50 Best Seafood Restaurants in Washington

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

“A seafood restaurant can provide a varied dining experience with options ranging from grilled fish and shellfish to seafood pasta and other prepared dishes. A well-designed menu offers choices for different preferences while maintaining a clear focus on fresh ingredients and preparation. Compared with more limited dining options, a seafood-focused menu provides greater variety for seafood lovers. A comfortable atmosphere and organized service contribute to the overall experience. Quality preparation and consistent presentation are important parts of creating a satisfying meal.“

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

“Unexpectedly outstanding vegetarian menu. The eggplant nigiri sauce was memorable, followed by refreshing radish-wrapped vegetables. Toasted rice beautifully complemented the creamy panna cotta. The entree was the best; the bamboo texture was just right. Pickled mushrooms had good bite, their acidity blending perfectly with leeks and cilantro sauce. Perfect ending with a refreshing sorbet and rich chocolate.“

“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!“

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

“Thanks you so much #psychiczabaza“

“Another fantastic meal for a special occasion! The food was amazing and the service was excellent. The smoked catfish and pickled andouille sausage appetizers were incredibly flavorful with substantial portions. The cocktails were inventive and the wine selection was excellent. The yellowfin tuna steak was seared and seasoned perfectly and the shrimp po' boy sandwich was the best sandwich I've enjoyed in a while. The shrimp was delicately breaded with flavorful seasoning, the bread was fluffy with some crisp, and the picked vegetables were a great add. The bread pudding was tasty and not too sweet, and the chicory coffee was smooth and delicious. Will definitely be coming back!“

“The charcoal grilling technique imparted a wonderful flavor and crunch unlike any I have ever tasted, it's truly a unique and enjoyable taste. Service was great and the sommelier's pairing was better than my selection for less than I expected to pay. Twofer!“

“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!“

“The food is delicious, fresh and flavorful. I love the ceviche vuelve a la vida is amazing. They really do seafood well. They have unlimited brunch on the weekends and the dishes always come fresh so it takes some time to get to the table. Since service is super slow, I would order as soon as possible. You can't beat the $35 price tag for food, $25 for bottomless cocktails (2 hr limit).
There's a covered patio/sidewalk, it's open so it can get hot during the summer.
Staff“

“First time here and the food was very good. The sauce with the mussels was the best. I could dip bread into the sauce and eat that by itself. The prawns were outstanding from the smoked grill. The pineapple cake was my favorite with the toasted coconut.“

“Hottest new seafood restaurant near DuPont Circle. Best Lobster Risotto I’ve had in my life! The Lobster Bisque was very creamy with large chunks of fresh meat. Topped it off with Key Lime Pie in a cup. The owners are very friendly and the service was excellent. Definitely a 5-star place!“

“The best! My husband hyped me up on this place.and they more than delivered. We had bottomless mimosas with a lobster omelette, a crab cake, and both oysters and clams on the half shell! Everything was perfect. Friendly, fast, fresh, and delicious . Our server Keith was awesome, knowledgeable and kept the glasses full. Jose got the food out fast and perfect! It was just the best. Yanna was so kind to come greet us with their house made Key Lime pie, and as someone who grew up in Key Largo, that was the best I've had in forever! We look forward to coming back next time we're in DC and highly recommend trying this place out if you haven't, seriously, what are you doing...“

“Absolutely incredible food with each course being better than the last. All flavours work well together to give the dishes something to be remembered. Service was fast and friendly and described what they dishes were when placed on table. Highly recommend this place and will be back often.“

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

“Great meal recently at Cucina Morini !!! The food, service and drinks were all on point !! See the photos for our recommendations !!! You can order half orders of pasta !! Perfect if you want to try different things.“

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

“The food was great and the atmosphere was nice. The staff were very friendly and professional. A bit pricey but well worth it.“

“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.“

“Friendly staff and delish food! Sitting on the rooftop was excellent too !“

“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!“

“Food was delicious and the sauce off the hook“

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

“The food is amazingly fresh and delicious.“

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“The best experience. Great food. Service and atmosphere.“

“Ma and Eam are the best people u ever want to meet they showed nothing but respect and a lot of. Love in there food 5 stars sis“

