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Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in District of Columbia

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best value restaurants in District of Columbia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Afghania restaurant

4.9

4.9 (93)

$31 to $50

Afghan

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Our newest restaurant, Afghania is the sister restaurant to Bistro Aracosia in the Palisades neighborhood of DC, Aracosia in McLean Va and Afghan Bistro in Springfield VA. Afghania accommodates any diet and is proud of taking cooking back to its origins.

Welcome to Afghania, where the Steppe of Central Asia meets the Hindu Kush and Suleiman Mountain Range, bordering South Asia. Come and enjoy the warm hospitality, exquisite flavors, and the mystery of the Afghan frontier that so many have been intrigued by.
At Afghania you will enjoy some classical dishes of the warriors from the frontier. Smoked meats, vegetables full of flavor, exotic spices, exquisite flavors and aromas and unmatched hospitality are promised at Afghania.
Come and enjoy dishes that date back to the early 1800’s from the Afghan Empire - Afghania.

Top review

R

RichardVIP

Dined 5 days ago

A nice wide variety of dishes, especially a good number vegetarian options. The dishes we had were flavorful and zesty. Similar in many ways to Indian food, but spicing is different. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the dishes and was able to describe differences between dishes that looked similar on the menu. Then she graciously comped us a dessert when we said we were full. 😊

A photo of Caruso's Grocery - DC restaurant

Caruso's Grocery - DC

4.8

4.8 (1181)

$31 to $50

Italian

Capitol Hill

About the restaurant

Please note that we are not offering Restaurant Week at our DC location.

Located at 914 14th Street SE in Washington, DC.

Caruso’s Grocery is modeled after the classic, Italian-American "red sauce" joint. You know the one: red banquettes, a killer chicken parmesan, Sinatra pouring through the speakers. If you’re looking for modern interpretations of a chef's take on the classics, you won’t find them here.

A joint venture from Neighborhood Restaurant Group and Partner Matthew Adler.

Top review

N

Nicole

Dined 4 days ago

Caruso’s never disappoints. The shrimp scampi was out of this world, and the Oreo cheesecake is to die for!

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A photo of Shrimp Scampi of a restaurant

A photo of Spicy Neapolitan Ragu of a restaurant

Spicy Neapolitan Ragu

A photo of Carusos Alfredo of a restaurant

Carusos Alfredo

A photo of Bistro Aracosia restaurant

Bistro Aracosia

4.8

4.8 (2699)

$30 and under

Afghan

Palisades Northwest

About the restaurant

Bistro Aracosia is a critically acclaimed authentic Afghan gourmet and Chop House located in the Palisades neighborhood of Washington, DC. Aracosia has been acknowledged as 1 of 50 best restaurants in the nation for Vegetarians on Forbes Magazine, written up and reviewed by top food critics from the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine and numerous other publications. Bistro Aracosia has been awarded 100 Best restaurants for 2 years in a row in the Washingtonian.
Aracosia accommodates any diet and is proud of taking cooking back to its origins. Chef Sofia Masroor diligently ensures top grade quality cuts of meat and the freshest produce in the market. All foods prepared at Aracosia are prepared with love. No artificial ingredients MSG& or preservatives are used, nor do we cook anything with nuclear such as microwaves and pre-made stations. Full Bar , extensive Wine and Beer menu Come and experience authentic and classical Afghan Gourmet and hospitality at its finest.

Top review

I

Iris

Dined 3 days ago

Lamb was bland and tasted that it was dunked in a pit of boiling wate. Eggplant side was good.

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A photo of Saffron Chicken of a restaurant

Saffron Chicken

A photo of Lamb Shank Sabzi Moghuli of a restaurant

Lamb Shank Sabzi Moghuli

A photo of Peacock Café restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1979)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Maziar Farivar, Chef/Proprietor serves contemporary American cuisine with flavors of around the world in an elegant, comfortable & cosmopolitan setting. Celebrating over 28 year Anniversary in Georgetown, Peacock Cafe is a dining experience not to be missed when in Georgetown. In addition to our wonderful lunch menu, we do offer a selection of our popular breakfast items as well on weekdays (11am-4pm). Chef Maziar, on dinner menu offers a greater variety of small plates and entrees from contemporary American to small selection of Contemporary Iranian (Persian) dishes.
Enjoy a comprehensive wine list from boutique wineries to large labels and fabulous signature cocktails from the bar to compliment your dining experience.

Top review

J

JanetVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We ordered the Prix Fixe menu. All of our selections were delicious! Our service was superb. We sat in a quieter area and it was very nice to be able to hear each other and not have to talk over noise or loud music. Overall we were very impressed and will definitely be back!

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A photo of Tomato Bisque of a restaurant

A photo of Peacock Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Ambar Capitol Hill restaurant

Ambar Capitol Hill

4.7

4.7 (4999)

$30 and under

Balkan style

Capitol Hill

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ambar, the gem of Capitol Hill, where you are invited to explore the dynamic flavors of Balkan cuisine. What distinguishes us, is our well-curated, exclusive 'Dining Without Limits' experience, which brings you the soul of Balkan dining traditions. Our extensive menu boasts a variety of shareable small plates, perfectly paired with a vast selection of premium Balkan wines.

