Best Restaurants for People Watching in Brookland / Brentwood

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Adams MorganArlingtonBethesdaDowntownDupont CircleFoggy Bottom

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

31 restaurants available nearby

1. matchbox Bethesda

4.2

Awesome(203)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Bethesda

Booked 8 times today

We’re known for wood-fired pizzas, mini burgers, fresh salads and chef-inspired entrées, like pan-seared sea bass and oven-roasted filet mignon. It’s American bistro fare, crafted from high quality ingredients with a chef at the helm in every kitchen.Matchbox draws in passersby with oversized windows lining the sidewalk and a front-row view of the blazing pizza oven. Once indoors, the vibe remains warm and residential, as though guests are being welcomed into the Matchbox home. The design achieves this effect through elements like draperies to soften some of the more industrial edges and add texture, open shelving and wine displays, light gray wood wainscotting, and hardwood flooring throughout to lend natural warmth. Hand-painted murals from local artists add further context to the neighborhood, and bring in a touch of personality as well.Outdoor seating on patios along both Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street offer plentiful people-watching in warmer months.

2. Floriana

4.7

Exceptional(3875)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Dupont Circle

Booked 16 times today

Floriana offers authentic Italian recipes with handmade pastas in the most comfortable of environments. Located in DC's Dupont Circle neighborhood, in a historic brick stone row house that has been converted into a cozy restaurant, but hasn't given up the feel of coming over to someones home for dinner. Offering a seasonal menu of fresh and local ingredients Floriana has developed a reputation for consistent, high quality, authentic, feel good dishes at a great value. Our pledge of superior service is matched only by our ability to make every guest feel welcome and comfortable when joining us for a DC dining experience.We pay special attention to every guest that chooses Floriana.

3. La Tomate

4.8

Exceptional(1413)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Dupont Circle

Booked 27 times today

Since 1987, La Tomate has been Dupont Circle's neighborhood bistro, featuring affordable regional Italian cuisine in a warm ambiance. A window-clad bar and dining room offer charming avenue views onto Connecticut avenue. Enjoy an extended season of “al fresco” dining on our lush outdoor patio. We are committed to providing quality service and excellent food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. We invite you to join us for breakfast a casual lunch, happy hour, dinner, weekend brunch or group events.

A photo of LiLLiES Italian Restaurant & Bar restaurant

4. LiLLiES Italian Restaurant & Bar

4.3

Awesome(549)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Woodley Park

Just steps from the Smithsonian National Zoo, Marriott Wardman-Park and Omni Shoreham, LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar is a family-owned restaurant which serves a mix of traditional Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with a contemporary edge. When the weather is warm, diners can relax around mosaic tables on the terrace patio. On cooler days, the hardwood floors, candlelight and exposed brick inside make for a snug retreat. Brunch is served on both Saturdays and Sundays, and offers options for health-conscious patrons, such as a Greek yogurt parfait, and for those looking to indulge—say, in the Nutella-smothered French toast.

5. Meze Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(741)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Turkish • Adams Morgan

Booked 1 time today

we have 2 patio up to 60 people sit ..Saturday & Sunday all you can eat &drink brunch. $49 per person .everyday tapas vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free,Halal. menu.full bar, 16 different mojito .Mediterranean bounty, beauty and modernity. All around the Eastern We will Mediterranean, “meze” (pronounced “MEH-zay”) are small dishes designed to complement a beverage, tease the tastebuds, and encourage diners to linger around the table for good companionship and conversation. On behalf of the owners and staff at Meze, we extend our heartfelt welcome and encourage you to eat, drink, and relax in the Turkish way of having a good time and enjoying life. Private room. Semi private room. If you group bigger than 10 people call the restaurant we can help large groups up to 50 people , patio or indoor

A photo of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC restaurant

6. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC

4.8

Exceptional(10196)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 184 times today

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is the culmination of a partnership between Lettuce Entertain You and Joe's Stone Crab, the legendary seafood restaurant of Miami Beach. Joe's features an extensive selection of seafood, flown in fresh daily, to complement the world's finest Florida Stone Crab claws. Joe's also features signature Prime steaks, hand-carved by master butchers, such as the 24 oz. Bone-In Rib Eye or Bone-in Filet Mignon. Matched with Joe's famous side dishes, dinner only gets better when capped with a slice of key lime pie.

