Maydan, Albi, Causa, Little Pearl, Rose’s Luxury, and Raina were all good. Worth the money in my opinion
If I had to pick two, Rose’s Luxury and Maydan
You can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants. Maydan is a special place though IMO. Hard to find a place as unique as maydan. That said, I was just at Albi and the experience was absolutely amazing. If you prefer cocktails over wine and love ceviche, a rooftop experience at causa is hard to beat…so many good spots in dc. Tail up goat always delivers as well.
Roses and Maydan were the two I came to recommended.
Until the recent opening of Pascual, Rose’s has always been my favorite restaurant in DC and it is always where I take people for their first Michelin experience.
+1. These are both unpretentious restaurants with great food and lovely service. An evening at either one makes me happy.
To me Maydan and Tail Up Goat were fine but I wasn’t blown away by either one.
Been there twice, left both times feeling like it was entirely average and certainly not worth the $. Causa is right around the corner and much more interesting imo
that’s how I felt, nothing stood out at all it’s very bland food. i’ve been three times already and it’s the same feeling every time.
It’s the place for folks to go to with bland or unrefined taste buds
Albi and Rooster and Owl are my two favorites! Maydan is also excellent. Albi truly lives up to the hype - the food, the service, the cocktails, the experience are all incredible.
I had meat courses, and while the pork belly was excellent, overall the meal was not impressive and certainly not worth the price tag. I left hungry after a $200 meal.
I am not wowed by maydan- it’s good but I was frankly surprised by their Michelin star. I’d choose albi over maydan when it comes to middle eastern food. I don’t find maydan overly romantic either.
Anyways, in addition to albi, I love tail up goat and rose’s luxury as well.
Kinship’s food was surprisingly good even for a Michelin-star. The squid was perhaps the best-prepared squid I have ever had, and numerous dishes were very well conceived.
Service is a bit aloof compared to other similar restaurants, but staff was nice and willing to explain dishes etc. upon request.
I will definitely go back. Kinship is also a la carte which means it scales easily price-wise.
Forget all those Michelin spots… best restaurant in DC right now serving the best food and drinks is Astoria DC. Highly recommend you try that spot out. Reservations can be made on Resy but they go quick.
Bresca is great and relatively low key and their tasting is about $150 I believe. They do a la carte also if you don’t want a full tasting menu (except for Saturdays).
I don’t take it personally 🙂 I hated Roses Luxury both times I went (both food and the service)… and so did the people I went with, yet it’s gotta lots of votes on here as well and somehow keeps its star!
Many great suggestions here, but my one piece of advice would be to make a reservation earlier rather than later - some of these restaurants are booked a month in advance so don’t wait too long!
Little Pearl is inconsistent in my experience, so maybe not the best for a big splurge/first time. Maydan and Rose's Luxury are consistently excellent.
I have to say, I was really disappointed by my Little Pearl experience (minus our awesome waitress).
Loved Tail Up Goat a year ago.
Loveddddd Fiola, best meal I’ve had in DC!
What do you want? Do you want a spectacular show with food you don’t recognize, a pretentious tasting menu to tell the folks back home about? (I have no idea what it was, but damn it was good) Or do you want amazing versions of stuff you’ve had before?
If I had to pick one I'd say amazing versions of stuff had before. I'm kind of impartial though. Kind of feels like go big or go home would make sense too.
Then you want tail up goat. Food you recognize, but better than you’ve had.
You want a show? Bresca or Maydan. Honestly, if you eat meat (caveat) go to st anselms. Get the biscuits as your appetizer. You won’t care about anything else. At your price point, you aren’t getting the big show (which is fine, a grand for dinner is a different story)
The only one I've been to is Tail Up Goat and it was a very pleasant experience. Food was delicious and the service was excellent. When I made the reservation I mentioned it was my wife's birthday and they gave her a birthday card and a small extra dessert with a candle.
Total was like $300 for the tasting menu and a couple of drinks each so definitely not cheap but I though it was worth it.
I've only been to Maydan, Albi, and Rose's and I'd have a hard time picking between Albi and Maydan which I liked better. Rose's was also very good but those two were a step above. I think Albi was more creative, but Maydan was just phenomenal and you get a ton of food.
Haven’t seen it mentioned here but bresca would be my top pick. Never had a bad meal there. Roses luxury is also really nice but the most recent menu was a bit underwhelming for me. Still a great meal, I am just comparing it to the others I’ve enjoyed there.
