Best Lunch Restaurants in Mount Vernon Square

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighbourhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBaileys CrossroadsBethesdaBuzzard Point

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

367 restaurants available nearby

1. Petite Cerise

4.7

Exceptional(196)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 47 times today

Part neighborhood café, part energetic bistro, Petite Cerise is located in a bright and lively historic corner space in Shaw/Mount Vernon Triangle. Petite Cerise features separate à la carte menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner. In addition, Petite Cerise has a Coffee Counter open Tuesday - Friday opening at 8am serving classic coffee and espresso preparations, housemade pastries, and other breakfast items to go or sit down.Dinner offers both an à la carte menu along with a Prix Fixe option. The focus in the evening is to craft unique and innovative dishes utilizing the very best ingredients within the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond skillfully prepared through a French lens.If you decide to join us for a morning coffee, quick mid-day bite, stretch out your lunch over a glass of wine, or gather with friends for an indulgent and creative dinner, we invite you here to celebrate and enjoy.

2. Zaytinya - DC

4.7

Exceptional(19617)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter

Booked 350 times today

Under the direction of celebrated chef José Andrés and concept chef Michael Costa, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on Jose’s deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington, DC.

3. dLeña

4.7

Exceptional(2143)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 55 times today

dLeña is a vibrant restaurant in Washington D.C. that invites you to explore the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine. Step into a warm space illuminated by wood-fired ovens and adorned with Latin American art. Savor a culinary journey with fresh, local ingredients, starting with their signature guacamole, a blend of avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, and lime. Continue your adventure with ceviches, aguachiles, and wood-fired specialties like Tomahawk steak and Wagyu Steak a la Piedra. dLeña's menu caters to all tastes, featuring pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian options. Pair your meal with an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal, or enjoy a handcrafted cocktail. Whether you're after a romantic dinner, a lively brunch, or a late-night gathering, dLeña's trendy ambiance and attentive service promise an unforgettable experience. Join them for a taste of Mexico's vibrant culture and culinary artistry.

A photo of Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown restaurant

4. Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: Chinatown

4.4

Awesome(10482)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 147 times today

Walking distance to many of DC’s historic landmarks, Founding Farmers & Distillers offers a diverse menu including dishes inspired by nearby Chinatown and cocktails featuring our in-house distillery, Founding Spirits. Open 365 days a year, our team is passionate about crafting dishes & drinks from scratch with high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know and trust. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch, or grab a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from our First Bake Cafe. Majority owned by American family farmers, including the more than 50,000 farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, our restaurant is guided by a very simple principal: we see and share everything Through The Eyes Of The Farmer.™ We actively care about our guests, our communities, the planet, and the next generation. This all comes together in our everyday

5. Centrolina

4.7

Exceptional(2183)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Penn Quarter

Booked 57 times today

Centrolina is an Italian restaurant and market, locally owned and operated by Chef Amy Brandwein, set in Washington’s CityCenterDC development. The Osteria showcases a seasonally driven menu of authentic and innovative Italian dishes offered for lunch and dinner. Chef Brandwein's menu is inspired from the seasons, Italian regionality and the wide variety of Chef curated product in the adjoining market. The market showcases a selection of imported Italian specialty items along with locally sourced meat, sustainable fish, and produce from local farms. The Centrolina kitchen produces daily hand crafted fresh pasta and sauces, antipasti and entrees available for takeaway. For parties of 7 people or more, we do require a prix-fixe menu, please email caroline@centrolinadc.com for additional information.

