25 Favorite DC Hotspots
2 Amys is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

1. 2 Amys

8.9
3715 Macomb St NW, Washington, D.C.
Pizzeria · Cathedral - Wesley Heights - McLean Gardens · 168 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Hands down the best authentic Italian D.O.C. pizza south of Jersey and one of the only restaurants to serve "suppli" -- a fried-cheesy-ricey delight tasting like its directly from the "Old Country."

Graffiato is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

2. Graffiato

707 6th St NW (btwn G & H St NW), Washington, D.C.
Italian Restaurant · Chinatown · 189 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: White truffle brick oven pizza with quail egg. Done and done.

Cheesetique is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

3. Cheesetique

8.3
4056 Campbell Ave (S Randolph Street), Arlington, VA
Cheese Store · Fairlington - Shirlington · 41 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: The perfect combination of cheeses and fine wines in a quaint little neighborhood restaurant.

The Italian Store is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

4. The Italian Store

8.9
3123 Lee Hwy (at Spout Run Pkwy), Arlington, VA
Grocery Store · Lyon Village · 107 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Everything about this store is "squisito."

Black & Orange is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

5. Black & Orange

1300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Burger Joint · Connecticut Avenue - K Street · 52 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Best after hours burger joint in the District.

Breadsoda is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

6. Breadsoda

8.0
2233 Wisconsin Ave NW (at Observatory Ln NW), Washington, D.C.
Bar · Glover Park · 46 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: A local haunt that shall forever stay dear to my heart.

Wisemiller's Grocery & Deli is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

7. Wisemiller's Grocery & Deli

8.4
1236 36th St NW (at Prospect St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Deli · Georgetown · 27 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Chicken Madness. 'Nuff said.

Zaytinya is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

8. Zaytinya

9.0
701 9th St NW (at G St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 412 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: One of the only places where I consider the bread and accompanying "dip" a decadent delight...and that's not even touching on the fantastic tapas plates! Service is spotty though.

James Hoban's Irish Restaurant & Bar is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

9. James Hoban's Irish Restaurant & Bar

1 DuPont Cir NW (at New Hampshire Ave NW), Washington, D.C.
Irish Pub · Northwest Washington · 52 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Named after the White House architect -- an Irish immigrant who planned the first White House design AND the second after it was burned down in 1813 during the War of 1812.

Town Hall is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

10. Town Hall

2340 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Bar · Glover Park · 49 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: After a new renovation this bar still delivers as a fun working professional hang out despite the yuppies that file in the door

Old Ebbitt Grill is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

11. Old Ebbitt Grill

9.1
675 15th St NW (at G St NW), Washington, D.C.
American Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 689 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: It was President Grant's favorite Saloon. You can't argue with that.

T.J. Stone's is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

12. T.J. Stone's

8.0
608 Montgomery St (at N Washington St), Alexandria, VA
New American Restaurant · Old Town North · 51 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: A fun local pub in Alexandria with the best, friendliest staff at a bar I've seen inside the beltway.

Ben's Chili Bowl is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

13. Ben's Chili Bowl

8.3
1213 U St NW, Washington, D.C.
Hot Dog Joint · U-Street · 386 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Another Half Smoke, please?

Eighteenth Street Lounge is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

14. Eighteenth Street Lounge

1212 18th St NW (at Jefferson Pl NW), Washington, D.C.
Lounge · Connecticut Avenue - K Street · 89 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: The quaint former row house set-up and upstairs late night jazz jam sessions balances out the overpriced drinks and super-yuppy crowd

Mr. Smith's of Georgetown is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

15. Mr. Smith's of Georgetown

5.9
3205 K St NW (at Wisconsin Ave NW), Washington, D.C.
Bar · Georgetown · 63 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: If you don't mind crowds and love to sing at the top of your lungs, get some loose cash, park yourself in a spot, and enjoy 'till close

Murphy's Grand Irish Pub is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

16. Murphy's Grand Irish Pub

8.1
713 King St (btwn N Columbus & N Washington St), Alexandria, VA
Irish Pub · Old Town · 173 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Alexandria's best restaurant and bar. period.

Sette Osteria is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

17. Sette Osteria

6.6
1666 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Italian Restaurant · Northwest Washington · 63 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Though the brick oven pizza is second to 2 Amy's, the establishment still offers its own niche in Italian food -- such as a superior antipasti spread and delicious pastas -- that the former does not.

Bourbon is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

18. Bourbon

2348 Wisconsin Ave NW (at Calvert St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Whisky Bar · Glover Park · 53 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: If you don't stay for the late night drinks, you'll be back for the bitchin' brunch.

Fado Irish Pub is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

19. Fado Irish Pub

808 7th St. NW (btwn H & I Sts. NW), Washington, D.C.
Irish Pub · Chinatown · 97 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: "Gaelic Pub" is probably a better title for this establishment as it is a higher caliber and arguably more "Irish" pub than any other Irish bar in DC sporting the genre. A fantastic, euro-feel place

Surfside is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

20. Surfside

2444 Wisconsin Ave NW (at Calvert St NW), Washington, D.C.
Mexican Restaurant · Glover Park · 74 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Best fish tacos in the District. Fun little rooftop bar and eating section too. Great neighborhood place.

Cactus Cantina is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

21. Cactus Cantina

7.7
3300 Wisconsin Ave NW (at Macomb St NW), Washington, D.C.
Mexican Restaurant · Cathedral - Wesley Heights - McLean Gardens · 116 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Delicious, fun Mexican restaurant and bar. The frozen margarita swirls are delish...no homo.

Sequoia is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

22. Sequoia

7.5
3000 K St NW (at 30th St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Seafood Restaurant · Georgetown · 129 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Awesome outdoor bar with a beautiful view to the Georgetown Waterfront. A must for all visiting or living in DC. Make sure to get the ice bucket of Coronas in the Summer

Chef Geoff's is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

23. Chef Geoff's

8.0
3201 New Mexico Ave NW (at Lowell St NW), Washington, D.C.
American Restaurant · Cathedral Heights · 69 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Burgers, burgers, burgers.

Veritas Wine Bar is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

24. Veritas Wine Bar

2031 Florida Ave NW (at Connecticut Ave. NW), Washington, D.C.
Wine Bar · Northwest Washington · 19 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: After a couple flights of delicious wine in a cozy, brick-surrounded speak-easy, you'll find that the truth will flow

Busboys and Poets is one of 25 Favorite DC Hotspots.

25. Busboys and Poets

8.8
2021 14th St NW (at V St NW), Washington, D.C.
American Restaurant · U-Street · 357 tips and reviews

JohnJohn: Forget the hippy ambiance and ultra overdose of liberal paraphernalia, you'll keep going back for one of the best brunches DC has to offer. Can we say Eggs Benedict with Maryland crab? Yes.