Best Restaurants in Washington (2025)

A wood-burning hearth anchors this Mid-Atlantic original, where Jeremiah Langhorne’s team builds menus around regional farms and historic techniques. Michelin-starred and frequently praised by The Washington Post, it’s the soul of Blagden Alley’s dining revival.

Chef Michael Rafidi channels Palestinian roots through Levantine dishes kissed by live fire. A Michelin-starred dining room with a lively buzz, it also earned national acclaim when the chef won a top James Beard award.

Slip down an alley to a roaring hearth and a feast meant for sharing. The Tawle set menu spotlights breads, spreads, and platters from across the Middle East. Celebrated by the Michelin Guide and local critics alike.

Rob Rubba’s vegetable-driven tasting menu delivers inventive, sustainable cooking with a calm, joyful rhythm. Michelin-starred with a Green Star for sustainability and celebrated by national critics, it’s a love letter to Mid-Atlantic produce.

Ryan Ratino’s two-Michelin-star counter experience is culinary theater: intricate bites, pristine seafood, and an energetic pace guided by a meticulous team. A splurge that still feels distinctly D.C. rather than transported from elsewhere.

Adams Morgan’s beloved star marries thoughtful hospitality with seasonal cooking and a soulful wine program. Recognized by Michelin and local critics, it announced plans to close at the end of 2025—go while you can.

A transportive Peruvian tasting bar tracing a journey from Lima to the Andes and Amazon. Michelin-starred and guided by chef Carlos Delgado, whose work has drawn awards and raves for its clarity and sense of place.

Chef Seng Luangrath helped put Lao cuisine on the national radar here. Fiery, funky, and fragrant dishes invite sharing, and the dining room hums with neighborhood energy. Featured by the Michelin Guide and praised by local writers.

A modern Korean tavern from a deeply rooted local team, blending homestyle staples with contemporary flair. Regularly highlighted by the Washington Post and Michelin, it’s a lively stop for banchan, mandu, and serious fried chicken.

D.C.’s Georgian standard-bearer celebrates khachapuri, khinkali, and qvevri wines in a convivial room. Recommended by the Michelin Guide and loved by locals, it’s a warm window into one of the city’s favorite diaspora cuisines.

Erik Bruner-Yang’s marketplace blends cafe, retail, and a restaurant serving Cambodian and Taiwanese dishes. A Bib Gourmand darling and Washingtonian favorite, it reflects H Street’s creative pulse from breakfast through late-night.

A longtime H Street anchor honoring D.C.’s deep Ethiopian roots. Share injera platters loaded with fragrant stews, then explore Ethiopian wines or beer. Frequently recommended by local publications for both first-timers and loyal regulars.