The 19 best restaurants in Washington, D.C. right now

What is it? A modern Vietnamese restaurant from Chef Kevin Tien that's quickly emerged as the city's best restaurant by sending diners on a wild journey of texture and flavor. Since it opened last January, Moon Rabbit has collected numerous culinary world accolades (including the New York Times' 50 Best Restaurants list and the Michelin Guide). 

Why we love it: At Moon Rabbit, Tien, co-owner Judy Beltrano, and pastry chef Susan Bae have made it their mission to remix Vietnamese dishes by combining classic techniques with modern and unexpected flavors. The result is so inventive and fun that you may forget you're at a fine dining establishment.

Some standouts? The stuffed parilla leaves, or Bò Lá Lốt, are an umami bomb of flavor. The From the Sea portion of the menu includes a couple standouts: the ahi Tuna Crudo with strawberries, lemon verbena, and cilantro, and the Curried Tilefish with coconut curry, collard greens, and green papaya. Please save room for Bae's whimsical desserts, which include a delicious green curry sponge cake with avocado sorbet and caramel made with finger lime and fish sauce.

Time Out tip: If you drink, you don't want to skip the cocktails here. The drinks menu is filled with fascinating flavor fusions, just like the food. My favorite is the Chè Thặp Cẩm, a tropical balm of chamomile-infused gin, roasted sweet potato syrup, coconut milk, yellow chartreuse, and lemon.

Address: 927 F. St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20002

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 5-9:30pm; Tues-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm; Fri-Sat 5-10pm

Expect to pay: At least $75 per person

What is it? Albi's lively, vibey dining room is a chic scene for a menu filled with creative, original takes on Levantine dishes that have earned numerous awards plus a Michelin star.

Why we love it:  Albi means "my heart" in Arabic, and it's very clear that chef and owner Michael Rafidi, who won the James Beard Foundation's Award for Outstanding Chef last year, has put all of his into this Michelin-starred establishment in Navy Yard. Rafidi sends out plates that double as art and meld local ingredients with flavors inspired by his upbringing in Ramallah, Palestine. Always crowded, Albi's atmosphere is lively and fun, too—a departure from some other fine dining restaurants putting food out at this level.

Another reason to love Albi? Every course stuns. Starters include an inventive hummus plate with Maryland crab, charred cabbage and a hot sauce-esque condiment called tatbili. Fire kisses many of the best dishes at Albi (thank the massive wood-burning hearth in the dining room); a mezze dish of smoky, melt-in-your mouth lamb belly lives in my dreams, and I texted at least four people about how insanely delicious the smoked chicken kabob served with safrron yogurt and radicchio flatbread main was when I ate it. The brown butter knafeh, a nest of shredded phyllo stuffed with sweet cheese and topped with pistachio powder and yogurt ice cream, is a dessert that I dream of often (it’s really that good). 

Time Out tip: Albi’s prices reflect its fine dining cred, but there is one way to make the experience more economical and to witness the culinary team’s prowess up close (if you can snag a spot before it sells out).

For $175 per person, the Hearth Table in the Kitchen offering gets you a seat at a long table literally inside the kitchen, where you’ll experience a 2 ½ hour, multi-course meal that’s cooked right in front of you. You won’t know what’s on offer until you sit down, and your party can include between two and four diners.

Address: 1346 4th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Opening hours: Tues-Sun 5-10pm; closed Mon

Expect to pay: At least $100 per person

What is it? Chef power couple Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss bring their culinary cred to the cuisine of her homeland with this creative Mexican restaurant. 

Why we love it: This is Mexican cooking with a fine dining flair. Coss, who was born and raised in Mexico City and got her start baking at venerated Pujol, uses her talents to put interesting spins on traditional dishes. The live-fire hearth at Pascual is responsible for the kiss of flame that touches nearly everything that emerges from the kitchen here, like tacos al pastor and meaty lamb neck barbacoa.

The desserts here are killer, too—how could they not be, with Coss in the kitchen?—but try the bunuelo, a flower-shaped, fried dough that comes with caramel and chocolate dipping sauces. 

Time Out tip: If you're a mezcal fan, you'll be happy to learn that the cocktail menu here is stacked with options that use the smoky brew. 

Address: 732 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Opening hours: Thurs, Sun, Mon 5-9pm; Fri-Sat 5-9:30pm

Expect to pay: At least $150

What is it? Restaurateur Jeanine Prime brings the vibrant flavors of Trinidad to U. Street at St. James, the sister restaurant to Caribbean street food spot Cane.  

