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Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in District of Columbia

OpenTable

Updated 05 September 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in District of Columbia? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of CUT by Wolfgang Puck restaurant

CUT by Wolfgang Puck

4.7

4.7 (857)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Georgetown

About the restaurant

A contemporary culinary destination where innovative design meets impeccable service. Nestled in the heart of Georgetown, CUT D.C. by Wolfgang Puck presents a fine-dining experience featuring the finest selections of beef, complemented by fresh, locally inspired dishes that embody the vibrant spirit of Washington, D.C.

The restaurant boasts a Bar & Lounge at the entrance, providing an inviting setting for pre-dinner drinks, with live music every Friday and Saturday evening. For private gatherings, our exclusive 14-seat dining room provides an intimate space for celebrations, meetings, or special occasions.

To ensure an exceptional experience for all, we request 24 hours' notice for cancellations. Late changes may result in a $25pp fee. Guests can bring their own wines (as long as those wines are not featured on our list), with a corkage fee of $65 per bottle or $130 per magnum, limit 2 per table.

Top review

J

James

Dined on 5 Sept 2026

An outstanding restaurant! The food, service and atmosphere are all exceptional. We started with the beef tartsr which was absolutely delicious. For the mains,vI had the Bevette Wagyu steak and my wife had the crab fried rice. Both were exceptional. Our server, Jaun, was amazing. I highly recommend Cut.

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A photo of Ribeye Steak of a restaurant

A photo of Tomahawk Ribeye of a restaurant

Tomahawk Ribeye

A photo of New York Sirloin of a restaurant

New York Sirloin

A photo of The Park at 14th restaurant

The Park at 14th

4.7

4.7 (3610)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Park at 14th is a restaurant, lounge, and event venue on four floors overlooking Franklin Square in Downtown D.C. Offering a sense of timeless elegance, beautiful views, and a warm and welcoming interior, The Park at 14th is the perfect place dining, socializing, and hosting your next event. We invite you to join us. For reservations over 10 people, please TEXT (202) 550-0300

Top review

M

Mauricha

Dined on 12 Sept 2026

Had a great time for my birthday. GIVE GIMI A RAISE lol he was the absolute BEST!!! food & vibes were 10/10 but he made the experience so much better.

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A photo of Grilled Baby Lamb Chops of a restaurant

Grilled Baby Lamb Chops

A photo of Blackened Salmon of a restaurant

Blackened Salmon

A photo of Salmon Fillet of a restaurant

A photo of Peacock Café restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2158)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Maziar Farivar, Chef/Proprietor serves contemporary American cuisine with flavors of around the world in an elegant, comfortable & cosmopolitan setting. Celebrating over 28 year Anniversary in Georgetown, Peacock Cafe is a dining experience not to be missed when in Georgetown. In addition to our wonderful lunch menu, we do offer a selection of our popular breakfast items as well on weekdays (11am-4pm). Chef Maziar, on dinner menu offers a greater variety of small plates and entrees from contemporary American to small selection of Contemporary Iranian (Persian) dishes.
Enjoy a comprehensive wine list from boutique wineries to large labels and fabulous signature cocktails from the bar to compliment your dining experience.

Top review

B

BeckyGold

Dined 7 days ago

We frequently visit Peacock Cafe for Sunday brunch. A wonderful experience with fabulous food and attentive staff. Highly recommend!

A photo of Tabard Inn restaurant

4.8

4.8 (4192)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Since our early days as a tea room, we’ve been a respite for locals and visitors alike, offering a haven for conversation and memorable cuisine. The tradition continues as our culinary team has curated an inventive and elevated menu through New American cuisine while paying homage to the beloved dishes that have been served at the Tabard Inn for years.
Join us for a meal on our covered patio or one of our intimate dining rooms. Or enjoy drinks and light fare in our historic fireplace lounge, where you can enjoy our creative cocktails! A DC institution since 1922, we look forward to offering our guests all the comforts of a home away from home.

Top review

A

Anderson

Dined 1 day ago

We had a wonderful experience at Tabard Inn celebrating our first wedding anniversary. Everything was perfect, from the food and atmosphere to the service. A special thank you to Gigi, who took such great care of us and made our celebration even more special. Highly recommend!

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A photo of Tabard Donut of a restaurant

A photo of Shrimp & Grits of a restaurant

A photo of Challah French Toast of a restaurant

Challah French Toast

A photo of Blue Duck Tavern restaurant

Blue Duck Tavern

4.7

4.7 (6153)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Foggy Bottom

About the restaurant

When combined with the classic American touches of dark oak and blue burlap and mixed with a market-based menu featuring local farms and purveyors, Blue Duck Tavern captures the region’s natural bounty and culinary traditions. Handcrafted wood furnishings, including a 29-foot-long Windsor bench, enhance Blue Duck Tavern’s warm and rustic feel, inviting travelers and local residents to gather and celebrate the best ingredients of the season.

