Washington DC Restaurants

Restaurants in Washington DC reflect the international explosion of culture the city is known for and built to preserve. Food plays an important role in meetings and negotiations, so restaurants in DC have therefore played an important role in the politics of the nation over the years. DC dining options are plentiful, from the richly traditional to the most cutting-edge or casual. Every year in January, Restaurant Week DC features simultaneous tasting specials in 140 local eateries, an event so successful organizers are potentially adding a Summer Restaurant Week DC, too. Let your DC dining experiences be just as much a cultural exploration as Washington DC life itself is!

For starters, dining in a traditional Capitol Hill location would help you get a feel for the city pulse, as well as its palate. Try upscale 2 Quail, where you can recline in a semi-private nook amidst eclectic yet grand furnishings, while eating heavenly quail stuffed with pumpkin and apple, stuffed trout with artichokes and spinach, or Filet Mignon with blue cheese and applewood bacon. Steak lovers can"t miss Charlie Palmer, where you can eat world-class meat cuts in eyeshot of the dome of the US Capitol building. More diners that are casual will appreciate the Dubliner Irish Pub for its jovial atmosphere, fun crowd and pub food at reasonable prices. And of course, when considering dining options on Capitol Hill, don"t forget the 45 eateries in Union Station, where you can dine in a circular court amidst the glamour and bustle of international travelers.

Georgetown also has some fabulous venues for traditional Washingtonian dining. A favorite for its view, as well as its food, is Sequoia"s on the Georgetown waterfront. Romantically lit with sparkling city views, the menu is also adventurous, featuring regional favorites like duck and pine nut dumplings, crab cakes and pan-seared sea bass. Wine lovers and gourmet lovers won"t want to miss Michel Richard Citronelle, in the Latham hotel, where you can dine luxuriously and enjoy the wine cellar"s 8000 offerings.

Downtown DC restaurants are plentiful, but some tried and true favorites include Vidalia, with its Southern hospitality, soft décor and the favorite Vidalia Onion Tarts. Galileo provides the most sought-after seating in town for those who love Italian cuisine. The Taberna del Alabardero provides four-star Mediterranean cuisine that keeps diners returning. Café Atlantico is always favored, but has a Latino Dim Sum on weekend mornings that is very popular.

International culture is wildly available at restaurants in DC, so don"t forget to explore Adams Morgan, Chinatown and the Fourteenth Street Districts, all known for their vibrant colorful nightlife and artistic style. There are more successful Ethiopian restaurants in Washington DC than any other American city, but the best hands-down is Meskerem in the heart of Adams Morgan, where you can dine on vegetarian cuisine with rose-watered hands, while seated on pillows in comfort. Another fun Adams Morgan experience is the rooftop sushi dining at Perry"s. Further down the way at 12th and U, don"t miss the casual and funky Ben"s Chili Bowl, serving chilidogs to the late night crowd since the days Duke Ellington lived in the neighborhood. Another late-night spot is Chinatown"s Full Kee, with Hong Kong cuisine like shrimp dumpling soup available until the wee hours. Wherever your taste buds may lead you, DC restaurants are sure to offer you a diverse palate and endless satisfaction!