Moonraker
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I love this bar. My friend recommended we meet up here for the rooftop unfortunately there was torrential rain so that made it impossible so we sat in a table Even with that the ambiance is just stunning and the drinks are amazing I got the jalapeno infused highball reposada, this was excellent my mixed cocktail was the konga Highlander which was also excellent My friend got their version of the old fashioned which had a really fancy ice cube with flowers Frozen on the inside. It was good but I liked my drinks much better Excellent service. The key selling point is the location and the ambiance but the drinks really match. The prices on the higher side, each drink is almost $30 but you're paying for all of the experiences above. I did not try any of the food but I think it's going to be pretty good from what I saw when we were sitting and looking at other tables. Parking is on the street and I would say if you're planning to come here for a quick meet up it would be an excellent choice.
I recently enjoyed a birthday staycation at the Pendry and decided to finally visit Moonraker, which has been on my rooftop restaurant bucket list for quite some time. I can honestly say it exceeded my expectations! First, let's talk about the view--absolutely stunning. Our table offered beautiful views of the water and skyline through the large windows. Although it rained for a bit during our visit, it didn't take away from the experience. In fact, watching the rain against the backdrop of the water and city made the atmosphere even more memorable. The ambiance inside Moonraker was incredible. The décor is elegant and modern, and I especially loved the statement lighting above the bar--it added the perfect touch to the overall aesthetic. While the entire staff was wonderful, I have to give special recognition to two standout team members: Jarae and Amber. Jarae, the hostess, was warm, welcoming, and made sure we felt taken care of from the moment we arrived. She checked in throughout our visit and provided exceptional customer service. Amber, our server, was simply top-tier. She was professional, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about both the menu and local attractions in the DC area. Her food recommendations were spot-on, she kept our drinks refreshed, replaced our utensils between courses, and made sure every detail of our dining experience was seamless. The sweet birthday treat that Amber and Jarae surprised me with was the perfect finishing touch and made my celebration feel extra special. The food was another major highlight. We ordered the Maryland Crab Fried Rice, paired it with the cod, and I also tried a sushi roll (I can't remember the name, but it happened to be Jarae's favorite--so definitely ask for her recommendation!). The cod was perfectly cooked and practically melted in our mouths. The crab fried rice was packed with real crab, and they certainly didn't skimp on the portions. Every dish was flavorful, beautifully presented, and worth every penny. Overall, I highly recommend Moonraker. It definitely gets busy, especially around the bar area, so I strongly suggest making a reservation in advance. Between the breathtaking views, amazing food, beautiful ambiance, and outstanding service, this is a place I'll absolutely be returning to--especially this summer to explore more of the menu. We returned the next morning for breakfast, and the excellent service continued. Elene was our server, and she was absolutely wonderful--friendly, attentive, and very pleasant throughout our meal. She made our breakfast experience just as enjoyable as our dinner the night before.
My two friends and I had a good experience with Moonraker before a concert at The Anthem. We wanted to get a cute dinner before our show, unfortunately, we got stuck in really bad 95 traffic and they were super accommodating with our reservation when we called to let them know. It's located on the rooftop of the Pendry hotel. You take the express elevator to the far left to get there. We shared their last bottle of vino verde that was very refreshing. We tried a bunch of different things on their menu. Our favorite was the tempura cauliflower, I highly recommend ordering this. I found myself wanting more from the hamachi crudo, but it was still fine. I loved my ora king salmon yaki puff. It was super unique and I recommend ordering one. My one friend enjoyed her veggie roll. The other got the Maryland Crab Roll (which I found to not have as much flavor as I wanted). Do know that they do not split checks here, which wasn't an issue for us. It's on the far end of the Wharf near one of the parking lots. This place is beyond aesthetically pleasing. We loved the bar and gorgeous views. It's quite pricey for what you get, but that's to be expected on The Wharf. Great for a date night!
Went here for pre-show at arena stage dinner and drinks. Made a same day reservation which was easy, though it was full so not sure if we would have snagged a spot without a reservation. Everyone from hostess to servers were kind and attentive. My first drink was a filthy vodka martini, and it was weird! Haha didn't taste like it should, I should have stuck with the specialty cocktails which were delicious. Food was good, we got 4 items between two of us and I felt perfectly full. They are definitely small bites. The stand out by FAR was the hamachi yaki puff, oh my goodness, I could have eaten 5 more. The steak and cheese was probably my least favorite, wouldn't order again. For 4 drinks and 4 food items it did come out to $200 (before tip). Pricey for sure, but I knew what I was in for! Also the ambiance is beautiful! Would definitely come back - the champagne and fried chicken special looks like a fun date night option!!
