Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Downtown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighbourhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaCapitol HillChevy Chase

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

236 restaurants available nearby

1. The Continent DC

4.2

Awesome(135)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• African • Downtown

Booked 43 times today

From the savory stews of West Africa to the aromatic spices of East Africa, The Continent DC offers a menu crafted to bring you the best flavors from various African regions. Our restaurant is designed to reflect the rich cultures and traditions of Africa, offering a cozy and welcoming environment for you to enjoy your meal.

2. Georgia Brown's

4.3

Awesome(8846)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Regional American (Low Country) • Downtown

Booked 63 times today

Come and experience our lively interpretation of South Carolina Low-Country cuisine. Enjoy good southern food, servers who bubble over with hospitality, and a dining room that is truly distinctive. With its golden woods and bronze sculptures that crawl across the ceiling, designer Adam Tihany has created an atmosphere to awaken your senses. What better place to enjoy low country cuisine than in this contemporary environment celebrating the south. Offering the flavor of the South - the Soul of Washington; where we will be sure to leave a light burning in the window for you, our guests.22% service charge is included on every check. 18% is distributed directly to service workers on top of their base wages, and the remaining 4% is used to help pay for all staff costs due to the District of Columbia's Initiative 82. You may choose to leave an additional tip!https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaBrownsRestaurant/https://www.instagram.com/georgiabrowns_dc/http://gbrowns.com/

3. Bombay Club

4.8

Exceptional(5335)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Indian • Downtown

Booked 32 times today

The Bombay Club emulates characteristics of the old clubs of India. The elegant environment with pale pastels, ceiling fans, and a profusion of greenery is designed to create a warm and inviting gathering place for relaxation and regeneration. The cuisine is the finest of India, utilizing only the best quality ingredients to create a harmony of subtle flavors. Specialties prepared by Executive Chef Nilesh Singhvi, include tandoori salmon and green chili chicken. The sophisticated cuisine is enhanced by refine service and live piano music. Distinguished Restaurant of North America Award.

4. Alhambra

4.7

Exceptional(721)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown

Booked 10 times today

*2023 WINE SPECTATOR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE*Taking inspiration from the landmark Alhambra Palace and Fortress in southern Spain, one of the most famous monuments of Islamic and Spanish Renaissance architecture, our new menu exemplifies the blending of cultures and cuisines across the region. Showcasing their rich bounty of produce and fish in a modern and convivial setting, Chef Brian Bladfält Landry presents a seasonally inspired menu enhanced with the bold flavors across a variety of the region’s cultures. With distinct menus offered across brunch, lunch and dinner, the dining concept focuses on four sections of small plated dishes – sea, land, garden and table – all meant to be shared. Alhambra is located on the lobby-level of The St. Regis Washington, D.C. at 923 Black Lives Matter Plaza NW in the heart of downtown D.C. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch, as well as dinner from Monday through Saturday and brunch on weekends.

5. Wild Days

4.1

Excellent(122)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Mount Vernon

Booked 1 time today

OUR ROOFTOP BAR IS AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE THAT FEATURES DJ SESSIONS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES IN ADDITION TO TASTY COCKTAILS AND SNACKS.COME JOIN US FOR SOME SMORES BY OUR FIRE PIT OR ENJOY A SPECIALTY COCKTAIL OVERLOOKING ALL OF K STREET.

6. The Hamilton

4.7

Exceptional(11952)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 192 times today

The Hamilton, located in downtown Washington, DC, is a vibrant restaurant known for its diverse American cuisine and lively atmosphere. Showcasing an expansive menu that includes fresh seafood, savory steaks, and inventive sushi, it caters to a wide range of tastes. The Hamilton also features an impressive bar with handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. With its spacious dining areas and a music venue hosting live music performances, The Hamilton offers a unique dining experience that blends culinary excellence with entertainment. Across the street from the Treasury building, the W Hotel, and the Willard Hotel.

7. Succotash PRIME

4.6

Exceptional(4039)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Penn Quarter

Booked 115 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 Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom restaurant

8. Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom

4.6

Exceptional(34535)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Foggy Bottom

Booked 336 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.

A photo of Caruso's Grocery - DC restaurant

9. Caruso's Grocery - DC

4.8

Exceptional(1239)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Capitol Hill

Booked 48 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.

10. SHIA Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(99)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Washington

Booked 24 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.**

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

K
KenVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Always an excellent experience no matter which of their restaurants we dine at.
More info
Bistro AracosiaPrice: Moderate• Afghan• Palisades Northwest
•
4.8
KC
KipnCandiVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Grabbed a bite to eat after a Caps game. Great everything. Margaritas are small and pricey for the portion. But overall a great place to pre/post game.
More info
Mi Vida Penn QuarterPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Penn Quarter
•
4.5
L
LoriVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •24 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 4, 2025
Excellent food and service for our large party! Oysters were great! Everyone enjoyed this restaurant lively but not too loud!
More info
The Salt Line - Navy YardPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Navy Yard
•
4.4
SO
SteveO
Washington, D.C. Area •9 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 28, 2025
The food was delicious but the service was slow. We waited a half hour before we received our drinks. I had to ask twice for our check because we had an event in the area.
More info
EthiopicPrice: Moderate• Ethiopian• H Street Corridor
•
4.9
E
ErisVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •15 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 16, 2025
We travel from Potomac, MD to eat at Mala Tang. The food is authentic, delicious and an experience. We love to do the hot pot when we have a large group as we can all share the proteins and veggies to put inside. When we are a smaller group we love the dry pot. The vegetables they offer are very fresh and unique. The service is always top notch and the price is very reasonable. We can't wait to go back!
More info
Mala TangPrice: Expensive• Asian• Arlington
•
4.5

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