Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Washington, D.C. Area
  4. District of Columbia
  5. Dupont Circle

Pesce Restaurant

4.5
4.5
687 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
For over twenty years, Pesce has been a favorite among Washingtonian diners for its fresh seafood and creative bistro entrees. We discover the freshest seasonal ingredients from local markets and the regional countryside, and select only the highest quality seafood from our fishmongers…and we do so daily.

Because of this obsessive pursuit of quality, our menus are hand-written each day and presented to your tableside on chalk boards. Our recipes, innovative yet rooted in classic technique, are intended to evoke a sense of pure bliss.

Have a glass of wine and bite to eat at the bar and you may feel you’ve been transported to a Parisian bistro. A relaxed environment, Pesce can host anything from a business lunch to an intimate dinner, or even a semi-private event complete with the option of a personalized menu.

Pesce, the best seafood destination in Dupont for 20 years and counting!


Regine Palladin, Owner

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Seafood

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm, Sunday: 5:30pm - 9:30pm

  • Phone number

    (202) 466-3474

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Andrew LaPorta

  • Neighborhood

    Dupont Circle

  • Cross street

    20th St. NW

  • Parking details

    None

  • Public transit

    Pesce Restaurant is easily accessible by Metro. Customers will want to take the Red Line to the Dupont Circle Stop and exit from the North.

  • Additional

    Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wine

What 687 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5
4.5 based on all time ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. ClaudiaS

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Very enjoyable evening. Like the window table.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Murasaki

    Washington DC

    18 reviews

    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2020

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Cozy place with a unique menu focused on fish. A reliable restaurant that has been around for years and still delivering.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Traveler

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great service, delicious meal (popcorn shrimp with lightest of coating; Caesar salad with twist of smoked trout; halibut and monkfish as entrees), good setting. It's harder to imagine fresher-tasting fish. The Washington Post was right in praising Pesce as best seafood restaurant around.

    Is this helpful?

  4. ThadB

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Pesce has been one of my favorite restaurants for many years.

    Is this helpful?

  5. HectorM

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    OK experience overall. Good food, but overpriced for what it is. Impossible to talk without screaming in the front dining room. Very cold draft when patrons are in and out.

    Is this helpful?

  6. MarshaF

    Washington DC

    80 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    80 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I lunched with a friend. We sat at the table in the window. We shared the beet salad to start. She had the arctic char and I had rockfish-- both excellent. It's a great place for a leisurely meal and conversation is easy.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Date

    Washington DC

    158 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    158 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2020

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    The food was pretty good. However, I saved the date to be a birthday dinner for my wife. It was in the notes on the reservation. The restaurant (all personnel) never even acknowledged her birthday - never even said Happy birthday to her which was very disappointing.

    Is this helpful?

  8. 4thWardDiner

    Washington DC

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was prepared perfectly and tasted like Top Chef!

    Is this helpful?

  9. MonteR

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 16, 2020

    overall2food4service1ambience1
    We overheard profanity-laced tirades from a staff member on two occasions. The staff member even kicked in the kitchen door. We were fearful for our safety. The service was very slow. Our water glasses were never replenished.

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was excellent and creative, the service attentive and friendly, and they happily accommodated dietary restrictions. The chef was everywhere and entertaining to talk to. Pesce has a lot of personality and feels like a neighborhood restaurant, but with dishes that surprise and delight.

    Is this helpful?

  11. Jeremy

    Miami

    6 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We were there for Valentine’s Day, it was one of the worst dinner experiences I have ever had, food didn’t come out correctly, food was cold, we waited 45 minutes before the first course came out, by the time we got the main course it was cold as ice, the chef has to be the most unprofessional person I’ve ever seen, as we watched him screaming and yelling at the staff in the dining room. Needless to say we will never be back.

    Is this helpful?

  12. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall1food2service1ambience2
    They were clearly overwhelmed by Valentines and/or understaffed but the experience was not good at all. We waited more than an hour for our appetizer, and nearly 30 minutes to get our drinks. During that time, we were offered a couple times other tables’ drinks and food. Their lobster bisque was one of the worst soups I’ve ever had. It was dark brown water with a semi-lobster flavor and no lobster in the bisque at all. My fish entree was undercooked.

    Is this helpful?

  13. DylanF

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall2food3service2ambience3
    Restaurant has the potential to be something decent but poor staffing choices and lack-luster cuisine make that impossible here. Food was OK, but had expected better going in. Service was a tragically comical with one waitress comping atleast the first course for each of the 3 tables next to us due to delays/mistakes. (Our waiter was better but did not seem to care about the guest experience) Bar Tender came out screaming and cursing the kitchen at one point which silenced the whole restaurant and didn't end until another staff member intervened. Value was perhaps the biggest disappointment. The highlight we shared with the tables adjacent was the pure absurdity of the affair. It was an experience for sure, just not the one we'd expected!

    Is this helpful?

  14. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Excellent food! Try the sea bass or scallops!

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall1food3service1ambience1
    Horrible service. Clearly understaffed. We sat for 25 minutes and we were never brought bread or water and did not have our orders taken. We then witnessed a couple next to us order appetizers to share - one came out and the other did not come out for 15 minutes. We took this as a signal and left. Not what we expected for a prime time Valentine’s Day reservation.

    Is this helpful?

  16. ArchH

    Central Coast

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Absolutely the best prepared fish meals I have had (yet).

    Is this helpful?

  17. lisam

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2020

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Far exceeded our expectations. The food was delicious - everyone enjoyed their meals - and the service was top notch. We'll be going back again soon.