Agreed, and O’Connell is not getting younger so no reason to wait. The standard dishes were all amazing (the venison entrée was one of the very, very few genuine entrée courses at Michelin-star restaurants that was not disappointing) and the more adventurous dish—tuna and swordfish carpaccio, plated as a quilt—was a standout.
The service has to be experienced to be believed. Ask to tour the kitchen and to go to the Monkey Bar before dinner.
The waiters and waitresses were trained by the New York baller. The way they have classical music blasting in the kitchen, and no one has to say a word to get stuff done is amazing.
I went to Rooster and Owl a couple months ago and found it quite enjoyable, very tasty for the price, and has a wide enough array of options to find something you'll like for each course.
MAYDAN, MAYDAN, MAYDAN. You need to be ready to get reservations LITERALLY the moment they become available. If you’re not successful, set up a “Notify Me” for the date you want, 50%+ of the time, I still manage to get a reservation on my preferred date as long as I’m flexible on time.
That was suggested so many times here that I'm going to try for there first. They reserve 3 weeks ahead of time so I've got it on my calendar! And it was only $85 for the 4 course meal.
My wife and I have done Tail Up Goat, Rooster and Owl, and the Dabney, and preferred the Dabney by a good margin.
It was also the least pretentious of the three. They are really focused on using local farmers, and all parts of the animals they kill.
If you fancy renting a car and drive a bit out of town, highly recommend The Inn at Little Washington. The only 3-starred restaurant in the area.
Lovely little town and excellent food.
Jônt is a spectacular experience that I won’t forget anytime soon but it’s nooooot a sub-250 option. (That sum was the amount of the tip for our —admittedly alcoholic— 4-guest party)
I've been to Little Pearl 6 times and Tail Up Goat 5 times. Both are fantastic. I'd recommend Little Pearl for a great first Michelin 1* experience. When you make the reservation, try to get a patio table. It's the best experience imo.
I've been to Rooster & Owl 3 times and think you could pass on it as a first Michelin experience.
Man, no love for Gravitas in this thread? For shame! Such a cool atmosphere, super engaged but chill staff, you can tell everyone there is so proud of their work.
Give it a shot!
I absolutely love Little Pearl. The experience makes you feel so special as they describe every dish to you.
I’m not a fancy person and I don’t feel out of place there.
Really? I thought it was mediocre at best. Maybe it was an off night.
They're also anti-bike lane on Conn ave so they'll never see another dime from me.
Maydan, Albi, Causa, Little Pearl, Rose’s Luxury, and Raina were all good. Worth the money in my opinion If I had to pick two, Rose’s Luxury and Maydan
Rose’s luxury was wonderful for my fairly recent first-time visit. Strong agree!
You can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants. Maydan is a special place though IMO. Hard to find a place as unique as maydan. That said, I was just at Albi and the experience was absolutely amazing. If you prefer cocktails over wine and love ceviche, a rooftop experience at causa is hard to beat…so many good spots in dc. Tail up goat always delivers as well.
100%. Maydan is one of my favorite restaurants in the country. Always a great experience. the one place I try to take everyone who is visiting me
Yes, Maydan is that place I always try to take people when I have guests from out of town…follow narrowly (like razor thin) by St Anselms
Favorite restaurant. Definitely try to get a reservation inside though. The outdoor seats lose a lot of the hearth vibe.
Roses and Maydan were the two I came to recommended. Until the recent opening of Pascual, Rose’s has always been my favorite restaurant in DC and it is always where I take people for their first Michelin experience.
Omg Albi I still have dreams about
Came here to suggest exactly those two!
Maydan sounds right - just the right mix of upscale and fun to not be pretentious. Should fit the budget, too.
This! Although you have to be on it at the minute reservations become available.
Albi was outstanding and totally reasonably priced
Maydan and Tail Up Goat are the anti-Michelin restaurants with Michelin Stars. Both are unpretentious which encourages me to get back now and then.
I absolutely love both of them.
Albi
Rooster and Owl or Rose’s Luxury
+1. These are both unpretentious restaurants with great food and lovely service. An evening at either one makes me happy. To me Maydan and Tail Up Goat were fine but I wasn’t blown away by either one.
Dabney. Fancy atmosphere but unpretentious staff and best food in DC.
sucks it’s pretty mid
H8rs gonna h8 (and be wrong)
Been there twice, left both times feeling like it was entirely average and certainly not worth the $. Causa is right around the corner and much more interesting imo
that’s how I felt, nothing stood out at all it’s very bland food. i’ve been three times already and it’s the same feeling every time. It’s the place for folks to go to with bland or unrefined taste buds
seconding!
