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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Penn Quarter

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34 restaurants available nearby

A photo of matchbox Penn Quarter restaurant
1. matchbox Penn Quarter
4.4
Awesome(589)
Price: Moderate
• American • Penn Quarter
Booked 34 times today
Come and enjoy our 3.6.9 mini burgers, blazing hot pizzas, or any one of our chef-crafted dishes.From its prime perch on bustling E Street NW in Penn Quarter, matchbox delights neighborhood workers, visitors, and residents with a casual, welcoming spot for a quick weekday lunch, lively happy hour, bottomless weekend brunch, and dinner for both date nights and groups. An expansive bar area with ample seating attracts sports fans and concert-goers heading to Capital One Arena, and boasts numerous TVs for game-day viewing as well. A definitive element of the matchbox dining experience is the custom pizza oven that fires up signature thin-crust pizzas within minutes, and its surrounding pizza bar that offers a front-row view of the action. Outdoor seating along E Street offers plentiful people-watching in warmer months.
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(10239)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 175 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 The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC restaurant
3. The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC
4.7
Exceptional(1132)
Price: Very Expensive
• Spanish • Penn Quarter
Booked 76 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
4. Peacock Alley - Waldorf Astoria DC
4.6
Exceptional(21)
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 Dauphine’s restaurant
5. Dauphine’s
4.6
Exceptional(1432)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 22 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 The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea restaurant
6. The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea
4.3
Awesome(346)
Price: Very Expensive
• Afternoon Tea • Downtown
Booked 21 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 Georgia Brown's restaurant
7. Georgia Brown's
4.3
Awesome(8846)
Price: Expensive
• Low Country • Downtown
Booked 66 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 CIRCA at Clarendon restaurant
8. CIRCA at Clarendon
4.8
Exceptional(1474)
Price: Moderate
• American • Arlington
Booked 19 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 Chef Geoff's West End restaurant
9. Chef Geoff's West End
4.5
Awesome(1644)
Price: Moderate
• American • West End
Booked 31 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 Milk & Honey - The Wharf restaurant
10. Milk & Honey - The Wharf
4.3
Awesome(163)
Price: Moderate
• American • Southwest Waterfront
Booked 74 times today
Milk and Honey is a New Orleans themed Southern Brunch that features Award Winning Shrimp & Grits, Chicken & Waffles, RumChata French Toast and specializes in other slow cooked mouth-watering favorites. No matter the type of experience you are looking for, we have the dish for you. Join us for brunch with friends, lovers, family and everyone in between. Carryout available at all locations. Milk and Honey Wharf is located along the beautiful Southeast Waterfront in Washington DC. A Southern Brunch Restaurant and one of our “Full Service” locations, we are excited to share a delectable menu featuring Butter Glazed Biscuits, Old Bay Wings, and award-winning Shrimp & Grits.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • OpenTable Diner
    Orlando / Central Florida East •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    I had the best experience and so happy I came to visit and enjoy the food, ambiance, and complete experience here. Place has an overall magical feeling and every food we ordered was so good. Our server LEX was excellent and was top notch. The best service, highly recommend
    More info
    The Bazaar by José Andrés - DCPrice: Very Expensive• Spanish• Penn Quarter
    •
    4.7
  • OpenTable Diner
    Washington, D.C. Area •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Amazing Cherry Blosdom display. Great place to gab about life.
    More info
    Peacock Alley - Waldorf Astoria DCPrice: Expensive• American• Washington
    •
    4.6
  • Eric
    Dallas - Fort Worth •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Awesome food, great service ( Meaghan)!!!!! Everything from cocktails to desserts was top notch! Would highly recommend!
    More info
    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DCPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
    •
    4.8
  • OpenTable Diner
    Nashville •4 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Our service was not good. We had 5 people at a 4 top which I didn’t mind but I had to ask for a plate and silverware for that fifth seat. No attempt at clearing appetizer dishes to make room for the entrées was made. We had to ask for every drink refill. We had to look like we were leaving to get the check picked up. On the positive side the appetizers and entrées came fast once we ordered. We had pizza crabcake sandwich and two chicken salads, one of which had twice as much chicken as the other. Overall, the food was great. I suspect maybe they were shortstaffed and our server had more tables than she was used to. It is expensive with fountain sodas at $4.50. Our total for 2 adults and 3 teens was $180 and very little food left over. Knowing these things I would go there again but not on a capitals game night.
    More info
    matchbox Penn QuarterPrice: Moderate• American• Penn Quarter
    •
    4.4
  • Kelli
    Orlando / Central Florida East •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 20, 2025
    Jean-Paul was a wonderful server! Even got my boyfriend a birthday dessert & candle for him.
    More info
    Dauphine’sPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown
    •
    4.6

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