marriage of India and Unique, has strived to redefine Indian dining in the district. A fixture in the historic Cleveland Park neighbourhood, the restaurant sits in a beautiful two-story space filled with bold colours, rich fabric, and white marble railings. True to its mantra of Unique Indian Flavors, the diverse kitchen features modern twists on classical fare from across the Indian subcontinent. It continues to create innovative takes on American favourites, including lamb chops, salmon, and shepherd's pie.

Directly overlooking Lafayette Park, The Lafayette is a famed restaurant in Washington D.C., featuring a light-filled dining room and carefully prepared menu of upscale contemporary American cuisine. With an attentive staff, stately setting and meal service for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, The Lafayette provides a truly unique fine dining experience in downtown Washington.

Our seasonal menu specializes in Northern Italian cuisine and only sources the freshest ingredients: local produce, farm-raised proteins, and fresh, house-made pastas. It features a variety of signature dishes, modern interpretations, and creative desserts punctuated by our award-winning wine selections — featuring American and Italian wines. Tosca’s newly renovated interior is a breath of freshness with a lighter, brighter feel accented with artful Italian tilework, a white marble bar, and warm brass and wood throughout. A few notable features include a stunning bar and new lounge area, expanded private dining space for your next special occasion, and cosy, semi-private seating options. We still offer our exclusive Chef’s Table, which seats a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 people. This dining experience puts you directly in front of the Chef as he creates a seasonal, ingredient-driven, six-course feast personally designed for each party. You cannot treat your guests to this unique dining experience anywhere else in the city.

The Pembroke is situated in the bustling heart of Dupont Circle, a sophisticated dining destination at The Dupont Circle Hotel. Featuring contemporary American fare with global influences, The Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema described the experience as “cut from a different cloth.” The Pembroke’s stunning design by Martin Brudnizki features plush velvet coral-toned banquettes around glossy marble tables, cream-panelled walls with playful artwork, and boasts panoramic views of the neighbourhood, while a seasonal terrace offers al fresco dining from spring to fall. The marble-topped bar is a bright and airy nod to cocktail bars of the 1950s and features classic drinks with a twist and a selection of fine wines. Reserve your table today to see why “The Pembroke makes Dupont Circle a destination again.”

Fiola is an Italian restaurant in the heart of Washington DC. This restaurant offers sea and land specialities using top quality ingredients. From dinner parties to weddings, bar mitzvahs to baby showers, we bring our best to you for your next special occasion. Our catering team can orchestrate events in your home or in the venue of your choice. We bring you the signature dishes of Chef Fabio Trabocchi and your favourite Fiola dishes — from the Ahi tuna crudo to the Lobster Ravioli to the Tiramisu.

Xiquet (chee-KETT) by Chef Danny Lledó features a sought-after tasting menu showcasing the finest products from around the world served with warm, Mediterranean hospitality. Known as one of the best fine dining restaurants in Washington DC for its modern Spanish cuisine. Chef Danny’s tasting menu offers over 20 compositions with innovative preparations of the traditional cuisine of Valencia, ignited by a wood-fired kitchen. The flavours of Valencia reflect the region’s warm coastal climate, abundant agriculture, and plentiful fresh seafood. It is also the cradle of the famed Spanish rice dish, Paella. A meal at Xiquet consists of a multi-course culinary experience that begins when you are guided upstairs to the airy top-floor dining room, delighting in the intensifying aroma of woodsmoke as you ascend. You pause to enjoy a welcome bite and a sip of Vermouth with the chefs as they briefly overview the open wood-fire kitchen where they will prepare your dishes. Dinner is a chef-driven experience, often featuring rare jewels like the Red Prawn of Dénia on the menu and an extensive yet focused wine list. The experience concludes in the elegant mezzanine lounge with after-dinner drinks and sweet treats. Whether you are looking for new restaurant adventures, romantic restaurants in DC, or seeking to create a memorable family dinner, we look forward to welcoming you to our home at Xiquet.

Rasika is a modern Indian restaurant which takes its inspiration from an age old approach to dining. This approach allows you to choose a variety of appetizers and entrees to share with your dining companions. To enhance your dining experience, our sommelier will be happy to pair appropriate wines with your food selections. Rasika is located in Washington.

Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is famous for Florida Stone Crab Claws. They are hand-harvested and day boat caught from the Gulf of Mexico and processed at fisheries owned by our partners in Miami. They are sped to our restaurants, where they are cracked and served chilled with Joe’s Mustard. They are best enjoyed with Joe’s signature sides, like Cole Slaw, Grilled Tomatoes, Hashed Brown Potatoes and Creamed Spinach. Having gained a reputation as a world-class steakhouse, Joe’s serves prime Midwestern grain-fed beef. Best known for the 16 oz, Bone-in Filet Mignon, Joe’s also offers a dry-aged 24 oz. Bone-in Rib Eye, in addition to many other hand-carved steaks. Joe’s features a wide selection of fresh seafood, sourced direct and served in season.

Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar adds a modern twist to Peruvian cuisine. Inspired by Peru’s top eateries, the new DC outpost serves bold-flavoured dishes, unique cocktails and a vast selection of local and international beers. Situated in the bustling and vibrant Dupont Circle neighbourhood in Washington, Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar brings people together in a space that’s packed with personality and soul. Our vibrant bar with open kitchen views is perfect for sipping, socializing and savouring our crazy good ceviche. Come to experience a celebration of good eats and good times for brunch, lunch, dinner or happy hour.