Alice Levitt

The country’s largest cities seem to get all the shine when it comes to their restaurant offerings—New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago—but those of us in Washington, D.C. know that while we may not have the size of these locales, we can certainly compete on the strength of our food. Our scene includes restaurants and eateries that serve cuisine that spans the globe (which sounds about right, as the 2021 census revealed that the District is now one of the most diverse cities in the country). This list will demonstrate that the cuisine matches the demographics—in fact, the best restaurants in D.C. are as globally inspired as the embassies surrounding them. We’ve got steaming piles of pasta, comforting curries and dumplings of all kinds, Ethiopian fare with pillowy injera, fresh sushi, and much more. The diversity of palates even extends to our own country; D.C. is home to seriously delicious Texas-style BBQ and inventive Mid-Atlantic cooking—now that's representation.Of course, coming up with a list of the very best restaurants in any city is a daunting task, much less a city with as diverse a scene as D.C.’s. Each restaurant on this list serves memorable and delicious food that lingered in our memories—and caused us to recommend it to friends, colleagues, family, or anyone else who’d listen. Ready to dive in? Read on for the 43 best restaurants in Washington, D.C., lovingly curated by TimeOut editors and contributors. This guide was updated by Virginia-based writer Alice Levitt

The 2010s vogue for food trucks may be over, but we still love a mobile meal. And no one does it better than our favorite Mexican chefs. Since long before food trucks exploded across America's urban centers, taco trucks have dotted our streets, exuding the aromas of sizzling meat. But as our palates have become more sophisticated, so have Mexican food trucks in the U.S. These days, it’s not enough to be a taco generalist. Many of our favorite vendors place a keen focus on a particular style or dish, tempting diners to their business in an increasingly crowded field. From birria to campechana, tacos arabes to Sonoran hot dogs, these are among the 10 best Mexican food trucks in the United States.

We all know Medieval Times, Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe. Each is strong evidence that America loves a restaurant with a theme. Yes, there are the big chains like the aforementioned eateries, but when it comes to the true, kitschy glory of dining room theater, many of the best are either standalone restaurants or just a few regional locations. What makes a themed restaurant? The answer can owe to a unique atmosphere, a firmly focused menu or both. Whether it’s your goal to make a meal of three courses of chocolate, eat inside a grounded airplane or tempt your medical fate with grossly oversized burgers, these are the spots for you. Take a great American road trip from the Boston suburbs to Los Angeles, all while eating at the best themed restaurants in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: The best fast food restaurants in the U.S.The best themed restaurants and bars in New York

Chef power couple Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss bring their culinary cred to the cuisine of her homeland with this creative Mexican restaurant. The live-fire hearth at Pascual is responsible for the kiss of flame that touches nearly everything that emerges from the kitchen here. That includes tacos al pastor carved from the turning trompo, meaty lamb neck barbacoa, and even skate. Coss got her start baking at Mexico City’s venerated Pujol, so don’t skip desserts like her Mexican chocolate cake.

Immigrants from Africa and Asia color the vibrant food of Trinidad. In the U Street Corridor, restaurateur Jeanine Prime shares the diverse influences in an upscale form. Start with callaloo soup, a collection of puréed greens that’s spiked with chiles, calmed with coconut milk, then topped with a liberal handful of lump crab meat. Large plates like the whole fried snapper and smoked “dino” beef rib necessitate sharing with someone you love.

Thank goodness chef Katsuya Fukushima was never told to stop playing with his food. (Or if he was, thank goodness he didn’t listen.) The former culinary director of Jose Andres’ ThinkFoodGroup has so many good ideas he opened two restaurant concepts under one roof. Downstairs: a Sapporo-style ramen shop set to a soundtrack of ’90s music and satisfied slurps. Upstairs: a fast-paced izakaya with clever small plates (like cod roe spaghetti and a grilled avocado) and inventive cocktails (like a spherified sake bomb floating in a glass of Sapporo beer.)

When chef Fabio Trabocchi opened Fiola in 2011, he quickly established his new trattoria as the place to go in Washington for exquisite, sumptuous Italian. Pastas, naturally, are the stars of the menu, especially the tender pappardelle with bolognese ragu. But seafood plays a strong supporting role, and the bar offers a serious cocktail menu, including six different variations on the negroni. An order of bomboloni—Sardinian-style ricotta donuts—is a fitting end to a decadent evening.

Smack in the middle of Adams Morgan aka Party Central lies Perry's, nestled away one street over on (slightly) quieter Columbia Rd, NW. Step inside and you'll find a lively scene and a kitchen that serves an array of well-executed sushi prepared downstairs, where a classic wood-paneled dining room offers a more sedate setting for unwinding. Along with sushi, the menu features a short list of New American starters and entrées, with such favorites as seasonal heirloom tomato salad, grilled swordfish steak with lemon chutney and the chef’s veg platter. Perry's drag queen brunch is offered every Sunday. The fixed price includes all you can eat and dancers to entertain you. Arrive early for the show.

Chef Jeremiah Langhorne (formerly the chef de cuisine at the much-lauded McCrady’s in Charleston, S.C.) takes a near-obsessive approach to local sourcing at his long-awaited mid-Atlantic restaurant in Blagden Alley. His dishes come steeped in history and are made primarily using produce grown (and foraged) nearby, including the rooftop garden. The interior feels almost barn-ish—albeit much more chic—with dark wood floors and tables and rafted ceilings. The open kitchen is anchored by a wood-burning oven that churns out new dishes on a daily basis.