Washington DC's Most Iconic Restaurants

by The OpenTable team

Updated February 26, 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 (19413)

$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

ApurvaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

I love it at Zaytinya. It never fails with food and pleasant service. Two thumbs up!

Oyamel

4.7

4.7 (9605)

$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

ChristineVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Love it! always a joy to go to Jose’s restaurants!

Central Michel Richard

4.7

4.7 (7634)

$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

Randy

Dined 1 day ago

Nice variety of salads and entrees witha good wine and beer selection. Good place for business lunch or dinner before a show.

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4.7

4.7 (10989)

$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

stan

Dined 2 days ago

Another home run in all areas. As usual. The consistency of this place is stunning.

Bombay Club

4.8

4.8 (5323)

$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

Vinay

Dined 6 days ago

Loved our dinner at Bombay Club. We ordered the fish in naan leaf and scallop chettinad for appetizer. Both were delicious. For main course, we ordered railway lamb curry, halibut mapas, chicken tikka, daal makhani with naan, rotis. all dishes tasted awesome - freshly made and very authentic. The ambience is also very good. A very good Indian restaurant! Highly recommend it.

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4.8

4.8 (4521)

$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

MariaVIP

Dined today

Authentic Italian food in a comfortable and elegant atmosphere with a great vibe for business, couples or family. Exceptional service.

Old Ebbitt Grill

4.8

4.8 (29733)

$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

stacy

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful service, food and atmosphere from check in to exit

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4.7

4.7 (6724)

$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

Joe

Dined 5 days ago

Celebrating 2 Wedding Anniversaries with long-time friends. Black Salt printed special menus recognizing our celebrations. Black Salt has a varied menu and is always our first choice for lunch or dinner. We enjoyed the Branzino, Crab Cakes, Hummus, Bruschetta and dessert. Rave reviews and highly recommend!

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