50 Best Seafood Restaurants in Washington

“Have eaten here 4 of 5 days visiting DC. Fantastic food and great service. Highly recommend!“

“Just Woow!!!
This was the best seafood restaurant I have ever been to. The food was incredible and so is the service. Everyone was so sweet. They let us try the soup before buying it to make sure we liked it. The lobster roll, hush puppies (recommended by front server) and lobster bisque was out of this world. Will definitely need to come back here every time in Washington. Even got lollipops on the way out. So great!!!“

“Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere. It was a time!“

“We went on a Sunday night and the place was packed. One of the best staff and service. We tried their crab dip, bread service (best butter n bread), tosso stuffed chicken, oyster sliders… all of them tasted really great. Quite a big drinks n wine menu. Even has options for non alcohol too. All day happy hour on Sunday too. Will come back again.“

“While it has been years since I visited BlackSalt, I had previously lived close to the restaurant when it first opened. The food and service has only improved in my opinion. I suspect that Restaurant Week can cause many restaurants to be overwhelmed with diners, and this stress can lead to hiccups in service and food preparation. From the moment we were greeted at the hostess stand, the service provide was beyond excellent. The entire staff works as a team and would come/go from our table as if knowlingly carefully rehearsed, working in concert, to perfection- and again, it was Restaurant Week- if there is any reason to be "in the weeds" and slip, this week would be a perfect excuse. Our server was attentive to our needs, the GM was helping out and frequently inquired as to our needs and the food was FANTASTIC. We can't wait to go back and try other things from their menu and are kicking ourselves for waiting so long for a repeat visit. We won't be making that mistake again- we can't stress enough how important it is for other diners to visit for the dining and culinary experience that is BlackSalt!“

“On of the best Mexican restaurants in town, if not the best regarding flavors and authenticity. I am Mexican and the flavor is almost like in Mexico which is difficult.
Do not waste your money in other places… and come here :)
And the portions are good enough and filling!“

“Exceptional service, classic steak & seafood cuisine. Very generous if you’re celebrating your anniversary or birthday! Thank you! ♥️“

“One of the best places in Dc and right on the water!“

“We loved having dinner so much on Friday night that we had lunch on Saturday! Lobster roll was delicious. Great selection of raw oysters. PEI mussels were the best! Service was on point. Friday night Ashley was great and sorry I didn’t get our great servers name on Saturday. Manager Ronald Vasquez was so personable and made us feel like regulars. Wish we lived a bit closer because we would be. Highly recommend!“

“We ordered the fixed menu, which we thought was a great way to experience the best of the menu without having to think about what best to order. The light appetizers were definitely the highlight, along with the desserts. I particularly liked their seafood entree.“

“My daughter and son-in-law treated me for my birthday and what a treat it was! From the birthday champagne treat to the special popcorn to the dessert and all meals in between—nothing disappointed. The food was delicious. Filet mignon prepared to perfection. Lamb chops, braised beef, shrimp—all delicious. The sides; I could go on. My husband also enjoyed his meal. Our particular teenaged granddaughter loved her chicken tenders. Even our 2 year old granddaughter enjoyed her kids meal. Definitely will return. This was our first time but it won’t be our last. And last but not least—our server, Micaiah, was the best. Her recommendations were on point. Top notch and so professional!“

“I took my mom here for her birthday and we had a fabulous time. We ordered the seafood tower, which did not disappoint. This place is definitely at the same quality level as its sister restaurant Old Ebbitt! 100% chance we will be coming back for their ridiculously well priced happy hour!“

“Food was delicious and the sauce off the hook“

“I went for dinner here a month or two ago and every dish was incredible- from the ube bao bun to the tofu. We also loved the drinks.

Came back here on Friday to stop by the bar to get the Ube Colada (it’s so good!) and had such a lovely time. The bartenders are so kind and knowledgeable and it was the perfect place to close out a Friday evening.

Will definitely be back again for dinner or drinks and want to try their brunch!“

“Service was great and beyond exceptional. A place to try for special occasion for seafood. We had the grilled octopus and sardines for appetizers. Both are great options. We had the Connecticut version of lobster roll which came in hot. The catch of the day was a pan seared cod. It was good. The hit was the squid ink risotto. This place is great to celebrate special occasions but not for weekly or even monthly dining. Would be cost prohibitive.“

