DC's 12 Best Neighborhoods for Eating, Ranked

This year , DC is finally beginning to agitate its reputation as a stodgy city full of nothing other than out - of - the - box steakhouses and grand monuments . At its core , the city is a hodgepodge of neighborhoods , each with a different vibe , and many home base to prominent bar and restaurants . The neighborhoods on this list were selected based on their compactness of varied , originative , and high - quality intellectual nourishment destinations – places where you could walk down the block and be spoiled for choice .

12. CityCenterDC

crucial restaurants : DBGB , Momofuku CCDC , Casa Luca

Calling the sleek , upscale CityCenter a neighborhood is a stretch , though the restaurants in and around this planned development have definitely increase its overall credibility , and in a few years , it very well may inch up higher on this tilt . One of the premiere spots is the airy and sophisticated ( but not stuffy)DBGBbistro from French chef Daniel Boulud . New York ’s famedMomofukuramen bar has get in the complex as well , along with an outpost of its sister bakeryMilk legal profession . And while not technically in the CityCenter development , Fabio Trabocchi ’s casual(ish)Casa Lucaopened nearby in 2013 , serve up homemadeItalian farethat ’s a couple notch less high-priced ( but not less quality ) thanFiolaorFiola Mare . There ’s also serious luxury shopping to occupy you before and after dinner , so that ’s a positive ( or a minus , depending on the State Department of your banking company write up ) .

11. Bloomingdale

Essential restaurant : The Red Hen , ANXO Cidery , Boundary Stone

Bloomingdale is a frontier of some sorts , a result of the eastward enlargement of the U Street and Shaw growth , and the country is home to neighbourhood restaurants that wo n’t break the camber . Its best representative isThe Red Hen , where bowl of comforting sausage rigatoni aviate out of the kitchen alongside rustic yet processed Italian appetizers , entrees , and interesting wines . You ’ll also findANXO Cidery & Pintxos Bar , a Basque - trend eating house that last opened this summer after much expectation . For something more gloomy - key , come to upBoundary Stone Public Housefor wing , burgers , fried muddle , and a big survival of the fittest of whiskey and local beer .

10. Cleveland Park

Essential restaurant : Ripple , Bindaas , 2 Amys

Cleveland Park has been the victim of some high-pitched - visibility eating place closings over the retiring few years ( Palena , Dino ) , provide some middling option in their wake . Still , the mostly residential neighborhood has also contend to keep on a few bright situation and add some new blood as well . Chef Marjorie Meek - Bradley has elaborate to other parts of the city ( Smoked & Stacked , Roofers Union ) but still turns out toothsome seasonal fare at the intimateRipple , her first project in DC . Newly openedBindaas , from the mental capacity behindRasika , showcases tasty Amerind street food and creative cocktails in a brisk scene . Duke ’s Counter , a spinoff of Duke ’s Grocery in Dupont Circle , set up shop this summertime across from the National Zoo with an English - tilting menu of burger , sandwich , and plentifulness of beer and cocktails . And anyone who makes the curt manner of walking north to Wisconsin Ave will be honor with a misstep to2 Amys , a sterling deterrent example of Neapolitan pizza pie in DC .

9. Columbia Heights

all-important restaurants : Bad Saint , Thip Khao , Meridian Pint

If you ’re looking for good eats in Columbia Heights , make a beeline for 11th St. That ’s where you ’ll find the white-hot - hotBad Saint , recognized nationally and within DC for its outstanding ( and sometimes " out there " ) Filipino food . The conjuration is getting in – there are only 24 seats , which along with its report , creates mountain of foresighted melodic line . NearbyMeridian Pinthelped nourish the craft beer revolution in DC , and serves up classical pub intellectual nourishment and bar snacks , although with many vegan , vegetarian , and gluten - free alternatives . The fiery Lao food and sticky rice atThip Khaois a finish as well – adventuresome eaters will revalue the snakehead fish accession when available .

8. H Street NE

Essential restaurants : Toki Underground , Maketto , Sally ’s Middle Name

The H St corridor is an interesting case . It ’s off the outwit path , not as crowd as the busiest parts of DC , and has been developing in fits and get down over the past few years . The latterly opened trolley may be a joke among locals , but the neighborhood ’s small eatery have plenty to be proud of . Toki Underground ’s ramen often draws hr - long lines , and chef Erik Bruner - Yang’sMakettois the place to be for Chinese cookery like fried chicken & loot and dumplings . The share plate and cocktail menu atSally ’s Middle Namechange frequently and with the time of year , which makes every sojourn a raw experience .

7. Georgetown

Essential restaurant : Fiola Mare , Chez Billy Sud , Chaia

DC ’s oldest neighborhood is full of cobblestone streets and historical construction that transude charm . More importantly , it ’s also seen an uptick in timber restaurants recently , restore much - ask balance to the crop of second-rate venues cater to tourist and college crowds around M St and Wisconsin Ave NW . The approachable , relaxed Gallic menu at the quaintChez Billy Sudis a quintessential Georgetown experience , andChaia ’s flavorful farm - to - table vegetable greaser are fuel for a day of shopping or an inexpensive collation before a night out . For a top - notch experience , it ’s voiceless to beat the seafood - inspired Italian cooking at the elegantFiola Mare , where plates of lobster ravioli and grill Pisces cut no corners .

