Award-winning Restaurants in Washington D.C.

Roll out the red carpet - these restaurants are racking up critically-acclaimed awards and rave reviews. Book the best of the best in Washington D.C. to see what all the buzz is about.

OpenTable

33 Restaurants

Updated December 07, 2022

Restaurants:	1789 Restaurant, ala, Ambar Capitol Hill…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	American, Mediterranean, Balkan style…
Neighborhoods:	Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill…

1789 Restaurant

$$$$

American

Georgetown

4.7

6009 reviews

For 30 plus years it remains my favorite place in DC in all categories, service, food, ambiance. Compliments on keeping a great thing going.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

ala

$$$$

Mediterranean

Dupont Circle

4.6

1100 reviews

Great food artfully presented. Service is attentive and friendly and the prices are reasonable for the quality of the food and downtown location.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

View Experiences

Ambar Capitol Hill

$$$$

Balkan style

Capitol Hill

4.8

4295 reviews

Melina was very caring hostess!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

Bar Chinois

$$$$

Chinese

Shaw

4.7

365 reviews

Amazing happy hour, quick service, great cocktails and food is delicious

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

This is gonna be a lot to read!! This was my first time there. Everything was going great. Food, ambiance, great service.. until. the bill came. We booked for 5 but ended up being 4. that was fine... they adjusted. We got a table by the door. The cold was too much for 3 of them. Im a big guy so it was ok for me.. they moved us.. Awesome.. thank you. We got a better table.. (we chose the second table as well. it was still by a door.. we didnt know. still a better table) So we ate and it was sooo delicious) the waitress was so sweet and kind.. We ordered 3 endless mimosas. i ordered 1 mimosa for me, because i was the driver.. and.. ive worked in a restaurant.. i knew not to take from the carafe of endless mimosas. then we get the bill.. There was a bill with my $9.00 mimosa and then $25.00 endless mimosa and then $75.00 mimosa. i found our kind waitress and told her that this receipt is wrong. She let us know that someone said the drinks were flowing and that i was charged too. I told her kindly, I def did not drink more than my little one glass and ROLL the tape. i drank from that one glass with no refills, because as a server before.. I know they would try to get me. i asked them to roll the tape.. after about 5-10 mins.. the charge was removed. but. it wasn't the best experience. I totally know that people try to get over.. but I didn't .. If you need to watch us carefully, be right about it.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

BlackSalt

$$$$

Seafood

Palisades Northwest

4.8

6297 reviews

Prices have increased considerably.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Chaplin

$$$$

Japanese

Shaw

4.7

1345 reviews

Great ramen!! Best so far.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

China Chilcano

$$$$

Peruvian

Penn Quarter

4.7

3136 reviews

A must try!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Das Ethiopian - Georgetown

$$$$

Ethiopian

Georgetown

4.7

1256 reviews

This was our first time and they were so incredibly gracious and helpful. The food and service were absolutely incredible.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Dauphine’s

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown

4.5

1168 reviews

In 2023 we are starting a tradition of brunch with friends and plan to do it at least twice a month! It was fitting that we start with Dauphine’s on New Years Day with some of our oldest friends. We were seated at an amazing table on the balcony overlooking the live jazz band! Chef Essig treated us amazingly well and the entire team from host, to wait staff, and managers all went above and beyond. We knew it was going to be a special meal when the four of us sat down and three of the plates had the same image of an animal, I think it was a duck, and one had a herring! Our friend with the herring plate told us that herrings tend to be around when she is thinking of her grandmother! The food was beyond spectacular! The current version of gumbo with the smoked meats was killer and you don’t want to miss out on the Pommes Dauphine! They were a heavenly bite of crunch, soft, creamy, sweet, and spicy! We cannot wait to return!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

dLeña

$$$$

Latin American

Mount Vernon Square

4.7

1089 reviews

Troy was absolutely amazing!!! He literally ready my mind by sending suggested brunch plates before I even ordered them and everything we got from the menu was delicious! I cannot wait to return!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

El Secreto de Rosita

$$$$

Latin American

Downtown

4.5

426 reviews

So many great options. Service was so genuine and fast. We loved the gnocchi lomo Saltado.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Estuary at the Conrad DC

$$$$

Unspecified

Penn Quarter

4.5

492 reviews

It was a wonderful time. We are high maintenance people and picky eaters…and we were pleased with everything. From the cinnamon bun, to the avocado toast, to the crab Benedict and the omelette, everything was delicious. Service was outstanding, shoutout to the hostess, waiters, manager, and especially the chef. Thanks for making our day so special.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Georgia Brown's

$$$$

Low Country

Downtown

4.4

7864 reviews

It's always a good time at Georgia Brown. I went for Sunday Jazz brunch and it was top tier. There was a bit of wait because people did not want leave their tables. We sat at the bar and enjoyed biscuits and Mimosas. Everything was delicious. The service was impeccable. The music was amazing. One warning: There is a homeless tent city in McPherson Square park that popped up over the pandemic. It's not a great sight, so I would not recommend sitting outdoors.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Gravitas

$$$$

American

Capitol Hill

4.5

131 reviews

Everything was delicious!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Jaleo DC

$$$$

Spanish

Penn Quarter

4.7

9821 reviews

We always love our visits to Jaleo. The food is phenomenal, and the service is attentive and pleasant.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Joselito Casa de Comidas

$$$$

Spanish

Capitol Hill

4.7

1219 reviews

I’ve always wanted to experience this place with my wife and am so glad I did this weekend. Everything - the cocktails, the sangria and tapas - were exquisite.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

