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Iron Gate

4.0 (823 reviews)
Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

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Iron Gate New American Restaurant Photos

Business Info

IRON GATE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Intimate
Romantic
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Iron Gate

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Reviews With Photos

Cuddlefish pasta
Caroline R.

This is an old time favorite, but after our visit this past week, it feels like it lost its magic! Have always been a fan of the focaccia, but I think they changed the recipe-it was not as good as it normally is. The beet salad was actually the stand out dish, could eat that every day. We also ordered the cuddlefish pasta and mushroom manitaropita--both delicious but overall felt like it lost its magic touch after being blown away in the past. Epecially disappointed in the focaccia

Imported Straciatella
Annie F.

Iron Gate is a beautiful restaurant tucked near Dupont Circle. The space is split between a dining room, an enclosed carriageway bar, and my favorite area, the wisteria-covered outdoor patio. It's the perfect setting for a special night out, especially when the weather is nice. The menu is modern American cuisine. I loved the tomato and watermelon salad to start, followed by the flank steak, which was perfectly cooked. The grilled scampi was also delicious, full of flavor and beautifully prepared. Iron Gate blends history, charm, and excellent food, making it a standout in Dupont. I can't wait to come back!

App course
Christine J.

Hadn't been to iron gate in years but decided to check out their restaurant week brunch. It was fantastic. The French toast was amazing as an entree. The desserts were delicious and really filling. The first course was also great the table had gotten one of each option. I liked the yogurt the best.

Ciao Napoleon ($19, left) and Tselepos, Blanc de Gris ($15)
Calder S.

Iron Gate was good but not great. They have room to improve some of the dishes, the service, and the dessert options. The restaurant is certainly one of the most beautiful in DC. It's constructed from an old carriage house, an outdoor area, and an enclosed alleyway. The interior spaces have rustic charm with dark wood and brick; the exterior space is a lovely, cozy patio with tree coverage. I visited for a special occasion dinner at 6 PM on a Thursday. The place was pretty empty but filled in by the time we left around 7:30 PM. Iron Gate offers a set menu ($95/person food + $75/person wine) or a la carte. The set menu includes all of the meze courses plus one from the pasta, entree, and dessert courses. This isn't one per person, but one per two people. The menu doesn't make this clear, but if you have more than two people you get to order two items from each course (we overheard this told to another table). We weren't interested in all of the meze options and wanted to get more than one entree, so we ordered a la carte. We also didn't think the set menu would be a good deal. You can get one pasta, entree, and dessert for about $95 by themselves, so the other $95 is just for the meze? Even if they make the dishes a little larger to accommodate two people, I'm skeptical. It seems like a better deal for the restaurant than the guest. Anyway, we got the Romanesco "Wedge" ($16), Squash Salad ($18), Hen "Diavolo" ($38), and "Chermoula" Swordfish ($37). The salads were good but I would have liked them to be a little more tender/softer. The romanesco, for example, said it was "charred" on the menu and it was mostly raw when I would have preferred it more roasted. The hen was a full chicken roasted with dry rub and served with a side of green beans, bacon, and onions. The chicken was nicely cooked and very tasty, although I wouldn't call it diavolo -- it was spiced but not spicy, and to me, diavolo suggests it will come with some spicy red sauce a la pasta diavolo. The swordfish was our favorite dish -- very tender and served with a delicious hash. We took about half the entrees home for leftovers. We had some cocktails and wine ($15-$19). I liked the Ciao Napoleon cocktail a lot. We skipped desserts. We weren't impressed by the two options: budino (pudding, $16) and "cheesecake" ($18). Those are very high prices for very basic desserts. Since there were only two options and both were basic, I suspect Iron Gate does not have a pastry chef, which it really should for a fine dining restaurant. Our service was very friendly and helpful at the beginning of the meal but then largely absent later on when the dining room got more crowded. We felt forgotten. We intended to get another drink, but by the time someone brought the drink menu again and then someone came back to take our order, it was too late in the meal so we skipped it. Our server gave us a few gratis items: a small hummus dip, a small spelt bread, and small glasses of lemoncello at the end. He did not acknowledge our special occasion; these seemed to be standard free items they throw in and we saw a few other tables get them. We had a nice two-top in front of the unlit fireplace, which was a nice spot, but also a bit cold and drafty.

