Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Afghan Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1385)

$30 and under

Afghan

Springfield

About the restaurant

Afghan Bistro, located in Springfield, VA provides guests an authentic Afghan cuisine with a modern flair.

Top review

Barbara

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic food in a quiet charming setting. Stellar service

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Smyrna Restaurant Alexandria

4.9

4.9 (275)

$30 and under

Greek

Newington

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Smyrna, a specialty Aegean Coast (Greece & Turkey) restaurant where homemade food, regional wines, and cocktails take center stage. Whether you're looking for a simple breakfast, a tasty lunch, or a delightful dinner, we invite you to join us at any time. Come alone, with family, friends, or colleagues, and immerse yourself in the cheerful ambiance of our small tavern-style setting.

At The Smyrna, we've created a unique and refined concept inspired by the charm and diversity of a typical Antique Greek House. Our aim is to showcase the rich heritage and cultural divertsity that Virginia embodies.

Indulge in our signature dishes, which include mouthwatering classics like Mousakka, succulent Lamb Chops, flavorful Double Cooked Octopus, and delicate Branzino in Parchment. Each bite is a journey through the Aegean Coast's authentic flavors.

In addition to our cozy indoor seating, we also offer a charming back patio where you can enjoy you

Top review

Mary

Dined 3 days ago

This is our new favorite place! Great decor, delicious finely prepared food, fabulous fresh salads, wonderful warm service. Highly recommend this restaurant!

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Popular dish

MOUSAKKA

Popular dish

BRANZINO IN PARCHMENT

Popular dish

BAKLAVA

Taste of Old Country

4.9

4.9 (109)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Manassas

About the restaurant

Taste of Old Country provides a truly unique artisan bistro & market experience combining the world of food service, private events & retail gourmet food shopping, all under one roof. Home of the Mega Platter, a Mediterranean themed charcuterie board as well as a variety of small bites, artisan panini's, salads, pizza and desserts, you will definitely have a Taste of Old Country, where everything starts and ends with good food, wine, hospitality and friends.

Our bistro wine bar is ideal for a date night, lunch meeting, friends/social/family gatherings or to host smaller corporate/private events. While our culinary wonders cater to all pallets we kindly recommend and welcome our dining experience to adults and older family groups, as our space is not suited for infants or young children.

Conveniently located 1 mile off Exit 47 on I-66 in Balls Ford Center, across the street from the Holiday Inn on Balls Ford Rd.

Top review

William

Dined on Jan 8, 2025

My friends and I had a fabulous lunch at Taste of Old Country! The food was wonderful, our waitress was so sweet and funny. We truly enjoyed our lunch and will definitely go back.

Manalu Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1273)

$30 and under

Italian

Frederick

About the restaurant

Manalu is a new authentic Italian restaurant by Chef/Owner Marco Pontecorvo. The name was to combine all three of his family members names. MA for Marco, NA for Naomi, his daughter, and LU for Lucia, his wife. Manalu's goal is to bring a taste of Italy and a touch of Naples in the town, by serving authentic Italian cuisine and the original pizza Napoletana cooked in a brick oven. The atmosphere is very cozy and warm, perfect for family and friends. Manalu` also has a full bar and happy hour Mon-Fri from 4pm to 7pm. Happy hour also includes a food menu with delicious appetizers.

Top review

Tania

Dined 1 day ago

Great food! This was our first time here and we will definitely be back. Service was excellent too. We were late for our reservation but they still gave us the booth we requested.

200 Monroe

5.0

5 (252)

$31 to $50

Continental

Frederick

About the restaurant

Opening * October 3rd• Thursdays • 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. (Last reso 7:00pm)

Welcome to 200 Monroe, a unique restaurant delivering capstone-learning experiences for Hospitality, Culinary and Tourism Institute (HCTI) students at Frederick Community College.

Join us for a high-quality dining experience as our students, under the guidance of our Executive Chef and Maître d’ instructors, showcase their hospitality and culinary skills in our open-kitchen restaurant setting. Our exclusive 3-course dinner menu offers your choice of selections including starter, entrée, dessert, and beverage, for an all-inclusive price between $40 - $46.

Open during restaurant hours, our all-new bakery counter also offers fresh baked goods made by our Baking & Pastry Arts students for purchase.

We are located at 200 Monroe Ave in Frederick, MD. Please note, we can only accept credit card payments and are unable to accommodate food allergy requests.

*Closed 10/24, 11/21 and 11/28.

Visit frederick.edu/HCTI

Top review

Cathy

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Wonderful experience overall. Food was excellent. Thankful for such a wonderful program in our area.

