Headed to Washington, DC? Let me make your trip planning easier. From bottomless brunch spots to international inspired fare, I gathered some of the best places to eat in DC.
Best Seafood in DC
Given its location on the eastern coast, there are some great seafood places to eat in DC.
- BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant: Stop by to pick up fresh seafood to make at home or sit down for a delicious meal. Focuses on sustainable, high-quality catch.
- Hank’s Oyster Bar: Classic seafood fare with locations in Capitol Hill and Dupont Circle (VA too!).
- Luke’s Lobster: Looking for a lobster roll? This is THE place! Locations in Penn Quarter + Georgetown (as well as outside the DC area).
- Pennsylvania 6 DC: Excellent raw bar, but plenty of options for non-seafood lovers.
- Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar: Upscale seafood fare in Georgetown.
Best Burgers in DC
These burger places in DC are making my mouth water!
- Bobby’s Burger Palace: Interesting burger combos + a special flavor that changes every month.
- BGR The Burger Joint: Serves up several excellent non-beef options, such as the Greek lamb burger.
- Good Stuff Eatery: Farm-fresh meat. Killer shakes. Frequented by the First Lady, Michelle Obama.
- Ray’s Hell Burger: Burgers, fried chicken sammies, cheese steaks, AND chili.
- Red Apron Butcher: Go here to get meat for your summer cookout; Also serves breakfast + lunch.
- Shake Shack: Classic burgers, dogs & shakes with several locations around the city.
Best Sweets in DC
I’m drooling just from looking at this delicious list of sweet snacks in DC.
- Captain Cookie and the Milk Man: Get cookies, ice cream + milk from 3 food trucks around the city & 1 physical location.
- Georgetown Cupcake: Home of TLC’s DC Cupcakes. Always perfectly baked (never too dry or crumbly!) and a rotating roster of interesting flavors.
- Ice Cream Jubilee: Serving up flavors, such as Banana Bourbon Caramel and Thai Iced Tea, that rotate with the season.
- Olivia Macaron: YOU GUYS – they have a Fruity Pebbles flavored macaron! Run, don’t walk, to their nearest location.
- Zombie Coffee and Donuts: Donuts made to order + coffee. Need we say more?
Best Brunch in DC
Who doesn’t love a good brunch? Here’s the best places to eat brunch in DC.
- Ambar: Balkan cuisine serving a bottomless brunch…including drinks!
- Founding Farmers: Farm to table restaurant owned by actual farmers (some 40,000 members of the North Dakota Farmers Union, to be exact).
- Georgia Brown’s: Go here on a Sunday to hear live jazz while you chow down on tasty Southern brunch bites.
- Old Ebbitt Grill: Yes, Washington, DC’s oldest bar + grill serves up a mean brunch!
- Tonic at Quigley’s Pharmacy: Any restaurant that serves a tater tot waffle with bourbon-maple syrup is a must-try.
Best Coffee + Tea in DC
Check out these cafes + tearooms in DC for a quick pick-me-up.
- Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar: Brews coffee that is hand-selected and roasted by the local company, Ceremony Coffee.
- Lady Camellia: Formal tea room with a variety of tea and pastries to enjoy during afternoon tea.
- Pineapple and Pearls: Half café and half fine dining.
- Soho Tea and Coffee: Unique menu including a smoothie blended with white wine.
- Tryst Coffee House and Bar: When one of you wants coffee and the other needs a cocktail.
Best International Food in DC
From Greek to Ramen, here’s a few international-inspired restaurants in DC.
- Duke’s Grocery: British-inspired kitchen, with a menu that changes daily.
- Kapnos: Classic Greek restaurant by Mike Isabella (Top Chef, Season 6).
- Marcel’s by Robert Wiedmaier: Upscale Belgian + French cuisine.
- Tico: Spanish, Mexican + Latin American inspired tapas style restaurant, with an impressive Tequila menu.
- toki underground: wildly popular ramen spot
Best Southern Food in DC
Whether you’re craving BBQ, fried chicken, Creole, or Southern home cookin’, these are the best Southern food places to eat in DC.
- Due South: New Orleans inspired fare.
- Hill Country Barbecue Market: BBQ + live music. Plus they have PB&J cupcakes.
- Oohh’s and Aahh’s: Open ’til 4am on Friday & Saturday nights, making it the perfect stop after you’ve had a few cocktails.
- Southern Efficiency: Southern food + whiskey. What better combinations?
- Smoke and Barrel: Beer, BBQ + bacon. Oh, and a handful of vegan options, too.
- Vidalia: Arguably the best Southern dessert menu in DC.
Where are your favorite places to eat in DC?
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