Best Pre-Theater Restaurants in Dupont Circle

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaBrookland / BrentwoodCapitol Hill

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

171 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Press Club

4.9

Exceptional(82)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Dupont Circle

Booked 35 times today

Press Club is a record bar and cocktail lounge with a focus on the curation of guest experience and providing maximum levels of hospitality. The name is an homage to DC while also evoking the pressing of records and the ingredients used to craft our cocktails.Our Playlist Experience is a four course cocktail tasting flight featuring culinary techniques and seasonal ingredients. Each cocktail will be paired with accompanying snacks from our kitchen. Our standard reservations are for an a la carte experience featuring our cocktails and izakaya bites. To reserve for parties of 6 or more, please email us as hospitality@pressclubdc.com. The standard duration of this experience is one hour and thirty minutes. This time has been carefully chosen to accommodate the full range of our delicious cocktails and unique ambiance. We do not have a phone number. To connect, please use the OpenTable messaging system or send an email to hospitality@pressclubdc.com.

2. Balos Estiatorio

new

4.7

Exceptional(51)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown

Booked 122 times today

At the heart of legendary hospitality and Mediterranean flavors, Balos offers an elevated dining experience led by Executive Chef Alex Oradei.Inspired by the lush Cretan lagoon it’s named after, Balos creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere—blending old-world charm with modern elegance. Founded by industry veterans and lifelong friends Stefanos Vouvoudakis, Tom Tsiplakos, and Joe Ragonese, it embodies the Hellenic tradition of shared meals and lively conversation.Our menu showcases Greek seafood and seasonal ingredients with a contemporary twist. Whether you join us for our famed Espresso Martini Cart brunch, a lively dinner, or a business casual lunch, our airy dining room transports you to the Greek islands.

3. Rewind

4.1

Excellent(279)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Dupont Circle

Booked 7 times today

Rewind by Decades is a premium dining destination highlighting the finest in timeless, comfortable, and forever beloved cuisine, beverages, and entertainment.

4. Thaiverse D.C

4.4

Awesome(64)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Asian • Dupont Circle

Booked 2 times today

Now open in DuPont circle area of Washington DC, Thaiverse DC offers authentic southern style Thai food cooked with love and care. Thaiverse's sister restaurant has won numerous awards, being regularly voted by open table users as the best Asian restaurant in the DC region, and Thaiverse DC shares the same recipes and culinary management (Chef Piya and Chef Raam (Thai Masterchef finalist)). Located in an historic and legendary spot where once stood the Childe-Harold, Thaiverse DC blends the history with modern touches to produce an elegant dining environment. After your meal you can step downstairs to the British style pub in the basement named the Step-Childe Harold.

A photo of Alero - Dupont Circle restaurant

5. Alero - Dupont Circle

4.8

Exceptional(16)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Dupont Circle

Booked 8 times today

Enjoy Mexican cuisine at Alero in Dupont Circle. Welcome to the animated Mexican ambiance and munch on our delicious fajitas. Alero has it all from nacho platter, fried plantains, to fajitas, burritos, tacos, and everyone’s favorite the Mexican seafood paella. Make sure to bring family and friends to savor Alero’s Margarita Tower, Pancho Villa. We offer a variety flavorful tequila, beers, and cocktails. This eatery and bar is an ideal spot for hanging out, dating nights, and just to purely have fun!

6. The Park at 14th

4.8

Exceptional(3056)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 132 times today

The Park at 14th is a restaurant, lounge, and event venue on four floors overlooking Franklin Square in Downtown D.C. Offering a sense of timeless elegance, beautiful views, and a warm and welcoming interior, The Park at 14th is the perfect place dining, socializing, and hosting your next event. We invite you to join us. For reservations over 10 people, please TEXT (202) 550-0300

A photo of Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien restaurant

7. Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien

4.8

Exceptional(645)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Vietnamese • Washington

Booked 66 times today

Moon Rabbit is a highly-regarded Vietnamese restaurant situated in the heart of Washington D.C., drawing inspiration from the virtuous rabbit depicted in the Buddhist Jataka tale. Led by acclaimed Chef Kevin Tien, the restaurant embodies an innovative approach to Vietnamese cuisine, showcasing a menu that is both unique and complex. Chef Tien's main objective is to pay tribute to his heritage as a first-generation Asian American, using Moon Rabbit as a platform for expressing his love for Vietnamese culture and food.

