Best Authentic Restaurants in Washington

Price

€€
€€€
€€€€

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Areas

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBaileys CrossroadsBethesdaCapitol Hill

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

206 restaurants available nearby

1. Olio e Più - DC

4.3

Awesome(284)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Italian • Washington

Booked 66 times today

Located at 699 14th Street on the coveted corner of 14th and G Street NW, OLIO E PIÙ, is situated on the most high-profile street in Washington D.C., just one block away from the White House, bringing Italian tradition and a true sense of Mediterranean liveliness to the Penn Quarter. As an authentic trattoria, its cuisine is based on classic Italian dishes. As you dine at OLIO E PIÙ, you’ll be transported not just by the flavors of Italy but also by the authentic atmosphere that surrounds you. Here, the spirit of 1970s Italian elegance lives on, and every meal is a celebration of life, love, and the joy of shared moments. OLIO E PIÙ is more than just a restaurant; it’s a portal to a different time and place, where the essence of Italy’s rich culinary and cultural heritage is captured in every detail.

2. Modena

4.5

Awesome(1216)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 21 times today

Modena presents Italian-inspired cuisine that takes heavy cues from seasonal and regionally sourced ingredients. Modena balances classic cuisine with a modern approach, all enhanced by Chef Joshua Hunt's passionate and creative touch.

3. Cafe Du Parc

4.3

Awesome(2597)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French • Downtown

Booked 37 times today

Located in the heart of Washington, D.C. within the iconic Willard InterContinental, steps from the National Mall, and across from Pershing Park, a national park home to the new World War I Memorial, Café du Parc is reminiscent of a Parisian-inspired sidewalk café. Nestled between The White House and the U.S. Capitol, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the nation’s capital, Café du Parc’s seasonal outside terrace remains a trendy locale for al fresco dining by both visitors and Washington, D.C. locals alike.Paying homage to traditional French cooking, the restaurant offers diners various culinary creations from coffee and pastries at its coffee shop, Le Café, to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch on Sunday on its outside terrace or inside the main dining room. We are pleased to offer parking validation for Valet or Garage parking at Willard InterContinenatal when you join us for dinner.

4. Tosca

4.9

Exceptional(4551)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 37 times today

Currently open for lunch and dinner. Ristorante Tosca offers the finest in contemporary northern Italian cuisine. Tosca serves Italian cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients, using a creative approach that respects the great traditions of Tuscan gastronomy. Tosca combines modern style and elegance to create an intimate and comfortable setting. Tosca implements a dress code and proper attire is required. We do not allow athletic wear, shorts, beach attire, tank tops, flip flops, or torn or excessively revealing clothing. We reserve the right to determine if a guest needs to adjust their attire before being seated.

5. Zaytinya - DC

4.7

Exceptional(19619)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter

Booked 335 times today

Under the direction of celebrated chef José Andrés and concept chef Michael Costa, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on Jose’s deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington, DC.

A photo of Filomena Ristorante restaurant

6. Filomena Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(17394)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Italian • Georgetown

Booked 259 times today

Filomena Now over 40 Years and counting!Filomena is a Washington DC landmark restaurant now with over 40 years of serving some of the finest Italian food you can enjoy. Our Pasta is fresh made by hand just like it was done for centuries in Italy. Our bakery is in-house, and we make over 20 different desserts to choose from. During Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas you can experience some of the most incredible decorations you can find! Four decades of making not just a great dining experience but a memorable one. Filomena has recently introduced a full line of homemade pasta, sauces, desserts that can be shipped nationwide too!

7. Jaleo - DC

4.7

Exceptional(11083)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Spanish • Penn Quarter

Booked 142 times today

Jaleo brings alive the spirit and flavors of Spain with a menu reflecting the rich regional diversity of classical and contemporary Spanish cuisine, under the direction of renowned chef José Andrés. Jaleo offers an impressive assortment of tapas, the traditional small dishes of Spain, as well as savory paellas, superb sangrias and a fine selection of Spanish wines and Sherries in a festive, casual atmosphere.

A photo of Rumi's Kitchen - DC restaurant

8. Rumi's Kitchen - DC

4.8

Exceptional(2520)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Persian • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 105 times today

Rumi's Kitchen is a beloved Persian restaurant in Washington DC. Its authenticity is confirmed by reviews like 'Great authentic Persian food with excellent customer service' and 'Absolutely delicious authentic Persian food'. The restaurant's dedication to traditional Persian dishes is noted in reviews like 'The menu, a symphony of flavors, offered a tantalizing selection of traditional Persian dishes'. It's not just about the food though, the overall dining experience is praised with comments like 'Rumi Kitchen proved to be more than a restaurant; it was a journey through Persian culture and gastronomy'.

9. Oyamel

4.6

Exceptional(9657)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Penn Quarter

Booked 134 times today

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana combines Mexico’s rich regional culinary traditions with modern urban fare. Guests experience an array of antijitos—traditional Mexican snack or small plates—along with authentic tacos, ceviches and an impressive selection of cocktails and tequilas. Under the direction of renowned chef José Andrés, Head Chef Omar Rodriguez takes traditional ingredients and techniques and elevates them to deliver dishes and drinks with exceptional creativity and refinement.

A photo of Taberna del Alabardero restaurant

10. Taberna del Alabardero

4.7

Exceptional(3930)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Traditional Spanish • Downtown

Booked 38 times today

Taberna del Alabardero is authentic in its Spanish cuisine and atmosphere. Customers rave about the 'authentic quality Spanish food' and 'outstanding, authentic cuisine'. The Spanish Chef, Oscar Ordonez, brings back the authentic Spanish Cuisine. The restaurant also offers a 'vintage' and 'royal' ambiance, as mentioned in the reviews. It's 'a piece of Spain' in the heart of Washington DC.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia County •1 review
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
Enjoyed our dinner, good food with a great ambiance and service for a reasonable price
More info
Zaytinya - DCPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Penn Quarter
•
4.7
P
Peter
Greater Boston •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great experience for our party. Food and service were excellent. Thank you.
More info
ModenaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.5
I
Iryna
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
Overall, it is a nice place with good food and a great location, perfect for business meetings. However, I had to take off points due to the noise issue. We were the only group on the second floor and came for a business lunch, intending to discuss important matters. Unfortunately, in the middle of our lunch, the waitstaff started sorting utensils loudly right next to our table. It became so noisy that we could hardly hear each other, making it difficult to hold a conversation. What made it more frustrating was that the staff did not even try to be quieter, despite clearly seeing that we were having a discussion. I hope they will be more attentive to their customers in the future after reading this review.
More info
Cafe Du ParcPrice: Expensive• Contemporary French• Downtown
•
4.3
S
sherryVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •134 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The fixed price lunch was a great value for the money and a great value for the tastebuds. The Bruschetta was amazing. I'd like a bottle of the balsamic dressing.
More info
Olio e Più - DCPrice: Expensive• Italian• Washington
•
4.3
J
JackieVIP
Greater Boston •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Just wonderful. Reservation was perfect. Staff amazing and the food was delicious
More info
ToscaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.9

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