Washington / Guides
Every best-of guide, ranked from the receipts.
118 guides to where Washington actually eats. Every one built from the full review record, then pressure-tested by a desk that lives here. No tourist traps padding the list.
118guides
4ways to browse
Weeklyrebuild cadence
If you read three
The guides we hand to anyone new in town. Steakhouse, Sushi Spots in DC, and French, the three arguments Washington always wins.
The Flagship
The 50 Best Restaurants in Washington
See the full List →
AdvertisementLocal Singles NearMeet people who actually live here.Washington singles: where locals actually meet.See who's nearby
Pick the night, not the cuisine
Sometimes the question is not what you are craving, it is what the evening needs to be.
Romantic
Most Romantic Restaurants in DC
The rooms built for a proposal, an anniversary, or pretending it is one.
By Marguerite Pryor · 12 rooms · Updated July 2026
Fine Dining
12 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in DC
The dress-up rooms, ranked by what actually lands on the table.
By Marguerite Pryor · 12 rooms · Updated September 2026
Brunch
Best Brunch in DC: Local Favorites
Weekend-only tables, long pours, and the dishes that earn the wait.
By Nia Bramwell · 9 rooms · Updated July 2026
Hidden Gems
Hidden Gem Restaurants in DC Locals Love
No PR machine and no line around the block. The rooms regulars keep quiet.
By Nia Bramwell · 12 rooms · Updated July 2026
Hidden Gem
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Fairfax, VA Locals Love
No. 1 right now: JINYA Ramen Bar - Fairfax.
By Nia Bramwell · 12 rooms · Updated August 2026
Most Romantic
Most Romantic Restaurants in Fairfax, VA
No. 1 right now: JINYA Ramen Bar - Fairfax.
By Nia Bramwell · 12 rooms · Updated August 2026
You already know what you want
Go straight to the dish. The marquee cravings, each ranked on its own.
Where each part of town actually eats
The headline rooms are only part of the story. These are the spots locals drive to.
Restaurants in Bethesda, MD
12 Best Restaurants in Bethesda, MD
By Nia Bramwell · 12 rooms · Updated July 2026
Hidden Gem
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Alexandria, VA Locals Love
By Nia Bramwell · 12 rooms · Updated July 2026
Hidden Gem
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Arlington, VA Locals Love
By Nia Bramwell · 12 rooms · Updated July 2026
Hidden Gem
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Falls Church, VA Locals Love
By Selam Asfaw · 12 rooms · Updated July 2026
Hidden Gem
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Rockville, MD Locals Love
By Nia Bramwell · 12 rooms · Updated August 2026
Hidden Gem
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Silver Spring, MD Locals Love
By Selam Asfaw · 12 rooms · Updated July 2026
Real people, not an algorithm with a logo
Every guide starts with the review data, then gets sorted, written, and argued over by a desk that eats in this city every week.
Marguerite PryorFood Editor, Top of DC
Nia Bramwell
Selam Asfaw
AdvertisementLocal Singles NearDC singles: where locals actually meet.No tourist churn, just people who live here.See who's nearby
Browse every guide
Rooms covered in each one.
By cuisine 59
10 Best Restaurants in Herndon, VA№ 1: Amphora's Diner Deluxe · 10 rooms
11 Best Steakhouse Restaurants in DC№ 1: Bobby Van’s Steakhouse · 11 rooms
12 Best French Restaurants in DC№ 1: La Grande Boucherie DC · 12 rooms
12 Best Restaurants in DC№ 1: Old Ebbitt Grill · 12 rooms
12 Best Restaurants in Vienna, VA№ 1: Pizza Vienna · 12 rooms
Best Afghan Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: Kabob Corner · 12 rooms
Best Al Pastor in DC№ 1: Oyamel · 12 rooms
Best Asian Fusion Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: Teaism Dupont Circle · 12 rooms
Best BBQ Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: Gyuzo Japanese BBQ - Wagyu / Sushi / Ramen - All You Can Eat · 8 rooms
Best Breakfast Burritos in DC№ 1: Oyamel · 12 rooms
Best Butter Chicken in DC№ 1: Daru · 11 rooms
Best Caribbean in DC: Local Favorites№ 1: Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi · 5 rooms