7. Dauphine’s

4.6

Exceptional(1431)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 20 times today

Dauphine’s is a modern day incarnation of the dramatic Grande Dame establishments of New Orleans, brought to you by the award winning Long Shot Hospitality - the team behind DC's beloved The Salt Line Restaurants. Dauphine’s utilizes Mid-Atlantic ingredients to prepare classic New Orleans fare while also creating original dishes inspired by the legendary city. All brought to you in a breathtaking spacious downtown restaurant setting with the most beautiful bar in downtown DC, plenty of patio dining, and a festive outdoor bar and garden area. Located in the Midtown Center, Dauphine's is just steps from the White House, National Theater, Convention Center, Cap One Arena and most downtown attractions and provides an elegant yet relaxed dining atmosphere for any occasion. Dauphine’s serves Dinner seven nights a week and Brunch on weekends, with Happy Hour every day 4pm-7pm and an ALL DAY Happy Hour on Sundays - plus don't miss our signature Sunday Live Jazz Brunch! We hope to see you soon!

A photo of The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC restaurant

8. The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC

4.7

Exceptional(1112)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Spanish • Penn Quarter

Booked 81 times today

Set in the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, The Bazaar is the culmination of a 30-year dream for Chef José Andrés. Drawing inspiration from this iconic location, which first opened in 1899 and served as DC’s General Post Office until 1914, The Bazaar is a multi-level destination reinvented with avant-garde and Americana-inspired decor.

A photo of The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea restaurant

9. The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea

4.3

Awesome(345)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Afternoon Tea • Downtown

Booked 5 times today

Luxuriate in the hotel’s grand lobby lounge for one of our most cherished afternoon traditions. Enjoy the finest selection of teas from Dammann Frères, exquisite tea sandwiches, delicious sweets, and homemade scones. Feel free to lavish your experience with our selective optional Champagne pairings. $109,00 per person, excluding tax & gratuity. Available Thursday - Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:45pm.

A photo of CIRCA at Clarendon restaurant

10. CIRCA at Clarendon

4.7

Exceptional(1470)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Arlington

Booked 22 times today

All of our CIRCA restaurants are neighborhood bistros serving delicious food and drinks. Each CIRCA is warm, inviting, and offers an energized social scene.Whether dropping in for brunch, lunch, dinner — every meal is accompanied by an extensive wine list, including over 20 wine offerings by the glass and a seasonal cocktail list. Our patios are located on the best city corners for a vibrant dining experience. Join us and dine well!Our Dining Room and Patio are Open!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Anny
Washington, D.C. Area •73 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Really appreciate the professional servers who took good care of us without extra unnecessary chatter. Keeping an eye on the diners and dishes through the night and quietly doing their work while we visited over great dishes. And not too loud for talking as in so many restaurants and no loud annoying music in the background. Thank you.
More info
La TomatePrice: Expensive• Italian• Dupont Circle
•
4.8
S
Sanford
Central Kentucky •16 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 17, 2025
Excellent experience hosting a dinner for 15 in their private room. The food, drinks and service were top notch. Our entire group left 100% happy. Thank you!
More info
LiLLiES Italian Restaurant & BarPrice: Moderate• Italian• Woodley Park
•
4.3
L
Larry
Washington, D.C. Area •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 17, 2025
Brought a new colleague to dinner tonight -- superb evening. We ordered different selections, but both agreed food came out outstanding. Incredible experience. Food came out hot. Server Maria was friendly yet professional -- she really helped us through the menu.
More info
FlorianaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Dupont Circle
•
4.7
S
Stephen
New York City •2 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 15, 2025
The host staff was excellent, both friendly and personable. The food was very good. We had to wait a little bit at first because it was busy but once waiter came, the food service was fast and steady. Would recommend.
More info
matchbox BethesdaPrice: Moderate• Pizzeria• Bethesda
•
4.2
L
Lisa
Baltimore / Maryland •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on Oct 18, 2024
One of our favorite places to eat when in DC! Great food and super friendly and attentive staff.
More info
Meze RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Turkish• Adams Morgan
•
4.8

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