If you’ve read this blog, you know I like food. Each year, Washingtonian publishes its 100 Best Restaurants for a given year, and it’s often my guide for where to eat in the DMV when I’m otherwise at a loss.
The list doesn’t change all that much year-over-year. Restaurants do fall off, but at the top of the list the editors and food people at Washingtonian tend to jockey the ranks among a select few. This makes it easier for someone like me to track “the best places to eat” over my next 12 months of weekday and weeknight meals.
On this page, I’ve reprinted the Washingtonian‘s top 100 for 2019. With each restaurant, I’ve linked to any pieces I’ve written about it, as well as a simple binary ranking system. For places I haven’t tried, you won’t find a recommendation.
A quick note: I care about price, food quality, service, etc. I can afford a nice meal on occasion, but I’m of the opinion that it’s a treat to dine out and my recommendations reflect that. I’m also a pretty easy critic, so unless something was crazy pricey or the food was … not great I’m liable to recommend.
- Minibar
- The Dabney (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- The Inn at Little Washington
- Sushi Nakazawa
- Tail Up Goat (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Pineapple and Pearls
- Elle
- Komi
- Kinship
- Little Serow
- Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana
- Spoken English (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Métier
- Del Mar (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Centrolina (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Bad Saint (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Himitsu (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Blue Duck Tavern (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Sushi Taro (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Chloe
- Masseria (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Bresca (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Le Diplomate (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Estadio
- All Purpose (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- St. Anslem (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Rasika/Rasika West End (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Fiola
- Momofuku CCDC (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Maydan (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Kaliwa
- Izakaya Seki
- Fiola Mare (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Poca Madre
- Mirabelle (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Marcel’s
- Clarity
- 2 Amys (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Unconventional Diner (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse
- Rappahannock Oyster Bar
- Rose’s Luxury (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Etto
- Iron Gate (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Convival (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Maketto (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Nasime
- Obelisk
- Bindaas
- Thip Khao/Padaek
- CHIKO (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Q by Peter Chang (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
Sally’s Middle Name (#RIP)- Little Pearl (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Plume
- The Riggsby
- A Rake’s Progress
- Ananda
- Fancy Raddish
- Flamant
- Bibiana
- Esaan
- Bantam King/Daikaya/Haikan
- China Chilcano (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- El Sapo Cuban Social Club
- The Bombay Club
- Osteria Morini (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Rice Paper
- Doi Moi
- The Red Hen (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Marib
- L’Auberge Chez François/Jacques’ Brasserie
- Sushiko
- A&J Restaurant
- Kith and Kin (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Call Your Mother
- Tiger Fork
- Urban Butcher
- Preserve
- Chez Billy Sud (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- The Salt Line (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Lapis
- Ray’s The Steaks
- Lucky Buns
- Compass Rose
- Jaleo (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Kogiya
- Ser (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- Fava Pot
- Beteseb
- Mintwood Place (Would Recommend/Would Not Recommend)
- San Lorenzo
- Northwest Chinese Food
- Reverie
- Afghan Bistro/Bistro Aracosia
- Elephant Jumps
- Johnny’s Half Shell
- Royal Nepal
- La Limeña
- Timber Pizza Co.
Erik Payne 