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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Deliciousness - 4/5 Happiness - 5/5 Wish I could give it 4.5 stars as the service was truly excellent. I went to this delicious tavern (look for it in the alley) for an anniversary dinner and it was good stuff. Generally French cuisine, I tried my first Chablis wine (delicious, probably the sweetest wine I can handle without becoming too sweet like a Muscat). I went with the Brook Trout and stated simply, it was excellent. Doused in butter and expertly seasoned, I would say it was one of my favorite trouts. They also have beautifully baked bread. And we both quite enjoyed the steak tartare, which was also a VERY generous helping (and some perfectly cooked quail eggs). We also were given a gratis souflee that danced on the delicious line of pudding and cake, and enhanced with a nice pour of creme anglaise. Finally, the potato aligot was a cheesy explosion and something really unique (or at least, I've never come across it before). There were however things I wasn't a big fan of. We got the foie gras terrine and it just lacked flavor. It was a very generous portion but needed some pepper or something to enhance the flavor. My wife ordered the duck and while it was nicely cooked, it was very cold by the time it made it to the table. We also didn't care for the trio of sauces it came with (but that's obviously personal preference). Nothing was bad, they just left us wanting a bit more. The number one thing though was the service. We got a big, friendly greeting when we walked in. Our server was a total delight and kept checking on us despite a jam-packed dining room. And I also want to give a special shoutout to the woman who was bussing the tables. She was noticeably putting a high effort into her job, making sure to clear tables in a way that didn't interfere with anyone navigating the tight corridors, smoothing out the new table cloths each time they were laid down, and adjusting the cutlery so that everything was straight and fancy. This indicates this is a place that treats it staff well if their staff is putting that amount of effort into the details! read more

Have now been for brunch and dinner !! Steak frites at both meals is a must / go to. Perfectly cooked meat and phenomenal fries. Delicious salads and beautiful cocktails. This place is deserving of the hard to get resi and hullabaloo. Each meal has been perfect. Portion sizes are generous. Staff is kind, patient, and engaging. Ambiance reminds me of growing up in NJ/NY with hidden high end bistro's, and great vibes. THE BEST DESERT I HAVE HAD THIS YEAR SO FAR- GRAND MARNIER SOUFFLE !!! I grew up regularly visiting my French aunt- in France, I've lived in Paris.... needless to say - that desert brought back some epic memories. Beyond perfection in its level of sweetness and spectacular texture. PLEASE keep it on the menu for a while and don't change the recipe one iota! We'll be back :) read more

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Amazing ambiance, cozy, dark lighting, and lots of Italian character! The drinks were amazing, the menu is a little unvaried and the dish I ordered wasn't my favorite but overall I'd go again for drinks and the environment read more

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

Minetta Tavern has quickly become one of my favorite neighborhood spots. I struggled on giving it 4 or 5 stars because I really do enjoy it here but there is room for improvement regarding too much service which I have never experienced. There are a ton of people working and helping you at any moment but it felt like someone was hovering over our table at all times and we had to continue to let them know we were still working on our meal. They also changed the paper table covers after our dinner and before our dessert which didn't seem totally necessary. Everyone is so nice but I think they could give folks a bit more time and carefully watch better. My experience sitting at the bar was better than sitting at a table in regards to all this. However, I will say I absolutely love the vibe and decor in there and you do not feel like you are in DC. It doesn't feel new and is very warm and inviting. This most recent visit was a Tuesday night and it was very crowded and loud which was surprising. Our table was next to the bar, so it was especially loud with folks standing around. Just be prepared for a happening spot! For food, everything we order was pretty good. I would say that the butter lettuce salad is a bit overpriced for what you get so I wouldn't recommend that. Definitely get the fries (pommes frites) though and add them to any meal! The Coq Au Vin was delicious but the gnocchi is served on the side and while equally delicious, doesn't really go that well with the dish as a whole. For dessert, I was blown away by the soufflé and will want this every time I come back! The only thing is that the soufflé is brought to the table and then the server split it into four pieces and cut it tableside which seemed very unnecessary. We added the salted caramel gelato and it was divine! I will be back to Minetta Tavern soon and hope that they can figure out a balance with the appropriate amount of service. This is a great addition to the neighborhood! read more

