If you thought the Washington Monument was the only noteworthy point of interest in Washington, D.C., think again. The nation’s capital is filled with eclectic neighborhoods, awe-inspiring museums, and iconic spots. And with a growing list of MICHELIN Guide restaurants and hotels, D.C. has become the perfect blend of flavor and comfort. That’s why we’ve rounded up the coziest (and tastiest) MICHELIN Guide spots. The best part? They’re all within walking distance from each other. And in case you missed it, check out the newest additions to our selection in the politically-charged city, along with exclusive peeks inside the Three Star Inn at Little Washington's dining series and the magnetic and enthralling Rosewood hotel.
Penn Quarter
minibar
Cuisine: Contemporary
This Two Star culinary haven is marked by a simple single door and lounge with the stainless steel workplace as its highlight. Perhaps it is the team's unwavering passion for pushing out good food, or maybe it is the dilemma of having to choose between the tasty specials. Either way, guests can expect a culinary revolution here.
Inspector notes: “Look to the chalkboard for specials such as soy chicharrón with wakasabi (think guacamole sparked by wasabi); or Wagyu topped with pearls of caviar and petals of sunflower. Desserts, like a fried hojicha donut and cherry pâte de fruit atop miso "sable," make for an unorthodox finale.”
Zaytinya
Cuisine: Mediterranean Cuisine
Greece, Lebanon, and Turkey converge in this sleek establishment with a menu rooted in Mediterranean flavors. Ideal for a night out for a solo moment or group dinner, Chef José Andrés's boîte brings the vibrancy of the region through his plates in a cozy decor.
Inspector notes: “Zero in on the mushroom kapnista with dates, walnuts, and labneh for richness. There are a myriad of spreads to be paired with fresh pita, followed by salads and flatbreads (or pide), which are of the dive-right-in variety. Vegetarians will revel in the diversity of dishes, while braised lamb is the Sunday roast everyone deserves. Greek and Lebanese labels are given their due on the exceptional wine list.”
Café Riggs
Cuisine: Contemporary
What do you get when you combine a historic lobby with a versatile menu? Chef Patrick Curran’s Cafe Riggs, an elegant and luxurious hotel restaurant that delivers hit after hit.
Inspector notes: “Start with a caviar grilled cheese, which is no doubt an over-the-top creation but worth every splurge. For something more classic and local, sample the chilled crab with pickled celery and mustard; while special "plant based" items like artichoke hearts or squash with kale and cranberry are deliciously wholesome. In lieu of dessert, go for a smoothie or juice, both of which share prominent real estate on this diverse menu.”
Stay nearby:
Pairing with that savory experience is the equally fabulous Riggs Washington, D.C. This 19th-century Romanesque Revival bank has been transformed into a modern, playful, and stylish hotel. Luxury abounds the colorful rooms drawing on Parisian influences, while public spaces like Cafe Riggs, the Rooftop at Riggs, and the Silver Lyan bar are filled with romance. Top that off with signature suites named after a different First Lady, and the Riggs will have anyone feeling presidential.
West End
Imperfecto: The Chef’s Table
Cuisine: Latin American
Prepare to dine like the stars at One Star restaurant Imperfecto. Meals celebrating Latin flavors with top-tier ingredients and precise technique are served personally by chef Enrique Limardo. Opting for an elaborate tasting menu instead of the usual à la carte offerings, guests have front row seats to Limardo’s intimate Latin-American offering.
Inspector notes: “(Among the highlights are) kampachi tartare in kombu dashi with charred avocado seeds; aged hiramasa with leche de tigre; and snow crab salad with osetra caviar. In lieu of dessert, the brioche with camembert and truffle honey is quite perfecto.”
Stay nearby:
The Park Hyatt Washington’s soothing interiors and stylish Zen are perfect for the style-conscious. Home to Blue Duck Tavern and a vibrant lounge, this West End location is prime for leisure and business.
Kalorama/Reed-Cooke
Lapis
Cuisine: Afghan
Created by husband-and-wife owners Zubair and Shamim Popal, Bib Gourmand Lapis delivers the fragrant cuisine of Afghanistan to the nation's capital. Inside, guests are greeted with lapis-colored columns and eye-catching traditional rugs, bringing the light, fresh, and authentic Afghan cuisine to life.
Inspector notes: “Split pea soup may sound basic but here it is layered with flavor. And chopawn is the real deal—this trio of grilled-to-perfection lamb chops is served with sensational cardamom-scented rice and draws you in forkful after fluffy forkful.”
Stay nearby:
Tucked inside a century-old church in Adams Morgan, The LINE D.C. sits on prime real estate in a booming neighborhood. Featuring boho-eclectic decor, rooms are warm and lived-in, and this boutique hotel is perfect for those wanting to experience Washington, D.C. like a local.
Chinatown
Karma Modern Indian
Cuisine: Indian
As with most Indian bistros, spices are the star. Ground in-house, each flavor is broken down detailing the health benefits and profiles.
Inspector notes: “The chef-driven menu is at once traditional and contemporary. Don't overlook the imaginative drinks, both spirit-based and alcohol-free, like the Tiger's Tail made with blood orange, turmeric and chili water. Naan here is a cut above the norm, as in the wild mushroom with a hint of truffle. The use of top ingredients shines through in the elegant, rich and flavorful paneer lajawab.”
Downtown
Michele’s
Cuisine: American
Located inside The Eaton Hotel, Michele’s isn't your typical hotel restaurant. Named after chef Matt Baker’s late mother, Michele’s offers an approachable (and delicious) French-American experience with a menu suitable for everybody.
