The Tastiest Wine Bars in Washington

Clarity

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$

"We have been coming to Clarity since 2020, and have experienced this restaurant thru different owners and chefs. This was our first time there since the latest change-over and I have to say that Clarity is producing amazing food again. Not since Jon & Nick had Clarity been this good - but Tracy (the new chef) absolutely killed it. Food: my husband and I both shared our dishes during the course of the meal, so I was able to experience multiple options from the menu. For starters I got the scallops and mushroom soup, and hubs ordered the Caesar salad. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the homey pancetta / Brussels sprouts with it was so good. The soup was fantastic. Had crunch onion cluster on it and was a nice texture change to the soup. The Caesar salad was lovely as well. Great flavors. For dinner I opted for the halibut. That was perfect. Loved the delicate sauce and vegetable served with it. Didn't overpower the fish one bit. Lovely crust on the halibut as well. Perfection. Hubs opted for the schnitzel. I'm not a huge fan of that usually - but he insisted I'd love it. He was right. It was perfect. The breading was crispy and flavorful and the pork was tender and also had a great flavor. We were way too full for dessert - but their menu looked amazing. Drinks: Vic (bar manager) is amazing, but this time around we opted for a bottle of wine that I brought from home. But, don't sleep on any of Vic's concoctions - he's fantastic. Ambiance: we haven't been in since they redecorated. It's absolutely lovely. And the big chef table / re-done outdoor seating is fantastic. Service: wonderful as it always has been. Very happy with Josephina. She was attentive without being overbearing. If you haven't been to Clarity in a while, take this as a sign to go. Tracy's food is stellar. We will 100% be back and recommending this place once again to friends and family."

Brink Bar & Grill

★★★★★ 4.5 (8)

"This place is amazing! It's a great neighborhood spot with a welcoming atmosphere and great food."

Casper’s

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"Located in Le Fantome Food Hall in Riverdale Park is Casper's. All these years I've seen the bar and for the first time realized it has its own name. This Yelp Elite was sure to add the business and check in. For dinner my significant other and I chose to dine at Le Fantome and why not enjoy Happy Hour at Casper's. Bartender was super friendly and the margaritas were amazing! Although the food venues change, Casper's is long standing! Ambiance is typical bar/food hall scene and definitely worth a visit!"

Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (566) • $$

"Alonzo was the best. Such great recommendations, cocktails, and conversation. The whole staff is wonderful and the food is GREAT.If they'd serve pisco sours, that'd make it even more perfect ;-)"

Enigma

★★★★☆ 3.8 (27)

"Great vibes. Great food. Good for large groups too. Will definitely be back sooner than later."

BPM Coffee & Wine

★★★★☆ 4.1 (10)

"This place is really great with lots of options for drinks and snacks - the best part is definitely the spacious patio with fire pits and lots of seating so it's easy to relax while still being socially distant."

Pike Cornerstone

★★★★★ 4.5 (13)

"We have been waiting for this place to open since we saw it being worked on. Finally made it out on a Friday in the early evening with the wife and kids. The space is great - you can tell it was put together with love. It was full enough that the host brought us upstairs, which was empty when we got there at 5:30 but full when we left. They have a great beer list (Veil!), and the appetizers we had (chicken wings and the h-u-g-e pretzel) were top notch. The stuff we had for dinner (burger, chicken sandwich, chimichangas, flank steak) was a couple notches below the apps. Almost enough to call this a happy hour place only, but we will probably try dinner again sometime because everything else brought smiles."

Divino Ristorante

★★★★★ 4.6 (16)

"This was my 3rd time dining -- and the Chef always executes!Had the Osso Bucco and the Porcini ravioli - Excellent. The Osso Bucco was melt-in-your-mouth good! Super tender!Finished with the espresso martini tiramisu! Very light and tasty!Just an overall super satisfying dining experience!(Oh yeah - split a bottle of Barolo with my friend which was perfect for the Osso Bucco.)"

