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The Top Restaurants by Cuisine in Washington, D.C.

The OpenTable team

Where’s the best Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, or Indian food in town? Where’s the best steak, the best pizza, the best plate of oysters? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among Washington D.C.'s most expert, seasoned diners, broken down by each type of cuisine.

15 Restaurants
Updated February 19, 2020
Restaurants:Unconventional Diner, Centrolina, Le Diplomate…
Price Range:$$ - $$$
Cuisines:American, Italian, French…
Neighborhoods:Shaw, Downtown, Logan Circle…

Unconventional Diner

$$$$·American·
Shaw
1,612 reviews
  • Brunch
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Creative Cuisine
AMERICAN: Unconventional Diner is, in fact, an unconventional diner; it’s a place you’ll find dishes like “French dip” pappardelle, sriracha-glazed meatloaf, foie-gras PB&J, and sh…Read more
97% recommended
Not available on OpenTable
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Centrolina

$$$$·Italian·
Downtown
1,726 reviews
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Good for a Date
  • Creative Cuisine
ITALIAN: Tucked into the swanky CenterCityDC development is Centrolina, chef Amy Brandwein’s bright, buzzing Italian restaurant. Here, you’ll find dishes like buckwheat spaghetti a…Read more
96% recommended
Italian in Washington, D.C. Area
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Le Diplomate

$$$$·French·
Logan Circle
9,355 reviews
  • Special Occasions
  • Good for a Date
  • Brunch
FRENCH: Le Diplomate, a pitch-perfect French bistro in Logan Circle, is undoubtedly one of the greatest spots to brunch in the city. (Ask anyone from DC and they’ll agree.) You can…Read more
94% recommended
Most Booked in Washington, D.C. Area
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The Salt Line

$$$$·Seafood·
Navy Yard
1,341 reviews
  • Outdoor Eating
  • Waterfront
  • Scenic View
SEAFOOD: On the waterfront near the Navy Yard you’ll find The Salt Line, a seafood restaurant that celebrates the cooking traditions of New England and the Chesapeake Bay. This mea…Read more
92% recommended
Scenic View in Washington, D.C. Area
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Zaytinya

$$$$·Mediterranean·
Penn Quarter
15,866 reviews
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Tapas
  • Good for a Date
MEDITERRANEAN: Chef Jose Andres is a DC legend, with restaurants of all types delighting diners around the city. Zaytinya is his Middle Eastern spot, with a myriad of dips and sala…Read more
95% recommended
Mediterranean in Washington, D.C. Area
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Oyamel

$$$$·Mexican·
Penn Quarter
8,887 reviews
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Tapas
  • Good for a Date
MEXICAN: Oyamel is one of those restaurants that manages to be elegant, refined, and a whole lot of fun. You’re here for upscale versions of Mexican street food—think tacos, cevich…Read more
92% recommended
Mexican in Washington, D.C. Area
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Arroz

$$$$·Spanish·
Shaw
900 reviews
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Creative Cuisine
  • Good for a Date
SPANISH: Mike Isabella, a former Top Chef contestant, has amassed quite the restaurant empire here in DC. Arroz is his foray into Spanish cuisine, with hints of Portuguese and Moro…Read more
88% recommended
Not available on OpenTable
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Rasika West End

$$$$·Contemporary Indian·
West End
4,314 reviews
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Special Occasions
  • Hot Spot
INDIAN: There are few people in the country who cook Indian food like James Beard Award–winning chef Vikram Sunderam, and we’re lucky to have him in DC. The atmosphere is upscale b…Read more
95% recommended
Not available on OpenTable
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China Chilcano

$$$$·Peruvian·
Penn Quarter
2,763 reviews
  • Creative Cuisine
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Fun
PERUVIAN: China Chilcano is a Jose Andres restaurant specializing in the food of Peru—specifically chifa, the Chinese-influenced Peruvian cuisine, and nikkei, the Japanese-influenc…Read more
91% recommended
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Chaplin

$$$$·Japanese·
Shaw
896 reviews
  • Handcrafted Cocktails
  • Good for a Date
  • Happy Hour
JAPANESE: You probably wouldn’t expect a Japanese restaurant to be Charlie Chaplin–themed—but at Chaplin, a ramen spot in Shaw, it works. Check out the vintage movie posters while …Read more
95% recommended
Late Night Find in Washington, D.C. Area
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BLT Steak DC

$$$$·Steak·
Downtown
3,624 reviews
  • Special Occasions
  • Good for Anniversaries
  • Business Meals
STEAKHOUSE: BLT Steak is a hit amongst the power-lunch-and-dinner crowd, and it’s not hard to see why: this is a first-rate steakhouse, with an impressive raw bar, a rainbow of sid…Read more
90% recommended
Steak in District of Columbia
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Lebanese Taverna - Washington DC

$$$$·Middle Eastern·
Woodley Park
1,066 reviews
  • Lunch
  • Neighbourhood Gem
  • Authentic
LEBANESE: Lebanese Taverna is a part of a group of restaurants that’s been serving Lebanese food for decades, and it’s clear they know what they’re doing. We recommend anything fro…Read more
92% recommended
Child Friendly in Washington, D.C. Area
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DC Noodles

$$$$·Thai·
U Street Corridor
93 reviews
  • Neighbourhood Gem
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Group Bookings
THAI: It’s pretty clear what’s on the menu at DC Noodles, a large, sleek Thai spot on U Street—and noodles you will get, whether they’re sauteed in a wok, tossed into a salad, or h…Read more
97% recommended
Not available on OpenTable
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Mandu - K Street

$$$$·Korean·
Mt. Vernon Square
553 reviews
  • Authentic
  • Good for a Date
  • Casual
KOREAN: Mandu is a homestyle Korean restaurant beloved by locals and industry folk alike, serving classics like bibimbap, galbi, bulgogi, and, of course, top-notch mandu. We especi…Read more
97% recommended
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Kapnos

$$$$·Greek·
U Street Corridor
1,338 reviews
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Group Bookings
  • Neighbourhood Gem
GREEK: If you’re not hungry when you walk into Kapnos, chef Mike Isabella’s Greek restaurant, you certainly will be once you see the open kitchen, with spit-roasted meats getting b…Read more
93% recommended
Not available on OpenTable
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  1. Best in Class by Cuisine: Best Restaurants by Cuisine Type
  2. The Top Restaurants by Cuisine in Washington, D.C.
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