Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

4.9

4.9 (1680)

$50 and over

American

Lovettsville

About the restaurant

www.patowmackfarm.com
Sourcing food and supporting local artisan growers and producers and utilizing our farm as the chefs pantry gives us the opportunity to create an evolving menu that draws its inspiration from the seasons and in harmony with the earth. The venue has a breathtaking view and natural setting overlooking the Potomac River. We offer a tasting menu Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Check the website for the menu.
Wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate or special event – we strive to exceed your dreams. Innovative and skillfully executed dishes follow the lead of nature, being mindful of the environment.
*Due to the style of menu on special events and holidays and the complexities involved with individual and specific food allergies, we are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions on those days. We make every effort to provide vegetarian and accommodate gluten sensitivities.*
2024 #1 Northern VA Magazine - "Michelin inspectors, take note."

Top review

DEBBIE

Dined 7 days ago

It is no surprise that this restaurant is in the top 5 of every Best Restaurant List for the DMV. Food is presented beautifully, service is impeccable but not stuffy and the restaurant itself is comfortable, charming and definitely unusual. This restaurant is actually an “experience”, not an eatery.

Jônt

4.9

4.9 (102)

$50 and over

French / Japanese

U Street Corridor

About the restaurant

At Jônt, we are a team of young and inspired chefs taking down the walls between kitchen and guests and taking you on a culinary adventure. Immerse yourself in a progressive tasting menu focusing on the simple, yet luxurious, ingredients around the world with deep inspiration from Japanese cuisine.

We challenge the seasons, navigate beyond the limits of time and break with tradition— getting playful with process and tricky with techniques at the intersection of place and possibility.

Jônt has been recognized with two Michelin stars since 2021.

Top review

ArletteVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Service is extraordinary and food fabulous. Can't wait to come again

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Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu

Experience

New Year's Eve at Jônt

Experience

$295 Chef's Tasting Menu

Gute Leute

4.9

4.9 (64)

$30 and under

Café

Arlington

About the restaurant

Gute Leute Coffee Bar is one of the most popular coffee bars in Korea,
known for its own unique signature coffee creations.

In German, gute Leute means "good people"
and it is with this idea that gute Leute strives to create a space
in which good people can enjoy good company.

Our logo is inspired by the pine tree
because it stays green all year long like our enthusiasm for coffee.
Every branch in Seoul has its own signature menu created by baristas.
We also present seasonal coffee courses that are constructed with their
own stories.

Top review

Christina

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

It was a fun and great food experience! I would come back to check out the other drink options.

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Experience

Coffee Omakase Experience

Mita

4.9

4.9 (61)

$50 and over

Latin American

Washington

About the restaurant

MITA is a Michelin-Starred Vegetable-forward restaurant, offering a vibrant menu inspired by the rich flavors and ingredients of Latin America. Founded by Chefs Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, MITA emphasizes the beauty and versatility of vegetables, crafting innovative dishes that delight the senses.

We can be reached at info@mitadc.com.

Top review

Allyn

Dined 4 days ago

Whether one is vegan or not, the food was amazingly delicious and creative. After a few minutes at our table, my wife and I could tell that this restaurant was intelligently well run. We ordered their 4 course tasting menu to let them surprise us with their creativity….and they did. 👍

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4.8

4.8 (475)

$50 and over

Vietnamese

Falls Church

About the restaurant

Nue is a place of peaceful elegance, where food is deeply contemplated and the unique flavors of Vietnam are celebrated. In addition to offering a wide variety of traditional dishes, Nue will also feature art and cultural events that aim to educate and engage customers in the vibrant history and diversity of Vietnam.

Top review

Anissa

Dined 5 days ago

Loved every aspect of it except the noise from other customers. It was hard to have a discussion at the table.

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Popular dish

Yuca Cake with Ice Cream

Popular dish

Coconut Curry Risotto

Popular dish

Grilled Octopus

Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien

4.8

4.8 (417)

$50 and over

Vietnamese

Washington

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

RobVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Fun, innovative food and cocktails with excellent service

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Experience

New Year's Eve Four-Course Pre-Fixe Menu

SHIA Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (36)

$50 and over

Korean

Washington

About the restaurant

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.**

Top review

KennyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing experience. Food and service were on another level. After each delicate course, I was left wanting more which is ingenious because now I have to come back again. Darn. Thank you SHIA.

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Experience

4 Course Pre-Fixe (Lounge Only)

Experience

7 Course Pre-Fixe (Dining Room)

Cordelia Fishbar

4.7

4.7 (28)

$50 and over

Seafood

Washington

About the restaurant

Just opened in Union Market!
Cordelia, a name whose origin in some Celtic cultures means “daughter or heart of the sea”, draws on regional culinary influences from Spain, Portugal, Asia, and the Americas – focusing on areas that use high heat charcoal to coax the best out of fish, alongside a diverse offering of conserva, crudo and cured seafood.

Happy Hour Monday thru Friday from 4-6 pm and late-night.

Chef Rene Caceres
General Manager Sonya Znati

Top review

Teresa

Dined 1 day ago

This is a great restaurant. The food was outstanding, every single thing we had was delicious. The staff people are just the right level of attentive and are all well informed. I highly recommend this restaurant.

PLANTA, Bethesda

4.5

4.5 (133)

$31 to $50

Vegan

Bethesda

About the restaurant

Under Chef David Lee, PLANTA is dining as it should be- an un-guilty pleasure. Created in 2016, PLANTA is a celebration of delicious and innovative plant-based cuisine served in a beautifully designed space, without pretension and with an overflow of good vibes. PLANTA Bethesda offers signatures like Ahi Watermelon Nigiri and Bang Bang Broccoli while expanding on the plant-powered menu, offering even more in the way of Sushi, Pizza, sustainably-crafted cocktails, and more. PLANTA reimagines and reinvents plant-based dining, providing flavorful (and fun) proof the the power of plants can change the world.

For Parties larger the 8, please contact hellobethesda@plantahq.com

GETTING HERE: The closest private garage is just next to restaurant and can be entered from ELM Street. We are also a 5 minute walk from Bethesda Metro (Red Line)

Top review

melissa

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

The atmosphere was relaxing and pretty. Lots of attention to detail. The wait staff was friendly and efficient and the food was creative and delicious

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Experience

Brunch - $25 Unlimited Mimosas or Sake Sangria

Experience

Maki Monday!

Experience

Pour Decision Wednesday

Planta - Washington, DC

4.4

4.4 (65)

$30 and under

Vegetarian / Vegan

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

PLANTA Queen is a celebration of innovative and plant-based Asian-inspired cuisine by Chef David Lee, served in a high energy and beautifully designed space with an overflow of fun, late-night vibes. PLANTA Queen DC stays true to signatures like Truffle Udon Noodles and Bang Bang Broccoli while expanding plant-powered horizons in the way of sushi, dumplings, cocktails, and more. PLANTA Queen reimagines and reinvents plant-based dining, providing flavorful (and fun) proof that the power of plants can change the world.

Top review

Therese

Dined on Nov 15, 2024

The service was great! The food was unseasoned. I expected better. It looks nice. The ambiance was great, but the food was not good at all.

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