Dining by Neighborhood in Washington, DC

What’s on the menu: Affordable cuisine from diverse culinary traditions, including Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Salvadorean, Peruvian and Thai.

What to try: For a light bite on the run, stop by Julia’s Empanadas for a flavorful meat-, vegetable- or cheese-filled pastry, or Amsterdam Falafel Shop. Swing by Habana Village for free salsa lessons and zesty Cuban fare, or Perrys for delicious sushi.

Check out our page on Adams Morgan Restaurants for even more ideas.

What’s on the menu: Fine steaks, martini menus and power-dining mainstays, as well as budget-friendly happy-hour specials.

What to try: Sample JFK’s favorite roast beef sandwich at The Monocle or interesting wines by the half-glass at Sonoma. Enjoy a sirloin with a view at Charlie Palmer Steak, or sip a pint of Guinness with your senator’s staff at The Dubliners. Have a bite to eat at Eastern Market, a popular gathering place.

Check out our page on Capitol Hill Restaurants for more delicous ideas.

What’s on the menu: Chinese classics make for affordable lunch or dinner fare.

What to try: Sample the fresh, homemade noodles at China Kitchen, or join the locals in line for soup at Full Kee. If you’re hungry, Tony Cheng’s Mongolian barbeque is one of the best values in town.

What’s on the menu: Classic and formal eateries form the core dining experience in this power-rich section of DC, but you can also find some great picks for quick and casual eating.

What to try: Enjoy breakfast with the power-dining set at the Hay-Adams Hotel. Upscale Indian cuisine doesn’t get much better than at Bombay Club. Support local agriculture with dinner at eco-friendly Equinox. Feast on oysters with locals at the Old Ebbitt Grill. Pick up a sandwich to go at Breadline, or a cup of tea or ginger limeade at Teaism. Relax over a beer and classic American favorites at BlackFinn.

Check out our spotlight on Downtown/Penn Quarter/Chinatown Restaurants for more dining delights.

What’s on the menu: Fashionable tables abound, including many of DC's hot new restaurants. Theatergoers and sports fans flock here after games and concerts at the Verizon Center. Downtown office workers can point the way to some of the city’s best lunch values and happy-hour specials.

What to try: Sample Belgian fare at Brasserie Beck and upscale Mexican at Oyamel, voted two of 2007’s best new restaurants in the country by Esquire. Snag a table at Hill Country Barbeque, which features Texas-style ribs and live band karaoke. Locals love the brick-oven pizzas at matchbox and the tapas at Jaleo.

Check out our spotlight on Downtown/Penn Quarter/Chinatown Restaurants for more dining delights.

What’s on the menu: Eclectic Dupont Circle supports an equally diverse network of restaurants, including some of DC’s top tables. Coffee shops, bars, cheap eats and GLBT-friendly eateries abound.

What to try: For a fine-dining experience, book a table at Restaurant Nora, the first certified-organic eatery in the country, or savor a multi-course tasting menu at Obelisk or Komi. Locals flock to casual eateries like Hank’s Oyster Bar for fresh seafood straight from the Chesapeake Bay, and Bistrot du Coin for Belgian-French classics. Beer lovers won’t want to miss a visit to The Bier Baron, which boasts a temendous selection of world beers.

Read more on our Dupont Circle Restaurants spotlight.