It may only be September, but that’s actually when private dining rooms start to book up for the holidays (particularly when it comes to private events). As families and companies weighs options for Thanksgiving dinners or Chrismahanukwanzakah parties, consider these options for private rooms in D.C.
Read More/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62739337/cactusroom.6.jpg)
D.C.’s Top Destinations for Private Dining
When dining with the masses just won't do

1. Compass Rose
Washington, D.C. 20009
OK with having a Bedouin tent as a room? Up to eight people can experience this private dining experience from Compass Rose.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483222/compassrosetent.0.0.0.jpg)
2. City Winery DC
Washington, DC 20002
City Winery boasts 40,000 square feet of event space across four floors. Those who book there can choose from spaces like the private Barrel Room, with room for 50 seated diners.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62739331/city_winery_dc.0.jpg)
3. 1789 Restaurant
Washington, D.C. 20007
Georgetown’s historic 1789 has multiple private dining rooms, including The Middleburg Room with capacity for up to 56 people seated at round tables, the Garden Room with floor-to-ceiling windows and room for 18 diners, and the restaurant’s cozy Bar and Club rooms.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483214/1789food.0.13.jpg)
4. Blue Duck Tavern
Washington, D.C. 20037
Up to 20 people can book Blue Duck Tavern's chef's table in a private room.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483218/blueduckrey_Cropped.0.0.0.jpg)
5. Rasika West End
Washington, D.C. 20037
To really impress, check out Rasika's chef's table, where President Obama celebrated his 52nd birthday. It can seat 10 to 12. Additional private dining spaces include the The Library, which can seat 42 to 50, and the Garden Room, which hosts 10 to 12 diners.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483211/Rasika-West-End-038.0.14.jpg)
6. Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar
Washington, DC 20036
The handsome dining room at Dupont Circle’s new destination for ceviche includes two private dining rooms. Outfitted with built-in screens and LCD projectors; each one can host 20 people.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62739334/piscoynazca.6.jpg)
7. RPM Italian
Washington, D.C. 20001
This high-end Italian restaurant offers four private dining rooms, with the largest fitting up to 32 people. Two side-by-side rooms can be combined into one large private dining room.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483236/RPM_Italian.14.jpg)
8. BLT Steak DC
Washington, D.C. 20006
BLT Steak's dramatic-looking private dining room has room for 28-50.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483217/bltsteak_Cropped.0.0.0.jpg)
9. Fiola Mare
Washington, D.C. 20007
Fiola Mare on the Georgetown waterfront has multiple private dining rooms and has become a go-to for the area's political crowd.
10. Estuary
Washington, DC 20001
Newcomer Estuary has two private dining rooms diners can choose from when experiencing their Chesapeake-influenced cooking. One seats 24 with views of CityCenterDC. The Willow Room, with a dramatic blue wall, seats 45. Both have access to a terrace.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65273164/Crab_roll_horizontal.0.jpg)
11. Momofuku CCDC
Washington, D.C. 20001
The airy dining room at the revamped Momofuku CCDC features a private dining room that can handle 20 to 40 seated diners.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483205/MomofukuCCDC_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
Also Featured in:
12. The Oval Room
Washington, D.C. 20006
The power dining hot spot has three private dining rooms, a bar, and a patio. The Oval Room can accommodate 65 people in the main dining room, 36 people in the totally private Green Room, and 15 people in the semi-private Curtain Room for a more intimate gathering.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483240/ovalroom500reno.0.14.jpeg)
13. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Washington, D.C. 20005
This D.C. power spot has three private dining rooms. The Gigi Room, the largest room, can accommodate 112 seated people or 200 people reception style. The South Beach Room — with its black lacquer millwork, leopard print carpeting, and retro-style chandelier — includes ornamental glass doors that reveal or conceal the bar below, fitting up to 30 seated individuals.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483226/joesseafoodbig_Cropped.0.0.0.jpg)
Also Featured in:
14. DBGB Kitchen and Bar
Washington, D.C. 20001
At DBGB, there's the Salon Rouge for up to 22 seated people and Salon Bleu for 40 seated diners. Either way, reserving one of these spaces ensures friends and family will be dining in style at the CityCenterDC development.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483204/DBGB_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
15. Old Ebbitt Grill
Washington, D.C. 20005
One of D.C.'s classic restaurants has a private dining room paneled in mahoganey that can handle 50 people seated or about 75 standing people. Just make sure everyone has an appetite for Old Ebbitt's famous oysters.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483210/oldebbitt.0.0.1510428291.16.jpg)
16. Occidental
Washington, D.C. 20004
For old school D.C. private dining, it's hard to top the Occidental, with two private dining rooms and several other spaces to rent. They can handle parties from 20-300.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483228/Occidental_Monument_Room_Rey_Lopez_Cropped.0.0.0.jpg)
17. Carmine's
Washington, D.C. 20004
Carmine's has a whopping nine private dining rooms, advertising rooms for anywhere from 15 to 700 people.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483220/eggplantparmcarminews.0.13.jpg)
18. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
Washington, D.C. 20004
Oyamel offers customized menus at its private dining spaces, including a Butterfly Table alcove that seats 10 and the fully-private Escondido Room, with room for a seated dinner for 40 people.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483234/oyamelrey.0.1543472302.jpg)
19. Charlie Palmer Steak
Washington, D.C. 20001
One of Capitol Hill's top destinations for private dining, the recently-renovated Charlie Palmer has multiple options for rental, including the coveted terrace and rooftop spaces.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483221/Charlie_Palmer_DC_dining_room.1543472294.jpeg)
20. Officina
Washington, DC 20024
The three-level complex at the Wharf has plenty of options for private events, from the 12-seat private dining room overlooking the water to a very chic rooftop events space complete with fire pits and stellar views that can accommodate up to 60 people.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62739335/officina.0.jpg)
21. Rose's Luxury
Washington, D.C. 20003
Who doesn't want the table at Rose's Luxury's intimate rooftop garden? Just recruit a group of eight friends for events during the warmer months. The restaurant also does full buyouts, or allows folks to book groups of 8-20 in its Barracks Room.
22. Mi Vida Restaurante
Washington, DC 20024
Mi Vida has multiple private and semi-private spaces and special menus for private dining on the Wharf, including an 11,000-square-foot space offering panoramic views of the Potomac River.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65273165/Mi_Vida_DC_fish.0.jpeg)
23. Mission - Navy Yard
Washington, DC 20003
This sprawling Mexican restaurant in Navy Yard has plenty of room for groups, including balconies overlooking Nationals Park and a private dining and event space that boasts its own private stairwell and entrances for VIPs.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62739336/cactusroom.6.jpg)
24. 2941 Restaurant
Falls Church, VA 22042
2941 has private dining rooms that feature views of the restaurant's waterfall and koi pond. Host a gathering ranging in size from eight people to up to 100. It’s a popular destination for weddings, so book early.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62483215/2941_VA_exterior.0.15.jpg)
25. Jaleo
Arlington, VA 22202
Jaleo has private dining options available at multiple locations. The Crystal City restaurant has many variations, such as the dramatic curtained Blue Room (with room for 50-75). Groups can come together over a full paella, which is one of many dining options.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65273166/jaleopaella.0.jpg)
26. Oak Steakhouse Alexandria
Alexandria, VA 22314
Old Town’s handsome new steakhouse features a 30-seat private dining room with its own entrance from the outside. A service door attached to the kitchen lets plates sneak in and out of the kitchen so there’s minimal interruption to service. —Tierney Plumb
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65273167/untitled_3073_HDR__1_.0.jpg)