Why we love it: This is comfort food done right. Each dish is layered with complex, satifsying flavors that will make you want to sink peacefully in your chair. Start with ginger-spiced fried plantains and 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. 

All the large plate options are tantalizing, but the real star of the show are the Oxtails, which taste like they've been braising forever and come slathered in sauce that the accompanying coconut rice just slurps up. This is the perfect meal to share with someone you love. 

Time Out tip: St. James secretly offers one of the best happy hours around. Nosh on $9 jerk wings, which marinate for nine hours and are smoked with pimento peppers, or $8 crab fritters Tues-Thurs from 5:30-7pm. Drinks run about $9.

Address: 2017 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 5:30-10pm; Fri 5:30-11:30pm; Sat 1-11:30pm; Sun 1-9pm. Closed Mon.

Expect to pay: At least $50

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What is it? The DMV is home to the largest population of Ethiopian people outside of Africa, and as a result we are blessed with many Ethiopian restaurants. One that stands out among the rest is Heat Da Spot Café, a humble neighborhood treasure in Petworth known for its laid-back atmosphere and hearty Ethiopian breakfast. 

Why we love it: There's no better balm for a long workday or weird night out than tucking into one of Heat Da Spot's breakfast platters. Stacked high on one plate, they come with an array of foods that include spiced scrambled eggs cooked with peppers and onions, plus beef tips or sambusa and a scroll of spongey injera to soak it all up.

If for some reason you're not craving Ethiopian food when you visit, you're still going to be well taken care of because the team serves tasty American breakfast sandwiches, like sausage, egg, and cheese on a pillowy biscuit. 

Time Out tip: To make this the best takeout run ever (or to prime yourself ahead of your sitdown meal), cross the street and walk about half a block to Doubles, where you'll order a coffee to accompany your platter. You'll never feel more alive than you will after this combo.

Address: 3213 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

Opening hours: Tues-Fri 7:30am-3pm; Sat-Sun 8:30am-3pm. Closed Mon.

Expect to pay: $4-$22

What is it? Chef Matt Adler's Capitol Hill restaurant is a love letter to Italian American cooking. Walls lined with framed photos and shiny red booths call back to the type of red sauce joints so common on the East Coast (Adler spent his early years as a line cook at Scoozi, his dad's Italian restaurant).

Why we love it: The menu at Caruso's Grocery is filled with classics made with markedly fresh ingredients and mastered with cheffy skills; each bite of the thinly-pounded chicken parmiginia yields a satisfying snap and swims in marina sauce, and the creamy Alfredo is studded with chunks of mushroom. You can't go wrong if you end with Nutella canoli.

Time Out tip: Caruso's is a great place to have a birthday party (take it from me). The roomy booths and big tables mean you can fit plenty of people, and the extensive wine and cocktail list means everyone can find something to tide them over. Best of all? The dessert menu includes all sorts of yummy things to stick candles in, like a Butterfinger Ice Cream Sundae and tiramisu.

Address: 914 14th Street SE, Washington, D.C., 20003

Opening hours: Tues-Sun 5-10pm; Sun 5-9:30pm. Closed Mon.

Expect to pay: At least $30

What is it? Imaginative Korean cooking at this gem from executive chef Angel Barreto.

Why we love it: I keep finding new reasons to love Anju, the Korean restaurant in Dupont that dishes up creative takes on classic Korean dishes. Each dish sounds familiar but then gets a fresh twist; take the Chikin, which is Korean fried chicken enrobed in sticky and spicy gochujang glaze. Sounds normal, right? Wrong—the heat is cut unexpectedly cut with a generous drizzle of white BBQ sauce. The mandu, or pan-fried dumplings, come filled with succulent shrimp, pork, or kimchi—and Impossible meat.

This spirit of invention extends to the brunch menu and the cocktail list; one of my favorite drinks in all of D.C. is the Tell M"Iwai" (Tell Me Why), made of sesame washed iwai whisky, black tea-infused tart cherry juice, amaro, lemon simple syrup, and rhubarb bitters.

Address: 1805 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Opening hours: Dinner Fri-Sat 5-10pm; Sun-Thurs 5-9pm. Brunch Sat-Sun 11am-1:30pm.

Expect to pay: At least $30

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What is it? People travel from far and wide to experience this spot's Texas-style meats, which are slow cooked over many hours and kissed by flames and the restaurant's own sourced oak to impart that signature smokiness.

