Pesce Seafood House

If Google had 10 stars, this place commands it! Wow...This place is nothing short of perfection! From the minute we walked in the door, superb customer service, owner is phenomenal! Starts with complimentary mini cornbread muffins, we ordered Bouillabaisse and crab cakes, the BEST we've ever had! Topped off with the key lime dessert. Must try this stop for yourself. You will NOT be disappointed!

What a fantastic seafood restaurant! Definitely worth a visit — the Spanish Branzino was absolutely delicious and I highly recommend it. We had a reservation and didn’t need to wait but I guess without reservation it also works. The blue color for the decoration gives you the mood of sea, which I really liked. The only downside was the chocolate mousse for dessert; it had an unusual taste that we didn’t enjoy.

The food was exceptional. Each dish, from the appetizers to the desserts, was beautifully presented and flavorful. The service was also outstanding. The server, Jen, was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. She offered excellent recommendations and ensured a flawless dining experience.

We loved this place!! They got us in last minute, for 3 people at a cozy little bar, and it was absolutely perfect, we had the best service. We ordered food and shared everything and it was so great, everything we ordered was delicious. Scallop crudo Oysters Mango ceviche Lobster and shrimp linguine Crab cakes EVERYTHING we had was just amazing. Highly recommend!!! Service was top notch!

Wow what a day in DC!!! Started walking around during tge parade which was aamazing I thank all of our military and just tge people who served for us really appreciate it!!!! Now tge food was absolutely a must try if you can afford it hahah. We got a Cesar salad and the lobster pasta and was it good. Perfect spice level to match the creamy sauce just a decadent meal..When in DC are give them a try

The owner is so wonderful and welcoming. The food is incredible. The atmosphere is very cozy and warm, except that the seats are a bit uncomfortable. The sardines are definitely the highlight of the menu. The squid ink risotto is a must-have entree. Delicious!

Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, and the restaurant is tastefully decorated. They offer a happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. every day. We tried two appetizers from the happy hour menu, and they offered great value. The Italian Orata fish was a standout—so fresh, tender, and sweet. The fried pickles served alongside the fish were a delightful touch that added a unique twist. The host was warm and welcoming, chatting with us and making us feel at home. The waitstaff provided impeccable service, attentive without being intrusive. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience, and we’ll definitely be back!

Unexpected treasure! My kiddo saw the sign as we drove by and insisted we go. After checking online to know what to expect, we were really happy. The service was outstanding. The staff were helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly and made the experience exceptional. The food was all well seasoned and cooked perfectly. It wasn't the same routine seafood you can get everywhere. Would definitely recommend, especially for a date night. It has the cozy vibe that would be great for dates.

This place is incredible, great date night place for a nice fish dinner. The minute you walk in you are welcomed in by Judita, the owner, who is so gracious and accommodating. When you dine here she makes you feel like family, which is not something you find at the average restaurant. It's located in a great location on Connecticut Ave in DC. They serve mostly fish and seafood dishes and they've got great chefs who know how to serve good eats. Around the holiday season, the restaurant was decorated with blue lights. There's nice artwork and mirrors that decorate the interior and the low lighting adds to the ambience. To start, I had the arugula salad which came with a lemony vinaigrette, sliced apples, and the most delicious candied walnuts. It was the perfect blend of sweet and savory in a salad. The branzino was seared really nicely and perfectly cooked. It came with a lemon butter caper sauce that was so fresh and smooth, it went perfectly with the fish. The lobster risotto was also amazing. Came with big chunks of lobster mixed in a creamy, slightly tomatoey risotto. Both dishes complimented each other very nicely. The wait staff were very good and attended to everything we needed really fast. Judita herself was constantly checking in with us and she even gave us a key lime pie parfait which was the perfect sweet end to a delicious meal. I will definitely be coming back here every time I visit DC!

