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    Dauphine’s

    4.0 (510 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Dauphine’s Photos

    DAUPHINE’S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Dauphine’s

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    Shernai B.

    I had high hopes about trying brunch at Dauphine's, but unfortunately my experience was extremely disappointing. I ordered the crab cake brunch entrée and when it arrived, the food was cold. I sent it back and waited about 15 minutes for a replacement. When the new dish came out, the server mentioned to be careful because the plate was very hot. After taking two bites, I noticed a large bug in the food, embedded in the sauce and spinach. It was honestly shocking and completely turned my stomach, especially considering I had already started eating it. The manager did apologize and removed the entrée from the bill, but by that point my appetite and overall experience were ruined. I was really looking forward to brunch here, but this situation made me uncomfortable and concerned about the kitchen standards. I left shortly after and will not be returning. I also wouldn't recommend this restaurant based on my experience. I'm sharing this so others are aware of what happened during my visit.

    Lobster fritters
    Eunice K.

    I came for restaurant week in January. The food was decent. For starters, we got the smoked chicken gumbo and lobster fritters. The gumbo was delicious just a touch salty, but I recommend! But the lobster fritters were a little underwhelming; I could barely taste the lobster. For entrees, we got the fried chicken and waffles and the catfish creole. The waffle was good, pillowy! The catfish creole was yummy, very flavorful. Beignets were yummy, pretty standard beignet. The bread pudding was good, very rich. The ambiance was super nice very beautiful inside! Service was good!

    Maria C.

    The ambiance is everything!! Such a cool place. Love all the decor. Great service, too. We went for brunch and got a bunch of different small plates: Bread service 7/10 (banana bread was the star of the show) Gumbo 6/10 (super flavorful but a bit too salty for my taste) Pommes Dauphine 5/10 (I LOVE a cream cheese and pepper jelly combo but I just didn't think the fried mashed potato worked with it) Fried Boudin Balls 7/10 (very good, shareable option! But not compelled to eat more than one or two) Oysters Dauphine 8/10 (classic oysters Rockefeller!) New Orleans Buck cocktail 10/10!!

    Keilon L.

    I only came here for happy hour but I already want to return for full service dinner. I was highly impressed by the ambience and the charming nature of the staff here. *started writing a review, didn't finish, came back for brunch on a Saturday* **and now a few more times since then** Happy Hour here is always a good idea. The bartenders cool and they understand well their craft. I have not had a cocktail here that I didn't enjoy. The Sazerac is my go to, because New Orleans. Definitely get the bread service whether you're here for a meal or not. It's a great accompaniment to cocktails or a meal starter or just because you're walking by and want bread. It won't disappoint. They've also got a fun spin on bread pudding and good beignets. They do a pretty good brunch as well. This is one of my DC go-to restaurants for any occasion.

    Rashauna H.

    I have to start with the service. We had the absolutely best server. He gave us great suggestion and was ridiculously pleasant. He gave me real Southern charm and I was feeling the energy. He also checked on us so often, even with a Saturday night dinner rush. The food blew my mind. We ordered the baked stuffed shells and the Branzino at the suggestion of our server. To say both were amazing is an understatement. The flavor was unparalleled and all complimented each other. It was a lighter meal which I love because pasta can leave you feeling over full. For dessert we did the banana foster. Best decision I've made so far in life. It was the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Plus the presentation at the table was a cute little vibe. Looking for a little flare of Nola with great food and a vibe inside this is the spot. It paid homage to Nola in the best of ways without being too over the top. I will definitely return!

    Tia W.

    I spotted this charming and beautiful restaurant while driving. I was excited to finally dine here. Unfortunately, the food really missed the mark for me. I tried at least five items from the menu and was left unimpressed. For a restaurant characterized as New Orleans fare I was expecting the food to have better flavor. The items I ordered seemed to lack seasoning. The server even warned us that a few of the items probably wouldn't be to our liking due to the lack of flavor. We appreciated the honesty. Overall, Dauphine's offers a nice ambiance, and good service but the actual food was disappointing.

    Oysters Dauphines December 28, 2025 IG: @pharmingfoodies
    Joyce Y.

