The Best Seafood Restaurants in Washington D.C.

Imperfecto is a unique dining destination that combines Mediterranean and Latin American influences under the guidance of Chef Enrique Limardo. The restaurant takes pride in the beauty of imperfection, constantly striving to improve and evolve. Standout dishes include the Burrata and Ancient Salad, as well as the Latin-inspired Tuna Tartare, all of which reflect the fresh and light culinary approach of the establishment.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer – Washington/Los Angeles, USA

The second DC restaurant by Seven Reasons’s chef Enrique Limardo, this one in DC’s West End. I will admit I enjoyed Imperfecto more than Seven Reasons, the dishes were extremely fresh and light. The Burrata and Ancient Salad were my favorite dishes followed by a more Latin inspired, ceviche like, Tuna Tartare.

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Located in the building that once housed the Washington Post, Dauphine’s is known for its attention to delicious details. The menu features standout dishes such as paneed rabbit and head-on shrimp in a dark pool of birch beer, paired with some of the best cocktails around. The restaurant offers a seafood, bar, and boucherie experience, with a variety of offerings for every day of the week.

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Tom Sietsema

Food Critic – Washington, DC, USA

Dauphine’s nails so many delicious details. Located where the Washington Post once stood in downtown DC, Dauphine’s nails so many delicious details, it’s as if you’re enjoying them in the city that put them on the map: New Orleans. The stars of the show include paneed rabbit, head-on shrimp in a dark pool of birch beer and some of the city’s best cocktails.

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With a fun name and a serious mission, Oyster Oyster is a newcomer to the dining scene that proves you don't have to eat meat to enjoy a good meal. The restaurant's focus is on sustainability, with an 8-course tasting menu that's a veritable garden of vegetarian and vegan delights. It's also equipped with private dining facilities, making it a suitable choice for those looking for an intimate dining experience.

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Tom Sietsema

Food Critic – Washington, DC, USA

No new restaurant has excited me more than Oyster Oyster, a fun name for a serious restaurant. The newcomer, from Rob Rubba, quietly sends the message that you don’t have to eat meat to eat well, and that treating the planet with respect involves baby steps. His 8-course tasting menu is a garden of good eating.

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This local seafood spot, Mariscos 1133, focuses on delivering a robust menu inspired by Latin seafood cuisine. The restaurant, run by sibling chefs Alfredo and Jessica Solis, offers a variety of dishes such as tuna tostadas and whole fried flounder, as well as non-seafood options like churrasco and birria tacos. With a focus on fresh ingredients and traditional Latin food preparations, the restaurant also offers a selection of two dozen wines by the glass, providing a comprehensive dining experience.

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Tom Sietsema

Food Critic – Washington, DC, USA

The definition of what it means to be a neighborhood restaurant. No part of the experience is overlooked. Here’s the definition of what it means to be a neighborhood restaurant, a place whose cooking, attention and prices encourage regular drop-ins by locals. The name underscores the restaurant’s theme — Mariscos is Spanish for “seafood” —and among the stars on the epic menu are tuna tostadas and whole fried flounder. No part of the experience is overlooked. Booths make for a pandemic-friendly dining room and two dozen wines are offered by the glass, at an average of $10. Don’t eat fish? The Mexican restaurant also excels at churrasco and birria tacos.

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Taking inspiration from the fast-paced energy of Basque nightlife, Bar Spero is a lively seafood bar and grill. The menu features open-fire grilling and freshly shucked seafood, with a particular recommendation for their amazing turbot and razor clams. The restaurant, which is led by acclaimed chef Johnny Spero, is also suitable for large parties and sharing meals.

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Jhonatan Cano

Restaurateur – Washington DC, United States

Basque style with an amazing turbot From chef Johnny Spero of reverie*, this more casual spot serves beautiful products with a touch of fire. One of the best turbots in town. Wonderful razor clams and seafood in general, great for large parties and sharing.

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El Presidente offers a creative menu inspired by the cuisine of Mexico City, with a modern twist on heirloom ingredients. The restaurant's vibrant decor and color scheme make it a visually stunning destination. Along with its unique ambiance, the restaurant is known for its impressive selection of cocktails, tequilas, and mezcals, as well as standout dishes like the Salsas and Dips, Hamachi Aguachile, and Black Cod Al Pastor tacos.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer – Washington/Los Angeles, USA

Let’s be honest: DC is not a city for great Mexican food. If that is what you are looking for, you go to New York, Philadelphia, maybe Chicago, and obviously LA … or better, you catch a flight to Mexico City. But over the last 15 years, DC has seen its food scene evolve dramatically, from steak and potatoes to almost any cuisine you could think of. One of the leading faces of that change has been Jose Andres. More recently, Stephen Starr has pushed the envelope, first with Le Diplomate and then St. Anselm. One thing Starr’s places have in common is that they make you feel like you enter a restaurant designed by Disney; there is an avalanche of color or, to a degree, stereotypes (think of Le Diplomate and its many references to what Americans would think of when they think of a French bistro, no matter how much that has in common with reality). But one would be wrong to judge these restaurants by their cover (which usually are stunning, if not over the top). What Starr is able to do, is to back up the design with amazing food and experiences. El Presidente (just a block down from St. Anselm in the Union Market neighborhood) is his take on Mexico. What Le Diplomate is to Paris, El Presidente is to Mexico City. By making this more about a city than a cuisine, Starr is able to have a bit more room to experiment on the food side and not have to be dragged down the “authentic” debate. El Presidente is stunning. The colors, the decor, it all bests Le Diplomate (and I would not have thought that was possible). But as with Le Diplomate, El Presidente doesn’t end up being a nice shell; the cocktails, the tequila and mezcal selection, the service, and the food are all backing it up. Now, is it true, authentic Mexican as you would find on the streets of Mexico City? No. But that is not the point here. The point is a place that you will have an amazing time at. And the food will still be the star of the evening. I would definitely order the Salsas and Dips (a huge plate with five salsas plus guac) and the Hamachi Aguachile. The Crab Tostada is another standout. There is the Instagram-friendly Tacos Al Carbon (build your own) that can be shared by several people. But if you want a ready-made taco, I would suggest the Black Cod Al Pastor. Lastly, especially in times when many restaurants have a hard time finding staff, it says a lot that Starr is able to attract amazing staff. Silvia, our server, was amazing, as were all the other staff who helped us. While the food, drinks, and decor all make we want to come back, this is also a place where the staff is so nice that you want to go back — and that is a rare thing these days.

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Xiquet by Danny Lledó is a Michelin star restaurant that offers a fine Valencian tasting menu with a focus on seafood. It is known for its wood-fire kitchen and signature Mediterranean flavors, paired with thoughtful wine selections. The restaurant provides a multi-course culinary experience, featuring a variety of dishes including paella and other traditional cuisine of Valencia, all prepared in an open wood-fire kitchen.

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Jhonatan Cano

Restaurateur – Washington DC, United States

Best Spanish fine dining in the East Coast The king of paella is curating a beautiful multilevel experience showcasing his Valencian cuisine. Seafood is the leading cast on the menu but the star of the show is the paella / rice course which the chef has perfected. The service and beverage program are top notch. Special occasion restaurants with a well deserved Michelin star.

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Zaytinya by José Andrés is a casual dining spot that offers a fusion of Mediterranean cuisines from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon. Their consistently good food makes it a suitable choice for both lunch and dinner, with seafood dishes like the Octopus Santorini and the Garides me Anitho being particularly recommended. The menu, curated under the direction of James Beard Award-winning chef José Andrés, offers a variety of innovative dishes that are a result of combining authentic ingredients with traditional techniques.

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Jhonatan Cano

Restaurateur – Washington DC, United States

Best casual Mediterranean in DC Zaytinya combines mezze from Greece, Turkey and Lebanon. The food is always consistent and great for lunch or dinner. Seafood is the star with the octopus Santorini or the Garides me Anitho.

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