Restaurants with booths?

Question

I’m looking for a date-night/birthday restaurant that has booths. I know double-side booths are rare and I’ve been combing through Yelp review photos and not surprisingly I’m not seeing much. Any recommendations? Cuisines preference would be Mediterranean or Middle-Eastern, but open to any nice spots with the rare booth!!

Answer

Finding a date-night or birthday spot in Washington DC with booths—especially double-sided booths—can be a bit of a hunt, but there are several restaurants that fit the bill while offering great ambiance and excellent cuisine. Since you’re open to Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or other upscale cuisines, here’s a curated list:

Mediterranean / Middle Eastern options with booths:

Zaytinya – Located near Penn Quarter, this modern Mediterranean restaurant offers mezzanine seating and some cozy booths along the perimeter. The ambiance is upscale yet lively, perfect for a special occasion.
Ambar – In Capitol Hill and now in other locations, Ambar specializes in Balkan/Mediterranean cuisine with several booth options. They offer a tasting menu, which works nicely for a celebratory dinner.
Levant – This Middle Eastern spot in DC has booths along one side and provides a relaxed yet intimate setting with flavorful mezzes and mains.

Other upscale options with booths worth considering:

RPM Italian – Near CityCenterDC, RPM Italian has several plush booths perfect for a date night or birthday celebration.
Founding Farmers – While more casual, Founding Farmers offers multiple booths and a warm atmosphere. They focus on American cuisine with farm-to-table offerings, great for brunch or dinner.
Iron Gate – Located in Dupont Circle, Iron Gate has a romantic ambiance with some booth seating and beautiful courtyard dining for an intimate evening.
Little Sesame – For something casual yet stylish, some Middle Eastern fast-casual spots like Little Sesame may have booths suitable for a smaller, cozy meal.

Tips for getting a booth:

Always make a reservation and request a booth explicitly—especially if it’s a special birthday or date night.
Weekends are busy, so midweek dinners might give you better booth options without long wait times.
If a double-sided booth is important, confirm with the restaurant beforehand, as photos online may not reflect current layouts after renovations.

These restaurants balance great food, a special ambiance, and the comfort of booth seating, making them excellent picks for your occasion in DC.