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A three-tiered silver seafood tower.
Le Diplomate’s opulent seafood tower sets back diners $195.
Kelci Alane Photography

Where to Splurge on Seafood Towers in D.C.

D.C. loves to shell out for fancy shellfish

by Claudia Rosenbaum, Tierney Plumb, and Eater Staff Updated
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Le Diplomate’s opulent seafood tower sets back diners $195.
| Kelci Alane Photography
by Claudia Rosenbaum, Tierney Plumb, and Eater Staff Updated

D.C. diners love to indulge, whether it be to impress a client, celebrate a special occasion, or just to flex. Shelling out big bucks for towering, multi-plate seafood platters from a raw bar is one of the best ways to splurge, especially considering local riches of oysters, clams, and other seafood.

Here are 16 picks for some of the top towers around town.

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BlackSalt

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Blacksalt offers two equally delicious towers: “La Petite” ($95) stars 10 oysters, four cocktail shrimp, mussels, and crab, while “La Grande” ($135) comes with 18 oysters, six cocktail shrimp, mussels, crab, and four market options. But both allow for the choice of two market items: sea scallop ceviche, passion fruit, lime ahi tuna poke, oysters Rockefeller, shrimp tempura, and seared sea scallops.

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
202 342 9101
202 342 9101

Also featured in:

The Imperial

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Jack Rose’s glamorous next-door offshoot pairs its raw bar delicacies with vintage spirits and a cocktail menu full of low-proof and “cobblered” drinks. Splurge on the namesake “Imperial” crab feast tower ($118), featuring tiers of blackened blue claws, five Jonah jumbo claws, snow crab legs, four shrimp and crab rolls, homemade crab rangoons, and a cast iron skillet of piping hot crab dip with baby shrimp and scallops. The towers come with Old Bay saltine crackers, baguettes, drawn butter, and a variety of seasoning spices. Best yet, the Imperial hosts a “Tower Hour” on Wednesdays (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), when any crab fest tower purchase comes with a bottle of wine for $10.

2001 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 299-0334
(202) 299-0334

Also featured in:

Randy's Prime Seafood & Steaks

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The namesake steakhouse for Great American Restaurants patriarch Randy Norton emphasizes the finer things: wagyu steaks, highly rated wines, and seafood on ice. Iced presentations range from a $37 platter to a $79 tower and a $128 triple-decker variety. The latter comes with 18 oysters, nine local Chincoteague, Virginia, clams, nine shrimp, mussels, tuna tartare, a 1-pound Maine lobster, blood orange mignonette, and Grand Marnier aioli.

8051 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 552-5110
(703) 552-5110
The bar at Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks has a bigger selection of spirits than most GAR restaurants.
The bar at Randy’s Prime
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Le Diplomate

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Stephen Starr’s perennially packed 14th Street NW brasserie offers two baller seafood towers. For $195, get a stunning selection of local oysters, steamed Blue Bay mussels, whole lobster, snow crab, Alaskan king crab, razor clams with a curry vinaigrette, Old bay-dusted prawns, jumbo lump crab, scallop crudo with hazelnut passion fruit, salmon tartare, and top neck clams. It’s all served with red wine mignonette and French cocktail sauce. Customers can also buy the petit plateau, aimed at serving up to three, for $125.

1601 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 332-3333
(202) 332-3333
A seafood tower with three silver tiers.
Le Dip’s abundant seafood tower.
Kelci Alane Photography

Also featured in:

Hank's Oyster Bar (Multiple locations)

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Hank’s, known for its urban coastal vibes and cool drinks, serves an award-winning plateau that piles on oysters and middleneck clams on the half shell, chilled jumbo shrimp, seafood ceviche, mussels escabeche, and chilled Maine lobster. The small serves up to two ($75) and the large serves up to four ($142). Available at all three area locations. Drift over to the Dupont original during the month of July for surf tunes, coastal drinks, and seafood at its new pop-up sand bar.

1624 Q St NW #100, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4265
(202) 462-4265

Also featured in:

Pastis

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Surrounded in subway tiles, a curved zinc bar, and vintage mirrors, the acclaimed bistro out of NYC brought French flair to the Union Market district this year. The D.C. edition showcases a “Plat De Fruits De Mer” with oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, and jumbo crab for $99.

