Washington, D.C. Winter Restaurant Week 2025

14th Street

Bresca (One Star)
Cuisine: Contemporary 
Price: $65 dinner menu

The cooking is casual yet ambitious, thanks to Chef Ryan Ratino’s cutting-edge credentials. His menu is divided into categories, like snacks, medium plates, and large, shareable plates.

Inspector notes: "Find a clear sense of artistry in the likes of a foie gras "negroni" topped with Campari gelée or the agreeably priced and perfect pappardelle with lamb ragù."

Stay nearby:

Viceroy Washington, D.C.

Viceroy Washington, D.C. makes the most of the Viceroy's bipartisan, across-the-aisle approach — it’s luxe enough to tempt luxury-hotel partisans and stylish enough for the boutique crowd as well. 

Adams Morgan

Ellē
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $35 lunch/$65 dinner menu

This indie hot spot with a retro-chic décor and cool staff has many things going for it. First, there’s the team, who’ve already struck gold on the dining scene. Then there’s the setting, inside the former Heller’s Bakery, which was a local institution. Finally, there’s the menu starring contemporary dishes with a focus on fermentation.

Inspector notes: "Beautiful orange carrots dusted with shio-koji is coupled with rye miso for a crowning kickoff; then Nashville hot duck matched with a buttermilk biscuit is all heart and soul."

Reveler's Hour
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $55 dinner menu

A simple black and glass facade belies the delicious small plates available at this place. Unsurprisingly, natural wines are a serious focus and pair wonderfully with the shareable plates.

Inspector notes: "Indulge in the star of the show—house-made pasta, like house-made bucatini with spicy pork ragu, pickled green garlic, and sesame breadcrumbs."

Tail Up Goat (One Star)
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $65 dinner menu

When three forward-thinking restaurateurs combine their talents, the result is bound to be an easygoing haven, where the food, drinks, and hospitality mesh effortlessly. Fittingly, the mood here is buzzy, but don’t be fooled by the casual vibe, as this kitchen team is serious.

Inspector notes: "Mains offer a refined take on Americana classics, like steak and potatoes with a seared strip steak and a crunchy potato pavé with a dusting of green onion powder."

The Imperial 
Cuisine: American
Price: $25/$35 brunch and $55 dinner menu

This bright and bold kid on the block boasts a concise menu with strong American inflections. The menu is divvied into mostly raw, vegetables, pasta, meats, and larger dishes. 

Inspector notes: "Start with such sea treats as a risotto of Carolina Gold rice, clam juice and creamy uni, then segue into land by way of the beef Wellington, which sports a golden pastry, braised leeks, and veal jus."

Stay nearby: 

The Line D.C.

This century-old church in Adams Morgan provides the venue for a boutique hotel in an of-the-moment bohemian-eclectic style, complete with restaurants and bars that make it a central player in the neighborhood’s dining and nightlife scene.

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Capital Riverfront

Chloe
Cuisine: International
Price: $35 brunch/$65 dinner menu

Tucked into the trendy Navy Yard district, Chloe’s menu is eclectic, deeply personalized and reflects Chef Haidar Karoum's diverse resume. The shareable plates menu gathers ingredients from across the globe, presenting them in original and consistently delicious ways.

Inspector notes: "Kick off with the likes of hamachi crudo augmented by fish sauce, Thai chilies and thin slabs of avocado; or spiced veal hummus topped with buttered almond slivers and accompanied by fresh-baked naan."

Shilling Canning Company
Cuisine: American
Price: $25 lunch/$35 brunch/$65 dinner menu

Set in the buzzing Navy Yard, this brainchild of Chef Reid Shilling may be spotted from afar thanks to its distinct sign and inviting garden boxes that burst with all manner of herbs and greens. The cooking is mid-Atlantic with contemporary flair, but seasonality rules the roost in both food and drinks.

Inspector notes: "Choose from a wonderfully reasonable three-course tasting menu or go all in for seven courses to savor the likes of wood-roasted bone marrow with pickled ramps, followed up by a hearty and creative butternut squash wellington with spiced honey."

Stay nearby:

Pendry Washington, D.C. – The Wharf

Physically, it’s not all that far from Capitol Hill, but in terms of its aesthetics and its atmosphere, the Pendry Washington, D.C. - The Wharf presents a completely different side of the nation’s capital. It’s clear from a glance at its ultra-modern façade that this is no ordinary luxury hotel, and its setting on the waterfront lends it an escapist aspect as well.

