LANDOVER, Md. (10Best) -- Thousands of people pour into Landover, Md.'s FedEx Field every year. Whether it's to watch the Washington Redskins take on their NFL opponents (Beat Dallas!) or watch a sold out concert, venue goers will surely have worked up a large appetite and thirst after the event. Luckily, a short distance away is Washington, D.C. which offers some of the best dining options in the region. 10Best has searched the area to find amazing restaurants that will satisfy foodies and those just looking for a good meal.
Sometimes after a game you just want to have a beer, eat some delicious food and vent so we have included legendary Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann's Restaurant as well as Ella's Wood Fired Pizza. Both feature a thriving bar scene with many food and drink options.
Going to FedEx Field is usually a treat for some so why not make the most of your time in the nation's capital and hit up some fine dining venues. World renowned chef Jose Andres' Oyamel makes our list thanks to its outstanding take on modern, urban Mexican food so does 'Top Chef' alum Bryan Voltaggio's Range which offers new takes on tasty favorites.
Whatever your culinary desire, Washington, D.C. has a restaurant to fill your belly and quench your thirst.
10. Plume at the Jefferson Hotel
Nestled inside the outstanding Jefferson Hotel is the equally amazing restaurant Plume. Traditional dishes are created using seasonal ingredients that Thomas Jefferson would have grown on his Monticello estate. The menu is small but huge on tasty options like lacquered veal breast, bison strip loin and diver sea scallops. There is a full desert menu complete with coffee and tea options. The wine list is truly remarkable with more than 1,300 labels to select with some dating back to Jefferson's time. The decor evokes a historic elegant ambiance with a working fireplace and crystal chandeliers. With such gorgeously plated, delicious meals, you'll wish they served breakfast and lunch too. METRO: Farragut North (2024482322)
9. Ella's Wood Fired Pizza
When the restaurant opened in 2003, the goal was to become a true neighborhood destination and they have succeeded. Wood-fired pizza is, of course, the main focus. Folks can chose from 19 different pizzas or may create their own. The old handcrafted favorites like cheese, peperoni and sausage remain but different options are available including genovese, pucillo, and norcia. Many flock to Ella's for the daily happy hour specials at the bar. Munch on 7' pizzas or other appetizers while you drink your favorite beers or wines by the glass. METRO: Gallery Place/Chinatown (202-638-3434)
8. Komi
This modern Greek restaurant is a foodie's dream come true. A set multi-course tasting dinner begins with small, light dishes and moves toward pastas, entrees and desserts. Since there are no printed menus, you are told of the meal as it is presented to you. Many will add on a wine pairing to the experience. With minimal decor, the focus goes to the food which is extraordinary. They ask that no photos be taken so your Facebook friends will just have to visualize your dinner or come here to experience it for themselves. METRO: Dupont Circle. (202-332-9200)
7. Black's Bar & Kitchen
Many people leave Black's Bar & Kitchen talking about its impressive seafood offerings. They offer a raw bar where patrons may sample clams, Chesapeake Bay oysters, and shrimp cocktail. Plus, the dinner menu boasts crab cakes, seared sea scallops, and coriander crusted yellowfin tuna loin. The selections "blend organic ingredients with a light and fresh flair including regional flavors" from Virginia and Maryland. The modern sleek design of the bar area make it a great spot for after work drinks. If you prefer wine, there are over 300 to choose from housed in a state-of-the-art, temperature controlled room. METRO: Bethesda (301-652-6278)
6. Le Diplomate
For a taste of France right here in Washington, D.C., head to this bistro which offers an incredible comfort food menu for brunch, apres midi and dinner. Brunch options include breakfast favorites like steak and eggs and spinach omelette and entree choices including lamb sandwich and trout amandine. Dinner offers succulent hors d'oeuvres, tasty entrees and a full wine and dessert menu. Try to grab a seat outside to enjoy conversations with friends and people-watch. You may even see well-known political figures. First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry have all been spotted here. METRO: U Street (202-332-3333)
5. Range
In his first establishment outside his hometown of Frederick, Md., "Top Chef" runner-up Bryan Voltaggio offers a diverse menu full of unique pairings at the Washington, D.C.-based Range. A sleek modern design welcomes guests who can watch as dishes are prepared with classic and innovative in the open kitchens. Another proponent of farm to fork practices, the menu changes to reflect what is in season in the mid-Atlantic region. Entrees vary from seafood to wood fired grilled meats to wood oven pizzas. Munch on cheddar jalapeno biscuits, sample a selection of cheeses all before your first course and entree come out. But make sure to save room for their desserts which recently included ice cream sandwiches and watermelon sorbet. Metro: Friendship Heights (202.803.8020)
4. 1789 Restaurant
Choosing its name to honor a historic year in Washington, D.C.'s history, the 1789 Restaurant based in Georgetown harks back to days gone by. American antiques, paintings and china decorate the six dining rooms which add to the venue's historic ambiance. The restaurant prides itself on shunning commercial produce in favor of local fare. The four-course menu changes daily to reflect the freshest ingredients and seasonal flavors. A recent selection included chilled cucumber gazpacho, squid ink tagliarini, and Icelandic cod. Men are no longer required to wear jackets but this destination will make you want to wear your very best. METRO: Foggy Bottom. (202-965-1789)
3. Blue Duck Tavern
You'll find this American fare restaurant tucked inside the Park Hyatt Washington D.C. Soft lighting, an open kitchen and unique handcrafted wood furnishings throughout give the restaurant a warm, contemporary feel. American fare is prepared through roasting, braising, preserving and smoking. The tavern has menus for breakfast (jumbo lump Maryland crab cake with scrambled egg whites), brunch, lunch (suckling pig sandwich), dinner (braised beef rib), dessert and wine. As a way to recognize the farmers who grow and raise ingredients for their menu, names and/or locations are provided on the menus for each course. METRO: Foggy Bottom (202-419-6755)
2. Oyamel
Named after the sacred fir tree native to central Mexico where monarch butterflies take refuge after migration, Oyamel is emerging as one of the district's top upscale casual dining options. The menu features creative interpretations of modern, urban Mexican food -- snacks or small dishes, tacos, ceviches, and desserts. The guacamole is even made fresh at your table! You may want to take the Metro here because the drink menu is so enticing. Several different interpretations of the margarita are offered as well as house cocktails, wines, and beers. Resident experts will also guide you through tastings of tequilas and mezcals. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown (2026281005)
1. Joe Theismann's Restaurant
Washington Redskins' legendary quarterback Joe Theismann started this restaurant more than 35 years ago as one of the first restaurant-bars in the country. Today, the classy yet comfortable establishment is a popular gathering place to watch the district's professional sports teams take on rivals. Sports memorabilia line the walls while televisions are located at the bar area and even in the restrooms. The menu ranges from bar food favorites like three cheese nachos and chicken wings to upscale dinning selections including flame grilled mahi mahi and New Zealand lamb chops. Whether you are heading to a game, need a spot to watch it or are on the way home from the event, this restaurant is a great spot to fill your bellies and cheer on your favorites. Metro: King Street (703-739-0777)
