The was an interesting brunch experience. The building itself is hidden and tucked into an alley. When walking in, you feel a blast from the past. The vibes are reminiscent of an old school dining experience. My three qualms are that drink prices seemed unusually high ($20+ for a glass of bubbles) and that it was very dark and hot inside...to the point we were fanning ourselves. It was around 70 outside and warmer in. Our server was so sweet and very consistently checking in and making sure we had what we needed. The food was great. The oysters were fresh and briney. The omelet and Benedict were served perfect. The omelet itself was so fluffy and rich with the side salad being a perfect addition. Sadly, the fries were on the soggy side. A bonus was the complimentary bread, which was a crunchy baguette served with homemade butter. Overall it was a good experience and would be interested in trying dinner when the mood lighting makes more sense. read more

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They also have one NY we thought we would come in DC. -The service was very attentive -food was good We had an array of apps, entrees and dessert. The hit was definitely the chocolate soufflé read more

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nice export from nyc, interior is well done and service is friendly. their burgers are good, and they have a solid happy hour as well (mini burger + martini for around $18). everything I've tried is on the salty side, prices outside of HH can be a bit high read more

I ordered the steak tartare, burger, gooseberry ducks, and fruit for dessert. It was very loud inside which is something to keep in mind. I did enjoy the gooseberry duck as the sides complimented it well and I loved the sauce! The burger and steak tartare was standard. I like how the fruit came with an ice cream and lots of lemon to make it light. Our server was nice as well! read more

Minetta Tavern - French Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My friend and I have been talking about trying the Martini Hour here for ages, and I'm so glad we finally went! It's a great deal: a mini burger, a full plate of fries, and a martini for $17. The passionfruit martini was delicious, and I'm not a martini person. My friend loved her vesper martini as well. We agreed that the fries were excellent: perfect and flavorful without needing a sauce, but they did give us a mustard that will clear out your sinuses (my favorite - I was genuinely so happy!). The black label burger with dry aged beef was very solid and flavorful - I wouldn't ever pay full price for it, sorry, but as part of this deal I left very happy and thought it was a good deal. We had to try the gran Marnier souffle afterward and I'm so glad we did. It was bursting with orange flavor and had the perfect texture. I want to come back and try the chocolare one again, but I do judge French restaurants a lot by their desserts and this one held up (crazy price though: it's huge, yes, but it is $20). Service was great and the interior is so cozy and tastefully decorated. All in all, a good happy hour spot that I can see myself returning to - I still need to try their croquettes and so many other desserts, and $10 for a really unique and good martini during happy hour is worth it for me). Glad we stopped in! There was plenty of room at the bar, though things were starting to pick up as we left, but in general I think you'd have good luck walking in for happy hour without having to wait at least early in the week. read more

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Overall the experience felt underwhelming for the price. The food was just OK, especially considering how expensive everything is. Portions were surprisingly small, which made the high prices even harder to justify. Charging $13-$16 for French fries is honestly insane, no matter how you slice it. One big downside was the smell right at the front near the bar. It was pretty awful and not the best first impression. On top of that, while waiting for our table there was nowhere convenient to stand, which made the wait uncomfortable and I constantly felt like I was in the way. Duck had a good smoky flavor to it. Chicken having bones was super inconvenient to cut in the bowl it came in. read more

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Wow. So glad we came here. Vibe amazing. Decor classic and cool. Bartenders were fantastic. Rashad was the one we mostly dealt with. We got the steak frites. Amazing!!!! Cooked well tasted great. Fries were crispy. We got a salad too it was fine. We also got the crème caramel dessert. Yum. Absolutely heavenly. It was crowded but service was great. Bathrooms clean. No complaints. Would definitely go back if I was in the area. Might make a reservation. read more

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We were in town to visit my daughter and she was nice enough to make us a dinner reservation at this restaurant. I am so glad she did because it was outstanding. The vibe is very cool and somewhat romantic with the dim lighting and soft music. We got a very comfortable booth in the back of the restaurant. The menu has about ten appetizers, a few soups and salads, ten entrees and steaks. I started with the burata salad. It was just the right size and very tasty. For my entree I had the steak frites. It was a good size steak with a round slab of seasoned butter on it, making it delicious. It also came with a generous portion of great tasting fries. My husband and daughter both had the French onion soup and the mussels. They both loved their choices as well. Service was also outstanding. We were all too full for dessert but maybe next time. read more