Maxwell Park

★★★★☆ 4.4 (140) • $$

"Awesome wine bar that was packed the night I came here. The wine selection and cheese board were both great. I highly recommend checking this place out."

The Ministry

★★★★☆ 4.3 (115) • $$

"I discovered The Ministry in 2023 when I was in DC following a nail appointment. Went in to get a matcha latte and noticed a rather larger than your regular size oatmeal cookie. It was divine. The cookie was soft, not too sweet and so delicious.The owner always present each time I visit. She is personable and engaging. And that permeates to the staff who also get an A+ in exceptional customer service.The ambiance is smart however welcoming with cultural elements that bring a warmth to the place. The menu also includes coffee, tea, various desserts and food items.I would highly recommend this spot when in DC, I know I am addicted to the oatmeal cookies and stop by when in town."

Filomena Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"I finally tried the famous Filomena! They still had their Christmas decorations up, which was A LOT, but it made the place feel so warm and festive. It felt like stepping into someone's cozy home.The prices here are definitely on the higher side, so keep that in mind. I ordered the Linguine Cardinal with lobster, and it was absolutely delicious, rich and full of flavor. Our meals came out very fast, which was great, but about 10 minutes after they arrived, we were asked if we wanted boxes. That made me feel a little rushed.After boxing up our meals, we checked out the dessert menu and decided on the Cookies and Cream Mousse. It was light and fluffy, but nothing too exciting just a simple, solid dessert. A nice touch was the complimentary shots of either Amaretto or Sambucca. I chose the Amaretto, which was very sweet with a bold kick!This isn't the kind of place I'd go for a casual dinner. It's more of a planned experience because of the prices. I'd consider coming back to try other dishes, but it's definitely more of a special occasion spot for me."

Ingle Korean Steakhouse

★★★★★ 4.5 (225)

"One of the finest cuts of meats I've ever had at a Korean steakhouse for a pretty penny. That pretty much sums up the experience for the dinner. The ambiance, service, and food quality were all superb. Everything tasted upscale/elevated from even the drinking water to the side dishes. Favorite cuts are the hangar steak and the bonless galbi but everything was melt-in-you mouth goodness. The steak tartare tasted super fresh, but it's an acquired taste to enjoy raw meat like that. I've had super fatty tartare that tasted like cold gobs of fat but this wasn't the case at all. My only gripe is that we made a reservation through open table but there weren't any tables available when we arrived. It still took about 10-15 minutes to get seated and it was at a table right next to entrance so we felt a cold winter draft that put a slight damper on the experience."

Highlands Cafè and Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (50) • $$

"Great parking, great service, great food, and great music! I've heard about Highlands and I'm so happy that I've finally given it a try. We went for dinner and drinks and both were delicious. Can't wait to try them for breakfast."

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (480) • $$$

"I got street parking luckily, right around the corner. The staff was great. I got the rose, it was ok...but the place was really cute. A Saturday, around 6pm and empty. I did not try any food but the table i was at did and it all looked good. I had to be in and out though so only got the rose."

Le Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.9 (24)

"Excellent dining experience! Had a reservation for 7 people and we were sat right away. The appetizers were delicious, especially the snails in the parsley butter. Dip your bread in that butter and you won't be sorry. All the entrees were great however, the star was the duck confit! The service was wonderful and very attentive. The restaurant is cozy, inviting and charming. We have been here for brunch as well which was also a treat. This restaurant will continue to be on our list!"

The Spot at Belmont Bay

★★★★☆ 4.1 (17) • $$

"This is a lovely quaint place near the water! The vibe is chill and welcoming. I ordered a French dip and it was delish. Your teeth just sunk in to the meat and bread. So yummy. There are a few tables and you can eat at the bar. Very cozy. They sell art and cool little items with waterfront themes. If you are in the area, it's def worth a stop and even if you aren't, it's worth the drive."

