I have been living in D.C. for about 5 years now and going out to dinner is one of my love languages. My husband complains that 99% of the time I only want sushi or Italian but I do try my best to branch out! From trying lamb for the first time at the Dabney or scarfing down lobster popcorn soup at Rose’s Luxury, the D.C. food scene has treated me well. Below are some of my favorite restaurants in D.C. in no particular order.
Love, Makoto - Dear, Sushi
Besides Sushi Nakazawa, which is an entirely different dining experience than anything else so it can’t be compared, Love Makoto is my favorite sushi restaurant in D.C. The omakase menu includes “old school” and “new school” nigiri. For example you will get a more traditional piece of salmon with soy sauce with wasabi paired with a truffle salmon nigiri. It’s the perfect date night spot for a special occasion.
Roses Luxury
Ross treated me to a dinner here for my 27th birthday and it was amazing. We sat up at the bar which I loved because the bartender made us specialty drinks all night. It is a 5 course menu with choices for each. They also included a surprise course that was a popcorn soup with lobster and it is one of the best bites of food I have had in my entire life.
The Dabney
I am an era where I am trying to branch out and try all types of food. I used to be extremely picky and basically a pescetarian. I had convinced myself meat was gross and only occasionally ate a hamburger VERY well done and with extra kethcup. However, I want to expand my diet and venture out. The Dabney was a test for my updated palate. Not only did I try venison but the main course was lamb three different ways. AND it was amazing. I was shocked at how much I loved everything.
Filomena
The ultimate comfort food that you will for sure be eating the next night because the portions are huge and none of it can go to waste. The lobster sauce is unbelievably delicious whether its on the linguini cardinale or scampi risotto. Filomena is also decorated for every holiday and extremely over the top. My favorite time to go is around Christmas when the dim lit restaurant is filled with Christmas lights and beautiful garlands.
Grazzi Nonna
If you can’t tell by now I love a good Italian restaurant. This one has great pizza options as well and if you are visiting it is less than a 10 minute walk from the White House. I always order the Drunken Love pizza which has their delicious vodka sauce on top.
Lupo Verde
Many of my friends disagree with me on this choice… BUT this is Ross and my most frequented restaurant for a date night. We had a tradition of going here after all my CFA exams. It has a nice outdoor patio for warmer weather but we also love sitting upstairs in one of the corner tables. I get the same thing every single time I go - the cheese board and cacio e pepe. I have never had a bad meal here.
Barcelona
Okay… I know this isn’t a 5-star meal or mind blowing food BUT it is the absolute best place for a big group. The vibe is always so fun (when it gets late the music gets loud and the waiters will pour shots) and it always such a good price. It is the perfect place for brunch or to start your night out before heading to Blackjack down the street. We don’t have any party dinner vibes in D.C. so this is the closest you can get to it. And it is always a great price!
Amazonia
I have yet to try Causa, which is the tasting menu downstairs, but it is top on my list. It is one of the first Amazonian restaurants in the U.S., so I did not know what to expect going in, but it far exceeded my expectations. The ceviche is delicious and every dish was filled with so much flavor. Everything is meant to share which I love because I always want to try as many dishes as possible.
ANJU
The MICHELIN guide states that the name refers to “Korean dishes best enjoyed with alcohol.” It makes for a great restaurant to have fun girls dinner with fun drinks.
St. Anslem
You need to start with the biscuits and pimento and bacon. Ross and I go down to Charleston multiple times a year so we have become pimento cheese snobs and this one blew us away. It is mostly known for its steak but I love getting the fish here as well.