Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

236 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Letena Ethiopian Restaurant restaurant

1. Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(102)

Price: Moderate

• Ethiopian • Columbia Heights / Brightwood

Booked 4 times today

Letena is a farm-to-table Ethiopian restaurant serving dishes made with natural, premium ingredients. Located in the heart of Columbia Heights, Washington DC, Letena is a family-owned destination centered around authentic, quality Ethiopian food. Owner Yamrot Ezineh opened Letena’s doors in October 2016. Yamrot and her team love welcoming new and old friends to enjoy Letena’s delicious, fresh food. Their goal is to make the unique experience of Ethiopian food approachable for everyone, from vegetarians and vegans to meat-lovers alike. Letena’s original Ethiopian dishes have won accolades from various publications and review platforms including Food Network, Washingtonian, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.

2. SHIA Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(45)

Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Washington

Booked 2 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.**

3. Zaytinya - DC

4.7

Exceptional(19446)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter

Booked 307 times today

Under the direction of celebrated chef José Andrés and concept chef Michael Costa, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on Jose’s deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington, DC.

A photo of Caruso's Grocery - DC restaurant

4. Caruso's Grocery - DC

4.8

Exceptional(1191)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Capitol Hill

Booked 51 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.

5. dLeña

4.7

Exceptional(2033)

Price: Expensive

• Latin American • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 127 times today

Welcome to dLeña, a Wood-Fire Mexican Cocina & Mezcaleria by Chef Richard Sandoval.dLeña is derived from the Spanish word “leña,” meaning firewood. The restaurant is centered around it’s wood-burning grill - a nod to the rustic open-fire cooking techniques of Mexico’s past. The menu transports diners to Mexico through a multi-sensory experience in every bite of the signature smoked entrées, fresh ceviches, and unique sharing plates. The expansive bar features hand-crafted margaritas, Latin cocktails, cervezas and vino. CHEF'S TABLE EXPERIENCE:Book an exclusive dining experience at our chef’s table tucked behind the main bar facing into the open kitchen. Chef will prepare eight courses for 160.00 per guest, with an optional beverage pairing for 75.00 per guest. Please visit our Chef's Table OpenTable page to book:https://www.opentable.com/r/dlena-chef-table-washington

A photo of Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom restaurant

6. Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom

4.5

Awesome(34478)

Price: Moderate

• American • Foggy Bottom

Booked 259 times today

Our award-winning Founding Farmers DC flagship restaurant opened in 2008 just three blocks west of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Open 365 days a year, our team is passionate about crafting dishes and drinks from scratch with high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know and trust. Join us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, weekday happy hour, and a la carte weekend brunch. 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 neighborhood restaurant.

7. Succotash PRIME

4.6

Exceptional(3944)

Price: Moderate

• American • Penn Quarter

Booked 105 times today

Succotash PRIME is a progressive perspective of classic Southern favorites. James Beard Award winner Edward Lee brings his Korean roots and Southern repertoire to a soulful Southern Steakhouse menu.SUCCOTASH is named after the classic dish that has been a longstanding staple of the Southern table. While many know “Succotash” when they see it, the dish has been interpreted, modified, and passed from generation to generation for centuries. Our “Succotash” is special to us and we invite you to experience the South from our point of view.

A photo of Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien restaurant

8. Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien

4.8

Exceptional(460)

Price: Very Expensive

• Vietnamese • Washington

Booked 44 times today

Moon Rabbit is a highly-regarded Vietnamese restaurant situated in the heart of Washington D.C., drawing inspiration from the virtuous rabbit depicted in the Buddhist Jataka tale. Led by acclaimed Chef Kevin Tien, the restaurant embodies an innovative approach to Vietnamese cuisine, showcasing a menu that is both unique and complex. Chef Tien's main objective is to pay tribute to his heritage as a first-generation Asian American, using Moon Rabbit as a platform for expressing his love for Vietnamese culture and food.

A photo of Gypsy Kitchen - DC restaurant

9. Gypsy Kitchen - DC

4.6

Exceptional(1591)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Logan Circle

Booked 81 times today

Just like the bohemian travelers who inspired our name, Gypsy Kitchen’s alluring flavors aren’t bound by borders. Instead, our chefs go wherever the inspiration takes them, crafting deeply creative dishes that transport you to uncharted places around the Mediterranean and beyond. A menu designed to taste and share gives guests the freedom to explore the menu at their own pace, connecting over seductive flavors, festive craft cocktails and curated regional wines. The alluring interior matches the menu, with welcoming dining spaces that foster connections and spark conversation. Antique tapestries and rugs, twinkling lights and vibrantly patterned tile set the scene in the expansive dining room. Or, take a seat on the rooftop patio oasis, where lush greenery, plush cushions and the sky overhead evokes the feeling of being on a caravan to explore a distant land.

A photo of Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown restaurant

10. Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown

4.4

Awesome(13867)

Price: Moderate

• American • Georgetown

Booked 108 times today

Located at Georgetown’s Washington Harbor on the Potomac River with a lively dining room, full-service bar, and a covered & heated patio, this farmer-owned restaurant is open 365 days a year serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, and a decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch. Everything is made from scratch with simple, high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers they know and trust. Expansive menus include an array of seafood dishes, sushi, pizzas, tacos, decadent desserts, Founding Farmers Chocolates, classic and tiki cocktails featuring spirits from their DC-based distillery, Founding Spirits. You can also swing by for a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from their First Bake Cafe. Mission driven and operating Through The Eyes Of The Farmer,™ they actively care about their guests, communities, and the planet. This all comes together in their friendly neighborhood restaurant.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
Lance
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The selection and flavor of the oysters was amazing as well as the attentive staff. The music here is appropriate for the crowd and not too loud. Great selection at the bar including a selection of Pappy to which we had the 15-year. As none of our oyster bars in DC have failed to impress, this will be the one that we make a second visit before we leave.
More info
The Salt Line - Navy YardPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Navy Yard
•
4.4
M
Melanie
Virginia •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Great food and lovely ambience! Definitely would recommend checking out!!
More info
KILNPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Alexandria
•
4.5
D
Dara
Houston •8 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 28, 2024
This is our favorite hot pot restaurant. Food is fresh and the sauce bar is great!
More info
Mala TangPrice: Expensive• Asian• Arlington
•
4.6
H
Holly
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 25, 2024
There is a lot of great choices on the menu. The atmosphere of the restaurant was quiet (mostly because we dined on a holiday, but I am certain if we dined on a normal day it would’ve been lively and energetic). Our server was wonderful, and the food was great. The pizzas are great to share among 2 people as they are individual pizzas with 6 sizeable slices. The pastas a generous portion and fit the price. They do add gratuity (tip) to the bill & leave you the option to add more. Overall the experience was wonderful and I would recommend and go again.
More info
Fiorella Italian KitchenPrice: Moderate• Italian• National Harbor
•
4.3
B
Brian
Virginia •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 18, 2024
My wife and I ordered the veggie sampler with fish and then the lamb tibs. The food was delicious and we really enjoyed our experience!
More info
EthiopicPrice: Moderate• Ethiopian• H Street Corridor
•
4.7

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Columbia Heights / Brightwood

Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

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236 restaurants available nearby

1. Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

2. SHIA Restaurant

3. Zaytinya - DC

4. Caruso's Grocery - DC

5. dLeña

6. Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom

7. Succotash PRIME

8. Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien

9. Gypsy Kitchen - DC

10. Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown

See what locals rave about

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