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

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

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!

Afghan Bistro

5.0

5 (1362)

$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

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

We have been multiple times. We have loved it every time. Don't be afraid to expand your orders out of your comfort zone, everything has been very good. They will explain anything on the menu. We will be back again.

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5.0

5 (97)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Manassas

About the restaurant

Taste of Old Country provides a truly unique artisan bistro & market experience combining the world of food service, private events & retail gourmet food shopping, all under one roof. With direct ties to the Mediterranean & some of the best artisan producers, the company has carefully selected its artisan food presentation to ensure that you as a consumer are enjoying artisan food made to order.

Home of the Mega Platter, a Mediterranean themed charcuterie board as well as a variety of small bites, artisan panini's, salads, pizza and desserts, you will definitely have a Taste of Old Country, where everything starts and ends with good food, wine, hospitality and friends.

Our bistro wine bar is ideal for a date night, lunch meeting, friends/social/family gatherings or to host smaller corporate/private events.

We do not offer high chairs or kids menus.

Conveniently located 1 mile off Exit 47 on I-66 in Balls Ford Center, across the street from the Holiday Inn on Balls Ford Rd.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 4 days ago

They always do such a fantastic job, every timey you go. Thank you.

Jacques' Brasserie at L'Auberge Chez Francois

4.9

4.9 (2409)

$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

Carol

Dined 6 days ago

The food was excellent. The service was impeccable. My only criticism was they now use the dinner menu at lunch. So plan on having your dinner at lunch. It’s pricey, but worth it for a special occasion. We ate outside on the patio and it’s a lovely setting.

Elizabeth's

4.9

4.9 (1262)

$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.

We source and prepare the freshest ingredients for our exclusive fine dining experience. For this reason, reservation confirmations are required 24 hours in advance. Thank you for your understanding of the commitment that is made to creating a memorable dining experience.

Top review

LiliPvip

Dined 4 days ago

Super impressed with the menu creativity AND the amazing attentiveness of the staff! Everything tasted wonderfully - the main entree was a little bit salty for me but the amazing flavors and presentation of everything else more than made up for it. We chose to add the caviar option and it was incredible! The “half” wine pairing gave us the option to not over-indulge and Michael the sommelier was spot on with his pairing choices! The birthday card with the printed menu to mark our celebration was a thoughtful touch to a marvelous evening. Love love love it!

La Chaumiere

4.9

4.9 (4764)

$31 to $50

French

Georgetown

About the restaurant

La Chaumière is as close as it gets to dining in a French country inn. Celebrating 48 years, La Chaumière features traditional dishes like escargots en coquille, boudin blanc, quenelles of pike, cassoulet and Grand Marnier souffle. Chef Javier's specials reflect a modern approach to seasonal produce, seafood and game with favorites like baked oysters, Dover sole and our speciality, housemate Boudin Blanc. La Chaumière has won the 100 Best Restaurants award 29 times since 1978! We will be serving Al fresco as soon as the weather permits, please reserve, outdoor space is limited. Parking is available at the Four Seasons Hotel for $30 with validation stamp.

Top review

Theresa

Dined 3 days ago

Always a delightful experience at La Chaumiere: excellent food, excellent service, excellent wine and drinks. Whenever we are in DC, we make the time to go to La Chaumiere and have never been disappointed.

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Popular dish

Fresh Dover Sole "Meuniére"

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

4.9

4.9 (1660)

$50 and over

American

Lovettsville

About the restaurant

www.patowmackfarm.com
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, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Check the website for the menu.
Wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate or special event – 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.*
2023 #2 Northern VA Magazine

Top review

EricaB

Dined on Oct 3, 2024

From start to finish, top tier performance by Chef and the entire Staff! This was our second time at PF and we were blown away by the use of local ingredients, sourced fresh water fish and the wine pairing was perfect. Our waiter, John was knowledgeable, enjoyable and truly kind. We enjoyed meeting most of the Staff and had the pleasure of speaking with Chef, who in and of himself was great! Also, I am dairy free and they were so accommodating, I am truly grateful and impressed! We loved every minute of this experience (not to mention the view as the sun is setting). And it’s truly that, an experience!

1123 By Chef Tobias

4.9

4.9 (32)

$50 and over

Fusion / Eclectic

Hyattsville

About the restaurant

Embark on a culinary journey where the rich flavors of Africa meet the exotic spices of Asia at 1123 By Chef Tobias. Located in Hyattsville, our menu, crafted by Maryland Chef of the Year Tobias Dorzon, is a bold fusion of tradition and innovation. Savor dishes like our succulent Oxtail Bone Marrow Jam, crispy Asian Hand-Cut Crab Fries, and indulgent Five Spice Mac & Cheese, each reflecting Chef Dorzon's creative flair and culinary expertise. At 1123 By Chef Tobias, every meal is a story of flavor, tradition, and culinary adventure, waiting for you to explore!

Dinner: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 5:30pm-8:00pm
Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-3:45pm

Top review

Jasmine

Dined 4 days ago

The ambience is magnificent! The decor is beautiful and the attentiveness is great. You feel like you are being transferred to another world when you walk in. The food was so flavorful. This is a great date spot.

Gute Leute

4.9

4.9 (54)

$30 and under

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.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Sep 18, 2024

Omakse was an experience like no other. Would rec ☕️

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Experience

Coffee Omakase Experience

La Bonne Vie

4.8

4.8 (29)

$31 to $50

French

Herndon

About the restaurant

Nestled in Herndon, our restaurant radiates the timeless charm of a Parisian bistro, offering a menu that celebrates classic French entrees with our own twist. Each dish is a testament to our commitment to quality and authenticity, crafted with passion and precision by our talented chef. From Trout Amandine to Steak Frites, every bite at La Bonne Vie is a journey through the flavors and traditions that define French gastronomy.

At La Bonne Vie, we believe that dining is more than just a meal; it's an experience that enriches life and creates lasting memories. Our warm and inviting atmosphere, paired with attentive service and a thoughtfully curated wine selection, invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and indulge in the simple pleasures of good food and good company. Whether you're seeking a romantic evening out or a gathering with friends and family, La Bonne Vie welcomes you to embrace "the good life" in every delicious bite.

Top review

Mary

Dined on Oct 7, 2024

A gem in Herndon! The staff was so kind and attentive and the food was fantastic.

Lafayette Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1597)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Washington’s destination for power dining, the Lafayette Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With large windows opening onto Lafayette Park and the White House, this sun-lit dining room is one of the most elegant settings in the capital and is certain to complement any dining experience.

Top review

Karen

Dined 3 days ago

Quiet elegant atmosphere, Amish chicken and ribeye for two are dishes that I can highly recommend. Perfect for a date night or a place to propose with a ring.

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