Beautiful spot with great cocktails and good food. Service was also great. I'm from Louisiana and the gumbo was not my favorite (I acknowledge that I have a high bar for gumbo). I appreciate that they serve it with potato salad but the gumbo itself lacked spiciness or flavor, really. I'd pass on that. read more

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Amazing service last night at Dauphine's. Last time I was here, it was opening week and there were a lot of kinks to work out. I'm glad I gave it another try during Restaurant Week. Number one highlight was service. Our server, Al, was great all around. Available when we needed him and never hovering. The bus team also was magnificent clearing dishes and offering to pack our leftovers. Amazing food and value for RW. We started with the gumbo and then enjoyed the crab-encrusted fluke and pork loin for our entrees. King cake was our dessert and as a self-proclaimed king cake snob, it was very good with a banana cream twist. Tonight's experience has placed Dauphine's in my rotation and I'm looking forward to experiencing their bar soon. read more

I visited DC for the first time in years & happened to stop into Dauphine's right when I got into town. I got there just in time for lunch; the muffuletta & collard green caesar were both phenomenal! The food & service was so great that I ended up going back the next day during dinner. I got oysters, the beet salad, and the pommes souffles. I was blown away by every dish I tried, lunch & dinner! On top of that, the service & cocktails were exceptional. Chris, the bartender, made excellent cocktail recommendations for everyone in our group, including an off-menu ask. I will definitely be back next time I'm in the DC area! read more

I knew we were off to a good start when our server cheerfully said, "We can do that." when I asked for the Pig ear salad without pig ears. She was attentive and helpful throughout the meal. The dishes we ordered: Pig ear (minus the ears) salad: An arugula salad with a pleasant confluence of flavors, including slivers of mirliton squash, pear, and Gouda with nuts. Cosmopolitan: A perfect, sophisticated blend, with a sliver of blood orange floating in it. I could tell that it was definitely made by a skilled mixologist. California Pinot Noir: My husband swirled and pronounced it excellent. Bread service: My favorite was the browned brioche. Crispy Fingerling Potatoes: A generous serving of sautéed sweet potatoes, mushrooms and nuts with étouffée sauce. The sauce was mild and tasty. Pommes Dauphine: A side of potato puffs Café Brulot Baked Alaska. Set aflame tableside! Complimentary pralines: A nice courtesy. I suppose it is the New Orleans tradition of lagniappe, a small gift from a merchant. All of the food was delicious. Ambience: It was a relaxing oasis, evocative of New Orleans, with jazz music, a wrought iron balcony and dim, romantic lighting. I definitely plan to return. Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll! read more

Dauphine’s - Baked Alaska - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Beautiful space.....great "date lighting." We were slated to be out on the patio which is fine if they had properly had it warmed and ready for outside guests, but they didn't. We ended up at the bar for dinner, which was fine. The oysters are some of the best I have ever had....and the puffed potato fries were nice with the bearnaise sauce. The scallops were a bit of a let down as I prefer a good brown char on a fresh diver scallop. Over all it was a nice experience, but I wasn't moved enough to want to spend this kind of money on food that I can cook better at home. read more

The first thing to know is, I'm a New Orleans native and hail from a family of Creole chefs. Before my mom died several months ago, we had a successful Creole catering company. It's how I helped pay for my undergraduate education. So this review is coming from a deep place. Since Katrina, my home's lost so much. Culture, language, food. During Covid, we lost tons of elders, history and recipes. I've been to Dauphines quite a bit because it's the closet I can get to my native food. I'd never bring my family here because an interpretation is not the real deal. Natives would have a hard time enjoying the food especially traditional Creole chefs. It's for folks who don't know what Creole food is. I had my birthday party there a few years ago - it's an interpretation. The LAST STRAW was the peanut brittle being passed off as pralines. It's an insult to my culture. An old American culture that's lost so much already. Just know, it's an interpretation not a representation of traditional Creole food. The gumbo doesn't have filé or seafood, which is egregious in every direction. I'm sorry for this scathing critique, but I'm tired of my culture being exploited and ill represented. If the chef has 30 years experience in NOLA (not from there) they should know better. I went there to celebrate my mom for Mardi Gras. I lost her in late November. One of the tings we sold out of was our pralines. What I had tonight was disgusting and I'm hurt and disappointed. Stop profiting off my culture without respecting our traditional values. I'm tired of the exploitation. Our food is what's left. Our language, elders and homes are gone. read more

