Top 25 Restaurants in Washington DC 2016
Posted on December 9, 2016 by
Xploritall announces the 1st annual list of the 25 Best Restaurants in Washington, DC. We sorted through several key diner and critic ranking lists to determine the overall winners. This "poll of polls" balances the opinions of dining critics with ratings of actual diners. The winners represent a diverse offering of cuisines and ranging from casual to fine dining.
Though Xploritall places less emphasis on opinions and rankings than other travel sites, the Top 25 list is a great tool for planning a visit to Washington, DC. There are lots of other great places to eat in and around DC, so consider this list a starting point. And don't forget to sign up to add these places to your Xploritall travel planner.
The Top 25 list for 2016:
1
633 D St NW
Indian
$$$
Modern Indian cuisine. Showcasing Tawa (Griddle), Sigri (open Barbeque), Tandoori and regional dishes, Rasika offers small plates, a modern lounge, and a temperature controlled wine cellar. #3 Zagat, #3 on TripAdvisor, and listed on Eater’s essential 38 list.
2
701 9th St NW
Greek, Turkish
$$$
Chef José Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup team offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. #3 on Zomato (UrbanSpoon), #12 Zagat, on Eater’s 38 list.
3
717 8th St SE
American (New), Noodles, Salads
$$$
Aaron Silverman heads this Asian, European and American restaurant with changing menu. #1 Yelp, #6 Zagat, on Eater’s 38 list.
4
2425 18th St NW
Falafel, Fast Food, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian
$
Small franchise chain (locations in DC, MA, TX & VA) inspired by falafel shops found throughout Amsterdam.
5
3226 11th St NW
Filipino
$$$
Popular and hip Filipino restaurant. #1 on Foodable WebTV, and included on the Eater 38 list.
6
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Italian
$$$$
Fabio & Maria Trabocchi’s Fiola is located between the White House and Capitol, making it a draw for the power crowd. The upscale Italian cuisine, which earned one Michelin star, is available as prix fixe or as a tasting menu, or a la carte on the patio and bar.
7
1734 N St NW
American (New), Greek, Italian, Mediterranean
$$$
Once the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the District, it has reopened under the direction of Executive Chef Anthony Chittum, serving Italian and Greek food and wine in a romantic, historic space.
8
1190 New Hampshire Ave NW
Indian
$$$
Sister restaurant to the #1 restaurant on our list for 2016, Rasika West End earns praise itself and is #1 on Zagat. Features modern and authentic Indian fare.
9
122 Blagden Aly NW
American (New)
$$$
The focus here is on locally sourced ingredients cooked over embers in a wood-burning hearth.
10
523 8th St SE
Modern European, Tapas/Small Plates
$$
Modern Balkan restaurant linking the Old and New World. #1 on TripAdvisor
11
Photo: Terinee B / Yelp
4706 14th St NW
American (Traditional)
$
Neighborhood eatery known for its breakfasts and comfort food. #1 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon)
12
1118 H St NE
Pizza, Vegan, Vegetarian
$
Fast growing, DC-based pizza franchise with a uniquely shaped pizza and strong ties to their local communities. This location was #2 on TripAdvisor.
13
801 O ST NW
American (New)
$$
French inspired spot where diners build their own multi-course meal or sharing plates.
14
1780 Florida Ave NW
Cafe, Ethiopian
$$
Ethiopian restaurant that was #2 on Yelp when we compiled our list.
15
775 G St NW
American (New), Wine Bar
$$$
Proof’s menu provides an eclectic selection of creative modern cuisine, and its wine list contains over 40 by-the-glass selections and 1,000 different bottlings. #2 on Foodable WebTV.
16
1612 20th St NW
Greek, Mediterranean, Pizza br /> $$
Family owned Greek establishment in Dupont Circle that has been in business since 1984. #2 on Zomato.
17
1201 24th St NW
American (New), American (Traditional)
$$$
Blue Duck Tavern is a neighborhood Georgetown restaurant serving creative American cuisine crafted from the region’s freshest, seasonal ingredients. #10 on TripAdvisor, and earned one Michelin star.
18
1122 9th St NW
American (New)
$$$
Corduroy serves the best food of the season, with much of the restaurants produce coming from local farms. #2 on Zagat.
19
2007 18th St NW
American (New), American (Traditional), BBQ
$$
Whiskey bar and Southern food by Chef Russell Jones.
20
1509 17th St NW
Greek, Mediterranean
$$$$
Seafood-centered, Greek tasting menus. #3 on Yelp.
21
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW
Bakery
$$
Coffee shop and bakery in Georgetown. #4 on Zomato.
22
1309 5th St NE
Bakery, Sandwiches, Seafood
$$
Gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads and a rotating selection of smoked food. #4 on Yelp.
23
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Seafood, Steakhouse, Wine Bar
$$$
The acclaimed national chain is still a hit here in DC, thanks to its dry-aged steaks, seafood, and wine selection. #7 TripAdvisor, #12 Zagat.
24
1005 E St NW
Pizza, Vegan, Vegetarian
$
Another entry for this growing regional franchise (the H Street location placed at #12 on this year's list). The E street location made our list thanks to being ranked #5 on Yelp.
25
713 H St NW
French, Pizza
$$
Wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas, burgers, and craft beers are the specialty at this location of local chain Matchbox. But, there are many other yummy offerings to be had.
