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Mi Vida
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Waterfront Dining Guide: Don't Just Pay for the View

These places are a cut above.

by Julekha Dash and Eater Staff Updated
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Mi Vida
| Rey Lopez/Eater DC
by Julekha Dash and Eater Staff Updated

Just a few years ago, waterfront dining options in DC were underwhelming, serving overpriced, mediocre food. But with new developments the Wharf, the Yards at the SE Waterfront in Navy Yard and newer arrivals at the Georgetown Waterfront, the district is looking more like a place where there are plenty of choices to wine and dine with a view. Many establishments offer floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive patios or terraces to capitalize on their locations.

While several serve seafood, the types of cuisine run the gamut from Southern at Due South to Mexican at La Vida and Spanish at Fabio Trabocchi’s newest restaurant, Del Mar. The newest of the bunch, splashy Mediterranean restaurant La Vie, debuted earlier this month from the team behind Pamplona and Provision No. 14. Meanwhile old-timer Sequoia reopened last year after extensive renovations. Dive in to these 13 DC waterfront restaurants.

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Due South

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The Navy Yard restaurant delivers Southern staples like shrimp and grits and Texas-style brisket along with unique twists on familiar foods like squash puppies and lima bean hummus. For quicker fare and frosé, check out its snack shop Due South Dockside. 

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 479-4616
(202) 479-4616

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Ana at District Winery

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Billing itself as DC’s first urban winery, District Winery offers a rotating selection of wines at its tasting bar and tours of the blending and bottling process. Afterwards, enjoy the contemporary restaurant Ana, where you can choose from 15 wines by the glass to go with beet falafel and Pacific halibut. 

385 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-9210
(202) 484-9210
Photo by Rey Lopez for Eater DC

Whaley's

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The raw bar and seafood restaurant serves a selection of crudo, shellfish and oysters, which can be had for $1 during its daily happy hour. Head to outdoor bar Rosé Garden for frozen drinks and high balls. 

301 Water St SE ste 115, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-8800
(202) 484-8800
Whaley’s/Instagram

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The Salt Line

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Serving lobster rolls, oysters and coddies (salt cod, yukon gold potato, yellow mustard, and crackers), New England meets the Chesapeake Bay at this restaurant next to Nationals Park. 

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368
Salt Line DC bar

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Mi Vida Restaurante

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Corn cakes, tacos and churros are on the menu of this Wharf restaurant that offers plenty of seats with a water view. Sit on the ground floor patio or balcony overlooking District Pier.  

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 516-4656
(202) 516-4656
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

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Hank's Oyster Bar

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The newest Hank’s serves the usual oysters, lobster rolls and fried clams, but this location of the New England-style seafood houses pairs the food with harbor views.

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 817-3055
(202) 817-3055
Hank’s Oyster Bar/Facebook

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Sequoia

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One of DC’s earliest entries to the waterfront dining scene, the massive restaurant reopened last year after a multimillion-dollar renovation that added more art to the surroundings. 

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-4200
(202) 944-4200
Photo: Sequoia

La Vie

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The recently opened luxurious Mediterranean restaurant at the Wharf offers a selection of spaces — a marble-laden formal dining room and bar, garden room and a terrace bar that overlooks the Potomac. 

88 District Square SW 5th floor, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 560-5501
(202) 560-5501
La Vie/Facebook

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Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi

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The newest restaurant from the Trabocchis, D.C. dining’s power couple, tackles Spanish cuisine with paella, tortilla Espanola and pan con tomate in a posh setting at the Wharf.

791 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 525-1402
(202) 525-1402
Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi/Facebook

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Fiola Mare

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Fabio Trabocchi’s prime Georgetown waterfront location and sweeping river views help accent the sophisticated food. Fiola Mare is the seafood-centric sister restaurant to Chef Trabocchi’s much-lauded Fiola. The impressively wide range of raw and nearly-raw options includes everything from oysters on the half-shell to a Chesapeake Bay eel crudo. Entrees span from pastas (including Trabocchi’s famous lobster ravioli) to elaborate seafood preparations. 

3050 K St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007
(202) 628-0065
(202) 628-0065

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Osteria Morini

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The first upscale establishment to open at The Yards, this Northern Italian restaurant is brought to us by Chef Michael White of NYC. If the selection of meats, cheeses and pastas aren’t as appealing, try a hunk of meat either grilled or spit-roasted over their impressive wood-burning grill. The spacious patio that wraps around the front of the restaurant looks over the Yards Park lawn to the Anacostia. Desserts are worth seeking out as well.

301 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
(202) 484-0660
(202) 484-0660

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Agua 301

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Modern Mexican munchies, margaritas and a marine view? Yes, please. Located next to Osteria Morini in The Yards, the menu involves many different types of guacamoles, ceviches, empanadas, tacos, and other “bocaditos” (small bites), but also offers plenty of full-sized entrees if “shared plates” aren’t in the cards. Happy hour does not disappoint with over 50 tequilas and mezcals, signature cocktails, and of course, house-made margaritas. 

