50 Best American Restaurants near National Harbor

“We had dinner here on October 27, 2025. We were greeting by very friendly staff and were seated immediately. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. We start with drinks. Erik had an Old Fashion, while Cheryl had a Belle's Punch. The drinks arrived in a reasonable time, were well presented and tasted great. For dinner Erik had the Shrimp and Grits, while Cheryl had the Delta Rice Bowl. We also got a Jamie's Cornbread and Fried Pickles. The food arrived in a reasonable time frame and was well presented. The food was fantastic being delicious and filling. We had no room for dessert. This was an excellent dining experience that we highly recommend.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

“excellent service, good food, worth every penny“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

“Incredible experience. Will be returning.“

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

“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!“

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

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

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

“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.“

“We were sold by the”bottomless mimosa & bottomless bacon” which sadly we didn't partake in the bacon fest. The mimosas were great, the selection of menu items was really good, I had the special of the day which was shrimp and grits. The dish was very good, I wish there was an order of over easy or poached eggs with the dish, but it truly was delicious. We had a wonderful server named Delores and she took care of our every need promptly and professionally. We will definitely be back, the food was wonderful and the atmosphere was very inviting.“

“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.“

“Delicious neighborhood haunt.“

“The scenary was great a lowly dimmed nice vibe of a place not too loud me & my friend sat at the bar & that is when Grace came & introduced herself, sne made a drink that have grapefruit which I don't hate but she made it taste great for it & also suggested to try the Bang bang shrimp bao which was great. If you haven't been to this place or been meaning to come by you should, the food, drinks, ambiance, & vibes are definitely a 10/10 don't miss out !“

“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“

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

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

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

“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“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

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

“I decided to spontaneously try out a nearby restaurant that I hadn't visited before for lunch, and it turned out to be a delightful experience! From the moment I stepped in, Sabrina, my server, exuded warmth and professionalism. She guided me through the menu with genuine enthusiasm, recommending some of the restaurant's standout dishes. The Clyde’s burger, crafted from premium beef, surpassed my expectations in both flavor and quality. Even the New York Cheesecake was to die for! The ambiance was inviting and laid-back, providing the perfect backdrop for a leisurely meal. Without a doubt, I'll be returning to savor another culinary adventure at this wonderful establishment.“

“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.“

“Great find! Good music and great food!“

“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“

“Wonderful atmosphere and exceptional service from Will. Food was tasty and very good portions. Memorable and will recommend to friends.“

“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“

“Service here was great. My waitress was attentive and provided top notch service. I couldn't ask better from her.

The atmosphere and vibe was good also. Decorated for the holidays really well. The music choice didn't fit the vibe but luckily it was so low I had to focus to hear it.

My only negative was I asked for a medium burger. See photo attached that my burger was well done. Outside of that I couldn't be happier.

The highlight were rhe cocktails. Phenomenal!!!!“

“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“

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

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

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