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The lights of National Harbor beckon.
[National Harbor]

12 Places to Eat and Drink at National Harbor

Venture around Maryland’s waterfront playground

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The lights of National Harbor beckon.
| [National Harbor]

For a fun day on the boardwalk or sunset stroll by the Potomac River, saunter over to National Harbor. In addition to MGM’s sprawling casino, there’s also live entertainment, the enormous Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, and walkable streets with outdoor cafes and plazas.

For those who need a breather outside of a work meeting or the craps table, there are plenty of waterfront restaurants to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Here are a dozen options to try while visiting.

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Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa

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This Maryland institution serves up chargrilled Peruvian-style chicken and savory sides like empanadas, fried yucca, and tortillas, as well as fried chicken sandwiches and ceviche. You can order a meal for sit-down, takeout, or delivery service, making this a safe bet when all else fails at the roulette table.

Osteria Costa

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Directly off the grand entrance to MGM Casino is this upscale Mediterranean restaurant with chilled seafood platters featuring local oysters, poached shrimp, and lobster salad, or for those who prefer seafood pasta, go for the spaghetti ai frutti di mare loaded with shrimp, calamari, and clams.

Osteria Costa
Osteria Costa sits under MGM National Harbor’s soaring atrium.
Amelinda B Lee

TAP Sports Bar

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Looking for a casual spot to watch the big game? This indoor-outdoor sports bar is directly off the casino floor and has dozens of televisions, comfy couches, and a pub-friendly menu of burgers, nachos, and wings sure to please big groups.

Diablo's Cantina

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From Taco Tuesday specials to tango lessons on Thursdays, MGM’s nearly 3-year-old Diablo’s Cantina is always a party. Find delicious Mexican fare, and of course, a little tequila and mezcal decadence. In addition to tasty margaritas, must-try dishes include the street tacos and sizzling fajitas.

Enchiladas from Diablo’s Cantina.
Diablo’s Cantina/official photo

Bond 45

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This restaurant blends all-American dining with Italian cooking, combining seven different choices of steak for dinner alongside Italian classics like veal piccata and chicken marsala. Because this is Maryland, specialties include a crab cake BLT burger, fontina mac and cheese, and a “Fig Collins” cocktail featuring ginger beer and fig vodka.

Bond 45’s surf-and-turf menu.
Bond 45/Facebook

Fiorella Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria

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Expect updated Italian favorites at this family-friendly establishment, including a namesake salad bolstered by red quinoa and pine nut pesto; an open-faced lasagna featuring fennel sausage and beef meatballs; and an olive- and pepper-accented branzino Calabrese. There are also fun twists on American classics, including a four-cheese macaroni and cheese and a spicy barbecue chicken pizza.

Ravioli at Fiorella.
Fiorella/Facebook

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls

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With waterfront views, it makes sense that National Harbor welcomes a lobster shack with fresh lobster flown in daily from Maine. The lobster rolls are prepared according to Maine tradition, too, with only the basics: lemon, butter, and mayo on a buttery roll.

The Walrus Oyster & Ale House

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This is a great spot for an after-work happy hour with the crew, or opt for weekend brunch (with reservations strongly encouraged). The menu stars sustainable seafood, including Chesapeake Bay oysters, rockfish, and crab cakes, plus a crab-seasoned bloody mary with a spicy kick. Its chicken dishes are also not to miss, with an additional location in Columbia, Maryland.

Bombay Street Food

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Indian restaurateur Asad Sheikh adds to his D.C. collection of Bombay Street Food locations with a Maryland edition that’s his biggest yet. Find dishes that reflect his childhood, including biryani, fiery vindaloo, and Bombay street food favorite vada pav—Mumbai’s take on a veggie burger.

Bombay Street Food’s color-soaked space has a big patio.
Andrew Banez/@thedmveater

Succotash

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This slice of Southern hospitality takes favorites like pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, watermelon, and country ham and shines them up with corn relish, goat cheese, and spiced pecans. The menu includes fried chicken with pepper paste-spiked honey, a West Virginia chili slaw dog, and chocolate bourbon pecan pie with orange whipped cream. Chef Edward Lee is celebrity chef behind this flagship restaurant.

Chicken and waffles at Succotash.
Succotash/official photo

Brother Jimmy’s BBQ

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Ribs, hot chicken, catfish, and fried pickles (better known as “frickles”) are staples at this barbecue restaurant. Wash it all down with a Kentucky Mule or a whiskey- and schnapps-spiked Georgia Tea. This location also has live music on weekends.

Frickles are a fan favorite at Brother Jimmy’s BBQ.
Brother Jimmy’s BBQ/Facebook

Bobby McKey's Dueling Piano Bar

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Catching a concert can easily be done at MGM Casino. But what’s more fun than watching fleet-fingered musicians go back and forth on the ivories, playing everything from Miley Cyrus to Rihanna? This is a great place for bachelorette and bachelor parties, groups of friends, and out-of-towners alike. Bobby McKey’s keeps the mood light with bar classics like Buffalo chicken dip and barbecue sliders, as well as free-flowing beer towers.

