Saw this place on TikTok and decided to try it for happy hour--and it was definitely worth the hype! The place opens at 5 PM, and there was already a 30-60 minute wait, so I definitely recommend making a reservation. The pork dumplings were definitely better than the chicken dumplings. The honey walnut shrimp was probably the best I've had compared to other places. The hoisin ribs were also super good, and the portion size was perfect. The matcha crème brûlée was also really good and the perfect way to end the meal. Overall, everything was such a great experience. No complaints at all, and I'll definitely be back! read more

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My family of four came for dinner right as the restaurant opened at 5 pm on a Wednesday. We had a great table that allowed us to place our foldable strollers out of the way and near the little remote A/C unit. We chose to come at opening to try their happy hour and to get our two girls in bed at a reasonable time. The happy hour offering is a wee bit misleading. They offer $1 dumplings but you have to order one protein in 4 dumpling increments. We decided to try 4 fried chicken dumplings and 4 boiled pork dumplings. Honestly, they tasted like frozen dumplings. There was hardly any flavor to them and they were chewy. We also order their XLB, har gow, chili chicken karage and pork baos. The XLB were disappointing. You get 4 small XLB and there was no soup inside them. The har gow didn't have chunks of shrimp but rather the smooth shrimp filling (not my favorite). The chili chicken karage was tasty but the large, chewy pieces of chicken made it hard to bite through so you end up shoving an entire piece in your mouth. The best food on our table was our order of pork baos. Soft, flavorful and made us want another order. On top of the mid food, our server was kind but rather absent. It looked like he was covering lots of tables, but when we finished our meal, he cleaned up our table and then was gone for another 10 minutes before we got our bill. This spot seemed to be a popular restaurant for after work goers but not for families like us. We'd try other items next time if we venture this way again. read more

I've visited Bar Chinois before, and it's always a great time coming back. This visit was especially fun getting to experience their new $10 cocktails after 10PM -- with classics like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, Manhattan, Martini, Margarita, and Daiquiri. The Daiquiri was definitely my personal favorite! Of course, I couldn't leave without enjoying some of the food. The Red Chili Wontons, Gyoza de Boeuf (French onion beef gyoza), Crispy Shrimp Bao, Hoisin Ribs, Misozuke Salmon Rice, and 1970's Garlic Noodles were all great additions to the night. Between the cocktails, food, and atmosphere, Bar Chinois is a fun option for a late-night dinner, drinks with friends, or a date night. If you're looking for somewhere to keep the night going after 10PM, definitely check it out! read more

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Loved my visit to this restaurant! Came here for happy hour with my friend. Bar Chinois has been on my list for a long time to visit so I was super excited to have the chance to come. We hadn't made reservations but thankfully we were able to be seated outside. This seemed like a happening happy hour spot so all of the inside seats were taken. It definitely had an up beat vibe and once people started spilling in from work, the place definitely got crowded, but it was so much fun! The food was amazing! We first did the happy hour specials where the drinks and dumplings were half off. We eventually moved to the entrees which was delicious. My favorite things were the garlic noodles and the duck. Super happy to have come here and I'll definitely be back! read more

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Drinks and food were both great! I stopped by for happy hour and really enjoyed the chicken dumplings. The bartender was really nice and helpful. It was a great spot for a casual happy hour, and I'll definitely be back! read more

Bar Chinois - Gyoza De Boeuf - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had the most delicious food at Bar Chinois on a Friday night. The place is such a vibe with everyone chatting and relaxing over great dishes. I had the "Ananas" mocktail which was so good I had a second as well. For entree, I had the black pepper duck. SO GOOD you guys and you get a steady portion. Our waitress was a bit awkward, but nice nonetheless which I value over all. I'm glad I chose this place for a girlfriend's catchup, and I'll definitely be back! read more

