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Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in District of Columbia

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OpenTable
Updated June 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!


A photo of The Greenhouse at The Jefferson, DC restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1131)
$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
Stephen
Dined 7 days ago
Truly special occasion. Great atmosphere great menu and polite service. Great food. Will return.
A photo of Equinox - DC restaurant
4.9
4.9 (3475)
$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
SandyVIP
Dined 4 days ago
The plant-based vegan brunch at Equinox is absolutely my favorite meal anytime, anywhere. Do NOT miss it if you are in DC! The vegan Nutella French Toast was OMG!
A photo of Peacock Café restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2051)
$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
RobertVIP
Dined on Jun 25, 2025
Excellent service from Ed, excellent food, and sweet acknowledgement of our anniversary with a delicious complimentary dessert. This is our favorite Georgetown restaurant!!
A photo of The Park at 14th restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3132)
$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
Kentez
Dined 4 days ago
Brunch was amazing and the food and service is unmatched! Thank you all for such a great experience!
A photo of Rosemary Bistro Cafe restaurant
4.8
4.8 (562)
$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
LeslieVIP
Dined on Jun 25, 2025
Good food and attentive service at a reasonable price.
A photo of Blue Duck Tavern restaurant
4.7
4.7 (6380)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Foggy Bottom
About the restaurant
When combined with the classic American touches of dark oak and blue burlap and mixed with a market-based menu featuring local farms and purveyors, Blue Duck Tavern captures the region’s natural bounty and culinary traditions. Handcrafted wood furnishings, including a 29-foot-long Windsor bench, enhance Blue Duck Tavern’s warm and rustic feel, inviting travelers and local residents to gather and celebrate the best ingredients of the season.

Inside Blue Duck Tavern’s open kitchen with a custom-designed Molteni range, our award-winning culinary team brings seasonal and bold flavors to the table through simple cooking methods and modern techniques. Savor delicious slow-roasted cuisine from the restaurant’s wood-burning oven, capturing the flavors of America’s best wholesome foods and sustainable gastronomy.

Top review
Anthony
Dined 3 days ago
The service was excellent. The food was Michelin quality. The restaurant was a little empty, but it was after eight when we sat down to eat . It was my daughter's birthday and the menu had her name printed on it .When we left they had signed the copy with all the employees. It was a fabulous evening.
A photo of The Arsenal at Bluejacket restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1075)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Navy Yard
About the restaurant
Bluejacket is a brewery without boundaries—pushing the limits of traditional styles to create small-batch beers that are bold, balanced, and full of character. Set in a striking former Navy Yard warehouse, our dining room and bar offer a front-row seat to the brewing action. Here, guests can enjoy a diverse lineup of beers alongside a seasonal menu that highlights local ingredients and is thoughtfully designed to complement what’s in your glass.
Top review
Robert
Dined 4 days ago
Great food and good selection of beers especially IPA's The service was outstanding!
A photo of Tabard Inn restaurant
4.7
4.7 (3961)
$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
April
Dined 2 days ago
Our server was fantastic! Great recommendations and so sweet to celebrate our slightly belated birthday honoree.
A photo of Estuary restaurant
4.6
4.6 (767)
$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
Christina
Dined 7 days ago
Excellent view from the window side seats. The bar area has congregating areas for parties; it gets rather loud. (Not an ideal area for a date or business meal.) The food is excellent, fresh, and inventive.
A photo of CUT by Wolfgang Puck restaurant
4.5
4.5 (688)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Georgetown
About the restaurant
A contemporary culinary destination where innovative design meets impeccable service. Nestled in the heart of Georgetown, CUT by Wolfgang Puck presents a fine-dining experience featuring the finest selections of beef, complemented by fresh, locally inspired dishes that embody the vibrant spirit of Washington, D.C.


The restaurant boasts two iconic bars: one at the entrance, providing a stylish and inviting setting for pre-dinner drinks, and a second atop the hotel, offering breathtaking city views alongside a menu of bespoke cocktails, curated wines, and craft beers. For private gatherings, our exclusive 14-seat dining room provides an intimate space for celebrations, meetings, or special occasions.


To ensure an exceptional experience for all guests, we request 24 hours' notice for cancellations. Late changes may result in a $25pp fee. Guests can bring their own wines (not featured on our extensive list), with a corkage fee of $45 per bottle or $90 per magnum, limit 2 per table.

Top review
Brian
Dined 4 days ago
Server rushed the meal and blew up on his teammate cleaning a table
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