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Veal ravioli from Officina

Where to Eat and Drink on D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront

Find oysters, blue crabs, cheesesteaks, and more at the Wharf development and beyond

by Tierney Plumb Sep 23, 2021, 3:59pm EDT

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Veal ravioli from Officina

| Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

by Tierney Plumb Sep 23, 2021, 3:59pm EDT

Anchored by the oldest fish market in the U.S. to the south and the new International Spy Museum to the north, D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront has boomed in recent years with a wealth of drinking and dining options that swing from casual places for happy hour beers or ice cream cones to high-brow options for A5 wagyu rolls or rooftop Champagne. The Anthem, a 6,000-seat live music venue, is open again and booked almost nightly, which drives traffic to bars and restaurants peppered throughout the Wharf development. The booming mixed-use project will soon welcome two anticipated openings: an all-day French option in Bistro du Jour, and a location of NYC Lebanese restaurant Ilili. Here are 17 places to stop in for a fancy meal or a quick drink.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Southwest Soda Pop Shop

This nostalgic, family-owned ice cream parlor commands a loyal following for whimsical waterfront treats like a $5 “chipwich” with a choice of ice cream flavors that include vanilla, chocolate, birthday cake, mint chocolate chip, and butter pecan. Soft serve flavors include vegan mango and raspberry — in addition to traditional vanilla and chocolate — with toppings like brownie chunks, various cereals, sprinkles, and gummy candy.

Open in Google Maps

1142 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: A line of patrons snakes outside Sout

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Officina

Michelin-starred chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s tri-level Italian complex greets visitors with an airy, European-styled cafe and bar drenched in sunlight. That’s followed by a second-level restaurant serving casual Southern Italian fare and stellar Negronis. Its prized rooftop terrace, dressed with sleek furniture, fire pits, and greenery, woos diners with aperitivos, seasonal cocktails, small bites, and an expansive Champagne list.

1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

An overhead shot of table full of plates containing sliced steak, pasta, and a salumi tower.

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Rappahannock Oyster Bar

Located in a restored oyster shed steps away from the Maine Avenue fish market, Rappahannock’s menu centers around its celebrated shellfish — right down to vodka and tequila oyster shooters. Other options include ceviche, a burger, seared Outer Banks scallops, and whole branzino.

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1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

The crab cake from Rappahannock Oyster Bar at the Wharf

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Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf

Dating back to 1805, the Municipal Fish Market claims to be the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the U.S. (beating NYC’s Fulton Fish Market by 17 years). Seafood fans flock here daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for bushels of blue crab, shucked oysters, clams, shrimp, and freshly caught fish from longstanding vendors like Captain White’s Seafood City and Jessie Taylor Seafood.

Open in Google Maps

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

DC Wharf’s Fish Market Opens With New Social Distancing Rules

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

Nationally recognized mixologist Todd Thrasher’s massive rum distillery and tiki bar attracts tourists, locals, and service industry-types alike. The multi-level tiki bar and happy hour spot (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays) offers cheeky, frozen rum and Coke in a can, classics like a Zombie or Mai Tai, and an extremely potent T.N.T. Problem Forgetter (bourbon, Thrasher’s spiced rum, overproof rum, apricot liqueur, coconut cream rum, honey, lime). Potomac Distilling Company released its sixth rum this summer, called Relaxed Rum, that’s aged in barrels for 24 months.

Open in Google Maps

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

The upstairs bar at Tiki TNT

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The Grill

This sophisticated surf-and-turf spot from Knead Hospitality + Design sports South Florida vibes. Chef Roberto Santibañez, the culinary lead behind sibling Mexican restaurant Mi Vida nearby, developed a menu of seafood, meat, and veggie plates that sizzle over charcoals and pecan wood on a Barcelona-made Josper Basque Grill. The glitzy venue, which landed on the Wharf right before the pandemic, also features a lengthy wine list housed behind a glass-encased wall and long list of gins and vodkas for customizable martinis.

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Also featured in:

NaRa-Ya

Eaternity Hospitality Group debuted a splurge-worthy restaurant for flower-filled “neo-traditional” Japanese dishes below its Mediterranean spot La Vie last year. The evolving enterprise added brunch and a la carte dinner dishes like an A5 Japanese wagyu roll with Alaskan king crab and purple sweet potato, green tea soba noodles, and foie gras nigiri. Suntory highballs and theatrical smoking cocktails are joined by a large and luxe sake list curated by a general manager who worked at Nobu. The team recently added a fast-casual shack out front with the opening of Yatai, serving steamed buns, dumplings, sushi rolls, and other grab-and-go items.

Open in Google Maps

88 District Square SW 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

A NaRa-Ya roll with Alaskan king crab, purple sweet potato, and A5 Japanese wagyu beef.

