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  5. Southwest Waterfront
La Vie, Washington, DC

La Vie

4.5
4.5
3341 Reviews
$31 to $50
Mediterranean
La Vie is restaurant that specializes in Coastal Cuisine. The spacious waterfront terrace provides exclusive access to incredible views and decor.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 54 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Seafood, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Hours of operation
    Mon 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Bar Sat, Sun 2:30 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 560-5501
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Neighborhood
    Southwest Waterfront
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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What 3,341 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • District of Columbia

    Great for scenic views

  • District of Columbia

    Mediterranean

3,341 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience2
    The food and service were great. There was a fan that was blowing right on us that was uncomfortably cold. We had to ask several times for it to be shut off.

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food4service4ambience4
    Way too expensive for what it is worth; wouldn’t recommend it

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I highly recommend this restaurant. The ambience and service were incredible!

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience5
    Think the prices compared to quality of food and drink made the Penthouse experience two stars. Staff seemed overwhelmed, but they were excellent.

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  5. RobinE

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My favorite place in all of DC. Warm, beautiful with the best customer service. The lamp chops are to die for and don't get me started on the cotton candy wrapped baked Alaska. Chefs Kiss.

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  6. EthanN

    Los Angeles

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I've avoided all you can eat brunches as I've gotten older and didn't realize when I made my reservation for brunch that that was the only option. But, I have to say, what a pleasant surprise! My companion and I consumed well over a dozen breakfast tapas over the course of two hours. All very good, some really excellent. And we left feeling pleasantly sated but not stuffed. I've already recommended the experience to friends, and will definitely return when in DC. An elegant, spacious restaurant with excellent service and food. Special shoutout to our server, Javier T.

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  7. AmandaS

    Denver

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic experience! I wanted to scope this place out for my little sister’s bridal shower and I can tell you I will definitely be booking our event here. Carlos was amazing and all the food was phenomenal! I highly recommend this experience. Thank you Tony for taking the time you show me around!

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  8. JoshuaAunt

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    LaVie never disappoints. Food impeccable. Extensive variety. Perfect window seating. Will revisit. Parking hard to find.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We celebrated our Anniversary here today and it was an incredible experience. The view of the wharf was spectacular. The ambiance of the restaurant was gorgeous. We were greeted by a card for our Anniversary, and additionally were given a dessert with a sparkler in it and drinks. The brunch was excellent. A great variety of delightful dishes. And our waiter provided exceptional customer service.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome, but over priced! Food and drinks are fantastic but you have to be willing to open your wallet and let them grab!!! Greedy!

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  11. eatdc7

    Washington DC

    14 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience5
    The oysters were pathetic and really expensive. 15 dollar bottles of water and overpriced wine. The main courses were delicious and the service was great, maybe a bit too attentive. All in all not worth the money

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Over priced. Food was good. I learned more from the waiter of the table next to us than ours.

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  13. CatriaM

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    The food was terrific, the salmon was moist and cooked perfectly. The lamb chops were to die for... I love the mash potatoes. It was a 10 out of 10.

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  14. Charles1

    St. Louis

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on October 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fun area, really good restaurant, great service. Guests were impressed.

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was my second time at La Vie. My first experience was brunch for my birthday and we had a great time. I came back for dinner and my expectations were exceeded! The ambiance, service and food were superb. I will most definitely be back for numerous occasions.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is our favorite place in all of DC. We went here on our first date, night we got engaged, our first anniversary and tonight for our friend passing the bar

    Is this helpful?

  17. SteveT

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 3, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    The food is amazing. It may have the best desserts in DC. The decor is fantastic, as are the views. La Vie is fine dining and priced accordingly. I've been perhaps 5 times and the food has been phenomenal. But I recalled last night that I've felt duped there before. I know DC passed an unusual minimum wage law for servers -- which as I recall was opposed by a lot of servers. I also know there were COVID-era surcharges. My bill for dinner for two, one glass of wine, and one dessert was $175. That's fine and expected. But added were: 20% service charge ($35); DC Tax ($21); Surcharge 4% ($7). Is the 20% service charge the tip? It's unclear to me and everyone I've asked has opinions but doesn't really know. I'm fine if a 20% tip is added automatically as long as I know the server is receiving all of it. Unless service is remarkable bad, I have been tipping 25% since COVID. So, on balance, a server would be getting a smaller tip from me at 20%. But my sense is La Vie is taking the money. La Vie management will hopefully respond to my post and explain. If La Vie is using the service charge to pay the minimum wage, then my service charge alone pays for 2 hours of wages for the 1 1/2 hours I was there -- not counting the other tables the server served. If it's the server's tip, then say it's the tip. If La Vie is going to add $63 to my $175 food bill, then that should be disclosed up front, including what the money is going towards and whether that includes the tip. I want the servers to be treated fairly and get their tips. But don't ruin my experience by making me feel like I've been scammed.

