Trump touts new D.C. dining boom. Data shows a dip
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President Trump claimed D.C. restaurants are busier than ever in an Oval Office meeting with the Ukrainian president. Photo: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Trump says D.C. restaurants are "busier than they've been in a long time" — but industry data and local business owners tell a different story.
Why it matters: Trump's claim on Monday clashes with real-time OpenTable data and restaurateur accounts that reflect a sharp dip since his federal enforcement began.
Catch up quick: Trump, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said friends — even Democrats — told him they feel safe dining out again.
- "People who haven't gone out to dinner in Washington D.C. in two years are going out to dinner," he said.
Reality check: D.C. restaurant reservations on OpenTable have seen the steepest dip among 20 big cities so far this August, per state of the industry data, first reported by WUSA9.
- Last Monday, when Trump announced the takeover, D.C. saw a 16% drop in seated diners compared to 2024.
- They fell by 31% last Wednesday, as law enforcement mobilized, from last year. They're down 22%, as of Monday.
- By comparison, Aug. 8 — before Trump's announcement — saw a 19% increase in seated diners over last year.
Between the lines: D.C.'s Restaurant Week kicked off Monday — a bellwether of diner confidence.
- Several restaurateurs tell Axios business is still sluggish.
- Ashok Bajaj, who operates 10 D.C. restaurants, says reservations at ever-popular Rasika are down 20% from last year.
Yes, but: Other factors may contribute to the decrease. D.C.'s restaurant week started Aug. 12 last year — typically a busy time for restaurants — which could widen the gap when comparing last year's August data to now.
What they're saying: "There's no uptick," Bajaj tells Axios. "I don't know whether it's the National Guard or soft economy. They just didn't pick up."
What I'm hearing: One DMV restaurateur, who spoke with Axios anonymously because he feared for his staff, said since the start of Trump's federal takeover, D.C. business has dropped while their suburban locations held steady.
- The restaurateur said their immigrant employees are scared to come to work due to ICE crackdowns and aggressive detentions.
- And in heavy enforcement areas like 14th Street, some restaurant traffic has crashed. One owner says Saturday business saw a sharp drop after a checkpoint and detentions nearby.
What we're watching: Whether September brings a rebound — or if federal crackdowns deepen the slump in D.C.'s dining economy.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the dates of restaurant week last year versus this year.