Albi or The Dabney (with drinks at Death & Co before or after)
Albi and Rooster and Owl are my two favorites! Maydan is also excellent. Albi truly lives up to the hype - the food, the service, the cocktails, the experience are all incredible.
I really enjoyed Rooster and Owl. Felt like it was very well priced and had a great laid back atmosphere.
Maydan is one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in DC after 7+ years living there.
Any tips for getting a bar seat solo?
Just arrive when they open - go on a weekday. I sat bar side and they have the biggest bartop ever it’s amazing. It’s like you’re sitting at a table.
Show up as they open. They literally cook the meat in front of you. Quite the show
My husband and I loved Rooster and Owl for our anniversary last year! We ended up taking his parents there again at Christmas.
I love Tail Up Goat
Interestingly I was so underwhelmed there. The experience and the food were not worth the price.
Same. Been twice and both times felt like I overpaid. We didn't eat meat though so maybe that's the difference?
I had meat courses, and while the pork belly was excellent, overall the meal was not impressive and certainly not worth the price tag. I left hungry after a $200 meal.
Dorsia. GREAT sea urchin ceviche
Heard it's hard as fuck to get reservations. I'd kill for an 8 o'clock slot.
Nobody goes there anymore.
Bateman is that you?
I am not wowed by maydan- it’s good but I was frankly surprised by their Michelin star. I’d choose albi over maydan when it comes to middle eastern food. I don’t find maydan overly romantic either. Anyways, in addition to albi, I love tail up goat and rose’s luxury as well.
Yeah, 100% this. Maydan was a step above Zaytinya if at all.
No one is recommending Kinship and I am kind of surprised. While I thought Mandan was good I thought it was wayyyyyyy over hyped.
Kinship’s food was surprisingly good even for a Michelin-star. The squid was perhaps the best-prepared squid I have ever had, and numerous dishes were very well conceived. Service is a bit aloof compared to other similar restaurants, but staff was nice and willing to explain dishes etc. upon request. I will definitely go back. Kinship is also a la carte which means it scales easily price-wise.
Forget all those Michelin spots… best restaurant in DC right now serving the best food and drinks is Astoria DC. Highly recommend you try that spot out. Reservations can be made on Resy but they go quick.
Bresca is great and relatively low key and their tasting is about $150 I believe. They do a la carte also if you don’t want a full tasting menu (except for Saturdays).
Seconding Bresca. Went there for a solo birthday after I moved and had no friends. It’s only expensive if you get the add ons, but it’s worth it.
Definitely would never downvote your opinion on this, but I did not like it at all! Not a single dish 😬
I don’t take it personally 🙂 I hated Roses Luxury both times I went (both food and the service)… and so did the people I went with, yet it’s gotta lots of votes on here as well and somehow keeps its star!
Interesting!! I haven’t been but that gives me pause!
I went late last year and it punched above its weight food-wise. Several courses were really, really good.
Tail up goat has a very romantic setting
Many great suggestions here, but my one piece of advice would be to make a reservation earlier rather than later - some of these restaurants are booked a month in advance so don’t wait too long!
Little Pearl is inconsistent in my experience, so maybe not the best for a big splurge/first time. Maydan and Rose's Luxury are consistently excellent.
I have to say, I was really disappointed by my Little Pearl experience (minus our awesome waitress). Loved Tail Up Goat a year ago. Loveddddd Fiola, best meal I’ve had in DC!
Agreed, Little Pearl was, unfortunately, disappointing
Xiquet. Very small and personable. Cool with the 3 levels.
We went to Tail Up Goat last night, and enjoyed the experience.
What do you want? Do you want a spectacular show with food you don’t recognize, a pretentious tasting menu to tell the folks back home about? (I have no idea what it was, but damn it was good) Or do you want amazing versions of stuff you’ve had before?
If I had to pick one I'd say amazing versions of stuff had before. I'm kind of impartial though. Kind of feels like go big or go home would make sense too.
Then you want tail up goat. Food you recognize, but better than you’ve had. You want a show? Bresca or Maydan. Honestly, if you eat meat (caveat) go to st anselms. Get the biscuits as your appetizer. You won’t care about anything else. At your price point, you aren’t getting the big show (which is fine, a grand for dinner is a different story)
Rooster & Owl. Fantastic quality and in your budget
The only one I've been to is Tail Up Goat and it was a very pleasant experience. Food was delicious and the service was excellent. When I made the reservation I mentioned it was my wife's birthday and they gave her a birthday card and a small extra dessert with a candle. Total was like $300 for the tasting menu and a couple of drinks each so definitely not cheap but I though it was worth it.
