Restaurants

Pioneers of the modern-day reinvention of coffee, Blue Bottle started with a promise: All coffee served on the premises is no more than 48 hours out of the roaster. That kind of freshness matters to people who care about their coffee—and Blue Bottle’s inviting atmosphere combined with a scenic riverside setting make this a great place to start your day or enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee anytime.

The team behind DC’s original dock bar, Cantina Marina, continues to be a District highlight at The Wharf. Perched right on the water, Cantina Marina offers creative cocktails and Gulf Coast–inspired cuisine. You can’t miss the fish tacos and amazing margaritas. Great music and a festive waterfront scene make it the place to be for after-work cocktails and weekend get-togethers.

Fabio and Maria Trabocchi will pay homage to the seaside town of Mallorca with fresh seafood that’s brilliantly combined with quality ingredients. Their vision will come to life in a two-level waterfront Spanish and seafood restaurant at The Wharf, destined to become a standout in the DC restaurant scene.

Fabio Trabocchi has received numerous international honors, including being named a James Beard Award-winning chef.

An amazing new coffee shop and bistro serviced by local coffee roaster, Vigilante Coffee, and designed by Natalie Park Design Studio, this is one stop you don’t want to miss. With more than 40 years of successful business, District Hardware is the family-owned full-service bike shop—and now café and water sport retailer—that continues to offer a wide range of products and exceptional customer service to the DC community.

Robb and Violeta’s exceptional artisanal gelateria and coffee shop uses fresh ingredients from local farms and coffee roasters to bring you a sensational new experience. Expect unique hand-crafted flavors with every season—like champagne mango sorbetto or Georgia butter pecan—as you enjoy a delicious espresso in their vibrant Argentinean-inspired setting.

A Belgian bistro cooked up by a veteran of Michelin-starred kitchens, Florentijn enhances the traditional beer-and-mussels experience with ultra-modern touches. But traditionalists have nothing to fear—owner Jan Van Haute was once the chef at the Belgian Embassy, and with a riverside location reminiscent of Belgium’s canals, Florentijn promises to redefine the bistro.

Chef Jamie Leeds invented what she calls “urban beach food,” and we couldn’t think of a better addition to The Wharf. She has received praise from Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, and all the local papers—and now, she’s opening her biggest Hank’s yet here along the waterfront with indoor and outdoor seating. Drop in for happy hour and order from an ever-changing cocktail menu inspired by the staff’s travels.

Jenny’s has been a pillar of Southwest DC’s restaurant scene for more than 30 years, and Jenny’s at the Wharf represents the neighborhood’s newest iteration of Chinese and Asian-fusion cuisine. Located right on the water and serving everything from banh mi to drunken noodles, Jenny’s puts a modern spin on traditional favorites.

The brainchild of Irish-born Cathal Armstrong, Kaliwa takes inspiration from the culinary cultures of Southeast Asia, offering both elevated sit-down fare and grab-and-go take-out options. With a waterfront setting and a sidewalk kiosk serving street-food­-style snacks, visitors to Kaliwa can experience both refined dining and the casual intimacy of an Asian night market.

You can’t get a more authentic Irish pub than one started by a former Guinness employee. With more than nine years of experience in the business, Irish native Mark Kirwan is bringing his heritage to the US Capitol. Boasting live Irish music and genuine décor, this is the place to appreciate a good pint or two with friends and drink in the exciting atmosphere.

Stunning water views are your backdrop as you dine on delectable coastal-inspired cuisine that includes an extensive moules frites menu, a wide selection of sweet and savory tartines, and a variety of coastal-inspired beverages. The spacious waterfront terrace provides exclusive access to a rooftop terrace to help elevate your evening to something truly special.

As the culinary director for Mi Vida, acclaimed chef Roberto Santibañez will raise the bar for Mexican cuisine in Washington, DC, with a menu that is inspired by street food and traditional Mexican home cooking—but presented in a modern, elevated way. This new restaurant concept is created in partnership with KNEAD Hospitality + Design, envisioning a dining destination that infuses The Wharf’s industrial aesthetic with distinctive and historic Mexican décor, including a modern take on “Árbol de la Vida” (tree of life). The vibrant and dramatic setting will feature private dining rooms and waterfront patio seating.

Music lovers will be able to enjoy live-and-up-close performances with a side of great food at this new concept by the team that’s also behind Cantina Marina. The warehouse tavern will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—serving up sophisticated cocktails and a creative cuisine—while the stage will feature a variety of local and regional acts for an American music experience to suit all tastes.

Award-winning sommelier and artisan cocktail maker Todd Thrasher brings his extensive skills and unique infusions to Potomac Distilling—an in-house rum distillery and two-story tavern. Featuring three contemporary bars—including one situated on a grassy rooftop space outfitted with tiki torches and a fire pit—you can expect to enjoy some of DC’s finest cocktails crafted by one of the best mixologists in the nation.

Served throughout hundreds of the world’s finest restaurants, the exceptional oysters and clams served at Rappahannock Oyster Company are literally world class. Located in the restored historic oyster shed, you can also experience a selection of artisanal small plates and a range of delicious beverages.

A partnership between renowned chef Jennifer Carroll and restaurateur Mike Isabella, Requin brings a mouth-watering range of Mediterranean-inspired food to The Wharf. Located on the main boardwalk for gorgeous views, the French-styled restaurant features an exemplary range of seafood and meat dishes as well as an extensive wine menu to bring you an incredible cuisine experience.

Each of the three stories of Stefanelli’s Italian Market offers something a little different. On the ground floor, shoppers can peruse the olives, prosciutto, and other take-home goods at an artisanal market. The second floor features a full-scale restaurant focused on the bold flavors of southern Italy. And on the third floor, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the Potomac from the rooftop bar and private dining spaces. Che bella.

A DC favorite, Taylor Gourmet is bringing it’s famous hand-crafted, Philly-style hoagies to The Wharf. Adventurous flavors combine with homemade sauces to create some truly standout recipes, and you’ll wonder why you ever ate a hoagie anywhere else. The menu changes with the seasons so there’s always something new and fresh coming out of their from-scratch kitchen.

This waterfront pub will bring high energy and a dose of nightlife to The Wharf. Envisioned by Eric and Ian Hilton, the brothers behind the Gibson, the Brixton, American Ice Company, and other popular DC venues, The Brighton is destined to become a hotspot for a pint with friends, casual cocktails, and lively evenings.