Why we love it: For those of us who take BBQ seriously (which includes me after living briefly in Memphis, Tenn.), there's one place worth traveling for in the District—2fifty BBQ. The briskets are the stars of the show here, and you can't go wrong with any of them, although the Prime Brisket is the most popular. Personally, I love the deep smokiness of the sausage links and turkey breast.

In terms of sides, all the classics are here including braised beans, mac n' cheese, sweet potato mash, corn bread, and more. Save room for the banana pudding or seasonal mango tiramisu.

Time Out tip: Check out the specials board, which changes every week and includes interesting flavor combinations inspired by different cultures and collaborations with other local businesses. For example, a recent special included BBQ Döner, a play on the popular Turkish street food.  

Address: 414 K St NW, Washington D.C., 

Opening hours: Wed-Mon 11am-7pm. Closed Tues.

Expect to pay: At least $15

What is it? Husband and wife team Henji Cheung (on food) and Sarah Thompson (on wines) serve some of the best Cantonese food around at their Columbia Heights restaurant, Queen's English. 

Why we love it: The elegant and intimate dining room feels like a cozy hideaway. The dishes draw on Cheung's upbringing in Hong Kong style and include a beautiful medley of textures and flavors; the interesting smattering of plates rotates often, but I've committed dishes like tender cumin lamb belly and tamari brown butter Bobo Chicken to memory. And who wouldn't love a whimsical end to a meal, like chocolate Sichuan ice cream with elderflower whipped cream? Thompson's lovingly-curated natural wine list is filled with varietals that pair nicely with each offering.

Time Out tip: The dining room at Queen's English only has a handful of tables that don't turn over quickly, so it's much safer to visit with a reservation.

Address: 3410 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

Opening hours: Weds-Thurs 5:30pm-8:30pm; Fri-Sat 5-9:30pm. Closed Sun, Mon, Tues.

Expect to pay: At least $50

What is it? A quirky sandwich shop known for serving 10-inch subs with creative ingredients combos.

Why we love it: A reliable option that never disappoints, Compliments Only has completely banished the notion that a sandwich in a brown paper bag is a boring meal. The friendly crew behind the counter mounds fresh ingredients on soft bread to create unusual subs that are just as fun and nostalgic as the vintage-decor filled shop they assemble them in.

Many of my lunchtime daydreams involve eating the Crunchy Boi, a messy pile of potato chips, lettuce, garlic mayo, turkey, provolone, and onions that is famous on social media. If your tastes are a little more traditional, know that the shop nails all the classics, too.

Time Out tip: Don’t immediately toss your paper takeout bag—dig at the bottom, and you’ll find a Frooties candy, a sweet and sour treat that’s a good post-meal pick me up.

Address: 2029 P St. NW Washington D.C. 20036 (Dupont Circle) and 526a 8th St. SE, Washington D.C. 20003 (Capitol Hill)

Opening hours: Daily 10:30am-6pm.

Expect to pay: Between $11.50 and $18 for a sandwich.

What is it? Housed inside the historic Heller's Bakery building, Ellē itself has become a beloved institution in Mount Pleasant since its opening in 2018. The all-day cafe and restaurant serves some of the area's best coffee and pastries in the morning and afternoons and a well-thoug thought out dinner menu in the evenings that spotlights fresh ingredients and fermentation (seriously, these people love anything pickled).

Why we love it: Whether for the more accessible cafe or the much higher-end dinner service, the team at Ellē consistently turns out dishes that are creative and interesting. The pastries utilize unusual flavors to great effect (be sure to get buttery and sweet guava turnover), and the evening offerings consist of funky finds like pickled fennel and marinated mussel toast. Menus change often, so you never quite know what you're going to get, but you can be assured it'll be interesting and tasty. The lowlit, romantic dining room doesn't hurt, either. 

Time Out tip: If you like a day time date, Ellē is a great spot. The space is cozy but bright, and the vibe is the right balance between casual and elevated.

Address: 3221 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington DC, 20010

Opening hours: Cafe daily 8am-3pm; Dinner Tues-Sun 5:30-9pm; closed Mon.

Expect to pay: At least $15 for breakfast, at least $75 for dinner

What is it? Chef Matt Adler's ode to Italy's Southern coast serves some of the lightest and brightest Italian dishes you'll find in D.C.

Why we love it: Since it opened last year, Cucina Morini has been the spot for delicate yet toothsome pasta dishes served in richly flavored sauces and crudos so fresh they could swim off the plate. The massive 18 seat bar and lounge is also beloved for its $7 martini deal. 

