Washington’s dining scene is better than ever. We should know—we visited 300-plus restaurants for this section, from a luxurious tasting room on Capitol Hill to a locavore’s dream restaurant in Loudoun County. We ranked the top 100 of them, but here’s the truth: we’d be thrilled to eat anywhere on this list.

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Pineapple and Pearls American Website You’ll walk out feeling as if the $250 price—which includes tax, tip, and drink pairings—is a pretty sweet deal. Read More

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Minibar Modern American Website No one in the city—or country—is doing food like this. Read More

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Komi Mediterranean Website Few chefs can maintain this caliber of prix fixe for more than a decade. Read More

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Kinship American Website Eric Ziebold is obsessed with perfecting the tiniest details. Read More

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Fiola Mare Italian, Seafood Website Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s vision is rooted in his native Le Marche, a seafood-happy region of Italy that hugs the Adriatic shoreline. Read More

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The Dabney American Website There aren’t many cozier places in DC than this restaurant. Read More

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Bad Saint Filipino Website Is any meal really worth waiting outdoors for hours? For Bad Saint, yes. Read More

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The Inn at Little Washington American Website Many tasting rooms bill themselves as culinary “journeys,” but the experience is a literal one at this country destination. Read More

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Sushi Taro Japanese Website No other restaurant offers personalized service like Sushi Taro’s six-seat "omakase" counter. Read More

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Rasika/Rasika West End Indian Website Rasika has long been cherished by Washington food lovers as our treasure. Read More

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Whaley's American, Seafood Website Don't miss its seafood towers of local oysters and sweet clams, barely grilled squid, uni, and poached mussels. Read More

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Little Serow Thai Website This subterranean Thai joint hasn’t changed much since it started attracting lines in 2011—and that’s a feat. Read More

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Métier French Website Playful dishes such as buttery potatoes, caviar, and crème fraîche make for a delightful special occasion. Read More

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All-Purpose Italian Website The crew from the Red Hen gets us excited about pizza again. Read More

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Maketto Cambodian, Taiwanese Website Don’t let the minimalist space fool you: There’s a lot going on at Maketto. Read More

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Le Diplomate French Website The hottest restaurant of 2013 is still a tough table to get. Read More

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The Source Chinese Website We love Scott Drewno’s luxe—and smart—upgrades to favorites from the Chinese-American canon. Read More

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Garrison American Website Chef/owner Rob Weland spoils guests with hyper-seasonal, soul-warming fare that combines local ingredients in marvelous ways. Read More

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Central Michel Richard American, French Website Central classics such as decadent burgers and steak frites still hit all the right spots, though it’s worth welcoming newcomers. Read More

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Rose's Luxury American Website Our advice: Order every pasta on the menu and don’t skip dessert. Read More

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Convivial American, French Website Cedric Maupillier was born in France, but few chefs revel in lowbrow American cuisine as joyfully as he does. Read More

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Marcel's French Website Guests pick dishes from eight menu sections, all of which reveal the charms of haute cuisine. Read More

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Estadio Spanish Website Though most dishes are billed as tapas, they actually range from tiny snacks to entrée-size meats with sides. Read More

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Plume American Website The most sumptuously formal setting in Washington is this glittering-gray dining room in the Jefferson hotel. Read More

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Bindaas Indian Website The lineup at this Indian street-food place is so tightly tuned that you can order with abandon. Read More

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Fiola Italian Website Just say yes to creamy Belon oysters and caviar, lobster ravioli garnished with a half tail and a claw, and pine-smoked duck with seared foie gras. Read More

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Blue Duck Tavern American Website This glass-walled dining room in the Park Hyatt sports a woodsy-chic, West Coast vibe. Read More

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Preserve American Website As its name suggests, this casual Annapolis joint specializes in all things fermented and jarred. Read More

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Izakaya Seki Japanese Website The father/daughter team deliver an unfussy yet memorable dining experience at their Japanese gastropub. Read More

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The Riggsby American Website It’s barely two years old, but somehow the Riggsby fills us with nostalgia. Read More

