Best Historic Restaurants in Penn Quarter

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaCapitol HillColumbia Heights

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

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

67 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown restaurant

1. Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown

4.4

Awesome(10481)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 139 times today

Walking distance to many of DC’s historic landmarks, Founding Farmers & Distillers offers a diverse menu including dishes inspired by nearby Chinatown and cocktails featuring our in-house distillery, Founding Spirits. Open 365 days a year, our team is passionate about crafting dishes & drinks from scratch with high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know and trust. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch, or grab a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from our First Bake Cafe. Majority owned by American family farmers, including the more than 50,000 farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, our restaurant is guided by a very simple principal: we see and share everything Through The Eyes Of The Farmer.™ We actively care about our guests, our communities, the planet, and the next generation. This all comes together in our everyday

A photo of District Bites at District E restaurant

2. District Bites at District E

3.7

Very Good(83)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Penn Quarter

Booked 4 times today

District Bites is a full service bar and restaurant, featuring a scratch made menu made from local ingredients, on premise restaurant for District E Powered by Ticketmaster. Centrally located in the historic Chinatown neighborhood of downtown Washington, D.C., District E Powered by Ticketmaster, is located adjacent to Capital One Arena, the home arena for the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals. District E Powered by Ticketmaster is the flagship venue for esports and entertainment on the east coast, and offers a unique and immersive experience for esports as well as fans of events at Capital One Arena.

3. Old Ebbitt Grill

4.8

Exceptional(29917)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 375 times today

Founded in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington, DC's oldest saloon and a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. Situated in the heart of the city, just steps from The White House, this historic landmark offers a timeless blend of classic American cuisine and unparalleled hospitality. Old Ebbitt Grill promises a memorable visit filled with a warm ambiance and a seasonal menu spanning from freshly shucked oysters to house-made pastas and perfectly prepared steaks & chops. From the Rooftop Terrace to the Atrium or Cabinet Room, Ebbitt's private dining spaces are ideal for celebrations ranging from small and intimate to grand and stylish.

A photo of Filomena Ristorante restaurant

4. Filomena Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(17391)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Georgetown

Booked 251 times today

Filomena Now over 40 Years and counting!Filomena is a Washington DC landmark restaurant now with over 40 years of serving some of the finest Italian food you can enjoy. Our Pasta is fresh made by hand just like it was done for centuries in Italy. Our bakery is in-house, and we make over 20 different desserts to choose from. During Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas you can experience some of the most incredible decorations you can find! Four decades of making not just a great dining experience but a memorable one. Filomena has recently introduced a full line of homemade pasta, sauces, desserts that can be shipped nationwide too!

5. The Dabney

4.8

Exceptional(312)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Shaw

Booked 29 times today

Located in historic Blagden Alley in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood since 2015, The Dabney continues to pay tribute to the wonderful farmers, watermen, and purveyors of the mid-Atlantic region whom provide some of the best and most unique products in the country. We celebrate these ingredients by preparing them in a large wood burning hearth which is the centerpiece of our open kitchen. The current dining room experience is an 8-course tasting menu honoring the Mid-Atlantic's bounty. We offer an additional 3-course experience at our bar and bar area tables. Walk-in guests are welcome to enjoy the bar area as well.The Dabney has been awarded one Michelin star every year since 2017, James Beard Foundation Best Chef Mid-Atlantic for Chef Jeremiah Langhorne in 2018, and Washingtonian Magazine's #1 restaurant in 2023. At this time we are unable to accommodate severe allium and dairy allergies as well as vegan and vegetarian diets.

6. Tabard Inn

4.7

Exceptional(3862)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Dupont Circle

Booked 53 times today

Since our early days as a tea room, we’ve been a respite for locals and visitors alike, offering a haven for conversation and memorable cuisine. The tradition continues as our culinary team has curated an inventive and elevated menu through New American cuisine while paying homage to the beloved dishes that have been served at the Tabard Inn for years. Executive Chef Matthew Zafrir came to the Tabard in 2023, bringing with him experience from various fine dining restaurants around D.C. such as minibar by José Andrés, Cranes, Revelers Hour, as well as Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore, MD. He also shares the Tabard's longstanding commitment to sourcing ingredients locally. Join us for a meal on our covered patio or one of our intimate dining rooms. Or enjoy drinks and light fare in our historic fireplace lounge, where you can enjoy our creative cocktails! A DC institution since 1922, we look forward to offering our guests all the comforts of a home away from home.

