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$$ | Columbia Heights |
At this celebrated restaurant, whose name means "clay oven, chef Antonio Solis infuses his creative dishes with the regional flavors of his native Mexico. The queso fundido (savory melted cheese) served in a banana leaf is one of the most requested starters. The platos fuertes (entrées) include a whole red snapper made Veracruz style with shirmp and sofrito sauce. There's also a wide variety of tacos, from oyster to chicken mole poblano. Wash down your meal with a selection from the extensive cocktail list, which puts mezcal and tequila front and center.
3704 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20010, USA
Known For
- Authentic Mexican food
- Lively space
- Extensive cocktail list
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$ | U Street |
A U Street fixture for decades, Ben's serves chili—on hot dogs, on Polish-style sausages, on burgers, and on its own—to Washingtonians and visitors alike. The shiny, red-vinyl stools give the impression that little has changed since the 1950s (the original location still doesn't accept credit cards), but don't be fooled: this favorite of former President Barack Obama has rocketed into the 21st century with an iPhone app, an upscale Southern cuisine restaurant next door, and menu additions like turkey burgers and meatless chili that nod to modern times. Add cheese fries and a milkshake to your order if you dare. Southern-style breakfast is served from 6 to 10:45 on weekdays and from 7 to 10:45 on Saturday. Ben's has added spots on H Street NE and in Arlington and at Reagan Airport, too.
1213 U St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Legendary half-smoke chili bowls
- Southern-style breakfast
- Cheese fries and milkshakes
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$ | U Street |
Escape to Cuba via a cafesito at this spot, which has a two-floor patio and is situated just off lively 14th Street. If you'd like something more potent than a coffee, there are plenty of cocktails, from piña coladas to guava frosé. For breakfast, the guava paselitos are must tries, as are the lunch menu's Cubano sandwiches, made with fresh Cuban-style bread and savory strips of roasted pork.
1405 T St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Cuban-style coffee
- Stylish decor
- Latin pastries
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$$ | U Street |
This rustic, dimly lit wine bar brings chic cuisine to the city's hippest neighborhood. The wine list features rare varietals—with a dozen still under $11 per glass—but even teetotalers will be enchanted by the menu's classic dishes. The duck confit, avocado bruschetta, and grilled hanger steak are standouts, while the ginger-caramel pot de crème is a favorite for dessert.
1805 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- More than 50 wines by the glass
- Relaxing patio
- Favorite small plates to share
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations essential
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$$ | U Street |
For more than 20 years, Dukem has been a favorite of those seeking authentic Ethiopian food. Guests come for the injera, a spongy flatbread topped with tibs, a dish with cubed tender lamb or beef fried with onion, rosemary, jalapeño pepper served with injera, and salad and spicy awazie sauce. Dukem also has vegan and vegetarian-friendly combinations with spicy split lentils, yellow peas, greens, cabbage, potatoes in spicy sauce, and also shiro. Order tej (Ethiopian honey wine) for the full Ethiopian dining experience. On the weekends, you may catch live music from local Ethiopian performers.
1114--1118 U St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Well-established restaurant
- Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly options
- Occasional live Ethiopian music on weekends
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | Logan Circle |
The name of this polished palace means "stadium," and its gorgeously baroque interior, which surrounds a high-wire open kitchen, makes a perfect stage for energetic and flavorful uses of top-notch ingredients. The menu, developed during research jaunts throughout Spain, is a master class in tapas, with smoky grilled scallions punched up by garlicky romesco sauce and tortilla española smoother than any served in Barcelona. The bar menu is equally inventive. Try a slushito to get a delightful alcoholic twist on the beloved slushie. For dessert, don't miss the sweet-and-salty manchego cheesecake with pistachio granola.
1520 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, USA
Known For
- Classic Spanish tapas with new flavors
- Boozy slushies
- Beautiful dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch Mon.–Thurs., Reservations essential
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$$$ | U Street |
In this faithful re-creation of a convivial Parisian bistro, the attention to detail makes a night here into more than just a meal. This excellent spot prizes quality above all, from graceful martinis and hand-stuffed ricotta ravioli to succulent, textbook-worthy steak frites and roasted chicken. Perfectly spreadable butter is placed atop loaves cut in the kitchen, and the fresh-bread aroma tantalizes customers half a football field away in the dining room. It's also one of the city's most popular brunch spots.