Inspector notes: “Freshly baked brioche, crispy duck confit and elaborately prepared vegetables score impressive marks at this French-American brasserie.”
Stay nearby:
Eaton D.C. is more than a hip Washington, D.C hotel. With beautiful bohemian interiors, the Eaton is a bastion of social justice with a cultural calendar filled with a diverse range of programming, striving for a bigger environmental and sustainable impact. Add an extraordinary dining and beverage program into the mix—the aforementioned Michele’s, Allegory for inventive cocktails, and Wild Days, a rooftop music venue—and you'll be hard-pressed to step outside to visit the city's sights.
Cuisine: Creole
Bringing the flavors and energy of New Orleans to D.C., chef Kristen Essig tantalizes tastebuds with her take on southern cuisine. Expect delicious NOLA friendly fare and tempting cocktails while the desserts from pastry chef Joy Razo are heavenly.
Inspector notes: “Make a hearty start with fresh-baked bread and cultured Poirier’s cane butter. Then dive into a platter of silky oysters Dauphine, tailed by blackened soft-shell crab with creamed Prairie Ronde rice. Carry on carb loading at dessert with dark chocolate crémeux and vanilla rice pudding—you won't be sorry.”
Stay nearby:
Whether it’s the pair of female “Warrior Guardians'' furnishing the exterior, the enormous pointillist portrait of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg hanging in the lobby lounge, or being designed by Dawson Design Associates (a female-owned agency), Hotel Zena is a love letter to the female empowerment movement. Here, you aren’t just looking at artwork depicting women from women. Here, you’re celebrating the accomplishments of women.
Dupont Circle
Astoria DC
Cuisine: Asian
The gleaming glass panes and “ASTORIA” printed in gold leaf make this Bib Gourmand spot hard to miss. Be prepared though, because inside, it's one fiery plate after another.
Inspector notes: “Dan dan noodles are creamy, savory and rather like those chili wontons in a tongue-numbing sauce that bursts with porky goodness. Tuck into the tender water-boiled beef dish, a brisket with just the right flavor balance, before savoring the well-prepared mapo tofu that delivers less of a kick but all the flavor. While the crunch of the walnut shrimp is offset by a glossy sauce, the sober soup is a deliciously clean bowl of thick broth loaded with cellophane-thin pork wontons.”
Sushi Taro
Cuisine: Japanese
This local favorite may be housed in an odd location (adjacent to a pharmacy and only accessed through stairs), but guests can expect à la carte and tastings that deliver. The true gem is grabbing a seat at the six-seat counter (if you manage to score one) for single service.
Inspector notes: “There are a series of small plates, perhaps squid ink-tinted soft-shell crab tempura or salad of hairy crab. Then, diners are invited to make selections from trays of fish, which are then knifed into sashimi. An equally striking nigiri course allows for delving deeper into the assemblage.”
Stay nearby:
In a city steeped in grand, historic, luxury hotels, The Jefferson stands out with its old-world aesthetics and personality. Combining classic design with modern functionality, guests can savor the sun (and clouds) through the hotel’s skylight at their restaurant, The Greenhouse, while upscale cocktails await at Quill, the bar and lounge.
ala
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Fans of Levantine cuisine will find themselves at home in this bright and airy space. Building off this are the refined light fixtures and velvet-upholstered chairs acting as the perfect complement to the modern updates on traditional delicacies.
Inspector notes: “The piping-hot truffle manakish is a fragrant staple thanks to za’atar, feta and garlic; while sucuk with onion-thyme jam or cold-smoked mackerel with sumac-spiced cream deserve their own fan following. Finish with a cup of mirra and pistachio baklava.”
Stay nearby:
In a buzzy neighborhood known for its dining and nightlife scene, the newly redesigned Dupont Circle Hotel is quickly becoming a crowd favorite. Here, stylish, functional rooms lend an air of easy sophistication amplified by the equally compelling on-site dining and beverage options. Just be prepared to run into a few international travelers.
Georgetown
Fiola Mare
Cuisine: Seafood
A favorite of Presidents both local and foreign—President Obama celebrated his 55th birthday here, and most recently the Bidens hosted the Macrons—Fiola Mare is no stranger to the spotlight. Aside from the breathtaking views of the Potomac River, the Italian-leaning seafood from Fabio Trabocchi’s team is to die for.
Inspector notes: “A plump Capital oyster floats in a zabaglione of prosecco; while liquid cacio e pepe with escarole, sheep's milk cheese and toasted peppercorns is an unexpected thrill. Other crowd-favorites may include Calvisius caviar with warm tigelle Modenese and whipped ricotta, or an array of simply grilled seafood.”
Das
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Tucked inside a classic Georgetown townhouse, diners can expect an impressive menu of traditional Ethiopian cuisine and a literally bottomless basket filled with injera—a spongy and sour bread.
Inspector notes: “For a meal that won’t disappoint, order the chicken and beef combination sampler. Then use rolls of that delicious injera to dig into mouthful after flavorful mouthful of surprisingly varied textures and degrees of heat.”
Stay nearby:
Minutes from some of the most famous landmarks in the country including the White House and the Smithsonian, The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown is the quintessential spot for those wanting to experience Washington, D.C’s rich history. Inside, the elite roam the halls, including Michael Jordan who has a spot in one of the 28 residences. Aside from the beautifully decorated rooms with equally competing views, there is also the signature bistro Degrees.
