We came here for our first night dinner in DC. I was fortunate enough to get a reservation after a last minute cancellation. This is an iconic and historic restaurant dating back to when to the 1800's. The restaurant itself was definitely busy with a bustling atmosphere. Everything we ordered was excellent. The ribeye was so tender I could cut it with a butter knife. And the meatloaf with the mashed potato was so good. A definite must try for anyone visiting DC. read more

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My cousins took me to Old Ebbitt Grill for my birthday dinner. I hadnt been there in close to 15 years so it'd been a minute but Im so glad we went. We had an amazing experience. Amazing food and amazing service, made for an amazing night! Our server, I believe his name was Charlie gave us great recommendations and he was extremely attentive. I ordered a crab dip as our appetizer. For my meal I ordered the Steak frites, minus the fries, I got mac and cheese instead and I added a crab cake Ala carte. Can we get a standing ovation for the chimichurri sauce Since I ate so much bread last night, I had more than half of my steak to go. Im currently eating it alongside 2 fried eggs and a hash brown for breakfast! Its even better the next day. Old Ebbitt grill is exactly who he thinks he is! If you're on the fence, go and treat yourself!! read more

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While visiting Washington D.C., I mentioned crab cakes to a friend and she decided we had to come here for lunch. I'm happy we did. We ordered the fried green tomato and the crab and artichoke dip for appetizers. The crab and artichoke dip was delicious along with the bread they provided. The table ordered the crab cake sandwich, fried chicken rice bowl and the crab cake classic. Everything was delicious! The food tasted fresh and it felt that how the food is prepared matters. Our server was charismatic and she was fabulous! It was lunch time on a Monday and it wasI mentioned crab cakes to a friend and she decided we had to come here for lunch. I'm happy we did. We ordered the fried green tomato and the crab and artichoke dip for appetizers. The crab and artichoke dip was delicious along with the bread they provided. The table ordered the crab cake sandwich, fried chicken rice bowl and the crab cake classic. Everything was delicious! The food tasted fresh and it felt that how the food is prepared matters. Our server was charismatic and she was fabulous! It was lunch time on a Monday and it seemed busy, although we were seated within 10 minutes. Great environment and food to grab a bite. read more

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DC must. One of the classics. Lots of shareable items to choose from. Service was not great but not bad either. Ambience is popping read more

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Great historic spot right next to the White House. It gets very busy so make sure to have a reservation. The food and drinks are delicious and typically come with large portions. You never know who you may see sitting next to you! read more

We loved Old Ebbitts! Came here for brunch before our scheduled White House tour. Interior is plush and warming. Service was stellar! Menu had a good variety of items to choose from. I opted for the Statesman breakfast which was loaded with the regulars: eggs, bacon, biscuits, home fries. Delicious! read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Statesman breakfast - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Outstanding! We ate at the bar. The bartender was an old school professional. Service was excellent and the food was outstanding. The atmosphere was busy and fun but, not too loud. I wanted to go back every night. Definitely order the creamed spinach, best I've ever had. read more

Recommended by a family friend and it is well worth to visit! Overall 4.5 Stars Ambiance 4.5 Stars The decor is old school vibe with the tasteful dark wood, white table cloths, brass bar with well worn stools, and beautiful etch glass which represents the DC landmarks. You feel like you might see the "rat pack" without the smoking or shifty politicians in a corner table making deals to please the "people". Pleating of tables, booths, bar stools to accommodate a lot of people and if you get lucky a private dining room for your billionaire friends. It would have been 5 stars but it can get loud when crowded. Service 4.25 Stars Our server and supporting staff were wonderful but very busy due to the "brunch" crowd. Food: 4.5 Stars We order 3 items and they were wonderful. Starter: Clam Chowder $10.99 4 Stars We couldn't tell if the dish was a small bowl or cup but no matter the chowder was warm and filling. There was fair amount of potatoes and clam. The clams were tendered and meaty. Not large but you can taste the clams. However due to the size of the bowl/cup, it was rated lower than the other two dishes. Walter's Favorite Sandwich 4.5 stars $21.99. Pastrami, Munster cheese and coleslaw on thick slices of pumpernickel bread. The outside of the bread was slightly slathered w butter on the outside which gave it a crunchy and toasted texture but the inside was soft and could hold the ingredients of the pastrami, cheese and coleslaw. It comes w thousand islands dressing but I recommend to get Dijon mustard to cut the sweetness of the thousand island dressing. The pastrami itself was slightly smokey and a wonderful balance of the seasons you expect from a pastrami. Plus the sandwich was pretty meaty and hefty. Fries - 5 Stars : highly recommend to get the fries as the side item when ordering a sandwich. You won't regret. Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside, and just enough of the sea salt. Jumbo Crake Cake Sandwich 4.5 Stars $28.99 I highly recommend this dish however, I suggest to eat the crab cake by itself instead as a sandwich. The jumbo blue crab was so yummy. It was 99% blue crab and a hint of other fillers such as seasoning and mayo. If you make it as a sandwich you will loose the essence of the blue crab meat. Again, ordered the fries w it. The coleslaw was ok but not great so the dish didn't get a 5 star. Enjoy - we came during brunch but we might back for dinner on another day. read more