Chevy Chase

Opal
Cuisine: American
Price: $35 brunch/$55 dinner menu

In quiet Chevy Chase, on the border of Bethesda, this buzzy restaurant is well on its way to becoming a neighborhood essential. Far from flashy, the team isn’t out to redefine a cuisine or break any culinary boundaries.

Inspector notes: "Ricotta dumplings, beef tartare, a properly cooked filet of trout – these are familiar flavors handled in a confident manner. There is the occasional surprise, like the excellent lamb-stuffed pita."

Stay nearby:

Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.

The Four Seasons is fresh off a massive renovation, which has done a bit more than simply sharpened the edges. Pierre-Yves Rochon has lent his contemporary Parisian perspective to the proceedings, which is fitting, given the distinct strain of architectural Francophilia that runs through this city. 

City Center

Estuary
Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $55 dinner

Views from the space frame the energetic downtown scene. Yet, it's hard not to be drawn to the theatrics of the open kitchen, where cooks work by the glow of library-style lamps. This farm-to-table restaurant in the stunning Conrad Hotel is an homage to the Chesapeake.

Inspector notes: "The toasted Maryland blue crab and shrimp brioche roll oozes with organic butter and fish sauce-flavored mayonnaise. Old Bay fries make an excellent accompaniment to this item, not unlike the fennel pollen and flurry of micro herbs that enhance a mound of tuna tartare with heat from Calabrian chilies."

Seven Reasons
Cuisine: Latin American
Price: $35 brunch/lunch and $65 dinner menu

There are more than seven reasons to visit this gorgeous bi-level restaurant and good looks are certainly one. The food also makes a splash, thanks to an ambitious menu of dishes from Venezuela, Peru and the Caribbean, prepared in the bright, open kitchen.

Inspector notes: "Their creations are generously portioned and pack a punch. Patacón piña colada reveals slices of fried green plantains topped with pickled pineapple, shredded coconut and a variety of sauces like cilantro mojo and caper mayo. Garnished with purple leafy vegetables, the dish is a burst of color and flavor."

Stay nearby:

Conrad Washington DC

Quite possibly the brand’s most stylish hotel, the Conrad Washington D.C. features architecture by the Swiss starchitects Herzog & de Meuron and interiors by the Houston-based Rottet Studio — a potent pairing that bucks the capital’s conservative aesthetic reputation. You’ll be tempted to do your entertaining in-house, thanks to Estuary, where chef Ria Montes showcases the flavors of Chesapeake Bay, as well as Summit, the rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city’s icons.

Cleveland Park

Sababa 
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price: $35 brunch and $40/$55 dinner menu

“Sababa,” which means “cool” in Hebrew slang, is exactly as advertised. Sharing a wall and connected by a gorgeous zinc bar to Bindaas next door, this ode to the Middle East is awash in Mediterranean tiles. But despite the hip digs, it’s all about food here. The fine-tuned menu features Israeli salads, dips and kebabs, but small plates are its heart and soul.

Inspector notes: "Start with salatim, a five-salad starter. Then choose from dishes such as charred eggplant with herbed labneh, fried cauliflower with tahini and raisins or pomegranate-glazed chicken liver. The list goes on, but one thing to never skip is the hummus. It’s so much more than the usual that it’s even listed as a daily special."

Stay nearby:

The Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C.

Ironic in Washington D.C., a town full of French Neoclassical buildings, that the Ritz-Carlton would be a modern structure in glass and brick, with not a marble step to be found. Still, it's more traditional than its Georgetown sister — this mid-century institutional look is more familiar than the red-brick incinerator in Georgetown — and inside is the old-world luxury one expects from a Ritz-Carlton, all ornate detail, fine woodwork and antique-style furnishings.

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Columbia Heights

Makan
Cuisine: Malaysian
Price: $55 dinner menu

If you've ever considered ordering dessert first, do it here. Flaky, crispy roti canai served with a delicate pandan coconut cream offers a faithful Asian twist on the classic French Toast. It's the kind of cross-cultural deliciousness you can expect from this Malaysian kitchen team, which takes its culinary cues from India and China.

