14 Fancy Restaurants In Washington DC

fancy restaurants in d.c
Sameeksha
Sameeksha 
Updated
| 3 min read

Washington is one of the most fantastic places for foodies in the USA offering a tremendous variety of food outlets to satisfy your culinary expectations. Being the capital of the USA, Washington DC is famous for its diverse culture and population from all around the globe. Be it Chinese, Thai, Japanese, or Indian, DC serves everyone. It is not surprising to find many classy restaurants serving top quality and exceptionally delicious food in an exotic and pleasing manner. Washington’s culinary sphere is also home to some of the award-winning chefs serving their specialties in an astonishingly pleasant way. Planning a visit soon? We suggest looking for either a staycation spot or a luxurious hotel first then read further to find the list of best fancy restaurants in Washington DC.

1. Rooster & Owl

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Rooster & Owl is a Michelin Star restaurant that believes that eating out is more than just enjoying a meal but a shared experience to be enjoyed with loved ones. It’s in this belief that the restaurant takes pride in making sure each visit is a celebration, offering excellent food, drinks, and service to go with the restaurant’s laid-back atmosphere. This dining spot also sources the ingredients locally, building a seasonal menu that ensures freshness each day of the year.

Rooster & Owl

Address: 2436 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States

Website: Rooster & Owl

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

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2. The Dabney

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Please join us and create your own beautiful flatlay from our menu!

Posted by The Dabney on Friday, February 4, 2022

The Dabney is considered a “fancy” restaurant because of its refined menu but its bare tables, exposed historic brick walls, and friendly service showcase its overall casual atmosphere. The Dabney is one of the top fancy dinner places in Washington DC because it sources the ingredients from Mid-Atlantic’s finest farms and purveyors, not only providing support to local businesses but ensuring that every dish served is of its freshest quality.

After a marvelous dining experience, head to The Cellar, the restaurant’s cozy tavern where you can enjoy a nice drink with your friends.

The Dabney

Address: 122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States

Website: The Dabney

Opening hours: Wed, Thu, & Sun: 5pm - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

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3. Del Mar

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re looking for fancy places to eat in DC, Del Mar is another Michelin Star option that offers Spanish seafood cuisine. It boasts a team of top-notch chefs headed by Fabio Trabocchi, an Italian chef and restaurateur based in DC. With such an excellent team handling the kitchen, you can expect only the best food that features outstanding Mediterranean flavors.

The restaurant also flaunts two floors of sophisticated Spanish-style dining areas with outdoor seats that provide stunning views of the marina and Wharf’s Yacht Club.

Del Mar

Address: 791 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024, United States

Website: Del Mar

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 9:30pm

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4. Bad Saint

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Bad Saint on Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Bad Saint is a popular award-winning fine dining restaurant in DC that specializes in Filipino cuisine. It is helmed by Tom Cunanan, a Filipino-American who was named the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic by the respected James Beard Foundation in 2019. The kitchen dishes out a small yet excellent menu of favorite Filipino dishes, which include the ever-popular adobo and the luscious peanut-based oxtail stew called kare-kare.

The restaurant is more than just great food and drinks, though, as the Filipino-inspired designs in the dining areas, which also include an outdoor patio, create a relaxing homey vibe throughout.

Bad Saint

Address: 3226 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010, United States

Website: Bad Saint

Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Thu: 5:30pm - 10pm; Fri: 5:30pm - 11pm; Sat: 5pm - 11pm; Sun: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Tue)

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Washington Tour Guide

Annie Leguennec

Annie Leguennec

My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.

Tours by Annie

Washington Tour Guide

Stephanie Eley

Stephanie Eley

I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of the US: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona! Let's GO!! stepheley@gmail.com

Tours by Stephanie

5. 1789 Restaurant

fancy restaurants in d.c | restaurant
Source: instagram

1789 Restaurant is one of the most loved fancy restaurants in DC serving quintessential recipes from some of the best chefs in Washington. The restaurant is elegant, clean and perfectly hygienic offering top-class services and highly attentive staff ensuring a wonderful experience. The restaurant has a unique food menu, and the wine list is a must-try.

1789 Restaurant

Address: (202) 965-1789, 1226 36th St NW, Georgetown

Website: 1789 Restaurant

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 5pm - 10pm, Fri - Sat: 5pm - 11pm

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6. Fiola

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Fiola is one among the splendid fancy restaurants in DC that are located on Peninsula Avenue. The spot offers the customers to sit outside or inside the restaurant while relishing their meals. It is open on all days and serves an avid variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is Michelin-rated for the sublime flavors it offers. It offers a sophisticated dining experience and the serene music played in the background adds on to the elegance in the ambiance.