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We really enjoyed brunch at Minetta Tavern. We tried some classics, like the Minetta burger and the onion soup. The food was delicious. I had the mushroom truffle quiche, which a I honestly thought had too much truffle, but it was still good! The restaurant has a homey feel with old school black and white photos on the wall. The service was friendly and helpful. We had a good experience overall. read more

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3.5 stars. Solid! New York tends to export their tried-and-true clones down to D.C. where our previously steak-house heavy food sceene has gained soffistication. Enter Minetta -- that gives Flat Iron classic mid-scale New York energy with southern hospitality. No frills here, you are comeing for American Bistro fare and martinis on the menu. A booth with a friend means we got to try some of the main staples. I got the lamb bolegnse which was solid if not a bit under-portioned. My friend got the steak, which was perfectly cooked and served over a nice gravy. We split the crudo and the terrine which, again, solid. The service is attentive with crumbs being cleaned between courses and check-ins appropriatly spaced. Still, just like other NY transports like The Smith, the special sauce feels lacking. Fussy eaters, folks from out of town staying near Union Market, or those just wanting a no frills and gaurenteed not to miss experience, this is for you. I hope they can push the envolope on one or two dishes. D.C. loves to experiment and welcomes an underdog! read more

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I came here with a friend for brunch, and I really loved the atmosphere--it's dimly lit and super cute, so I'd definitely come back for a date night. It was pretty empty (probably because the bad weather that day), so we got a lot of personal attention, which was nice. The food was fantastic! We shared a pastry basket, which was amazing--a great variety, and there were plenty of pastries, so we even had leftovers. I got the eggs Benedict with crab--so tasty! I just wished there was a touch more crab, but it was still delicious. My friend had a quiche or tart, and that was also really yummy. We had coffees and teas, and it was a wonderful time. I'll be back for sure! read more

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Came here for a drink... 5 of us. We found a couch in the back for three of us and let her know two more were coming. but the server helped set us up elsewhere. So nice!! Got the Bas Soleil cocktail. Perfect after dinner drink.i loved the vibe here. Totally my decor! Lighting low, Red velvet furniture and crystal chandeliers. A bit lively in a Friday night Bathrooms are shared but the cleanest and most polite I've ever seen. I'll be back. read more

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They have excellent service, great place to get a drink and food was just okay. - Mussels: did not like it - escargot: out of its shell and I did not like this version. It was new though. Their entry is where every other business's back side where all trash can is, so it is a bit shady. read more

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This place gets packed! We got lucky and they were able to seat us without a reservation. It was also later at night, like 10ish. Anyways really cool vibe in there! They have a speakeasy upstairs too with unique cocktails. Dinner was fantastic! I got the burger which was perfect. My friend got the duck and wow I wish I got that. It was delicious!! Amazing flavor. Definitely need to come back and try more and also have dessert, I was too full. Great spot for date night, with friends, or even alone if you want to sit at the bar. read more

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Sat at the bar for drinks and dessert, service was good but the food was underwhelming. Madeleines were ok, very airy and the chocolate sauce was only fine. The pain Perdu was over-fired and didn't taste like much. Expected more from a place like minetta, even the dc branch read more

Minetta Tavern - French Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Felt like I was back in the Village crushing the best bone marrow and burger on this green earth. So happy this amazing spot is right here in DC now too! read more

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It's just ok. Since the owner Keith McNally stopped hanging around as much, the service and the food has slipped a bit. The shine and excitement has worn off if you live in the area and standards have slipped a bit. Still okay to grab a drink and quick bite, but not seeking it out or eager to take visitors. read more

