Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
The Wharf's go-to for a serious dinner.
Kith/Kin is the Wharf district's most reliable choice for a special evening out — warm in atmosphere, easier to book than most D.C. restaurants at this level, and a genuine neighborhood anchor rather than a tourist convenience. It earns its place on a short list for birthday dinners, dates, and business meals where the room needs to work as hard as the kitchen.
Kith/Kin sits at 801 Wharf St SW, which tells you something important before you even look at the menu: this is one of the few serious dining destinations in D.C.'s Southwest Waterfront that earns repeat visits on the strength of its kitchen rather than its address. The Wharf development drew a flood of restaurant openings, but Kith/Kin is the kind of place the neighborhood needed — somewhere worth booking for a celebration rather than just a convenient dinner after a concert at The Anthem.
For a special occasion, the waterfront setting works in your favor. The atmosphere runs warm rather than loud — this is not a high-decibel scene restaurant, which makes it a sound choice for a birthday dinner, a date that matters, or a business meal where you need to hear each other. The energy is relaxed and purposeful, closer to a proper dining room than a Wharf-district crowd-pleaser. If you've been burned by the noise levels at busier neighborhood spots, Kith/Kin reads as the quieter, more considered option on this stretch of the water.
Booking here is easy relative to most restaurants at this quality level in D.C. You won't face the weeks-long wait that Rose's Luxury regularly demands, and you don't need a reservation strategy built around a 6 AM OpenTable refresh. A few days' notice should secure a table on most nights, though weekends around the concert schedule at The Anthem merit more lead time. If you're planning around a specific date , an anniversary, a work dinner , book a week out to be safe rather than to be lucky.
Compared to the broader D.C. dining scene, Kith/Kin occupies a useful middle position: more destination-worthy than the casual Wharf options surrounding it, but more accessible in booking and atmosphere than the capital's tasting-menu circuit at venues like Jônt or minibar. For anyone staying nearby or attending an event at The Wharf, it deserves to be your first call rather than a fallback. For a broader look at where to eat across the city, see our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide, and if you're planning an extended trip, our Washington, D.C. hotels guide and bars guide are worth a look too.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kith/Kin | Easy | ||
| Oyster Oyster | New American, Vegetarian, Vegetarian (Sustainable) | $$$ | Unknown |
| Albi | United States, Middle Eastern | $$$$ | Unknown |
| Causa | Peruvian | $$$$ | Unknown |
| Rooster & Owl | Contemporary | $$$ | Unknown |
| Rose’s Luxury | New American, Contemporary | $$$$ | Unknown |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
Bar seating at Kith/Kin is an option worth considering if you cannot secure a table. It tends to be a more accessible entry point for the restaurant at 801 Wharf St SW, and suits solo diners or couples who want flexibility. Call ahead to confirm bar availability before arriving.
Kith/Kin can work for small groups, but larger parties should check the venue's official channels well in advance. The Wharf location means the dining room draws a steady crowd, especially on weekends, so group bookings need early coordination. For a private dining format, ask specifically whether that option is available when you call.
Kith/Kin is a destination dinner restaurant at a waterfront development, so dress accordingly: neat and polished without requiring a jacket. The Wharf setting at 801 Wharf St SW attracts a dressed-up crowd on weekend evenings. Avoid overly casual attire if you are coming for a special occasion.
Serious restaurants at this tier in D.C. typically accommodate dietary restrictions when notified at booking. Contact Kith/Kin directly when you reserve and flag any requirements clearly. Do not wait until arrival, especially for allergy-level restrictions.
Book at least two to three weeks out for weekday tables; weekend reservations at a high-profile Wharf address like 801 Wharf St SW move faster. For a Saturday special occasion, a month ahead is safer. If you are flexible on day and time, midweek slots open up more reliably.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
