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 may have become more of a household name with the uber-popular (and now shuttered) 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 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.

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.

It can be pricey, but Central is Michel Richard's version of accessible. 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.

This Palisades restaurant is perhaps the most beloved in Jeff and Barbara Black's expansive empire. And like the others, it is a monument to seafood — and with its own fish market to boot. Oysters, blue shell mussels, fried Ipswich clams and more join entrees like bouillabaisse, skate wing and smoked toro dashi to pretty much cover the gamut of seafood.

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.

Getting into Little Serow can be a challenge — lines for Johnny Moni's "no reservations" restaurant tend to start forming before opening — but the payoff is worth the wait. The chef prepares fiery, authentic Thai cuisine in a spare and stylish setting. At $45 per person for a multi-course, ever-changing menu, Little Serow provides a more affordable alternative to the chef's neighboring destination restaurant, Komi.

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.

The neighborhood wine bar from Diane Gross and Khalid Pitts has taken a more seasonal approach to its well-edited menu of small plates in recent months. But familiar favorites, such as the avocado bruschetta and crispy lemon and black pepper-dusted calamari and rock shrimp, remain. The restaurant is known for its wine list, and the rotating, curated flights are a good opportunity to sample some of the more usual selections from it.

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.

Mintwood Place has 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 operate Batter Bowl Bakery in the same neighborhood. The vegetarian platter is a standout.

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.

It's been more than a year since the former destination restaurant retooled its concept, and 2941 has finally struck the right balance between formal and casual, and between straightforward and elaborate cooking. The picturesque setting remains, and chef Bertrand Chemel's skills are evident in such dishes as a paella soup, or broccoli raviolini with smoked pioppini mushroom. Diners can also choose from a range of price points, whether it be a snack at the bar or a full tasting menu.

Cashion's has been an Adams Morgan mainstay for years, and chef John Manolatos' cooking is as good as it's ever been. Local and seasonal ingredients find their way into such dishes as Mediterranean spit-roasted goat with pita bread. Fish entrees are a highlight, and the restaurant has a well-curated wine list as well.

Pupatella sets the standard for Neapolitan pies in the D.C. area. What started as a humble food cart has become one of D.C.'s most reliable sources for good pizza.

The stunningly-designed Daikaya is two restaurants in one. On the ground floor: Sapporo-style ramen in a bustling setting. Upstairs, an izakaya specializing in Japanese bar food, whiskeys, shochu and Japanese beer. Minibar alumnus Katusya Fukushima creates dishes like grilled avocado and okonomiyaki-style brussels sprouts with pork.

This Cleveland Park restaurant is known for its impressive wine list, thoughtful cocktails and small but impressive menu. Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley has continued the restaurant's focus on local ingredients, and takes care to make sure the food complements the beverage program.

Le Diplomate asserted itself as an instant classic when it opened in Logan Circle in 2013. Stephen Starr's first entry into the D.C. market excels at classic dishes like steak frites and skate, as well as some interesting twists like foie gras mousse. The atmosphere is loud and bustling, and the France-inspired decor is transporting.