Inside Blue Duck Tavern’s open kitchen with a custom-designed Molteni range, our award-winning culinary team brings seasonal and bold flavors to the table through simple cooking methods and modern techniques. Savor delicious slow-roasted cuisine from the restaurant’s wood-burning oven, capturing the flavors of America’s best wholesome foods and sustainable gastronomy.

Top review

K

KathiGold

Dined 2 days ago

As always the food and the service at Blue Duck Tavern were first rate. This is our special spot to catch up with our son who lives in DC when we are in town.

A photo of Proper 21 - K Street restaurant

Proper 21 - K Street

4.5

4.5 (406)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Proper 21K, brought to DC from the New York City restaurateurs Rob Zahn and Will Strozier that own Manhattan Proper, and Proper West, opening in August 2020. Located at 2033 K St NW, Proper 21K is a high end sports bar serving All American classics with a gourmet twist. Proper 21K is the second DC location of NIEUW Group INC.

Like its predecessors, located in New York City and DC, Proper 21K serves contemporary American cuisine. The space maintains the modern aesthetic and New York style of the Manhattan locations, which have best been described as Tom Ford meets Thomas Edison. The restaurant provides the best audio & visual for sports, corporate functions, nightlife and other events.

Top review

A

Amelia

Dined 3 days ago

We had an outstanding time! The food was delicious and the service was fantastic. Would highly recommend.

A photo of Rosemary Bistro Cafe restaurant

Rosemary Bistro Cafe

4.5

4.5 (658)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Friendship Heights

About the restaurant

Rosemary Bistro Cafe is a restaurant based in Washington, D.C. that serves classic French-based cuisine. All our menu offerings prepared using the freshest ingredients. If you’re looking for a cozy dining experience in the D.C. area, come by our restaurant today.

Top review

S

Sandra

Dined 6 days ago

Can’r find a better meal, more congenial host - it’s small, perfect, and closest DC comes to a real bistro.

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A photo of Greek Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Warm Onion Tart of a restaurant

Warm Onion Tart

A photo of French Onion Soup of a restaurant

French Onion Soup

A photo of The Arsenal at Bluejacket restaurant

The Arsenal at Bluejacket

4.7

4.7 (1063)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

Bluejacket is a brewery without boundaries—pushing the limits of traditional styles to create small-batch beers that are bold, balanced, and full of character. Set in a striking former Navy Yard warehouse, our dining room and bar offer a front-row seat to the brewing action. Here, guests can enjoy a diverse lineup of beers alongside a seasonal menu that highlights local ingredients and is thoughtfully designed to complement what’s in your glass.

Top review

S

Sue

Dined on 10 Sept 2026

Family Gathering - had a great time. In town for a wedding

A photo of The Pembroke restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2321)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

In Dupont Circle—one of Washington’s most storied areas—The Pembroke is where neighborhood warmth meets cosmopolitan style. A MICHELIN-recommended restaurant, it’s inviting and effortlessly stylish. This warmth and sophistication isn’t staged—it’s lived, stitched into every detail and gesture. From the attentive service to the welcoming setting, there’s a genuine ease and familiarity to the experience. The Pembroke moves with the city’s rhythm: mornings bring leisurely breakfasts, afternoons unfold into relaxed lunches, whereas evenings beckon intimate diners and spirited celebrations. Weekend brunch? The neighborhood’s liveliest spot. Seasonal ingredients guide the menu, turning familiar flavors into inventive dishes that feel deliberate yet approachable. It’s a restaurant that mirrors Washington itself—international, exuberant and endlessly in motion. To dine here is to tap into the city’s pulse, one plate, one cocktail, one conversation at a time.

Top review

M

Maria

Dined 6 days ago

The food and service was amazing!! We’ve been there twice and it does not disappoint!

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A photo of Brioche French Toast of a restaurant

Brioche French Toast

A photo of Lemon Ricotta Pancakes of a restaurant

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

A photo of Grilled Octopus of a restaurant

Grilled Octopus

A photo of Equinox - DC restaurant

4.3

4.3 (3428)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Equinox on 19th has an upscale casual, crisp, atmosphere that firmly establishes a city chic decor. We are excited to offer you a regional, seasonal dining experience by a five-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, Chef Todd Gray. We specialize in seasonal fine dining, plant-based, and vegetable-forward cuisine. Check out our beautiful brick fireplace room that looks onto 19th Street with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows for a perfect view. Our ample bar seats over 40 and is ideal for a beverage before dinner. Our lime-washed brick walls evoke a classic DC townhouse. Our vibe is friendly & upscale casual; our food is celebrated for all dining styles, from gluten-free and plant-based to locally farmed produce. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know when making your reservation and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Located at 900 19th St NW, just a few blocks from our previous location.

Top review

G

Gordon

Dined on 2 Sept 2026

The menu at Equinox was wonderful and each of the dishes was superbly made. Our table server, Didier Diaz, was one of the finest we have ever encountered. The room was a little noisy but it still was a lovely evening in celebration of my 87th birthday.

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