Pesce was amazing! The owner greeted us and was so kind. Love supporting a business where the owner really cares and works to make sure you have a great experience. Our server was super fun and nice and attentive. They have the best lobster bisque on the planet, hands down. They put it as the base of their lobster/mussel/shrimp dish which was amazing. I had the lobster risotto and it was perfect. The lobster was delicate, the risotto was that absolutely perfect texture righttttt beyond al dente. Risotto is hard to nail, but it was perfect. They pack all their dishes with plenty of herbs and flavor. Highly highly recommend coming here! read more

Seafood and pasta -- this combo is perfect! I celebrated my birthday here with fam and friends, and the staff here were so accommodating and friendly. The restaurant is relatively small so make sure you have a reservation. Decor is modern and nautical-themed. For my appetizer, I had the lobster bisque. It surely was not the greatest bisque I've had. While there were lobster chunks in the soup, the overall taste of the bisque was a miss for me. For my entree, I had the Whole Main Lobster with Linguine Shrimp. I opted for the Pomodoro with Pink Sauce. This dish had just the right seasoning. The seafood was tender -- not tough. Just an all around great dish! If I didn't live so far, I'd visit more often! Try it for yourself -- cheers! read more

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Fun dining room and strong menu in a competitive neighbourhood. Date night dinner with my wife trying a new place. The good: the dining areas are split into smaller rooms and have a nice intimate feel with fun décor. The menu has a mix of fun items dramatically plated (I had the squid ink risotto). The service was also friendly and frequent it can be hard to get good service in DC so it is always refreshing when there is a friendly and helpful staff. The bad: the first dining room is immediately adjacent to the entryway and a bit tight so if seated there it can be a more hectic experience when larger parties checkin. The mediocre: pricing is fair and on par for the area, but the area is a bit pricy. That said portions are quite good so the bill is not going to surprise anyone used to eating in the city. A nice date spot or dining room for small parties. On par for the neighbourhood. read more

Pesce Seafood House - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Small intimate dinner restaurant. Service was quick and personable which was a welcome sentiment in a smaller restaurant. The lobster pasta was so good and a generous portion and will have me come back again and again! I REALLY hope this place stays around for a while as the service was awesome and friendly but most importantly the food was good! read more

Pesce Seafood House - Seafood pasta - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Every time I come to Washington DC, I always make a stop at this amazing restaurant. It is so beautiful, decor designed by the artist/owner, and the food is amazing. I always hit it twice to make sure I can sample more of the menu. It is a must stop read more

Pesce Seafood House - Lobster risotto. - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a great restaurant! It took a minute to get a reservation, but it was worth the wait! The host was phenomenal and made us feel right at home. The atmosphere is fun and inviting, preparing everyone for a great evening. The server was very attentive to our drink needs and our preferences on meal choices. The crab cakes were so good, fresh and served piping hot. So good! The appetizers and entrees were quick and served at just the right times. The food was delicious and really helped top off the evening. Highly recommend! read more

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It's a hidden gem, that's right on the corner of the neighborhood street. You won't expect it from the sidewalk, but it has the different dining rooms and a bar -- but all serviced by the same excellent service. High praise for their clan linguini, which we order extra bread just to sop up the deliciousness. read more

Pesce is quaint but she definitely packs a punch. She's an establishment that has clearly built a loyal fan base over the years as she looked to have a few regulars dine in to this seemingly less than 20 seat restaurant. Tired of fast pass dining with servers that make you feel like they just want you to leave as soon as possible, then come to Pesce. Everything feels authentic from the food to the service, so much so that you'll definitely be back for more. On top of that the food is solid too; sardines check, lobster risotto check! FYI: they're open 7 days a week and they have a happy hour everyday from 4pm-6pm. read more

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I enjoyed the three course meal from start to finish. The lobster bisque was exceptional, made with brandy and easily the best I have had to date. The second course, a swordfish mango ceviche, was fresh and well balanced, followed by a lobster risotto for the final course. Each course was paired with a different wine tasting, which elevated the experience. Since it's my birthday I was gifted their key lime pie and it was delectable. The service was attentive and the atmosphere quaint and inviting. James took great care of me. The only drawback was the cold draft from the door, which made the dining room a bit uncomfortable at times. Even so, I would gladly return. read more

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Better than I expected! When I saw the reviews in Yelp I was thinking this would be a nice place to just go have dinner alone and enjoy my own company. It's been that kind of a year! Well, I'll be returning with my mother next month for my birthday! The place is bigger than it looks while still being intimate. Attentive and friendly customer service. And the food. The food! So yummy!! The lobster pasta is FULL of seafood!!! Do the 3 course dinner with wine pairing. You won't regret it. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience at Pesce! The ambiance is fabulous whether it's a first night out or a date night! The place is small but that's what makes it perfect! Service is impeccable! The amazing owner was involved every step of the way and made it a truly memorable experience! Now the big question - the food! Freaking amazing! The mango ceviche was EVERYTHING! A little sweet, a little spice and super fresh seafood! We ordered the lobster risotto and lobster pasta and the portions were huge and flavor was even bigger! It's legit our new go to restaurant! We can't wait to go back!! read more

