Best Fun Restaurants in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

404 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Letena Ethiopian Restaurant restaurant

1. Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(100)

Price: Moderate

• Ethiopian • Columbia Heights / Brightwood

Booked 1 time today

Letena is a farm-to-table Ethiopian restaurant serving dishes made with natural, premium ingredients. Located in the heart of Columbia Heights, Washington DC, Letena is a family-owned destination centered around authentic, quality Ethiopian food. Owner Yamrot Ezineh opened Letena’s doors in October 2016. Yamrot and her team love welcoming new and old friends to enjoy Letena’s delicious, fresh food. Their goal is to make the unique experience of Ethiopian food approachable for everyone, from vegetarians and vegans to meat-lovers alike. Letena’s original Ethiopian dishes have won accolades from various publications and review platforms including Food Network, Washingtonian, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.

A photo of Filomena Ristorante restaurant

2. Filomena Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(17191)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Georgetown

Booked 266 times today

Filomena Now over 40 Years and counting!Filomena is a Washington DC landmark restaurant now with over 40 years of serving some of the finest Italian food you can enjoy. Our Pasta is fresh made by hand just like it was done for centuries in Italy. Our bakery is in-house, and we make over 20 different desserts to choose from. During Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas you can experience some of the most incredible decorations you can find! Four decades of making not just a great dining experience but a memorable one. Filomena has recently introduced a full line of homemade pasta, sauces, desserts that can be shipped nationwide too!

3. SHIA Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(38)

Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Washington

Booked 15 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.**

4. Jônt

4.9

Exceptional(110)

Price: Very Expensive

• French / Japanese • U Street Corridor

Booked 17 times today

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.

5. Old Ebbitt Grill

4.8

Exceptional(29734)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 302 times today

Founded in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington, DC's oldest saloon and a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. Situated in the heart of the city, just steps from The White House, this historic landmark offers a timeless blend of classic American cuisine and unparalleled hospitality. Old Ebbitt Grill promises a memorable visit filled with a warm ambiance and a seasonal menu spanning from freshly shucked oysters to house-made pastas and perfectly prepared steaks & chops. From the Rooftop Terrace to the Atrium or Cabinet Room, Ebbitt's private dining spaces are ideal for celebrations ranging from small and intimate to grand and stylish.

6. The Dabney

4.7

Exceptional(269)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Shaw

Booked 22 times today

Located in historic Blagden Alley in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood since 2015, The Dabney continues to pay tribute to the wonderful farmers, watermen, and purveyors of the mid-Atlantic region whom provide some of the best and most unique products in the country. We celebrate these ingredients by preparing them in a large wood burning hearth which is the centerpiece of our open kitchen. The current dining room experience is an 8-course tasting menu honoring the Mid-Atlantic's bounty. We offer an additional 3-course experience at our bar and bar area tables. Walk-in guests are welcome to enjoy the bar area as well.The Dabney has been awarded one Michelin star every year since 2017, James Beard Foundation Best Chef Mid-Atlantic for Chef Jeremiah Langhorne in 2018, and Washingtonian Magazine's #1 restaurant in 2023. At this time we are unable to accommodate severe allium and dairy allergies as well as vegan and vegetarian diets.

A photo of La Grande Boucherie - DC restaurant

7. La Grande Boucherie - DC

4.4

Awesome(1351)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • Washington

Booked 164 times today

Located at 699 14th Street on the coveted corner of 14th and G Street NW, La Grande Boucherie is situated on the most high-profile street in Washington D.C., just one block away from the White House. The restaurant is built in elegant and ornamental Art Nouveau style, evoking the sense of optimism from the turn of the 20th century. The brasserie’s menu features both classic and modern French dishes, with focus on the meat program, raw bar and extravagant large-format meats, ideal for sharing and celebrating. Mahogany wood and glass partitions divide the gargantuan space to create intimate dining experiences. These pieces are adorned in gilded accents and uniquely curved arches inspired by the 20th-century Art Nouveau movement of Paris. The main dining room highlights a massive curved bar with a metal top imported from Paris, a signature piece of Boucherie.