Inspector notes: "Char kway teow features seared flat rice strands tossed with shrimp, Chinese sausage and bean sprouts. Hearty pork vindaloo boasts layer upon layer of just the right spice, heat and acid. Fried chicken arrives doused in a yellow curry flecked with curry leaves."

Stay nearby: 

Kimpton Banneker Hotel

The Kimpton Banneker Hotel is blessed with a memorable location; from 16th St. NW there’s a direct view of the White House. The prevailing mood is a modernist-inspired minimalism, and the artworks avoid historical subjects; the real culture of D.C. is African-American, and not only is the Banneker named after a Black astronomer and mathematician, but its art collection heavily features Black artists as well.

Downtown

Dauphine's
Cuisine: Creole
Price: $35 brunch/$55 dinner menu

There is no denying Chef Kristen Essig's immense skill, as she prepares a delicious tapestry of New Orleans dishes—with zero fuss and maximum flavor.

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."

Georgia Brown’s
Cuisine: Southern
Price: $55 dinner menu

This revered dining fixture draws a diverse crowd—from locals and politicos to celebrities and tourists. Everyone is here for the classic Southern cooking that is likely to conjure up many a nostalgic memory. 

Inspector notes: "Start off with the fried chicken livers accompanied by a mustard-soy emulsion. Then tuck into a steaming and fragrant bowl of Carolina gumbo floating with chicken, andouille, okra and shrimp. Cap it all off with a thick wedge of red velvet cake."

La Bise
Cuisine: French
Price: $55/$65 dinner menu

This might just be one of the Capitol's most well-known dining rooms, housed at the corner of Lafayette Square and just a stone’s throw from the White House lawn. The menu is loosely French but with a number of detours, from steak tartare and Rohan duck breast to black truffle risotto and Maine lobster with pineapple.

Inspector notes: "The Ora King salmon coulibiac is a signature for good reason—featuring layers of mushroom duxelles and herbed rice wrapped in puff pastry and served with sauce mousseline."

The Bombay Club
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $35 lunch/$55 dinner menu

If you can take your eyes off the senator snuggled into the half-moon banquette, the polished Indian cuisine doesn’t disappoint. Palate-pleasing items span the continent to include Northern grilled meats, as well as Southern seafood and coconut-inflected dishes.

Inspector notes: "Tender minced lamb is coaxed with a hint of heat in the Seekh kebab, while the bharli vangi's soft-as-pudding bulbs of stuffed and braised baby eggplant simply burst with flavor."

Rania (One Star)
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $35 brunch/lunch and $55 dinner menu

This fine dining concept seems fit for a queen, and good thing too, since Rania translates to "queen" in Hindi and Sanskrit. They deliver something entirely enticing here with an inventive menu.

Inspector notes: "Dishes like shiso leaf chaat balance a playful spirit with elegant overtones, while ghee-roasted lamb folded inside a delicate lentil cheela has a spicy kick that is tempered with a buttermilk mousse."

Stay nearby: 

The Hay-Adams Hotel

The Hay-Adams Hotel is a 1928 Italian Renaissance monument, one whose privacy and discretion are near-legendary, and whose location, with the White House and the National Mall as a backdrop, is one-of-a-kind. Constant attention has kept it looking as opulent as can be, while constant technological improvements mean that, beneath its old-world elegance, the Hay-Adams is a thoroughly modern luxury hotel.

Dupont Circle

Annabelle
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $65 dinner menu

This Kalorama diva offers a unique setting, having taken up residence in a modest brick building. Chef Frank Ruta's contemporary American menu shows a seasonal focus.

Inspector notes: "Flaunting regional inspiration, the summer bean and peach salad makes a great start; while gnocchi with black trumpet mushrooms is an eternal favorite."

Balos Estiatorio
Cuisine: Greek
Price: $35 brunch/lunch and $65 dinner menu

With two large rooms dotted with olive trees and decorated with wall hangings and fine pottery, you might just convince yourself that you've left DC for this restaurant's namesake— an idyllic location on Crete. This impressive spot from three friends offers a roll call of Greek favorites (think spanakopita and citrus-toned avgolemono).

Inspector notes: "There's always the classic chicken souvlaki with wonderful, salty pita bread and creamy tzatziki, but it's those Greek fries that win your heart every time."