Kaliwa

$$$$

Asian

Southwest Waterfront

3.8

333 reviews

Mia was professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. The food options were amazing and the wine selection was fantastic.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

La Bise

$$$$

French

Downtown

4.8

605 reviews

What a beautiful restaurant. It is the old Oval Room. Comfortable and clean. The tables are not on top of each other. A perfect place for a mid-week business dinner. The menu is lovely. A nice selection of fish, fowl, beef, vegetarian. Traditional French sauces and preparations were peppered throughout. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I liked the wine list. I was disappointed that the gougeres were not hot or even warm. They were slightly cooler than room temperature. Also, the oysters and sabyon was an underwhelming appetizer. One oyster tasted "funky" and made my stomach gurgle for hours. I would have expected fresher seafood. Still, it is worth trying and I will return. Recommend for business dinners and special occasions.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

Lupo Verde - 14th St

$$$$

Italian

Logan Circle

4.4

1749 reviews

Food was outstanding. The brunch menu offered some great staples and also some great Italian options. Food and service were outstanding!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Maiz64

$$$$

Mexican

Logan Circle

4.6

207 reviews

Food was excellent, lots of interesting flavors that don't make it into other cuisines. The Broccolini/Bok Choy and the carne asado tacos were real standouts. The dishes were very flavorful without being heavy, which is a rare combo.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

View Experiences

Michele’s

$$$$

Contemporary French / American

West Loop

4.2

153 reviews

The food was excellent and the customer service was phenomenal. Both our waiter and the manager made sure we had an amazing dining experience. We had the shrimp cocktail which is prepared sue vie style so it was extremely tender. We also ordered the mushroom tart that's on a flat puff pastry. It was delicious. We ordered the double burger and whole fried fish and shared them. Again delicious! They even have a cocktail that I believe is only available at their restaurant. It think its called honey I'm sorry I'm late. It's a must try because it's smooth and unique.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Ottoman Taverna

$$$$

Turkish

Mount Vernon Square

4.7

1362 reviews

We decided to try Ottoman Taverna to celebrate a birthday and we participated in the 44$ tasting menu. Everything was delicious and beautifully platedl. Portion sizes were quite large and we even had to box up our leftovers! The servers were knowledgeable and friendly. Always smiling. They even ended the meal with a birthday surprise! We will 100% come back here to try everything else on the menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Oyamel

$$$$

Mexican

Penn Quarter

4.7

9010 reviews

The service was excellent and the food was amazing!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

$$$$

Seafood

Logan Circle

4.9

1240 reviews

My partner and I had brunch and it was great. Good food bu I do think a couple of more signature items could be added to the menu. Overall great experience!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Rumi's Kitchen - DC

$$$$

Persian

Mount Vernon Square

4.8

1474 reviews

All I can say is WOW!!! Saw this restaurant on Tic Tock and gave it a try…. Amazing experience the food was delicious, the drinks were on point. The sever was knowledgeable and provided recommendations. I can’t wait to go back.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

San Lorenzo

$$$$

Italian

Shaw

4.8

90 reviews

Fantastic doing experience from hostess to dessert.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Shilling Canning Company

$$$$

American

Navy Yard

4.8

14 reviews

We did the Chef's Counter experience and it was so great ! The interaction with the chef's, their attention to us, and the amazing 7 course meal they created was all spectacular and made for a wonderful evening. Highly recommend !

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

View Experiences

Swahili Village The Consulate

$$$$

African

Dupont Circle

4.7

291 reviews

Great food, great drinks, great service, and great music!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bombay Club

$$$$

Indian

Downtown

4.8

4818 reviews

It was our 14th wedding anniversary celebration. Bombay Club was absolutely the right choice! The food and service were both excellent, there was a very pleasant buzz of other diners enjoying themselves, and the staff paid us special attention because of our anniversary. I will definitely recommend Bombay Club to friends and family!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

The Pembroke

$$$$

Global, International

Dupont Circle

4.6

1390 reviews

The brunch was delicious, the music playlist really set the mood, the decor was bright and vibrant. It was perfect for a girls brunch.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Tonari

$$$$

Italian

Penn Quarter

4.6

138 reviews

The ambiance and the overall experience was great! I kind of wish the portion size was larger to accommodate for family style type dining as recommended by the server.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

View Experiences

Zaytinya

$$$$

Mediterranean

Penn Quarter

4.7

17421 reviews

Always great food and service. One of my favorite restaurants in DMV!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Explore OpenTable

Washington DC