50 Best Wine Bars in Washington

“Incredible experience. I had the Chef's Tasting menu with my partner and it was one of the best food experiences that we have had at any restaurant. Each dish was incredibly put together and beautifully presented. The flavors were unreal and each dish had us saying just send us more of that, until the next dish came. The cocktails were just as beautifully presented as the food and were exceptional. The service was top notch and we absolutely will be returning.“

“I rarely write reviews for restaurants however my experience at LBB last night was 5 stars on all accounts. The ambience and food were great. The service at all levels, hostess, management, and waiter were all pleasant and extremely helpful. It’s not a cheap dinner, but a great place for a date night or a little treat.“

“We had such a wonderful experience hosting our family event at Vin Sur Vingt. The space is so charming, the food and wine were excellent, and the whole evening felt effortless.

From the start, the team was communicative, thoughtful, and incredibly detail-oriented. Carlie and Pen were amazing to work with. They helped with decor and all the final touches, coordinated seamlessly with our vendors, and kept everything running smoothly the night of. They really went above and beyond to bring our vision to life and make sure every guest felt taken care of.

The entire team on the day was also just wonderful. We felt so well looked after and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Highly recommend for any special event.“

“Stopped in for a drink and had a really nice experience! They were super friendly about trying different wines before committing. My husband and I both enjoyed our glasses. George was super friendly, as was another colleague who greeted us initially.“

“All of my experiences at L’Ardente have been phenomenal. The food, the atmosphere, and the service are all top notch!!!“

“Last week we enjoyed dinner with Edgar Allen Poe. Okay, so maybe not the man himself- but about as close as I could imagine the experience to be. Dark, decadent, and full of surprise. We got to try their seasonal Poe themed menu, and it’s not just dinner- it nears theatre on a plate.“

“Great place!! The atmosphere was charming and the food was great! The staff was very knowledgeable about the wine and provided great customer service.“

“Nice wine pair with mussels. Reasonable pricing.“

“The Eastern is just a couple of blocks from my daughter and son-in-law and is our go to place when we visit them in DC. They have a fabulous menu, however, we love the small shareable plates. The pork sliders, glazed carrots and pimento cheese dip are wonderful. The wait staff is knowledgeable and attentive and always ready to suggest a wine to pair with our food. We love the atmosphere and the local vibe and are warmly greeted like old friends. Love this place.“

“What a nice dinner! We were hesitant as my idea was to go to the Red Hen opposite the street, but I’m glad we did. Sitting on the terrace on a summer night was very pleasant (but bring a repellent). The waiter (Terry) was super friendly and relaxed, made a great pasta recommendation. The puttanesca fettuccine were indeed a treat, everything homemade and perfectly balanced, with a kick from the pepper flakes. The price is reasonable and we will gladly be back.“

“got a reservation last second in december so i could check out the holiday decorations after hearing of the restaurants history from a TikTok!! worth visiting for the vibes, and the free shots of amaretto!“

“Love the foods and place . All employee are very good .“

“I love this place so much. I live in the neighborhood and was thrilled when the Chicatana team could move to a bigger space and make this a wine and tapas spot.

The wine is excellent and the food is absolutely amazing. The gambas de ajillo are sublime, as are the papas bravas, the seared scallops, and all their jamons.

Go for a special occasion. Heck go for any occasion.“

“Some restaurants get the food right. Others get the service right. Very few manage to deliver both with the kind of polish and attention to detail that makes the entire evening feel special. Our first visit to Maison Bar À Vins did exactly that.

We went for a date night, and from the moment we walked in it was clear this place understands atmosphere. The dining room is small and intimate, with a romantic, almost European charm that immediately sets the tone for the evening. It feels thoughtfully designed for conversation, good wine, and slow dining. Even the music in the bar lounge area was perfectly curated.

But what truly stood out was the service. From the host to the servers, everyone made us feel genuinely welcome. The manager was visibly present throughout the evening, checking in on guests and making sure everything was running smoothly a detail that always signals a well-run restaurant.

Our waiter, Hunter, deserves special mention. He was knowledgeable, warm, and clearly passionate about what he does. When it came to the wine selection, he went above and beyond — offering multiple tastings until I found the perfect glass. That kind of patience and attention is rare and it elevated the entire experience.

We started with the Yellowfin Tuna Crudo with apple, kohlrabi, and yuzu koshō, alongside their warm house bread served with cultured Normandy butter. The presentation alone felt like a piece of art, but the flavors were even better — bright, delicate, and beautifully balanced.

For our mains, the kitchen did not miss a beat. The Swordfish à L’Orange with fennel and kumquat was perfectly cooked and layered with vibrant citrus notes that complemented the fish beautifully. The Brioche Stuffed Chicken with jus gras and chanterelles was rich, comforting, and incredibly flavorful the kind of dish that feels indulgent without being heavy.

And then came dessert, the Chocolate Ate Hazelnut Ganache. Simply put, it was one of the best desserts I’ve had in a long time decadent, perfectly textured, and the ideal way to close the meal.

