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10 special occasion-worthy restaurants in Washington, DC

A photo of Red logo
by Christabel Lobo
Updated 18 December 2023

An epic night out in the country’s capital can mean dining where the Beltway bigwigs do—but it doesn’t have to. Washington, DC’s signature diversity trickles down to its special occasion spots, too.

These restaurants in and around the District have what it takes to uplevel any occasion—even if it’s just a midweek dinner. Read on for a guide to the 10 best special occasion spots in Washington, DC, right now.

4.7 (3914)
$30 and under
Steakhouse
Georgetown

This stylish Four Seasons Hotel steakhouse is a special occasion spot fit for presidents. Case in point: the Obamas hosted their 20th wedding anniversary dinner here in 2012. You’ll find DC’s elite gathered to celebrate major moments over chef Michael Mina’s world-class filet mignon and Maine lobster pie—plus one of the most impressive bourbon collections in town. Even though the restaurant is part of a national chain, Mina knows how to make each location shine, and the swanky five-star hotel backdrop gives his DC edition a leg up.

Top review
Shon
Dined 4 days ago
Steak had to be retuned twice; asked for medium well, first steak was over cooked, second steak was a bloody medium

This stylish Four Seasons Hotel steakhouse is a special occasion spot fit for presidents. Case in point: the Obamas hosted their 20th wedding anniversary dinner here in 2012. You’ll find DC’s elite gathered to celebrate major moments over chef Michael Mina’s world-class filet mignon and Maine lobster pie—plus one of the most impressive bourbon collections in town. Even though the restaurant is part of a national chain, Mina knows how to make each location shine, and the swanky five-star hotel backdrop gives his DC edition a leg up.

Top review
Shon
Dined 4 days ago
Steak had to be retuned twice; asked for medium well, first steak was over cooked, second steak was a bloody medium
4.9 (1547)
$31 to $50
Ethiopian
Georgetown

Das’s shareable and spice-forward Ethiopian dishes make it ideal for intimate special occasions. A milestone meal in this cushy townhouse isn’t complete without a bottomless basket of injera (spongy flatbread), made for dunking in tender chicken stew. But the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recipient is also a go-to for its spectacular meat-free options. Sleek, elegant lines and lush fabrics dial up the luxe factor and explain why this Georgetown staple is a highly sought-after celebration spot.

Top review
JonathanVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Lovely experience, amazing food, attentive service. Highly recommended

Das’s shareable and spice-forward Ethiopian dishes make it ideal for intimate special occasions. A milestone meal in this cushy townhouse isn’t complete without a bottomless basket of injera (spongy flatbread), made for dunking in tender chicken stew. But the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recipient is also a go-to for its spectacular meat-free options. Sleek, elegant lines and lush fabrics dial up the luxe factor and explain why this Georgetown staple is a highly sought-after celebration spot.

Top review
JonathanVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Lovely experience, amazing food, attentive service. Highly recommended
4.8 (3460)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown

Wife-and-husband duo Ellen Kassoff and Todd Gray are behind this plant-forward fine-dining legend. When Gray debuted Equinox’s vegetarian tasting menu circa 2011, the move gave the restaurant an edge in DC’s competitive fine-dining scene. An always-changing selection means you’ll try something different every time you mark a special occasion here. The best part: Equinox’s nearly zero-waste kitchen composts and regrows ingredients used in day-to-day operations, so you can feel good about celebrating here.

Top review
Noel
Dined 2 days ago
A locally inspired, nurturing home of the very best experience you could have in a family restaurant that still surprises, inspires and delights. My favorite place in DC for decades now.

Wife-and-husband duo Ellen Kassoff and Todd Gray are behind this plant-forward fine-dining legend. When Gray debuted Equinox’s vegetarian tasting menu circa 2011, the move gave the restaurant an edge in DC’s competitive fine-dining scene. An always-changing selection means you’ll try something different every time you mark a special occasion here. The best part: Equinox’s nearly zero-waste kitchen composts and regrows ingredients used in day-to-day operations, so you can feel good about celebrating here.

