Best Restaurants for Creative Cuisine in Waterfront

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianIndianMexicanGreekFish

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Capitol HillDowntownPenn QuarterShawSilver SpringTenleytown

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for happy hour

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

9 restaurants available nearby

1. Centrolina

4.7

Exceptional(2184)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Penn Quarter

Booked 44 times today

Centrolina is an Italian restaurant and market, locally owned and operated by Chef Amy Brandwein, set in Washington’s CityCenterDC development. The Osteria showcases a seasonally driven menu of authentic and innovative Italian dishes offered for lunch and dinner. Chef Brandwein's menu is inspired from the seasons, Italian regionality and the wide variety of Chef curated product in the adjoining market. The market showcases a selection of imported Italian specialty items along with locally sourced meat, sustainable fish, and produce from local farms. The Centrolina kitchen produces daily hand crafted fresh pasta and sauces, antipasti and entrees available for takeaway. For parties of 7 people or more, we do require a prix-fixe menu, please email caroline@centrolinadc.com for additional information.

2. The Dabney

4.8

Exceptional(311)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Shaw

Booked 22 times today

Located in historic Blagden Alley in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood since 2015, The Dabney continues to pay tribute to the wonderful farmers, watermen, and purveyors of the mid-Atlantic region whom provide some of the best and most unique products in the country. We celebrate these ingredients by preparing them in a large wood burning hearth which is the centerpiece of our open kitchen. The current dining room experience is an 8-course tasting menu honoring the Mid-Atlantic's bounty. We offer an additional 3-course experience at our bar and bar area tables. Walk-in guests are welcome to enjoy the bar area as well.The Dabney has been awarded one Michelin star every year since 2017, James Beard Foundation Best Chef Mid-Atlantic for Chef Jeremiah Langhorne in 2018, and Washingtonian Magazine's #1 restaurant in 2023. At this time we are unable to accommodate severe allium and dairy allergies as well as vegan and vegetarian diets.

3. Station 4

4.0

Excellent(3857)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Waterfront

Booked 39 times today

Discover Station 4 Restaurant, an oasis of creative cuisine nestled in the heart of Washington, DC. Just a block away from the Arena Stage and steps from the Wharf and Waterfront Metro Station/Green Line, our swanky setting offers the perfect atmosphere for your special foodie experience, date night, celebrations, birthdays, and more.Springtime at Station 4 is an unforgettable experience with our refreshing spring menu, vibrant seasonal cocktails, and enchanting Garden Room and patio. Revel in the delightful ambiance while enjoying Modern American and Creative New American dishes crafted with passion and flair.Since 2011, Station 4 has been a cornerstone of the thriving SW development, delighting guests with our commitment to exceptional service and culinary excellence. Join us for lunch, dinner, brunch, or happy hour and let us make your visit truly triumphant.We love your special request! So feel free to contact us directly!

4. Rania DC

4.7

Exceptional(572)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Indian • Penn Quarter

Booked 14 times today

We are excited to welcome you to Rania, DC's hottest destination for modern Indian food. Tom Sietsema has called our food "some of the most inspired Indian cooking in DC." At Rania, we offer homage to the time-honored traditions, rich flavors, and spices of India in an intimate, luxurious setting. We look forward to sharing our vision with you!Presenting sophisticated, highly acclaimed 4-course prix-fixe menu, with an upcoming debut of our chef's tasting menu.Policies:-Dress Code: Smart Business Casual. No shorts, athletic wear, or baseball caps are allowed.-Children under 10 are not allowed in the main dining areas.-Reservations are available for parties of up to 6 people.- A non-refundable deposit of $30 per person is required for parties larger than 5.-A 20% gratuity will be added to all parties 5 or more.For large party or private dining inquiries, please email: Info@raniadc.com

5. Mazi

4.6

Exceptional(748)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 25 times today

Creative New American Cuisine influenced and inspired by Greek and Mediterranean recipes and flavors.

6. Paraiso

4.6

Exceptional(208)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Capitol Hill

Booked 9 times today

Paraiso is a creative cuisine inspired by the streets and home kitchens of Mexico, offering an innovative and interesting twist on traditional Mexican dishes. Reviewers praise the 'amazing, creative Mexican dishes' and 'different and delicious spin on tacos and guacamole'. The menu is described as 'upscale Mexican not TexMex' and the restaurant offers 'a fabulous experience' with 'excellent food and service'.

A photo of Anthem at Marriott Marquis DC restaurant

7. Anthem at Marriott Marquis DC

4.2

Awesome(96)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 2 times today

Experience Americana with a modern twist. Creative cuisine from locally-sourced ingredients is the high note of Anthem, a vibrant urban café at Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. Executive chef Frederic Barasse applies culinary artistry from his previous position at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner to provide upscale versions of American diner classics. Experience farm to table quality in a classically styled venue at Washington, DC’s Anthem.

A photo of Masala Art DC (Tenleytown) restaurant

8. Masala Art DC (Tenleytown)

4.9

Exceptional(1149)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Indian • Tenleytown

Booked 3 times today

'Too much is so good, you can't stop eating it. The tandoor-baked breads are not mere swabs for sauce but could be eaten, and enjoyed, on their own; the naan with cilantro and rock salt is terrific, as is the kulcha richly stuffed with minced lamb. Masala Art offers combinations you don't see often around here, but even its more familiar dishes can be revelations. Consider its samosas. They're flakier than a lot of the competition, and their filling of peas, potatoes and sweet raisins tastes fresher, too. A burst of cardamom in every bite helps. In the same vein, soft logs of minced lamb pulse with heat from jalapeno peppers, a shock offset with breezy mint. Pureed spinach is a vibrant green, flecked with corn and rich with garlic...' - WashingtonPost.com

9. Muoi Tieu

4.8

Exceptional(26)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Vietnamese • Silver Spring

Booked 3 times today

Open Mon/Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun, closed Tues/Wed. Muoi Tieu is a cozy family-run Vietnamese restaurant and market in the heart of Takoma Park, Maryland, with a small but carefully curated menu that offers a combination of popular Vietnamese dishes (e.g., pho, spring rolls) and less common home-style dishes (e.g., braised pork belly, pan-fried fish with ginger nuoc cham) with plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. Our small market also offers a variety of common Vietnamese condiments, pantry items, and Asian snacks. Like our name, which means "salt and pepper" in Vietnamese, our concept is simple: we want to bring classic, savory Vietnamese food to our community.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
BarbaraVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Wonderful food! We went for lunch. We had the chicken, flounder, tortellini, and sea bass. Also had starter salads. We all raved about our meals. Server was very friendly and attentive.
More info
CentrolinaPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Penn Quarter
•
4.7
E
Erin
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
George is an absolute gem! My friends and I come here for a delightful girls' lunch every few months, and it never disappoints. I usually go for the Greek salad or mussels—both are fantastic. The staff is incredibly accommodating, especially for those with gluten-free or dairy-free needs. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and warmth, making it ideal for both business lunches and elegant dinners. Highly recommend!
More info
MaziPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
Virginia •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Our first time! We had an amazing experience and can’t wait to go back!
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The DabneyPrice: Very Expensive• American• Shaw
•
4.8
LE
LauraEVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Creative and delicious Indian food. Excellent service. Highly recommend.
More info
Rania DCPrice: Very Expensive• Indian• Penn Quarter
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 4, 2025
Beautiful space, the food was amazing and the service was top notch
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Station 4Price: Moderate• Contemporary American• Waterfront
•
4

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