10 Great Restaurants in Washington DC

You can’t miss Old Ebbitt Grill on a visit to Washington DC as it’s located just across the street from The White House. If you’re feeling patriotic, stop in to get your fill of old-time American regalia, along with a hearty meal and flagon of ale.

Ebbitt is famous for its oysters, which are always brimming from the shell and served with horseradish and cocktail sauce – the American way. Or, hunker into some comfort food from all over the States. These range from BBQ ribs, chicken and waffles to a mouthwatering bacon-glazed meatloaf.

Founding Farmers DC is an American diner that promotes market-driven, farm-to-table cuisine. It challenges the assumption that American comfort food comes from processed boxed and canned goods. Rather, it serves up heartland favourites like chicken pot pie, whipped mashed potatoes and stacked sandwiches with locally-grown and raised ingredients.

If you want a real treat, stop in for brunch or breakfast. Enjoy locally smoked bacon, fluffy eggs and hash browns or grits. Or, try a “hipper” breakfast like an avocado egg sandwich. Not an early riser? Founding Farmers DC is also known for its craft cocktails – it’s the perfect place to have a drink and a snack before exploring the DC nightlife.

Farmers Fishers Bakers is located in the centre of the historic Washington Harbor – a spot you don’t want to miss on your Washington DC itinerary. Get a bird's-eye view of the hustle and bustle (as well as the beautiful harbour fountain) while munching American classics from your table on the patio.

Dishes here are as American as they get – burgers on Texas toast, hand-dipped onion rings, and creamy cheesecake. This isn’t fast food by any means. Everything is scratch-made in-house using fresh ingredients from local farmers, fishers, and other local suppliers.

Eating at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, & Stone Crab is an experience – and not just a culinary one. The swanky interior evokes a 1980s business-casual nostalgia that makes you want to wear a suit. You don’t have to, however.

Do be warned though. Joe’s is not the place to get a salad, aside from your starter. Seafood reigns supreme here, and choices of dishes like fresh lobster, crab-stuffed prawns and oysters are seemingly neverending. The steaks are also unmissable, making this one of the most popular surf ’n’ turf restaurants around. For a hearty meal, grab a lobster tail and a tenderloin or skewered shrimp and sirloin.

Ted’s Bulletin in DC represents the best of an American tradition that can’t be missed: the diner and the soda fountain. Slurp frothy milkshakes straight out of classic Americana and eat your breakfast cooked fresh on the griddle, no matter the time of day.

At Ted’s, you’ll be greeted by worn wooden booths, cold beers and heaping portions. If you only go once, get an all-day breakfast of eggs, hash browns, bacon and toast. If you’re not in a breakfast mood, try a classic diner meal like pot roast, country fried steak or a diner burger. Leave room for dessert, though. A serving of their famous “cinnamon roll as big as ya head” is a must.

The Smith is one of the best raw bars in Washington DC and the place to go for upscale eats and decadent cocktails. Order up platters of fresh oysters, clams prawns and more – the perfect little feast to share after visiting the nearby Lafayette Square.

Their menu of homemade dishes is remarkable. You’ll find a mix of American pasta, massive burgers, sandwiches, steaks and salads. To wash them down, choose from the varied drinks menu that features plenty of craft cocktails and local draft beers.

The Capital Grille is a fine-dining restaurant within a stone’s throw of the US Capitol Building, and which shares a street with The White House. This upscale restaurant will have you rubbing shoulders with politicians and the DC elite in the thick of the American political machine.

You’ll likely forget about politics as soon as you tuck into your meal. Steaks are the top pick here – the Grille serves up dry-aged meats that melt in your mouth. Don’t miss out on another decadent favourite, either: the lobster mac and cheese. Choose a bottle of wine from the curated selection and make an evening of your time here.

Unconventional Diner is a must-stop for foodies in Washington DC. The name of this restaurant says it all. The chef takes American classics and twists them up into totally new yet comfortingly recognisable dishes. Examples include kale nachos, French dip pasta and crab hush puppies.

The unconventional brunch is just as exciting. Dig into the unforgettable bourbon-caramel French toast, or try a global twist on local favourites like Morrocan grits or falafel salad. If you’re not that into unconventional flavours, Unconventional Diner makes fantastic double cheeseburgers, too.

The Blue Duck Tavern is a DC eatery you’ll want to book in advance – it was awarded a Michelin star for its take on American cuisine. Known for their elevated tavern food, the Blue Duck Tavern successfully combines rustic American pub dining with world-class service.

Blue Duck’s menu doesn’t stick out at first glance. You’ll find fries, southern biscuits and open-faced sandwiches. But ingredients like truffle, pecorino and homemade compotes take each dish to another level of flavour. The chef’s menu changes often, so no experience is the same as the last. The Blue Duck Tavern is part of the Park Hyatt Washington DC.

Logan Tavern is a sprawling American pub in DC with high ceilings, wooden booths, and a comprehensive menu. We’re talking thick steaks, huge burgers, salads, breakfasts and mouthwatering daily specials. And of course, cocktails are mixed and poured constantly from open to close.

Elegant yet casual for a pre-theatre dining experience, Logan Tavern is perhaps best known for its happy hours. From 3 pm to 6 pm, it’s the time of day when you can experience a truly American tradition – sipping discounted drinks after work and snacking on half-off starters.