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Ocean Prime

4.3 (819 reviews)
Open • 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 1 week ago

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OCEAN PRIME ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Intimate
Romantic

Recommended Reviews - Ocean Prime

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Reviews With Photos

Cocktail menu
Shawn T.

Another DC staple restaurant. Despite being open for a while I finally went. We opted for the early price-fix menu. I was not disappointed. The server suggested everything. He said everything was great and everything I had was great. From the caesaer salad, to the salmon, to the warm butter cake. Go to be seen, eat well, and have a great time!

Lobster Linguine
Christina L.

We need to address the elephant in the room...how did I not know how FABULOUS Ocean Prime is?! I entered the venue with a bustling bar and intimate restaurant. I started at the bar while awaiting the rest of my party. I enjoyed a glass of brut rose and complimentary popcorn. The popcorn is nothing short of amazing! The bar staff couldn't be friendlier and accommodating. When transitioning to dinner, I left to an intimate environment where our server was attentive and humorous. I ordered the Lobster Linguine, perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Goodness! I then indulged in an espresso martini which rounded out the perfect dinner. I cannot wait to return.

Bread Service
Jasmine U.

Ocean Prime is a fine dining chain that I can count on no matter the location. I've been in several cities but mostly frequent Chicago because that's where I live. This DC location is top notch! Our server was excellent and very attentive and even recommended an alternative ride share app to use. T addictive truffle popcorn was amazing as usual and entrees were delicious and well plated. It was my friend's birthday so she got a dessert on the house, also delicious. This was our best meal of trip, thanks for being elegant and consistent!

Bubble and Berry drink
Noelle L.

Came for a birthday dinner and had a wonderful dining experience! Tried the Berries & Bubbles drink that's handshaken side table. It was sweet and light. Also ordered the Ocean role which was really fresh and good. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu which was nice since it was our first time dining there. She even brought us a free glass of champagne when the cook of the steak wasn't right. The steak was fixed within minutes and we enjoyed our meal, ending with the warm butter cake.

Gerald H.

Saturday dinner here. I had noticed this place while leaving a dinner a couple weeks ago and put it on the list. I made a reservation for 8:30 and we showed up right on the dot. We were sat shortly after in a large booth which I highly prefer over the half chair half booth seating. We started with the French onion soup and Caesar salad. The soup was really good - the broth wasn't sweet but dark and flavorful. The Caesar was the standard issue. After reminding our waiter 3 times we finally got a bread basket which came with a small bread loaf, thin flat breadsticks with everything seasoning, and small pretzel sticks that were halved. The butter was also a nice touch - whipped butter. Seeing as it was my birthday dinner - I decided to splurge and ordered the special Japanese A5 Wagyu steak - 6oz. The steak melted upon touching the mouth. Highly recommended. Wow. We also added a twice baked potato, and chophouse corn as sides. I liked these as well - the potato was massive. For dessert I ordered the 10 story carrot cake and a cup of coffee. The cake was intense and I liked it a lot. The coffee was botched and the grounds seeped into the coffee and the coffee tasted horrible. Overall - very good. 4/5

Flavorless Lobster Linguine
Alfredo E.

I had high expectations for Ocean Prime in Washington, DC, but unfortunately the experience did not live up to the reputation or the high prices. Despite having a reservation, we were still made to wait, which was not a great start to the evening. One detail that also stood out was that bread was never brought to our table before the meal, even though we noticed other tables were served bread. The wait for the main course was also much longer than expected. When the food finally arrived, it was disappointing across the board. The sea bass was only half cooked, the Brussels sprouts were burned, and the lobster spaghetti lacked flavor entirely. At that point, we decided not to even bother trying dessert. Service overall was average, nothing particularly attentive or memorable. The dining room is elegant and well decorated, with a stylish atmosphere, though it is a bit dark. Unfortunately, between the loud conversations, background music, and poor acoustics, the space felt much noisier than enjoyable. Given the high prices, the overall experience simply did not justify the cost. With so many excellent dining options in Washington, DC, this is not a place I would recommend.

Kaya E.

Love Ocean Prime the more and more that I come. I almost always sit at the bar and all of the bartenders are great. Super attentive. Constantly moving finished plates away. Keeping your glass filled. And really friendly. It's almost always the same guys there as well and they remember faces. I tried a lot of food from their lounge menu during this visit and everything was delicious. My favorites included the, prime beef sliders, lamb lollipops, crispy fish tacos and the calamari. I also tried the mumbo shrimp and the ocean roll and I thought they were just ok. Probably wouldn't order again. Stop into Ocean Prime for lunch or happy hour. It's beautiful and cozy inside. And parking isn't too bad as well.