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We celebrated my 28th birthday at Old Ebbitt tonight. Will probably be our last time coming here. We made reservations 2 weeks ago in preparation. The young man, Andrew, who sat us down was very kind. He told us that it was happy hour and to enjoy the oysters. He also wished me a happy birthday. The waitress who took care of us (very kind and fun) didn't acknowledge we were celebrating anything, so I guess the message didn't get passed through from seating to her. She also said he was wrong and happy hour ended at 5, so all items were full price. We started with cocktails and oysters. Every oyster had copious amounts of shell in it, so every oyster I had I was pulling out chunks of shells from them. They also spilled the mignonette across half of them, and not being a fan of vinegar and liking my oysters as they come, this was pretty disappointing. We ordered the blackberry avocado salad, which was very good. We then ordered a New York strip and ribeye. My fiancé's came out wonderful, but mine came out room temp along with room temp bearnaise, as well as the Mac & cheese being room temp as well. Once sent back, they brought it back out heated up, and someone from the kitchen staff stood over me and said "Well, how about now?" with attitude. I told him it was hot, but once he walked off I realized they kept the bearnaise. After noticing, I asked our waitress if she could get me another. She brought out a new one, but now it was a refrigerator cold sauce and coagulated. After all of this, we were done and just wanted to finish up and go. For $300+ overall, we could have eaten at numerous other restaurants across DC with a far better experience. While the staff was kind (no ding on them), management needs to coordinate a smoother communication regarding reservations made for celebrations. I've eaten at most steakhouses in DC for special occasions, and my business will be staying at Capital Grille. They're a fraction of the cost, with better quality food, and a higher level of service when it comes to celebrating a special night. Happy we ate at DC's oldest saloon and to say that we finally tried it, but I think this is a one and done dinner. Can't recommend Old Ebbitt to anyone visiting unless you'd like to see the ambiance. For the same ambiance, honestly just go to Capital Grille down the street read more

Best raw bar in DC by far. Drinks and beers also great at the famous bar. Not sure about the menus. Old Ebbitts get really crowded as happy hour turns into the dinner hour. read more

I saw this place on Yelp and knew o had to stop. I only had. Couple of hours to see as much as I could, so I worked up quite a thirst power walking through the city. This place has a machismo about it and is Accentuated by the glorious bar! I was quickly greeted and shown to the bar, where my bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered the Ebbitt Kolsch, which was refreshing and highly carbonated. The vibe of this joint cannot be understated and I'm sure the folks in suits and t-shirts alike are enthralled by the history. This place is on my must do again list! read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Kolsch - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We really enjoyed the food and atmosphere here. The place was crowded at 4pm, and no tables were available so we just sat at the bar. I recall they said there are four bars or something like that. Food and drinks were amazing I was super impressed with the bartenders being so personable. Definitely recommend for food and drink drinks. They also have TVs around the place so you can watch different sports events. We sat at the bar to the right. We didn't have a reservation. I highly recommend reserving a table in advance if you want a sit down meal. I had the crab cakes and they had two options for how to make them. I picked traditional style. So delicious! Full of crab. I also loved the fries that that came with it. The value for the food to dollar was exceptional! read more

This place is amazing. It was highly recommended. Walked in and was seated within 20 mins. The food was outstanding and the service was top notch! It's a very lively place. Will definitely visit again every time we come back to DC!! read more

The food was great! Our server was awesome and the atrium vibe was way cool! We made a reservation this morning at 8 am for 5 o'clock. We got there at 4:45 and we were sat right away. The food came very quick, the kiddos loved the food and ambience, really a great dinner! Thanks so much, we'll def be back! read more

