Get a taste for the international flavor of DC in eclectic restaurants that serve cuisine from all over the globe.
African: DC is home to more Ethiopian restaurants than any city outside of Africa, and many of them are clustered around U Street. Servers then scoop stews, vegetables, meats and legumes around a 16-inch circular piece of bread, called injera. You’ll eat with your hands, using another piece of injera as a scoop. Some more famous dishes include Wat, a rich meat or legume stew seasoned with a blend of chili peppers and spices; Tibs, a sautéed, grilled or sometimes deep-fried cubed lamb or beef with onion, tomato, jalapeno pepper and rosemary; and Kitfo, ground, lean, seasoned beef served raw or cooked to order. While Ethiopian restaurants are the most common African eateries you’ll see in DC, the District is also home to Moroccan and West African restaurants.
Asian: Asian fare runs the gamut in DC, from fine dining restaurants like Makoto in the Palisades neighborhood, north of Georgetown, and downtown’s TenPenh and Rasika to noodle shops and pho takeout places in Chinatown. There's also excellent Asian food to be found in the northern Virginia suburbs, where large immigrant populations operate give rise to tasty, affordable eateries. But if you’re simply craving fresh sushi, zesty Pad Thai or flavorful curries, you’ll have plenty of options within walking distance of DC’s most popular attractions.
European: European cuisine abounds in all parts of DC, where diners can sample Italian, Greek, Spanish, French, German and other familiar favorites. DC’s French influences are particularly evident on the fine dining scene, where acclaimed chefs like Michel Richard and Yannick Cam delight and amaze diners with their high-end creations. Flavors of the Mediterranean shine through at casual tapas and mezze bars like Jaleo and Zaytinya and upscale eateries like Taberna del Alabardero and Komi. European influences don’t end on the plate, however. Sample the world’s largest selection of beers—many of them from Europe—at the Brickskeller or choose from more than 50 Belgian beers on draft at Brasserie Beck.
South & Central American: Thanks to DC’s large Latin American population, South and Central American cooking traditions are well represented on the District’s menus. Diners frequently stop for pupusas and empanadas, or meat and vegetable-stuffed pastries, at casual storefronts in the Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. Sip caipairinhas and mojitos as you take salsa lessons at the lively bars and clubs in the neighborhood. For high-end Nuevo Latino flavors, try stylish downtown eateries like Ceiba and Café Atlántico.
