Restaurant Jobs in District of Columbia

Restaurant jobs in District of Columbia are consistently active across a dining scene that ranges from Capitol Hill power-lunch institutions to the rapidly expanding neighborhoods of Shaw, Navy Yard, and NoMa. Demand runs from entry-level line cooks and servers to experienced general managers and executive chefs, with the heaviest concentration of openings in Washington proper. Well-established employers like José Andrés' ThinkFoodGroup, Marriott International's hotel food and beverage operations, and Clyde's Restaurant Group maintain a lasting hiring presence throughout the metro. The most in-demand specialties are front-of-house management, fine dining kitchen roles, and large-event banquet service. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles20
Top employerShake Shack
Top cityWashington, DC
Work type50% Remote
Top industryHospitality
Companies hiring17

Showing 5 of 20+ Restaurant jobs

Raising Cane's
Assistant Restaurant Leader
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Raising Cane's
Added 1d ago
Assistant Restaurant Leader
Raising Cane's
Washington, District of Columbia
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Shake Shack
Restaurant Manager
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Shake Shack
Added 1d ago
Restaurant Manager
Shake Shack
Washington, District of Columbia
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$56k.8 - $69k.8/yr
Food Handler Certification
5,001-10,000

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The Ned Hotel
Restaurant Manager
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The Ned Hotel
Added 1d ago
Restaurant Manager
The Ned Hotel
Washington, District of Columbia
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
Strategy & Corporate Development
1,001-5,000

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HHM Hotels
Restaurant Server
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HHM Hotels
Added 3d ago
Restaurant Server
HHM Hotels
Washington, District of Columbia
Business Development
Customer Success
Program Management
Project Management
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Shake Shack
Restaurant Shift Manager
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Shake Shack
Added 4d ago
Restaurant Shift Manager
Shake Shack
Washington, District of Columbia
Customer Service
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$22.4 - $26.4/hr
5,001-10,000

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See All 20 Restaurant Jobs in District of Columbia

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Restaurant Jobs by City in District of Columbia

Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Washington
20 jobs

Restaurant Job Market in District of Columbia

A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Shake Shack
Shake Shack2 open roles
Marriott International
Marriott International2 open roles
Clyde's Restaurant
Clyde's Restaurant2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Hospitality & Tourism

What District of Columbia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in restaurant jobs across District of Columbia.

  • District of Columbia Food Handler Certification required or must obtain within 30 days
  • Previous experience in a full-service or high-volume restaurant environment strongly preferred
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen or front-of-house setting
  • TIPS or equivalent responsible alcohol service certification for roles involving alcohol
  • Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and major federal holiday periods
  • Strong communication skills and ability to work within a diverse team environment

Restaurant Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a restaurant in District of Columbia?

The concrete path in DC starts with obtaining a Food Handler Certification issued through the District of Columbia Department of Health, which is required for most food service roles. For management positions, a Food Protection Manager Certification from an accredited program is typically expected. Culinary roles benefit from formal training at institutions like the Culinary Hospitality Institute of DC or an apprenticeship through the American Culinary Federation's DC chapter. Front-of-house candidates often move up from host or server assistant positions at established DC dining groups.

Which companies hire restaurants in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia restaurant roles are posted by Shake Shack, Marriott International, and Clyde's Restaurant and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. DC's concentration of hotel groups, federal event caterers, and nationally recognized restaurant concepts means openings appear across a wide range of employer sizes and dining formats throughout the year.

Which District of Columbia cities have the most restaurant jobs?

Washington lead for restaurant openings in District of Columbia. Washington's dense concentration of hotels, federal buildings, embassies, and high-profile dining corridors drives the majority of openings, while surrounding areas like Bethesda and Arlington attract volume because of their own thriving dining neighborhoods and proximity to the city's professional workforce.

Are there remote restaurant jobs in District of Columbia?

Yes, but they're rare. About 50% of restaurant openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most food service work. The roles most likely to carry a remote or hybrid component are corporate dining account management, restaurant consulting, and regional operations oversight positions with DC-headquartered hospitality groups.

How can I get hired as a restaurant in District of Columbia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is starting as a host, food runner, or barback at a high-volume DC restaurant group such as Clyde's or ThinkFoodGroup, both of which regularly hire and train candidates internally. The DC Department of Employment Services also connects entry-level candidates to hospitality apprenticeships. Earning your District of Columbia Food Handler Certification before applying gives you a clear advantage, and culinary programs at Northern Virginia Community College offer affordable credentials that DC employers recognize.

Where can I find and apply to restaurant jobs in District of Columbia?

You can find and apply to restaurant jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current DC openings updated in real time. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and the type of establishment you want to work in, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 20 Restaurant Jobs in District of Columbia

Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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