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    Garden Cafe

    3.9 (76 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Cafes
    Closed • 7:00 am - 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM - 2:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Garden Cafe Photos

    GARDEN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Garden Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Butternut soup
    Wendy A.

    Delicious food on a cold January day. Soup warm for a starter & shrimp trio taco very flavorful.

    Roasted Chicken Breast
    Trung T.

    The Garden Cafe is one of my pre-pandemic lunch time staples when I'm working downtown. It's technically a hotel restaurant for the State Plaza Hotel on GW's campus but it has it's own side entrance. They have a rather large shaded outdoor patio, too, perfect for days like today that are not too humid or hot! Today's lunch was the Roasted Chicken Breast. It came out super juicy and tender with lots of gravy drizzled on top with mashed potatoes, and steamed carrots and green beans. It was a little pricey, but well deserved! I'll definitely be back to try the Fried Chicken Sandwich and fingers crossed that they bring back the Crab Cake Sandwich, one of my favorites pre-pandemic! Service was top notch even when we were sitting outside on the patio. Bathrooms did require asking staff to unlock for you just outside the restaurant in the hallways since it requires a keycard.

    Pain au chocolate
    Justine T.

    Nice little spot for a quick bite if you're in the National Gallery of Art. The pain au chocolate was good - I liked the flakiness. Similar to the pain au chocolate, the croissant was standard. Nothing seemed fresh. Service was efficient. Just a basic cafe - can't complain, but can't rave about it, either.

    Glenn S.

    Decent little coffee shop located on the lower level of the National Art Museum. The coffee is ground fresh and hand tamped by a barista. It reminded me of the coffee shops in Europe. However, The drinks were not made right. We ordered 2 double espressos and each filled a 10 ounce cup. I would call it more if an Americano than an espresso as my order should have been 2-3 ounces at the most. Don't get me wrong it still tasted great for what it wad. So, three stars for a cool looking spot and fresh coffee. If I returned I'd probably order a different drink such as the cold brew nitro they had on tap!

    Fried chicken sandwich.
    Robin F.

    Located in State Plaza Hotel. Food is okay. I had the fried chicken sandwich this visit, Although it was huge I could tell it was made from a pre-made frozen chicken pattie. The fries were good. My ketchup was old and dark and thick like it had been sitting out in the dipping container for a long time. I asked for another one which came much fresher and fast. It's a bit pricey for the quality but if you need lunch it will do.

    Seared Salmon Cake
    Micah L.

    We were up bright and early on Easter Sunday. Before officially going about our day, we stopped by The Garden Cafe at the State Plaza Hotel for an early breakfast. According to their website, The Garden cooks "with fresh, local ingredients" and "serves an enticing menu of American classics with a creative twist." Hmmmmm. I ordered the Seared Salmon Cakes ($16) -- cheesy grits, two eggs, home fries, and fresh fruit. Where do I even start with this one? Ok, let's start with the fact that even though the menu advertised "salmon cakes," the plate came with only one small salmon hockey puck. We found this particular hockey puck to be underseasoned and devoid of any of the natural flavor and decadence of fresh salmon. The cheesy grits weren't much better, overloaded with cheese but still lacking the salty, deep, complex flavor that cheese has the potential to add to any dish. Although the home fries were pleasantly crispy, we suspect that they were frozen as they continued the resturan theme of underseasoned food. Also, I hate to state the obvious, but what even is this presentation. Believe me, I could go on and on. Because our rubric also considers other factors besides taste and presentation, areas in which this restaurant was satisfactory, we cannot give them only one star, but we can, and will, give them 2 stars.

    a plate of salad on a table

    Good food, good service, good ambiance! Big portions! We had the place to ourselves on a Thursday night at 6:30, but don't understand why. We would definitely eat here again.

    He had the fish tacos.  He said they were "the best ever."  However, he regrets choosing the hard shell...Don't we all?
    Erica T.

    The food and service were good. They offer patio dining. Not likely to return, however; not particularly memorable. It's a good place for a business lunch. My companion, however, had the fish tacos and said they were "the best ever." I had the crab cake sandwich. The bread on the sandwich was fluffy and buttery, and the side salad was surprisingly delicious (especially considering that I wanted the fries but was trying to be loyal to my diet plan). I detected something along the lines of Miracle Whip in the sandwich, which left a bad taste in my mouth. But, to be fair, I cleared my entire plate.

    Great food and service!!!

