The 10 Best Michelin Star Restaurants In DC

DC’s culinary landscape is diverse and expansive. Here, we aim to highlight the best of DC’s culinary scene – from local fine dining to space-age modern cuisine.

Washington, DC, is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, making it a great place to dine for tourists and locals alike.

Each year, the Michelin Guide awards a star to one restaurant in each category, from fine dining to quick bites.

Based on the MICHELIN Guide reviews, I have compiled a list of the top ten Michelin-starred restaurants in the DC area.

So whether you’re looking for a new dining experience or an esteemed restaurant to take your loved ones on a special night out, this list is for you.

Interested in other Michelin Star Restaurants? Check out our other delicious guides:

Table of Contents

The 10 Best Michelin Star Restaurants in DC

Métier

1015 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States // +12027377500

Métier, chef Eric Ziebold’s ambitious 36-seat restaurant, is located beneath Kinship and offers an even more lavish experience.

Métier was a very intimate and memorable experience, starting from the moment I went into Kinship and was led to the elevator, which transported us to an underground dining experience, Métier.

Métier is a romantic, softly lit restaurant with a gorgeous atmosphere and a knowledgeable and pleasant staff. The service and each meal exceeded my expectations.

I had a great time from the moment I stepped in. The staff made my night even more memorable with the wines and their sense of humor paired with each dish.

We began with an aperitif of caviar and mousse, which was followed by a fantastic drink of sparkling wine, rum, and cinnamon.

The dinner was a seven-course tasting menu with three shellfish courses, a superb puree of savoy cabbage soup, pan-roasted beef, and two excellent sweets. A fantastic wine list with a beautiful champagne variety.

Michelin Star Restaurants In DC: Métier Pan-Roasted Beef

After that, we were served a pan of freshly prepared cinnamon buns with sunchoke sauce, washed down with shot glasses of hot-buttered rum.

The restaurant is well-appointed, and the kitchen is divided by a glass window, allowing you to observe the culinary crew as you dine.

While it was pricey, it was a great dining experience that was well worth the money! This is one of the Michelin star restaurants in DC you must visit.

Pineapple and Pearls

715 8th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States // +12025957375

Aaron Silverman’s dedication to good food challenges everything you thought you understood. So you’re warmly welcomed to Pineapple and Pearls for one of the best meals you’ve ever attended. Be prepared for the unexpected.

The atmosphere is incredibly zen, with white walls adorned with odd art depicting Japanese mountains, potted orchids, shelves of miniature vases, and other Asian-themed trinkets.

They gave us a cool towel to use as we waited for our table and gave us a drink to get us started. Then, as our courses were being prepared, we were introduced to the restaurant and staff.

The service began with a table-side cocktail with bite-size pastry appetizers, followed by multiple seafood dishes, and concluded with a barbecued lamb meal. The beverage pairings were fantastic, including some vintage wines that are typically hard to acquire unless you have a link in the sector. The optional Caviar Tacos and Creole Style Blackened Monkfish were unquestionably the meal’s highlights.

Pineapple and Pearls Barbecued Lamb Meal

After the meal, our server brought us coffee and a signed menu from the kitchen staff in honor of our first anniversary, which was a lovely way to end the evening.

Overall, I definitely recommend Pineapple and Pearls for a special occasion; it is well worth its two Michelin stars and gives a memorable experience that you will remember for a long time.

Minibar by José Andrés

855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004, United States // +12023930812

Minibar provides an out-of-this-world experience with some of the most imaginative and delectable dishes.

The famed chef José Andrés offers various courses in the field of molecular gastronomy. This restaurant in the Penn Quarter is always fully booked months in advance.

We opted to try the Chef’s table. The higher price reflects more courses and higher-quality wines. Each course is paired with the proper wine. The courses are tiny and bite-sized, so you feel satisfied rather than full.

Everything is extremely innovative and appears to be a work of art. The flavors are all distinct and erupt in your mouth.

Osetra caviar and beet blinis, crab banh mi, Hokkaido uni, scallop and chanterelles, Thai rabbit, lamb neck, and many more are examples of innovative dishes. The personnel is well-trained and attentive to your every need.

I loved the open kitchen, witnessing all the chefs working together harmoniously and surprising your palate. If you want a fine-dining experience, this is one of the Michelin star restaurants in dc that offers exactly that.

BRESCA

1906 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States // +12025187926

Bresca is a contemporary 14th Street neighborhood restaurant and cocktail lounge serving modern French cuisine. It’s an exquisite find amongst the Michelin star restaurants in DC.

They experiment with the best seasonal ingredients and genuine hospitality to create contemporary cuisine emphasizing regional, sustainable food sources.