8. Mercy Me

new

4.7

Exceptional(36)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• South American • Foggy Bottom

Booked 15 times today

Inside Yours Truly DC Hotel, Mercy Me is a vibrant blend of South American flavors, inventive cocktails, and lively energy. More than a restaurant, it’s a place where tradition and innovation collide, celebrating the evolution of Latin America’s dynamic food scene.This season, step onto the patio behind Mercy Me for our latest transformation—The Blossom Garden, inspired by the beauty of Japanese Sakura Blossoms. While our menu stays rooted in South American flavors, we’re introducing a Nikkei-inspired section, paying homage to the Japanese influence on Peruvian and Brazilian cuisine.Here, delicate Japanese techniques meet bold Latin ingredients, blending umami depth with bright, citrusy spice. Of course, you’ll still find the Mercy Me favorites you love, alongside new dishes that bridge continents in unexpected ways.

A photo of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC restaurant

9. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC

4.8

Exceptional(10336)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 138 times today

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is the culmination of a partnership between Lettuce Entertain You and Joe's Stone Crab, the legendary seafood restaurant of Miami Beach. Joe's features an extensive selection of seafood, flown in fresh daily, to complement the world's finest Florida Stone Crab claws. Joe's also features signature Prime steaks, hand-carved by master butchers, such as the 24 oz. Bone-In Rib Eye or Bone-in Filet Mignon. Matched with Joe's famous side dishes, dinner only gets better when capped with a slice of key lime pie.

A photo of Gypsy Kitchen - DC restaurant

10. Gypsy Kitchen - DC

4.6

Exceptional(1637)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Logan Circle

Booked 98 times today

Just like the bohemian travelers who inspired our name, Gypsy Kitchen’s alluring flavors aren’t bound by borders. Instead, our chefs go wherever the inspiration takes them, crafting deeply creative dishes that transport you to uncharted places around the Mediterranean and beyond. A menu designed to taste and share gives guests the freedom to explore the menu at their own pace, connecting over seductive flavors, festive craft cocktails and curated regional wines. The alluring interior matches the menu, with welcoming dining spaces that foster connections and spark conversation. Antique tapestries and rugs, twinkling lights and vibrantly patterned tile set the scene in the expansive dining room. Or, take a seat on the rooftop patio oasis, where lush greenery, plush cushions and the sky overhead evokes the feeling of being on a caravan to explore a distant land.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Brian
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
A small, cosy venue with a keen eye on pleasant, attentive, and helpful customer service. Subtle and creative cocktails, and 'hits the spot' light food, which sits well with the informality of the venue. Vinyl music diffuses the remains of the working day. Neat after-work meet-up spot, or relaxed date night vibe. Seating is limited, and it seemed that tables for two were the norm. Seating at the bar comes with a cocktail-making viewpoint. Will be back - a comfortable, niche venue without pretence. Congrats to the team!
More info
Press ClubPrice: Moderate• Cocktail Bar• Dupont Circle
•
4.9
R
RANDALL
Cincinnati / Dayton •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
First time visiting. This place was fabulous. The food was outstanding. They filled the plates up with food. You will not leave Hungary. This is definitely on our list of favorites .
More info
Balos EstiatorioPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• Downtown
•
4.7
L
Laurie1
Los Angeles •52 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 16, 2025
Great food and dedicated servers in nicely decorated and comfortable space. Was able to accommodate our larger group easily with attention to detail and offering recommendations. Wonderful experience.
More info
Thaiverse D.CPrice: Moderate• Asian• Dupont Circle
•
4.4
D
DeliciaVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •8 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 7, 2025
The staff was professional, fun and personable!! I’ll definitely be back soon!!!
More info
RewindPrice: Moderate• American• Dupont Circle
•
4.1
T
Teagan
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined on Apr 6, 2025
Such a fun delicious experience with very welcoming and caring staff!
More info
Alero - Dupont CirclePrice: Expensive• Mexican• Dupont Circle
•
4.8

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