La' Shukran

★★★★★ 4.7 (56)

"Since this is my first major review of the new year and I'm seeing a lot of these lists flying around, I'm going to do it like they do:Out: Vibe that is too loud!In: This place has the vibe juuuuuust right! It's giving sexy late night middle eastern market with a hyper sleek and modern bend. Candles are everywhere, the music is on point and juuuuust loud enough that you kinda dance in your seat a little bit but can still hear your table talk!Out: Levantine Stereotypical Food!In: Thoughtfully crafted dishes that don't sacrifice flavor for aesthetics! We've all had humus with a meat on top, but have you had humus that is PERFECTLY whipped with spots of tzatziki, pickled red onions and thinly shaven and perfectly flavored beef tongue (it was giving perfect jerky consistency)? Have you had pillowy and perfect bread instead of pita with said humus? Have you had falafel topped with caviar? Or dumplings with shaved truffles? An elevated beef kebab that is really just perfectly cooked steak that happened to be on a skewer and smothered in amazing gravy that had to be sopped up with the aforementioned bread!!!? Every dish was wonderfully flavored, simply presented and traditional in intention but modern in execution!Out: Lack of service!In: Smart fun service, educational service, calling the cocktail menu creator to your table to walk you through the amazing and deliciously inventive drinks service. Food coming out hot and fast, table being cleaned and new plates and cutlery coming out service. Refold your napkin when you go to the restrooms with the best smelling candles service! Doing all this but making you feel comfortable enough to come in in jeans and a t-shirt service, but also dressing up and going on a date service!Out: To dim to eatIn: Candles and Candles and more Candles. Did I mention vibes? Oh, and a sexy bar!I've loved everything the folks behind Yellow have done and this is no exception! La'S delivers the future of DC dining in a small but mighty space. Reservations are still tough to get, but come alone and sit at the bar, or just plan ahead cause the bar has been set and there's no going back!"

Tysons Biergarten

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (299) • $$

"This is definitely one of the cooler drinking spots in NOVA where you forget that you're surrounded by office buildings. My review is only for the beer since I haven't partaken in the food. There's a wide selection of German beers on tap and they're all the same price ($8).The payment system with chips is interesting, but apparently it's similar to what you do in Germany. You purchase your chips at the entrance (and have the option of adding tip if paying with credit card) and each color is for a different item and all cost $8. They also never expire so you can always come back with them! There's also mugs throughout the bar for cash tips as well. In addition to several tables with picnic style seating, there's also a few games such as Connect 4, cornhole, beer pong and big Jenga that you can play with your group.The parking situation isn't ideal since there's a shared lot with 20 or so spaces but there's also a garage about a 5 minute walk away with plentiful parking. Bring your ticket with you so it can be validated."

Ceibo

★★★★★ 4.8 (64)

"Probably the best food I've had in DC in years. The "bread," OMG the "bread." Cozy ambiance especially downstairs.Service was on point but I went during the holiday off season so I can't say how they do when swamped."

Le Mont Royal

★★★★☆ 3.9 (40)

"Went for happy hour and got a good deal. Espresso martini had a unique twist and was quite good. I got the oysters and the bone marrow w/ escargot which were both impressive for bar food. I went alone on a weekday and no one around me was particularly chatty so this may not be the best place for that but if you are in AdMo it is a good choice for a meal out."

Bar a Vin

★★★★★ 4.6 (67) • $$

"My partner and I were out and about in Georgetown for our anniversary, and we wanted to wrap up the outing with drinks at a romantic bar - Bar a Vin proved to be just what we had in mind. Associated with the neighboring Billy du Sud restaurant, it was a little confusing to find because I didn't see a name for the building, but it seemed to match the address, and once inside I recognized it from Yelp descriptions and photos. There's a romantic, dimly lit front room with several comfy couches and armchairs, and a fireplace; sadly it was 60 degrees in December so no roaring fire. The bar area is nice, with plenty of seating and high tables, but my partner and I wanted to cozy up on a couch so we took our drinks back to the front room to enjoy the warmth of candlelight in lieu of the fireplace. As far as those drinks, Bar a Vin has a great wine and cocktail menu - the beer offerings are limited, albeit eclectic. I ordered the Armagnac Old Fashioned while my partner got a Cloture en Pierre. We were both very pleased with our drinks and upon tasting the drink chosen by the other, also very glad that the order wasn't reversed. My Old Fashioned was very good - I've never had the Armagnac version before and its a great substitute for whiskey. The Cloture was sweet and spicy but for me that was not in a good way; the Liquore delle Sirene overpowered the drink or maybe the mix with the other ingredients just wasn't right for me.I would love to come back on day that's actually cold so I can experience the fireplace. The cocktail menu has a lot of interesting NA options and I'd want to try them for sure."