    Is this helpful?

  18. GWprof

    Washington DC

    15 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2020

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    Food is good, service is lackluster. Really hard to get water refilled. Fantastically overpriced for entrees and tiny portions.

    Is this helpful?

  19. MarkR

    Norway

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2020

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    A great fish restaurant that always delivers first class, fresh and tasty food and never disappoints. We had a lovely meal of delicious mains and starters. I still love their branzino!

    Is this helpful?

  20. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What an amazing restaurant. Food was absolutely delicious! Great service and Menu.. would highly recommend this delightful restaurant. Sadly we were visiting from overseas or else we would make this restaurant a regular. Thank you!!

    Is this helpful?

  21. JorgeM

    Washington DC

    17 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2020

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Food was really good. Ambiance was ok. Price for food was a bit on the expensive side.

    Is this helpful?

  22. LyndaP

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great for special occasions. The lobster was to die for. Great garlic and butter taste. Juice was worth dipping.

    Is this helpful?

  23. MarshaF

    Washington DC

    80 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    80 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2020

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    My husband and I met a friend for lunch. I had rockfish with a vegetable saute and a beurre blanc sauce. It was excellent. My husband had a giant prawn and papaya salad. He said it was very tasty, but the prawn was a tad overcooked. He and our friend both had the grilled sardines on a puff pastry, which they both enjoyed.

    Is this helpful?

  24. SRestaurantsA

    Miami

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2020

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Lisa the bartender was SO Sweet and welcoming, better yet everyone was! Excited to dine there again.

    1 person found this helpful

  25. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 6, 2020

    overall3food1service4ambience5
    I ordered a whole grilled Branzino which I had to debone and it was mushy. Very disappointing!

    Is this helpful?

  26. Sigma60

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Friend and I shared courses. Big hits were grilled octopus in delicious miso broth, roasted branzino with rosemary and thyme, and a warm chocolate tart.

    1 person found this helpful

  27. ValS

    Edinburgh

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2019

    overall1food1service5ambience1
    Service and food disappointing. Cold food and served within 5 minutes of ordering. Food looked as if it was not cooked from scratch. Very disappointed.

    Is this helpful?

  28. Greatplace

    Kansas City

    35 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful food and great service. It’s the place we always come Back to when In DC

    1 person found this helpful

  29. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 22, 2019

    overall1food3service1ambience3
    Waiter with altered consciousness. On drugs of some sort that left him incompetent to wait on our table. He mispoured our wine, soaking it all over the tablecloth. We then moved to an adjacent table, whereupon the waiter did the exact same thing. Both times, he attempted to pour from a small wine carafe into our wine glass, and he missed the glass both times. It was totally surreal. After the second time, stunned, I led my wife out of the restaurant. I’m sorry that I did not get a chance to try the restaurant, which I had not been to in about 15 years.

    1 person found this helpful

  30. scotts

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is our go to seafood restaurant. Amazing menu and super fresh.

    1 person found this helpful

  31. Mike

    Washington DC

    31 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2019

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    We did not appreciate the waiter telling us and every table around us to order a certain wine that he was promoting

    Is this helpful?

  32. ChrisN

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 13, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As ALWAYS first-rate service, food quality, cooking...client, as usual, had a great time!

    Is this helpful?

  33. Larry

    Washington DC

    49 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Three of us had a delicious and delightful dinner at Pesce. Everything was extremely fresh and perfectly prepared. The service was friendly and efficient. We were all pleased and all said we plan to go back again soon.

    Is this helpful?

  34. BethM

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 6, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A wonderful, relaxed dinner, made even more enjoyable by the presence of Chef La Porta

    Is this helpful?

  35. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 6, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a great find! We loved the custom menu on the chalkboard. All of the food was phenomenal, including amazing appetizers. The shrimp bruschetta was outstanding and so unique. The server was friendly and attentive, and he gave us some great advice on entree choices. I’m definitely going back the next time I’m in DC.

    Is this helpful?

  36. dupontdweller

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2019

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Excellent food, but would have appreciated some vegetable "sides" or separate vegetable options. Would like to see some options at lower price points if possible.

    Is this helpful?

  37. TravelGal

    Washington DC

    31 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2019

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Super fresh fish. Great service.

    Is this helpful?

  38. SonyaB

    Washington DC

    87 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    87 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love, love, love Pesce! It is such a great local gem. I have never had a bad meal there, and they know how to prepare fish. It is never overcooked, always flavorful, beautiful presentation, the works! I’m so glad that it has been a mainstay of seafood in DC.

    1 person found this helpful

  39. CarolT

    Washington DC

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely meal- grilled octopus pasta terrific.

    1 person found this helpful

  40. peanutbutter

    Washington DC

    39 reviews

    2.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2019

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    We had not ben to Pesce in awhile. It was a Sunday and it turned out that many things on the menu that we enjoy were not available. As a neighborhood place, it seems to have gotten increasingly expensive and with a limited menu it would not be on the top of my list as a go to. Wine was expensive and so on.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Pesce Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 466-3474.

Pesce Restaurant is rated 4.5 stars by 687 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Pesce Restaurant

2002 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Additional information

  • Cross street

    20th St. NW

  • Neighborhood

    Dupont Circle

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm, Sunday: 5:30pm - 9:30pm

  • Cuisines

    Seafood

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    None

  • Public transit

    Pesce Restaurant is easily accessible by Metro. Customers will want to take the Red Line to the Dupont Circle Stop and exit from the North.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Andrew LaPorta

  • Additional

    Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wine

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo