50 Best American Restaurants near National Harbor

“Think of the cool vibe and lighting of a classic New Orleans restaurant and mix it with the eclectic mix of American southern and Korean cuisine. Especially great for vegetarians and gluten intolerant folks. The deviled eggs, crispy Korean cauliflower and fried pickles were particularly tasty.“

“Great time, good food and great music“

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

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

“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.“

“I think Old Ebbitt Grill are one of the best grill joints around Washington and they got the most warmed atmosphere and I also enjoyed their service a lot. Their waitress and waiters are well trained with great sense of humor and they always smile to their customers/buyers.. You all can give it a try and thank me later hehe 😜“

“Incredible experience. Will be returning.“

“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“

“I enjoyed the most decorative meals full of nutrients and I would love to visit them ones again when I get less busy one day😊💕“

“excellent service, good food, worth every penny“

“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!“

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

“Compliments to the Chef. The Michelin star is so deserved. The setting in pics seems strange but please trust the staff and the kitchen, EAT HERE. We Loved it. Try the Marrow starter and if you are from IRL or the UK the beans and pork belly is next level. BRAVO“

“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.“

“I had the Persian bowl ( or something
Like it) and the mushroom soup. Sorry I can’t provide pics cause I wanted to enjoy the full experience. Both plates excelled in presentation and flavors. They blew my mind; specially the mushroom soup. It was amazing! I also like that the Persian bowl was a feature by an Iranian chef recently arrived to the country. The ambience and service were outstanding as well. And I loved that I could, for once, speak Spanish without feeling intimidated.“

“This place is a true local gem. Food is of very high quality, and everything is consistently cooked to perfection. Their consistency is actually really impressive - I’ve never been disappointed by a single thing, and I’ve eaten A LOT of their food. But everything is so good, so I haven’t really made my way outside of the same few items from their menu. The difference is that the staff actually care about their customers, and take pride in their food. It’s not so common these days, and is a pleasant surprise. It’s the reason I will always eat there.“

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

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

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

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

“My wife and I recently had an amazing experience at Jônt. The whole thing, from the counter seating and loud music, to the phenomenal staff I 10/10 recommend. The food was unique and so fun to try. Every bite may not be a hit for everyone, but like i said it’s fun to try.“

“We decided to do lunch at Ted’s Bulletin. The ambience of the restaurant was very nice and modern. The portion sizes are large, prices are reasonable and the food taste delicious.“

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

“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!!“

“This is where it’s at pregame DC defenders“

“Delicious neighborhood haunt.“

“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!“

“Thanks Bussboys for your hospitality during our group’s visit last Thursday . I traveled with my church choir (Tulane MB Church from Yazoo City, Ms). We dined in for breakfast and the food was AMAZING“

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

“Returning to Washington from a France worn down by its own melancholy — a nation led by a presidential couple seemingly disconnected from l'esprit de grandeur — was a relief. The Monocle, nestled just a short pas de géant from Capitol Hill, felt like an antidote. Walking through its doors, I immediately felt transported, like one of the CIA operatives from Lioness Psy-Ops, covertly meeting allies in a safe haven of quiet luxury. Opened in October 1960 by Connie and Helen Valanos, The Monocle has seen more political deals sealed over its crab cakes than perhaps in the chambers of Congress themselves. As the Washingtonian noted, “The Monocle is a better restaurant than it’s given credit for,” serving dishes like “pan-fried Chesapeake Bay oysters baked in a light curry sauce” that feel like culinary diplomacy at its finest. What strikes one immediately is the duality of the space: half public house, half refined eatery. In the restaurant's more elegant quarters, I chose a glass of Sancerre, its mineral brightness pairing effortlessly with the signature crab cakes — plump, golden, and loaded with chair de crabe so sweet it could make a New Englander weep. A red wine-braised New York strip followed, its sauce reminiscent of the old-world simplicity one finds in France’s brasseries, yet undeniably American in its confident presentation. The maître d’, Nick Selimos — a fixture here for nearly three decades — greeted every guest with the kind of warmth that makes even the most hardened lobbyist feel comme chez soi. “There’s nothing more satisfying,” said John Valanos, the owner, “than having someone say, ‘We’ll come back ourselves.’” And come back they do — senators, staffers, and curious tourists alike. Sipping a digestif, I glanced at the black-and-white photos adorning the walls — Kennedy, Nixon, and other Washington titans. It’s said JFK dined here regularly during his Senate days. As The Washington Post humorously observed, "Intentions are spoken here, alliances formed, and deals sealed," all over dishes that balance simplicity and sophistication. Leaving The Monocle, I felt reconnected to the vibrancy of Washington, its pulse steadied by the legacy of places like this — where history, gastronomy, and a touch of joie de vivre blend into something unforgettable.“

“Very welcoming from the time we walked in the door. Had the Bison filet and it was perfect. The entire staff was on point with everything. Great for a date night or to bring the family out for dinner! Can’t wait to come again“

“I loved the place… beautiful and very clean!

Great service… Ashley is such a sweetheart and took wonderful care of us!!

The burger was good and the fries too!

The drink was great!

I will definitely come back to this bar!!“

“Loved our visit and such a dining experience! You have to try it!! Cheers y’all“

“the people there were absolutely the nicest to our family. the food was magnificent!! thanks for a good experience!“

“Love this place! Dinner is always 10/10 but service, we had Alena or elena and she was just the sweetest young lady and she knows was shes doing, and she was honest too with her recommendations! We always have a tuna and oysters! Then steak this time we shared the cowboy ribeye and added scallops which by the way is not on the menu but elena said they could do it and it was delicious!! 5 star service“

“Carlos was our waiter. He was exceptional. Food and drinks exceptional. Hope to come and dine again in the future. It's a 5“

“I don’t typically take the time to write reviews, but that was the best ribeye I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Highly recommend the surf and turf. Put Fort Worth to shame 10/10“

“Incredible food and atmosphere and service 5 stars all the way“

“This was our first time here the service was excellent from the staff to the ticket time. Let's talk about the food, we had pork belly, the sweet potatoes, the ribeye, the cornbread and last but not least the crab fried rice 10/10 would recommend 10x“

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

“Great Easter Brunch small plates. Service was fantastic! Enjoyed our Easter. Bar looks fun! We were upstairs! Seating outside too! Reasonable pricing“

“The manager went above and beyond! I requested almond milk for my latte and they didn’t have any so she walked down the street and bought some 😊. The service was awesome and the food was phenomenal.“

“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!“

“One of those neighborhood gems that punches way above its weight class. It deserves to be a lot more consistently packed with diners and bar customers for the quality of food and drink.

It's not an Instagram trap and located in a modest shopping center where the anchors are a Home Depot, post office, and animal hospital, so IYKYK. My only request is they bring their roast duck entree back to the menu, that was my go-to and so delicious.“

“Food is good and menu has something for everyone. The best part is the staff. Anna is an awesome server. She has taken care of our family a few times and she always remembers us and our preferences. She is great with kids. The last time my daughter and I were there she had another table with a couple that had a baby. She took care of them seamlessly while juggling everyone else.“

“Nice atmosphere . Troy was a great host/server.“

“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.“

“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!“