Best Open Kitchen Restaurants in Kensington

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchMexicanSpanish

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighbourhoods

ArlingtonBethesdaDowntownDupont CircleFoggy BottomGeorgetown

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for happy hour

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

22 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Not Your Average Joe's Bethesda restaurant

1. Not Your Average Joe's Bethesda

4.3

Awesome(1199)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • North Bethesda

Booked 13 times today

Not Your Average Joe's Kitchen & Bar offers a menu inspired by American cuisine. Its menu is stylish, contemporary and includes fresh oysters, gourmet pizzas, rice bowls and a variety of burgers. During a daily Happy Hour at Not Your Average Joe's Kitchen & Bar, diners can also enjoy both drink and appetizer specials.Along with an array of beers, its menu includes wines and a wide selection of specialty cocktails. You'll further enjoy a casual and pub like experience at Not Your Average Joe's Kitchen & Bar. Its décor includes an open kitchen, bench seating and a separate bar area with mounted flat screen televisions all around for watching sporting events.

A photo of Pisco y Nazca Bethesda restaurant

2. Pisco y Nazca Bethesda

new

(0)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Peruvian • Bethesda

Booked 8 times today

Exciting news for food lovers in Maryland! Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar is coming to Bethesda, in a new prime location that’s packed with personality and soul.Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar adds a modern twist to traditional Peruvian cuisine. Inspired by Peru’s top ceviche eateries, this Miami restaurant serves up bold-flavored dishes, unique cocktails and a vast selection of local and international beers. Our vibrant bar with open kitchen views is the perfect spot for sipping, socializing and savoring our crazy good ceviche. Come to experience a celebration of good eats and good times for brunch, lunch, dinner or happy hour.Looking for the perfect venue? Plan your next event at the best ceviche bar this side of the Andes. Call today and ask about our private dining options.

3. The Dabney

4.8

Exceptional(314)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Shaw

Booked 15 times today

Located in historic Blagden Alley in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood since 2015, The Dabney continues to pay tribute to the wonderful farmers, watermen, and purveyors of the mid-Atlantic region whom provide some of the best and most unique products in the country. We celebrate these ingredients by preparing them in a large wood burning hearth which is the centerpiece of our open kitchen. The current dining room experience is an 8-course tasting menu honoring the Mid-Atlantic's bounty. We offer an additional 3-course experience at our bar and bar area tables. Walk-in guests are welcome to enjoy the bar area as well.The Dabney has been awarded one Michelin star every year since 2017, James Beard Foundation Best Chef Mid-Atlantic for Chef Jeremiah Langhorne in 2018, and Washingtonian Magazine's #1 restaurant in 2023. At this time we are unable to accommodate severe allium and dairy allergies as well as vegan and vegetarian diets.

4. SHIA Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(100)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Washington

Booked 12 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.**

5. Reverie

4.8

Exceptional(37)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Georgetown

Booked 4 times today

Inspired by Chef Johnny Spero’s global travels, yet rooted in his Mid-Atlantic upbringing, Reverie is a Michelin-starred fine-dining experience that focuses on an entirely seafood driven menu. Please allow 2.5 hours for this experience.Our tasting menu is offered at $245 per guest exclusive of beverage, service charge, taxes, or gratuities. Corkage is offered at $75 per 750ml.We can accommodate some but not all food allergies so please inquire before booking via info@reveriedc.com. We are unable to provide dairy-free or fully vegetarian versions of our experience.

A photo of The Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C restaurant

6. The Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C

4.6

Exceptional(3886)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Penn Quarter

Booked 166 times today

The Smith is a casual American brasserie with a simple mission — make people happy! We care about every meal and every moment. The menu features bistro classics, seasonal fare, and craft cocktails. Walk in the door and you’re in for a great time. Whether it’s date night, drinks on the town, a big birthday bash, a working lunch, a boozy brunch, or an I-don’t-want-to-cook-tonight night, we’ve got you covered.