Food was good but a little bit on the saltier side for my liking. I only ordered mocktails but those were good too, quite refreshing. Nice view at the top. I think you're primarily paying for the view than for food and drinks.
Moonraker is serving up some of the best rooftop views in DC in my opinion. Located at the Wharf in the Pendry hotel, this restaurant has a Japanese inspired menu. I came in for some birthday drinks on a Thursday evening. Parking was super easy in the neighborhood. We were able to get a table for 2 right away. Our server was very knowledgable and kind. We order to glasses of champagne and an order of their hamachi. Their hamachi was a 7/10, nothin super special but it was plated really nicely. The champagne was crisp and cold. We weren't able to sit outside because it had just finished raining however we were still able to pop outside to take photos. I'd come back again to Moonraker for a celebration or for a date.
If you love a beautiful view, upscale ambience, great drinks, and quality sushi -- then Moonraker is your spot. The sushi is fresh and the champagne is crisp. Celebrating a promotion, life event, or just life in general? Moonraker is ready to deliver! I had the Wall Street roll: Ora King Salmon, Hamachi, Avocado, Okinawa Potato, Truffle Kewpie, Crispy Shallots Most rolls are priced between $20-25, however, there are A5 wagu options for about $50, and caviar/A5 wagu options for a little over $100. Oh and did I mention the food came out to quick and to perfection?! Cheers in advance to a successful night at Moonraker!
This is really cool and dope space with an incredible view of the river that you just can't beat. The atmosphere is beautiful and stylish with a really nice bar and plenty of space around the bar to relax located on the top level of the Pendry. It's a real vibey spot - great for all occasions. I came here for drinks with friends and was really happy with our choice. I had the old fashioned and it was excellent - made just right. I really appreciate a place that knows how to make a proper cocktail and Moonraker definitely delivered. Our bartender was great and made sure we had what we needed and also did a great job with making our cocktails. While I only stuck to drinks this time, the menu looked great and I'll definitely be back to try some of their food along with more cocktails. Between the unbeatable views, great drinks, and overall vibe, I can easily see this becoming one of my go-to spots for days or nights out with friends. I'll be back!!
Drink review only - Moonraker is exactly what you want it to be: bougie, upscale, with stunning views. Took the boyfriend's parents here when they were visiting, and they loved the views and vibes. We had beers and wine this time, but I've had their cocktails previously and remember them being great. Can't comment on food and probably wouldn't come here for a meal, but the drinks and service are wonderful.
-- Do you expect me to talk? -- No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die! Unfortunately, the 007 movie "Moonraker" doesn't have any really memorable lines (the above is from Goldfinger), but James Bond was the first thing that came to mind when I made reservations at Moonraker. Moonraker is a rooftop hideaway atop the Pendry Hotel on DC's The Wharf, with Japanese-inspired bites and sushi with a panoramic view of downtown. It was a chilly evening and so we sat inside by the bar. It's very intimate, very, very tight quarters as we were squeezed against the glass windows with a tiny table. Conversations were loud. There is another section, away from the bar, but I specifically asked to be seated in this room though they were persistently trying to get us to go to the other room. We enjoyed tempura cauliflower, Tokyo fried chicken, dashi cacio e Pepe, misoyaki cod, and rolls. Dishes were small but enough to share. We thought about (but did not order) the Millionnaire Roll ($111). We were full but not stuffed. This is more of a bar/see and be scene kind of place. Staff was attentive. We made reservations but ended up waiting 15-20 minutes before being seated. Bon appetite! (You only live twice)
Not my first time at Moonraker, but first time back in a while! This is your upscale bar with gorgeous views and well dressed patrons. Perfect for a date night if you have some extra money, it's not on the cheaper side of things. I usually only have drinks here and they're always a hit. Bartenders are great! I tried the Hamachi crudo this time and it was one of the best crudos I've had! Perfectly sweet and sour without being too acidic! I want more just thinking about it. Service was also amazing as far as table seating was concerned. Despite being booked up, they were able to accommodate us as walk-ins, but I would suggest making a reservation!
I love dropping by here from time to time on a weekday. The views are beautiful and while a tad pricey, enjoy their sushi as well. If you come here off peak, you'll find this place will feel like a serene getaway. I've visited on the weekends as well, which everyone is dressed up a notch visiting for a night out on the town. It will likely be very crowded with limited seating without reservations, but the evenings are when I have the most fun enjoying the patio, fire pits and breeze from off the river. Service when they first opened was a bit spotty but in recently visits they have been on point! Definitely a great vibe if you enjoy a taste of upscale without too much of an overly pretentious, sceney atmosphere.