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I stopped by Bar Chinois after finishing with meetings around 6:30pm on a Monday. Thankfully, we arrived and were seated at the bar well on time to participate in happy hour! I first learned about Bar Chinois from Instagram and dragged my friends to come try it out with me. The atmosphere was youthful and lively but not rowdy. There were mostly young people in friend groups sitting inside and outside. I got 2 of the BOTANICAL GARDEN (Tito's Vodka, Star of Africa Tisane, Plum Wine, Rockeyes Botanical, Orange, Lavender) for only $8.50 each! They were appropriately sweet but tart and refreshing. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a cheap happy hour vibe! read more

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I had a fabulous brunch here with friends! We sat at a high top and immediately tried playing purse Tetris to figure out how to fit them all on the table. Our server noticed our struggle and brought out three purse hooks to hang them on our table. They'd thought of everything! We got the bottomless dim sum and mimosas. Our server brought us a bottle of bubbly and four little carafes of juice so we could make our own without having to wait for her. Once again, I was impressed. The food came out quickly and it was all great. We liked everything! Thank you Bar Chinois for a great time in a laid back setting. read more

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Really good food, but make a reservation ahead of time. Table seating and bar seating. The bar seating wraps like a U where you can sit on stools at bar then other side you stand and can put drinks/small plates on. The wait for the bar was worth it (first come first serve). Probably paid $67ish before tip. Decor was pretty, not corny ~ lighting was good. There is a step up so if you need ADA, not sure if there was a ramp (don't remember. They have outdoor seating with umbrellas. Drinks came quick. Ordered were delicious: *1970's Garlic noodles - chicken protein *Misozuke Salmon rice. *Chicken and Veggie dumplings were underwhelming - disappointed by their texture (didn't feel cooked through on edges) read more

I really wanted to like this place because of their dumpling hh. The fried dumplings were good, but didn't really enjoy the rest. My date really enjoyed the chicken fried rice, which grew on me towards the end. Drinks were good, though! read more

Bar Chinois - Char Siu Chicken Rice - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Came here late in the evening to meet a friend for a drink. After asking the bartender a few questions, I had the Martinique cocktail and loved it! She was very knowledgeable and described the various cocktails well. We ended up ordering the Red chili Wontons and the pork soup dumplings based on her recommendations. Both were good but the red chili wontons were a bit too spicy for me. I liked the vibe and atmosphere. I asked about the $1 dumpling Happy Hour and she said you have to get there early, there is always a line and it fills up fast. read more

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I recently visited Bar Chinois for happy hour with a friend and overall had a good experience. The atmosphere and vibes were really nice, and we enjoyed the drinks, dumplings, and especially the 1970's Garlic Noodles -- definitely my favorite thing we ordered. That said, I do think the happy hour menu could benefit from having more food options available. The dumplings are the main happy hour food item, so it would've been nice to have a little more variety to make happy hour feel more worthwhile food-wise. read more

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Was told this was one of the best happy hour spots in the city and it absolutely lived up to the hype! Their dumplings being a dollar apiece is pretty unbeatable and their drinks are also very reasonably priced. I got a set of fried and a set of steamed pork dumplings - both were amazing (fried may be slightly better but I couldn't do 8 of them so I'm very happy with my decision). I got their Chinois Mule from their happy hour menu and it was a great addition to the meal! The word had for sure gotten out about their happy hour so get a reservation for right when you open or expect a very long wait. We did get our table and our food quick which was great. The restaurant was packed pretty much immediately as it opened so it was very lively and had great vibes! read more

Bar Chinois - Happy hour menu - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came to Bar Chinois for happy hour on a second date (shoutout to my Succotash man ) before heading to an Oscar party, and this was the perfect start to the night. We were on a bit of a time crunch, but everything came out quickly and the service was attentive even with the place completely packed. And when I say packed--I mean you'll want to get there early or have a reservation. Luckily, my date handled that... good boy. We ordered the ribs, brussels sprouts, and crab rangoon--everything was flavorful and hit the spot, but the real star for me was the cocktails. So fresh, so well-balanced, and honestly dangerous in the best way. The Coco Marseille was my favorite--vibrant, smooth, and absolutely phenomenal. I'll admit I was a little distracted--too busy flirting and planning my fantasy life with my date to take a ton of pictures--but I did manage to snag a few. Worth it. Between the energy, the drinks, and the overall vibe, this is easily a go-to for a fun night out or a pre-event stop. I'll definitely be back (and next time, staying longer). read more

