Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bistro Cacao

4.9

4.9 (3326)

$31 to $50

French

Capitol Hill

About the restaurant

Bistro Cacao has been serving modern French cuisine to DC customers in Capitol Hill since 2009. Charming décor with velvet curtained walls in Red Room and Rouge Room gave Bistro Cacao it's fame as the most Romantic Restaurant in DC.
Serving brunch, lunch and dinner indoor and in its charming patio. Bar on the first floor is also the go-to place for the neighborhood.

Top review

AllisonGold

Dined on Jun 29, 2026

Authentic French restaurant bistro. Pomme frites outstanding. Salads not overdressed & sandwiches divine. Atmosphere inside w intimate booths and outside patio lovely. Sergio was a magnificent waitstaff

The Prime Rib

4.8

4.8 (3419)

$50 and over

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

D.C's premier steakhouse with tuxedoed waiters and a 1940s Manhattan supper-club setting since 1976. Top five romantic restaurant in America (Food and Wine magazine). Live piano nightly. Valet parking. business casual for gentlemen.

Top review

JosephGold

Dined on Jun 17, 2026

I am so sad Prime Rib is closing in DC and hope for a new location quickly. No place has the ambiance and class and superb level of service. Thanks for so many great meals and lovely times.

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Popular dish

Roast Prime Rib

Popular dish

Prime Rib Sliders (4)

Popular dish

The Prime Rib Salad

The Ashby Inn

4.8

4.8 (1941)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Paris

About the restaurant

The Ashby Inn & Restaurant is fully committed to supporting the farmers and artisans that live and work in this region. Our menus represent the freshest, seasonal products that can be sourced locally from sustainable operations. The offerings will change daily dependent on what our local farmers and nature provide. Our pledge to you is to provide a quality dining experience founded on food and drink from sources we know and trust.

Top review

Jack

Dined 5 days ago

Great service and excellent food! Everything was excellent. We will be back.

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4.8

4.8 (229)

$30 and under

Italian

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Angolo’s relaxed spot where you can come for lunch and dinner with a menu celebrating the warm spirit of Italian cuisine, while honoring the purest seasonal ingredients. Take a seat on the patio and savor a chilled glass of wine with antipasti and a refreshing salad.

We offer a private room on our Second Floor. This can accommodate up to 80 guests; an additional deposit is required to book this space. Please call us at 202 262 9047

Top review

Miranda Marie

Dined on Jun 26, 2026

On a trip from California really good food. Normally my mom and I aren’t satisfied with food but this was to die for!

Afghania

4.8

4.8 (171)

$31 to $50

Afghan

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Our newest restaurant, Afghania is the sister restaurant to Bistro Aracosia in the Palisades neighborhood of DC, Aracosia in McLean Va and Afghan Bistro in Springfield VA. Afghania accommodates any diet and is proud of taking cooking back to its origins.

Welcome to Afghania, where the Steppe of Central Asia meets the Hindu Kush and Suleiman Mountain Range, bordering South Asia. Come and enjoy the warm hospitality, exquisite flavors, and the mystery of the Afghan frontier that so many have been intrigued by.
At Afghania you will enjoy some classical dishes of the warriors from the frontier. Smoked meats, vegetables full of flavor, exotic spices, exquisite flavors and aromas and unmatched hospitality are promised at Afghania.
Come and enjoy dishes that date back to the early 1800’s from the Afghan Empire - Afghania.

A 20% service charge will be added to all checks. This supports our staff and operations. This is not a gratuity and no tip is expected.

Top review

William

Dined on Jun 24, 2026

One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Great food and service. Highly recommend the dumpling sampler.

Melting Pot - Gaithersburg

4.6

4.6 (1938)

$30 and under

Fondue

Gaithersburg

About the restaurant

Melting Pot isn't just a meal - it's an experience! Perfect for date nights, birthdays, and celebrations, Melting Pot blends fine dining with interactive fun that makes every occasion memorable. Our restaurant offers a warm, inviting escape where guests cook, dip, and share fondue together at the table. Savor our signature four-course fondue journey with award-winning cheese fondue, crisp salads, premium entrées (filet mignon, cold-water lobster tail, shrimp, teriyaki sirloin, chicken, vegan and vegetarian options), and unforgettable chocolate fondue. Private seating options, curated celebration experiences, and a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list help create an evening designed for connection and celebration.

