Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Washington DC

This traditional-style Japanese restaurant and bar in Dupont Circle offers much more than sushi. It has a broad menu and a decor imported directly from Japan. Gleaming wood sets the tone and blends well with the authentic Japanese screens and tatami flooring. There is a tremendous selection here, ranging from Sushi and Sashimi to dainty grilled skewers of Yakitori. The restaurant also serves up some high-end sake, which is a Japanese rice wine that can be served hot or cold, and Sho-chu, a Japanese alcohol that has a base of rice, soba, barley, and sweet potato. Other drinks include Japanese beer and wine.

At Komi, located a few twists and turns from the hustle and bustle of Dupont Circle, simplicity is key. The staff, the space, the cuisine and the wines are all elegant, but none are flashy in the least. Komi is most famous for its fixed-price tasting menus with optional sommelier-managed wine pairings, each one a new five-course symphony of tasty wonder. Whichever route you choose, you'll surely be faced with some luscious salads, top-notch pastas and some of the finest meats and fishes you'll ever lay eyes on.

The Pig is a must visit for pork lovers in Washington DC. This restaurant in Logan Circle advocates a nose-to-tail culinary philosophy and specializes in creative renditions of pork. It sources its meat from La Plata MD, its local farm, and features specialties with global influences like barbecue pigtails, bratwurst, Cuban porchetta and cider braised cheek. Their sausage board and pig platters are great when paired with wine, sake or champagne from their beverage list. Other contemporary dishes include salad and seafood. Their pork blood chocolate pudding deserves a special mention. This place is ideal for hosting private parties and events.

&pizza is the place to go to if you love relishing on flavorsome pizzas. You can order one of their signature pizzas such as The Maverick or Kiss and Fire or play the chef and create your own pizza with every topping of your choice. At &pizza there are also loads of options available for the vegans in the house. Combine the pizzas with one of their refreshing house sodas or craft beers and wines to make the meal even more scrumptious. But don't gorge on the pizzas alone, make sure you bring some friends and family as well to indulge in the delightful feast.

For seafood enthusiasts, Hank's Oyster Bar is IT. Upon entering the humbly sized restaurant, look to the blackboard for the oyster, clam, and other crustacean catches of the day. If eating raw goodies from the half shell isn't your thing, try the succulent Lobster Roll, hailed by the Washington City Paper as being "not some sad attempt to drown mediocre meat under an ocean of mayo; this version insists that the sweet, tender flesh do the heavy lifting." Besides Dupont Circle, they also have Hank's outlets in Old Town, Capitol Hill and the Wharf.

Lincoln is more than just an American restaurant, it celebrates the very spirit of the United States. It was the restaurant of choice for both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama during their presidential campaigns. It has also received numerous awards for its happy hours. Its flooring is constructed from antique wood dotted by a mosaic of a million pennies. Its walls exhibit pop art and a painting of the American flag. Their Presidential Tasting Menu offers the preferred dishes of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Savor items like Winter Turkey Salad, Maryland Smoked Quail and Chicken Pot Pie. Do not miss their cocktails such as the 1944 Mai Tai and Gettysburg Address.