Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Bethesda

"5 out of 5 stars Restaurants Seafood Georgetown. This pearl of the Georgetown waterfront comes from Fabio Trabocchi, the same deft chef behind Fiola and Casa Luca. It’s hard to focus on your meal with welcome distractions like docking boats and glistening chandeliers in the opulent dining room (maritime kitsch need not apply)."

"The name means “star of the sea,” and swanky seafood restaurant Fiola Mare lives up to the hype with spectacular views of the Georgetown waterfront. The clientele is indeed star-powered; Michelle and Barack Obama have been spotted here. Of course, reviewers appreciate the outdoor seating and waterfront views, with “nice outdoor seating perfect for social distancing” according to one Google user."

"has had a serious love affair with Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s authentic Italian cuisine for many years. Following his success with Fiola and Casa Luca, Chef Trabocchi recently opened a Mediterranean seafood restaurant, Fiola Mare. Located on the banks of the Potomac in Georgetown, this is the place to be seen these days."

"This Mediterranean-Italian restaurant is a go-to date night spot for DC residents so you should put it on your list as one of the eateries to visit when you’re in the area. Popular dishes include the charred octopus topped with fresh leeks, or you can opt for the lamb chops with almonds and beets. The seasonal taster with seafood, meat, and vegetables that are in season is popular as well, and the small dishes the food is served in make it easy to share."

"Stepping out onto this vine-canopied patio gives the same tingly romantic feeling as seeing The Notebook for the first time. Though the restaurant could probably rest on the laurels of atmosphere alone, its food, wine and cocktail programs are excellent, making it ideal for date-night drinking. Start with something stiff like the bourbon-based Art of Almost before moving on to Iron Gate’s calling card: Greek wine."

"This setting of a swanky intimate dining room, endearing patio and garden, and vibrant carriageway barroom is beyond charming, and the mezze-driven Mediterranean menu is just the start of a well-crafted meal. Chef Anthony Chittum offers nightly multi-course tasting menus and the option of wine pairings from a list of nearly 400 bottles."

"Named for Chef Aaron Silverman's paternal grandmother and his desire to provide a warm, casual and hospitable environment for guests, this venue regularly had long waits when its doors open for dinner seating but now the venue offers same day reservations to cut down on times. The tapas menu is eclectic and features small and family style dishes. With seasonal offerings, a recent menu included such delicious dishes as strawberry pasta, popcorn soup, tandoori-ish chicken, sweet pea primavera, South Carolina brisket and hand-shaped farfalle."

"Restaurants Eclectic Capitol Hill. It’s not a bar, it’s a sit-down restaurant (so sue us). And when Bon Appetit named it the “best new restaurant in America” in 2014, the lines went from long to longest."

"If you don’t mind the inevitable wait, then Rose’s Luxury is the place to be. It won the best new restaurant title by Bon Apetit last year and has gained meteoric popularity. The dishes can’t really be classified into a specific cuisine and varies depending on the season."

"601 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20006 (202) 525-1402. Fiola has decadent Italian-inspired dinners and desserts that make date night especially romantic. Start your dinner with a Colors of the Garden salad which features hazelnuts and winter radish, or the prosciutto-wrapped dates with confit mousse."

"Located in Downtown, Fiola is the first creation of Maria and Fabio Trabocchi’s trifecta of restaurants. Their raw seafood dishes, referred to as ‘Italian sushi,’ and pasta dishes topped with truffles or lobster are must-trys. They also have creative takes on classic dishes like the prosciutto-wrapped veal chop."

"Offering a menu of trattoria classics, Fiola features dishes like Filet Mignon with Piemontese Brasato Sauce, Celery Root Purée and Wild Mushrooms.[Learn more]"

"It’s easy to find a variety of Indian vegetarian options, but finding unique and inventive twists on the typical curries is much harder. Indique does just that, and does it really well. The morel vegetable stew, rich and creamy coconut milk gravy, cauliflower pecorino kulcha, and sweet potato chaat are all flavor explosions."

