Washington DC's Most Iconic Restaurants

by The OpenTable team

Updated 26 February 2020

Seasons change, trends come and go, but these restaurants have withstood the test of time—and have become integral parts of the Washington, D.C. dining scene. Here are Washington, DC’s OpenTable Classics: the places that continue to excel after 10+ years. There’s a reason they’re still around: they keep giving us a reason to come back.

Zaytinya - DC

4.7

4.7 (19369)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

Chef Jose Andres is a DC legend, with restaurants of all types delighting diners around the city. Zaytinya is his Middle Eastern spot, with a myriad of dips and salads and meats and vegetables served family-style in a bright, clean, airy space. We love it as much for brunch as we do for dinner.

Top review

RuthVIP

Dined 5 days ago

First time at Zaytinya and it exceeded my expectations. There was a wide variety of tastings, each one delectable. The white wine I ordered was delicious. Our waiter was very responsive, attentive and helpful with suggestions. We had a quiet table in the lower area - which allowed for conversation. I will be back!

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Experience

New Year's Eve Celebration

Oyamel

4.7

4.7 (9584)

$30 and under

Mexican

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

Oyamel is one of those restaurants that manages to be elegant, refined, and a whole lot of fun. You’re here for upscale versions of Mexican street food—think tacos, ceviches, and tons of vegetable dishes—all served in a laid-back atmosphere, with plenty of margaritas to go around.

Top review

Dined 1 day ago

This place holds up! We have been coming for years and still just such high quality delicious food. We also love supporting the restaurants of Jose Andres for his global and domestic humanitarian work.

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Experience

Oyamel New Year's Eve: Greatest Hits of '24

Central Michel Richard

4.7

4.7 (7630)

$31 to $50

American

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

Since it opened 10 years ago, Central Michel Richard has been serving French-American food that is both elegant and low-key, winning accolades from all over the country. We particularly love the steak au poivre, rotisserie chicken, and French onion soup.

Top review

KimVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing service, good top notch and always save room for dessert

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4.7

4.7 (10954)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

Chef Jose Andres is an integral part of the Washington, DC food scene, and with Jaleo—a modern tapas bar in the Penn Quarter—it’s easy to see why. Couple the top-notch food with impeccable (and unpretentious) service and you’ve got one of the most fun spots to dine in the city. Chef Jose Andres is an integral part of the Washington, DC food scene, and with Jaleo—a modern tapas bar in the Penn Quarter—it’s easy to see why. Couple the top-notch food with impeccable (and unpretentious) service and you’ve got one of the most fun spots to dine in the city.

Top review

clydeVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Food excellent! Seating shoulder to shoulder with strangers in a loud setting remains the weak link.

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Experience

Endless Tapas Experience

Experience

Gala Menu Experience

Bombay Club

4.8

4.8 (5312)

$31 to $50

Indian

Downtown

About the restaurant

It’s hard to believe that Bombay Club has been around for thirty years; the food at this posh Indian restaurant still feels exciting and new. Don’t miss dishes like the green-chili chicken, Goan crab masala, and duck kebabs—and even meat-eaters should check out the vegetarian section, with exemplary versions of paneer makhni, gobi matar, and kale-spinach kofta.

Top review

Eleanor

Dined 6 days ago

Good food, wonderful ambiance! Good for lunch or dinner

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4.8

4.8 (4516)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Tosca Ristorante is where the power-lunch-and-dinner types come for delicious Italian food, served in a handsome, stately room. The pastas, in particular, are excellent, as well as the appetizers; don’t miss the spaghetti with clams, pappardelle with wild boar ragu, and the crisp-fried squash blossoms.

Top review

Josefina

Dined 4 days ago

Food and service was excellent! Our server was very knowledgeable.

Old Ebbitt Grill

4.8

4.8 (29678)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

There are few restaurants in DC as entrenched in the political scene as Old Ebbitt Grill, where politicos of all stripes come to hang out and unwind. You’ll find a menu of American classics such as oysters Rockefeller, New England clam chowder, and bacon-horseradish-glazed meatloaf, and if you’re caught at the office, not to worry—much of the menu is available late into the night.

Top review

CraigVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Fabian deserves a raise! He’s the absolute best!

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4.8

4.8 (6717)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Palisades Northwest

About the restaurant

For a night of gorging on some of the freshest seafood in the city, head to BlackSalt, a DC institution in the Palisades neighborhood. We particularly love the clam chowder, crab cakes, and low country seafood stew—and if you’re feeling fancy, go for the caviar service.

Top review

NancyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We spent almost $100 for lunch. We had a crab sandwich and a glass of wine each. The food was very good but it seemed pricey.