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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Southwest Waterfront

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185 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Makers Union - The Wharf restaurant
1. Makers Union - The Wharf
3.7
Very Good(240)
Price: Expensive
• American • Southwest Waterfront
Booked 19 times today
Makers Union is a neighborhood gem in the Southwest Waterfront area. It has been praised for its excellent service, top-notch food, and great atmosphere. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes and also has live music on certain nights. Many customers have expressed their intention to return, highlighting the overall dining experience.
A photo of Old Ebbitt Grill restaurant
2. Old Ebbitt Grill
4.8
Exceptional(29708)
Price: Moderate
• American • Downtown
Booked 281 times today
Founded in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington, DC's oldest saloon and a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. Situated in the heart of the city, just steps from The White House, this historic landmark offers a timeless blend of classic American cuisine and unparalleled hospitality. Old Ebbitt Grill promises a memorable visit filled with a warm ambiance and a seasonal menu spanning from freshly shucked oysters to house-made pastas and perfectly prepared steaks & chops. From the Rooftop Terrace to the Atrium or Cabinet Room, Ebbitt's private dining spaces are ideal for celebrations ranging from small and intimate to grand and stylish.
A photo of Filomena Ristorante restaurant
3. Filomena Ristorante
4.8
Exceptional(17166)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Georgetown
Booked 179 times today
Filomena Now over 40 Years and counting!Filomena is a Washington DC landmark restaurant now with over 40 years of serving some of the finest Italian food you can enjoy. Our Pasta is fresh made by hand just like it was done for centuries in Italy. Our bakery is in-house, and we make over 20 different desserts to choose from. During Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas you can experience some of the most incredible decorations you can find! Four decades of making not just a great dining experience but a memorable one. Filomena has recently introduced a full line of homemade pasta, sauces, desserts that can be shipped nationwide too!
A photo of The Hamilton restaurant
4. The Hamilton
4.7
Exceptional(11841)
Price: Moderate
• American • Downtown
Booked 168 times today
The Hamilton, located in downtown Washington, DC, is a vibrant restaurant known for its diverse American cuisine and lively atmosphere. Showcasing an expansive menu that includes fresh seafood, savory steaks, and inventive sushi, it caters to a wide range of tastes. The Hamilton also features an impressive bar with handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. With its spacious dining areas and a music venue hosting live music performances, The Hamilton offers a unique dining experience that blends culinary excellence with entertainment. Across the street from the Treasury building, the W Hotel, and the Willard Hotel.
A photo of Zaytinya - DC restaurant
5. Zaytinya - DC
4.7
Exceptional(19390)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter
Booked 324 times today
Under the direction of celebrated chef José Andrés and concept chef Michael Costa, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on Jose’s deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington, DC.
A photo of Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom restaurant
6. Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom
4.5
Awesome(34461)
Price: Moderate
• American • Foggy Bottom
Booked 348 times today
Our award-winning Founding Farmers DC flagship restaurant opened in 2008 just three blocks west of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Open 365 days a year, our team is passionate about crafting dishes and drinks from scratch with high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know and trust. Join us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, weekday happy hour, and a la carte weekend brunch. Majority owned by American family farmers, including the more than 50,000 farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, our restaurant is guided by a very simple principal: we see and share everything Through The Eyes Of The Farmer.™ We actively care about our guests, our communities, the planet, and the next generation. This all comes together in our everyday neighborhood restaurant.
A photo of The Dabney restaurant
7. The Dabney
4.7
Exceptional(265)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Shaw
Booked 13 times today
Located in historic Blagden Alley in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood since 2015, The Dabney continues to pay tribute to the wonderful farmers, watermen, and purveyors of the mid-Atlantic region whom provide some of the best and most unique products in the country. We celebrate these ingredients by preparing them in a large wood burning hearth which is the centerpiece of our open kitchen. The current dining room experience is an 8-course tasting menu honoring the Mid-Atlantic's bounty. We offer an additional 3-course experience at our bar and bar area tables. Walk-in guests are welcome to enjoy the bar area as well.The Dabney has been awarded one Michelin star every year since 2017, James Beard Foundation Best Chef Mid-Atlantic for Chef Jeremiah Langhorne in 2018, and Washingtonian Magazine's #1 restaurant in 2023. At this time we are unable to accommodate severe allium and dairy allergies as well as vegan and vegetarian diets.
A photo of The Park at 14th restaurant
8. The Park at 14th
4.7
Exceptional(2917)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 110 times today
