10 Unique Dining & Drinking Experiences in Washington, DC
Go beyond the standard night out with these culinary excursions all over the District.
There’s a culinary revolution happening in the nation’s capital and experiential cuisine is at its center. Visitors can enjoy an array of dining and drinking experiences at multiple price points at locations throughout the District. Read on for a bounty of options that include award-winning chefs, blind tastings, chef’s tables, sensory offerings, sushi-making, AI-inspired cocktails and lots more.
01/ Jônt
This 14-seat chef’s counter serves an ingredient-focused tasting menu that highlights the best seasonal offerings from around the world across 30 different prep styles. The rotation can include items like wagyu tartar, spring peas, yuzu, foie gras, pears; needless to say, Jônt is eclectic in its approach.
Neighborhood: U Street
1904 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
02/ Pineapple & Pearls
The Capitol Hill haven offers a fun take on fine dining with a tasting menu composed of several courses along with paired beverages. Every meal comes with a book to peruse, complete with a collection of stories and photographs that explain parts of the course to come. Guests also get entertaining “gifts” that go along with the story of the meal, like handcuffs and beggars’ purses.
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
715 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
03/ Rose’s Luxury
Step into one of the most beloved restaurants in DC for a five-course, “choose your own adventure” menu with a travel-the-world vibe. Enjoy private dining at Rose’s rooftop garden with personalized service akin to the terrace at your best friend’s apartment; there’s even a custom-tailored wine pairing by a Master Sommelier.
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
717 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
04/ Albi – Hearth Table in the Kitchen
Journey through Levantine cooking with a two-and-a-half-hour dining experience. Chef Rafidi’s multi-course, semi-improvisational menu from the intimate Hearth Table inside Albi’s kitchen will leave you stunned.
Neighborhood: Navy Yard
1346 4th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
05/ Imperfecto – The Chef’s Table
The Degustación Experience is more than 10 courses from an omakase-style tasting menu with Chef Enrique Limardo of Imperfecto. Guests will travel through South America and into the Mediterranean on Limardo’s mystifying culinary talents.
Neighborhood: Foggy Bottom
1124 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
06/ El Cielo
Immerse your senses – not just your taste buds – with a tasting menu experience at El Cielo. Your outing includes a visual stunt ideal for the Instagram era called “Chocotheraphy”. Guests “wash” their hands in liquid chocolate to awaken their senses before embarking on the rest of their culinary journey.
Neighborhood: NoMa
1280 4th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
07/ Dear Sushi at Love, Makoto
Prepare yourself for an omakase experience that celebrates both traditional and envelope-pushing interpretations of sushi. The deeply personal “Dear Sushi” menu from Chef Makoto Okuwa starts with seasonal snacks, moves into several sushi courses and ends with a show-stopping dessert.
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 150, Washington, DC 20001
08/ dLeña
Experience the wood-firing of your dish at your table at dLeña, which serves up elevated Mexican fare in a striking, rustic-chic venue. Ask and you’ll be shown their speakeasy, ROJA Mezcal Lounge, which offers live jazz along with a smokey mezcal and tequila-centric menu.
Neighborhood: Mount Vernon Square
476 K Street NW, Suite D, Washington, DC 20001
09/ Drunk Shakespeare at The Sage Theatre
In a hidden speakeasy, five classically trained actors assemble for their sacred ritual. One actor takes five shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in a Shakespeare play. Hilarity and mayhem ensue.
Neighborhood: Downtown
1100 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
10/ Crumbs & Whiskers
Hang out with adorable kittens while munching on Levain Bakery cookies and drinking coffee. The city’s first pet café allows you to play with the cats and even adopt one.
Neighborhood: Georgetown
3109 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
About Destination DC:
Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities.