Service was phenomenal! Oysters were okay but the bread service, spinach and artichoke dip, and dessert were divine! read more

Dauphine’s - Banana Foster Cake - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great service and food. We were a larger party and the service was excellent. Nice touch to have the Sommelier come by.

While the service was impeccable and atmosphere was wonderfully cozy in only the way a classic Deep South bar can be, the food here simply fell flat. I joined a group of five others and had the benefit of trying a variety of dishes (couchon, oyster spaghetti, gumbo, scallops, quail, and four different desserts), and not a single one would I come back for, ESPECIALLY for the high price tag. I felt the same way about the cocktails (too much sugar and ice.) Both the dining room and patio were lovely, but unless you're trying to really impress a date with "vibes", don't bother. One final note, if you're looking for real New Orleans food, this ain't it. This is barely NOLA adjacent. read more

Love this place. It's hard to find good mussels in Lewiston, Idaho but this restaurant was just around the corner from my hotel. The service is top notch and I can't say anything negative about the service. In fact, it took a bit for my server, Autumn, to take my order, so she comped my drink. 10/10. Did I mention that a mussels meal was only $17??? read more

Giving this 2 stars for the atmosphere, it is beautiful inside. The food, however, is only good if you don't have any dietary restrictions. The menu is extremely limited if you have any intolerances such as gluten, dairy, vegetarian, etc. I am vegetarian and literally couldn't even eat the tomato salad because it had pork in it they wouldn't remove. Usually restaurants are accommodating and willing to make menu tweaks to help, not this one. Not only did they only have 1 dish (a plate of potatoes) that I could eat, but they were not helpful in finding creative ways to allow me to eat something. Hoping they make menu adjustments and there is hope to enjoy the restaurant in the future. Thanks! read more

I enjoyed my time here! The service was excellent! The menu can be overwhelming if you have absolutely no clue what you want, but the staff is so knowledgeable...they will always help. read more

Visited for my second time and my friend's first time during winter restaurant week 2023 and had a fabulous time. After waiting about 15 minutes after our reseveration to be seated, everything was smooth sailing, delicious, and lovely. We were both celebrating birthdays and the waiter and staff really took great care of us and made us feel special the entire time. Further, everything was so delicious. Crab etouffee, gumbo, added in bread service, oysters, and the fried rice balls (I believe that's their name), catfish creole, king cake, and chocolate pot de creme. We walked (rolled) out of the restaurant happy as clams. Truly, the food, the staff, the ambiance all made for the most lovely evening. Probably my best dining experience since at least 2019. Thank you, Dauphines! read more

Dauphine’s - Crab etouffee - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This was a great experience. I wasn't too hungry so I got some raw oysters the squash bisque and the shrimp toast. The poached pear dessert was excellent. Great service. I would definitely return. There are lots of items on the menu that's Id like to try. read more

Dauphine’s - Poached pear - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here to dine with my friend as we were intrigued by the Michelin rating. I ended up trying the 20-year-old pappy Van Winkle which was at a reasonable price and quite delicious. We ended up getting oysters and the bread platter which were delicious. I also got the pig ear salad which was quite good. I ended up getting a steak which was just okay for me. We also got the panna cotta which was okay as well. Our waiter was excellent very humorous and entertaining. Parking is on the street. If I was in the mood/area I would definitely come back again read more

