Washingtonian 2025: Geographically Crimes

Washingtonian Magazine needs a geography lesson.

If you're going to publish the best restaurants in DC, they should at least be in, or reasonably close to, the Beltway. There are thousands of restaurants inside the Beltway. We do not need to annex half of Virginia and Maryland every year to create a Top 100 list.

The Washingtonian has three recurring problems: they reward marketing as much as food, they rank Michelin-level restaurants alongside taco stands, and they seem deeply confused by maps.

This section is my palate's analysis of the restaurants that made the list despite being nowhere near Washington. Many are excellent. Some are absolutely worth visiting. They simply don't belong on a list of the best restaurants in DC.

One very noteworthy note before we begin: Elyse is spectacular. I'd happily go back every week. It just isn't in Washington.  I am adding this to the all over the country restaurants as well.  Sorry for the duplicates.

#41 Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana (Darnestown): B+

Washingtonian Rank #41 | Would Return: If Nearby

Inferno has developed a near-cult following in the suburbs, and the dough largely explains why. The white pizza was the clear winner, while the margherita felt a bit less balanced than expected. The burrata also needed some help from its supporting cast.

This is very good pizza. It is also still pizza. More importantly, it is nowhere near Washington. If we're handing out awards for suburban pizza, Inferno deserves consideration. If we're talking about the best restaurants in DC, we need to have a different conversation.

#56 Tremolo (Middleburg, VA): A-

Washingtonian Rank #56 | Would Return: If Nearby

Tremolo was one of the biggest surprises on the entire list. The drinks were excellent, the menu was diverse, the small plates were thoughtful, and the execution was consistently strong. The French onion dip disappeared immediately, and the chorizo presentation was memorable.

The problem isn't the restaurant. The problem is that I could probably reach another state before I reached downtown Washington. If this place were twenty-five minutes closer, I'd be back regularly. Instead, it's a destination if you happen to be nearby.  The menu is super fun.  Go with a group of people and try as many things as you possibly can fit in your stomach.

#70 Elyse (Fairfax, VA): A

Washingtonian Rank #70 | Would Return: Absolutely

Elyse is spectacular. The service is intimate without being intrusive, the chef engagement feels genuine, the bathrooms are immaculate, and nearly every course was beautifully executed. The "or" options throughout the menu should be studied by every tasting-menu restaurant in America.

A few sauces were slightly heavy and a few dishes could have used a touch more salt, but those are minor criticisms in an otherwise exceptional meal. Frankly, if the Washingtonian was going to stretch geography enough to include Elyse, ranking it at #70 tells me they didn't actually eat there. This restaurant should be in the top tier of the list and should absolutely be on Michelin's radar. This was easily by biggest surprise on the list and my happiest.  

#89 L'Auberge Chez François (Great Falls, VA): B+

Washingtonian Rank #89 | Would Return: Absolutely

I've been here dozens of times and will probably go dozens more. L'Auberge Chez François remains one of the great suburban French restaurants and one of the longest-running special occasion destinations in the region. The setting is charming, the service is polished, the sauces are rich and unapologetically French, and the entire experience feels like stepping into a different era. In a world where every restaurant seems desperate to reinvent itself every six months, there is something comforting about a place that knows exactly what it is.

The special events are where the restaurant truly shines. Whether it's a wine dinner, seasonal celebration, or holiday experience, these events are often the best reason to visit. The property itself is beautiful, and the experience feels far more complete than simply sitting down for dinner.

Is it Jônt? No. Is it trying to be? Also no. This is classic French dining done well, with butter, cream, sauces, and all the things your cardiologist warns you about. The food is consistently satisfying, the environment is lovely, and the restaurant delivers exactly what guests expect.

I've had better individual dishes elsewhere. I've had more creative meals elsewhere. But very few restaurants have remained this consistently enjoyable for this long.

Verdict: A Northern Virginia institution that deserves its reputation. It belongs on a Virginia list, not a Washington list, but I'll happily keep making the drive.

