Washington, D. C., is a city famous for its vibrant food scene and top-notch dining options. With a range of Michelin-starred restaurants, D. C. has something to please every palate. Here’s a list of 10 top Michelin-acclaimed and Michelin-starred restaurants in Washington, D. C., starting with… Number 10. Kaza. Casa, a one-star Michelin restaurant, offers a unique dining experience in Blagdon Alley. Chef Carlos Delgado brings the flavors of his native Peru to life in a cozy space. That seats around 20 people. The tasting menu takes diners on a journey through Peru, starting with coastal seafood from Lima and moving through the Andes and the Amazon. The meal begins with the restaurant’s namesake dish, Casa, featuring mashed potatoes with aji amarillo paste, topped with cucumber, avocado, and tuna tarts.
Talk chicha morada kombucha, made from purple corn, pairs perfectly with this dish. The menu continues with bomba rice, elevated with uni caviar and creole sauce, for dessert. Enjoy passion fruit and mint gelato with macombo mousse, providing a sweet and refreshing finish to the meal. Number nine, the Dabney. The Dabney, a one-star Michelin restaurant, has been delighting diners for nearly a decade and recently received a fresh update. The space retains its charming contemporary farmhouse with exposed brick, light walls, and dark wood. An open kitchen with a wood-fired hearth adds to the inviting atmosphere. This update goes beyond appearance, reflecting the deeper commitment of chef Jeremiah Langhorne and his team to delivering exceptional Mid-Atlantic flavors with a southern twist.
Guests at the Dabney start their meal with an array of exciting snacks, such as apple cake with foie gras torchon and fried catfish nestled in a sweet potato bun with bitter salad greens dipped in bacon fat. The main attraction is the ember-roasted aged duck breast, served with various condiments and sometimes presented by the chef himself. The tasting menu showcases the restaurant’s dedication to creativity and high-quality cuisine: number 8 in Medellín. Metier, a one-star Michelin restaurant, features a sleek, elegant dining space that feels like a mix of a living room and an art gallery. The design includes a window to the kitchen, giving diners a preview of what’s to come. Jackets are still required here, which adds to the sophisticated atmosphere, and therefore, the service is attentive and refined.
Eric Zybold offers an ambitious tasting menu that combines global flavors in creative ways. One dish, a modern take on cassoulet, includes flageolet bean puree, pork jowl croquette, and Santa Barbara uni. The meal is capped off with a unique sorbet made from aji dulce peppers grown in the restaurant’s Virginia garden. The double-fermented chocolate ganache with toasted fennel crème anglaise is both stunning and inventive. Number seven, Kinship. Kinship, a one-star Michelin restaurant, is well-known for the inspired cuisine created by, yes again, the one and only Chef Eric Zahn. But also with his partner, Celia Loren. The restaurant has a loyal following, and diners often dress up to enjoy the experience. The space includes a fireplace, a warm lounge, a lively bar, and a minimalist dining room, all of which add to the sophisticated atmosphere.
The menu at Kinship changes with the seasons, offering fresh and flavorful dishes. Highlights include Catalin Spiced Confit Squid with Tempura Tentacles and Romesco Sauce, as well as perfectly rendered duck. For dessert, the Roasted Maui Pie Pineapple with coconut frangipane and pineapple sherbet is a standout choice. Each dish is carefully crafted to offer a balanced, enjoyable dining experience: number 6, Rania. Rania, also a one-star Michelin restaurant, offers a fine-dining experience that lives up to its name, which means ‘queen’ in Hindi and Sanskrit. Chef Shetan Shetty creates an inventive menu with modern twists and some delightful surprises. The dishes are creative and refined, such as the braised pork belly vindaloo and shiso leaf shot, which balance playful elements with elegance. The G-roasted lamb wrapped in a delicate lentil chila comes with a spicy kick that’s nicely balanced.
A smooth buttermilk mousse accompanies it. For dessert, the strained yogurt mousse with pistachio and cardamom provides a slightly sweet and perfect ending. The cocktails are thoughtfully crafted to enhance the rich and bold flavors of the dishes—number 5. Sushi Nakazawa Suki Nakazawa, with its one Michelin star, offers an elegant and intimate dining experience with dark wood and gold accents. The best seats are at the marble counter, where you can sit on leather stools and watch the chefs expertly prepare sushi, also known as itame in Japanese. The team works with absolute precision, crafting each dish with care. The restaurant sources ingredients both locally and from around the world, presenting each course as a delightful discovery. Dishes include Japanese sumi-ika with shiso and pickled plum sauce, and lightly torched kamatoro with spicy daikon.
