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Caruso’s Grocery’s spin on the Caesar prominently features roasted garlic, preparing diners for savory pasta dishes.
Caruso’s Grocery/Facebook

Where to Eat a Caesar Salad in D.C.

12 excellent takes on the creamy classic

by Vinciane Ngomsi
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Caruso’s Grocery’s spin on the Caesar prominently features roasted garlic, preparing diners for savory pasta dishes.
| Caruso’s Grocery/Facebook
by Vinciane Ngomsi

The timeless Caesar salad is celebrated for its crisp romaine lettuce, creamy dressing, crunchy croutons, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, which together create a perfect balance of flavors and textures in one forkful. In D.C., several restaurants send out inventive renditions sure to satisfy any Caesar salad craving. Read on for 12 of the best in D.C. to try.

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2 Amys

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Head up Cathedral Heights to sample the hit pizza spot’s insalata. Referred to as “vaguely Caesar salad,” the order includes little gem lettuce with wedges of jammy boiled egg and miniature homemade croutons. Lemony anchovy dressing delivery a citrusy finish ($11.25).

3715 Macomb St NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 885-5700
(202) 885-5700

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Martha Dear

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The neighborhood pizzeria’s house caesar salad ($18) combines hearty greens, white anchovy, sourdough bread crumbs, and Parmesan for quite the filling appetizer.

3110 Mount Pleasant St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

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Mi Vida

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Mi Vida’s Mexican take on the classic is the ensalada César con pollo ($17.50). The salad is made with bib lettuce, grilled chicken, and croutons for a traditional Caesar texture, but mixed with a roasted jalapeño-Caesar dressing for a spicy kick. 

1901 14th St NW (at T St NW), Washington, D.C. 20009
(212) 597-5445
(212) 597-5445

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All-Purpose - Shaw

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Part of its autumn offerings, All-Purpose’s version of the “it girl dinner” features little gem lettuce, Parmigiano-Reggiano, toasted breadcrumbs, lemon, and anchovy dressing ($15). Or, splurge on a full meal ($25) with a side of fries and the freezer martini during weekend brunch.

1250 9th St NW (bwtn N & M St NW), Washington, D.C. 20001
202-849-6174
202-849-6174

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Unconventional Diner

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True to its name and nothing near conventional, the diner’s “Dirty Caesar” ($16) features a squid-ink crumble, soft egg, tomato, and aged gouda. Add chicken, shrimp, miso salmon, falafel, and even naan to the salad for an upcharge starting at $3.

1207 9th St NW (btwn M & N St NW), Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 847-0122
(202) 847-0122

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Bourbon Steak

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The most baller option of this bunch is found inside Georgetown’s luxe Four Seasons hotel. At chef Michael Mina’s lobby-level lounge Bourbon Steak, the premiere $20 Caesar salad rises to $44 when topped with skirt steak. 

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, DC 20007
(202) 342-0444
(202) 342-0444
Bourbon Steak’s elegant Caesar salad can be augmented with steak or chicken. 
Avablu Photography

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Grazie Grazie

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Affectionately called “Lil C,” Grazie Grazie’s iteration is loaded with romaine, avocado, grape tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon, parmesan cheese, cucumbers, and parmesan crisps, then finished with Julia Caesars dressing ($14.95).

1875 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 216-2999
(202) 216-2999

The Best Sandwich Place

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Call it a salad on the go, but this sandwich shop with a penchant for going viral on TikTok has fresh romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, and Caesar dressing wrapped in a tortilla ($8.59). There’s also a Buffalo version that adds bacon bits and eggs for $11.99.

(202) 408-1509
(202) 408-1509

Also featured in:

Immigrant Food

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The gastro-advocacy restaurant serves a spin on the salad at all four of its locations, including its latest in Ballston, Virginia. Chef Ben Murray’s “Miso Caesar Salad” ($13) features shiitake “bacon,” zesty wonton chips, nori, and sesame.

1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 368-9074
(202) 368-9074

L'Ardente

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Available during lunch and brunch, the glam Italian spot’s salad ($17) is made up of little gem lettuce, preserved lemon, anchovy dressing, and mint breadcrumbs.

200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 448-0450
(202) 448-0450

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Caruso's Grocery

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The quaint, yet palatial hideaway in Southeast makes its roasted garlic Caesar with the usual romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and anchovies, topped with Caruso’s homemade dressing ($13.50).