“Our experience at the Occidental last night was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, every detail was executed with perfection. The menu showcased incredible range and creativity — the twin lobster tails were tender and sweet, the steak tartare was beautifully balanced, and the smoked pheasant under glass was a showstopper both in flavor and presentation. Each dish felt carefully crafted and elevated, yet approachable. The wine list was equally impressive — clearly curated with thought and depth, offering the perfect pairings to complement the meal without ever feeling overwhelming. Service was another highlight. Warm, attentive, and genuinely inviting, the staff struck that rare balance of professionalism without a hint of stuffiness, making us feel truly welcome. Though we couldn’t save room for dessert, it simply gives us the perfect excuse to return soon. The Occidental delivers a dining experience that lingers in memory — refined, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. Highly recommended!“

“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.“

“great happy hour until 7pm“

“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.“

“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.“

“Very quiet & intimate place. Everything was clean & easy to access. The service from Jennifer was so welcoming. You know how it feels to when you go visit relatives you haven’t seen in a while? That’s how Jennifer made me feel. We had a brief interaction but I felt at ease talking to her. The food was absolutely amazing!!! I ordered the catfish & grits. The steam & favor coming from the meal was breathtaking lol. If I return to DC I sure will be back. Also, try one of their homemade drinks. The 14 Carat drink was delicious.“

“Delicious! Greetings from Finland with love.“

“Friendly and attentive staff! Had a few questions about some menu items and my waitress Lucy was quick to answer and give me some amazing suggestions. I ended up going with the sizzling bulgolgi. Was extremely delicious!! Will be coming back, thanks so much!“

“Still a great place after all these years. Lovely atmosphere, great food, attentive service. A wonderful night out.“

“Great food in a fun location“

“We were in DC celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary and chose Capital Grill for dinner. GREAT DECISION!! Kelly was the manager on duty and placed us at Daniel’s table. Both went out of their way to make this a very special occasion. Food was fantastic but their service was exceptional.“

“Came in late Sunday and the restaurant was super accommodating to my reservation growing from 4 to 5 people. Had an amazing meal and great drinks. Tre was an awesome server and we even got helped by a really sweet bartender named Christina. We will def be back.“

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

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“food highly recommended 💯💯“

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

“This is our 5th time doing Restaurant Week at Alabardero and the food never disappoints. We have always loved the paellas and croquettes. The service is amazing, super fast, and the interior decor is beautiful. I know some folks mention the paella doesn’t have the crispy rice in the bottom but personally I prefer that way. A good selection of mocktail options.“

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

“Highly recommend Cafe Milano! First, the service was exceptional! We came with a large party for a birthday lunch and the staff was very friendly and attentive: had a birthday note, took care to meet dietary needs (vegetarian), and never left us waiting for anything (serving time was impeccable).
Second, the food was amazing! I know some reviewers said the food was meh, but I disagree. I think the subtle flavors of the food stood out without being overwhelming.
Third, we had a nice seat by the window. Good lighting and loved the airy feel of the restaurant. While I didn’t see a dress code for the restaurant (besides avoiding flip flops and crocs) I would say most patrons were dressed pretty well for lunchtime (dresses, polo and button-down shirts). Just mentioning as it’s hard getting kids out of their athletic wear these days. :).
Parking - street parking is hard to find, but you can try. There is a parking garage conveniently located right next to the restaurant. It is small and the height is 6’3” max.“

“This was my first time at Ruth's Chris steakhouse and I was blown away by Mozzy's wonderful service. We started with a pomegranate martini, double barrel old fashioned, Mac & cheese, and brussel sprouts which were fantastic. Then, we had the 16 oz New York strip and 16 oz ribeye. Both tasty and delicious and the crispness of the strip was just right. I will definitely be back.“

“Really enjoyed our meal here! The service is INCREDIBLE. Unbelievably friendly staff. Our food was a little slow to come out, but without even having to bring it to their attention, they apologized and comped us 2 drinks. When the food did arrive, it was absolutely delicious. The sliders were juicy, and if you get them, make sure you order the fries because the seasoning is divine. Also really loved the fried green tomatoes! We had a lovely time!“