21 Best Southern Restaurants in Washington

“Went to Kitchen +Kocktails for the first time last night. The decor was very nice, and the music was good and not obnoxious. Our server Ally was terrific! I’m not a drinker, so when I asked her if there were any cocktails that didn’t taste like alcohol, I thought she would look at me like I was crazy, but she didn’t! She seemed to know exactly what I was talking about and immediately had a couple of suggestions. I went with the mixed berry lemon drop and it was perfect for me. The crab cake appetizers and shrimp and grits with lobster tail entree were amazing. We had a great time and we’ll be back!“

“I had the pleasure of dining at The Hitching Post DC. I ordered the grilled lamb chops, mac & cheese, collard greens. The lamb chops are in my top 2 of the best I've ever tasted. I don't normally order mac & cheese when I go out to a restaurant, but this order was perfect as well. The collard greens could use a little vinegar, however, they were still delicious. I will definitely dine there in the near future. The lemon cake had was flavorful, moist and delicious, too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Everything about this place was great. The atmosphere is very charming, the staff is very friendly and the food is cooked perfectly. It's a lovely place. A very interesting wine list and an exceptional Somaliler who guided us through it a picked a fabulous Syrah. This place is a hidden gem and in today's world reasonably priced. The Duck dishes and quail are a must.“

“Food was... Phenomenal. I had smothered biscuits with fried chicken and everything was sublime. Good came out fast, people were friendly. Had seating but everyone, including us, were just getting food to go. Decor is cute but not vibey. I will 100% go back if I am anywhere within 45min of the place for those biscuits.“

“Great service, delicious food, and an amazing atmosphere!“

“Came in late Sunday and the restaurant was super accommodating to my reservation growing from 4 to 5 people. Had an amazing meal and great drinks. Tre was an awesome server and we even got helped by a really sweet bartender named Christina. We will def be back.“

“This establishment is absolutely phenomenal . The manager personally came out to speak with me and my friends and the waiter Omar was phenomenal. The atmosphere is very classy , the food is delicious and the ambiance is out of this world . An experience worth having .“

“My family and I were in dc about 2 weeks ago and found this gem of an eatery at the Union Market and it was DELICIOUS 🤤 By far the absolute BEST bread puddin I have ever had in my life and we are from the south and I have eaten a lot of bread puddin. Please let me know when you start shipping because u have a huge fan base in Texas 😊 Katrina Briggs - Dallas, TX“

“We made the earliest reservation available on this saturday afternoon, for 2:45. We were arriving from Alexandria via the water taxi, which only runs hourly. After wandering around the Wharf area for a bit, we presented ourselves about 40 minutes before our reservation time, and they were actually able to seat us early and did so cheerfully. The place was absolutely jammed, so the noise level was somewhat high and it took a little while between ordering something and having it appear. But the delays didn't seem to be out of proportion given the crowd size and visible busyness of every staff member. We each ordered a delicious fruit-based mocktail, and for lunch had shrimp-and-grits and salmon over a crispy potato hash. Our wait person was helpful, well-informed, pleasant, and attentive. The shrimp and grits dish was creamy and aromatic, with a good number of quite large, tender, juicy prawns and a creamy umami-filled sauce. The salmon was perfectly cooked (pan-seared instead of their usual breaded-and-deep-fried preparation) and sat atop a bed of piping hot fried hash browns with a cheesy sauce. Both of the entrees were delicious, served steaming hot from the kitchen, and seasoned with originality and confidence. Both of us would definitely eat there again.“

“l had a good time..luv the ambience..awsome barmaid..would love to come back to celebrate my bday there this month“

“The food was the best southern food that I’ve EVER had at a restaurant. The music was relaxing and Erin took care of her customers with friendly service. Every item that came out of the kitchen looked like it was prepared with love and detail.“

“Fantastic food. The crab rice was amazing!“

“Love this black woman owned gem of a rare jewel in our neighborhood. As a Native Washingtonian - the nostalgia I feel when eating or lounging at Addies’ is amazing. Huge kudos to my favorite Chef Rudy aka Smiley. I work from home & running to grab my breakfast before getting stuck on meetings all day is a blessing to me because Chef Rudy takes great care of me.“

“Best food in town.. Absolutely delicious“

“This place is great and fast and the barbecue rib, beef is the best! The no fat and best meat and the most seasoned. I don’t like pork ribs and they offer beef ribs. The best quality too! Grateful for the money spent, I have come back multiple times for it!“

“FOOD IS VERY GOOD AND I LOVE STEVE AND GEORGINA“

“Excellent dinner: Moules Marinières and Salade Niçoise and an inexpensive and tasty Bordeaux.“

“My boyfriend and I got the catfish dinner with cabbage and candied yams for our sides, and everything was absolutely amazing! Hands down, one of the best soul food spots in D.C. If you’ve been thinking about trying this place, we highly recommend it! We’ll definitely be back again soon!“

“The food was amazing. My favorite were the collard greens. My husband and I weren't extremely hungry so we ordered a few items and shared them. His favorite were the Burnt ends. Great flavor and super tender. Prices are fair.
The outside seating area was absolutely perfect. It is covered with walls that open up to the outside so you still feel like you are outside.
Perfect for a date night. The drinks were a perfect blend. There were some food items that were strictly on the bar menu so we will have to go back to try them.
I feel like the atmosphere is more for adults not children.
Parking garage is close by.“

“The food was great! Chicken and waffles was very good. Service was friendly and responsive.“