The Best Restaurants In Washington, DC

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Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Vegan, $$
Art and Soul features a range of Southern-inspired seafood and meat dishes. The mission at Art and Soul is equally as laudable, as the restaurant prides itself on using only sustainably sourced produce to ensure quality while supporting the local economy. Try the roasted mussels for something unusual or opt for the traditional fried chicken for a hearty plate of comfort food.

Market, Restaurant, Seafood, American, Gluten-free, $$
The menu at BlackSalt Restaurant changes regularly to ensure that only the freshest, seasonal fish and seafood are featured in its dishes. BlackSalt also has a fresh fish market next to the restaurant so that diners can pick up the ingredients needed to try and recreate their dinner back home.

Using the freshest seasonal ingredients to prepare delicious meals in its open kitchen, the Blue Duck Tavern is conveniently located within the Park Hyatt Hotel. The interior is an extraordinary blending of classic dark oak and blue burlap complemented by a selection of unique handcrafted wood furnishings.

Busboys and Poets was created as a space for exchanging ideas about art, culture and politics while tucking into tasty organic and vegan dishes. The walls are decorated with Pop Art and the close-set tables encourage sociable chatting. This is a great place to stop by for coffee and a breakfast wrap or a full-on lunch or dinner and is popular with locals; it even has its own vintage bookshop on the premises too.

Serving continental cuisine with a focus on Belgian dishes, the menu at Marcel’s is full of unique authentic dishes; choose one of the tasting menus to sample a little bit of each of the Chef’s favorite dishes and tuck into a choice of four or seven courses. The specials change daily to take advantage of seasonal produce and ensure that there’s always something new for regulars to try.

Martin’s Tavern serves hearty, home-cooked comfort foods in a cozy and inviting setting and is still family run after many years. Famous names that are said to have dined here at some point in history include Nixon and Kennedy. Tuck into a delicious bowl of oyster stew made fresh to order and said to be the best on the entire east coast.

Restaurant, American, Italian, $$$
Washington’s oldest saloon, The Old Ebbitt Grill was founded in 1856. A design icon, the saloon features a marble staircase with an iron-spindled rail, Victorian decor and it has appeared in several novels and films. The cuisine is a blend of American and Italian and the menu includes tasty dishes such as trout parmesan, blackened soft shell crab and summer chicken fettuccine.

Bar, Restaurant, Indian, Vegetarian, Vegan, $$
An award-winning restaurant, Rasika serves modern Indian cuisine freshly prepared in its showcase kitchen. Diners can relax in the bar and lounge area, or indulge in a variety of tasty small plates and entrees in the restaurant or at the chef’s table. For a special occasion opt for the four- or six-course tasting menus.

The Oval Room is conveniently located near to The Kennedy Centre and is only a short walk from Farragut West metro stop. Dine alfresco on the beautifully designed patio area while tasting the delicious American and Mediterranean dishes on the menu. Opt for the four-course Chef’s Seasonal Tasting Menu if it’s a special occasion.

Restaurant, Greek, Turkish, Mediterranean, $$
Zaytinya is a mezze restaurant where dishes are designed for sharing. Taking its inspiration from Greek, Turkish and Lebanese cuisines, the menu’s dishes are all served on small plates that are perfect for combining with other dishes to create a sociable dining experience. Order a few. Then order a few more.