Washington, D.C.’s Wharf District dates back to the 18th century, when it served as one of the city’s earliest commercial ports and home to a bustling fish market along the Potomac River. Following a transformative mixed-use revitalization, completed in 2022, the Wharf has emerged as one of the capital’s most dynamic entertainment hubs. This vibrant waterfront neighborhood offers a refreshing contrast to the formality of the federal city, with excellent dining options, luxurious accommodations, and exciting things to do. Whether for a weekend or an afternoon, here are several top places worth exploring in the Wharf.
Where to Eat in D.C.’s Wharf
Pink Tiger
Pink Tiger offers a fusion of Asian and Southern-American flavors in a retro-glam waterfront space. Executive Chef Joseph Castro’s menu features inventive small plates and interactive dishes like tableside Wagyu “Hot Rock,” garlic noodles, Thai pumpkin soup, mango-avocado carpaccio, and shareable skewers. The atmosphere is playful and upscale, with 30-foot ceilings, plush pink bar seating, panoramic windows, and a sun-drenched patio. A bold cocktail list includes lychee and vanilla-bourbon martinis, sake flights, Asian beers, and refreshing mocktails. With live music on weekends, happy hour specials, and a high-energy crowd, Pink Tiger is a go-to spot for group dinners, date nights, or fun evenings by the water.
Willowsong
At Willowsong, the flagship restaurant inside the InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf, Chef Jeffrey Williams delivers modern American cuisine, highlighting hyper-local ingredients sourced from nearby farms and fisheries. The menu changes regularly based on what’s in season, but recent dishes have included braised daikon with spring peas and wild mushrooms, organic chicken with sweet and new potatoes, and warm spoonbread topped with buttercream and peaches. The space is bright and modern, with a waterfront terrace perfect for happy hour or a relaxed dinner with a view.
Officina
Chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s three-level Italian restaurant combines a café, bar, and mercato, with casual bites like Roman pizza, arancini, espresso, aperitivo snacks, and Italian goods. Upstairs, the Trattoria serves handmade pastas, seasonal vegetables, seafood, and meats, from duck to dry-aged rib eye, with open-kitchen seating and a waterfront terrace. At the top, the rooftop Terrazza offers alfresco dining with champagne and spritzes, fire pits, and fantastic Potomac River views. Officina also includes D.C.’s only Amaro Library with nearly 100 Italian bitters, plus a wine shop and in-house butcher.
Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf
Whether you’re slurping briny East or West Coast oysters, digging into Old Bay-spiced peel-and-eat shrimp, or savoring lobster rolls, crab cakes, and clam chowder, Hank’s Oyster Bar presents classic coastal flavors with a fun, unpretentious energy. The space blends urban beach vibes and nautical design touches, including oyster-shell chandeliers, warm wood furnishings, and marina views from the indoor dining room and heated outdoor patio. Upstairs, a rooftop area offers breezy river views, perfect for casual lunches, happy hour, or sharing seafood platters. Friendly service, a lively crowd, and playful touches like complimentary Goldfish crackers round out the experience.
Moonraker
Located inside the Pendry Washington, DC – The Wharf, Moonraker is an elevated rooftop bar offering Japanese-influenced dishes and creative cocktails like Tokyo fried chicken, robata-grilled meats, wagyu sliders, and Japanese whisky. The dynamic atmosphere features geometric tile floors, a circular bar beneath a dramatic chandelier, panoramic views, and a stylish crowd that gathers for sunsets or DJ sets.
Limani
This three-level glass‑enclosed restaurant appears to float above the Potomac, with sweeping water views and the Wharf’s largest full‑service terrace. Interiors include seafoam-toned booths, marble surfaces imported from Greece, Venetian plaster, custom chandeliers, olive‑tree accents, and ancient Greek urns.
Limani focuses on vibrant, health-forward Greek seafood. Fish is flown in fresh from the Mediterranean, produce is locally sourced, and only cold‑pressed extra‑virgin olive oil from Greece is used, never butter. Menu highlights include paper-thin zucchini and eggplant “Limani chips,” grilled octopus, whole roasted fish, shrimp saganaki, spiny lobster, creamy spreads, and moussaka. Desserts such as baklava and loukoumades (Greek honey‑doughnuts cooked in olive oil) provide a delightfully traditional finish.
Zooz
With a lush, Miami‑inspired décor of lush palms, soft pink velvet banquettes under a starry ceiling, and neon accents, Zooz is known for its elaborate mixology. Favorites include the “Diamonds Is Forever” white Negroni and cocktails presented tableside on bar carts with edible flowers, flaming garnish, and celebrity-worthy glassware. In the summer of 2024, Zooz expanded from sweets into savory menu items, including an incredible sushi menu featuring rolls like the ultra‑luxurious A5 wagyu and gold‑leaf–topped Zooz roll.