Spicy Martini
Brenda T.

While in DC we had dinner twice as the service and food were delicious. First dinner we stuck to seafood tried scallops as appetizer able to order a half order. Spicy tuna sushi and fish dinner. Great privacy in booth very good vibes and ambience

Teriyaki Salmon
Fran W.

Stopped in for Winter Restaurant Week 2026 and was not disappointed....the food was great, service was top tier and Ocean Prime is perfect for girls night, date night, or solo outing. I'll be back for their early dinner menu during the week!!!

Warm butter cake.
Tony G.

I absolutely love this restaurant! I have only been a few times for happy hour, but every time has been great. The interior is beautiful. The bartenders and staff are friendly. The cocktails are delicious. And the food is tasty! Parking is not that great in the area (as expected in the city) but there is a parking garage close by. I have enjoyed everything I have ordered but the shellfish Cobb salad and black orchid cocktail is a must! I definitely plan to return!

Oysters
Juhi T.

Came here late on a Saturday night with no reservation after watching a Drunk Shakespeare show and the classy ambience, service, and vibes were amazing. This is a perfect late night dinner date spot. The oysters (particularly the West Coast variety) were incredible. We also had martinis and the Parmesan truffle fries which were delicious.. maybe the best fries I've had in the area, cooked and seasoned to perfection. Our waitress was very accommodating when we asked for extra olives and placed orders for more food. I can't wait to go back!

Bansari M.

Went to Ocean prime as a vegetarian and was impressed by their quinoa option which was one of the three vegetarian options they had so I'll stop. The drinks were great, the vibe is busy and loud, the food is good, the service is acceptable and the desserts are definitely the best.

This Strip Steak was bad
Rafael S.

Group of 5 celebrating professional achievement. Service by Mila was awesome; caring, professional and sweet. Had a Seafood Tower of; Oysters (delicious Rose @ Garnet), Shrimps, Crab Legs, and Lobster. Then we had spectacular Raviolis, Sea Bass, and Filet Mignon. However the Strip Steak was bad; dry, tasteless, seemed old. Took a few bites and has gastric consequences that night. They did not charged for it though. Nicely prepared Martinis and two nice bottles of Pouilly-Fuissé. Plus we appreciate very much the details for my friend's celebration. Even the GM came by. Thanks to a great team.

Street View.

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the attentive service, fresh, flavorful food, elegant ambiance, and creative cocktails.

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3 years ago

Prime name speaks for itself. Everything was great. Would have liked a little more expansion on the desert menu.

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2 years ago

Great food, great service. Very pricey. The wine list is extensive and expensive. I would return, especially if someone else was paying.

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9 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Ocean Prime

Ocean Prime

Thank you for the kind words and the 5-star review Bob!

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9 years ago

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Ocean Prime

Thank you Patrick. We're so glad you enjoyed visiting Ocean Prime!

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3 years ago

Collectively, this my wife and my favorite restaurant. NEVER had a bad meal and the ambience is always "proper"

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Ocean Prime Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ocean Prime

Does Ocean Prime still have their surcharge in place? I believe it was just from Covid/inflation. Just wondering since we haven't been here in a couple years!

Is there a Dress Code?

From the company's website: Please choose attire both polished and suited to our restaurant. Thank… 

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CR NoMa - Swordfish Nicoise Salad

CR NoMa

4.4(223 reviews)
1.5 mi•NoMa
•$$

Went here for a work dinner and didn't know what to expect. Just followed the usual Yelp protocol…read moreand sent it. The place was pretty packed with everything from business to a bridal shower party. I really enjoyed how simple and inviting the place was for conversation. Being with other co-workers, I didn't want that place that I was screaming over everyone to have a conversation. More importantly, it wasn't that 20 year old vibe of being 4 deep at a bar begging for a drink. It was an elevated crowd that wanted a drink after work or a place to decompress. Oddly enough, there was even a guy there who whipped his laptop out to work while drinking and eat at the bar. Kinda different but hey, to each their own. Overall, this was a total win for me as it was still a weekday and exactly what I was looking for. Service at the bar was spot on and overall a secret win that Yelp help guide me towards. If you're in the area and need a post-work venue, I can vouch for this place 100% Food Taste: 5 Overall Service: 5 Value of service/food to cost: 4 Facility: 5 Ambiance: Pretty modern feel with that same take on food and value. Definitely fits the food vibe in the area. Repeat customer: yes Dog Friendly: no

I came here with a friend on a random Friday. It used to be open somewhere else in dc although this…read moreis a new location. It was quite loud when we came in, probably because it was Friday night. The service was great though. They were prompt and open to change, as needed. I ordered the pastrami sandwich, my friend got the flatbread and we shared the cigars. Everything was outstanding. I would definitely come back here again for more items.

