Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

5.0

5 (1696)

$50 and over

American

Lovettsville

About the restaurant

Voted 2024 #1 Northern VA Magazine - "Michelin inspectors, take note."

Sourcing food and supporting local artisan growers and producers and utilizing our farm as the chefs pantry gives us the opportunity to create an evolving menu that draws its inspiration from the seasons and in harmony with the earth. The venue has a breathtaking view and natural setting overlooking the Potomac River.

We offer a tasting menu Thursday through Sunday evenings. Please visit our website at www.patowmackfarm.com for the menu.

Weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate or special events – we strive to exceed your dreams. Innovative and skillfully executed dishes follow the lead of nature, being mindful of the environment.

Due to the style of menu on special events and holidays and the complexities involved with individual and specific food allergies, we are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions on those days. We make every effort to provide vegetarian and accommodate gluten sensitivities.

Top review

WayneVIP

Dined on May 1, 2025

A wonderful evening on the outside patio. The service and food were excellent. Highly recommend for a special occasion dinner.

Afghan Bistro

5.0

5 (1405)

$30 and under

Afghan

Springfield

About the restaurant

Afghan Bistro, located in Springfield, VA provides guests an authentic Afghan cuisine with a modern flair.

Top review

David

Dined 1 day ago

Food was outstanding, service was excellent, atmosphere was nice. This place is a hidden gem. Five stars !

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Jacques' Brasserie at L'Auberge Chez Francois

4.9

4.9 (2535)

$31 to $50

French

Great Falls

About the restaurant

Restaurants in Alsace traditionally have a formal main dining room as well as a casual dining room known locally as a weinstube or brasserie. At the brasserie, diners may enjoy traditional, hearty Alsatian dishes in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. These friendly establishments are immensely popular with Alsatians and visiting them is always the best part of my trips back to Alsace. I opened Jacques' Brasserie at L'Auberge Chez François to bring the tastes and comforts of the Alsatian brasserie to Great Falls.

Top review

NancyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and service! Their souffles are still the best!

L'Auberge Chez Francois

4.9

4.9 (9459)

$50 and over

French

Great Falls

About the restaurant

Welcome to L'Auberge Chez François, our French country inn a short distance from the nation's capital that has captivated visitors for over 66 years. L'Auberge Chez François is the ideal spot to celebrate special moments, private parties, luncheons, weddings, and cooking demonstrations. Our menu is extensive and full of the flavors of Alsace and traditional French cuisine. Excellent food and service, attention to detail, and a casually elegant atmosphere are hallmarks that have made L'Auberge Chez François a Washington favorite! We hope that you will enjoy your visit with us. Should you not see your preferred time to dine with us, please call us at 703-759-3800.

Top review

Alex

Dined 2 days ago

What an absolutely wonderful evening we had, between the ambience, amazing delicious food, topnotch service, wine and outstanding desserts couldn't have asked for a better special time out.

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4.9

4.9 (1323)

$50 and over

Vegan

Downtown

About the restaurant

Elizabeth's offers an extraordinary dining experience every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. We merge our gorgeous venue with a prix fixe Vegan Tasting Menu at $110 per person. Elizabeth's is a destination for special occasions and adventurous cuisine.

Our sommelier curates a pairing of wines and beverages sourced from around the world at an additional $85 per person. We also offer a non-alcoholic beverage pairing comprised of non-alcoholic wines, mocktails, and infusions for $65 per person.

Fully raw menus are not available. Please call the restaurant (202-347-8349) in reference to any allergies prior to making your reservation. Regarding reservations of 5 or more, please call the restaurant directly. Reservations of more than 8 require a $150 minimum spend per person and a 50% up front deposit.

Top review

edward

Dined 1 day ago

He had an incredible meal. Service was perfect! Some of the best plant-based food we've ever had.

Gute Leute

5.0

5 (81)

$31 to $50

Café

Arlington

About the restaurant

Gute Leute Coffee Bar is one of the most popular coffee bars in Korea,
known for its own unique signature coffee creations.

In German, gute Leute means "good people"
and it is with this idea that gute Leute strives to create a space
in which good people can enjoy good company.

