The 11 Best Restaurants in Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown Neighborhood

Fiola Mare

Fiola Mare's waterfront locale in Georgetown is the perfect setting for the restaurant's seasonal, Italian coastal cuisine executed by chef Fabio Trabocchi. Come for the signature seafood tower, loaded with favorites like East and West coast oysters, hamachi, Maine uni, and shrimp cocktail. Stay for the raw bar, artisanal Italian cheeses, grilled options like Spanish branzino and big-eye tuna, and the occasional A-list sighting: President Obama once celebrated his birthday here, and Pierce Brosnan is also a fan.

Cafe Milano

This trendy Italian-style cafe is the place to see and be seen, where you'll find local power brokers and celebrities like LeBron James sitting down for a meal. Dine on the sidewalk patio or indoors, where colorful murals celebrating notable Italians are the perfect backdrop for slowly sipping a Bellini or glass of sparkling wine while dining on pizzas, salads, pasta, and classic Italian entrees like veal Milanese served with an arugula salad.

Call Your Mother Deli

This self-described "Jew-ish" spot is a go-to for wood-fired bagels and other deli favorites. Choose from seven bagel flavors ranging from sesame to maple salt and pepper, which also form the basis of the outstanding sandwiches. Opt for the Pastrami Sun City, with bodega-style local eggs, American and cheddar cheese, and spicy honey on an everything bagel. The colorful, '90s-themed shop also offers a range of muffins and sweets, plus specialty coffees, teas, and sodas. If you have allergies fear not, Call Your Mother has a list of all allergens present in the food.

Chez Billy Sud

This intimate bistro with a romantic courtyard and a mint-green, mirrored interior is one of the city's most romantic spots. Expect Southern French cuisine, with small plates like a slow-roasted pork spread, escargots, and pickled beets as well as mains ranging from moules frites to crispy duck confit with potato rosti and pureed carrots. The French-focused wine list is exceptional, with options by the glass and bottle, and the cocktails are also stellar.

Farmers, Fishers, Bakers

This Georgetown spinoff from the team behind Founding Farmers offers to same farm-fresh fare as the original. The diverse lunch and dinner menu—which ranges from sushi, poke bowls, and mussel pots to burgers, jambalaya, steaks, and fish and chips—is bound to please everyone in your dining party. Not to mention the breakfast menu with waffles and avocado and egg white toast, as well as the impressive brunch buffet complete with a carving table. Grab a patio table for stellar views of the waterfront.

Chaia Tacos

Even non-vegetarians will love this plant-based spot's tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and other gluten-free, nut-free Mexican fare. The restaurant makes its own fresh-pressed corn tortillas, which are stuffed with options like creamy kale and potato with cheese (a crowd favorite) or mushrooms and feta with red sauce. Top either with house-made cilantro-lime jalapeños or carrot habanero pepper sauce. Try one of the kombuchas on tap or a seasonal shrub. All tacos and sides except the kale and potato taco can be made vegan.

1789 Restaurant

Housed in a Federal-style building and filled with antiques, this historical restaurant is the perfect location for a special occasion meal or a fancy night out. Small plates include American Wagyu tartare and butternut squash soup, while main dishes include a brioche-crusted halibut and sherry-glazed eggplant, all served with seasonally, locally sourced vegetables. The extensive wine collection is heavy on French and American varietals, with offerings by the glass and bottle.

Martin's Tavern

This family-owned spot has been a neighborhood mainstay since 1933. In addition to serving all-day brunch, the menu includes an extensive list of soups and salads, comfort food like meatloaf and shepherd's pie, plus hearty bar snacks like potato skins and petite crab cakes. Give the Welsh rarebit a try, it's a sizzling skillet of beer-laced cheddar cheese served with toast. The sizeable bar program offers cocktails, wine, and beer.

Clyde's of Georgetown

This flagship restaurant for Clyde's Restaurant Group is always worth a visit. The menu includes crowd-pleasing grill fare like burgers, sandwiches, and pasta, as well as local seafood favorites like jumbo lump crab cake and pan-seared scallops. Open seven days a week, the restaurant also serves brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. What should you order? The eggs Chesapeake, two poached eggs served with crab cake and brunch potatoes, doused in hollandaise sauce.

Stachowski's Market

This butcher shop and deli serves some of the city's best sandwiches. Bring your appetite—or a friend—as the portions are huge. Opt for the Grinder, layered with generous portions of house-made salami, coppa, mortadella, and soppressata and topped with provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, hot peppers, and house vinaigrette on striatta. Or try the double-decker turkey avocado club, with smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, mayo, and sprouts. The deli also offers charcuterie, cheese, and sides like potato salad and coleslaw to go, perfect for a picnic at nearby Georgetown Waterfront Park.

il Canale

The wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas and canal-adjacent location are sure to make this restaurant a hit with the whole family. Both white and red pies are made with organic, imported Italiam flour, and some are available with gluten-free crusts. Try the traditional Margherita or the diavola—a pizza with red sauce, imported Buffalo Mozzarella, spicy salami, parmesan, olive oil, basil, and the restaurant's signature blistering thin crust.

The menu also includes starters like bruschetta and homemade focaccia bread, salads, pasta, various entrees (think baked sea bass or a rack of lamb), and a large selection of Italian wines.