301 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
(202) 484-0301
(202) 484-0301

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Farmers Fishers Bakers

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The sister restaurant to the ever-popular Founding Farmers, this place does a great job of offering something for everyone. The menu jumps from pizzas to jambalayas to sushi and just about everything in between, with an emphasis on cocktails as well. The dessert shop churns out American classic treats like ice cream sandwiches and Hummingbird layer cake. And on weekday mornings, it doubles as First Bake, a gourmet coffee shop that helped bring the artisan toast movement to DC. From a seat on their huge patio, enjoy the dancing fountain show, or look right past it to the sparkling Potomac. It’s also a good stop for brunch, as long as buffets are appealing.

3000 K St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007
(202) 298-8783
(202) 298-8783
Photo: Rey Lopez

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Due South

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003

The Navy Yard restaurant delivers Southern staples like shrimp and grits and Texas-style brisket along with unique twists on familiar foods like squash puppies and lima bean hummus. For quicker fare and frosé, check out its snack shop Due South Dockside. 

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 479-4616
(202) 479-4616

Ana at District Winery

385 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Billing itself as DC’s first urban winery, District Winery offers a rotating selection of wines at its tasting bar and tours of the blending and bottling process. Afterwards, enjoy the contemporary restaurant Ana, where you can choose from 15 wines by the glass to go with beet falafel and Pacific halibut. 

385 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-9210
(202) 484-9210
Photo by Rey Lopez for Eater DC

Whaley's

301 Water St SE ste 115, Washington, DC 20003

The raw bar and seafood restaurant serves a selection of crudo, shellfish and oysters, which can be had for $1 during its daily happy hour. Head to outdoor bar Rosé Garden for frozen drinks and high balls. 

301 Water St SE ste 115, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-8800
(202) 484-8800
Whaley’s/Instagram

The Salt Line

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Serving lobster rolls, oysters and coddies (salt cod, yukon gold potato, yellow mustard, and crackers), New England meets the Chesapeake Bay at this restaurant next to Nationals Park. 

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368
Salt Line DC bar

Mi Vida Restaurante

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Corn cakes, tacos and churros are on the menu of this Wharf restaurant that offers plenty of seats with a water view. Sit on the ground floor patio or balcony overlooking District Pier.  

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 516-4656
(202) 516-4656
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Hank's Oyster Bar

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The newest Hank’s serves the usual oysters, lobster rolls and fried clams, but this location of the New England-style seafood houses pairs the food with harbor views.

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 817-3055
(202) 817-3055
Hank’s Oyster Bar/Facebook

Sequoia

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

One of DC’s earliest entries to the waterfront dining scene, the massive restaurant reopened last year after a multimillion-dollar renovation that added more art to the surroundings. 

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-4200
(202) 944-4200
Photo: Sequoia

La Vie

88 District Square SW 5th floor, Washington, DC 20024

The recently opened luxurious Mediterranean restaurant at the Wharf offers a selection of spaces — a marble-laden formal dining room and bar, garden room and a terrace bar that overlooks the Potomac. 

88 District Square SW 5th floor, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 560-5501
(202) 560-5501
La Vie/Facebook

Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi

791 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The newest restaurant from the Trabocchis, D.C. dining’s power couple, tackles Spanish cuisine with paella, tortilla Espanola and pan con tomate in a posh setting at the Wharf.

791 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 525-1402
(202) 525-1402
Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi/Facebook

Fiola Mare

3050 K St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

Fabio Trabocchi’s prime Georgetown waterfront location and sweeping river views help accent the sophisticated food. Fiola Mare is the seafood-centric sister restaurant to Chef Trabocchi’s much-lauded Fiola. The impressively wide range of raw and nearly-raw options includes everything from oysters on the half-shell to a Chesapeake Bay eel crudo. Entrees span from pastas (including Trabocchi’s famous lobster ravioli) to elaborate seafood preparations. 

3050 K St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007
(202) 628-0065
(202) 628-0065

Osteria Morini

301 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003

The first upscale establishment to open at The Yards, this Northern Italian restaurant is brought to us by Chef Michael White of NYC. If the selection of meats, cheeses and pastas aren’t as appealing, try a hunk of meat either grilled or spit-roasted over their impressive wood-burning grill. The spacious patio that wraps around the front of the restaurant looks over the Yards Park lawn to the Anacostia. Desserts are worth seeking out as well.

301 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
(202) 484-0660
(202) 484-0660

Agua 301

301 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003

Modern Mexican munchies, margaritas and a marine view? Yes, please. Located next to Osteria Morini in The Yards, the menu involves many different types of guacamoles, ceviches, empanadas, tacos, and other “bocaditos” (small bites), but also offers plenty of full-sized entrees if “shared plates” aren’t in the cards. Happy hour does not disappoint with over 50 tequilas and mezcals, signature cocktails, and of course, house-made margaritas. 

301 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
(202) 484-0301
(202) 484-0301

Farmers Fishers Bakers

3000 K St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

The sister restaurant to the ever-popular Founding Farmers, this place does a great job of offering something for everyone. The menu jumps from pizzas to jambalayas to sushi and just about everything in between, with an emphasis on cocktails as well. The dessert shop churns out American classic treats like ice cream sandwiches and Hummingbird layer cake. And on weekday mornings, it doubles as First Bake, a gourmet coffee shop that helped bring the artisan toast movement to DC. From a seat on their huge patio, enjoy the dancing fountain show, or look right past it to the sparkling Potomac. It’s also a good stop for brunch, as long as buffets are appealing.

3000 K St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007
(202) 298-8783
(202) 298-8783
Photo: Rey Lopez

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