This Washington classic has been serving loyal patrons for over fifty years. Stepping inside the Georgetown institution, with its early-American art and grand fireplace, will transport you in time. The old world feel is complimented by the rich American fare, including sustainable seafood and organically farmed meat and game. Each of the five dining rooms is cozy, making this the perfect place for a romantic dinner or celebrating a special occasion.

It’s cacophonous, packed with kids and usually involves a wait, but for pizza aficionados, the pies at 2Amys are worth it. The restaurant, located in Cleveland Park, has received D.O.C. accreditation for its authentic Neapolitan pizza, which is made in a wood-burning oven with plenty of mozzarella di bufala, Italian plum tomatoes and fresh basil or oregano. Adventurous diners may gravitate to the vongole pie (with garlic, capers, cockles, grana and hot pepper) or the stuffed pizza (with ricotta, grana, salami and prosciutto). There are also small bites, such as polpettine al forno (meatballs) and bruschetta. This is a good lunch option if you are visiting the National Cathedral.

You’ll have to venture about thirty minutes north of the capital to experience Black Market Bistro but this gem, located in a former post office, is worth the trek. In the summer, the creaky wooden porch is the perfect place to enjoy brunch, which features such highlights as buttermilk pancakes, barbeque shrimp and eggs Benedict. Don’t let the simple food choices fool you though. Every dish served in this charming Victorian restaurant is cooked to perfection and surpasses expectations. Reservations are recommended, particularly for brunch.

Owned by Robert Wiedmaier, the proprietor of the grand Marcel’s, Beck is a hopping Belgian brasserie with such hearty fare as braised pork belly and lamb sausage with lentils. It’s loud, crowded and tons of fun. It's located in McPherson Square.

Centrally located off of Wisconsin Avenue, Cafe Milano is an Italian institution in Georgetown. Frequented by the likes of Katie Couric and John Kerry, the restaurant glows with low lighting and a buzzing energy that attracts celebrities, journalists, politicians and Georgetown locals in equal measure. The food is classic and delicious, with standouts including a pumpkin, gorgonzola and rosemary risotto and wagyu beef tagliata dusted with black lava sea salt.

Warm hospitality, an enticing wine list and eclectic design mingle with an air of Northern Italian glamour to make dining here both comfortable and exciting. Guests can sit at the bar for a casual glass of Barbera and bowl of fresh pasta, while families and business people celebrate milestones with Champagne in the more formal back and upstairs rooms. It is just as pleasant to sit at one of the outdoor patio tables for lunch on a sunny day.

Downtown's Central, which won the 2008 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in the country, is part of a continuing trend in D.C.: top toques—in this case Michel Richard, of now-shuttered Citronelle fame—creating more accessible fare, in terms of both price and preparation. (Another example is Robert Wiedmaier’s Brasserie Beck.) Central’s menu is upscale bistro: bangers and mash, an Ahi tuna burger, Caesar salad with goat cheese and a charcuterie plate with prosciutto, salami and garlic sausage. Casual and almost cafeteria-like in ambiance, it is constantly packed, hugely popular and does get some complaints for being on the loud side.

Filomena is a classic DC institution that serves generous portions of pastas and other classic Italian specialties. Through the restaurant’s street-facing window, you'll see ladies making the pasta by hand, setting the tone for a fresh, authentic meal. The downstairs dining room is richly decorated with velvet seats and dark wood-furniture, and the atmosphere is always busy and boisterous.

This Italian gastro-pub located on the lively 14^th St. corridor serves authentic Tuscan fare inspired by the owners’ days spent living in Florence. Decked out in old wood and brick, the dining room provides a cozy environment for guests as they enjoy pizza, pasta, panna cotta and everything in between. Sister restaurant Sotto, which presents an American-leaning menu along with Cotton Club-era cocktails, is located in the basement.

I Ricchi, a well-known Italian restaurant for DC politicos and celebrities, is a sophisticated spot for authentic Tuscan cuisine. The freshly made pastas and perfectly seasoned fish and meat dishes have continued to draw a loyal following to the Tuscan villa–style interiors with vaulted ceilings, hanging ivy and frescos.

A favorite restaurant for a special occasion, L’Auberge is set in a French country home in bucolic Virginia with traditional, elegant interiors of wood beams, antiques and chandeliers. The extensive menu is set up prix-fixe style, with classic French specialties like escargot, chateaubriand for two and soufflé for dessert. The private pavilions in the garden are magical for dinner in the summer months, especially with little lights strung up and twinkling. Jacques' Brasserie, serving bistro fare in the wood-panelled downstairs, is a more casual alternative to the formal L’Auberge.

From your morning muesli to your afternoon Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), this Georgetown café will satisfy your cravings. The menu is heavily Austrian—cured meats, smoked fish, spaeztle, bratwurst, plus a wide assortment of pastries. Naturally, there’s a mean Sacher torte, that famous dark chocolate layer cake with a filling of apricot preserves. Out front is an adorable garden overflowing with pots of flowers, with a small fountain and pretty striped umbrellas. Cady’s Alley is located south of M St. and intersects with 33^rd St. 

It’s a neighborhood joint all right—but what a neighborhood! Situated behind a Beaux-Arts façade right across the street from the Treasury, this saloon has catered to presidents and their posses since it opened its doors, in 1856. You won’t find gourmet food here, but there’s plenty of ambiance: dark wood paneling, mirrors and big oil paintings. Families will appreciate the cozy booths. Unfortunately, the secret’s out: it’s quite a tourist attraction.

The Majestic first opened its doors in Old Town, Alexandria in 1932 and has remained a popular D.C haunt ever since (and it is now owned and operated by the proprietors of Restaurant Eve). Throwback dishes such as homemade meatloaf, fried green tomatoes and local blue catfish have had people coming back for years. Diners wanting to experience the ultimate comfort meal should try “Nana’s summer dinner”, held every Sunday during the summer months. This affordable prix fixe menu features a rotating selection that could be anything from fried chicken and mashed potatoes to a taco feast.