Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in District of Columbia

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in District of Columbia? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Peacock Café

4.8

4.8 (2024)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Maziar Farivar, Chef/Proprietor serves contemporary American cuisine with flavors of around the world in an elegant, comfortable & cosmopolitan setting. Celebrating over 28 year Anniversary in Georgetown, Peacock Cafe is a dining experience not to be missed when in Georgetown. In addition to our wonderful lunch menu, we do offer a selection of our popular breakfast items as well on weekdays (11am-4pm). Chef Maziar, on dinner menu offers a greater variety of small plates and entrees from contemporary American to small selection of Contemporary Iranian (Persian) dishes.
Enjoy a comprehensive wine list from boutique wineries to large labels and fabulous signature cocktails from the bar to compliment your dining experience.

Top review

DebraVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent food and service! As always, thank you to the wonderful Peacock Cafe team for another great experience!

Equinox - DC

4.8

4.8 (3466)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Equinox on 19th has an upscale casual, crisp, atmosphere that firmly establishes a city chic decor. We are excited to offer you a regional, seasonal dining experience by a five-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, Chef Todd Gray. We specialize in seasonal fine dining, plant-based, and vegetable-forward cuisine. Check out our beautiful brick fireplace room that looks onto 19th Street with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows for a perfect view. Our ample bar seats over 40 and is ideal for a beverage before dinner. Our lime-washed brick walls evoke a classic DC townhouse. Our vibe is friendly & upscale casual; our food is celebrated for all dining styles, from gluten-free and plant-based to locally farmed produce. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know when making your reservation and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Located at 900 19th St NW, just a few blocks from our previous location.

Top review

Caleb

Dined 5 days ago

First meal out I can remember in a very long time where nothing seemed rushed despite it being a 7:30 reservation. Ample time given and courteous service throughout. Our host Didier went to great lengths in making sure the order was what we wanted, indulged us and offered additional options and recommendations. It surpassed the already high expectations I was hoping for. We will be back!

The Greenhouse at The Jefferson, DC

4.8

4.8 (1113)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located in downtown DC, just four blocks from the White House, breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch are served under The Jefferson’s historic skylight in The Greenhouse. Natural light streams from above, creating an airy atmosphere that complements the light, fresh and energizing fare on our seasonal menus.

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

This is one of our favorite go-to brunch places. Jorge always takes great care of us. They have the most amazing staff and chef. This place is a DC gem!!

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Experience

The Wine Cellar at Greenhouse

Experience

Mother's Day Brunch 2025

Experience

Early Mother's Day Brunch 2025

Rosemary Bistro Cafe

4.7

4.7 (544)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Friendship Heights

About the restaurant

Rosemary Bistro Cafe is a restaurant based in Washington, D.C. that serves classic French-based cuisine. All our menu offerings prepared using the freshest ingredients. If you’re looking for a cozy dining experience in the D.C. area, come by our restaurant today.

Top review

Stephen

Dined 7 days ago

Fred and his staff make the dining experience all the more enjoyable. From the appetizers, to our main courses, desserts and a truly wonderful bottle of wine for the table, we, once again really enjoy this gem of a restaurant in our neighborhood.

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Popular dish

French Onion Soup

The Arsenal at Bluejacket

4.6

4.6 (1072)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

The Arsenal is the 200-seat restaurant & bar housed within the brewery, Bluejacket. The menu updates, refines and extends the classic fare of beer halls and public houses by featuring the best locally sourced products available and highlighting reinterpretations of hearty classics such as steamed mussels, artisanal sausages and more. Gourmet sandwiches, seasonal salads & vegetables, alongside approachable bar snacks are the perfect accompaniments to a signature Bluejacket brew.

Top review

Christopher

Dined on Apr 14, 2025

From greeter, to our server Ash to food runners and staff cleaning table service was excellent. Two adults, one teenager and two young kids, there was something for everyone and staff was super accommodating offering selection of tables to suit our needs. To go beer was a plus, will definitely be back.