A photo of Open Road Grill - Rosslyn restaurant

7. Open Road Grill - Rosslyn

4.7

Exceptional(260)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Arlington

Booked 16 times today

Open Road is inspired by American culture — our passion for music, our love of the outdoors, and the spirit of the open road. Our kitchen team sources the freshest ingredients to create quality seasonal food. Our beer list celebrates local craft breweries. We have an extensive whiskey and bourbon collection, and we feature handcrafted cocktails that change with the seasons.At Open Road, we honor the tradition of a cold beer and fresh food with friends and family every day. Stop by and make yourself at home!

8. Petite Cerise

4.7

Exceptional(197)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 50 times today

Part neighborhood café, part energetic bistro, Petite Cerise is located in a bright and lively historic corner space in Shaw/Mount Vernon Triangle. Petite Cerise features separate à la carte menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner. In addition, Petite Cerise has a Coffee Counter open Tuesday - Friday opening at 8am serving classic coffee and espresso preparations, housemade pastries, and other breakfast items to go or sit down.Dinner offers both an à la carte menu along with a Prix Fixe option. The focus in the evening is to craft unique and innovative dishes utilizing the very best ingredients within the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond skillfully prepared through a French lens.If you decide to join us for a morning coffee, quick mid-day bite, stretch out your lunch over a glass of wine, or gather with friends for an indulgent and creative dinner, we invite you here to celebrate and enjoy.

A photo of Xiquet by Danny Lledó restaurant

9. Xiquet by Danny Lledó

4.6

Exceptional(67)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Spanish • Georgetown

Booked 1 time today

Xiquet (chee-KETT) by Chef Danny Lledó features a sought-after tasting menu showcasing the finest products from around the world served with warm, Mediterranean hospitality. Known as one of the best fine dining restaurants in Washington DC for its modern Spanish cuisine, Xiquet has held a MICHELIN Star since 2021 and earned MICHELIN’s Sommelier of the Year Award in 2022. In the same year, AAA honored Xiquet with the travel authority’s highest rating, making it the only Five Diamond restaurant currently in the city. Recently, in 2023, the DC Restaurant Association awarded Xiquet with the RAMMY of Best Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year.Please note that we do accept reservations for parties including 5 or more guests, however please contact us through email at info@xiquetdl.com and one of our sales managers will be in contact with you promptly to set your reservation up.

10. The Henri

4.5

Awesome(223)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary European • Penn Quarter

Booked 12 times today

The Henri is a modern bistro featuring communal and private dining spaces located in the heart of Downtown Washington, DC. We invite you into our comfortable venue where you can escape from the hustle of the city. Our flexible, one-of-a-kind space is perfect for any kind of event, including business meetings, showers, weddings, birthdays, and cocktail parties.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Mia
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Amazing iterations of Korean food. Chef Edward has outdone himself again. All the staffs were knowledgeable, entertaining, and kind towards us.
More info
SHIA RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Korean• Washington
•
4.9
L
Lois
Washington, D.C. Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
This was our second visit to The Dabney and it was just as good as the first time. The food is amazing, beautiful and delicious beyond belief. The staff is so attentive in a good way and explains each course (we did the tasting menu). We sat by the kitchen and it was great to watch the fire, the cooking, the careful prep of each plate and the camaraderie between kitchen and serving staff. It’s expensive and we can’t do this often, but it was worth the splurge.
More info
The DabneyPrice: Very Expensive• American• Shaw
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great place to meet friends and enjoy delicious food!
More info
Not Your Average Joe's BethesdaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• North Bethesda
•
4.3
F
Foodi
Washington, D.C. Area •20 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 16, 2013
Had a wonderful experience. The food was delicious and the service was great. We sat at the counter and were able to watch the chef make everything. Since we went on a Monday, wine was market price, so we enjoyed the salmon special and pork chop with a bottle of wine. Too bad they're closing the restaurant portion, because we would definitely go back. Looking forward to taking some cooking classes there though!
More info
Open KitchenPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Falls Church
•
4.2

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