We were visiting from out of town and decided to stop by McNamara's--and I'm so glad we did. This…read moreplace ended up being one of our favorite meals of the trip. We ordered the wings, a burger, and the Carolina pulled pork sandwich, and everything was amazing. The wings were full of flavor, the burger was juicy and cooked perfectly, and the pulled pork sandwich had that perfect smoky, tangy balance. It's always hit or miss trying new spots when you're traveling, but this one was definitely a win.

McNamaras is great. I stopped by here late night like 9pm…read more I asked for recommendations and server said stout burger which is a deconstructed burger with mushrooms and mash. very tasty and easy to eat not messy. I got a carrot cake for dessert and it was awesome too. the beers were poured heavy and the price is lower than a lot of places I've been to. overall good service good food laid back atmosphere. recommend.

Phenomenal little neighborhood gem on all fronts! THE best burger and chicken sandwich I've ever…read morehad, and truly not even close. Maddison was an exceptional server that was very attentive and spot on with her choices, as we took her recommendation on a few items. Fried green tomatoes is an absolute MUST when here and it is certainly DIVINE!!

We come about every two weeks. I always get the flounder over mushroom risotto. The food is…read morefantastic! The service is usually always on point with friendly staff and the cozy neighborhood vibe is great.

Let's start with the Sunday Brunch…read more I defy anyone to find fault with that value. First round of mimosas is expensive but the next six rounds is cheeeeap. And the selection?!?! For under $70 two people can have crab cakes benedict, fried brussels, crispy French toast... I don't even remember. Like ten different things! I didn't have to eat again until 9pm. The food was great! Vinny, who was our handler (clearly he has training in special education or something because we that table. Or maybe the TIPS trainings have advanced to include messy brunch people) was fun, patient, and knowledgeable. This is THE SPOT for brunch on Sunday.

I visited Makers Union Pentagon City for a 4:45pm Thursday reservation for four. I arrived on time…read moreand was seated outside on the patio. Unfortunately, service started off on the wrong foot. There was a very large party already on the patio, and I was seated behind them. I waited about 12-15 minutes before the rest of my group arrived, but no server ever came by. We decided to head inside to get re‑seated, but couldn't find a hostess anywhere. We eventually flagged down a random server in the bar area and asked if a four‑top could be cleared so we could sit there instead. Thankfully, once we moved inside, everything improved dramatically. Service from that point on was attentive and friendly. The "Peoples Hour" menu was a highlight--great pricing without feeling "cheap." Appetizers were $6-10, cocktails $6-8, wines $6, and beers $6.50. The Down & Dirty (a vodka martini variation without vermouth) was solid, and the Out of the Office...Forever rum punch was decent. For food, we tried several items: - Makers Mini Nachos with steak -- Generous toppings but the chips got soggy quickly under all the queso, sour cream, and guac, which is not necessarily a bad thing. - Taco-bout Fish -- Crispy cod with a lemon aioli; one of the better bites of the night. - Drop It Like It's Hot -- Really good chicken tenders with a spicy Comeback sauce. - Lil B sliders -- Nicely cooked and not overdone; the Comeback sauce added a nice kick. The space has an upscale sports‑bar vibe with TVs above and around the bar. Seating can feel tight when it's busy, and the noise level definitely climbs, so keep that in mind if you're looking for a quieter meal. Despite the rocky start, the rest of the evening was enjoyable. Good food, great happy hour pricing, and solid service once we were settled inside. I'd return--just probably not to the patio during a big party.

TL;DR: Delicious food!…read more Parking is free - its across the street between the Dollar Tree and Sherwin Williams (no parking slip needed) I made a reservation for 2 on a Saturday at 6pm, it was pretty empty but quickly filled up as the night went on. I have dreamed of eating good crawfish Étouffée again since first having it in Galveston, TX and this did not disappoint. Lots of crawfish, rich in flavor, well spiced. I got the she crab soup, there wasn't any visible roe (which made me sad) but it was still yummy. Sometimes with soup like this, its too salty but this wasn't! The key lime pie was huge! Very easy to eat (not cloyingly, not too tart). If it wasn't such a drive from me, I'd definitely go more often! Yay for this Nova Foodies recommendation.

The alligator soup lacked flavor to me. The shrimp and crawfish etouffee tasted the same as the…read morealligator soup, however, once the weather brought over the Tabasco it was a smash hit! I also ordered the brussel sprouts which were fried perfectly however, I didn't get to taste the sauce until I decided to bring the dish home then, I could taste the sauce from what I poured into the container onto the brussel sprouts and then they were delicious! Maybe they can find a way to have the sauce throughout the dish The bread pudding was just okay also. The staff was delightful. They paid attention to detail and made sure to check on the table regularly. The restroom was really small. I would go back and try another dish.

Came here for a team lunch and enjoyed a mushroom ravioli (?) here. The pasta was great. This is on…read morethe second floor of a hotel so it's not a place I'd seek out or choose to go to on my own but it was good for a small work outing.

Cinnabar is the main sit-down restaurant in the Hyatt Crystal City, located on the second floor. I…read morecame here for their breakfast buffet. The name Cinnabar sounds lie cinnamon and bar, but it actually refers to the mineral, mercury sulfide. Interesting name for a restaurant! The breakfast buffet is typical Hyatt quality with the usual items. Omelet and waffle stations are made to order. Three items that stood out for me are the vegetable hash, tomatoey waffle, and blueberry yogurt parfait. Their black coffee was also strong. Note they also offer menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well.

