Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Washington, D.C. Area

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown

Price
Cuisine
Regions
Neighborhoods
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Award-winning
Accessibility

35 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Dauphine’s restaurant
1. Dauphine’s
4.6
Exceptional(1432)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 38 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
2. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC
4.8
Exceptional(10242)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 156 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 Georgia Brown's restaurant
3. Georgia Brown's
4.3
Awesome(8847)
Price: Expensive
• Low Country • Downtown
Booked 84 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 The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea restaurant
4. The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea
4.3
Awesome(346)
Price: Very Expensive
• Afternoon Tea • Downtown
Booked 13 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 Wild Days restaurant
5. Wild Days
4.1
Excellent(122)
Price: Moderate
• American • Mount Vernon
Booked 6 times today
OUR ROOFTOP BAR IS AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE THAT FEATURES DJ SESSIONS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES IN ADDITION TO TASTY COCKTAILS AND SNACKS.COME JOIN US FOR SOME SMORES BY OUR FIRE PIT OR ENJOY A SPECIALTY COCKTAIL OVERLOOKING ALL OF K STREET.
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 73 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 Peacock Alley - Waldorf Astoria DC restaurant
7. Peacock Alley - Waldorf Astoria DC
4.6
Exceptional(23)
Price: Expensive
• American • Washington
Booked 56 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.
A photo of Chef Geoff's West End restaurant
8. Chef Geoff's West End
4.5
Awesome(1644)
Price: Moderate
• American • West End
Booked 55 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!
A photo of Floriana restaurant
9. Floriana
4.7
Exceptional(3881)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Dupont Circle
Booked 33 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.
A photo of CIRCA at Clarendon restaurant
10. CIRCA at Clarendon
4.8
Exceptional(1474)
Price: Moderate
• American • Arlington
Booked 36 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
From verified diners like you

Explore OpenTable

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo