Washington, DC‘s Dupont Circle is a historic and charming neighborhood with stellar restaurants. An iconic all-day cafe and bookstore and an opulent Italian steakhouse are among the best restaurants in Dupont Circle, DC.
Whether you’re in the mood for an elegant special occasion spot or a laid-back Tex-Mex favorite, you’ll find some of DC’s best restaurants in Dupont Circle.
Ensure your table awaits and book now on OpenTable for a memorable meal.
Read on to learn more about the 10 best restaurants in Dupont Circle, DC.
For a sophisticated American spot with global influences — reserve a table at The Pembroke (Dupont Circle)
The Pembroke is where you head for contemporary American fare with international influences and vegetarian options in a sophisticated setting. This 2022 MICHELIN Plate recipient features stunning interiors with lush greenery, coral-hued banquettes, marble tables, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Can’t-miss dishes include the brioche French toast, smash burger, and Ōra King salmon, all made with the finest local ingredients.
For contemporary American fare in a charming setting — check out Tabard Inn (Dupont Circle)
Tabard Inn is a special occasion destination for its contemporary American cuisine and intimate ambiance. Located inside a historic inn, the restaurant is filled with classic and modern art and cozy nooks for lingering over a seasonal menu of dishes that could include hanger steak with delicata squash or shrimp with heirloom grits. Don’t miss standout desserts like a chocolate and rhubarb napoleon pastry, plus a lush garden patio with ivy-covered brick walls.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Dupont Circle — book a table at La Tomate (Dupont Circle)
Come to La Tomate to feel like you’ve been transported to a modern-day trattoria in Italy. The space is dressed with heavy wood chairs, white linen-clad tables, and delicate stemware while the bistro-inspired patio is ideal for dining al fresco. Enjoy modern Italian favorites like arancini with saffron, spicy ragu calabrese, and handmade egg fettuccine. Bonus points for a seven-course Sunday brunch.
For Italian wood-fired fare in a lively atmosphere — grab a table at Sette Osteria (Dupont Circle)
Modern Italian favorite Sette Osteria is one of the best restaurants in Dupont Circle, DC. The open, airy dining room features a glowing pizza brick oven, which turns out wood-fired pizzas like a pear-studded pie with gorgonzola and honey. Other popular dishes include Italian hits like a focaccia breadbasket, rigatoni with spicy vodka sauce, and panna cotta with caramelized cherry and almonds. The energetic space with wooden accents is great for groups, happy hours, and weekend brunches.
For breakfast at a kid-friendly cafe in one of the best restaurants in Dupont Circle, DC — make a reservation at All Day by Kramers (Dupont Circle)
Come to All Day by Kramers for books and modern American food. The independent bookstore and cafe opened in 1976, and is still a neighborhood go-to for its welcoming space with a greenery-strewn solarium, outdoor patio, and a stately bar. Dig into breakfast favorites like buttermilk waffles, avocado toast, or a classic two-egg breakfast with potatoes and meat. Later-day options include crowd-pleasing options like New Haven-style pizza, crispy chicken sandwiches, and mac and cheese for kids.
For a stylish Tex-Mex destination — ensure your table awaits at Mission (Dupont Circle)
Mission is a lively hotspot and a destination for its fusion of Mexican, Southwestern, and American cuisine. Snag a seat at the marble bar under a glass atrium ceiling or on the spacious, seasonal patio. Either way, enjoy playful fusion dishes like mango shrimp, Mexican chorizo tacos, and chipotle-rubbed chicken wings. Don’t miss the churro bites with cinnamon sugar.
For a stellar Italian steakhouse experience in one of the best restaurants in Dupont Circle — visit The Palm Washington DC (Dupont Circle)
Check out The Palm for a knockout chophouse meal of luxe seafood, prime steaks, and upscale Italian fare. The cozy dining room has plenty of dark accents, linen-clad tables, and caricature-wrapped walls. The menu includes hits like Sicilian salmon, New York strip steaks, and pappardelle wagyu bolognese. For special occasions, order the iconic jumbo Nova Scotia lobster.
For ace American comfort food in a Teddy Roosevelt-inspired interior — head to Teddy & The Bully Bar (Dupont Circle)
With its stunning spaces and a birch forest diorama, Teddy & The Bully Bar is where you go for seafood-forward, American comfort dishes with local and seasonal ingredients. Grab a seat in the space with faux taxidermy and a restored antique stove to feast on raw oysters and refined dishes like pan-roasted branzino with wild mushrooms. Don’t miss the honey-glazed cornbread.
For globally-inspired dishes at one of the best restaurants in Dupont Circle, DC — snag a table at Gerrard Street Kitchen (Dupont Circle)
Go to Gerrard Street Kitchen for a refined, internationally-inspired menu inside The Darcy Hotel. The elegant interiors feature dark blue banquettes arranged in intimate nooks. Choose from an extensive menu of French, Japanese, and modern European dishes like petite pepper steak or robata. Don’t miss the cozy terrace with fire pits.
For elegant Mediterranean cuisine in a cozy venue — book a table at Iron Gate (Dupont Circle)
Head to Iron Gate to experience a cozy DC classic. Located in a former carriage house, the restaurant is filled with charming details like plush pink banquettes and a roaring fireplace. The Mediterranean-leaning menu boasts dishes like sweet potato ginger cappelletti and roditus braised monkfish. Don’t miss the wisteria-draped courtyard with fire pits for chilly evenings.
The best restaurants in Dupont Circle, DC deliver inventive, top-tier cuisine that highlight the District’s diverse global influences. This historic and charming neighborhood is home to restaurants that serve up everything from Mediterranean-inspired fare to prime steaks, Tex-Mex favorites, and Italian hits.