Hank’s Oyster Bar
Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $35 brunch/$65 dinner menu

The original of three locations, Hank’s Oyster Bar promises a good time and a full stomach. Snag a seat on the spacious front patio or opt for a table indoors where bottles of malt vinegar and Old Bay seasoning are a sign of things to come.

Inspector notes: "Feast on platters of raw bar beauties (including Hank's signature Salty Wolfe oyster) to oysters any way you want them (Hog Island style includes being doused with tangy lemon garlic and Tabasco butter sauce, sprinkled with buttery breadcrumbs and broiled until caramelized)."

Residents Cafe & Bar
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $35 brunch/$40 dinner menu

A large greenery-donning patio out front greets diners to this "cafe," set within a black-painted row house. The menu underscores an array of contemporary plates with Middle Eastern and European elements.

Inspector notes: "Imagine Turkish eggs at brunch; smoked heirloom baby carrots with harissa and pistachio dukkah; and chicken schnitzel with a salad of romaine hearts, charred corn and tomatoes in a herb dressing at night."

The Pembroke
Cuisine: French
Price: $25/$55 dinner menu

This seductive dining room took a cool few million to create, but it is utterly chic and wholly Parisian. Over in the kitchen, the chefs don't cling to any one trend.

Inspector notes: "Imagine a melange of plates like prawn cocktail, lobster bisque, handmade pastas, as well as mains like Dover sole meunière or veal Milanese and you'll start to get their drift."

Stay nearby:

The Dupont Circle Hotel

The newly redesigned Dupont Hotel is, in its subtly stylish way, one of the hippest hotels in the nation’s capital. It’s the only hotel on Dupont Circle, in a neighborhood better known for dining, nightlife and entertainment than for monuments or institutions — which, provided you’re not here with your high school history class, is definitely a good thing.

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Georgetown

1789
Cuisine: American
Price: $65 dinner menu

Few restaurants embody this neighborhood more aptly than 1789, named for the year Georgetown University was founded. The kitchen team is adept, talented, and successfully keeps pace. Dishes lean on classic French and American flavors.

Inspector notes: "Recent highlights included a warm vichyssoise with leeks, morels, and watercress pesto; rack of lamb with a lemon gremolata and roasted cipollini onions with fava beans; and, to finish, an apple Paris-Brest with buttermilk ice cream."

Blue Duck Tavern
Cuisine: American
Price: $35 lunch/$65 dinner menu

Set within the Park Hyatt hotel, this upscale American tavern boasts a sleek, urbane and dreamily sprawling interior, with soaring windows, walnut wood seating and highly coveted glass-enclosed booths. The product-driven menu has an all-American sensibility, highlighting farms and purveyors.

Inspector notes: "Don't forget to peruse their dessert station and impressive tea list with nearly 30 teas of different levels, including the rare 1985 Emperor's Masterpiece."

Fiola Mare
Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $35 brunch/lunch and $65 dinner menu

This stunning haven is certainly one for the books. Hugging the Potomac River with unparalleled views, it may be difficult to find a more beautiful setting in town. Of course, those lovely sights come at a price, so expect a bill more palatable to the expense-account type.

Inspector notes: "A plump Capital oyster swims in a zabaglione of prosecco; while liquid cacio e pepe with escarole, feta cheese and roasted peppercorns is an unexpected thrill."

Stay nearby: 

Park Hyatt Washington

Washington’s got a reputation as a slightly buttoned-up town, and a bit of an inferiority complex about things like nightlife, thanks in large part to its status as a government town. One place government towns excel, however, is hospitality. These people are professional guests, and while they’re not demanding in quite the manner of a room-trashing rock star, they are a discerning audience. So you can expect a place like the Park Hyatt Washington D.C. to put its best face forward.

H Street Corridor

Daru
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $55 dinner menu

Rasika vets, Dante Datta and Chef Suresh Sundas, are behind this much-anticipated Indian operation. Inside, at the bar-counter set abuzz with vibrant tunes, the kitchen team takes classic Indian cuisine in a novel direction.

Inspector notes: "Matched with sour cherry reduction and cashews, it's as enticing a preparation as the boldly spiced minced bison momos."