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Obelisk Italian Website High-quality ingredients simply prepared never go out of style. Read More

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Sushi Ogawa Japanese Website You won’t find California rolls at this tranquil, bamboo-toned restaurant in Kalorama. Read More

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Etto Italian, Pizza Website The craftsmanlike Italian spot specializes in procuring top-quality ingredients and serving them with minimal fuss Read More

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2 Amys Italian, Pizza Website Imagine a nightly party starring all your favorite Italian salumi, fried little bites, pizzas, and wines. Read More

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Conosci International, Seafood Website If the ambience doesn’t make you swoon, the crab risotto will. Read More

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Osteria Morini Italian Website Every neighborhood should have an Italian joint like Morini. Read More

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Johnny's Half Shell Seafood Website We’re wild about the Cajun-spiced hard-shell crab with lemony butter and some of the best, olive taramasalata we’ve ever tasted. Read More

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Jaleo Spanish Website José Andrés’s flagship Spanish spot since 1993 still holds its own. Read More

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Ananda Indian Website The fireplace-accented dining room and garden veranda of this palatial Indian restaurant are pleasant reminders that grandeur isn’t dead. Read More

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EatBar American Website Think of EatBar as a gastro-dive: a come-hungry joint with a jukebox where wings, fries, and patty melts. Read More

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Clarity American Website Few places are both so elegant and so inviting. Read More

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Masseria Italian Website Home in on the meat section of the menu for its petite but flavor-rich cuts, and sample hedonistically from pastas. Read More

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Lapis Afghan Website Kabul-born chef Shamim Popal and her family are all about breaking stereotypes at their modern-Afghan restaurant. Read More

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China Chilcano Chinese, Peruvian Website José Andrés mines the cuisine of Peru, one of South America’s richest culinary plains, at this loud, flashbulb-bright dining room strewn with colorful pillows. Read More

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Centrolina Italian Website The restaurant/market concept means you can dine near the butchery’s hanging salumi or by the open kitchen’s wood-burning hearth. Read More

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Sally's Middle Name American Website The drink selection is short but smart and the laid-back vibe as awesome on a frigid winter’s weeknight as on a summer Saturday under the stars. Read More

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G by Mike Isabella Italian Website He also added a snug bar and pine booths to the industrial space, now more fit for lingering. Read More

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Iron Gate Mediterranean Website It’s undeniably romantic to dine under the stars on the patio of this Greek-Italian eatery, covered by wisteria in summer, warmed by fire pits in winter. Read More

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Ghibellina Italian Website Shareable rounds are sliced with scissors at the table and judiciously topped with things like shaved fennel, salami, and tomato confit. Read More

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Himitsu Japanese Website Petworth’s hip new 23-seat Japanese destination is much more fun than your typical sushi spot. Read More

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Green Pig Bistro American Website Green Pig Bistro delivers comfort foods you crave and others you never realized you were missing. Read More

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Kyirisan Chinese, French Website Ma isn’t always successful, but his cooking is thought-provoking and often delicious. Read More

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Proof American Website Servers in Proof are as handy as ever with a solid recommendation from the impressive wine list or, on one occasion, a very good Julia Child impression. Read More

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Mintwood Place American, French Website No matter how little room you have left, indulge in nostalgic sweets such as baked Alaska ignited at the table. Read More

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Bistro Bis French Website This is a plush, warm-toned respite for elegant, canonical French cooking. Read More

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Field & Main American Website Our newest country obsession is this Federal-era restaurant in Fauquier County, beautifully restored by Ashby Inn vets Neal and Star Wavra. Read More

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Bibiana Italian Website The kitchen recently added a two-pasta tasting, which would also make a tasty primi as well for the best of all worlds. Read More

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Sushiko Japanese Website Vegetarian nigiri will also make you rethink a standard order, especially the wild-mushroom and pickled-radish varieties. Read More

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Zaytinya Greek, Lebanese, Turkish Website Shrimp in a buttery, lemony bath with dill and mustard seeds has long been a highlight. Read More

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1789 American Website The Georgetown institution maintains the old-school elegance of its antique-filled dining rooms, though the menu is anything but retro. Read More

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Bangkok Golden/Thip Khao Laotian Website Both menus contain a lot of delicious overlap, including noodle soups, lime-and-herb-dressed larbsalads, and a can’t-miss crispy-rice dish with sour pork. Read More

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Daikaya Japanese Website We’re addicted to the sausage-stuffed shishito poppers with hot mustard and to morsels of fried Maryland catfish dunked in pickled-ginger tartar sauce. Read More

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Compass Rose International Website Credit a carefully curated menu, served in intimate rowhouse rooms filled with string lights, colorful pillows, and fresh flowers. Read More

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Restaurant Eve American, Filipino Website The desserts have always been whimsical, though it’s worth exploring cheeses from County Cork, considered the culinary hub of Cathal’s native Ireland. Read More

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Baan Thai Thai Website The menu still advertises sushi, but the best dishes pay homage to the chef’s heritage. Read More

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Del Campo South American, Steaks Website Smoke touches nearly every part of the experience at chef Victor Albisu’s South American steakhouse. Read More

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L’Auberge Chez François French Website The menu practice was common in the ’50s, when the late François Haeringer opened this French-Alsatian institution. Read More

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DBGB Kitchen and Bar American, French Website It’s the mains and specials where you’ll find the most seasonal creativity. Also, this is a place to save room for dessert. Read More

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Timber Pizza Co. Italian, Pizza Website Order at the counter, then settle in at one of the communal picnic tables, at barstools, or on the indoor porch swing for a lucky two. Read More

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Vermilion American Website If you’ve never tried vintage port from the trendy Douro Valley in Portugal, this is the time. Read More

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Vin 909 Winecafé American, Pizza Website Try as many as your appetite demands, but you’ll be truly sorry to miss the crab roll on brioche, served with a ramekin of shrimp bisque for dunking. Read More

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Afghan Bistro Afghan Website The Kabul native’s recipes, passed down through three generations, are recreated here by his wife and, at times, one of his daughters. Read More

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Kogiya Korean Website Bring a big group to this Korean-barbecue standout in Annandale’s Koreatown, because it’s best enjoyed with a packed table and bottles of soju. Read More

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La Limeña Peruvian Website Put yourself in a coastal state of mind at this Peruvian strip-mall joint, where the strongest dishes center on seafood. Read More

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Ardeo & Bardeo American Website Cleveland Park likes to think of Ardeo as its go-to neighborhood restaurant, but the comfortable, candlelit bistro is much more. Read More

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Passage to India Indian Website The menu touches on a variety of regional cuisines, though deliciousness crosses all borders. Read More

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Hank's Pasta Bar Italian Website It’s worth going all-in on the house-made pastas and sharing a fixed-price menu featuring three to five selections. Read More

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RPM Italian Italian Website Glitzy owners—who include reality-TV personalities Giuliana and Bill Rancic—and a black-windowed Vegas vibe have a way of making discerning eaters nervous. Read More

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Republic American Website The place exudes attitude in a great way, from the bordello-meets-saloon decor to Fascist Killer cocktails laced with bourbon and Chartreuse. Read More

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Bantam King Japanese Website The Daikaya team set up shop in a tiny, Technicolor former Burger King in Chinatown, and it dishes up comforting chicken-noodle soups at their finest. Read More

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BlackSalt American, Seafood Website Big spenders can splurge on caviar service to start, but save room for dessert—especially butterscotch pot de crème, on the menu since day one. Read More

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Nostos Greek Website Baklava fans will find three styles—our pick is the baxevanis layered with apple, apricots, and ice cream. Read More

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Graffiato Italian, Pizza Website Mike Isabella’s flagship restaurant still draws boisterous crowds, especially on the neighboring Verizon Center’s busy nights. Read More

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Bombay Club Indian Website Classic cocktails and attentive service are a given anytime. Read More

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Black Market Bistro American Website The menu sways from pizzas with cracker-thin crusts to American bistro comforts. Read More

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