Best Casual Restaurants in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

342 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge restaurant

1. Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge

4.9

Exceptional(16)

Price: Moderate

• Persian • Washington

Booked 2 times today

KooKoo is a concept by Chef/Owner Yahya Sardari to bring the tastes of his childhood dishes to life. We strive to use the freshest available ingredients and best family recipes to bring our favorite dishes to life. We have a crafted some amazing Persian inspired cocktails for your enjoyment. Traditional spices married with the best spirits by our resident mixologist Danielle. Yahya Sardari brought Kookoo to life in August of 2023 to showcase his love of Persian cuisine. With family recipes handed down from his mom he recreates his childhood memories and shares his passion for cooking and hosting with his guests.

2. Trini Vybez

new

4.7

Exceptional(1)

Price: Expensive

• Caribbean • Washington

We’re a celebration of Trinidad and Tobago's street food culture while paying homage to the island with carefully crafted cocktails named after the landmarks of Trinidad and Tobago. Our two floor concept transitions from modern small bites such as oxtails sliders made with Trini hops bread, pepper roti, and vast wines and tastings on our lower level to the more traditional cuisine built upon the offerings established from our food truck, Trini Vybez, such as roti and the fan favorite doubles only this time, with meat and vegetable upgrade options.Whether it's small bites or full scale dining, we are sure to elevate your Caribbean food experience with island zest served up in a colorful yet modern setting.

3. SHIA Restaurant

new

4.8

Exceptional(18)

Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Washington

Booked 3 times today

SHIA (shee-uh) is a modern Korean fine dining restaurant in Washington, D.C., dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and cultural storytelling. Our tasting menu-only experience spotlights the intersection of local agriculture and premium Hansik ingredients, using fresh, seasonal elements with minimal manipulation to honor the environment. As a non-profit restaurant, SHIA is more than just a dining destination; it’s a platform for tackling key challenges in the restaurant industry, from environmental responsibility to fair labor practices and culinary heritage preservation.** Please note, SHIA does not accommodate children in our dining experiences. **

A photo of Caruso's Grocery - DC restaurant

4. Caruso's Grocery - DC

4.8

Exceptional(1154)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Capitol Hill

Booked 23 times today

Please note that we are not offering Restaurant Week at our DC location. Located at 914 14th Street SE in Washington, DC.Caruso’s Grocery is modeled after the classic, Italian-American "red sauce" joint. You know the one: red banquettes, a killer chicken parmesan, Sinatra pouring through the speakers. If you’re looking for modern interpretations of a chef's take on the classics, you won’t find them here. A joint venture from Neighborhood Restaurant Group and Partner Matthew Adler.

5. Ambar - Shaw

4.7

Exceptional(419)

Price: Moderate

• Balkan style • Shaw

Booked 82 times today

Ambar Shaw Thanksgiving Update!Dine-in will be closed, but you can enjoy Thanksgiving at home with our special takeout—available for pickup from 12-5 pm. Pre-order by 4 pm on November 26th. And don’t miss our Black Friday Brunch! Ambar Clarendon is accepting reservations for Thanksgiving Day! Welcome to Ambar, where you are invited to explore the dynamic flavors of Balkan cuisine. What distinguishes us, is our well-curated, exclusive 'Dining Without Limits' experience, which brings you the soul of Balkan dining traditions. Our extensive menu boasts a variety of shareable small plates, perfectly paired with a vast selection of premium Balkan wines. Whether joining us for a leisurely lunch, celebratory weekend brunch, or an evening of indulgence, our unlimited dining menu promises to deliver an unparalleled culinary journey. We excel in serving individual guests, as well as larger groups, and private events.

6. Chaplin

4.6

Exceptional(1570)

Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Shaw

Booked 50 times today

Chaplin's Restaurant & Bar is a 1930's style Japanese Ramen House and cocktail bar. Chaplin's Executive Chef and Partner, Myo Htun, is originally from Burma, but was cooking ramen in Japan at a young age. Myo received a blessing from his mentor in Japan after nearly 30 years of cooking in Japan, to come to America and continue to showcase his authentic Ramen and traditional Japanese cuisine. Chaplin's Restaurant demonstrates the aesthetic of a bustling ramen house in Japan in the 1930's silent film era. There is also a large outdoor dining area that is dog friendly. Chaplin's is located in the heart of the Historic Shaw neighborhood. And it is open until last call 7 days a week. Chaplin's received a Plate certification in the Michelin Guide in 2020. And it is located steps from the convention center and popular Logan Circle, 14th street and City Market.