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We came for husband's birthday. We chose this place for three reasons: bone marrow, soufflé, and dry aged steak! Couldn't believe they had all three. Loved the old school vibe of the place. Although a much smaller scale, it reminded me of one of the NY steakhouses that I really enjoy. Host staff was very friendly. They seated us at a circular booth. There were four of us, and we thought it was a bit cramped. Elbow room was fine, but because it was a small circular booth, our knees were up against each other. Server gave us a good recommendation right from the start. We started with the Roasted Bone Marrow appetizer and the Hand Cut Beef Tartare. It had been a while since I had bone marrow so I really enjoyed it. The beef tartare was also good. It came with dollops of a Dijon vinaigrette, which was good, but I thought overpowering for the beef tartare. So I preferred the tartare without it. Husband and I shared the Cote de Boeuf for two, which also came with two pieces of bone marrow. My son ordered the dry aged Black Label Burger. It came with a generous amount of fries. Daughter ordered the Smoked Li Duck Breast. Our dry aged steak came out perfectly medium rare, as requested. It was a good portion. It had a nicely seasoned crust. Rib eye is usually a bit too fatty for me, but this one wasn't too bad. It came with a gem salad which was decent. We also ordered the haricote verts and champignons poelees as sides to share. The haricote verts had a nice crisp to them, but I thought they were in too much butter. Overall, all the food was nicely flavored and seasoned. I tried the duck breast, and it was tender and had a nice smoky flavor to it. Didn't try the dry aged burger, but the fries that came with it were nicely seasoned. Surprisingly, no need to add extra salt. We finished the dinner by sharing the soufflé for two. It was moist and light. Husband is a big fan of soufflés, and he approved. The attentive service included refilled waters in a timely manner, and we were checked on throughout to see how our dinner was going. Minetta Tavern pleasantly surprised us. We wondered why we never came before. We'd come again and try the dry-aged New York Strip steak. read more

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The bastard sister to Balthazar in NYC, I was so looking forward to hitting this restaurant that I saved it for Saturday lunch. Zero ambiance, at 1pm Sat at the bar and had a very nice rapport with the bartender. Good keep. Food wise: subpar, below par fish and chips and a gooey onion soup. I left quite disappointed. read more

Didn't have food this time around but we do plan to go back. Cute French tavern in Union Market. The aesthetics were amazing, love the portraits and maps. If you're into downtown NY style restaurants that feel like a scene out of an old mob movie this is the place. Service was quick and easy. Love a bartender that doesn't bog you down as you catch up with friends. The hostess was great, super cute and gave her card so we could schedule my bff's birthday dinner with her directly. We'll definitely be back soon! read more

Stopped by Minetta for brunch with friends and had a decent experience. The ambiance was nice and welcoming, with a beautiful space - especially the back dining area, even thought it felt a bit tight and cozy at times. I also really appreciated the full bar and seating along the walls once you walk in. I had the deviled eggs and the eggs benedict. Both were fine, but nothing that particularly stood out. My friends had the burger and seemed to really enjoy it, so i'll definitely plan to return and give it a try. The service was a bit hit or miss - our server seemed awkward at times which impacted our overall experience. I think they just started offering brunch and were working out kinks so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Overall, Minetta has a lot of potential and I would return especially to try the burger, the dinner menu and for their drinks in their cool upstairs bar. read more

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Food was definitely good. I had the duck as an entree and shared salad and the bone marrow appetizer with others. It's definitely a cool place and clearly really popular (great for them!), but I think they need to manage their space a bit better in terms of tables and turnover. It was so jam-packed and a little too chaotic. read more

An enjoyable dinner in DC. We were in town visiting family, and Minetta was recommended - the front entrance is off on a side street/alley, but once we were able to locate it, it is absolutely beautiful inside. We arrived before 6:00 p.m. for dinner, and would seem like the bar area was full with happy hour folks visiting after work, the dining room was less crowded. I had the Moules Frites, wonderfully prepared steamed mussles in broth with a side of fries, along with some very flavorful onion soup which was perfect on a cool evening. Service was excellent throughout from a team of highly prepared and apparent well-trained staff. Pricing for our dinner average about $100 per person all in including appetizers, entrees, and a round of drinks, with tip and tax. It does appear that there's also an active lounge on the second floor, that we didn't spend time upstairs. Overall, a very nice place to enjoy especially occasion. read more

We ordered a rare black label burger and a French dip during brunch. Overall, while the service was top notch, the food was below par. The rare burger came nearly medium well. The au jus was very sweet and the horse radish on French dip was barely noticeable. Also, there is no natural light in the main dining room, which might be fine for dinner, but I could not recommend it for brunch. read more

Minetta Tavern - Black label burger - French Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Upon walking in, you are greeted by delicious. Jazzy tunes and the décor of a fifty's diner, combined with a nostalgic restaurant. Mezcal cocktail- delicious. Mezcal is an acquires taste. Pina Verde - a lighter, more refreshing version of a Pina colada. Chocolate souffle - tasty! read more

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Genuinely horrific experience. :( My friend and I were harassed so brutally here we left crying. No support from staff or management. Not only will I never return, I will tell all my friends that this isn't a safe space for young women. I live in Union Market and was hoping this could have been a regular spot. Oh well. read more