Time Out tip: When the weekend rolls around, Cucina Morini becomes Caffé Morini, a brunch destination serving eggs, paninis, toasts, and morning cocktails. If you're in a hurry, the restaurant offers a grab-and-go cappuccino and cornetto deal for $10. Don't miss the cornettos, which are hand-filled with either chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, or tiramisu pastry cream.

Address: 901 4th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20001

Opening hours: Mon and Thurs-Sat 5-10pm; Tues-Weds and Sun 5-9pm. Caffé Morini Sat-Sun 11am-2:30pm.

Expect to pay: At least $30

What is it? With two locations in Georgetown and Union Market, Yellow has cemented itself as a superior morning and midday option. It may look like a simple cafe on the outside, but the menu of Middle Eastern-inspired pastries and tender pita sandwiches has some serious star power behind it—Albi chef Michael Rafidi.

Why we love it: It's lucky for us that Michelin-star holder Rafidi seems to be just as talented at making casual dishes as he is at fine dining, because his Levantine café serves some of the yummiest pick-me-ups in the District. The morning menu consists of inventive pastries, like a delicate cardamom morning bun and scarily accurate baklava croissant.

More hearty options include well-spiced shakshukas and breakfast sandwiches that include a delicious za'atar dusted croissant that holds smoked peppers, labne, and a runny egg. Later in the day the menu includes pillow-soft pitas stuffed with grilled meats and fresh veggies, plus deliciously smooth hummus plates. 

Time Out tip: The most popular pastries, like the baklava croissant, sell out quickly, so plan to arrive as close to opening as possible to snag them. Another reason to hurry? Breakfast stops promptly at 11am, and the staff are usually pretty strict with the cutoff.

Address: Georgetown: 1524 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20007; Union Market: 17 Morse St. NE, Washington, D.C., 20002

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 8am-3pm and 4-9pm; Sun-Mon 8am-3pm. 

Expect to pay: $10-$25

What is it? Le Diplomate is one of the dining destinations for political powerbrokers, and its star-studded dining room and bar is often packed with bold face names. From the globe lights overhead and the wood floors underfoot, to the woven bistro chairs and the curieux that adorn the walls—most everything you can touch or see or even hear in restaurateur-impresario Stephen Starr’s brasserie was literally imported from France itself.

Why we love it: Le Dip is what every upscale French bistro should be—inviting, cozy, and indulgent. This hotspot from uber restaurateur Stephen Starr has been a perennial pick on best restaurant lists since it opened in 2005 by never compromising its high standards. This is a reliable pick for a fun brunch or night out, and an impressive place to take any out of town guests or indulge in some solo dining for self-care. As for what to order? You can't go wrong with any of the seafood, but if its simple bistro fare you cherchez, the steak frites and escargot are wise choices.

Time Out tip: If you collect matchbooks, be sure to ask the host for one from Le Diplomate. 

Address: 1601 14th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30-3pm and 5-11pm; Fri 11:30am-3pm and 5pm-midnight; Sat 9:30am-midnight;  Sun 9:30am-11pm.

Expect to pay: At least $20

What is it? An elegant and cozy Afghan eatery on the corner of Columbia Rd. NW in Adams Morgan, Lapis is a neighborhood staple. The restaurant is run by the Popal family (the same group responsible hotspots like Pascual, Lutèce, and Lapop), and serves generations-old family recipes.

Why we love it: It's a resteraunt suited for every occasion and season; the big windows and airy interior (which is lit by candles and globelights in the evening) give the space a warm, homey vibe that makes it feel impossible to think about the worries you left at the door. This feeling is only heightened when you pick up the menu, which is chock-full of deeply flavorful Afghan dishes that are the culinary equivalent of a warm hug. 

The menu is extensive and includes hearty fare like bolani (Afghan flat bread) stuffed with fillings like pumpkin and beef and served with yogurt and chutney, and spiced rice studded with raisins and carrots. Be sure to explore the cocktail menu, which is full of surprises that pair well with all the meat, vegetables, and sweets on offer, and save room for plenty of plump Afghan dumplings. The vegetarians in your life will appreciate the deep vegetarian section on the menu—which also includes a few vegan options.

Time Out tip: The Lapis dining room can get loud quickly. If you're more after appetizers and quiet, head to Lapop, the underground speakeasy next door, for a seat at the snuggest bar. The spot shares Lapis's kitchen, so get some dumplings, bolanis, or kebobs alongside your drink. 

Address: 1847 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm; Sun-Thurs 5-9pm; Fri-Sat 5-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-3pm. 

