5 Best Neighborhoods for Dining in Washington DC (2024)

Washington DC has become a fabulous food and dining destination in recent years with many of the best restaurants concentrated in some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. With more than 2,000 places to eat and drink in the nation’s capital, you can find a wide variety of cuisine from around the world offered in settings ranging from fine-dining to fast food.

The best neighborhoods for dining also happen to be great places to walk and explore.If you are dining on a Friday or Saturday evening or on a holiday weekend, you will be best accommodated by making advanced reservations. At lunchtime or on a weekday evening, you may want to stroll around these neighborhoods and choose a restaurant that suits your needs at the time. Check out these neighborhoods for some of the best dining in Washington, DC.

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Dining in Penn Quarter / Chinatown

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Penn Quarter is one of Washington DC's most popular neighborhoods for dining because of its' central location and easy access to many of the city's biggest attractions including the Verizon Center, the National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum and the International Spy Museum. Chinatown is just a few blocks away and the Washington Convention Center is also within walking distance. The Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station makes this area easily accessible from across the city. Restaurants in the area offer a wide range of cuisine from contemporary American to Asian Fusion, to Italian or Latin American fare. Chinatown has approximately 20 Chinese and Asian restaurants. For more information,see a guide to 50+ Restaurants in Penn Quarter

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Dining in Georgetown

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Georgetown is a local and visitor favorite when it comes to dining and socializing. The historic Washington DC neighborhood offers a charming setting with beautiful architecture and great scenery with its location on the Potomac waterfront. A wide variety of restaurants are located here, most of them are along M Street, Wisconsin Avenue and at Washington Harbour. A few hidden gems are tucked away along some of the side streets. For more information, see a guide to the Best Georgetown Restaurants and Georgetown's Waterfront Restaurants

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Dining Along 14th Street / U Street Corridor

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The U Street Corridor and 14th Street has become a prime destination for dining in recent years with dozens of great new restaurants. While the neighborhood is best known as the home to Washington DC's top Jazz Clubs and Nightclubs, it is also famous as the location of Ben's Chili Bowl, the historic eatery that attracts locals and celebrities to enjoy a half-smoke and a milkshake. The area has some of the hottest bars and a wide range of ethnic cuisine. For more information, see 30+ Restaurants Along the U Street Corridor.

Dining in Adams Morgan

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Adams Morgan is a colorful neighborhood in the heart of Washington DC with a wide range of restaurants, nightclubs, coffee houses, bars, and shops. Neighborhood restaurants feature cuisine from just about everywhere from Ethiopia and Vietnam to Latin America and the Caribbean. Read more about Adams Morgan.

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Dining on Capitol Hill / Barracks Row

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Capitol Hill is one of the most famous and prestigious neighborhoods in Washington DC. It also is conveniently located within walking distance to the National Mall and many of the city's most popular attractions. Capitol Hill has a variety of great restaurants ranging from fine dining establishments that are perfect for business meetings to casual eateries that appropriate for the whole family. Barracks Row, along 8th Street SE, south of Pennsylvania Avenue SE, is home to some of the best local restaurants. For a quick lunch or to find some good food to take on the go, stop by Eastern Market. For more information, see a guide to the best restaurants on Capitol Hill.