If you are hosting guests for the holidays, there’s a good chance you won’t want to cook every meal for them. Luckily, DC is the perfect place to find dining options for out of towners. From famous and fancy restaurants to low key hole in the walls, we have it all here in DC. These are the 13 best restaurants in DC to take an out of towner.
- Jaleo
Yelp/Jamie W.
Yelp/newox N. Jaleo is definitely one of the more iconic restaurants in DC. Jaleo was one of the first places to serve tapas in 1993 and has been a beloved DC institution ever since!
480 7th St NW
- The Pig
Yelp/Shannon C.
Yelp/Richard Y. If you have meat lovers, the will absolutely love this quirky DC restaurant.The restaurant has a country-style decor and their menu is stacked with favorites like smoked BBQ, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Face Bacon. It’s a great take on a themed restaurant in DC.
1320 14th St NW
- Georgia Brown’s
Yelp/Marc M.
Yelp/Victoria B. Georgia Brown’s is known for it’s soul food and live jazz. They bring a bit of Southern Hospitality to the district and a whole lot of satisfying southern cuisine. If your guests are here for the weekend, bring them in for a brunch and try their all you can eat buffet!
950 15th St NW
- Hank’s Oyster Bar
Yelp/Sonni W.
Yelp/Sunshine W. If your guests love oysters, then bring them to Hank’s! This straightforward, fun place is the perfect spot in DC to fill up on seafood favorites and order oysters by the dozen!
1624 Q St NW
- Ted’s Bulletin
Yelp/Candela G.
Yelp/Lori W. Ted’s is slowly growing into Virginia and Maryland but it began as a DC staple. They serve All-American classic food like burgers, salads and steak. They also serve breakfast all day and have the best homemade pop tarts in the city.
505 8th St SE
- Filomena Ristorante
Yelp/JJ V.
Yelp/CityGirlCece F. Filomena has been in the heart of Georgetown since the early 80s. They are the place to go for authentic Italian cuisine. They serve the freshest pasta that’s made in-house.
1063 Wisconsin Ave NW
- Duke’s Grocery
Yelp/Girl-and-Goat D.
Yelp/Amanda M. Duke’s is a great low-key neighborhood spot near Dupont Circle. It’s a London inspired pub with a large menu with lots of different options. Tell your guests to save room for the burger as it’s one of the best things on the menu.
1513 17th St NW
- Graffiato
Yelp/A.R.P.
Yelp/Kathryn M. If you know a Top Chef fan, then put Graffiato on your list. Owner and chef Mike Isabella competed on Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars. While the Chef has opened many restaurants in DC, Graffiato is his flagship restaurant. This Italian eatery serves great pizza, pasta and Italian fare.
707 6th St NW
- Old Ebbitt Grill
Yelp/Courtney K.
Yelp/Biruk M. Fan of the classics? Head to Old Ebbitt, DC’s oldest restaurant. This sleek fine dining establishment is almost always packed so it’s best to make a reservation but if you want to show your guests a classic DC spot, this is for you.
675 15th St NW
- Ben’s Chili Bowl
Yelp/Natasha P.
Yelp/Lisa S. Ben’s is definitely a tourist spot but hey, you’re with tourists! Don’t deny them the chance to enjoy DC’s classic dish: the chili and cheese covered half smoke.
1213 U St NW
- Dukem
Yelp/JC.
Yelp/Myrnelle D. What’s a trip to DC without Ethiopian food? Dukem started out as a carry out restaurant in 1997 and has grown into a full-fledged restaurant. Indulge on flavorful Ethiopian cuisine at this U Street destination. Stop in on Thursday of free jazz concerts!
1114-1118 U St NW
- Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Yelp/Andrew C.
Yelp/Stacy L. Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe is a fun spot to take visitors because it’s a hidden gem tucked inside of a bookstore. You and your guests can browse for books then grab a table to try one of their fantastic dishes.
1517 Connecticut Ave NW
- Mangialardo & Sons
Yelp/Kevin L.
