Only if one’s been living under a rock would they not have heard of Washington DC. USA’s capital city and home to some of the country’s most important historical landmarks and monuments, the city is the political hub of a powerful nation. Not only are its streets teeming with political bigwigs but also many tourists who go there for the city’s many museums, monuments, galleries, and cultural centres. So many are the number of things you can do here that it’s nearly impossible to cover more than two or three in a single day. So, while you’re on your mission to cover as many, take note of these superb waterfront dining spots and add them to your list for an all-rounded experience in the city. Check out our list of the best waterfront dining spots in Washington DC.
1. Farmers Fishers Bakers
Soak in some beautiful views of the Potomac River along with your glass of wine at the Farmers Fishers Bakers. Located in Washington DC’s Harbour area, the restaurant boasts of using their privately owned, farm-grown produce for their delicious fares. You can seat yourself indoors, amid lingering, delicious aromas from their open kitchen or outdoors on the deck to soak in some of that American sun. Their French toast, Mexican street corn with guacamole, spicy shrimp, and chicken salad club sandwich are among the diners’ top choices. Not just food, they take their drinks very seriously too, so you must try some. The place is usually quite busy, so either make a prior reservation or be prepared to wait a bit.
Farmers Fishers Bakers
Address: 3000 K St NW Washington Harbour Washington, DC 20007
Website: Farmers Fishers Bakers
Opening hours: 7:30am - 10pm (weekdays); Sat: 9am - 12am; Sun: 9am - 10pm
2. Captain White’s Seafood
A family-owned seafood speciality stall, Captain White’s Seafood is all about wholesome and satisfying grub. Located in the Maine Avenue Fish Market, there’s usually a long queue of seafood lovers waiting for their turn to place their order. Since there’s no formal seating available here, waiting to get to the till can get a tad trying, but we guarantee it’s every bit worth it. If you do have the patience to wait, you must try their Whitefish with fries, Maryland crab soup, fish and chips, and Hushpuppies. They’re simply divine! They even sell a variety of raw seafood items, so you can purchase some for back home as well.
Captain White’s Seafood
Address: 1100 Maine Ave SW Washington, DC 20024
Website: Captain White’s Seafood
Opening hours: 7:30am - 9pm (daily)
3. Whaley’s
If you’re a seafood lover and looking for a formal sit-down dining option, Whaley’s is the place to be. You can devour their most famous, crisp soft shell crabs and pan-roasted black bass indoors or at their beautiful outdoor patio, offering great riverfront views. They really take pride in what they serve and its freshness, so the menu keeps getting overhauled every season, depending on the availability of ingredients. Although the portions of the dishes are small and you may find the place slightly expensive, the punchy flavours of the dishes and the lovely ambience will completely make up for it. We suggest you also try their drinks – we hear they’re absolutely delish!
Whaley’s
Address: 301 Water St SE Ste 115 Washington, DC 20003
Website: Whaley’s
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 9pm; Fri: 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
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4. The Salt Line
For a sophisticated waterfront dining experience in Washington DC, we suggest you head to The Salt Line. Offering limited items on their menu and nailing them to the ’T’ is one of their mainstays. Also, a special shoutout for their huge oyster selection. You really must try it to believe it. You can enjoy all of this and their lively ambience while gorging on their most-loved lobster rolls, grilled oyster with yuzu sauce, Pierogis, and S'more molten lava cake. Salivating already, are we?
The Salt Line
Address: 79 Potomac Ave SE Washington, DC 20003
Website: The Salt Line
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 3pm - 12am; Fri: 3pm - 1am; Sat: 11am - 1am; Sun: 11am - 12am
Washington Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
Tours by Stephanie
Washington Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more
Tours by Annie
5. Rappahannock Oyster Bar
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The name tells you enough about the place already. Touted as being one of the best oyster bars in the USA by the Wall Street Journal and Michelin Guide, the place is all about superb oyster preparations. Their other seafood specialities are equally good. Not only does this place excel in the flavours its churns out, but they also recommend drink pairings with their dishes. Order their oyster chowder, charbroiled Rappahannock oysters and get ready to jump into a world of yummy goodness.