Zoe! Sweetest server and I had the best birthday with my man here. Stunning views, delicious sushi and tokyo chicken, and nice service. Once you valet, take the elevators up to PH and you're in a celebratory champagne bubble. Thank you Zoe for making our night special!
Moonraker offers stunning views of the wharf, making it a beautiful spot to relax. The service is great not gonna lie but I only went for a drink, which was pretty good but a bit pricey for what it was. My friends tried the pork fried rice, and they said it was really good. Overall, it's a nice place, but the prices are a bit steep for what you're getting. read more
4 years ago
Went to Moonraker after months of waiting. To start, the customer service and ambiance is almost unmatched. The Pendry Hotel and Moonraker staff allowed you to feel as if all eyes were on you. Extremely polite and well spoken. The view from Moonraker is astounding. Even though I didn't get to go outside due to rain, I could see myself going here to drink, mingle, and enjoy the view. For cocktails, I ordered the FUJI APPLE SONIC. Delicious, strong, sweet and flavorful. I also had the Ichigo-Go, it was good but not my cup of tea. For food, I shared the following: Pork Fried Rice- An absolute must have. I could probably eat 3 of these in one sitting and be happy with my decision. This can be shared but I wouldn't recommend since you'll fall in love. Crispy Rice - A5 Wagyu - Beautiful Presentation! Amazing Flavors. it is expensive but an experience. Tokyo Fried Chicken - Sadly, this was underwhelming and disappointing. A couple bites, with and without the sauce and it was unappealing. The texture, look, and flavor were a big miss. Spicy Tuna Roll- One of my favorite renditions of a classic. Filling, and an explosion of flavor. I would highly recommend this as well! All in all, I'd come back again for sure! It is pricey for the amount you get, which hurts the rating. I wouldn't come here to get full unless you want to share a bunch. read more
1 year ago
If you're looking for good drinks in a swanky atmosphere with a beautiful view, Moonraker is your spot! We headed over right as they opened on a Friday and had no problem getting in even though we didn't have reservations. Our bartenders, Charisma and PJ? (I forgot the gentleman's name, but it was initials), were both great. We also ordered snacks; cucumber salad, fried chicken and tuna over crispy rice. Everything was delicious! They are quite pricey, but it's a beautiful bar with a magnificent view of the city and great food and drinks. read more
3 years ago
We came to celebrate a friend's birthday and had an absolutely lovely evening. The service was great, the bar is absolutely stunning and the food was very tasty. We visited in winter but look forward to cocktails on the beautiful deck! This missed 5-stars for me because of the price for the portions. That being said, I will still come back! read more
1 year ago
We came here for our anniversary dinner - overall, the food is pretty overpriced. None of the food was bad, but it is on the pricier side with portions being pretty small. Sushi was very mid. It seems like people mainly come here for the views and drinks versus the food - the pork fried rice was probably the best dish of the night. Overall, I would probably not come here again unless I was just grabbing a drink at the bar and hanging out on the rooftop. read more
2 years ago
I came to this location for a networking event and it's definitely one of the nicest rooftops I've experienced to date in the DC area. It has great views and ample patio furniture for larger groups and great design flow between transitioning from the inside dining/bar area to the outside. The food menu is Japanese inspired and features a variety of light bites like shrimp dumplings, pork belly fried rice, sashimi & nigiri, and maki rolls as well. As for beverages the bar features a plethora of cocktail options several featuring saki and Japanese whiskeys, as well as wines by the glass. Now you definitely want to be mindful that it will get pricey but you're paying for the experience and overall ambiance of the location. All in all the service was solid our group of guests were well taken care of irregardless of the large size of the party, but definitely make reservations for these instances as this seems to be a very popular location even on weekdays. read more
2 years ago
I chose this location to enjoy late night cocktails and bites for my Saturday birthday. The rooftop views were amazing and one of the main reasons for selecting this venue. I made reservations but the only seating available was indoors. Fortunately, we were able to move outside once a table became available. We enjoyed the pork belly fried rice, Butterfly Bloom cocktail, and espresso martinis- all delicious! Knocking off one star because our hostess seemed in a rush to clear the table and clean up before the restaurant closed at 11pm. You'll see she didn't even light the birthday candle! read more
Wow. You need to come here. I was literally blown away, it's rare that I see a restaurant this aesthetically pleasing in DC. It's located on the top of the Pendry Hotel and the rooftop views of the Wharf are breathtaking. For added perks, they even have a really nice fire and sitting area outside. The food and drinks are just as upscale as the scenery. I loved the themed ice cubes and the Crab sushi, the truffle edamame was also an ideal starter. The sushi was very fresh and had perfect ratio of everything...Definitely get a maki roll when you come. I feel like this is still a hidden gem that's gonna explode in popularity very soon, so go try it :) read more