Maketto 
Cuisine: Asian
Price: $25 lunch/$40 dinner menu

Credit to chef-owner Erik Bruner-Yang and his team for keeping it fresh, as it were. On ever-changing H Street, this long-favored restaurant at first looks like a clothing store with its glittering display cases lined with chic merch.

Inspector notes: "A diverse, ambitious, and consistently satisfying roster of dishes inspired by flavors from across Asia. Everything here is designed to share, starting with Cantonese-style shrimp dumplings dressed in Cambodian fish sauce and garnished with dill."

Stay nearby:

Eaton DC

We’re finally going to make it all the way through the description of a Washington, D.C. hotel without any wisecracks about the capital’s aesthetic conservatism. The Eaton Hotel is impervious to that line of criticism — this isn’t just the hippest hotel in Washington, but one of the most impressive new boutique hotels in America, and it’s thanks in large part to the fact that its founder, Katharine Lo, isn’t given to half-measures.

Ivy City

Gravitas (One Star)
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $65 dinner menu

Chef Matt Baker is luring diners to Ivy City with this gorgeous spot, which transforms local products into modern, deeply complex items. Myriad choices are offered in the multicourse meal, but large appetites should give over and let the chef prepare a tasting, whereby sustainable ingredients are utilized to prepare dishes that are creative, precise and enjoyable.

Inspector notes: "Highlights include a chestnut velouté poured over a date cake with vanilla-pear marmalade and foie gras terrine for a rich, well-rounded dish."

Ivy City Smokehouse
Cuisine: Barbecue
Price: $40 dinner menu

Lucky are the eaters who make their way to this unique seafood smokehouse. Inside the warehouse-like space, a daily market and state-of-the-art smoker reside at street level. The fish is fresh, the staff is super-friendly and the vibe is irresistible with occasional live music.

Inspector notes: "A platter offers a broad sample of artisanal smoked goodies, like Indian candy (a sweet, salty and almost jerk-like smoked salmon); glistening, coral-pink smoked salmon; pepper-smoked salmon embedded with crushed peppercorns; and an impossibly good whitefish salad."

Stay nearby: 

Hotel Zena Washington DC

The hotel’s design is by Dawson Design Associates, a female-owned agency, and the artworks don’t just depict women; the artists themselves are women as well. And while it is, in a way, a themed hotel, its spaces stand very much on their own — if you were to arrive with no knowledge of the concept, it’d be the stylishness of the design that hit you first.

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Mt. Vernon Triangle

Bar Chinois
Cuisine: Asian
Price: $35 brunch/$40 dinner menu

Swanky French wine bar meets delectable Asian bites at Bar Chinois. The space is eternally lively and the menu, with dim sum aplenty, is enticing.

Inspector notes: "Imagine half moon-shaped ginger chicken dumplings with a honey dip; shrimp toast batter-fried with sesame seeds; or Beijing pork dumplings with Berkshire pork and Chinese chives."

Cucina Morini
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $25 brunch/$40 dinner menu

This boisterous spot, and little sister to Osteria Morini is a definite crowd-pleaser. The bar is always packed but guests are here for more than just cocktails, as Chef Matt Adler presides over a Sicilian-leaning menu that teems with choices.

Inspector notes: "Thick gramigna noodles tossed with pork sausage, green onion, black pepper, and egg yolk for an almost creamy sauce with a hint of bite."

L'Ardente
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $35 brunch/lunch menu

Chef David Deshaies' 40-layer lasagna has captivated the city’s attention and rightfully so. Tender short rib, truffled mornay and razor-thin sheets of pasta make for a delicious trinity that tastes as good as it looks.

Inspector notes: "At no point does any dish want for flavor, down to the charred cabbage buried under a riot of trout roe, tarragon and currants."

Mandu
Cuisine: Korean
Price: $40 dinner menu

Credit to Chef Yesoon Lee and her son Danny for showing this city that Korean cuisine is more than just bibimbap and barbecue. From plump, steamed beef and pork mandu to vibrant banchan, this is homey cooking that warms the spirit.

Inspector notes: "No visit would be complete without gamjatang, a bubbling-hot soup featuring tender, bone-in pork ribs and potatoes swimming in a devilishly red broth fired up with gochugaru and perilla seeds."

