8 Best Local Restaurants in Washington DC
Where to Find Washington DC’s Best Local Food?
The best local restaurants in Washington DC introduce you to among the most exciting food scenes of any city in the United States. There’s an international buzz in the nation’s capital, and world cuisines aren’t hard to find. Hopping around different restaurants will take your taste buds on a trip to exotic countries. But if you’re looking for the best restaurants, you should definitely eat with the locals.
Read on to find our favorite local eateries for a fabulous DC food tour. From Mediterranean-inspired dishes to Southern comfort food, you’ll taste dishes beloved by DC locals.
1. Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
The oldest open-air fish market in America
Good for: History, Food
The Municipal Fish Market at the Wharf is the premier seafood spot in DC, with a history dating back to 1805. It’s the oldest open-air fish market in America and entices foodies from every corner of the nation’s capital. Wander the waterfront near the Tidal Basin to search for fresh fish, steamed lobsters, crabs, and other seafood bites.
The Fish Market hosts vibrant seafood vendors like Jessie Taylor Seafood. After grabbing your snacks, find a comfy picnic spot as you watch the boats docked in the marina. The Wharf features live entertainment venues, shops, and bars to boost your dining experience along the waterfront.
Location: 1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, Friday 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday–Sunday 8 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 202-688-3590
Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
2. Zaytinya
Mediterranean fare and specialty wines
Good for: Couples, Food
At Zaytinya in Washington DC, renowned Chef Jose Andres brings his knowledge of Mediterranean cuisine to craft innovative dishes. The restaurant has made appearances in notable guidebooks for its diverse mezze menu. Andres and his staff create Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese-inspired plates and pair them with refreshing wines. The kitchen utilizes authentic ingredients to give customers a unique eating experience.
Start your meal with delicious spreads like hummus, tzatziki, or labneh. Taste traditional cures and cheeses, flatbreads, soups, and salads before feasting on mezze. Whether your mezze preference is vegetable, seafood, or meat, each plate tempts your taste buds with Mediterranean flavors. Zaytinya also includes private party spaces for dinner parties of any size.
Location: 701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 11.30 am to 10 pm, Friday 11.30 am to 11 pm, Saturday 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 202-638-0800
Zaytinya
3. Oohh’s & Aahh’s
Savory soul food in DC
Good for: Families, Food
Oohh’s & Aahh’s is the DC hotspot where you can bring your family to enjoy hearty soul food. Founded in 2003, the establishment preserves black culture and treats customers to home-cooked recipes and warm hospitality. Ooh’s & Aahh’s has earned countless awards and gained extra stardom after their appearance on a popular cable channel show.
The local favorite offers lunch specials, family meals, and a late-night menu that leaves you super full. Their macaroni and cheese won local awards, and customers rave about the fried chicken. Other popular entrees on the menu include fried shrimp, catfish, whiting, and beef meatloaf. Don’t forget to add tasty sides like collard greens, potato salad, yams, and yellow rice with gravy.
Location: 1005 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 4 am
Phone: +1 202-882-2902
Oohh's & Aahh's
4. Thip Khao Restaurant
Classic Laotian cuisine
Good for: Families, Food, Unusual
Thip Khao Restaurant introduces your taste buds to Laotian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. Chef Seng Luangrath founded the Lao Food Movement and earned the nickname “godmother of Laotian cuisine in America”. The kitchen infuses plates with rich spices that each have a distinct taste. Thip Khao’s diverse menu includes curries, soups, salads, and meats from various regions of Laos.
Crispy Pig’s Ear and Slow-Cooked Pork Belly entice patrons with unique flavors. Banana-leaf wrapped catfish and salmon impress foodies with an interesting taste and texture. Handcrafted cocktails, draft beer, and imported wines give you a break from the spicy dishes. And for dessert, khao long includes kabocha pumpkin, salted coconut, and crispy mung beans.