“I could not believe how good the food was. When everything came out I was legitimately giddy with excitement. I came here with my spouse and our three kids after hitting up a local event - so we were all hungry and a bit tired. The drinks came out quickly, and our appetizer came out shortly thereafter. And OMG the cornbread. I grew up in the south and cornbread was just so-so for me but this was hands down the best I’ve had in my 37 years. The food came out and the portions were absolutely enormous. My spouse and I shared a full rack of ribs (which were huge and meaty and so well seasoned) with a near bucket sized amount of fresh fries and a cast iron pan of Mac n cheese. My kids had tenders and fries and honestly there was so much I could’ve split one plate between the three of them. The price was super reasonable, even before I knew the portion sizes lol. I would absolutely come back and recommend it to everyone I know.“

“Great Drinks Good Lobster Tails stuffed with Blue Crab Great Asparagus Excellent Baked Alaska Excellent Service“

“We had a wonderful experience. Food was amazing and I highly recommend.“

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“The food is amazingly fresh and delicious.“

“We had a half dozen raw oysters—quickly shucked, clean and slurpy with distinctive flavor notes. Served with mignon sauce, cocktail sauce with extra horseradish on top, fresh lemon and oyster crackers. Nice choices if you use them.
Specials caught our attention. I had seafood fettuccine with pink chipotle (a fluid, gentle heat) sauce. There were plenty of perfectly cooked, tender jumbo shrimp, lobster and scallops. The chef used care. My husband had grilled swordfish again cooked properly, on a base of creamed broccoli sauce, with a side of sautéed squash and topped with fried spiral-cut carrots. It was an eye-pleasing colorful meal. We shared a generous bowl of chocolate mousse for dessert. No pictures because my phone was charging at the host station.“

“Visiting from St Louis and so glad we came across Luke’s Lobster! We ordered Luke’s flight so we could try all three rolls. Each one was so delicious. We also got the lobster bisque and NE clam chowder. Very good!! Friendly service and neat atmosphere.“

“I took my teenage boys here on our last night in DC during spring break. The staff is absolutely wonderful, so friendly, kind, fun, energetic, and genuine. The food is completely amazing and all three of us loved everything we ate (scallops, filet, chicken) but it was very much the staff that made the experience so enjoyable. Highly recommended. Beautiful restaurant.“

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“I love the shrimp basket with the Cajun fries🥰“

“Nice new place to meet. Bonus points for walking distant to the Capitol. The eggs were absolutely amazingly delicious - cannot be over praised.“

“Thao is an amazing server she make sure that you have everything you need makes sure that she checked on you even when you probably don’t wanna be checked on I couldn’t ask for anything better. Her drinks are amazing. Come toot and juicy on Connecticut Avenue if you want that great customer service“

“their lobster salad was amazing! And as someone who's had NOLA gumbo, theirs ranked up! Would definitely visit again“

“In the hustle and bustle of our complex world, sometimes the best things do the simple things perfectly rather than many things somewhat well. This salmon BLT embodies this ethos. The bacon was perfectly crispy, the salmon was flaky and flavorful, the bread was delicately toasted, and the sauce, onions, and lettuce were gently complementing.

Kudos, Neopol... Kudos... Hear, hear... Cheers 🥂“

“The food was phenomenal. It is a great atmosphere and the customer service was outstanding! I’d recommend trying all the different type of oysters on the menu!“

“Great Service!!! Lobster Roll was a nice segue from a regular fish sandwich.“

“what a perfect vibey spot for some incredibly delicious italian food! definitely get the treviso salad and the fried blossoms to start. i could eat so many plates of their mushroom cream ravioli! i’ll be returning for more of that next time for sure. the lamb chops were also so flavorful. the service was also fantastic and they were so nice! adding this spot to the dinner night rotation“

“My hairstylist told me about this place because I said I wanted seafood. When I got there I could not find parking so this sweet employee came out to my car to take my order and told me to come back in 15 minutes. The whiting fish was cooked to perfection and the Mac & Cheese and Greens were delicious. Definitely going back!“

“Unreal 5 star arrive and food . I agree Michelin for sure“

“The gentleman that took my order was (EAN) it was the Family Business, was so polite, friendly, respectful and helpful.
Ordered the Oxtail Platter, Brown Stew Chicken Platter and a Sorrel Drink, the portion size was hefty. Food was a Banger“

“Go there for great coffee all day“

“The Tacos and clam chowder was really good. The frozen Rose’ was good as well. Great service“

“We had dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak House and overall had a really nice experience. The food was well-prepared and flavorful — the steak was cooked perfectly and very tender, and the shrimp cocktail was fresh and nicely presented. The sides were generous, especially the mashed potatoes and baked potato, though the bread was a bit underwhelming.

The atmosphere was elegant and calm, perfect for a relaxed evening, and the lighting added a cozy touch. Service was attentive and professional, though it felt slightly rushed at times. Prices are definitely on the higher end, but you can tell it’s meant to be a fine dining experience.

