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!“

“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!“

“Exquisite food paired with excellent service. To start, our server Monique was phenomenal, radiant and one of the best servers I have encountered in my dining experience. What a blessing for Moon Rabbit to have such a phenomenal service/front of house team!

We sampled quite a few different courses on a very well crafted and diverse menu. “From the Earth” we tried the Crispy Mountain salad which was flavorful and refreshing in between our heavier courses, “From the Sea” we had the sweet potato & crab as well as the Mochi Beignet which brought unique flavors with bold combinations. The options “From the Land” we had both the rabbit and the pork - both which were rich but not overly heavy, a very well curated combination of flavors that worked well together in each dish. The deserts were divine, I usually do not like sweets as I lack a sweet tooth however the deserts at Moon Rabbit are light and refreshing! We had both the Curry and Apple deserts - I’d highly recommend both!

I also had the best mocktails I have ever had in my life - I highly recommend the Jade to anyone seeking a slightly tart, mildly sweet, well balanced non alcoholic beverage to pair with these divine courses.

Of course a huge thank you to Moon Rabbit for curating a unique and affordable dining experience!“

“Thanks you so much #psychiczabaza“

“Recently came here to celebrate a friend's birthday, with my daughter. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was incredible! But the best part was truly our waiter, Adrian.
He talked to the kitchen about getting my daughter something off the HH menu, even though the time had ended. He patiently listened to her as she placed our order in French. And even brought out a complimentary dish of the incredible raspberry sorbet!
I'd definitely come back for the excellent customer service and the sorbet!“

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

“The food was incredible. The wood burning oven added so much flavor and the menu has a great mix of land and sea. Our favorite items were the charred maitake mushrooms, the pork chop and the half chicken. Don’t sleep on the half chicken. The wine list was well curated and reasonably priced. Highly recommend.“

“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“

“I had an amazing time at BlackSalt! The food was absolutely delicious, and the customer service was outstanding. The staff was warm, friendly, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Everything we ordered was fresh and full of flavor. I had a blast and will definitely be coming back. If you're looking for great food, excellent service, and a wonderful atmosphere, I highly recommend BlackSalt!“

“My experience at Kayu was lovely. Chef Paolo does an amazing job of sharing his culture through his food. The menu was very approachable and interesting. Each dish felt nostalgic somehow even though it isn’t my own culture. The service was attentive and our waitress was able to match me up with the perfect cocktail for my mood and it was beautiful.

The steak was a standout dish to me- the sourdough bread dipped in the sauce was perfect. All three desserts we tried were delicious.

It was a fantastic evening and we will definitely be coming back!“

“What an amazing dining experience! The restaurant offers high-quality, delicious food in a beautiful atmosphere. The customer service was exceptional, and the entire staff was warm, welcoming, and attentive.
A special thank you to Salvador for sharing his knowledge about the oysters and for providing outstanding customer service. His recommendations made our experience even more enjoyable.
The lobster roll was absolutely fantastic—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. I highly recommend this restaurant and can't wait to come back!“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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!“

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

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“Delicious! Greetings from Finland with love.“

“We visited milk and honey at the wharf first and it was amazing. The food, the decor, the music, the vibe - everything exceeded our expectations. Then we visited this milk and honey on H street on our way back to New York because it is close to
The train station. The food is amazing, service was excellent. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars for the food is because I wish they had more toppings for my chicken sandwich and I did like my latte over at the wharf location better but the food was really good nonetheless!! Thank you guys for great service“

“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!“

“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!“

“Great food in a fun location“

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

“Robert was our server, he was very kind and attentive! This was our first time visiting Capital Grille and also my husband and I's first date post wedding and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. Will definitely be coming back!“

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

“The wings were very good. However, the gumbo was not. It was very skimpy on the meat, and I didn’t find any okra at all. It was also a bit under-seasoned for my taste.

The Henry Pineapple Peach drink was good, but in my opinion, it wasn’t quite enough to share.

That said, Jordan was great! I hope I get seated in his section next time. He was very patient while we were being indecisive and provided excellent service throughout our visit.

We definitely want to come back and try brunch!“

“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“

“You can make an entire night here on flamenco nights. They have amazing food, and fantastic entertainment! Wait staff is attentive and professional. It is more European style service in the sense that they leave you in peace to enjoy your food, but they are always watching the table to see if you need anything at all. They swoop in to take your used plates etc. This is a must do restaurant in DC!“

“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 go here all the time this was one of the best times we've been our food was on point and cooked perfectly this time everything was really delicious our service was a little slow our server barely served us it was other people the entire time. And we had already gotten our appetizers and never received anything to drink at all a server assistant finally brought us water and then when our food came we had to ask the manager or whoever it was for our actual drinks that we ordered I don't know if she thought we just we're not going to tip like she wanted us to or what the deal was I always leave over 25% this time she only got 20% and she's lucky she got that. If our food hadn't been so good I would have definitely complained on her and I rarely ever have any complaints at a restaurant her name may have been Kate not sure but hopefully you don't get her if you go“

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