1323 4th Street Northeast, Washington, District of Columbia 20002

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King Street Oyster Bar

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This NoMa raw bar serves a “Mermaid Tower” ($95) with enough shellfish for two to four people. A half chilled lobster steals the show, followed by four jumbo shrimp, six raw oysters, six middleneck clams, a half-pound of garlic mussels, Peruvian ceviche, and jumbo lump crab topper. It’s also available at its City Ridge, Leesburg, Middleburg, Potomac, Middleburg, and Potomac locales.

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-8513
(202) 621-8513

Also featured in:

Bourbon Steak DC

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Bourbon Steak's tower is a bounty of local and American seafood that changes depending on the season and the market. The towering shellfish tower comes two ways: served ice cold with four oysters, four shrimp, six clams, a half Maine lobster and a quarter-pound of snow crab with tuna tartare for $175. The cast iron-broiled version with hot miso butter runs $155. 

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Bourbon Steak/official photo

Also featured in:

Fiola Mare

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The glitzy Georgetown Harbor mainstay presents a luxe plateau fit for the Amalfi Coast (ideal for one or two people) overflowing with oysters, clams, mussels, Oishii shrimp, hamachi crudo, tuna ’nduja, and Maine lobster Catalana for $135. The bigger option, suited for three to four diners, is $230. 

3050 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 628-0065
(202) 628-0065

Also featured in:

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

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Downtown’s go-to power spot for fresh seafood calls its tower the “Whale” and it comes with King crab, lobster, jumbo shrimp, and oysters on the half shell. 

750 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 489-0140
(202) 489-0140

Also featured in:

Old Ebbitt Grill

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This big-ticket “Poseidon Platter” comes stocked with one 1-pound lobster, jumbo lump crabmeat salad, Sterling Pacific white sturgeon caviar, 24 oysters, 12 jumbo shrimp, and 12 littleneck clams for $269.99. Or feast on the “Neptune” featuring 24 oysters, 12 jumbo shrimp, and 12 littleneck clams for $136.99. Pro tip: the two-tiered platter drops in price during Old Ebbitt’s famed Oyster Hour. It’s half-off between 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

675 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 347-4800
(202) 347-4800

Also featured in:

Café Riggs

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The posh Penn Quarter hotel’s two-tier “Plateau” comes loaded with seemingly endless delicacies: 12 oysters with kombu mignonette, cocktail sauce, and grated horseradish; 12 shrimp cocktail poached in court bouillon; a delicious smoked trout roe served over whipped Greek yogurt with mixed herbs and cured cucumber; tuna tartare in a soy marinade with chive; and lemon rockfish ceviche marinated with mixed citrus, pickled melon, red onion, crispy quinoa, and cilantro. The whole shebang arrives with homemade potato chips. 

900 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 788-2800
(202) 788-2800

Also featured in:

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

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This Southwest Waterfront hot spot, located in a restored oyster shed steps away from the Maine Avenue Fish Market, has small ($80) and large ($154) seafood tower options. Both come with oysters, littleneck clams, shrimp cocktail, ceviche, mussels escabeche, scallops, and salmon roe. The large version simply doubles up on portions.

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-0572
(202) 484-0572

Also featured in:

Makers Union

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Thompson Hospitality’s DMV-wide American tavern, with locations at the Wharf, Reston, Arlington, and Cathedral Heights, cutely calls its seafood platter a “sea-cuterie” board. The underwater spread features a half-pound poached lobster tail, local oysters, jumbo shrimp, jumbo lump cocktail, warm butter, cocktail sauce, and champagne mignonette, all served on ice for a cool $90.

664 Maine Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 864-6396
(202) 864-6396

The Salt Line

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This acclaimed seafood spot with three outposts (Navy Yard, Bethesda and Ballston) puts out two mouthwatering sizes of seafood towers. The “Kraken” serves up to three ($150) and the “Leviathan” serves up to six ($195). Each tower comes with oysters, shrimp cocktail, middleneck clams, crab legs, lobster, and an assortment of daily “goodies” that vary at each locale. Bethesda’s chef Eric McKamey is currently serving mussels escabeche, salmon roe, and rockfish tartare.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368

Also featured in:

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The Point

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D.C.’s prized riverfront destination perfectly situated between the Potomac and Anacostia offers a reasonably priced chilled seafood platter for $62. It comes with six Chesapeake oysters, four jumbo shrimp, a half-pound lobster, cocktail sauce, and mignonette. The thick fries add a nice touch to the priceless view.