Top review
Noel
Dined 2 days ago
A locally inspired, nurturing home of the very best experience you could have in a family restaurant that still surprises, inspires and delights. My favorite place in DC for decades now.
4.9 (1310)
$50 and over
Vegan
Downtown

If your occasion calls for a full-fledged vegan feast, head to this elegant Federalist townhouse. Elizabeth’s Gone Raw was singled out as one of the best vegan restaurants in the world by the Evening Standard, and it takes just one bite of chef Francisco Hernandez’s artistic creations—watermelon skin tartare with nori confetti for the win—to understand why (a fully raw feast is available upon request). Note that the restaurant is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays evenings, so plan your special night out accordingly.

Top review
Stephen
Dined 1 day ago
Wonderful food, service and ambience. The food is delicious and creative.

If your occasion calls for a full-fledged vegan feast, head to this elegant Federalist townhouse. Elizabeth’s Gone Raw was singled out as one of the best vegan restaurants in the world by the Evening Standard, and it takes just one bite of chef Francisco Hernandez’s artistic creations—watermelon skin tartare with nori confetti for the win—to understand why (a fully raw feast is available upon request). Note that the restaurant is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays evenings, so plan your special night out accordingly.

Top review
Stephen
Dined 1 day ago
Wonderful food, service and ambience. The food is delicious and creative.
4.5 (531)
$31 to $50
Asian
Arlington

Mala Tang is a cook-your-own Sichuan food star tailor made for large and lively gatherings. It’s named for the distinctive hot pots served across China, and you’ll find groups digging into plenty of excellent versions on its many round tables. Go with friends or family to do justice to the spectacular soups, which come with dippable ingredients like prawns, fish balls, and more. Multiple broth types—ranging from mild to tongue-numbing spicy (Sichuan peppercorns and chile oil)—let you and your crew order mains according to heat tolerances. Bonus points for the customizable dips, which you can mix and match at the dedicated sauce bar.

Top review
ErisVIP
Dined on 16 Feb 2025
We travel from Potomac, MD to eat at Mala Tang. The food is authentic, delicious and an experience. We love to do the hot pot when we have a large group as we can all share the proteins and veggies to put inside. When we are a smaller group we love the dry pot. The vegetables they offer are very fresh and unique. The service is always top notch and the price is very reasonable. We can't wait to go back!

Mala Tang is a cook-your-own Sichuan food star tailor made for large and lively gatherings. It’s named for the distinctive hot pots served across China, and you’ll find groups digging into plenty of excellent versions on its many round tables. Go with friends or family to do justice to the spectacular soups, which come with dippable ingredients like prawns, fish balls, and more. Multiple broth types—ranging from mild to tongue-numbing spicy (Sichuan peppercorns and chile oil)—let you and your crew order mains according to heat tolerances. Bonus points for the customizable dips, which you can mix and match at the dedicated sauce bar.

Top review
ErisVIP
Dined on 16 Feb 2025
We travel from Potomac, MD to eat at Mala Tang. The food is authentic, delicious and an experience. We love to do the hot pot when we have a large group as we can all share the proteins and veggies to put inside. When we are a smaller group we love the dry pot. The vegetables they offer are very fresh and unique. The service is always top notch and the price is very reasonable. We can't wait to go back!
4.7 (957)
$31 to $50
French
Downtown

Restaurant vet Ashok Bajaj (Bombay Club, Modena) is a pro at standing out in a city full of special-occasion hotspots. His latest took over the famed Oval Room in 2021, but it’s a far cry from the buttoned-up American restaurant it used to be. Instead, celebrations at La Bise are all about revamped French food made with surprising ingredients like pineapple and blood orange. Get the knockout pistachio mille-feuille for dessert and you’ll definitely score bonus points with the person you’re celebrating.

Top review
LaurenVIP
Dined 7 days ago
A wonderful meal and truly exceptional service in every way.

Restaurant vet Ashok Bajaj (Bombay Club, Modena) is a pro at standing out in a city full of special-occasion hotspots. His latest took over the famed Oval Room in 2021, but it’s a far cry from the buttoned-up American restaurant it used to be. Instead, celebrations at La Bise are all about revamped French food made with surprising ingredients like pineapple and blood orange. Get the knockout pistachio mille-feuille for dessert and you’ll definitely score bonus points with the person you’re celebrating.

