Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in District of Columbia

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in District of Columbia? 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!

dLeña - Chef Table

4.8

4.8 (94)

$50 and over

Contemporary Mexican

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Join dLeña, as featured in the 2022 edition of The MICHELIN Guide DC, at our signature chef’s table tucked behind the main bar with an exquisite leather banquette facing directly into the open kitchen. Chef will prepare eight courses for 160.00 per guest, with an optional beverage pairing for 75.00 per guest. Each of our guests will receive a take-home surprise to enjoy the morning after. ¡Salud!

*Kindly note we are not able to accommodate menu substitutions for our Chef’s Table experience.

Top review

Merritt

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

First, and most importantly, the food was wonderful. Just about every one of the eight dishes was well-conceived, beautifully constructed, and often presented with some dramatic surprise. I enjoy watching our dishes being plated before our eyes, and am always impressed by the extreme attention to detail that goes into that effort at this level. Service was everything to be expected in a Michelin-star restaurant. The interactions with Chef Carlos were an important part of the evening, with information about the inspirations for some of the dishes letting us appreciate the art more fully, and the descriptions with the wine service were very good. dLeña is highly recommended by all four of us. Really, the only significant negative about the whole experience was the ambient noise level. The restaurant is very noisy, and for me it was loud enough to distract from all the other wonderful things going on. If not for the noise, I'm sure all the rating factors would have been full fives.

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Experience

Chef's Table Experience

Sushiko - Chevy Chase

4.9

4.9 (1896)

$50 and over

Sushi

Chevy Chase

About the restaurant

OPEN FOR DINE IN, CARRY OUT & DELIVERY
LUNCH : Thusday - Sunday 12 - 2:30 PM
DINNER : Tuesday - Sunday 5 - 9:30 PM
Monday - Closed

WE ARE OFFERING CARRYOUT AND DOORDASH THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.
You may place your orders online at:

Sushiko's Website: www.sushikorestaurants.com (please note we do not accept orders over the phone.)

Door Dash: https://www.doordash.com/store/sushiko-bethesda-989031/1475147/en-US/?preview=1

The Japanese culinary tradition is one of the strongest in the world, and like any art form, it has no limit. Using the finest ingredients available, our constantly evolving menu provides an experience that is unique to Sushiko. Our approach focuses on tradition as an art form instead of a rule book. To ensure a truly first-class dinning experience, executive chef Piter Tjan keep his eyes and minds open to new ingredients and techniques, without losing sight of the preparation and showmanship at the soul of japanese tradition.

Top review

LauraVIP

Dined 3 days ago

It was my birthday and they brought me a surprise dessert which was lovely and delicious.

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4.9

4.9 (1334)

$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

AnthonyVIP

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

A cozy and quiet place with excellent food, amazing service, and wonderful staff. Definitely recommend.

Two Nine

4.9

4.9 (54)

$50 and over

Japanese

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Two Nine Restaurant offers a kaiseki-inspired sushi omakase experience, harmoniously combining seasonal seafood imported from Japan with produce from local farmers and plated on handmade ceramics carefully picked out from friends in Tokyo, Japan.

At $205 per guest, exclusive of beverages, taxes and gratuities, guests embark on a multi-course journey where each dish is meticulously prepared.

For those seeking a more casual approach, we also feature a Nigiri a la carte counter, allowing guests to enjoy their favorite sushi at their own pace. Additionally, a small, intimate room is dedicated to Chirashi sushi and sake, offering a relaxed dining atmosphere.

Two Nine strives to cater to guests of all sushi knowledge and preferences, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone.

Top review

HadleyVIP

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Delightful and imaginative omakase experience in an intimate space

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Experience

Kaiseki Inspired Omakase Sushi

Ethiopic

4.9

4.9 (1066)

$30 and under

Ethiopian

H Street Corridor

About the restaurant

Ethiopic Restaurant focuses on Ethiopian cuisine and culture. Traditional Ethiopian ingredients are introduced to evoke the true taste of Ethiopia. Ethiopic’s authentic Ethiopian food menu will feature vegetarian, meat, poultry, and fish. Ethiopic Restaurant is proud to be the first Ethiopian Restaurant on the H Street Corridor and intends to cater to a wide customer base. We want everyone to feel welcome and entertained.

We now add 20% service fee charge when dining-in, to ensure all of our staff is paid a livable wage.

Top review

Suzanne

Dined on May 22, 2025

Some of the best Ethiopian food I have ever had, with a lovely indoor/outdoor patio, delicious slightly sweet bread as well as perfect injera, and a kind and charming staff. Truly five stars, and that is without accounting for the shockingly reasonable prices.

Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (108)

$30 and under

Ethiopian

Columbia Heights / Brightwood

About the restaurant

Letena is a farm-to-table Ethiopian restaurant serving dishes made with natural, premium ingredients. Located in the heart of Columbia Heights, Washington DC, Letena is a family-owned destination centered around authentic, quality Ethiopian food.
Owner Yamrot Ezineh opened Letena’s doors in October 2016. Yamrot and her team love welcoming new and old friends to enjoy Letena’s delicious, fresh food. Their goal is to make the unique experience of Ethiopian food approachable for everyone, from vegetarians and vegans to meat-lovers alike.
Letena’s original Ethiopian dishes have won accolades from various publications and review platforms including Food Network, Washingtonian, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined on May 31, 2025

Excellent food excellent service I will come back again

Mallard

4.9

4.9 (177)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Southern

Logan Circle

About the restaurant

At Mallard, Chef Johnson will apply classic and global techniques to the culinary traditions of the south while incorporating the best local and regional ingredients available. Undergirding it all will be a sense of hospitality rooted in Johnson’s memories of the family table.

Mallard’s menu will range from Chef Johnson’s take on classics like Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Pork, Piquillo Peppers, and Tabasco-Shellfish Nage and Wild-Caught Blue Catfish with Poached Oysters, Summer Corn, and Smoked Trout Roe to new creations like Seared Sea Scallops with Cracklin’ Cornbread, Charred Peaches and Dandelion Greens and Crisp Berkshire Pork Trotters with Ramp Chow Chow, Sunny-Side-Up Egg, and Edisto Island Grits. Dessert options include Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Rhubarb and Almond Shortbread and Banana Puddin’ with Cracker Jacks and Nilla Wafers.

Top review

MarcoVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The effort that was made by the manager and waitress to accommodate my garlic allergy is greatly appreciated. Wonderful appetizers and dessert!!!!

Press Club

4.9

4.9 (94)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Press Club is a record bar and cocktail lounge with a focus on the curation of guest experience and providing maximum levels of hospitality. The name is an homage to DC while also evoking the pressing of records and the ingredients used to craft our cocktails.

Our Playlist Experience is a four course cocktail tasting flight featuring culinary techniques and seasonal ingredients. Each cocktail will be paired with accompanying snacks from our kitchen.

Our standard reservations are for an a la carte experience featuring our cocktails and izakaya bites.

To reserve for parties of 6 or more, please email us as hospitality@pressclubdc.com.

The standard duration of this experience is one hour and thirty minutes. This time has been carefully chosen to accommodate the full range of our delicious cocktails and unique ambiance.

We do not have a phone number. To connect, please use the OpenTable messaging system or send an email to hospitality@pressclubdc.com.

Top review

Mike

Dined 5 days ago

Great vibes and music selection. The drinks were creative and the food paired well

Afghania

4.9

4.9 (125)

$31 to $50

Afghan

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Our newest restaurant, Afghania is the sister restaurant to Bistro Aracosia in the Palisades neighborhood of DC, Aracosia in McLean Va and Afghan Bistro in Springfield VA. Afghania accommodates any diet and is proud of taking cooking back to its origins.

Welcome to Afghania, where the Steppe of Central Asia meets the Hindu Kush and Suleiman Mountain Range, bordering South Asia. Come and enjoy the warm hospitality, exquisite flavors, and the mystery of the Afghan frontier that so many have been intrigued by.
At Afghania you will enjoy some classical dishes of the warriors from the frontier. Smoked meats, vegetables full of flavor, exotic spices, exquisite flavors and aromas and unmatched hospitality are promised at Afghania.
Come and enjoy dishes that date back to the early 1800’s from the Afghan Empire - Afghania.

Top review

Ambassador RiyadVIP

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

A wide range of very tasty, spicy food and attentive service; but the restaurant felt cramped and lacking in atmosphere, especially when compared to its sister restaurant, Bistro Aracosia.

Causa

4.9

4.9 (110)

$50 and over

Peruvian

Shaw

About the restaurant

Causa is our Michelin-Starred tasting room where the world of Peruvian culinary tradition comes to life, thanks to the artistry of Chef Carlos Delgado. Here, you'll embark on a journey through the gastronomic heritage of the Peruvian geographical regions.

Reservations can be booked two months in advance. This prix-fixe menu is $179 (tax & gratuity not included). Enhance your experience further with a Remarkable Wine Pairing to compliment your 6-courses or venture into North America's rarest pisco selection and fully immerse yourself in the bounty of Peru's national spirit.

If you have any questions or clarifications on allergens or restrictions, reach out to info@causadc.com prior to booking.

Gift Card? Please use a credit card to book hold your reservation and we will refund you upon completion of your meal. Causa accepts inKind House Account credit and is unable to accept general inKind credits. Please reach out to inKind support for further clarification.

Top review

Mike

Dined 3 days ago

Causa is incredible. They set the bar for me in what expect for the Michelin star experience.

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Experience

Causa Six Course Experience - Table Seating

Experience

Causa Six Course Experience - Counter Seating

Experience

Causa Four Course Experience - Table Seating

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