Overall: Dined in February 2025. Food was great, service even better! Would highly recommend. Food: We ordered the crab croquettes, roasted bone marrow, branzino, and burger. Everything was very well-prepared, appropriately seasoned, and with good portions. Would recommend every dish that we ordered. Service: Absolutely phenomenal. We dined with our infant child. They were very accommodating. Multiple people came in to check in on us. There was a mistake in our order not making it to the kitchen, and multiple people made a point to apologize and offer us a complimentary drink or dessert. Ambiance: Has a speakeasy feel. Very clean, appropriate spacing, not too loud. They did a good job separating parties. Good if you are looking for a night date night but also amenable to younger families. read more

Minetta Tavern - Branzino Burger Anna - French Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The Minetta on McDougal is an institution. Walking in to this location in Union Market District is a trip. They did a great job replicating the vibe of the original, just updated in the right ways. The bar is always lively. Great bar tenders with classic and specialty cocktails. Come for a martini and burger. Return for black manhattans, moule frites, and save room for the soufflé with a scoop of ice cream. A favorite place of mine and a much easier reservation than the original in the west village. read more

Definitely lived up to the hype we got the bone marrow to start and then I got the burger. The bone marrow dish was so good. Very rich and savory perfectly paired with the bread that comes with soaking up everything. The burger was perfectly cooked and flavorful. Drinks wise I got a few beers and a mezcal cocktail. The mezcal drink was well balanced and had the smoky spicy flavor. We also went to the bar upstairs afterwards. Both were great and nice and fun. Service was great at both places. Really nice and helpful when picking out items on the menu Both the bar and restaurant have this classic look of a steakhouse. The upstairs is beautiful. read more

Minetta Tavern - French Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place was lovely. Very New York in DC. Massive ribeye for two with the creamiest aligot potatoes. Light, citrusy hamachi crudo to start. A showstopper Grand Marnier souffle to finish. Highly recommend for date nights or double dates - great intimate vibe. Was too full to visit the Lucy Mercer bar but will make a special visit next time. read more

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Came by last night for dinner with friends. Kicked off the night with some great service, the host staff were super friendly and we were seated immediately. The excellent, attentive service continued throughout the night, honestly some of the best service I've seen in DC. As for food, we ordered the tuna crudo to start. It was SO good, and the pine nuts were a nice touch. For mains, my friend and I got the burger. While it was good, it was really closer to a meatball shape, and was really hard to eat with your hands. If you squished it too hard, the bottom bun would get soggy and start to fall apart. I wound up using a fork and knife. The burger itself was quite good, but honestly not mind blowing. I'd give it a solid 4/5. The fries, however, were excellent. I wasn't too interested in any of their house cocktails, so I drank French 75s throughout the night. The drinks were really well made and gave a good buzz. Overall, we had a great evening at Minetta. The vibes were spot on, and we capped off the night with a round at the upstairs bar. Highly recommend a reservation, the place was packed at 6 pm on a Monday! read more

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Still a favorite! Thought to update the prior review as we have come back numerous times (brunch, bar, dinner). The atmosphere is always inviting and the food is always great. Really enjoyed the Maryland crab salad and my indulgence is always the pomme Anna. Staff is always warm and welcoming, cheers to Isabel (who is the LOVELIEST host) and Andres specifically. The crowd really does make or break a place, even if the food is solid (which it very much is). It has always been a good, warm, chatty and not obnoxious crowd that has allowed Minetta Tavern to keep its charm. read more

Probably closer to 3.5 stars - Came on a weekend for lunch. There is basically no natural light in the dining room so I'd probably recommend it as a dinner place instead. Food is yummy and well done but very classic and nothing super special. I got the black label burger, added gruyere cheese. It's massive and they give an insane amount of fries (which are deliciously crispy)! read more

