Best Restaurants for People Watching in Foggy Bottom

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaDowntownDupont Circle

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

36 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Chef Geoff's West End restaurant

1. Chef Geoff's West End

4.5

Awesome(1644)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • West End

Booked 42 times today

A vibrant, modernized iteration of the original Chef Geoff’s offering seasonal dishes full of flavor. You will feel welcome here for any occasion large or small. Our made from scratch menu offers something for everyone. From pizza, salads and burgers to our more elaborate main dishes, one thing is for certain, we don’t skimp on flavor! Our bar covers all ends of the spectrum from our famous Supermugs (giant beers) to our handcrafted cocktails. Enjoy our open air dining, people watching on the patio or or our beautifully designed dining room!

2. Rewind

3.9

Excellent(276)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Dupont Circle

Booked 7 times today

Rewind by Decades is a premium dining destination highlighting the finest in timeless, comfortable, and forever beloved cuisine, beverages, and entertainment.

3. Dauphine’s

4.6

Exceptional(1432)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 24 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 Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC restaurant

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

4.8

Exceptional(10240)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 169 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.

A photo of The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea restaurant

5. The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea

4.3

Awesome(346)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Afternoon Tea • Downtown

Booked 18 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 The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC restaurant

6. The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC

4.7

Exceptional(1132)

$$$$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.

7. Georgia Brown's

4.3

Awesome(8846)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Low Country • Downtown

Booked 62 times today

Come and experience our lively interpretation of South Carolina Low-Country cuisine. Enjoy good southern food, servers who bubble over with hospitality, and a dining room that is truly distinctive. With its golden woods and bronze sculptures that crawl across the ceiling, designer Adam Tihany has created an atmosphere to awaken your senses. What better place to enjoy low country cuisine than in this contemporary environment celebrating the south. Offering the flavor of the South - the Soul of Washington; where we will be sure to leave a light burning in the window for you, our guests.22% service charge is included on every check. 18% is distributed directly to service workers on top of their base wages, and the remaining 4% is used to help pay for all staff costs due to the District of Columbia's Initiative 82. You may choose to leave an additional tip!https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaBrownsRestaurant/https://www.instagram.com/georgiabrowns_dc/http://gbrowns.com/

A photo of Peacock Alley - Waldorf Astoria DC restaurant

8. Peacock Alley - Waldorf Astoria DC

4.6

Exceptional(21)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Washington

Booked 53 times today

A signature in Waldorf Astoria hotels across the globe, Peacock Alley remains the place “to see and be seen” just as it was all those years ago for Manhattan’s high society. Set in the soaring grand atrium, Peacock Alley offers an eclectic menu of refined cuisine, innovative cocktails, and an impeccable wine selection.

9. Peacock Café

4.8

Exceptional(2008)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Georgetown

Booked 41 times today

Maziar Farivar, Chef/Proprietor serves contemporary American cuisine with flavors of around the world in an elegant, comfortable & cosmopolitan setting. Celebrating over 28 year Anniversary in Georgetown, Peacock Cafe is a dining experience not to be missed when in Georgetown. In addition to our wonderful lunch menu, we do offer a selection of our popular breakfast items as well on weekdays (11am-4pm). Chef Maziar, on dinner menu offers a greater variety of small plates and entrees from contemporary American to small selection of Contemporary Iranian (Persian) dishes. Enjoy a comprehensive wine list from boutique wineries to large labels and fabulous signature cocktails from the bar to compliment your dining experience.

10. Floriana

4.7

Exceptional(3881)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Dupont Circle

Booked 25 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Diana
1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Friendly and personable waitstaff elevated our dining experience. As a former Southern Californian I had to go with the fish tacos. I was not disappointed, large portioned and tasty. My son added the focaccia bread to his chicken parm and the bread was the highlight of the meal. I highly recommend this casual yet elegant eatery.
More info
Chef Geoff's West EndPrice: Moderate• American• West End
•
4.5
E
Eric
Dallas - Fort Worth •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Awesome food, great service ( Meaghan)!!!!! Everything from cocktails to desserts was top notch! Would highly recommend!
More info
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DCPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
•
4.8
C
Catherine
Washington, D.C. Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 23, 2025
Wonderful afternoon tea! Great food and service and lovely atmosphere.
More info
The St Regis DC - Afternoon teaPrice: Very Expensive• Afternoon Tea• Downtown
•
4.3
K
Kelli
Orlando / Central Florida East •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 20, 2025
Jean-Paul was a wonderful server! Even got my boyfriend a birthday dessert & candle for him.
More info
Dauphine’sPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 8, 2025
The server was amazing very tentative and the food was good….i think there was speed dating happening during my dinner so the vibe was a lot however I enjoyed my time
More info
RewindPrice: Moderate• American• Dupont Circle
•
3.9

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