A Taste Of Washington: Where To Eat, Stay And Play In D.C.'s Lively Waterfront District

Forbes

30-07-2025

Marina view of The Wharf in Washington, D.C.
The location of Washington, D.C.'s Wharf District dates back to the 18th century, when it served as one of the city's earliest commercial ports. Today, following an extensive revitalization completed in 2022, The Wharf has emerged as one of the city's most dynamic entertainment destinations. This lively waterfront neighborhood offers a refreshing contrast to the formality of the federal city, with acclaimed restaurants, stylish hotels and a wealth of things to see and do. Whether a weekend getaway or an afternoon, here are some top spots you won't want to miss in The Wharf.
Where to Eat in D.C.'s Wharf
This retro-glam waterfront restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Joseph Castro fuses Asian and Southern-American cuisines. Menu items include tableside Wagyu 'Hot Rock,' garlic noodles, Thai pumpkin soup and mango-avocado carpaccio, and drinks like lychee and vanilla-bourbon martinis, sake flights, Asian beers and refreshing mocktails. The atmosphere at Pink Tiger is elegant and whimsical, featuring 30-foot ceilings, plush pink bar seating, and a sun-drenched patio. Add in live music on weekends, lively happy hour specials and a high-energy crowd, and you've got a go-to destination for date nights, group dinners or spirited evenings by the water.
House-made milk bread with brown honey miso butter and salmon roe
At Willowsong, the flagship restaurant at the InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf, Chef Jeffrey Williams delivers modern American cuisine that highlights hyper-local ingredients sourced from nearby farms and fisheries. The menu changes regularly based on what's in season. Recent dishes have included braised daikon with spring peas and wild mushrooms, organic chicken with sweet and new potatoes and warm spoonbread topped with buttercream and peaches. The restaurant's bright and modern space and waterfront terrace are perfect for happy hour or a relaxed dinner.
Chef Nicholas Stefanelli's three-level Italian restaurant combines a café, bar, and mercato, with casual bites like Roman pizza, arancini, espresso, aperitivo snacks and Italian goods. Upstairs at the Trattoria, guests can sample handmade pastas, seasonal vegetables, seafood and meats, from duck to dry-aged rib eye, in open-kitchen seating or the outdoor terrace. The rooftop Terrazza offers alfresco dining with champagne and spritzes, fire pits and Potomac River views. Officina also includes D.C.'s only Amaro Library with nearly 100 Italian bitters, plus a wine shop and in-house butcher.
Whether you're slurping East or West Coast oysters, peeling Old Bay-spiced shrimp, or digging into lobster rolls, crab cakes and clam chowder, Hank's Oyster Bar is the place to go for classic coastal flavors. Urban beach style defines the mellow ambiance, with oyster-shell chandeliers and natural wood furnishings. Guests can enjoy marina views from the indoor dining room and the outdoor patio, ideal for a casual lunch, happy hour or sharing a seafood platter or the restaurant's proprietary Salty Wolfe oysters with friends.
Stylish interiors at Moonraker
Located inside the Pendry Washington, DC – The Wharf, rooftop bar Moonraker offers Japanese-influenced dishes like Tokyo fried chicken, robata-grilled meats and wagyu sliders, as well as creative cocktails and spirits like Japanese whisky. The design features geometric tile floors and a circular bar beneath a dramatic chandelier. A stylish crowd gathers for the panoramic views, sunsets and DJ sets.
Set across three glass-enclosed levels, Limani seems to float above the Potomac River. Inside, the vibe exudes calm, with seafoam-toned booths, gleaming Greek marble, Venetian plaster walls, custom chandeliers, olive tree accents, and striking ancient urns that nod to the restaurant's heritage. Fresh fish is flown in from the Mediterranean, produce is locally sourced, and only cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil from Greece is used—never butter. Notable dishes include the paper-thin zucchini and eggplant 'Limani chips,' tender grilled octopus, shrimp saganaki, spiny lobster and moussaka. Desserts such as baklava and loukoumades provide a delightful finish.
With a Miami-inspired aesthetic that includes lush palms, soft pink velvet banquettes beneath a starry ceiling, and playful neon accents, Zooz sets the stage for high-glamour mixology. Signature sips like the 'Diamonds Is Forever' white Negroni and tableside drinks served from bar carts adorned with edible flowers, flaming garnishes and eye-catching glassware are all part of the experience. In summer 2024, Zooz expanded beyond sweets to debut a savory menu, with an innovative sushi menu that includes selections like the gold-leaf–topped Zooz roll with A5 wagyu.
Hoe crab with plantain hoe cake, shitto crisp, and aji verde
