Washington, DC is undergoing a culinary renaissance and experiential cuisine is at its helm. Visitors can enjoy activities, art, culture, and sensory experiences through offerings like artificial intelligence cocktails, blindfolded dines, Embassy Chef tastings, sushi-making, cat-petting, Michelin chef counters and more. 

 

Activity Experiences 

 

City Experiences Signature Dinner Cruise | $$ 

The Wharf - Pier 4, 580 Water Street SW, Washington, D.C. 

Dine and dance on the Potomac River with views of the city’s iconic monuments and memorials on this casual night out. Enjoy a delicious, chef-prepared buffet and gorgeous views of Washington, DC’s spectacular architecture. 

 

Cure Bar & Bistro | $$ 

Chinatown - 1000 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001  

Cure Bar & Bistro features a unique menu that intersects a modern take on traditional French cuisine and Japanese sushi. The restaurant offers sushi making classes and an interactive chef’s tasting menu on Fridays and Saturdays. 

 

Pratt Standard Cocktail Company Classes | $$ 

Dupont Circle - 2012 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036 

Discover pre-prohibition style cocktails with Pratt Standard Cocktail Company's public classes that include one hour of instruction on cocktail history, distilling, and on techniques like garnishing, shaking, and stirring. 

 

Pineapples and Pearls | $$$ 

Capitol Hill - 715 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 

A fun take on fine-dining with an elegant yet playful tasting menu composed of several courses with paired beverages. Every meal comes with a book to peruse, a collection of stories and photographs that explain parts of the course to come, and entertaining “gifts” from handcuffs to beggars' purses.  

 

Rose’s Luxury | $$$ 

Capitol Hill - 717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003  

The classic Rose's experience is now a five-course "choose your own adventure" menu with a travel-the-world vibe. Enjoy private dining at their rooftop garden with personalized service akin to the terrace at your best friend’s apartment with a custom-tailored wine pairing by a Master Sommelier. 

 

 

Art Experiences 

 

ARTECHOUSE | $$ 

Southwest Waterfront - 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024  

Guests can bring their cocktail to live through augmented reality by scanning it with their mobile device. AR designs change based on the museum's current exhibition. 

 

Drunk Shakespeare at The Sage Theatre | $ 

Downtown - 1100 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 

In a hidden speakeasy, five classically trained actors assemble for their sacred ritual. One actor takes five shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in a Shakespeare play. Hilarity and mayhem ensue. 

 

 

Chef Experiences 

 

Albi – Chef's Table at the Hearth | $$$ 

Navy Yard - 1346 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 

Journey through Levantine cooking with a 2.5 hour long dining experience - Chef Rafidi's multi-course, semi-improvisational Sofra menu from the intimate Hearth Table inside their kitchen. 

 

Imperfecto: The Chef’s Table | $$$ 

West End - 1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037 

The Degustación is a 12+ course Omakase-style tasting menu with Chef Enrique Limardo, through which guests will travel through South America and into the Mediterranean. 

 

Jont | $$$$ 

U Street Corridor - 1904 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 

The 14-seat chef's counter serves an ingredient focused tasting menu that highlights the best seasonal ingredients around the world. 

 

minibar by José Andrés| $$$ 

Penn Quarter - 855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004 

One of the most exclusive dining experiences in DC, this theatrical restaurant sits guests inside the kitchen where they witness more than a dozen of DC’s finest chefs working together in a perfectly choreographed dance of culinary preparation. 

 

Seven Reasons | $$$  

Chinatown - 931 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001 

Spring 2024 will bring a surprise chef’s tasting experience with Chef Enrique Limardo where blindfolded guests solve puzzles and riddles to “unlock” the menu and utensils across the span of a 3-hour interactive affair.  

 

 

Cultural Experiences 

 

Casa Teresa | $$ 

Downtown - 919 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20006 

A visit to Casa Teresa is designed to be a progressive dining experience. From the DIY appetizers that pay homage to Spanish chef Rubén García’s abuela Teresa, to the family-style entrees of whole fish, pass-the-plate grilled meats, and veggie dishes over open flames and oak charcoal, there is no better way to immerse in Spanish food that feels like it came from “grandma’s house”. 

 

Dear Sushi | $$ 

East End - 200 Massachusetts Ave NW Suite 150, Washington, DC 20001 

An omakase experience that celebrates both traditional and envelope-pushing takes on sushi. The omakase starts with seasonal snacks, moves into several sushi courses that showcase both traditional and Chef Makoto’s modern takes, then ends with a dessert. 

 

dLeña | $$ 

Mount Vernon Triangle - 476 K St NW Suite D, Washington, DC 20001  

Experience wood-firing of your dish at your own table at dLeña, which offers elevated Mexican fare executed in a striking, rustic-chic venue. Ask and you’ll be shown their speakeasy, ROJA Mezcal Lounge, which offers live jazz among their smokey mezcal and tequila-centric menu. 

 

Embassy Chef Challenge by Events DC | $$ 

Penn Quarter, Smithsonian American Art Museum - G Street Northwest &, 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 

Washington, DC embassy chefs engage in an annual friendly competition to serve guests and celebrate culinary diplomacy. Guests partake in tasting experiences including food, drink, and cultural dress from around the world including past winners like The Bahamas, El Salvador, Morocco, Peru, and Serbia. 

 

Iron Age Korean Steakhouse | $ 

Columbia Heights - 3365 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010 

Iron Age is known for its affordable all-you-can-eat menus and their tabletop grills for a fulling DIY Korean barbecue dining experience. Get ready to cook a large variety of meat selection available and fret not, as the experienced staff will always be there to prevent anything from burning. 

 

Philotimo | $$ 

Downtown - 1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 

An exploration of Greece’s cherished traditions and culinary beauty through the lens of Michelin-starred chef Nicholas Stefanelli. The vibrant culinary journey pays homage to Chef Stefanelli’s heritage and the rich history of the country – well beyond the olive groves and the shores of the shimmering Aegean. 

 

 

Sensory Experiences 

 

Crumbs & Whiskers | $ 

Georgetown - 3109 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007 

Hang out with adorable kittens while munching on Levain Bakery cookies and drinking coffee. The city’s first pet café allows you to play with the cats and even adopt one. 

 

El Cielo | $$$ 

Union Market - 1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 

Enjoy an immersive tasting menu that includes “sensory immersion” experiences. The tasting menu includes a visual stunt ideal for the Instagram era called “Chocotheraphy” where guests “wash” their hands in liquid chocolate to awaken their senses. 

 

Fireclay at Hotel Washington | $$ 

Downtown - 515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 

This whimsical restaurant offers a uniquely immersive dining experience over an open flame with shared plates led by Chef de Cuisine Israel Lopez-Albarracin. Explore the carefully crafted menu featuring locally sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors. 

 

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About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. 

 

Images for use, credit Washington.org

 

Contact: Nicole Nussbaum, Global Media Manager, Destination DC

nicole@washington.org; 202-789-7053

 

Contact: Goldy Fogel, Global Media Manager, Destination DC

goldy@washington.org; 202-789-7073