When it comes to finding Washington DC waterfront restaurants, there are so many great places to choose from. Whether you are looking for an upscale restaurant or casual dining, there are many restaurants on the water in DC to enjoy.
Here are the best waterfront dining options in Washington DC organized by neighborhood.
Waterfront Dining DC In Navy Yard & Southeast DC
The Navy Yard neighborhood in DC is a very popular neighborhood in Washington DC for young professionals. There are ample apartments and condos and plenty of restaurants to keep you occupied.
Southeast DC is also slowly growing and there are many restaurants coming to this area as well. Here are the best waterfront restaurants in Washington DC’s Navy Yard.
Osteria Morini
Osteria Morini is an Italian restaurant in the Navy Yard area, serving traditional dishes like pasta and risotto. This restaurant has a large dining room, beautiful bar as well as spacious patio that you can sit at. It’s a great restaurant for accommodating large groups. Osteria Morini also has happy hour Monday to Friday with food and drink specials.
The welcoming atmosphere and waterfront location make it a popular spot for both lunch and dinner. It’s one of the best ways to experience the Anacostia River while enjoying a meal.
District Winery
District Winery is another spacious and expansive restaurant in Navy Yard. This restaurant is also a popular venue for weddings and other milestone events.
There are many private rooms you can book for an event. For a massive celebration like a wedding, you can even rent out the entire of the restaurant.
It is a unique place where you can enjoy a meal and taste locally made wines. The menu includes a variety of dishes that pair well with their wines. The winery also offers tours, tastings, and a weekday happy hour making it a top waterfront destination in Navy Yard.
The Salt Line Navy Yard
The Salt Line is a seafood restaurant known for its fresh oysters and clam chowder. They also have a great selection of craft beers. The outdoor seating area offers beautiful views of the Anacostia River, perfect for a sunny day.
All Purpose Riverfront
The restaurant group behind All Purpose has several spots in the city as well as in nearby Bethesda. The waterfront location for All Purpose Pizzeria has a mix of Italian and American dishes, and it is especially known for their wood-fired pizzas. The outdoor patio is a great place to relax and enjoy river views. It’s a casual place with a warm atmosphere that is great for dining with large parties.
Dacha Beer Garden Navy Yard
Dacha Beer Garden is a fun and lively spot in the Navy Yard area, offering a variety of beers on tap and a menu of German-inspired dishes. The beer garden is a popular place to hang out with friends and enjoy waterfront dining.
Solace Outpost
Just a quick walk from Nationals Park and adjacent to Dacha, is Solace Outpost. This casual establishment is great for large groups who want to be outdoors.
Rooftop At Thompson Hotel
The Thompson Hotel is one of the best hotels in the Navy Yard area. In addition to their ground floor restaurant, this hotel has a lively rooftop lounge.
The Rooftop at Thompson Hotel has stunning views of the city and the river. While they don’t have a full dinner menu here, you can enjoy a variety of small plates and craft cocktails. It’s a great place to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset. Not only is it great for water views, but in general, it is one of the best rooftop bars in Washington DC.
Washington DC Waterfront Restaurants: In The DC Wharf
The Washington DC Wharf has by far the most options when it comes to waterfront dining in Washington DC. This area of DC has seen enormous commercial growth over the last decade.
There seems to be new restaurants popping up in the Wharf every few months. You can enjoy the public piers, Arena Stage, live music, and of course good food.
Let’s dive into the best waterfront dining options in the DC Wharf area.
La Vie
La Vie is a very expansive as well as fancy waterfront restaurant at the DC Wharf. It is known for its Mediterranean-inspired menu and lively atmosphere for weekend dinners and brunch service.
The restaurant has a range of dishes from fresh seafood to great pastas you can try. With stunning waterfront views, La Vie is the perfect place for a special dinner or a special event. The elegant dining room and outdoor patio can all be rented privately if you want to host a private event with some flair.
Officina
Officina is an Italian restaurant with a market downstairs and a rooftop bar upstairs. The menu here has an extensive wine list, homemade pasta, wood-fired meats, as well as fresh seafood. The rooftop bar offers beautiful views of the Potomac River, providing a great setting for date night or happy hour.
It is the perfect setting for anyone who wants to indulge in authentic Italian flavors and beautiful views of the banks of the Potomac River.
Moonraker
Moonraker is a great sushi restaurant located on the top floor of the swanky Pendry Hotel. With only 35 seats indoors, be sure to get here early or make a reservation.
