Foggy Bottom Restaurants

You're guaranteed to be on time for your show at this convenient rooftop restaurant at the Kennedy Center. Choose either a three-course prix fixe menu or a la carte items like prime rib, seafood and gourmet salads. From your table, you might spy the tops of Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, and Washington Monument. When time is limited, grab a quick bite from KC Cafe, the coffee bar and cafeteria next door stocks salads, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, desserts and bottled drinks.

This restaurant is the hot spot for paramours looking to impress in Foggy Bottom. Calling himself an “old school saucier at heart,” chef Robert Wiedmaier's specialty is classic Belgian cuisine with a focus on exquisite butchery. Choose a tasting menu of up to seven courses. When dining on a $65, three-course prix fixe, executive car services to and from the Kennedy Center is included, tax and tip are not. It's possible to come back for dessert after the show. Pair the evening's specials with a glass (or bottle) of bubbly from the four-page Champagne and sparkling wine list, which includes rare Cristal, Dom Perignon and Nicolas Feuillatte vintages. Jackets are required.

An unpretentious restaurant in the West End, Ris is a favorite lunch spot for workers addicted to dishes like portobello Reubens (roasted mushrooms, Swiss and coleslaw with Russian dressing on rye) and tuna tartine nicoise (open faced tuna sandwich with potato olive cake, lemon aioli, roasted tomatoes and fried capers). The owner and one-time Iron Chef America contestant, Ris Lacoste, prepared Julia Child's 90th birthday feast. She now partners with local businesses to put on events like Bastille Day at the French Embassy and wine tastings.