Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Fitzgerald's

4.8

4.8 (85)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Fitzgerald's is a cocktail-centric restaurant and bar located in Georgetown with an inviting club chair lounge, intimate tables perfect for date night, and a beautifully welcoming bar well stocked with your favorite spirits. The restaurant's menu features a fusion of American and international cuisine, with dishes that are both innovative and uniquely flavorful. Fitzgerald's also boasts an extensive beverage menu, with expertly crafted cocktails and a long wine list that is sure to impress.

Top review

PatrickVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Food, cocktails, service, and ambiance were all fantastic

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Experience

Wednesday - Saturday | 5 - 6:30 pm

MXDC

4.6

4.6 (2479)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

🎉🌮 Exciting News Alert! 🌮🎉

We are thrilled to announce that MXDC is officially OPEN at our new location at 1610 14th St NW, Washington DC! 🎉✨ Come join us for an unforgettable dining, lounge, and bar experience filled with delicious tacos, refreshing drinks, and fantastic vibes. 🍹🌶️

We can't wait to welcome you to our new home and create many more memorable moments together! See you soon at MXDC!

With love and tacos,
The MXDC Team ❤️🌮❤️

Top review

gabrielleVIP

Dined 6 days ago

First visit. Everything was perfect and delicious. We’ll be back.

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4.6

4.6 (163)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

In the grand tradition of French cuisine, Café Riggs presents a contemporary American brasserie that reimagines classic dishes within a vibrant setting.

Top review

MICHAELA

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

I will absolutely be back. It isn't often that a hotel restaurant blows me out of the water, but I would argue Cafe Riggs is one of the best restaurants in the area. Our server was phenomenal. He mastered the right amount of attentiveness and personability without being oppressive. The food was fantastic, and the ambiance was incredible...I could carry on. I also believe a manager or food & beverage staffer came over to check on us while refilling water. This is my new favorite place in DC. Also, their uniform is too cute; I want one of their denim shirts, ha.

Silver Social

4.6

4.6 (177)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

Silver Social by Executive Chef Ype Von Hengst offers a creative menu of elevated comfort food and contemporary American sharing plates to complement our craft drink menu.
Located on the second floor above Silver Diner, Silver Social’s unique feature is a 50-seat covered outdoor terrace overlooking Nationals Park.

Rules & Restrictions: 16+ accompanied by an adult till 9:00pm. 21 and Up only after 9:00pm

Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 30 minutes for parties up to 6 people. The entire party must be present to be seated. If you can’t make your reservation, please cancel it 30 minutes in advance.

We accept online reservations for parties of 1 to 6 persons. For parties of 7 to 9 persons, please call the restaurant for availability. For any larger groups please contact our Event Planner Rebecca Morris at rmorris@eatatsilver.com

Top review

Ric

Dined 4 days ago

Nate was great. It was my wife’s birthday and he ensured she felt welcomed, warm and special on her day. Thank you.

Cuba Libre - DC

4.4

4.4 (3143)

$31 to $50

Cuban

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar is dedicated to a continued exploration of Cuban heritage, art, music, flavors and traditions. The open-air setting, tropical ambiance, vintage décor, Latin music and two-time James Beard Award winning founding Chef Guillermo Pernot's menu of classic and contemporary Cuban cuisine make the restaurant a must-see, must-experience dining destination. Enjoy a signature mojito with your dinner, weekend brunch or late night dancing (Fridays and Saturdays after 11 PM). Planning a private event? Visit Cuba Libre’s website to learn about the various event spaces, party enhancements, and customizable menus.

Top review

Alyson

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Excellent service and delicious food. We enjoyed the music and the environment. We will definitely be back.

SoBe Restaurant & Lounge

4.3

4.3 (1204)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lanham

About the restaurant

Featuring South Beach inspired Decor and an expansive menu, SoBe should be at the top of your list for Upscale Restaurants in suburban Washington, D.C. Our mixture of international cuisines, highlighted by premium meats and fresh seafood, will ensure that your experience is one to remember. Expect a fine dining atmosphere and a gracious and courteous staff to attend to your needs. Our bar features artisan cocktails, premium liquors, draft beer and a selection of global wines. Relax in our Lounge Area for Happy Hour or any gathering.