Each course is a showcase of Chef Daisuke Nakazawa’s dedication to quality and flavor. The 20-course omakase takes a few hours to enjoy, but it’s a memorable experience worth every minute. Chef Nakazawa, who trained under the legendary Jiro Ono, ensures that each course is a luxurious treat, making your time at Sushi Nakazawa an exceptional culinary journey. Number four, Viola. Viola, with its one Michelin star, blends retro glitz with a country lodge feel. Inside, the restaurant features stone walls, seasonal arrangements, and Warhol. Friends. Gracious servers greet diners at the door and are eager to share their favorite dishes. Take your time with the menu, which is full of stunning creations and playful twists. The menu at Viola offers a mix of classic and modern Italian dishes, showcasing regional flavors from across Italy.
Enjoy dishes like ravioli alla… Genovese with smoked beef ragu and mozzarella de buffalo, or the 48-hour dry-aged branzino served with a delicious lemon butter sauce. Each dish highlights the restaurant’s commitment to quality and creativity. Thank you. For dessert, the caramel corn budino with poached apricot and yuzu sorbet provides a delightful finish to the meal. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a memorable ending to a dining experience filled with exceptional food and a welcoming atmosphere: number three, Jaunt. Jaunt, with its two Michelin stars, offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the city. Located just above Bresca, the restaurant buzzes with activity, featuring sharp-suited servers and chefs working in perfect harmony. Chef Ryan Retino leads the team with a focus on both beauty and boldness in every detail— from the cutlery to the cooking.
The menu at John highlights top-quality seafood and meat from Japan, with beautiful sauces that elevate each dish. Expect to enjoy delicate tarts with wagyu tartar, grilled saguaro with beet and pomegranate sauce, and an impressive king crab rice cooked in a donerbee pot. Each dish reflects Chef Retino’s dedication to creating exceptional and memorable food. The dessert is a special treat at Jean’s, with a dedicated counter offering a treasure box of. The high-energy atmosphere is complemented by a lively playlist, underscoring the team’s commitment to ensuring every guest has an enjoyable and exciting dining experience, led by Chef Bertino. Number 2, Minibar. minibar—a two-star Michelin restaurant—offers a unique dining experience that begins with a single door leading to a hidden culinary gem.
Once inside, guests can enjoy a glass of champagne in the lounge before moving to the counter around the chef’s stainless steel workspace. The setting is intimate and engaging, focusing on both the food and the chef’s craft. The team at Minibar is passionate and skilled, creating a menu full of inventive dishes. The meal begins with exciting options like a watermelon margarita, which is actually a wedge of compressed watermelon with mezcal, lime, and salt. The restaurant’s whimsical approach is evident in dishes such as cauliflower and caviar, and the meal reaches its peak with perfectly cooked squab breast topped with the huckleberry sauce. The dessert at Mini Bar continues the fun with a crowd-pleasing fried-ice-cream donut. This playful and delicious finale rounds off a dining experience that’s both creative and memorable.
Number one, Pineapple and Pearls. Pineapple and Pearls is a two-star Michelin restaurant with a lively, glamorous atmosphere inspired by Studio 54. Club’s decor features oversized champagne bottles, velvet dinner jackets, and plenty of balloons. The mood is like a New Year’s Eve party, and guests are encouraged to dress stylishly. Dinner here is a unique experience full of surprises. The meal is shorter but filled with exciting touches, like table-side absinthe cocktails and truffles infused with amaretto, served warm by candlelight. The staff is friendly and loves to share stories about the dishes. At the same time, the sommelier offers great wine pairings for dishes such as marinated tuna with compressed watermelon and light gnocchi with rich Parmesan cream, pineapple, and pearls. This restaurant has hosted notable guests, including cellist Yo-Yo Ma and a young Bobby Flay.
This restaurant combines excellent food with a fun, festive atmosphere, making it a memorable dining destination—the Takeaway. Washington, DC’s dining scene is diverse and exciting, with many Michelin-starred restaurants offering outstanding food and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these top restaurants are a fantastic way to experience the city’s culinary scene. Enjoy your dining journey in this great city. Use this list to discover the best of DC’s food scene. Also, check out the top hotels in Washington, DC, and more travel tips in the videos linked on your screen. See you in the next video.
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