We celebrated a birthday with a New Orleans-style brunch at Dauphines today. The ambiance boasted a chic vibe, reminiscent of the French Quarter, thanks to its marble accents, impressively high ceilings (which surprisingly didn't amplify noise), and tasteful wrought iron decor. The live jazz ensemble, showcasing a brilliant trumpet player, pianist, and guitarist, truly delighted us. The brunch menu features a vast array of intriguing cocktails. Although I was initially excited for the Ramos gin fizz, its $24 price tag felt steep. Instead, I enjoyed the French 75, which was delicious but petite. My husband tried the Ojen Cocktail, labeled as a "Frappe". Typically, frappes are shaken or blended beverages involving coffee, sugar, milk, or water. However, what we got was primarily a shot of anise liqueur over crushed ice. For starters, we had the Nduja Toast--comprising Nduja, sourdough bread, maple bacon, and cane syrup. Flavor-wise, it was a winner. However, its serving size (a single sandwich-sized bread slice cut in half) did not seem to justify its $12 price point. Several creole classics caught our eye, especially the Andouille Half-Smoked Po Boy. Three members of our party chose the Baked Egg Sardou, a delectable blend of egg, artichokes, creamed spinach, breadcrumbs, and Hollandaise. While it was a hit, the dish's richness left us wishing we'd added the brunch bread basket to our order to reduce the heaviness of the dish. On the side, the Heirloom Grits stood out with their exceptional flavor, but the Potato & Pickled Andouille Hash fell short, needing more seasoning. The staff at Dauphines deserves commendation for their congeniality and attention to detail. They maintained our water glasses, ensured our table was clean, and didn't interrupt our conversations. The dishes were generally well-prepared and seasoned to perfection. One hiccup was the apparent chaos in the kitchen. Situated close to it, we noticed some disorganization. There was a noticeable wait for our coffee, and a side of bread we ordered was forgotten. These were minor setbacks, but when considering the higher pricing (our brunch party of six's tab was more than $350.00 including their added 4% obligatory surcharge), we anticipated a smoother experience. read more

Went for anniversary, very nice and good service. Blackened Bluefish was delicious. Hurricane cocktail was fun (: read more

Dauphine’s - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We actually ended up here by mistake. We meant to go to The Dabney but ended up making a reservation here and, since they charge you $60 for a reservation, we decided to eat here an not lose our money. To be honest the restaurant looks nice so we didn't think anything of it. A party of six, we walk I am ask for our table. Although there were plenty of open tables they said they could not sit us yet. So we sat at the bar to wait for our table and ordered a bottle of wine. The wine we ordered, amongst the most modestly priced on the menu, was pretty bad. It was passable but not much better than convenience store light bodied wine. Yet it was priced at $58. When we got to the table we asked the sommelier for a recommendation and ordered a Bordeaux for $86. This wine was decent quality, still you have to wonder why a decent wine should cost $86... When we started to order we realized that they don't bring bread to the table. Instead, the "bread service" was $10. Granted the bread was pretty good but the quantity was lacking. This set the tone for our dinner. Unfortunately, the theme for the night became the small portions, rather than the pretty good food. We ordered from their deli meat selection and it brought three measly salami slices and three bologna slices. The bread was the best thing we ordered. The rest of the food at the restaurant was an awkward fusion of varying cuisines that were more reminiscent of a five year old's strange ready make oven combination (think fish ice cream) than an actual chef's recipe. The entire menu beyond the bread, was haphazardly combined from what seems like a culinary nightmare. Weird rabbit dishes. Strange mackerel combinations. Extremely fatty beef cheeks with lean healthy fibrous legumes. But the reason this restaurant restaurant get one star is that my girlfriend who could not be drunk since she only had to glasses of wine - remember a party of six with two bottles - was harassed by the restaurant manager for putting her head down. In fact she had her head down because felt sick from the food that we were given and instead of asking what's wrong how can we help the lady comes and start touching and poking her saying that she cannot be like that in the restaurant. Bottom line offensive prices, horrible food, and horrendous service. In the end it seems like the small portions were the best thing. So we didn't torture ourselves eating the food. read more

