Metropolitan Washington’s Summer Restaurant Week is almost here! From August 15th through the 21st, you can indulge in three-course meals at over 250 restaurants in Washington D.C. Prix-fixe options will run you $22 for lunch and $35 for dinner.
If you’ve ever made reservations during Restaurant Week before, you know you need to do your research and choose wisely. Here are three ways to save money and get the most out of D.C. Restaurant Week this summer:
Research the menus
Check out the Restaurant Week menu ahead of time and make sure it has something you want to order. You can find most menus on the Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week website. You can also look for it on the restaurant’s website or Yelp.
Don’t forget to compare the prix-fixe menu to the regular menu. That way, you can decide if a $22 lunch or $35 dinner is a good deal. If appetizers on the regular menu are around $10 and entrees are around $20, you’re really paying the regular price and getting a free dessert.
Take a long lunch
At $22, the prix-fixe lunch menu is pricier than your standard mid-day meal. But if you can squeeze in a long lunch away from the office, it can be a better way to experience Restaurant Week. You’ll keep the tab down if you skip cocktails and wine, and you may have an easier time finding a reservation. Not sure where to start? Here are some can’t-miss lunch deals.
Reserve parking in advance
Say you’ve already scoured the list of restaurants and nabbed a reservation or two. Don’t forget to reserve a parking spot, especially if you’re heading to a busy area in the evening. You’ll save time and score a great deal, just by booking in advance.
Here are our best rates for D.C. Restaurant Week parking near some of our favorite restaurants:
Gallery Place/Penn Quarter
701 Restaurant: 701 D St. NW | $11 (5pm-11pm)
BOE Kitchen: City Center | $9 (3 hours) | $10 (5pm-8am next day)
Cedar Restaurant: 505 9th St. NW | $11 (5pm-midnight)
Centrolina: City Center | $9 (3 hours) | $10 (5pm-8am next day)
China Chilcano: 701 D St. NW | $11 (5pm-11pm)
Cuba Libre: City Center | $9 (3 hours) | $10 (5pm-8am next day)
Cure Bar and Bistro: City Center | $9 (3 hours) | $10 (5pm-8am next day)
DBGB: City Center | $9 (3 hours) | $10 (5pm-8am next day)
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle: City Center | $9 (3 hours) | $10 (5pm-8am next day)
District Chophouse: 505 9th St. NW | $11 (5pm-midnight)
Fig & Olive: City Center | $9 (3 hours) | $10 (5pm-8am next day)
Hill Country BBQ: 701 D St. NW | $11 (5pm-11pm)
La Tasca – Penn Quarter: 701 8th St. NW | $10 (5pm-midnight)
Jaleo: 505 9th St. NW | $11 (5pm-midnight)
Oyamel: 701 D St. NW | $11 (5pm-11pm)
Proof: 701 8th St. NW | $10 (5pm-midnight)
Rasika: 701 D St. NW | $11 (5pm-11pm)
Rosa Mexicano: 505 9th St. NW | $11 (5pm-midnight)
SEI Restaurant and Lounge: 701 D St. NW |$11 (5pm-11pm)
Zaytinya: 701 8th St. NW | $10 (5pm-midnight)
Dupont Circle
Ankara: 1250 Connecticut Ave. NW | $10 (5pm-11pm)
