Best Restaurants for Quiet Conversation in Van Ness

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaCapitol HillDowntown

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine winesGreat for outdoor dining

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

28 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Old Ebbitt Grill

4.8

Exceptional(30385)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 313 times today

Founded in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington, DC's oldest saloon and a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. Situated in the heart of the city, just steps from The White House, this historic landmark offers a timeless blend of classic American cuisine and unparalleled hospitality. Old Ebbitt Grill promises a memorable visit filled with a warm ambiance and a seasonal menu spanning from freshly shucked oysters to house-made pastas and perfectly prepared steaks & chops. From the Rooftop Terrace to the Atrium or Cabinet Room, Ebbitt's private dining spaces are ideal for celebrations ranging from small and intimate to grand and stylish.

2. Chez Billy Sud

4.9

Exceptional(3085)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French • Georgetown

Booked 44 times today

Welcome to Chez Billy Sud, your classic neighborhood French bistro in the heart of historic Georgetown! We accept reservations for dinner on a rolling 30 day basis. Reservations can be made for parties up to 6 guests for bistro dining. Our private dining room can be reserved for large parties (7-16 guests) by contacting our event coordinator at events@chezbillysud.com. For general inquiries, please contact us at info@chezbillysud.com.Depending on the weather, our patio is available on a first-come basis. Please check with your host upon arrival for patio seating.Our Bar à Vin (located right next door) is open for dinner and drinks 7 days a week and requires no reservations. Please visit our website ChezBillySud.com or check us out on Instagram @ChezBillySud.We look to hosting you!

3. Ambar - Arlington

4.6

Exceptional(4180)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Tapas / Small Plates • Arlington

Booked 91 times today

Welcome to Ambar, the gem of Arlington, where you are invited to explore the dynamic flavors of Balkan cuisine. What distinguishes us, is our well-curated, exclusive 'Dining Without Limits' experience, which brings you the soul of Balkan dining traditions. Our extensive menu boasts a variety of shareable small plates, perfectly paired with a vast selection of premium Balkan wines. Whether joining us for a leisurely lunch, celebratory weekend brunch, or an evening of indulgence, our unlimited dining menu promises to deliver an unparalleled culinary journey. We excel in serving individual guests, as well as larger groups, and private events. At Ambar, our custom catering services add that extra sparkle to your events. At Ambar, we are revolutionizing dining with inventive Balkan cuisine that blends tradition and innovation, seamlessly. We ensure an unforgettable gastronomic experience with award-winning, extraordinary hospitality. Step into Ambar, the pinnacle of Balkan dining.

A photo of Kingbird at The Watergate Hotel restaurant

4. Kingbird at The Watergate Hotel

4.4

Awesome(2328)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Foggy Bottom

Booked 16 times today

We are offering breakfast weekdays from 7am-10:30am and lunch from 11:30am-2pm. Our Kingbird Bar hour from 2pm-9pm Tuesday through Fridays. Weekends, we are offering Brunch on Sundays from 11am to 2pm. Join us for High Tea on Saturday & Sunday 1pm-2:30pm. We require all High Tea reservations to be pre-paid, to make a reservation for High Tea please select the Spill the Tea Experience. For children under 12 please email dining@thewatergatehotel.com. We are located within The Watergate Hotel, our elegant yet contemporary restaurant features fine dining with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Valet Parking is $15 for dining.

5. Persimmon

4.8

Exceptional(3000)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Bethesda

Booked 15 times today

Persimmon is a beloved neighborhood bistro offering up unforgettable favorites! Bring an appetite for great food & wine!Let's Gather & Eat!

6. La Tomate

4.7

Exceptional(1450)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Dupont Circle

Booked 11 times today

Since 1987, La Tomate has been Dupont Circle's neighborhood bistro, featuring affordable regional Italian cuisine in a warm ambiance. A window-clad bar and dining room offer charming avenue views onto Connecticut avenue. Enjoy an extended season of “al fresco” dining on our lush outdoor patio. We are committed to providing quality service and excellent food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. We invite you to join us for breakfast a casual lunch, happy hour, dinner, weekend brunch or group events.