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Though Xploritall places less emphasis on opinions and rankings than other travel sites, the Top 25 list is a great tool for planning a visit to Washington, DC. There are lots of other great places to eat in and around DC, so consider this list a starting point. And don't forget to sign up to add these places to your Xploritall travel planner.
The Top 25 list for 2016:
1
Rasika
633 D St NW
Indian
$$$
Modern Indian cuisine. Showcasing Tawa (Griddle), Sigri (open Barbeque), Tandoori and regional dishes, Rasika offers small plates, a modern lounge, and a temperature controlled wine cellar. #3 Zagat, #3 on TripAdvisor, and listed on Eater’s essential 38 list.
2
Zaytinya
701 9th St NW
Greek, Turkish
$$$
Chef José Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup team offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. #3 on Zomato (UrbanSpoon), #12 Zagat, on Eater’s 38 list.
3
Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SE
American (New), Noodles, Salads
$$$
Aaron Silverman heads this Asian, European and American restaurant with changing menu. #1 Yelp, #6 Zagat, on Eater’s 38 list.
4
Amsterdam Falafelshop
2425 18th St NW
Falafel, Fast Food, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian
$
Small franchise chain (locations in DC, MA, TX & VA) inspired by falafel shops found throughout Amsterdam.
5
Bad Saint
3226 11th St NW
Filipino
$$$
Popular and hip Filipino restaurant. #1 on Foodable WebTV, and included on the Eater 38 list.
6
Fiola
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Italian
$$$$
Fabio & Maria Trabocchi’s Fiola is located between the White House and Capitol, making it a draw for the power crowd. The upscale Italian cuisine, which earned one Michelin star, is available as prix fixe or as a tasting menu, or a la carte on the patio and bar.
7
Iron Gate
1734 N St NW
American (New), Greek, Italian, Mediterranean
$$$
Once the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the District, it has reopened under the direction of Executive Chef Anthony Chittum, serving Italian and Greek food and wine in a romantic, historic space.
8
Rasika West End
1190 New Hampshire Ave NW
Indian
$$$
Sister restaurant to the #1 restaurant on our list for 2016, Rasika West End earns praise itself and is #1 on Zagat. Features modern and authentic Indian fare.
9
The Dabney
122 Blagden Aly NW
American (New)
$$$
The focus here is on locally sourced ingredients cooked over embers in a wood-burning hearth.
10
Ambar
523 8th St SE
Modern European, Tapas/Small Plates
$$
Modern Balkan restaurant linking the Old and New World. #1 on TripAdvisor
11
Highlands Cafe & Grill
Photo: Terinee B / Yelp
4706 14th St NW
American (Traditional)
$
Neighborhood eatery known for its breakfasts and comfort food. #1 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon)
12
&pizza H St NE
1118 H St NE
Pizza, Vegan, Vegetarian
$
Fast growing, DC-based pizza franchise with a uniquely shaped pizza and strong ties to their local communities. This location was #2 on TripAdvisor.
13
Convivial
801 O ST NW
American (New)
$$
French inspired spot where diners build their own multi-course meal or sharing plates.
14
Keren Restaurant
1780 Florida Ave NW
Cafe, Ethiopian
$$
Ethiopian restaurant that was #2 on Yelp when we compiled our list.
15
Proof
775 G St NW
American (New), Wine Bar
$$$
Proof’s menu provides an eclectic selection of creative modern cuisine, and its wine list contains over 40 by-the-glass selections and 1,000 different bottlings. #2 on Foodable WebTV.
16
Zorba's Cafe
1612 20th St NW
Greek, Mediterranean, Pizza br /> $$
Family owned Greek establishment in Dupont Circle that has been in business since 1984. #2 on Zomato.
17
Blue Duck Tavern
1201 24th St NW
American (New), American (Traditional)
$$$
Blue Duck Tavern is a neighborhood Georgetown restaurant serving creative American cuisine crafted from the region’s freshest, seasonal ingredients. #10 on TripAdvisor, and earned one Michelin star.
18
Corduroy
1122 9th St NW
American (New)
$$$
Corduroy serves the best food of the season, with much of the restaurants produce coming from local farms. #2 on Zagat.
19
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St NW
American (New), American (Traditional), BBQ
$$
Whiskey bar and Southern food by Chef Russell Jones.
20
Komi
1509 17th St NW
Greek, Mediterranean
$$$$
Seafood-centered, Greek tasting menus. #3 on Yelp.
21
Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW
Bakery
$$
Coffee shop and bakery in Georgetown. #4 on Zomato.
22
Neopol Savory Smokery
1309 5th St NE
Bakery, Sandwiches, Seafood
$$
Gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads and a rotating selection of smoked food. #4 on Yelp.
23
The Capital Grille
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Seafood, Steakhouse, Wine Bar
$$$
The acclaimed national chain is still a hit here in DC, thanks to its dry-aged steaks, seafood, and wine selection. #7 TripAdvisor, #12 Zagat.
24
&pizza 1005 E St NW
1005 E St NW
Pizza, Vegan, Vegetarian
$
Another entry for this growing regional franchise (the H Street location placed at #12 on this year's list). The E street location made our list thanks to being ranked #5 on Yelp.
25
Matchbox
713 H St NW
French, Pizza
$$
Wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas, burgers, and craft beers are the specialty at this location of local chain Matchbox. But, there are many other yummy offerings to be had.
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