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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Bethesda

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35 restaurants available nearby

A photo of matchbox Bethesda restaurant
1. matchbox Bethesda
4.3
Awesome(193)
Price: Moderate
• Pizzeria • Bethesda
Booked 17 times today
We’re known for wood-fired pizzas, mini burgers, fresh salads and chef-inspired entrées, like pan-seared sea bass and oven-roasted filet mignon. It’s American bistro fare, crafted from high quality ingredients with a chef at the helm in every kitchen.Matchbox draws in passersby with oversized windows lining the sidewalk and a front-row view of the blazing pizza oven. Once indoors, the vibe remains warm and residential, as though guests are being welcomed into the Matchbox home. The design achieves this effect through elements like draperies to soften some of the more industrial edges and add texture, open shelving and wine displays, light gray wood wainscotting, and hardwood flooring throughout to lend natural warmth. Hand-painted murals from local artists add further context to the neighborhood, and bring in a touch of personality as well.Outdoor seating on patios along both Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street offer plentiful people-watching in warmer months.
A photo of Silver restaurant
2. Silver
4.5
Awesome(2189)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Bethesda
Booked 85 times today
SILVER is an New American Brasserie with a distinctive new shine. Led by award-winning Chef, Ype Von Hengst, SILVER’s menu features contemporary American cuisine and healthier choices, influenced by the great brasseries from around the world. We specialize in offering a broad menu of contemporary favorites, seasonal specials, and healthier options, featuring ingredients from local farms and purveyors. Our bar menu features hand-crafted pre-prohibition style cocktails, local brews and American wines carefully curated to showcase the traditions of American wine makers. Open early until late, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night brunch. SILVER offers the choices for how you live and a healthy dose of what you crave.
A photo of Summer House - North Bethesda restaurant
3. Summer House - North Bethesda
4.6
Exceptional(3476)
Price: Moderate
• American • North Bethesda
Booked 122 times today
Located in the heart of the Pike and Rose neighborhood in North Bethesda, MD, Summer House is the place where summer never ends. Enjoy seasonal specialties, market-driven pasta, artisan pizzas, and fresh antipasti from Chef Ben Goodnick’s California-inspired menu. Rosé is poured all day, alongside an extensive wine and handcrafted cocktail list. Reserve your table today for a bright and airy dining experience no matter the weather. For parties of 9 or more, email summermdparties@lettuce.com. Carryout and delivery are available, or visit The Cookie Bar for a selection of fresh-baked goods, sourdough English muffins, Summer House's renowned oversized cookies, small-batch coffee, and specialty espresso drinks.
A photo of LiLLiES Italian Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4. LiLLiES Italian Restaurant & Bar
4.6
Exceptional(538)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Woodley Park
Booked 7 times today
Just steps from the Smithsonian National Zoo, Marriott Wardman-Park and Omni Shoreham, LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar is a family-owned restaurant which serves a mix of traditional Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with a contemporary edge. When the weather is warm, diners can relax around mosaic tables on the terrace patio. On cooler days, the hardwood floors, candlelight and exposed brick inside make for a snug retreat. Brunch is served on both Saturdays and Sundays, and offers options for health-conscious patrons, such as a Greek yogurt parfait, and for those looking to indulge—say, in the Nutella-smothered French toast.
A photo of CIRCA at Clarendon restaurant
5. CIRCA at Clarendon
4.7
Exceptional(1456)
Price: Moderate
• American • Arlington
Booked 21 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!
A photo of Dauphine’s restaurant
6. Dauphine’s
4.6
Exceptional(1379)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 24 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 Peacock Café restaurant
7. Peacock Café
4.8
Exceptional(1959)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Georgetown
Booked 55 times today
Maziar Farivar, Chef/Proprietor serves contemporary American cuisine with flavors of around the world in an elegant, comfortable & cosmopolitan setting. Celebrating over 28 year Anniversary in Georgetown, Peacock Cafe is a dining experience not to be missed when in Georgetown. In addition to our wonderful lunch menu, we do offer a selection of our popular breakfast items as well on weekdays (11am-4pm). Chef Maziar, on dinner menu offers a greater variety of small plates and entrees from contemporary American to small selection of Contemporary Iranian (Persian) dishes. Enjoy a comprehensive wine list from boutique wineries to large labels and fabulous signature cocktails from the bar to compliment your dining experience.
A photo of Georgia Brown's restaurant
8. Georgia Brown's
4.6
Exceptional(8751)
Price: Expensive
• Low Country • Downtown
Booked 79 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
9. The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea
4.5
Awesome(312)
Price: Very Expensive
• Afternoon Tea • Downtown
Booked 18 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 Chef Geoff's West End restaurant
10. Chef Geoff's West End
4.3
Awesome(1560)
Price: Moderate
• American • West End
Booked 20 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!

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