Best Carnitas in DC№ 1: Oyamel · 12 rooms
Best Doro Wat in DC№ 1: Ethiopic · 12 rooms
Best Ethiopian in DC: Local Favorites№ 1: Ethiopic · 12 rooms
Best Gastropub Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: Punch Bowl Social · 8 rooms
Best Greek Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: Nostos Restaurant · 12 rooms
Best Half-Smokes in DC№ 1: Old Ebbitt Grill · 12 rooms
Best Half-Smokes in Fairfax, VA№ 1: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · 7 rooms
Best Hummus in DC№ 1: Zaytinya · 8 rooms
Best Injera in DC№ 1: Ethiopic · 12 rooms
Best Italian in DC: Local Favorites№ 1: RPM Italian · 12 rooms
Best Italian Subs in DC№ 1: Greek Deli & Catering · 12 rooms
Best Kitfo in DC№ 1: Ethiopic · 12 rooms
Best Korean in DC: Local Favorites№ 1: Iron Age | Korean Steak House · 6 rooms
Best Lebanese Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: Lebanese Kitchen Restaurant VA · 8 rooms
Best Pastrami in DC№ 1: Greek Deli & Catering · 12 rooms
Best Persian Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: Maman Joon Kitchen · 8 rooms
Best Peruvian Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: China Chilcano · 12 rooms
Best Restaurants in 14th Street & Logan Circle№ 1: Le Diplomate · 8 rooms
Best Restaurants in Clarendon & Courthouse, Arlington, VA№ 1: AMBAR Restaurant, Clarendon · 9 rooms
Best Restaurants in Cleveland Park & Woodley Park№ 1: Siam House, Washington, D.C. · 9 rooms
Best Restaurants in Eden Center, Falls Church, VA№ 1: Firepan Korean BBQ · 4 rooms
Best Restaurants in Mount Pleasant№ 1: Tamashaa - Modern Indian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar · 7 rooms
Best Restaurants in Penn Quarter & Downtown№ 1: Kitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - DC · 11 rooms
Best Restaurants in Petworth№ 1: Timber Pizza Co. Petworth · 6 rooms
Best Restaurants in Tenleytown & Friendship Heights№ 1: Acqua Bistecca · 8 rooms
Best Restaurants in The Wharf & Southwest№ 1: Station 4 · 9 rooms
Best Restaurants in Union Market & Ivy City№ 1: Beat The Bomb DC · 10 rooms
Best Salvadoran Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: El Sol Restaurant & Tequileria · 12 rooms
Best Seafood Boils in DC№ 1: Fiola Mare · 12 rooms
Best Seafood in DC: Local Favorites№ 1: Fiola Mare · 12 rooms
Best Thai in DC: Local Favorites№ 1: Thip Khao · 11 rooms
Best Tibs in DC№ 1: Ethiopic · 12 rooms
Best Tortas in DC№ 1: Oyamel · 12 rooms
Best Turkish Restaurants in the DMV№ 1: Kolbeh Turkish Cuisine · 8 rooms
Delis & Sandwiches in DC: Local Favorites№ 1: Greek Deli & Catering · 12 rooms
The Best Chinese Restaurants in DC№ 1: CHIKO · 9 rooms
The Best Indian Spots in DC№ 1: Daru · 11 rooms
The Best Latin American Spots in DC№ 1: Seven Reasons · 12 rooms
The Best Mexican Spots in DC№ 1: Oyamel · 12 rooms
The Best New American Spots in DC№ 1: Blue Duck Tavern · 12 rooms
The Best Restaurants in Fairfax, VA№ 1: Lebanese Kitchen Restaurant VA · 12 rooms
The Best Restaurants in Gaithersburg, MD№ 1: Café Sophie · 11 rooms
The Best Restaurants in Sterling, VA№ 1: Darya Kabob · 9 rooms
The Best Sushi Spots in DC№ 1: Sushi By Bou- DC @ CitizenM Hotel L'enfant Plaza · 11 rooms
Where to Eat the Best American in DC№ 1: Old Ebbitt Grill · 12 rooms
Where to Eat the Best Mediterranean in DC№ 1: Zaytinya · 9 rooms
Where to Eat the Best Middle Eastern in DC№ 1: Falafel Inc · 8 roomsBy dish 17
Best Birria Tacos in DC№ 1: Oyamel · 12 rooms
Best Biryani in DC№ 1: Daru · 11 rooms
Best Burgers in Fairfax, VA№ 1: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · 7 rooms
Best Crab Cakes in DC№ 1: Fiola Mare · 12 rooms
Best Dosa in DC№ 1: Daru · 11 rooms
Best Gyros in DC№ 1: Zaytinya · 8 rooms
Best Mac and Cheese in DC№ 1: Old Ebbitt Grill · 12 rooms
Best Mac and Cheese in Fairfax, VA№ 1: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · 7 rooms
Best Oysters in DC№ 1: Fiola Mare · 12 rooms
Best Shawarma in DC№ 1: Zaytinya · 8 rooms
Best Smash Burgers in DC№ 1: Duke's Grocery · 6 rooms
Best Steamed Crabs in DC№ 1: Fiola Mare · 12 rooms
Best Tacos in DC№ 1: Oyamel · 12 rooms
