1201 28th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Das Ethiopian Cuisine is an upscale restaurant located in Georgetown that focuses on bringing authentic Ethiopian food to Washington, D.C. by using traditional ingredients and cooking methods. The restaurant emphasizes the communal nature of Ethiopian dining. Das also highlights the cultural heritage behind each dish, incorporating recipes that reflect long-standing Ethiopian culinary traditions. Its warm décor, featuring Ethiopian art and textiles, creates an immersive experience that introduces customers to the country’s history and flavors.

Photo courtesy of Das Ethiopian Cuisine

1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

El Tamarindo, located in Adams Morgan, D.C., is a Mexican restaurant that opened in 1982. Founded by Jose Reyes, who immigrated from El Salvador in the 1970s in search of a better life, the restaurant reflects his journey. When Reyes first arrived in the U.S., he worked in restaurants while learning English, later opening El Tamarindo with his wife, Betty, and now running it with his daughters, Ana and Evelyn. Named after his hometown, the restaurant has kept Salvadoran food and culture alive for decades, serving classic dishes like tacos and pupusas and creating community through events and family-rooted hospitality.

Photo courtesy of El Tamerindo

4401 Village Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030

The Global Bistro, located in Fairfax, VA, is a Syrian restaurant. Chef Abu Yamen has 30 years of culinary experience specializing in dishes from Syrian, Jordanian, and Yemeni cultures. During my visit, I tried appetizers, salads, and entrees. The Global Bistro is the perfect place to enjoy a casual, reasonably priced meal close to DC. The chef and waiters are kind and knowledgeable about Middle Eastern culture. Every dish is prepared authentically and presented beautifully.

Photo courtesy of Ann Crosby

3213 Mt Pleasant St NW 2nd Fl, Washington, DC 20010

Hilana Falafel is located in Mt. Pleasant, D.C. This restaurant serves authentic, fresh falafel at two farmers' markets in D.C.: the Mt. Pleasant farmers’ market and the White House market. The owner moved to D.C. from Palestine and started this restaurant to earn income as a working mom. The two dishes this restaurant serves are falafel salad and a falafel wrap. Both items have received amazing reviews, with many consumers considering this the “best falafel” they ever had.

Photo courtesy of Hilana Falafel

1847 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

Lapis, located in Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C., is an Afghan bistro founded by the Popal family, who fled Afghanistan in 1980 during the Soviet invasion. The restaurant serves traditional Afghan dishes like kabobs, mantu, and kormas, bringing authentic flavors and family recipes to the DMV. Beyond its cuisine, Lapis is a symbol of resilience and community: the owners have actively supported Afghan refugees arriving in the U.S., using the restaurant as a hub for cultural connection and assistance. Dining at Lapis is not just a culinary experience—it’s a taste of Afghan heritage and a story of survival and hope.

Photo courtesy of Lapis

3210 Cherry Hill Ln, Washington, DC 20007

My Little Chamomile, located in Georgetown, D.C, serves authentic Turkish cuisine. The head chef, Cagla Onal-Urel, is from Turkey and started this restaurant because she missed Turkish food. The restaurant focuses on vegetarian foods; however, a few dishes include meat. In an interview with the Washington Post, chef Urel said most of the dishes come “from mom’s kitchen,” highlighting the food's authentic nature.

Photo courtesy of Scott Suchman For The Washington Post

1624 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Nabiha Restaurant & Cafe celebrates Palestinian culinary traditions and culture in the heart of Washington, DC, on U Street, offering both a café and full-service restaurant experience in a warm, community-oriented setting. Named in honor of Palestinian grandmothers and inspired by their home-cooked recipes, Nabiha serves authentic Palestinian and Middle Eastern dishes that reflect deep family roots and heritage. The restaurant’s menu features classic mezze, rich hummus, zaatar, lentil dips, and other staples that evoke the comforting flavors of a grandmother’s kitchen.

Photo courtesy of Nabiha Restaurant & Cafe

3462 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

Thip Khao in Northwest D.C. is a beloved Lao restaurant that brings the bold flavors and rich culture of Laos to the Washington, D.C. area. Since opening in Columbia Heights in 2014, Thip Khao has become one of the city’s most prominent destinations for authentic Lao cuisine, offering dishes like laab, papaya salad, mok pa, and sticky rice served in the traditional way. The restaurant was founded by Chef Seng Luangrath and her son, Chef Bobby Pradachith, as a cultural hub to share their heritage and culinary traditions. Born in Laos, Chef Seng and her family fled the country during the Vietnam War, living in a Thai refugee camp where she learned to cook from neighbors and elders. Her journey from refugee to celebrated chef deeply influences Thip Khao’s menu, making it both authentic and meaningful.

Photo courtesy of Scott Suchman

327 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20007

4862 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814

Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant (DC) and Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant (Bethesda) are the first Ukrainian restaurants in the DMV area, offering a vibrant culinary bridge between Ukraine and the local community. The restaurant’s mission is to act as an ambassador of Ukrainian culture through rich, flavorful cuisine that honors heritage while embracing innovation. Under the leadership of executive chef Mykola Yudin, who has deep roots in Ukraine and previously led kitchens there, RUTA draws inspiration from authentic recipes and regional techniques. Some menu items are entirely traditional Ukrainian classics, such as borscht, holubtsi, and varenyky. In contrast, others incorporate modern fusion elements that reflect the evolution of Ukrainian cooking and creative culinary expression.

Photograph courtesy of Ruta