What makes Maison Bar À Vins special is that nothing feels accidental. The food is thoughtful, the service is genuine, and the atmosphere invites you to stay longer than you planned.

If you can’t get a table, sitting in the bar lounge as a walk-in is absolutely worth it. The energy there is just as enjoyable.

Maison Bar À Vins easily earned a spot on our list of favorite places. If they continue maintaining this level of quality and hospitality, they’re going to remain one of the most memorable dining experiences in the city. A true gem.“

“Nice little neighborhood wine bar. Nice selections, friendly bartenders / waitstaff.“

“Great ambiance, food and vibe“

“if you ever have a chance to go to the vines Foggy Bottom then do so! it is a lovely environment it's laid back the staff is very friendly and informative. they have a delicious assortment of wines. the food is also very good too. they don't rush you after you finish eating you can sit there and chit chat with your family and friends and drink different types of wine they have a wonderful menu. So if you ever in town please give the Vines Foggy Bottom a visit.“

“The service was amazing and the food was good.“

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

“It is finally nice to eat a meal the marries spices from different continents together to create/perfect comfort foods. Phenomenal.... A party in your mouth!!!“

“Great food, wines and service.“

“#AmazingRestaurant #LeSelRestaurant 🥰“

“Great meal recently at Cucina Morini !!! The food, service and drinks were all on point !! See the photos for our recommendations !!! You can order half orders of pasta !! Perfect if you want to try different things.“

“I had a Lumberjack sandwich and brought home a brownie for later. Both were EXCELLENT. The sandwich was a bit messy to eat, but there was so much in there and the flavors really popped. The location is convenient--just across the street from the north entrance of the Dupont Circle Metro.“

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

“We had never tried Afghani food before, and I am so glad we did. The staff was so friendly and helpful with any questions we had. They recommended the Mini Taste of Arocostia for our first time. Everything was FANTASTIC!!! The food was cooked perfectly. The service was great! We never had to ask to have our beverages filled up, because they were already on top of it before we had to ask. They packed all our leftovers into boxes for us for our way home. We will definitely be going back!“

“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.“

“OUT OF THIS WORLD! I am Mexican and this food is just as great as it is in my own country, adding a touch of sophistication, fun and spark! Highly recommend it.“

“Lovely spot! Went there for brunch and sat in the sunny window. Steak and eggs was good and fairly priced, as was the coffee. Loved the chillwave/vaporwave playlist on the stereo. Staff were super nice. Totally slept on this place until now, but will be back soon!“

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

“Fantastic new chapter for Compass Rose reimagined as a globally inspired cafe. Delicious lattes and some of the staples carry over from the previous menu (such as the crowd favorite khachapuri). It can get quite busy and seating is limited so plan ahead or try outside of peak times. This is a great addition to the neighborhood as a place to gather and meet.“

“Me and my husband had the most amazing time. You can tell they care about you and your experience. We have ordered the restaurant week menu and it didn't disappoint. This place restored my hope for DC restaurants. Hidden gem and i want them to stay that way. Not everyone have good taste Humberto was amazing, so as the owner. Very genuine and humble. Honestly i cannot pinpoint which course was the best. What i know for sure is the steak was so unforgettable . Next time i am gonna go all out and try their tasting menu. Thank you for keeping up the amazing work . Raven and Alan“

“Truly an outstanding meal (for one meat eater and one vegetarian): delicious, creative, multi-layered and a learning experience rolled into one. Kudos to Chef Rob and the team.

We are working our way through many of the DC Michelin Star restaurants (and we try to visit at least one when we travel to other cities): it is incredibly rare to immediately start making plans to come back again. Sure, plenty of them are delicious and would be enjoyable again, but don’t warrant the price tag or are too slow and elaborate to repeat with any frequency… some just aren’t worth returning to at all. But the value, the flavor, the experience and the ethics at Oyster Oyster have us wanting to return each season as the menu turns over and they weave in new seasonal, local, sustainable delicacies.“

“Had a great time with my friend for her birthday here, the waiter John was great, and accommodated to our needs. The food was amazing, I have zero complaints about anything. I really enjoyed the restaurant, and will definitely be coming back.“

“This place is MOST AWESOMENESS! A definite must come eat!“

“Some friends rented out the bistro for their wedding party and it was the perfect space. The party was so intimate and perfect for the celebration. The food and drinks were fantastic, I’m still dreaming about the sliders that were served. I can’t wait to come back to town and try the restaurant on a regular night. The owner was fantastic as well. Highly recommend Cynthia’s!!“