Luckily when the weather is warmer you can enjoy their expansive patio that has fantastic views of the Potomac River. Enjoy the great service alongside some tasty sushi by the fire pits. On some weekdays they offer sushi specials and drink specials.
Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen
This restaurant, owned by the famous chef Gordon Ramsay, brings a taste of his popular TV show to the DC Wharf. The menu includes signature dishes like Beef Wellington and sticky toffee pudding.
The waterfront location gives you beautiful views of the Potomac River and East Potomac Park. This lively restaurant makes it a top choice for those looking to experience a buzzy vibe with waterfront views.
Limani
Limani, which has several locations in the United States, is known for its Greek cuisine. This waterfront DC restaurant has a variety of fresh fish, grilled meats, and Greek salads.
The restaurant decor is elegant and the waterfront views make it a great place for a relaxing meal. They also offer a brunch menu if you want to enjoy the day time water views.
Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is a casual place at the DC Wharf. It is located right in front of the Intercontinental Hotel, which is a great place for families to stay when visiting DC.
This casual waterfront spot is perfect for grabbing a quick bite. They offer sandwiches, snacks, and a variety of drinks. It’s a great spot to hang out with friends and enjoy the waterfront atmosphere, especially during happy hour.
Rappahannock Oyster Bar
This oyster bar is a favorite for seafood lovers, serving fresh oysters, clams, and other local seafood dishes. The bar also offers a selection of local beers and wines. With an outdoor seating area, it’s an ideal place to enjoy light bites and waterfront dining.
Cantina Bambina
Cantina Bambina is a lively spot with a casual vibe. They offer tacos, nachos, and other Mexican-inspired dishes. The outdoor seating area is perfect for enjoying the waterfront views. It’s a fun place for the whole family, with delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere.
Boardwalk Bar & Restaurant
If you are looking for a kid-friendly casual restaurant in the DC Wharf, then Boardwalk is a good choice. Inside this waterfront restaurant and bar, there are arcade games to keep your kids busy. On the outside, there is an outdoor patio just a stone’s throw from the water.
This restaurant is intentionally designed to remind you of the Boardwalk in the Jersey Shore. The bar area is also very lively and happy hour here happens daily, even on Saturdays and Sundays. This restaurant is just down the street from the Pearl Street Warehouse and Union Stage.
Del Mar
Del Mar is part of the Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants group. This was one of the original wharf restaurants when the DC Wharf started to develop. This restaurant group is led by chef Fabio Trabocchi and includes several other establishments, such as Fiola, Fiola Mare, and Sfoglina.
In addition to waterfront views, Del Mar has some of the freshest seafood in Washington DC. Del Mar even has waterfront spaces you can rent privately for a special event.
The Grill
The Grill is an American restaurant at The Wharf in Washington, D.C. It is part of the same restaurant group as Mi Vida and Bistro Du Jour. It has a gin-centric cocktail menu as well as a wood-burning fire.
This modern restaurant has 210 seats as well as an outdoor patio. The design is polished Mid-century modern with chic Miami influences and rose gold accents, all with stunning waterfront views. The setting is intimate yet airy. An open kitchen displays a wood-fired Josper Basque Grill, giving guests a glimpse of the cooking process.
Easy Company
Easy Company is a wine bar and café that is centrally located in the Wharf area of Washington, D.C. The restaurant has a selection of wines, café foods, and charcuterie boards in a modern setting with waterfront views.
The venue has indoor and outdoor seating and hosts events as well as wine tastings. During the week, there is also a happy hour with both food and drink specials.
Tiki TNT
Tiki TNT is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to the DC Wharf. Although it is not a small restaurant, it’s one that is more frequented by locals rather than people visiting from out of town.
They have happy hour Monday to Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM. It includes some of their popular food items as well as their signature drinks like the Rum Mai Tai.
Camp Wharf At The Fire Pit
Complete your Washington DC waterfront dining experience with a visit to Camp Wharf. This pick up and go smore’s spot is located inside a vintage airstream trailer. It is perfect for families or really anyone who wants to just relax and enjoy dessert with water views.
Mi Vida DC Wharf
Mi Vida is a Mexican restaurant that has several locations in Washington DC, with the DC Wharf location being the first one. Mi Vida features a menu of traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist, including tacos, enchiladas, and ceviche, crafted by Chef Roberto Santibañez.
The restaurant has a lively and colorful atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating options. The outdoor patio provides a scenic waterfront dining experience. The interior design combines contemporary elements with traditional Mexican decor, creating a warm and inviting environment.