    Yes, we were one of those people who came to use their Chase Sapphire Reserve credit.... BUT - we had an amazing time at Dauphines! It was my birthday, so aside from the credit we had something to celebrate and Dauphine's delivered. #1 we made our reservation through OpenTable about a week in advance, and being the holidays, the tables were pretty booked but managed to get a spot on a Sunday night. #2 in our reservation we noted that we'd like to request the Duck Jambalaya (half not expecting the restaurant would even read it). But upon being seated our waitress actually came over and told us that they held it just for us! We were super impressed. Duck Jambalaya: Honestly this was more of a "biryani"-like dish than a jambalaya. Each person gets their own plate of duck, sauerkraut, and Duck sausage. Then they serve you a bowl of the jambalaya which had pieces of duck and a Duck mousse or some sort. Once the waiter mixed it all I couldn't taste much of the mousse expect for pieces here and there, but what I did taste of it was delicious! Also for $90 there is a decent amount of duck in this dish. The jambalaya did get a little too spicy for me the more we kept eating, so if you can't handle spice like me then this may not be the dish for you. Was kind of upset because it was actually super tasty. Also not a big sauerkraut fan but I found Dauphine's sauerkraut to be a bit more mild and actually everything went well together. Fried Boudin Balls: Kind of like arancini balls but comes with sausage inside. Served with crackers, mustard, jalapeños, and sauerkraut. Again, everything worked well together. Didn't expect that a fried sausage ball on top of a pickle on a cracker with mustard was the combo I needed but I'm so glad I tried. Oysters Dauphine: This one was on me, but we ate the boudin balls before the oysters so by the time we had the oysters the cheese had congealed and the oysters were cold. So don't do that. The flavor was good and very cheesy. A super cute and cozy restaurant especially during the holidays! If you're thinking about coming here because you also havw the Chase credit, definitely recommend! We don't love coming to DC so honestly probably wouldn't come otherwise, but given how much we enjoyed it we'd consider coming back.

    Lauren M.

    I really wanted to love this place. Dauphine's has all the makings of a standout dining experience before the food ever arrives. The interior is genuinely beautiful--dark wood paired with clean white subway tiles gives the space a polished, classic feel. The bar is warm and welcoming, and it immediately sets the expectation for something special. We came during Restaurant Week, and while I went in with realistic expectations, I still hoped for a solid representation of New Orleans-inspired cuisine. Unfortunately, like many other reviewers have noted, the food was bland across the board. It had the essence of New Orleans (not Nawlins) but none of the bold flavor, depth, or soul. The bread service was, without question, the best part of the meal. Warm, comforting, and the only thing we finished without hesitation. The mussels were confusing and disappointing. Sauerkraut and sour cream in the center was unexpected and not well thought out. The broth itself was boring, and because the mussels were wide open, beyond they way they open after cooking,none of the flavor had a chance to penetrate the meat. The portion was also very small. Later at the bar, we watched a couple seated next to us receive their oysters. They both took a visible double take, flipped one over to inspect whatever was sitting inside the shell, and then quietly pushed the plate away. The lobster fritters were not fritters at all. They were essentially fried mashed potato balls. Biting into a mushy, undercooked potato interior was surprising and off-putting. The blackened catfish was not blackened. It was lightly seared with a few spices, lacking the heat, crust, and complexity that define a blackened dish. The beef shank was the most decent entrée, thanks to the tomato-based component and barley. However, it was very fatty, and the tomato sauce made it impossible to see or avoid the fat. I found myself having to separate it in my mouth just to eat around it. The red beans and rice were abysmal and it should be removed from the menu. The king cake bread pudding tasted more like a dense butter cake and came with nothing more than a small dollop of vanilla ice cream. The one consistent bright spot was the bar. The Sazerac and Old Fashioned were excellent. As excited as I was going in, we only truly finished the bread and the drinks. After spending over $200, we went home and ate leftovers from Sunday dinner. Unfortunately, the food just misses the mark at every turn.

    Frozen milk punch shots
    Crystal S.

    I wanted to organize a simple yet elegant (and ridiculously last-minute) birthday celebration with about 30 friends, many of whom I hadn't seen in years. Therefore the food and ambience were equally important. Dauphine's was the ideal place to host my gathering as everyone commuted from across the entire DMV. Located in the prime Midtown Center-which previously housed The Washington Post-the New Orleans-inspired restaurant is a stone's throw from the White House, National Mall, Capital One Arena and other numerous attractions that are naturally worth checking out. [FYI: The venue is metro accessible and metered street parking is available, albeit limited. For added convenience, there's a garage in the alley directly behind Dauphine's that I used (and thankfully so because I could barely move after eating so much.)] From the moment we stepped through the entrance, I felt like I was in the French Quarter. Arrive camera-ready, people, because the layout and decor are Insta-worthy. And the menu...my oh my the food and drinks were impeccably presented and mouthwateringly superb, boasting authentic Cajun and Creole touches served with a contemporary flair. Our orders were quickly delivered by a friendly, polished staff including our attentive bartender for the evening, Christian. Thank you! I had to turn my phone off the following day as my guests called and texted me virtually nonstop, raving about how much they enjoyed the NOLA vibe in such a luxurious setting. Our experience was nothing short of PERFECTION and because of that, we all plan on returning extremely soon...perhaps in a week or two but who's counting? (Raises both hands.) Check out Dauphine's for yourself, come hungry and try a bit of everything, including the beignets...honestly, they surpass the ones at Cafe Du Monde!