This is a small restaurant, but they are big on good food and great customer service! I was in Washington DC for a work conference and asked the concierge at the hotel where I was staying for a recommendation. The group I was with wanted seafood and specifically crabcakes. He directed us to Pesce Restaurant stating that they had the best crabcakes in town. We were not disappointed. I tried the bruschetta with white anchovies as an appetizer. It was a delicious start to a great meal. The lobster bisque was outstanding. Another one of our group enjoyed the clam chowder. Most of us ordered the crabcake entrée which was amazing. The staff was very attentive and they sure that we enjoyed our meal. This is definitely a place that I will return when I am in Washington again.

$$-$$$. Beautiful restaurant. Beautiful and kind employees. Delicious food. I'm not sure about parking as I walked from my hotel but maybe it's street. I had a mezcal margarita by recommendation.. as a person who is not a fan of mezcal this margarita was quite tasty and balanced not too smoky. I ordered clam chowder and it was excellent nice amount of clams and potatoes not truly made from scratch. (If you are lactose intolerant please take something in advance). I ordered the butter scampi oysters the size was mind blowing compared to where I am from and they tasted absolutely amazing. You get 3 only so I ordered 2 plates. My meal was scallops and sauteed spinach. The sauce seemed a pinch on the warmer side versus hot but the scallops were also cooked perfectly. I had a heavy bodied red wine that was also exceptional. Overall 5/5 and I am glad I got to experience this smaller but must go to spot. Cost is worth it!!!

Wow! Everything was amazing! From entering the front door and being greeted with great hospitality! The interior is nicely decorated and lit! Nice sounds are peaceful! But the what really made the night was the food! I had the Lobster bisque and for my main dish the Scallops! They were excellent! Definitely returning! Great place with great people serving!

We had a nice meal here. Rating only on what I ate, I would say 4.5 stars, but it was very loud and there seemed insufficient starch in many of the dishes (take from that what you will!) We had the scampi oysters (recommended by an adjoining table, they were very good - buttery/cheesy) bruschetta with white anchovies (this had tiny pieces of anchovies atop a tapenade and thin baguette toasts and was kind of oily/messy) grilled calamari (fresh tasting) scallops (I didn't have them, so can't comment) spanish branzino (beautifully plated with a nice butter sauce and not overly-cooked asparagus) I kinda wished I got the popcorn shrimp which looked good and bountiful (and the key lime, but it was described as more a dairy dish and not a plated pie slice). There is a 24% added fee. Service is pro (they brought an extra oyster to allow for sharing). HH prices were a nice feature.

This Lebanese restaurant was great! The food, the atmosphere, and the wine! The inside looks much different from the outside. Loved it! And will go back the next time I'm in the areas. The Lebanese wine was absolutely delicious

The food is amazing and the owner is so welcoming you will definitely come back once you find out how good it is.

Came here with my friend for a saturday night dinner, the interior is so cute and it was a nice quiet restaurant. It was a bit chilly in the restaurant. We shared everything and started with the swordfish passionfruit ceviche which was tangy and citrusy. The bread they gave with it was very good, wish they gave more! I had a pesce spritz which was really refreshing and loved the passionfruit juice. They also brought complimentary cornbread which was a nice touch. The grilled calamari was amazing, perfect char and texture. The lobster bisque was good as well but was a bit too rich for me. Very small gripe was that we said we were sharing everything but they didn't bring separate bowls for the bisque. For our main we got the lobster risotto--they gave a generous portion of lobster but it was a bit salty. Still tasty! Service was kind and attentive, they were quick to take away dirty plates and replace them. Perfect place for a quiet dinner.

I would recommend this place purely based off of the service. The owner took her time to wait on everyone and make recommendations which I was truly impressed with. She recommended the drink I ordered and can't seem to think of the name of right now but it was very good. Everything I had to eat was delicious. My forever plus one had the ceviche and lobster risotto and loved them as well as the Passion Spritz. This was actually her second time visiting in less than a week. We had the key lime parfait which was perfect, just the right amount of tartness with a graham cracker crust. This place is small and intimate. I would highly suggest you check it out. Just a note that 20% gratuity is added into the bill, which I was fine with and if you are a crab cake snob like me, the crab cake wasn't jumbo lump crab meat but still good.

