Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
Best outdoor table near the National Mall.
Café du Parc is the most credentialed dining option within walking distance of the National Mall, and it earns it. The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended French-American menu leans on classical technique without formality, and the Pennsylvania Avenue terrace is a strong case for booking ahead in spring. Practical, polished, and better than its tourist-corridor location would suggest.
Getting a table at Café du Parc is easier than you might expect for a Forbes Travel Guide Recommended restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue, but the outdoor terrace fills fast on spring and summer afternoons when cherry blossoms are out and the National Mall crowds spill north. If you want that prime al fresco seat overlooking the Capitol portico and the Washington Monument, book ahead. If you show up hoping for a walk-in on a Tuesday lunch, you'll likely manage. The question is less whether you can get in and more whether you choose the right moment to go.
For a food-forward traveler who has just spent a morning at the Smithsonian or the National Gallery, Café du Parc solves a real problem: there is almost nothing of quality to eat in the National Mall corridor. The blue-awning terrace at the Willard InterContinental functions as the most credentialed dining option within a short walk of the monuments, and it earns that position with a French-American menu that goes well beyond tourist-trap territory.
The format here is relaxed bistro, not white-tablecloth formality. Café du Parc delivers cooking rooted in French cuisine de grand-mère: slow-braised proteins, proper French onion soup, charcuterie assembled with real technique. Chef Antoine Westermann built his reputation at Le Buerehiesel in Strasbourg, a restaurant with serious classical credentials, and that background shapes the menu without making it heavy or precious. A sous vide-braised pork shank with lemon and fennel, a country pâté and rillettes plate served with prosciutto and pickled vegetables, croissants made with enough butter to count as a commitment — the food is grounded and direct.
The atmosphere on the terrace is the main draw for the explorer-type diner. Pennsylvania Avenue is one of the leading people-watching corridors in the country: Hill staffers, international tourists, joggers, and the occasional motorcade. The energy is ambient and unhurried in a way that few spots near the Mall can manage. Inside, the mood is quieter and more hotel-bistro in character, which works fine for breakfast or a quick lunch but lacks the outdoor setting's draw.
Children's menu is worth flagging for traveling families: it leans toward scaled-down versions of the actual menu rather than the usual fried-food fallbacks, which is a practical plus if you're navigating a multi-generational trip. Breakfast covers croissants, brioche, almond pastries, and proper waffles alongside illy coffee, making it a strong morning anchor before a day on the Mall.
Le Bar at Café du Parc runs a cocktail list that mixes American classics (mint juleps, manhattans) with French-inflected seasonal options. It is not a serious cocktail destination in the way that dedicated D.C. bars are, but the drinks are competent and the setting is hard to beat for a pre-dinner aperitif on a warm evening.
The Google rating sits at 4.0 across nearly 1,000 reviews, which is a reasonable signal for a hotel restaurant operating at volume in a high-tourist zone. Consistency is the clearest takeaway: this is not a restaurant that surprises you, but it does not disappoint either. For comparable French-inflected cooking with a more intimate room and higher ambition, Bresca is the sharper option. For a modern French tasting menu with serious intent, Jônt operates at a different tier entirely. Café du Parc sits between those poles: more polished than a brasserie, less demanding than a destination tasting room.
Reservations: Book at least a week out for the outdoor terrace in spring and summer; walk-in availability improves significantly in cooler months and midweek. Location: Willard InterContinental, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, one block from the National Mall. Dress: Smart casual works; the outdoor terrace skews relaxed, the interior slightly more polished, but neither requires formal attire. Leading for: Post-Mall lunches, spring terrace dining, family meals with a French-leaning menu, breakfast before a day of sightseeing. Worth knowing: Servers are described as efficient when you need to move quickly, and willing to slow down when you want to talk through the menu — a practical combination for travelers on variable schedules.
For more on dining across the capital, see our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide, and explore hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences guides for Washington, D.C. If French-American cooking interests you in other cities, Bûcheron in Minneapolis and Florie's in Palm Beach operate in a comparable register.
Yes, particularly for breakfast or a weekday lunch. The bar seating at Le Bar is a solid solo option, and the terrace tables work fine for one. Solo diners who want more of a destination meal in D.C. might look at the counter format at minibar instead.
Smart casual is the right call. Jeans and a button-down or a sundress work for the terrace; if you're eating inside at dinner, edge toward business casual. No formal dress code is enforced, but this is the Willard InterContinental, so very casual resort wear reads slightly out of place indoors.
