Bistro Aracosia
Consistently rated five stars by visitors, you don’t want to miss Bistro Aracosia. Here, you can expect to find authentic, gourmet Afghan meals with menu options that accommodate a variety of diets. They have plenty of options for those who are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo, so there truly is something on the menu for everyone. It’s no wonder they have been honored by The Washington Post and the Diner’s Choice Awards for their outstanding selections.
Try their beef and chicken kabobs, lamb chops, pumpkin dumplings, and baadenjaan chalou. On their dessert menu, you’ll find plenty to satisfy your sweet tooth like baklava, rosewater ice cream, and Afghan rice pudding. When you dine here, you can rest assured that they are using ingredients without GMOs, preservatives, MSG, or hormones. Plus, if you step into the kitchen, you won’t find a microwave in sight. Everything is made the old-fashioned way. Between their delicious and authentic Afghan food, beautiful atmosphere, and excellent service, you’ll love dining at Bistro Aracosia.
Tortino Restaurant
For homemade pasta and other Italian favorites, you’ll love Tortino Restaurant. Chef Noé Canales studied the art of cooking in Northern Italy, so you’re sure to enjoy some of the most authentic flavors around. Their authentic Italian cooking and flavors have made this restaurant so well-loved by everyone who visits since it first opened in 2002.
Start your meal with one of their to-die-for appetizers, like grilled marinated Portobello mushroom with goat cheese or grilled Mediterranean octopus with chickpeas, potatoes, basil, and pepper puree. Some of the handmade pasta dishes you can try include braised lamb ravioli, fettuccine a la bolognese, risotto of the day, and saffron taglierini. For other entrées, enjoy grilled salmon, grilled pork chop, roasted veal tenderloin, or pan-seared duck breast.
Be sure to save some room for dessert! They offer tiramisu, Italian ricotta cheesecake, fruit panna cotta, and a variety of gelato flavors. With a full bar, you can enjoy all of your favorite drinks, including a nice glass of wine to pair perfectly with your meal.
Visit Tortino Restaurant during both lunch and dinner, and they always have daily specials to keep an eye out for! If you’re looking for authentic Northern Italian dining, Tortino Restaurant is the place to be.
Keren Cafe & Restaurant
Michelin-starred Keren Cafe & Restaurant is where you can find authentic East African cuisine with an emphasis on vegetarian-friendly options. They’re most well-known for their all-day breakfast menu, and you can expect some unique options you won’t find at your typical breakfast spot. They are best known for their ful, mashed fava beans with a variety of toppings you can select to your liking. This customizable dish accommodates meat lovers and vegetarians alike. In the traditional version, you’ll find it topped with tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, yogurt, olive oil, and berbere. Other types of fuel include tuna, eggs, or even salad.
Beyond their well-loved breakfast menu, they have a main lunch and dinner menu with many tasty options. Try their veggie combo with enjera, which includes lentil sauce, cabbage, spinach, potato, carrots, and salad, or the tibsi, which is a choice of grilled meat marinated in Eritrean spices, onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños. Other than their delicious food, your dining experience at Keren will be elevated with their friendly staff who consistently provide guests with excellent service.
Rose’s Luxury
For lavish contemporary American cuisine, you’ll want to stop in at Rose’s Luxury. This Michelin-starred restaurant is creative and fun in every aspect, from the food to the setting itself. Dining at Rose’s, you can expect amazing fares, but what you’re really getting out of it is an unforgettable experience — you’ve got to try their “choose your own adventure menu.”
When you do, you’ll choose two different dishes to enjoy, as well as what they call a “slightly ridiculously sized dessert.” This menu includes things like mentaiko spaghetti, honeydew pappardelle, miso-marinated black cod, spring chicken, and plenty more options so that you can satisfy any craving. For their desserts, there’s chocolate souffle, Gateau St. Honoré, and chess pie. They often feature other seasonal multiple-course menus as well, so be sure to check in before you visit!
When you dine here, you will also be supporting a good cause. For every meal ordered here, they donate twenty-five cents to the World Food Program USA, a national initiative to provide support and relief for the hungry.
The Capital Grille
Priding itself on its dry-aged steaks and top-quality seafood is The Capital Grille. The restaurant has won multiple awards for both its menu and wine list, and it’s a well-loved local establishment. Of course, when you visit The Capital Grille, you’ll want to take a peek at their steak menu, which boasts dry-aged New York strip loin, bone-in ribeye, and filet mignon. If you prefer other types of meat, enjoy some double-cut lamb chops, or oven-roasted chicken breast. As for their seafood menu, they offer seared citrus-glazed salmon, sushi-grade seared sesame tuna, and pan-seared sea bass with miso butter. While you’re here, you’ll love exploring their impressive wine list, which includes over 5,000 unique vintages.
Don’t forget to save room for one of their divine dessert options. All of them are housemade, with options like cheesecake, crème brûlée, coconut cream pie, and flourless chocolate espresso cake.
Moving to Washington, DC?
With spectacular dining experiences and more, Washington is a lovely place to live. If you’re looking for luxury homes for sale in Washington, DC, be sure to get in contact with The McKenna Group.
