Rasika is not just one of the most popular Indian restaurants in DC — it's also, quite plainly, one of the most popular restaurants in DC, period. Chef Vikram Sunderam (formerly of London's Bombay Brasserie) mans the kitchen at the Penn Quarter restaurant, where he takes a modern look at traditional Indian fare with favorites like the crispy palak chaat, flavorful curries and more.

This Logan Circle restaurant pays as much attention to its beer list as to the food. Chef Kyle Bailey's menu, featuring refined flatbreads, pastas and a signature brat burger, pairs well with his wife Tiffany MacIsaac's creative desserts and a 555-strong beer list curated by beer director Greg Engert.

The wait for a table seems to have barely abated since Estadio opened under the direction of Proof executive chef Haidar Karoum. The contemporary Spanish small plates menu boasts a strong selection of cheese and charcuterie, as well as pintxos, bocadillos and classic tapas dishes.

Michael Landrum's ever-expanding empire includes the popular (and presidentially endorsed) Ray's Hell Burger. But it all started with Ray's: The Steaks in Arlington, which offered high-quality beef in a no-frills environment and at an affordable price point — which set it apart from all the steakhouses that once characterized Washington's dining scene.

Proof is best known for its stellar wine program, but that's not the only reason it has become a neighborhood staple. The cheese and charcuterie selections are outstanding, as is the modern American menu from chef Haidar Karoum. The restaurant also has a hard-to-beat lunch deal in the bar that pairs an entree with a glass of wine for $14.

Hill Country is Texas barbecue by way of New York City, where you'll find the original restaurant. Try the moist brisket, the sausages imported from Kreuz Market or any variety of sides from this cafeteria-style restaurant and settle into the dining room or the even noisier basement Boot Bar. Most nights of the week bring live music and pitchers of Shiner are always $20.

Ben's Chili Bowl is one of those rare Washington establishments that manages to be both a tourist trap and a local favorite. Lines can wrap around the corner during peak tourist scenes, but also late-night when locals stop in for the eatery's signature half-smokes. It doesn't hurt that Bill Cosby and President Obama are both patrons.

The Majestic has been a neighborhood haunt in Old Town Alexandria since 1932 and remains so today under the guiding hand of restaurateurs Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong. It's still got the neon Art Deco sign of days past and the menu is a throwback, too: fried green tomatoes, Amish chicken, home-style meatloaf and a special rotating family-style dinner menu on Sunday nights.

This Columbia Heights wine bar, which recently expanded into the space next door, remains as iconic to the neighborhood as ever. The menu features a small selection of plates meant to be shared — rock shrimp risotto, slow-roasted pork belly and more — but Room 11 really shines in its wine list and mixology program.

Yet another fine selection in Ashok Bajaj's restaurant empire, Bibiana is the restaurateur's love letter to Italian cuisine. The kitchen is helmed by Nicholas Stefanelli, who twice worked under Italian master Fabio Trabocchi at both Maestro and New York's Fiamma. Any of the pasta dishes here are a great bet.

Robert Wiedmaier is best known for Marcel's, the jewel of the chef's restaurant empire. But the more casual Brasserie Beck is his more accessible foray to Belgian cuisine serving moules-frites and other classic Belgian dishes at reasonable price points. They've got you covered on booze too: Beck has more than 100 types of Belgian beer by the bottle.

Jeff Buben's Vidalia is a staple, especially for those who work in the Dupont/Farragut black hole of restaurants. Buben's Southern-inspired menu offers a classic take on shrimp and grits, plus options like sweetbreads and waffles, frogmore stew and a macaroni and cheese dish made with cheddar, goat cheese and smoked ham.

Mike Isabella's much-anticipated debut displays the influences of the chef's Jersey-Italian upbringing as well as his time spent in the kitchen at Zaytinya. Beyond the handmade pastas and artisanal pizzas, Graffiato has a ham bar, prosecco on tap and, of course, that famous pepperoni sauce from his stint on Top Chef: All Stars.

t can be pricey, but Central is the most accessible restaurant in chef Michel Richard's empire and for good reason. The menu boasts two much-discussed dishes that are the French chef's spin on classic American comfort food: a lobster burger and a bucket of fried chicken (which is available to-go, by the way).