#92 Amber Spice (Laurel, Maryland): B

Washingtonian Rank #92 | Would Return: Maybe, if nearby

Amber Spice delivers lovely Indian food with standout sauces, balanced spices, excellent lamb, strong naan, and one of the better Fish 65 preparations I've had. The kitchen clearly knows what it's doing, and several dishes reminded me how much properly executed Indian food depends on the quality of the sauces.

The meal was consistently enjoyable without ever becoming extraordinary. The fish was excellent, the lamb was very good, and even dessert managed to be interesting without becoming overly sweet. Service was pleasant, parking was easy, and the dining room was surprisingly empty for the quality of food being served.

The bathrooms were not great which annoys me a TON – there was enough rust and wear to prevent the experience from feeling elevated. More importantly, the restaurant is located in Laurel. That is not a criticism of Laurel. It is simply an observation that Laurel and Washington are not the same place.

This is exactly the type of restaurant that thrives as a neighborhood gem. If I lived twenty minutes away, I'd happily put it into regular rotation. If I'm driving across the region specifically for dinner, however, there are too many stronger options closer to home.

Verdict: A very good neighborhood Indian restaurant with excellent sauces and strong execution. 

#94 Melina (Maryland): B+

Washingtonian Rank #94 | Would Return: If Nearby

Melina is exactly the kind of family-run restaurant that reminds you why independent restaurants matter. The people are warm, the space is charming, and the entire experience feels personal from the moment you walk in. Nothing feels manufactured, focus-grouped, or designed by a restaurant consultant trying to create "authenticity." It simply is.

The food was consistently enjoyable across the board. The eggplant was excellent, the lamb was a standout, and everything arrived tasting like someone actually cared about what left the kitchen. There are not nearly enough good Greek restaurants in the region, which makes Melina even more refreshing.

Would I drive an hour specifically to eat here? Nope. If I lived nearby, however, this would absolutely make the regular rotation. It's better than most suburban Greek restaurants and delivers exactly what it promises without pretending to be something it isn't.

Verdict: A charming family-run Greek restaurant with excellent lamb, strong Mediterranean flavors, and people you'll genuinely like. Worth visiting if you're nearby. Worthy of loyal regulars. Still not Washington.

#96 Preserve (Annapolis): B+

Washingtonian Rank #96 | Would Return: If Nearby

Preserve surprised me. Restaurants built around fermented ingredients can sometimes feel like they are trying to teach a class rather than serve dinner. Preserve managed to avoid that trap. The fermented flavors were thoughtful, balanced, and far more approachable than expected. The catfish was solid, the pairings worked well, and there was real creativity across the menu without the kitchen disappearing up its own backside.

My team absolutely loved this place, which always matters because I dine in packs and they are not shy about opinions. The bathrooms were good, the service was good enough, and the overall meal was far more enjoyable than I expected. I may also have been slightly cranky about being in Annapolis and not eating crab, which is a personal failing I am willing to acknowledge.

The undisclosed 4% “love charge” irritated me because surprise fees are not charming. If you want to charge more, charge more. Do not hide it under a cute name and hope I am too full to notice.

Verdict: Preserve is a very good Annapolis restaurant and absolutely worth visiting if you are already there. Annapolis is a wonderful city. Annapolis is not Washington.

#98 Honest Grill (Centreville, Virginia): B+

Washingtonian Rank #98 | Would Return: If Nearby – I think I am lying about this.  So many amazing Korean places, so little time...

Honest Grill serves very good Korean food with noticeably better meat quality than many of its competitors. The meats were consistently strong, the service was solid, and the overall experience felt more polished than expected.

What stood out most, however, was the cleanliness. Korean restaurants are not always known for immaculate dining rooms and bathrooms, but Honest Grill was unusually clean and well maintained. The bathrooms were above average, the restaurant felt cared for, and those details matter more than people admit.

The food itself was very good, but competition in this category is fierce. Ingle Korean Steakhouse is better – like playing a different sport. Yechon remains a personal favorite for more traditional Korean dining. Honest Grill sits comfortably in the middle: better than most, not the best.

Verdict: A very good Korean restaurant with high-quality meat, unusually clean facilities, and consistently solid execution. A neighborhood gem for Centreville. Still not Washington.