7. Amazonia

4.8

Exceptional(194)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Peruvian • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 44 times today

Venture into the relaxed ambiance of Amazonia, our inviting upstairs bar, dining room and rooftop hideaway. As one of the first Amazonian restaurants in the U.S., discover the exotic flavors and ingredients from Peru's rainforest, as well as favorite Peruvian staples. Here you can explore a thoughtfully curated selection of pisco and imaginative cocktails. The dishes you'll enjoy in Amazonia are meant for sharing, and are expertly prepared by the very same skilled kitchen team from Causa downstairs.

A photo of Ocean Prime - Washington D.C. restaurant

8. Ocean Prime - Washington D.C.

4.8

Exceptional(4465)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 85 times today

Located in the historic Colorado Building at 1341 G Street NW and just steps away from the White House,Ocean Prime is a nationally acclaimed, dynamic seafood & steakhouse from the award-winning Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. Ocean Prime delivers an elevated experience with exceptional ambiance, a chef-curated menu, signature handcrafted cocktails, Wine Spectator honored wine list and genuine hospitality. Reservations are recommended.Ocean Prime strives to provide an elegant, fine dining atmosphere. Our associates’ priority is to ensure your experience is memorable. We ask for attire that is both polished and suited to our restaurant.THANK YOU FOR NOT WEARING: Clothing emitting excessive marijuana odor Excessively revealing clothing or exposed undergarments Clothing with offensive language or graphics Admittance to Ocean Prime is at the discretion of management who reserves the right to refuse service to patrons who are inappropriately dressed.

9. Petite Cerise

4.7

Exceptional(197)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 49 times today

Part neighborhood café, part energetic bistro, Petite Cerise is located in a bright and lively historic corner space in Shaw/Mount Vernon Triangle. Petite Cerise features separate à la carte menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner. In addition, Petite Cerise has a Coffee Counter open Tuesday - Friday opening at 8am serving classic coffee and espresso preparations, housemade pastries, and other breakfast items to go or sit down.Dinner offers both an à la carte menu along with a Prix Fixe option. The focus in the evening is to craft unique and innovative dishes utilizing the very best ingredients within the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond skillfully prepared through a French lens.If you decide to join us for a morning coffee, quick mid-day bite, stretch out your lunch over a glass of wine, or gather with friends for an indulgent and creative dinner, we invite you here to celebrate and enjoy.

A photo of The Greenhouse at The Jefferson, DC restaurant

10. The Greenhouse at The Jefferson, DC

4.7

Exceptional(1105)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 10 times today

Located in downtown DC, just four blocks from the White House, breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch are served under The Jefferson’s historic skylight in The Greenhouse. Natural light streams from above, creating an airy atmosphere that complements the light, fresh and energizing fare on our seasonal menus.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
Lois
Washington, D.C. Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This was our second visit to The Dabney and it was just as good as the first time. The food is amazing, beautiful and delicious beyond belief. The staff is so attentive in a good way and explains each course (we did the tasting menu). We sat by the kitchen and it was great to watch the fire, the cooking, the careful prep of each plate and the camaraderie between kitchen and serving staff. It’s expensive and we can’t do this often, but it was worth the splurge.
More info
The DabneyPrice: Very Expensive• American• Shaw
•
4.8
E
ericVIP
San Antonio •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Best lasagna I’ve had in my LIFE! Juan was outstanding and gave our party great recommendations. Highly recommend for outstanding authentic Italian food!
More info
Filomena RistorantePrice: Expensive• Italian• Georgetown
•
4.8
J
JOHN
Washington, D.C. Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Quick service with high quality food - it was a great place to have a breakfast meeting
More info
Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: ChinatownPrice: Moderate• American• Mount Vernon Square
•
4.4
C
Carole
Greater Boston •19 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Always a wonderful experience…delicious food, fantastic staff and a lovely atmosphere.
More info
Old Ebbitt GrillPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
•
4.8
M
Mozelle
Washington, D.C. Area •3 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
The food was good. It was a little cold but other than that it was good
More info
District Bites at District EPrice: Moderate• American• Penn Quarter
•
3.7

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