Rappahannock Oyster Bar
Address: 1150 Maine Ave SW Washington, DC 20024
Website: Rappahannock Oyster Bar
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (weekdays); Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am
6. Del Mar
Experience a bit of Spain on your palate right in DC at the Del Mar restaurant. Run by a Spanish couple who love feeding others, the place and its fares are a dash of Spain right at the District Wharf in DC. They absolutely nail their authentic coastal Spanish dishes – paella, seafood stews, tapas – so you must go all out while placing your order and not stick with the usuals. Their Spanish charcuterie, gazpacho verde, Sobrasada, and the humble pan con tomate (tomato bread with olive oil) will blow you away.
Del Mar
Address: 791 Wharf St SW Washington, DC 20024
Website: Del Mar
Opening hours: Sun, Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Mon: 4pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10:30pm
7. La Vie
An upscale Washingtonian favourite, La Vie brings unique flavours, a luxurious ambience, and stunning waterfront dining spots (indoors and outdoors) all under one roof. It’s a perfect choice for a romantic date or formal dinner. Might we add, bring your A game while dressing up. Also, don’t forget to make prior reservations. Once seated, you’ll find the servers are all well trained and know the dishes on the menu inside and out. They’re happy to make suggestions, too. If you’re heading there, please do try their lamb chops, duck confit, Arancini, grilled octopus, and squid ink pasta.
La Vie
Address: 88 District Square SW (5th floor) Washington, DC 20024
Website: La Vie
Opening hours: 4pm - 11pm (weekdays); Fri: 4pm - 2am; Sat: 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 2am; Sun: 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 11pm
8. Fiola Mare
All about appetizing flavours, quick service, plush decor, and happy grubbers is Fiola Mare – a quintessentially Italian-Mediterranean restaurant. Seafood preparations as its speciality, the place does quite a stellar job at combining delicate flavours and textures into flavourful morsels of food. Not just flavours, their presentation is equally inviting. You’ll almost lick your plate clean, it’s that good. Try their lobster ravioli, tuna tartare, Paccheri Frutti di Mare, and lemon ricotta pancakes, you’ll know what we’re talking about.
Fiola Mare
Address: 3050 K St NW Ste 101 Washington, DC 20007
Website: Fiola Mare
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Mon: 5pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10:30pm; Sun: 11am - 10pm
9. Reverie
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’ve followed The Final Table series on Netflix, you’d know Reverie. Opened recently in 2016, Reverie is the new swanky kid on the block that’s famous among regulars for its ah-mazing cocktails and American cuisine with a modern twist. Their ambience and service is calm as well as relaxing, and the best part about the package (apart from the food) – is their staff. They’re knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly.
Reverie
Address: 3201 Cherry Hill Ln Washington, DC 20007
Website: Reverie
Opening hours: 5pm - 10pm (daily) (closed on Mon)
10. Mi Vida Restaurante
There’s nothing quite like enjoying brunch on our waterfront patios with Chilaquiles and Mimosas! ?☀️? ? @valehavila
Posted by Mi Vida on Friday, 26 April 2019
You may be on a formal dinner, romantic date, or an evening out with friends, Mi Vida Restaurante is ideal for all. While the first floor is rocking with loud music and an energetic vibe, the second floor is quiet and relaxed. Owned by a native Mexican, who’s also the restaurant’s chief chef, the restaurant churns out some pretty spectacular and authentic Mexican flavours. You really may want to make prior reservations before heading here to be sure that you get the best of seating and attention.
Mi Vida Restaurante
Address: 98 District Square SW Washington, DC 20024
Website: Mi Vida Restaurante
Opening hours: 11:30am - 11pm (weekdays); Fri: 11:30am - 12am; Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 10am - 10pm
City of politics, culture, and grub
Now that we’ve talked all about these heavenly waterfront dining spots in Washington DC, let’s get down to some of the places you must see while here. The National Mall, a park with monuments and several fantastic museums, will make for a good start. National Museum of Natural History, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture are some of the many excellent museums here. A visit to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument are also not to be missed. Time your visits to make the best of your Washingtonian sojourn and plunge into a world of culinary delights!
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