Chef Kwame Onwuachi's Dōgon Restaurant at Salamander Washington, DC, offers a bold take on Afro-Caribbean cuisine, rooted in West African traditions and D.C.'s culture. Striking design details, like a chain-curtain entrance, set the scene and pay homage to Benjamin Banneker, whose lineage traces to the Dogon tribe of Mali. The bar menu, crafted by award-winning mixologist Derek Brown, includes an exemplary cocktail program showcasing Black-owned spirits. Chef's specialties like the Berbere-roasted chicken with jollof rice and barbecued greens are a must-try. Just be sure to save room for dessert.
Founded by Chef Philippe Chow, Philippe offers a premium Chinese dining experience, combining a Beijing-style tasting menu with glamorous interiors. The 250-seat restaurant incorporates sculptural design elements, plush banquettes, and an outdoor fireplace lounge. Signature dishes include tableside-carved Peking duck, salt-and-pepper lobster, wok-fried prawns, filet mignon and small plates like walnut shrimp and crispy eggplant. Shareable desserts and stylish cocktails, like lychee martinis, complement the culinary offerings.
Things to Do in D.C.'s Wharf
Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
The Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf, formerly the Maine Avenue Fish Market, has been around since 1805 and is the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the U.S. It's a classic D.C. spot where locals and in-the-know visitors come for everything from fresh fish and crabs to hot, ready-to-eat seafood. As you walk through, you'll catch the smell of Old Bay in the air and see vendors serving everything from raw oysters to steamed blue crabs piled high in paper trays.
The Wharf has two major theaters where visitors can catch a performance. Though The Anthem can hold 6,000 guests, it maintains an intimate feel with clear sightlines, immersive acoustics, and an electric atmosphere often likened to a large nightclub. It features multiple weekly shows spanning rock, hip-hop and indie genres. Arena Stage offers a traditional theater experience, showcasing plays and musicals that highlight American stories and regional voices.
Arena Stage is a pillar of Washington, D.C.'s theater scene, celebrating its 75th anniversary this ... More year.
One of the best ways to experience The Wharf is by water. City Cruises Washington, D.C. offers fun and scenic rides, combining sightseeing with great food and music. Brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises include buffet-style meals, live DJ music and unbeatable views of landmarks like the Washington Monument. City Cruises also runs live entertainment cruises, narrated sightseeing tours, private yacht charters and seasonal and holiday cruises such as the Cherry Blossom and Fireworks Cruise for July 4th.
Sightseeing aboard one of City Cruises dining cruises in Washington, D.C.
Where to Stay in D.C.'s Wharf
Courtyard view at Salamander Washington, DC
Staying at Salamander Washington DC puts you steps from the National Mall and The Wharf, with easy access to some of the city's top spots. The hotel recently underwent a refresh, with sleek designs inspired by D.C.'s neoclassical architecture and the charm of Salamander Middleburg. Rooms incorporate natural accents, king beds and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. Many also offer great views of the Jefferson Memorial or waterfront.
For dining, enjoy a meal at Dōgon or unwind in the Lobby Lounge, which serves an all-day menu, craft cocktails and afternoon tea overlooking the Grand Lawn and Washington Marina. The 10,000-square-foot Salamander Spa has 14 treatment rooms, steam and sauna facilities, a heated indoor pool and the Groom Guy men's lounge.
Modern hotel lobby
The InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf is a sophisticated choice for travelers preferring contemporary design. With a prime location on the Wharf's waterfront promenade, the hotel reflects its nautical setting with mid-century modern-inspired decor and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood guest rooms with natural light and offer stunning views of the river and marina.
Guests can enjoy artful American cuisine at Willowsong, sip cocktails and sample fresh seafood at The Watering Hole or head up to Waves, the rooftop deck and infinity pool bar, for light bites. For those looking to unwind, The Spa at The Wharf provides Mediterranean-inspired treatments, including the On Cloud 9 massage and the Wharf Presidential Body Experience.
Chic guest room with water views at Pendry Washington, DC - The Wharf
Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf combines modern architecture with Parisian elegance. Each of the 169 guest rooms features four-poster beds, herringbone floors, arched doorways, marble bathrooms with rain showers and artwork evoking the café-lined streets of Paris. Guests can enjoy the full-service spa, lounge on the rooftop terrace next to the saline infinity pool or exercise at the hotel's state-of-the-art fitness center. In addition to Moonraker, Bar Pendry, offers a moody, velvet-draped setting for craft cocktails.