Wedding Venues in DC: 15+ Restaurants For Foodies

My main passion might be photography, but gastronomy is not far off. My husband and I love trying new restaurants in Washington DC, where the food scene has exploded in the past 10 years. I have photographed plenty of wedding receptions in DC restaurants

If the most important for you is to eat well, drink delicious wine, and share beautiful moments with the people you love the most, then you will find the perfect wedding venue on this list. 

Check out more wedding venues in Washington DC here.

Iron Gate Restaurant                                   

For couples who are more interested in getting married and eating instead of making a strict schedule with decorations cakes, dances, vendors, and all the other associated nonsense that takes away from your mindset, Iron Gate is your venue. The team at Iron Gate is absolutely wonderful to work with. Everything from your customized menu that can incorporate your favorite food, to the flexibility of the setup, to the amazing staff the day-of, will help to make your vision for your wedding day a reality.

Iron Gate Restaurant: 1734 N St NW. Phone: (202) 524-5202.

The Greenhouse                                   

This is a fabulous location at The Jefferson, one of the most iconic hotels of the capital located on 16th Street, a few blocks from the White House. If your most important vendor is the venue and the food, then consider this incredible colonial revival space which requires a $22,500 food and beverage minimum, with the option to do a cocktail reception at Quill, the hotel’s lobby bar. If there is something you can be certain of, it’s the quality of the food and service. 

The Greenhouse: 1200 16th St NW. Phone: (202) 448-2300.

Zaytinya                                  

This chic venue features a modern style with a Mediterranean flair of blue accents and light stone. It has a variety of spaces to choose from when planning your special day. A mezzanine with a handsome canopy can host evening dancing or a sweet ceremony. The Blue room is a private space perfect for small receptions by the bar. A secluded terrace, lush and handsome, is ideal for a ceremony or conversations with those closest to you!

Zaytinya: 701 9th St NW. Phone: (202) 638-0800. 

Sequoia

Sequoia is so stunning on its own that you will not need a lot of decorations. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Potomac with views of the Kennedy Center, hardwood floors, and modern décor. Your cocktail hour might be set up on the second-floor balcony to overlook the main dining room. Your guests are still raving about the views from both floors. Sequoia has not only good looks. The food is delicious and the service is incredible.

Sequoia: 3000 K Street NW. Phone: (202) 944-4200.

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

If you dream about an intimate reception with a lot of guests, this is the place for you. This design of the restaurant has a way of making you feel right at home. The food is delicious and the bar selections will satisfy the preferences of all of your guests. Wine lovers, you have found the right location!               

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar: 223 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Phone: (202) 544-8088.

Hook Hall

This is quite a new space that opened in the Park View/Petworth neighborhood. With an industrial-chic interior, the bar can welcome more than 100 guests easily. This is a 12,000-square-foot, indoor-outdoor private event space with cabanas, shuffleboard, and cornhole games. Usually, bar tabs range from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on the wedding size.

Hook Hall: 3400 Georgia Ave NW. Phone: (202) 629-4339.

Roofers Union

This fun restaurant bar in Adams Morgan offers three levels of fun for a wedding. Maintaining a menu of sustainable cuisine, Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley works closely with Border Springs Farm and Autumn Olive Farms to source whole animals. Food, drink, and space make this place the perfect wedding venue for lay-back couples. 

Roofers Union: 2446 18th St NW. Phone: (202) 232-7663.

Seven Reasons

This acclaimed restaurant can also be your wedding venue. Venezuelan-born chef Enrique Limardo is known for his fantastic menu and sophisticated plates. But this is not just about the food. The design of the restaurant is very minimalist and can make a 100-guest wedding feel like an intimate reception.   

Seven Reasons: 931 H St NW. Phone: (202) 417-8563.

Dacha Loft

You might know this place because it is one of the trendiest beer gardens in the capital. They have just started to welcome big parties and wedding receptions in their bright new loft. Located adjacent to and above the garden, the venue is a unique and magical backdrop. The intimate spot first opened its doors for a dinner series back in 2016, but now you can seat up to 35 guests. If you are the kind of person who likes beer over wine and a chill wedding reception, this location might be the perfect wedding venue for you in this fun neighborhood.

Dacha Loft: 1600 Seventh St., NW. Phone : (202) 350-9888.

Big Bear Cafe 

Big Bear Cafe is a beloved coffee shop and restaurant in the charming DC neighborhood of Bloomingdale. They've been hosting more private events lately, so it's possible to rent out the restaurant and get your venue and catering from one vendor, which is very convenient! It has a large indoor space with an adjacent private patio used for family-style dinners.

Big Bear Cafe: 1700 1st St NW. Phone: (202) 643-9222.  

Gravitas

The Michelin-starred restaurant has all the charm that a wedding venue needs to win your heart. The open kitchen, the minimalist-industrial looks, and the amazing bar on the rooftop that you can use for your cocktail party give a good vibe. But most importantly, the food will be the best that you will eat in your life. Chef Matt Baker will create the perfect menu to spend an unforgettable night. To see a wedding reception, look at Rola and Sergio’s wedding pictures. 

Gravitas: 1401 Okie St NE. Phone: (202) 763-7942.

City Winery  

The venue is perfect for the size and nature of a 100-guests reception. The space was so amazing on its own that it only required minimal decorating. The Wine Garden Rooftop is a beautiful setting for a city wedding and it has an elegant, rustic, modern look vibe to it. City Winery is constantly adding to the look of the venue, they even covered the walls with ivy on the rooftop. This is another perfect venue for a layback couple.

City Winery : 1350 Okie St NE. Phone : (202) 250-2531.     

District Made

Named for Article One Section Eight of the constitution (which provided the establishment of a district to serve as the nation’s capital), this unique venue is an actual distillery that produces spirits with locally sourced ingredients. Their stylish facilities accommodate upwards of 300 guests and can bring a modern rustic feel to your wedding. Just make sure that everyone is taking a taxi at the end of the party!

District Made: 1135 Okie St NE. Phone: (202) 636-6638.  

Maketto

Maketto is a communal marketplace located in Washington DC combining retail, restaurant, and cafe experiences. The indoor space and outdoor plant-filled courtyard can easily accommodate modest or medium-sized weddings. With the right flowers and decorations, you can easily personalize this nice space for your wedding. 

Maketto : 1351 H St NE. Phone : (202) 838-9972.         

Officina                                 

By the Waterfront, Nicholas Stefanelli's classic Italian trattoria offers rooftop views overlooking the Potomac River. The terrace is modeled after a restaurant and cafe in Rome, and it can hold up to 60 guests for a cocktail reception. This place is popular for weddings so book early! If you like this Michelin-star chef, you can consider Masseria at Union Market for another vibe!

Officina: 1120 Maine Ave SW. Phone: (202) 747-5222.      

District Winery                         

This is a very popular place for a wedding in Washington DC. It has what a lot of venues lack - tons of natural light, waterfront view, and indoor/outdoor space view - all in one venue. With the venue, you get a ceremony space, reception space outdoor cocktail reception space, and mezzanine.

District Winery: 385 Water St SE. Phone: (202) 484-9210.

The best way to tell honest stories is through keen observation. How do I know? Because I spent 15 years as a journalist before becoming a wedding photographer.​​​​​​​

By paying attention to the ways you interact with your loved ones, I capture the in-between moments that will, one day, be significant. And using a trained eye and subtle approach, I do so unobtrusively.

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