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

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance 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!

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

Elizabeth's

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.

L'Auberge Chez Francois

5.0

5 (9505)

$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

DonVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We thoroughly enjoyed our anniversary lunch . David, our waiter , was magnificent. Every aspect of our 4 course meal was superb. Highly recommend and will definitely return.

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4.8

4.8 (1892)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Paris

About the restaurant

The Ashby Inn & Restaurant is fully committed to supporting the farmers and artisans that live and work in this region. Our menus represent the freshest, seasonal products that can be sourced locally from sustainable operations. The offerings will change daily dependent on what our local farmers and nature provide. Our pledge to you is to provide a quality dining experience founded on food and drink from sources we know and trust.

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was outstanding! Our server Virginia was extremely attentive. The caviar was wonderful. The scallops and the halibut were mouth, water and delicious! The sommelier’s recommendations for a French rosé or also on point!

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon & Lobster

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

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

5.0

5 (1707)

$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

Bill

Dined 4 days ago

Owner Beverly Morton and her entire staff are graceful knowledgeable and produce a wonderful farm to table product. The menu continuously surprises and deletes you with its uniqueness and creativity!!!

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Experience

Father's Day Take Out - SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2025

The Prime Rib

4.8

4.8 (3481)

$50 and over

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

D.C's premier steakhouse with tuxedoed waiters and a 1940s Manhattan supper-club setting since 1976. Top five romantic restaurant in America (Food and Wine magazine). Live piano nightly. Valet parking. business casual for gentlemen.

Top review

MichelleVIP

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

My husband brought me to The Prime Rib for our 32nd anniversary and it was wonderful. From our initial greeting at the door everything was perfect and obviously curated to make you feel pampered and special. The food was amazing with the piece de resistance being a special celebratory crème brûlée that was delivered at the end of the meal. This definitely is a must do; especially for a special occasion.

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Prime Rib Sliders (4)

Jacques' Brasserie at L'Auberge Chez Francois

4.9

4.9 (2564)

$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

MichaelVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great service, beautiful setting, always amazing and consistent food.

Bistro L'Hermitage

4.9

4.9 (6529)

$31 to $50

French

Woodbridge

About the restaurant

As the Historic Occoquan Waterfront Area welcomes L'Hermitage, a Classic French Bistro, we welcome you. Long time DC restaurateur (21 Federal/Bob Kinkead (RIP),Ex Co-Owner of Marcels DC, Watergate Hotel F&B) Youssef Eagle Essakl has transformed a building and the surrounding property in historic downtown Occoquan into his vision of a Romantic French country bistro. L'Hermitage, a great escape from the hectic DC restaurant scene, promises 'relaxed good taste' with the polish and sophistication of fine dining. Join us for a very special experience.
Our Motto is:
"Hospitality is the Art of Making Others Feel Welcome, Comfortable, and at Home.
It is the Talent for Spreading Warmth and Kindness that will be Remembered Always."

Top review

Lloyd

Dined 6 days ago

Unforgettable experience for my wife's 76 birthday 🎂 celebration.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Duo Filet Mignon & Homard

Popular dish

Foie Gras

SHIA Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (143)

$50 and over

Korean

Washington

About the restaurant

SHIA (shee-uh) is a modern Korean fine dining restaurant in Washington, D.C., dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and cultural storytelling. Our tasting menu-only experience spotlights the intersection of local agriculture and premium Hansik ingredients, using fresh, seasonal elements with minimal manipulation to honor the environment. As a non-profit restaurant, SHIA is more than just a dining destination; it’s a platform for tackling key challenges in the restaurant industry, from environmental responsibility to fair labor practices and culinary heritage preservation.

**Please Note: Chef Lee's appearance is not guaranteed, and his availability is not given to the team or guests.**

Top review

Roxy

Dined 1 day ago

Very pleasant experience at SHIA. The 5-course tasting menu is very satisfying. Even with familiar tasting profiles, each dishes is unique and doesn’t resemble anything I had before (especially the main course). Staff are all very helpful and patient with questions. The menu is changing seasonally so I’m excited to come back and experience new menu next time!

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Experience

7 Course Pre-Fixe (Dining Room)

Experience

5 Course Pre-Fixe (Lounge Only)

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