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Where to Find Top-Notch Pasta Around D.C.

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La Ferme’s countryside inn facade at night
La Ferme continues to court customers in Chevy Chase, four decades in.
Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post

14 of the Most Romantic Restaurants in D.C.

When impeccable service, mood lighting, and tempting fare all align

by Stephanie Carter and Tierney Plumb Updated
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La Ferme continues to court customers in Chevy Chase, four decades in.
| Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post
by Stephanie Carter and Tierney Plumb Updated

Power lunches with the politically elite may come to mind when considering dining in the nation’s capitol, but the D.C. area has a soft spot. From caviar and Champagne at an intimate row house in Georgetown to charming countryside inns with noteworthy restaurants to top notch Indian cuisine that lures the likes of Mick Jagger, D.C. is full of romantic places to dine.

Each of the spots on this map offers pretty dining spaces, excellent service, and food that is noteworthy on its own. Here are 14 fabulous spots to consider for Valentine’s Day dinner, first-date drinks, a special occasion splurge, or something in between.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

L'Auberge Chez Francois

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Back in 1954, culinary pioneer François Haeringer was inspired to bring a taste of his native Alsatian countryside to D.C. His sons keep his spirit alive at the cherished Falls Church inn that’s filled with family heirlooms and murals of Haeringer’s birthplace in France. All these years later, the restaurant remains most famous for its hot souffle. Arrive early for a creative cocktail from the downstairs bar or take a stroll around the six-acre property’s gorgeous gardens during warmer months.

332 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066
(703) 759-3800
(703) 759-3800
The dining room at L’Auberge Chez Francois
The stained glass in the dining room came from the original L’Auberge Chez Francois in D.C.
L’Auberge Chez Francois/Facebook

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The Ashby Restaurant

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Tucked onto a sprawling green landscape of softly rolling hills and blooming flowers, this historic Virginia wine country restaurant and inn is as charming as it is romantic. On a pretty day, book a table on the outdoor patio. On a cooler day, dip a spoon into the winter truffle risotto topped with shaved truffles and egg yolk.

692 Federal St Suite D, Paris, VA 20130
(540) 592-3900
(540) 592-3900

La Ferme Restaurant

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Nestled in an adorable country farmhouse since 1985, this acclaimed French fixture in Chevy Chase is known for delicacies like foie gras creme brulee, pate, and sautéed calf liver. A large fireplace, year-round porch, porcelain rooster statues, and a piano player all add touches of timeless whimsy, with an added modern-day perk of ample (free) parking. Saddle up to its casual counterpart, the Cognac bar, to order its beloved burger and draft beers in a wood-framed setting.

7101 Brookville Rd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 986-5255
(301) 986-5255

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Tail Up Goat

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This intimate neighborhood restaurant oozes effortless Caribbean chill while somehow providing impeccable service, leaving diners to spend dinner focusing on each other. Shareable plates make for a cozy table, though patrons may find themselves in a tiff over the last bite of crispy salt cod to dip in smoked cauliflower aioli. Giving up that last bite counts as a romantic gesture.

1827 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

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Apéro

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This dreamy petite French restaurant nestled in a Georgetown row house embraces Champagne and caviar like few other restaurants do. Enjoy it at the restaurant along with mushroom “cigarettes” with Parmesan foam, trout topped with lump crab, or silky ribbons of pappardelle cloaked in lemon, créme fraîche, caviar, and freshly snipped chives. If a romantic dinner at home is on the menu, grab the Champagne and caviar special to go for $50.

2622 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 525-1682
(202) 525-1682

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Iron Gate Restaurant

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A dining room with a roaring fire is just one of the treats that makes this historic Dupont Circle setting so intimate. Share dishes off the family-style menu with wine pairings, or order a la carte dishes like daily focaccia and golden potato keftedes with charred leek, caviar, dill, and smoked egg gribiche.

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 524-5202
(202) 524-5202

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Quill at The Jefferson

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When a romantic night out means classy drinks and light bites. the Quill in the Jefferson Hotel fits the bill with smart cocktails, satisfying bar food, and a dimly lit space lined with warm wood paneling. Keep the bites light with the king salmon tartar dotted with avocado mousse, grapefruit, tobiko, and crème fraîche. Alternatively, indulge in a plate of fettuccine bolognese. And if it ends up being a night to remember, this timeless space will be one worth revisiting far after trendy spots have come and gone.

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 448-2300
(202) 448-2300

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1789 Restaurant & Bar

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This fine-dining showpiece in Clyde’s family of restaurants oozes intimacy, seating diners in quaint, fireplace-filled dining rooms in a historic Georgetown home. 2941 alum Kyoo Eom took the reins of the kitchen in fall 2020 and reenergized the restaurant with an la carte lineup of brioche-crusted halibut, American wagyu tartare, and veal tagliatelle. A handsome mahogany bar called Fitzgerald’s recently resurfaced next door with classic cocktails, rare Japanese whisky pours, and elegant drinking snacks, all served a tweed-filled setting fit for a Ralph Lauren ad.

