The Wharf Food and Drink Guide
Updated May 28, 2024
As a former Southwest resident and Wharf frequenter, I’ve compiled a list of (almost) all the eateries there. I’ve omitted some that are in hotels because, well, it’s in a hotel. The places I haven’t tried yet are marked with an asterisk. Lastly, ratings are based on a combination of quality of food and service, along with whether the pricing feels reasonable or ridiculous.
Fancy and Upscale Restaurants
Officina
Rating: 9/10
Type of Food: Italian
Price Point: $30–50
Happy Hour: M-F 5–7PM (Menu)
Highlights: Polpette, Bucatini all’Amatriciana, Tiramisu
Hell’s Kitchen
Rating: 8/10
Type of Food: American
Price Point: $40–60
Happy Hour: None
Highlights: Lobster Risotto, Chicken Scallopini
ilili
Rating: 9/10
Type of Food: Mediterranean
Price Point: $30–50
Happy Hour: None
Highlights: Hummus, Brussels Sprouts, Candy Bar
Kaliwa
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Asian
Price Point: $20–40
Happy Hour: Daily 3–6PM (Menu)
Highlights: Happy Hour Korean Fried Chicken Wings and Satav Grilled Skewers
NaRa-Ya
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Japanese
Price Point: $25–50
Happy Hour: M-F 5–7PM (Menu)
Highlights: Salmon Avocado Sushi, Gyoza
La Vie
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Mediterranean
Price Point: $30–60
Happy Hour: M-Thur 5–7PM (Menu)
Highlights: Hummus and Pita, Great happy hour prices
Mi Vida
Rating: 8/10
Type of Food: Mexican
Price Point: $20–40
Happy Hour: M-F 3–6PM
Highlights: Tatanachos, Great happy hour prices
Lupo Marino
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Italian
Price Point: $20–40
Happy Hour: None
Highlights: Pizzas!
The Grill
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: American
Price Point: $20–40
Happy Hour: M-F 3–6PM (Menu)
Highlights: Calamari, Grill Punch
Del Mar*
Type of Food: Spanish
Price Point: $30–60
Happy Hour: None
Philippe Chow*
Type of Food: Chinese
Price Point: $30–50
Happy Hour: None
Limani*
Type of Food: Mediterranian
Price Point: $30–50
Happy Hour: None
More Casual Sit Down Restaurants
bartaco
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Mexican
Price Point: $15–30
Happy Hour: None
Highlights: Baja Tacos, Street Corn
Lucky Buns
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Burgers
Price Point: $20–30
Happy Hour: None
Highlights: Chicky Bun, Green Goddess Caesar
Bistro Du Jour
Rating: 7.5/10
Type of Food: French
Price Point: $20–30
Happy Hour: None
Highlights: Pastry Basket, Quiche
Hank’s Oyster Bar
Rating: 8/10
Type of Food: Seafood
Price Point: $25–40
Happy Hour: M-F 3–6PM
Highlights: Lobster Roll, Oysters
Rappahannock Oyster Bar
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Seafood
Price Point: $20–35
Happy Hour: M-F 3–6PM
Highlights: Happy Hour Oysters
Makers Union
Rating: 8/10
Type of Food: American
Price Point: $15–35
Happy Hour: 3–6PM M-F (Menu)
Highlights: Fish Tacos, Wings, Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Milk & Honey*
Type of Food: Southern
Price Point: $20–35
Happy Hour: None
Kinfolk Southern Kitchen*
Type of Food: Southern
Price Point: $20–35
Happy Hour: None
Cheap(er) Eats
Grazie Grazie
Rating: 8/10
Type of Food: Sandwiches
Price Point: $15–20
Highlights: Benny (Chicken Parm Sub), 8+1 (Italian Sub)
Chopsmith
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Salads and Sandwiches
Price Point: $10–20
Highlights: California Turkey Club, Green Juice,
Fat Fish
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Sushi and Poke
Price Point: $15–25
Highlights: Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl, Alaskan Roll
Toastique
Rating: 8/10
Type of Food: Breakfast, Juices/Smoothies
Price Point: $10–15
Highlights: Buratta Toast, Acai Bowl
Falafel Inc
Rating: 10/10
Type of Food: Mediterranean
Price Point: $5–10
Happy Hour: None
Highlights: Rice Bowl, Falafel Sandwich
Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: British/Fish and Chips
Price Point: $15–25
Highlights: Fishwich Combo, Dirty Chips
Colada Shop
Rating: 6/10
Type of Food: Cuban
Price Point: $15–25
Highlights: Breakfast Sandwiches, Cuban
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
Rating: 8/10
Type of Food: Lobster
Price Point: $20–30
Highlights: Lobster Salad Roll, Lobster Grilled Cheese
Shake Shack
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Burgers
Price Point: $5–15
Highlights: It’s Shake Shack
Surfside
Rating: 5/10
Type of Food: Mexican
Price Point: $15–20
Highlights: Steak Burrito
Jessie Taylor Seafood*
Type of Food: Seafood
Price Point: $10–30
Twisted*
Type of Food: Pretzels
Price Point: $7–15
Little Chicken*
Type of Food: Fried Chicken
Price Point: $15–25
Bars
The Brighton
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food/Drinks: American
Price Point: $10–20
Happy Hour: M-F 3–6PM
Highlights: Taco and Trivia Tuesday
Boardwalk Bar & Arcade
Rating: 6/10
Type of Food/Drink: American
Price Point: $10–20
Happy Hour: Daily 4–6PM
Highlights: Skiball, Tuesday Night Trivia
Tiki TNT
Rating: 8/10
Type of Food/Drink: Hawaiian
Price Point: $15–30
Happy Hour: M-F 3–6PM
Highlights: Mai Tai, Thrashers Rum Flight
Easy Company
Rating: 6/10
Type of Food/Drink: Wine Bar
Price Point: $20–30
Happy Hour: M-F 3–6PM
Highlights: Flatbreads, Wine Selection
Lowlights: Overpriced
Kirwan’s*
Type of Food/Drink: Irish Pub
Price Point: $20–30
Happy Hour: None
Cantina Bambina*
Type of Food/Drinks: Cocktails and Beer
Price Point: $10–20
Happy Hour: None
Z O O Z*
Type of Food/Drinks: Cocktails
Price Point: $20–40
Happy Hour: M-F 4–6PM
Ice Cream and Desserts
Kilwins
Rating: 6/10
Type of Food: Ice Cream
Price Point: $7–15
Highlights: Cappuccino Chocolate Chip
Ben & Jerry’s
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Ice Cream
Price Point: $5–10
Highlights: It’s Ben & Jerry’s
Southwest Soda Pop Shop
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Ice Cream
Price Point: $5–15
Highlights: Cake Explosion, Chipwhich
District Doughnut
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Doughnuts
Price Point: $5–10
Highlights: Vanilla Creme Brûlée, Old Fashioned
Pitango Gelato
Rating: 9/10
Type of Food: Ice Cream, Pastries, Coffee
Price Point: $5–15
Highlights: Everything! You can’t go wrong.
Praline Bakery
Rating: 7/10
Type of Food: Pastries
Price Point: $5–15
Highlights: Macarons, Croissants
Coffee and Tea
Starbucks
Rating: 7/10
Price Point: $5–10
Highlights: It’s Starbucks
E-Tea*
Type of Food: Boba Milk Tea
Price Point: $5–10
Full List of Restaurants on the Wharf: https://www.wharfdc.com/restaurants/
