The Most Romantic Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Plume is an award-winning fine-dining restaurant, located in one of DC's historic most prestigious luxury hotels, that has a special couples space known as “The Nest”. The restaurant offers an elegant and romantic atmosphere and upscale cuisine. Dinner entrees include dishes such as Lobster Gratine, Martin's Angus Prime Beef and Hudson Valley Moulard Magret. The wine list at Plume has been carefully-curated to enhance your dining experience. Plume is one of only two Forbes five star rated restaurants in Washington, D.C. (The other is The Inn at Little Washington.)

The award-winning restaurant is known as a steward of culinary elegance and luxury offering a sophisticated menu inspired by the regional cuisines of Italy. Menus at the power dining spot change daily and feature an a la carte menu 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, perfect for a special date. The outdoor patio offers a quiet dining space perfect for al fresco dining. 

This elegant French-Belgian restaurant offers a four to seven course fixed-price menu by award-winning chef Robert Wiedmaier. Menu items change daily. 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 and intimate and romantic ambiance. An outdoor patio and wine bar are available. 

Situated in a Federal period house in residential Georgetown, the historic restaurant has six dining rooms that are beautifully decorated with American antiques, period equestrian and historical prints and china. The building dates back to 1789, however the restaurant was established in 1960. In 1985, it was purchased by the Clyde's Restaurant Group. The premiere restaurant serves world-class American cuisine including main course dishes such as Ora King Salmon, Venison, Duck, Beef Tenderloin and Beet Wellington. 

Located in the oldest continuing running hotel in Washington, D.C., the quaint restaurant offers New American cuisine. Dinner entrees include dishes such as Pan Seared Diver Scallops, Winter Mushroom Risotto, Crispy Chicken Adobo and Grilled Black Angus Fillet Mignon. 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. The historic 40-room hotel provides a unique and cozy setting. Visitors enjoy a diverse and eclectic collection of artwork in the lobby, restaurant, and courtyard.  

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 as well. A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the chef draws inspiration from the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinia & 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 features Mediterranean cuisine inspired by foods of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Morocco. The restaurant previously lived under the name Nopa Kitchen and Bar but has since relaunched in January 2019 with a whole new menu and style. Olivia is located in the heart of Washington, D.C's vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood, features signature cocktails and a diverse menu. The menu includes a variety of creative combinations and an extensive wine list of the Mediterranean region.

The restaurant is set in Washington's most famous hotel and offers a contemporary dining room and an outdoor seating on the Potomac riverfront. Modern, seasonally-inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in the stylish modern space. The Backroom at Kingbird offers the most romantic space with Italian decor and an ambitious tasting menu that is an extension of the property’s signature restaurant. The weekly rotating menus, which pay homage to the late culinary great Jean-Louis Palladin, are inspired by modern French cuisine. A hallmark of the restaurant will feature tableside presentations, adding a level of theatrics to the meal, such as with a Bouillabaisse that is poured in front of guests’ eyes for a truly engaging culinary experience.

The award-winning hotel is located across Lafayette Square from the White House. As Washington, D.C.’s destination for power dining, The Lafayette Room offers superb contemporary American Cuisine and attentive service in a stately, elegant setting for breakfast, lunch, dinner and 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 U.S. Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. The impressive property has long been a favorite for fine dining and romance in the nation's capital. 

Grillfish is an open space restaurant with high ceilings and a sensuous mural extending throughout the entirety of the restaurant.  Low hanging medieval chandeliers lends 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 nature's natural aphrodisiac of oysters for starters, surf & turf and a brownie sundae for two.