Best Restaurants for People Watching in Penn Quarter

We usually go to the Willard’s Peacock Alley afternoon tea around the holidays but this year, when I went to book a reservation, there was no availability. So, I hunted around for an alternative, saw this, and decided we would give it a try. And we LOVED IT! The food was plentiful and delicious. The pastries were so beautifully and creatively made to reflect the Christmas season that I almost didn’t wast to eat them. It is also just a gorgeous place to have tea. The lobby where the tea is served is both grand and intimate. We were seated right by a big picture window. (Let’s be honest, there is a reason they call it Peacock Alley—you are basically sitting in a hallway making the experience at the Willard a bit claustrophobic.) And the service was OUTSTANDING! Everyone was so nice and attentive. (Although the service at the Willard is also generally good, it does feel a bit like a factory assembly line.) I almost don’t want to tell you how much we loved the whole experience because I don’t want it to get overrun like the Willard. The tea service at the Willard is still nice but I think we have found our new favorite place. Thank you to all the staff at the St. Regis for making it such a memorable experience!

Georgia Browns is always amazing anytime we visit but especially on Thanksgiving! The food is incredible, the service is outstanding. GB never fails to deliver even on a busy holiday. Remains one of my DC favorites!

Food was excellent. I had the pork chop and it was amongst the best I’ve tasted. We had a party of 7 and they all had a variety of things and they were all happy. Bread basket is not to be missed.

Some of the nicest restaurant staff I’ve met in DC and all of the food literally melted in my mouth it was so good! Definitely recommend trying the butter biscuits with homemade peach jam as an appetizer.

Our pizza and burger was very enjoyable. Service was fast and very friendly without being on top of us all the time. Great pick for us after a Sunday matinee.