Date Night Picks
Intimate corners and dim lighting for the perfect Washington evening.
Quick Picks
- ✦ Most Romantic: The Dabney — candlelit dining with a fireplace-driven menu in a converted row house.
- ✦ Best Cocktails: Columbia Room — the multi-room cocktail experience at the Tasting Room level.
- ✦ Best View: Fiola Mare — Georgetown waterfront views with impeccable Italian seafood.
Washington DC knows a thing or two about impressing. Whether it’s a first date or an anniversary, these restaurants deliver atmosphere, flavor, and memories.
The Intimate Setting
The Dabney in Shaw is housed in a converted row house with exposed brick and a wood-burning hearth that provides the centerpiece for both ambiance and cooking. Chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s mid-Atlantic menu changes with the seasons, and the tasting menu is worth every penny.
Rose’s Luxury on Capitol Hill became an instant legend after opening in 2013. The no-reservations policy (upstairs only) adds to the thrill. Their pork lychee salad has achieved iconic status.
The Grand Gesture
Fiola Mare on the Georgetown waterfront is where you go when you want to impress. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Potomac, and the Italian seafood menu is among the best in the city.
Masseria near Union Market offers a prix fixe only experience in a stunning courtyard setting. The pasta courses alone justify the price tag.
Date Night on a Budget
Not every romantic dinner needs to break the bank:
- Tail Up Goat in Adams Morgan — Michelin-starred but surprisingly approachable pricing
- Little Serow in Dupont — $55 prix fixe Thai tasting menu, BYOB
- Thip Khao in Columbia Heights — share Laotian dishes by candlelight for under $40 each