    A wonderful hidden gem just blocks from the White House and the noise and traffic of the Mall. Generous portions and great presentation.

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    3 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Had dinner here while we were staying at the hotel the food and service were terrible for our party of 4

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    4 years ago

    Chef is great, the service is wonderful and we just really liked it! Thank you for a great dinner for the fam. Shrimp Tacos, the bomb!

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    2 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Best service I've had in a restaurant in a long time. Fast, efficient and friendly. Breakfast was excellent. Much appreciated.

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Patient, helpful, and nice atmosphere! I will definitely be returning to this shop. I'd recommend to those who don't need drama!

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Nice little spot attached to a hotel. Outside space was very inviting and had a nice breeze.

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    Tabard Inn Restaurant

    Tabard Inn Restaurant

    4.0(1.9k reviews)
    0.9 mi•Dupont Circle, Downtown
    •$$

    I have not been to the Tabard Inn for more than 20 years. No real reason, just found other…read morerestaurants to go to, I guess. But, this weekend, I needed reservations for a group and they had what I wanted, when I needed it. So, off to the Tabard Inn we went. The restaurant is charming, quaint and old. It leans heavily into its unique character and not without some success. I felt like I was walking into the past. Old worn wood floors, old upholstered furniture that had seen better days, heck, the place even smelled old. But, rather than turn me off, it was comfortable and inviting, kind of like going to your grandma's house where everything looks like a museum but you know you're gonna get some love there. The staff could not be nicer, better, more friendly. They know how to "do" hospitality and do it well. The food was good, very good. I had the pork shank. I am telling you that I could only finish about 1/3 of it because the serving was so large. And the meat was fall of the bone, cut with your fork, tender. The flavor was rich and intense. Great job! The lamb chops looked fantastic. The fried chicken was just okay according to my spouse. Is the Tabard Inn the best restaurant in DC? No and, guess what, it's not trying to be. It is just trying to satisfy the diners. There is no haute cuisine here. Tried and true dishes, prepared very well. The other thing about this restaurant is its flexibility. You want to dress casual? Do it. You looking for a dress up, old fashioned sort of dining room? Yes, that works too. Romantic dinner with your special guy or gal? Absolutely! They seem to satisfy everyone here. And they definitely satisfied me. Will I go back again? Yes absolutely. Do I recommend the Tabard Inn? Of course!

    1. Reservation: necessary…read more 2. Food: comfortable, good tasting but nothing special. 3. Drinks: good drinks, they have tea by the pot! which I love. 4. Service: very polite and attentive. 5. Interior: dark, cozy and all tables are so close.. everyone will hear what you guys are talking about. I don't feel comfortable in places like these. 6. Lots of fun decor, some paintings are hilarious! Must pay attention to them.

    Photos
    Tabard Inn Restaurant - Tabard Inn: inside

    Tabard Inn: inside

    Tabard Inn Restaurant - Fried chicken sandwich with za'atar buttermilk and apple slaw with perfectly cooked herb fries

    Fried chicken sandwich with za'atar buttermilk and apple slaw with perfectly cooked herb fries

    Tabard Inn Restaurant - Tabard omelet

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    Unconventional Diner - Lebanese Fried Rice

    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    1.4 mi•Shaw, Downtown
    •$$

    I went here before catching my flight.... We didn't make reservations because we didn't truly know…read morehow many people were coming. There were 6 of us and we had about 1.5 hour wait... for such a busy restaurant, we were ok waiting and our flight wasn't for several hours. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Once in, they stored our luggage in a closet behind the host station. I thought that was very nice as we didn't know where we'd be putting it. Our server was very friendly and offered recommendations. We ordered a few bottles of mimosas and they came with 3 juices. (calamansi was my favorite juice) we also had hibiscus lemonade and Hawaiian Punch. I had LOADED BREAKFAST BISCUITS and it was very delicious. I subbed regular sausage for turkey and it was on the side. The picture doesn't do it justice because I found myself wanting to try and recreate this recipe at home. The vibes were good. Food was delicious and the server was amazing. Would come back here.

    I can't believe I've lived in the DMV this long and am just now trying Unconventional Diner! The…read morename definitely fits as the brunch was anything but ordinary and packed with flavor. Service was a little slow at first, but the food definitely made up for it. The chicken & waffles were incredible: juicy, tender chicken with a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside waffle. The shakshuka was equally flavorful and had me feeling like I wasn't even in the DMV! If you're looking for a unique brunch spot, definitely add this one to your list. **I'd recommend making a reservation**, especially with the foot traffic from the nearby convention center.

