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Washington DC's Most Iconic Restaurants

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by The OpenTable team
Updated February 26, 2020

Seasons change, trends come and go, but these restaurants have withstood the test of time—and have become integral parts of the Washington, D.C. dining scene. Here are Washington, DC’s OpenTable Classics: the places that continue to excel after 10+ years. There’s a reason they’re still around: they keep giving us a reason to come back.

Zaytinya - DC
4.7 (19888)
$30 and under
Mediterranean
Penn Quarter
Chef Jose Andres is a DC legend, with restaurants of all types delighting diners around the city. Zaytinya is his Middle Eastern spot, with a myriad of dips and salads and meats and vegetables served family-style in a bright, clean, airy space. We love it as much for brunch as we do for dinner.
Top review
Donald
Dined 2 days ago
They had great lunch specials and service was attentive.
Chef Jose Andres is a DC legend, with restaurants of all types delighting diners around the city. Zaytinya is his Middle Eastern spot, with a myriad of dips and salads and meats and vegetables served family-style in a bright, clean, airy space. We love it as much for brunch as we do for dinner.
Top review
Donald
Dined 2 days ago
They had great lunch specials and service was attentive.
Oyamel
4.6 (9737)
$30 and under
Mexican
Penn Quarter
Oyamel is one of those restaurants that manages to be elegant, refined, and a whole lot of fun. You’re here for upscale versions of Mexican street food—think tacos, ceviches, and tons of vegetable dishes—all served in a laid-back atmosphere, with plenty of margaritas to go around.
Top review
Richard
Dined 3 days ago
Good food with excellent service. The setting is perfect for a business meeting or a casual lunch with friends.
Oyamel is one of those restaurants that manages to be elegant, refined, and a whole lot of fun. You’re here for upscale versions of Mexican street food—think tacos, ceviches, and tons of vegetable dishes—all served in a laid-back atmosphere, with plenty of margaritas to go around.
Top review
Richard
Dined 3 days ago
Good food with excellent service. The setting is perfect for a business meeting or a casual lunch with friends.
Central Michel Richard
4.7 (7643)
$31 to $50
American
Penn Quarter
Since it opened 10 years ago, Central Michel Richard has been serving French-American food that is both elegant and low-key, winning accolades from all over the country. We particularly love the steak au poivre, rotisserie chicken, and French onion soup.
Top review
CarolVIP
Dined 2 days ago
This is our favorite restaurant for Michel's famous fried chicken!! The restaurant was busy and vibrant, customer service is outstanding and it's conveniently located to Metro.
Since it opened 10 years ago, Central Michel Richard has been serving French-American food that is both elegant and low-key, winning accolades from all over the country. We particularly love the steak au poivre, rotisserie chicken, and French onion soup.
Top review
CarolVIP
Dined 2 days ago
This is our favorite restaurant for Michel's famous fried chicken!! The restaurant was busy and vibrant, customer service is outstanding and it's conveniently located to Metro.
Jaleo - DC
4.7 (11211)
$30 and under
Spanish
Penn Quarter
Chef Jose Andres is an integral part of the Washington, DC food scene, and with Jaleo—a modern tapas bar in the Penn Quarter—it’s easy to see why. Couple the top-notch food with impeccable (and unpretentious) service and you’ve got one of the most fun spots to dine in the city. Chef Jose Andres is an integral part of the Washington, DC food scene, and with Jaleo—a modern tapas bar in the Penn Quarter—it’s easy to see why. Couple the top-notch food with impeccable (and unpretentious) service and you’ve got one of the most fun spots to dine in the city.
Top review
Alice
Dined 3 days ago
Delicious food beautifully presented and served promptly. Always a memorable meal at Jaleo.
Chef Jose Andres is an integral part of the Washington, DC food scene, and with Jaleo—a modern tapas bar in the Penn Quarter—it’s easy to see why. Couple the top-notch food with impeccable (and unpretentious) service and you’ve got one of the most fun spots to dine in the city. Chef Jose Andres is an integral part of the Washington, DC food scene, and with Jaleo—a modern tapas bar in the Penn Quarter—it’s easy to see why. Couple the top-notch food with impeccable (and unpretentious) service and you’ve got one of the most fun spots to dine in the city.
Top review
Alice
Dined 3 days ago
Delicious food beautifully presented and served promptly. Always a memorable meal at Jaleo.
Bombay Club
4.8 (5341)
$31 to $50
Indian
Downtown
It’s hard to believe that Bombay Club has been around for thirty years; the food at this posh Indian restaurant still feels exciting and new. Don’t miss dishes like the green-chili chicken, Goan crab masala, and duck kebabs—and even meat-eaters should check out the vegetarian section, with exemplary versions of paneer makhni, gobi matar, and kale-spinach kofta.