Service was great. The only negative is that the salad tasted like store bought dressing. It's a great vibe for the working class. A lot of regulars. On a trip to DC for work and heard rave reviews about this establishment. The manager and staff were awesome and attentive. Loved it!

Really outstanding food, and the service was great too. We got the coconut shrimp, the whole Orata, the Spanish branzino, and diver scallops, as well as the bruschetta with anchovies. Every single thing was absolutely delicious. We'll be coming back without a doubt. It's a casual upscale ambiance.

How dare you / shame on me. I did not see the obscene 4% usurious mention on the menu. You gotta be kidding. Maybe you want me to pay for the transportation for YOUR EMPLOYEES to get to work! Charge more and pay a fair wage ... great meal and will never return.

Stopped by while in DC for a conference. Despite being slammed they squeezed me in and gave great service. The popcorn shrimp makes art out of fried seafood and the salmon tartare is heaven. So buttery and creamy. Perfect texture.

We had a very pleasant dinner at Pesce. The seafood was so fresh and flavorful and the service was great. You can tell they take so much pride in their restaurant. Highly recommend!!

I can't stress how much I loved my first time at Pesce. The food is flavorful and so worth your money. The atmosphere transports you outside of DC to a faraway seaside restaurant in Europe. We enjoyed the grilled calamari, sardines, and oysters during their happy hour. SO much good food. My favorite was the sardines: I love a little ritual to eat my food and the friendly bartender showed us how to properly eat the dish. I had the house punch, which was exactly what I wanted (sweet but not too sweet, just boozy enough). The owner is incredibly friendly as well and happy to chat and to provide recommendations. The artwork and decor is so beautiful too! Can't get enough. You need to check this place out!

We had a wonderful meal at Pesce. We had the grilled octopus to start and it was cooked perfectly and extremely flavorful. I had the lobster risotto as my main and it was delicious and filled with massive perfectly cooked chunks of fresh lobster. My husband had the branzino and also loved it, simply prepared but super fresh and well cooked. We will definitely be going back!

This slice of seafood heaven was a true lucky find for us. The aroma of the food from the outside already told us we were walking into something very delicious. The hostess was so kind and accommodating, later we found it her name is Judita and she actually owns the restaurant and she's the artist who decorated the place with all her beautiful art. The food was incredible to say the least, we had the octopus, fried shrimp, oysters Rockefeller, soft shell crab, and whole sea bass. If I lived in the state I'd be there at least few times a week. This was the highlight of our week.

Excellent food & service! Lively popular restaurant. Too noisy for 6 of us to have any sort of conversation on a Saturday night. Hopefully, better on a week night.

My group had an outstanding experience at Pesce. We ordered the mermaid tower and several smaller plates including the sardines, octopus, calamari, crab cakes, fried oysters and tuna tartare. James was an amazing server and was able to handle our needy table with grace and a sense of humor. The mini cornbread muffins were wonderful! I will definitely be back!

Absolutely delicious and delightful! Pesce is not only a great neighborhood restaurant in DuPont Circle, but it is also a destination spot for any seafood lover. Judita (the vivacious owner, chef, and designer) warmly greeted us at the door. The space is bright and filled with her original tiles and beautiful designs. We enjoyed a delicious meal. I started with the salmon gravalax and then had the Spanish branzino. As Judita later explained to us, the house-cured salmon is from her mother's recipe. She described the process (with citrus fruits), and I could tell the care that went into the light and refined gravalax. It was a perfect starter. The branzino was among the best fish I have ever had! The balance among the flavors blended wonderfully with the melt-in-your-mouth fish. We finished our meal with a generous and delicious tiramisu. I look forward to returning soon.