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CR NoMa - Seating area near the front of the restaurant

Seating area near the front of the restaurant

CR NoMa - Chicken Kebab

Chicken Kebab

CR NoMa - Tea

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Tea

Flight Club D.C - At Flight Club Social Darts, cutting-edge tech meets an elevated menu of shareable snacks, cocktails, and curated beers.

Flight Club D.C

4.5(62 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$
Free WiFi
Vegetarian friendly

I booked reservations on line for two people Saturday 1:30 which was $15pp. the time slots after…read morethat were $17pp. We took a little longer then expected to find a parking spot so we arrived 10 mins late to our booking time. The staff was so nice they slid our time slot by 15 mins so we could keep to the 90min total duration. We were quickly taken to our bay and was provided instructions on logging in to the system and selecting the games etc. the games were sooo fun! It really showed our competitive spirit! There were lines on the ground denoting your level of expertise so it's customizable to your skill level. We order a few drinks which were delivered quickly and tasted fantastic! The decor and vibe was so awesome!! There was so much to see and surprises at every turn. No spoilers but check it out! Of course we will be back!!

Well, this was my first time playing darts. Apparently at Flight Club, it's more than throwing…read moredarts at a board and hoping you hit the center. There are a variety of games that test your accuracy and precision. The club is intimate with it's Victorian decor. All the games are played and scored electronically. Food was okay. I got the beef sliders and parmesan fries. Items were pricey as the sliders did not include the fries. The patties were a tad too salty as well. Oh, and you get videos of your time there the next day if you enter your email at the start of the game.

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Flight Club D.C - Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club D.C - Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

Flight Club D.C - Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

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Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

Free State - Hazy IPA

Free State

4.3(151 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$

Not to be confused with Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro (though many also call it Arthur…read moreWheeler Spirits haha), this place is located just off of the main street in chinatown, and it's surprisingly lowkey. It's a basement bar with a bit of a dive vibe, but it's hard to ignore the nautical, blue crab theme throughout. Turns out that one of the owners is a Marylander, which is cool to see reflected in the decor in a place in dc, even though it is next door. They have a happy hour and they have a great variety of drinks in general. It's bring-your-own-food (BYOF) and there are a bunch of delicious looking Asian spots nearby, including upstairs. It didn't start getting crowded until closer to 10, which, as I said, is surprising for this part of town to me. Everywhere in Chinatown is not going to be packed and busy, and this place is here to remind you of that. Stop by if you're looking for a more chill vibe. Staff are pretty cool.

Free State is perfect for a chill bar in the Downtown area. It's exactly the kind of place you want…read moreto share a few drinks and be able to hear the person in front of you. I had a delicious orange crush drink and my friend had a sangria. The bartenders are extremely chill and nice; they only come up when you need it which is nice for good conversation. I'll easily be back when I want to catch up with friends without a speaker blaring in our ears. Great place to introduce to more people!

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Free State - Spiked chocolate

