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Outdoor dining in Washington, D.C. Area
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- MMichaelVIPWashington, D.C. Area •39 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoWe went to Mallard's for Valentine's Day weekend. We had seen a great article about it in the Washington Post. It was our first time there and we enjoyed it! The food was great, even though they had a curated set of options for the holiday. We enjoyed what we had, especially the waygu beef entree, and we look forward to exploring the broader dinner menu which looked spectacular. The service was exceptional and our server was attentive, personable, and insightful. Well done, Mallard. We look forward to our next visit!More infoMallardPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Southern• Logan Circle•4.8
- CClarenceVIPGreater Boston •3 reviews4.0Dined 2 days agoGood ambiance and decor. A little noisy and not quite intimate. Food was excellent. Price as expected. Server was attentive. Food came out relatively quick.More infoVia Sophia Washington DCPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown•4.3
- LLeslieChicago / Illinois •1 review5.0Dined 2 days agoI came in from Chicago to visit my daughter. I took her and her roommate to dinner. It was last minute so many places were booked and we found Japanese opened up. And it was the most delicious food. The service was amazing. And the atmosphere was super charming. A great area to go out tooMore infoBar JaponaisPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Logan Circle•4.4
- VVonWashington, D.C. Area •7 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoThis was my second visit, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first! The food was excellent, and the service was top-notch. The consistency in quality and hospitality makes this place stand out. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great dining experience!”More infoThe Continent DCPrice: Very Expensive• African• Downtown•4.2
- WWilliamWashington, D.C. Area •6 reviews5.0Dined on Feb 4, 2025My goodness, the roux--it is perfect, making the gumbo the best I've had outside of NOLA and H-town in years. That alone made the meal. Also loved the hush puppies (who knew). For my main the pork tender was perfectly cooked and beautifully matched with mustard cream. My friend had the short rib, which I tried and loved. The only misfire was the strawberry shortcake, which was too sweet, breading too dense, and only one strawberry. My friend's bread pudding was superb. The service was excellent, water refilled consistently, food arrived at a nice pace. Kudos to Dauphine's, I'll be back with a cajun spring in my step. Thank you!More infoDauphine’sPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown•4.6
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12 romantic restaurants ideal for date night in Washington, DC
Washington, DC, gives off the vibe that it’s 24/7 politics, but its date-night worthy restaurants all point to romance. A chilled-out winery with Anacostia River views is a first-date favorite. The wisteria-clad patio at a Mediterranean restaurant in Dupont Circle was made for intimate nights out. Korean and Southern flavors couple up at an anniversary hotspot in Penn Quarter. This guide pairs DC restaurants with romantic occasions from first dates all the way to milestone anniversaries. These are Washington, DC’s 12 best date-night restaurants.
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An epic night out in the country’s capital can mean dining where the Beltway bigwigs do—but it doesn’t have to. Washington, DC’s signature diversity trickles down to its special occasion spots, too. These restaurants in and around the District have what it takes to uplevel any occasion—even if it’s just a midweek dinner. Read on for a guide to the 10 best special occasion spots in Washington, DC, right now.
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Washington, D.C.’s Finest Bars: Where to Drink in the District
With over 170 nations represented in just 68 square miles, the District serves as a captivating destination for diners looking to sample flavors from across the globe—drinks included. As the city’s culinary scene thrives and expands, choosing where to grab a drink has never been so much fun. From unmarked doors that lead to stylish, subterranean social clubs to rooftop lounges with specialty cocktails and unmatched monument views, here are some of Washington, D.C.’s best bars.
Discover District of Columbia
The District of Columbia is a place where eating out can be an adventure. Caribbean, Italian, and Pakistani cuisine can be found in the area. You can also dine on classic American fare, seafood, and barbecue. Try the Jamaican spice-rubbed pork tenderloin or the steak churrasco for a taste of the Caribbean. If you plan to eat Italian cuisine, sample the gamberi, cannelloni, or the pollo parmigiano. The District of Columbia’s Pakistani fare is traditional with dishes like Punjabi boti chicken tikka, goat dum biryani, or the butter chicken. For breakfast, you might like steel cut oats, organic cottage cheese and fresh fruit, or French toast and beef hash. This is a destination where the food is almost as good as the sights.
Dining around Washington DC Hot Spots
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Frequently asked questions
Celebrate special occasion at the best restaurants in Washington DC. Our customers recommend Filomena Ristorante, Old Ebbitt Grill and Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC
As of Feb 17, 2025 there are 498 restaurants in Washington DC. Filter by “outdoor dining”, “romantic” or “dog friendly”.
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