Very cute decor and aesthetic. Unfortunately the food lacks salt and overall flavor. We had a charcuterie board with nduja, chicken liver moose and the bresaola which was fine and the scallop crudo. For our entrees we got the quail dish and the steak. Both lacked salt, and the steak was tough. We had split a bottle of wine and requested espresso martinis to finish our dinner. They didn't have espresso so they made it with coffee. When asked about how good the drinks we were honest and said they weren't great, so Tim, our server said "alright no point in drinking something you don't like, but I'm going to have to take them off the table". Which was odd, whenever I have been dissatisfied with something at most restaurants I've been immediately offered a replacement or it's just been taken off the check. Will not be coming back. read more

I want to come back to DC just so I can spend more time at this restaurant! I was only here an hour before my flight but the place was just so beautiful, the bartenders attentive and friendly and my cocktail and artichoke dip were delicious. read more

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Save the money for a New Orleans plane ticket because this restaurant was better than most places we ate in while in NoLa. Dauphine's has a beautiful interior with a double height space and a mezzanine. Jazz music played throughout dining room and modern NoLa decor was displayed on the walls. Staff was extremely polite and attentive. My visit was during DC's restaurant week, where I ordered: gumbo ya ya, blackened catfish and brown butter chocolate chip cookie. WOW- everything was perfect. The gumbo was rich and robust in flavor. The trinity of onions, celery and peppers was cooked down perfectly, leaving a concentrate of bold flavors. A creamy spoonful of potato salad was placed on top the gumbo that added a nice coolness to the dish. Next was the blackened catfish that was not spicy but heavily peppered for the "blackened" taste. The fish was delicate and fresh, sitting on top of a tomato sauce and creamy grits. Last was the freshly baked cookie that I could easily eat a dozen in one sitting. Dauphine's is a gorgeous restaurant for any dining event. I can't wait to come back for their live jazz brunch or maybe even attend their Mardi Gras event on February. read more

Dauphine’s - Happy Restaurant Week! (Lunch menu 2023) - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food was delicious, I had the mussel creole and it did not disappoint! The bread basket was so good, biscuits melt in your mouth. Service was attentive and friendly read more

To be honest, my first Dauphine's experience was, to say the least, subpar. However, thanks to the restaurant's great management team, excellent service, and dedication to improving the customer experience, my second experience was excellent beyond expectation. I have to shout out the restaurant's management, who welcomed me back with an obvious determination to improve my experience. They set up the reservation for me and a guest, arranged a great table, and came by multiple times to ensure our dinner was up to expectations. There was a clear dedication to showing us what the Dauphine's dining experience is all about. Our server, Ashley, was also amazing. She thoroughly knew the menu and provided excellent recommendations for both food and beverages. She was integral to our positive experience! The food was truly stunning. I came back hopeful for a better experience but with admittedly low expectations, and I walked away from the evening excited to return soon. Our favorite dishes were the cochon de lait, smoked fish dip, and beef tartare, all of which blew us away! Everything had great depth of flavor and hearty portions. The bread service is also a must-order (the biscuits are worth it!) Overall, I am beyond pleasantly surprised with my second Dauphine's experience and have a great respect for the Dauphine's team. Five months ago, I would not have imagined going back to Dauphine's. Now, I'm looking forward to our next time there. read more