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Stopped in for drinks on a warm Friday evening and the place was packed--from the bar to the tables. It had a really vibrant, lively atmosphere. The hostess was kind enough to squeeze us in before another reservation, which we really appreciated. We had already eaten, but the menu looked great, so we'll definitely be back to try the food next time. The cocktails were solid and made for a perfect nightcap before heading home. read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We got seated right away and had excellent service with Oscar. The food was amazing. It was rather loud in there, but they were very accommodating due to the rain. read more

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Bar Chinois is the rare DC restaurant that does not wobble. First visit, last visit, every visit in between, it lands with the same calm confidence, like the kitchen has no interest in drama and even less interest in excuses. Start where regulars start. The red chili wontons arrive glossy and loud, all heat and swagger, with just enough balance to keep you reaching back in. The steamed shumai are tidy, rich, and disciplined, the kind of dumpling that tastes like someone actually cares. Then the crab rangoons, which could have been a tired bar trick, show up crisp, generous, and weirdly elegant. Skip the table and take the bar. That is where the room makes sense. The bartenders work with precision and personality, fast without feeling rushed, and dialed-in without the performance. Drinks show up exactly how you hoped they would, even when you did not say it out loud. Consistency is not a flashy compliment, but it is the one that matters most. Bar Chinois delivers the same high note again and again, which is why it stays in the rotation while trendier places burn out. If you have not been, you are not late. You are just missing a sure thing. read more

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Put Chinese food and French influences together, and you have Bar Chinois, a cool Chinese French fusion restaurant in DC. The best values for your money are the bottomless brunch options on the weekends (dim sum for $39, mimosas for $25, or dim sum and mimosas for $62) and happy hour from Monday to Sunday 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. (half priced cocktails and $4 for four dumplings). My friend and I came for brunch, and we had the bottomless dim sum and mimosas. Our sever came around pretty frequently and made sure we always had food and drinks on the table, so we got our money's worth. We had a few mimosas and tried almost everything on the dim sum menu. Everything was delicious, but my favorite dishes were the Canto egg on rice and the five treasure duck hash. The sauce on the Canto rice was rich and perfect. The duck hash was so good. Luckily, we came at the right time and were able to get a table without a reservation. However, it gets pretty busy, so make a reservation if you are able to plan ahead. I highly recommend Bar Chinois if you are looking for unique food and a cool vibe. read more

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Delicious compact Asian fusion in DC. A combo of dim sum, downright authentic, noodle dishes, seared steak or a simple rice dish, everything was delicious. Our sever was attentive, a bit chaotic, but they run a pretty busy take out service too. We started with a few dim sum goyza shrimp dumplings, a sushi plate and seafood stock pot. Everything was delicious, great flavor, fresh and not too salty! Oh and make sure you make a reservation, the service is quick but the tables never stop turning over. read more

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I came here twice. The first time was okay, had to sit outside due to it being busy which was fine but it was raining on and off. Only ordered apps like the crab Rangoon's, chicken and veggie dumplings, walnut shrimp and ha grow. Also ordered the MVT mule, a mocktail they had rated really good. Second time, service was okay was a little disappointed when I asked to try another mocktail they don't actually make them. They have it in a can but had no more so I asked them to make it. I ordered the duck spring rolls and the 1970s garlic noodles. I wanted to try the other noodle dish but the waiter said it was misleading it's more sweet than spicy. I wish I had got that instead because the 1970s garlic noodles was dry. I had shrimp added and the soy sauce. The soy sauce tasted like vinegar so I asked to return the noodles. I was hoping to eat half and save the other half. Ambiance was really nice very grown but chill. This could definitely be a certified spot because of the dumpling happy hour and mocktails. Some of them items on the menu u are shareable too. read more