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We had an early reservation on a Saturday and the place was bustling! Definitely gives hectic, lively NYC energy. We were seated across from the bar which was a bit too chaotic and loud so it was hard to converse. If you're dining here, know you're gonna spend money. Service was attentive, and our server often asked us if we wanted to add on additional items / rounds of drinks. Most of her recommendations were good additions to our meal (like the salted caramel gelato with the chocolate soufflé was excellent). We had martinis, the black label burger and chocolate soufflé. All worth trying but I like Gramercy Tavern's burger better. Minetta has the best fries possibly ever though - they are addictive, and the chocolate soufflé was a textbook example. read more

Minetta Tavern - Chocolate soufflé and salted caramel gelato - French Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I really enjoyed my time here! New York staple, but the Service feels like home where everyone remembers your name. Chilled cocktails and awesome service. I love the crab croquettes and hamburger. There's a speakeasy up top called "Lucy Mercer" Where everything is organic. Caviar is on the menu. Gorgeous spot with a fireplace and excellent service. read more

Black lable burger was good.. our server recommended stake tartar which was good too.. the decore was nice too. Will be back soon.. read more

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OUTSTANDING. Look, we can't take photos and use our phones upstairs at Lucy Mercer's, but all I can say is GO. I was blown away by the atmosphere and professionalism of the staff. The newly introduced Lamb Ribs is PHENOMENAL. I am a not joking when I say this, but it's cooked to perfection and the glaze, well, taste like fruit loops. Yes. Read that again. Don't be weirded out. It's awesome. No, I wasn't drinking beforehand and my homie who keeps it real laughed and agreed. Maybe it'll catch on. The Ivory and Roses cocktail was delicious and the New York steak was also prepared to perfection - I definitely could have had a side of Mashed potatoes with that dish! Everything is meant to be shared and live in the moment next to the fire. They feed it and keep it stoked. I REALLY wish I could have taken pictures upstairs, I know I take amazing ones and was upset about seeing some guests breaking the rules, but I must maintain my integrity. The experience is unmatched and they want you to live life and be in the moment. Treasure the company you're in. I would recommend any celebration here at Lucy Mercer's Bar upstairs. read more

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

I have been meaning to try this place for while now, I finally got a reservation for brunch. Ambience was nice, well decorated, my service was good, they provided some bread before my appetizer, as main courses we ordered the lobsters roll and, the black label burger, the burger was excellent. Overall this place has everything to be a 5 star restaurant, the only observation that I would to make is that the cocktails were very expensive, I paid $22 dollars for a Bellini, it wasn't worth it the price. read more

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So. Delicious. And absolutely beautiful inside. I live down the street and have been here several times for drinks and/or dinner. Every visit was a great experience. The service is top notch, it has a lovely polished wood bar for sipping cocktails, and all the food I've tried has been really good. My favorite meal here is the filet mignon with pommes anna and a small salad. Extensive wine and spirits list as well. Highly recommended. read more

This bar was amazing. The vibes were on point--dark, moody, and perfect for a date night or drinks with friends. The bartender was fantastic and made us some great espresso martinis and shots. I loved the no-phone policy; it added a unique touch and gave it a cool, NYC-style feel. I haven't eaten at the restaurant downstairs yet, but I'd definitely love to try it next time. read more

I was excited to try Minetta Tavern with friends the other night and while I am always a little wary of going to a new restaurant in its early days (yes, I'm considering January early days after its December opening), it did not disappoint. I haven't dined at the New York location but agree that the DC location has the NYC vibes. It's a cozy spot with a lot of tables close together. We were seated in a booth and we didn't feel cramped at all but I'm not sure we would have felt the same at a table in the middle of the room. It was also packed and loud but they still had music pumping. We did feel like we were shouting a bit to talk to one another but I also didn't feel like other people could hear us, which is nice in this town. My friends had glasses of the Bordeaux and I requested a filthy Belvedere martini. I asked if they had blue cheese olives, and while they don't, our waitress said she was happy to make them for me. And she did - the martini was perfect! We shared the Grilled Island Creek Oysters to start and my only complaint is that I wish there were more of them. They were buttery, warm and delicious. My friend and I both had the Steak Frites (medium rare with maître d'butter and Bearnaise sauce on the side) and the steaks were cooked perfectly. I love skinny fries and they were crispy, salty and so good. Our other friend had the Coq au Vin and she said the chicken was delicious and she loved the added side of truffle gnocchi. We did have to request bread but when it came out it was a crusty, warm baguette served with butter and flakey salt, which always hits the spot. I stopped after my one martini but when our server asked my friends if they wanted another glass of wine they paused and she suggested they split a glass. They agreed and were given very generous pours which was appreciated. We finished with the chocolate soufflé for two (but worked perfectly for three!) which was absolute heaven. Gooey, fresh out of the oven, light and the perfect sweet bite to the end the night. The service was excellent. They took my coat upon arrival, our server was excellent and went above and beyond (the blue cheese olives, serving the soufflé, spitting the glass of wine) and there were a lot of other staff available to refill water, clear plates and be on standby. It's definitely not a cheap night, but also not much different than other DC restaurants for a night out. I'd love to go back and try the famous French onion soup (which did look incredible at the table next to us) and some other items on the menu. I would say the crowd was diverse as well from couples, to a large family table with a baby, and some younger folks as well. We had an early reservation at 6pm and when we left around 8:30/8:45pm, the bar was completely packed as people waited for tables and enjoyed drinks. If we had been seated at one of the booths out there with people hovering over us, I'm not sure it would have been as enjoyable. Overall, I really enjoyed Minetta Tavern and look forward to going back! read more