Location: 3462 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA
Open: Wednesday–Monday from 5 pm to 10 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 202-387-5426
Thip Khao Restaurant
5. Mission – Navy Yard
A place to brunch before heading to a Nationals’ game
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Mission – Navy Yard, beside Nationals Park, is the go-to dining spot on baseball game days in DC. First opened in 2018, the spot serves Tex-Mex cuisine in a lively bar setting. With private event spaces and outdoor seating, the restaurant accommodates parties of any size. The staff caters to customers looking to enjoy brunch, dinner, or happy hour.
The 2-story venue has multiple bars, including the largest one you’ll find in DC. Margaritas are their specialty, with concoctions such as the pineapple jalapeno margarita, mission margarita, and blueberry crush margarita. Taco Tuesdays let you pair a mission margarita with your choice of tacos. On Friday and Saturday nights, energetic DJs create a party vibe after watching the Nationals play.
Location: 1221 Van St SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA
Open: Monday–Wednesday from 4 pm to midnight, Thursday 4 pm to 2 am, Friday 4 pm to 3 am, Saturday 11 am to 3 am, Sunday 11 am to midnight
Phone: +1 202-810-7010
Mission – Navy Yard
6. Timber Pizza Company
Wood-fired pizza from an iconic food truck
Good for: Budget, Families, Food
Timber Pizza Company in DC made its humble beginnings with a simple pizza oven and a pickup truck in 2014. Fast-forward a few years, and the pizzeria serves mouthwatering Neapolitan pies to hungry patrons. The Northwest Washington establishment gets creative with their woodfired pizzas by adding a wide variety of toppings. The list of add-ons includes green onions, Peruvian sweet peppers, vegan cheese, cilantro, and more.
In addition to delicious pizzas, Timber Pizza Company makes tasty Argentinean empanadas and seasonal ice creams for dessert. Pair your savory dinner choice with a full selection of draft beer, wine on tap, and innovative mixed beverages. Timber often takes their pizzas on the road and serves customers from mobile pizza trucks around DC.
Location: 809 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
Open: Monday–Tuesday from 5 pm to 8.30 pm, Wednesday–Thursday 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday 11.30 am to 9.30 pm, Sunday 11.30 am to 8.30 pm
Phone: +1 202-853-9746
Timber Pizza Company
7. Elfegne
Ethiopian dishes at a family-owned business
Good for: Families, Food, Unusual
Elfegne is a family-owned establishment that provides the rare opportunity to try Ethiopian cuisine. First opened as a bakery in 1993, called Zenebech, Elfegne continues to add more authentic Ethiopian dishes. Using freshly baked injera and delectable spices, Elfegne engorges your taste buds with irresistible flavors.
Their menu features options suitable for both meat-lovers and vegetarians. Tibs plates combine cuts of beef, lamb, or chicken with fresh veggies and injera. Vegetarian dishes like Ful and Veggie Ferfer are even gluten-free. Elfegne also offers Ethiopian spiced tea, mango nectar, and Ethiopian beers to pair with your meal.
Location: 2420 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Sunday from noon to 10 pm
Phone: +1 202-667-4700
Elfegne
8. Sababa
An authentic Israeli eatery in Cleveland Park
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
Sababa celebrates its roots in Jewish and Arabic cuisine in Cleveland Park, Washington DC. The restaurant’s menu features a dynamic mixture of foods originating from over 100 cultures. Chef Ryan Moore crafts dishes using Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors from his travels. Sababa pairs their plates with imported wines from Mediterranean countries.
Small plates on the dinner menu include charred eggplant, roasted halloumi, and sweet corn falafel. The kitchen cooks kebabs from a wood broil, and large plates feature Mediterranean sea bass and half-roasted chicken. If you’re not feeling in the mood for wine, sample handmade sodas like pomegranate-rosehip and cucumber-mint. To enjoy a traditional setting, arrange for your group to sit beneath the Bedouin-style tent.
Location: 3311 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Open: Monday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Tuesday–Thursday 5 pm to 9.30 pm, Friday–Saturday 5 pm to 10 pm, Sunday 11 am to 3 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +1 202-244-6750
Sababa
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