Upscale Restaurants in D.C. Worth Getting Dressed up for
Whether you’re visiting DC or you’ve lived in the area for a while, going to a fancy restaurant in the area is a memorable experience for several reasons. Whether you want to taste a dish that you can’t get off your mind, experience a milestone in your relationship with your significant other, or celebrate a special occasion with friends, there are several upscale restaurants in DC that will provide the ideal dining experience. Here are a few recommendations.
The Capital Grille
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC
(202) 737-6200
If you’re in the mood for a sophisticated steak dinner, want to try a decadent seafood entree, or need someplace romantic for date night, Capital Grille is the place to go. If you’re visiting Capital Grille for dinner, start your meal with oysters on the half shell or jumbo lump crab cocktail. The restaurant also offers several delicious soup options like lobster bisque, caramelized French onion soup, and New England clam chowder. Impressive entrees include filet mignon with onions, wild mushrooms, and fig essence. You can also visit Capital Grille for lunch when items like Maine lobster salad and the Capital Grille cheeseburger are on the menu. You can also enjoy delicious desserts at this upscale eatery, including Capital Grille cheesecake Brulee with fresh berries, coconut cream pie, or flourless chocolate espresso cake.
Fiola Mare
3100 K St NW, Washington, DC
(202) 525-1402
Fiola Mare is one of the best upscale restaurants in DC when you’re looking for fresh and creative seafood dishes. Appetizers include caviar served with whipped ricotta and warm blini. You can also try Ancona, which is Fiola Mare’s signature seafood tower. You can also enjoy oysters with strawberry mignonette or the sea scallops with rhubarb and herb oil; both of these seafood options are great for sharing. Delicious antipasti options include Dutch white asparagus with pickled green strawberries and the Colors of the Garden salad with spring herbs, baby lettuce, asparagus, fava beans, strawberries, and goat cheese with a berry vinaigrette. Pasta dishes include short rib agnolotti with prawn essence and spring peas or the Fiola Mare lobster ravioli with a port wine reduction. If you’re in the mood for dessert, don’t forget to try the tiramisu with chocolate sorbet or Campfire Sunday with marshmallow gelato, chocolate sauce, caramel popcorn, and honey crackers.
Mastro’s Steakhouse
600 13th St NW, Washington, DC
(202) 347-1500
Mastro’s is the ideal DC eatery for a steakhouse dinner. In fact, it’s one of the best steakhouses in the whole city. You can start your meal with delicious appetizers like shrimp or lobster cocktails, caviar, or sautéed sea scallops. You can choose from a variety of soups and salads, including lobster bisque, heirloom tomato and burrata cheese salad, and the Spicy Mambo salad. Steak options include the filet or petite filet, Porterhouse, and bone-in ribeye. You can also choose from other appealing meat entrees like rack of lamb, double-cut pork chop, and herb-roasted chicken. Mastro’s also offers Wagyu beef options such as the Wagyu tomahawk chops and Japanese A5 Wagyu. Mastro’s is also home to some of DC’s best seafood options including blackened swordfish, twin lobster tails, Alaskan halibut, and Chilean sea bass. The restaurant also offers bread service, as well as tasty vegetable side dishes such as steamed or roasted asparagus, creamed corn, sautéed or steamed spinach, and garlic mashed potatoes.
Lavagna
539 8th St SE, Washington, DC
(202) 546-5006
Lavagna is a fancy restaurant that offers Italian-inspired dishes and decadent seafood that will make your date night one to remember. The restaurant offers a delicious lobster bisque with garlic and leeks, or you can enjoy beet salad with orange vinaigrette or bruschetta with lemon ricotta. The calamari fried in cornmeal and served with marinara sauce is deliciously impressive as well. The house-made pasta is what makes Lavagna stand out, so you’ll definitely want to try the rigatoni pesto with basil, pine, nuts, and your choice of Italian or chicken sausage. You can’t go wrong with the risotto shrimp with cream, Old Bay, red peppers, rainbow chard, and mushrooms. There are several red and white wine selections to choose from, and you can complete your satisfying meal with a serving of tiramisu to share.
Ocean Prime
1341 G St NW Colorado Building, Washington, DC
(202) 393-0313
Ocean Prime has a beautiful ambiance that makes it perfect for a special occasion, whether you’re celebrating with friends, family, or your significant other. Appetizers include the jumbo shrimp cocktail, the spicy tuna roll with cucumber, or white traffic caviar deviled eggs. If you want to order a soup, try the lobster bisque, French onion soup with the shellfish Cobb salad for a light and satisfying meal. There are several prime cuts of steak to choose from as well, including the New York strip, boneless filet, and ribeye. If you’re in the mood for lamb or chicken, you can order the Colorado lamb with roasted garlic thyme jus or Free Bird Farms Chicken with roasted tomatoes, spinach bread salad, olives, and balsamic jus.
For more information about where to eat and drink in Washington D.C., visit our City Page!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 2, 2021 and last updated on March 29, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
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