Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Kensington

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchJapanese

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

ArlingtonBethesdaCapitol HillCleveland ParkDowntownGeorgetown

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

28 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

The default order for search results reflects a number of factors, including table availability, restaurant location, search criteria, and restaurant reviews and ratings. In addition, payment made by a restaurant to OpenTable is also a factor for the relative ordering of restaurants.

A photo of Caruso's Grocery - Pike & Rose restaurant

1. Caruso's Grocery - Pike & Rose

4.5

Awesome(789)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Bethesda

Booked 54 times today

Caruso's Grocery in Pike and Rose is modeled after the classic, Italian-American "red sauce" joint. You know the one: nostalgic photos on the walls , a killer chicken parmesan, Sinatra pouring through the speakers. If you’re looking for modern interpretations of a chef's take on the classics, you won’t find them here. A joint venture from Neighborhood Restaurant Group and Partner Matthew Adler.

A photo of Benihana - Bethesda, MD restaurant

2. Benihana - Bethesda, MD

4.3

Awesome(2692)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Bethesda

Booked 38 times today

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

A photo of Medium Rare - Bethesda restaurant

3. Medium Rare - Bethesda

4.6

Exceptional(1526)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Bethesda

Booked 52 times today

A Diner's Choice Award winner for the last 12 years! Legendary Medium Rare offers a unique, $28.95prix fixe dinning experience of artisan bread; a mixed green salad; prime, dry-aged steak; and hand-cut fries (Vegetarian option always available) in a relaxed, fun, environment. Please allow us 15 minutes to seat you after your full party has arrived and after checkin at our host stand. As we do only one thing, we do our best to make the food and experience exceptional and also a good value. We also serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday's with a great prix fixe including French Toast, Steak and Eggs, Eggs Benedict and bottomless Bloody Marys, Mimosas and Screwdrivers. WALK INS and CALL AHEAD seating are always welcomed.

A photo of Black's Bar & Kitchen restaurant

4. Black's Bar & Kitchen

4.7

Exceptional(3419)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Bethesda

Booked 36 times today

WELCOME BACK!Black’s Bar & Kitchen is excited to announce we are back open to the public for dine-in service! While we encourage you to use our online portal for convenient curbside carryout pickup, we have staged our patio, dining room and café tables to provide our Guests with a socially accepted distance to dine. Food, Wine, & Cocktails to the heart of the ever-evolving Downtown Bethesda, Black’s remains the community Hot Spot for killer happy hour bar bites. Black’s has been on the forefront of supporting local farming & sustainable growing practices, serving only the highest quality produce, meats, & seafood for well over a decade.Love Oysters? We do. Our Premium raw bar is unparalleled with rotating varieties of bivalves from all coasts of the Americas and a stellar wine list to match. Whether you’re popping champagne for a special occasion, watching the game enjoying a cold craft beer and Duck Nachos in the bar, Black’s Bar & Kitchen is the destination for any occasion.

5. Zaytinya - DC

4.7

Exceptional(19852)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter

Booked 307 times today

Under the direction of celebrated Chef José Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup team, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on José'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.

6. The Hamilton

4.7

Exceptional(12128)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 168 times today

The Hamilton, located in downtown Washington, DC, is a vibrant restaurant known for its diverse American cuisine and lively atmosphere. Showcasing an expansive menu that includes fresh seafood, savory steaks, and inventive sushi, it caters to a wide range of tastes. The Hamilton also features an impressive bar with handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. With its spacious dining areas and a music venue hosting live music performances, The Hamilton offers a unique dining experience that blends culinary excellence with entertainment. Across the street from the Treasury building, the W Hotel, and the Willard Hotel.

7. Succotash PRIME

4.6

Exceptional(4150)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Penn Quarter

Booked 64 times today

Succotash PRIME is a progressive perspective of classic Southern favorites. James Beard Award winner Edward Lee brings his Korean roots and Southern repertoire to a soulful Southern Steakhouse menu.SUCCOTASH is named after the classic dish that has been a longstanding staple of the Southern table. While many know “Succotash” when they see it, the dish has been interpreted, modified, and passed from generation to generation for centuries. Our “Succotash” is special to us and we invite you to experience the South from our point of view.

A photo of Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown restaurant

8. Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown

4.4

Awesome(13989)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Georgetown

Booked 165 times today

Located at Georgetown’s Washington Harbor on the Potomac River with a lively dining room, full-service bar, and a covered & heated patio, this farmer-owned restaurant is open 365 days a year serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, and a decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch. Everything is made from scratch with simple, high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers they know and trust. Expansive menus include an array of seafood dishes, sushi, pizzas, tacos, decadent desserts, Founding Farmers Chocolates, classic and tiki cocktails featuring spirits from their DC-based distillery, Founding Spirits. You can also swing by for a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from their First Bake Cafe. Mission driven and operating Through The Eyes Of The Farmer,™ they actively care about their guests, communities, and the planet. Please know that a 22% auto-gratuity will be applied to parties of 8 or more. We look forward to serving you!

9. Nobu DC

4.7

Exceptional(2381)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Washington

Booked 79 times today

Situated on the ground floor of the new Residences on M Street, in the heart of the West End just steps from Georgetown, Nobu Washington DC brings Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s genre-defining cuisine to the nation’s Capital. With more than 11,000 square feet of space including the Bar & Lounge, Dining Room and Sushi Bar, and multiple private event spaces, Nobu DC presents the ideal setting to enjoy signatures like Black Cod with Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi Jalapeño alongside DC-inspired dishes and cocktails.

A photo of The Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C restaurant

10. The Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C

4.5

Awesome(3991)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Penn Quarter

Booked 104 times today

The Smith in Penn Quarter, D.C is a popular spot for American cuisine. It's known for its casual and happy atmosphere, with reviews raving about its fantastic service, delicious food, and beautiful decor. It's praised for being a great place to gather, be it for a working lunch or a night out. The menu features bistro classics, seasonal fare, and craft cocktails. It's a spot that never disappoints.

‘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

J
JanetVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •12 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
Hadnt realized prices increased a good bit so was a bit more $$ than I expected.
More info
Medium Rare - BethesdaPrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• Bethesda
•
4.6
R
RicardoVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •12 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Black's always offer great food, wonderful service and a lovely ambience. The food is very tasty and reasonably priced and the service is great, especially by Carlos, a fantastic server who always is eager to please his customers.
More info
Black's Bar & KitchenPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Bethesda
•
4.7
M
Michele
Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great food, nice menu. Friendly and helpful staff. A lovely place to meet friends for lunch!
More info
Zaytinya - DCPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Penn Quarter
•
4.7
B
Beth
Washington, D.C. Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 23, 2025
Amazing place for restorative and delicious lunch. Excellent service. Ask for bread at lunch if you want it and it’s brought right away. I’ll be back! With friends.
More info
Caruso's Grocery - Pike & RosePrice: Expensive• Italian• North Bethesda
•
4.5
C
Christopher
Washington, D.C. Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 22, 2025
Always have a great time here. Highly recommended!
More info
Benihana - Bethesda, MDPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Bethesda
•
4.3

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