Whether joining us for a leisurely lunch, celebratory weekend brunch, or an evening of indulgence, our unlimited dining menu promises to deliver an unparalleled culinary journey. We excel in serving individual guests, as well as larger groups, and private events.

Top review

J

Judith

Dined 5 days ago

Large range of truly delicious offerings. Plus open on December 25, when very few restaurants are. The mushroom flatbread and the salmon Benedict were real standouts.

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A photo of Lamb Lasagna of a restaurant

A photo of Steak Tartar of a restaurant

A photo of Ottoman Taverna restaurant

Ottoman Taverna

4.7

4.7 (1705)

$30 and under

Turkish

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Ottoman Taverna provides flavors and dishes from the Turkish cuisine. Enjoy house made kebaps, dips, hot mezes, desserts and more at our Turkish restaurant. Ottoman Taverna has been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand status since opening in 2017.

Top review

J

Joseph

Dined 5 days ago

Ottoman Taverna in Washington, D.C., provided a memorable experience for my mom and me on Christmas Eve. We were treated to a wonderful prix fixe menu that perfectly captured the flavors and richness of Turkish cuisine. As someone who had never tried Turkish food before, my mom was pleasantly surprised by the variety and authenticity of the dishes. From savory appetizers to tender kebabs, each course was a delight. The ambiance was warm and inviting, making it the perfect setting for a special holiday meal. The service was attentive, and overall, it was a fantastic introduction to Turkish cuisine. Highly recommended!

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A photo of Grilled Lamb Chops of a restaurant

Grilled Lamb Chops

A photo of Red Lentil Soup of a restaurant

Red Lentil Soup

A photo of Tavuk Adana Kebap of a restaurant

Tavuk Adana Kebap

A photo of Eatopia Eatery restaurant

4.7

4.7 (16)

$31 to $50

Ethiopian

U Street Corridor

About the restaurant

Welcome to Eatopia Eatery, an Ethiopian fine dining experience located in the heart of the historic U Street Corridor. We offers a luxurious dining experience with a communal touch. Indulge in the vibrant atmosphere from our wide window seats while our excellent service ensures that every moment is memorable.

At Eatopia, our culinary artisans craft each dish with love, using authentic ingredients and traditional techniques to bring the flavors to life. Signature dishes include our tantalizing Doro Wot & our savory Shiro (Chickpeas ) to our wide plant based selections, sea food entrees. You got to try the Eatopia Beef Tibs and Lega Tibs (Lamb)

Join us for a dining experience where the present meets the future, and every bite is a celebration of hope, heritage, and tradition.”

Eatopia is just steps away from iconic landmarks such as the Lincoln Theatre and the African American Civil War Memorial and close to DC's main attractions, including the White House and the National Mall.

Top review

E

EricVIP

Dined on 30 Nov 2024

Restaurant was lovely. We had live music, which was quite enjoyable. Food was terrific-we got the largest combo platter, which had many vegetarian and several meat entrees. There was a good level of heat. Would definitely recommend/return.

A photo of Baan Mae restaurant

4.8

4.8 (60)

$31 to $50

Asian

Shaw

About the restaurant

We are a Laotian restaurant in the heart of the neighborhood of Shaw. Baan Mae means Mom's house in Laotian. Chef Seng of Thip Khao and Padaek is serving up dishes reminiscent of her home kitchen and her mother's kitchen.

Mom's House Reservation Policy:

All reservations are allowed a 15-minute grace period.

All parties must be present at the restaurant to be seated. If parties are incomplete by the end of the 15-minute grace period, the reservation may be moved to the waitlist upon the completion of the party.

Reservation wait times may be impacted in the case of rain or heat advisory as we will do our best to accommodate patio reservations indoors.

Due to our limited seating capacity, all reservations are limited to a maximum of 90-minute seating time and 2 hours for large parties of 5+.

Please contact us for for reservations for parties of 5+.

Top review

S

Sebastien

Dined on 21 Nov 2024

The food was delicious, plenty of perfumes, great flavor. My favorite was the crab dish with vermicili and the prawns with glass noodles. It is a must try!

A photo of Le DeSales restaurant

4.7

4.7 (848)

$31 to $50

French / Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Le DeSales, a restaurant located in South Dupont, across the street from the historic Mayflower Hotel. Upon reopening in December, Michelin-starred Chef Raphael François has brought back his most popular dishes while teaming with award winning Sushi Master Noriaki Yasutake (formally SEI Restaurant) presenting French/Asian cuisine, including a full sushi menu (signature Fish and Chips Roll) in an informal, cozy, and romantic setting. The specialized wine list includes diversified appellations encompassing regions as unexpected as Macedonia and Portugal, with a concise focus on France, Italy, and California. Also offering a sake menu and selections of Japanese Whiskeys. Le DeSales is available for large parties, semi-private events, and buyouts. Outdoor seating is available, weather permitting.
No reservation is needed for Happy Hour. Please walk in and one of our friendly staff will find you a spot.

Top review

A

Anne

Dined on 17 Dec 2024

Great service at the bar. We ordered mostly from daily specials… ingredients were high quality and preparations were excellent. Appreciated unusual combinations.

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A photo of New York Strip 14oz Dry Aged of a restaurant

New York Strip 14oz Dry Aged

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