Best Historic Restaurants in Penn Quarter

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

AlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaCapitol HillDowntownDupont Circle

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

79 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Succotash PRIME

4.6

Exceptional(4183)

$$$$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 Dirty Habit | The Glass House restaurant

2. Dirty Habit | The Glass House

4.3

Awesome(2356)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service • Penn Quarter

Booked 26 times today

Dirty Habit DC is a globally inspired New American restaurant & bar in a hip, edgy hotel space with private courtyard space. Just a perfect location for happy hour cocktails, events and private bookings. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and late night bites.

A photo of Carmine's - Washington DC restaurant

3. Carmine's - Washington DC

4.5

Awesome(6699)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Penn Quarter

Booked 61 times today

Carmine's is a family style restaurant offering exceptional value to its guests through the many dishes of Southern Italian cuisine. Restaurateur Artie Cutler crafted Carmine's with a singular vision; bringing his guests abundant portions and making any meal feel like an Italian American wedding feast. Platters of made to order pasta, decadent seafood or meat entrees, and of course homemade desserts are all staples at Carmine's, meant for sharing among friends and family. When great food and wine are supported by friendly and knowledgeable service, the results are magic - we want every day to feel like a Sunday afternoon at Grandma's! We are open for Indoor & Outdoor Dining, Pick-up, Delivery, Catering and Private Parties. Your safety is our priority. DC no longer requires proof of vaccination to dine indoors. Indoor & Outdoor dining are available.

4. Estuary

4.6

Exceptional(767)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Penn Quarter

Booked 5 times today

At Estuary, we celebrate the essence of contemporary American cuisine while embracing the rich bounty of the Chesapeake region. Modern design and floor-to-ceiling windows await you, giving way to sweeping views of DC’s iconic skyline. Here, the city’s dynamic energy pairs seamlessly with a menu that tells a story of culture, tradition, and artistry – all firmly rooted in the Chesapeake.To complement the flavors on your plate, we present an extensive selection of meticulously curated wines and handcrafted cocktails. Chef de Cuisine Arturo Elias brings a deeply personal touch to every dish, making full use of his traditional French training while also drawing inspiration from memories of cooking side-by-side with his grandmother in Mexico. His multicultural experience shines through in bold, flavorful accents that add a unique twist to Mid-Atlantic fare, blending time-honored techniques with a passion for innovation.

A photo of Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - Washington, D.C. restaurant

5. Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - Washington, D.C.

4.6

Exceptional(2106)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 37 times today

Truluck's, a premier dining destination since 1992, offers high-quality seafood and exceptional service with a commitment to sustainability. Renowned for its Florida Stone Crab, Truluck's ensures this delicacy goes from trap to table in 24 hours during its October to May season. Under Corporate Executive Chef Thomas Dritsas, the menu features fresh seafood and prime steaks, complemented by an extensive beverage program. Adhering to Ocean Conservancy guidelines, Truluck's supports sustainable practices and community initiatives. With 12 locations and a dedicated team, Truluck's Washington, D.C. creates remarkable dining experiences. Reservations can be made online or via OpenTable.

6. Tonari

4.5

Awesome(355)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Penn Quarter

Booked 18 times today

Tonari is our Wafu Italian restaurant. WAFU means Japanese-style, so our menu is a Japanese take on Italian food. It originated in Japan through the love that the Japanese had for Italian food but wanted to incorporate some of their cultural flavors and ingredients to them. We at Daikaya Group and chef & owner, Katsuya Fukushima, are bringing this experience to you here in DC.Looking for some fun Japanese antipasti bites, one of a kind pasta dishes, or pizza that you won't find anywhere else in the city? Then come join us for dinner, we look forward to having you soon.

A photo of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse - DC restaurant

7. Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse - DC

4.5

Awesome(4316)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 45 times today

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse embodies the rich tradition of the classic American steakhouse, serving USDA Prime Beef, fresh seafood and premium wines from our award-winning wine selection.

A photo of Lucky Danger Chinatown restaurant

8. Lucky Danger Chinatown

new

4.5

Awesome(8)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Chinese • Penn Quarter

Booked 12 times today

Lucky Danger is a bold, modern take on classic American Chinese cuisine. Inspired by the nostalgia of takeout favorites and elevated with high-quality ingredients and culinary technique, Lucky Danger brings fun, flavor, and a bit of edge to every dish. Founded by Chef Tim Ma, the restaurant reimagines familiar staples like General Tso’s Chicken, Beef & Broccoli, and Crab Rangoon with a chef-driven approach—paying homage to the comforting flavors of Chinese-American food while delivering a fresh, contemporary experience.We are located in the historic Chinatown/Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C.. We look forward to welcoming you in.

A photo of Summit Rooftop Bar restaurant

9. Summit Rooftop Bar

4.6

Exceptional(104)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • Downtown

Booked 4 times today

Summit, the Rooftop at Conrad, is open to the public for walk-ins and reservations for parties of 10 or more. Menu includes lite bites, wine, beer, cocktails, mocktails and frozé. Unparalleled views of Downtown DC, the US Capitol, the Washington Monument combined with a relaxed atmosphere provide the ideal setting for a casual afternoon drink, or a lively night of celebration.Our refreshing cocktail list features spirits from some of DC's finest distillers alongside beers from the region's most notable breweries, while our wine list offers selections from wineries that practice sustainable farming and wine making methods.For groups of 20 or more, we encourage you to consider a private event at Summit! To discuss a buy-out, please reach out to wasci.events.and.catering@conradhotels.com.

10. Sax

4.3

Awesome(1237)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Penn Quarter

SAX is the only East Coast modern Supper Club, serving up reinvented New American cuisine with a variety of seafood, steak entrees and unique craft cocktails alongside continuous live entertainment including choreographed dance sets, aerialists, pole ballet and contortionists. SAX also transforms late night into DC's hottest nightclub/lounge with live DJs, entertainment and VIP bottle service.Reservation cancellation or decrease in party size less than 24 hours before your event is subject to a fee of $15 per person and will be charged to the provided credit card. SAX can only hold your reservation for 15 minutes after it has passed, if no guests have checked in, it is considered a no-show with the $15 per person fee.SAX is your perfect special occasion celebration destination whether a birthday or bachelorette party, holiday or corporate party, or private event space.Valentines Day the minimum spending requirement per couple is $200, anything over 2 people will be $75 per person

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
Terry
New Orleans / Louisiana •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great food. HUGE portions. Service was scattered but I think that was placement of waiter. Great atmosphere.
More info
Carmine's - Washington DCPrice: Moderate• Italian• Penn Quarter
•
4.5
A
Alihannah
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Absolutely loved the food and restaurant appearance. I enjoyed spending my birthday here and definitely will be back again.
More info
Dirty Habit | The Glass HousePrice: Moderate• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service• Penn Quarter
•
4.3
S
Sheree
Philadelphia County •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The food is delicious and the service was excellent. I love to have dinner in the Bar when they have live entertainment.
More info
Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - Washington, D.C.Price: Expensive• Seafood• Mount Vernon Square
•
4.6
K
Keesuk
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
It was the perfect place to wrap up our two and a half years of life in the U.S. With delicious food and excellent service, I would gladly choose this place again if I ever return to visit Washington, D.C.
More info
Succotash PRIMEPrice: Moderate• American• Penn Quarter
•
4.6
C
Christina
Virginia •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Excellent view from the window side seats. The bar area has congregating areas for parties; it gets rather loud. (Not an ideal area for a date or business meal.) The food is excellent, fresh, and inventive.
More info
EstuaryPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Penn Quarter
•
4.6

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