Alice Levitt

Just as Los Angeles runs on showbiz, there’s no question that D.C. is an industry town. But even politicos need to eat. Luckily for those of us more interested in what’s on our plates than either side of the aisle, a global influence flows from boardrooms and embassies into our restaurants. Each time we compile this list, it changes with the times. From decidedly formal to café-centered, we always seek to include what’s worth your time and money, whether it’s new or old, fancy or destined to become an everyday haunt. This edition has new inclusions that show the restaurant scene’s breadth by showcasing arguably the city’s most hotly sought-after reservation, alongside a local staple we’ve returned to again and again. So, where to next? Whether you’re a local or just visiting D.C., these restaurants serve as a road map to deliciousness, but also to the heart of our capital city. Whether you’re looking forward to waking up with some of our storied Ethiopian fare or closing out the night with creative cocktails paired with crispy bites, there’s something for every occasion here. Updated February 2026: In this latest update, which highlights the best D.C. restaurants this month, we have added Dōgon and Unconventional Diner.This guide was updated by D.C.-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 and review restaurants, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: The best

We love a good theme restaurant. America, fortunately, knows how to deliver. From the bright lights of Vegas to the sunny coasts of Florida, you’ll find plenty of kitschy dinner experiences that’re worthy of a road trip or three. After all, there’s nothing like having a model train deliver your double-stack cheeseburger (we’re looking at you, Fritz’s) or eating in a converted KC-97 U.S. Air Force tanker (fittingly called, The Airplane Restaurant) to help you tap into your inner child.   We’re not alone, though. Just ask the Matt Parker and Trey Stone, the creators of South Park. They bought Colorado’s beloved Casa Bonita and restored it to all of its whimsical glory—mariachis, magicians, cliff divers, and all. But it’s not the only themed restaurant you’ll find on this list. All you need is a car and a hearty appetite to experience the best themed restaurants in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: The best fast food restaurants in the U.S.

The 2010s vogue for food trucks may be over, but we still love a mobile meal. And no one does it better than our favorite Mexican chefs. Since long before food trucks exploded across America's urban centers, taco trucks have dotted our streets, exuding the aromas of sizzling meat. But as our palates have become more sophisticated, so have Mexican food trucks in the U.S. These days, it’s not enough to be a taco generalist. Many of our favorite vendors place a keen focus on a particular style or dish, tempting diners to their business in an increasingly crowded field. From birria to campechana, tacos arabes to Sonoran hot dogs, these are among the 10 best Mexican food trucks in the United States.

Since his first appearance on Top Chef 11 years ago, Kwame Onwuachi has become arguably D.C.’s most notable young chef. And the debut of Dōgon, inside the Salamander hotel (formerly the Mandarin Oriental), has only cemented his renown. In 2025, the new restaurant was named one of the best on the continent by the World’s 50 Best, The New York Times, and Bon Appétit, to name just a few. What’s getting everyone so excited? Onwuachi is a master of Afro-Caribbean flavors deserving of the fine-dining treatment.  The vibe: Clubby, but still focused on the cuisine. Once diners’ eyes adjust to the dim lighting and their ears become accustomed to the din of the R&B and hip hop tunes on the stereo, they’ll see D.C.'s hippest denizens in their best threads, watching each other and the action in the open kitchen. There’s no question that this is a spot for special occasions for diners who aren’t afraid to see and be seen.  The food: Want an edible tour of the West African diaspora? Onwuachi—who is often present in the dining room, greeting guests—and his chef de cuisine, Martel Stone, throw down flavors that descend from those traditions in dishes that surprise and delight. Braised wagyu oxtails are lovably sticky and collagenous, but elevated to fine dining, they’re as expertly spiced as they are luxuriously sweet.  The drink: Derek Brown’s beverages have a following of their own, attracting fans to a hotel bar that defies stereotypes. Focused on Black-owned brands, the ever-changing dri