6. Dupont Circle

indispensable restaurants : Iron Gate , Hank ’s Oyster Bar , Komi , Restaurant Nora

Dupont Circle is n’t the hip to , flashiest new neighbourhood , but that ’s part of what makes it so attractive . Not every meal experience should involve sail three - hour wait times and crammed table . It can get a bad whack for being a little drawn around the edges , but depend past the bevy of fast - casual restaurants and college bars , and you ’ll receive plenty to get excited about . Restaurant Nora , open since 1979 , holds the claim as America ’s first certified constitutional restaurant . The secluded garden atIron Gateand its small plate and wine-coloured list offers a calm retirement from the confidence game of nearby Connecticut Ave , andHank ’s Oyster Barevokes trip to New England with its lobster peal and seafood dishes . Travel a little further , and you ’ll find the Greek - inspiredKomi , which serve a extended and costly savouring menu that systematically wins over critic and dining compartment .

5. Barracks Row

Essential restaurants : Rose ’s Luxury , Pineapple & Pearls , Ambar

In the phantasma of Capitol Hill , Barracks Row manages to mix a Washington political feel with a more laid - back community atmosphere . The stretch of eighth St NE in the south of Pennsylvania Ave is constellate with some of DC ’s best eatery , including the popularno - reservationsRose ’s Luxury , easterly European small plateful and beverage ( rakia , anyone ? ) atAmbar , and the $ 250 - a - person decadence ofPineapple & Pearls . So far , the price seems to be deserving it , if you’re able to snag a table . The rustic American fare atThe Garrisonmakes for a come through celebration dinner , too . Bayou Bakeryis also a pop hangout , thanks to its pleasant-tasting New Orleans fare .

4. Adams Morgan

Essential restaurants : Mintwood Place , Tail Up Goat , The Diner , Smoke & Barrel

The colourful row house and neck of the woods restaurants of Adams Morgan feelso DCin the skilful way conceivable . saunter down vivacious 18th St afford a variety of options far beyond jumbo - slice pizza ( although hey , there ’s certainly a meter and place for it ) and dive bars . The Dineror nearbyTrystcoffee shop class are pure for elevated chintzy chuck and people watching , and beer lovers will love the selections at vegan - friendly barbecue jointSmoke & Barrel . Adams Morgan can also obtain its own with the city ’s top - rated dining destinations thanks to the French - influenced meal atMintwood Placeand across the country tell apart Mediterranean preparation ofTail Up Goat .

3. Logan Circle/14th Street

Essential restaurants : Estadio , Le Diplomate , Compass Rose

Before there was Shaw , there was Logan Circle , and the boom of the 14th St corridor eating place scene . It ’s impossible to take the air the stretch from Rhode Island Ave to U St NW and not falter upon great restaurants , many with international flair , and in this grammatical case , there is both quantity and quality . Start withEstadio , where Spanish drink and tapa bark evoke Madrid ’s undecomposed watering holes , then amble up the street and settle intoCompass Rose , a highlight of international eats inside a quintessential DC row house . remainder with Stephen Starr’sLe Diplomateis a slice of Parisian charm in a remodeled laundromat , serve classic plates like steak tartare and bare-assed seafood towers .

2. Penn Quarter/Chinatown

Essential restaurants : Daikaya , Rasika , Red Apron Butcher , anything by José Andrés

Just a short walk from the National Mall , the Penn Quarter and Chinatown neighbourhood have a wealthiness of restaurants of all sorting … just do n’t expect nifty Taiwanese nutrient . There are quick , cheap options like ramen atDaikaya(or choose the upstairs izakaya for fantastic Japanese pocket-size plate and cocktails ) and nearbyBantam King , or sandwiches atRed Apron Butcher . The fine - dining Amerindic food atRasikais not to be missed . Penn Quarter is also the hub of chef José Andrés ’ eating place imperium , and the innovative small photographic plate atZaytinya , Oyamel , Jaleo , andChina Chilcanoare the spitting image of quality and consistency . High crimper can try out the lavishminibar(plan way , way ahead ! ) , one of the country ’s premier and most revolutionary try menus .

1. Shaw

all important eating house : The Dabney , Convivial , Espita Mezcaleria

Shaw has been the city ’s white - hot dining region for a few years now , thanks to all of the development that ’s helped gnaw its previous report as a rundown part of town . Dining options skew voguish and compass from mezcal flight and Mexican fare atEspita Mezcaleriato shareable modern Gallic dishes at Cedric Maupillier’sConvivial . There ’s also the forest hearth mid - Atlantic cooking atTheDabney , perfect for a cosy evening . The pizzas at newcomerAll Purposehave also make rave review . One downside : Shaw ’s most buzzy restaurants are also have it away as much for their foresighted postponement times and intemperately - to - nab qualification as the solid food . Not to worry though , as there are plenty of legal profession to linger at while croak the time if you forgot to project onwards .

Maketto