Overall, it’s a great spot for a special occasion or a nice night out — quality food and a classic steakhouse vibe.“

“My wife & I had a wonderful and delicious dinner while catching-up with our son & his girlfriend last evening. Fantastic meal & our server Michael was outstanding.“

“Nice experience very friendly atmosphere Fresh cooked chicken tenders“

“Great location we had a great time“

“Very good service and food was tasty! Hidden gem in this part of town. Gotta try the crazy crab egg rolls.“

“Went today for the first time. We ordered a bulgogi bowl Korean style, Gogi single, carne asada cheesesteak and crispy chicken sandwich. Everything was freshly made and portions were generous. The Korean bowl was the best of items we ordered and will feed me for 2-3 meals. Most places give mostly rice but this bowl was full of toppings and bulgogi. The chicken sandwich was next runner up with a honey glaze and Korean slaw it was the right mix of crunch, sweet and spice. Service was great to boot. We didn’t try any drinks but maybe next time. Highly recommend.“

“We were initially assigned a table with no view at all of the Flamenco Show, but the staff acted promptly to fix that and moved us to a table inches from the Tablao, right next to the dancers. It couldn't have been better. Excellent customer service and delicious food!“

“Fresh fish to go or cooked to order!! They also have seafood other than fish, sides, cold drinks and desserts. Friendly owner (Bill) and great conversations to be had with neighbors who are also waiting for their fresh cooked orders. I try to go at least once per month. Everything is sold a la carte and the fish is priced by the pound. CASH ONLY ESTABLISHMENT.“

“This place has some of the best fried shrimp in the city hands down. Affordable prices, and great quality for a carry out. A hidden gem for sure. The lady at the register actually fried a single piece of shrimp to try, because she know that establishment stand on business. She gave me every condiment known to man, extra duck sauce, mumbo, hot sauce, cocktail, tartar, etc. THIS IS A MUST TRY!!!!!“

“Delicious breakfast and lunch food. Service has always been above average. However, the prices are now through the roof! Unbelievable how much they are asking for chittlings and other dinner items. Some breakfast platters are reasonable. I'll give them a overall score of 8 out of 10.“

“Returning to Washington from a France worn down by its own melancholy — a nation led by a presidential couple seemingly disconnected from l'esprit de grandeur — was a relief. The Monocle, nestled just a short pas de géant from Capitol Hill, felt like an antidote. Walking through its doors, I immediately felt transported, like one of the CIA operatives from Lioness Psy-Ops, covertly meeting allies in a safe haven of quiet luxury. Opened in October 1960 by Connie and Helen Valanos, The Monocle has seen more political deals sealed over its crab cakes than perhaps in the chambers of Congress themselves. As the Washingtonian noted, “The Monocle is a better restaurant than it’s given credit for,” serving dishes like “pan-fried Chesapeake Bay oysters baked in a light curry sauce” that feel like culinary diplomacy at its finest. What strikes one immediately is the duality of the space: half public house, half refined eatery. In the restaurant's more elegant quarters, I chose a glass of Sancerre, its mineral brightness pairing effortlessly with the signature crab cakes — plump, golden, and loaded with chair de crabe so sweet it could make a New Englander weep. A red wine-braised New York strip followed, its sauce reminiscent of the old-world simplicity one finds in France’s brasseries, yet undeniably American in its confident presentation. The maître d’, Nick Selimos — a fixture here for nearly three decades — greeted every guest with the kind of warmth that makes even the most hardened lobbyist feel comme chez soi. “There’s nothing more satisfying,” said John Valanos, the owner, “than having someone say, ‘We’ll come back ourselves.’” And come back they do — senators, staffers, and curious tourists alike. Sipping a digestif, I glanced at the black-and-white photos adorning the walls — Kennedy, Nixon, and other Washington titans. It’s said JFK dined here regularly during his Senate days. As The Washington Post humorously observed, "Intentions are spoken here, alliances formed, and deals sealed," all over dishes that balance simplicity and sophistication. Leaving The Monocle, I felt reconnected to the vibrancy of Washington, its pulse steadied by the legacy of places like this — where history, gastronomy, and a touch of joie de vivre blend into something unforgettable.“

“After having covered almost 40km by bike... at 20.00.. a few meters from the bike delivery, reading the reviews, we chose this restaurant. If the reviews were decidedly good, inside a magical atmosphere. Impeccable Service and attention of the waiters. Prices as high as the quality that the place reserves. A restaurant for a busy dinner that leaves no doubt to the evening... will be great.“