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Amazing place to try while in DC. Stopped in for dinner while attending a conference and was glad I did. Had the boneless rib eye and charred broccolini and was not disappointed. I always get my steaks medium rare and this rib eye was cooked perfectly. Nice char on the outside and very tender. Perfect blend of char, smoke and savory steak. Broccolini was a great addition. Cooked perfectly and had a buttery flavor. Service was great and staff are happy and friendly. Highly recommend this place and would also recommend setting up a reservation as the place can be booked out a ways and if you are planning a good seat you will need one. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Boneless Ribeye with Charred Broccolini - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was skeptical to come as I assumed the hype was overrated but I was wrong. The ability to mix and match oysters was a great option and the description of each was perfect. Crab dip was excellent and the coconut curry soup was sweet and fresh and rounded out my meal perfectly. Service was quick and the ambiance matches DC well. read more

The food is always excellent here, no matter what we order or when we visit D.C. and it's a go-to place for my husband and me. The service this time was a C. Our first server must have gone off shift and he was great, aside from forgetting that we ordered bread prior to our meal. The server who replaced him was not as good, personable, or very attentive. Also, we were seated near the door for dinner, which was horrible considering how frigid the temps have been lately. It wasn't busy at all when we arrived and didn't pick up for at least a half hour, so we could have been seated further away. We'll definitely be back and for anyone considering giving Old Ebbitt a try, I would definitely make reservations. read more

I came here on a whim after landing from a long flight from San Francisco, and it was one of the few places still open past midnight. I had no idea what to expect, so I was genuinely surprised by how incredible the meal was. I kept it simple with oysters on the half shell and salmon, and both were honestly some of the best I've had in a long time. The oysters were unbelievably fresh, sweet, clean, and briny in the best way. And the salmon was cooked perfectly. Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender in the center, incredibly flavorful, and beautifully balanced. Coming from a city with no shortage of great seafood, I was very pleasantly surprised. Service was very friendly but quick at the same time which I loved. Thank you for saving my late-night meal after a long day of travel. I'll definitely remember this place. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I love this place! Especially the food, service, & the vibes inside. I always get the crab cakes anytime I'm in downtown DC.

Was my first trip to Washington DC found this restaurant on the way to see the white house. Great location and very beautiful and old school style interior of this restaurant, very professional and elegant staff. We sat at the bar and ordered some appetizers with my mom and girlfriend, the quality of the food was very good, we had oysters rockfeler, clam chowders and mac and cheese. All the dishes were amazing in special oysters rockfeler, definitely a must try! Service was good too! Bartender and barback did great job, I could see that management cares there about quality of service and guests satisfaction. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill is right out of central casting in terms of nostalgic pubs in DC. We went on a Sunday (with reservations) and were taken right away. Service was attentive from the start - choice of water for the table, drinks from the bar, bread service - everything felt coordinated and attentive. The food was described as American fare, but I was pleasantly surprised at the number of fish choices available. Our group did not get the crab cakes, which are often mentioned in other reviews. We ordered the calamari and the Brussels sprouts as appetizers. Both were tasty and prepared well. I had the burger, which was way above average for a burger. Delicious and hearty - definitely seemed like a mix of ground chuck and rib eye (or something similar). My dinner mates had filet mignon, which was reportedly very good, and a special pork chop. One of my colleagues like his meal so much that he ate the leftover pork chop. Overall this is an excellent night out at an historic feeling restaurant where the food lives up to the decor. Give it a try. read more

By far my favorite restaurant in all of DC... Not only is the food always really fresh and consistent, the service is always up to par. The ambience can fit either a fancy or a special occasion or it could be a casual event. There's a reason why they've been open since the 1800s I love this place. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Spring pasta with salmon - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I can see why this place was crowded on a cool Sunday morning. We didn't have to wait in line and hit the bar area. I always judge places based on the strength of their Chicken and Waffles. This place had one of the softest Waffles I have ever had. And my amazing bartender recommended their semi spicy syrup which was amazing! I can tell this place might have top chefs working in it because every presentation we had and the food was amazing! I will definitely be coming back here despite the price tag. Well worth it. read more

