Your guide to "Feast of the Seven Fishes" around D.C.
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L'Ardente pulls out the seafood stops for its luxurious Feast of the Seven Fishes. Photo: Courtesy L'Ardente
D.C. restaurants are rolling out "Feast of the Seven Fishes" menus for the holidays.
Why it matters: It's a Christmas Eve tradition, but dates vary. Reservations are key.
Anna's thought bubble: This Italian-American tradition is one of my favorites — especially when someone else is doing the cooking.
- I've attempted the whole multi-course meal (yes, including a salt-baked branzino). Trust me: Let the pros handle it.
To the feasts!
🦪 Hank's Oyster Bar (Dupont, The Wharf, Alexandria): New England-style three-course feasts feature chowder, lobster Wellington and more. $78 pp (or à la carte), Dec. 1–24
🍾 L'Ardente (East End): A glam, seven-day feast with luxe bites: king crab, lobster pasta and Dover sole. $125 pp, Dec. 17–23 and Christmas Eve
🦀 The Salt Line (Ballston): The seafood house's four-course, family-style feast stars seasonal dishes like roasted oysters and king crab agnolotti. $85 pp, Dec. 22-23
🥂 Centrolina (Downtown): Chef Amy Brandwein's modern Italian feast spans five family-style courses — think oysters with 'nduja, cockle pasta and wood-fired octopus. $160 pp, Dec. 24
🐟 Cordelia Fishbar (Union Market): The new restaurant serves a five-course, family-style spread of raw, dry-aged and charcoal-grilled dishes like lobster salad, stuffed calamari and roasted branzino. $95 pp, Dec. 24
🔥 Iron Gate (Dupont Circle): Go for four, family-style courses in the historic carriage house or by the outdoor fire pits, featuring razor clams casino and hearth-roasted bass. $125 pp, Dec. 24
🍝 Cucina Morini (Mt. Vernon Triangle): Chef Matt Adler dishes up a festive Southern Italian three-course menu. $65 pp, Dec. 24
🌱 Motorkat (Takoma Park): Go meatless with chef Danny Wells' seven fishes or "seven veggies" menus — both with seasonal, wood-grilled items. $65 (veggie), $85 seafood, Dec. 24