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Bottomless dim sum brunch?! Yes please!! Came to DC to visit some friends who made a reservation for us and I am sooo glad they were in charge of picking the restaurant. The bottomless dim sum brunch was such a fun concept and all of the plates were delicious! We ordered multiple different plants and shared them family style. The food came out hot and quick! We tried almost all of the items on the menu but I really enjoyed the soup dumplings, crispy Brussel sprouts, and crab Rangoon. Our server was very friendly and attentive. The drinks were okay, the food was definitely the star. There are two parking garages located next to the restaurant and also street parking for a fee. Love this place so much can't wait to come back!! read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We came to Bar Chinois for their happy hour and I loved it! The decor of the restaurant was very fun, they had lots of tables, and I really liked the vibe of the place. The staff were helpful and checked in on us often even though the place was totally packed. I got the Chinois mule and I liked the twist on the usual mule because it was a little sweeter and I thought that the blackberry flavor went well with it. I got both the steamed and fried pork dumplings and they were super tasty, and you definitely can't beat the happy hour price! read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Managed to score a reservation here during the Cherry Blossom run weekend. What a fun spot! If I was a local, I would definitely be partaking in their happy hour- amazing drink specials and yummy bites. My boyfriend and I split the pork dumplings, which were divine. I was delighted with the steamed shumai and the crab rangoon. Excellent flavor and I loved the sauce that came with the rangoon. My boyfriend was quite happy with the 1970s garlic noodles. I passed on a cocktail because I was running the next day, but I had a sip of the Chinois Mule...oh my word, so yummy. These were clearly the most popular drink of the night, as I saw several trays of them go by as we dined. Only drawback...it is incredibly loud in there, so be prepared to shout across your table. read more

Bar Chinois - Steamed Shumai - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I had a great time at Bar Chinois during their happy hour. The drinks were around $7-$8. I liked the citrusy St Marguerite that highlighted blood orange with tequila. My friend and I ordered the steamed dumplings and later ordered the dumplings fried. I like the dumplings as a little snack while drinking. The bar gets busy really quickly! I arrived a few min before they opened for happy hour and there were people waiting outside. read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great happy hour! So happy we got a seat at the bar (got there right when people was leaving lol)! The drinks were so good, the dumplings weren't amazing but for only a dollar I have no complaints. read more

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A happy hour worth attending as a DC resident. The ambiance in the restaurant is lively during happy hour- loud, upbeat music and a packed house every time I've been. The pork and chicken dumplings were both delicious and came out quickly, you could easily fill up on them for a pre-dinner meal. The Hoisin ribs were cooked perfectly , meat fell off the bone but the flavor was not as impactful as I have had before. Most would love, but I like a little punch in my sauce. The cocktails offered on the happy hour are the true diamond of the experience - the aroma, taste, and presentation exceed expectations. I had the Coco Marseille during my visit, a well balanced cocktail. The aroma when presented smelled like coconut tequila (not in a strong way, but a exquisite smell). It was such a smooth drink, went down easy but still had a kick to it. As a tequila drinker, I highly suggest. It was not too sweet either which was the best part. My accompanied guest got the Fall in Normandy, which had the most delicious banana smell and was a perfect fall flavor. Same vibes, smooth but strong - balance was the highlight for both cocktails. Service was exceptional, our server checked up frequently enough for us to be able to take advantage of the dumpling special but also gave us space as well. I suggest sitting outside if you are looking for an intimate, quieter experience but if you want action packed and fun - the aesthetic is everything. read more

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We stopped in for their happy hour right when they opened and there was already a line! They have a great happy hour deals. We got so many rounds of dumplings and tried them all. Very good. Drinks were also so good! The place did get cramped fast in there but it was also pouring rain and they were nice enough to give people shelter from the storm. read more

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I came to Bar Chinois after work for a meal and drinks. We just missed happy hour, which ends at 7pm. We tried a number of small bites on the menu including the soup dumplings, duck spring rolls, and hoisin ribs. The soup dumplings were nice and flavorful. I just wished that they were a little bit larger. It was a nice day so we got seats outside. It wasn't too busy, so the server was able to seat us and bring out our orders quickly. The bar is a bit small and has first come first serve seating so definitely get a reservation before stopping by. read more