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 948-2522
(202) 948-2522

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BlackSalt

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Blacksalt offers two equally delicious towers: “La Petite” ($95) stars 10 oysters, four cocktail shrimp, mussels, and crab, while “La Grande” ($135) comes with 18 oysters, six cocktail shrimp, mussels, crab, and four market options. But both allow for the choice of two market items: sea scallop ceviche, passion fruit, lime ahi tuna poke, oysters Rockefeller, shrimp tempura, and seared sea scallops.

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
202 342 9101
202 342 9101

The Imperial

2001 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Jack Rose’s glamorous next-door offshoot pairs its raw bar delicacies with vintage spirits and a cocktail menu full of low-proof and “cobblered” drinks. Splurge on the namesake “Imperial” crab feast tower ($118), featuring tiers of blackened blue claws, five Jonah jumbo claws, snow crab legs, four shrimp and crab rolls, homemade crab rangoons, and a cast iron skillet of piping hot crab dip with baby shrimp and scallops. The towers come with Old Bay saltine crackers, baguettes, drawn butter, and a variety of seasoning spices. Best yet, the Imperial hosts a “Tower Hour” on Wednesdays (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), when any crab fest tower purchase comes with a bottle of wine for $10.

2001 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 299-0334
(202) 299-0334

Randy's Prime Seafood & Steaks

8051 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182

The namesake steakhouse for Great American Restaurants patriarch Randy Norton emphasizes the finer things: wagyu steaks, highly rated wines, and seafood on ice. Iced presentations range from a $37 platter to a $79 tower and a $128 triple-decker variety. The latter comes with 18 oysters, nine local Chincoteague, Virginia, clams, nine shrimp, mussels, tuna tartare, a 1-pound Maine lobster, blood orange mignonette, and Grand Marnier aioli.

8051 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 552-5110
(703) 552-5110
The bar at Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks has a bigger selection of spirits than most GAR restaurants.
The bar at Randy’s Prime
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Le Diplomate

1601 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Stephen Starr’s perennially packed 14th Street NW brasserie offers two baller seafood towers. For $195, get a stunning selection of local oysters, steamed Blue Bay mussels, whole lobster, snow crab, Alaskan king crab, razor clams with a curry vinaigrette, Old bay-dusted prawns, jumbo lump crab, scallop crudo with hazelnut passion fruit, salmon tartare, and top neck clams. It’s all served with red wine mignonette and French cocktail sauce. Customers can also buy the petit plateau, aimed at serving up to three, for $125.

1601 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 332-3333
(202) 332-3333
A seafood tower with three silver tiers.
Le Dip’s abundant seafood tower.
Kelci Alane Photography

Hank's Oyster Bar (Multiple locations)

1624 Q St NW #100, Washington, DC 20009

Hank’s, known for its urban coastal vibes and cool drinks, serves an award-winning plateau that piles on oysters and middleneck clams on the half shell, chilled jumbo shrimp, seafood ceviche, mussels escabeche, and chilled Maine lobster. The small serves up to two ($75) and the large serves up to four ($142). Available at all three area locations. Drift over to the Dupont original during the month of July for surf tunes, coastal drinks, and seafood at its new pop-up sand bar.

1624 Q St NW #100, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4265
(202) 462-4265

Pastis

1323 4th Street Northeast, Washington, District of Columbia 20002

Surrounded in subway tiles, a curved zinc bar, and vintage mirrors, the acclaimed bistro out of NYC brought French flair to the Union Market district this year. The D.C. edition showcases a “Plat De Fruits De Mer” with oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, and jumbo crab for $99.

1323 4th Street Northeast, Washington, District of Columbia 20002

King Street Oyster Bar

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002

This NoMa raw bar serves a “Mermaid Tower” ($95) with enough shellfish for two to four people. A half chilled lobster steals the show, followed by four jumbo shrimp, six raw oysters, six middleneck clams, a half-pound of garlic mussels, Peruvian ceviche, and jumbo lump crab topper. It’s also available at its City Ridge, Leesburg, Middleburg, Potomac, Middleburg, and Potomac locales.

