Best Casual Restaurants in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBaileys CrossroadsBeltsvilleBethesda

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

318 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge restaurant

1. Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge

4.6

Exceptional(23)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Persian • Washington

Booked 5 times today

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.

2. Trini Vybez

3.5

Very Good(3)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Caribbean • Washington

We’re a celebration of Trinidad and Tobago's street food culture while paying homage to the island with carefully crafted cocktails named after the landmarks of Trinidad and Tobago. Our two floor concept transitions from modern small bites such as oxtails sliders made with Trini hops bread, pepper roti, and vast wines and tastings on our lower level to the more traditional cuisine built upon the offerings established from our food truck, Trini Vybez, such as roti and the fan favorite doubles only this time, with meat and vegetable upgrade options.Whether it's small bites or full scale dining, we are sure to elevate your Caribbean food experience with island zest served up in a colorful yet modern setting.

3. SHIA Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(99)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Washington

Booked 25 times today

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. Press Club

4.9

Exceptional(59)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Dupont Circle

Booked 26 times today

Press Club is a record bar and cocktail lounge with a focus on the curation of guest experience and providing maximum levels of hospitality. The name is an homage to DC while also evoking the pressing of records and the ingredients used to craft our cocktails.Our Playlist Experience is a four course cocktail tasting flight featuring culinary techniques and seasonal ingredients. Each cocktail will be paired with accompanying snacks from our kitchen. Our standard reservations are for an a la carte experience featuring our cocktails and izakaya bites. To reserve for parties of 6 or more, please email us as hospitality@pressclubdc.com. The standard duration of this experience is one hour and thirty minutes. This time has been carefully chosen to accommodate the full range of our delicious cocktails and unique ambiance. We do not have a phone number. To connect, please use the OpenTable messaging system or send an email to hospitality@pressclubdc.com.

5. Ambar - Shaw

4.6

Exceptional(473)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Balkan style • Shaw

Booked 60 times today

Welcome to Ambar, where you are invited to explore the dynamic flavors of Balkan cuisine. What distinguishes us, is our well-curated, exclusive 'Dining Without Limits' experience, which brings you the soul of Balkan dining traditions. Our extensive menu boasts a variety of shareable small plates, perfectly paired with a vast selection of premium Balkan wines. Whether joining us for a leisurely lunch, celebratory weekend brunch, or an evening of indulgence, our unlimited dining menu promises to deliver an unparalleled culinary journey. We excel in serving individual guests, as well as larger groups, and private events.

A photo of Caruso's Grocery - DC restaurant

6. Caruso's Grocery - DC

4.8

Exceptional(1239)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Capitol Hill

Booked 50 times today

Please note that we are not offering Restaurant Week at our DC location. Located at 914 14th Street SE in Washington, DC.Caruso’s Grocery is modeled after the classic, Italian-American "red sauce" joint. You know the one: red banquettes, 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.

7. Chaplin

4.8

Exceptional(1605)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Shaw

Booked 34 times today

Chaplin's Restaurant & Bar is a 1930's style Japanese Ramen House and cocktail bar. Chaplin's Executive Chef and Partner, Myo Htun, is originally from Burma, but was cooking ramen in Japan at a young age. Myo received a blessing from his mentor in Japan after nearly 30 years of cooking in Japan, to come to America and continue to showcase his authentic Ramen and traditional Japanese cuisine. Chaplin's Restaurant demonstrates the aesthetic of a bustling ramen house in Japan in the 1930's silent film era. There is also a large outdoor dining area that is dog friendly. Chaplin's is located in the heart of the Historic Shaw neighborhood. And it is open until last call 7 days a week. Chaplin's received a Plate certification in the Michelin Guide in 2020. And it is located steps from the convention center and popular Logan Circle, 14th street and City Market.

A photo of Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen - Washington DC restaurant

8. Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen - Washington DC

4.4

Awesome(706)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary European • Southwest Waterfront

Booked 166 times today

Transcend on set to Chef Ramsay's iconic 22-season, six-time, Emmy-nominated television series Hell's Kitchen. A fine dining experience like no other, watch as the red and blue teams prepare, cook, and plate dishes emulating on-set Hell's Kitchen dinner service.

A photo of Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown restaurant

9. Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown

4.4

Awesome(10482)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 148 times today

Walking distance to many of DC’s historic landmarks, Founding Farmers & Distillers offers a diverse menu including dishes inspired by nearby Chinatown and cocktails featuring our in-house distillery, Founding Spirits. Open 365 days a year, our team is passionate about crafting dishes & drinks from scratch with high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know and trust. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch, or grab a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from our First Bake Cafe. Majority owned by American family farmers, including the more than 50,000 farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, our restaurant is guided by a very simple principal: we see and share everything Through The Eyes Of The Farmer.™ We actively care about our guests, our communities, the planet, and the next generation. This all comes together in our everyday

10. Centrolina

4.7

Exceptional(2185)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Penn Quarter

Booked 38 times today

Centrolina is an Italian restaurant and market, locally owned and operated by Chef Amy Brandwein, set in Washington’s CityCenterDC development. The Osteria showcases a seasonally driven menu of authentic and innovative Italian dishes offered for lunch and dinner. Chef Brandwein's menu is inspired from the seasons, Italian regionality and the wide variety of Chef curated product in the adjoining market. The market showcases a selection of imported Italian specialty items along with locally sourced meat, sustainable fish, and produce from local farms. The Centrolina kitchen produces daily hand crafted fresh pasta and sauces, antipasti and entrees available for takeaway. For parties of 7 people or more, we do require a prix-fixe menu, please email caroline@centrolinadc.com for additional information.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Denver / Colorado •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Second time we come to this restaurant, both the service (by Rosa and team) and the food were outstanding and creative.
More info
Ambar - ShawPrice: Moderate• Balkan style• Shaw
•
4.6
A
ArjunaVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
This was our first time at Press Club and it was awesome! From the time we were greeted to served everyone was friendly and welcoming. Music, vibes, drinks and food all impressed. I am looking forward to going back.
More info
Press ClubPrice: Moderate• Cocktail Bar• Dupont Circle
•
4.9
L
Laura
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
What a wonderful experience, the food, the service, and the location was amazing! We already have our reservation in for next month.
More info
SHIA RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Korean• Washington
•
4.9
C
Charles
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on Feb 15, 2025
Perfectly seasoned food and wonderful staff! This is the best place to grab a Persian bite
More info
Kookoo Restaurant and LoungePrice: Moderate• Persian• Washington
•
4.6
A
Anita
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 10, 2024
Delicious! Loved everything we ordered. Doubles, roti, chicken, spinach, plantains.
More info
Trini VybezPrice: Expensive• Caribbean• Washington
•
3.5

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