50 Best American Restaurants in Washington

“The environment is great, the menu is very diverse, and seemingly commonplace dishes manage to be innovative in flavor“

“Great food and excellent service. John was fantastic. 100% recommend“

“Incredible restaurant that puts elevated care, attention to detail, and quality ingredients front and center.

Unpretentious in austere but refined in the approach to your hospitality experience, this gem nestled in the heart of AdMo is a must-see for all hungry foodies in the area.

My experience with Imani and Amina will be the reason I return and tell my friends to go. Their storytelling, command of the menu, and easy approach to creating an elevated dining experience did not go unnoticed.

Meatball and porkchop were a hit in tenderness and flavor, while the cabbage and pudding were a hit in dynamics and design. Major shout out to Amina for bringing over the perfect wine pairing to complement our porkchop—on the house.

These moments create the fine dining experience and make the price point worthwhile.“

“Fun night for two out of towners! Food was amazing and the staff were incredibly friendly, even though we’re two or three times their ages and not cool at all! ;)“

“A thoughtful shared plates experience. We followed the wise recommendations of our server and were rewarded. Nice spot. Excellent yet not pretentious.“

“Genuinely blown away. Don't get me wrong I love all food, but I wouldn't say I'm easily impressed since most restaurants are just decent but this was truly great food and the service was phenomenal. You can really tell a lot of time and thought is put into each dish. We will be back!!!“

“Had a great experience. I would definitely come back next time we are in DC.“

“The Tacos and clam chowder was really good. The frozen Rose’ was good as well. Great service“

“One of the best dining experiences in DC. Chef Jeremiah is outstanding; the meal is creative but accessible, and each course is better than the previous. We are so grateful to have Dabney in DC!“

“My friend and I had the most delightful dining experience last night at Opal, all thanks to the exceptional service provided by Neariah. We are regular patrons of this restaurant, and Neariah truly stands out as one of a kind.

Her warm and welcoming demeanor, coupled with a genuine smile, immediately set the tone for a fantastic evening. Neariah's attentiveness was remarkable - she anticipated our needs before we even had to voice them, making us feel truly valued and cared for throughout our meal.

We have made a mental note to request to be seated in Neariah's section on our future visits, as her exceptional service truly enhances our dining experience. Her professionalism, friendliness, and attention to detail are commendable, and we cannot wait to be served by her again.

Neariah is a gem in the hospitality industry, and her dedication to providing top-notch service is truly appreciated. Thank you, Neariah, for making our evening memorable and enjoyable. We look forward to returning and experiencing your exceptional service once more.

Highly recommended - ask to be seated in Neariah's section for a dining experience that exceeds expectations!“

“I have chicken wings ring ring Chris Rock they would really really good I had a good time there“

“Delicious neighborhood haunt.“

“Finding a Filipino restaurant isn’t easy. So learning about Purple Patch thru Jo Koy—has ended this search! Literally, Filipino cuisine heaven! The restaurant is uniquely decorated, the staff were friendly, & the food hit that major comfort button for us! Thank you Zahara for being so sweet & a wonderful waitress. We can’t wait to come back for more!“

“Amazing! Still dreaming about the… everything!“

“5 stars isn't enough!! From the moment we walked in until the end of our night we were satisfied. The decorations, food, and service was amazing! They even offered me a quiet place to pray :). Give this place a try-trust me (portions may seem small, but it was very filling- we ordered the bowl of fries, which came with a delicious sauce, CROQUETTES, fish burger, beef burger, and gnocchi pomodoro. It felt like we were in nyc enjoy :)“

“Exquisite food and drink!“

“Minibar went above and beyond our expectations. Due to health issues, we cannot drink alcohol and they curated special nonalcoholic drinks that paired perfectly with the exceptionally creative food!“

“Food was absolutely amazing and our waiter- Tyren was even more amazing! He made our visit top notch! If I could give all the stars for him!!“

“It’s an outstanding establishment to eat & drink!!“

“Whenever you go, you feel like you are home. Eddy and his incredible staff deliver great quality and service every time!“

“Suggested by a great we came and enjoyed a lovely meal. My friend was visiting from Arkansas and was so happy to dine in history as I was too.
The food was great!! The owners are kind.

