Splurge-Worthy Dining in D.C.

From blowout meals to special occasion dining, here are our favorite restaurants worth the price tag.

Restaurants

Dauphine's

Rating: 4.4 (1.7K reviews)
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Price: $$
Location: Downtown
Description: The French Quarter meets Midtown Center at this NOLA-inspired standout from the team behind The Salt Line. Chef Douglas Alexander in tandem with Chef/Partner Kyle Bailey put their own excellent spin on such Crescent City classics as gumbo, crawfish bisque, and jambalaya — theirs is made with duck.

SHŌTŌ Washington DC

Rating: 4.6 (557 reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $$$
Location: Downtown
Description: A dazzling upscale izakaya, with 25-foot wooden-grid ceilings, electric hearths set into a wall of greenery, custom ceramics, volcanic stone, and more, showcasing a treasure-filled menu ranging from sushi, tempura, and robata dishes to unique potato-chip-shell tacos.

Sushi Snob Omakase

Rating: 4.9 (292 reviews)
Cuisine: Omakase
Price: $$
Location: Downtown
Description: Expect the unexpected in a menu that mixes traditional bites like yellowtail with jalapeño salsa, red wine-marinated tuna, squid with lime zest, and an uni ikura bowl.

Sushi Taro

Rating: 4.7 (11K reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $$$$
Location: Dupont Circle
Description: D.C.’s ultimate omakase experience, with genuine sushi masters providing a kaiseki-style tasting.

Nina May

Rating: 4.7 (7.2K reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price: $$
Location: Shaw
Description: A chef-driven operation that sources nearly everything from a strict 150-mile radius, paired with a fun and accessible $55 family-style menu.

STK DC

Rating: 3.3 (97 reviews)
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Price: $$
Location: Mount Vernon Square
Description: The upscale steak-and-seafood international chain is back at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

Boqueria Dupont

Rating: 4.5 (4.3K reviews)
Cuisine: Tapas
Price: $$
Location: Dupont

Omakase Room by Tadayoshi

Rating: 4.6 (52 reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $
Location: Washington D.C.
Description: Michelin-starred chef Tadayoski Motoa presents a 20-course menu with precision and grace.

The Occidental

Rating: 4.8 (4.3K reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price: $$
Location: Washington D.C.
Description: An old-school Americana menu served with sleek finishes and cozy booths.

Amparo Fondita

Rating: 4.5 (1.2K reviews)
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $$
Location: Dupont Circle
Description: Known for handmade corn tortillas with exquisite fillings.

Boqueria - Penn Quarter

Rating: 4.5 (2.6K reviews)
Cuisine: Tapas
Price: $$
Location: Penn Quarter

Ingle Korean Steakhouse DC

Rating: 4.8 (505 reviews)
Cuisine: Korean BBQ
Price: $
Location: Cardozo
Description: This sleek outpost offers perfectly charred American Wagyu and seasonal banchan.

Ko Japanese Dining

Rating: 4.6 (176 reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $$
Location: Kalorama
Description: Features a stellar tempura experience.

Rasika West End

Rating: 4.8 (19K reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $$$
Location: West End
Description: Acclaimed for its rich flavors and exceptional Indian cuisine.

Annabelle

Rating: 4.7 (7K reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price: $$$
Location: DuPont Circle

RIS

Rating: 4.7 (4.3K reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price: $$
Location: West End
Description: Offers homestyle cuisine adored by Julia Child.

Rasika Penn Quarter

Rating: 4.8 (18K reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $$$
Location: Penn Quarter

Fiola DC

Rating: 4.8 (1.7K reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$$
Location: Penn Quarter

Rooster & Owl

Rating: 4.8 (10K reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price: $$$
Location: 14th Street NW

Ceibo

Rating: 4.9 (1.2K reviews)
Cuisine: Southern European
Price: $$$
Location: Adams Morgan