Best Contemporary American Restaurants in Penn Quarter

Founding Farmers & Distillery - A Must-Visit Gem in D.C. If you’re in Washington, D.C., and looking for a dining experience that hits all the marks, Founding Farmers & Distillery is it. From the moment you step in, the ambience sets the perfect tone—warm, inviting, and effortlessly chic. The food is absolutely phenomenal! Every dish is crafted with care, bursting with fresh flavors that make it clear why this place is a local favorite. Their in-house drinks are next-level—whether you’re into cocktails, spirits, or mocktails, every sip is a testament to their craft. The fact that they distill their own spirits adds an authentic and unforgettable touch. What truly elevated our visit was the service. Christian, our server, was exceptional. Friendly, professional, and incredibly attentive, he went above and beyond to ensure our meal was flawless. His enthusiasm and genuine care made us feel like VIPs. Whether it’s a casual outing, date night, or celebration, Founding Farmers & Distillery offers an unparalleled experience. It’s the kind of place you’ll rave about long after your visit—and start planning your next trip back before you even leave! 10/10 recommend.

Mario the bartender is excellent! We will be back.

We had such a delightful experience at Estuary! We were in DC for business/vacation and wanted to try somewhere special and romantic. We were seated near the corner so had views out both windows of the pretty Christmas lights and the beautiful water feature below. The service was incredible--Lauren took such good care of us! The food was fantastic and it all tasted very fresh. We had the crab cakes and I may be spoiled forever because these were simply outstanding--lots of whole, sweet crab chunks and little if any filler. Loved the green sauce and the tiny veggies it was served with! I had the mushroom risotto and husband had the NY strip steak. Both were delicious. All of the dishes were plated artfully, which enhanced the experience. For dessert we had the chocolate bar which is like a layered mousse and was sweet and decadent while still being light. One thing we noticed--because the kitchen is open, we could see food coming out that wasn't on our menu (burgers and other sandwiches and fries, and I think a large slice of chocolate cake?) Those are for the adjoining lounge menu but I wonder if diners could order those as well? We would absolutely return to Estuary to dine again. Everything about it felt special! Kudos to the chef and all other staff members for such a job well done!

Was trying to find as closest as possible place to National Theatre. This place is new and it was not as obviously visible from the street but otherwise we enjoyed it. The brisket sandwich was delicious. Our service was fast and attentive by Andrew.

The only thing that turned me off was that every table around me were greeted by a server or performers. We had to ask for someone to come and explain to us how to order and what would make our first visit more enjoyable. Now that I’ve “experienced” the restaurant, I will know what to do and not waste 45 minutes trying to figure out how to order and not miss more performances. Since time was limited to two hours, I was worried that we would not have enough time to eat or drink. After placing an order we waited an additional 30+ minutes for our first drink to arrive then our food. Wasn’t sure if we had enough time to order a second drink, which we did but had to drink it fast as our two hour dining experience was over.