You are right next to Howard University HBCU Campus. Below shows the history you feel when you walk in.“

“Excellent experience, excellent food, and excellent service! Thanks Lenny!“

“My wife and I had brunch on the patio at the White House location today and it was fantastic! We had a mezze platter appetizer, Havana sandwich and shakshuka & arepas entrees, and tres leches for dessert. All were spectacular, as was the service! Highly recommended!“

“It was a tasty dinner, lime cheesecake FANTASTIC!!!“

“There’s very few times when you walk into somewhere and can tell immediately that the owner loves what they’re doing, Cynthia is most definitely one. Cocktails were unique and delicious and the food was exactly what I hoped it would be.“

“Exceptional throughout from the rooms to dining to sophisticated and attentive staff - thank you for having us.“

“Great ambiance and great drinks 🍹 totally recommend for a fun night out 🥂“

“Our son lives in the area and we have been here 4-5 since January ( every time we visit) The owners are wonderful and the staff very attentive The fish taco appetizer is wonderful ( can be enough for an entree if not wanted a big meal) I’ve had many of the entrees and never a bad meal . The chocolate dessert is my go to“

“Lovely ambiance! We sat at the bar and had the three course menu. I was gluten free and the staff was so great about accommodating me! The food was very tasty with great flavors and texture. I really enjoyed all the courses. The beef was so tender and flavorful. I thoroughly enjoyed the dessert as well. The only downside was that we had been walking all day through the city and my phone had died. I was hoping they might be able to let me charge my phone briefly so we could get home but they were unable to do allow that.“

“Great with food allergies/dietary restrictions and super accommodating. Highly suggest!“

“Food was amazing! So flavorful… And the band was superb! But the service wasn’t great 2/5 ⭐️👎“

“Our experience at the Occidental last night was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, every detail was executed with perfection. The menu showcased incredible range and creativity — the twin lobster tails were tender and sweet, the steak tartare was beautifully balanced, and the smoked pheasant under glass was a showstopper both in flavor and presentation. Each dish felt carefully crafted and elevated, yet approachable. The wine list was equally impressive — clearly curated with thought and depth, offering the perfect pairings to complement the meal without ever feeling overwhelming. Service was another highlight. Warm, attentive, and genuinely inviting, the staff struck that rare balance of professionalism without a hint of stuffiness, making us feel truly welcome. Though we couldn’t save room for dessert, it simply gives us the perfect excuse to return soon. The Occidental delivers a dining experience that lingers in memory — refined, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. Highly recommended!“

“Please come out October the 29th for the Halloween Sip&Paint party the cost is $50.00 per adult“

“Great place; the atmosphere, staff, and food are amazing. 3 levels with something different offered. So much fun. Great cocktails!“

“Super Essen lecker und liebe Leute 🫶🏼😊“

“I know I take terrible pictures but this DC restaurant lived up to the hype…excellent food and drinks, delivered hot and timely and the wait staff was on point. I have to thank my Facebook group and work friends for the recommendation….bonus points, it’s 6 blocks down the street.“

“The food quality is very good at Black Salt. There were at least 5 items not listed on the regular menu which were also available for dinner. We liked the fact that several choices were seasonal in nature- which allowed those items to be available.“

“Efficient service and a comfortable setting made it easy to relax and enjoy our meal. Ideal for both business lunches and casual firm events.“

“From the cocktails to the service…our experience was top notch all around! Highly recommend!“

“Nice atmosphere. Good drinks“

“the food 😋is delicious and the service is great“

“Very nice spot on DC wharf ! The fish & chips of my wife and my lobster roll was excellent !“

“This my first time here and it was probably one of the best experience I’ve ever had at a bar in DC . I’ll definitely be back for my birthday next week. Love the atmosphere“

“Just an all-around wonderful experience, I was able to pull right up sit down with my lovely puppy outside and enjoy one of the best brunches I’ve had in the long time“

“Absolutely amazing food by a talented chef“

“Massive selection of beers on tap including cask ales and the friendliest bar staff! Thanks 😊“

“Amazing food! Great server and wait staff. Creative and unique. Would go again!“

“Great service! Friendly staff. Clean restrooms. Very cute and cozy bar area for a drink. Spacious restaurant with lots of natural light. Limited menu selections if you’re a picky eater and very expensive. Love what we deemed the “bread fairy”. Our group had the charcuterie and crab & Gouda dip for appetizer and meals were the crab cakes, steak frites, tagliatelle, and the chicken. Large portions. Then we shared the panna cotta, coconut cake, cheesecake, and carrot cake. Yum!“

“excellent service, good food, worth every penny“

“Great drinks & the servers were very attentive.“