How to enjoy the landmarks of a capital city with millions of residents and tourists without pushing through the crowds? Take an elevator ride a few levels up and indulge in the skyline views from a DC rooftop restaurant! This article is made after our own experiences and together with locals and restaurant owners, to secure correct and up-to date information.
Update: This article was updated on May 13th, 2025, with new information, new restaurants, updated photos, booking links and insider tips.
Choose your favorite landmark or monument and use the booking links provided to secure your table.
Our complete and up-to date guide to the 7 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Washington DC - 2025 feature all info you need about each rooftop, all at the same place, so you don’t have to scroll around on several different sources finding it.
For each rooftop, this guide presents:
We are full-time rooftop reviewers and content creators. Since launching The Rooftop Guide in 2015, we’ve visited over 1 200 rooftop venues worldwide.
Except from our own experiences and insights, we also work closely with thousands of rooftops and local reviewers, so we can secure correct and updated content for all our guides & articles.
With our vast experience and exclusive focus, we can present you with the most complete and up-to date guides about rooftop venues. And with our insider tips and knowledge, we can guide you to the best and most suitable rooftops for your own needs.
Whether you’re looking for an upscale rooftop dinner, a laid-back rooftop brunch, a vibrant rooftop party or a luxurious hotel rooftop pool, we’ve got you covered.
In short: Nestled between Capitol Hill and Navy Yard, perched on top of the AC Hotel by Marriott Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard, Smoke & Mirrors invites to an intimate, charming and luxurious rooftop setting.
Food & Drinks: Known for their extensive list of ingenious craft cocktails and fine selection of wine and premium spirits, Smoke & Mirrors also serves a delicious array of shared dishes and elevated bites. During evenings, you can indulge in everything from 'Trio Deviled Eggs' and 'Crispy Fish Sandwich', to 'Braised Beef Short Ribs' and '12 oz NY Strip'. When weekend comes, Smoke & Mirrors also set up for a spectacular brunch, with brunch cocktails and mouthwatering brunch favourites.
What we think: We were here two nights in a row (we stayed at the hotel) and both evenings the terrace was not full and had some seats available all the time. I would suggest coming here during sunset for some pre-dinner cocktails. The view of The Capitol is something extra! Open for afternoon and evening drinks and bites, as well as weekend rooftop brunch, Smoke & Mirrors is a prime spot to enjoy a casual elegant and social DC experience.
Dress code: The Smoke & Mirrors dress code is smart casual.
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In short: Located above the Michelin-starred restaurant Gravitas in Ivy City, you’ll find this organic oasis. Gravitas focuses on seasonal produced ingredients much of which is grown in their own rooftop garden next to the bar.
Food & Drinks: The rooftop menu is created using the very best seasonal produce, herbs, and microgreens. Begin with one of the handcrafted cocktails, made with in-house infused spirits and homemade juices.
What we think: Made for good times and great views in a lively atmosphere, elNico RStart the evening outdoors and enjoy the city view. Or have a seat indoors at the bar or by one of the café tables. As the bar is surrounded by a glass walls, giving away an impression of an orangerie, the view is just as stunning from the inside.ooftop is always a great spot for dinner and drinks, and during weekends also for rooftop brunch.
Dress code: The elNico Rooftop dress code is smart casual.
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23 Best Rooftop Bars in DC
In short: Perched above the Hotel Washington, VUE Rooftop invites to a lively urban oasis in the heart of D.C.
Food & Drinks: A favorite among locals and travelers alike, VUE blends seasonal cocktails, elegant plates, and a stylish ambiance like no other. Serving up the freshest cuisine from above and below the horizon line, the rooftop menu features everything from an innovative surf n' turf menu with farm-fresh locally sourced ingredients, to uniquely created salads and rich and buttery steaks.
What we think: If you want a spectacular view of the Washington Monument, this is the place to visit! From the artfully designed and elegant rooftop, which brings the outside world in, you get an awesome view over the DC skyline, with the Washington Monument and the White House as the main attractions.
Dress code: The VUE Rooftop dress code is smart casual.
Also featured in:
23 Best Rooftop Bars in DC
In short: Located in Adams Morgan for close to 40 years, Perry’s invites you to a dinner style venue with white table cloths and elegant chairs, with seating spots both indoors and outdoors.
Food & Drinks: The menu offers typical Japanese dishes where you can choose from à la carte, donburi, morikomi platters or omakase tasting menu of sushi or sashimi.
What we think: If you want to drop by for a drink at the bar there’s a happy hour everyday between 4pm and 7pm, where you may enjoy a classic cocktail or a glass of sake together with a selection of maki or nigiri sushi or fried dishes such as shrimp katsu burger or loaded tater tots. Set over three floors, the given option when the weather is good is to aim for the spacious and charming rooftop terrace, surrounded with great views over Adams Morgan.
Dress code: The Perry's Restaurant dress code is smart casual.
In short: Colourful as the streets of Havana, the Colada becomes a tropical oasis in the middle of Washington. Found at several locations around DC, it is Colada Shop 14th Street you should aim for to enjoy a smashing and lush rooftop setting.
Food & Drinks: The vibe of Colada is playful and Barbie-ish, something reflected also in the cocktail menu where you’ll find different variations on classic drinks such as Cosmopolitan, Daquiri, Mojito and as the name suggests of course, Piña Coladas. There is also an an all day bite menu including salads, empanadas, beef or chicken sandwiches, all influenced by the Cuban cuisine.
What we think: A relaxed and unique rooftop concept. Downstairs you can start the day early with a colorful breakfast, while the rooftop is open daily for afternoon & evening bites and drink, and during weekends also for lunch sessions.
Dress code: The Colada Shop dress code is casual.
In short: The rooftop at Officina, also called the Terazza, is one out of three dining rooms at the Wharf. Run by Nicholas Stefanelli, the owner and chef behind the Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Massieri.
Food & Drinks: Choose from different types of spritz or order large-format cocktails if you’re a party of 4-8 people. Browse through the wine list of fine wines and pick your favourite from any of the Italian regions such as Puglia and Piedmont. Complement the drinks with snacks or a full dinner of Italian classics such as “arancini” fried risotto and cheese balls, calamari, Italian meatballs, pizza or selected Italian charcuteries and cheeses.
What we think: The vibrant restaurant offers all you could wish for during an Italian vacation, outside of Italy. Take a seat in the oak wooden lounge chairs indoors or outdoors, or get yourself comfortable in one of the golden mesh sofas.
Dress code: The Officina at the Wharf dress code is smart casual.
Also featured in:
23 Best Rooftop Bars in DC
In short: Top of the Gate DC is an energetic and sophisticated Washington DC roof bar, perched on top of the superb Watergate Hotel Georgetown, located along the banks of the Potomac River.
Food & Drinks: From the rooftop bar you can order delicious and handcrafted seasonal cocktails, choose from a fine of wines, or try some of the smaller bites, including gourmet pizzas, tapas and shared plates. Luxurious and modern in decoration, with a large bar counter and lounge areas with fire pits, this is an ideal place for some vibrant and fun after-work cocktails with your colleagues and friends.
What we think: Top of the Gate is a long-time rooftop favorite for us. Having both a water and city view, makes this rooftop unique in DC. At the moment, Top of the Gate is only open during the warmer season, and it is a great spot for sunny cocktails with fantastic views, as well as fun happenings, from rooftop yoga to live events.
Dress code: The Top of the Gate dress code is business casual.
Also featured in:
23 Best Rooftop Bars in DC
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Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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