Expect to pay: At least $25

What is it? This Mount Pleasant tacqueria serves the best breakfast tacos in the city. Co-founded by Ana-Maria Jaramillo, who is a native of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, and Gus May, a D.C. native, La Tejana is that fix—the long lines that gather every weekend morning to secure one (or three) in rain or shine are proof.

Why we love it: Finding a taco that compares to options in the West and Southwest is a tall order on the opposite coast. Luckily, Washingtonians have La Tejana. The tacos come packed with delectable toppings that feel like a hug for your insides. Try the Tio Willie, which comes with cheesy scrambled eggs, queso drizzle, bacon, and friend potatoes. Another popular option is the 512, which adds Texas-style BBQ brisket from 2Fifty (also on this list) to the breakfast taco party. 

Even if you did make it into the morning taco line, La Tejana makes for a great night out thanks to its lively cocktail bar (note the reservation link above is for the bar only, and the taco shop doesn't take resevrations). Evening food offerings include strong drinks and queso dip you'll want to swim in. 

Time Out tip: The breakfast taco line is no joke, especially on weekend mornings, so try to get there as early as possible. If you're meeting friends, make sure whoever gets there first orders for the group or you risk losing out.

Address: 3211 Mt Pleasant St. NW, Washington, D.C, 20010

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 7:30am-1pm; cocktail bar open Wed-Sat 5-10pm

Expect to pay: $5-$15

What is it? Patrice Cleary's Mount Pleasant restaurant is a neighborhood treasure that serves homestyle Filipino food. Whether for drinner, brunch, or a happy hour meetup, Purple Patch is a solid gathering spot.

Why we love it: The vibe here is a mix between your favorite dive bar and your living room. The extensive menu is flecked with fresh ingredients like papaya, ube, and mango and bright, zingy flavors. Here you'll find traditional Filipino dishes, like lumpia, done extremely well with some new twists.

My favorite things to eat here are ones that are very vegetable or sweet-heavy. The proteins are great, especially the pork and spicy chicken adobos and the Filipino Bistek, which is marinated in soy sauce and lime juice. But nothing beats the crunchy papaya salad, or the ube bread pudding. 

Time Out tip: Entree portions here are huge, so either take it home for leftovers or split with your dining companion. 

Address: 3155 Mount Pleasant St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Opening hours: Daily 10am-9pm

Expect to pay: At least $25

What is it? Nestled on a quiet street corner in Georgetown, La Bonne Vache serves some of the best French comfort food in the city in a very lowkey environment.

Why we love it: If the other buzzy French spots are too much for you, know that you can disappear into this dining room (or at the bar) with a book and not be bothered. The curated menu is filled with easy comfort foods like pillowy gougeres that collapse when topped with whipped paprika cream cheese, and the melt-in-your-mouth tender steak tartare. Don't skip out on the burgers, which are delicious and hearty; get the LBV Classique, which comes topped with red onions and Gruyère fondue. 

Time Out tip: Keep in mind that La Bonne Vache doesn't accept reservations, so eating slightly earlier or later than peak hours may help secure a table. 

Address: 3265 Prospect St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20007

Opening hours: Weds-Sun 11am-9pm. Closed Mon-Tues.

Expect to pay: At least $20

What is it? This Park View staple serves big, square slabs of Sicilian-style pizza topped with fresh ingredients on big lunch trays. When you’re in the mood for a massive slice you can sink your teeth into, Sonny's Pizza is your spot.

Why we love it: Every space at Sonny's, which includes a groovily decorated bar and spacious covered patio filled with picnic benches and an Airstream trailer that doubles as a bar, feels communal and welcoming—a perfect place to tuck into a pizza with friends.

As for what to order? You can’t go wrong with any flavors here. The menu is great outside of their pies, too; try the Long Shot sandwich, a rich and bitter symphony of ham, soppressata, pickled onion, provolone, escarole, Calabrian chili butter, and Italian dressing piled on sesame focaccia. Get the massive Caesar Salad, which comes piled so high on the plate you’ll wonder if it’ll topple.

Time Out tip: The long picnic tables and laidback atmosphere of the Sonny's patio make it one of the best in the District, but it catapults over the rest for one simple reason it seems to be impervious to bugs and mosquitos, which makes it an ideal escape from the sticky summer heat. The charming Airstream trailer they serve cocktails out of doesn't hurt the vibe, either. 

Address: 3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 5-9pm; Fri 5-10pm; Sat noon-10pm; Sun noon-9pm. Closed Mon.

Expect to pay: At least $15