Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Washington, D.C. Area? 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!

The Red Fox Inn & Tavern

4.8

4.8 (3050)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Middleburg

About the restaurant

Our Culinary Team highlights fresh ingredients from Virginia’s Piedmont, featuring seasonal game and seafood dishes rooted in classic techniques. Enjoy optional wine pairings in The Dining Room, plus a curated selection of local and global beverages inspired by our setting in Virginia wine country.

Whether savoring an intimate four course dinner in The Dining Room or pub fare and handcrafted cocktails in The Night Fox Pub, each experience offers a distinct atmosphere and attentive service from start to finish.

Top review

David

Dined 2 days ago

One of the most delicious meals we have ever experienced. Truly amazing food. Wish the chairs were more comfortable and the restaurant used tablecloths. I yhink the food would have presented better on something other than charcoal grey plates. The staff were wonderful.

The Island Hideaway

4.8

4.8 (657)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Solomons

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Island Hideaway. A family owned and operated restaurant offering an assortment of fresh New American Cuisine on Solomons Island! We have done our best to create a warm environment that offers a variety of tasty food.

Please note:
-All reservations are based on a 2 hour seating time
-Reservations outside are NOT guaranteed.

Top review

Kristi

Dined 6 days ago

The seafood cannelloni with marinara was wonderful! The waitress was lovely, and very helpful!

Monocacy Crossing

4.8

4.8 (3488)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Frederick

About the restaurant

Monocacy Crossing is located off the beaten path five miles south of Frederick. As soon as you walk through our door, you relax, you're comfortable, and at home. Our menu selections and extensive wine list will satisfy everyone in your party. So come, enjoy, be our guests!

Top review

Marylee

Dined 3 days ago

Every single thing was wonderful. We would go back once a week if we could.

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Popular dish

Garlic and Herb topped Beef Medallions

Popular dish

Pork Tenderloin

Claire's at the Depot

4.8

4.8 (3720)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Warrenton

About the restaurant

In a casual yet elegant atmosphere, set in a recently remodelled century old historic train station, Claire's passion is great food and outstanding service. Offering contemporary American cuisine - local, seasonally focused - with a Southern flaire. The renovation honors the historic character of the Warrenton Train Depot, resulting in a warm, comfortable environment for casual meetings with friends, or special occasions and intimate family meals. The warm, elegant Garden Room provides seating for intimate meals, while the Tavern Room features a more casual dining experience in luxurious surroundings. A rotating selection of craft beers is available on tap, and the wine service is regularly expanded. Outdoor dining is available in season, and private events can be hosted in one of several areas in the restaurant. Awarded "Best of Warrenton" every year since 2006.

Top review

Ann

Dined 3 days ago

We love to go to Claire's. The food quality has been consistent - and always delicious!

The Greenhouse at The Jefferson, DC

4.8

4.8 (1130)

$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

Pamela

Dined 7 days ago

Wonderful service and delicious food. I felt like royalty.

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Experience

The Wine Cellar at Greenhouse

Equinox - DC

4.9

4.9 (3474)

$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

CathyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Food and service was great. The bar area is very loud. Restaurant does have private rooms so doors can be closed to block noise.

Peacock Café

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 5 days ago

Excellent service from Ed, excellent food, and sweet acknowledgement of our anniversary with a delicious complimentary dessert. This is our favorite Georgetown restaurant!!

Conservatory at Goodstone

4.5

4.5 (302)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Middleburg

About the restaurant

The Conservatory at Goodstone Inn offers an unforgettable upscale dining experience, blending the finest farm-to-table cuisine with the charm of our historic Hunt Country setting. Helmed by Chef Paul Verica, a two-time James Beard Award nominee, our culinary team crafts exquisite seasonal menus showcasing ingredients grown on our property and sourced from local farms. Complement your meal with selections from our Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, curated to enhance every bite. Tasting Events and memorable Dinner Experiences are scheduled throughout the year.

With an ambiance of refined elegance, The Conservatory invites guests 18 and older to enjoy elevated dining in a welcoming atmosphere. While ties and jackets are not required, we recommend smart business casual attire for an experience as sophisticated as it is inviting. Reserve your table and savor an authentic taste of Hunt Country luxury.

The Conservatory is open for dinner Wednesday - Sunday from 5 - 8:30 pm.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined on May 18, 2025

The ambiance and service were both exceptional. They do a wonderful job with the acoustics too- we could hear each other perfectly but couldn’t hear the other tables nearby and overall didn’t notice a lot of background noise. My husband and I did the three course option. The tenderloin (likely around 3-4oz) was the highlight of the meal, the scallop was also delicious but was just a single scallop. I wasn’t a fan of the recommend asparagus starter- it was very heavily dressed and with the combination of a lightly poached egg was just a bit… wet… for me- that’s just a personal preference. My husband started with the carrot curry soup and enjoyed that. Overall we enjoyed the experience but felt the meal was a touch overpriced. Including a cocktail and half bottle of wine, our meal was $380 with tax/tip. Would selectively recommend.

The Ashby Inn

4.8

4.8 (1896)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Paris

About the restaurant

The Ashby Inn & Restaurant is fully committed to supporting the farmers and artisans that live and work in this region. Our menus represent the freshest, seasonal products that can be sourced locally from sustainable operations. The offerings will change daily dependent on what our local farmers and nature provide. Our pledge to you is to provide a quality dining experience founded on food and drink from sources we know and trust.

Top review

Julian

Dined 2 days ago

From the very moment I stepped into that enchanting restaurant, I was captivated by an atmosphere brimming with history and charm. Each corner of the establishment seemed to whisper tales from the past, inviting us to experience not just a meal, but a journey through time. The décor, with its elegant furnishings and soft lighting, created a warm embrace around us, making it feel like we were nestled in a hidden gem away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. As for the culinary experience, it was nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish we tasted was carefully curated, and the way the food and wine were paired together was simply unparalleled. Every bite was a delightful explosion of flavors, perfectly complemented by the exquisite wines that danced harmoniously on our palates. It’s as if the chef had crafted each element with a deep understanding of how they would coexist, creating a symphony of taste that I will not soon forget. To add to the magic of the evening, the service was impeccable. The staff was not only attentive but also genuinely warm and engaging, making us feel like cherished guests rather than mere patrons. Their passion for hospitality was evident in every detail, from their thoughtful recommendations to their genuine smiles. The ambiance around us was equally breathtaking, blending soft music with the gentle hum of conversation, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in this delightful experience.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon & Lobster

4.8

4.8 (3131)

$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 1 day ago

Brunch was amazing and the food and service is unmatched! Thank you all for such a great experience!

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Standard BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH Reservation

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