Minetta Tavern - Steak Frites - French Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Minetta has been at the top of my to-try list for awhile now, and while it had some highlights, it is not a spot we will be running back to try again. Their most famous dish, and the one we were most interested in trying, was the black label burger, a $36 thick cut burger topped with caramelized onions. I love a good burger, and I love caramelized onions, so I was very excited. Sadly, the burger is bland. It might be the most bland burger I have ever eaten. Even the onions had zero flavor. I'm not sure the burger is seasoned at all, there is no grill flavor, nothing. It was very surprising. I would have happily paid this price for a good burger, but to charge it for something so forgettable is criminal. For a good burger, go to Lucky Buns, Joia, Duke's, or Hill East instead. The single patty burger at Joia is less than $10! And it's incredible. Despite the bad burger, the rest of the meal was great, which makes the burger even more of a shock. The table bread is stellar, warm, soft, and comes with a side dish of butter, and a separate side dish of thick salt you can sprinkle on yourself. Great start. We shared one appetizer, the crab croquettes, which comes in an order of 3 and is a great starter. A nice little bite, but good helping of crab, and very flavorful. Highly recommended. With the burger, we also had a side of spinach because we enjoy some greens with our meal, and theirs is solid. Nicely cooked and good flavor. For drinks, we went off menu and had some classic gin martinis. I love a gin martini with a twist at a nice restaurant, and they served one of the best in town. read more

I've been to Minetta on two separate occasions. First as a walk-in for brunch, and then a few weeks later as walk-ins in the upstairs lounge. Both experiences were excellent. We were seated quickly for brunch and I ordered the burger. The burger was delicious and service was exquisite. One of the servers offered to show us the upstairs lounge before we exited which is what led me to return a few weeks later to check it out. The lounge was cozy and traditionally fabulous in style. A quaint fireplace surrounded by plush couches and chairs- we loved it. We ordered 2 dirty martinis and a burger which was slightly smaller than the brunch burger but still just as good. Looking forward to returning again to try out the dinner menu read more

I had dinner at Minetta Tavern DC on Friday and unfortunately had a very unpleasant experience. I only ordered the French onion soup and a side of mushrooms. About five hours after leaving the restaurant, I became severely ill with symptoms consistent with food poisoning. It was an incredibly rough night -- nonstop vomiting, fever, chills, and body aches that lasted well into the next day. I'm confident it wasn't anything else, as this was the only meal I had that evening. While the ambiance and service were fine, the aftermath of the meal was alarming and disappointing. I hope the restaurant takes this feedback seriously and ensures proper food safety measures are being followed. I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone. read more

We have gone to minetta tavern a couple of times and it has become our favorite place. The staff is so friendly and helpful, the bar itself is warm and inviting, overall an amazing vibe. The food alone though is what stands out, the duck breast is one of the best dishes we have ever had. The steak and fries are amazing! We also got the Aligot potatoes and wow I would eat them all the time if I could. The only item I was unimpressed by was the truffle gnocchi, it wasn't anything special. Finally, the main reason we can, the chocolate soufflé, it was perfect and a good dessert for two. Highly recommend Minetta if you can get a spot, it is truly a 12/10 time! read more

Although my experience here was simple and limited, it was delightful. After stealing a few bites of fries that were cooked to perfection off my friends' plate while eating on the main level, the rest of my friends went upstairs to the second floor lounge to grab a drink. And just wow...the space was stunning, the gorgeous bar taking front and center stage. Since it was a Monday night, we pretty much had the space ourselves and I was surprised just how big the upstairs lounge space actually - plenty of seating, dimly lit but bright enough to not feel too sultry. We all ordered martinis and although each one of us ordered a slight variations, the bartender nailed it. We did notice that the olives used are super salty, so of course that made the brine a bit saltier than I would like, but the bartender made my martini perfectly with just a splash of olive. I love knowing that Minetta exists, tucked away so cutesy in the alley. Definitely will make my way back over here in the near future! read more

The food was good, but this place is definitely overpriced and overhyped in my opinion. I feel like you can't charge so much money when you are located in an alley with literal dumpsters next to the entrance. We each got one drink and shared one entrée and it was a triple digit bill. The steak frites was delicious though. Upstairs is significantly more expensive. It was hard to get a reservation so we ate at the bar downstairs, which was not the most comfortable, but the service was good and we got our food quickly and it was tasty, but I would never pay this much money for that kind of experience again. read more

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Was super excited to check this place out after hearing about the best burger in NYC for years and years. With that being said, I had very high expectations, as I am a self-proclaimed burger connoisseur. Sadly, the black label burger I had did not live up to my expectations. It was definitely not one of the best burgers I've ever had. There are plenty of better burgers, especially in DC. The branzino my wife had was cooked perfectly but a little under seasoned for our liking. The bone marrow and foie gras appetizers were very good. The bone marrow serving was very generous. Service was just alright. It was hard to hear our server as the place was pretty loud. Also, it is very cozy. The tables are not that far apart and they get busy. I might stop by if a friend wants to check it out, but I will try different entrees if I do. If you have a burger craving, I'd go somewhere else. read more

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