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“

“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.“

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

“Brunch is amazing. Bottomless margaritas and the churros are excellent!“

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

“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! ;)“

“The best experience I have ever had at a restaurant! food was amazing and the staff made us feel like we were regulars! would recommend 1000 times over!“

“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“

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

“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!“

“Delicious neighborhood haunt.“

“Amazing! Still dreaming about the… everything!“

“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!“

“Super Essen lecker und liebe Leute 🫶🏼😊“

“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 :)“

“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!“

“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!“

“Love everything! Can’t wait to travel to DC every year to visit.“

“A friend recommended this restaurant and the waiter was very helpful in choosing our appetizers and meals, and also provided excellent wine pairings. We even had a little chat with the other guests“

“My dinner here had more flair than I expected! Tasty fried chicken and huge perfect plaintains. The stir-fried cabbage could have been spicier but it was a clever recipe. Overall this chef is going places and I believe this restaurant can make it another 80 years. Our meals took some time so don't be in a rush. Glad I went and I will be back sometime to check out their breakfast.“

“If you are on a gluten free diet, this restaurant is a real treat. This is the ONLY restaurant I know of in the entire DC area that offers gluten free French toast!!! It is really yummy. It is gluten free cinnamon raison bread that they make into French toast. It is served with maple syrup that has few slices of bananas in it. It is always served warm. (Be sure to look for the bananas. If the French toast is served with sliced strawberries, that is the wheat based French toast.) This restaurant also has gluten free bread so most of their sandwiches can be made gluten free upon request. And they can make their eggs benedict gluten free by using their gluten free toast. It is a very pleasant experience dining here. I usually dine outside. They are located on a small street in Georgetown. Georgetown can be crowded but on this small street, it is never very busy. On a nice weather day, it is a pleasant experience to eat the gluten free French toast while enjoying the weather. The service is always good too. I enthusiastically recommend this restaurant.“

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

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

“amazing place! really great food, service and ambience!“

“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.“

“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!!!“

“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!“

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

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

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

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

“Love to Support small business!!“

“Grandmom is having a great time in DC. Scarlet Oak has the best servers, managers, and drink. Highly recommend if you travel to DC!! We will be back!“

“Absolutely amazing food by a talented chef“

“Nice atmosphere. Good drinks“

“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.“

“Black Salt is a true neighborhood gem. I work nearby and having been dining there for over 20 years. After all this time, I still consider every visit to be a special event whether it is for lunch, happy hour or dinner. The menu is fantastic. The food is always fresh and well prepared. The service is always impeccable. And I am always made to feel welcomed and appreciated. I will be back again soon.“

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

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

“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“

“A DC classic—delicious food, excellent service, and full of historic charm. Definitely book ahead and sit in the bar or main dining room for the best vibe.“

“We loved having dinner so much on Friday night that we had lunch on Saturday! Lobster roll was delicious. Great selection of raw oysters. PEI mussels were the best! Service was on point. Friday night Ashley was great and sorry I didn’t get our great servers name on Saturday. Manager Ronald Vasquez was so personable and made us feel like regulars. Wish we lived a bit closer because we would be. Highly recommend!“

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