Le Sel

★★★★☆ 4 (49)

"My husband and I came here for a date (rare these days with several little kiddos!) and were excited for some fine French food. We immediately were impressed with the decor. Classy and refined but not stuffy. We especially enjoyed the dark blue and white prints adorning the walls. Our food was mostly great. We had the French onion soup, the steak frites, and the catch of the day (which was rockfish on lavender butter potato puree with some other goodies). My husband requested medium rare for the steak but it arrived completely cooked through. Despite this, the steak had incredible flavor and was still quite tender, but it was a definite miss that it was overcooked. The fish was very lovely and the French onion soup was divine (isn't it always?!). Drinks are also great. Decent selection of wines and cocktails, from which we sampled both. My only big gripe is with the speed of service. Our waiter was quite nice but disappeared for astoundingly large periods of time. We eventually flagged down a busboy for our check after waiting about 15 minutes after finishing with no one in sight. If you have time to kill, though, not such a big deal."

Glover Park Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (60)

"Such a wonderful neighborhood asset!!!!!!!!! Awesome burger. Great blue cheese. Outdoor bar is cozy with ambient music and lighting. Great service. And awesomeness blue cheese dressing ?!???"

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (528) • $$$

"Barca Pier and Wine Bar in Old Town Alexandria is a favorite spot and I'm a frequent flyer!From the moment you arrive, you're greeted by stunning waterfront views that set the perfect scene for a relaxed meal. The tapas menu is both inventive and delicious, with options that includes an option for all dietary needs.The wine list is thoughtfully curated, offering a range of options that cater to all tastes, though the Pomelo Sangria is the real showstopper--refreshing and uniquely flavorful, it's worth visiting for alone.While the portions are naturally on the smaller side, consistent with the tapas style, every dish is crafted to deliver maximum flavor, making it easy to savor a variety of tastes. The ambiance is inviting and laid-back, making it an ideal spot for both a casual night out or a special occasion. Barca Pier and Wine Bar's blend of great food, exceptional drinks, and breathtaking views makes it an unmissable destination. A must-try in Old Town!"

Neutral ground Bar And Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.7 (41)

"Had a very good experience at this McLean eatery. The town is in need of more upper scale eateries like NG, and the food, service, and ambiance didn't disappoint. We sat outside on a lovely evening so perhaps avoided the din that many speak of here. Our server, Alicia, was terrific and the bussers were attentive and friendly. The menu isn't too extensive but has something for everyone. We ordered a mix of things and split amongst us -- the fries (very good), a spinach and mushroom salad (excellent mix of shrooms), the pasta (interesting flavors) and bone-in pork chop (delicious). A nice mix of cocktails and ample selection of wines, too, which we enjoyed. A little on the pricey side of the spectrum but for this type of quality experience I'll gladly support this newcomer to a McLean restaurant scene in need of some class!"

Sonoma Cellar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (311) • $$

"Sonoma Cellar is one of my favorite spots in Old Town. I'm definitely a regular at this point, and a proud one at that!Perhaps my favorite thing about Sonoma Cellar is the patio: it's beautiful. Cozy with string lights and just enough room between tables -- what's not to love? Admittedly this is less of a selling point during the winter, but it's what first attracted me to the place. The wine is good, the service is consistently awesome, and the food is solid too. I'm a huge fan of their mushroom risotto (quite filling for a side, too!) and the gluten-free chocolate cake (dense and decadent). I know I'll be back."

