Café du Parc

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

An Authentic French Brasserie in the Heart of the Capital

Opened in 1997 inside the legendary Willard InterContinental, Café du Parc was conceived as a deliberate act of Francophile homage — its very existence shaped by the Beaux-Arts grandeur of its host hotel and the French-inspired street grid that Pierre L'Enfant laid out for Washington, D.C. more than two centuries ago. The result is a quintessential French brasserie that feels at once historically grounded and entirely of the moment.

The Team Behind the Kitchen

Executive Chef Gyo Santa is the culinary anchor of Café du Parc. A native of Japan and a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Santa spent nine years in Michelin-starred restaurants in France before joining the restaurant in 2018. His cooking draws on the warmth of classic French grandmother's cuisine, refined by an unwavering focus on ingredient quality, freshness, and the balance of presentation. Alongside him, Executive Sous Chef Mauricio Manzano — a D.C. native who honed his craft at Mintwood Place and Fiola Mare — brings precision and deep local knowledge to a menu that continues to evolve. Pastry Chef Sabri Uzun, born in the suburbs of Paris and a veteran of Michelin-starred kitchens, crafts seasonal desserts that rotate throughout the year. Overseeing the entire operation is Director of Food & Beverage Luca de Marchis, whose philosophy centers on evolving classic dishes through modern technique while maintaining a culture of excellence.

The Terrace and the View

Forbes Travel Guide, which recommends Café du Parc, puts it plainly: the best tables are outside. The seasonal terrace along Pennsylvania Avenue — positioned between the White House and the U.S. Capitol — offers sightlines to the Washington Monument, the Capitol dome, and Pershing Park, home to the World War I Memorial. In spring, cherry blossoms frame the scene. The people-watching, in a city that draws visitors from every corner of the world, is its own attraction. The outdoor setting gives French brasserie dining an al fresco ease that is genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere in the city.

From Morning to Evening

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with Sunday brunch rounding out the week. On the ground floor, Le Café functions as a modern specialty coffee shop offering pastries and a concise menu of French classics — a lighter entry point into the same kitchen. A takeout menu of classic French dishes, cocktails, and desserts extends the experience beyond the dining room. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on request.