    Photos
    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

    Space is large, bright, and contemporary. Reservations recommended.

    Unconventional Diner - Tip-Top Chop

    Tip-Top Chop

    Unconventional Diner - Caribbean Shrimp & Grits

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    Caribbean Shrimp & Grits

    The Capital Burger - Our namesake burger is served French onion-style with caramelized onions, Wisconsin Grand Cru gruyère and shallot aioli.

    The Capital Burger

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    •$$

    This place is sooo good! Perfect ambiance, the vibe is kind of a modern pub without being dark and…read moredreary, big comfortable booths, plenty of space to not feel like you're part of someone else's conversation. Honestly we were so pleasantly surprised by how good the burgers are! I had the Capital Burger which had such incredible flavor and the burger itself is thick and juicy. Despite having just had a big dinner somewhere else, as I write this, my mouth is watering. My daughter had the wild mushrooms burger and she loved it -- the aioli had the perfect tang to go with the mushroom and Swiss, both burgers were cooked perfectly medium as requested. The old fashioned was just your typical old fashioned with a slice of candied bacon attached to the outside of the glass. We were hoping for something smokier and a little different but it was still a very good Old Fashioned. We shared the chocolate mousse and it was perfection. Yum! If I lived here this would be my new regular spot.

    A rather nice restaurant, typical DC expensive, the food was good, with nice atmosphere, good…read moreservice, clocking in at about $42 before tip for a burger and milkshake. I had the blue cheese and black truffle cheeseburger, with bacon, and it was good. . Very good. I could not identify or really pinpoint where the black truffles came in, but the beef was well seasoned. The additions were a dollar too expensive across the board so I skipped those. The fries were sort of stereotypical, nothing really fancy about those. I debated about having the truffle fries, but didn't really wanna pay the extra three dollars. Bless my server, he didn't know what black truffles were, either. The Reesie's peanut butter cup Skrewball milkshake was quite good. Good use of Skrewball. Could've done with a little more alcohol, but what a great combination. Good taste. Vanilla ice cream and peanut butter all the way through. My only .. concern.. were the pickles. There's this NoVA chain restaurant that serves POPCORN before the meal, which I think has to be the most depressing, unappetizing, lazy and cheap way to start a meal. Capital Burger servers sliced sweet pickles in a jar. That.. is a step up from popcorn, but not by much... If I was in the mood for a burger and boozy milkshake, this would be on the list, but not my first choice.

    Photos
    The Capital Burger - Our Stoli Doli spiked shake is long sought & loudly slurped. Stoli Vodka hand-spun w/rich vanilla ice cream & topped w/candied pineapple

    Our Stoli Doli spiked shake is long sought & loudly slurped. Stoli Vodka hand-spun w/rich vanilla ice cream & topped w/candied pineapple

    The Capital Burger - Blue Cheese and Truffle Burger topped with cabernet-braised red onions.

    Blue Cheese and Truffle Burger topped with cabernet-braised red onions.

    The Capital Burger - The Capital Burger offers signature burgers, handcrafted cocktails, local brews and award-winning wines.

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    The Capital Burger offers signature burgers, handcrafted cocktails, local brews and award-winning wines.

    St. Anselm - 16 oz Prime Ribeye

    St. Anselm

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    •$$$

    Wow x3 If you love steak, gourmet cocktail, comfort food…read morewith a fine dining twist - this is the place. This place definitely lives up to its name! Place: it has more of a casual feeling with some ambience. Feels comfortable with wooden furnitures. Service: I believe we had Micah who was just exceptional- very personable and gave us the perfect recommendations. Fast and prompt service. Food: every dish we ordered was amazing. Cobb salad was really great- but the bacon on top was theee best bacon I've ever had. I've been content with just that order. Amazing oysters- fresh and condiments went very well. Now steak was Cooked to perfection and seasoned well. Now-- I am not a "bread lover" but Micah said the place was known for its biscuit (they charge for it and I would too if it's this good). Told him about my lukewarm love for the bread and he said "I would order it for educational purposes". I like education , especially this kind of education so I did- and yes, it is true. It was theee highlight of the night. Oh it's special. Crispy- and buttery almost like half croissant and half biscuit. The jam and pimemto cheese just out of this world. We actually came home and researched the recipe of "wanna be- st. Anselm biscuit" Definitely one of the best educational experience I've had. Price: I thought it was reasonable. Great portion of food that's why. St. Anselm - thank you and we shall make some excuse to come back to DC to come here again.