Kof Sports Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (9)

"Absolute best African Restaurant in the DMV!I've ordered everything on the menu (Thanks to the lockdown ), and I can testify they're all legit tasty!The Peppersoup is Spicy and Flavorful, loved the rice stew (Ayamase), and the Meatpie tastes so Authentic!I recommend this restaurant to anyone skeptical of African restaurants (I was ), and I guarantee you'll love their food. The owners are also very professional and courteous to customers.Highly Recommended !!!"

Vin Sur Vingt

★★★★☆ 4.2 (80)

"Had a fabulous time at Vin Sur Vingt!! Came around 6 with a friend for dinner. We had a reservation but the restaurant was empty so it'd be easy to walk in and there was plenty of space at the bar.We were seated immediately and our waiter came over quickly. We had a few questions on wines and were trying to decide between the two orange wines on the menu as those are our favorites. Our waiter was really kind and let us try both and we ended up getting a bottle. The wine was DELICIOUS we were so pleased.They have a ton of really reasonably priced bottles which is nice and an extensive list of wines by the glass. For food I had a variation of a croquettes madam with pesto and it was fabulous, decadent, and filling. The sandwiches come with fries or salad (I got both) and everything was delicious. The salad was fresh, well seasoned and tasty, and the fries have a really unique seasoning, also really tasty.The atmosphere is great. Dimly lit and quiet enough to chat. Great for a girls dinner/catching up with friends.The service overall and our waiter was stellar! Super attentive and friendly. Can't wait to come back."

801 Chophouse - Tysons Corner

★★★★☆ 3.9 (25)

"Plenty of parking and easy to access off of toll road and Rt.7. It was Sunday evening with a 4:30 reservation. We just about had to place to ourselves. The food was insanely good, calamari was divine! Entries included pan roasted seafood (shrimp, king crab, lobster tail, scallops, mussels) it was so damn good! My friend had a hefty filet with a succulent sauce that included crab meat (oscar). We shared a 1 lb loaded baked potato and broccolini. We finished up with dessert (apple dish and sorbet trio) and finally coffee. The service was superb and attentive! I'll be back!"

Alice Comfort Cocktail

★★★★☆ 4.4 (74)

"First of all very very nice atmosphere, great service, and beautiful cocktails. If you are looking a nice bar to drink and chill, this is the place! Got hit with the Alice signature cocktail it was so good. You will enjoy the taste of combination of something that I couldn't describe but check it out!! Highly recommended"

Alta Strada

★★★★☆ 3.8 (607) • $$

"On a cold and rainy evening, we ventured over to Mosaic and the Alta Strada for some Italian to fill our bellies. And boy, did we get what we asked for. First, the Garlic Bread. Or, more specifically, the "Alta Strada World Famous Garlic Bread" and it sure lived up to its name. Crispy, crunchy, and covered in Parmesan, then dipped into a warm ramekin of tangy marinara, it went quick. Next time, I could just order the garlic bread for my entree and be happy! I got the Spaghetti AOP (aglio, olio, pomodoro - garlic, olive oil & pomodoro tomatoes) and it was more than enough to fill my tummy with simple, smooth goodness. I had bites of other folks' burrata and lobster risotto, all excellent. And we finished off with the Tiramisu, a huge rectangle of balanced flavors and textures that really finished off the evening's meal. Five stars and a promise to come back, this place is really good!"

Thai Cottage Bistro

★★★★★ 4.8 (104) • $$

"Thai Cottage Bistro. The restaurant is very clean on the inside and has a modern setting. The customer service was very good as well. The food was great, really nothing to complain about. The dish I ordered was the Kao Mun Gai Tod which had fried chicken and rice and the proportions were great for its price. The dessert I had which was the Taro Roti is definitely a must try, it is a roti with taro inside with a side of matcha ice cream. Overall I would highly recommend this place and I will be coming back to try other dishes!"