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18 Spring Cocktails To Try Around D.C. Right Now

Cantina Bambina

The two-story successor to dearly missed dock bar Cantina Marina is perched right on the water. Head upstairs to the open-air bar slinging Mexican beers, margaritas, a handful of packaged snacks, and $6 Truly seltzers on game day.

Open in Google Maps

960 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cantina Bambina (@cantina_bambina)

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Grazie Grazie

Taylor Gourmet founder Casey Patten launched a second act with this Philadelphia-style sandwich shop in 2019. The tiny store has quickly amassed a devoted following for fried chicken cutlets, cheesesteaks built with grass-fed beef and Cooper sharp provolone, and sporadic pan pizza pop-ups with help from local restaurants.

Open in Google Maps

85 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

A Philly Special cheesesteak from Grazie Grazie shows off layers of grass-fed beef, Cooper sharp provolone, lettuce, red onion, and tomato on a golden roll — A Philly Special cheesesteak from Grazie Grazie

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Moon Rabbit DC

The modern Vietnamese restaurant inside the luxe Intercontinental had big shoes to fill when it replaced James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean fine dining destination Kith/Kin. Chef Kevin Tien, of short-lived Emilie’s and nationally recognized Himitsu, stepped in with a medley of impressive dishes like thin slices of kombu-cured scallops in a lime and coconut tom kha broth and mountainous portions of ga chien, an upscale riff on chicken wings sold by street vendors. On the lighter side, a green mango salad leans on other sweet fruits with a welcome addition of lychee and stone fruit.

Open in Google Maps

801 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

A super spicy condensed milk and chile sauce comes alongside prawns grilled in garlic and Thai basil butter at Moon Rabbit

Also featured in:

Colada Shop

The perennially packed, all-day Cuban cafe from 14th Street NW has expanded on the strength of its coffee, rum-based cocktails, and Caribbean finger foods. Its location at the Wharf introduced a bigger menu full of ropa vieja bowls, chorizo and chickpea egg bakes, and guava-apricot frosé slushees from partners Daniella Senior and Juan Coronado. The mood-lifting location lined with tropical leaves also serves Cuban espresso drinks and batidos (smoothies) with accompanying snacks of pastelitos, fried empanadas, and croquetas.

Open in Google Maps

10 Pearl St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Patio seats and open windows at the new Colada Shop at the Wharf

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Kaliwa

Chef Cathal Armstrong and Meshelle Armstrong pay homage to Southeast and East Asian cuisines with a mix of Korean, Thai, and the Philippine dishes at this upscale restaurant. Find staples like lumpia and more creative options like adobo brisket sandwiches. Grilled delights include marinated short ribs with Korean ssamjang and a section of rice and noodle dishes like khao pat (Thai fried rice with chicken, fried egg, and holy basil).

Open in Google Maps

751 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Where to Find Fantastic Filipino Food Around D.C.

Kirwan’s on the Wharf

This relatively new addition to the D.C. Irish pub scene is one of the more laid-back, casual options in the Wharf development. It’s known for potent Irish whiskey cocktails, $8 Guinness pours, and beer-battered fish and chips. The owners also run Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub In Arlington.

Open in Google Maps

749 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Kirwan’s owner Mark Kirwan

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Whiskey Charlie

The Canopy hotel’s 10th-floor rooftop bar is a scenic spot to sip margaritas, mules, frozen orange crushes, and local draft beers to go along with finger foods like tuna poke, wings, and baked pimento dip. The sprawling setup overlooks bobbing boats below. An outdoor rooftop deck dotted with soft seating complements an indoor lounge dubbed the Cabin.

Open in Google Maps

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Hank's Oyster Bar (Multiple locations)

Chef Jamie Leeds’s local group of timeless seafood restaurants added a fitting location right on the water in 2017. Hank’s serves East and West coast oysters and local favorites like Eastern Shore crab dip and seasonal soft shell crabs. The brand’s beloved lobster rolls are a go-to order here.

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hank's Oyster Bar (@hanksoysterbar)

Also featured in:

Masala Art (Multiple locations)

An offshoot of the original in Tenleytown, Atul Bhola’s Southwest restaurant lures diners in with lamb, chicken, and chickpea biryani, tandoori specials, and $6 samosas during daily happy hour at the bar (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). A pre-theater menu served before 6:30 p.m. includes a prix fixe special for $35 and half-off bottles of wine.

1101 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Masala Art — Bhelpuri from Masala Art

Also featured in:

The Point D.C.

