Restaurants in District of Columbia
Federal cuts hit lunch. Win regulars back directly.
DC's minimum is $18.40 and tipped pay rose to $10.30 in July. Fill quiet hours with offers; own your delivery orders.
- 2,110restaurants in District of Columbia
- 974sit-down (full-service)
- 31restaurants per 10,000 people
- #1of 51 by number of restaurants
What District of Columbia owners are up against
The pressures, and how we take them off you.
- 1
Federal cuts hit DC dining
The National Restaurant Association's economist cited DOGE cuts and government shutdowns as headwinds hitting the D.C. area hard.
Source · 2026-02
- 2
Labour costs keep rising
DC's minimum wage is $18.40 and the tipped cash wage $10.30. Every staff hour spent answering phones costs more.
Source · 2026-11-05
- 3
The 15% cap has a catch
DC's Fair Meals Delivery Act only forces apps to offer a 15% 'core delivery' tier; richer plans cost more. Direct ordering avoids it.
Source · 2023-03
Lead with:Offers, rewards & campaignsOnline orderingMaya, the AI phone hostReservations
Law watch
What’s changing for District of Columbia restaurants.
Tipped Minimum Wage Timeline Amendment Act of 2025 (partial repeal of Initiative 82)
Tipped wage 56% of minimum from July 1, 2026 ($10.30), 60% in 2028, rising to 75% by 2034. A referendum could change this; status unconfirmed.
From 2026-07-01 · Source
Fair Meals Delivery Act of 2021
Apps must offer a basic 15% delivery option; 'core delivery' only means being discoverable.
From 2023-03-10 · Source
Wages in 2026
Minimum wage $18.40; tipped minimum $10.30. Maya answering the phone frees paid hours for cooking and serving.
For information only, not legal advice. Check the source for your city.
Does WhatsTable work for restaurants in District of Columbia?
Yes. WhatsTable works for any restaurant on Clover, in any cuisine, anywhere in District of Columbia. We set it up with you on a call.
What is the minimum wage for restaurant staff in District of Columbia in 2026?
The state minimum wage is $18.40 and the tipped minimum is $10.30. Some cities set higher rates. Check the official source for your city.
Are delivery app fees capped in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia (15% core-delivery option must be offered). Orders on your own WhatsTable site pay no delivery-app commission; WhatsTable's fee is 5–10% of sales through it, and nothing is added to the guest's bill.
What does it cost?
There is no monthly fee, no setup fee and no contract. WhatsTable takes 5–10% of the sales that come through it. Walk-in sales cost you nothing.
Restaurant owners in District of Columbia are represented by Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.
You cook. We’ll bring the orders, in District of Columbia.
We take care of marketing and sales, so you can take care of the kitchen and good food. 20 minutes on a call.
$0 a month · No setup fee · No contract · Nothing added to your guests' bill