José Andrés has spent more than 30 years building his career in Washington, D.C., and he has plenty of opinions about where to eat around the region.
In a conversation published by The MICHELIN Guide, the chef and humanitarian opened up about some of the restaurants he personally loves in and around the nation’s capital.
His picks range from an iconic fine-dining destination in Virginia to a longtime D.C. institution, a Bethesda crab house and some of the city’s most exciting restaurants.
And while several of Andrés’ own restaurants naturally make the list, his recommendations also show just how much he appreciates the broader D.C. food scene.
What are José Andrés’s favorite places to eat around Washington, D.C.?
Andrés was careful not to name just one favorite restaurant, saying that choosing a single favorite would be like picking a favorite child or friend.
Still, he singled out The Inn at Little Washington, chef Patrick O’Connell’s celebrated two-starred restaurant in Washington, Virginia, saying he has “special love” for his friend, Chef O’Connell, and the restaurant, which has been creating memorable meals for decades.
For something much more casual, Andrés pointed to Bethesda Crab House, where he shared his love for eating Maryland blue crabs on a hot summer day. The family-run restaurant, which opened in 1961, remains open at 4958 Bethesda Ave. and is currently serving its traditional crab-house fare.
For a classic D.C. experience, Andrés recommended Old Ebbitt Grill, particularly for oysters, a drink, and potentially even a conversation at the bar.
He also recommends Casa Teresa for a family meal, his own restaurant Jaleo for a celebratory paella, and Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien for its Vietnamese cooking, specifically praising its Bún Chả Hà Nội and crispy-skin pork belly.
For an additional seafood road trip, Andrés mentioned The Crab Claw in St. Michaels, Maryland. It is still open for its 2026 season, although diners should know that the restaurant has announced this will be its final season.
What does José Andrés think makes D.C.’s dining scene so unique?
For Andrés, D.C.’s biggest culinary strength is its international character.
He describes the District as small but incredibly diverse, with flavors, dishes and ingredients from around the world celebrated throughout the region.
That perspective is particularly interesting coming from a chef who helped transform D.C. into a destination for Spanish food while also embracing cuisines and chefs from outside his own culinary tradition.
His recommendations jump from Catalan cooking at Casa Teresa to Vietnamese cuisine at Moon Rabbit, Maryland blue crabs at Bethesda Crab House, and oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill.
Andrés also has an unusually personal connection to the city, that he’s called his home for the past 30 years:
- He met his wife here
- He raised his three daughters here
- He became an American citizen while living here
What makes José Andrés such a great spokesman for D.C.’s food scene?
Andrés isn’t simply a chef with restaurants in D.C.— he has been part of the city’s culinary identity for decades.
His first Jaleo location opened in Penn Quarter in 1993, and the restaurant remains open today, making it a particularly fitting recommendation from someone who has watched the neighborhood and the city’s food culture evolve.
His own restaurants have also earned significant recognition, including minibar, which the MICHELIN Guide has awarded two stars, as well as Zaytinya and Oyamel, which have received Bib Gourmand recognition.
But perhaps the most revealing part of Andrés’ recommendations is that they aren’t limited to his own restaurants.
He points diners toward longtime D.C. institutions, independent chefs, Maryland seafood traditions and restaurants run by people he has worked alongside — a reflection of the collaborative food culture he says makes the District special.
For anyone looking to eat their way around the D.C. area, his list offers a pretty compelling starting point.