This anticipated seafood spot and wood-burning grill on the Buzzard Point waterfront opened in spring 2021 under executive chef Benjamin Lambert’s watch. Seafood dishes swing from simple (peel-and-eat shrimp) to novel; order the buttery, savory doughnuts that have been lightened up with potato starch, piped full of crab dip, and dusted in Old Bay seasoning. Diners can also enjoy salmon, tuna, and hamachi at a newly added sushi bar. The picturesque venture outfitted with fire pits comes from family-owned Fish & Fire Food Group (Nick’s Riverside Grill, Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place, The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse).

Open in Google Maps

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

The point’s savory doughnuts are stuffed with crab dip and coated in Old Bay

Also featured in:

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Southwest Soda Pop Shop

1142 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

This nostalgic, family-owned ice cream parlor commands a loyal following for whimsical waterfront treats like a $5 “chipwich” with a choice of ice cream flavors that include vanilla, chocolate, birthday cake, mint chocolate chip, and butter pecan. Soft serve flavors include vegan mango and raspberry — in addition to traditional vanilla and chocolate — with toppings like brownie chunks, various cereals, sprinkles, and gummy candy.

Open in Google Maps

1142 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: A line of patrons snakes outside Sout

Officina

1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Michelin-starred chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s tri-level Italian complex greets visitors with an airy, European-styled cafe and bar drenched in sunlight. That’s followed by a second-level restaurant serving casual Southern Italian fare and stellar Negronis. Its prized rooftop terrace, dressed with sleek furniture, fire pits, and greenery, woos diners with aperitivos, seasonal cocktails, small bites, and an expansive Champagne list.

1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

An overhead shot of table full of plates containing sliced steak, pasta, and a salumi tower.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Located in a restored oyster shed steps away from the Maine Avenue fish market, Rappahannock’s menu centers around its celebrated shellfish — right down to vodka and tequila oyster shooters. Other options include ceviche, a burger, seared Outer Banks scallops, and whole branzino.

Open in Google Maps

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

The crab cake from Rappahannock Oyster Bar at the Wharf

Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Dating back to 1805, the Municipal Fish Market claims to be the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the U.S. (beating NYC’s Fulton Fish Market by 17 years). Seafood fans flock here daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for bushels of blue crab, shucked oysters, clams, shrimp, and freshly caught fish from longstanding vendors like Captain White’s Seafood City and Jessie Taylor Seafood.

Open in Google Maps

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

DC Wharf’s Fish Market Opens With New Social Distancing Rules

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Nationally recognized mixologist Todd Thrasher’s massive rum distillery and tiki bar attracts tourists, locals, and service industry-types alike. The multi-level tiki bar and happy hour spot (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays) offers cheeky, frozen rum and Coke in a can, classics like a Zombie or Mai Tai, and an extremely potent T.N.T. Problem Forgetter (bourbon, Thrasher’s spiced rum, overproof rum, apricot liqueur, coconut cream rum, honey, lime). Potomac Distilling Company released its sixth rum this summer, called Relaxed Rum, that’s aged in barrels for 24 months.

Open in Google Maps

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

The upstairs bar at Tiki TNT

The Grill

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

This sophisticated surf-and-turf spot from Knead Hospitality + Design sports South Florida vibes. Chef Roberto Santibañez, the culinary lead behind sibling Mexican restaurant Mi Vida nearby, developed a menu of seafood, meat, and veggie plates that sizzle over charcoals and pecan wood on a Barcelona-made Josper Basque Grill. The glitzy venue, which landed on the Wharf right before the pandemic, also features a lengthy wine list housed behind a glass-encased wall and long list of gins and vodkas for customizable martinis.

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

NaRa-Ya

88 District Square SW 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20024

Eaternity Hospitality Group debuted a splurge-worthy restaurant for flower-filled “neo-traditional” Japanese dishes below its Mediterranean spot La Vie last year. The evolving enterprise added brunch and a la carte dinner dishes like an A5 Japanese wagyu roll with Alaskan king crab and purple sweet potato, green tea soba noodles, and foie gras nigiri. Suntory highballs and theatrical smoking cocktails are joined by a large and luxe sake list curated by a general manager who worked at Nobu. The team recently added a fast-casual shack out front with the opening of Yatai, serving steamed buns, dumplings, sushi rolls, and other grab-and-go items.

Open in Google Maps

88 District Square SW 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

A NaRa-Ya roll with Alaskan king crab, purple sweet potato, and A5 Japanese wagyu beef.

Cantina Bambina

960 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The two-story successor to dearly missed dock bar Cantina Marina is perched right on the water. Head upstairs to the open-air bar slinging Mexican beers, margaritas, a handful of packaged snacks, and $6 Truly seltzers on game day.

