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Kingbird

3.6 (360 reviews)
Closed • 7:00 am - 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Kingbird Photos

KINGBIRD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Upscale
Moderate noise
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Kingbird

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Reviews With Photos

Ora King Salmon
Kiana M.

What an experience. It was my first time dining at Kingbird. It was a great time. The service was impeccable. We were immediately greeted by the hostess who was very friendly. Then we were greeted by our waiter who was very attentive, knowledgeable and very entertaining. He made sure that we didn't want for anything. Truly the best customer service. The food was fantastic. We started off with drinks. Our waiter recommend the espresso martini for me and the Barrel and Branch for my friend. Both drinks were delicious. I particularly liked the Barrel and Branch I was a sweeter play on an old fashioned. For food I ordered the Ora King Salmon and my friend ordered Osso Buco. The salmon came with pistachio crusted salmon with eggplant. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the eggplant was very flavorful. My friend really enjoyed the Osso Buco which was veal. It was a good play on spaghetti. The ambiance was very aesthetically pleasing. As soon as we walked it we immediately felt like we were in a very high class restaurant. I wish I took more pictures of the restaurant but atmosphere was very high class. Overall, it was a great experience. It's right next to the Kennedy center which is very convenient. We went to see Chicago at the Kennedy center so choosing King Bird was a no brainer. I recommend trying this restaurant if you are in the area in general or going to see a show at the Kennedy center. You will not be disappointed.

Brittany W.

We went for afternoon tea to celebrate my birthday and it was absolutely perfect! Everything was amazing, including the service. The only thing we didn't eat was the chicken liver cannoli - personally it wasn't for me. We had bourbon chai tea and the jardin bleu, which was amazing. Thank you Kingbird for making my special day one of a kind.

Two Hennessy sidecars
Dee A.

We came around 4pm on a Friday. Kingbird restaurant doesn't open up officially until 5pm so we sat at the bar. The bartender Teddy was very efficient with creating masterpieces at the bar!! Please ask for Teddy! It's so cute in here! It's very modern and artsy. There are igloos outside that are likely very nice, but I didn't partake due to to freezing weather. We did not stay for dinner. It was my bf's birthday so Teddy surprised him with a birthday song and dessert!

Artisan Cheese Plate.
Emma G.

***3 1/2 stars*** What a bucket list afternoon. Kingbird was the first stop on an epic Washington DC inauguration weekend adventure, entirely because of where it was located - without getting too far into the political weeds, I'm a big Nixon fan so the Watergate had to be visited at some point, even given that it began a two-year descent into executive privilege madness. Anyway. The historic context was really all I knew about Watergate, so it was a pleasant surprise to find out that it's also a legit bougie 5-star hotel; my top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality was in her element. We were warmly greeted by roughly five or six staffers before making our way to Kingbird, which wasn't too far from the main entrance. Aside from the gorgeous logo featuring a bird wearing a top hat, Kingbird's interior looks like a lot of other hotel bar/restaurants (not a negative). Since it's a higher-end lodging, the decorative scheme reflects that. We weren't sure where the day was going to take us so we opted to sit at the bar for a light bite and drinks. I will say this - I don't think it would matter who was getting inaugurated, but on a weekend like this, it was PRIMO people watching. I had to remind my chum not to make eye contact with the guy two seats down nervously cradling seven spiral notebooks. Wild times. We both ended up getting Arancia Viales, which featured bourbon and an emphasis on orange. Very well made. The drinks came with a strip of bacon as part of the garnish, which I think they should have made reference to on the menu since my chum doesn't eat pork (no matter - I took one for the team). I didn't really see a reason to have it on there, honestly - it came off as gimmicky and didn't add anything to either the taste or presentation. On the other hand, the second garnish (a flower) DID; the floral scent complemented the drink perfectly, making the bacon inclusion all the more mystifying. I was SUPER tepid on the cheese plate we got, which is usually a safe, go-to for me. On a personal palate level, I wasn't crazy about the dark bread having nuts and/or berries in it, especially when you have so much other activity happening on the plate - you don't need to add to it with the bread. The bread should balance everything, not create the drama. I'm always thrilled to see honeycomb on these plates, which is in my opinion the most underrated charcuterie/cheese board item. Every place should have it. The cheeses themselves though were good, and represented a variety of flavors. Unsurprisingly, the star of the show was the service. Hospitality was in abundance (I'm sure it helped we were sitting in the metaphorical catbird seat aka the bar), and there was never a moment where we weren't able to be immediately assisted if the need presented itself. Top-level all the way around. As hotel bars go, this honestly wasn't that memorable - the Watergate itself was really the selling point. I'd come back for a drink or two, but with so many other options in the area I'm more likely to just sneak back into the building for a "I Stole This From the Watergate Hotel" pen next time I'm in town.

Kenneth W.

