Celebrity Chefs With Restaurants Near Washington, DC

From casual bites to Michelin-star restaurants, check out these celebrity chef hot spots and see what all the buzz is about:

José Andrés

Renowned Spanish chef José Andrés has more than 10 restaurants across the Capital Region offering a variety of experiences and cuisines. In Washington, DC, choose from the intimate and innovative minibar by José Andrés (a two-star Michelin restaurant), where up to six guests get a full-fledged multi-course dining experience. Or, treat yourself to the casual and classic Spanish fare from the chef's PEPE Food Truck, which rolls through the city for lunch and special events. Other options include Turkish, Greek and Lebanese mezze plates at Zaytinya, globe-spinning fusion flavours at China Chilcano and — in Bethesda, Maryland — casual tapas at Spanish Diner.

Find all José Andrés restaurants in the Capital Region.

Gordon Ramsay

The world-famous British chef known for his, shall we say, “colourful” language, has not one, but three restaurants in the Capital Region. Follow the heavenly scent of fried seafood to Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips in The Wharf district of Washington, DC. The neighbourhood is also home to Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, based on the reality TV sensation of the same name. Or, head to Gordon Ramsay Steak at Horseshoe Baltimore Casino to dig into dry-aged prime beef and Ramsay’s famous Sticky Toffee Pudding.

As you might expect, seats at Gordon Ramsay restaurants are in high demand, so plan accordingly and book well in advance of your holiday.

Patrick O’Connell

Patrick O’Connell was one of the first American chefs to be courted by the Relais & Châteaux fellowship, and is recognized as one of the program’s Grand Chefs. O’Connell’s Inn at Little Washington in Virginia has three Michelin stars (the only three-star restaurant in the region) and has won the Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star Award for decades. The restaurant offers three tasting menus, or diners can choose the dishes they find most intriguing.

Jeremiah Langhorne

Langhorne, a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, offers a hyper-local taste of the region at his acclaimed restaurant, The Dabney. The Mid-Atlantic cuisine marries traditional and contemporary flavours in the rustic setting of a former row home in Washington DC. Choose from a six-course tasting menu or order à la carte, with ingredients sourced locally and seasonally.

Aaron Silverman

In the past, Silverman’s Pineapple & Pearls was all about composed fun with an ever-changing prix-fixe menu of freshly caught seafood and tropical-yet-refined cocktails. But the two-star Michelin restaurant in Washington, DC recently debuted a punchy new menu and party-inspired atmosphere that turns the entire concept of fine dining on its head. Dress to impress, and make your reservations well in advance. 

For a slightly more low-key taste of Silverman’s talents, look for a table at Rose’s Luxury or Little Pearl — each the holder of one Michelin star and set in DC. 

Wolfgang Puck

Austrian-born Wolfgang Puck is one of the original celebrity chefs. CUT by Wolfgang Puck, tucked inside the luxurious Rosewood Washington, DC, is a perfect showcase of his well-honed skills, offering elevated takes on meat, seafood and veg (think Pork Belly Lettuce Cups and Mortadella Truffled Grilled Cheese). Ascend to the rooftop bar, CUT Above, for craft cocktails with panoramic skyline views.

Guy Fieri

A visit to one of Guy Fieri’s restaurants is more than a meal: It’s an experience. The chef, who rose to fame on TV’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, spares no calorie with his over-the-top-creations, from Trash Can Nachos to Bacon Mac ’N Cheese Burgers. You can indulge in these and other cult classics at Guy Fieri’s DC Kitchen + Bar. Its location at Capital One Arena makes it a memorable stop before or after a Washington Wizards basketball game or Washington Capitals hockey game. 

Top Chef Restaurants in Capital Region USA

The US has experienced a boom in food television, creating a new generation of American celebrity chefs. Residents flock from all over the country to try the hottest spots from television’s Top Chef contestants. 

Bryan Voltaggio

Bryan Voltaggio has appeared on multiple seasons of Top Chef and Top Chef Masters, scoring high with judges and audiences alike. Experience contemporary fine dining at Thacher & Rye, or try his fresh take on the classic diner at Showroom, both located in Voltaggio’s hometown of Frederick, Maryland, USA. 

Check out the top food tours in Frederick, Maryland.

Spike Mendelsohn

Based in Washington, DC, Spike Mendelsohn is a popular figure of American food television. Enjoy classic American burgers and chips (called "fries" in the US) at Good Stuff Eatery or a slice at We, The Pizza, both with multiple locations in Washington, DC and Virginia. If you prefer a meatless option, Mendolsohn’s PLNT Burger can be found inside Whole Foods (a US grocery store chain) across the Capital Region.

Brittanny Anderson

James Beard-nominated Brittanny Anderson has built a restaurant empire in Richmond, Virginia, USA since competing on Top Chef in 2021. Metzger Bar & Butchery does elevated riffs on German classics like schnitzel and pork chops in an homage to the city’s butchers and tanners, while Brenner Pass combines local seafood with Alpine favourites. 

A Must-See Attraction: Julia Child's Kitchen

No foodie can visit Washington, DC and the Capital Region without making a trip to the National Museum of American History to see Julia Child’s Kitchen, the centrepiece of the museum’s ongoing exhibit FOOD: Transforming the American Table. Tour the legendary cook's kitchen, which was donated to the Smithsonian museum, and explore videos, cookbooks, gadgets and utensils to gain insight into her passion for food and for life.

Discover More Great Dining in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia, USA:

• Take a bite out of this 6-day culinary itinerary 
• Tempt your taste buds with American classics at these famous Capital Region diners