10 Legendary Family-Owned Restaurants In Washington DC You Have To Try

There are some restaurants in Washington DC that are true classics. Whether they’ve been around for decades or just the past few years, these family-owned restaurants are great for an evening out with your friends or family. You’ll love the great food, great service and entire atmosphere at the 10 best family owned restaurants in Washington DC.

Yelp/Chuck N.

Yelp/Morgan R.

Mae and Irv Wagner (Bub and Pop) fell in love with homestyle food. They opened a small deli in West Philadelphia where they sold the best sandwiches. 60 years later, their grandson runs Bub and Pop’s, one of the best sandwich places in DC.
1815 M St NW

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Yelp/Orquidea R.

Tucked away in Columbia Heights, Los Hermanos is run by two brothers, which gave the restaurant its name. They serve delicious authentic Dominican food in a friendly counter service restaurant.
1426 Park Rd NW

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Yelp/Jay M.

Ollie’s has been a DC institution for 30 years. This diner style family owned restaurant serves the best burgers, fries and milkshakes in DC!
425 12th St NW

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Otello is a cozy Italian restaurant where you can enjoy hearty sized classics of Italian favorites. No matter when you come to visit, you will meet the owner who is often checking on tables and greeting guests.
1329 Connecticut Ave NW

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This family owned restaurant pays homage to the family's matriarch, Filomena. Her daughter JoAnna started the restaurant to help recreate her mother’s famous Italian family dinners.
1063 Wisconsin Ave NW

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Facebook/Purple Patch DC

Yelp/Tracie U.

Purple Patch is a laid back restaurant serving classic Philippine dishes along with American comfort food. Its owner Patrice Cleary opened Purple Patch with her husband and their menu is made up of many of Patrice’s mothers recipes.
3155 Mount Pleasant St NW

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Tune Inn is a fun dive bar with delicious greasy food. They have been a Capitol Hill favorite for over 60 years. Joe Nardelli opened the bar in the 1940s and today, his granddaughter Lisa runs it.
331 Pennsylvania Ave SE

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Yelp/Latrice

The Monocle is a family owned restaurant that was founded in 1960. It’s the closest restaurant to the Capitol building and Union Station, making it popular with lawmakers.
107 D St NE

Yelp/LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar

Yelp/LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar

LiLLiES was opened in 2011 by a DC couple who have lived in DC for almost 40 years. They are truly a local restaurant who promote other small businesses and use only local vendors.
2915 Connecticut Ave NW

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Yelp/Jenifer S.

Yelp/Swetha G.

Mama Ayesha’s is named after it’s founder, Mama Ayesha, who opened the restaurant in 1960. Today her nieces and nephews run the restaurant. They are known for having excellent and authentic Middle Eastern food.
1967 Calvert St NW

If you love hidden gem restaurants, add these 11 unassuming restaurants to your dining bucket list!