1. Hank’s Oyster Bar – 1624 Q Street NW, off 17th Street

If you’re a seafood lover, Hank’s Oyster Bar is the place for you. The menu is simple with a mix of coastal favorites and New England classics, like lobster rolls, crab cakes and chowder. The ice bar offers a tasty selection of raw oysters, tartar and ceviche, all very reasonably priced at that.

This May, Hank’s Oyster Bar will be doubling in size, expanding next door, adding the new Hank’s Bar and Lounge, which will have a private dining room upstairs that can accommodate up to 24 guests for dinner. The new Hank’s Bar and Lounge will also be introducing late night hours, serving until 2 AM weeknights and 3 AM weekends, making it a wonderful option for lingering over crafted cocktails before or after dinner in the restaurant.

For more information, visit www.hanksdc.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Hank’s Oyster Bar

2. Masa 14 – 1825 14th Street, NW

A fusion of Latin-Asian cuisine, Masa 14 boasts a menu of delectable tapas, perfect for sharing in groups. The spacious 100-seat restaurant includes a private dining room that can accommodate parties of 18, and a handsome 74-seat bar/lounge, which is divided into three sections, featuring ample selections of tequila, sake, beer, wine and cocktails.

Masa 14 is also home to Washington’s first Tequila Lounge, complete with DJ booth, which serves 169 different varieties of tequila, with an emphasis on ultra-aged tequila, which has been stored for a period of at least three years in oak barrels.

For more information, visit www.masa14.com.

Photo Credit: Peter Stepanek Photography, LLC

3. Cuba Libre – 801 9th Street, NW

Influenced by Spanish, African, Creole and Asian immigrants, Cuban cuisine offers a mix of robust and soul-satisfying dishes. Cuba Libre delivers the full flavor of Cuba, set against the beautiful backdrop of the restaurant’s décor, reminiscent of an Old Havana street scene.

Concept Chef Guillermo Pernot’s menus envision what Cuban cuisine would be like today if it had continued to flourish from the 1950’s era. Meticulously prepared dishes are full of color, aroma and style. Dishes reflect various Latin regions and combine beef, poultry, pork and seafood with exotic fruits and vegetables, herbs and seasonings.

For more information, visit www.CubaLibreRestaurant.com.

Photo Credit: Lightman Photography

4. Carmine’s – 425 7th Street NW

Expanding from New York, Carmine’s brings family style Italian dining to Washington. Boasting the largest restaurant space in DC, Carmine’s is the perfect spot for almost any occasion. Private dining spaces are intimate and can also be connected and opened up to accommodate larger parties.

Created especially for Washington’s elite, Carmine’s also has a secret back entry way for heightened security, one of the many feature points that make the restaurant unique. Carmine’s is nominated for Power Spot of the Year, so if you’ve happened to visit before, make sure to vote here.

For more information, visit www.carminesnyc.com.

5. Sweet Green

On the lighter side, Sweet Green serves up the best salads in town. Sourcing local, organic ingredients, Sweet Green lives by a philosophy of treading gently on our planet, doing their part as a sustainable, environmentally friendly business.

End with a house made tart frozen yogurt, a perfect finish to a refreshing, healthy lunch stop.

For locations and more information on the “Sweet Life”, visit www.sweetgreen.com.