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We did brunch here on a recent Sunday at 11:00am. The Good: No wait to get our table (with Open Table reservation). Nice, old school decor. Tender steak. The Mediocre: Price for value of service and food quality. No check-in by a manager during our meal. The Bad: No bread served at the start of the meal--even though bread plates were on the table. No refill on our water glasses. No friendliness or welcome from our server. Small serving size on both the eggs Benedict and the corned beef hash. The Ugly: Server seemed more interested in obtaining the ketchup from our table than in refilling our water glasses or engaging in conversation. We won't be back. Le Diplomat is the better option. read more

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We've been to Old Ebbitt grill so many times over the years it is hard to believe I haven't actually reviewed it! It's an institution at this point. Not only because of its history but the food and service is great too. The ambiance is kinda noisy so if you want to have more of a conversation ask to sit out in the courtyard. That won't give you the "history" vibe but it's cute. The seafood and their brunches are to die for. I have never been disappointed. The only drawback is the difficulty parking (like anywhere in DC) and the wait times so I suggest rideshare services and a reservation otherwise visiting may not happen if you are on a time schedule. read more

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What an amazing gem in the heart of DC. I hadn't been here in over 25 years, so I was thrilled to get a few days of exploring DC and a chance to pop in for lunch. I easily made a lunch reservation for 1:00 PM on a Tuesday and was thankful for that reservation when I showed up and the place was packed. The day was dreary and pouring rain, but the energy and vibe inside was cheery and bright. I was seated at a single table and promptly greeted by Jack S. He brought some positive energy and jokes which was nice as I sat rain drenched after walking 3 miles. I very much enjoyed and devoured the Chicken and Grain Salad. It was large and full of tasty things. I thought there was no way I was going to finish it, but it was just THAT good - I couldn't stop. Then Jack talked up the Bourbon-Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding and you know I could not say no to that. Scrumptious! OEG is not inexpensive but you get what you pay for here. Delicious food, plentiful portions, incredibly beautiful decor and excellent service. read more

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A New Yorker is rating. it's located Infront of White House. We were told that wait time is around 30min. Then called within 10min through text message. Great services but food was okay..... I wanted spaghetti and they had only 4 options. It wasn't pasta :( Restroom is downstairs no elevator/no seating while waiting. it was pretty crowded but everyone had manners. clean environment everywhere. Pretty distance from other customers read more

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My husband and I had brunch at Old Ebbitt Grill yesterday, and it was a very cool brunch. The restaurant has incredible history - it's considered the oldest bar in the city, and most presidents since Andrew Johnson are thought to have had drinks at the bar (although the restaurant has been through a few iterations and has had a few different names. It's also an enormous restaurant (it has four bars and several dining rooms) and quite beautiful to boot. The brunch menu is huge - something for everyone. My husband had their Chesapeake Eggs Benedict (poached eggs, crab cakes, Old Bay, English muffin, hollandaise, and brunch potatoes), which he really liked. I had their Oyster Riot Burger (7-oz. burger patty, fried oysters, bistro sauce, iceberg, tomato, pickled onions, horseradish cream, and a sesame bun) with a side Caesar salad instead of fries. The burger was great (medium rare, just as I asked for, and delicious). We also shared the lobster cocktail (1 Maine lobster on ice with horseradish cream sauce), since my husband vetoed my caviar order. The lobster was great - simple and traditional. We both had a Bloody Maryland - their classic Bloody Mary topped with a jumbo shrimp. We were full after all this great food, but the menu has a lot of other things to choose from: oysters, caviar, sandwiches, salads, French toast, and more... We had dressed up a tiny bit, because I figured if they serve caviar, it's the kind of place where you dress up a bit. I was surprised to see that - at least on a hot summer day - people were dining at Old Ebbitt in very casual wear - running shorts and tanktops even. Maybe it's not like that in other seasons, but on this summer day? We were overdressed! Just writing this here in case you're worried about being underdressed if you're visiting on a day when you're touristing around the city. The service was great. The food was good. And the place has history. Not a bad brunch. I wouldn't mind coming back! read more

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Good food, great ambiance, but overpriced. Had a hamburger and salad w/ a beer. That set us back $50! Once is enough, not a repeat situation. read more