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-8513
(202) 621-8513

Bourbon Steak DC

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20007

Bourbon Steak's tower is a bounty of local and American seafood that changes depending on the season and the market. The towering shellfish tower comes two ways: served ice cold with four oysters, four shrimp, six clams, a half Maine lobster and a quarter-pound of snow crab with tuna tartare for $175. The cast iron-broiled version with hot miso butter runs $155. 

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Bourbon Steak/official photo

Fiola Mare

3050 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

The glitzy Georgetown Harbor mainstay presents a luxe plateau fit for the Amalfi Coast (ideal for one or two people) overflowing with oysters, clams, mussels, Oishii shrimp, hamachi crudo, tuna ’nduja, and Maine lobster Catalana for $135. The bigger option, suited for three to four diners, is $230. 

3050 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 628-0065
(202) 628-0065

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

750 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Downtown’s go-to power spot for fresh seafood calls its tower the “Whale” and it comes with King crab, lobster, jumbo shrimp, and oysters on the half shell. 

750 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 489-0140
(202) 489-0140

Old Ebbitt Grill

675 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

This big-ticket “Poseidon Platter” comes stocked with one 1-pound lobster, jumbo lump crabmeat salad, Sterling Pacific white sturgeon caviar, 24 oysters, 12 jumbo shrimp, and 12 littleneck clams for $269.99. Or feast on the “Neptune” featuring 24 oysters, 12 jumbo shrimp, and 12 littleneck clams for $136.99. Pro tip: the two-tiered platter drops in price during Old Ebbitt’s famed Oyster Hour. It’s half-off between 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

675 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 347-4800
(202) 347-4800

Café Riggs

900 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The posh Penn Quarter hotel’s two-tier “Plateau” comes loaded with seemingly endless delicacies: 12 oysters with kombu mignonette, cocktail sauce, and grated horseradish; 12 shrimp cocktail poached in court bouillon; a delicious smoked trout roe served over whipped Greek yogurt with mixed herbs and cured cucumber; tuna tartare in a soy marinade with chive; and lemon rockfish ceviche marinated with mixed citrus, pickled melon, red onion, crispy quinoa, and cilantro. The whole shebang arrives with homemade potato chips. 

900 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 788-2800
(202) 788-2800

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

This Southwest Waterfront hot spot, located in a restored oyster shed steps away from the Maine Avenue Fish Market, has small ($80) and large ($154) seafood tower options. Both come with oysters, littleneck clams, shrimp cocktail, ceviche, mussels escabeche, scallops, and salmon roe. The large version simply doubles up on portions.

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-0572
(202) 484-0572

Makers Union

664 Maine Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

Thompson Hospitality’s DMV-wide American tavern, with locations at the Wharf, Reston, Arlington, and Cathedral Heights, cutely calls its seafood platter a “sea-cuterie” board. The underwater spread features a half-pound poached lobster tail, local oysters, jumbo shrimp, jumbo lump cocktail, warm butter, cocktail sauce, and champagne mignonette, all served on ice for a cool $90.

664 Maine Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 864-6396
(202) 864-6396

The Salt Line

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

This acclaimed seafood spot with three outposts (Navy Yard, Bethesda and Ballston) puts out two mouthwatering sizes of seafood towers. The “Kraken” serves up to three ($150) and the “Leviathan” serves up to six ($195). Each tower comes with oysters, shrimp cocktail, middleneck clams, crab legs, lobster, and an assortment of daily “goodies” that vary at each locale. Bethesda’s chef Eric McKamey is currently serving mussels escabeche, salmon roe, and rockfish tartare.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368

Related Maps

The Point

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

D.C.’s prized riverfront destination perfectly situated between the Potomac and Anacostia offers a reasonably priced chilled seafood platter for $62. It comes with six Chesapeake oysters, four jumbo shrimp, a half-pound lobster, cocktail sauce, and mignonette. The thick fries add a nice touch to the priceless view.

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 948-2522
(202) 948-2522

Related Maps