Chef David Deshaies, perhaps most closely identified with the 40-layer lasagna at L’Ardente and Japanese food hall Love Makoto, has quietly been serving some of the city’s most flavorful casual food at this unconventional restaurant that’s not really a diner. The vibe: Brunch is served most of the day, every day, but that’s just the start of the fun. Depending on the occasion, guests may be treated to entertainment from drag queens, but the relaxed atmosphere, easy service, and quirky menu make any meal here a hoot. The food: Always dreamed of getting garlic naan with Cajun shrimp and grits or with a “dirty” Caesar that features a jammy egg, tomato, aged Gouda, and midnight-black squid ink crumble? This must be the place. Those items are available all day, but dinner is perhaps the most exciting time to visit. We love the chicken parm “Florentine,” which oozes fontina cheese, just as much as the Southeast-Asia-facing pot roast rendang, braised beef flavored with star anise, but served with creamy mashed potatoes.  The drink: Amplify your tasty eats (and whimsical desserts) with a frozen drink. The PSL Mudslide features vodka, cold brew coffee, bourbon cream and a mound of pumpkin-spiced whipped cream. Even the strawberry margarita goes beyond berries and tequila, with colorful dragonfruit, orange liqueur, and citrus juice for a tropical twist.  Time Out tip: Want breakfast for dinner? While the brunch menu ends at 3:45pm, a few dishes, including the sweet potato shakshuka and

Chef power couple Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss bring their culinary cred to the cuisine of her homeland with this creative Mexican restaurant. The live-fire hearth at Pascual is responsible for the kiss of flame that touches nearly everything that emerges from the kitchen here. That includes tacos al pastor carved from the turning trompo, meaty lamb neck barbacoa, and even skate. Coss got her start baking at Mexico City’s venerated Pujol, so don’t skip desserts like her Mexican chocolate cake.

Immigrants from Africa and Asia color the vibrant food of Trinidad. In the U Street Corridor, restaurateur Jeanine Prime shares the diverse influences in an upscale form. Start with callaloo soup, a collection of puréed greens that’s spiked with chiles, calmed with coconut milk, then topped with a liberal handful of lump crab meat. Large plates like the whole fried snapper and smoked “dino” beef rib necessitate sharing with someone you love.

Thank goodness chef Katsuya Fukushima was never told to stop playing with his food. (Or if he was, thank goodness he didn’t listen.) The former culinary director of Jose Andres’ ThinkFoodGroup has so many good ideas he opened two restaurant concepts under one roof. Downstairs: a Sapporo-style ramen shop set to a soundtrack of ’90s music and satisfied slurps. Upstairs: a fast-paced izakaya with clever small plates (like cod roe spaghetti and a grilled avocado) and inventive cocktails (like a spherified sake bomb floating in a glass of Sapporo beer.)

When chef Fabio Trabocchi opened Fiola in 2011, he quickly established his new trattoria as the place to go in Washington for exquisite, sumptuous Italian. Pastas, naturally, are the stars of the menu, especially the tender pappardelle with bolognese ragu. But seafood plays a strong supporting role, and the bar offers a serious cocktail menu, including six different variations on the negroni. An order of bomboloni—Sardinian-style ricotta donuts—is a fitting end to a decadent evening.

Smack in the middle of Adams Morgan aka Party Central lies Perry's, nestled away one street over on (slightly) quieter Columbia Rd, NW. Step inside and you'll find a lively scene and a kitchen that serves an array of well-executed sushi prepared downstairs, where a classic wood-paneled dining room offers a more sedate setting for unwinding. Along with sushi, the menu features a short list of New American starters and entrées, with such favorites as seasonal heirloom tomato salad, grilled swordfish steak with lemon chutney and the chef’s veg platter. Perry's drag queen brunch is offered every Sunday. The fixed price includes all you can eat and dancers to entertain you. Arrive early for the show.

Chef Jeremiah Langhorne (formerly the chef de cuisine at the much-lauded McCrady’s in Charleston, S.C.) takes a near-obsessive approach to local sourcing at his long-awaited mid-Atlantic restaurant in Blagden Alley. His dishes come steeped in history and are made primarily using produce grown (and foraged) nearby, including the rooftop garden. The interior feels almost barn-ish—albeit much more chic—with dark wood floors and tables and rafted ceilings. The open kitchen is anchored by a wood-burning oven that churns out new dishes on a daily basis.