Best Casual Restaurants in U Street Corridor

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighbourhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBaileys CrossroadsBethesdaBrookland / Brentwood

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

321 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Gypsy Kitchen - DC restaurant

1. Gypsy Kitchen - DC

4.6

Exceptional(1622)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Logan Circle

Booked 73 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.

2. The Alchemist

4.9

Exceptional(68)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • McPherson Square

Booked 13 times today

Step into the clandestine world of The Alchemist, an elusive speakeasy where craftsmanship and libation unite. Immerse yourself in a realm of handcrafted cocktails featuring smoke and fire, where we infuse spirits seasonally and boast over 150 carefully selected bourbons, whiskeys, and scotches. Uncover the art of mixology and savor the allure of rare spirits at The Alchemist DC

3. Sports & Social DC

4.4

Awesome(24)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Unspecified • U Street Corridor

Booked 6 times today

Sports & Social is DC's newest premier sports watching destination. This one-of-a-kind sports bar boasts a 25-foot LED media wall, and over a dozen HDTVs, it’s the next best thing to watching the game at the stadium. Sports & Social offers guests an elevated dining and beverage experience including made-from-scratch menu items and curated cocktails.

4. Bar Pilar

3.9

Excellent(482)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Logan Circle

Booked 2 times today

Inspired by Ernest Hemingway and named for his beloved boat, Pilar is a neighborhood restaurant that has been a mainstay of 14th street for over a decade. Executive Chef Clarissa Aguilar helms the kitchen turning out an eclectic menu inspired by local farms and New American cuisine with a focus on seasonal organic produce. The simple yet inventive dishes change frequently, but that’s part of the adventure! Complementing the cooking is a beverage program including cocktails which also rotate seasonally, ranging in taste and complexity from classics like the perfect Old Fashioned to signature concoctions using house made tonics and elixirs. Spanning two floors, Pilar has a variety of spaces to suit your mood. Our first floor bar offers up a casual, comfortable space to down a few drinks in dimly-lit, vintage-inspired surroundings. Head upstairs and you'll find an intimate dining room along with a cozy corner cocktail bar perfect for date night or catching up with old friends.

5. The Craft DC

4.5

Awesome(6)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • U Street Corridor

Booked 1 time today

Welcome to The Craft! Book your reservation now.

6. Alero - U Street

4.3

Awesome(20)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • McPherson Square

Booked 6 times today

Alero Restaurant is an intimate, colorful Mexican eatery on U street. Known for margaritas, traditional Mexican food & a lively scene. Two large patios blends the scenery of vibrant U street.Opened for over twenty years and taking great pride in our food and service, Alero Restaurant invites you and your amigos - old and new - to sit back, relax and enjoy your dining experience for we guarantee it will be a memorable one!

7. SHIA Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(99)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Washington

Booked 25 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.**

8. Ambar - Shaw

4.6

Exceptional(473)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Balkan Style • Shaw

Booked 56 times today

Welcome to Ambar, where you are invited to explore the dynamic flavors of Balkan cuisine. What distinguishes us, is our well-curated, exclusive 'Dining Without Limits' experience, which brings you the soul of Balkan dining traditions. Our extensive menu boasts a variety of shareable small plates, perfectly paired with a vast selection of premium Balkan wines. Whether joining us for a leisurely lunch, celebratory weekend brunch, or an evening of indulgence, our unlimited dining menu promises to deliver an unparalleled culinary journey. We excel in serving individual guests, as well as larger groups, and private events.

9. Press Club

4.9

Exceptional(59)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Dupont Circle

Booked 26 times today

Press Club is a record bar and cocktail lounge with a focus on the curation of guest experience and providing maximum levels of hospitality. The name is an homage to DC while also evoking the pressing of records and the ingredients used to craft our cocktails.Our Playlist Experience is a four course cocktail tasting flight featuring culinary techniques and seasonal ingredients. Each cocktail will be paired with accompanying snacks from our kitchen. Our standard reservations are for an a la carte experience featuring our cocktails and izakaya bites. To reserve for parties of 6 or more, please email us as hospitality@pressclubdc.com. The standard duration of this experience is one hour and thirty minutes. This time has been carefully chosen to accommodate the full range of our delicious cocktails and unique ambiance. We do not have a phone number. To connect, please use the OpenTable messaging system or send an email to hospitality@pressclubdc.com.

10. Chaplin

4.8

Exceptional(1605)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Shaw

Booked 31 times today

Chaplin's Restaurant & Bar is a 1930's style Japanese Ramen House and cocktail bar. Chaplin's Executive Chef and Partner, Myo Htun, is originally from Burma, but was cooking ramen in Japan at a young age. Myo received a blessing from his mentor in Japan after nearly 30 years of cooking in Japan, to come to America and continue to showcase his authentic Ramen and traditional Japanese cuisine. Chaplin's Restaurant demonstrates the aesthetic of a bustling ramen house in Japan in the 1930's silent film era. There is also a large outdoor dining area that is dog friendly. Chaplin's is located in the heart of the Historic Shaw neighborhood. And it is open until last call 7 days a week. Chaplin's received a Plate certification in the Michelin Guide in 2020. And it is located steps from the convention center and popular Logan Circle, 14th street and City Market.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great wait staff, manager was friendly, food was amazing!!
More info
Gypsy Kitchen - DCPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Logan Circle
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington, D.C. Area •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Interesting selection and nice vibe. I liked the setting a lot.
More info
The Craft DCPrice: Moderate• Cocktail Bar• U Street Corridor
•
4.5
S
Sarah
Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Both cocktails were hands down incredible, and the service was expert. Vibes were witchy and sexy. Usually if drinks are showy (smoke and fire) I’ve found the showiness comes at the expense of good flavor - not the case at Alchemist! Here you get the whole experience, plus incredible flavor. It was quite expensive. So really only a one to maybe two cocktails per visit situation. But will absolutely be coming back.
More info
The AlchemistPrice: Expensive• Cocktail Bar• McPherson Square
•
4.9
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •11 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 21, 2025
Great time but it was cut short because of water main break!!
More info
Sports & Social DCPrice: Moderate• Unspecified• U Street Corridor
•
4.4
A
Adrienne
Washington, D.C. Area •15 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
We had a lovely dinner, but upstairs was very loud. The combo of crowd voices and loud music made it hard to have a conversation. Drinks were great and fries very tasty. Really enjoyed the Brussell sprouts! Service was good and server very friendly, but felt like she was really in the weeds and therefore unable to pay as much attention to us as she would have liked. But others stepped in to help when she was unable to, so your team was working well together.
More info
Bar PilarPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Logan Circle
•
3.9

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