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    Old Ebbitt Grill

    4.2 (11.7k reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Old Ebbitt Grill Photos

    Business Info

    OLD EBBITT GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Old Ebbitt Grill

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    Reviews With Photos

    Cross section of my sandwich. Tons of meat!
    Leyang Z.

    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!

    Menu
    Ninh N.

    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.

    Clyde's Chili
    David C.

    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.

    Back bar
    Paul Francis M.

    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.

    Walter's Favorite Sandwich
    Evangeline E.

    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!)

    Caroline K.

    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

    Shrimp and grits
    Rachel V.

    The burger was cooked well and flavorful. The bun was tasty. Fries were well executed. The shrimp and grits were ok. Shrimp was fresh and tasty. I think there was too much sauce which overpowered the grits but overall a nice bite. Kids menu was decent too. Great ambiance. Would try again.

    Reuben Sandwich
    Lily D.

    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!

    Menu April 2026
    Gigi A.

    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.

    Strawberry Shortcake
    Michele L.

    Quintessential DC dining experience! This restaurant is a five-star experience in terms of vibes, food quality, and overall experience. While our server was a little low energy, he was attentive and professional. We enjoyed all of the dishes and loved how we could have a table conversation in our booth without yelling, while enjoying the lively hub-bub around us. Will plan to return every time we're in DC!

    Jumbo lump crab cake, burger, and fries
    Tom G.

    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.

    Partial dining room view.
    Sandy K.

    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.

    Paul E.

    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!

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    11 months ago

    I think everyone in DC was there following the 4th of July parade. The wait was worth it, our server and food were excellent.

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    1 year ago

    Prob the nicest sit down restaurant in area that's not super over priced. Food decent. Not amazing. Not bad. VERY good service from waitress

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    1 year ago

    We had a party of 8 and everything went great! Pork chop was a little over but everything else went great. Service was great.

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    Old Ebbitt Grill Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Old Ebbitt Grill

    Can I get lobster Benedict?

    It is not currently on the menu and they will not make substitutions, even if they have the ingredients.

    Does it have only one restroom for patrons and staff?

    No... there are multiple restrooms

    Can I get the Chesapeake Benedict at the Saturday Brunch, although it's on the Breakfast Menu?

    What is the wait time for a table during peak hours?

    About an hour to an hour and a half. Went last Saturday night and it was about that long.

    What's the difference between the lunch and dinner menus?

    Quantity. Amount of options. They have different menus for different occasions. It is best to use website to see the lates updated/the seasonal

    Do you offer takeout or delivery services?

    They offer to go. Not sure on delivery.

    Unable to get Friday evening reservations, how likely is it to find open bar seating after 7pm?

    It's a busy place you'd be taking a chance !

    Is it loud?

    Loud near the bar but not at the tables.

    How late is the kitchen open?

    1am when we went Saturday night. Call to verify

    Can i go together with my baby(8months)?

    When there in the spring, I saw several strollers and young babies, toddlers. Staff and patrons seemed quite accommodating.

    Do they still serve lobster?

    Not currently, but it may return depending on the season.

    When is their happy hr?

    From 3-6

    What's the dress code?

    I asked them when we went and they said, everything from a tux to shorts and a t shirt. So, it is whatever you would like. From the feel, though, it's a sort of business casual.

    Do they have burgers?

    They sure do, and they're delicious.

    Is there outside seating?

    No there is not. Take out only

    Is it quiet during dinner time? Is it a good place for a date?

    I think it'd absolutely be a great place for a date! It's a beautiful location, they have delicious food that's served attractively and the service is great too. I would take a date there, but my wife would get angry...

    What time does the kitchen close?

    Def way past midnight

    How much is corkage fee?

    Corkage is $15.

    Is the happy hour only at the bar? Should I make a reservation for the late night happy hour?

    As far as I know happy hour pertains to the bar (at least when I've gone), but they have at least four bars- one in each room upstairs. I can't remember if there's a bar downstairs.… Read more

    Do you need a reservation for a Tuesday evening?

    Always make reservations there. That place is usually packed

    View All 35 Questions

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    Come for the drinks, stay for the vibes. I was visiting from out of town and hear this rooftop bar…read morewas a good spot to check out and I was not disappointed. The views were perfect and the service was just as good. Good spot for groups or a celebration with friends!

    What an...interesting experience…read more This bar sits on top of the Moxy Hotel, which is a sleek, modern spot in downtown DC. Unfortunately, getting to the rooftop was one of the most frustrating parts of the night. Access is only through the lobby, and the security team handling crowd control was completely disorganized. We were constantly being redirected with conflicting instructions: told to line up around the bar, then yelled at to move to the wall, then called to the elevator, then scolded for approaching it. It felt chaotic and unnecessarily hostile, like we were being managed instead of welcomed. To make things worse, IDs were checked multiple times (3-4 times per person) because there was no clear or centralized process. We were attending a birthday party that the venue itself had advertised on Instagram with ~75 guests expected at 9pm. When we arrived, we were told the rooftop was "closed" until 10. After waiting an hour in the lobby bar and dealing with the confusion above we finally got upstairs...only to find it already packed with people who had clearly been there for hours. The "reserved section" for our group was extremely underwhelming: a small space directly in front of a very loud DJ booth and a cold back corner where the heat lamps didn't work (and staff said there was nothing they could do). Service was just okay...no one was particularly friendly, but orders were eventually filled. The bar was oddly limited (only one beer option: Michelob Ultra), and some bartenders seemed unsure about basic drink requests (like a vodka soda with pineapple). The biggest issue came when we asked for the birthday cake we had given to staff earlier for storage. No one knew where it was. It took over 30 minutes and multiple staff members to locate it, and when we finally left for the night, the cake box was damaged beyond use with no remorse. Overall, this is much more of a crowded, club-style rooftop than a place for a planned event, dinner, or even conversation. The view is nice, but the experience didn't match the hype. If you go, expect a party vibe and minimal service and be prepared to navigate some very confusing (and inconsistent) security direction.

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