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“

“The required tasting menu in the Tail Up Goat dining room is a six-course meal of difficult-to-prepare and skillfully presented tasty bites that will set you back $130 per person plus a mandatory 22% gratuity (beverage pairings are available for additional cost). Despite a distinct culinary virtuosity and attention to flavors and textures, there was no real wow from the dishes, and the portion sizes were wanting compared to other tasting menus and the price charged. The wine list was quite interesting, and we thoroughly enjoyed the Markus Molitor Riesling Brut. While we appreciated the meal and service, we can't give it our highest recommendation in terms of value for price.“

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

“Had dinner before the Oh He Dead concert on Saturday December 17, 2022. We arrived a little before our seating and immediately were greeted and taken to our spots. Ian was outstanding! He was attentive, descriptive and helped create a good experience. Dan, our bartender, was magnificent. He created delectable cocktails and we also chatted along the way (we had bar seats which I highly recommend). This was very reasonably priced, we left very filled and happy. I want to give the highest possible compliments to Ian and Dan. The entire experience was perfect, largely because of the great food, but they took the experience well beyond a 1 star evening!“

“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! ;)“

“This food was delicious! The owner & chef, Keem is amazing and personable. I would visit this restaurant again 10x!“

“The food was great! The chicken wings & the Cuban sandwich were generous in portion size for the price ! The Mezze was good but small portioned for $17. The manager of the day made our experience very good and he was very kind to us . We had a big family & he checked in on us even more than the server herself! We appreciated it so much h because the waitress wasn’t super friendly. That is totally okay , but I always appreciate people that try to make the day happier. So thank you manager !!!! It is nice to be treated like humans !“

“A little upscale while also having a relaxed, neighborhood vibe. Perfect place to meet friends for dinner and sit at the bar or a table. Menu is all seasonal with ample appetizer and shareable plates and some high quality mains. Extensive drink menu too. Absolutely will go back!“

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

“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!“

“Delicious neighborhood haunt.“

“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 :)“

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

“Yo, this place is awesome! The food's bomb, the drinks are strong, and the staff is super friendly. It's like being in an episode of Always Sunny, but without all the crazy stuff. You can get quick bites or a whole meal, and the sliders and Buffalo fried chicken sandwich are my faves. They even have cocktails on tap, like an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan, and they taste just as good as the ones you'd get in a fancy bar. And the staff is always there to take care of you, from getting you in the door to helping you choose the perfect drink. You'll have a great time here, for sure!“

“I wish I could write a novel on how ABSOLUTELY AMAZING this experience was. We have had the opportunities to eat at multiple micheline restaurants and this is in the top 3 of our extensive list! From the moment you walk in, the staff is incredibly kind and welcoming, great view of the open kitchen, timing of the food is not rushed, but absolutely perfect. I can tell the staff is constantly keeping an eye on each table to time out the meal appropriately. Each staff member takes the time to interact and converse with guests and it's not a rehearsed script with each plate. Also, the food is not only beautiful but delicious!! What I found impressive is how often the menu will change, I was told a couple times a month I think- that is an impressive change so frequently. Please do yourself a favor and go to Reverie! They definitely deserve more than 1 michelin star“

“Exquisite food and drink!“

“Very small restaurant with only twelve seats at the counter. We had reserved José's Table for the evening. The outstanding menu and excellent wine pairing were fantastic. The dishes were excellent in terms of taste, perfectly arranged and of the best quality. Every course a poem. The corresponding wine was excellently matched to the individual dishes. The service was very friendly and accommodating. Absolutely recommended.“

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

“Was really good milkshake was awesome I like the fact they have milkshake straws (finally cause most restaurants don't for some reason lmao) and the half smoke was outstanding for the price. Good enough to fill you up and not feel like sh*t afterwards. Awesome

Parking: Park on street or I guess somewhere you can walk to it it's in dc gonna need to walk a bit prob

Kid-friendliness: Yes it's fine not like it's a club or anything just keep them by their side if they young ofc its the city

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes it's just tight like everything in the city.“

“Best hotel! Beautiful place and tremendously gracious staff!“

“Founding Farmers DC is generally well-regarded, especially for those looking for a hearty American meal with a focus on fresh ingredients and a welcoming vibe. Diners frequently highlight the quality and freshness of the food. The restaurant’s decor, which evokes a farm-style charm, is appreciated by guests who enjoy a cozy and relaxed dining environment. The service is often described as friendly and attentive, with staff being knowledgeable about the menu.“

“This place is so underrated it’s insane. EVERY SINGLE DISH we ordered was mind blowingly good. And the drinks were all delicious too, especially the award winning ube cocktail - it’s a trip to tropical island in sip. Food alone worths one Michelin star imo, the pack of flavors were unbelievable.

A serious hidden gem in dc.“

“If you come to D.C., you gotta come here! Their fried festival, jerk ribs, baked mac and cheese, and grits, are nothing short of AMAZING. I came here with my family, and they all cleaned their plates. The atmosphere was friendly, and I was immediately greeted with a smile!! The Florida Avenue Grill, is here to stay!“

“Phenomenal staff! (Ask for Alita!) Just became my favorite place in DC !“

“Everything about this place was fantastic. The waiter was more than helpful and knew his way around the menu. They were courteous and asked us if we had any dietary restrictions or allergies and kept that in mind when we ordering.

