A solid spot with a great homemade veggie burger, lots of whiskey and beer options, and buzzing neighborhood vibes. 

What was once a non-descript garage space in Shaw is now a rustic, cozy space for casual French fare prepared right in front of you from the beautiful open kitchen. Come for the family meal held every fourth Thursday of the month, where you get to sit with the staff for a fun pre-service communal dinner featuring some of the chef's favorite items. While you're in the neighborhood, there's also The Dabney for mid-Atlantic food and Thally for custom cocktails and dessert.

Simple Italian fare since 1987 served in a charming townhouse just off Dupont Circle.

The steak is great, but you're here for the recently revamped lounge, where the A5 Wagyu Chicago Dog (sausage and pork, pickled sweet peppers, spicy mustard) and duck fat fries pair flawlessly with crisp Sancerre.

See if your hotel's concierge can score you a reservation at molecular gastronomist José Andrés' superb but tiny restaurant (twelve seats only!) offering a multi-course, fully immersive dining extravaganza. For drinks, consider his cocktail lab barmini next door. If neither works out, check out Andrés' food-on-wheels concept, Pepe, for Spanish flauta sandwiches.

A laid-back East London-influenced spot with massive sandwiches. Check their Facebook page for the day's menu. Or order the aptly named Proper Burger and a pint.

A bit a ways from the fussy, see-and-be-seen atmosphere of Fabio Trabocchi's first spot Downtown, his third D.C. restaurant serves incredible Italian seafood along the Potomac. 

A Parisian bistro with beautiful balcony seating and a downstairs dining area makes a lovely spot for an intimate French meal. Tuck into mussels, confits, and burgers. In colder months, cozy up by the fireplace.

A cozy spot for savory sandwiches and delicious four-barrel coffee in the morning, or dinner and drinks in the outdoor patio on balmy evenings. While you're in the neighborhood, also drop by El Chucho for tacos and margaritas, or Red Rocks for breakfast pizza.

Every Tuesday through Saturday evening, James Beard award-winning chef/owner Johnny Monis serves a dozen delightful, mostly seafood-based dishes. Ask for table 11, the best seat in the house (once occupied by the President and First Lady). It may feel impossible to get in, but the 30-day wait is totally worth it. 

From the same minds behind longtime favorites Komi and Little Serow, Tail Up Goat doles out delish Mediterranean-meets-Cajun fare. Don't miss out on inventive loaves like seaweed sourdough and charred chocolate rye.

A great neighborhood hangout with classic New England fare like lobster rolls and daily fish 'n' chips specials. The Capitol Hill location is also fun (especially because of its cocktail program).

An industrial space that functions as a retail store, restaurant, and cafe serving matcha lattes and sticky buns. At lunch, the 60-seat restaurant doles out Taiwanese and Cambodian street food like steamed bao and spicy beef rice bowls.

READ MORE ON FATHOM

Sidle up to the bar for dumplings and a big bowl of steaming ramen with a Taiwanese twist. Waits can be long at the popular tchotchke-filled eatery. Pass the time with drinks at The Pug downstairs.

READ MORE ON FATHOM

The historic stables-turned-inn-turned-restaurant continues to be the District's most romantic dinner spot — see if you can score seats in the wisteria- and grapevines-filled courtyard. The Italian and Greek tasting menu by executive chef Anthony Chittum pair with an equally excellent wine list (also from Italy and Greece).

Just off Dupont Circle, the 28-seater serves an ever-changing prix-fixe menu of northern Thai dishes like aap chiang mai (pork and lanna spices) and si krong muu (pork ribs, Mehkong whiskey, and dill). Go early: As with most restaurants in D.C., Little Serow doesn't take reservations.

READ MORE ON FATHOM

Delicious small plates like tsukune chicken meatballs, uni with quail egg, udon noodles served hot or cold. Add an impressive beer and sake list, it's no surprise that the snug and minimalist spot is packed every night of the week it's open (note: it's closed on Tuesdays).

Go for the escargot hush puppies, duck rillettes, and forager's salad at the French-influenced American restaurant. The farmhouse-style spot is always buzzing inside, as are the sidewalk seats on warmer days.

Everyone will feel like a local at the tiny Filipino joint. Go early or stalk their Twitter feed for immediate/soon-to-be available seating. The menu changes daily, but favorites include ukoy (shrimp fritters) and pancit (stir-fried noodles).