6. RPM Italian - DC

4.7

Exceptional(4614)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 99 times today

Located in Washington, D.C.’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, RPM Italian is modern in approach and Italian in spirit and features a contemporary, chef-driven menu with dishes meant to be shared. The sister restaurant to RPM Steak and RPM Seafood, RPM Italian marks the first collaboration between partners RJ, Jerrod and Molly

A photo of Rumi's Kitchen - DC restaurant

7. Rumi's Kitchen - DC

4.8

Exceptional(2518)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Persian • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 115 times today

Rumi's Kitchen first opened more than a decade ago in Atlanta, the result of years of development by Chef / Owner Ali Mesghali. Showcasing the flavors of Iran -- fresh herbs, kabobs cooked over an open-fire grill -- quickly won loyal guests at the original location in Sandy Springs, GA and set us on pace to open our first restaurant outside of Georgia in 2020. Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet whose words and life teach us how to find inner peace, happiness and love. We invite you to Rumi’s Kitchen where fresh, healthy food and attentive Persian hospitality await you.

A photo of Clyde's of Gallery Place restaurant

8. Clyde's of Gallery Place

4.6

Exceptional(7683)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 68 times today

Clyde's of Gallery Place, located in Washington, DC's vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood adjacent to the Capital One Arena, is a bustling restaurant known for its eclectic American menu and lively atmosphere. The menu offers a diverse selection, from fresh seafood and juicy burgers to seasonal salads and hearty entrees. With its prime location, friendly service, and energetic vibe, Clyde's of Gallery Place is a favorite spot for both casual dining and pre-event gatherings. Across the street from the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Indoor and bar seating available with lunch, dinner, brunch, late night, and raw bar service.

9. FIG & OLIVE DC

4.5

Awesome(2708)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown

Booked 19 times today

The heart of Washington, DC is home to a sliver of the French Riviera in FIG & OLIVE DC | CityCenter. Here, guests can escape from the commotion of Downtown DC to indulge in a glass of rosé on our al fresco terrace or enjoy an elegant evening with dinner upstairs in our Orchard Rooms. The bar & lounge are buzzy with our happy hours while the Wine Room is an accessible area perfect for an effortless get together before an event at the nearby Capital One Arena. During the day, F&O DC is a lunch and brunch favorite of CCDC locals and museum visitors alike.

A photo of Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - Washington, D.C. restaurant

10. Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - Washington, D.C.

4.6

Exceptional(1997)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Mount Vernon Square

Booked 47 times today

Truluck's, a premier dining destination since 1992, offers high-quality seafood and exceptional service with a commitment to sustainability. Renowned for its Florida Stone Crab, Truluck's ensures this delicacy goes from trap to table in 24 hours during its October to May season. Under Corporate Executive Chef Thomas Dritsas, the menu features fresh seafood and prime steaks, complemented by an extensive beverage program. Adhering to Ocean Conservancy guidelines, Truluck's supports sustainable practices and community initiatives. With 12 locations and a dedicated team, Truluck's Washington, D.C. creates remarkable dining experiences. Reservations can be made online or via OpenTable.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
JOHN
Washington, D.C. Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Quick service with high quality food - it was a great place to have a breakfast meeting
More info
Founding Farmers & Distillers DC: ChinatownPrice: Moderate• American• Mount Vernon Square
•
4.4
G
G. Brian
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
food wass delicous. The black cod and fettucini were devine
More info
CentrolinaPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Penn Quarter
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We went all in for the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing. It was excellent. Our waiter was charming and available. It is a loud, vibrant space. I wish it was a little less loud and a little more intimate but that is of course prefernce. The support staff is everywhere, dropping off and picking up plates, filling water, replenishing bread. Only once did they mistime pick-up to remove a plate before we were done. Particular favourites included the cretan dakos salad, hommus, garides saganaki, saffron pilaf, steak mishwi, and lemony potatoes. Tapas can be tough if you're not sure what to get. The tasting menu was great. After a full day of being very thoughtful and on our feet at a couple museums, we only had to be mindful when enjoying each plate, not choosing it.
More info
Zaytinya - DCPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Penn Quarter
•
4.7
D
Dixie
Alabama •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
This restaurant is fantastic! The food is amazing! We were there for French celebration and the surprises were wonderful!
More info
Petite CerisePrice: Expensive• French• Mount Vernon Square
•
4.7
A
AvitaVIP
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Amazing brunch! Flavorful food, great drinks and Troy was fantastic!
More info
dLeñaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Mount Vernon Square
•
4.7

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