Restaurants

Great Dining at Washington DC Restaurants

Here are some Washington DC restaurants in the Dupont Circle area and beyond that have a reputation of taking good care of our guests. In addition to this list, you may want to see our Washington DC Restaurants Blog for detailed reviews.

Dining Near National Mall & Smithsonian Museums and Around Washington DC

  • The Source by Wolfgang Puck – This restaurant is located inside the Newseum. The food is great and the ambiance is elegant but be prepared to pay. Great place for a business lunch or a special occasion.
  • McCormick & Schmick’s – This restaurant cater to seafood lovers but they keep the meat lovers happy too – their steaks are superb!  I love the food and the ambiance.
  • BlackSalt – Seafood Restaurant – Best Crab Cake
  • Bombay Club – Indian Cuisine at its best in Farragut West/Downtown DC
  • Marcel’s – French/Belgium Restaurant, great reviews, pre-theater 3-course meal and ride to Kennedy Center.
  • ICI at Sofitel – French Restaurant near the White House
  • DC Coast – American Restaurant – Great Seafood, Pricey.
  • Sequoia Restaurant – American cuisine, Great Seafood, great view of Kennedy Center.
  • Blue Duck Tavern – President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary.
  • Seventh Hill Pizza – Capitol Hill-Great pizza but very popular so finding a place to seat may be a challenge.
  • Zaytinya – Classical Greek, Lebanese and Turkish cuisine.
  • 1789 Restaurant – Rated one of America’s best restaurants.
  • Equinox – Downtown DC – American – Expensive
  • B. Smith’s – Union Station – Combination of Cajun, Creole and Southern cuisine, where Michele Obama had lunch with Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton.
  • Good Stuff Eatery – Capitol Hill – Great Hamburgers, Homemade Fries and Spike the Chef. What more? Obama ate here.
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse – Crystal City Metro Stop – What a fun way to spend an evening. Good food and Good entertainment.
  • Nando’s Peri Peri – Downtown DC–Flame Grilled Chicken at its best and the price is pretty good too but they get pretty busy and chaotic at times so be prepared.
  • Fogo De Chao – Brazilian Barbecue, the Gaucho way of roasting meats over pits of open fire for delicious barbecues. The ‘all you can eat’ Brazilian Barbecue is located across from the Old Post Office near the Smithsonian Museums. Great food and atmosphere.
  • Russian House – A young hang out for local Washingtonians.
  • Ben’s Chili Bowl – President Obama ate here and so did many other celebrities before him. Not much from the outside but they are the best when it comes to chili and smoked sausages.
  • Point of View – Best known for its splendid views of the White House and Monuments in Washington DC. Enjoy a drink and food is good.
  • Dolcezza – Go here for Gelatto, Italy’s version of ice cream but contains only half of the fat and calories and it is simply delicious.
  • Kellari Tavern – Great Greek Food.
  • Founding Farms – Organic farm-inspired American food and drink.
  • Black Finn Restaurant – 1 block from the White House.  Reasonably priced classic American food, great service and delicious food.
  • Food Court – Great Food, great ambiance at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center facility
  • Federalist – American Food – Downtown – Inside Madison Hotel – Not bad for being in a hotel.
  • Old Ebbitt – American Cuisine at its best near the White House – This American institution was established in 1856, and it was and continues to be a favorite spot for politicians, journalists, celebrities,  and tourists in general.

Georgetown Neighborhood Dining in Washington DC

  • Ristorante La Perla – Nestled in D.C.’s famous Georgetown area, serving original and traditional Italian food.  If you like Italian food you will love this restaurant.
  • Filomena Ristorante – Another wonderful Italian restaurant to visit in Georgetown. The food is great and the atmosphere is romantic and elegant.  This restaurant has been visited by many celebrities in the past 30 years.
  • Cafe Bonaparte – French creperie and cafe in Georgetown.
  • Bourbon Steak – The steak is great but the Seafood is divine. Located in Georgetown

Adams Morgan Neighborhood Dining in Washington DC

  • The Black Squirrel – A beer and burger joint plus sandwiches, salads to the sound of local artists on lively 18th street.
  • Napoleon Bistro & Lounge – Dining with ambiance – French.
  • Cashion’s Eat Place – Seasonal American Cuisine with Mediterranean influences, Great Brunch! Moderate Price.
  • Perry’s – American Seafood with an Asian touch.
  • Madam’s Organ – Best Soul Food Restaurant and Bar with best Blues, R&B and Jazz in town.
  • The Diner – Breakfast served any time of the day plus delicious hamburgers, fries and other comfort foods.
  • Meze – Turkish/Mediterranean – Great reviews.
  • Tryst Coffee House – Here you can get a quick bite, great coffee and baked goods and even a drink and Jazz.
  • Pasta Mia – Good price, huge portions, great authentic Italian food but you have to take the bad with the good (bad service perhaps due to them being short handed).
  • Meskem – Ethiopian Food.
  • Tony and Joe’s – Georgetown Waterfront – Great Seafood with Great View.

DuPont Circle Neighborhood Dining in Washington DC

  • Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe & Grill – Do you want to meet locals, see where they hang out, then you must stop by this very interesting place where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner and meet the neighbors too.
  • Komi Restaurant – Pricey but have received very high reviews
  • Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Great steak and seafood just a few minutes walk from the American Guest House.
  • The Regent – Thai Cuisine at its best.
  • SweetGreen – Great salads, fresh and organic you can even count calories and nutrition values.
  • Heritage India – One of the best Indian restaurants in the area.
  • Five Guys Burger and Fries – President Obama enjoyed his Cheeseburger and fries here. On ZAGAT survey rated every year and voted the Washingtonian Magazine’s “Readers’ Choice” #1 Burger. There is a location only 7 minutes walk from the American Guest House Bed and Breakfast.
  • Bistrot Du Coin – French and delicious! Just a few minutes from the American Guest House on Connecticut Avenue near the DuPont Circle Metro Station.
  • Hank’s Oyster Bar – Very good reviews, short walk from guesthouse
  • Nora – America’s first certified organic restaurant – Michele Obama celebrated her birthday here.
  • BusBoy & Poet – A Washington DC Local Gem. Food Menu is pretty diverse.
  • Sala Thai – Another great neighborhood restaurant – They specialize in Southeast Asia’s spiciest cuisine.
  • Zorba’s – Greek Food at its best.
  • Mourayo – Great Greek fook – you will savor every morsel.
  • Black & Orange – A burger joint in DuPont Circle that is open until 5AM.  Voted best for 2012.

Woodley Park Neighborhood Dining in Washington DC

  • Tono Sushi – Asian and Japanese cooking, great sushi near Woodley Park subway station.