Top review

DebbieGold

Dined on Jun 13, 2026

Perfect with great food and service. Melting Pot never disappoints

Alhambra

4.6

4.6 (793)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

Taking inspiration from the landmark Alhambra Palace and Fortress in southern Spain, one of the most famous monuments of Islamic and Spanish Renaissance architecture, our new menu exemplifies the blending of cultures and cuisines across the region.

Showcasing their rich bounty of produce and fish in a modern and convivial setting, Chef Jason Galbao presents a seasonally inspired menu enhanced with the bold flavors across a variety of the region’s cultures. With distinct menus offered across brunch, lunch and dinner, the dining concept focuses on four sections of small plated dishes – sea, land, garden and table – all meant to be shared.

Alhambra is located on the lobby-level of The St. Regis Washington, D.C. at 923 16th Street NW in the heart of downtown D.C. Led by 2026 RAMMY Chef of the Year nominee Jason Galbao. Enjoy outdoor dining on the Alhambra Veranda, weather permitting.

Top review

Kat

Dined 5 days ago

The lamb chops were the best I’ve ever tasted….truly the best. The service and atmosphere was lovely, however, in a 5 Star Hotel, is it appropriate for men to come to the dining room in shorts, tank tops and t shirts? Your website sites “business casual”. If you want to be a 5 Star hotel, then please ask your guests to adhere to proper dress codes equivalent to a 5 Star rating.

Iron Gate

4.6

4.6 (3282)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Iron Gate, located near Dupont Circle, stands as one of the district’s oldest continuously operating restaurants and is split between a sumptuous dining room, a wisteria covered patio and a handsomely enclosed carriageway that houses the bar.

Chef Anthony Chittum, a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and his team have revitalized the space with a menu that takes inspiration for the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinian and Southern Italy, interpreting those traditions and techniques using the finest products and seasonal ingredients of the Mid-Atlantic.

Iron Gate also serves as an idyllic oasis for fine private events both large and small, so please consider us when planning your next fête, we'd love to have you as our guests.

Top review

Jason

Dined 4 days ago

We have been going to Iron Gate over the years and this was by far our best experience... the food was amazing, the staff was attentive, and the ambiance is great. They really helped make our 25th anniversary special. Thank you!

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Experience

Weekend Brunch at Iron Gate

Proper Bar

4.6

4.6 (51)

$31 to $50

American

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Proper Bar blends elevated American bistro cuisine with a signature craft cocktail program, all within a stylish atmosphere in the heart of Washington, D.C. Our private room—featuring an elegant champagne bar—offers the perfect setting for private events of up to 50 guests. In the evenings, guests can enjoy live entertainment, from local pianists to the best DJs curating the perfect vibe. We are located a few blocks from the Convention Center and City Center making us an easy destination for anyone in DC. We can’t wait to welcome you to Proper Bar.

Top review

DanicaGold

Dined on Jun 27, 2026

Great girl dinner before heading out for a concert.

Trattoria Da Franco

4.4

4.4 (298)

$31 to $50

Italian

Alexandria

About the restaurant

Rustic yet elegant handmade cuisine that celebrates the Italian-American experience. Sit inside one of our cozy dining rooms...fire roaring in winter, and friendly service that treats you like family and royalty at the same time. Listen to the sounds of Frank Sinatra and Louis Prima, or catch our live jazz or opera music several nights a week. When the weather turns warm, we have an inviting patio setting perfect for people watching with a glass of wine and some good friends.

Top review

D. David

Dined on Jun 20, 2026

Wonderful restaurant, as always. The food was excellent, and the staff was attentive. A special plus was the live piano music, which made for a lovely atmosphere while we dined. We also had the unexpected treat of meeting the owner of the vineyard that produced the wine we enjoyed. For an intimate Old Town dining experience with excellent food, good wine, and nearby parking, this is the place to go.

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