Pesce Seafood House - Lobster risotto - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My wife and I visited Pesce Seafood House for her birthday based on the Yelp reviews. We are so glad we did! Here is what we liked: - We made it there 15 minutes before happy hour ended, so we were able to get some special drink and appetizer pricing. - The restaurant is beautiful, with artwork throughout... It really gave you the feel of the sea. - The menu is so broad with so many raw bar, grilled, fried, and other options that we had a hard time choosing - The food was exceptional. We started with a ceviche appetizer and also sardines...both were very good. For our meals, my wife got the scallops with spinach, and I got the lobster roll and swapped in spinach for the french fries. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and the lobster roll, which could be prepared in one of two styles, was so nice and buttery. The spinach also was excellent. - They presented my wife with a key lime dessert with a candle on top for her birthday. It was very tasty. - Service was great....attentive but not overbearing. Note: They automatically add a 20% gratuity on your bill. Bottom line: Pesce Seafood House is a gem...we would go back in a minute. read more

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I chanced upon this place by accident as I didn't want to travel far in the cold. This may have been the best overall experience I've had in a restaurant in DC, definitely top 3. Top notch service and amazing food. The branzino was absolutely wonderful. The owner was tending the bar. No hint of corporate snobbery, just a really friendly family run place. read more

Pesce Seafood House - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Can't say enough good things a out this restaurant. Instantly one of my top picks in DC. Best branzino I've had in my life and I've had branzino all over the world. There's so much tot ry on the menu. The owner and her staff waited on us and we're a delight. Wine pairing option was a great value as well. We'll definitely be back....so so good read more

Interesting design, good service, and food very nice especially shrimp, good place if you want some alcoholic read more

Pesce Seafood House - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The owner greeted us, the servers are fantastic, food is amazing, not only are they delicious but the portion size is amazing! 10 out of 10!

Yelp doesn't let one rate in fractional points, so I'm going with a five for Pesce vs. a four. It's much closer to 5 than 4, though not perfect. My friend was in town and wanting seafood so I did some Yelp research and found Pesce. It seemed a tad pricey but the food was very good. I started with the grilled calamari, which was good but not as flavorful as it might have been. I probably should have asked for an extra lemon wedge on top of the one that I used. My lobster risotto was really excellent. Plenty of lobster and plenty of lobster flavor to the rice. My friend raved about the scallop special. I think it was diver scallops with a sweet potato and butter sauce served with sweet potatoes. My favorite part of the meal, though, was the key lime parfait. It was like key lime mousse in a cup with a tiny amount of crust at the bottom. I could eat that every day. My friend had an affogato for dessert and seemed to like it. I was too focused on my key lime parfait to focus. I believe we were served by both the hostess and a male waiter. Her enthusiasm was impressive. She obviously loves what she does and that added to the experience for us. We agreed that we'd come back again. Wheelchair accessibility notes: The restuarant is comprised of a lot of small rooms, but I think they'd be accommodating about moving tables to make room for a wheelchair user. There is a nice unisex wheelchair accessible bathroom not far from the entry. I don't remember any steps to enter. My one caveat is that at the moment, there is construction going on at the intersection outside, so I think the curb cuts may be hard to access and the sidewalk has some obstructions. It may take some maneuvering to get in. read more

Ok.... Hands down one of the best WELCOMES we have received in a restaurant!! The owner Judita greets you with her warm and friendly personality that makes you feel like you are family!! Now over to the food!!! I usually start off with Caesar salad which of course was delicious!! The corn bread mini muffins were such a good starter treat!! We had grilled calamari as an appetizer and it was yummy!! If you are watching your weight that is a great option if you are trying to stay away from fried foods!! Hubby had the squid ink risotto and MAN it was such an enjoyable treat to every tastebuds in your mouth!! Don't judge that book by its cover... You HAVE TO try it!!! I had the Maine lobster and mussels and it was pretty much a lobster bisque base with tons of mussels, a good piece of lobster claw, and shrimp in there!! Thoroughly satisfied with it!! We finished with affogato for dessert which is always a win in my book!! Love me a good affogato and this came with a macaron for a nice sweet treat!! Overall, it is definitely worth going and coming back!! Thank you Pesce for a great experience! read more

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! read more

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This place is so cool! It has a very chill esthetic. Intimate and welcoming. The service creates a feeling of inclusivity. The food was superb. This is a fish restaurant and the ingredients are fresh. The flavor is reminiscent of sitting at the table of a family member who is a chef yet passionate about infusing culture into the dish. I am definitely going back this week n read more

Pesce Seafood House - Cod - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The service was precise and attentive without being intrusive. The dining room was spotless. Our server knew the menu inside and out and paced everything well. The lobster bisque was deeply flavorful and balanced, easily the best I've had. The sardines were fresh and clean tasting. The affogato and the key lime mousse were the right finish, light, bright, and not overly sweet. read more