1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 965-1789
(202) 965-1789

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Rasika West End

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The stylish younger sister restaurant to Penn Quarter’s Rasika, a large, sound-absorbing wood installation along the ceiling makes hushed conversations possible. Try to snag one of the carriage-like booths lining the windows or a table in the book-lined library while dining on Indian dishes from James Beard Award-winning chef Vikram Sunderam. Plus, both Angelina Jolie and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger have dined here, which seals this restaurant’s scene-y status.

1190 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-2500
(202) 466-2500
The Library Room at Rasika West End
The Library Room at Rasika West End seats 42,
Rasika West End/Facebook

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Filomena Ristorante

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Around since the 1980s, Georgetown’s subterranean Italian mainstay famously decks its halls for every annual holiday (Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and even Halloween). Pastas also adhere to tradition, and its untouched family recipes are beloved by regulars and celebrities alike. U2 frontman Bono reportedly requested seconds of its rigatoni flecked with homemade Italian sausage, and Germany’s late Chancellor Helmut Kohl was a frequent fan of its gnocchi.

1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 338-8800
(202) 338-8800

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Imperfecto

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Venezuelan chef Enrique Limardo’s follow-up to scene-y, tropically appointed Seven Reasons is full of surreal plating and modernist technique. Sturdy staples like a moussaka cigar — with crispy phyllo dough, smoked eggplant, ground lamb, and goat-manchego cream — and fried Spanish octopus with Amazonian chimichurri anchor the rotating Mediterranean-Latin dinner menu. Go a la carte or choose the omakase tasting experience at the chef’s counter (currently 16 to 22 bites) that has a Michelin star. A soaring white bar lined with soft cranberry chairs is also a popular date-night perch.

1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 964-1012
(202) 964-1012

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Bistro Cacao

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Dressed in red drapes, chandeliers, and vintage prints, Capitol Hill’s chic French bistro continues to woo diners a dozen years in. Chef Alex Merritt, an alum of Cafe du Parc and 1789, sends out warming French onion soup, escargot, and seared duck breast.

316 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-4737
(202) 546-4737

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2941 Restaurant

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Located in Falls Church, bubbling waterfalls, koi ponds, and a lakeside view provide a view for the floor-to-ceiling windows around the dining room. East Coast oysters with lemon, cocktail sauce, and yuzu-kosho mignonette make for a sexy starter before diving into ​chef Bertrand Chemel French-infused take on contemporary American dishes.

2941 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 270-1500
(703) 270-1500
Magazine Spring Dining Guide
The view from 2941 Restaurant
Photo by Scott Suchman/For the Washington Post

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The Inn at Little Washington

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Located in rural Virginia so far from the city lights that guests are lucky to score a few bars of cell phone service, the Inn at Little Washington is the ultimate fairytale break from the day-to-day. Plus, one of the most celebrated chefs in the U.S. cooks with food grown on the premises near gorgeous gardens that sprout 10,000 tulips come April.

309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747
(540) 675-3800
(540) 675-3800
Fall Dining Guide - The Inn at Little Washington
The Inn at Little Washington
Getty Images

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L'Auberge Chez Francois

332 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066

Back in 1954, culinary pioneer François Haeringer was inspired to bring a taste of his native Alsatian countryside to D.C. His sons keep his spirit alive at the cherished Falls Church inn that’s filled with family heirlooms and murals of Haeringer’s birthplace in France. All these years later, the restaurant remains most famous for its hot souffle. Arrive early for a creative cocktail from the downstairs bar or take a stroll around the six-acre property’s gorgeous gardens during warmer months.

332 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066
(703) 759-3800
(703) 759-3800
The dining room at L’Auberge Chez Francois
The stained glass in the dining room came from the original L’Auberge Chez Francois in D.C.
L’Auberge Chez Francois/Facebook

The Ashby Restaurant

692 Federal St Suite D, Paris, VA 20130

Tucked onto a sprawling green landscape of softly rolling hills and blooming flowers, this historic Virginia wine country restaurant and inn is as charming as it is romantic. On a pretty day, book a table on the outdoor patio. On a cooler day, dip a spoon into the winter truffle risotto topped with shaved truffles and egg yolk.

692 Federal St Suite D, Paris, VA 20130
(540) 592-3900
(540) 592-3900

La Ferme Restaurant

7101 Brookville Rd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Nestled in an adorable country farmhouse since 1985, this acclaimed French fixture in Chevy Chase is known for delicacies like foie gras creme brulee, pate, and sautéed calf liver. A large fireplace, year-round porch, porcelain rooster statues, and a piano player all add touches of timeless whimsy, with an added modern-day perk of ample (free) parking. Saddle up to its casual counterpart, the Cognac bar, to order its beloved burger and draft beers in a wood-framed setting.

7101 Brookville Rd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 986-5255
(301) 986-5255

Tail Up Goat

1827 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

This intimate neighborhood restaurant oozes effortless Caribbean chill while somehow providing impeccable service, leaving diners to spend dinner focusing on each other. Shareable plates make for a cozy table, though patrons may find themselves in a tiff over the last bite of crispy salt cod to dip in smoked cauliflower aioli. Giving up that last bite counts as a romantic gesture.

