Set along a one-mile stretch of the Potomac River , The Wharf is a thriving neighborhood distinguished by a more than 200-year-old history that coincides with the establishment of Washington , D . C . Once a hopping center of maritime commerce ; the area fell into disrepair in the latter half of the 20th century . In recent years , however , there has been a wildly successful effort to revitalize this historic neighborhood , and today , The Wharf stands as a shining example of urban renewal , blending modern amenities with historic charm to create a bustling waterfront destination replete with an eclectic mix of restaurants , shops , event venues , and water-based activities .
At the heart of The Wharf is The Municipal Fish Market , the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the United States , dating back to 1805 . Originally a simple cluster of fish and oyster houses and subsequently an imposing block-long brick structure , the Fish Market , in its contemporary incarnation , pays homage to the past with a restoration of the historic oyster shed , which once occupied pride of place at the market , while at the same time reimagining and reinventing the site to include a new market operations building , a distillery , a market hall and retail outlets , all of which are complemented by a recently completed Market Plaza , Market Pier , and Market Square on the waterfront . Nowadays , as in decades past , the Fish Market is a flourishing destination where locals and the savviest of visitors alike head for freshly caught fish , shucked oysters , clams , bushels of blue crabs , and deliciously cooked seafood of all varieties .
That said , there is much more to The Wharf than The Municipal Fish Market , enchanting though it may be . The market is one of many gateways to the enticements of this waterside address , for while the
market pays tribute to the neighborhood ’ s historied origins , much of the rest of The Wharf is very much about the here and now .
For starters , there ’ s the culinary scene . Drawing from global inspirations and celebrating flavors from around the world , The Wharf is home to a diverse and mouth-watering array of upscale restaurants ranging from the D . C . outpost of chef Philippe Massoud ’ s Lebaneseinspired ilili and the sweeping Italian-inspired culinary creations of chef Nicholas Stefanelli at Officina to the Mexican street food inspired menu of chef Roberto Santibañez at Mi Vida and the Mediterranean flavors of Limani .
Meanwhile , on the more casual side of things , the riverside hub offers even more internationally inspired fare . Among a host of other establishments , there ’ s Kirwin ’ s , an authentic Irish pub established by its namesake , a former Guinness employee ; an equally authentic and eponymously named British-style fish and chips takeaway from Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay ; Little Chicken , a self-described ‘ backyard bar ’ serving tenders and fried chicken sandwiches ; and Kaliwa , a Southeast Asian-inspired eatery that offers both elevated sit-down fare and grab-and-go take-out options as well as a sidewalk kiosk serving street-food style snacks . Moreover , there are plentiful food stalls along the promenade , where you can dish artisanal ice cream , gourmet hot dogs , and a whole array of easily accessible and delectable treats guaranteed to satisfy any craving .
Speaking of the promenade , it is an excellent way to experience the best the neighborhood offers from a prime location on the Potomac River and an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the multitude of water-
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 42 SUMMER 2024