Spiked chocolate

Free State - Bar

Bar

Free State - Small glasses

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Small glasses

Chadol Korean BBQ

Chadol Korean BBQ

4.5(138 reviews)
2.4 mi
•$$$
All you can eat
Full bar

Chadol Korean BBQ was such a fun pick for our monthly dinner series! My friends and I had a great…read moretime and honestly left fullllll. For $45 per person, the all-you-can-eat experience feels like a really solid deal considering how many protein options and side dishes you get. They start you off with a variety of banchan (side dishes), including a salad with this super tasty dressing that had the perfect little spicy kick. For the BBQ, we kicked things off with the spicy bulgogi and butter garlic shrimp, while the others tried the pork belly (I don't eat pork). Later we ordered the steak, spicy brisket, and grilled squid, which were all delicious. The spicy brisket especially was a standout for me. The guys also ordered two rounds of fried dumplings that looked amazing, but since they contain pork, I had to sit those out. I'd love to see Chadol add a veggie dumpling option to the menu! As for the sides, the kimchi and cold glass noodles were both hits at our table, and of course we all added white rice. The "mashed potatoes" though? Definitely more like potato salad and unfortunately very bland. On the other hand, the cheese corn costs extra but is 1000% worth adding. For drinks, the guys enjoyed the Woody Old Fashioned while I had a mezcal margarita-style cocktail that was smoky and refreshing. We also ordered one of the chicken options but never received it and eventually just gave up on it. One of the coolest parts of the experience is the ordering system. Most meats are ordered directly from a machine at your table, and the food comes out quickly on this conveyor belt-style setup which was honestly so fun. Drinks and side dishes are ordered through the servers. The atmosphere was lively and energetic without feeling overwhelming. The restaurant is actually much larger inside than I expected, with a modern setup that works well for smaller groups. That said, I didn't really notice tables for larger parties, so I'm not sure how they accommodate groups bigger than 6 people. Service started off a little rough because our server wasn't very attentive, but after I called it out, he definitely stepped it up and things improved. Overall, Chadol was a really good experience and absolutely worth the price. The 1.5-hour seating limit makes sense too, both to keep things moving and give others a chance to enjoy the experience. I'd definitely go back!

I ate here around a year ago and reviewed them on google. The food is not good, service is slow,…read morefor some reason you can't order certain things with the tablet, and it's really easy to miss the little automated train thing that brings out your food. This place has negative reviews deleted on Google. Spend your money elsewhere, there's better Korean food in DC.

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Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ

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Ciel Capitol Hill

Ciel Capitol Hill

4.1(14 reviews)
1.5 mi•NoMa

Omg!! The food was delicious. This was my first time patronizing this restaurant and I was blown…read moreaway. Interestingly enough they have two locations which I did not know. The food at this location was great. The red snapper with the rice and tomatoes was very flavorful. The red snapper could have been cooked a little harder. However, other than that it was great. My friend order the same dish except with salmon. She enjoyed the dish as well but also mentioned that the fish could be cooked harder. We sat at the bar so we didn't get service from the waiter. However, the service from the bartender as great. He was very knowledgeable on the drinks and the food. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the drinks. But I ordered a smoked margarita which had a great taste. The ambiance was wonderful. It was very aesthetically please. From the flowers on the ceiling to the rooftop overlooking the Capitol it was great. The roof top provided a chill vibe with low music. It could be a great place for a date night or just a place to go to meet up with friends. I 100% recommend.

Finding a spot open past 10 PM in this area can be tough, so I was glad this rooftop restaurant at…read morethe Marriott Capitol Hill was open until 11 PM. However, the experience started on a rough note. When checking in at the Marriott, the front desk agent was quite rude and incorrectly insisted the restaurant was already closed. The African American guy behind the counter definitely needs some etiquette lessons or at least needs to be trained if he is supposed to be the face of Marriott Capitol Hill. Fortunately, we went up to the rooftop anyway. They seemed short-staffed, but the bartender stepped in to serve us and was absolutely wonderful. Lighting could be better, IMO it's a little too dark for my liking. The food was also a bit hit-or-miss. The sweet chili shrimp appetizer was fabulous, hot, and featured a great portion size. For the entree, I had the Trout a lo Macho. The presentation was beautiful and it arrived piping hot, but unfortunately, the mussels were not cleaned properly and still had dirt in them. For the price, the food could have been a bit more polished, though the portions were appropriate. Pros: Great rooftop views, excellent bartender service, and reasonable on-site parking ($8/hr or $12 for 2 hours, which is great for DC).

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Ciel Capitol Hill
Ciel Capitol Hill
Ciel Capitol Hill

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Bar Betsie - Back area

Bar Betsie

4.3(75 reviews)
1.9 mi

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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Bar Betsie - Quick view of options

Quick view of options

Bar Betsie - Frozen hibiscus pina colada

Frozen hibiscus pina colada

Bar Betsie - A well balanced Old Fashioned

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A well balanced Old Fashioned

The Alchemist DC - Killer Sally

The Alchemist DC

4.2(124 reviews)
1.3 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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The Alchemist DC - Bubble machine!

Bubble machine!

The Alchemist DC - Something experimental (no name, yet!)

Something experimental (no name, yet!)

The Alchemist DC - House made!

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House made!

Ocean Prime - seafood - Updated October 2026

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