The Park at 14th

4.8

4.8 (3063)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Park at 14th is a restaurant, lounge, and event venue on four floors overlooking Franklin Square in Downtown D.C. Offering a sense of timeless elegance, beautiful views, and a warm and welcoming interior, The Park at 14th is the perfect place dining, socializing, and hosting your next event. We invite you to join us. For reservations over 10 people, please TEXT (202) 550-0300

Top review

Charmaine

Dined 6 days ago

I really enjoyed my birthday here 🫶🏽 They truly made me feel like the Queen that I am 🥰👑🥂 10/10 from the food to the vibes.

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Standard BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH Reservation

Tabard Inn

4.7

4.7 (3908)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Since our early days as a tea room, we’ve been a respite for locals and visitors alike, offering a haven for conversation and memorable cuisine. The tradition continues as our culinary team has curated an inventive and elevated menu through New American cuisine while paying homage to the beloved dishes that have been served at the Tabard Inn for years.
Join us for a meal on our covered patio or one of our intimate dining rooms. Or enjoy drinks and light fare in our historic fireplace lounge, where you can enjoy our creative cocktails! A DC institution since 1922, we look forward to offering our guests all the comforts of a home away from home.

Top review

Cassie

Dined 3 days ago

Thanks for the birthday surprise for my best friend!

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Popular dish

Chicken Fricassee

Dauphine’s

4.5

4.5 (1453)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Dauphine’s is a modern day incarnation of the dramatic Grande Dame establishments of New Orleans, brought to you by the award winning Long Shot Hospitality - the team behind DC's beloved The Salt Line Restaurants. Dauphine’s utilizes Mid-Atlantic ingredients to prepare classic New Orleans fare while also creating original dishes inspired by the legendary city. All brought to you in a breathtaking spacious downtown restaurant setting with the most beautiful bar in downtown DC, plenty of patio dining, and a festive outdoor bar and garden area. Located in the Midtown Center, Dauphine's is just steps from the White House, National Theater, Convention Center, Cap One Arena and most downtown attractions and provides an elegant yet relaxed dining atmosphere for any occasion. Dauphine’s serves Dinner seven nights a week and Brunch on weekends, with Happy Hour every day 4pm-7pm and an ALL DAY Happy Hour on Sundays - plus don't miss our signature Sunday Live Jazz Brunch! We hope to see you soon!

Top review

EdwardVIP

Dined 7 days ago

After our order was taken, the waiter returned to inform two members of my party they were out of the entree they had picked.

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Chef Geoff's (New Mexico Ave.)

4.6

4.6 (4205)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Chef Geoff’s is a chef driven restaurant offering Contemporary American cuisine.

A DC staple for over 20 years, with a friendly, neighborhood feel, you will feel welcome here for any occasion large or small. Our made from scratch menu is fresh, flavorful and offers something for everyone. From pizza, salads and burgers to our more elaborate main dishes, one thing is for certain, we don’t skimp on flavor! Our bar covers all ends of the spectrum from our famous super mugs (giant beers) to our handcrafted cocktails. Enjoy our large elevated patio for the perfect al fresco dining experience or our cozy newly renovated dining room. We cannot wait to see you!

Top review

Virginia

Dined on Apr 22, 2025

Wonderful receptionist, wonderful waitress, great space, and lovely food. Every time we have eaten there, it has been exceptionally good.

Estuary

4.5

4.5 (747)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

At Estuary, we celebrate the essence of contemporary American cuisine while embracing the rich bounty of the Chesapeake region. Modern design and floor-to-ceiling windows await you, giving way to sweeping views of DC’s iconic skyline. Here, the city’s dynamic energy pairs seamlessly with a menu that tells a story of culture, tradition, and artistry – all firmly rooted in the Chesapeake.

To complement the flavors on your plate, we present an extensive selection of meticulously curated wines and handcrafted cocktails.

Chef de Cuisine Arturo Elias brings a deeply personal touch to every dish, making full use of his traditional French training while also drawing inspiration from memories of cooking side-by-side with his grandmother in Mexico. His multicultural experience shines through in bold, flavorful accents that add a unique twist to Mid-Atlantic fare, blending time-honored techniques with a passion for innovation.

Top review

Jen

Dined on Apr 22, 2025

Great food and service. Went for a business lunch, great venue. Did find the food expensive for what we ordered.

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