City showcases a variety of cuisines, not just American

As a world-class city, Washington, DC, is home to a wonderful selection of dining establishments featuring a wide array of international and regional American cuisines. Meals run the gamut from the sumptuous and sublime to down-to-earth and down-home. And you can generally choose an ambiance that suits either your lifestyle or current mood. Bon appetit!

Afterwords Cafe

1517 Connecticut Ave., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/387-1462

Unique cuisine served in back of a bookstore. Open late every night, all night Friday and Saturday.

America Union Station

50 Massachusetts Ave., NE * Downtown Washington * 202/682-9555

Set inside historic Union Station, this double-decker restaurant has a large and reasonably priced menu. If you like the hustle and bustle of the station, concourse seating is available.

Amma Vegetarian Kitchen

3291 M St., NW * Georgetown * 202/625-6625

Everything for the vegan. South Indian cuisines.

Andale Restaurant

401 7th St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/783-3133

Mexican. Closed Sunday.

Annie's Paramount Steakhouse

1609 17th St., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/232-0395

An easy-going steakhouse. Serves a midnight brunch on Friday and Saturday. An institution among the District's alternative lifestyle residents.

Au Pied de Cochon

1335 Wisconsin Ave., NW * Georgetown * 202/333-5440

A casual bistro offering 24-hour dining.

Bistro du Coin

1738 Connecticut Ave., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/234-6969

Great French food served in a bistro atmosphere. Closed Monday.

The Breadline

1751 Pennsylvania Ave., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/822-8900

Great sandwiches. Closed on the weekend.

Bukom Cafe

2442 18th St., NW * Adams-Morgan * 202/265-4600

West African cuisine and ambiance.

Cafe Asia

1134 19th St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/659-2696

Asian fare, including Thai delicacies, noodles, lemongrass grilled specialties, and sashimi for the brave of heart.

Cafe Citron

1343 Connecticut Ave., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/530-8844

Caribbean and Latin influences dominate this tasty menu. Good bar.

Cafe la Ruche

1039 31st St., NW * Georgetown * 202/965-2684

Relaxing and inexpensive, lighter fare. Open until 10 p.m. weekdays, midnight on the weekend.

Cashion's Eat Place

1819 Columbia Rd., NW * Adams-Morgan * 202/797-1819

Upscale new American and fusion cuisines. Dinner only. Closed Monday.

Coco Loco

810 7th St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/289-2626

Brazilian grills, Mexican appetizers. Very trendy.

Cyberstop Cafe

1513 17th St., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/234-2470

Cybercafe with good coffee, bagels, and the usual artsy snacks.

Dean & Deluca

3276 M St., NW * Georgetown * 202/342-2500

New Yorkers know what D&D is all about. A great cafe attached to the world-renowned deli. The District's version is in a beautiful red-brick building.

The Diner

2453 18th St., NW * Adams Morgan * 202/232-8800

A step up from a traditional diner, but still offers down-home cooking. As open as Denny's but definitely a cut above.

District Chophouse & Brewery

509 7th St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/347-3434

For the meat and potatoes crowd, a full grill menu and great 1920s-style music.

Grillfish

1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/331-7310

Good seafood in a relaxed atmosphere.

J Paul's

3218 M St., NW * Georgetown * 202/333-3450

Traditional, albeit a little expensive, saloon. Great crabcakes and house-brewed ales.

Jaleo

480 7th St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/628-7949

Upscale appetizers and wines.

Johnny's Half Shell

2002 P St., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/296-2021

Local seafood specialties served in a bistro setting. Closed Sunday.

Lauriol Plaza

1835 18th St., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/387-0035

Excellent Mexican-Spanish cuisine.

Lebanese Tavern

2641 Connecticut Ave., NW * Northwest * 202/265-8681

Middle Eastern cuisine.

Luna Grill & Diner

1301 Connecticut Ave., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/835-2280

Classic diner complete with "blue plate" specials. Vegetarian menu as well.

Malaysia Kopitiam

1827 M St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/833-6232.

Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine in a casual atmosphere.

Meskerem .

2434 18th St., NW * Adams-Morgan * 202/462-4100.

Ethiopian cuisine.

Meze

2437 18th St., NW * Adams Morgan *.202/797-0017.

Offers a wide selection of Turkish appetizers in a trendy, upscale setting.

Mixtec

1792 Columbia Rd., NW * Adams Morgan * 202/332-1011.

Mexican specialties, including tacos and tortillas, among many others.

Nam Viet Pho79

3419 Connecticut Ave., NW * Northwest * 202/237-1015.

Inexpensive Vietnamese food, and plenty of it.

The Newsroom

1803 Connecticut Ave., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/332-1489.

As the name implies, designed for the media junkie. All kinds of hard-to-find periodicals and newspapers as well as great coffee and the usual snacks. Internet access, too.

Old Ebbitt Grill

675 15th St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/347-4801

Everything from a snack at the bar to oysters on the half-shell. Great old-style mahogany bar.

Old Glory

3139 M St., NW * Georgetown * 202/337-3406.

Ribs, R&B bands, and good, old-fashioned barbecue. A place to kick back and enjoy some hickory-smoked delights.

Oodles Noodles

1120 19th St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/293-3138.

As the name implies, noodles, noodles, and more noodles. Lunch only.

Paolo's

1303 Wisconsin Ave., NW * Georgetown * 202/333-7353.

Italian—pizza and pastas.

Pasta Mia

1790 Columbia Rd., NW * Adams Morgan * 202/328-9114.

Mamma Mia that's a lotta pasta. No frills, just plenty of pasta. Dinner only, closed Sunday.

Pizza Mart

2445 18th St., NW * Adams Morgan * 202/234-9700.

Get a giant slice after a night on the town. Open until 3 a.m.

Pizzeria Paradiso

2029 P St., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/223-1245

Home of the amusing house wine, paired with the best pizza in town.

Red Ginger

1564 Wisconsin Ave., NW * Georgetown * 202/965-7009

Caribbean bistro. Dinner only.

Red Sage

605 14th St., NW * Downtown Washington **202/638-4444

Southwestern specialties and atmosphere.

Reeve's Restaurant and Bakery

1306 G St., NW * Downtown Washington * 202/628-6350

Good food and plenty of it—a classic diner. Closed evenings and Sunday.

Rocky's Cafe

1817 Columbia Rd., NW * Adams Morgan * 202/387-2580

Cajun, Creole, and Caribbean. Dinner only, Monday through Friday. Closed Sunday. Your best bet is Saturday for the brunch.

Saigon Inn

2928 M St., NW * Georgetown * 202/337-5588

Casual Vietnamese cuisine with a Western flare.

Saigonnais

2307 18th St., NW * Adams Morgan * 202/232-5300.

Gourmet Vietnamese.

Sholl's Colonial Cafeteria

1990 K St., NW * Downtown Washington H 202/296-3065

Self-service cafeteria. Closes early.

Spices

3333 Connecticut Ave., NW * Northwest * 202/686-3833

Stylish Pan-Asian cuisine.

Sushi Taro

1507 17th St., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/462-8999

Authentic Japanese cuisine. Closed for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Woodley Cafe

2619 Connecticut Ave., NW * Northwest * 202/332-5773

A neighborhood place with a full menu. Good breakfast and Sunday brunch.

Zorba's Cafe

1612 20th St., NW * Dupont Circle * 202/387-8555

Great kebabs, gyros, and other pita bread goodies.