From an intimate MICHELIN-Starred chef’s counter to a crowd-pleasing Ethiopian spot and an elegant vegan fine-dining destination, fancy restaurants in DC offer the perfect backdrop for any celebration.
Toast milestones with sophisticated cocktails and playful snacks at a stylish Georgetown lounge. Celebrate a birthday with an interactive Sichuan hot pot experience in Arlington. Dial up the romance over seasonal American fare in a charming historic Dupont Circle inn.
Skip the wait by reaching for an OpenTable reservation instead.
Read on for a guide to the 12 best fancy restaurants in DC right now.
For innovative plant-based cuisine in a historic townhouse: Elizabeth’s (Downtown)
Located in an elegant Federalist townhouse, Elizabeth’s has been a vegan DC fine-dining destination since opening in 2009. Chef Francisco Hernandez whips up an artful, six-course tasting menu that could include raviolo with grilled sunchoke sauce and summer truffle, plus organic wine or non-alcoholic cocktail pairings. Grab a seat at the intimate bar in the cozy dining room with peach-hued walls and gold-framed paintings for creative à la carte snacks, like a vegan “caviar.”
For a shareable taste of Ethiopia in a luxe space: Das Ethiopian (Georgetown)
Shareable and spice-forward Ethiopian dishes make this Georgetown staple ideal for intimate special occasions. A milestone meal in this romantic townhouse isn’t complete without a bottomless basket of injera (spongy flatbread), made for dunking in tender chicken stew. But the 2021 MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recipient is also a go-to for its spectacular meat-free options like red lentils and mushroom “tibs.” Sleek, elegant lines and lush fabrics dial up the luxe, celebratory factor.
For stylish celebrations with modern French flair at one of the fancy restaurants in DC: La Bise (Downtown)
Restaurant vet Ashok Bajaj (Bombay Club, Modena) is a pro at standing out in a city full of special-occasion hotspots. His latest, La Bise, took over the famed Oval Room in 2021, and celebrations here are all about revamped modern French food like chicken liver mousse cornets and Rohan duck breast. Get the knockout hazelnut mille feuille for dessert, served with a stellar selection of ports, cognacs, and dessert wines.
For timeless Italian dishes at one of the upscale restaurants in DC: Filomena Ristorante (Georgetown)
Open since 1983, Filomena Ristorante is one of the District’s most beloved landmarks. Regularly topping Washingtonian’s list of the best Italian restaurants in the city, Filomena’s is a celebration staple for its attentive, tuxedo-clad servers and cozy, old-school vibe. The chicken parmesan is the special occasion MVP, as is the gnocchi, fettuccine, and eggplant lasagna. Visit in December for over-the-top holiday decor—think hundreds of twinkling lights and nutcrackers.
For bold Peruvian flavors in a colorful atmosphere: China Chilcano (Penn Quarter)
Acclaimed chef José Andrés’s China Chilcano is where you go for a pisco party with friends. The Chinese, Japanese, and Criollo-accented menu is as festive as the boldly designed dining room. Choose from shareable dim sum and dishes like a crispy fried rice pot, or go all in with one of two chef’s tasting menus. High ceilings, red glass lamps, and neon lights provide a striking backdrop for photos and make this one of the top upscale restaurants in DC for large groups and birthday celebrations.
For a luxurious surf-and-turf experience at one of the fancy restaurants in DC: Truluck’s – Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab – Washington, D.C. (Mount Vernon Square)
Soft lights, wine-colored leather booths, and sparkling chandeliers set the tone for extra-elegant celebrations at this two-story surf-and-turf haven. The Houston transplant stays true to its everything-is-bigger-in-Texas ethos with a massive menu starring global seafood, expertly broiled steaks, and solid vegan options like plant-based bolognese pappardelle. Add in flaming desserts and a deep wine list, and you’ve got one of the swankiest special occasion spots in town.
