9 Best Local Restaurants in Washington DC

The Municipal Fish Market at the Wharf is the premier seafood spot in DC, with a history dating back to 1805. It’s the oldest open-air fish market in America and entices foodies from every corner of the nation’s capital. Wander the waterfront near the Tidal Basin to search for fresh fish, steamed lobsters, crabs, and other seafood bites.

The Fish Market hosts vibrant seafood vendors like Captain White’s Seafood City and Jessie Taylor Seafood. After grabbing your snacks, find a comfy picnic spot as you watch the boats docked in the marina. The Wharf features live entertainment venues, shops, and bars to boost your dining experience along the waterfront.

Hill Country Barbecue Market brings Texas barbecue to DC, just a 10-minute walk from the National Mall. First opened in 2011, the barbecue joint treats customers to Southern hospitality and finger-licking food. Experienced pitmasters slow-cook high-quality meats. Bring your appetite for tasty plates of brisket, sausage, pork ribs, turkey breast, chicken, and more.

Hill Country cranks up the noise with live country artists and rock and roll bands. Bring your singing voice and join the musicians in front of the rowdy restaurant crowd. After karaoke, grab cocktails, whiskey, or beer from the Texas-style bars.

At Zaytinya in Washington DC, renowned Chef José Andrés brings his knowledge of Mediterranean cuisine to craft innovative dishes. The restaurant has made appearances in notable guidebooks for its diverse mezze menu. Andrés and his staff create Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese-inspired plates and pair them with refreshing wines. The kitchen utilises authentic ingredients to give customers a unique eating experience.

Start your meal with delicious spreads like hummus, tzatziki, or labneh. Taste traditional cures and cheeses, flatbreads, soups, and salads before feasting on mezze. Whether your mezze preference is vegetable, seafood, or meat, each plate tempts your taste buds with Mediterranean flavours. Zaytinya also includes private party spaces for dinner parties of any size.

Oohh’s & Aahh’s is the DC hot spot where you can bring your family to enjoy hearty soul food. Founded in 2003, the establishment preserves black culture and treats customers to home-cooked recipes and warm hospitality. Ooh’s & Aahh’s has earned countless awards and gained extra stardom after their appearance on a popular cable channel show.

The local favourite offers lunch specials, family meals, and a late-night menu that leaves your belly stuffed afterwards. Their macaroni and cheese won local awards, and customers rave about the fried chicken. Other popular entrees on the menu include fried shrimp, catfish, whiting, and beef meatloaf. Don’t forget to add tasty sides like collard greens, potato salad, yams, and yellow rice with gravy.

Thip Khao Restaurant introduces your taste buds to Laotian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. Chef Seng Luangrath founded the Lao Food Movement and earned the nickname ‘godmother of Laotian cuisine in America’. The kitchen infuses plates with rich spices that each have a distinct taste. Thip Khao’s diverse menu includes curries, soups, salads, and meats from various regions of Laos.

Crispy Pig’s Ear and Slow-Cooked Pork Belly entice patrons with unique flavours. Banana-leaf wrapped catfish and salmon impress foodies with an interesting taste and texture. Handcrafted cocktails, draft beer, and imported wines give you a break from the spicy dishes. And for dessert, khao long includes kabocha pumpkin, salted coconut, and crispy mung beans.

Mission – Navy Yard beside Nationals Park is the go-to dining spot on baseball game days in DC. First opened in 2018, the spot serves Tex-Mex cuisine in a lively bar setting. With private event spaces and outdoor seating, the restaurant accommodates parties of any size. The staff caters to customers looking to enjoy brunch, dinner, or happy hour.

The 2-storey venue has multiple bars, including the largest one you’ll find in DC. Margaritas are their speciality, with concoctions such as the pineapple jalapeño margarita, mission margarita, and blueberry crush margarita. Taco Tuesdays let you pair a mission margarita with your choice of tacos. On Friday and Saturday nights, energetic DJs create a party vibe after watching the Nationals play.

Timber Pizza Company in DC made its humble beginnings with a simple pizza oven and a pickup truck in 2014. Fast-forward a few years, and the pizzeria serves mouthwatering Neapolitan pies to hungry patrons. The Northwest Washington establishment gets creative with their woodfired pizzas by adding a wide variety of toppings. The list of add-ons includes green onions, Peruvian sweet peppers, vegan cheese, cilantro, and more.

In addition to delicious pizzas, Timber Pizza Company makes tasty Argentinean empanadas and seasonal ice creams for dessert. Pair your savoury dinner choice with a full selection of draft beer, wine on tap, and innovative mixed drinks. Timber often takes their pizzas on the road and serves customers from mobile pizza trucks around DC.

Zenebech Restaurant is a family-owned establishment that provides the rare opportunity to try Ethiopian cuisine. First opened as a bakery in 1993, Zenebech continues to add more authentic Ethiopian dishes. Using freshly baked injera and delectable spices, Zenebech engorges your taste buds with irresistible flavours.

The Zenebech menu features options suitable for both meat-lovers and vegetarians. Tibs plates combine cuts of beef, lamb, or chicken with fresh veggies and injera. Vegetarian dishes like Ful and Veggie Ferfer are even gluten-free. Zenebech also offers Ethiopian spiced tea, mango nectar, and Ethiopian beers to pair with your meal.

Sababa celebrates its roots in Jewish and Arabic cuisine in Cleveland Park, Washington DC. The restaurant’s menu features a dynamic mixture of foods originating from over 100 cultures. Chef Ryan Moore crafts dishes using Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours from his travels. And Sababa pairs their plates with imported wines from Mediterranean countries.

Small plates on the dinner menu include charred eggplant, roasted halloumi, and sweet corn falafel. The kitchen cooks kebabs from a wood grill, and large plates feature Mediterranean sea bass and half-roasted chicken. If you’re not feeling in the mood for wine, sample handmade sodas like pomegranate-rosehip and cucumber-mint. To enjoy a traditional setting, arrange for your group to sit beneath the Bedouin-style tent.