The Park at 14th is a restaurant, lounge, and event venue on four floors overlooking Franklin Square in Downtown D.C. Offering a sense of timeless elegance, beautiful views, and a warm and welcoming interior, The Park at 14th is the perfect place dining, socializing, and hosting your next event. We invite you to join us. For reservations over 10 people, please TEXT (202) 550-0300
A photo of Succotash PRIME restaurant
9. Succotash PRIME
4.6
Exceptional(3923)
Price: Moderate
• American • Penn Quarter
Booked 109 times today
Succotash PRIME is a progressive perspective of classic Southern favorites. James Beard Award winner Edward Lee brings his Korean roots and Southern repertoire to a soulful Southern Steakhouse menu.SUCCOTASH is named after the classic dish that has been a longstanding staple of the Southern table. While many know “Succotash” when they see it, the dish has been interpreted, modified, and passed from generation to generation for centuries. Our “Succotash” is special to us and we invite you to experience the South from our point of view.
A photo of The Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C restaurant
10. The Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C
4.5
Awesome(3798)
Price: Expensive
• American • Penn Quarter
Booked 173 times today
The Smith in Penn Quarter is a neighborhood gem because of its stellar food and service. Patrons rave about the unique decor, delicious food, and friendly service. It's a popular spot for date nights, drinks on the town, and working lunches. Plus, their signature cocktails are a hit! One reviewer even called it a 'gem in DC'.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • CherieVIP
    Phoenix / Arizona •19 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Impeccable! Cannot wait to go again to try some more of the menu. We had baba ghannouge, fries with labneh, smoked beet salad, mujadara, imam bayildi, garides me anitho, lamb baharat and lamb kelftiko. Every single dish had a perfectly- balanced complexity of flavors that made want to sing. The food has inspired me to attempt some of these dishes at home.
    More info
    Zaytinya - DCPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Penn Quarter
    •
    4.7
  • Cynthia
    Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Christmas Eve dinner at OEG is a 24-year tradition for my daughter and me. As always, the food was awesome. My daughter and I were quite surprised and disappointed by the lackluster greeting and overall experience when we walked in. The word "dismissive" comes to mind. Because our previous experiences were fabulous, I will look at this visit as a "one-off" one. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025!!!
    More info
    Old Ebbitt GrillPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
    •
    4.8
  • Cara
    New York City •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Great atmosphere and delicious food! Almost canceled our 9:30 pm reservation but so glad we didn’t. The place was packed but the service was efficient. We had both kinds of gnocchi, vegetable frites, Caesar salad and fusilli with three kinds of meat- it was all excellent!
    More info
    Filomena RistorantePrice: Expensive• Italian• Georgetown
    •
    4.8
  • C.VIP
    Las Vegas •109 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    We were greeted with a big smile at the front stand and promptly seated. This vibrant spot featured fresh, well-prepared sushi and an array of American and Italian selections. Every dish we selected was excellent. Though the place was packed and the noise level was predictably high, I had requested a quiet table when reserving and we were seated in a private booth complete with a door and coat hooks - the closest thing to our own dining room. The star of the evening was was our server Brian S. He was cheerful, informative, professional, welcoming, and everything one wants to insure a good experience when dining out. Kudos to The Hamilton - everyone got everything right!
    More info
    The HamiltonPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
    •
    4.7
  • DeniseVIP
    Washington, D.C. Area •82 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on Dec 19, 2024
    First time at this location and welcomed by our server Sharee. She was awesome. My favorite lunch dish at Makers Union is the kale Ceasar but was disappointing. The salad was soggy and the chicken tasted processed. I am writing it off as a bad day and will return. My colleague loved her chix sandwich.
    More info
    Makers Union - The WharfPrice: Expensive• American• Southwest Waterfront
    •
    3.7

Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in Southwest Waterfront

Discover the hidden culinary treasures of the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, D.C., an area renowned for its charming "neighborhood gem" restaurants. Nestled in this vibrant district, each dining spot offers a unique blend of ambiance and exquisite cuisines that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. From intimate settings ideal for a cozy dinner to lively venues perfect for a group gathering, the Southwest Waterfront ensures a memorable dining experience for every occasion. These restaurants are celebrated for their commitment to quality service, innovative menus, and the ability to provide a truly local dining experience. Patrons can expect to enjoy everything from expertly prepared meals to picturesque views of the waterfront, making each visit special. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, the dining scene in the Southwest Waterfront area is a must-explore, consistently praised for its eclectic mix and welcoming atmosphere. Perfect for those seeking a dining experience that combines both charm and culinary delight, this neighborhood is a definite go-to for food lovers.

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