8. Amazonia

4.7

Exceptional(138)

Price: Very Expensive

• Peruvian • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 33 times today

Venture into the relaxed ambiance of Amazonia, our inviting upstairs bar, dining room and rooftop hideaway. As one of the first Amazonian restaurants in the U.S., discover the exotic flavors and ingredients from Peru's rainforest, as well as favorite Peruvian staples. Here you can explore a thoughtfully curated selection of pisco and imaginative cocktails. The dishes you'll enjoy in Amazonia are meant for sharing, and are expertly prepared by the very same skilled kitchen team from Causa downstairs.

9. Zaytinya - DC

4.7

Exceptional(19413)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter

Booked 265 times today

Under the direction of celebrated chef José Andrés and concept chef Michael Costa, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on Jose’s deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington, DC.

10. Causa

4.9

Exceptional(63)

Price: Very Expensive

• Peruvian • Shaw

Booked 16 times today

Causa is our Michelin-Starred tasting room where the world of Peruvian culinary tradition comes to life, thanks to the artistry of Chef Carlos Delgado. Here, you'll embark on a journey through the gastronomic heritage of the Peruvian geographical regions.Reservations can be booked two months in advance. This prix-fixe menu is $179 (tax & gratuity not included). Enhance your experience further with a Remarkable Wine Pairing to compliment your 6-courses or venture into North America's rarest pisco selection and fully immerse yourself in the bounty of Peru's national spirit.If you have any questions or clarifications on allergens or restrictions, reach out to info@causadc.com prior to booking. Gift Card? Please use a credit card to book hold your reservation and we will refund you upon completion of your meal. Causa accepts inKind House Account credit and is unable to accept general inKind credits. Please reach out to inKind support for further clarification.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

N
nickVIP
Philadelphia County •3 reviews
5.0
Dined today
It’s awesome every time without fail. The best restaurant in DC metro area forever.
More info
Old Ebbitt GrillPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
•
4.8
A
Ariel
Miami - Dade •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This Restaurant was amazing!!! The food, the service, the Holiday decor was nothing but espectacular!! The assistant manager Enrique was so attentive!! We felt like in Nona's house. Thank you so much to all that made our experience so wonderful. I highly recommend this restaurant!!
More info
Filomena RistorantePrice: Expensive• Italian• Georgetown
•
4.8
R
Rob
Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
We went to Jont two years ago and it was spectacular then and I wasn’t sure how they could improve. However, this visit was off the charts and I’m not sure why they don’t have three Michelin stars yet. We have been to 30 Michelin stars worth of restaurants globally so we have a pretty good perspective. Chef Ryan was in the kitchen (which you essentially sit at a bar adjacent to) the whole time and he came over and spent some time with us which was very cool. The staff is funny, friendly and well informed. I got the special Waygu Zabuton in lieu of chicken and it was probably the best steaks I’ve ever had. Sometimes these type restaurants get a little too eclectic with one or two dishes, and that wasn’t the case here. Every dish wowed our family. In fact, my wife ate Uni for the first time (having passed on it before) and loved it. We feel fortunate to have this spot in DC and can’t wait to go back.
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JôntPrice: Very Expensive• French / Japanese• U Street Corridor
•
4.9
K
KennyVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on 17 Dec 2024
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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SHIA RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Korean• Washington
•
4.8
S
Shantanab
Seattle / Eastern Washington •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on 12 Dec 2024
Always like going to Letena in DC. We were a group of 9 and our server was lovely- she took care of us and helped us in selecting the food
More info
Letena Ethiopian RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Ethiopian• Columbia Heights / Brightwood
•
4.9

Best Fun Restaurants in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

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404 restaurants available nearby

1. Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

2. Filomena Ristorante

3. SHIA Restaurant

4. Jônt

5. Old Ebbitt Grill

6. The Dabney

7. La Grande Boucherie - DC

8. Amazonia

9. Zaytinya - DC

10. Causa

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