Best Dinner Places to Eat in Washington DC

"(between N. Q and N. Corcoran streets) in Logan Circle, the brasserie and cafe is the most popular French restaurant in Washington, boasting four stars out of 2,373 reviews on Yelp. Paying homage to French cafe culture, Le Diplomate aims to offer an authentic Parisian feel, inside and out. But you’ll find far more than flaky croissants and cafe au lait."

"This classic restaurant pays tribute to the chefs of France and makes diners feel transported to a classic Parisian brasserie with both the cuisine and the ambiance."

"Named for Chef Aaron Silverman's paternal grandmother and his desire to provide a warm, casual and hospitable environment for guests, this venue is one of the district's favorites. Start off your experience with small plates likes spicy 'happy' oysters or green tomato Panzanella. Pasta and family-style options will draw you in with selections like lumaconi alla norma and smoked brisket."

"You may have heard of Rose’s Luxury, the American spot in Capitol Hill with creative pastas and vegetable-heavy small plates. You may have also heard about the no-reservations policy and the hours-long lines that come with it. Don’t let all that steer you away, though, because even a few years into the hype, it’s difficult to have a bad time at Rose’s."

"If you don’t mind the inevitable wait, then Rose’s Luxury is the place to be. It won the best new restaurant title by Bon Apetit last year and has gained meteoric popularity. The dishes can’t really be classified into a specific cuisine and varies depending on the season."

"Fiola serves up rustic Italian food and original cocktails in a sophisticated modern space. Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema gave Fiola a rare three-star review before complimenting individual dishes like the lobster ravioli. Sietsema reported being so overwhelmed with flavor that he felt like waving his napkin in surrender."

"It’s taken some time, but renowned Chef Fabio Trabocchi has finally perfected his take on modern Italian cuisine with this Penn Quarter eatery. The rustic but elegant atmosphere serves as the perfect backdrop for the contemporary Italian fare such as..."

"Washington foodies wept when Fabio Trabocchi took his Italian talents to the beloved Fiamma in New York City, but he soon returned to the District...Read More"

"Serving up perfectly smoked BBQ and cold craft beers, Sweet Donna's Barbecue and Hops is your Carlyle neighborhood bar and Carolina-style BBQ restaurant. Open for lunch and dinnerDress code: CasualPhone: +1 571-312-7960"

"We love coming to Sweet Fire Donna's when we need some authentic BBQ and sweet tea. Every meat here is cooked to perfec..."

"The District’s first winery, in Navy Yard, has a huge footprint that includes a wine factory, event space, and a restaurant. Glass cases hold stacks of bottles and light streams into the sunny Ana dining room, which is decorated with colorful portraits of U.S. presidents. Try made-in-the-District rosé; it's a fan favorite."

"Billing itself as DC’s first urban winery, District Winery offers a rotating selection of wines at its tasting bar and tours of the blending and bottling process. Afterwards, enjoy the contemporary restaurant Ana, where you can choose from 15 wines by the glass to go with beet falafel and Pacific halibut."

"This Navy Yard winery and restaurant includes both tours and tastings. Choose from a seasonal pick, a winemaker’s choice tasting, or a custom flight. Don’t miss out on the D.C.-made dry rosé, either."

"Espita Mezcaleria serves Southern Mexican cuisine in the happening Shaw neighborhood, and, as you may be able to glean from its name, plenty of mezcal. Take the taste buds on quite the trip with the barbacoa tacos, which consist of slow-roasted lamb shoulder, salsa verde and onion. That flavor explosion goes hand in hand with a strong mezcal drink."

"This Oaxaca-influenced restaurant responded to the pandemic by launching a Ghostburger pop-up and relying on its fully covered side patio."

"She loves it so much that she started experimenting with ice cream and creating fun flavors in her small NYC apartment kitchen eight years ago. She took a break from her corporate law career to pursue her newfound hobby and apprenticed at a pie shop in Brooklyn. Her hobby quickly turned into a passion but would have to remain an evening and weekend pastime as Victoria accepted a presidential appointment at the Department of Homeland Security here in DC."

"If you have the cash to spend, this shop is a near-perfect destination. Each member of its rotating slate of flavors feels innovative, from honey lemon lavender to “everything” bagel. The latter was sold out when we visited — proof that when it comes to ice cream, weird can be good — so we went for sesame halvah instead and left quite pleased."

"The Shops at Iverson Mall in Temple Hills, Maryland, is home to a decades-old bakery that’s long known for its chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies. Over the years, it’s gained an enormous following, including devotees who are members of a monthly cookie delivery service."