Now on Resy: Sette Osteria, Hedzole, The Golden Age, and More Local Favorites

You’ll find all the trappings of a French bistro in this Vienna charmer: Buttery, garlicky escargot; a French onion soup with the perfect cheese-pull; savory beef Bourguignon; and frites so crisp they practically snap. There’s even a floating island dessert (called snow eggs, here) that’s as classic as it gets.

West African and Ghanian food are the specialty at this friendly neighborhood spot, where you can enjoy a bowl of jollof rice with oxtail stew, groundnut soup with fufu (plantain dumplings), and other pan-African delights. The room is as warm and welcoming as a side of red red — chef-owner Candice Mensah’s stewed, chile-like black-eyed peas.

Is this a bar with great food or a restaurant with fantastic drinks? You decide. Thanks to the throwback décor, this buzzy spot feels like it’s been here forever. But with one bite of that burger with shallots and cheese, a sip of a really well-done old fashioned, and a cheese or charcuterie plate brimming with local picks, it’s all about the now.

Because you start with empanadas at Mola, which range from savory-sweet beef patties or curry chicken in flaky dough to gluten-free pepper steak in corn masa dough or a vegetarian-friendly cheese option, all of which are served with delicious aji sauces. You could stop there, with a rum-based Panamanian-inspired Negroni in hand, but keep going: Slow-braised oxtail and a side of yucca fries await.

The kitchen at this all-day Falls Church spot has a way with homey favorites, making things like onion dip with chicharrones, delightfully messy breakfast sandwiches, big meaty burgers, and other comfort food staples truly stand out. A few draft cocktails make the sippin’ easy.

Chef John Mooney’s Union Market restaurant offers everything you want to eat when you don’t know exactly what you want: lobster tacos, pizzas, fried oysters, salads made with lettuces grown on the rooftop aeroponic garden, an excellent patty melt — it’s tough to choose. Note that cocktails are fun, and beers are local.

Hidden in the Belle View Shopping Center, this low-key spot has all the hallmarks of a neighborhood gem: A pretty room, attentive servers that won’t leave you hanging, cocktails you’ll talk about later, and a global menu (gougères, pimento cheese and chips, gumbo) to match the equally eclectic wines.

The beauty of so many traditional Spanish dishes is the alchemy of great ingredients and seemingly simple techniques. But here, mastery elevates the simplest of dishes like pa amb tomàquet, croquetas de jamón, and wood-fired chicken. The wine list and cocktails, like gorgeous goblet-sized gin and tonics, have that same focus and precision.

Girls’ night, date night, or solo night when only French fries, charcuterie, and a couple of glasses of bubbly rosé will do — this is the spot. There’s enough here for a quick bite or a full meal, a true choose-your-own-adventure night out.

A great stop before or after a Nats game, this Navy Yard local’s haunt has something for everyone, from a foot-long mozzarella stick with marinara to Detroit-style pizza and sushi. It’s sleek but unpretentious, and there’s a great patio for those days when you need it most.

This multi-level Silver Spring spot has everything — a retractable roof, a vaulted ceiling dining room, an expansive bar, and glorious patio space — for everyone. The menu spans borders and influences, from crab elote dip to Creole cioppino and smash burgers. Brunch is a happening.

What you’re feeling: An industrial D.C. aesthetic with Mexican vibes and that buzzy feeling only agave spirits can give you. What you’re eating: all the guacamole (including one with grapes, blue cheese, and smoked almonds); tacos stuffed with braised pork or grilled steak; and fried churros with chocolate dipping sauce.

If you can’t make it to a cooking class in Italy, this is the next best thing. Grab a friend, plan on drinking some prosecco, and learn the ins and outs of making sauces, pasta, and more. Classes are held at La Cosecha in the Union Market District.

Because this Adams Morgan Black-owned social club is a gathering space, a listening lounge, a cocktail bar, and an eclectic place to stop for a bite. With good vibes on lock, you cannot go wrong with their selection of pretty delicious things like The Mecca, a blackberry-infused vodka number, a collard green artichoke dip, and one fine burger. 

We’ll never get tired of a parade of pristine sushi, thoughtfully presented by a master, in an intimate 12-seat setting. Chef Uchi knows exactly what his fans want: monkfish liver with shaved black truffle, hotaru ika with Maine uni, glistening slices of chu-toro and otoro. The list goes on.

Don’t expect to find pad Thai here. No, Baan Siam deals in delicious curries, khao soi, tapioca-skin dumplings filled with chicken and fermented radish, and other traditional specialties from around (and often rarely found outside of) Thailand.

Whether grazing boards overflowing with fruits, veg, meats, and cheeses, or passing around plates of shaved Brussels sprouts salad and blue crab-stuffed arancini, you’ll do it with a view here. Brunch cocktails and challah French toast on the patio hit just right.

A Fredericksburg classic for a reason, especially when some Old Bay wings, a good sturdy sandwich — like a French dip — and a basket of fries are in order. The sweet tea selection, all custom blends for the restaurant, are fun to try.

It’s all about Virginia at this downtown Leesburg joint, set inside a former shoe store. Go-to dishes, from homemade meatballs to four-cheese mac, are best enjoyed on the back patio that’s clearly the place to be on sunny days.

Joining the original location in Shaw, this Mt. Pleasant charmer stands out brilliantly in the thriving D.C. Thai restaurant scene. The family-recipe-inspired fare created by chef Aschara Vigsittaboot is all done superbly, and there are innovations like Thai-style empanadas and house specialties like crispy tilapia with spicy basil sauce.