It has been almost a year since we dined at the Kingbird. We were delighted to reconnect. The menu changes seasonally and is always an exploration. Our server was Omar who we had met a few years ago. He is very knowledgeable, helpful, without being obtrusive. We were also greeted by Kate, Miguel, and Henry. It is reassuring and impressive that the Kingbird maintains consistent staff. It always feels like family when we dine with them. A unique combination of flavors and textures Tuscan Garmugia Soup peas, fava beans, pancetta, beef Beautiful presentation and flavors Black Angus Beef Carpaccio garlic aioli, arugula, parmigiano reggiano, grissini A favorite worth having again and again Cioppino saffron tomato broth, sea bass, prawns, mussels, fennel Beautiful delicious dessert Tropical Coconut pineapple passion fruit and mango compote, coconut almond sponge Amazingly different cocktail Arancia Viale wagyu fat washed bourbon, amaro noino infused orange, rhinomato, freshly squeezed lime juice, orange bitters

Menu cover
Amanda T.

Update 31 March 2025: Attended an event with a michelin star rated chef at Kingbird and it was awesome. The meal was omakase style with wine pairing and so delicious. The small intimate setting was fun. We were able to talk to other guests, servers and the chef as well. The experience was well worth the cost and the partnership brought another level to Kingbird. I would definitely come back to Kingbird for dinner. Maybe even try out a snow globe rental in the winter. Thanks for a great experience!

Afternoon tea
Clara S.

We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. We all ordered the afternoon tea (high tea, as we also had champagne), and it was definitely a great experience overall! First off, the vibe was great-- everything was modern and airy, and the view of the river was a great touch. Service was good too-- we just wished the champagne turnover speed was a bit faster, but we really liked how everyone was super knowledgeable about the different tea options! As for the afternoon tea set, it was super filling. Be ready to ask for a take out box, as we were too full by the time we were eating the scones! I really enjoyed the salmon sandwich, scones, and dessert options. The tea, however, was so so. I got the l'oriental green tea, which was light and nice, but nothing too special. I've seen better tea options at the other afternoon tea places I've been (Ritz London, TWG Singapore), but that could just be a personal preference. Overall, I'd definitely come back for a nice date or a special occasion!

Pork belly appetizer
Rebecca H.

This restaurant is in the Watergate hotel. I came here to eat before an event and the food was great. I enjoyed the pork belly appetizer and the fish was delicious. The truffle fries were tasty too. The old fashioned cocktail was good and I liked how the ice cube was stamped. The restaurant had a futuristic vibe and the service was great.

Honey, Peaches & Cream
John B.

Kingbird is a nice restaurant inside the Watergate. It's a good option if you want higher-end dining (with a price to go with that...) before a show at the Kennedy Center. They had a three-course prix fixe menu the night we went and I'd recommend that if you go. We started with Quilt, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley that was worth it. For our three courses, we had Grilled Kale Caesar, Pasta Carbonara and Black Forest Tart, and Shrimp Cocktail, Salmon, and Honey, Peaches & Cream. These can be had as individual items off the regular menu but is more reasonable when offered as a prix fixe.

Amber G.

We had the absolutely best experience. The food was amazing. The service from Brian was phenomenal. The Prosecco was great. Overall it was an amazing high tea. I cannot recommend it enough.

Stephaney S.

First I will say the esthetic was super pleasing, great for pictures, date night, low key birthdays. The service was good in the sense that food and drinks came out super fast but the server was not super friendly and it felt like he was rushing us out. The food was beautifully plated but very underwhelming. The food was not seasoned at all and I had to add my own. Overall an okay experience but I expected better because the hotel name attached to it.

Cornflake Crusted French Toast
Dan M.

This was a restaurant that was part of the Watergate hotel. It was a decent size spot with a bar present as well. The staff was very accommodating as they gave us complimentary fruit and pastries to go along with what we ordered. The prices are a little much but expected at a place like this. I had the cornflake crusted French toast ($21). It was brioche bread with a bananas foster sauce and Chantilly. This was not too bad. There was not enough sauce present as it just seemed to be a bunch of bananas. It was a little dry overall, but I liked the way it was cooked. The Chantilly enhanced the dish regardless. I also tried the chicken and waffles, which was something I would order again. The waffle was fluffy, and the chicken was cooked to perfection. There was also a little hint of hot sauce in the chicken which was a nice touch. The fruit platter was fresh and tasted good too. I did not have any pastries. Will I go back? Probably.

Jb H.

Great food. Amazing service. Elegant Atmosphere. The steaks were the best in town!! Would absolutely recommend! The food/drink presentation TOP NOTCH! ***BEST Shirley Temple's in town!!! According to my teenage experts!***

Braised Rabbit Cavatelli 4/10 Pommes Purée 8/10

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1 month ago

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Fantastic salmon. Three delicious oak barrel aged cocktails. The squash soup served in a squash was delish and unique.

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Kingbird Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Kingbird

Is there a dress code?

No there is not. I would say it's more than casual though.

I'm in DC next week and want to meet a friend for drinks before heading to the Kennedy Center for an event. Would Kingbird be a great drink spot? Is there plenty of bar seating or do I need a reservation?

Yes, King bar is a good option. No need for reservations if you plan to sit at the bar. If you want drinks and light bites, you can make a reservation just so you don't have to wait for a table if its a busy night. But definitely not necessary.

Is this restaurant located on the lobby level? I've been to the bar on that level, but not sure where the restaurant is?