1827 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

Apéro

2622 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007

This dreamy petite French restaurant nestled in a Georgetown row house embraces Champagne and caviar like few other restaurants do. Enjoy it at the restaurant along with mushroom “cigarettes” with Parmesan foam, trout topped with lump crab, or silky ribbons of pappardelle cloaked in lemon, créme fraîche, caviar, and freshly snipped chives. If a romantic dinner at home is on the menu, grab the Champagne and caviar special to go for $50.

2622 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 525-1682
(202) 525-1682

Iron Gate Restaurant

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036

A dining room with a roaring fire is just one of the treats that makes this historic Dupont Circle setting so intimate. Share dishes off the family-style menu with wine pairings, or order a la carte dishes like daily focaccia and golden potato keftedes with charred leek, caviar, dill, and smoked egg gribiche.

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 524-5202
(202) 524-5202

Quill at The Jefferson

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

When a romantic night out means classy drinks and light bites. the Quill in the Jefferson Hotel fits the bill with smart cocktails, satisfying bar food, and a dimly lit space lined with warm wood paneling. Keep the bites light with the king salmon tartar dotted with avocado mousse, grapefruit, tobiko, and crème fraîche. Alternatively, indulge in a plate of fettuccine bolognese. And if it ends up being a night to remember, this timeless space will be one worth revisiting far after trendy spots have come and gone.

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 448-2300
(202) 448-2300

1789 Restaurant & Bar

1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

This fine-dining showpiece in Clyde’s family of restaurants oozes intimacy, seating diners in quaint, fireplace-filled dining rooms in a historic Georgetown home. 2941 alum Kyoo Eom took the reins of the kitchen in fall 2020 and reenergized the restaurant with an la carte lineup of brioche-crusted halibut, American wagyu tartare, and veal tagliatelle. A handsome mahogany bar called Fitzgerald’s recently resurfaced next door with classic cocktails, rare Japanese whisky pours, and elegant drinking snacks, all served a tweed-filled setting fit for a Ralph Lauren ad.

1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 965-1789
(202) 965-1789

Rasika West End

1190 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

The stylish younger sister restaurant to Penn Quarter’s Rasika, a large, sound-absorbing wood installation along the ceiling makes hushed conversations possible. Try to snag one of the carriage-like booths lining the windows or a table in the book-lined library while dining on Indian dishes from James Beard Award-winning chef Vikram Sunderam. Plus, both Angelina Jolie and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger have dined here, which seals this restaurant’s scene-y status.

1190 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-2500
(202) 466-2500
The Library Room at Rasika West End
The Library Room at Rasika West End seats 42,
Rasika West End/Facebook

Filomena Ristorante

1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Around since the 1980s, Georgetown’s subterranean Italian mainstay famously decks its halls for every annual holiday (Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and even Halloween). Pastas also adhere to tradition, and its untouched family recipes are beloved by regulars and celebrities alike. U2 frontman Bono reportedly requested seconds of its rigatoni flecked with homemade Italian sausage, and Germany’s late Chancellor Helmut Kohl was a frequent fan of its gnocchi.

1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 338-8800
(202) 338-8800

Imperfecto

1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037

Venezuelan chef Enrique Limardo’s follow-up to scene-y, tropically appointed Seven Reasons is full of surreal plating and modernist technique. Sturdy staples like a moussaka cigar — with crispy phyllo dough, smoked eggplant, ground lamb, and goat-manchego cream — and fried Spanish octopus with Amazonian chimichurri anchor the rotating Mediterranean-Latin dinner menu. Go a la carte or choose the omakase tasting experience at the chef’s counter (currently 16 to 22 bites) that has a Michelin star. A soaring white bar lined with soft cranberry chairs is also a popular date-night perch.

1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 964-1012
(202) 964-1012

Bistro Cacao

316 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Dressed in red drapes, chandeliers, and vintage prints, Capitol Hill’s chic French bistro continues to woo diners a dozen years in. Chef Alex Merritt, an alum of Cafe du Parc and 1789, sends out warming French onion soup, escargot, and seared duck breast.

316 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-4737
(202) 546-4737

2941 Restaurant

2941 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church, VA 22042

Located in Falls Church, bubbling waterfalls, koi ponds, and a lakeside view provide a view for the floor-to-ceiling windows around the dining room. East Coast oysters with lemon, cocktail sauce, and yuzu-kosho mignonette make for a sexy starter before diving into ​chef Bertrand Chemel French-infused take on contemporary American dishes.

2941 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 270-1500
(703) 270-1500
Magazine Spring Dining Guide
The view from 2941 Restaurant
Photo by Scott Suchman/For the Washington Post

The Inn at Little Washington

309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747

Located in rural Virginia so far from the city lights that guests are lucky to score a few bars of cell phone service, the Inn at Little Washington is the ultimate fairytale break from the day-to-day. Plus, one of the most celebrated chefs in the U.S. cooks with food grown on the premises near gorgeous gardens that sprout 10,000 tulips come April.

309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747
(540) 675-3800
(540) 675-3800
Fall Dining Guide - The Inn at Little Washington
The Inn at Little Washington
Getty Images

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