Restaurant Information

PRICE GUIDE

Symbol:    The average entrée is:
$ under $10
$$ $10–20
$$$ $21 and up

Walking Distance

Union Station
Union Station offers a wide variety of dining options, from the Food Court on the lower level, to small cafes, to sit-down restaurants.
  • America—broad sampling of American cuisine. Price: $$–$$$. 202-682-9555
  • B. Smith's—Cajun, Creole, and Southern cuisine. Price: $$$. 202-289-6188
  • Center Café—American; in historic Great Hall. Price: $$–$$$. 202-682-0143
  • East Street Café—East Asian cuisine. Price: $$. 202-371-6787
  • Pizzeria Uno—pizzeria that also offers full menu. Price: $$. 202-842-0438
  • The Station Grill—American cuisine. Price: $$–$$$. 202-898-4745
  • Thunder Grill—American Southwestern fare. Price: $$–$$$. 202-898-0051
Billy Goat Tavern
A venerable Chicago institution, this is the first Billy Goat Tavern outside of the Chicago area. Made famous by the Saturday Night Live sketch “Cheezeborger, Cheezeborger,” this casual eatery offers hamburgers, Italian beef, and other sandwiches.
500 New Jersey Ave. NW; 202-783-2123
Bistro Bis
Modern French bistro is a popular “power lunch” spot for Capitol Hill. Be sure to order pommes frites for the table (served in an attractive cone) while people-watching. Reservations are suggested. Price: $$$
15 E St. NW (at the Hotel George); 202-661-2700
Bistro 525 and Federal City Bar
Dinner menu includes steaks and seafood as well as lighter fare. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. All items from the Bistro 525 menu are available in the Federal City Bar after 5pm. Price: $$$
525 New Jersey Ave. NW (at the Washington Court Hotel); 202-628-2100
Capitol City Brewing Company
Housed in the historic Postal Square building, Capitol City Brewing Company offers a variety of sandwiches and salads, as well as “small plates” and “big plates” to accompany the complimentary hot pretzels with mustard dipping sauce. Five signature beers, as well as seasonal beers, are on tap. Price: $–$$
2 Massachusetts Ave. NE; 202-842-BEER
Charlie Palmer Steak
Chef Charlie Palmer is known for his progressive American cuisine. The restaurant also features exclusively American wines from every U.S. state. A rooftop terrace is available with views of the Capitol. Open for lunch Mon–Fri and dinner Mon–Sat. Reservations recommended. Price: $$$
101 Constitution Ave. NW; 202-547-8100
The Dubliner
Traditional Irish pub serves Guinness burgers, shepherd's pie, and fish & chips, as well as lighter fare like salads and sandwiches. Outdoor seating is available on the adjacent patio. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as weekend brunch and late-night. Price: $$
4 F St. NW (ground floor of Phoenix Park Hotel); 202-737-3773
Johnny's Half Shell
The kitchen focuses on renditions of Chesapeake and Gulf Coast Seafood. Oysters and clams are available singly, by the half dozen, or dozen. Menu includes Maryland crab cakes, seafood gumbo, fritto misto, crab imperial, and more. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Happy hours are from 4:30–7:30pm Mon–Fri; live jazz on Saturday evenings. Also features an outdoor terrace. Price: $$$
400 North Capitol St. NW; 202-737-0400
The Monocle
A Capitol Hill institution, the Monocle is a favorite spot to look for Members of Congress and other Washington movers-and-shakers. The Monocle is divided into two areas: the restaurant and the pub. The restaurant's lunch and dinner menus feature various cuts of steak, seafood, soups, and salads. In the pub, choose from a variety of small plates. Open for lunch and dinner Mon–Fri; dinner only on Saturday. Price: $$–$$$
107 D St. NE; 202-546-4488
Taqueria Nacionale
Owner Ann Cashion says she modeled this popular take-out place after the best taco trucks Los Angeles has to offer. Taqueria Nacionale serves breakfast and lunch tacos from 7am to 3pm Mon–Fri. Be prepared for crowds as you place your to-go order. Price: $
400 North Capitol St. NW; 202-737-7070