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First time here and will definitely be back! Meal was delicious fresh Chinese French fusion food. Highly recommend the garlic noodles, crab ragoons and soup dumplings. All three of us said we would love to come back because the food was so flavorful and fresh. Warning the music is a bit loud in here so consider sitting on the patio. We loved the energy and music so it was great for us. The server was great, we came at the end of happy hour and he made sure we go to put in two orders of happy hour specials- so kind! He was extremely busy but handled our table with care and attention. This place is always so busy during HH so highly recommend a reservation. read more

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The vibes were great. The concept of French and Asian fusion is amazing. I loved the decor and the menu, but the actual dishes lacked a little je ne sais quois! The noodles are pretty good, but the salt and pepper shrimp were very bland. The duck egg rolls were good with the sauce, but also lack a little flavor solo. The hostess was very accommodating, knowing that we wanted a spot to have a little bit more conversational. They were able to adjust the sound per section. It was still very loud and hard to have a conversation but great for having a drink out with friends. Water service was frequent, served at room temperature. Straws were delivered my hand, didn't love that. Definitely take bathroom selfies here! read more

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Visited on a weeknight and had a lovely meal in this French-Chinese fusion spot in DC. The vibe is nice and staff were friendly. The food was prepared with classic French influence on solid Chinese dishes. The service was quick and just the right balance of service and letting us have time to ourselves. The portions were small but plentiful. Will visit when I'm back in DC! read more

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First time at Bar Chinos on a Friday night , Had no clue what to expect, cute spot for a girls. Night out or a date night , I ordered the pork belly bao buns , good but had better . The service no issues there , also liked it was decorated for Christmas and playing throwback music throughout the place . I would be back read more

Bar Chinois was so-so. I wouldn't bother to visit again. I visited on Sunday at 5 PM with 3 people. The bar was full but we got a high top for happy hour. This was my first time visiting; I heard good things about their happy hour, especially the cocktails. We sampled the entire HH cocktail menu of six drinks ($6.5 to $9; online menu is close but not 100% price accurate). My favorite were the Coco Marseille (sweet, coconuty, creamy, herbal), Mousse a la Peche, and Iron Goddess. The mule was too sweet and fruity to be a proper mule, and the Espresso martini just tasted like a normal espresso martini (I didn't get any coconut or pandan from it). We also got some dumplings and small plates. We took the server's recommendations for fried pork, steam chicken, and steam veggie dumplings. I liked the pork (very good, very full of meat, but a little bland without sauce) and my companions like the chicken. We all agreed the veggie were terrible. They were clearly not made or cooked correctly; they fell apart when we tried to pick them up, spilling watery contents everywhere. They were the worst thing I've eaten in a few months. The small plates were Salt and Pepper Shrimp ($12, four pieces), Crab Rangoon ($11, four pieces), and Pork Belly Bao ($15, three pieces). The shrimp were nicely fried, but lacked any salt and pepper flavor. The Crab Rangoon was also nicely fried and a classic version of the dish. The bao buns were okay, but the pork belly filling was not -- it was hard and overcooked and mostly bland. The place was pretty loud; lots of hard surfaces. Service at the beginning was quick, but then became very slow -- we had to ask about our second order or dumplings twice, and a beer we got took forever to arrive. Also, the Mousse a la Peche drink arrived drenched in sticky egg white on the sides -- they need to wipe down the glass before serving it. Overall, disappointing. read more

