Johnny’s offers the movers-and-shakers buzz of Capitol Hill, along with excellent crab cakes, soft shell crabs, and crabmeat imperial, all regional specialties. Expensive, yeah, but few restaurants serve soft shell crabs done just right as they are here, and sided with fresh corn spoonbread; and fewer still even offer crab imperial. If budget allows and you love seafood, put Johnny’s on your list. Of course there are ways to economize here: the appetizer crabcake, $17 at both lunch and dinner, is entree size, in my opinion. Or you could stop by at happy hour, 4:30 to 7:30pm weeknights, when the bar menu options range from $3 mini burgers to $14 crabcakes, and drinks are discounted, too. The folks behind Johnny’s have also opened a swell tacqueria in the U Street corridor area.
Washington, D.C.› Restaurant
Johnny’s Half Shell
400 N. Capitol St. NW (at E St.)
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Capitol Hill & Barracks Row
Hours
Mon–Fri, 11:30am–2:30pm; Mon–Sat 5–10pm. Happy hour Mon–Fri 4:30–7:30pm
Transportation
Metro: Union Station (Massachusetts Ave. exit)
Phone
202/737-0400
Prices
Main courses lunch $8.95–$35, dinner $18–$40
Cuisine Type
American/Seafood
Web site
Johnny’s Half Shell

Map
400 N. Capitol St. NW Washington, D.C.Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.