The service is superb and constantly pays attention to detail, and the atmosphere is mesmerizing, just as you would expect in a Washington, DC Michelin-star restaurant.

It was an incredible pleasure to have their tasting menu. The Brioche-stuffed chicken and Brescia Duck were the standout dishes for us.

The chicken was incredibly delicious and cooked to perfection. In addition, the duck’s taste sprang forth, making the addition well worthwhile!

Everything else was excellent as well, with no disappointments. The Coho and Blue Fin were of exceptional quality. They could both stand on their own, thanks to their preparation. Exactly what you’d expect from a fish of that caliber.

The Strawberry Ambrosia was a great way to cap the meal. The flavor mixes and tactile aspects make it unique.

Everything we tried had well-balanced flavors. This is a hidden gem on 14th Street. I really advise you to visit this gem amongst the Michelin star restaurants in DC!

Xiquet by Danny Lledó

2404 Wisconsin Ave. B, Washington, DC 20007, United States // +12029134671

When it comes to an incredible wood-fired Valencian dining experience, the professionals at Xiquet will exceed your expectations.

Valencian food is influenced by the cuisine of northern Spain and includes a range of meats, poultry, and fish. So whether you prefer steak and lamb or seafood such as prawns and octopus, Xiquet has a meal for you.

After enjoying fresh and inventive cocktails in the downstairs bar, we went upstairs to the dining room, which is adjacent to Chef Danny’s glass-enclosed kitchen, allowing us to observe him at work without feeling musty from the smoke.

After two enjoyable hours of sampling the chef’s inventive tasting menus, we accompanied our lunch with a couple of bottles of wine from the restaurant’s vast wine list.

A standout was the grilled fennel with smoky romesco sauce and dehydrated horseradish, as well as the grilled octopus with citrus pearls and the wagyu beef.

Following that, we returned to the lounge for glasses of Madeira, one of their many post-dinner aperitif options, presented with complimentary petit fours.

Throughout, the service was flawless; attentive, friendly, and welcoming. So whether you’re out with friends or on a date, this is the perfect place! It’s one of the best Michelin-star restaurants in DC.

Imperfecto

1124 23rd St. NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20037, United States // +12029641012

Imperfecto is one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in quite some time. The ambiance is stylish and inviting, with dark lighting and exposed brick walls creating a warm atmosphere.

Chef Enrique Limardo accepts that no matter how much we try, we can never attain perfection. So the continual supervision enhances the entire gastronomic experience at this West End restaurant that draws Greek inspirations and chops from Latin American Limardo cuisine.

From the moment we walked in, the service was excellent. We were seated immediately, and the server greeted us and pulled out my chair. He was always polite, helpful, and professional.

The restaurant offered a great ambiance with various textures, shapes, and colors. Each piece of tableware complemented the others. The plates’ art, trendy stemware, and even the coffee cup gave off a Latin atmosphere.

Book a reservation at Chef’s Table for the Michelin-starred restaurant experience. The menu of ten perplexing dishes has delicacies like kampachi sea tartare, caramelized king crab with caviar, and duck breast cooked from strawberry mushrooms.

The salmon tartar is a must-have, and their spaghetti dash is among the greatest I’ve ever had. It has a beautiful atmosphere, and the service is friendly and competent. A must if you are in DC.

The Inn at Little Washington

309 Middle St., Washington, VA 22747, United States // +15406753800

The Inn at Little Washington has a well-deserved reputation. Three Michelin stars—the first and only restaurant in the Washington, DC region. It’s one of the best Michelin star restaurants in DC.

The restaurant itself is stunning. The walls are covered in magnificent paintings and drapery, and there are big floral arrangements everywhere, including a breathtaking rose bouquet as our table centerpiece, whose aroma filled the air with its delicious scent and added to the lovely experience.

The service was excellent, with some of the most attentive wait staff I’ve ever encountered in a restaurant.

The food’s excellence blew me away. Cabbage-wrapped lobster mousse. Lamb carpaccio with Caesar salad ice cream! With a perfume atomizer, you can spritz the sauce on your perfectly cooked duck breast and foie gras!

Truly a place that has earned the three-Michelin stars rating. It is definitely worth the visit at least once in your lifetime!

Rose’s Luxury

717 8th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States // +12027423570

Rose’s Luxury is a fantastic tiny hidden restaurant on a historic property. The neighborhood is lovely and quiet, appealing to those looking for a romantic evening away from the city while still being close enough to go to the rest of Washington DC fast.