Best Wings in Fairfax, VA№ 1: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · 7 rooms
The Best Burger Restaurants in DC№ 1: Duke's Grocery · 6 rooms
Where to Eat the Best Pizza in DC№ 1: Timber Pizza Co. Petworth · 12 rooms
Where to Eat the Best Ramen in DC№ 1: Bantam King · 4 roomsAdvertisementLocal Singles NearMeet people who actually live here.DC singles, no tourist churn.See who's nearby
By neighborhood 35
12 Best Restaurants in Bethesda, MD№ 1: Vace · 12 rooms
Best Burgers in Alexandria, VA№ 1: Hops N Shine · 9 rooms
Best Burgers in Arlington, VA№ 1: Bob & Edith's Diner · 10 rooms
Best Half-Smokes in Alexandria, VA№ 1: Hops N Shine · 9 rooms
Best Half-Smokes in Arlington, VA№ 1: Bob & Edith's Diner · 10 rooms
Best Mac and Cheese in Alexandria, VA№ 1: Hops N Shine · 9 rooms
Best Mac and Cheese in Arlington, VA№ 1: Bob & Edith's Diner · 10 rooms
Best Restaurants in Adams Morgan№ 1: Lapis · 10 rooms
Best Restaurants in Annandale, VA№ 1: Dal Shabu Hot Pot (달샤부) · 5 rooms
Best Restaurants in Capitol Hill№ 1: AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill · 7 rooms
Best Restaurants in Columbia Heights№ 1: Tamashaa - Modern Indian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar · 5 rooms
Best Restaurants in Del Ray, Alexandria, VA№ 1: The Birchmere · 8 rooms
Best Restaurants in Dupont Circle№ 1: Kramers · 11 rooms
Best Restaurants in Georgetown№ 1: Filomena Ristorante · 10 rooms
Best Restaurants in H Street & NoMa№ 1: St. Anselm · 5 rooms
Best Restaurants in Navy Yard№ 1: Rose's Luxury · 8 rooms
Best Restaurants in Old Town Alexandria, VA№ 1: Jula's on the Potomac · 10 rooms
Best Restaurants in Shaw & U Street№ 1: Le Diplomate · 9 roomsAdvertisementWebIgniterNot ranking on Google? We'll show you why.Free quick SEO audit for local businesses.Get the free audit
Best Vietnamese in Falls Church, VA: Local Favorites№ 1: Huong Viet Restaurant · 9 rooms
Best Wings in Alexandria, VA№ 1: Hops N Shine · 9 rooms
Best Wings in Arlington, VA№ 1: Bob & Edith's Diner · 9 roomsHidden Gem Restaurants in Alexandria, VA Locals Love№ 1: Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar · 12 roomsHidden Gem Restaurants in Arlington, VA Locals Love№ 1: AMBAR Restaurant, Clarendon · 12 roomsHidden Gem Restaurants in Falls Church, VA Locals Love№ 1: Peking Gourmet Inn · 12 roomsHidden Gem Restaurants in Rockville, MD Locals Love№ 1: Gyuzo Japanese BBQ - Wagyu / Sushi / Ramen - All You Can Eat · 12 roomsHidden Gem Restaurants in Silver Spring, MD Locals Love№ 1: Parkway Deli & Restaurant · 12 rooms
Most Romantic Restaurants in Alexandria, VA№ 1: Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar · 12 rooms
Most Romantic Restaurants in Arlington, VA№ 1: AMBAR Restaurant, Clarendon · 12 rooms
The Best Mexican Spots in Arlington, VA№ 1: Guapo's Cocina & Bar · 6 rooms
The Best Restaurants in Alexandria, VA№ 1: Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town · 12 rooms
The Best Restaurants in Arlington, VA№ 1: Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita · 12 rooms
The Best Restaurants in Falls Church, VA№ 1: 2941 Restaurant · 12 rooms
The Best Restaurants in Rockville, MD№ 1: La Brasa Latin Cuisine · 12 rooms
The Best Restaurants in Silver Spring, MD№ 1: La Casita Pupuseria & Market · 12 rooms
Where to Eat the Best Korean in Annandale, VA№ 1: Honey Pig BBQ · 6 roomsBy occasion & vibe 7
12 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in DC№ 1: Rose’s Luxury · 12 roomsBest Brunch in DC: Local Favorites№ 1: Unconventional Diner · 9 roomsHidden Gem Restaurants in DC Locals Love№ 1: Old Ebbitt Grill · 12 roomsHidden Gem Restaurants in Fairfax, VA Locals Love№ 1: JINYA Ramen Bar - Fairfax · 12 rooms
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Gaithersburg, MD Locals Love№ 1: Yoyogi Sushi · 11 roomsMost Romantic Restaurants in DC№ 1: Old Ebbitt Grill · 12 roomsMost Romantic Restaurants in Fairfax, VA№ 1: JINYA Ramen Bar - Fairfax · 12 roomsNo guides match that search.
Five rooms, every Friday.
The new opening, the sleeper the score just flagged, and the one room worth booking this week. Free, unsubscribe anytime.