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Best Restaurants with a Vibrant Bar Scene in Downtown

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49 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Georgia Brown's restaurant
1. Georgia Brown's
4.4
Awesome(8910)
Price: Expensive
• Low Country • Downtown
Booked 36 times today
Come and experience our lively interpretation of South Carolina Low-Country cuisine. Enjoy good southern food, servers who bubble over with hospitality, and a dining room that is truly distinctive. With its golden woods and bronze sculptures that crawl across the ceiling, designer Adam Tihany has created an atmosphere to awaken your senses. What better place to enjoy low country cuisine than in this contemporary environment celebrating the south. Offering the flavor of the South - the Soul of Washington; where we will be sure to leave a light burning in the window for you, our guests.22% service charge is included on every check. 18% is distributed directly to service workers on top of their base wages, and the remaining 4% is used to help pay for all staff costs due to the District of Columbia's Initiative 82. You may choose to leave an additional tip!https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaBrownsRestaurant/https://www.instagram.com/georgiabrowns_dc/http://gbrowns.com/
A photo of Lincoln - DC restaurant
2. Lincoln - DC
4.2
Awesome(3436)
Price: Moderate
• American • McPherson Square
Booked 8 times today
Founded in 2011 our seasonal menu features comfort food with a twist. LINCOLN pays tribute to one of the greatest US Presidents, with nods to many of his favorite foods including our signature chicken pot pie & another star on the menu, our kale salad. The menu is focused but varietal. Our cocktails are truly one-of-a-kind. Our barkeeps have created one of the city’s thoughtful bar programs highlighted by infused bourbons and DC's first moonshine-list served in antique-style copper cups. Our patio is open all year-round, offering a relaxed, urban landscape. Don't miss our butcher cut NY Strip or the city's best Mac & Cheese. LINCOLN is the right place for your next private event with many options for private dining from 10 to 200. Original paintings & distinctive interior design by homegrown artist, Maggie O’Neill. LINCOLN is your destination for Lunch, happy hour, dinner or brunch. We are open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Easter & Mother's Day for your special celebration.
A photo of Via Sophia Washington DC restaurant
3. Via Sophia Washington DC
4.3
Awesome(801)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 16 times today
Via Sophia reimagines the osteria experience for downtown D.C; where classic Italian dishes and fresh-from-the-oven pizzas are paired with bespoke beverages and a discerning wine list. With a focus on quality, consistency, and hospitality, we offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere for every guest, at any time of the day.
A photo of Rare Steakhouse - Washington DC restaurant
4. Rare Steakhouse - Washington DC
4.7
Exceptional(1186)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 16 times today
Centrally located in downtown Washington DC, RARE Steakhouse & Tavern (RARE) is a one-of-a-kind fine dining concept that brings together the best qualities of world-class dining venues with USDA prime, dry-aged steaks, exquisite wines and first-class service bolstered with Midwestern charm. Created by Wisconsin natives, RARE boasts a classic and elegant atmosphere, striving to bring the nostalgia and romance of the classic steakhouse to life, to a time when eating out was meant to be an experience.
A photo of Il Piatto restaurant
5. Il Piatto
4.5
Awesome(747)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 38 times today
Il Piatto is the modern expression of the classic Italian cuisine. Enjoy a selection of antipasto, pastas, gnocchi, and more! Our private dining package seats 35 guests or holds a reception for 50 guests. With a view of the wine cellar, our Italian restaurant is perfect for all kinds of events.Il Piatto is open for lunch, brunch, dinner and happy hour. *Please note, we serve brunch on holiday Mondays and the 4th of July*
A photo of Zaytinya - DC restaurant
6. Zaytinya - DC
4.7
Exceptional(20005)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter
Booked 281 times today
Under the direction of celebrated Chef José Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup team, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on José's deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington.
A photo of The Hamilton restaurant
7. The Hamilton
4.7
Exceptional(12240)
Price: Moderate
• American • Downtown
Booked 172 times today
The Hamilton, located in downtown Washington, DC, is a vibrant restaurant known for its diverse American cuisine and lively atmosphere. Showcasing an expansive menu that highlights fresh seafood, steaks, and sushi happy hours, it caters to a wide range of tastes. The Hamilton also features an impressive bar with handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. With its spacious dining areas and a music venue hosting live music performances, The Hamilton offers a unique dining experience that blends culinary excellence with entertainment. Across the street from the Treasury building, the W Hotel, and the Willard Hotel.