Ottoman Taverna
Cuisine: Turkish
Price: $25 brunch/lunch and $40 dinner menu

The interior is drop-dead gorgeous with a can’t-stop-staring décor. From its honeycomb patterns on the walls and that large mural of the Hagia Sophia, to its whitewashed walls with glimmering deep-blue pendants, this restaurant brings a little bit of Istanbul to the Mt. Vernon Triangle.

Inspector notes: "Sip a cool apple-rose tea while perusing the menu of Turkish cuisine infused with a modern bent. Kirmizi mercimek corbasi is a refreshing red lentil soup that starts things off right. Then dive in to thinly sliced and delicious lamb and beef kebabs."

Stay nearby:

Willard InterContinental

The Willard is the capital’s most elegant and old-fashioned hotel, and it’s still the unofficial center of Washington. Every president since the middle of the 19th century has been a guest, along with countless foreign diplomats and heads of state, and all manner of American legislators, lobbyists and assorted bigwigs have curried favor and struck deals with one another in this grand old hotel’s lounges and executive suites.

NoMa

Elcielo Washington (One Star)
Cuisine: Colombian
Price: $65 dinner menu

This concept from Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos can be found adjacent to Union Market's La Cosecha. This is deeply personal cooking, with the chef utilizing Colombian ingredients in dishes that share history and purpose. 

Inspector notes: From the snacks to the corn broth that makes you rethink this staple to the chocotherapy dessert, this dining experience is seamless."

Laos in Town
Cuisine: South East Asian
Price: $40/$55 dinner menu

The flavors and heat of Southeast Asian are on full display at this Northeast DC eatery. Though the menu spans much of the country, Laos’ menu—sporting a section devoted entirely to vegans—still manages to be original, offering ingredients that are rarely found in similar restaurants. It also promises—and delivers on—dishes marked “phet" (or spicy).

Inspector notes: "Generous slices of sausage with savory herbs are served with crunchy green papaya, peanuts and fiery green chili; while the chef’s signature papaya salad arrives with bright green beans, Laos pork loaf and a mellow fermented fish sauce."

Unconventional Diner
Cuisine: American
Price: $40 dinner menu

With its white walls and seafoam-green booths, this “diner” may look like the classic American translation but is in fact a far cry from your tuna-melt standby (and book ahead, because it's always busy). Instead, this kitchen ramps up known classics by riffing on tradition.

Inspector notes: "Roasted cauliflower tossed in tahini with fried chickpeas for crunch and pickled red onions for acidity is another win and goes to show that creating new traditions is just as vital as jazzing up the old ones."

Stay nearby: 

Sofitel Washington, D.C. Lafayette Square

As the name may suggest, this fine 1920s Art Deco building is just off Lafayette Square, which is also bordered by the White House; it’s hard to imagine a more prestigious location, or one that’s more photogenically typical of the District of Columbia. 

Penn Quarter

Café Riggs
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $55 dinner menu

From its historic marble lobby and enchanting design details (think velvet chairs and regal gold hues) to a versatile and well-executed menu, everything about this hotel restaurant is quite unforgettable.

Inspector notes: "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."

Cranes
Cuisine: Spanish
Price: $35 lunch/$65 dinner menu

There is serious heart to be had at the centre of the city, thanks to Chef Pepe Moncayo's elegant spot, where novel ingredients are woven into the "concept" menu. What emerges is a sumptuous mash-up of dishes with Spanish and Japanese influence. 

Inspector notes: "From a sake-infused chawanmushi with pickled watermelon, ajo blanco featuring a pearly white scallop with mustard seeds, to a single oyster tempura, this team hits every nuanced flavor out of the park."

Jaleo 
Cuisine: Spanish
Price: $35 lunch/$55 dinner menu

Chef José Andrés has opened locations of this tapas hangout from Las Vegas to Chicago to Dubai, but it all started here inside the Beltway.

Inspector notes: "Tables can make entire meals out of cured meats, cheeses and crispy fritters; but bigger plates like paella Valenciana with rabbit; gazpacho with goat cheese; and grilled pork sausage with white beans are also worthy orders."

Karma Modern Indian
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $35 lunch/$55 dinner menu

It is a far cry from your everyday curry house, as a great deal of care is taken to coax each dish with distinctive flavors. Even its spices are ground on the premises—while you wait, read about their health benefits in the guide on the back of the menu.

Inspector notes: "Naan here is a cut above the norm, as in the wild mushroom with a hint of truffle."