A photo of Gypsy Kitchen - DC restaurant

7. Gypsy Kitchen - DC

4.6

Exceptional(1572)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Logan Circle

Booked 75 times today

Just like the bohemian travelers who inspired our name, Gypsy Kitchen’s alluring flavors aren’t bound by borders. Instead, our chefs go wherever the inspiration takes them, crafting deeply creative dishes that transport you to uncharted places around the Mediterranean and beyond. A menu designed to taste and share gives guests the freedom to explore the menu at their own pace, connecting over seductive flavors, festive craft cocktails and curated regional wines. The alluring interior matches the menu, with welcoming dining spaces that foster connections and spark conversation. Antique tapestries and rugs, twinkling lights and vibrantly patterned tile set the scene in the expansive dining room. Or, take a seat on the rooftop patio oasis, where lush greenery, plush cushions and the sky overhead evokes the feeling of being on a caravan to explore a distant land.

8. Centrolina

4.7

Exceptional(2094)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Penn Quarter

Booked 32 times today

Centrolina is an Italian restaurant and market, locally owned and operated by Chef Amy Brandwein, set in Washington’s CityCenterDC development. The Osteria showcases a seasonally driven menu of authentic and innovative Italian dishes offered for lunch and dinner. Chef Brandwein's menu is inspired from the seasons, Italian regionality and the wide variety of Chef curated product in the adjoining market. The market showcases a selection of imported Italian specialty items along with locally sourced meat, sustainable fish, and produce from local farms. The Centrolina kitchen produces daily hand crafted fresh pasta and sauces, antipasti and entrees available for takeaway. For parties of 7 people or more, we do require a prix-fixe menu, please email caroline@centrolinadc.com for additional information.

A photo of Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen - Washington DC restaurant

9. Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen - Washington DC

4.5

Awesome(283)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary European • Southwest Waterfront

Booked 160 times today

Transcend on set to Chef Ramsay's iconic 22-season, six-time, Emmy-nominated television series Hell's Kitchen. A fine dining experience like no other, watch as the red and blue teams prepare, cook, and plate dishes emulating on-set Hell's Kitchen dinner service.

A photo of Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown restaurant

10. Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown

4.4

Awesome(10259)

Price: Moderate

• American • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 185 times today

Walking distance to many of DC’s historic landmarks, Founding Farmers & Distillers offers a diverse menu including dishes inspired by nearby Chinatown and cocktails featuring our in-house distillery, Founding Spirits. Open 365 days a year, our team is passionate about crafting dishes & drinks from scratch with high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know and trust. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch, or grab a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from our First Bake Cafe. Majority owned by American family farmers, including the more than 50,000 farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, our restaurant is guided by a very simple principal: we see and share everything Through The Eyes Of The Farmer.™ We actively care about our guests, our communities, the planet, and the next generation. This all comes together in our everyday

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Brett
Washington, D.C. Area •27 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Andreas was friendly and helpful! Service was outstanding and food tasted great.
More info
Ambar - ShawPrice: Moderate• Balkan style• Shaw
•
4.7
L
Leo
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Outstanding food and friendly, efficient service. We always enjoy Caruso's, and we go for most special occasions.
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Caruso's Grocery - DCPrice: Expensive• Italian• Capitol Hill
•
4.8
S
Sehee
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
From the moment we stepped in and to the moment we left, we were such well taken cared for. SHIA thought of every little detail. Not only was the food amazing but it truly was the people that made the difference. You could feel the warmth and genuineness shine through every person we interacted with. It was a cozy and intimate night we won't ever forget.
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SHIA RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Korean• Washington
•
4.8
A
Anita
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 10, 2024
Delicious! Loved everything we ordered. Doubles, roti, chicken, spinach, plantains.
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Trini VybezPrice: Expensive• Caribbean• Washington
•
4.7
J
Janice
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 10, 2024
The food here is absolutely delicious! We were a group of five and everyone loved their meal.
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Kookoo Restaurant and LoungePrice: Moderate• Persian• Washington
•
4.9

Best Casual Restaurants in Columbia Heights / Brightwood

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342 restaurants available nearby

1. Kookoo Restaurant and Lounge

2. Trini Vybez

3. SHIA Restaurant

4. Caruso's Grocery - DC

5. Ambar - Shaw

6. Chaplin

7. Gypsy Kitchen - DC

8. Centrolina

9. Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen - Washington DC

10. Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown

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