The best fine dining DC has to offer ranges between Michelin star hot spots and less buzzy classic restaurants that have been part of the Washington DC fine dining scene for years. Let’s take a look at the best fine dining restaurants in DC that are in the downtown DC area as well as in the nearby suburbs.
Best Fine Dining DC: In DC
Let’s first take a look at the best fine dining restaurants in Washington DC that are located within the city limits itself.
Pineapple And Pearls
This Michelin-starred restaurant in Capitol Hill has changed its vibe recently. What use to be a traditional fine dining restaurant experience, is now a more upbeat lively experience.
Despite the change in atmosphere, this is still one of the most high-end restaurants in Washington DC. The food remains top notch and the restaurant is still consistently a recipient of a 2 Michelin stars.
Hearty portions at Pineapples & Pearls
The tasting menu here is different than some of the other fine dining establishments. Rather than several small courses, Pineapple And Pearls has 4 courses with larger portions.
This fine dining restaurant has consistently been one of the best restaurants in Washington DC. This restaurant is a sister restaurant to the very popular restaurant Rose’s Luxury. It is a good idea to make reservations well in advance if you want to be sure to get in.
Imperfecto By Enrique Limardo
Imperfecto has one of the most elegant dining rooms in Washington DC. From the lighting to the soaring white bar, the vibe here does not disappoint.
The Michelin Guide has awarded Imperfecto with a Michelin star. Service is top notch and this is one of the best places to try when it comes to fine dining restaurants in DC.
The beautiful bar at Imperfecto
Weekend reservations at Imperfecto can be tough to come by. If you can’t manage a prime time reservation, check out their brunch offerings as well. Unlike many fine dining places that only offer a tasting menu, this restaurant also has an a la carte menu you can order from.
Oyster Oyster – Best Fine Dining For Vegans & Vegetarians
Don’t let the name fool you. Oyster Oyster is a fine dining restaurant that actually caters to vegetarians and vegans.
So, why the name Oyster Oyster? The menu here is prepared vegetarian or vegan with an option for an oyster course. Depending on the menu and the season pricing can be from $115 to $150 per person.
Plant based fine dining at Oyster Oyster
It is located in the Shaw neighborhood very close to popular French food restaurant Convivial. Many of the ingredients used in the cuisine here are sourced from local farms.
In addition to having several options that are plant based, Oyster Oyster has won multiple awards. It won 2023 Chef Of The Year from the James Beard Foundation and has received 1 Michelin Star.
The intimate dining room is great for celebrating a special occasion with close friends or a partner. This fine dining establishment even will let you split your wine pairing if you happen to be a lightweight when it comes to holding your alcohol. You can make reservations online through their online reservation system.
Gravitas
One of the best fine dining experiences is at Gravitas, which is located in the Ivy City neighborhood of DC. This is not too far from Union Station and the H Street Corridor.
Chef Matt Baker has an innovative menu that has earned this restaurant a Michelin star several years in a row. One of the most unique things about Gravitas is the setting. There is a gorgeous greenhouse on the top floor that you can actually dine within.
The food scene in Ivy City really started with Gravitas. There are now many more restaurants in this neighborhood that are becoming more popular. Gravitas, with good reason, is still the top fine dining establishment in this area.
Love, Makoto
Love, Makoto is not exclusively a Japanese steakhouse. This is a newer restaurant in Washington DC’s fine dining scene.
Love, Makoto is not just fine dining. This restaurant is actually a Japanese food hall in Washington DC. This unique restaurant has a variety of dining experiences, including a venue for sushi and steak.
Fine dining at Love, Makoto
The culinary collection is a concept by celebrity Chef Makoto Okuwa. Chef Okuwa has a background in both traditional and innovative Japanese cuisine, and he brings this expertise to Love, Makoto, which embraces multiple ways to enjoy Japanese food.
The fine dining part of Love, Makoro is the high-end yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) concept. This is similar to a steakhouse experience.