    I have only visited for brunch so far, and was quite pleased! We ordered a nice array for the…read moretable, and the standouts (in my opinion) were the chocolate chip pancakes and the breakfast potatoes. The pancakes were perfectly fluffy and a nice treat for the table. The breakfast potatoes were so crispy it was genuinely a marvel. The brunch fare other than that was quite standard, and solid. The atmosphere is nice and cozy. That said, there were a few things I would love to see. The coffee/tea menu wasn't quite too extensive for a brunch spot (would have loved more non-coffee drinks). There are also some upcharges to be aware of not on the menu (like cheese in eggs), which is not all too uncommon for brunch but still something to note!

    Photos
    St. Anselm - Bar area

    Bar area

    St. Anselm - Grilled Oysters

    Grilled Oysters

    St. Anselm - Carrot Cake

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    Carrot Cake

    Le Diplomate - Croque madame - so good

    Le Diplomate

    4.3(5.8k reviews)
    1.3 mi•Logan Circle
    •$$$

    This was easily one of the strongest dining experiences I've had in Washington. The server knew the…read moremenu inside and out, gave solid recommendations, and stayed on top of everything without hovering. We went with the steak frites, onion soup, and steak tartare, and every dish delivered. Great food backed by service that actually stands out. This place is on my list whenever I'm back in Washington.

    What a special place in Washington, DC we have here…read more It is said a lot of members of congress dine here and I can understand why. Everything is delicious here!!! I started here for my birthday with some escargots, fantastic. Pro-Tip: Don't forget you can dip that terrific breadbasket they give you with some of the leftover garlic sauce from your escargots. We both decided to split the Beef Bourguignon. The most tender beef you can imagine, you do not need a knife to eat, and it was accompanied with buttery goodness in the creamy potatoes and some carrots for good measure. For dessert we ordered the vanilla bean crème brûlée. French dessert at a French restaurant was a no brainer. The top of the dessert packed a crispy, sugary, slightly burnt tasting palate cleanser that definitely will keep you a pick me up, who needs an ECT shock to get the heart going when you can take a scoop of pure sugary bliss! This is a must go to if you are in the DC area, but be sure to make reservations it fills up quickly. As always people SYOY!!!

    Photos
    Le Diplomate - Dining area

    Dining area

    Le Diplomate - Escargot

    Escargot

    Le Diplomate - Bar and breads

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    Bar and breads

    Chef Geoff's West End - Butter Pecan Cheesecake

    Chef Geoff's West End

    4.4(902 reviews)
    0.6 mi•West End, Downtown
    •$$

    Ou r server was training a new server so we had an extra pair of hands . Service and food were…read morelovely. I dont personally love charging $7 for 4 slices of bread as a side (it's listed on the menu as a charge so we knew) but it was delicious. I would say of our 4 main courses and 2 sides the handmade mushroom ravioli and the Brussels sprouts side were the best! We also had a BLT, beet salad, and a grilled shrimp on salad. No pix sorry

    My companion and I came here for Sunday brunch, and unfortunately, the experience was pretty…read moreunderwhelming. I was particularly excited about the bottomless beverage option, but we were surprised to learn that we could only choose one drink for the entire bottomless experience. That restriction wasn't listed on the website or the in-house menu, which felt misleading and was especially disappointing since I came specifically to try the different drink options. Service was also a little slow. We had a reservation and arrived on time, but still waited about 15 minutes to be seated despite the restaurant not being particularly busy. We both ordered steak and eggs medium rare. Mine came out more done than requested, while my companion's steak was fattier and somewhat chewy. The eggs were very standard, and overall, the food was average at best. The ambiance was pleasant but nothing particularly memorable. Honestly, given the restaurant's high reviews, I expected more. It's fine if you're looking for a convenient brunch while you're in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return. P.S. Yelp is currently displaying a notice about suspicious review activity for this business (which I've attached), which I found interesting given how different my experience was from the overall rating.

    Photos
    Chef Geoff's West End
    Chef Geoff's West End - Super Kale Bowl

    Super Kale Bowl

    Chef Geoff's West End - Pineapple Mint Sangria

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    Pineapple Mint Sangria

    Garden Cafe - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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