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
Areas
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Award-winning
Accessibility

38 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Dauphine’s restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1382)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 5 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 Georgia Brown's restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(8760)
Price: Expensive
• Low Country • Downtown
Booked 28 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
4.4
Awesome(313)
Price: Very Expensive
• Afternoon Tea • Downtown
Booked 6 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
4.1
Excellent(120)
Price: Moderate
• American • Mount Vernon
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 Chef Geoff's West End restaurant
4.3
Awesome(1565)
Price: Moderate
• American • West End
Booked 27 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 Peacock Café restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1962)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Georgetown
Booked 27 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 CIRCA at Clarendon restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1457)
Price: Moderate
• American • Arlington
Booked 18 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 Floriana restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3836)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Dupont Circle
Booked 22 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 Foggy Bottom restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(3036)
Price: Moderate
• American • Foggy Bottom
Booked 38 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 patios accommodate service animals only.
A photo of Milk & Honey - The Wharf restaurant
4.1
Excellent(102)
Price: Moderate
• American • Southwest Waterfront
Booked 70 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
  • Joannevip
    Philadelphia County •16 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Unfortunately, if you're reading this it's too late to indulge in a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. This is the second time in 65 years I've eaten Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant and am I glad we ate here. I started with the beet and burrata salad, my husband had the gumbo. Both were fresh, generous portions with well balanced flavors. We both had the traditional dinner, other options were available. Turkey was moist and tender, mashed and sweet potatoes were perfect, as was everything else on the plate. And there was a lot!! I am not a fan of port wine anything and they were able to serve us whole cranberry sauce (minus the port). For dessert my husband had the apple crumble, served warm, with cinnamon ice cream. He was just going to taste it and finish it at home but once he started eating it, he had to eat it all. I had pumpkin pie, literally. A small pumpkin pie, with perfect filling in a buttery, crisp shell and whipped cream worth eating. And let me add, the service was every bit as good as the meal. Annie was professional and pleasant. Eat here, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
    More info
    Chef Geoff's West EndPrice: Moderate• American• West End
    4.3
  • Cicelyvip
    Washington, D.C. Area •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Georgia Browns is always amazing anytime we visit but especially on Thanksgiving! The food is incredible, the service is outstanding. GB never fails to deliver even on a busy holiday. Remains one of my DC favorites!
    More info
    Georgia Brown'sPrice: Expensive• Low Country• Downtown
    4.6
  • Alphonsevip
    Washington, D.C. Area •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Food was excellent. I had the pork chop and it was amongst the best I’ve tasted. We had a party of 7 and they all had a variety of things and they were all happy. Bread basket is not to be missed.
    More info
    Dauphine’sPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown
    4.6
  • Joshua
    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 14 Nov 2024
    The St Regis afternoon tea is an exquisite experience for special occasion, maybe a business meeting, date night or even a birthday present to yourself, as it was for me. The service is top-notch. You’re first given a plate of savory foods, and then a carousel of sweet foods. You have a menu for what you can choose for a blend of tea or even champagne. The atmosphere is very quiet, refined and elegant. The seats are comfortable and one could easily linger in them for a time after. Perhaps the only one thing to notice that the restroom is quite far away, down a spiral staircase 
    More info
    The St Regis DC - Afternoon teaPrice: Very Expensive• Afternoon Tea• Downtown
    4.4
  • Michael
    Washington, D.C. Area •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 30 July 2024
    A limited but delicious menu. Full bar. Pleasant inside and outside. But, in the evening, you're going for the music, and it was great July 30--Gabe Koempel and combo.
    More info
    Wild DaysPrice: Moderate• American• Mount Vernon
    4.1
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - 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