LONGER WALK OR SHORT CAB

Massachusetts Avenue NE (near Union Station):
Armand's Pizza
Armand's offers a $7.99 lunch buffet with unlimited trips to the pizza and salad bars from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm daily (3pm on weekends). Outdoor dining is available on covered patio. Open until 9:30pm Sun–Thurs and 10pm on Fri–Sat. Price: $
226 Massachusetts Ave. NE; 202-547-6600
Café Berlin
Traditional German dining includes entrees such as wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, and goulash, and desserts such as apple strudel and black forest cake. Also offers a wide selection of German beers and wines. Outdoor seating is available on the front patio at tables with umbrellas. Price: $$
322 Massachusetts Ave. NE; 202-543-7656
Kyoto Sushi
In addition to a variety of sushi options, this restaurant offers a $7 “Maniac” special from the grill (entrée changes each day). Select sushi pieces are 99 cents each during sushi happy hour from 5–7 pm. Price: $–$$
201 Massachusetts Ave. NE; 202-546-2597
La Loma
La Loma serves classic Mexican fare: tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, and more. Outdoor patio seating is available at tables with umbrellas. On Saturdays and Sundays, only the dinner menu is served. Price: $–$$
316 Massachusetts Ave. NE; 202-548-2550
Union Pub
Neighborhood sports bar featuring burgers, salads, sandwiches and wraps. Equipped with a pool table and televisions inside, it also features an outdoor covered patio. Price: $
201 Massachusetts Ave. NE; 202-546-7200
White Tiger
Indian restaurant offers outdoor seating in its spacious courtyard. A weekday buffet is available for $9.95; Sunday brunch is $10.95. Open Sun–Fri for lunch and dinner; dinner only on Saturdays. Price: $–$$
301 Massachusetts Ave. NE; 202-546-5900
Pennsylvania Avenue SE (near Library of Congress):
La Lomita Dos
This hole-in-the-wall restaurant features Mexican cuisine served in a festive environment. Look for the green awning with “308” on the side. Price: $–$$
308 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-544-0616
Sonoma
Restaurant and wine bar offers meats, seafood, pizzas, small plates, and artisanal cheeses as well as 40+ wines by the glass. Open for lunch Mon–Fri and dinner everyday. The lounge is open 5:30–close Mon–Sat. Price: $$–$$$
223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-544-8088
Taverna – The Greek Islands
Mediterranean restaurant features Greek cuisine including vegetarian, seafood, chicken, and lamb entrees and a variety of items from the grill. Outdoor dining is available on adjacent patio. Price: $$
305 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-547-8360