Top review
Matthew
Dined 5 days ago
The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a comfortable setting that made it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable.
It’s hard to believe that Bombay Club has been around for thirty years; the food at this posh Indian restaurant still feels exciting and new. Don’t miss dishes like the green-chili chicken, Goan crab masala, and duck kebabs—and even meat-eaters should check out the vegetarian section, with exemplary versions of paneer makhni, gobi matar, and kale-spinach kofta.
Top review
Matthew
Dined 5 days ago
The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a comfortable setting that made it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable.
Tosca
4.9 (4574)
$31 to $50
Italian
Downtown
Tosca Ristorante is where the power-lunch-and-dinner types come for delicious Italian food, served in a handsome, stately room. The pastas, in particular, are excellent, as well as the appetizers; don’t miss the spaghetti with clams, pappardelle with wild boar ragu, and the crisp-fried squash blossoms.
Top review
MKVIP
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Fantastic. We did The tasting menu and it was incredible.
Tosca Ristorante is where the power-lunch-and-dinner types come for delicious Italian food, served in a handsome, stately room. The pastas, in particular, are excellent, as well as the appetizers; don’t miss the spaghetti with clams, pappardelle with wild boar ragu, and the crisp-fried squash blossoms.
Top review
MKVIP
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Fantastic. We did The tasting menu and it was incredible.
Blue Duck Tavern
4.7 (6379)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Foggy Bottom
The Blue Duck Tavern, which can be found in Georgetown’s Park Hyatt Hotel, isn’t your average tavern—it’s a classy, upscale variation on the genre, with cooking to match. Try dishes like the dry-aged beef tartare, soft shell crab, and braised beef rib, and make sure to save room for dessert.
Top review
Casey
Dined on May 30, 2025
It was great!! Loved the duck and the scallops. 11/10
The Blue Duck Tavern, which can be found in Georgetown’s Park Hyatt Hotel, isn’t your average tavern—it’s a classy, upscale variation on the genre, with cooking to match. Try dishes like the dry-aged beef tartare, soft shell crab, and braised beef rib, and make sure to save room for dessert.
Top review
Casey
Dined on May 30, 2025
It was great!! Loved the duck and the scallops. 11/10
Old Ebbitt Grill
4.8 (30290)
$30 and under
American
Downtown
There are few restaurants in DC as entrenched in the political scene as Old Ebbitt Grill, where politicos of all stripes come to hang out and unwind. You’ll find a menu of American classics such as oysters Rockefeller, New England clam chowder, and bacon-horseradish-glazed meatloaf, and if you’re caught at the office, not to worry—much of the menu is available late into the night.
Top review
AnaVIP
Dined 4 days ago
The food and service is always excellent. Love the history of this restaurant and the ambiance. I would suggest a more organize check in process, however once that is handled, the experience is superb! Always a go to when visiting DC
There are few restaurants in DC as entrenched in the political scene as Old Ebbitt Grill, where politicos of all stripes come to hang out and unwind. You’ll find a menu of American classics such as oysters Rockefeller, New England clam chowder, and bacon-horseradish-glazed meatloaf, and if you’re caught at the office, not to worry—much of the menu is available late into the night.
Top review
AnaVIP
Dined 4 days ago
The food and service is always excellent. Love the history of this restaurant and the ambiance. I would suggest a more organize check in process, however once that is handled, the experience is superb! Always a go to when visiting DC
BlackSalt
4.7 (6743)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Palisades Northwest
For a night of gorging on some of the freshest seafood in the city, head to BlackSalt, a DC institution in the Palisades neighborhood. We particularly love the clam chowder, crab cakes, and low country seafood stew—and if you’re feeling fancy, go for the caviar service.
Top review
WilliamVIP
Dined 3 days ago
We had not been back to DC in years and were delighted that Black Salt still serves innovative specials and wonderful classic takes on fish and seafood. Great service!
For a night of gorging on some of the freshest seafood in the city, head to BlackSalt, a DC institution in the Palisades neighborhood. We particularly love the clam chowder, crab cakes, and low country seafood stew—and if you’re feeling fancy, go for the caviar service.
Top review
WilliamVIP
Dined 3 days ago
We had not been back to DC in years and were delighted that Black Salt still serves innovative specials and wonderful classic takes on fish and seafood. Great service!

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