There are many reasons to include Washington DC in your travel bucket list. The parks, the White House and other landmarks and of course, the food. The culinary scene in DC is widely influenced by the international cuisines. Once visiting the capital of the U.S., prepare stepping into a city influenced by the flavours of the world.
To get the very best mix, savor all the tastes with views over the famous landmarks at a Washington DC rooftop restaurant.
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Here's our listing of the 7 best rooftop restaurants Washington DC
Intimate and luxurious rooftop destination overlooking the iconic U.S. Capitol Building.
Nestled between Capitol Hill and Navy Yard, perched on top of the AC Hotel by Marriott Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard, Smoke & Mirrors invites to an intimate, charming and luxurious rooftop setting.
Overlooking DC and the iconic U.S. Capitol Building, the indoor/outdoor rooftop features an all-weather patio with a fireplace, fire pits, and a retractable canopy.
Known for their extensive list of ingenious craft cocktails and fine selection of wine and premium spirits, Smoke & Mirrors also serves a delicious array of shared dishes and elevated bites.
During evenings, you can indulge in everything from 'Trio Deviled Eggs' and 'Crispy Fish Sandwich', to 'Braised Beef Short Ribs' and '12 oz NY Strip'. When weekend comes, Smoke & Mirrors also set up for a spectacular brunch, with brunch cocktails and mouthwatering brunch favourites.
Whenever you choose to visit, this is a prime spot to enjoy a casual elegant and social DC experience.
SMOKE & MIRRORS
Bar and lounge surrounded by an urban culinary garden.
Located above the Michelin-starred restaurant Gravitas in Ivy City, you’ll find this organic oasis. Conservatory focuses on seasonal produced ingredients much of which is grown in their own rooftop garden next to the bar.
Start the evening outdoors and enjoy the city view. Or have a seat indoors at the bar or by one of the café tables. As the bar is surrounded by a glass walls, giving away an impression of an orangerie, the view is just as stunning from the inside.
The rooftop menu is created using the very best seasonal produce, herbs, and microgreens. Begin with one of the handcrafted cocktails, made with in-house infused spirits and homemade juices.
Then move on to the well crafted food menu, holding six savoury dishes and two desserts.
Come here for a whole evening or simply to taste some of the organic and well prepared dishes.
CONSERVATORY
Elevated dining with unparalleled views of the White House and Washington Monument.
Perched above the Hotel Washington, VUE Rooftop invites to a lively urban oasis in the heart of D.C.
From the artfully designed and elegant rooftop, which brings the outside world in, you get an awesome view over the DC skyline, with the Washington Monument and the White House as the main attractions.
A favorite among locals and travelers alike, VUE blends seasonal cocktails, elegant plates, and a stylish ambiance like no other.
Serving up the freshest cuisine from above and below the horizon line, the rooftop menu features everything from an innovative surf n' turf menu with farm-fresh locally sourced ingredients, to uniquely created salads and rich and buttery steaks.
Created by Chef de Cuisine Ana Daza, the dishes are available as dinner every night of the week, but also as lunch every Thursday & Friday, and as a sky-high brunch during weekends.
VUE ROOFTOP
A Japanese modern classic.
Located in Adams Morgan for close to 40 years, Perry’s invites you to a dinner style venue with white table cloths and elegant chairs, with seating spots both indoors and outdoors.
Set over three floors, the given option when the weather is good is to aim for the spacious and charming rooftop terrace, surrounded with great views over Adams Morgan.
The menu offers typical Japanese dishes where you can choose from à la carte, donburi, morikomi platters or omakase tasting menu of sushi or sashimi.
If you want to drop by for a drink at the bar there’s a happy hour everyday between 4pm and 7pm, where you may enjoy a classic cocktail or a glass of sake together with a selection of maki or nigiri sushi or fried dishes such as shrimp katsu burger or loaded tater tots.
Every Sunday also means a highly popular 'Sunday Drag Brunch', where entertainment and buffet is complemented with plenty of Mimosas and Marys.
PERRY'S RESTAURANT
Instagram friendly Cuban café & bar.
Colourful as the streets of Havana, the Colada becomes a tropical oasis in the middle of Washington. Found at several locations around DC, it is Colada Shop 14th Street you should aim for to enjoy a smashing and lush rooftop setting.
The vibe of Colada is playful and Barbie-ish, something reflected also in the cocktail menu where you’ll find different variations on classic drinks such as Cosmopolitan, Daquiri, Mojito and as the name suggests of course, Piña Coladas.
Selected cocktails are served in 'pitchers' - larger glass jugs making it possible for the whole party to order the same drink in a larger size and self serve at the table. Don’t miss out on the happy hour between 3pm and 6pm.
There is also an an all day bite menu including salads, empanadas, beef or chicken sandwiches, all influenced by the Cuban cuisine.
Downstairs you can start the day early with a colorful breakfast, while the rooftop is open daily for afternoon & evening bites and drink, and during weekends also for lunch sessions.
COLADA SHOP
Italian bistro along the Potomac River.
The rooftop at Officina, also called the Terazza, is one out of three dining rooms at the Wharf. Run by Nicholas Stefanelli, the owner and chef behind the Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Massieri.
The vibrant restaurant offers all you could wish for during an Italian vacation, outside of Italy. Take a seat in the oak wooden lounge chairs indoors or outdoors, or get yourself comfortable in one of the golden mesh sofas.
Choose from different types of spritz or order large-format cocktails if you’re a party of 4-8 people. Browse through the wine list of fine wines and pick your favourite from any of the Italian regions such as Puglia and Piedmont.
Complement the drinks with snacks or a full dinner of Italian classics such as “arancini” fried risotto and cheese balls, calamari, Italian meatballs, pizza or selected Italian charcuteries and cheeses.
Thanks to cozy fire-pits and heaters, the Terrazza at Officina offers amazing views over the Wharf and the river year round.
OFFICINA AT THE WHARF
A 360-degree view of the Washington DC landmarks.
This award winning rooftop is located at the top of the Watergate Hotel, and has been ranked among top 15 best roof tops in the U.S. If you prefer a cocktail with a view instead of the hop-on-and-off bus while exploring the city, this rooftop is for you!
Step out on the terrace and find yourself surrounded with amazing views over the Washington Monument, Potomac River and John F. Kennedy Center. To name a few things.
Beyond classic cocktails and signature creations, the drink menu also offers wine from Sonoma County, Mosel in Germany or Chianti.
Complementing the drinks is a light bites menu, filled with Mediterranean-inspired flavours, created by Executive Chef Tony DiGregorio. From cheese and charcuterie boards, mezze plates with hummus or baba ghanoush, to pizza, chicken wings, sliders and more.
Open during the warmer months, Top of the Gate is an upscale hot-spot for elevated evenings in DC.
TOP OF THE GATE
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
Karolina is a literary scholar and content writer with 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Working in hotels, restaurants and bars in Sweden, Italy and France since 2010, Karolina adds a valuable insight to The Rooftop Guide with her knowledge of a guest’s needs and preferences.
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