Yelp/Jay C. Keep it casual with your guests and pick up sandwiches from Mangialardo & Sons. This is one of the best sub shops in DC. Order the famous G-Man sub and you won’t be disappointed!
1317 Pennsylvania Ave SE
After you’ve fueled your out of towners up on food, try taking them to one of the best underrated tourists spots!
Yelp/Jamie W.
Yelp/newox N.
Jaleo is definitely one of the more iconic restaurants in DC. Jaleo was one of the first places to serve tapas in 1993 and has been a beloved DC institution ever since!
480 7th St NW
Yelp/Shannon C.
Yelp/Richard Y.
If you have meat lovers, the will absolutely love this quirky DC restaurant.The restaurant has a country-style decor and their menu is stacked with favorites like smoked BBQ, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Face Bacon. It’s a great take on a themed restaurant in DC.
1320 14th St NW
Yelp/Marc M.
Yelp/Victoria B.
Georgia Brown’s is known for it’s soul food and live jazz. They bring a bit of Southern Hospitality to the district and a whole lot of satisfying southern cuisine. If your guests are here for the weekend, bring them in for a brunch and try their all you can eat buffet!
950 15th St NW
Yelp/Sonni W.
Yelp/Sunshine W.
If your guests love oysters, then bring them to Hank’s! This straightforward, fun place is the perfect spot in DC to fill up on seafood favorites and order oysters by the dozen!
1624 Q St NW
Yelp/Candela G.
Yelp/Lori W.
Ted’s is slowly growing into Virginia and Maryland but it began as a DC staple. They serve All-American classic food like burgers, salads and steak. They also serve breakfast all day and have the best homemade pop tarts in the city.
505 8th St SE
Yelp/JJ V.
Yelp/CityGirlCece F.
Filomena has been in the heart of Georgetown since the early 80s. They are the place to go for authentic Italian cuisine. They serve the freshest pasta that’s made in-house.
1063 Wisconsin Ave NW
Yelp/Girl-and-Goat D.
Yelp/Amanda M.
Duke’s is a great low-key neighborhood spot near Dupont Circle. It’s a London inspired pub with a large menu with lots of different options. Tell your guests to save room for the burger as it’s one of the best things on the menu.
1513 17th St NW
Yelp/A.R.P.
Yelp/Kathryn M.
If you know a Top Chef fan, then put Graffiato on your list. Owner and chef Mike Isabella competed on Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars. While the Chef has opened many restaurants in DC, Graffiato is his flagship restaurant. This Italian eatery serves great pizza, pasta and Italian fare.
707 6th St NW
Yelp/Courtney K.
Yelp/Biruk M.
Fan of the classics? Head to Old Ebbitt, DC’s oldest restaurant. This sleek fine dining establishment is almost always packed so it’s best to make a reservation but if you want to show your guests a classic DC spot, this is for you.
675 15th St NW
Yelp/Natasha P.
Yelp/Lisa S.
Ben’s is definitely a tourist spot but hey, you’re with tourists! Don’t deny them the chance to enjoy DC’s classic dish: the chili and cheese covered half smoke.
1213 U St NW
Yelp/JC.
Yelp/Myrnelle D.
What’s a trip to DC without Ethiopian food? Dukem started out as a carry out restaurant in 1997 and has grown into a full-fledged restaurant. Indulge on flavorful Ethiopian cuisine at this U Street destination. Stop in on Thursday of free jazz concerts!
1114-1118 U St NW
Yelp/Andrew C.
Yelp/Stacy L.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe is a fun spot to take visitors because it’s a hidden gem tucked inside of a bookstore. You and your guests can browse for books then grab a table to try one of their fantastic dishes.
1517 Connecticut Ave NW
Yelp/Kevin L.
Yelp/Jay C.
Keep it casual with your guests and pick up sandwiches from Mangialardo & Sons. This is one of the best sub shops in DC. Order the famous G-Man sub and you won’t be disappointed!
1317 Pennsylvania Ave SE
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