This Wolfgang Puck restaurant is on the pricier edge of the spectrum, but between executive chef Scott Drewno's talents and the approachable brunch and lounge menus, the Source is a keeper. Sit downstairs in the sleek bar and lounge and order off a menu that includes sushi, dumplings, pork belly buns, sake and craft beer

istrot du Coin has an authentic French bistro feel and that's why it's no surprise to find a lot of expats hanging out here over a bottle of wine. It's a go-to in the Dupont Circle area, open seemingly all the time, with an expansive menu of French classics from cassoulet, tartiflette savoyarde, steak served with bearnaise sauce and some killer fries.

Like so many other Cleveland Park restaurants these days, Ripple has seen a resurgence in recent years. This particular case is thanks to the direction of chef Logan Cox. Menus change daily, but rely heavily on local and organic produce. Ripple also has a strong charcuterie program.

Jeff Tunks and the team behind the Passion Food Hospitality Group opened District Commons and its neighboring burger restaurant at the end of September 2011. All-American is both the culinary and the design emphasis here, and they've got a raw bar, 99 bottles of beer and charcuterie served on pig-shaped boards.

Newton's Table is one Bethesda restaurant that everyone seems to agree upon as a hit. Chef Dennis Friedman offers a really intriguing menu with Asian hints and other twists here and there — such as duck confit nachos, Kobe wontons and a lobster tempura surf and turf dish.

A fixture of the DC culinary scene for about 20 years, Jaleo recently underwent a flashy renovation filled with foosball tables and private nooks. But the classic tapas fare is as iconic as ever. Complement a glass of sangria with Ibérico ham, patatas bravas, croquetas served in a shoe and, of course, a variety of paellas served in pans that feed six people or more.

Bar Pilar has long been a go-to spot on 14th Street and now there's even more space to sample Justin Bittner's menu and an even more extensive list of cocktails. The small plates menu changes frequently, but includes favorites like a chicken liver pate, lard fried buttermilk chicken, a stinging nettle quiche and an all-day roasted pork shoulder. To drink, try the Ruffled Shirt or the boozy Cuba Libre float.

The original Pizzeria Paradiso opened in Dupont Circle in 1991 and now the pizzeria has three locations in the DC area. And on Georgetown's M Street, Pizzeria Paradiso is a best bet for its Neapolitan-style pie plus dedication to beer in the form of the 16-tap basement birreria. Pizzeria Paradiso offers 8 and 12-inch pizzas from the traditional margherita to the Atomica topped with salami, kalamata olives, hot pepper flakes and mozzarella.

Former Corduroy manager Ferhat Yalcin brought this casual seafood restaurant to College Park in late 2011 and while the opening was under the radar, Fishnet has quickly gained cred among the critics and locals alike. Inspired by the traditional Turkish fish sandwich "Balik Ekmek," menu items also include fish tacos, a lobster sandwich, and fresh fish sticks that are nothing like those that Mom used to take out of the freezer. Bonus: Fishnet is a solid cheap eats destination, too.

Ashok Bajaj's Bombay Club is one of those classic, old school DC restaurants that has been a favorite among politicians for ages. But unlike some of the city's classic steakhouses, you won't find a dated menu or indifferent service at Bombay Club. The restaurant serves up a stellar brunch buffet, properly made Manhattans and traditional Indian fare such as lamb roganjosh. The thali platters are a good way to sample a variety of dishes. And there's even a piano player in the evening.

Et Viola! is a neighborhood restaurant that is worth the drive for Chef Claudio Pirollo's Belgian and French-inspired bistro fare. Look for dishes such as endive soup, a variety of mussels and seafood burgers at this Palisades restaurant. There's cozy seating and plenty of Belgian beers, too.

In its first year of operation, Mintwood Place as established itself both as a neighborhood favorite and a larger draw for Cedric Maupillier's French-inspired cooking. Escargot hush puppies are a no brainer, and the brunch menu has some hits such as the "hangover special", where a hamburger, several cheeses, hot peppers, bacon, and a fried egg all come together in harmony.

Though it's outside of DC's own "Little Ethiopia", Ethiopic has established itself as the place to go for traditional Ethiopian fare in a trendy and friendly atmosphere. The owners also just opened Batter Bowl Bakery in the same neighborhood.

Liam LaCivita's restaurant serves up American cuisine with an occasional Eastern European flair, due to the chef's Pittsburgh roots (hence a take on the Primanti Bros.' sandwich). Dishes like stroganoff and pizza are winners. The menu changes several times a year to reflect the seasons, and the restaurant has one of the best brunch buffets around. For a cheap eats option, there's always the longstanding "Burger and a Pint" deal.