50 Best Seafood Restaurants in Washington

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

“The best lobster roll I've had in a long time! Now I understand why people say the roll is as important as the lobster. 10/10 I also had a crab cake which was good. Surprisingly, the coated fries were great! As a French fry purist, I have never said that before. Cannot go wrong with the hush puppies. Finished my meal with coffee and cheesecake. The friendly staff made this a memorable visit. I can't wait to come 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!“

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

“Dauphines is a good happy hour spot. The outdoor bar was mad busy but the vibe was terrific and you could enjoy music from the restaurant next door which was jamming. Marvin is one of the best bartenders in D.C. - kind, super attentive, made great suggestions. Despite the fact that our party was sitting in the courtyard area he bought our drinks over and took our food order. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. We ordered the devil eggs with crabmeat, shrimp cocktail, po boy sliders, raw oysters -- everything was tasty. A little pricey but worth it. Fun spot!“

“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.“

“Thanks you so much #psychiczabaza“

““Everything was delicious and fresh! The seafood tasted incredibly fresh, especially the fish, and every dish was beautifully presented. And the tamarind mezcal margaritas were absolutely amazing—definitely a must-try! Great place for a fun Mexican seafood experience. I’ll definitely be 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!“

“We (a group of out-of-towners looking for seafood) had the perfect experience at Hank's. We arrived around 6pm on a weeknight and were seated immediately. Our server was detailed, thorough, and thoughtful. Our drinks were delicious and the food was incredible. We shared their proprietary oysters and all loved them! Whenever I'm back in DC, I'll be returning for sure!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Our visit last Friday might have been one of the best service experiences we've ever had at a restaurant! My sister's train into DC was wildly delayed so we pushed back our reservation, but still unfortunately arrived late, with only 30 mins before closing. We were starving and most other restaurants were closed. The WARMTH with which they greeted and ushered us in was wonderful. We made sure to order ASAP but they didn't make us feel rushed and they took incredible care of us, giving great recommendations and attentive care. We felt like old friends they were happy to have. Food was incredible but the manager and waitstaff's friendly and calming attitude made our night!“

“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.“

“Great food in a fun location“

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

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

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

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“The food is amazingly fresh and delicious.“

“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.“

“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“

“Delicious food and fabulous service. Its always a special time dining here. The only complaint was an automatic 20% service charge added to the bill which, as explained on the bill, was NOT to be considered as the gratuity. We ordered expensive dinners and are generous tippers and did not feel we should be charged a service fee on top of our normal gratuity.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Delicious! Greetings from Finland with love.“

“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!“

“Food was... Phenomenal. I had smothered biscuits with fried chicken and everything was sublime. Good came out fast, people were friendly. Had seating but everyone, including us, were just getting food to go. Decor is cute but not vibey. I will 100% go back if I am anywhere within 45min of the place for those biscuits.“

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

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“Don’t let Atxondo’s modest looks deceive you. I was skeptical but some friends wanted to try this place so I went along. I was very pleasantly surprised. We ate vegetarian and everything was excellent. I can recommend the brussel sprouts, tortilla española, crispy potatoes, coliflor, golden beets, fried shishitos, and risotto. I almost forgot to mention the interesting drink menu and the best flan I’ve ever had. Service was great too. Go with a group so you can try everything!“

“The Fish Shop DC was amazing. My family went for my husband's birthday lunch and I would say this place is one of the best spots in Wharf. The restaurant space was made with such creative ideas and a lot of space. We took our infant and had enough space for strollers. The food was incredibly delicious and our server Nishi was amazing! We will definitely return for more food!“

“10/10, took my wife for our 15 year anniversary and she loved, every delicious bite, every plate had a story to tell,such a wonderful and memorable experience. Gracias!!!“

“food highly recommended 💯💯“

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

“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.“