Vibes
Clara S.

Ok-- this might make the top 5 best meals I've had in DC! First of all, the restaurant was beautiful. We sat in the outdoor patio and wowowoow the vibes were immaculate! Service was good but veryyyyyy slow-- our dinner lasted 4 hours!! We were a big group so we ordered the family table with dishes to share. It was A LOT of food-- we ended up boxing up leftovers to go because we were so stuffed! They also give you a lot of complementary "gifts", which means even more food!! Cocktail: - Grey skies: 10000/10 (omg this cocktail!!! Reminds of my fav cocktail from Silver Lyan. It's slightly citrusy, creamy, and aromatic) Appetizers: - Baby beet: 100000/10 (one of my fav bites of the day! The beet was super fresh and I adored the beet sauce on the bottom of the dish! Also the crunchy feta cheese was chefs kiss.) - Oak roasted dates: 100000/10 (another of my fav bites of the day! Hot dates filled to the brim with cheese... what not to like?) - Foccacia: 100/10 (cheesy, hot, and soooo good!! Literally had to have 2+ slices each.) - Grilled Chesapeake oysters: 100/10 (idk it just tasted very fresh and very special-- loveddd it! Perfect way to start off the meal.) - Wood roasted asparagus: 8/10 (yummy sauce but asparagus was a bit tough to chew on) Pasta: - Braised local rabbit gemelli: 100/10 (we were all a bit nervous to try rabbit, but this was fantastic. Pasta was cooked to perfection and the noodles held the sauce flavor very well.) - Fresh ricotta fagotini: 9/10 (solid but not groundbreaking) Mains: - Chicken breast: 9/10 (chicken was cooked well and seasoned well. Loved the sweet potato it comes with.) Dessert: - Chocolate budino: 10000/10 (as a dark chocolate lover, this was heavenly!!!! Not too sweet, slightly bitter, and veryyyyy thick in consistency.) - Buttermilk pana cotta: 10/10 (buttery and yummy)

Jillian B.

My partner and I chose Iron Gate to celebrate a special occasion while in town and had a lovely time. We went with the tasting menu, which was inclusive of so many delicious bites. We loved starting off with a bunch of small plates! Our favorite dish though was the bacon wrapped monkfish. The fish was cooked perfectly and we appreciated the uniqueness of the dish. Service was helpful and friendly!

Ana H.

This is an absolute gem. Walking into it it is a slim indoor dining area with a bar and then some outdoor seats near the entrance. I was a little taken aback because I had high expectations but then they walk you into the actual dining areas and it is a lovely surprise. The restaurant is beautiful! Every area we passed looked like the most romantic setting. Our table was the farthest away indoors and was very quiet and romantic. I did not get many pictures of the inside of the restaurant due to the complete awe. For dinner we did the four course menu and this includes all meze, an option for the next three courses. This was an anniversary dinner as we came to DC for our anniversary. This place was definitely a big highlight. All the food was pretty adventurous for us - but it was very delicious ! They also included some things on the house which was very kind - we had at least two items not on the menu. The hummus dip not included in that count was given to every table at the start before you order as well. Overall it was an amazing experience and I would most definitely love to go back. Note - we did spend at least 2 hours here but it is SO worth it. As you can see I didn't photograph as much as I liked due to the upmost enjoyment of my experience here.

Courtyard
Ally R.

One of the best dining experiences. Our server Joe was absolutely phenomenal! He really made the experience even better! the food was delicious - we opted for à la carte instead of the family table. The portion sizes are perfect and the unique food menu was great. Do not skip on dessert! - their version of the cheesecake is too good to miss! Also you can't beat the ambiance of that courtyard ! The fire pits and blankets make it super cute and cozy during the colder nights. We will definitely be back and recommending this place to others

Two Olive Oil Fried Eggs
Christina N.