Philippe Chow Washington DC
Philippe Chow is an elegant Chinese restaurant with multiple locations throughout the United Staes, mainly in large cities. This is one of the few upscale Asian fine dining options in Washington DC.
Phillippe Chow DC has a long and elegant bar has a sleek and sultry design. If views are important to you, request a table by the window. This restaurant is set back a few meters from Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen which has more expansive water views.
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream is located right on the water in the DC Wharf. Swing by here for a small sweet snack when visiting the DC Wharf.
Municipal Fish Market At The Wharf
The Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf in DC has a variety of fresh seafood, including crabs, shrimp, fish, and oysters. There are vendors here who sell prepared seafood dishes, such as crab cakes, fried fish, and steamed crabs. You can enjoy these along side sweeping views of the Potomac River.
This is a casual outdoor dining experience. There are seating areas throughout the DC Wharf where you can enjoy your food while taking in views of the waterfront. On a historical note, the Municipal Fish Market is one of the oldest continuously operating fish markets in the United States.
Washington DC Waterfront Restaurants: In Georgetown
There was a time when Georgetown was the only place you could enjoy an elegant waterfront meal. Washington DC has seen amazing growth in the neighborhoods mentioned above, and now there are plenty of options.
While Georgetown is lovely for its amazing coffee shops, cocktail bars, and shopping, this affluent neighborhood of DC has less waterfront dining options compared to some of the other parts of the nation’s capital. Here are the top waterfront restaurants in Georgetown DC.
Sequoia
Sequoia is a large restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer amazing views of the Potomac River. The menu features a variety of American dishes, including seafood, steaks, and salads. The outdoor seating area is perfect for a sunny day, making it a great place for Sunday brunch.
Sleek and comfy outdoor setup at Sequoia
Fiola Mare
Fiola Mare is one of the best DC waterfront restaurants. It is very well known for its high quality Italian seafood and its prime location on the Georgetown waterfront. This restaurant is very popular when it comes to graduation brunches and celebrating special occasions.
In addition to waterfront views, the restaurant has amazing service as well as top notch food choices. If you can come between Monday and Friday, they have a great weekday lunch special also.
If you want to enjoy the waterfront from the inside, you are in luck. Fiola Mare has floor-to-ceiling windows that provide panoramic views of the Potomac River.
Farmers Fishers And Bakers On The Georgetown Waterfront
Farmers Fishers Bakers restaurant has a diverse menu with something for everyone. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with options ranging from sushi to burgers. The large outdoor patio is a great place to enjoy the waterfront views. It also has one of the best happy hour deals in Georgetown.
Washington DC Waterfront Restaurants: Foggy Bottom
The Foggy Bottom area of DC has a couple of options when it comes to restaurants on the water.
Top Of The Gate
Top of the Gate is a rooftop bar and lounge located at the Watergate Hotel, which is one of the most historic hotels in Washington DC. The rooftop restaurant has stunning panoramic views of the Potomac River, the Washington Monument, and the Washington DC skyline.
This chic venue provides a sophisticated atmosphere with a menu featuring craft cocktails, small plates, and gourmet snacks. It is a great place for both social gatherings and romantic evenings.
Kennedy Center Restaurant
The Kennedy Center has a high end restaurant that has beautiful views of the Potomac River. The Roof Terrace Restaurant and Bar is an elegant dining experience with a diverse menu that includes contemporary American cuisine.
The restaurant’s location within the iconic performing arts center enhances the experience. It is a great place for a pre-show meal or a special occasion.
Washington DC Waterfront Restaurants: Summary
While you may want a city view now and then, there is nothing quite like the relaxing views from a waterfront restaurant. Whether it is fast-casual eateries at the District Wharf, California-inspired fare at Washington Harbour, or upscale dining in Georgetown, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding the best Washington DC waterfront restaurants.
When it comes to the best restaurants on the water in DC, the top of our list includse District Winery and Osteria Morini in Navy Yard as well as Moonraker, Oficina, and Hell’s Kitchen in the DC Wharf. If you are Georgetown, check out Fiola Mare which ahas ample outdoor seating by the water as well as an elegant dining room.
Whether you are craving seafood with a view, or some sushi, one of the best things about DC is that there is a lot of options when it comes to dining with waterfront views. And if all these options still aren’t enough for you, take the water taxi over to Old Town Alexandria which also has tons of waterfront dining.