Top review

Charmaine

Dined 3 days ago

Overall, I enjoyed my experience. I only rated the service lower because they only had one waitress working our entire side. It wasn’t her fault that service was slow but she was amazing given the magnitude of people and she seemingly was working alone. My food was delicious! I ordered the pan seared salmon (with an amazing beurre blanc sauce), creamy mashed potatoes and collard greens (which were not seasoned properly - I’m a southerner). The band (Wes Got my Own Sound) was great. I’ll definitely want to check them out again. If you don’t like loud music, this isn’t the spot for you. I love to eat good food and dance to good music so it was perfect for me!

The Alex Speakeasy at The Graham Georgetown

4.3

4.3 (89)

$30 and under

Speakeasy

Georgetown

About the restaurant

The Alex is a tribute to prohibition. This cozy speakeasy takes you back to the 1920’s with a touch of modern swank. Enjoy a carefully crafted cocktail menu, bites from our Chef selected shareables or one of our weekly featured dishes. Telephone-themed details pay homage to the bar’s eponym, Alexander Graham Bell. Only accessible by keyless entry using a special code, The Alex is the ideal destination to mosey up to the bar and spend the evening partying like it’s still the prohibition era.

Currently playing: The Blue Dot Jazz Band, every Friday & Saturday 6:30pm - 9:00pm.

Top review

ChrisVIP

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

This is an intimate speakeasy. The music on nov 30 evening was excellent. Beautiful jazz trio that can play just about anything. The drinks are inventive - and expensive. We pay because we like to hear the music. We had a wonderful server, Carla, who took good care of us. I think everyone should try it! By the way, the French fries are worth the trip! Hot, crunchy, crispy, with a touch of parmesan. Almost ordered a second helping!

Lima Twist

4.1

4.1 (78)

$31 to $50

South American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Legendary Lima returns… with a twist. Located at 1411 K St. NW Washington, D.C. Step into a world of sophisticated luxury and exquisite taste. Cultivated and designed to awaken and arouse all of your senses. Take in the beauty of modern elegance and those around you. Tickle your taste buds and indulge in an array of culinary creations inspired by regions of robust flavors. Refresh yourself with artisanal crafted cocktails sourced from natural ingredients. Become engulfed in the exotic scents of the Pacific coast of Peru, Lima and valley of Machu Picchu. Be amazed at the site of masterful illumination, crystallized lighting and LED light shows.

Top review

CarmenVIP

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Great atmosphere, the entrees and drinks were delicious. The apps werw good but the portions were too smallFor the value. Just an FYI, soda refills are not free.

The Commentary

3.9

3.9 (90)

$30 and under

American

Arlington

About the restaurant

Located in the bustling neighborhood of Ballston, The Commentary sets the tone to come together and connect over shared experiences and conversation. A new All American Eatery and Social House, The Commentary infuses East Coast ingredients with a West Coast flair. From business breakfasts to power lunches and happy hours, the dynamic space accommodates groups large and small for a variety of purposes. In our bar and lounge, enjoy shareable appetizers, shareable cocktails, local draft beers and a well rounded wine selection sure to please all palates.

Top review

LeslieVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Slow service but food was good. Space was quiet. One meal came out 10 minutes later than the rest.

Barley Mac

3.7

3.7 (840)

$30 and under

American

Rosslyn

About the restaurant

Barley Mac is an American tavern fare restaurant using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and with an extensive bourbon selection and fresh handcrafted cocktails. We're also known for our Saturday and Sunday brunch. Best of Arlington voted Barley Mac as a top vote getter for best brunch in Arlington. You'll be sure to find our 3 egg omelets, 4 different styles of eggs benedict's and our homemade mimosa flavors!

Don't forget about our Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 4-7pm! Call and ask us for our daily specials. All happy hour and event inquiries can contact Events@barleymac.com

Top review

Alex

Dined on Oct 13, 2024

Food was fantastic—service on the other hand was not

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Popular dish

Buffalo Roasted Chicken Pizza

Explore Diners' Choice best of Washington, D.C. Area