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

OpenTable

Updated July 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 (1714)

$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

Jose

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Outstanding in every category! We had a five stars experience! Excellent food and service. Fantastic ambience and personal attention. We hope to return soon!

Gute Leute

5.0

5 (83)

$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

Michael

Dined on May 19, 2025

Such a fun espresso flight (omakase)! We did the seasonal 1-year anniversary for a birthday and it was so memorable as both a show and delicious. Highly recommend for a unique experience!

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Experience

Coffee Omakase Experience

Guapo's

5.0

5 (211)

$30 and under

Mexican

Tenleytown

About the restaurant

Located just steps from the Tenleytown–AU Metro Station, Guapo’s Tenleytown is a neighborhood favorite for vibrant Latin-inspired cuisine, refreshing margaritas, and a welcoming atmosphere that brings people together. Whether you’re meeting friends for dinner or grabbing a casual lunch, Guapo’s delivers flavor and energy in every visit.

From sizzling fajitas to freshly made guacamole and crowd-pleasing classics, our menu blends tradition with comfort. Planning a birthday, graduation, corporate event, or any celebration? Our private venue holds up to 150 guests and is perfect for gatherings of all sizes.

At Guapo’s Tenleytown, every meal feels like a celebration.
📞 For private events, call (202) 899-0350 or email groupdining@guaposrestaurant.com.

Top review

margotVIP

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Guapo’s is our favorite restaurant. There is nothing like it anywhere. The chips are unbelievable, so thin and crispy and warm. The guacamole is unbelievable, really the best we’ve ever had anywhere. The two different sauces they give you are fantastic, I love the roasted one and my husband loves the pico de gallo. The food is delicious. The service is great. We come back here week after week, month after month, year after year. It’s really great.

The Melting Pot - Fredericksburg

5.0

5 (913)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Fredericksburg

About the restaurant

The Melting Pot is Fredericksburg’s premiere fondue restaurant. We offer both a romantic and family friendly atmosphere for your fine dining fondue experience. Our staff operates with one goal in mind - to provide you with the perfect night out.

Top review

Bryan

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

Wonderful experience and got there at opening. Food and service was great!

Afghan Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1417)

$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

RobertVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Our group ordered from the specials menu and were not disappointed. The appetizer dumplings were all delicious as were the lamb shanks and the veal special. It is a special treat of have Naan bread with 4 choices of dips, all delicious and not too spicy. They were very busy and we arrived early for our 6:30 reservations so it was a little slow after the Naan delight. But our waiter was very apologetic. We had an excellent bottle of French Crozes Hermitage that was perfect with our meals. the desserts were also delicious but had a little difficulty tasting the Cardamon in the cake or the rose water in the custard but the chocolate cake was incredible (probably not traditional for Afghan food though). All in all, a gem we will frequent again soon!

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L'Auberge Chez Francois

5.0

5 (9539)

$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

Marc

Dined 3 days ago

Consistently outstanding food , service and wine selection. Soufflés are truly special

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4.9

4.9 (57)

$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

David

Dined 2 days ago

Two Nine Sushi is an absolute gem in Georgetown get in before it gets so popular you can’t snag a reservation. The chef brings a warm, genuine energy to the experience, personally engaging with guests throughout the meal. His roots in Hawaii shine through in subtle, thoughtful touches, beautifully blended with the refined technique he honed while training at Sushi Taro. It’s intimate, skillful, and full of heart exactly the kind of spot you’ll want to say you discovered before everyone else did.

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Experience

Kaiseki Inspired Omakase Sushi

Mallard

4.9

4.9 (183)

$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

MargaretVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Staff were fantastic at accommodating our needs for a quick meal before the theater and still making us feel special with little treats from the kitchen. A cozy atmosphere and indulgent food!

Fahrenheit 132

4.9

4.9 (4880)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Fredericksburg

About the restaurant

We are a cutting edge steakhouse focused on creating the best food for the most reasonable price. We are located in the heart of Historic Downtown Fredericksburg. Either quick dinners or celebrations, we are an excellent fit for all. With only the freshest ingredients used and always sourced first in Virginia, and Certified Angus Beef born in VA, this steakhouse is one of a kind!

Top review

Steven

Dined 3 days ago

Another wonderful experience headed by Eric our amazing server! Food, drinks, and ambiance were perfect. A wonderful time to celebrate a birthday!

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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

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