Jônt
Jônt is adjacent to another high end restaurant Bresca right on DC’s 14th street. This restaurant has earned 2 Michelin Stars for its modern American tasting menu experience.
Fine dining at Jont
Dishes here are innovative and meticulously prepared. Each dish combines flavors in an interesting way to provide a unique tasting experience.
Obelisk
Obelisk is a well established Italian restaurant located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of DC. If you don’t know about it, you may miss it.
This fine dining Italian restaurant is located in a townhouse on P Street NW. This is an intimate fine dining experience with a focus on regional Italian cuisine. The dining room is designed with a cozy ambiance which is perfect for special occasions or a romantic evening.
The menu often includes Italian classics and inventive creations, such as house-made pastas, seafood dishes, and locally sourced meats, all prepared with precision and care.
Obelisk typically operates on a limited schedule, usually opening for dinner service only a few nights a week. This approach allows the restaurant to focus on providing a high-quality dining experience while also accommodating the availability of their staff and the seasonal nature of their menu offerings. Be sure to plan ahead so you can get a table at one of the most most romantic restaurants in Washington DC.
Bresca
Bresca is a highly acclaimed restaurant located in the heart of Washington, D.C’s busy 14th street. The restaurant is very close to the popular French restaurant Le Diplomate.
Bresca has a modern and inventive dining experience with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy a glass of wine at their lovely bar before sitting down for a meal.
The restaurant features a stylish and inviting dining room, adorned with contemporary decor. In the colder months, they often will have outdoor cabins that you can also dine it. It’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion in an intimate setting.
Phillipe Chow
Philippe Chow is a renowned upscale Chinese restaurant chain known for its fine dining experience and modern interpretations of classic Chinese cuisine. The ambiance screams fine dining, but the reviews online are mixed in terms of food and good service. If you are crazing an Asian flavored fine dining experience, this is one of your few options.
Metier
Metier is another exceptional fine dining restaurant in Washington, D.C. It is the sister restaurant to Kinship.
Metier has six course tasting menu which is about $200 per person. Depending on the day, there may also be supplemental courses available to purchase.
Before your fine dining experience begins, you can have a pre dinner drink in their elegant Salon. If you want to continue your evening after your email, there is also an after-dinner experience in the Metier Salon.
On Sunday evenings, Metier has a Travel Series menu. This is a five-course tasting menu priced at $130 per person. You can enjoy food fro various different regions, each with a special connection to the restaurant team.
Bazaar By José Andrés
Just a few blocks away from Rania, is The Bazaar by José Andrés. This fine dining restaurant is located inside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
In addition to the delicious small plates, the setting here is impressive. The restaurant is located inside the now hotel, but it use to be the Old Post Office for Washington DC. There are soaring ceilings and an element of history to go alongside your fine dining experience.
Salt Air Margarita at Bazaar
Celebrity Chef José Andrés has many restaurants in the city, including Minibar, and he is well known for his inventive dishes. You will also find impeccable service at this restaurant.
Minibar By José Andrés
Minibar is another restaurant where the chef de cuisine is Jose Andres. It is located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Minibar is a very intimate and avant-garde dining experience, where every diner is at the chef’s table.
This Michelin-starred restaurant has a multi-course tasting menu that showcases innovative and playful dishes, often incorporating molecular gastronomy techniques. Many of their cocktails also feature gastronomy techniques that use liquid nitrogen. The dining experience at Minibar is highly interactive, with chefs preparing and presenting dishes right in front of guests.
You will need to plan ahead of Minibar. Reservations are limited and the best way to get one is through their website. Their popular cocktail bar is called Bar Mini and you can get a cocktail from Bar Mini before you are seated for your fine dining experience.
Rania
Rania is an Indian Restaurant in Washington DC that use to once be known as Punjab Grill. Rania received a Michelin star in 2023. It is one of the few restaurants on the east coast that has been given this honor.