Cute hidden brunch place! There's outside seating underneath some sort of canopy and it's perfect for when it starts to warm up outside. Everyone working was nice, and attentive, and our server checked on us sparingly (a plus for me). I started with a Cappelletti spritz, which was sweet and refreshing. For my main, I got the olive oil-fried eggs, and this was such a balanced brunch. The eggs aren't traditionally fried (not crispy, no brown lacing), but the sauce on top of them was delicious. Everything was bright and citrusy, the potatoes were crispy, and the salad just rounded it out well.

Amanda F.

I was invited to a luncheon here and it was a good experience overall. We had a fixed menu so I can't say I was totally impressed with the options as a pescatarian but what I did have was really good, like the feta cheese and beet salad, yum!! The service felt a little overwhelmed working around a table of 12 women and kept dropping things around us, but I felt for them as the situation was a bit stressful. We happen to have gone on one of the hottest days this week in DC, so inside wasn't the coolest temperatures but it was better than eating outside!

Two Olive Oil Fried Eggs
Cynthia C.

This place was such an unexpected but lovely surprise! I randomly stopped in with a friend for a late brunch whilst in Dupont. The patio is stunning. It feels cozy and I bet it'll be breathtaking once the wisteria blooms. The staff is lovely and attentive without being overbearing. I started off with the cappelletti spritz, and just as the menu described, it truly is like an aperol spritz but better. It was the perfect drink to start off spritz season. For my main, I got two olive oil fried eggs. It was simple yet fabulous. The salsa verde added a beautiful brightness to the dish, the salad was fresh, and the potatoes were perfectly crispy. Honestly, one of the best brunch meals I've had in a while. It was simple, light, but filling. I can't wait to go back once the wisteria is in bloom!

Daily foccacia
Matt R.

The second venture of the chef from Vermillion in old town. IMO it's better than what Vermillion used to be in terms of quality, service, and creativity. The cocktails, wine pairings, and platings were well thought out. Pacing of the meal was perfect as well, not easily done with this many courses. It's a very well decorated and cool spot sort of hidden behind the iron gates at the entrance. Small bar and a few tables in the front narrow section, with outdoor covered seating in the back patio area, and indoor seating past the patio. No it's not cheap, but things that take effort and time to produce obviously demand a premium price. Worth a splurge for a night out.

Sara L.

We stopped by for a quick drink on Saturday night before meeting up with friends nearby. As soon as I walked in the door, I was immediately struck by the beautiful interior. It's such an unexpectedly cozy place for DC. We sat at the bar and were immediately greeted by the staff working the bar. The service and employees get a score of 20/10. They were warm and friendly, even after working a wedding earlier in the day. The wine and cocktails I'd had earlier that night were bothering my stomach while there (thanks, sensitive stomach and age!). They gave me some ginger beer and checked in with me. Since it was our first time there, the kitchen gave us some fresh hummus and veggies. It was delicious and I wish my stomach would've allowed me to have more of it! Based on our experience, I'd very much like to return sometime for more than a drink.

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9 months ago

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My date and I went here last week and really enjoyed the atmosphere. The music, the service, and the food were very good. I recommend it.

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Iron Gate Reviews in Other Languages

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The Pembroke

4.1(405 reviews)
0.3 miDupont Circle

Had a delicious birthday dinner here last night. I highly recommend the mussels as an appetizer…read more The lamb Bolognese was delicious and they were very accommodating for food allergies. Service by Natalie made the whole experience a perfect night! I'll be back next time I'm in DC.