The lively vibe at Bobby McKey’s.
Bobby McKey’s/Facebook

Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa

This Maryland institution serves up chargrilled Peruvian-style chicken and savory sides like empanadas, fried yucca, and tortillas, as well as fried chicken sandwiches and ceviche. You can order a meal for sit-down, takeout, or delivery service, making this a safe bet when all else fails at the roulette table.

Osteria Costa

Directly off the grand entrance to MGM Casino is this upscale Mediterranean restaurant with chilled seafood platters featuring local oysters, poached shrimp, and lobster salad, or for those who prefer seafood pasta, go for the spaghetti ai frutti di mare loaded with shrimp, calamari, and clams.

Osteria Costa
Osteria Costa sits under MGM National Harbor’s soaring atrium.
Amelinda B Lee

TAP Sports Bar

Looking for a casual spot to watch the big game? This indoor-outdoor sports bar is directly off the casino floor and has dozens of televisions, comfy couches, and a pub-friendly menu of burgers, nachos, and wings sure to please big groups.

Diablo's Cantina

From Taco Tuesday specials to tango lessons on Thursdays, MGM’s nearly 3-year-old Diablo’s Cantina is always a party. Find delicious Mexican fare, and of course, a little tequila and mezcal decadence. In addition to tasty margaritas, must-try dishes include the street tacos and sizzling fajitas.

Enchiladas from Diablo’s Cantina.
Diablo’s Cantina/official photo

Bond 45

This restaurant blends all-American dining with Italian cooking, combining seven different choices of steak for dinner alongside Italian classics like veal piccata and chicken marsala. Because this is Maryland, specialties include a crab cake BLT burger, fontina mac and cheese, and a “Fig Collins” cocktail featuring ginger beer and fig vodka.

Bond 45’s surf-and-turf menu.
Bond 45/Facebook

Fiorella Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria

Expect updated Italian favorites at this family-friendly establishment, including a namesake salad bolstered by red quinoa and pine nut pesto; an open-faced lasagna featuring fennel sausage and beef meatballs; and an olive- and pepper-accented branzino Calabrese. There are also fun twists on American classics, including a four-cheese macaroni and cheese and a spicy barbecue chicken pizza.

Ravioli at Fiorella.
Fiorella/Facebook

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls

With waterfront views, it makes sense that National Harbor welcomes a lobster shack with fresh lobster flown in daily from Maine. The lobster rolls are prepared according to Maine tradition, too, with only the basics: lemon, butter, and mayo on a buttery roll.

The Walrus Oyster & Ale House

This is a great spot for an after-work happy hour with the crew, or opt for weekend brunch (with reservations strongly encouraged). The menu stars sustainable seafood, including Chesapeake Bay oysters, rockfish, and crab cakes, plus a crab-seasoned bloody mary with a spicy kick. Its chicken dishes are also not to miss, with an additional location in Columbia, Maryland.

Bombay Street Food

Indian restaurateur Asad Sheikh adds to his D.C. collection of Bombay Street Food locations with a Maryland edition that’s his biggest yet. Find dishes that reflect his childhood, including biryani, fiery vindaloo, and Bombay street food favorite vada pav—Mumbai’s take on a veggie burger.

Bombay Street Food’s color-soaked space has a big patio.
Andrew Banez/@thedmveater

Succotash

This slice of Southern hospitality takes favorites like pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, watermelon, and country ham and shines them up with corn relish, goat cheese, and spiced pecans. The menu includes fried chicken with pepper paste-spiked honey, a West Virginia chili slaw dog, and chocolate bourbon pecan pie with orange whipped cream. Chef Edward Lee is celebrity chef behind this flagship restaurant.

Chicken and waffles at Succotash.
Succotash/official photo

Brother Jimmy’s BBQ

Ribs, hot chicken, catfish, and fried pickles (better known as “frickles”) are staples at this barbecue restaurant. Wash it all down with a Kentucky Mule or a whiskey- and schnapps-spiked Georgia Tea. This location also has live music on weekends.

Frickles are a fan favorite at Brother Jimmy’s BBQ.
Brother Jimmy’s BBQ/Facebook

Bobby McKey's Dueling Piano Bar

Catching a concert can easily be done at MGM Casino. But what’s more fun than watching fleet-fingered musicians go back and forth on the ivories, playing everything from Miley Cyrus to Rihanna? This is a great place for bachelorette and bachelor parties, groups of friends, and out-of-towners alike. Bobby McKey’s keeps the mood light with bar classics like Buffalo chicken dip and barbecue sliders, as well as free-flowing beer towers.

The lively vibe at Bobby McKey’s.
Bobby McKey’s/Facebook

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