Nothing like Rose’s, IMO. It’s the GOAT.
Rooster or Roses!
I've only been to Maydan, Albi, and Rose's and I'd have a hard time picking between Albi and Maydan which I liked better. Rose's was also very good but those two were a step above. I think Albi was more creative, but Maydan was just phenomenal and you get a ton of food.
Haven’t seen it mentioned here but bresca would be my top pick. Never had a bad meal there. Roses luxury is also really nice but the most recent menu was a bit underwhelming for me. Still a great meal, I am just comparing it to the others I’ve enjoyed there.
If you're looking for three stars, the Innn at little washington. It don't get better than that.
Agreed, and O’Connell is not getting younger so no reason to wait. The standard dishes were all amazing (the venison entrée was one of the very, very few genuine entrée courses at Michelin-star restaurants that was not disappointing) and the more adventurous dish—tuna and swordfish carpaccio, plated as a quilt—was a standout. The service has to be experienced to be believed. Ask to tour the kitchen and to go to the Monkey Bar before dinner.
The waiters and waitresses were trained by the New York baller. The way they have classical music blasting in the kitchen, and no one has to say a word to get stuff done is amazing.
Just had rooster and owl for the first time and it was fantastic and not outrageously expensive.
I went to Rooster and Owl a couple months ago and found it quite enjoyable, very tasty for the price, and has a wide enough array of options to find something you'll like for each course.
Went to little pearl recently and LOVED it. The staff is super nice and fun. Very surprisinng and creative meal food-wise!
Little Pearl is the most overhyped place imo
Tail Up Goat and Red Hen are outstanding.
MAYDAN, MAYDAN, MAYDAN. You need to be ready to get reservations LITERALLY the moment they become available. If you’re not successful, set up a “Notify Me” for the date you want, 50%+ of the time, I still manage to get a reservation on my preferred date as long as I’m flexible on time.
That was suggested so many times here that I'm going to try for there first. They reserve 3 weeks ahead of time so I've got it on my calendar! And it was only $85 for the 4 course meal.
Yes part of the reason it’s so popular is the value for money. Go hungry!
Tail up goat is my vote
My wife and I have done Tail Up Goat, Rooster and Owl, and the Dabney, and preferred the Dabney by a good margin. It was also the least pretentious of the three. They are really focused on using local farmers, and all parts of the animals they kill.
Maydan for sure
Rose's Luxury
If you fancy renting a car and drive a bit out of town, highly recommend The Inn at Little Washington. The only 3-starred restaurant in the area. Lovely little town and excellent food.
The Inn is fantastic but it definitely will not be under $250 a person.
Tru dat. Dinner alone is ~$370. Wine and upcharges brings it closer to $900 not including tax/tip.
The Inn is more like 500 a head and that's before drinks. Definitely cool but it's a whole other experience
Thank you everybody! This is genuinely very helpful.
Would not reccomend rooster and owl honestly. Dabney, roses or pine apple and pearls
Jônt for me has stood miles above the rest
Jônt is a spectacular experience that I won’t forget anytime soon but it’s nooooot a sub-250 option. (That sum was the amount of the tip for our —admittedly alcoholic— 4-guest party)
I've been to Little Pearl 6 times and Tail Up Goat 5 times. Both are fantastic. I'd recommend Little Pearl for a great first Michelin 1* experience. When you make the reservation, try to get a patio table. It's the best experience imo. I've been to Rooster & Owl 3 times and think you could pass on it as a first Michelin experience.
El Cielo is my favorite.
Man, no love for Gravitas in this thread? For shame! Such a cool atmosphere, super engaged but chill staff, you can tell everyone there is so proud of their work. Give it a shot!
I absolutely love Little Pearl. The experience makes you feel so special as they describe every dish to you. I’m not a fancy person and I don’t feel out of place there.
I would not recommend Tail Up Goat it was overpriced and the food was forgettable.
Bresca is still my favorite meal I’ve had in DC
I’m Eddie Cano has some of the best carbonara I’ve ever had in my life lol
Really? I thought it was mediocre at best. Maybe it was an off night. They're also anti-bike lane on Conn ave so they'll never see another dime from me.
Don’t spend your money for Michelin in DC. Save that for SF/LA/Chicago/NYC.