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Very class establishment in Union Market. The atmosphere is very dark and reminds me of a 1920's steakhouse. The hostess and bar service are very welcoming. If you have a decent budget to work with, it's worth checking out for sure. read more

Minetta came in as a highly recommended restaurant. I love the way it stands out in its location. As soon as you open the door, it's a portal to another world. Staff is very considerate, The bone marrow was AMAZING. The minced shallots marinated in red wine gave the savory marrow a subtle sweetness. I order an old fashioned as my first drink at every bar/restaurant; Elijah did not disappoint. This place is an easy recommendation if you're looking for upscale dining with bar seating if running solo. read more

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

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Could not be more disappointed with my experience at their upstairs Lucy Mercer Bar. The decor is very eclectic early 20th century chic, and I liked the wood-burning fireplace and the elaborate ceiling design. But they were horribly overstaffed with little to show for it. Servers were not communicating with one another (two different people asked about our water preferences), we were slow to receive a menu and get our order taken (when very few people were there!), and it's a bit tight to walk around in there. Never have I ever had such an expensive cocktail in DC! $32 for a martini. Yet they do not name what brand of liquor is in any of their cocktails, so it's hard to know how much of it is genuine quality sourcing and how much of it is just branding. And, in classic European fashion, the question "sparkling or still?" holds an implicit third option ("or tap?") because if you don't, water is $12. I know this is a thing at certain restaurants, so I can't totally knock them for it, but the price point seemed wacky to me ($8 seems more right?). The audience for this place is clearly old money. But it's sorely out of place in Union Market, a neighborhood full of 20-somethings with disposable income--just not this much! read more

The most amazing food, service, and environment. The burger was the best we have ever had. You MUST get their famous burger. Cocktails were fresh and wine from the sommelière paired perfectly. Reservations are needed. read more

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We were really excited about this place - we had heard friends rave about the NY location and their food (specifically their burger). What I'll say is that the food and drinks are very average. If I was rating on vibes, ok, but besides the "trendy" scene, there's not much to this place. Our table was less than an inch away from the table next to us, and the service was fine. I can't say we'd go back or recommend to friends. read more

I have thought about this awful delviery experience for months now. I am horrified to see others reportign food poisoning JUST like what I experienced. I should have guessed this when I saw the food was off seeming. read more

Great food. Oysters were wonderful and the octopus was too. Don't miss the experience.

Food and drinks and service are absolute perfection! You can't find that combination very often. Worth every penny. read more

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Almost went while we were in NY but glad we waited to try our local Minetta! Before I start, I hope the quality and consistency remain! Got lucky and snagged a 530pm reso on a Thursday. After managing the DC traffic, we arrived around 6pm. The host greeted us and was very courteous and understanding of our late arrival. We were promptly seated and ordered a martini and a glass of wine. Both the drinks were great. For appetizers we both ordered the French onion soup and for entrees we had the black label burger. The French onion soup was fantastic! Definitely the best I've had in DC and puts Le Dips & Grande Boucherie's to shame. The main event though is why we came here, the dry aged (45 days) black label burger. I ordered mine medium-well (should've done medium) and was amazed at the amount of flavor and juice the burger had. I was initially caught off guard by the caramelized onions on top but man the patty was seared perfectly on the outside and juicy in the middle. The fries were also the best I've ever eaten. I need to get a job here as a line cook just to learn how to make those French fries.... The dessert soufflé was also great! Overall, pleased with the dining experience and the staff was super attentive and courteous with complimentary jacket check ins and letting us enjoy a few cocktails on the upstairs secret area Lucy Mercer read more

