Eating My Way Around The World: The Best Ethnic Restaurants In Washington DC (2024)

Most of you know that I am a bit of a foodie. I love to eat and cook, especially ethnic foods from all corners of the world. Washington DC has some amazing restaurants and you can literally eat your way around the world in this city. This is why I really love DCand try to come as often as I can. I love to try new foods and so I make it a point to sample as many different cuisines as possible when I am in the capital and found some of the best ethnic restaurants in Washington DC along the way. Here are some of my favorite restaurants in and around the Washington DC area.

Best Ethnic Restaurants in Washington DC

Ethiopic Restaurant

In my eyes, one of the best ethnic restaurants in Washington DC. Best Ethiopian food and a nice atmosphere perfect for a romantic date or a fun night with a few friends. The vegetarian combo is great, because you get to try so many different dishes.

Website:Ethiopic Restaurant

Location: 401 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

What to Eat: Vegetarian Sampler and Lamb Tips; also try some Ethiopian beer and do a coffee ceremony with sweet popcorn, if you want to make it a really special occasion.

Price: $$

Daikaya Ramen

Awesome Ramen shopwith open kitchen concept. Tiny place, so you will most likely have to wait. But it is so worth it and you can grab a drink at the bar upstairs. Remember, the more you slurp the better the Ramen tastes 🙂

Website:Daikaya Ramen

Location:705 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

What to Eat: Spicy Miso Ramen and Shio Ramen are both really good!

Price: $

Sacrificial Lamb

When we looked for restaurants near Dupont Circle, this name came up and we instantly knew we had to try it. This was some of the spiciest Indian food I have ever had, but that is exactly the way I love it. If you don’t like spice, just tell them and they can prepare it with a little less fire. This is a tiny hole in the wall place in the basem*nt with a few tables outside. Nothing fancy, but great food and very cheap!

Website: Sacrificial Lamb

Location:1704 R St NW, Washington, DC 20009

What to Eat: You must try the mango lassi! I had the Dal Makahni and it was great, as was the lamb curry of my husband.

Price: $

Rus Uz

This Russian/Usbeki restaurant is not technically in DC, but in Arlington. It is very easily accessible by subway and just across the street from the Ballston MU Metro Stop. The food is filling and delicious and absolutely worth the journey. I mean, just look at the pictures. Doesn’t it look amazing?

Website:Rus Uz

Location:1000 N Randolph St, Arlington, VA 22201

What to Eat: Chebureki as a starter, Manti or Lamb Shank for the main course.

Price: $$

Kabob Palace

The BEST lamb you have ever tasted. I mean it. This Pakistani restaurant is also located in Arlington and a bit of a walk from the Metro stop. The lamb chops are melt in your mouth kinda goodness, served together with a rice and chickpea side that is like an explosion of flavors in your mouth. A little loud and bright hole in the wall kind of place, you really feel like you just got of a bus in Karachi.

Website:Kabob Palace

Location:2315 S Eads St, Arlington, VA 22202

What to Eat:Lamb chops with a side of rice/chickpeas dish

Price: $

Tabard Inn for Brunch

No city getaway is complete without a fancy brunch, is it? We stayed at Hotel Rouge near Dupont Circle last time and found this little gem just a few blocks away. The Tabard Inn doesn’t officially qualify as a best ETHNIC restaurant in Washington DC, but it is my favorite brunch place, so I had to add it. There is a beautiful covered patio and countless little rooms, all decorated with style and love. Some funky and some with the style of an old English Inn.

If you are a donut lover, you will be in serious trouble there. They only have one kind, but it is amazing. Flakey and dusted withsugar and cinnamon. They have an amazing menu and I could have eaten my way from top to bottom, all of dishes sounded delectable. Traditional, yet with a bit of a twist.

Website:Tabard Inn for Brunch

Location:1739 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036

What to Eat: Donuts are a must, the grits were amazing as were the Chicken and Waffles. I need to come back and try more!

Price: $$

Cafe Berlin

I have to admit that I was a little bit apprehensive when my husband’s boss wanted to take us to a German restaurant. I am a total German food snob, well, because I am from Germany and I hate it when people mess up my German dishes. But this place has pretty authentic German food and if you are looking to try some good German food in DC, try this place! And if you want to save some money, check out their deals on restaurant.com.

Website:Cafe Berlin

Location:322 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

What to Eat: Sauerbraten and Jägerschnitzel, and some German specialty beers to wash it all down!

Price: $$

Indigo

Indigo is another great Indian Restaurant that serves amazing and cheap grubs in a fun atmosphere. They have a nice garden outside and they also serve alcohol. When I went, the weather wasn’t too great, but I bet in the summer time it would be a nice place to hang out with friends, kids and dogs and have a good time.

Facebook: Indigo

Location:243 K St NEWashington, DC

What to Eat: Lamb curry and the veggie thali

Price: $$

What is your favorite ethnic food that makes your mouth water, when you just think about it?

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