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Had an amazing time here during my birthday weekend. Shoutout to our server Shanta, who truly elevated our experience. I want to come back to try the food (and to see her!!) she gifted me a free glass of Vueve because it was my birthday, and walked us through the cocktail menu! read more
2 years ago
Moonraker is the hottest new rooftop located at the Pendry hotel at the Wharf. They have a Japanese inspired menu w/ an amazing panoramic view of the waterfront. So whether you're looking to have an intimate date night, meet up w/ friends or simply to just enjoy your weekend w/ an amazing view, Moonraker is the perfect vibe. The menu was filled w/ fun light bites and sushi options. We ordered the "Tempura Cauliflower" which was simply delicious. I personally thought that the toasted cashews was a nice touch to the cauliflower & really brought out the flavor. We also decided to go with the "Chahan Pork Belly Fried Rice" & I was a little surprised that the rice was topped w/ a fried egg vs. it being mixed in like your usual fried rice options but overall, it wasn't bad. I was a fan of the "Spicy Tuna Roll" & I thought the gold flake topping was a fun touch to spruce up the rolls! I love an aesthetically pleasing dish! Last but not least, we also ordered the "Crab Roll" & although I didn't personally try this dish since I was super full by then, my friend seemed to have enjoyed it! It was quite interesting to see the rolls topped w/ a gigantic piece of Kataifi! How creative, right? I'm definitely planning on coming back to Moonraker especially during sunset to see the breathtaking view of the waterfront & I suggest that you all do the same! read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
Most of their tables are outdoors. So best for summer time. The center bar takes up the whole interior of the restaurant, small window seatings. Very loud conversations at bar. Not a romantic vibe at all. Food is basic & over priced. Server very rude. Will not come back here for the food. Just for the outdoors views & drinks. read more
2 years ago
Went here for a work event with my team. The drinks were excellent and paired exquisitely with the sunset views. The staff was very accommodating and fun to chat with, and even offered a complimentary beverage to our teammate who we were celebrating. The sushi was appetizing, fresh, and enjoyable as well. Overall enjoyed the evening. read more
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The views from Moonraker are amazing. You can see the views whether you're sitting at the indoor bar or sitting outside which is nice. The drinks are pricey, but it's worth it in my opinion. The service is great and their was a live saxophone show which was amazing read more
3 years ago
I went for drinks on Christmas evening. I had the Shio Kosho Margarita. It was very tasty, however not sure about it being worth $35. The ambiance was very nice with subtle music playing and the view of the wharf in the background. The server was very nice and attentive. I'd recommend for having after dinner drinks. Next time I'll have to try the food. I hear that the fried rice is pretty good. read more
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Reserved a table for my boyfriend's birthday. He loves sushi and I wanted to take him somewhere beautiful that he'd never been. We got there late and missed our reservation which was obviously completely our fault because we had issues with traffic and parking. I decided to take a chance and ask if there was any possible way we could get a table despite us being 5 minutes passed the grace period. They unfortunately told us they were very booked and sincerely apologized, which they didn't need to as it was my fault for being late. We got outside and started looking for another restaurant when Moonraker called me and said they felt so bad seeing how disappointed I was and managed to get us a table. I was so excited and we went back and were greeted by the wonderful manager who took us upstairs to a beautiful table. The food was absolutely immaculate. Every dish was heavenly. We started off with the Crispy Rice Tuna Rolls which were definitely the best tuna rolls I've ever had. We then had the Chahan Pork Belly Fried Rice and the Pan Fried Shrimp Dumplings and WOW. Incredibly delicious, we were both blown away. We then had the Matcha Cheesecake which the staff so kindly put a candle in for my boyfriend and even sang for him! I also had the Cuzu highball, as recommended by our lovely waitress, which was refreshing and delicious. They also comped the bill which was unnecessary as they did nothing wrong and it was completely my fault for being late, but it was so so kind of them. I truly want to thank the entire staff for this experience. My heart is so full. All I wanted was to take my boyfriend out somewhere nice for his birthday and they went above and beyond for us. I want to thank the manager, the wonderful hostess Brianna, and our lovely waitress whose name I unfortunately didn't catch. Thank you for making my boyfriend's birthday so wonderful. I am forever thankful and can't wait to return. This place is a 100/10. The service, the food, the views. Everything was perfection. Thank you Moonraker read more
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