The restaurant is downstairs from the lobby level. There are stairs you take down past the lobby.

What is the current Summer $52 Pre Fixe Pre-Theater Dinner ?? No menus online

How do I make a reservation?

I used OpenTable!

Hi! I will be bringing my husband for dinner to celebrate his Bday, any advice on how to make his…

Go somewhere else. This place is sadly a disappointment when it comes to special occasions. We've given them two opportunities to handle our family's special events. Last year, our Christmas Eve dinner in the (now closed) Backroom was ruined by the… 

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Stopped into Bar Betsie for drinks and snacks and really liked the place. The whole bar has a cool…read moreretro vibe with neon, a disco ball, dark booths, and a long bar that was packed by the time we were there. We grabbed a couple drinks and ordered some snacks while we hung out. The soft pretzel with mustard was good, but the buffalo chicken dip with Cheetos was the winner. It was exactly the kind of over-the-top bar food that works after a couple drinks. The atmosphere is really what makes the place. It was busy and energetic without feeling like a club, and we could still sit, have a drink, and actually talk. Cool spot for cocktails, snacks, and hanging out for a while. Definitely somewhere we'd come back to.

I love the ambiance and service here. I've been a couple times and it's been very consistent. The…read moreinside is dark and moody with a fantastic playlist. I always leave with new songs on my playlist. It is on the smaller side so I wouldn't suggest for a huge group. But if you're looking to grab a cocktail with a few friends or by yourself I definitely recommend. I ordered the Gold Rush! The drink was perfectly sweet and a good intro to bourbon, which I typically don't drink. I can't remember the second drink I got but it was equally delicious. I will note my friend was not a fan of her dirty martini. Overall great experiences.

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The Alchemist DC - Killer Sally

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4.2(124 reviews)
1.8 mi•U Street Corridor

When we walked in around 6:45p it was empty. But around 7-7:40pm it started filling up. It's been a…read morelong time since I was back at a true cocktail bar. Cocktails have become trendy and mostly a lazy combination of a spirit, simple syrup and a fancy-sounding ingredient. Not here. Each combination is crafted and tastes delicious. One sign of a good cocktail to me is that it has balanced flavors that somehow combine well together to create complexity that works. It did here. Our bartender was knowledgeable and guided me well after I shared my preferred spirit and flavor profile. The martini I had was off-menu and well prepared. Nostalgia for days of yore when only a handful of places in NYC were known for "cocktails" - not every happy hour menu in town. We did get the happy hour pricing ($12/drink) and yes, 20% gratuity was included. The service was stellar so I would've done that anyways and had no problem with it being mandatory. I will add - someone complained about the incense smells and when I first walked in, it did smell odd. Over time, I saw our bartender switch it out and the second fragrance was more inviting.

Very cool speakeasy type bar with skilled bartenders. They do fun themes such as house of the…read moredragon with smoke bubbles on the drinks. Good place for a one and done drink because they are very expensive... but it is DC so it's expected.

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Astoria DC

4.3(645 reviews)
1.2 mi•Dupont Circle
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I've been hearing about this place for a while now, so our daughter made reservations for our visit…read moreand we were not disappointed! We were greeted and seated right away. Our server was new and very helpful. The space is tight in there so walking back to our table was a bit of a challenge trying not to hit someone while they were taking a drink, but the energy is high and lively! We ordered cocktails to start, and there were so many interesting choices that it was a difficult choice. We all thought we got the best one! Every dish was fresh, flavorful and fire! The scallion lamb was tender and savory. The crab fried rice was total comfort food and I could eat this every day! All those flavors! The dish that stole the show; however, was the eggplant! Wow! What a wonderful surprise. Hot, fresh and full of flavor, the eggplant was perfectly cooked and we couldn't stop talking about it long after we left!

First time visiting this place after saving it on my list for a while now. Well, let's just say…read morethat it's worth the hype! Advice: sitting outside might be better in the cooler weather because we were being eaten alive by mosquitoes and fighting off flies. I really hope that they consider some type of nature oils near the tables to help guests feel more comfortable outdoors. Also, it would help to get more than one fan. Hospitality: aside from the bugs encounter, I would say that we did not have reservations (they were packed inside) so the hostess was nice enough to accommodate us outdoor. Our waiter, Anthony was a ball of energy and he really understands the dishes and was able to give great recommendations, some of which we plan to try on our next visit. Portions: the dishes are shareable so we only ordered the beef noodles and walnut shrimp and both were more than enough for a party of 2. DRINKS: I ordered the dark and stormy which can best be described as not too sweet and perfect for anyone desiring a well balanced drink. The bourbon smash was also really good. Well balanced with a smoky flavor which I loved. FOOD: Beef noodles- gosh this was so divine! Be warned however, there is a bit of spice to it but nothing that you won't be able to handle. I think the spices paired with the preparation of the noodles and the beef all made this dish memorable. Walnut shrimp- another memorable dish which came with a side of white rice. The shrimps were HUGE! But the flavors on each shrimp paired with that crunchy texture and creamy sauce, spectacular! Safe to say that we enjoyed both dishes and cannot wait to return and reserve indoor tables lol

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