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

OpenTable

Updated May 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Service Bar

4.9

4.9 (14)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Service Bar, opened by Chad Spangler and Glendon Hartley, has provided Washington DC with a relaxed and intimate alternative to the typical stiff-upper-lip cocktail bar.

Top review

morgan

Dined 3 days ago

New favorite bar in DC. Cocktails are top notch but the ambience is chill. Food is simple but amazing; I’m a southerner and the fried chicken passed my test. Servers and vibe all top notch. Great people watching if you sit outside. Absolutely love this place. Best bar in DC

Gyu San Japanese BBQ

4.9

4.9 (97)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Arlington

About the restaurant

At Gyusan Japanese BBQ, offer high-quality cuts of meat, that are known for their tenderness, flavor, and overall premium quality, which include cuts such as Wagyu beef, dry-aged beef, prime rib, and other premium cuts of beef, as well as premium cuts of pork, lamb, and other meats.Wagyu beef, for example, is known for its high level of marbling, which gives it a rich, buttery flavor and a tender texture. Dry-aged beef is beef that has been hung in a cool, dry place for several weeks, which helps to intensify its flavor and tenderize the meat.Our focus is often on using the highest quality and freshest ingredients, including premium cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and organic vegetables.From salad to sashimi and yakiniku to noodles, your friends and family are bound to find something to enjoy together.

Top review

Latonya

Dined on Mar 8, 2025

This is the best place the food is so good and the service is amazing.

Eatopia Eatery

4.8

4.8 (26)

$31 to $50

Ethiopian

U Street Corridor

About the restaurant

Welcome to Eatopia Eatery, an Ethiopian fine dining experience located in the heart of the historic U Street Corridor. We offers a luxurious dining experience with a communal touch. Indulge in the vibrant atmosphere from our wide window seats while our excellent service ensures that every moment is memorable.

At Eatopia, our culinary artisans craft each dish with love, using authentic ingredients and traditional techniques to bring the flavors to life. Signature dishes include our tantalizing Doro Wot & our savory Shiro (Chickpeas ) to our wide plant based selections, sea food entrees. You got to try the Eatopia Beef Tibs and Lega Tibs (Lamb)

Join us for a dining experience where the present meets the future, and every bite is a celebration of hope, heritage, and tradition.”

Eatopia is just steps away from iconic landmarks such as the Lincoln Theatre and the African American Civil War Memorial and close to DC's main attractions, including the White House and the National Mall.

Top review

Arun

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food and welcoming service. A bit slow taking order. But overall experience was excellent!

MXDC

4.6

4.6 (2523)

$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

Gerry

Dined on May 5, 2025

Great food and service, but the music was very very loud, which was a distraction as we could not talk and hear each other at the table.

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Murphy's Grand Irish Pub

4.6

4.6 (380)

$30 and under

European

Old Town Alexandria

About the restaurant

---- IF FOR SOME REASON, ALL RESERVATIONS SLOTS ARE GONE, PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ONLY ALLOW FOR 30% OF OUR ENTIRE RESTAURANT TO BE RESERVED AT ANY ONE TIME TO ALLOW ROOM FOR WALK-INS ----
Opened in 1978 and located in the heart of historic Old Town, Alexandria, Murphy's Grand Irish Pub is one of Alexandria's best-loved and most inviting restaurants. Murphy's offers an extensive menu and top-class traditional cuisine in the welcoming ambiance of its cozy settings.

A short 10-15-minute drive from the nation's capital, this landmark establishment is located at the main intersection in Old Town, King & Washington.

Today, the tradition of great food and drink remains as steadfast as when the doors first opened back in 1978

Murphy's has Live Irish Music seven nights a week and on weekends, on both floors.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The soft-shell crab benedict was an enjoyable treat. We so enjoyed celebrating Mother's Day at Murphy's with friends.

Orleans Bistro and Bar

4.6

4.6 (11)

$30 and under

Regional British (Southern)

Fredericksburg

About the restaurant

Tisha Johnson, a native of Toledo Ohio with passion for serving others. She has two beautiful daughters and pool of friends that are second to none. She moved to the Fredericksburg area in 1996 with a drive for success.

Her passion for food came from her mother and family gatherings where food brought loved ones together for fun times. She opened her first restaurant Buttercups Cafe in 2013. She decided to close and seek a larger location.
In October 2017, she opened Orleans Bistro & Grill at South Point Plaza in Fredericksburg, VA! Tisha is a member of the local Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce and North Stafford Rotary Club where she correctly serves on the board as their secretary. She also serves on the board of Stafford Junction as secretary. She was named 2017 Rotarian of the Year.
Her compassion for others and love for children has been a cornerstone of her success. With a desire to infuse love in the community she welcomes you to dine with her at Orleans Bistro and Grill!

Top review

Joan

Dined on May 3, 2025

I booked my birthday party for a Friday night. Everything was amazing from the booking process, food, drinks, staff, music, ambience, and other customers. We had an awesome time dining, dancing, and socializing with mature adults. It was a fantastic birthday celebration! I highly recommend this venue when you want to have a great time.

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Experience

Jazz, Jackets, and Heels in the Cigar Room

The Society Restaurant & Lounge

4.5

4.5 (620)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Silver Spring

About the restaurant

CARRYOUT SERVICES continue to be available: WWW.SOCIETYSS.COM 301-565-8864

Our cuisine combines classic American fare with authentic Caribbean flavors. Special menu features include Caribbean Jerk Chicken, Red Snapper, and Homemade Bread Pudding. At The Society Restaurant & Lounge, we are inspired by our deep love of people, community, and hearty food. We celebrate the achievements of past and present influences and promote collective involvement to advance our local community. Come and grab a drink. Stay for dinner. We welcome you to experience the best of who we are, where we go, and what we eat. Ask us about our corporate happy hour specials and birthday party packages.

Top review

Rohilda

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent customer service. Chris was fantastic! Very attentive, and professional with exceptional service.

Lima Twist

4.3

4.3 (80)

$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

TaNekaVIP

Dined on Feb 15, 2025

Nice vibe, great music, food was good. Nice spot to get out and chill.

IVY by the Lake

4.2

4.2 (194)

$30 and under

Middle Eastern

Sterling

About the restaurant

Conveniently located in Loudoun County, Ivy by the Lake combines Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences with local-inspired dishes.
Our unique lakeside getaway is the perfect ambiance for our chef’s curated menu. Begin the evening with our flavorful dinner options and custom cocktails, and let the night evolve into a late-night revelry.
The perfect escape, we look forward to seeing you at Ivy by the Lake.

Top review

AnastaciaVIP

Dined on May 4, 2025

Absolutely amazing! Stunning restaurant, beautiful views, EXCELLENT food and perfect cocktails. We went on a Sunday evening with barely anyone in the restaurant so it was super quiet. I know on Friday and Saturday nights it has more of a lounge feel with a DJ but we wanted to make sure we like it first. Very reasonably priced and every single thing we had including dessert was incredible. Our waitress was the sweetest. Returning soon!

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Experience

Tableside Shawarma($92 Per order, NOT per person)

Canopy Central Café & Bar

3.6

3.6 (712)

$31 to $50

American

Southwest Waterfront

About the restaurant

Enjoy Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner with a beautiful view of the Wharf. Located above Hanks and Boardwalk Inside the Canopy by Hilton Hotel

Top review