Delicious meal, horrendous service! We had a birthday reservation, were greeted by host but table not ready. (No mention of birthday) We sat at bar and were not greeted by either of the 3 bartenders for 10 minutes. Finally we got a drink by a very unfriendly server. We paid and then host came over. A long wait for a reservation! We were seated at a nice corner booth. Our waiter came over for a drink order. Never explained menu or told me his name. I asked, it was Dale. Dale was so unfriendly and lacking of any charm. Not personable on any level. We ordered drinks and a chartreuse platter. Our drinks came and we mentioned if they had oysters as I saw raw bar sign at counter. He then brought back paper menu and showed me oysters were on the back of chartreuse menu. Really? Isn't that your job, Dale. Well this was our entire interaction with Dale. He just went through the motions. We could tell he really hated his job. All the employees we encountered at Dauphines was very curt, even our sommelier. I must say all our food was delicious but the service was so lacking, we wouldn't return. There was never mention of a birthday by any staff, so opposite of The Hamilton restaurant. Dauphines was the only bad service we had in DC. read more

Dauphine’s - Worst service in DC! - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We went for dinner and had a fabulous time. Although the restaurant was pricey, they treat you well. Our server was attentive. I got the BBQ shrimp, which was flavorful (and a bit messy since it's peel and eat). If you get the beignets, you must must must get the milk pouch. I had never heard of that before and LOVED IT. it was cold and sweet and hit the spot. read more

I was terribly underwhelmed. The prices were high, the menu had a good selection of food, but I'm afraid the pork that I ordered was terribly bland with the exception of the beans and greens that came under it. I did enjoy the okra, but the coating didn't stick and came off every time I attempted to put it on my fork. The cocktail menu was much more extensive than the food menu, although their selection of wines by the glass was weak. I booked a dining room table online, but was instead sat at a high top next to the bar and adjacent to the door. Possibly the worst table in the house, even in the bar area. I didn't complain because it was a slower night. I also find restaurants who don't provide paper hand towels or tissues in the bathroom rather cheap. I went in to fix my lipstick, and I'm afraid even a hand dryer can't help me there. The atmosphere is pretty, and I'm glad I checked it off my list, but I won't return. I do wish them the best of luck. The hostess had an uppity attitude. Might have been an off night, but still, the hostess sets the first impression for a restaurant because they're the first interaction a guest has when they arrive. They must treat guests more kindly. read more

Beautiful restaurant with amazing food and drinks, as well as amazing service! Will be back soon!

Not your average NOLA cuisine. Everything has a different spin. The gumbo was dark & thick (but the whole oysters were a nice addition). The po-boy was unique but delicious. Would recommend and would definitely return. read more

I enjoyed it. I've been here three times and the service/food is good and the ambiance is awesome. The baked Alaska looks better than it tastes, but I still order it for the experience. I definitely recommend this place read more

Hostess stand reception could have been better, as in didn't need the judgment coming in from the pouring rain in nearly 100% humidity. I gave her my name and she kind of walked away. Once I arrived at my table outside, Seth and the outdoor crew turned things around. He was friendly and engaging and offered his preferences. The restaurant is beautiful and I haven't been out to eat at a DC restaurant in quite some time. Given its proximity and a friend's interest, I was game to try Dauphine's. However, the menu wasn't that appealing, and the food wasn't that great. I ordered the bread service and it was true to its name. There were biscuits, brioche, and a baguette. There was some butter and a honey jam? Just ok. My po-boy was really only ok. I don't think I received any fried oysters in the sandwich. It just had something called "beef debris." The sandwich was served alongside some potato chips. My dining companion ordered the oysters Dauphine, which I thought was pretty good. She also ordered the BBQ shrimp which comes with five large shrimp. She agreed, overall the food was ok but not great. For dessert we split the Baked Alaska. It had a taste neither of us could recognize. I thought maybe it was an espresso/coffee or some kind of alcohol; my friend, having lived in New Orleans for many years, thought it was some kind of cake bottom soaked in rum. Neither of liked it. Overall, our service was good but the food could have been better. read more

The barbecue, shrimp toast tasted like wonder bread 0/0 recommend. No one likes hot bread that's not toasted.