“Ottimo , ci siamo sentiti a casa“

“This is, hands-down, the best pizza you’ll get in Washington DC. Being originally from Connecticut, it has been difficult to find really good pizza in Washington DC however over the last few years the options have gotten much better. This pizza joint blows all of them out of the water. To me, their Macharoni Is the best bite of pizza you can get in the entire DMV. It is also really difficult to find a good buffalo chicken pizza in this area, and this one is absolutely phenomenal. They’re dough holds up incredibly well, their pies are always perfectly cooked and never rushed even when they’re busy like some other places, and ingredients are a superb quality and really shine through. I have friends who come to visit once a year from Florida and New Jersey and each year they always request to go back to Bogey and Peele. Their pizzas deliver well with the green ingredients holding up through the delivery process. Their wings are solid and a good choice. The Caesar salad is always perfectly seasoned and dressed and also delivers well. I highly recommend eating there in person, it has such a great vibe, especially when you sit at the Counter in front of the kitchen. Also, don’t sleep on the Reuben.“

“Still a great place after all these years. Lovely atmosphere, great food, attentive service. A wonderful night out.“

“Nice place and Sol Roots Trio performance was excellent!“

“We are tourist & was searching for a place too eat since our first choice for dinner totally ignored us after we sat there 30 minutes we left. This pizza joint is absolutely delicious. The thin crust was delicious especially on the cheese pizza. The only negative thing I have too say is y’all charging too much for a house salad. I mean if you gonna charge $14 @ least give me something other than basic lettuce.“

“My wife & I had a wonderful and delicious dinner while catching-up with our son & his girlfriend last evening. Fantastic meal & our server Michael was outstanding.“

“Thank you for such an amazing experience.

The owner, Tim, was incredibly kind. He came over to our table a few times, sat with us, and even shared the story behind the pasta. Learning that everything was made from scratch made the experience even more special.

Everyone was so warm and welcoming. I didn’t catch the name of our server, but she was an absolute sweetheart.

The atmosphere felt like home…like a neighborhood spot where you’re just eating with friends. Truly reminiscent of Italy.

Chef Nick even came out and brought a special dessert for my nephew, which meant so much, especially since we were celebrating his birthday. Out of all the places I could have chosen, I’m so happy I chose Ulivo. It genuinely felt meant to be. This will definitely be a place I come back to!“

“Taberna del Alabardero Restaurant is stunning in terms of architecture and ambiance—the interior and overall design are truly amazing.

However, the food didn’t quite meet my expectations. While the setting is impressive and makes for a beautiful dining experience, I found the flavors and dishes themselves to be underwhelming compared to the atmosphere.

Overall, it’s worth visiting for the architecture and vibe, but don’t expect the food to wow you as much.“

“Service:
Service was very friendly.

Food:
Food was excellent. Escargot was great. Not as heavy as it normally is at other places. Very soft texture. Steak frites came with a green peppercorn (au poirve) sauce. Ordered medium rare (French medium rare so a bit more blue). Excellent cook on it. Well seasoned, high quality steak. Sauce was great and fries were crispy. I added the chocolate marnier mousse ($12). It was great. Smooth texture, rich, but not heavy chocolate. Honestly they hit this out of the park for me.

Definitely on the Norman/Parisan side of French bistro cuisine, which I love.

I did have their restaurant week menu for lunch which is similar to their normal lunch menu. I added on the chocolate mousse.

Price:
Food was also excellent. About the same price (a bit cheaper) compared to other French restaurants in the same neighborhood (there are 2 others).

Atmosphere: it is cute!“

“I love this place! My team at Impact Pathways hosted a highly successful networking event here. The staff was great to work with, the drinks and food were great and the overall vibe is classy/comfortable -- I have no idea how they do both at the same time! We're already planning our follow up event.“

“Very welcoming and well mannered staff! Hubby and I went to dinner here and it was delicious. We definitely will be back!“

“This downtown Washington location at Archives-Navy Memorial Metro is terrific for a business lunch with outdoor casual seating which might appeal to visitors seeking a more upscale meal in the shadow of the Capitol and the historic splendor of lower Pennsylvania Avenue. The Capital Grille, in our estimation, is remarkably consistent wherever in the country you choose to visit. We have been dining with this chain for 20+ years, but first visit to this location. Top notch for food, service and ambience.“

“A very inviting corner restaurant, great for people watching and cocktails. The drinks were nice and the atmosphere was lux. We went on a Saturday and it just felt like they needed a manager around. Felt like they were really understaffed and not ready for the crowds. There were some people who had worked there longer and were directing others, and the food did come out of the kitchen timely. But there wasn't a sense of table service really, you just catch them when you can, know the candle won't get lit even after you asked and teach the server how to swipe the card. I wish they had someone tending to things, but maybe when it's slower it will be better. The pizza was good, and lots of pepperoni. I wished it wasn't quite as soggy in the middle but it tasted good. And the burrata had no flavor, no nice olive oil or pepper, very bland, but it was a hearty portion. Can't complain about the drinks. I can sense when there's no service concept so I hope they get it together.“

“Would recommend for a glass of wine and appetizer! Stopped in for dinner and the food was tasty but felt overpriced for the portions. The shrimp dish was good but shrimp were slightly overcooked and felt like a very expensive starter. The hummus was delish! Wine was great and cocktail was less than amazing.“