The Oceanaire Seafood Room

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Commitment to Ultra-Fresh Seafood Since 1998

The Oceanaire Seafood Room was established in 1998 with a single, clear mission: to deliver what the restaurant calls the Ultra-Fresh Seafood Experience™. At the Penn Quarter location on F Street N.W., that promise translates into seasonal and sustainable seafood flown in fresh daily from around the world — a sourcing standard that shapes every plate that leaves the kitchen.

Chef-Driven Menus, Market by Market

What sets The Oceanaire apart from a standard seafood house is its approach to the menu. Rather than a fixed, chain-wide list, each location's menu is heavily chef-driven, giving the culinary team the latitude to create dishes that reflect their particular market and the best catch available at any given moment. In Washington, that means the menu shifts with the seasons, guided by what's at its peak rather than what's convenient.

The knowledgeable front-of-house staff plays an active role in the experience, walking guests through the day's options and helping select wines to complement their meal — a pairing culture that earned the restaurant Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence.

A Room for Every Occasion

The Oceanaire in Penn Quarter serves lunch and dinner, and the team takes evident pride in handling the full range of occasions — from weekday business lunches to private celebrations and company events. Private dining and catering are a genuine part of the operation, not an afterthought, and the restaurant has been recognized by OpenTable as a Special Occasion Restaurant, reflecting the seriousness with which service is treated.

The atmosphere is fine dining without rigidity: there is a dress code, attentive service, and a wine program serious enough to draw critical recognition, yet the room is designed to feel welcoming whether you're marking a milestone or simply looking for exceptional seafood on a Tuesday afternoon.