Fantastic New American / European restaurant in a gorgeous space. I visited the Pembroke as part of…read morea work team dinner during Restaurant Week, and we were thoroughly impressed by the quality of the food, super friendly service, and great ambiance. The space is gorgeous; I love all the plants, and the light brown, light blue, and white color combination for their furniture makes the space look classy and modern. The light brown leather couches are comfortable, and I love the way they circle around the tables to create a natural, cozy booth. Our food was just as beautiful as the space. The Restaurant Week menu comes with an appetizer, main, and dessert. Given how indecisive I can be (and how expansive the normal menu is), I was grateful to have my choices narrowed down a bit. I started off my meal with the octopus. The octopus was remarkably tender and not overly chewy, and had a delightful char that gave it a slightly smoky flavor. They double downed on the smokiness with their burnt chili oil, which, alongside the lemon and salsa verde, gave the dish a wonderfully balanced smoky, savory, and slightly acidic flavor. The crushed potatoes had a lovely crispy shell on the outside and served as a great base for the tender octopus. The main course was probably the easiest choice of the evening -- I'm absolutely obsessed with branzino, so the second I saw it on the Restaurant Week menu, I knew that was what I had to get. The fish is beautifully broiled, with a nice, crispy skin and super tender, flaky flesh. It's topped with a few pieces of roasted garlic and a wedge of lemon. The fresh lemon juice, as well as the lovely side salad, offered a great pop of freshness to bring the whole dish together. And finally, for our dessert, I chose the chocolate torta. This wonderful dessert is remarkably rich and decadent, with a strong dark chocolate flavor. It's topped with a lovely marsala date sauce and scoop of sheep's yogurt ice cream, but still doesn't feel overly sweet. The sheep's yogurt in the ice cream offers a bit of tanginess, and I loved the addition of the candied walnuts for a bit of crunch.

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The Pembroke - Nice ambiance but disappointingly fake plants

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Proper Bar - Pasta prawn dish

Proper Bar

4.1(42 reviews)
1.3 mi

Came here with 3 of my friends while I was visiting DC from out of town and it ended up being the…read moreperfect spot to celebrate two of our birthdays. It was a newer restaurant so they had adjusted the menu/food a bit from what I saw online but everything was incredible. Katelynn was our waitress and she was the super sweet and made the whole experience feel easy and special. Food and drinks were all really good, and they gave us free champagne to celebrate and then they decorated the dessert we ordered to make the celebration even better. Overall a fun night with amazing food and ambiance!

My good girlfriend was coming down from Baltimore and wanted to meet up for drinks and light bites…read more She's known for picking trendy, cute spots, so no surprise that we ended up at Proper Bar. A few people kept asking if we were going to Proper on F St or Proper on K St, both sports bars, and up until the day of I thought maybe they were affiliated. That was far from the truth... and honestly, once you walk in, you'll get why Drinks & Food I wasn't planning to drink since I haven't really been drinking lately, but I decided to go for a tequila espresso martini, and I'm glad I did. It was smooth, balanced, and honestly just really good. My friend ordered a Paper Plane, which she loved. For bites, we shared the chicken nuggets with caviar (yes, nuggets and caviar... and yes, they were delicious) and the lemon garlic shrimp, which was flavorful and perfectly cooked. Everything we ordered hit the mark. Prices are about what you'd expect for K Street and the overall vibe. Think $20-$25 cocktails, $20+ appetizers, and $35+ entrees. Portions, both drinks and food, lean on the smaller side, which is probably the only thing that might make you pause and wonder if it's slightly overpriced. ‍ Service Service was great. Our server checked on us regularly without hovering and offered helpful suggestions when we asked. Everything came out timely, and we felt taken care of throughout the night. Ambiance This is where Proper really shines. I walked into a cute, ground-level, dimly lit lounge with an opulent bar and a man playing the piano, which set the tone for the whole evening It felt upscale but still welcoming. Perfect for a romantic date night or a girls' night with your closest friends when you want to feel a little fancy. Overall The food, drinks, and vibes were so good that I completely forgot to take pictures, which almost never happens That alone says a lot. Proper Bar is a spot I'd return to when I'm in the mood for good cocktails, a stylish atmosphere, and a polished night out.

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Iron Gate - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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