A photo of Succotash PRIME restaurant
8. Succotash PRIME
4.6
Exceptional(4216)
Price: Moderate
• American • Penn Quarter
Booked 66 times today
Succotash PRIME is a progressive perspective of classic Southern favorites. James Beard Award winner Edward Lee brings his Korean roots and Southern repertoire to a soulful Southern Steakhouse menu.SUCCOTASH is named after the classic dish that has been a longstanding staple of the Southern table. While many know “Succotash” when they see it, the dish has been interpreted, modified, and passed from generation to generation for centuries. Our “Succotash” is special to us and we invite you to experience the South from our point of view.
A photo of Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown restaurant
9. Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown
4.4
Awesome(14053)
Price: Moderate
• American • Georgetown
Booked 82 times today
Located at Georgetown’s Washington Harbor on the Potomac River with a lively dining room, full-service bar, and a covered & heated patio, this farmer-owned restaurant is open 365 days a year serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, and a decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch. Everything is made from scratch with simple, high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers they know and trust. Expansive menus include an array of seafood dishes, sushi, pizzas, tacos, decadent desserts, Founding Farmers Chocolates, classic and tiki cocktails featuring spirits from their DC-based distillery, Founding Spirits. You can also swing by for a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from their First Bake Cafe. Mission driven and operating Through The Eyes Of The Farmer,™ they actively care about their guests, communities, and the planet. Please know that a 22% auto-gratuity will be applied to parties of 8 or more. We look forward to serving you!
A photo of The Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C restaurant
10. The Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C
4.5
Awesome(4036)
Price: Expensive
• American • Penn Quarter
Booked 55 times today
The Smith in Penn Quarter is a buzzing bar scene. It's a vibrant American brasserie with a menu that includes bistro classics, seasonal fare, and craft cocktails. Customers rave about the 'vibrant vibe', 'great cocktails', and the 'fun & tasty' drinks. It's the perfect spot for a 'relaxing and enjoyable' evening, 'date night', or 'drinks on the town' as one reviewer put it.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Gloria
    Washington, D.C. Area •3 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Dined there during Sunday Brunch. I ordered the brunch; the fruit, veggies, and other sides were good. However, the fish and chicken selections from the buffet tasted "northern" not "southern". The others in my party ordered from the menu and commented that their meals were very good. There's a jazz band during Sunday brunch, which is loud but entertaining. This is a good spot to celebrate your birthday.
    More info
    Georgia Brown'sPrice: Expensive• Low Country• Downtown
    •
    4.4
  • Amauri
    New York City •2 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    My wife and I were sat right away on a Friday night. We both ordered the Amalfi Coast cocktail; my wife enjoyed it, but it was way too sweet for my taste. She ordered fries and I had the calamari appetizer. She really enjoyed her fries, the calamari was excellent, and came with a lovely salad. It was so good, it could’ve been an entree if they added a pasta. My wife had the margherita pizza and I had the bolognese pasta; we both thought our apps were better than the entrees. I then ordered an old fashioned which was very good. Overall a nice experience in a romantic, casual setting.
    More info
    Via Sophia Washington DCPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
    •
    4.3
  • WendyVIP
    Atlanta •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    We had a great dinner—the food was delicious and the service was attentive. That said, I was disappointed that there was a charge ($25.00 pp) charged immediately just to make a reservation, which feels a bit unnecessary. Also, it was surprising that they didn’t have any way to make decaf coffee or espresso, especially for those of us who’d still like to enjoy a coffee or espresso martini after dinner without the caffeine. Overall, a nice experience, but a few small details kept it from being perfect.
    More info
    Rare Steakhouse - Washington DCPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
    •
    4.7
  • JeniferVIP
    Alabama •19 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Pasta is made in house and was delicious. Recommend.
    More info
    Il PiattoPrice: Moderate• Italian• Downtown
    •
    4.5
  • Tim
    Washington, D.C. Area •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Jul 16, 2025
    Food was great, service was good. One issue was having to wait 10 minutes to pay the check.
    More info
    Lincoln - DCPrice: Moderate• American• McPherson Square
    •
    4.2

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