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I heard about this place from social media and was excited to try a new happy hour place, as I have been very impressed with the happy hour selection in DC (especially from places like El Presidente and Le DeSales). Sadly, Bar Chinois did not meet the mark. When we arrived shortly after 5 (HH is 5-7pm), the first thing we were told was we could only be at our table until 6:30. Fine by us, but a weird way to be welcomed into the establishment. We tried their happy hour mules, it wasn't under the Mocktail section but it definitely should have been. This was a sugar ball with, we are convinced, very very minimal alcohol. Ok, now onto the dumplings that were not hot. When I think of dumplings I think of steamy little things, these tasted almost microwaved they were dry and slighter warmer than room temp. I understand an order of dumplings is $4 but I would rather pay a little more and get better quality, than pay for not so warm food with a weak beverage. Not to mention, my veggie dumplings seemed torn up (pictured) I don't consider happy hour an opportunity for a restaurant to skimp out on food and beverage, but it sure seemed like it here. read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A great first experience! It seems like a local neighborhood bar but the ambiance is very intimate, and they have a great house mix. I came here with a friend for a late evening dinner. We sat at the bar and were greeted by every bartender as well as the manager once we sat down which I thought was pretty cool as far as attentiveness. My friend is the market manager for a few spirits brands so we had fun watching the bartenders come up with a few crafted cocktails using Brugal Rum. I can appreciate that when a cocktail is 'crafted' you can tell it's not pre-mixed nor is each one the same. I started with a passionfruit cocktail that puts you in the mind of a Paloma - initially too tart but after asking the bartender to adjust it was perfect. The 1970's Garlic Noodles I ordered were so delicious and filling; it was just ramen noodles and a little salty but in a flavorful way. My friend had the shrimp bao buns and the garlic noodles with shrimp and an old fashion with Macallan. Next, we tried a new menu cocktail - the Coco Marseilles - again, a top tier choice. It was so creamy with a hint of basil; very subtle yet potent enough for you to know you were drinking a cocktail. I plan on returning to try a different menu item but for now, between the service, ambiance and drinks - I was impressed. read more

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Terribleeee drinks, they kept coming from bad to worse. Food wasn't out of this world or mentionable. Maybe if I went to dim sum it would be better? read more

I'm a fan of Bar Chinois because it gives me a little bit of Brooklyn NY vibes when I visit at night. The space is intimate with half of the space filled with tables and seating and the other half with high tops and bar seating that is almost always full. I used to come here after long work days with my coworkers and even on a random Thursday late at night this place is always pretty full. Not to the point where you can't find a spot to chill but full. I've never tried the food but I hear that they do dollar dumplings during happy hour and that they are decent. The drinks are average and the bartenders are kind. I could definitely see this being a great spot if you live right in the area and can frequent the bar and make friends with the bartenders. read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We were here for the restaurant week dinner. We got an early reservation. The place was packed at 5:30 pm. Great ambiance and our server recommended us some of their nicest cocktails. Food was great as well. It's Asian fusion restaurant. Bao, Dimsum and noodles were my favorites. read more

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I went to Bar Chinois for drinks recently. The drinks themselves were good. They had well made drinks and were enjoyable. That said, it was so crowded and way too loud. It made it hard to really relax or have a proper conversation. The seats also felt pretty cramped, especially with how packed it was. Looking around though, you could definitely tell the vibe was good. The energy was fun, and it seems like a great spot if you're in the mood for that kind of lively atmosphere. I'd probably come back, but maybe not during such a busy hour. At the same time, I'm not super pressed to rush back either. Overall, good drinks and a fun scene. Just be prepared for the noise and crowds. read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Absolutely delicious Chinese / French fusion food (and drinks!) served in a gorgeous, bustling space with super friendly service! I visited Bar Chinois for dinner with a friend after she had a great experience at their Virginia location, and we had a fantastic time! We arrived right at the tail end of happy hour so we managed to snag a few drinks and their $1 veggie dumplings ($1 for each dumpling, not the whole order). I'm usually not a huge cocktail person, but I *loved* their Coco Marseille -- it was sweet but not too sweet, creamy but also refreshing from the herbs. A+ recommendation from my server! As far as food goes, the dumplings were tasty (and so cheap!), as were the crab rangoons and garlic noodles. The crab rangoons were crispy and perfectly fried, with a tasty and creamy filling that paired wonderfully with the sweet, fruity apricot sauce on the bottom. My favorite thing had to be the garlic noodles, though -- so beautifully buttery, with a perfectly al dente texture, and lots of garlic flavor. The cheese is a fun touch, and this dish was truly fusion done right -- the French (well, really, broadly Western European) and Chinese flavors paired perfectly with and clearly enhanced one another. read more

Bar Chinois - 1970's Garlic Noodles - Chinese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia