After a long day walking around the National Mall, we popped into Old Ebbitt Grill for dinner and absolutely loved the experience. We didn't have reservations, so the wait for 2 around 5:30 on a Wednesday night was about an hour, but we decided to grab seats at the bar instead and got full service almost immediately. Huge shoutout to Matt, our bartender, who was incredibly friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. Service overall was exceptional from start to finish. We started with the fried calamari and beet salad, which were both excellent and a perfect way to kick off the meal. For entrees, we had the steak frites and the New York strip with potatoes au gratin, plus a couple draft beers to wash it all down. Everything was fantastic, and the portion sizes were very generous. The building itself is part of the experience. It feels historic and full of character, with multiple dining rooms and four different bars that each had their own slightly different ambiance while still keeping that classic historic pub vibe. For a full dinner with appetizers, drinks, and entrees, expect around $100 per person -- but honestly, the quality, atmosphere, and service made it feel well worth it. Definitely a spot I'd come back to anytime I'm in DC. read more

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Such a classic Washingtonian institution! I have coming here since I was a child and love everything on the menu! We were lucky enough to walk in on a Friday night at 6 PM and we're sat immediately at a two top and have the sweetest waitress! She took such amazing care of us, even hearing my dad say in passing happy birthday to me, and brought out a dessert! The ambiance in old ebbits is just that of a different time, when drinking a martini at lunch and writing a Pulitzer Prize winning article at the same time was a thing! It's so classic read more

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I was in DC August 2026 for the weekend and visited Old Ebbitt Grill for dinner on Friday night based on Yelper reviews and hotel concierge recommendations. OEG definitely did not disappoint! For apps, we got the mussels and the hummus. I've eaten tons of hummus and this was the best I've ever had. The pitas were warm and soft and the hummus had a pico de gallo-like relish on top. My friends entrees included the massive pork chop, my pimento and jalapeño burger cooked to order, The food was amazing! So much so that I forgot to take pictures! Though there were tons of people both dining and waiting, our party of four waited only 2 minutes after being told 10. The ambience is casual with some old-time flare. If you choose Old Ebbitt, I highly doubt you will be disappointed by anything. Our server was busy, but maintained reasonable contact with our party. Kudos to Old Ebbitt! read more

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

This place is absolutely phenomenal !!! From a delightful greeting of the hostess, to the server's introduction, to the delivery of my fresh oysters, and the delivery of my first drink --- everything was above reproach. This is now my new favorite restaurant in Washington DC. The reviews didn't lie. The ambience gives a fine dining feel, but with a layer of casual relaxation. I ordered the swordfish and I was not disappointed. Five stars is not enough for the historical and exquisite representation of culinary arts. I bow to the Chef and say thank you !!! read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - To celebrate 250 years, I got the Founders - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went there for a quick lunch before catching the Amtrak. The restaurant, opened in 1850s was said to be the oldest dining salon in Washington DC. The vibe confirms this: huge dining rooms, huge bar areas, gorgeous decors, and numerous newspapers etc. about the events that happened there. Of course, the restaurant was packed with tourists, but due to its size it was not difficult to reserve a seat just 2 days before. For food I got the Hot Roast Beef sandwich no sauce and sub side with asparagus. The dish came out slowly perhaps because there were too many people (? So I had to devour it in just 10min... The sandwich was stuffed with tons of roast beef, as well as some melted Gruyère cheese and cherry pepper relish. The beef was kind of dry to me; I wish I could get a side of jus to dip in. The relish was fantastic: spicy and a bit sweet and sour. I also liked the asparagus which was topped with parmesan and pine nuts. The staff acted warm and welcoming but I felt that they were mostly just reciting the scripts. Still, because of its history, food and location, I recommend you to try this restaurant when visiting DC! read more

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One of the most reviewed restaurant in DC so I make sure to stopped by during my trip. No reservation but we were seated right away. There's a lot of tables and always a line but I would say it moves fast. Kind of dark inside. The booth has some super worn seats. I got the scallops with grits and unfortunately the grit kind of ruin the whole thing. It was really raw for my liking and the vegetables were so random ... nothing tied the dish together. Scallops were good but that's about it... the steak frites looked and tasted a lot better. Kind of expensive so make sure you don't make the mistake like I did. read more

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Absolutely one of the best restaurants in Washington, D.C. Ohmygoodness the seafood and service here is fantastic and the ambiance is best in class and perfect for a date night. Shoot, just get engaged here! This is about the best place to propose marriage that I could ever think of! read more

I enjoyed all that this restaurant has to offer, especially the late night menu. The bartenders were very attentive and the ambiance is busy and loud. read more

After some evening events, I stopped into Old Ebbitt Grill for a final cocktail and some bar bites. The large pretzel was executed perfectly--crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle, with a balanced amount of salt that wasn't overbearing. The cheese sauce was great for dipping, and the other side sauce had a nice little kick to it. I also ordered the house chili, which was solid and well-done, though nothing extraordinary. Having worked in the building for over a decade, I wanted to leave a reflection on a place I've frequented for so long. The staff here is consistently fantastic, managing the heavy crowds with ease. It remains one of those classic, high-energy spots in DC that carries a distinct "must-see" reputation. That said, I truly miss the old side takeout kitchen that used to operate in the atrium, serving breakfast and lunch to the building's workforce. It was a fantastic setup with daily chef-designed menus, and it was always busy, so it is a shame it didn't last financially. Even with that change, the main bar area remains a reliable, historic staple for a late-night drink and a bite. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Clyde's Chili - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Yeah, definitely one of those places to come to if in town. I am skipping straight to dessert and saying right now the carrot cake is top two in my book. I am watering at the mouth thinking about it. Texture, flavor, all of it, absolutely delicious. Lets get back to everything else now. Was a 45-60 minute wait so we went to the back bar which was recommended to us. Beautiful bar with artwork, and I liked the low light setting. Host said expect a text when table is ready. We enjoyed ourselves in the mean time not really looking at the time, but, it did feel strange that we were not called on after an hour. Did see some people being seated that were in the lobby with us so I was expecting soon. I eventually got up and asked and my guess is they took the wrong number down and or forgot about us. But they quickly sat us down and gave us a wonderful server, forgot the gentleman's name but he my only complaint was you could tell when he went out for a cigarette break. The food. - Chowder had amazing flavor. I like it thicker so I added the table bread to it which made it. - Pork chop was spot on. Nice thick cut and the char on top. Perfectly cooked. Leftovers made for a great morning snack before traveling home. - Side of Mac & Cheese, yum. Cheesy just as it should be. But yeah, definitely make a trip here if you can. read more

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I have no clue what the hype is about everything was fine just mediocre. We had a reservation for a weekday lunch after looking at the museums. The host asked "Whose Birthday are we celebrating?" Only for our server to never inquire about it later nor did they do anything for dessert nor were we offered if we wanted to order dessert. Okay so we sit down and there's a hair on the plate at the table. We informed our server and all interactions with her she seemed annoyed and bothered. Never apologized nor said anything about the hair on the plate. The food, bland. We got the calamari which was pretty good found it unique to also have fried peppers in there. I got the Walters Favorite which is a hot pastrami sandwich. It was missing mustard or something to balance out the flavor profile it was just lackluster. Ruben was okay, and the horseradish mayo on the roast beef was too strong. The best thing was probably the oysters (not pictured). We were there for happy hour and got a discount. NOTE: their only happy hour offering is oysters, no drinks. The amount of times we had to flag our waitress down for everything was so frustrating. It was not that busy and Id see her chatting with a coworker on the side. We had to ask for EVERYTHING all while enduring her attitude or feeling like Im bothering her. When we closed out never told us once goodbye or have a good day. Old Ebbitt, please do the following: - Train your staff to prioritize customer service - Hire people that are friendly instead of cold - Season your food - Ensure cleanliness of the facility (forgot to mention, the bathroom had all kinds of paper on the ground!) read more

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We arrived here without reservations on a weeknight and got on the waiting list. I've dined here in the past and enjoyed my dining experience here at the oldest restaurant in Washington D.C. The interior decor is beautiful and nostalgic with antiques; paintings and the bar have various taxidermy animal heads that the were caught by a by President Teddy Roosevelt. Our party dined on oysters, lump crab cake, scallops, pork chop and I went for the boneless ribeye. All the food was delicious, and we had a happy ending with the bourbon chocolate chip bread pudding. Service is professional and impressive. Overall, a great dining experience again, and I highly recommend the Old Ebbitt Grill. read more

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This is by far one of my favorite restaurants, and honestly, the crab cakes never disappoint. The food is consistently on point, which is why I was so disappointed by the experience with the hosting staff during my recent visit. I arrived around 3:55 p.m. for a 4:00 p.m. reservation for three. Two out of the three people in my party were already there. When I approached the hostess stand, the hostess told me she couldn't find my reservation. I then showed her my confirmation text from the day before, and she responded by asking if I had the email confirmation. Unfortunately, the cell service there was terrible, so I couldn't even access my email. She then held up a sign and asked if I needed the WiFi. As I was attempting to connect to it, she suddenly asked again for the reservation name and then immediately said, "Oh, I found it." No apology was offered at all. She then informed me that we would be seated once the rest of our party arrived. After waiting about 10 minutes and watching several other guests being seated, I asked again when we would be taken to our table. A different hostess repeated that they were waiting for the rest of the party. What made this frustrating was that during my visit, I clearly saw multiple groups being seated without their full party present. I've also dined at Old Ebbitt several times before and have personally been seated without my entire party. Once the rest of my party arrived, the young man escorting us to our table asked how my day was going. I responded honestly and said not too well because of the service experience, but there was really no response or acknowledgment, which made the question feel more scripted than sincere. I do want to say that Charlie, our waiter, was amazing. He was personable, attentive, and absolutely on it throughout the meal. I still love Old Ebbitt Grill for the food and atmosphere, but I strongly suggest additional customer service training for the hostess staff. A friend of mine was considering having her wedding reception there, and I had previously raved about the restaurant. After this experience, I would honestly tell her to reconsider. read more

As a solo diner visiting DC, I could not have picked a better spot than Old Ebbitt Grill. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit. The inside is huge, full of history, and has that classic old Washington charm that makes the experience feel special from the moment you walk in. I ordered the Reuben and it was absolutely delicious- perfectly balanced, flavorful, and comforting without feeling too heavy. The whipped potatoes were buttery and light, not overly salted and had great flavor! I also tried the oysters, which were incredibly fresh, clean tasting, and high quality with absolutely no fishy flavor. What really elevated the experience was the service. The staff was attentive, welcoming, and made dining solo feel comfortable and enjoyable. You can tell this place has mastered hospitality over the years. Awesome spot all around and easily one of my favorite dining experiences in DC. Highly recommend whether you're with a group or dining alone! read more

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A wonderful dinner at the Old Ebbitt. I landed from Los Angeles and Qili went above and beyond tonight. She understood honest great service. Her recommendations met my expectations. Best service I've had here. Service was attentive, personal, and efficient. My pork chop was cooked to perfection! The potatoes au gratin were super yummy. Cocktails were also a hit! I wished my Irish coffee didn't have a bitter (burnt coffee flavor) but otherwise great! Another fabulous meal here! read more

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This is a must-visit place if you are in DC. It is a gorgeous bar and grill that gives you all the backroom deal-making vibes from a different era. We found it crazy busy on a Tuesday evening after 8 pm, but the service at the table was brisk and we felt well taken care of. We enjoyed our special deviled eggs to start, topped with a fried oyster. I then had the decadent meatloaf, which was delicious. My companions had a steak salad and a special pastrami sandwich. The warm brownie was a delicious end to the meal. This is a great place and worth making reservations to experience the vibe. read more

Came in for a late dinner and sat at the bar. The ambiance of this restaurant is amazing. Food was great and came out quickly. Overall a great visit. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Crab cake and fish - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great spot, walkable from The White House. Lovely decor, kind of old school in a good way. Very family friendly! They have a reasonable kids menu with lots of options and it comes with a drink. The service was excellent - very patient with kids. I highly recommend making a reservation - it was very busy when we went for lunch. If you can't get a res, try to snag a seat at the bar. Grab a delicious drink while you're there. read more

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One of the best restaurants ever been to. My server. Fabian was amazing. He was fast and attentive and checked on us just enough. His food runner was also great too. The restaurant is huge, a little loud but also I think it's just because we were seated next to the bar. The wait was about 45mins-1hr on a Wednesday night! I'd recommend getting a reservation through open table though. Look an hour or so before you want to get there! Otherwise it's still worth it. The prices weren't bad at all, especially for the amount and quality. We paid about $150 (before tip) for this and a bottle of wine! read more

I finally made it over to Old Ebbitt Grill thanks to Jo Y. This grill is pegged the oldest saloon visited by half a dozen past presidents. I came here during the happiest hours. They have two happy hours. One from 3pm to 5pm and the other from 11pm-1am. If you like oysters , you should get a dozen or two during that time. Service was good considering how busy they were. read more

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

We sat at the bar since it was an hour wait on a Friday night. Great service from our bartender. Helpful with the menu. Crab cakes are a winner as always. The Ribeye could use a little more flavor. I didn't care too much for their sauce. Overall, it was a great experience! read more

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What can be said that hasn't already been said about the Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington DC? The menu is diverse, unique and it's the place to see and be seen for the lunch hour or for dinner. Here's a pro tip, one that a lot of people know. But if you've never been... Lean in... The grill has four different bars with instant seating service in the event. You have a one or two hour wait, just say it it's worth it and it's good. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Jumbo lump crab cake, burger, and fries - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Old Abbott Grill is a very classy establishment. with a long history in the Washington DC area. The inside is visually very appealing with wood heavy accents everywhere and beautifully decorated, which adds so much to the overall dining experience. The centrally located bar is absolutely stunning and oozes class adding to the overall ambience of this establishment. For our first meal here, which was during their brunch hour on a Sunday, we had crab cakes, shrimp, and their bacon cheeseburger. As appetizers we also got their zucchini chips and their large pretzel with cheese. All the food was well made and very tasty where our favorite was the crabcakes. Relative to the staff they were friendly, polite, and very professional about their business. Clearly an emphasis for this business was placed on having a first class wait staff, and it showed! Overall, we really enjoyed our meal here albeit at a higher cost than you would pay at many other establishments. The proximity to the White House, the history of the facility and quality of the food comes at a cost, but it was worth it in our opinion as this is a dinner we will remember for quite some time. Also, we had added satisfaction of bringing our grandchildren here where this was definitely viewed as a special occasion for them that grandma and grandpa arranged. Nice! read more

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My first time visiting D.C., and a friend highly recommended Old Ebbitt Grill, I can see why it's a D.C institution. We didn't make a reservation and just went with the flow of the day, fully expecting a long wait. While table wait was long. we lucked out with open bar seating (pro tip: there are bars in all four corners, which makes it much easier for a party of two). We went right at the dinner rush on a Sunday, but the crowd started to ease not long after we settled in. We ordered a half dozen oysters to start, followed by the classic crab cake and a burger simple and classic. But overall solid meal....I'm still thinking about the oysters and crab cake. no pics of the burger, but can never go wrong with a burger. Really glad I got to experience this iconic spot while visiting. Definitely one to add to your D.C. list. read more