Decor is beautiful, service is fantastic, food is amazing. Lobster risotto was excellent. Grilled octopus was to die for.

My husband and I ate here Sunday (9/1) and it was amazing! The staff were friendly and the food was amazing. He got the lobster roll and I got the Halibut with risotto. Everything was super flavorful and fresh!

Very intimate restaurant. Super friendly staff. I had the happy hour bruschetta. Flavor bomb! Followed with the lobster bisque. Definitely made with some love. Below is a picture of the salmon tartare with crispy rice paper and seaweed. Everything was so good , I had to order some more. Finished up with the Maine Lobster Risotto. I highly recommend this place.

Food was just ok. It lacked flavor. We had the scallop crudo, lobster linguine and halibut cheeks. Service was nice. Space was small. Price point was appropriate.

Everything was a 10/10. Service was incredible from the second you walk in. The owner is so passionate and caring that you feel like you've known her forever. The food was generous portions and tasted super fresh and flavorful. We tried the grilled calamari, popcorn shrimp, cod and pickles, grilled halibut and the Branzino. All 5 of us left super happy and saying that this is probably the best restaurant in DC right now. We can't wait to come back and try the other items from the menu. Our kids keep raving about the food as well.

Great service and food. Enjoyed the intimate space and atmosphere. The staff were very courteous and welcoming.

The Food The Food The Food !!!!! Delicious ... From out of town (1st time in DC) went with a large group of 7 and everyone's food was great because we ended up sharing. The Fish was great! The Pasta with the Lobster was great! Great Crab Cakes !I ordered the octopus and it was so good two people at the table that never had octopus before tried and enjoyed it . Nice Staff , they seem like family or really good friends. We thoroughly enjoyed this Restaurant!!!! Did I mention that the Food was Really Good?

I came early so the restaurant was empty, but service was attentive and the food was very good. I got raw oysters, swordfish ceviche, and lobster risotto. The lobster risotto was the best thing I've eaten in a while! I'll definitely be back to try more items on their menu.

Heaven is a place called Pesce. Everything was incredible; the food, ambiance, service. Especially the food and service. The owner is a magical woman who immediately makes everyone feel like family. The servers take the time to explain the menu and are extremely attentive to allergies. Best scallops I've ever had.

Really great food, ambience, service and good portions. Worth every bit of the experience,

Stopped in for apps and drinks... the scampi oysters were excellent, as were the popcorn shrimp! Always a great experience at Pesce! Friendly staff, excellent food, great conversation with others at the bar, overall excellent experience! Thanks Judith, Bonnie and other great staff members whose names we didn't catch!

Wife and I went here for dinner. She had the Spanish Branzini fish dish and I had the seared scallops. OUTSTANDING! We also had the grilled calamari. Prices were high, but the food was awesome! Service and ambience were great also!!!

Four of us went for a birthday celebration and had a wonderful time! The room was intimate, the server knowledgeable, and the food exquisite! We had the seafood tower to begin, with plump oysters, huge shrimp, swordfish ceviche, lumps of lobster in a butter sauce, and tiny shrimp ceviche. We consumed every last bit with smiles on our faces! Entrees were lemon fish, linguine with clams, and soft shell crab. This was followed by key lime parfait, and tiramisu! One of our group commented that this was the most fun we had had, and the best seafood we had tasted in a very long time! A truly wonderful experience! We will be back!

Delicious crab cakes, good service, and nice atmosphere. Beautiful blue and white decor. Everyone was friendly from the staff to the guests.

Four of us had a delightful evening at Pesce on August 27. The service was cordial and professioinal, and included some excellent recommendations, notably the grilled calamari. In addition, the arugula salad, bruschetta with white anchovies, sardines, halibut, orata, and branzino were top notch. The owner, Judita Doliveira, knows what she's doing - almost 30 years in the business, including several years at the beloved and much-missed original incarnation of Pesce. Plus, she is a warm and welcoming presence as she circulates among the tables, making sure everything is up to her standards. It was great to see the room full of satisfied diners, especially for a Tuesday night in August! All four of us are eager to return.