1610 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Parisian-bistro vibe
- Juicy steak frites
- Popular brunch menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Columbia Heights |
Located on a residential street, this restaurant offers an authentic Italian dining experience. Chef and owner Antonio Ferraro brings the flavors of his native Napoli to Washington, D.C., with fresh, house-made pasta dishes, such as fusilli with crab meat or decadent gnocchi, served on colorful, hand-painted plates. Start your meal with a Negroni or a glass of prosecco, and ask to be seated at the very photogenic Vespa table. If weather permits, dine on the cozy patio.
2737 Sherman Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Vespa table
- House-made pasta
- Italian wine list
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$ | U Street |
You're invited to the coolest house party in the city, where deft hands in a tiny kitchen turn out urbane plates that go down like a designer outfit hidden on the sale rack. From the roasted mushroom risotto at dinner to the perfectly assembled breakfast sandwich on a biscuit for brunch, this small wonder has a dish for every mood. The indoor space is, indeed, small, lined in bistro tile and tailor-made for knocking knees on date night, but the patio is ample and has outdoor heating in winter. Save room for the baked wonders of local pastry consortium Paisley Fig and a cocktail or two.
3234 11th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20010, USA
Known For
- Intimate (read: tiny) hip space
- Brunch-time biscuit sandwich
- Outdoor patio with heating lamps in winter
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$$$ | U Street |
At Seven Reasons, one of D.C.'s most talked-about restaurants in the past two years, chef Enrique Limardo honors his native Venezuela with creative versions of arepas (stuffed cornmeal cakes) and arroz bomba (rice with seafood). The restaurant also takes you on a Latin American tour with offerings such as Argentinean-style steak or Peruvian-style ceviche. The dining room is tropical and sexy, featuring an open kitchen where you can see the culinary team in action. The rooftop patio, which has a mural painted by the chef himself, is perfect for predinner cocktails or dinner alfresco.
2208 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Picturesque rooftop patio
- High-end Latin American cuisine
- Open kitchen plan
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Shaw |
Skip the chains and head to this beloved local coffee shop and whole-grain bakery offering fresh sourdough creations, whole wheat almond croissants, and seasonal veggie frittatas. Grab a specialty coffee, a yerba-maté or nettle tea, and a 100% whole-wheat chocolate croissant or buckwheat muffin on your way to tour the city. Look out for the afternoon’s pastries, including the wheat-free sorghum brownies.
926 N St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Freshly made breads and whole wheat pastries
- Specialty coffees and teas
- Locally sourced ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs.
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$$ | Shaw |
While many of D.C.'s standout restaurants earn their accolades for takes on cuisine from far-flung corners of the globe, at the Dabney, Virginia-born chef Jeremiah Langhorne draws rave reviews for his commitment to Mid-Atlantic cuisine. Larger plates might include whole lacquered quail stuffed with cornbread or a family-style serving of chicken and dumplings, but small plates predominate, and waiters will help you balance out your meal. The farmhouse-inspired venue is bright, open, and inviting, with an open-kitchen concept featuring a wood-burning hearth. The cocktail program also excels, and there are multiple ciders and interesting draft beers to boot. The food and cocktail menu changes regularly and is based seasonally, so expect to be newly delighted every time. You can't go wrong with the wine here, either. Make a reservation, as it isn't easy to just drop by and get a table at this popular spot.
122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Creative cocktails
- Low-key farmhouse vibe
- Handcrafted desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$$ | U Street |
The cozy farmhouse-like setting helped make the Red Hen a must-try for Italian-influenced takes on American dishes. If the name and giant hen on the facade have you thinking poultry, you'd be right to follow your instincts and order the pan-roasted half chicken. The kitchen also excels at pasta, served with traditional ragù, cream, and even squid-ink sauces. And while you'll find longer wine lists at other restaurants, you'll be hard-pressed to find a smarter one.