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Old Ebbitt Grill was an awesome experience. The place has a really cool, historic vibe that feels like it hasn't changed in over 100 years--in the best way possible. You can tell there's a lot of character and history in every detail. The menu had a great variety of options, and everything we tried was solid and well-prepared. The food quality was definitely on par with what you'd expect from a spot like this. On top of that, the cocktails were excellent--perfectly balanced and made exactly right. Overall, it's a great mix of atmosphere, quality food, and well-made drinks. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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This resturant was beautiful and packed even at 8 pm! It was a 90 min wait and worth it. We got the following: -Chowder 5/5: Savory, full of clams and great flavor. -Cheeseburger 3/5: Needed more seasoning on the patty itself but overall good burger. -Oysters Rockefeller 5/5: BOMB DOT COM! -Raw Oysters 5/5: We got pink moon and fortune oysters. The winner was pink moon! Clean, crisp and sweet! -Broccolini 4/5: Beautiful char. Just needed a pinch of salt! -Meatloaf 2/5: I did not like the flavor of this meatloaf. Wouldn't recommend. Only got it because others dining in ordered. We will definitely come back! read more

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During a recent trip to DC, the Mr. and I celebrated my birthday at Old Ebbitt Grill. Ambiance, service, and food were all top notch. Jack our server, made excellent recommendations. We decided to order the pork chop, double crab cakes, and creamed spinach. We shared everything. While everything was scrumptious my favorite was the crab cake. For dessert we had the chocolate chip bread pudding. It was decadent and large enough to share. In a city full of amazing restaurants, Old Ebbitt Grill is a shining star. I'm already planning my return! read more

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Came here for the first time for dinner with a friend. We went to one of the bars and ordered a half dozen oysters, the Salmon Nicoise Salad, and the Salmon Faroe. What's Hot - Quality. Delicious. My friend and I split a half dozen oysters. The sauces that accompany the oysters have a nice flavor and are not too salty. My salmon nicoise salad was delightful and not heavy. The salmon was was either grilled or pan fried. It was still slightly raw in the center, but I would rather that than being too dry. All the vegetables of my salad were fresh. The green beans and potatoes were slightly cooked and still tender. There was a good amount of green beans, golden potatoes, kalamata olives, tomatoes, and an egg. My friend enjoyed her salmon, as well, which was served over a bed of lentils. - Menu. Good variety. There's something for everyone, even possibly vegans. There's a good amount of veggies, meats, cheeses, and seafood options. - Location. It's close to a couple of metro stations and is centrally located in D.C. - Service. Polite and reliable. My friend and I were there on a weeknight and it was incredibly busy. However, we did not wait too long for each dish to be served. They appeared to have a good amount of staff, who are attentive, especially when it's packed. - Price. My friend and I split the check, so I paid for half the oysters and my nicoise salad, which came out approximately $45 (not including tip). For fresh seafood and the quality of the food, it's good value for money. What's Not - Acoustics. When it's busy, this place is packed, which means noise carries very easily. It's not easy to have a conversation, even when sitting next to someone. - Service. Given the popularity of the restaurant, I highly recommend making a reservation. If you don't have one, depending on the day and time you go, you'll more than likely wait a fairy reasonable time and/or be relegated to the bar. My friend and I did not make a reservation. When I asked the hostess how long the wait would be for 2 people, she responded 45 minutes. Again, be prepared. - Layout. To be aware, there are 3 bars and it's not obvious. I was not made aware of this until I spoke to the hostess. The hostess informed me there are 3 bars- one in the back, one on the left, and one on the right. Their main seating area does not appear to be large and is pretty tight. Final Answer Willing to come back, but not a first choice and would make a reservation. read more

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

Very good food with such a cool atmosphere. The service was okay and that's why I'm giving it 4 stars. Our service wasn't "bad", but our server just didn't seem like he didn't really want to be there or we were just another body in the seats. Which is a bummer because we had the opposite experience with the bartender when we were waiting for our table. read more

We had a nice lunch. It was fun to be in a "classic" DC atmosphere. It was clear they were putting the tourists all together by the back bar and the business lunches up front! Recommend the scallops and the 5 cheese macaroni side. read more

