DCDiningGuide

 
Chef/owner Fabio Trabocchi's upscale seafood restaurant may be next to the tourist traps at the Georgetown Waterfront, but the only thing it has in common is stunning water views. Everything else about Fiola Mare is uniformly elegant and perfectly delicious, from fish of unparalleled quality, to its simple yet luxurious Mediterranean menu, to cooking that's perfect every time. All of this, plus a Georgetown address, have made Fiola Mare the "place to be seen" for local luminaries and celebrities visiting DC. Fortunately, there's still plenty of room for the rest of us, but beware: prices are steep. Those who can afford it will find no better place for seafood in town … or just about anywhere else, for that matter.

 
James Beard Award Winner Frank Ruta has found a new home at The Grill Room in Georgetown's Capella hotel. And with him he's brought his long-time pastry chef at Palena, Aggie Chin, and Keith Goldston, who left Range to become the wine director. As at Palena, Ruta's menu is a sophisticated take on Italy and France. Here, it's offered a la carte or as a five-course tasting menu for $135. Unlike Palena, The Grill Room is well appointed, and has a great view of the canal with outdoor tables in fairer months. And a bonus for fans of Palena's famed burger: the chef just introduced a burger menu.

 
This classic French bistro features the assured cooking of veteran chef George Vetsch. We actually prefer the upstairs wine bar, which hosts live music twice a week. Either way, there's a dependable menu of French classics and nice wine list.

 
Joe Palma recently replaced John Critchley as Executive Chef at Michael Mina's swanky steakhouse in the Four Seasons. Much of the menu remains the same, including the selection off good but expensive steaks, and a handful of mostly-seafood entrees (like the famous $60 lobster pot pie). The beautiful dining room, attentive service, and lively lounge and patio also remain the same. The burger from the lounge menu (which they will serve in the dining room on request) is a delicious and relatively cheap way to dine here.

 
This old-style butcher shop serves the best and biggest sandwiches in town. With only one cluttered table, it's basically a carryout. And the sandwiches appear almost an afterthought, with the choices written on a chalkboard on a far wall over a meat case. But don't be fooled, there is no better pastrami or Italian sub in DC, and the rest of the choices are all stellar too. Portions are easily big enough for two hungry people, making it a deceptively good value.

 
This Italian restaurant, which is named for its proximity to the canal, features excellent Neapolitan pizza alongside a menu of classic Italian dishes. The cooking is dependable, staff friendly, and atmosphere welcoming, making this one of our favorite spots for a casual meal in touristy Georgetown.

 
Eric and Ian Hilton (the former of Thievery Corporation fame) are the team behind such diverse places as Marvin and Eighteenth Street Lounge. Their original modern French bistro recently spawned this sibling in Georgetown, which features all of the classics you might expect, from French onion soup and pate to beef bourguignon and steak frites.

 
La Chaumiere is chef Patrick Orange's vision of a French country inn. It features perfectly-executed French classics in a charming atmosphere, with lots of stone work and a warm fire in colder months.

 
This elegant Georgetown institution is six dining rooms in federal-style townhouse decorated with antiques, period prints, and fine china. Owned by the Clyde's Restaurant Group, it's a perennial favorite of Georgetown University students with visiting parents. The food, from Executive Chef Samuel Kim (a veteran of Tom Colicchio's Craft in New York), is as elegant as the setting, making 1789 perfect for anyone looking to celebrate.

 
This rapidly-expanding local chain with locations in the DC area, New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, offers healthy, good-quality salads. With its emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and calories posted on the menu, it's one of our picks for healthy "cheap eats."

 
Chef/owners Suzanne Simon and Bettina Stern started selling their vegetarian "farm-to-taco" creations at local farmer’s markets in 2013. They now have a brick and mortar space to show off their inventive combinations, all served on made-to-order corn tortillas. Although there's no meat on the menu, many chefs consider these the best tacos in town.

 
This solid Turkish restaurant specializes in house-made Doener kebabs.