1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 661-0148
(202) 661-0148

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Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen at The Wharf

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Lots of opportunities to enjoy the popular delicacy here. Made with parmesan frico, garlic croutons, and lemon zest, grab it as a side ($11) or main ($18) during lunch and dinner.

652 Wharf St SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 558-4450
(202) 558-4450

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2 Amys

3715 Macomb St NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Head up Cathedral Heights to sample the hit pizza spot’s insalata. Referred to as “vaguely Caesar salad,” the order includes little gem lettuce with wedges of jammy boiled egg and miniature homemade croutons. Lemony anchovy dressing delivery a citrusy finish ($11.25).

3715 Macomb St NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 885-5700
(202) 885-5700

Martha Dear

3110 Mount Pleasant St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

The neighborhood pizzeria’s house caesar salad ($18) combines hearty greens, white anchovy, sourdough bread crumbs, and Parmesan for quite the filling appetizer.

3110 Mount Pleasant St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Mi Vida

1901 14th St NW (at T St NW), Washington, D.C. 20009

Mi Vida’s Mexican take on the classic is the ensalada César con pollo ($17.50). The salad is made with bib lettuce, grilled chicken, and croutons for a traditional Caesar texture, but mixed with a roasted jalapeño-Caesar dressing for a spicy kick. 

1901 14th St NW (at T St NW), Washington, D.C. 20009
(212) 597-5445
(212) 597-5445

All-Purpose - Shaw

1250 9th St NW (bwtn N & M St NW), Washington, D.C. 20001

Part of its autumn offerings, All-Purpose’s version of the “it girl dinner” features little gem lettuce, Parmigiano-Reggiano, toasted breadcrumbs, lemon, and anchovy dressing ($15). Or, splurge on a full meal ($25) with a side of fries and the freezer martini during weekend brunch.

1250 9th St NW (bwtn N & M St NW), Washington, D.C. 20001
202-849-6174
202-849-6174

Unconventional Diner

1207 9th St NW (btwn M & N St NW), Washington, D.C. 20001

True to its name and nothing near conventional, the diner’s “Dirty Caesar” ($16) features a squid-ink crumble, soft egg, tomato, and aged gouda. Add chicken, shrimp, miso salmon, falafel, and even naan to the salad for an upcharge starting at $3.

1207 9th St NW (btwn M & N St NW), Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 847-0122
(202) 847-0122

Bourbon Steak

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, DC 20007

The most baller option of this bunch is found inside Georgetown’s luxe Four Seasons hotel. At chef Michael Mina’s lobby-level lounge Bourbon Steak, the premiere $20 Caesar salad rises to $44 when topped with skirt steak. 

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, DC 20007
(202) 342-0444
(202) 342-0444
Bourbon Steak’s elegant Caesar salad can be augmented with steak or chicken. 
Avablu Photography

Grazie Grazie

1875 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Affectionately called “Lil C,” Grazie Grazie’s iteration is loaded with romaine, avocado, grape tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon, parmesan cheese, cucumbers, and parmesan crisps, then finished with Julia Caesars dressing ($14.95).

1875 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 216-2999
(202) 216-2999

The Best Sandwich Place

Call it a salad on the go, but this sandwich shop with a penchant for going viral on TikTok has fresh romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, and Caesar dressing wrapped in a tortilla ($8.59). There’s also a Buffalo version that adds bacon bits and eggs for $11.99.

(202) 408-1509
(202) 408-1509

Immigrant Food

1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

The gastro-advocacy restaurant serves a spin on the salad at all four of its locations, including its latest in Ballston, Virginia. Chef Ben Murray’s “Miso Caesar Salad” ($13) features shiitake “bacon,” zesty wonton chips, nori, and sesame.

1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 368-9074
(202) 368-9074

L'Ardente

200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Available during lunch and brunch, the glam Italian spot’s salad ($17) is made up of little gem lettuce, preserved lemon, anchovy dressing, and mint breadcrumbs.

200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 448-0450
(202) 448-0450

Caruso's Grocery

1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

The quaint, yet palatial hideaway in Southeast makes its roasted garlic Caesar with the usual romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and anchovies, topped with Caruso’s homemade dressing ($13.50).

1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 661-0148
(202) 661-0148

Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen at The Wharf

652 Wharf St SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

Lots of opportunities to enjoy the popular delicacy here. Made with parmesan frico, garlic croutons, and lemon zest, grab it as a side ($11) or main ($18) during lunch and dinner.

652 Wharf St SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 558-4450
(202) 558-4450

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