Moon Rabbit
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Price: $35 lunch/$65 dinner menu

Chef Kevin Tien's highly popular Moon Rabbit hopped across town to a bright and contemporary space on F Street. The crowd's all here for Chef Tien's creative cooking, a mash-up of his Cajun Louisiana and Vietnamese roots.

Inspector notes: "There's a real flair seen in reimagined classics like crab rangoon, with layers of crab, sweet garlic robiola, and pepper jelly."

Oyamel
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $25 lunch/$40 dinner menu

José Andrés and his team know their food and the loyal crowds here bear testament. Snag a seat at the entertaining ceviche bar and guzzle thirst-quenching drinks while snacking on small plates.

Inspector notes: "The kitchen's dedication to technique and ingredients is clear, with a particular penchant for south-of-the-border cuisine like huevos enfrijoladas, crispy chilaquiles and gorditas topped with Hudson Valley duck confit."

Rasika
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $35 lunch/$55 dinner menu

Everyone is here for their kitsch-free Indian cuisine and laid-back ambience—both of which are as perfectly suited for a casual night out with friends as they are for a formal dinner with colleagues or festive celebration.

Inspector notes: "Grab a seat at the back counter for views into the kitchen, which turns out such highlights as crispy palak chaat tossed with raita, tamarind and date chutneys."

Zaytinya
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price: $35 lunch/$55 dinner menu

Chef José Andrés' ocean-blue ode to the cuisine of Greece, Lebanon, and Turkey means an ample, wide-ranging carte. It's an ideal spot for suits sealing deals, as well as solo diners or friends catching up.

Inspector notes: "Vegetarians will revel in the diversity of dishes, while braised lamb is the Sunday roast everyone deserves."

Stay nearby: 

Riggs Washington, D.C.

It’s not every day a 19th-century Romanesque Revival bank building in Washington’s Penn Quarter district reopens as a hotel, especially one as stylish as Riggs. It’s another sign of a new era for the nation’s capital — there’s more character here than in all of D.C.’s hotels circa 2000 put together.

Washington, D.C. for Families

Shaw

Chaplin's
Cuisine: Asian
Price: $25 brunch/$40 dinner menu

Chef/partner Myo Htun's Shaw operation, known for its conversation-worthy cocktails and excellent cuisine, continues to dish out delectable, crowd-pleasing dishes like "pay day injected dumplings" for the 21+ crowd. 

Inspector notes: "The hot variety (Chaplin A.S.S.) arrives with gloriously tender slabs of chicken and a sweltering broth; while the cold version, with springy noodles, zesty ginger and cool cucumber, is equally gratifying."

Mita (One Star)
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Price: $55 dinner menu

Latin American cuisine, only plant based. That's the premise behind this contemporary space set in the Shaw neighborhood. Chefs Tatiana Mora and Miguel Guerra share their creative spirit here, where influences span from Brazil and Bolivia to Colombia and dishes sport originality.

Inspector notes: "Watermelon crudo with fermented carrot in a cucumber leche de tigre sauce is inventive and bold, while a slice of mushroom terrine wrapped in greens with layers of potato delivers on umami, bite after bite."

Royal
Cuisine: Latin American
Price: $25 lunch/$40 or $55 dinner menu

This airy, quaint, and relaxed all-day spot likes to keep things low-maintenance. The price point too is agreeably lower than its fussier competitors, and the Latin American food is decidedly scrumptious.

Inspector notes: "At dinner, hungry fans head to the intimate second-level space—complete with original details—to try their hand at tender pork empanadas laced with aji and the heavenly scent of garlic."

Supra

Cuisine: Central Asian
Price: $25 brunch/lunch and $40 dinner menu

Supra is a gem for Georgian cuisine, so make those resys. This chef churns out authentic dishes with a dose of delicious.

Inspector notes: "No diner worth their salt would dare skip the imeruli or ajaruli khachapuri—crusty bread with a pit of molten cheese and runny egg."

SW Waterfront

Del Mar
Cuisine: Spanish
Price: $35 brunch/$25 lunch/$65 dinner menu

Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s restaurant owns a stylish resort-chic vibe by way of coastal blues and whites, polished brass fixtures and large windows overlooking the Potomac. Luxury ingredients find equal footing alongside classic Spanish flavor profiles, and the result is a can’t-miss menu."