The French onion soup and the charcuterie plate (Assiette de Cochonailles) are the clearest expressions of what chef Antoine Westermann does well here , classical French technique applied without fuss. The sous vide-braised pork shank and the chocolate tart (tarte au chocolat with chocolate sorbet and orange reduction) are also noted highlights. For breakfast, the croissants and brioche served with illy coffee are the direct choice.
For modern French at a higher level of ambition, Bresca is the closest peer and the stronger creative kitchen. For a full tasting-menu commitment in the French-contemporary space, Jônt operates at a different price tier. If you want to move away from French entirely, Albi (Middle Eastern, $$$$) and Causa (Peruvian, $$$$) both offer strong alternative profiles for a special-occasion dinner. Oyster Oyster ($$$) is the leading call if sustainability and vegetable-forward cooking matter to your group.
It works well for a relaxed celebratory meal, particularly on the terrace in good weather, but it is not the right choice if you want a high-ceremony special occasion. For that, Gravitas or Jônt will deliver more of the formal occasion experience. Café du Parc's strength is occasion dining without the pressure , a Forbes-recommended room with a Forbes-recommended view, at a register that stays conversational.
Request the outdoor terrace when booking , the interior is pleasant but the Pennsylvania Avenue seats are the reason to come. The menu follows a French cuisine de grand-mère framework, meaning slow-cooked, approachable dishes rather than anything technically demanding or avant-garde. The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended credential signals consistent quality, not cutting-edge ambition. Come for the setting, the reliable French-American cooking, and the practical location near the Mall.
Yes. Le Bar at Café du Parc is a functional option for a solo meal or a drink before dinner. The cocktail list includes French-inflected seasonal options alongside American classics. It is a hotel bar in format, so manage expectations relative to dedicated D.C. cocktail bars, but it handles the job well for the location.
For the outdoor terrace in spring (especially during cherry blossom season) or summer, book at least one to two weeks out. For indoor tables or off-peak visits, a few days' notice is usually sufficient. Walk-ins on weekday mornings and midweek lunches in cooler months are generally feasible, but the Forbes Recommended profile means the terrace specifically books up faster than you might expect for a hotel restaurant.
| Venue | Price | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café du Parc | Hard | — | |
| Albi | $$$$ | Unknown | — |
| Causa | $$$$ | Unknown | — |
| Oyster Oyster | $$$ | Unknown | — |
| Bresca | $$$$ | Unknown | — |
| Gravitas | $$$$ | Unknown | — |
Comparing your options in Washington, D.C. for this tier.
Yes, particularly for lunch or a solo breakfast at Le Bar. The relaxed bistro format at the Willard InterContinental means there's no pressure to linger, and the terrace offers good people-watching on Pennsylvania Avenue without feeling awkward for a party of one. The children's menu and broad French-American format signal a room that accommodates all formats, including solo.
Business casual fits the room: it sits inside the Willard InterContinental on Pennsylvania Avenue, which draws Hill workers and tourists alike, so the dress code skews polished but not formal. A jacket is not required. For the outdoor terrace, dress for the weather.
The French onion soup is the anchor order: chef Antoine Westermann built his reputation at the award-winning Le Buerehiesel in Strasbourg, and this dish reflects that background directly. The Assiette de Cochonailles — country pork pâté, rillettes, prosciutto, salami, and pickled vegetables — is a strong second. For dessert, the tarte au chocolat with chocolate sorbet and orange reduction is on the menu.
For contemporary American cooking with more culinary ambition, Bresca and Gravitas both operate at a higher creative register. Oyster Oyster is the pick if sustainability-driven vegetables and local sourcing matter to you. Causa offers a Peruvian-Japanese format that's sharply different in profile. Albi is the comparison if you want a compelling special-occasion option with Middle Eastern-inspired cooking and a stronger buzz factor.
It works well for a low-key anniversary or a celebratory lunch with out-of-town guests, particularly on the outdoor terrace in spring when the cherry blossoms are out. For a more destination-level special occasion dinner, Bresca or Gravitas carry more weight. Café du Parc's strength is atmosphere and setting, not tasting-menu theatrics.
Book the outdoor terrace if the weather allows — it faces Pennsylvania Avenue with views toward the Capitol and the Washington Monument, and that context matters for the experience. The menu draws on French cuisine de grand-mère, meaning slow-cooked, approachable dishes rather than formal haute cuisine. It's a Forbes Travel Guide Recommended restaurant, so quality is consistent, but this is a bistro, not a tasting-menu destination.
Yes. Le Bar at Café du Parc has its own menu and serves classic cocktails including mint juleps and manhattans alongside seasonally changing French-inspired options. It's a practical choice if you want a drink and a lighter meal without committing to a full dining room reservation.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