7. Green Pig Bistro

4.3

Awesome(1703)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Arlington

Booked 23 times today

Green Pig Bistro (GPB) serves up classic, rustic French cooking with a decidedly American push. GPB embraces a seasonal menu of hearty entrées, sourcing most ingredients locally to satisfy the palate & support the local community. It has a casual setting with a lively and energetic vibe and delicious farm-to-table food prepared in an open kitchen alongside unique craft cocktails & beer and an extensive, thoughtfully curated wine list.GPB is open for Happy Hour every day from 4pm-6pm, Dinner every day from 5pm-close, and Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2:30pm. Reservations highly encouraged. Reservations not accepted for Happy Hour - just stop in.We look forward to welcoming you!

A photo of Medium Rare - Arlington restaurant

8. Medium Rare - Arlington

4.5

Awesome(1485)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steak • Arlington

Booked 44 times today

A Diner's Choice Award winner for the last 12 years! Legendary Medium Rare offers a unique, prix fixe dinning experience of artisan bread; a mixed green salad; prime, dry-aged steak; and hand-cut fries (Vegetarian option always available) in a relaxed, fun, environment. Please allow us 15 minutes to seat you after your full party has arrived and after checkin at our host stand. As we do only one thing, we do our best to make the food and experience exceptional and also a good value. We also serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday's with a great prix fixe including French Toast, Steak and Eggs, Eggs Benedict and bottomless Bloody Marys, Mimosas and Screwdrivers. WALK INS and CALL AHEAD seating are always welcomed..

A photo of Mazaro Italian Restaurant restaurant

9. Mazaro Italian Restaurant

4.2

Awesome(380)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Arlington

Booked 1 time today

A new Modern Italian Restaurant that will offer classic Italian cuisine and Neapolitan pizza baked in specialized, Wood-fired oven imported from Italy

A photo of Minetta Tavern DC & Lucy Mercer restaurant

10. Minetta Tavern DC & Lucy Mercer

4.7

Exceptional(48)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French American • NoMa

Booked 23 times today

Keith McNally brings Minetta Tavern to Washington DCMINETTA TAVERN ORIGINALLY OPENED IN 1937Named after the Minetta Brook — which ran southwest from 23rd Street to the Hudson River — the Tavern was frequented by various layabouts and hangers-on including Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, E. E. Cummings, Dylan Thomas, and Joe Gould, as well as by various writers, poets, and pugilists.Since its renovation, Minetta Tavern has best been described as "Parisian steakhouse meets classic New York City tavern."We hope — and believe — that's a somewhat accurate description of the place.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
Linden
St. Louis •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Incredible experience, incredible staff incredible food
More info
Old Ebbitt GrillPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
•
4.8
R
Rosalie
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Scallops with Mushroom risotto fantasic as was the Apple crisp desert
More info
PersimmonPrice: Expensive• American• Bethesda
•
4.8
S
shawnVIP
St. Louis •26 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
My second time here and it’s going to be a must visit any time I’m in DC. Fantastic cocktails, excellent and friendly service from the staff and the unlimited menu is outstanding. Tried the lamb lasagna, short rib goulash and the pepper and cheese croquets on this visit. Wonderful. And the cevapi and the sujuk flatbread on a previous visit were amazing. Looking for an excuse to fly back to DC from the Midwest just to eat here again.
More info
Ambar - ArlingtonPrice: Expensive• Tapas / Small Plates• Arlington
•
4.6
L
LindaVIP
Detroit / Eastern Michigan •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Food was excellent and the service was friendly, informative, and efficient.
More info
Chez Billy SudPrice: Very Expensive• French• Georgetown
•
4.9
D
DarrylVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •30 reviews
4.0
Dined on Jun 20, 2025
We had a very good experience dining here. Good food and excellent service. Special thanks to Henry, our server. He definitely goes above your standard expectations. Very friendly and professional. Highly recommend special occasions or business gatherings. The top of the gate rooftop has the best views in the city. Donovan also deserves a special thank you! Darryl & Tina Groom
More info
Kingbird at The Watergate HotelPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Foggy Bottom
•
4.4

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