This place is so unassuming... subtle entrance on a busy corner... Truly wonderful food and service--frankly I'm not sure which was better. I've lived a block away for years and regret having never dined here. Judita, who I believe is the owner, checked on us many times. She clearly loves her restaurant and cares about customers. The food was excellent. I had swordfish ceviche to start. It was just perfect. My lobster/shrimp main was also excellent. Bonus was that it was a big portion, so I got to take half home. The ambiance is welcoming. It's obviously a restaurant, but you feel like you're at a cool aunt's house. Thanks, Judita and team (especially James!) read more

$$-$$$. 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!!! read more

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Fantastic seafood restaurant! I loved the ambiance of the place, it was very nice! We were seated in a back dining area that ended up emptying out by the time we got our appetizer which was even better. We got the mermaid tower first which was delicious and then I got the crab cakes and asparagus and my boyfriend for the lobster risotto. The crab cakes were so good and filling and the asparagus had the perfect amount of crunch! I had a tasted of the risotto as well and it was delicious! Our waiter was very attentive and let us know when he was leaving and that the owner would be finishing our service which was also very nice! A great evening and I would definitely recommend! read more

Pesce Seafood House - Crab Cake - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place is simply fantastic. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff, owner checks in on the tables - informed us that the squid ink risotto was a generational recipe (it was delicious and that's so cool!), overall design is cozy with a lively atmosphere but you're still able to hear each other across the table. Lovely wine selection, we did a brut rose and were not disappointed! Pricing on the wine was reasonable. The lobster bisque was perfect. I love a good lobster bisque and the sherry, cream, lobster just came together perfectly. Top marks. Scallops were cooked to perfection. We'll assuredly be back! read more

For our first visit to this restaurant, we tried one of our favourite dishes the lobster roll. While the roll was served with large chunks of lobster, but too dry. Maybe they had been cooked too long ago. The dish was served with a large quantity of fries, a bit too salty. The service was quite good and efficient. This small restaurant with its space divided into three main sections is nevertheless worth a visit. read more

Pesce Seafood House - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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First of all, Judita is a wonderful owner and hostess! It is clear that she takes great pride in her fresh seafood and beautiful restaurant, which brings the experience of Portugal to the Chocolate City. She curated our dining selections, and I was blown away by the quality and preparation of the seafood. We started with all the oysters and the swordfish ceviche, which was served in a delicate mango citrus sauce that set the tone for the rest of the meal. The wine pairings were perfect. We enjoyed a selection of fresh oysters (four different varieties) and oysters Rockefeller made with spinach. Next, we had a beautifully grilled octopus on a bed of arugula, lightly dressed and grilled to perfection, and a delicate fish dish accompanied by asparagus. For dessert, we savored the most balanced and creamy key lime dessert I've ever had, paired with a lovely 40-year port (we also tried the 20-year port). The attentive wait staff--shout out to our server from Nola and Judita, who were knowledgeable and gracious--enhanced the entire dining experience. It was such a pleasant and memorable experience that I'm planning a trip to Portugal this summer. However, tomorrow, I will be back at Pesce! If you're in the DC area, treat yourself to some of the freshest and beautifully prepared seafood, along with exceptional hospitality in the city! Enjoy! read more

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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 read more

Pesce Seafood House - Wine - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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. read more

Pesce Seafood House - Branzino ($47) - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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From the moment you walk in to heading home the service was excellent. The food was amazing. Everything we ordered were cooked perfectly. We miss the food we had in Portugal and we thought this was the perfect place to eat them again on New Year's eve. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Definitely make a reservation before coming here. Plan where to park your car since it is in DC. read more

Amazing seafood food, service and atmosphere! Love the owner who is also the artist/interior designer of her restaurant. She is there most evenings and she is the X-factor for me! A lovely person who cares about her customers experience...very rare these days, sadly. Highly recommend this restaurant! read more

5 stars easily! There are so many choices in Dupont Circle and we lucked out with Pesce! Judita, the owner is so friendly and her recommendations are fantastic! We had lobster bisque, branzino and risotto with squid ink. Fresh, delicious and excellently prepared! What a great start for our DC trip! read more

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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! read more

Pesce Seafood House - Scallops - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Good service and amazing interior design. Love the little fish logo! Food is also nice. read more

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Great spot! Service was excellent, the team was warm and attentive. Loved the ambience -- cozy but lively. Had the sardines to start (delicious) and the lobster pasta, which was rich and flavorful. Definitely a go-to for seafood in DC -- I'll be back. read more

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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. read more

We had an amazing dinner at Pesce last night. The owner was so lovely and welcoming. The restaurant was so warm and inviting with fun fish art. The food was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. We had the oysters, octopus & sardines for appetizers. And the crab cakes and lobster risotto for mains. Everything was excellent. Highly recommend. Will definitely go back when in town. read more

Pesce Seafood House - Grilled Sardine Appetizer - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food was excellent. Ambiance was cozy and pleasant. Cute artwork adorns the dining area. Table setting is artful. Dinnerware is regularly renewed as each course is served. Service was friendly, detail oriented and unobtrusive. read more

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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. read more

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This place is awesome! I don't know where to start, so all I can say is if you like seafood, out side of fish and chips, try this place. This will be a go to restaurant for me from now on when I'm in DC. read more