While being only twenty minutes from Downtown DC, it’s a terrific location because it’s close enough to walk there if you’re planning a longer stroll. This was one of the best meals I’ve had in my life.

The pork lychee salad had a stunning and delightfully perplexing first bite that was exceptionally tasty. The two primary ingredients are minced pork and fresh sweet lychees. On top of it, peanuts, onions, mint, coconut cream froth, and a hint of spice combine to create a Southeast Asian-inspired symphony.

As opposed to mentaiko udon, mentaiko spaghetti is more evenly balanced. It is dashi-based and has a hint of citrus acidity; it is less creamy.

The leek cream campanelle is lovely and does the sauce justice. The butter sauce gives the lobster pleasant and fruity flavors when it is served. It functions incredibly well. The dish’s complements—some sugared ginger and blanched spinach—are toward the bottom and have flavors that don’t overpower it.

Every meal was delicious and had been thoughtfully prepared and presented. Rose’s Luxury is undoubtedly one of the best Michelin star restaurants in DC and has earned its place on this list if you’re seeking an intimate, high-end dining experience with a view that’s worth the price tag!

Jônt

1904 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States

Chef Ryan Ratino, who also owns the Michelin-starred Bresca, has brought together a talented group of chefs and artists to bring Jont to Washington, D.C.

This is one of those Michelin star restaurants in DC that offers a tasting menu that rotates through dynamic flavors and combines gaming technology with dishes unavailable elsewhere.

Consider Dungeness crab with donabe rice, truffles, maitake mushrooms, or sea urchin with pudding and English peas. But, again, the availability of strong drinks implies that you will most likely discover the ideal drink to pair with food.

We enjoyed every single dish from start to finish. We decided to split a reserve wine pairing and a truffle upgrade, and it was well worth it! One of the pricier options, but unquestionably one of the best. Our favorite dish was undoubtedly the duck.

I’m a major chocolate fan, but the sky berry dessert was out of this world. The first bites were all good as well. It was also lovely that the wine pairing included a new wine with practically every meal, which was a nice touch!

Chef Ryan and his colleagues have created something remarkable at Jont, deserving of their two Michelin stars. An absolute must-visit!

Maydan

1346 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20009, United States

Maydan is a sight to behold, anchored by a burning pit; cooks dance about the flames like bold ballerinas, playing with scorching logs and glistening coals.

As soon as we entered, we were enchanted by the decor and the bustling atmosphere, as well as the huge lamb shoulder slices that were hanging above the fireplace, spilling their juices on the ground below.

Crackly-pillowy flatbread is taken straight from the clay oven while still puffy and hot, while blistered vegetables are put to feel the heat of the open flame. It’s a mouthwatering homage to Middle Eastern and North African cuisines and a show-stopping experience in and of itself.

We decided to order the Tawle Menu and upgrade the meat to lamb. If you can call them that, the first course of “appetizers” was delightful. The flavors on their own would have been enough to fill me up. Each mouthful was unique. Therefore, it was up to us to try creative and intriguing combinations from the entire buffet.

We enjoyed combining the two spreads when the “Main Course,” which included the steak, chicken, lamb, and more sauces to test, arrived just in time. Again, everything we sampled was fantastic.

Look no further if you want to sample some masterfully made traditional cuisine!

FAQ

How many Michelin Star Restaurants in DC are there?

There are 24 Michelin star restaurants in DC.

What is the highest Michelin-starred restaurant in DC?

The Inn at Little Washington is the highest and only Michelin-starred restaurant with three stars.

How many 2 Michelin star restaurants in DC are there?

There are 3 two Michelin star restaurants in DC: Jônt, minibar, and Pineapple and Pearls.

Final Thoughts About The 10 Best Michelin Star Restaurants In DC

As it turns out, there are a lot of restaurants with Michelin stars in the Washington, D.C., area. Also, there are more hotels with a total of five stars available in the region than in any other city in the nation, including New York and San Francisco.

It’s no surprise that people travel to Washington, DC, to dine because it’s home to some of the country’s most famous restaurants. The city is unique and delivers a memorable experience for many guests.

Those seeking luxury dining will not find a better place than one of the Michelin star restaurants in DC to enjoy a wonderful culinary experience!

Visiting other destinations in Virginia? Check out our other guides:

Igor Jovanovsky

Igor Jovanovski is an aspiring digital nomad, travel blogger and graphic designer who really loves food. He also has a creative side, and he works as a freelance graphic designer in his spare time. He has traveled across Europe quite a few times since he was young and recently started his mission to visit every country in the world! Igor’s favorite thing about traveling is the way he gets to know new people, food, places and cultures.
This exciting experience helps him create his own stories and make memories that will last forever