50 Best Seafood Restaurants in Washington

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

“Visited yesterday for the first time and was so pleased with our experience. I had the Lobster roll and it was perfection! I also had my dog with me so we ate outside. They brought out an extra table/chairs so we could wouldn't have to wait for a table to open up. They were extremely accommodating and always checked on everyone to see if we needed anything. Will definitely be back!“

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

“We visited Dauphine’s for our wedding anniversary, and while the food and service were largely impressive, management’s staffing choices held the evening back from perfection.

The savory dishes were exceptional. The bread service and boudin balls were delicious starters, followed by a perfectly cooked catfish Creole and a rabbit tagliatelle that was expertly al dente. For dessert, the carrot toffee pudding special offered a great salty-sweet balance.

Our server, Adrian, was the highlight of the night. He provided excellent service despite being put in an impossible position by management as the only server for the entire upstairs area. While it was Easter Sunday and understandably busy, leaving one person to juggle that many tables is unacceptable. This lack of support led to significant wait times, especially when trying to order dessert.

The experience was capped off by a few misses: the bourbon slush was underwhelming, and the beignets were disappointing—dense and chewy rather than light and airy.

Adrian deserves a raise for his hard work, but management needs to staff appropriately so the service can match the high quality of the kitchen. A solid 4 stars for a lovely anniversary meal that just needed better pacing.“

“Thanks you so much #psychiczabaza“

“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!“

“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“

“Definitively acceptable! But probably no more than that.

For a seafood restaurant I was expecting a little more .... seafood options - there is essentially 1 dish from each seafood genre, and the oyster selection is woeful and shockingly expensive given you cannot select variety or provenance of the oysters.

Had the crab cake sandwich, and it was alright. For $40 I'd have appreciated a house made bun but I guess Kings Hawaiian is okay too lol“

“This restaurant, since it opened, has been one of the most consistently excellent in the entire WDC area, and a favorite of mine. The oysters are the best available, the wine list is outstanding and quite international, and the food is always cooked to perfection--but it is expensive, just plan on that. I had Chilean seabass (very $$$) and my guest had a salad (all of their salads are original and terrific) and their wonderful New England clam chowder (which could use a bit more bacon, as another restaurant in town does....) And this is the only restaurant in Washington where I ALWAYS have dessert, their mini-triple creme brulees -- superb! Finally, we had a new waiter, Alex, who was simply the best, most knowledgeable and thoughtful I've experienced in Washington this year. Amazing, keep him!“

“Was SUPERB. I have personally never had Filipino food so I didn’t know what to expect, and wow. Our server was the cutest woman, who was extremely attentive and remembered everyone’s orders and placement. She really has an incredible detail orientated memory. The food was incredible. The flavors in each dish were top notch. I had leftover tofu and mushrooms the next day and I’m sad I didn’t have more after that. Such a quaint little spot but it PACKS a punch. Can’t wait to come back.“

“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!“

“Excellent meal for Valentine's Day! We had the special Valentine's Day menu (pretty much all new entrees) and it did not disappoint. The pork "spring roll" was amazing, as was the beef with grits and wish they could appear on their regular menu one day. The service was excellent as always. The wine was delicious and reasonably priced for the bottle.“

“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 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!“

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

“Food was delicious and the sauce off the hook“

“The food is amazingly fresh and delicious.“

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

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

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

“We had an amazing meal and great service. We had a group of 8. We were greeted promptly and received drinks quickly. An attentive but not overly so waiter gave us the specials and answered some questions before giving us some time to decide. The house oysters were crisp, cool and delicious. Meals came quickly and everyone was pleased. Drinks, water, used plates etc were quickly attended to by several members of the waitstaff. All said they would be happy to return. Thanks for a great experience.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Great food in a fun location“

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

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“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“

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

“Delicious! Greetings from Finland with love.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“We went here while on vacation in DC. Did a reservation in advance. We have 3 people in our group. We ordered calamari for appetizer. A couple of us ordered a 4 course meal for $60/person, and 1 ordered salmon with shrimp.
Firts order: steak salad, mashed potatoes, 6 oz filet with 3 shrimps on top, and cheese cake.
Second order: ceasar salad, brussels sprouts, 6 oz filet with 3 shrimps on top, and chcolate cheese cake.
Third order: grilled salmon with shrimp and spinach.
The steak (Medium well) was melting in our mouths. The shrimp was perfectly seasoned, mashed potatoes was very creamy, the spinach complimented the salmon so well, and the salmon was cooked to perfection. The calamari was crunchy, but we did not like the sweet sauce.“

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

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

“I absolutely love the food here, fried fish and scallops, but someone must let them know that nobody wants the mango sauce. Give me my cocktail and tartar sauce please. They keep trying to shove the mango sauce off and that ain’t it. Keep up the good work on quality food and respect the sauce choice of the people.“

“Great location we had a great time“

“Olivia and Rez absolutely nailed it tonight! ✨ Together, their extensive experience in delivering exceptional service, hospitality, and atmosphere truly came together for a 5-star Grand Opening. My son and I had an amazing time! thank you, Liv & team!!!“

“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!“

“I wish I had taken a picture because our portions were so generous and delicious. I got the fried catfish and my partner had the crab cake. It was so fresh. The workers know their menu well, and are quick to help when I mentioned I had a dairy sensitivity. They were all friendly and we can’t wait to visit again.“

“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.“

“I’ve been coming to this restaurant for a couple of months now. And the ladies Ms Sue and Ms Angie are sweet hearts. I always get the beef stew. The best in the city. The chicken wings are good too. Fried to perfection. The breakfast is superb!“

“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.“

“great happy hour until 7pm“