Fiola

Address: 601 Pennsylvania Ave Nw, Washington, DC 20004 at N 6th St Penn Quarter

Website: Fiola

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 10:30pm; Sat: 5pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 5pm - 9pm

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7. Plume

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Plume on Monday, March 2, 2020

Plume is among the most ravishing fancy restaurants in DC. They offer dishes that promise to be smooth, strong and flavourful. The wines served at the restaurant are an inspiration from Thomas Jefferson’s authentic collection. The ambiance of the eatery is an epitome of quality and ethnicity. This hub is recommended for a memorable dining experience and the service which is discreet as well as attentive and always informed.

Plume

Address: 1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036, b/t N Scott Cir & N M St Downtown, Dupont Circle

Website: Plume

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 5:30pm - 9pm (closed on Mon & Sun)

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8. Peacock Alley Tea


Peacock Alley Tea is amongst the magnificent fancy restaurants in DC. It is located in Pennsylvania Ave NW and offers a fusion of American cuisines with a blend of exorbitant champagne flair on the menu. The chef follows an approach to amalgamate dishes with the tropical flavors of America so that it glorifies a splendid menu for the customers.

Peacock Alley Tea

Address: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

Website: Peacock Alley Tea

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Mon & Thu)

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9. Muze

fancy restaurants in d.c | muze
Source: instagram

Muze is a fancy restaurant located in DC that offers distinctive flavors of South-East Asia constituting a tantalizing menu of international dishes with a delicious Asian feel. The food is cooked with a blend of traditional spices and indulged in an array of sauces which will delight the food lover’s taste buds.

Muze

Address: Mandarin Oriental - Washington,1330 Maryland Ave SW Washington, DC 20024

Website: Muze

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6:30am - 10:30am, 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 7am - 10:30am, 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10pm

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10. Blue Duck Tavern

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Thank you for your continued support of our ‘To Go’ program. Place your family meal for pick up or delivery tonight ?...

Posted by Blue Duck Tavern on Friday, February 19, 2021

Blue Duck Tavern is a grub-hub fancy restaurant in DC with a bar that provides a variety of delicacies which are absolutelyfull of flavors. The place accommodates food lovers to savor the menu with some delicious soul food during lunch, dinner and Happy Hours.

Blue Duck Tavern

Address: 1201 24th St NW West End

Website: Blue Duck Tavern

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 6:30am - 10:30am, 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm

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11. The Lafayette

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

NEW on our all-day dining menu at The Lafayette — Charred Mediterranean Octopus with Pickled Baby Peppers, Chipotle...

Posted by The Hay-Adams on Tuesday, February 9, 2021

The Lafayette is a fancy restaurant in DC that provides delicious comfort food that will give a run for your money. The ambiance of the eatery comprises of pool tables, a private dining area, and a bar. This place is suitable for individuals from all age groups with food and beverages served during Happy Hours. The soulful music, elegant interiors, dope art on the window panes adds on a beautiful ambiance which will leave customers with happy faces.

The Lafayette

Address: The Hay-Adams, 800 16th St Nw Washington, DC 20006, b/t N I St & N H St Downtown

Website: The Lafayette

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6:30am - 10pm; Sun: 7am - 2pm

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12. Kingbird


Kingbird is a fancy restaurant in DC which is located in the heart of the city. It offers French-inspired delicacies which are an absolute delight to the taste buds. The staff is welcoming, the interiors are crisp, space is large and can accommodate couples, friends, and families.

Kingbird

Address: The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave NW,Washington, DC 20037

Website: Kingbird

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 6:30am - 11pm

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13. BLT Prime by David Burke


BLT Prime is a fancy restaurant in DC owned by David Burke located at Trump Hotel. This eatery is a master in culinary skills and specializes in delighting customers with cuisines from across the globe. BLT Prime serves dishes which gives a run for the money in terms of quantity and quality. Every meal savored with a glass of wine is blissful.

BLT Prime by David Burke

Address: 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004

Website: BLT Prime by David Burke

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 6:30am - 11pm

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14. Cut

Steaks on Display
Source: Photo by Flickr user Richard used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Cut is a fancy restaurant in DC are tucked away in an alley in Beverly Hills. It is a treat to every customer to sit at the table and watch the timeless interiors by Richard Meier while waiting for the order to be served freshly cooked. The service is impeccable with servers attending the customers to provide the requirements to enjoy complete satisfaction during the visit.

Cut

Address: ROSEWOOD WASHINGTON, D.C.,1050 31st ST NW, Washington, D.C. 20007, USA

Website: Cut

Opening hours: Opening Spring 2019

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Ready to go fancy in Washington DC

fancy restaurants in d.c | ready to go fancy in washington dc
Source: Pixabay

The above list of top 10 fancy restaurants in Washington DC is specially designed for food enthusiasts from all around the globe. So, if you ever wish to explore the rich taste and flavor of the capital city of the USA, don’t forget to relish these super authentic dishes served in this city.

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Frequently asked questions about fancy restaurants in Washington DC


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Sameeksha Jain is a passionate travel writer. Known to weave captivating tales for over six years, each of her sentences is a ticket to destinations painted in prose. Her love affair with travel...Read more

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