"Indique offers Gulab Jamun, a milk solid donut hole drizzled with honey and served with vanilla ice cream. This melt-in-your-mouth dessert comes out piping hot with a super-soft texture and a hint of rose flavor. You might even catch a hint of cardamom in the ice cream."

"This distillery tavern, located in a brownstone townhouse, is the first in D.C. (and judging from the crowds jockeying for a table, it won’t be the last), so if you’re hungry and in the mood to try some new spirits, head over now. Take a tour of the distillery downstairs, and then make your way to the tavern to sample the distillery’s hand-crafted vodka, gin, whiskey, and rum, all made in small batches in German copper pots and column stills."

"A ten-minute drive from the St. Gregory, this airy U Street distillery features steampunk-style decor (think giant, brass vats). Make sure to sign up for a tour so you can sample the spirits on offer, which include rum, vodka, gin, and whiskey. Once you’re done snapping pictures and sipping your shot glasses, head to the bar for a smooth cocktail."

"Occupying a series of historic rowhouses, DC’s most ambitious distillery sports a handsome bar room and a dining room where you can order up veal marrow bones and Carolina flounder schnitzel along with your whiskey, vodka and gin. Don’t miss: The limited-edition Embassy Row Grappa, made in collaboration with Boxwood Winery in Virginia."

"4 out of 5 stars Bars Breweries. Named after the hellbender salamander, which is the largest salamander in North America, Hellbender Brewing Company was founded in 2014 by Ben Evans and Patrick Mulane. The staff uses a Belgian mash filter system that’s more eco-friendly and efficient than others and it was said to be the first of its kind on the east coast back when it was installed."

"The brewery started as the passion project of a former politico and a neuroscientist. However, what began as a side hustle eventually grew into a full-time project. They are committed to environmental sustainability."

"This is another local chain of restaurants, and residents do love all the variations of chili on the menu. Feeling adventurous?. Instead of the standard bowl of chili, give the Chili Mac and Chili Dogs a try."

"Technically, this is a chain, albeit local but it hass grown to well over 10 locations. But it still holds a special place in our hearts. Kid-friendly fare that adults love as well."

"Originally founded as a private institution, this collection of ancient African manuscripts, costumes, weapons, paintings, and sculptures was folded into the Smithsonian in 1979, and relocated to the Mall in 1987. The current collection includes late-19th-century carved figures from Benin, paintings by modern artists such as Gerard Sekoto, ceramics, metalwork, and jewelry. 950 Independence Ave., SW; 202-633-1000; Free."

"The National Museum of African Art houses an extensive collection of traditional and contemporary African art. The collection includes over 300,000 photographs and 50,000 volumes of library. It is considered as the main venue for African art on an international platform."

"daily, closed December 25.Location:950 Independence Avenue SW. The National Museum of African Art features exhibits from the continent of Africa. Contemporary and traditional art is on display for people to see, admire and be inspired by."

"The African American Civil War Memorial Museum preserves and shares the largely ignored stories of enormous contributions made by the 209,145 members of the United States Colored Troops to the American Civil War. The Museum's collection includes artifacts, documents, primary sources, and technology."

"More than 200,000 African-American soldiers and sailors fought in the Civil War. At the African American Civil War Museum, these individuals are remembered through photography, newspaper articles, replicas of uniforms, and a memorial. The museum is currently being redeveloped."

"The African American Civil War Memorial, along with the African American Civil War Museum across the street, memorializes nearly 220,000 members of the United States Colored Troops involvement in the American Civil War."

"The National Postal Museum is conveniently located near the Union Station in DC. The National Postal Museum displays the history of the US Postal Service as well as history of postal service from around the world. It is a very popular museum for families as the museum has worked to integrate interactive exhibits for children."

"daily, closed December 25.Location:2 Massachusetts Avenue NE. Are you a stamp collector?. Then don’t miss out on the amazing stamp collection and the opportunity to learn about the history of the American mail service at the National Postal Museum."

"Across from Union Station, this museum first opened in 1993 and once housed D.C.’s main post office. Visitors can learn about the history of the U.S. Postal Service, the Pony Express, and Owney, the first unofficial postal mascot."