Omg this restaurant is beautiful! I love the vibes here and the service was great. I thought the food was only okay... I didn't love much of the food but had a good time here and my friends really liked the food. I really really disliked the chocolate dessert. So wouldn't order that. read more

The atmosphere was a bit fancy, but the staff was very friendly.   Jessica at the bar was great.  Drinks were good.  The restaurant week menu was the move.  We did order the fried boudin and the delphine oysters as well.  They were good, but I think we will try something different next time. The catfish was amazing!  Would definitely come back. read more

I think this is the most beautiful restaurant I have been to in DC! Everything was clearly hand-picked and very intentional. I came here with my husband the other week since we hadn't had a date night in a while and he LOVES New Orleans food. For drinks, I got the State Street Cocktail which had flavors of pineapple, juniper, citrus, and mint and was just perfect. My husband HAD to try the Farm-Fresh Ramos Gin Fizz which combines Black Forest Gin, orange blossom water, a blend of fresh citrus with sweet cream from a local dairy, and farm eggs. It was definitely comparable to the Ramos Gin Fizz we had at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. For food we got the Tempura Delicata Squash, Oysters Dauphine, Braised Collard Greens, BBQ Shrimp, Maple Mousse, and Lemon Ice Box...it was all AMAZING! The tempura delicata squash came with pickled mushrooms, étouffée sauce, seeds, and cashew. I wasn't sure what to expect but I love delicata squash and this was perfect. It was lightly battered and fried and had the perfect crunch despite being placed on top of the sauce. The oysters actually might have been better than the ones we had in New Orleans. They were quite large like the ones in New Orleans and the spinach, horseradish, and pecorino provided the perfect amount of flavor without being too salty or overpowering the oyster. Also, it was cooked perfectly! Braised collard greens are always a favorite of ours and we get them at every restaurant to just see how they compare to each other. These had the perfect tangy and smoke and I would definitely recommend them. The BBQ shrimp, a New Orleans classic was also amazing. It was made with birch beer, rosemary, and black pepper. I wish it came with some toasted or grilled french bread to get the remaining sauce in the bowl, but we managed :) Dessert...my lemon ice box was...incredible!!! The texture was incredibly smooth and creamy but not dense. I love a tart dessert and the lemon flavor was perfectly tart and not too sweet and was paired thoughtfully with whipped buttermilk, strawberry puree, and cornmeal brisée (crumbled pastry). I think I have finally found my favorite dessert! My husband got the Maple Mousse which had apple compote, sesame oat crumb, filé (ground leaves of the sassafras tree). He really enjoyed it but after having a bite of mine, then trying his, I was glad with my choice. We will be DEFINITELY coming back! They have a pretty good happy hour, great service, and great food. read more

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This place is mediocre at best. The food is NOT good. The Mulfetta board for $45 was laughable should've been $15 MAX. The oysters were warm not hot, and bread service for $10 is meh. The atmosphere is great. The service is mediocre. They don't even celebrate birthdays here... read more

This place is very good, but is 15% overpriced. Service was great. Drinks tasty. Quail solid. Option variety what you would expect. Shouldn't have been as expensive. I do recommend though! read more

Appetizers were excellent and the drinks were also fabulous. The service was also very good. This was the second time eating here, and was surprised at how so-so the main entrees were. I'll go back, but my expectations will be lowered a bit. read more

The ambiance here is spectacular- you feel like you're in a high-end restaurant in New Orleans. I got the bluefish creole which was delicious. The service was great as well. I highly recommend! read more

Great spot for a nice date night! Our waitress was so nice and knowledgeable, she suggested multiple great options, including dessert-which I rarely get. Highly suggest the beignets with the mini frozen milk punch. I loved how everything was monogrammed with the Dauphine D and how the interior was dark wood with iron. read more

Great experience and loved the atmosphere. Miguel was awesome and made our birthday celebration great. The cocktails were amazing highly recommend the State Street and for food the dauphine oysters and cavatelli a must try. We will definitely be back. read more

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