The best restaurants in D.C. right now

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The best restaurants in D.C. right now

38 Best Restaurants in D.C. Right Now

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St. JamesPhotograph: Tyson Bateman for Time OutSt. James

The best restaurants in D.C. offer diverse eats, from Michelin-starred pasta to down-home diner grub

Friday May 24 2024

Photograph: Tyson Bateman for Time Out

Alice Levitt

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago—the country’s largest cities seem to get all the culinary cred. Despite boasting a Michelin guide since 2016, Washington, D.C. has been slow to catch up to those bigger burgs. But it’s not for lack of effort or sheer deliciousness of the food.

The 2021 census revealed that the District is now one of the most diverse cities in the country. This list will demonstrate that the cuisine matches the demographics—in fact, the best restaurants in D.C. are as globally inspired as the embassies surrounding them. From khachapuri to al pastor, vegan chili to Japanese-Italian pizza, D.C. has something to satisfy every taste. Now that’s representation.

This guide was updated by Virginia-based writer Alice Levitt. At Time Out, all our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines

RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C.

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Best restaurants in Washington, D.C.

L’ArdenteL’ArdentePhotograph: Mike Fuentes Photography

PascualPascualPhotograph: Deb Lindsey

St. JamesSt. JamesPhotograph: Tyson Bateman for Time Out

Ben’s Chili Bowl, which opened in 1958, looks like a relic on the yuppified stretch of U Street once known as Black Broadway. But this family business has kept up with the times. The institution’s appeal rests on three legs: nostalgia (past customers include Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Barack Obama), the insatiable late-night hunger of young partiers, and, of course, the great bang for the buck afforded by burgers, fries, and chili. In-the-know customers order chili on a dog or half-smoke (arguably Washington’s signature specialty) and cheese fries, but you can also get a turkey burger sub or a salad bowl.

Located at the corner of 14th and U Streets NW, this multi-purpose space was established in 2005 by Andy Shallal, an Iraqi-American artist, restaurateur, and activist in an area with a history of 1960s Civil Rights activism. With communal tables, sofas, and cushy chairs, Busboys is the ultimate urban living room, where people meet for coffee or drinks or a snack between meals. Open-mic poetry readings, live music, and book discussions are also on the menu.

This Philadelphia-based fast-casual chain is a D.C. crowd favorite, offering tasty, 100-percent plant-based fare. Try the Crispy HipCity Ranch, a battered chick'n sandwich with creamy peppercorn ranch, or the Ziggy Burger, with smoked tempeh bacon and special sauce. Also, find salads, sweet potato fries, dips, juices, and smoothies.

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Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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