Inspector notes: "Barely touched or simply prepared, the beautifully presented fish are a highlight, but make sure to also sample their highly sought-after seasonal tapas, as well as the curated selection of Spanish meats and cheeses."

Stay nearby:

The Jefferson

The Jefferson combines old-world aesthetics with boutique-era services, amenities, and personality. The rooms are classic in design, but modern in function, with iPads in every room and suite and charging stations in the desks. 

U Street Corridor

El Secreto de Rosita
Cuisine: Peruvian
Price: $55 dinner menu

Chef Cristian Granada's dynamic menu certainly leans Peruvian, it also embraces the nation's wide terrain—from the coast all the way to influences from Europe and Asia.

Inspector notes: "Behold the tiradito, featuring sashimi-grade ahi tuna with a passion fruit-and-orange sauce."

St. James
Cuisine: Caribbean
Price: $35 lunch/$55 dinner menu

Owner Jeanine Prime has done it again—now with this modern Caribbean concept named for the district within Trinidad’s Port of Spain. The contemporary space with industrial touches is enlivened with vivid pops of color, while the shared plates-style menu evokes a convivial spirit.

Inspector notes: Begin with a bowl of Callaloo soup, a deep green blend of puréed spinach, chilies and coconut milk topped with lump crab meat with a great depth of flavor."

Van Ness

Sfoglina

Cuisine: Italian
Price: $25 lunch/$55 dinner menu

This focused, consistent and lovely trattoria serves the kind of food that everyone wants to return to again and again. The name (Italian for “pasta master”) sets a very high bar but lives up to its moniker with a notable variety of hearty and elegant preparations listed as “classical” and “seasonal.”

Inspector notes: "Highlights have included soft, almost whipped polenta folded with showers of cacio e pepe and piled with fresh green peas and shaved pecorino."

West End

Imperfecto: The Chef's Table  (One Star)
Cuisine: Latin American
Price: $65 dinner menu

The counter inside functions as a restaurant within a restaurant, with room for just a handful of diners to enjoy Chef Enrique Limardo’s elaborate tasting menu that celebrates Latin flavors, ace ingredients, and exacting technique. 

Inspector notes: "Dishes, perhaps aged grouper with BBQ lettuce and broccolini tabbouleh, or duck with Carolina rice, hum with flavor."

Ris
Cuisine: American
Price: $35 lunch and $40/$55/$65 dinner menu

Ris Lacoste helms the stove at this terrific neighborhood spot, a draw for diners in the company of family, business associates and lovers alike. The menu, with its ramped-up takes on the tried-and-true, toes the line between familiar and surprising.

Inspector notes: "Loaded with butter and olive oil and jazzed up with red pepper flakes, linguine with clams is briny and delicious and chicken Milanese has just the right amount of breading beneath its zippy tomato topping."

The Saga
Cuisine: Spanish
Price: $35 brunch/lunch and $65 dinner menu

The Saga is the latest from Enrique Limardo of Imperfecto. Just to the right of The Ritz-Carlton, this restaurant is minimalist to the max with a cream and beige palette, glass walls and light wood. Stylish all the same, they're saving the drama for the food, which is a blend of Spanish classics with updated, Latin American-influenced twists.

Inspector notes: "Made with a salt-baked beet purée, the pink-hued rice is tucked with roasted vegetables, fava beans and a pine nut vinaigrette for a riot of flavors." 

Woodley Park

New Heights
Cuisine: American
Price: $55 dinner menu

In contrast to many of the shiny new restaurants that open every year, this Woodley Park veteran under-promises and over-delivers in the best of ways. The menu covers a lot of ground but does so admirably.

Inspector notes: " Broccolini with black garlic Caesar dressing, crispy fried oysters with pickled cauliflower, and tempura beach mushrooms dusted in a Moroccan spice blend are enough for a meal on their own."

Stay nearby:

Yours Truly DC

This is one of the new breeds of boutique hotels that aims to create an atmosphere of approachable sociability, rather than luxe elitism, and while its modernist, industrial architecture may recall the first wave of high-design boutique hotels, its interior decoration is warm and eclectic, and feels more collected than consciously designed. 

Hero image: Jonni Scott / La Bise
Thumb image: Seven Reasons