I highly recommend Matchbox's bottomless (food) brunch, the food is DELICIOUS and there are so many…read moreoptions! My favorites by far are the French toast, the blueberry lemon pancakes and the fish and grits. When I tell you these items are bomb, I'm not even playing! Because I love it so much, I went with one group of friends on 2/1/2026, then I went with another set of friends on 2/22/2026 and then most recently on 2/28/2026. Tell me I have a problem without telling me! I am clearly addicted! Chill, I am back to my normal/healthier eating habits; three days won't hurt me! Anyway, highly recommend! P.S., other things I've tried and thoroughly enjoyed - steak and eggs, mini burgers, Caesar salad, chicken wings, hot artichoke & spinach dip and the chicken fettuccini alfredo.

Typically, matchbox is somewhere you can go that's pretty casual and fast service. I'm not sure…read morewhat's going on at the Pentagon City location but the service is usually oddly slow and delayed. I thought it was a one off my last time here, but this proves to just be their thing. It won't even be crowded and the servers forget things you ordered and everything moves extremely slow. For instance, my appetizer came out well after my main dish which kind of missed the point of ordering an app. Also, it took 10+ minutes to get water after we were initially asked by our server. So not q great experience unless you have time to just wait. The food was standard and expected. I really enjoyed the spinach artichoke dip. The wings were extremely salty and didn't taste like the flavor I ordered, but I was short on time after already waiting forever so I made due. The brussels sprouts were delicious! My friend enjoyed her sandwich and broccolini. I probably won't go back to this specific location eventhough I typically enjoy matchbox.

For a hotel restaurant, this place is really great. The staff is friendly, the restaurant is clean,…read morethe food is yummy and the drinks are on point! The bartender Med is super friendly and professional, and her drinks are so delicious. I definitely recommend this place, especially if you are staying at the hotel or if you happen to be in the area!

Meh. It's a hotel restaurant. Pretty low-key. Had it not been 34 degrees outside, I would have been…read moremore inclined to step out into the neighborhood and walk to a restaurant. The Crowne Plaza front desk gave me a 15% OFF coupon at check-in too. The Sparkle Sangria was very good, and I ordered a second. I ordered the Maryland Blue Crab Dip and Wedge Salad. The toasted baguette wedges were a nice accompaniment to the hot dip. But the dip was unexciting and bland. It took so long for the salad to come out, I was about to tell them to forget about it. The bacon on the wedge salad was a bit undercooked. Maybe this is me -- but part of the appeal of Wedge Salad is slicing into the crispy lettuce wedge. PST serves there's already sliced. The service as a little slip-shod but friendly. If I stay at the Crowne Plaza Crystal City again, I might stop in for a drink-- but would skip dinner.

I had a solid experience at this bright, yet spacious diner. At night, it's impossible to avoid…read morethose lights inside. I was the first to arrive, and got seated, as it was fairly empty for Thursday night. After 5 minutes or so, my friends arrived, and we got water. My buddy told me I had to try their burgers, but I decided to go with the biscuits and gravy because it just looked so good and I hadn't had it in a while. Ordering was a breeze, and It didn't take long for the food to come. I was so excited when it arrived, and The taste didn't disappoint at all! I'll be back to try some other things. They had some amazing looking desserts that we almost got, but ultimately decided not to. As others have said, it's the classic diner experience.

I love this diner and I enjoy eating there, but only during the day. You'll get really great diner…read morefood and the service is amazing. The staff is always super nice and friendly. I live close by and would eat here at night time, but it is lit up! It is so damn bright inside I almost need to bring sunglasses. I really wish they would dim those lights down a bit at night time.

Nice burger joint! I ordered a hamburger with cajun fries and the marshmallow milkshake! The food…read morecame out hot, fast, and fresh. The fries were crispy and seasoned well. The burger didn't wow me, but I can forgive all sins with the right sauce! The dip bar was great and it kicked everything up a notch! The shake seemed to have an aftertaste, but everyone else was super pleased with it. Lots of seating is available and they can accommodate a large group. Love the atmosphere! I can't wait to go back!

The Famous Chef Thomas visited this place for the first time, placed an order in good faith, paid…read morehis money, and expected the most basic standard of hospitality: a place to sit and eat. Instead, after taking his payment, they informed him that he could not sit there because a group would be coming in 30 minutes and that he should go outside and eat. Outside. In weather that was a little too nippy for that kind of foolishness. It was a complete slap in the face. Let us be clear. Once a business accepts a customer's money, that customer is no longer a passerby. He is a paying guest. To then tell him he cannot sit and must take his food elsewhere is not a minor inconvenience. It is disrespect. It is disorder. It is a sign that the establishment has no command of hospitality, no understanding of dignity, and no instinct for how to treat people with even the smallest measure of courtesy. What exactly was the Famous Chef Thomas supposed to do, stand in the middle of the floor and eat like a man without sense? Hover awkwardly with food in hand while being made to feel unwanted? Absolutely not. The Famous Chef Thomas has rules, and one of them is permanent: never stay where you are unwanted. https://famouschefthomas.com/paris-notes/never-stay-where-you-are-unwanted.html That rule exists for a reason. When an establishment shows you plainly that your comfort, your presence, and your patronage mean nothing, the correct response is not to beg, explain, or compromise. The correct response is to leave. So the Famous Chef Thomas demanded his money back and walked. That was the meal. That was the experience. That was the review. This dive is not simply disappointing. It is banned by the Famous Chef Thomas.

Might be one of the best Happy Hours around. Even if you are not going to see a movie you can hang…read moreout and it is popular with a lot of people. Also, if you are going to a movie you can bring the stuff into the theater with you. There is a specific list of what beers you can get but it is pretty extensive. The apps are alright as well. Great happy hour in Crystal City.

Great happy hour! $4 Beer, $5 wine, and $6 of any appetizer on the menu. Also great seating outside…read moreon a beautiful day. You don't have to worry about finishing it all at the bar, you can take it into your movie. Kind bartenders and great environment