Best Restaurants for People Watching in Dupont Circle

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Areas

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaDowntownDupont Circle

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

40 restaurants available nearby

1. La Tomate

4.8

Exceptional(1408)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Dupont Circle

Booked 10 times today

Since 1987, La Tomate has been Dupont Circle's neighborhood bistro, featuring affordable regional Italian cuisine in a warm ambiance. A window-clad bar and dining room offer charming avenue views onto Connecticut avenue. Enjoy an extended season of “al fresco” dining on our lush outdoor patio. We are committed to providing quality service and excellent food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. We invite you to join us for breakfast a casual lunch, happy hour, dinner, weekend brunch or group events.

2. Rewind

4.2

Awesome(275)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Dupont Circle

Booked 3 times today

Rewind by Decades is a premium dining destination highlighting the finest in timeless, comfortable, and forever beloved cuisine, beverages, and entertainment.

3. Dauphine’s

4.6

Exceptional(1428)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 16 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

4. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC

4.8

Exceptional(10185)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 150 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 St Regis DC - Afternoon tea restaurant

5. The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea

4.3

Awesome(343)

$$$$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 The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC restaurant

6. The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC

4.7

Exceptional(1101)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Spanish • Penn Quarter

Booked 77 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.

7. Georgia Brown's

4.3

Awesome(8834)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Low Country • Downtown

Booked 36 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 Chef Geoff's West End restaurant

8. Chef Geoff's West End

4.5

Awesome(1632)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • West End

Booked 34 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!

9. Floriana

4.6

Exceptional(3873)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Dupont Circle

Booked 21 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.

10. Peacock Café

4.8

Exceptional(2004)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Georgetown

Booked 32 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Matt
Washington, D.C. Area •16 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Great Sea Bass! Best we have ever had! Most highly recommended… service was outstanding as well.
More info
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DCPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
•
4.8
A
AmyVIP
Philadelphia County •166 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Stumbled in for a last minute resy and were pleasantly surprised to see jazz brunch. Sat by the musicians but still able to converse and it added so much to the atmosphere. We loved everything about it. Also the bread basket was diverse and delicious. We ate through two of them. Next time hoping we can stay for the beignets and espresso martinis. Also need to grab a spot at that beautiful ornate bar.
More info
Dauphine’sPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown
•
4.6
D
Dennis
New York City •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The restaurant is one of our favorites! Food is always very good and the service, wonderful!
More info
La TomatePrice: Expensive• Italian• Dupont Circle
•
4.8
J
JenniferVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •17 reviews
5.0
Dined on 26 Jan 2025
We do this tea every year and it's fantastic! The service is fantastic and the food and tea are delicious! They are great with food allergies as well! Highly recommend to celebrate a special occasion!
More info
The St Regis DC - Afternoon teaPrice: Very Expensive• Afternoon Tea• Downtown
•
4.3
B
Brian
Baltimore / Maryland •32 reviews
5.0
Dined on 25 Jan 2025
Our server was friendly and great! Always quick with the refill! Food was very good as well!
More info
RewindPrice: Moderate• American• Dupont Circle
•
4.2

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