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Getting ready for DC Restaurant week? These are my 30 faves for the DC Restaurant Week 2023 summer edition. DC is a transient area as people come and go, and restaurants come and go just as easily. But some (most on this list) have withstood the test of time, and one or two are 2020ish newcomers that are on that trajectory. 🎉
I know these restaurants and areas intimately, living-working in the DC metro area for decades after growing up there and working in hotel & restaurant events management, and enjoying brunch meetups. So yeah, I consider myself a foodie and a distant local no matter where I am in the world. ❤️
… And, If you’re a sushi or pizza lover, you’ll love this list (…plus, you and I will get along very well! 😁)! Raw and baked are high on my list. And for 2023 DC Restaurant Week they’re serving a $25 brunch/lunch and $40/$55 fixed dinner price menu.
Some of these restaurants you will find on my 2019 DC Restaurant Week List which is a good sign. While prices have gone up some 😏 , the Restaurant Week prices are still price fixed so you know what you’re getting yourself into if you’re on a budget (and easy to calculate if you’re with a group. And some of the Restaurant Week picks are on my group brunch picks).
1789 – They are owned by the same Clyde’s Restaurant Group who own Clyde’s, Old Ebbitt Grill, and The Tombs. From time to time they have cooking classes and they are the creme de la creme of restaurants.
2941 – out in a tranquil setting in Fairview Park outside of the bustling Tysons Corner area, this is a fine-dining restaurant for a special occasion. …Maybe consider Restaurant Week to test out?
Al Dente – was founded and once owned by Chef Roberto Donna. This casual restaurant is in the ritzy Palisades area (where the Clintons once had a home) is not far from Georgetown.
Bastille – near Old Town Alexandria, this Parker-Gray neighborhood restaurant is one you’ll enjoy if you want to get off the busy and touristy King Street, but still have the high-end historic town vibes.
Birch & Barley – owned by the Neighborhood Restaurant Group who also own Rustico, Evening Star, Vermillion, and Bluejacket on this list to name a few. You can’t go far and not run into one of their restaurants.
Black Salt – serves find-dining seafood in the Palisades (…scallops and black squid ink come to mind 💭… maybe that’s all you needed to hear).
Bluejacket – this is comfort food near Nats Stadium in Navy Yards. Working in the biz, we took a tour of the metal beer barrel production.
Cafe Milano – this was the see-and-be-seen restaurant in Georgetown before others flocked to the Italian foodie scene. My fave is Fiola, but they are not on the 2023 Restaurant Week menu 🫤 But there are many other Penn Quarter restaurant choices on this list 🍽️
Chart House – on the Alexandria waterfront, and is a local treasure. You can’t miss the restaurant that looks like a beach restaurant.
China Chilcano – read about this restaurant as Jose Andres’ latest restaurant adventure (future foods) at ThinkFood Group.
Earls – sushi alert! Let the food board speak for itself… 🍱
Evening Star Cafe – in DelRay (in between Alexandria and Arlington) off the main street. DelRay is a 50s neighborhood with old-fashioned porches, and is dotted and lined with restaurants along Mount Vernon Ave. (DelRay’s King Street). And a few are on this DC Restaurant Week list.
Farmers Fishers Bakers (Georgetown) – this is a popular farm table restaurant that’s one of the newer additions to the Georgetown waterfront (The Washington Harbour). They’re owned by the Founding Farmers Group.
Founding Farmers – are restaurants that bring in seasonal menus in a modern setting. Like Neighborhood Restaurant Group, ThinkFood Group, and Clyde’s Restaurant Group, the Founding Farmers Group’s restaurant concepts are all over the DC metro area serving sensible modern American eats. In other words, you don’t have to travel far to find another one under their umbrella.
Hen Quarter – southern fare comfort food with an upstairs and downstairs in Old Town Alexandria. Maybe a great brunch meeting place? You can’t miss the red corner as a great directional detail that makes it easy to point out.
Kaz Sushi Bistro – creative sushi and Bento boxes and has been around before Y2K. You can find the more traditional rolls and some artistry touches.
Matchbox – upscale pizza chain you can find in DC, MD, and VA including Penn Quarter, Rockville, and Mosaic District (the new shopping center in Merrifield near Fairfax). This is a good meeting place as you can’t go wrong.
Officina – in the newest hangout area of the DC Waterfront with amazing water views. It’s the coolest restaurant, good for a date. 😘 More on this waterfront Wharf District below.
Oceanaire – …Baked Alaska lit at the table comes to mind, but that’s my sweet tooth talking. This is one of the older, established seafood restaurants around. You can find this in DC near 14th Street (another revival area) and Baltimore in the new Harbor East section (by The Four Seasons and Under Armour if you need a compass 🧭). Baltimore is growing beyond the Inner Harbor.
Oyamel – Jose Andres’ colorful restaurant that serves tasty bits (tapas-style_ and dishes, and a great mole (mo-lay) if you’re into that! Nothing is served brown on the plate, it’s always brightened with natural food colors like pickled purple onions and yellow edible flowers that match the restaurant vibes.
Passion Fish – sushi, oh my! One of my fave as a modern concept in the 90s built Reston Town Center.
Ris – if you’re near Dupont Circle, Ris is owned by the local chef who made a Washingtonian magazine debut back when 1789 was getting its name.
Rustico – rustic pizza wood-fired and a great neighborhood place for beer lovers! And Neighborhood Restaurant Group fans.
Sequoia – Georgetown waterfront is a longstanding restaurant on The Washington Harbour that’s as popular today as in the 80s and 90s.
Tony & Joe’s – has outdoor seating with branded patio umbrellas that have been there forever… a great stop for visitors to get a feel of The Washington Harbour
The Melting Pot – what about fondue when you want a fun day!? This is an area chain restaurant that can be hours of entertainment, whether you choose cheese or chocolate… and fondue cook your own meat at the table (tip: bring a cook or someone who’s good at keepin’ minutes ⏲️).
The Wine Kitchen – in Leesburg (Northern Virginia), it’s a quaint Italian restaurant that’ll make you forget you’re in a major metro city.
Unconventional Diner – near the DC Convention Center, and is probably one of the newest comers… and comes with unconventional presentation stacks where southern eat meets modern diner… would love to know whatcha think!
Vermillion – King Street Old Town Alexandria – is a fan favorite and has been closed for a few years, and is now back open!
Zatinya – Penn Quarter Greek-Mediterranean known for serving lamb dishes and mezza. It’s one of Chef Jose Andres’ near the Portrait Gallery (one of the free Smithsonian museums to checkout!).
And if you’re needing a place to stay, an area that has transformed from a smelly fish market where the boats docked and you could see the moving waters below, is now the swanky Wharf District that has become high-end boutique restaurants, shops, and hotels. There’s even a Milk store, in case you’re into cereal desserts like I am. I like the birthday truffles 🎉 and yuzu parfaits.
A new boutique hotel has joined this newest revival district. And if you’re coming for a convention and want to make this bleisure (business and travel), then these are convenient convention-friendly hotels you can consider.
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