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For a cute place the food is ACTUSLLY GOOD. Loved it. Jwiwowjwbwowiejebwowjwbwbwowowidhwbwiw

I grabbed a holiday reservation at Minetta Tavern and it was a SCENE!!! Politicians everywhere, hot people that were truly *dressing* everywhere else. Occasionally those circles overlapped but *waves hands* you know. I can't think of many other places, certainly not restaurants, where people are showing out with this much success. The service was amazing. The dining room pulses with warmth and conversation. The table next to us leaned in as we sat to brazenly tell us the must orders. The table on our other side arrived after us and became partners in laughter as waiters wiggled between boisterous arm movements from people telling stories and snug tables. You felt like you were at a dinner party you hoped to be invited back to. My friend and I ordered liberally for two- bone marrow, burger, oysters, drinks, salad, soufflé. The breadbasket? Bottomless and served with butter and sea salt to sprinkle. We got out with $120/ each with tax and tip. No notes. I loved it so much I returned back the next night with two more friends and left itching to sort how swiftly I can return and try the upstairs bar. read more

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

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The moment you walk through the front door you know you are in for an experience. The atmosphere was sophisticated and full of history. The service was truly outstanding start to finish. The cocktails and wine were superb and the food was excellent! read more

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Bumped up a half star for dead ringer presentation (maybe even better as the bar is longer). Expert cocktails set against unbeatable,old school ambience right up there with the West Village legend. The Scotch spiked Martini was dynamite as were the other cocktails, and front of house and bartenders were first rate. But, the food was a notch below the OG. Maybe it was unfair expectations, but the food, while very good, was a bit less than I wanted it to be. Bone marrow, delicious as well as the onion soup which might just beat out Le Dip and Bistro Du Coin. All our entrees were far from disappointing, but a short of the OG. Steaks were well seasoned but came out cold rare rather than medium rare. Of course better to be able to send it back than throw it out, but just expected better execution. Same with burgers, just not quite hitting the mark tho far from bad. Fries on both dishes felt not quite to order. Derek our server was excellent. The sommelier too. With Pastis and Le Dip as comps, Minetta promised to be stiff competition and it certainly nails a lot apart from distinguishing itself at the entree level. Still, a bloody good meal but was expecting great. read more

I had high hopes for Minetta Tavern especially with its hidden location tucked in the back alley near Union Market quirky and promising. Unfortunately, the evening with my date didn't quite live up to the ambiance. Service started off as attentive but quickly unraveled. Our waitress said goodbye mid meal when I simply stepped away to ladies room having forgot our dessert order entirely. And the kitchen was out of branzino that I been looking forward to even though it was memorial day that you expected them to be prepared for. As for the food, the coq au vin was just OK lacking the long simmered wine flavor that you expect with the dish. The complimentary bread is a nice gesture, but it was nearly impossible to chew. read more

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

WHAT AN AMAZING PLACE! The service, decor and the fact that this place was packed on a Monday reminded me exactly of the NYC branch. Another hit in the city. Every food item was amazing. The onion soup was super cheesy, warm and perfect. The trout dish was so buttery and melted in your mouth. Literally top 3 DC fish dishes along with Rasika and Villa Yara. Of course the black label burger was just as good as when I tried it in NYC, the caramelized onions and adding cheese made it taste similar to the soup. Everything was perfect! I will be back. read more

UPDATE: Minetta Tavern officially gave me food poisoning. Never eat here. I'd give it zero if I could. Horrible. This restaurant smells like sewage and made me sick- they served me undercooked meat and expired sauce, and admitted it was expired (they handed me the bottle- it expired 3/2025)- maybe this place was good before but it has gone wayyyy downhill. read more

We went back to Minetta Tavern for a second time and it was absolutely amazing. From the service to the food to the drinks. It was all wonderful. We sat in a cozy booth which gave off great vibes. We can't wait to return! read more

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

Cute French restaurant in the Union Market area, enjoyed the onion soup and the decor was fitting! Check out the bar upstairs as well.