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Ok so this place is constantly recommended online for tourists. As a local, I was skeptical but they consistently deliver some killer food and the atmosphere is nice & cozy. The devilled eggs were fantastic and I also tried some of the Fried Chicken Rice Bowl which honestly blew me away which was very unexpected. Overall, great for any time of day but I love it as a late night spot. Service is very good. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Fried Oyster Devilled Eggs - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a pretty good restaurant. The food is amazing and it's a great place to go for brunch or even dinner. Ambience is great. The service was pretty fast. I would definitely recommend coming here either solo or with the group. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Menu - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We stopped by Old Ebbitt Grill around 10pm and had a great late-night experience. We were mainly looking for appetizers, and everything we ordered hit the spot. The oysters were incredibly fresh, and I really enjoyed the wings and the burrata with Brussels sprouts. My colleague had wine and the steak fries and was very happy with both. Everything felt high quality, even late in the evening. Our server, Curtis, was excellent--friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome even though it was late and we weren't ordering full meals. Great food, great service, and a perfect spot for a relaxed late-night stop in DC. Would definitely come back. read more

We had a lovely last brunch at Old Ebbitt Grill. The restaurant looks deceptively modern from the outside, but one step inside transports you to another era. The seats are velvety plush and there are plenty of gold accents to make the space feel really grand and regal. It's giving George Washington and it's all kinda fun actually. To start, we ordered a dozen oysters ($41.99) and jumbo lump crab dijonnaise ($21.99). The crab dijonnaise is a chilled crab "salad" served with westminster saltines. If you like a good seafood salad - this is a fun take on it. I ordered the breakfast sandwich ($18.99) which was quite good. It's two eggs over medium, Swiss cheese, bacon, tomato, avocado,mayonnaise on grilled sourdough. This was basically a BLAT, but with an egg. There's nothing really to it - they use high quality ingredients and this makes for a delicious sandwich. The burger - the benedict - all were fine. They were all quintessential restaurant staples with again, high quality ingredients. It's fun here, plus they take resys for brunch. read more

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I was told to come here by a friend because it's the oldest bar/restaurant in DC. That intrigued me. I managed to get an 8pm reservation for my last day in the city as a last meal on my trip and I'm so glad I did. I finished my day early so decided to try to go early. I got there around 6:45 and it was packed. The hostess let me know that they'll do their best and I'll get text when my table is available. I was seated in about 15 minutes. My server Scott was awesome. I got the jumbo crab cake, a lemon drop martini and the peanut butter pie for dessert. Everything was absolutely amazing. The crab cake was the best crab cake I've ever had. The chunks of crab were huge. The peanut butter pie was rich and delicious. Since it was just me I couldn't finish it but enjoyed what I could. The restaurant itself is huge. I wasn't expecting it to be so big based on his history. Scott told me that the location moved there in the 70's he believed but a lot of the wood and art was original from 1856. It was really cool to eat an establishment that has been around for 170 years. Definitely recommend making it a stop when you're in DC. read more

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This was great!! The food was awesome!! Service was good but the waiter kept judging me about how I eat. It is so pretty inside but there were a lot of animal heads. Overall I would comeback. read more

It was a nice experience. Customer service was great. Get a reservation unless you plan to sit at the bar. It stays pretty busy. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Menu - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When you over-pay for a dirty martini and raw seafood platter but don't care... Super crowded and over priced but for whatever reason I still love this place. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When you travel 700 miles away and that's where your favorite restaurant is and they get you in at 7:30 at night. You know you scored and they have the best crab cakes ever brings me right back to Baltimore when I was a kid. The salmon is absolutely incredible. The shrimp pasta you can't go wrong at this place. The waiters and waitresses are incredible. The ambiance is great. It's just brings you back to something that you just don't see anymore. Definitely would recommend this place to anyone and can't wait to get back to DC to go here again read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Salmon was absolutely done perfect! - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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It's just a crowded, loud tourist trap with over-priced EVERYTHING! Back in the day, it was a sophisticated and classy kind of restaurant with an amazing history and famous diners. Now it's just an expensive eatery that has people lined up to enter. Why, I don't know. It's not nearly what it used to be. read more

Tried this place for the first time with some colleagues. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't know anything about the place coming in (learned later about the history) and the first impression wasn't anything crazy. The space is small, with the tables being pretty short and cramped. (Our table for five was VERY cozy.) Service was prompt but nothing special. Where the experience really shined was the quality of the meal. The pork chop was absolutely next level incredible. The drink selection was solid. My coworkers are still ranting and raving about the bread pudding, but I didn't have the chance to try it. Maybe next time! read more