Where to Eat During the Wharf’s Grand Opening

Opening weekend is finally here for the ambitious Wharf complex, and a few of the restaurants taking up residence along the mile-long renovation are doing what they can to join in the festivities.

While certain eating and drinking spots had always been slated to come online months from now as part of a staggered roll out, many of the big name properties have increasingly fallen behind due to construction delays and other procedural hiccups.

With local politicos scheduled to speak Thursday, October 12, fireworks primed to illuminate the cloudy skies above the Southwest waterfront, and actor Kevin Bacon poised to play a happy hour concert with his band the Bacon Brothers, developers are sticking to the grand opening timeline and bringing along whichever restaurants are willing (and able) to serve the public in some form.

Here’s where to find food this coming weekend:

On Time

• The Anthem: the massive new music hall is scheduled to get underway October 12 with a performance by the Foo Fighters. Attendees can expect to find bao buns, half-smokes, and dessert waffles for sale at the bars sprinkled throughout; all orders will be delivered at the concessions stand on the ground floor.

Photo by Jordan Grobe

• Ben & Jerry’s: The chain ice cream shop is up and running, complete with a living green wall.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• The Brighton: The latest venture from nightlife vets Eric and Ian Hilton is now open. Ian Hilton has described the cuisine as a “seaside version of the Brixton,” referring to the British pub the brothers installed along U Street NW.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Kirwan’s Irish Pub: this traditional pub, from the owner of Samuel Beckett’s in Shirlington, Virginia, is now open.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Pearl Street Warehouse: this music venue from the owners of neighboring Cantina Marina is scheduled to open October 12 with a performance by Grammy award-winning artist Booker T. Jones.
• Shake Shack: the NY-born burger chain is now open.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

Partially Open

• Del Mar: limited capacity from October 12 to October 15. The Spanish-themed eatery from restaurateur Fabio Trabocchi is currently scheduled to open in fall 2017.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Hank’s Oyster Bar: limited capacity from October 12 to October 15. The first waterfront eatery from restaurateur Jamie Leeds is currently scheduled to open in fall 2017.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Milk Bar: the burgeoning NY sweets shop is teasing out its arrival in the Wharf (winter 2018) by hosting a “bake sale” during grand opening weekend. A third location is headed to Logan Circle.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Requin: limited capacity from October 12 to October 15. Dinner service at this latest branch of Mike Isabella Concepts is currently scheduled to begin Monday, October 23.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

Delayed

• Cantina Bambina: TBD. A spokesperson for the Wharf declined to provide an updated status report for this new food stand/bar at Transit Pier.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Dolcezza: fall 2017

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Florentijn: winter 2018

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Kaliwa: winter 2018

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Kith and Kin: The new restaurant from Shaw Bijou alum Kwame Onwuachi had been working to open October 12, but appears to have changed plans within the past 24 hours. In an official statement provided to Eater, the Kith and Kin crew cites a “few standard delays” as the culprit for missing opening weekend. “We still have every intention of opening this month and look forward to sharing the experience with you when we do," the release states.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• La Vie: fall 2017

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Lupo Marino: fall 2017

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Mi Vida: winter 2018

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Taylor Gourmet: The homegrown sandwich chain is now scheduled to open at the Wharf on Monday, October 23.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Union Stage: winter 2018

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Velo Café at District Hardware: TBD. A spokesperson for the Wharf declined to provide an updated status report for this new coffee shop/casual eatery.

Photo by Warren Rojas / Eater DC

• Whiskey Charlie: fall 2017

In the Works

• Blue Bottle Coffee: winter 2018
• District Doughnut: spring 2018
• King Ribs BBQ: TBD. The barbecue stand is projected to migrate from the park opposite Cantina Marina to an undetermined spot within the new Wharf.
• Municipal Fish Market: spring 2018
• Officina by Nicholas Stefanelli: spring 2018
• Potomac Distilling Company: spring 2018
• Rappahannock Oyster Company: spring 2018

Eater will update this list as new information becomes available.

• The Most Anticipated Restaurants in D.C., Fall 2017 [EDC]
• 5 Wharf Properties Now Projected to Miss Opening Weekend [EDC]
• Cantina Marina Brings Shiner Beers, Frozen Custard to Two New Wharf Eateries [EDC]
• The Wharf: A Guide to All the Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs [EDC]