The decor at Rania is extravagant and may remind you of a palace in Jaipur or Udaipur. Grab a drink at their elegant bar either before or after dinner. Menu highlights include their seafood dishes that have been prepared with an Indian twist.
If you’re craving an elegant dining experience alongside Indian cuisine, this is the best place in Washington DC for that.
Xiquet By Chef Danny Lledó
Xiquet is a Latin American fine dining restaurant in Washington DC that was awarded a Michelin Star. The restaurant is led by Chef Danny Lledo, who is known for his expertise in Valencian cuisine and has won accolades for his work.
The menu here is both creative and seasonal. It largely focuses on modern Spanish cuisine, which diners can experience through a tasting menu. The restaurant has a sparely elegant dining room which is warm and sophisticated.
Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck Tavern is a Washington DC staple. Located in the beautiful Park Hyatt hotel, this restaurant has great options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you aren’t in the mood for a full meal, check out their light bites that they offer in the Blue Duck Lounge area.
Fiola Mare
Fiola Mare is one of the best restaurants in the Georgetown neighborhood of DC. This is a sister restaurant to Fiola which is located in the Downtown DC area. Enjoy freshly caught Chesapeake Bay fish with water views at Fiola Mare.
Tail Up Goat
Tail Up Goat is located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, which is very close to Columbia Heights. It is the sister restaurant to nearby Reveler’s Hour. The cuisine here is considered contemporary with a menu that reflects emphasis on Mediterranean flavors.
Best Fine Dining DC: Near DC
The surrounding areas of Virginia and Maryland also have a lot to offer when it comes to fine dining experiences. In fact, one of the most famous “DC restaurants” is not even in DC – it’s in Virginia. Let’s take a look at some of the best fine dining near Washington DC.
Inn At Little Washington
The Inn At Little Washington has the highest Michelin Star rating in the DMV area. This world famous “DC restaurant” is actually about an hour away from Washington DC in Virginia. It has had consistently gotten 3 Michelin Stars for several years in a row.
The Inn At Little Washington is a destination. Grab your reservation first and then plan your week around it. Many people will also choose to stay overnight at the Inn to relax after a large meal.
2941 Restaurant
2941 Restaurant is a fine dining establishment in Northern Virginia. It is known for its exquisite cuisine and elegant ambiance. It is the perfect setting for an intimate wedding or bridal shower.
The restaurant has a variety of menu options, including an à la carte Dinner Menu, which features appetizers such as Caesar Salad and Crispy Calamari, and a Prix-fixe Menu that provides a three-course meal option with a selection of appetizers, entrées, and desserts.
La Ferme
La Ferme is a historic French restaurant located in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It has been serving French cuisine in a charming and elegant setting for many years.
The restaurant, under the leadership of Chef Alain Roussel, first opened in 1985. Over the years it has become a staple in the local dining scene.
La Ferme is known for its classic French dishes and a warm, inviting atmosphere that is perfect for a romantic dinner, special occasion, or a refined dining experience. The menu at La Ferme features a variety of French favorites, and the restaurant also offers a wine list to complement the meal.
L’Auberge Chez François
L’Auberge Chez François is another fine dining restaurant in Northern Virginia. The restaurant is known for its French cuisine and has been a staple in the dining scene, providing a classic and warm dining experience. You can choose from their tasting menu or their a la carte menu.
Best Fine Dining DC: Summary
Depending on the type of cuisine you want, you can find a fine dining restaurant in nearly ever part of Washington DC. Whether it’s an intimate private dining experience or a lively evening with live music, Washington, D.C.’s upscale restaurants provide the perfect ambiance and service for the best dining experience.
With options ranging from French bistros to Italian trattorias, most will offer a chef’s tasting menu or wine pairing. Whether you are craving fresh fish or foie gras, the nation’s capital is becoming a foodie destination that will excite your taste buds.