Top review
LaurenVIP
Dined 7 days ago
A wonderful meal and truly exceptional service in every way.
4.8 (17394)
$31 to $50
Italian
Georgetown

Meet one of the District’s most-loved Italian hubs. Since opening in 1983, Filomena has established itself as a Georgetown celebration staple and been profiled by Forbes, the Travel Channel, and more. The chicken parmesan is the special-occasion MVP, as are the varied bolognese and lasagna options (gnocchi, fettuccine, and eggplant). Filomena also keeps the crowds flocking for its over-the-top holiday decor—come December, it morphs into a winter wonderland adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights and nutcrackers.

Top review
Kaxiomara
Dined 1 day ago
The food is delicious and the portions are enough to share ( unless you eat a lot 😉 ). Our server was super friendly and attentive.

Meet one of the District’s most-loved Italian hubs. Since opening in 1983, Filomena has established itself as a Georgetown celebration staple and been profiled by Forbes, the Travel Channel, and more. The chicken parmesan is the special-occasion MVP, as are the varied bolognese and lasagna options (gnocchi, fettuccine, and eggplant). Filomena also keeps the crowds flocking for its over-the-top holiday decor—come December, it morphs into a winter wonderland adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights and nutcrackers.

Top review
Kaxiomara
Dined 1 day ago
The food is delicious and the portions are enough to share ( unless you eat a lot 😉 ). Our server was super friendly and attentive.
4.7 (3781)
$31 to $50
Peruvian
Penn Quarter

China Chilcano is where you come for a pisco party with friends. The menu is just as festive, featuring a blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Criollo accents that pop up in dishes like king salmon tiradito in white ponzu or lomo saltado stir-fry with fried potato sticks. A boldly designed dining room—high ceilings, red glass lamps, and neon lights—provides a striking photo backdrop. But what truly sets China Chilcano apart is the staff’s attention to detail and willingness to accommodate special requests—even the biggest celebration is a stress-free affair here.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
Got the tasting menu and everything was absolutely fantastic. I immediately want to go back and re-order our favorites from the night!

China Chilcano is where you come for a pisco party with friends. The menu is just as festive, featuring a blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Criollo accents that pop up in dishes like king salmon tiradito in white ponzu or lomo saltado stir-fry with fried potato sticks. A boldly designed dining room—high ceilings, red glass lamps, and neon lights—provides a striking photo backdrop. But what truly sets China Chilcano apart is the staff’s attention to detail and willingness to accommodate special requests—even the biggest celebration is a stress-free affair here.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
Got the tasting menu and everything was absolutely fantastic. I immediately want to go back and re-order our favorites from the night!
4.6 (2001)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Mount Vernon Square

Soft lights, wine-colored leather booths, and sparkling chandeliers set the tone for extra-elegant celebrations at this surf-and-turf haven. The Houston transplant stays true to its everything-is-bigger-in-Texas ethos—it’s got 400 seats spread out over two stories, for starters. The menu is equally massive, featuring global seafood, expertly broiled steaks with roasted garlic bulbs, and solid vegan options like plant-based bolognese pappardelle. Add flaming desserts and a deep wine list, and you’ve got one of the swankiest special-occasion spots in town.

Top review
DavidVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Phenomenal restaurant! Our waiter was so nice and prompt. Food was amazing!

Soft lights, wine-colored leather booths, and sparkling chandeliers set the tone for extra-elegant celebrations at this surf-and-turf haven. The Houston transplant stays true to its everything-is-bigger-in-Texas ethos—it’s got 400 seats spread out over two stories, for starters. The menu is equally massive, featuring global seafood, expertly broiled steaks with roasted garlic bulbs, and solid vegan options like plant-based bolognese pappardelle. Add flaming desserts and a deep wine list, and you’ve got one of the swankiest special-occasion spots in town.

Top review
DavidVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Phenomenal restaurant! Our waiter was so nice and prompt. Food was amazing!
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