The Most Romantic Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Plume

Plume is an award-winning fine-dining restaurant, located in one of DC's most historic and prestigious luxury hotels. It offers an elegant and romantic atmosphere and upscale cuisine. Dinner entrees include dishes such as Poached Lobster, Martin's Farm Beef Tenderloin, and Cervina Venison Rack and the wine list has been carefully curated to enhance the dining experience.

Fiola

Fiole is known around town as a steward of culinary elegance and luxury, offering a sophisticated menu inspired by the regional cuisines of Italy. The menu at this dining spot changes daily with a la carte menus for lunch and multi-course menus at a set price for dinner. A la carte selections are always available at the bar and on the patio. The decor in the main dining room is modern and inviting, while the outdoor patio offers a quiet space perfect for dining al fresco.

Marcel's

This elegant French-Belgian restaurant offers a four to the seven-course fixed-price menu by award-winning chef Robert Wiedmaier. The renowned chef hails from Brussels and his cuisine embodies the best culinary choices of European culture. The dining room is dimly lit and provides an intimate and romantic ambiance. You could also sit on the outdoor patio if the weather is nice or pull up a chair at the wine bar. Menu items change daily.

1789 Restaurant

Situated in a Federal period house in residential Georgetown, the historic restaurant has six dining rooms that are beautifully decorated with American antiques, period-accurate equestrian touches, historical prints, and china. The building dates back to 1789, however, the restaurant was established in 1960. This premiere D.C. restaurant serves world-class American cuisine including main course dishes such as Swordfish, Seafood Stew, Beef Tenderloin, and Roasted Duck Breast.

Tabard Inn

Located in the oldest continuously running hotel in Washington, D.C., the unique and cozy Tabard Inn offers New American cuisine. Dinner entrees include dishes such as Pan Seared Scallops, Mushroom Risotto, and Coconut Chicken Adobo. The restaurant is also a popular hot spot for happy hour and Sunday Brunch. Jazz is performed every Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evening in the fireplace lounge. Visitors can also peruse an eclectic collection of artwork in the lobby, restaurant, and courtyard.  

Iron Gate

Iron Gate is especially known as a romantic spot for its cozy patio dining located in the heart of Washington's Dupont Circle neighborhood. Its main dining room is rustic and dimly lit providing an intimate space. A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Chef Tony Chittum draws inspiration from the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinia, and Southern Italy. Multiple menu options are offered nightly in the dining room as well as the outdoor patio and garden. Choose from an a la carte menu that has varying small plates and family-style platters or a four-course family table menu. 

Olivia

Olivia features Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the food cultures of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Morocco. This restaurant is located in the heart of Washington, D.C's vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood. Its drink menu features signature cocktails and an extensive wine list representing the many different corners of the Mediterranean region.

Kingbird

Kingbird is set in Washington's most famous hotel, The Watergate, and offers a contemporary dining room and outdoor seating on the Potomac riverfront. A modern, seasonally-inspired breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu is served in the stylish space.

A hallmark of the restaurant is its practice of tableside presentation, which adds a level of theatrics to the meal. For example, the bouillabaisse, a traditional French stew is poured in front of guests’ eyes, creating an engaging culinary experience.

The Lafayette

A part of the award-winning Hay Adams Hotel, The Lafayette offers superb contemporary American Cuisine and attentive service in a stately, elegant setting for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch.

This classic hotel takes its name from earlier residents of its site: John Hay, private assistant to President Abraham Lincoln and later secretary of state, and Henry Adams, an acclaimed author, and descendant of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and John Quincy Adams, his son and the sixth President of the United States. The impressive property has long been a favorite for fine dining and romance in the nation's capital. 

Grillfish

Grillfish is an open space restaurant with high ceilings and a sensuous mural extending throughout the entirety of the restaurant. You can count on the low hanging medieval chandeliers to lend an intimate tone to any dinner. This restaurant is located near Dupont Circle and specializes in seafood with many options for romantic meals such as oysters for starters, surf and turf, and a brownie sundae for two.