Salt & Vine

★★★★☆ 4.2 (237) • $$$

"We live 10 mins away and I have always wanted to come dine. Since it's Valentine's weekend, I thought it'd be the perfect time to come try knowing they might have some specials for Valentine's day... And I was right! Parking is decent. They have parking all around the restaurant! Not difficult to find, even for a busy night like tonight we went, we still got a decent parking spot near the restaurant. Sure they thought about the design of this place and made it work for many people to dine in. I reserved a few days before valentine's day so I knew I won't be able to get the exact 14th night, but I got 13th at 8:30 reservation and got there a few minutes late. Hostess was friendly and we got seated very soon. Once you get inside from the front door, you can see immediately on the left is the kitchen with a giant wood fire oven, and then the right is the waiting area with some sofa seats with the wine shelf and bathrooms. The bar is also in another room which you can see from the right wine waiting room, it was busy on 13th night with many dining; not just drinking. The music and and lighting was set nicely with great ambiance. Honestly, we haven't gotten our seats but we were impressed by the interior design and ambiance that we know we'll love this place! Short after we got seated on the second floor, ordered our drink and food, waitress was nice and attentive. I'm glad we went on the 13th since they already have the valentine's menu! The wait was short and impressed how hot the food was arrived! The complimentary bread is focaccia with whipped butter, it's decent and heavy on the olive oil, somewhat cold. Texture and bread is decent just wish it's warmer. Main dishes we ordered: Valentine's special menu - duck breast, and the regular menu pasta dish - Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia. Both were amazing! We were most blown away with the duck breast. Juicy, tender, perfectly seared sides with a bit of crisp, good match of thick sauces (I believe one is red wine and the other is some potato cream white sauce?) We had duck before, but to have such succulent, tender, cooked perfectly duck breast? This is the first! And it's not in DC but Olney?! We were amazed. Wowed. So happy for this. The pasta is not wowzy since we were so amazed, but it's not far from perfect as well. The seafood all fresh and cooked perfectly, the squid ink pasta was Al Dante pair nicely with the sweet garlicky tomato sauce. It came to the table so hot I almost burnt my tongue! Thats how I know they did care for the food serving quality and how well they cook seafood. Margarita pizza was ordered since we saw the wood fire oven....and we just had to try their pies for that reason! It was great and the bread is airy and light. Good pie for sure, just not sure about the shredded cheese, seems a bit too much for margaritas and the addition cheese flavor is not needed. Overall wpuld try other pies as well and maybe even try this one again, but not the first choice. Lastly the dessert! Also a valentine's special - Strawberry cheesecake. We definitely were not expecting seeing a side of stuff on a plate instead of a triangle cake; creative approach tho. The flavor is there, the cheesecake...? Is the strawberry cheese mousse, and with a cream ice cream and some shortcake style bread/crust. Since we were really expecting cheesecake cake, this is interesting but not satisfying. We like the flavors but wish it's explained while we order, so at least expect it to be different. Overall, yes! Highly recommend for any celebration, or just a date! Birthday, anniversary, special date, etc! This is the spot! I am glad we finally made it and enjoyed a nice valentine's date night dinner here. The price is not for a regular lunch/ dinner, but it's definitely a place for special occasion. The food quality and vibe worth this price tag! With front of the house, back, and deck outdoor seatings, we will for sure come back during warmer days for lunch oland dinner! (Maybe even with our dog outside, which is perfect!) Great spot for Olney, very happy for this done in experience and will come again!"

Lucy Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (60)

"The ambiance was great. Cozy and definitely a nice spot for date night, dinner with friends or a solo date. The servers were nice. I got a mocktail which was okay. I Brussels sprouts starter was good, but too much chipotle mayo on top. Maybe less or put it on the side. My main was the risotto with oxtail. This was nasty. The risotto tasted like box Mac and cheese and was hard. Not Al dente hard, but a little uncooked hard. The meat was room temp and dry with no flavor at all."

Soho Tea & Coffee

★★★★☆ 3.7 (407) • $$

"Great service, tea was refreshing and coffee hit the spot. Very nice workers, informative and pleasant"