    2 people found this helpful

  18. JenniferB

    Philadelphia

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing experience!!!!! Loved it! The view was spectacular as was the food

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Booked brunch for my friend’s birthday. They absolutely loved the whole experience and the food. Would love to go back again

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience2
    Great food. Crazy loud (music + patrons). Line for elevator to get in was long and frustrating. Didn't honor reservation time. Wait service was great.

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  21. AKAKA

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Great service and location. Food and drinks were okay.

    Is this helpful?

  22. Cranberries

    Washington DC

    94 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    94 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Gorgeous view, superior wait staff, outstanding food.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is always delicious and the service is always great.

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  24. KarenH

    Austin

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Lovely setting with beautiful views. Service was fine. Food was pretty good, but expensive. There was a cumulative 24% in service charges added to the bill, and with tip on top of that we ended up paying more than $300 for an appetizer, two of the least expensive entrees and two drinks apiece.

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  25. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful venue, first time for me and my friend, I’m definitely coming back with my husband, our server was excellent his name was Nery ( sorry if I spelled it wrong) he was very kind and attentive, the whole experience was great, the only think that was kind of frustrating was the parking situation… I know has nothing to do with La Vie, but I strongly recommend to take an Uber 🙂

    Is this helpful?

  26. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and food was made to perfection!

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Dining experience was great. The surcharge of 20% on top of tip should be removed. I know this is a DC thing but it will deter me from eating out in DC going forward.

    1 person found this helpful

  28. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Wonderful drinks, the service was fantastic and the view was…chef’s kiss! The only issue was a lack of vegetation or vegan options.

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  29. AsiaM

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this place! Everything just kept getting better and better! I celebrated my 34th at La Vie with a friend and we were both so impressed from start to finish. Each cocktail was perfectly balanced, our appetizer (the lamb hummus) was so full of flavor and beautifully presented, and both of our entrees became more unbelievable with every bite! I highly recommend the branzino filets. Dessert was the cotton candy baked Alaska and oh my, words fail me. The service was INCREDIBLE. From the hostess to our amazing server, Gustavo, and everyone in between. Everyone made me feel so special on my special day and none of the many personal details were overlooked - down to the hand signed birthday card from the manager. Wow! Wow! Wow! Overall it was a well chauffeured and lavish excursion to flavor town! 10/10 would recommend!

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  30. Jennkg

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    Food was absolutely amazing! Literally the brussel sprout side was the best I’ve ever had! Tuna tartare is also, a MUST. The service was quite slow between drink orders and checking out. But otherwise, the staff was very pleasant and the experience was wonderful! Will dine again!

    Is this helpful?

  31. BobbyS

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, fantastic service, gorgeous view, beautiful decor.

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  32. KarenW

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Great experience for a professional dinner after a work conference.

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  33. ReginaJ

    Washington DC

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent restaurant! BEST on The Wharf in every way!

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Good food and good service. Prices were a bit expensive on food and drinks.

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  35. YvonneT

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great special occasion restaurant. Dood and service were great. We had the scallops, lamb chops and salmon, which were all excellent.

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  36. LeslieD

    Washington DC

    19 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Food was delicious, gorgeous view and attentive service. However, I had mentioned we were celebrating a special occasion, thinking they might offer a complimentary dessert. When they brought a tiny but delicious dessert at the end of the meal, I was delighted until I saw they had charged us $15 for it on the already incredibly expensive bill.

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Prices were high and didn’t reflect the meal. Can only pay but just so much for ambience.

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    The venue was amazing, ambiance was amazing, the service was GREAT, however food was ok for the price. I do love how you can order whatever you want as many times as you’d like but there were some things that weren’t to my liking… however, someone else might love. Overall a good experience 🥰

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  39. Kstreet202

    Washington DC

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    On the check, it had a 20% service charge And a 4% surcharge! I assume the service charge was gratuity and would have paid that anyway. But the 4% surcharge is out of control. This needs to be disclosed with an explanation.

    1 person found this helpful

  40. TinaJ

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall2food5service3ambience3
    Location is great with spectacular views, and food was delicious. However, we overall didn't enjoy it. We had to wait 30 minutes past our reservation to be seated. They were way overbooked. Our server was great, but someone forgot our entrees. Drinks and apps came out quickly, but then we waited forever to get food. Server involved manager and while he was apologetic, nothing else was offered. Given all of that, the experience wasn't great and way overpriced.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

La Vie is rated 4.5 stars by 3341 OpenTable diners.

La Vie does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 54 times today
Google Map for La Vie

88 District Sq SW, Washington, DC 20024

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Southwest Waterfront
  • Hours of operation
    Mon 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Bar Sat, Sun 2:30 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Seafood, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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