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7/6/2026 - made reservations for 3 at 8:30pm to grab appetizers and desserts. Well worth it. Seated immediately. We ordered a 8oz clam chowder which was excellent, 2 orders of oyster Rockefeller which comes in sets of 4 each, a blueberry cobbler and 2 Flourless Truffle Cakes. OMG everything was excellent. The desserts were banging. Get the chocolate flourless for sure and the cobbler! 5 stars for service and the food was excellent. See photos. About $85 total. Included is the dessert menu. read more

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My most disappointing visit here ever. Although not very busy in the mid-afternoon, the hostess was rude. The men's restroom was out of paper towels. Service at the bar was courteous but distracted and slow, slow, slow. The bartenders seemed to spend a lot of time chatting with each other or looking at their cell phones. And, it was annoying to be asked to provide my credit card before being allowed to order. It must be a bar thing. I've never been asked to provide a card up front when seated at a table. But, the oysters were excellent as always. read more

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It's a trap. (Star Wars). Good food but get a resy, always packed. The bar looked fun and there is more than one. Calamari was average. I got the Ruben and it was perfectly toasted and plenty of corned beef. Side salad Cesar was really well done. We also got the turkey sandwich which was amazing as well. Little bit of a wait and a little bit of cost, but if you only go there once it's worth it. read more

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We had a fantastic lunch at Old Ebbitt Grill, and a big part of that was our server, Jack. Jack is one of those rare waiters who somehow manages to be informative, funny, attentive, and slightly psychic about what the table needs next. The place was busy (as it usually is for lunch), but honestly we barely noticed because Jack kept everything moving smoothly with recommendations, drink suggestions, and check-ins at exactly the right moments. We started with oysters, which were incredibly fresh and sweet, along with the New England clam chowder and deviled eggs. All excellent and disappeared from the table faster than expected. For the main course, two of us had the pork chop -- one with the shallot cream sauce and the other with the chimichurri. Both were fantastic and easily one of those meals where you start quietly negotiating bites across the table. By the end we were completely full, which was unfortunate because the dessert menu looked dangerously good. One fun moment: someone in our group remembered a drink from her college days and asked about it. Jack somehow managed to convince the bartender to make a smaller version of it, and she was absolutely thrilled. That kind of extra effort is what really makes a place stand out. Great food, great atmosphere, and Jack-level service that made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend. read more

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I love this gem of a place for raw oysters in Washington D.C.! The best time to go is during Oyster Happy Hour everyday from either 3-5pm or 11pm-1am. My favorite oysters are available quite often from Spinney Creek, Maine and Wellfleet, Massachusetts, but the available selection just depends on the day's shipment. I love the historical and unique interior. The service is often professional and efficient. read more

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

Great vibe and touristy but well deserved due to its history. I had a salad and the fried oyster deviled eggs, both were delish. I'll be back for a full meal next time I'm in town. PS my bartender was a gem! read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Fried oyster deviled eggs and apple salad - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Can you believe that they actually give you this as a order of chicken wing? Either the wings need to be bigger or the bowl needs to be smaller. This is an embarrassment. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Chicken wings (half order...but still......) - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Made a reservation for here at 9:00 for breakfast. I had seen the breakfast menu online and it looked solid - so we stopped in and checked in. I had looked online before for a breakfast menu but with us coming on a Saturday the menu was brunch instead. Eating at 9am is definitely too early for a burger but - Ordered the breakfast sandwich, which came with a breakfast potato sautéed with peppers and onions. The sandwich was really good -- even with lettuce and tomato on top of the egg and bacon cheese and avocado. The potatoes were ok. I also added a side of the hot honey carrots - which were very flavorful and I enjoyed. Our waiter did a really good job with everything and was very attentive. Would like to come back here for dinner, will be on the short list for next trip. read more

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Terrific service and best crab cakes I've ever had! Extremely friendly staff. Would recommend to anyone visiting or local.

YUMMY!!!!!!!! GREAT STAFF - Super AWESOME People, and very clean! the Food is so good and the people there make it Amazing!