The food was phenomenal and the portion sizes were generous. I opted for the fries and the grilled shrimp to start and both were great. For the entree I was recommended the Chicken Milanese and it was prepared perfectly. For dessert I had the Lime Miroir, which was a perfect combination of flavors and followed the entree well.“

“Great food and service was excellent.“

“Unforgettable Dining Experience at Bresca: A Culinary Journey of East Meets Words can't fully express how much I enjoyed dining at Bresca. From the moment you walk in, you're enveloped in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels both like a cozy neighborhood bistro and a place of refined elegance. The decor, with its green moss walls and charming goldfish decorations, is fun, creative, bright, and relaxing. The service was exceptional. Our sommelier was knowledgeable and helpful, recommending a Reserva Rioja that paired perfectly with our dry-aged duck and wagyu beef. Our server, Matt, provided impeccable service. Despite our group of eight, all plates were cleared at once, and all dishes were served simultaneously. When one guest went to the bathroom, Matt held the plates to keep them warm and served them upon their return. What I loved most was Chef Ryan Ratino’s creativity in transforming humble dishes by combining the best of Eastern and Western culinary traditions to elevate classic French cuisine. My favorite dish of the night was the Potato Pierogi. The snap pea and ricotta filling was velvety, with the snap pea perfectly reflecting Chef Ryan’s passion for seasonal ingredients. The whole plate sang of summer. The Diver Scallop dish was another standout, with the crunch of hazelnuts and the umami brought out by Japanese ingredients such as kombu and shiso. If no one had been watching, I could have picked up the plate and licked every drop of the sauce—it was that good! At the end of the day, food brings people together. I dined here with a group of businessmen from Taiwan for the Select USA summit, and we were all thrilled with our choice. Everyone agreed it was one of the best meals they had ever had in the USA. Thank you, Chef Ryan, Manager Tobias Froehlich, and Matt, for making this an unforgettable experience. Bresca is truly a place where memories are made.“

“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“

“One of my favorite spots in DC. Food is always delicious, wine selection is great, and good happy hour specials. I love the outside seating options and indoors is cute, but it can get pretty loud inside when busy where it gets hard to hear or have a conversation. During the summer, the mosquitoes are awful (at least for me) even though they offer bug spray.“

“My partner and I walked in at 6:30 PM on a busy Friday night without a reservation (I didn’t realize they had started taking reservations!) The host said the only options were bar seating or outdoor seating under heat lamps. We didn’t really want either of those options, but understood that since we didn’t have a reservation, we could not be very choosy. The host then kept looking at his reservation app and offered us a very nice table as long as we could be finished by 8:30 PM. We said that two hours is plenty of time! He said he felt bad that there wasn’t room for us but we assured him this was perfect and we would definitely be finished by the time he needed the table back. He was so kind and accomodating. The rest of the staff was also excellent (as always!) and the food was outstanding. I have always loved Purple Patch and will certainly return soon. Thank you PP team for being awesome!“

“The food is fantastic. The atmosphere is amazing. The service is superb.“

“Great wait staff. Dog friendly. Good beer what more could you ask for!“

“Visiting the DC area?this is the place to go for the best food and cocktails. Classic cocktails that are made to exacting standards and perfectly balanced. The wait staff and bartenders delivered a perfect experience that I have to share with all others. The Bourbon Old Fashion and Manhattan on their craft list is a must try. We also had one of the appetizers to start and the Catfish entree was the best I ever had. I highly recommend this place to all. I will be back to try more on the menu. The name says it all “ Brookland’s Finest”. Thank you to all.“

“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.“

“Great restaurant, attentive and helpful staff, amazing food and an overall great experience.

Pastries, entrees and desserts were all amazing and wonderful.

Worth a visit and experience.

Parking: Parking on the streets around the location.

Kid-friendliness: Kids menu and nice set-up which allowed and makes children welcome.“

“Rooftop view With Great Drinks... All with A1 customer service!! Social Distancing, Mask Required just a nice environment!!!“

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

“awesome food. would go back again at first opportunity“

“It’s awesome. Just go. You won’t be disappointed.“

“Eubin took excellent care of my husband and I on our visit to barmini. It was our first visit (of many more to come) and every single cocktail was mind blowing. I had originally booked a flight, only to have to change it to a la carte in order to make dinner reservations. I wish we had cancelled dinner and stayed at barmini! I cannot find enough positive words to describe this experience. Worth every single cent and more. A must visit! We will be back! (And sit at the bar. The show of every cocktail being prepared truly adds to the experience!) the cake for my birthday was a spectacular gesture as well!“

“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“

“we loved it the food and service was great“

“excellent service, good food, worth every penny“

“Love the Art and reasonable pricing“

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

“Great drinks & the servers were very attentive.“

“This place seems a little bougie and it's a little dark inside, but the staff are extremely friendly and the food was amazing! The women's bathroom is beaitifully done. We shared the Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich with fries. The chicken is fried chicken thigh with kimichee pickle aioli and it was one of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever had! The breading and flavors were perfect! The fries were also just right. Fried so the outside was crispy with a fluffy inside and the right amount of salt. I would highly recommend this place!“

“10/10. Went for our anniversary and they treated us like royalty. Beautiful, understated atmosphere. Did the chefs tasting menu and every bite was perfect. Squash soup, tuna tartare, and ocean trout were our favorites. Left stuffed and happy. Easy walk from red line metro too.“

“We went to the Kennedy Center to celebrate my wife’s birthday and to see a show. The food was delicious, while we didn’t have a reservation were able to eat in the bar/ lounge area and they served from the main menu. We had the roasted chicken breast and crab cakes. Both were prepared exceptionally. We had crème brûlée and key lime tart for dessert, very light and a great finish to the meal. They had a delicious nonalcoholic sparkling lemonade that had a very unique flavor, very impressive. I recommend the restaurant and making a reservation if you’re going to the Kennedy Center.“

“I visited Granville Moore's last weekend, and I'm already planning my next trip back! The moules frites were amazing, and the beer pairings suggested by the staff were spot-on. It's the perfect spot for a casual night out with friends or a cozy date night.“