Best Cozy Restaurants in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

225 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Letena Ethiopian Restaurant restaurant

1. Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(100)

Price: Moderate

• Ethiopian • Columbia Heights / Brightwood

Letena is a farm-to-table Ethiopian restaurant serving dishes made with natural, premium ingredients. Located in the heart of Columbia Heights, Washington DC, Letena is a family-owned destination centered around authentic, quality Ethiopian food. Owner Yamrot Ezineh opened Letena’s doors in October 2016. Yamrot and her team love welcoming new and old friends to enjoy Letena’s delicious, fresh food. Their goal is to make the unique experience of Ethiopian food approachable for everyone, from vegetarians and vegans to meat-lovers alike. Letena’s original Ethiopian dishes have won accolades from various publications and review platforms including Food Network, Washingtonian, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.

A photo of Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge restaurant

2. Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge

4.5

Awesome(19)

Price: Moderate

• Persian • Washington

KooKoo is a concept by Chef/Owner Yahya Sardari to bring the tastes of his childhood dishes to life. We strive to use the freshest available ingredients and best family recipes to bring our favorite dishes to life. We have a crafted some amazing Persian inspired cocktails for your enjoyment. Traditional spices married with the best spirits by our resident mixologist Danielle. Yahya Sardari brought Kookoo to life in August of 2023 to showcase his love of Persian cuisine. With family recipes handed down from his mom he recreates his childhood memories and shares his passion for cooking and hosting with his guests.

3. SHIA Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(40)

Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Washington

SHIA (shee-uh) is a modern Korean fine dining restaurant in Washington, D.C., dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and cultural storytelling. Our tasting menu-only experience spotlights the intersection of local agriculture and premium Hansik ingredients, using fresh, seasonal elements with minimal manipulation to honor the environment. As a non-profit restaurant, SHIA is more than just a dining destination; it’s a platform for tackling key challenges in the restaurant industry, from environmental responsibility to fair labor practices and culinary heritage preservation.**Please Note: Chef Lee's appearance is not guaranteed, and his availability is not given to the team or guests.**

4. Tabard Inn

4.7

Exceptional(3802)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Dupont Circle

Booked 39 times today

Tabard Inn is a cozy restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Many reviews praise its 'quaint European setting', 'cozy and beautiful' bar/lounge area, and 'charming ambiance'. The restaurant's commitment to comfort is also evident in its 'home away from home' ethos. The intimate dining rooms, and fireplace lounge add to the warm, inviting feel. The restaurant's historic ambience, and thoughtful touches like decorative floor screens between tables, enhance the comforting environment.

A photo of Filomena Ristorante restaurant

5. Filomena Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(17208)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Georgetown

Booked 187 times today

Filomena Now over 40 Years and counting!Filomena is a Washington DC landmark restaurant now with over 40 years of serving some of the finest Italian food you can enjoy. Our Pasta is fresh made by hand just like it was done for centuries in Italy. Our bakery is in-house, and we make over 20 different desserts to choose from. During Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas you can experience some of the most incredible decorations you can find! Four decades of making not just a great dining experience but a memorable one. Filomena has recently introduced a full line of homemade pasta, sauces, desserts that can be shipped nationwide too!

6. Olio e Più - DC

4.4

Awesome(197)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Washington

Booked 59 times today

Located at 699 14th Street on the coveted corner of 14th and G Street NW, OLIO E PIÙ, is situated on the most high-profile street in Washington D.C., just one block away from the White House, bringing Italian tradition and a true sense of Mediterranean liveliness to the Penn Quarter. As an authentic trattoria, its cuisine is based on classic Italian dishes. As you dine at OLIO E PIÙ, you’ll be transported not just by the flavors of Italy but also by the authentic atmosphere that surrounds you. Here, the spirit of 1970s Italian elegance lives on, and every meal is a celebration of life, love, and the joy of shared moments. OLIO E PIÙ is more than just a restaurant; it’s a portal to a different time and place, where the essence of Italy’s rich culinary and cultural heritage is captured in every detail.

7. The Dabney

4.7

Exceptional(272)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Shaw

Booked 24 times today

Located in historic Blagden Alley in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood since 2015, The Dabney continues to pay tribute to the wonderful farmers, watermen, and purveyors of the mid-Atlantic region whom provide some of the best and most unique products in the country. We celebrate these ingredients by preparing them in a large wood burning hearth which is the centerpiece of our open kitchen. The current dining room experience is an 8-course tasting menu honoring the Mid-Atlantic's bounty. We offer an additional 3-course experience at our bar and bar area tables. Walk-in guests are welcome to enjoy the bar area as well.The Dabney has been awarded one Michelin star every year since 2017, James Beard Foundation Best Chef Mid-Atlantic for Chef Jeremiah Langhorne in 2018, and Washingtonian Magazine's #1 restaurant in 2023. At this time we are unable to accommodate severe allium and dairy allergies as well as vegan and vegetarian diets.