1822 1st St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Savvy wine list
- Pan-roasted half chicken
- Delicious pasta options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$ | Shaw |
You can get nearly any pizza you might want, from a classic Margherita style with the standard mozzarella, tomato, and oregano toppings to more elaborate pizzas like Enzo the Baker with smoked bacon, Calabrian chilis, and red onion. For lighter fare, try some of the hand-selected meats off the salumi menu or one of the spuntini (“little snacks") that include braised octopus and squash "hummus." There are no shortages of antipasti and salad offerings, either. Come by for happy hour, or "spritz hour," from 5:30 to 7 at the bar, and enjoy desserts from the Buttercream Bakeshop next door.
1250 9th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Seasonally inspired pizzas
- Delicious antipasti
- Pickup and delivery
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$$ | Shaw |
Washington, D.C. is a hub for the African diaspora, with many different countries represented in the city's culinary scene. Appioo, a well-established Ghanaian restaurant owned by chef Prince Matey, is set in the basement of a row house and has an intimate dining room decorated with intricate African wood sculptures. Try the spicy okra stew, the famous goat burger, or one of the most popular (and contested) West African dishes, jollof rice. The drink list features cocktails flavored with mango, pineapple, and other tropical fruits. If you go on a weekend, you may catch live African music.
1924 9th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Authentic Ghanian food
- Live music
- Intimate dining room
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$ | |
A Black-owned establishment that brings you delicious food and even better drinks. Its location being so close to Maryland, some dishes are Maryland inspired and to die for. They are known for happy hour themes everyday of the week and their famous brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
1211 U St. NW, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Shrimp and grits
- Unlimited mimosas on weekends
- Sunday brunches
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$ | Shaw |
This award-winning teahouse, named Yelp’s “Most Loved Business in D.C.” in 2019, features more than 80 teas, tonics, and body products based on founder Dr. Sunyatta Amen’s Jamaican Maroon and Native American great-grandmothers’ time-tested formulas. After you're greeted at the counter, one of Calabash’s skilled staff will craft a concoction based on your needs or desires. Every interaction is personal. Calabash also offers healing via direct-trade, pour-over coffees and vegan vittles, including Jamaican patties, pies, and soups. At Calabash, you enter as a customer and then become a part of the community.
1847 7th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Custom teas to cure ailments
- Vegan desserts and pastries
- Bohemian decor
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$ | Shaw |
Inspired by the 1930s star Charlie Chaplin, this is the first ramen house–cocktail bar in Shaw. Burmese chef Myo Htun transports you with his take on traditional gyoza (wonton wrappers stuffed with pork and cabbage), shumai (small stuffed dumplings), and any number of ramen combinations, while Ari and Micah Wilder offer carefully curated cocktails. Enjoy the film posters and decor as you slosh yourself with ramen, or grab a drink at the Opium Den bar upstairs. From weekend brunch to the late-night Encore menu, there is always an opportunity to try something new. The Wilder brothers have created fan favorites that incorporate a variety of liquors, homemade mixers, and fresh fruit. Be sure to check out Chaplin’s happy hour, one of the best in the neighborhood, with half off all Drafty Spirits cocktails, draft beers, and by-the-glass wine until 7 pm on weeknights.
1501 9th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Delicious ramen and gyoza
- Homemade cocktails
- 1930s film theme
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$ | Shaw |
In Shaw, a neighborhood known for its traditional Ethiopian food, this celebrated spot offers both authentic flavor and great prices. Named for the West Hararghe zone of Ethiopia, the restaurant celebrates the traditional cuisine that is eaten mostly utensil-free, using a special spongy bread, injera, to scoop up food that's laid out on a large platter. There are also great vegan options here for those that don’t want the traditional Ethiopian sirloin or chicken stew. And you'd be hard-pressed to find most of the choices from a great list of African beers elsewhere in the District.
Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Authentic and delicious injera
- Plenty of vegan options
- Great value
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$$ | U Street |
Take a trip around the world at Compass Rose, a restaurant celebrating global cuisine. Inspired by her travels, owner Rose Previte features many of her favorite dishes, from ceviches to kebabs to the signature khachapuri (Georgian cheese-filled bread). Unique wines from countries such as Lebanon and Georgia pair well with the eclectic menu.
1346 T St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Known For
- Eclectic decor
- Creative menu
- Extensive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.