Afghania

4.9

4.9 (97)

$31 to $50

Afghan

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Our newest restaurant, Afghania is the sister restaurant to Bistro Aracosia in the Palisades neighborhood of DC, Aracosia in McLean Va and Afghan Bistro in Springfield VA. Afghania accommodates any diet and is proud of taking cooking back to its origins.

Welcome to Afghania, where the Steppe of Central Asia meets the Hindu Kush and Suleiman Mountain Range, bordering South Asia. Come and enjoy the warm hospitality, exquisite flavors, and the mystery of the Afghan frontier that so many have been intrigued by.
At Afghania you will enjoy some classical dishes of the warriors from the frontier. Smoked meats, vegetables full of flavor, exotic spices, exquisite flavors and aromas and unmatched hospitality are promised at Afghania.
Come and enjoy dishes that date back to the early 1800’s from the Afghan Empire - Afghania.

Top review

Dined on Jan 9, 2025

An outstanding Georgetown experience. Great ambiance, service, pace, and menu.

Cafe Renaissance

4.8

4.8 (3105)

$31 to $50

French

Vienna

About the restaurant

For lovers of food, wine and romance,
Cafe Renaissance is your first choice in
intimate dining. Located in the heart of downtown Vienna, Cafe Renaissance
offers a quiet and charming ambiance
that will complement any dinner.

Top review

WayneVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Cafe Rennaissance is a lovely resturant with very good food. The service was excellent.

Osteria da Nino

4.8

4.8 (1919)

$31 to $50

Italian

Arlington

About the restaurant

We are a locally owned restaurant that believes in the power of Italian Hospitality, Wine and Cooking to express our love of Italian Traditions and Culture. We make our own fresh pastas on a daily basis, and all of our ingredients are the freshest locally sourced around. We take great pride in our hand crafted menu inspired from all regions of Italy. Come join us for a bottle of Italian wine, and the most authentic Italian cuisine in the DMV.

Top review

Matt

Dined 6 days ago

Perfect location, and the squid ink spaghetti with seafood was fantastic!

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Popular dish

Gnocchi Ciambotta

Popular dish

Tagliatelle Bolognese

Popular dish

Linguine alle Vongole

Murphy's Grand Irish Pub

4.8

4.8 (367)

$30 and under

European

Old Town Alexandria

About the restaurant

---- IF FOR SOME REASON, ALL RESERVATIONS SLOTS ARE GONE, PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ONLY ALLOW FOR 30% OF OUR ENTIRE RESTAURANT TO BE RESERVED AT ANY ONE TIME TO ALLOW ROOM FOR WALK-INS ----
Opened in 1978 and located in the heart of historic Old Town, Alexandria, Murphy's Grand Irish Pub is one of Alexandria's best-loved and most inviting restaurants. Murphy's offers an extensive menu and top-class traditional cuisine in the welcoming ambiance of its cozy settings.

A short 10-15-minute drive from the nation's capital, this landmark establishment is located at the main intersection in Old Town, King & Washington.

Today, the tradition of great food and drink remains as steadfast as when the doors first opened back in 1978

Murphy's has Live Irish Music seven nights a week and on weekends, on both floors.

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Always a great time at Murphys. Tuesday 1/2 price burger night is the best. 4 of us are and drank for $65. Roaring fireplace is perfect for a snowy night in January. Best Guinness pours in town!

Claire's at the Depot

4.9

4.9 (3640)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Warrenton

About the restaurant

In a casual yet elegant atmosphere, set in a recently remodelled century old historic train station, Claire's passion is great food and outstanding service. Offering contemporary American cuisine - local, seasonally focused - with a Southern flaire. The renovation honors the historic character of the Warrenton Train Depot, resulting in a warm, comfortable environment for casual meetings with friends, or special occasions and intimate family meals. The warm, elegant Garden Room provides seating for intimate meals, while the Tavern Room features a more casual dining experience in luxurious surroundings. A rotating selection of craft beers is available on tap, and the wine service is regularly expanded. Outdoor dining is available in season, and private events can be hosted in one of several areas in the restaurant. Awarded "Best of Warrenton" every year since 2006.

Top review

Melanie

Dined 3 days ago

This is a meeting place for myself and a girlfriend who has moved out of the area. The food is absolutely excellent both in taste and presentation. Our waitress was attentive without hovering. Wish the place was a bit bigger though their parking lot could not handle it. This is my 4th or 5th time eating there and every time ordering the she crab soup, so good

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Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

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