Are you on the hunt for a place to host your rehearsal dinner in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Northern Virginia? Here are some of our favorite locations in The DMV.
While you could certainly go the unconventional route, we’ve found that restaurants are a great option for wedding rehearsal dinners because they’re all-inclusive. This means that the use of the space, food, and beverage, rentals (tables, china, glassware), and staff are all included in the cost.
Washington DC
Anchovy Social is located steps from Nationals Park atop the Thompson Washington D.C. This location is available for partial and full buyouts and has rooftop views, dedicated bar rooms, and outdoor terraces, which provide the perfect backdrop for an event. They specialize in large-batch season cocktails and shareable bites.
Big Bear Cafe can host your rehearsal dinner in an intimate garden setting in the heart of DC. You’ll be surrounded by cobblestone patios, flowering trees, and native grape vines. The interior spaces are lit with candles and offer communal dining tables or an open plan for a cocktail reception.
Bluejacket is a brewery specializing in a rotating menu of incredible craft beers. They offer rentals of their bottle shop, which is an intimate and unique setting for a small dinner party or you can rent out the second floor mezzanine which offers a larger space and expensive views of the brewery. And you MUST try their famous house tots!
Cane DC is all about bridging cultures through food. Caribbean, African, Indian, Spanish, French, and East Asian food all weave deeply through their menu. While this location doesn’t offer a private event space, it’s the perfect option if you’d prefer to do offsite catering!
Del Mar is known for celebrations and boasts a culinary team led by James Beard and Michelin Award winning chef Fabio Trabocchi. Your guests will surely delight in this innovative and delicious adventure. They offer 4 private dining rooms that can host up to 120 guests.
La Vie is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant right in the Wharf District of D.C. Your guests will delight in the delicious food and waterfront views. They also offer a complete restaurant buyout or 4 private dining locations.
Maketto is a large communal marketplace which combines retail, restaurants, bars, and cafe experiences. Whether you’d like to enjoy a private dinner with your guests or reserve a whole room, they have you covered. Maketto interprets Cambodian and Taiwanese cooking as they are inspired by the people and flavors.
Masseria is a celebration of big, harmonious flavors and fine Italian cooking located in the Union Market area. They offer several warm and welcoming spaces (standing receptions up to 150 guests or seated up to 80), each with distinct styles and an appeal that allows for different entertaining options. There is also an outdoor lounge which allows guests to mingle under the stars while imbibing on innovative cocktails.
Milk & Honey Cafe doesn’t currently offer onsite private parties, but they have the perfect casual and delicious menu to cater your offsite rehearsal dinner. They also ALWAYS offer a brunch menu!
Officina offers several locations for your guests to delight in Italian gastronomy cuisine. They offer a 12 seat private dining room as well as a rooftop event space overlooking The Wharf that accommodates up to 60 guests.
Republic Restoratives is a distillery that produces fine American spirits and can offer 3 event spaces perfect for any gathering. Note that this location doesn’t provide food in-house, but will assist you with coordinating catering, rentals, and staff.
Iron Gate Restaurant – inspired by the chef’s travels, this Greek and Italian inspired menu will be such a treat for any guests! This property was built in 1875 and offers a unique combination of indoor and outdoor spaces. In the restaurant, you and your guests can have a front seat to the kitchen and enjoy a family style tasting menu and incredible wine pairings from their celebrated Sommelier.
Northern Virginia
Ambar Clarendon is a perfectly sized event space with up to 100 seats. This restaurant has been catapulted to the top of the international scene with it’s unique Eastern European cuisine.
Virtue Feed & Grain is a modern American tavern that can accommodate intimate cocktail parties or large rehearsal dinners. It’s a bi-level, airy restaurant with flexible seating up to 175 guests.
Maryland
The Society Restaurant & Lounge – located in downtown Silver Spring, this location with a dynamic late-night scene is inspired by their love for food, people, and community awareness. They offer semi-private spaces for a rehearsal dinner or you can do a complete buyout!
Cubanos is an authentic Latin restaurant renowned for its traditional Cuban dish ropa vieja. They can accommodate small or large gatherings. And don’t forget to try their famous mojito!
You can complete your rehearsal dinner plans by adding decor touches and setting the mood with a thoughtful and personalized music playlist.
Let us know your favorite restaurant in the comments!
