Top 10 Restaurants In Downtown, Washington DC

From exotic cuisines to cozy coffee houses, bustling downtown Washington DC has something for everyone searching for a bite to eat. Enjoy our guide to 10 of the best spots to eat in downtown Washington, DC.
Aerial View of Downtown Washington DC © Wikicommons

Zaytiniya
Zaytiniya is the place to go in Washington, DC for delightful mix of Lebanese, Turkish and Greek cuisine. Chef José Andrés uses his intrinsic knowledge of Mediterranean-style cooking to develop a modern and authentic menu. Traditional techniques and ingredients are combined with the chef’s creativity to take Eastern Mediterranean cuisine to new heights. The food is served ‘mezze’ style on small sharing plates and Zaytinya offers the only exclusively Eastern Mediterranean wine list in the United States.
Zaytinya, 701 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, USA, +1 202 638 0800
Bar Pilar
Restaurant, American
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Restaurant, American

Rasika
Bar, Restaurant, Indian, Vegetarian, Vegan
Komi
Restaurant, Greek, American, Mediterranean
Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets was created with the intention of being a community gathering place were culture, art and politics can come together to inspire social change. The name is a direct reference to Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy before becoming a famous poet. In addition to fostering creative minds and promoting cultural connections, Busboys and Poets is environmentally friendly and serves organic, cage-free eggs and grass-fed, free-range local beef . There are many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes available at all times of the day.
Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th Street NW, Washington, DC, USA, +1 202 789 2227
Commissary
Restaurant, American, Beer, Vegetarian
Clyde’s
Restaurant, American
Tryst
Bar, Cafe, Nightclub
Tryst
Tryst prides itself on having ‘no corporate coffee, no matching silverware’. It aims to be something different from traditional cafes and coffee chains. Tryst offers a place where people can come together to enjoy delicious specialty coffee. In addition to serving freshly brewed coffee, Tryst also offers visitors an array of pastries, breakfast options, comfort foods, sandwiches, salads and alcoholic beverages. Tryst has a full calendar of events happening every night including Classic Movie Tuesdays, Throwback Thursdays and Sunday Study Hall. It is both a great place to work and study, as well as a cozy spot to enjoy a night out with friends.
Tryst, 2459 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, USA, +1 202 232 5500

Rice
Restaurant, Thai, Contemporary, Vegetarian, Healthy
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.