Open in Google Maps

960 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cantina Bambina (@cantina_bambina)

Grazie Grazie

85 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Taylor Gourmet founder Casey Patten launched a second act with this Philadelphia-style sandwich shop in 2019. The tiny store has quickly amassed a devoted following for fried chicken cutlets, cheesesteaks built with grass-fed beef and Cooper sharp provolone, and sporadic pan pizza pop-ups with help from local restaurants.

Open in Google Maps

85 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

A Philly Special cheesesteak from Grazie Grazie shows off layers of grass-fed beef, Cooper sharp provolone, lettuce, red onion, and tomato on a golden roll — A Philly Special cheesesteak from Grazie Grazie

Moon Rabbit DC

801 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The modern Vietnamese restaurant inside the luxe Intercontinental had big shoes to fill when it replaced James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean fine dining destination Kith/Kin. Chef Kevin Tien, of short-lived Emilie’s and nationally recognized Himitsu, stepped in with a medley of impressive dishes like thin slices of kombu-cured scallops in a lime and coconut tom kha broth and mountainous portions of ga chien, an upscale riff on chicken wings sold by street vendors. On the lighter side, a green mango salad leans on other sweet fruits with a welcome addition of lychee and stone fruit.

Open in Google Maps

801 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

A super spicy condensed milk and chile sauce comes alongside prawns grilled in garlic and Thai basil butter at Moon Rabbit

Colada Shop

10 Pearl St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The perennially packed, all-day Cuban cafe from 14th Street NW has expanded on the strength of its coffee, rum-based cocktails, and Caribbean finger foods. Its location at the Wharf introduced a bigger menu full of ropa vieja bowls, chorizo and chickpea egg bakes, and guava-apricot frosé slushees from partners Daniella Senior and Juan Coronado. The mood-lifting location lined with tropical leaves also serves Cuban espresso drinks and batidos (smoothies) with accompanying snacks of pastelitos, fried empanadas, and croquetas.

Open in Google Maps

10 Pearl St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Patio seats and open windows at the new Colada Shop at the Wharf

Kaliwa

751 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Chef Cathal Armstrong and Meshelle Armstrong pay homage to Southeast and East Asian cuisines with a mix of Korean, Thai, and the Philippine dishes at this upscale restaurant. Find staples like lumpia and more creative options like adobo brisket sandwiches. Grilled delights include marinated short ribs with Korean ssamjang and a section of rice and noodle dishes like khao pat (Thai fried rice with chicken, fried egg, and holy basil).

Open in Google Maps

751 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Kirwan’s on the Wharf

749 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

This relatively new addition to the D.C. Irish pub scene is one of the more laid-back, casual options in the Wharf development. It’s known for potent Irish whiskey cocktails, $8 Guinness pours, and beer-battered fish and chips. The owners also run Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub In Arlington.

Open in Google Maps

749 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Kirwan’s owner Mark Kirwan

Whiskey Charlie

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The Canopy hotel’s 10th-floor rooftop bar is a scenic spot to sip margaritas, mules, frozen orange crushes, and local draft beers to go along with finger foods like tuna poke, wings, and baked pimento dip. The sprawling setup overlooks bobbing boats below. An outdoor rooftop deck dotted with soft seating complements an indoor lounge dubbed the Cabin.

Open in Google Maps

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Hank's Oyster Bar (Multiple locations)

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Chef Jamie Leeds’s local group of timeless seafood restaurants added a fitting location right on the water in 2017. Hank’s serves East and West coast oysters and local favorites like Eastern Shore crab dip and seasonal soft shell crabs. The brand’s beloved lobster rolls are a go-to order here.

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hank's Oyster Bar (@hanksoysterbar)

Related Maps

Masala Art (Multiple locations)

1101 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

An offshoot of the original in Tenleytown, Atul Bhola’s Southwest restaurant lures diners in with lamb, chicken, and chickpea biryani, tandoori specials, and $6 samosas during daily happy hour at the bar (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). A pre-theater menu served before 6:30 p.m. includes a prix fixe special for $35 and half-off bottles of wine.

1101 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Masala Art — Bhelpuri from Masala Art

The Point D.C.

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, DC 20024

This anticipated seafood spot and wood-burning grill on the Buzzard Point waterfront opened in spring 2021 under executive chef Benjamin Lambert’s watch. Seafood dishes swing from simple (peel-and-eat shrimp) to novel; order the buttery, savory doughnuts that have been lightened up with potato starch, piped full of crab dip, and dusted in Old Bay seasoning. Diners can also enjoy salmon, tuna, and hamachi at a newly added sushi bar. The picturesque venture outfitted with fire pits comes from family-owned Fish & Fire Food Group (Nick’s Riverside Grill, Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place, The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse).

Open in Google Maps

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

The point’s savory doughnuts are stuffed with crab dip and coated in Old Bay

Related Maps