Bistro Bistro: 2113 Leroy Pl. NW- Courtyard Marriott Dupont | $12 for any 4 hours – valet
Cafe Dupont: 11 Dupont Circle NW | $9 (5pm-11pm)
Circa at Dupont: 11 Dupont Circle NW | $9 (5pm-11pm)
Daily Grill Dupont Circle: 1160 19th St. NW | $5 (5pm-9pm)
Darlington House: 11 Dupont Circle NW | $9 (5pm-11pm)
Firefly: 1250 Connecticut Ave. NW | $10 (5pm-11pm)
i Ricchi: 1160 19th St. NW | $5 (5pm-9pm)
Iron Gate: 1250 Connecticut Ave. NW | $10 (5pm-11pm)
Russia House: 2113 Leroy Pl. NW- Courtyard Marriott Dupont | $12 for any 4 hours – valet
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse: 2113 Leroy Pl. NW- Courtyard Marriott Dupont | $12 for any 4 hours – valet
STK: 1250 Connecticut Ave. NW: $10 (5pm-11pm) | 1160 19th St NW: $5 (5pm-9pm)
Tabard Inn Restaurant: 1250 Connecticut Ave. NW | $10 (5pm-11pm)
Teddy and the Bully Bar: 1160 19th St. NW | $5 (5pm-9pm)
Vidalia: 1160 19th St. NW | $5 (5pm-9pm)
Downtown
Bibiana: 1201 New York Ave. NW | $7 (4pm-10pm)
Bobby Van’s Steakhouse: 1425 New York Ave. NW | $8 (5pm-11pm)
Claudias Steakhouse: 1667 K St. NW: $9 (4pm-10pm) | 1501 K St. NW: $8 (5pm-9pm)
Georgia Brown’s: 1667 K St. NW: $9 (4pm-10pm) | 1501 K St. NW: $8 (5pm-9pm)
Ici Urban Bistro: 1425 New York Ave. NW | $8 (5pm-11pm)
Lincoln – DC: 1501 K St. NW: $8 (5pm-9pm) | 1120 Vermont Ave. NW: $6 (5pm-11pm)
Mastro’s Steakhouse: 1325 G St. NW | $9 (5pm-4am next day)
McCormick and Schmicks: 1667 K St. NW | $9 (4pm-10pm)
Oceanaire: 1325 G St. NW | $9 (5pm-4am next day)
Old Ebbitt Grill: 1425 New York Ave. NW | $8 (5pm-11pm)
P.J. Clarke’s: 1667 K St. NW | $9(4pm-10pm)
Pennsylvania 6: 1201 New York Ave. NW | $7 (4pm-10pm)
Rural Society: 1120 Vermont Ave. NW |$6 (5pm-11pm)
Siroc: 1501 K St. NW | $8 (5pm-9pm)
Toro Toro: 1201 New York Ave. NW | $7 (4pm-10pm)
Tosca: 1325 G St. NW | $9 (5pm-4am next day)
Woodward Table: 1425 New York Ave. NW | $8 (5pm-11pm)
Zentan: 1120 Vermont Ave. NW |$6 (5pm-11pm)
Georgetown
El Centro D.F. – Georgetown: 3307 M St. NW: $5 (5pm-10pm) | 3251 Prospect St. NW: $15 (5pm-4am next day)
Morton’s Steakhouse Georgetown: 3307 M St. NW: $5 (5pm-10pm) | 3251 Prospect St. NW: $15 (5pm-4am next day)
The Sovereign: 3307 M St. NW: $5 (5pm-10pm) | 3251 Prospect St. NW: $15 (5pm-4am next day)
Alexandria
Brabo Tasting Room: 1800 Diagonal Rd. | $8 (5pm-midnight)
Geranio: 418 Cameron St. | $5 (5pm-9pm)
Jackson 20: 418 Cameron St. | $5 (5pm-9pm)
Laporta’s Restaurant: 1800 Diagonal Rd. | $8 (5pm-midnight)
La Tasca Alexandria: 418 Cameron St. | $5 (5pm-9pm)
Restaurant Eve: 418 Cameron St. | $5 (5pm-9pm)
Clarendon/Arlington
Circa at Clarendon: 3101 Wilson Blvd. | $5 (3 hours) | $4 (5pm-midnight)
Fuego Cocina y Tequileria: 3101 Wilson Blvd. | $5 (3 hours) | $4 (5pm-midnight)
La Tasca Arlington: 3101 Wilson Blvd. | $5 (3 hours) | $4 (5pm-midnight)
Liberty Tavern: 3101 Wilson Blvd. | $5 (3 hours) | $4 (5pm-midnight)
Lyon Hall: 3101 Wilson Blvd. | $5 (3 hours) | $4 (5pm-midnight)
Where are you headed for Restaurant Week? Let us know in the comments!