Our logo is inspired by the pine tree
because it stays green all year long like our enthusiasm for coffee.
Every branch in Seoul has its own signature menu created by baristas.
We also present seasonal coffee courses that are constructed with their
own stories.

Instagram : gute_leute_usa

Top review

samanthaVIP

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

The Omakase experience is amazing! The detail, the service, and the quality of the espresso was top notch! I will definitely do this again and very soon!

Taste of Old Country

4.9

4.9 (123)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Manassas

About the restaurant

Taste of Old Country provides a truly unique artisan bistro & market experience combining the world of food service, private events & retail gourmet food shopping, all under one roof. Home of the Mega Platter, a Mediterranean themed charcuterie board as well as a variety of small bites, artisan panini's, salads, pizza and desserts, you will definitely have a Taste of Old Country, where everything starts and ends with good food, wine, hospitality and friends.

Our bistro wine bar is ideal for a date night, lunch meeting, friends/social/family gatherings or to host smaller corporate/private events. While our culinary wonders cater to all pallets we kindly recommend and welcome our dining experience to adults and older family groups, as our space is not suited for infants or young children.

Conveniently located 1 mile off Exit 47 on I-66 in Balls Ford Center, across the street from the Holiday Inn on Balls Ford Rd.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on May 2, 2025

Best Mediterranean Restaurant around! Atmosphere is great. Food is great. Service in great!

Muoi Tieu

4.9

4.9 (28)

$30 and under

Vietnamese

Silver Spring

About the restaurant

Open Mon/Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun, closed Tues/Wed. Muoi Tieu is a cozy family-run Vietnamese restaurant and market in the heart of Takoma Park, Maryland, with a small but carefully curated menu that offers a combination of popular Vietnamese dishes (e.g., pho, spring rolls) and less common home-style dishes (e.g., braised pork belly, pan-fried fish with ginger nuoc cham) with plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. Our small market also offers a variety of common Vietnamese condiments, pantry items, and Asian snacks. Like our name, which means "salt and pepper" in Vietnamese, our concept is simple: we want to bring classic, savory Vietnamese food to our community.

Top review

Barbara

Dined on Apr 17, 2025

Began with raw fish (2) and vegan salads to share. Mains were the duck, steak and one of the fish. Favorite is the beef pho but that will need to wait for the next visit.

2941 Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (7876)

$31 to $50

French American

Falls Church

About the restaurant

We invite you to join us at 2941 Restaurant
Beautiful Views | Wonderful Food | Elegant Service
2941 Named in 'America's 10 Most Romantic Restaurants Slideshow' - The Daily Meal | 2941 Named 'The 10 Most Beautiful Restaurants In All Of Washington DC' - Only in Your State | NoVa Mag Best Of 2018
2941 is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the metropolitan area. The restaurant is nestled in the heart of Falls Church, VA surrounded by lush landscaping, koi ponds, waterfalls, world-class artwork, and a lakeside view. Chef Bertrand Chemel offers contemporary American cuisine accented with bold French and Mediterranean flavors. Named by Washingtonian Magazine in 2014 as a 100 Very Best Restaurant, Northern Virginia Magazine in 2021 No. 1 in the Top 50 Best Restaurants, and by Eater DC as a 38 Essential Washington Restaurant, to name a few accolades, 2941 continues to charm gourmands with its sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance and inventive cuisine.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 2 days ago

A Perfect Spot for Celebrations! 2941 Restaurant is the ideal place to mark any special occasion. Every bite is a delightful journey through expertly balanced natural ingredients and vibrant spices—a true celebration of culinary artistry! Over the past 20 years, I've returned time and again, and the mastery of Chef GiGi and her team remains consistently outstanding. Their creativity and precision ensure a superb dining experience every time. Adding to the perfection, Alison's impeccable service elevated the experience even further. Attentive, knowledgeable, and welcoming, she made the meal feel even more special. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or simply indulging in an unforgettable dining experience, 2941 Restaurant never disappoints!

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La Vela Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (593)

$31 to $50

Italian

Solomons

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

BillyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

What can I say about La Vela other than absolutely great food, awesome service and attention to detail. We had a great time here and the best restaurant we have been to in this area.

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