    bananas foster baked alaska
    Aditi K.

    insanely delicious meal from start to finish. i absolutely loved the vibe of this place. it's a large space and they've used it to full effect, fitting so much in nooks and crannies without it feeling tight. the service was perfect, and the place seemed to encourage warmth - i chatted with people at the tables on both sides of me! a lovely couple to my left recommended the fried artichokes as an appetizer, which i split with my friend. they were so good, crispy and flavorful. for a main, i got the baked stuffed shells, which were french onion flavored with soft caramelized onions and lots of gruyère. i bodied this dish lol, i practically licked the plate clean. for dessert, i got the gianduja semifreddo and my friend and i also split the bananas foster baked alaska. i got a chicory espresso martini to go with it too. the drink was strong but didn't taste like it - one of the best espresso martinis i've had, and paired so well with the semifreddo, which was otherworldly. the baked alaska was also excellent - the combination of the cinnamon and bananas was phenomenal. one of the best dining experiences i've had in a while - it so deserves its bib gourmand!

    Blackened Catfish Creole
    Ailun H.

    Dauphine's been on my list since 2022, but I forgot about it until last week. The interior has a beautiful ambiance with green accents which goes well with the holiday decor they currently have. My friend and I were sat at a table on the second floor, and the service was quick. We finished eating within an hour of arrival. Between the two of us, we shared a "small plate" and got our own "large plate." OYSTERS DAUPHINE (5) - 22 Each order comes with five oysters, and my friend was nice enough to let me eat three! The oysters were broiled, and topped generously with bits of spinach, horseradish, pecorino. It was quite savory and cheesy with a bit of a kick. Oysters themselves were pretty fresh. These were good, but nothing outstanding. BLACKENED CATFISH CREOLE - 28 In pictures, the catfish creole didn't appear the most appetizing, but I was feeling something seafood for my entree, so I took the risk. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the flavors. The sauce was very hearty and not heavy, the catfish was pan-seared perfectly, and the grits and sauteed vegetables were the perfect base and topping. I would highly recommend. SMOKED SIRLOIN STEAK - 37 My friend ordered this for himself, and we both thought the steak had the essence of Texas BBQ smokiness and flavor, but the texture of corned beef. Very interesting. It was easy to chew. Pretty good from the few bites I got to enjoy. The food was delicious, definitely better than I thought. However, the pricing is crazy. Just to share an appetizer and a "cheaper" entree (aka under $30), I paid over $50 after tax and tip. Definitely pricy!

    Smokes steak
    Tiff H.

    This place is beautiful inside. Large restaurant with lots of sitting areas. Cute bar seating area if you just want to grab a cocktail. Our server, Jeffrey, was EXTREMELY kind and knowledgeable. It was a Friday night so you know it was busy, but he did a great job tending to everything we needed. We ordered the boudin balls, shrimp gumbo appetizers, 2 orders of smoked steak, and blackened fish. 2 can sours and an aged French 75. I found the entrees to all be fairly bland. We asked for salt and pepper to add to both the steaks and the fish/rice underneath. The cocktails were all delicious and the boudin balls were a hit. I would love to come during happy hour during the day to check out the vibes and great drinks. Otherwise, I'm sure something else in the menu is worth getting hit I would be less interested in the food over the drinks and a select few appetizers.

    Main seating area
    Joe L.

    First, Sam was an awesome waiter. He made great recommendations and checked on us frequently. He did a great job on keeping us on time to make a show. There's definitely a lot of choices and Sam did a great job explaining the dishes. The Crispy Fried Artichokes are a must get. It was delicious. The Fried Boudin Balls are also a good appetizer. If you want to be stuffed, get the pork chop schnitzel. It's one of the largest cuts of pork chop I have seen.

    Catfish creole

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    Ask the Community - Dauphine’s

    Best parking near Dauphine's?

    There's a parking garage directly across the street. Alternatively, there is street parking (parallel).

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