Delicious food and great service! Judita made us feel at home as soon as we stepped inside the restaurant. We shared a dozen of the blackberry and fat baby oysters, the grilled octopus, fried calamari, lobster risotto and tiramisu. You can tell Judita is very proud of all her dishes and for good reason. Everything we ate was so flavorful and well put together. Will definitely be back again soon and look forward to trying their bouillabaisse, branzino and soft shell crab!

Our food was pretty good, and our waiter was really attentive. The reason for the three stars is that we made a reservation which happened to fall within their happy hour menu service. On their menu, they had a rum punch for $1. We thought wow, what a great and fun deal! So we ordered two rounds for each of us. I figured it was a pre-mixed drink kind of thing, probably low percentage or low quality alcohol, but I thought it was real nonetheless. When we got the bill, it turns out they were $10. We checked the menu again, and I looked up their online menu - all say that the cocktail is $1. Plus, it's the only cocktail on their happy hour menu, so there's not much to compare it to. When we alerted our waiter about the typo, he tried to tell the owner/manager (who had been going around to tables all night to check on them). She subsequently went around with a pen correcting the menus at empty tables around us, and said nothing to us. Nothing was comped and there was no apology. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking a there could be a $1 cocktail deal in DC, but I also think it's not my job to spell check your menu. I'm attaching the menu from their website, which also contains the typo. They've been open for at least a month, I'm surprised no one else has pointed this out. Other than that, I will say our waiter was really nice and attentive. The restaurant itself was cold and loud. Might have been willing to rate this higher if they had made any effort to make things right with us.

Arrived on time, but eventually our Resy reservation was no where to be found. The host -owner seems totally bothered and was a little tense when we asked more about it. We ried to call the restaurant ahead of time on 2 separate days, but no one picked up the phone to answer. The owner finally did sit us and told us we had only an hour to eat. The food was good, expensive, and very simple on the plates. Base on the overall attitude of the owner, the automatically added service charge of 22,5%, the charge was not justified.

Just incredible. Unassuming outside and a magical world of incredible food and service inside. A must.

This is a great little gem in Dupunt Circle. The decor is the masterpiece of the owner and the food is amazing. The service is attentive, welcoming and a touch of humor. Whether live in and around DC or visiting this is worth the stop.

Had a delightful evening at Pesce. Grilled seafood was stupendous, the best I have ever eaten. Attentive staff delightful ambiance.

Great food and service in a friendly local restaurant. Everything was very well prepared, but the scallops and monkfish especially stood out. Will definitely be back.

Great food, festive, inventive. Wonderful evening. The owner was present and attentive and kind. So much fun. One of our best dining experiences ever

A felt like we discovered a hidden gem. Food was excellent. Owner very attentive as were the servers. Small but charming. I wish the owner much success! Will try stopping in for Happy hour! Reservations recommended! Will be back!

What a charming restaurant and what great food. And don't forget the friendly, attentive service. The dinner was great....all four of our group tried different items from the menu, and they were all outstanding. This is not just a good seafood restaurant, it is a place that understands fish and has the imagination to combine great fish with great ingredients.

This is a hidden gem amazing food great ambiance wish I could give this place more then 5 stars definitely recommend Pesce for anyone who loves seafood.

The sardines and octopus were excellent! I also had the Cesar and wish I added the anchovies. The owner and staff were very friendly. I'll definitely be back!

As a rule, I seldom post Yelp (or any other) reviews. Pesce's reincarnation is the exception to my rule. This venerated, Washington institution is possibly better than its original incarnation. As always, Judita makes certain the near perfect food is accompanied by attentive, engaged service. If there's a better (esp. seafood) dining experience in the DuPont/K Street/West End area, I challenge someone to identify it.