Penn Quarter Restaurants
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Old Ebbitt Grill
Price: Moderate•American•4.8(30,432)Downtown - 2
Zaytinya - DC
Price: Moderate•Mediterranean•4.7(19,965)Penn Quarter - 3
Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom
Price: Moderate•American•4.5(34,711)Foggy Bottom - 4
Filomena Ristorante
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.8(17,712)Georgetown - 5
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC
Price: Very Expensive•Seafood•4.8(10,483)Downtown
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STK - DC
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4(639)Mount Vernon Square - 2
The Park at 14th
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.8(3,142)Downtown - 3
Chasin' Tails - Founders Row
Price: Very Expensive•Seafood•4.5(537)Arlington - 4
Mia's Italian Kitchen
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.8(2,630)Alexandria - 5
dLeña
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.7(2,318)Mount Vernon Square
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Dirty Habit | The Glass House
Price: Moderate•Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service•4.3(2,359)Penn Quarter - 2
Dauphine’s
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.5(1,486)Downtown - 3
Succotash PRIME
Price: Moderate•American•4.6(4,200)Penn Quarter - 4
The Pembroke
Price: Expensive•Global, International•4.6(2,091)Dupont Circle - 5
Georgia Brown's
Price: Expensive•Low Country•4.5(8,901)Downtown
Award winning restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area
Check out diners' favorite restaurants in Penn Quarter
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Centrolina
Price: Very Expensive•Italian•4.7(2,257)Centrolina is an Italian restaurant and market, locally owned and operated by Chef Amy Brandwein, set in Washington’s CityCenterDC development. The Osteria showcases a seasonally driven menu of authentic and innovative Italian dishes offered for lunch and dinner. Chef Brandwein's menu is inspired from the seasons, Italian regionality and the wide variety of Chef curated product in the adjoining market.
The market showcases a selection of imported Italian specialty items along with locally sourced meat, sustainable fish, and produce from local farms. The Centrolina kitchen produces daily hand crafted fresh pasta and sauces, antipasti and entrees available for takeaway.
For parties of 7 people or more, we do require a prix-fixe menu, please email caroline@centrolinadc.com for additional information.Cafe Riggs
Price: Expensive•Contemporary French / American•4.7(180)In the grand tradition of French cuisine, Café Riggs presents a contemporary American brasserie that reimagines classic dishes within a vibrant setting.
Zaytinya - DC
Price: Moderate•Mediterranean•4.7(19,965)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.Ella's Wood Fired Kitchen
Price: Moderate•Pizzeria•4.8(1,077)The wood-fired pizza oven at the heart of the restaurant is what makes our handcrafted pizzas come alive with flavor, bringing inspiration to the rest of our menu. Our philosophy is to use the freshest, best quality ingredients, prepare it well and to serve it with joy. We invite you to share in the experience of what makes Ella's so special.
Enjoy!
China Chilcano
Price: Moderate•Peruvian•4.7(3,872)China Chilcano celebrates the rich culinary diversity of Peru and brings an exciting exploration of this multicultural cuisine to our Nation's Capital. The restaurant honors Peru's deeply rooted and diverse heritage, including its native Criollo, Chinese Chifa and Japanese Nikkei cuisines; its name an homage to Peru's renowned fish stew and its popular national drink, the Chilcano. China Chilcano ranks consistently as a top DC dining destination, and was awarded a bib gourmand in the 2017-2020 Michelin guides to Washington, DC.Succotash PRIME
Price: Moderate•American•4.6(4,200)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.
Estuary
Price: Moderate•Contemporary American•4.6(770)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.Lucky Danger Chinatown
Price: Moderate•Chinese•4.5(11)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.
Outdoor dining in Washington, D.C. Area
See what locals rave about in Penn Quarter
- DDanWashington, D.C. Area •2 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoA great spot with great service at the bar (thank you to that team I particular)… VERY gluten allergy friendly!!More infoZaytinya - DCPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Penn Quarter•4.7
- EEmmaVirginia •1 review5.0Dined 3 days agoLove succotash, especially the fried blue catfish! Absolutely love the pimento cheese hush puppies too, but those are seasonalMore infoSuccotash PRIMEPrice: Moderate• American• Penn Quarter•4.6
- CCristoNew York City •4 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoEvery time this restaurant hits so good especially the calamari and gnocchi life changing!More infoThe Smith – Penn Quarter, Washington, D.CPrice: Expensive• American• Penn Quarter•4.5
- DDanielaWashington, D.C. Area •1 review5.0Dined 6 days agoWe had an amazing dinner at Oyamel with my family. The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was outstanding! Our server Joanna took such great care of us — she gave us fantastic recommendations, especially for the kids. The menu can be a little tricky for younger palates, especially if they’re not into spicy food, but she helped us pick the perfect dishes, and everything turned out wonderfully. My dad ordered the tortilla soup and absolutely loved it. We also enjoyed the Atún Pacífico ceviche and the chilorio de Res tacos. The margaritas were super refreshing — a perfect match for our meal. Thank you to the whole team for such a special evening. We’ll definitely be back!More infoOyamelPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Penn Quarter•4.6
- MMikeVIPWashington, D.C. Area •6 reviews5.0Dined 7 days agoGreat experience for us as we hosted out-of-town guests. Excellent meal and prompt, thoughtful service.More infoJaleo - DCPrice: Moderate• Spanish• Penn Quarter•4.7
Trending dishes in Penn Quarter
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Washington, DC, gives off the vibe that it’s 24/7 politics, but its date-night worthy restaurants all point to romance. A chilled-out winery with Anacostia River views is a first-date favorite. The wisteria-clad patio at a Mediterranean restaurant in Dupont Circle was made for intimate nights out. Korean and Southern flavors couple up at an anniversary hotspot in Penn Quarter. This guide pairs DC restaurants with romantic occasions from first dates all the way to milestone anniversaries. These are Washington, DC’s 12 best date-night restaurants.
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Discover Penn Quarter
Lively and bustling, Penn Quarter is regarded by many as an epicenter of cultural activity in Washington, D.C. Its high density of theaters and museums makes it a critical attraction for visitors while the neighborhood walkability makes it a much-desired destination for locals to live. Both of these traits make it a great opportunity for the aspiring foodie. The options here are diverse. The hip youth appeal has managed to draw in renowned chefs. As a result, the restaurants blend mature flavors devised by chefs at the top of their game. Whether you're looking for a traditional three-course Spanish meal, a luxuriant Italian dinner served on a checkered tablecloth or a fried chicken sandwich you can enjoy on the go, you'll have no lack of options in Penn Quarter.
Frequently asked questions
Dog friendly restaurants in Penn Quarter include Umaya, Oyamel and Zaytinya - DC
Child friendly restaurants in Penn Quarter include Carmine's - Washington DC, Zaytinya - DC and Jaleo - DC
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