Dōgon
Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Dōgon Restaurant at Salamander Washington, DC, offers a bold take on Afro-Caribbean cuisine, rooted in West African traditions and D.C.’s culture. Striking design details, like a chain-curtain entrance, set the scene and pay homage to Benjamin Banneker, whose lineage traces to the Dogon tribe of Mali. The bar menu includes an exemplary cocktail program showcasing Black-owned spirits and crafted by award-winning mixologist Derek Brown. Signature dishes like the Berbere-roasted chicken with jollof rice and barbecued greens are a must-try. Just be sure to save room for dessert.
Philippe
Founded by Chef Philippe Chow, Philippe offers a bold, upscale Chinese dining experience, combining a Beijing-style tasting menu with glamorous waterfront interiors. The 250-seat restaurant incorporates sculptural design elements, plush banquettes, and an outdoor fireplace lounge. Signature dishes include tableside-carved Peking duck, salt-and-pepper lobster, wok-fried prawns, filet mignon, and creative small plates like walnut shrimp and crispy eggplant. Shareable desserts and stylish cocktails, like lychee martinis, complete the experience.
Things to Do in D.C.’s Wharf
The Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf, formerly the Maine Avenue Fish Market, has been around since 1805 and is the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the U.S. It’s a classic D.C. spot where locals and in-the-know visitors come for everything from fresh fish and crabs to hot, ready-to-eat seafood. As you walk through, you’ll catch the smell of Old Bay in the air and see vendors serving up everything from raw oysters to steamed blue crabs piled high in paper trays.
The Wharf has two major theaters where visitors can catch a performance. Despite its 6,000-person capacity, music venue The Anthem feels very intimate. It has excellent sightlines, immersive acoustics, and a high-energy atmosphere that draws comparisons to a massive club. The venue often hosts multiple shows per week, from rock to hip-hop to indie. Arena Stage offers a more traditional theatergoing experience, focusing on plays and musicals that spotlight American voices and regional storytelling.
One of the best ways to experience The Wharf is by water. City Cruises Washington, D.C. offers fun and scenic rides, combining sightseeing with great food, music, and a festive atmosphere. Brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises include buffet-style meals, live DJ music, and unbeatable views of landmarks like the Washington Monument. City Cruises also runs live entertainment cruises, narrated sightseeing tours, private yacht charters, and seasonal and holiday cruises such as the Cherry Blossom and Fireworks Cruise for July 4th.
Where to Stay in D.C.’s Wharf
Salamander Washington, DC
Staying at Salamander Washington DC puts you steps from the National Mall and the Wharf, with easy access to some of the city’s top spots. The hotel recently underwent a refresh, with sleek designs inspired by D.C.’s neoclassical architecture and the charm of Salamander Middleburg. Rooms incorporate natural accents, king beds, and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. Many also offer great views of the Jefferson Memorial or waterfront.
For dining, enjoy a meal at Dōgon or unwind in the Lobby Lounge, which serves an all-day menu, craft cocktails, and afternoon tea overlooking the Grand Lawn and Washington Marina. The 10,000-square-foot Salamander Spa has 14 treatment rooms, steam and sauna facilities, a heated indoor pool, and the Groom Guy men’s lounge.
InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf
The InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf is a sophisticated choice for travelers preferring contemporary design. With a prime location on the Wharf’s waterfront promenade, the hotel reflects its nautical setting with mid-century modern-inspired decor and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood guest rooms with natural light and offer stunning views of the river and marina.
Guests can enjoy artful American cuisine at Willowsong, sip cocktails and sample fresh seafood at the Watering Hole patio and raw bar, or head up to Waves, the rooftop deck and infinity pool bar, for light bites with panoramic river views. For those looking to unwind, The Spa at The Wharf provides Mediterranean-inspired treatments, including the On Cloud 9 massage and the signature Wharf Presidential Body Experience.
Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf
Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf combines modern architecture with Parisian elegance. Each of the 169 guest rooms features four-poster beds, herringbone floors, arched doorways, marble bathrooms with rain showers, and artwork evoking the café-lined streets of Paris. Guests can unwind at the full-service spa, lounge on the rooftop terrace next to the saline infinity pool, or exercise at the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness center. In addition to the rooftop hotspot, Moonraker, Bar Pendry, offers a moody, velvet-draped setting for craft cocktails.
This article first appeared on Forbes.com.