A photo of La Grande Boucherie - DC restaurant

8. La Grande Boucherie - DC

4.4

Awesome(1372)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • Washington

Booked 149 times today

Located at 699 14th Street on the coveted corner of 14th and G Street NW, La Grande Boucherie is situated on the most high-profile street in Washington D.C., just one block away from the White House. The restaurant is built in elegant and ornamental Art Nouveau style, evoking the sense of optimism from the turn of the 20th century. The brasserie’s menu features both classic and modern French dishes, with focus on the meat program, raw bar and extravagant large-format meats, ideal for sharing and celebrating. Mahogany wood and glass partitions divide the gargantuan space to create intimate dining experiences. These pieces are adorned in gilded accents and uniquely curved arches inspired by the 20th-century Art Nouveau movement of Paris. The main dining room highlights a massive curved bar with a metal top imported from Paris, a signature piece of Boucherie.

9. Zaytinya - DC

4.7

Exceptional(19428)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter

Booked 216 times today

Under the direction of celebrated chef José Andrés and concept chef Michael Costa, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on Jose’s deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington, DC.

10. dLeña

4.7

Exceptional(2027)

Price: Expensive

• Latin American • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 72 times today

Welcome to dLeña, a Wood-Fire Mexican Cocina & Mezcaleria by Chef Richard Sandoval.dLeña is derived from the Spanish word “leña,” meaning firewood. The restaurant is centered around it’s wood-burning grill - a nod to the rustic open-fire cooking techniques of Mexico’s past. The menu transports diners to Mexico through a multi-sensory experience in every bite of the signature smoked entrées, fresh ceviches, and unique sharing plates. The expansive bar features hand-crafted margaritas, Latin cocktails, cervezas and vino. CHEF'S TABLE EXPERIENCE:Book an exclusive dining experience at our chef’s table tucked behind the main bar facing into the open kitchen. Chef will prepare eight courses for 160.00 per guest, with an optional beverage pairing for 75.00 per guest. Please visit our Chef's Table OpenTable page to book:https://www.opentable.com/r/dlena-chef-table-washington

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
AnnVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
As always, exceptional (authentic?) welcome and service. Food was excellent. Recommend Winter Squash for vegetarians; salmon was excellent. LOVE the ambience.
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Tabard InnPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Dupont Circle
•
4.7
S
Shaleah
Washington, D.C. Area •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Wow wow wow, everything was delicious and so flavorful. The service was great, the staff were so friendly and knowledgeable about every component in each dish. I could tell they were excited about each dish they served. The drink pairings were excellent. My favorite bite was the scallop and fried oyster ssam and the soondubu. The pork belly was heavenly and of course the short rib was perfect with the radish kimchi. The tuna bibimbap was genius. I’ll definitely be back.
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SHIA RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Korean• Washington
•
4.8
A
Abby
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
I’d suggest you make a reservation as it was a full house at 2pm on a Thursday. We were greeted promptly by our server and she checked on us regularly. The food came out timely and it was delicious. We each had alcoholic beverages, salads, an entree, cappuccinos and dessert. The bill was about $200 and I felt that was a fair price and worth it.
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Filomena RistorantePrice: Expensive• Italian• Georgetown
•
4.8
D
dan
South Carolina •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 27, 2024
Looking for exceptional fresh Persian food with spot on service and great art work this is your place . Authentic family recipes cooked by the chef that celebrates his family heritage with love and soul! Loved the steak/marinated tender chicken and sides, family braised chicken recipe in a pomegranate sauce over rice. Will return when we are back in town for sure!
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Kookoo Restaurant and LoungePrice: Moderate• Persian• Washington
•
4.5
S
Shantanab
Seattle / Eastern Washington •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 12, 2024
Always like going to Letena in DC. We were a group of 9 and our server was lovely- she took care of us and helped us in selecting the food
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Letena Ethiopian RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Ethiopian• Columbia Heights / Brightwood
•
4.9

Best Cozy Restaurants in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

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225 restaurants available nearby

1. Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

2. Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge

3. SHIA Restaurant

4. Tabard Inn

5. Filomena Ristorante

6. Olio e Più - DC

7. The Dabney

8. La Grande Boucherie - DC

9. Zaytinya - DC

10. dLeña

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