LONGER WALK, SHORT CAB, OR METRO RIDE

Gallery Place/Chinatown/Penn Quarter:
701
The menu at 701 reflects contemporary Continental cuisine offering a balance of vegetarian, meat and seafood options. Located between the White House and Capitol Hill, the restaurant features a couple of bars and a stylish dining room. Price: $$$
701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; 202-393-0701
District Chophouse
Although a national chain, the D.C. branch is located in a distinctive old bank building just south of the Verizon Center. The focus of the menu is obviously steak, but there are seafood options and a selection of “Brewery fare” items. Price: $$$
509 7th St. NW; 202-347-3434
Ella's Pizza
Traditional, Neapolitan-style, thin crust pizza baked in a blistering-hot, wood-fired pizza oven. Small plate menu is also available. Happy hour specials available at the bar from 4 to 7pm include 7” pizzas for $5. Price: $$
901 F St. NW (between F & G); 202-638-3434
Jaleo
Spanish tapas menu allows diners to share several small dishes. Choose from over 60 different hot and cold tapas items. Happy hour is from 5–7pm Mon–Fri and Pintxo Hour (small bite tapas of San Sebastian) every Wed from 5–7pm. Reservations welcomed for lunch. Limited reservations for dinner all night except Fri. and Sat. 6–9pm. Price: $$–$$$
480 7th St. NW (at E St.); 202-628-7949
Oyamel
Drawing on pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern traditions, Oyamel's menu features a variety of antojitos, traditional Mexican snacks or small plates. Open for lunch and dinner starting at 11:30am and weekend brunch on both Sat and Sun. Price: $$–$$$
401 7th St. NW (at D St.); 202-628-1005
Poste
Describing itself as an upscale contemporary brasserie in downtown D.C., this restaurant is located in a dramatic setting inside the Hotel Monaco. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Price: $$–$$$
555 8th St. NW (between E & F); 202-783-6060
Proof
Located in the heart of the Penn Quarter, Proof combines rustic warmth and urban chic in a restaurant with a strong focus on wine. The menu is best described as modern cuisine which includes a charcuterie and extensive cheese selections alongside traditional entrees. Open Mon–Fri for lunch and every day for dinner. Price: $$$
775 G St. NW; 202-737-7663
Rasika
Modern Indian cuisine is served up in a very contemporary surrounding at Rasika. The menu features selections from the Tawa (griddle) and sigri (BBQ) paired with an extensive wine selection. Price: $$–$$$
633 D St. NW; 202-637-1222
Rosa Mexicano
This NYC based restaurant is located in an attractive large facility directly across from the Verizon Center. The menu features traditional Oaxacan cuisine although the star of the show is the guacamole prepared tableside. Price: $$
575 7th St. NW (at F St.); 202-783-5522
The Source
Chef Wolfgang Puck's latest restaurant, The Source, features “modern interpretations of Asian dishes.” The restaurant is located in a very contemporary setting inside the Newseum. Open for lunch Mon–Fri and dinner Mon–Sat. Reservations strongly recommended. Price: $$$
575 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; 202-637-6100
Teaism
Tea restaurant and shop prepares simple foods from the cuisines of tea, Bento boxes from Japan, curries from Thailand, and tandoor breads from India. Open 7:30am–10pm Mon–Fri and 9:30am–9pm on Sat and Sun. Weekend brunch is available 9:30am–2:30pm both days. Price: $
400 8th St. NW (at D St.); 202-638-6010
Ten Penh
Contemporary Asian-Pacific cuisine which celebrates Asian culture with silk wall coverings, a life size Buddha and an open Pagoda centering on the exposed kitchen. Open for lunch Mon–Fri and dinner Mon–Sat. Reservations are strongly recommended. Price: $$$
1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; 202-393-4500
Tony Cheng's Seafood & Mongolian Barbecue
A Washington Post Editors' Pick, this Chinatown restaurant offers two different cuisines under the same roof. Dim Sum menu is available daily; carts are available on the weekends only. Price: $–$$
619 H St. NW (in Chinatown); 202-371-8669

METRO RIDE OR CAB

Old Ebbitt Grill
Established in 1856, this restaurant was a favorite of many Presidents and is a quintessential Washington restaurant. It is located within an easy stroll of the White House. The Oyster Bar is particularly popular here. Dress code is “anything goes.” Price: $$
675 15th St. NW; 202-347-4800

MORE RESTAURANT GUIDES

Washington Post Restaurant Guide
The Washington Post offers a searchable database that allows you to search by cuisine, price, location, and keyword, as well as Editors' Pick restaurants. Find Washington Post restaurant reviews as well as reader comments.
Washingtonian Food & Dining
This site provides numerous dining lists, from the Very Best Restaurants to Dirt Cheap Eats and everything in between. Also use the Restaurant Finder to locate a restaurant by neighborhood, cuisine, price, star rating, as well as categories such as Late Night or Kid Friendly.
OpenTable Restaurants and Restaurant Reservations
Register with this site and book your table in advance at many Washington, DC eateries. Reservations are free and can be made around the clock. Diners earn points for each booking. Search by location, cuisine, or restaurant name. Also browse the diners' choice lists, such as “most booked” or “neighborhood gem.”