For seasonal, plant-forward fine dining at one of the nice restaurants in DC: Equinox – DC (Downtown)
Wife-and-husband duo Ellen Kassoff and Todd Gray are behind this plant-forward fine-dining legend, one of the best fancy restaurants in DC. In addition to an elegant, five-course vegetarian tasting menu, expect always-changing seasonal, mid-Atlantic-centric dishes that could include a mushroom-based “Wellington.” The best part: the restaurant’s nearly zero-waste kitchen composts and regrows ingredients used in day-to-day operations, so you can feel good about celebrating here.
For a lively, interactive Sichuan hot pot dining experience: Mala Tang (Arlington)
Tailor-made for large and lively gatherings, Mala Tang is a cook-your-own Sichuan food star. Go with friends or family to do justice to the spectacular soups, which come with dippable ingredients like prawns and fish balls. Multiple broth types—ranging from mild to tongue-numbing spicy (Sichuan peppercorns and chile oil)—let you and your crew order mains according to heat tolerances. Bonus points for the customizable dips, which you can mix and match at the dedicated sauce bar.
For cutting-edge MICHELIN-starred cuisine at one of the fancy restaurants in DC: Jônt (U Street Corridor)
With a 14-seat chef’s counter and two nightly tastings, two-MICHELIN-Starred Jônt is one of DC’s most intimate fine-dining experiences. The ever-changing tasting menu by acclaimed chef Ryan Ratino is nothing short of a culinary adventure, fusing French techniques with Japanese ingredients and global flavors. Settle in at the chef’s counter to watch the team expertly transform seasonal ingredients into edible art, from cloud-like foams to perfectly seared meats.
For boundary-pushing Vietnamese fare from an acclaimed chef: Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien (Penn Quarter)
At Moon Rabbit, James Beard Award-nominated chef Kevin Tien’s ambitious fine-dining menu combines the flavors of his Vietnamese heritage and Louisiana upbringing. Decked with personal mementos and photographs, the minimalist yet cozy Penn Quarter space sets the stage for bold, made-for-sharing dishes like bánh canh cua, a sweet potato tapioca gnocchi with crab fat and fermented sausage. Or opt for a full tour of Tien’s inventive fare with the chef’s tasting menu.
For contemporary American cuisine at one of the fancy restaurants in DC: Tabard Inn (Dupont Circle)
An intimate, parlor-like setting makes every meal memorable at Tabard Inn, one of the District’s longest-running employee-owned hotels. Chef Matthew Zafrir’s commitment to locally sourced, seasonal ingredients shines in elegant dishes that could include duck confit with Carolina gold rice or seared scallops with corn succotash. Enjoy rare whiskies (and live music on Sunday and Monday evenings) in the cozy fireside lounge, or book a table on the charming garden patio with ivy-covered brick walls.
For a sophisticated night out with expertly crafted cocktails: Fitzgerald’s (Georgetown)
The sibling cocktail bar to Clyde Restaurant Group’s acclaimed restaurant 1789, Fitzgerald’s is a throwback, sports-inspired escape in the heart of Georgetown. Settle into a plush leather banquette or grab a seat at the stylish mahogany bar to sip on sophisticated cocktails like a brown butter old fashioned. The playful snacks—think Korean-style chicken wings and wagyu tartare with quail egg—are made for sharing. The bar dials up the festive factor with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
From creative vegan feasts at an elegant Downtown DC destination to a MICHELIN-Starred tasting experience in U Street Corridor, fancy restaurants in DC dazzle with a wide variety of offerings for every special occasion. Whether you’re marking a milestone with shareable Peruvian-inspired fare from acclaimed chef José Andrés, feasting on classic Italian fare at a Georgetown institution, or simply enjoying a night out with friends over cocktails at a vintage sporting-inspired bar, these DC hotspots promise a celebratory experience on every visit.
Snag your table at one of Washington DC’s best special occasion restaurants by booking with OpenTable now.
Want to learn more about DC’s amazing restaurant scene? These city guides can help:
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- 12 gorgeous Washington DC restaurants that will blow you away
- The 12 Washington DC restaurants crush the outdoor dining game
Christabel Lobo is a food and travel writer, illustrator, and guidebook author based between Washington, DC and Abu Dhabi. Her writing has appeared in publications including Insider and Lonely Planet, among others.
