25 Most Romantic Restaurants

In the dc area

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1. 1789

1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

1789 is located in a renovated Federal house and provides some of the most delicious American cuisine in the capital. The menu changes with the flavors of the season, but no matter what time of year you visit, you will leave satisfied.

1789: Short Ribs by Urban Bohemian is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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2. 701 Restaurant

701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

With candles, live jazz music, and plenty of space between each table for privacy, 701 Resaurant has the perfect romantic atmosphere. Enjoy a specialty cocktail with your modern American cuisine.

VTSS Event at 701 Restaurant_9 by Paul Goodman is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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3. Bad Saint

3226 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

If you're looking for food that is a little less traditional for a romantic dinner than the typical Italian restaurant, the modern filipino food at Bad Saint is ideal.The close quarters of this tiny restaurant make it impossible not to cozy up with your date.

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4. Barmini

501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

If you're looking for cool points, scoop up one of the very limited (we're talking 12 total) seating options at the hip Barmini. Cocktail lovers will rejoice over the funky drinks with added details like cotton candy. The plates are small, so don't come too hungry, but they aren't lacking in flavor.

Barmini by Jon Fisher is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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5. Bombay Club

815 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006

Delicious, authentic Indian food is served alongside live piano music in this sophisticated dining room. Bombay club provides an old-world feel and a full wine list with fantastic options.

The Bombay Club by pixelant is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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6. Cafe Bonaparte

1522 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

This cozy French cafe in Upper Georgetown has sidewalk seating on warmer days, and serves up some of the best crêpes and steak frites in the city. The tiny space makes for a warm, intimate atmosphere to enjoy a full Parisian style meal, drinks, or something sweet.

66.HolidayWindows.Georgetown.WDC.19December2013 by Elvert Barnes is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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7. Chez Billy Sud

T1039 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

If you dream of whisking your date off to France, but your budget doesn't quite meet the challenge, book a table at Chez Billy Sud and savor the southern French menu. After dinner, head to their sister wine bar, Bar a Vin, beside their outdoor patio for a few drinks before winding down the night.

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8. Co Co. Sala

929 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

This lounge is exactly what a chocolate lover dreams of. The menu is full of surprising twists on traditional dishes. It highlights the cocoa bean and adds chocolate to everything from mac and cheese to a souffle.

co co. sala chocolate by Alicia Griffin is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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9. Compass Rose

1346 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Sampling the small plates of street food from around the world is a great way to show your adventurous side to your date. The rustic atmosphere will have you feeling right at home.

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10. Fiola Mare

3100 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

This romantic hot spot on the Georgetown waterfront provides a beautiful backdrop of romantic chandeliers and docking boats along the marina. Fiola Mare has the same chef as the beloved Fiola and Casa Luca. If you are a seafood lover, this is the spot for you.

Pastries by Richard Ricciardi is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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11. Floriana

1602 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

This white tablecloth restaurant offers up the classic Italian dishes we have all grown to love. The pasta is homemade and comforting while the ambience is cozy and intimate.

03.ChristmasTree.Floriana.WDC.8December2016 by Elvert Barnes is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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12. Iron Gate

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Savor the delicious flavors of the mediterranean cuisine at Iron Gate by tasting several different small plates. A convertred carriage house with a Victorian vibe and beautiful gardents, the setting will not disappoint you.

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13. La Chaumiere

2813 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

With a stone fireplace and country-inn feel, the ambience alone is reason enough to visit La Chaumiere. But, the french cuisine will make you want to return.

Day 303/365 - French Twofer (Deux Pour?) by Kavin Harbor is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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14. Le Diplomate

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

The sidewalk cafe makes you feel as if you have been transported to France and the cuisine will not shatter this illusion. This brasserie offers classic French cuisine that will delight your tastebuds.

Le Diplomate by NCinDC is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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15. Little Serow

1511 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The Northern-Thai food will add a little spice to your date night. There are no reservations, but the intimate atmosphere is worth it, so plan to come early and join the line outside the door.

basket of vegetables and herbs by T.T.Seng is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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16. Marcel's

2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

Chef Robert Wiedmaier creates an elegant prix-fixe menu nightly with delicacies from France and Belgium. The atmosphere is sophisticated and elegant.

Marcel’s Restaurant by J. Hendron is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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17. Masseria

1340 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Tucked away in the Union Market neighborhood, Chef Nicholas Stefanelli's Italian-inspired prix fixe menus are served in a rustic country-chic setting. Big, bold flavors transport diners to the austere beauty of an Italian farmstead.

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18. Plume

The Jefferson, 1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Located inside the Jefferson Hotel, the decor alone makes this one of the most romantic restaurants around. The formal service and wood-burning fireplace make you feel truly elegant and special.

Table Decor at Plume by Ben R. is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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19. Rasika

633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Spice up your date night with the delicious Indian food at Rasika. The little plates put a spin on traditional Indian food, but still pack the full flavor of this delicious cuisine. There are two Rasika locations in DC and both are equally popular.

IMG_0864 by David Liu is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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20. Room 11

3234 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20011

This wine bar offers eclectic small plates and an intimate place to get away from the bustle. The desserts are not to be missed, and baked goods are offered from the in-house bakery, Paisley Fig.

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21. Rose's Luxury

717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Neon signs hang throughout the restaurant reading quirky phrases like "awesome" and "f*&k perfection" but the food reads romantic and sophisticated.This is another buzzy restuarant with no reservations, so plan on lining up early and cuddling outside before you're seated for the evening.

Rose’s Luxury by Laurabl is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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22. Sfoglina

4445 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

This homey Italian gem from the Trabocchi family is their fourth restaurant in the Washington, DC area. Come for a warm, cozy vibe and melt in your mouth pasta dishes made by hand daily.

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23. Tabard Inn

1739 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036

As if the delicious food was not enough to draw you in, The Tabard Inn has a romantic fireplace lounge perfect for a little canoodling before of after dinner.

Tabard Inn in the kinda-snow by Joe Flood is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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24. The Dabney

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

Located in Washington, DC's Blagden Alley near the convention center, The Dabney sources food from the Mid-Atlantic's finest farms and purveyors. The food is unpretentious, delicious, and fun and the environment is perfect for a cozy date night year round.

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25. Zaytinya

701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The small plates by Chef José Andrés offer you a taste of authentic Eastern Meditteranean cuisine with a twist.Unlike many of the most romantic spots in DC, Zaytinya won't leave a hole in your pocket after one meal.

Zaytinya by Katie T. is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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